Guyana Times -Thursday, August 10, 2023

Woman remanded over cocaine, ganja found at resort

Man jailed for 4 years, fined $39M over drug bust at cargo company

Woman extorted almost $10M from man claiming she was pregnant –court hears

Murder suspect confesses to killing girlfriend’s ex-partner

2 more road deaths recorded in 24 hours

Govt gets $5B in supplementary funding for gas-to-energy project

…monies also passed for Linden & Lethem power companies

The Government went before the National Assembly on Wednesday to request an additional $5 billion in supplementary funding for the gas-to-energy project, which will go towards the necessary infrastructure to support the project.

During the 67th Sitting of Parliament, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh provided details on the $5 billion being requested for the gasto-power project, prior to it being passed, as part of the $61 billion supplementary paper. Specifically, the money for the project will be used for upgrading the electrical distribution network necessary to integrate energy from the power plants in the project.

“This line item finances a number of interventions associated with the gas-to- energy project, including the EPC contract for engineering procurement and construction of the power plant itself; project management and supervision expenses; components in relation to upgrading through the transmission and distribution network, in order to adequately and efficiently offtake the power being generated by this project; and associated other interventions.”

The Finance Minister pointed out that the contracts for this project have already been awarded. These include the US$159 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract awarded to Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL) last month.

“And so what this amount represents is, given the updated projections of how each of these contracts will be advanced, the EPC contract, for which an international firm was contracted, and the supervision of the EPC contract, again an international company doing that,” the Finance Minister said.

“What this amount represents is what we anticipate will be the additional resources needed, given the pace at which these various components are progressing, and payments we anticipate will follow through. This represents, now, the latest estimate of what we anticipate will be the totality of the project.”

The funding, according to the Finance Minister, is being sourced out of the Consolidated Fund. The minister also confirmed that land acquisition for the purpose of the project is an ongoing exercise. However, this is not currently being funded from

the $5 billion supplementary provision.

In Budget 2023, the gas-to-energy project received a $43.3 billion allocation. This allocation is in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the start-up of the transformational project, which includes the construction of an Integrated (Natural Gas Liquid) NGL Plant and the 300-megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Power Plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The NGL and 300MW power plant components of the gas-to-shore project are meanwhile expected to cost US$759.8 million, and will be financed through sources that include budgets and loan financing.

The scope of Guyana’s gas-to-energy project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.

Power companies

Questions were also asked about the additional $927 million that the Government is seeking under the Office of Prime Minister for the Linden Electricity Company and the Lethem

Power Company, which are receiving $663 million and $264.7 million respectively.

It was explained by Dr. Singh that due to the increased cost of fuel, the Government had no choice but to request the supplementary funds. He also informed the Opposition that requests for extra funds were only received from the two power companies.

Meanwhile, in response to questions from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament David Patterson, Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat

Indar, explained why additional funds are needed in spite of the one-megawatt solar farm in Lethem.

“I remember when this facility at Lethem was established, and commissioned to provide supplemental power to the Lethem Power Plant. Solar power is intermittent power. It doesn’t run 24 hours. So, it’s intermittent power, fed into the generation capacity at Lethem.

“It is designed to reduce fuel costs. You have intermittent power, so only some parts of the day you have sunlight. So, when you

have sunlight, that power is pushed into the power plant and reduces the cost of power,” Indar said.

According to the minister, an analysis was done by the Hinterland Electrification Company Incorporated (HECI) on the Lethem Power Company, and it was found that extra money was needed to run the plant due to the increase in fuel costs. Indar also acknowledged that some of the generation sets at Lethem are old, and thus burn more fuel. Demand for power in Lethem has also increased. (G3)

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, August 10 – no retraction and Friday, August 11 – 13:00h-14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, August 10 –10:45h-12:15h and Friday, August 11 – 13:20h-14:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunshine and thundery showers are expected during the day. Thundery showers are also expected at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.92 metres.

High Tide: 11:34h and 23:55h reaching maximum heights of 2.10 metres and 2.18 metres.

Low Tide: 17:22h reaching a minimum height of 1.15 metres.

$61B in supplementary spending approved by National Assembly

…$1.5B for GuySuCo; Public Works Ministry gets $33.3B

The sum of $61 billion in supplementary funds for the period ending December 31, 2023 was approved on Wednesday by the Government in the National Assembly, in a session that went on well into the night.

Among the allocations passed was $5 billion for the gas-to-energy project, $663 million for the Linden Electricity Company and $264.7 million for the Lethem Power Company. Monies were also passed for additional resources to support the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) due to expanded work programmes, the Government noted.

Under the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, $300 million for additional funds to support Local Authority Areas (LAAs)

LOTTERY NUMBERS

and $250 million to expand targeted initiatives were included under line item ‘regional economic transformation’.

In the Agriculture Ministry, $4 billion will go to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) for urgent Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) works in Regions two, three, five and 10. Meanwhile, $100 million has been provided for the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) for pasture development in those regions as well.

The sum of $1.5 billion has also been allocated to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), for additional resources to rehabilitate 1572 hectares of temporary abandoned lands at Albion, Blairmont, Rose Hall and Uitvlugt Estates.

Public Works

With a provision of $33.3 billion, the Public Works Ministry received the largest supplementary provision. According to the estimates, $25 billion will go towards the construction and rehabilitation of community roads

referenced previous reports that a US$150 million loan had been signed with Saudi Arabia, to not only finance the construction of the new Wismar Bridge, but also the construction of 1000 young professional homes in Linden.

works. We are, in fact, in the process of concluding a contract with the contractor for the actual bridge.”

“And the honourable member Mr Edghill was correct that the actual construction of the bridge, we anticipate being financed out of local resources. We want as a Government to move forward as quickly as possible, with the completion of this bridge. It is for that reason we’re moving with alacrity… so there’s no great mystery here,” Dr Singh said.

Education, Housing and Home Affairs

A sum of $2 billion was allocated to the Education Ministry, for the rehabilitation and upgrade of schools as well as the purchase of school supplies, while the Housing and Water Ministry will get $500 million for expanded work in vulnerable communities.

and drainage works, while $1 billion will go towards urban roads and drainage and a further $1.5 billion was allocated for the construction and rehabilitation of hinterland roads.

Monies were also allocated for wharves and stellings. Specifically, $2.5 billion for advancing works at Kingston goods wharf and the Kumaka, Morawhanna and Port Kaituma stellings. A sum of $568.7 million has also been allocated for critical rehabilitation works on pontoons for the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Meanwhile, $2.1 billion was allocated for the construction of the Wismar bridge, though some confusion ensued when Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said that the bridge was being fully funded from local funds.

Opposition parliamentarian Annette Ferguson

It was subsequently clarified by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh that access roads will have to be built on both sides of the Wismar bridge and as such, the recent loan agreement signed with the Saudi Fund for Development will go towards that. However, local funds will indeed be used for the actual bridge, out of a desire to fast track the work.

“Loan agreements totalling US$150 million were signed with the Saudi Fund for Development. And those financing agreements were tabled… and the language in and surrounding the financing agreements did make reference to both housing developments and the Wismar bridge. All of this is factually correct. It is a fact that we have secured financing to construct the bridge and associated

The Health Ministry got an allocation of $1 billion to complete urgent rehabilitation and upgrade of health facilities, while the Home Affairs Ministry got $1.4 billion to purchase additional equipment and vehicles, and upgrade Police stations and the expanded work programmes.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn explained that the Force’s expanded work programmes included the support it gave to Local Government Elections (LGE) 2023 and the recently-concluded Tradewinds exercises. The Guyana Defence Force meanwhile received an allocation of $638.1 million.

The regional administrations of Regions Two ($45.4 million), Three ($688.2 million), Four ($273.8 million), Five ($116.6 million), Seven ($219.5 million), Eight ($32.9 million) and 10 ($269.5 million) received current allocations from the financial paper.

News Hotline: 231-8063Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761

Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707

Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Traffic

Traffic congestion continues to be a major challenge in large and growing metropolitan areas all over the world. And in spite of several efforts being made by Governments and other development partners to remedy the situation, it is more than likely that traffic congestion would become significantly worse in the years to come. Both the economy and school systems require that people work and go to school during the same time, resulting in road transport systems being overloaded.

Here, in Guyana, traffic congestion in the city and its environs is almost unbearable, especially during morning and evening ‘rush hour’ traffic. These days, it is normal to spend more than half an hour in the traffic when going or coming from work or school, especially in areas along the East Bank and East Coast corridors, where there is a huge build-up of traffic almost daily.

Not only is the traffic situation adding to people’s personal frustrations, but it is also certainly having a negative impact on the level of output of our citizens, both students and workers. For example, production hours are lost by way of employees coming to work late, or by being so tired and stressed the next day, after spending long hours either waiting for transportation or stuck in traffic.

The establishment of new housing schemes across the country, and the increasing numbers of vehicles being imported have contributed significantly to traffic congestion in and around the capital city. Thousands of persons have now been relocated from the city to suburban and rural areas, where they were allocated house lots to build their homes. Most of these people have to travel back to the city, where they work or their children attend school.

Also, many persons are now opting to purchase their own vehicles, which they use to commute to work and conduct their daily errands. In fact, within the last year or so, there has been a five-fold increase in the number of vehicles traversing our roads.

The road network expansion programme, even though significantly improving, still cannot accommodate this massive increase in the number of vehicles using our roads.

Traffic congestion cannot be eliminated completely; it is the way modern societies operate. However, there are certain steps which could be taken to minimise the impact traffic congestion has on citizens and their ability to get to their destinations with minimal delay. For example, the authorities could work to ensure there is increased Police presence in certain areas, to properly direct traffic in order to ensure a smooth flow. In some areas leading in and out of the city, there is hardly any Police presence, and some motorists use the opportunity to break the rules. There could also be more diversions where there is heavy traffic build-up.

As a long-term solution, an effective way to address the challenge is to continue expanding the road network in the country, especially in areas that are heavily populated. At present, there are too many vehicles, too few roads, and too little space, especially in the capital city. There is no doubt that the almost completed East Bank/East Coast Road Expansion project would bring much relief to the travelling public.

These new roadways would serve as a corridor for communities on the East Bank of Demerara, including Perseverance, Mocha, Providence, Eccles, and Peter’s Hall, as well as Aubrey Barker Road. Instead of going through the hectic Georgetown traffic, the new road link will now allow drivers the option to divert from the East Coast and onto the bypass road to access the East Bank of Demerara.

The authorities must continue to look at ways in which the road network in Guyana could be further expanded, improved, rehabilitated and maintained.

Emerging players in the political landscape, are they genuine?

Dear Editor, Readers would recall that this author exposed the Oil and Gas Governance Network (OGGN) for not honouring their legal obligations under U.S tax laws. Shortly after, one of their known members/affiliates, namely Charles Sugrim (accountant/political activist), started a platform of his own to advance what appears to be a partially covert political agenda.

The activist, whom I regard as a supremely qualified finance professional more than myself, and who is also a practitioner in the United States, propagated an egregiously unintelligible speculation in respect of ExxonMobil and the company’s arrangement with its co-venture partners HESS and CNOOC. He posited that when ExxonMobil invited HESS and CNOOC to participate in the Stabroek block as a consortium, that ExxonMobil must have brokered a deal with CNOOC and HESS, alleging that Exxon may have been paid a large sum of money. He even came up with a figure of US$10 billion, which he described as a “reasonable assumption”. Then he contended that, if this is proven to be true, the Government should be paid 50% of that sum, of which 60% should be distributed to every household.

Editor, when someone of Charles Sugrim’s stature makes a “reasonable assumption", it should not be treated the same way a lay person would make a “reasonable assumption” on the same issue. Mr. Sugrim’s hypothesis can be easily tested and proven or

Source: HESS and CNOOC Annual Reports

disproven, which I attempt to do hereunder.

First, let’s establish some critical facts before testing Sugrim’s hypothesis. Following the 1999 prospecting licence, ExxonMobil shared a 50/50 partnership with Shell to carry out their exploration activities in the Stabroek block. Owing to a lack of confidence, with no successful find after fifteen years of exploration, Shell exited the partnership with ExxonMobil in 2014. This means that all of the exploration costs that Shell incurred up to the time of its exit were treated as sunk costs. After Shell exited, ExxonMobil were determined to continue with exploration, given their level of confidence. In an OilNow report, Exxon’s country manager revealed that they had written to thirty-five companies, and HESS and CNOOC responded positively. HESS and CNOOC

then joined Exxon to form a consortium in 2014. Shortly after, in less than one year, it was announced that crude oil was discovered in commercial quantities in May of 2015.

Now, let’s test the hypothesis. If it is reasonable to assume that ExxonMobil demanded US$10 billion from HESS and CNOOC, an examination of both companies’ financial statements for the years 2014-2015 would prove or disprove this notion. Importantly, let’s understand that US$10 billion is no small and ordinary sum of money. For context, US$10 billion represents 2.5 times Guyana’s pre-oil GDP, and 2.3 times the exploration and development costs for the first field development (Liza 1) in the Stabroek block.

The obvious question that comes to mind is: was it affordable and feasible for HESS and CNOOC at that time to pay ExxonMobil this amount

of money just to share the partnership for the Stabroek block? Bearing in mind that HESS and CNOOC would have to share the exploration and development costs together with the associated risks with ExxonMobil.

The financial highlights in the above table for both HESS and CNOOC were extracted from their annual reports for the years 20142015. For simplicity, let’s look at the cumulative figures of both companies for both years. Because, if there was any such transaction, it would have been paid over to ExxonMobil during this time. The cumulative revenue for both companies was US$78.6 billion with a net profit of US$9.2 billion. Notably, HESS made a loss in 2015 of US$4.258 billion.

The cash and cash equivalents for that period amounted to US$8.58 billion. Clearly, both companies could have never afforded such large sum of US$10 billion since the cumulative profit for both companies was less than US$10 billion.

Even if the political activist wants to argue that it’s hidden in the costs, this too, can be dissected and disproved. The production and operating costs alone amounted to 32% of the cumulative revenue. A transaction of this nature and of this size would not form part of the production and operating costs. If true, it could only come under other expense or exploration costs. And as a CPA holder, which I don’t have, Charles Sugrim of all persons would know this better than I do.

Former President’s son-in-law on the right side of society

Dear Editor, “We must all, regardless of political affiliation, work together to improve services to communities. There are no winners when communities and public assets are neglected or fall into decay. I offer a hand of friendship and support to all Local Government bodies. Central Government stands as a partner in development.”

Resounding and resolute words from a remarkable President, Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali, as he unswervingly implored the new batch of sworn-in mayors and their deputies to put the interest of the people and nation first, and come on board his Administration’s aggressive developmental agenda, while not allowing their political affiliation to come in-between.

Many had debunked the former PNC administration for their monstrosities and atrocities during their 20152020 tenure, more so when the Party was tasked with being a caretaker Government only and restricted in dealing with financial transactions. On the contrary, they went on a “holiday spree”, giving out lands to their cronies and wheeling and dealing with the nation’s assets. One of the early dissents was former Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin, ex-President Granger’s son-inlaw, who was very adamant and refused to be influenced by the shenanigans of the PNC Government.

Mr Gaskin could not hide the truth by remaining quietly and politely, ‘while our country gets hijacked, ridiculed and torn apart.’ In a March 2020 message to his colleagues, he reminded them that they were not elected to remain in office forever, and they need to “level with your

supporters and start directing your energies towards becoming a credible opposition party in time for 2025.” He further stated what was as clear as daylight, “Supporters of the APNU/AFC were misled into believing that the coalition had won the election.”

Since the PPP/C Government took office three years ago, President Ali and his Cabinet members have committed themselves in words, deeds and actions to dedicate their resourcefulness to help build a better Guyana and remove the stigma of negativity, distrust, and corruption, which plagued the nation under the PNC’s devious reign from 2015 to 2020. No wonder shortly after President Ali was sworn-in to office on 5th August 2020, Guyana was honoured with a visit from then United States Secretary of State, Mr. Mike Pompeo.

From day one, the PPP/C Government has been working assiduously to improve living conditions in Guyana, and to repair the international image of the country, besmirched by the callous PNC governance.

It is no small task for Guyana to earn and maintain the respect of the United States, and for the second time during the same Government to host the Secretary of State. In July 2023, Mr Antony Blinken stated in his remarks to President Ali, “The United States appreciates the increasingly significant role that Guyana is playing in addressing regional and indeed global issues: a leader on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; and, of course, starting in January, one of the new term members of the United Nations Security Council.”

Under the mantle of the PPP/C Government and President Irfaan Ali’s lead-

ership, Guyana is quickly regaining lost grounds, both economically and socially.

The country is globally recognized as the world’s fastest growing economy, with a GDP which increased by 100% over the past two years.

Inheriting a bankrupt economy from the wasteful PNC Government for the second time, Outsource Asia had this to say about the PPP/C management of the country’s finance, “Powered by the rapid economic growth, President Ali has led Guyana through a period of rapid transformation, and the Government has laid out a masterplan for rapid development and transformation. Moreover, they have demonstrated our ability to work tirelessly to make this vision a reality, so that citizens can reap the benefits as soon as possible.”

No wonder President Ali is asking all stakeholders to join the Government’s winning formula for developmental success! Despite winning over 80% of the NDC and municipality seats at the recent Local Government Election, the ever-simple President Ali allows his humbleness and humaneness to override any ego and reach out to each leader, not identifying with any indifferences but embracing them with fraternity, and to look each person straight in the eyes, extending his warm hands in friendship. The President’s camaraderie reflects his genuineness, and those present did well to reciprocate and “shake the hand that shook the world.” They did not follow the haughtiness of Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton. In fact, they allowed common sense to prevail and took the opportunity to make the right choice of wanting to start afresh by be-

internal democratic process

ing on the right side of society.

President Ali has, during a short span of time, met scores of world leaders who unhesitatingly and lovingly open their arms to embrace him affectionately. This close friendship was earned through honesty and integrity, and not demanded via fear or fame! The PPP/C Government is laboriously making perpetual outreaches to all Guyanese.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips recently stated at the National Assembly, “We (PPP/C) have a holistic plan that we have been delivering to the people of Guyana. We are a people-centred Government. Unfortunately, the entire Opposition cannot keep abreast with what is happening around them. But those who have eyes to see will see, and those who have ears to hear will hear. The people are seeing, and the people are hearing, and the people have started to ignore you (The Opposition).”

How appropriate that during the recent Emancipation Day celebration, no other than Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, son-in-law of former President Forbes Burnham, should pay tribute to President Irfaan Ali! He said, “Guyana under the leadership of President Ali is currently on an upward trajectory of building a strong future… We have multiple ethnicities, and we have in our motto, one people, one nation, one destiny, and the president’s programmatic framework of one Guyana. That is important for us, because it is building a nation.” Guyana awaits more daredevil unmasking and coming out of the dark!

Yours respectfully,

Emerging players in the...

So, the exploration costs cumulative for 2014-2015 for both companies amounted to US$4.699 billion, not even half of the US$10 billion. Other expense which included items such as general and administrative expenses amounted to US$11 billion. Again, US$10 billion represents 91% of that cost. Therefore, to imply that the cost of such a deal would account for 91% of other expenses for these two companies is an unfathomably absurd notion.

Cognizant of the fact that Mr. Sugrim is one of the most highly qualified finance professionals, he can construct another argument. To this end, he can argue that because of the size of the transaction, it would not be reflected on the profit and loss statement. Instead, it can be treated as a capitalized expenditure which would be reflected on the companies’ balance sheet. Hence, there should be an upward

movement in the total assets of both companies by at least US$5 billion, but evidently this was not the case.

In the case of HESS, total assets actually contracted in 2015 from their 2014 position of US$38.5 billion down to US$34.2 billion. And in the case of CNOOC, total assets increased from US$91.137 billion to US$92.346 billion, reflecting a marginal increase of 1.33% or US$1.2 billion.

Editor, the truth is that ExxonMobil, through its local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), holds a 45% equity stake in the Stabroek block, Hess holds 30% and CNOOC holds the remaining 25%. These companies came together to form a consortium, and EEPGL is the licence holder and the operator. They all share the risks and contribute to the equity capital structure. Now that the Stabroek block is producing from Liza

1 and Liza 2, ongoing exploration and future developments are financed from the operating cash flow generated from these two fields.

Against this background, the argument advanced by the learned Charles Sugrim is void of logic, common sense, rational thinking, and reasoning. I say this because I have already proven above that HESS and CNOOC could not have afforded US$10 billion for such a deal. Considering this, if one were to look at ExxonMobil’s annual report for 2015, Exxon made US$32 billion in after-tax profit in 2014. This means that Exxon could have chosen to take on all of the risks, and today Exxon would have been enjoying 100% of the profit, as opposed to sharing 55% of that with HESS and CNOOC. With this in mind, it is worth noting that Exxon did not solicit partnerships with HESS and CNOOC because it did

Dear Editor, I’ve noted a news report on August 7th, 2023 which quotes an unnamed People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) official as giving a lack of funding as the reason for the one-year delay in the holding of a meeting of the party’s second highest decision-making body.

If this report is true, I find it hard to believe.

In a news article on July 27th, 2023, it was reported that Mr Norton was questioned on whether or not his party received funding from the Mohameds, and whether it would accept the same in the future. Norton refused to say whether or not the party would accept future donations, stating

that “it was not wise to name party financiers, as they risk being punished by the Government in areas such as the award of contracts.”

By Mr Norton’s own admission, the PNC is not short of donors. One is therefore left to wonder how the party is now unable to mobilize the $2.4M needed to host this critical General Council meeting. Is there something sinister afoot?

Is someone in the party’s leadership afraid of having their performance so far being subjected to the scrutiny of the wide membership?

Sincerely,

FROM PAGE 4

not have the financing to invest; rather, it is the nature of the risks associated with the industry. In so doing, it is a way of minimizing the risks by risk sharing through these types of arrangement. Of course, once there are successful commercial finds, they all reap the profits as the reward for the risks and return for their investment.

Finally, does Charles Sugrim really think that he can brainwash Guyanese by propagating this sort of unfounded and illogical narrative to captivate Guyanese for political gains? Can the people trust the likes of Charles et.al, that they actually have what it takes to govern a country, if their philosophy at the outset is to sell lofty dreams and transmit impractical promises?

Yours respectfully, Joel

14:30

20:00

20:30 Stand-up

21:00

22:00 Grey's

23:00

23:30

Page Foundation

Plane Geometry

Plane Geometry is all about shapes on a flat surface (like on an endless piece of paper).

Did you know that some rocks can float? In this quick geology demonstration, we will explore pumice and its unique and outrageous ability to float.

Materials:

Piece of pumice (normally found in foot scrub stones)

Container

Water

Instructions:

Fill a container with water. Place the pumice in the water. Enjoy observing the fabulous floating rock!

How it works:

Pumice floats because it has a very low density due to the air bubbles trapped inside. Pumice is a very porous, frothlike volcanic rock that has long been used as an abrasive in cleaning, polishing, and scouring compounds

or substances. It is also employed as a lightweight aggregate in precast masonry units, poured concrete, insulation and acoustic tile, and plaster.

Make this a science project: Test different sized pieces of pumice to see if they float. Try leaving pumice in water for extended periods of time to see if it eventually sinks. Can you put something like liquid soap on the pumice to make it sink. (sciencefun. org)

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?

WORD SEARCH

Mahdia tragedy

Compensation for families to be sourced from supplementary funds

…Grades 9, 10, 11 girls to be housed at President’s College in new school term

The bulk of the money that will go towards providing support for the families of the victims from the Mahdia tragedy, were on Wednesday approved in the National Assembly as part of the $61 Billion supplementary estimates.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had committed to provide financial support to the families of the Mahdia victims who died in the tragic fire in May. Accordingly, all the affected families have signed agreements with the government to receive this support- a total of 31 agreements.

Of the $61 Billion supplementary paper that was examined in the National Assembly, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh confirmed that a portion of the $350 Million being requested by the Ministry of Finance will go to the families of the victims.

“In connection with the amounts sought, let me say that under this particular line item, in this instance this additional amount being sought, is included a provision to meet the cost of the financial assistance that is being provided to the families of the

girls who so tragically lost their lives in Mahdia. And to those who were injured in that tragedy,” Dr Singh said.

Housing arrangements

Meanwhile, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand provided some insight on housing arrangements for the survivors of the tragedy when school reopens, while responding to questions about the $2 Billion in supplementary funds being sought for her own Ministry.

“The male dorm is going to open as per usual. And the decision of the cabinet was to build a secondary school at Micobie, which will take care of

the Micobie students who were in the dorms, as well as those who are now leaving grade six. And the girls in grades nine, 10 and 11 who were in the dorms, will come out and be housed at President’s College.”

“And they will all, even those who were in grade 11 because of the terrible, tragic disruption, everybody is going to start back at the curriculum beginning level, at grade

Woman drowns after falling off Leguan Stelling

A36-year-old woman downed after reportedly falling off the Leguan Stelling in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

Dead is Rabonie Sahoye of Lot 4 La Bagatelle, Leguan Island.

According to reports, the incident occurred at around 17:00h on Friday, when Sahoye, accompanied by her husband, left their Leguan home to transport an individual to Parika using their boat. However, at about 20:30h, the family received a call informing them that Sahoye had fallen overboard at the Leguan Stelling.

A family member told this newspaper that upon receiving the news, they rushed to the stelling and initiated a search to locate the woman. The relative recounted that Sahoye's husband informed the family that after returning from Parika, Sahoye had attempted to secure the boat by stepping onto the stelling. Unfortunately, she lost her footing and slipped into the water.

Her husband immedi-

Dead: Rabonie Sahoye

ately jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue Sahoye, but his efforts proved futile.

The family's search on Friday night yielded no results, prompting them to pause and resume their efforts on Saturday. Sahoye's body was found by a local

resident at about 12:30h on an island beach.

Her remains were transported to Ezekiel Funeral Home and Parlour.

A post-mortem examination conducted on the body revealed that Sahoye had died due to asphyxiation caused by drowning. (G9)

10, which is form four,” Manickchand explained.

In the early hours of May 22, a fire allegedly set by a 15-year-old student resulted in the deaths of 19 female students from the Mahdia school dorm and a five-year-old boy. The girls who perished in the fire are: Subrina John, Belnisa Evans, Loreen Evans, Bibi Rita Fiona Jeffrey, Lisa Roberts, Tracil Thomas, Delecia Edwards, Lorita Williams,

Natalie Bellarmine, Arianna Edwards, Cleoma

Simon, Martha Dandrade, Mary Dandrade, Omerfia

Edwin, Nickleen Robinson, Sherlyn Bellarmine, Eulander Carter and Andrea Roberts. Adanye

Jerome, the five-year-old son of the dorm mother, is also among those who passed.

The facility had housed about 59 students from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie and

Chenapau. Information from the Guyana Fire Service indicated that 14 youths died at the scene of the fire, while five died at Mahdia District Hospital. Even as court proceedings continue against the alleged perpetrator, government had offered to compensate the families affected. That compensation would have ranged between $3 Million and $5 Million per household.

(G3)

Butcher slapped with cybercrime charges …threatened

to release woman’s nude photo

Police have charged a Lot 105 Den Amstel, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) man after a young woman said he threatened to release a nude photo of her unless she paid him.

Lemuel Dundas, 22, a butcher, faced three charges when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

The offences were allegedly committed on May 9 at Stevedore Housing Scheme, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Dundas is accused of using a computer system to transmit electronic data that intimidated the virtual complainant.

He is also accused of using a computer system with the intent to extort a benefit from the woman by threatening to publish electronic data containing personal or private information which could cause her public ridicule, contempt, hatred, or embarrassment.

It is further alleged that

he intentionally, and without lawful excuse or justification, acquired electronically a nude photograph and a video of the nude virtual complainant.

In objecting to bail for the defendant, the Police prosecutor cited the serious nature and prevalence of the offence while noting that Dundas is currently under investigation after nude photos of several women were found in his mobile phone.

The prosecution’s objections were upheld, and Dundas was refused bail and remanded to prison. The matters will be called again on August 14 for him to be served with statements.

There are reports of Dundas being arrested back in March for attempt-

ing to extort money from a female by convincing her that he had nude photographs of her.

When he was arrested by the Police, he reportedly declined to contact his family members. With his family reportedly unable to contact him, they filed a missing person report.

The Cyber Crime Act criminalises the capturing, storage and transmission through a computer system of the image of a person’s genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or breast without his/her consent. If found guilty by a Magistrate, a person can be fined $3 million and jailed for three years, or if found guilty by a Judge and Jury, a person can be fined $8 million and be imprisoned for five years. (G1)

Oil… …refinery

Your Eyewitness is just waiting for the squeals of protest from the woke brigade now that Pres Ali signed that MOU with the Dominican Republic on setting up a 50M barrel-per-day Oil Refinery here in dear ole Mudland!! The Government has already shortlisted four companies for a 30M refinery to be located in Berbice - and that precipitated righteous bleats of righteous indignation!! Well…how dare the Government add to the pollution of the planet to deliver cheap gasoline and bunker fuel, even though we’re paying through the nose for them right now!! And never mind that in light of the fact that more than EIGHTY MILLION BARRELS OF OIL ARE REFINED DAILY, our contribution won’t even register a blip!!

We gotta get our priorities “right”, these eco-activists scream…and if we gotta revert to the Stone Age to cut pollution, so be it!! In fact, they’ll also be screaming about the plant to produce urea for agriculture which the DR also signed on to…since that’s gonna add to the gas-to-shore pollution that’s already in the works at Wales!! Maybe we should turn to natural fertilizers like “night soil” that we will collect every morning from our “posies” that we should now keep under our beds?? What happened to cow dung, you ask, dear reader?? That produces methane – another pollutant that’s verboten by the woke brigade.

Anyhow, back to the oil refinery. Back when the PNC was in office, Trotman - who’d signed the giveaway contract with the Exxon consortium – had blurted out that Suriname would be refining our 14.5% that was our share of the oil profits. Suriname promptly bitch-slapped him something silly and told him to do his homework. All “oil” isn’t the same “oil”. For one, there’s “heavy” versus “light” oil… and Suriname’s refinery handles only heavy oil!! Then the Sanctimonious Gangster’s oil advisor – who was very oily, if the truth be told!! – announced there would be NO refinery on their watch. But when a local hustler proposed to build one in LINDEN – they somersaulted and said “so be it”!! So, whatever happened to that proposal?? Seems the grifter sees more potential in hemp. Because some ganja can be sneaked in??

It wasn’t until the PPP came into office that the dithering ceased and we had a clear policy on refining oil. And this was to address the national interest of GUYANA - and not the entire world!! Since we’re so tiny that none of the big guns consulted us over the last 400 years on how to conduct their affairs, why should we now take on that burden??

So, dear readers, if all goes well, we won’t just be satisfying our oil needs – but may be helping out the DR – a member of Cariforum!!

…and pollution commitments

The G-20 announcement about “delaying” implementation of the carious COP’s Accords on Climate Change is just that - a delaying tactic. They’re firmly in the Neanderthal camp that doesn’t even “believe” global warming’s caused by human activity. As if that’s a matter of “faith”, in which you have to “believe” or “not believe”regardless of the evidence!!

So, the US, for instance, which only recently were overtaken by China to be the No 2 in carbon dioxide emissions, are now going to become a free rider. That is, they’ll continue to spew out carbon emissions, expecting other countries - such as Europe, China and India - to keep the world clean for them. That’s about as cynical as you can get. They became the “most developed nation” because, in their 19th and 20th century industrialisation drive, they contributed more than any other country to global warming. But they’re now saying, “Tough, sh*t!”

But it will be toughest for us…being already 5 feet below sea-level.

…and fire

The lawyer for the defendant charged with murder in the Mahdia fire says “intention” – necessary to prove “murder” – wasn’t present. So, if the stated intention was to burn the dorm down, the very intelligent 16-year-old didn’t think someone could die??

A33-year-old woman accused of extorting almost $10M from a man by claiming she was pregnant for him has pleaded not guilty to two counts of obtaining money by false pretense at her arraignment on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate (ag) Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus was Shevaun Bobb, a resident of Nelson Street, Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Particulars of the first charge stated that between December 1 and 11, 2019, at Georgetown, with the intent to defraud, she obtained $590,000 from Chidibere Collins Edeh by falsely pretending that she was pregnant with his child.

Bobb, the second charge stated, between December 14, 2019 and August 14,

2021, at Georgetown, obtained $9,300,200 from Edeh by falsely pretending that she had given birth to his child.

The court heard that Bobb and Edeh met at sometime in 2018 at a club. Bobb introduced herself to the man as Amelia Gobin, according to the prosecution’s short facts.

They, however, lost con-

Indigenous youths making meaningful changes in communities — Sukhai

tact, but reconnected in November 2019 after Edeh received a message from a woman believed to be Bobb via Facebook, said the prosecutor.

According to the prosecutor, in that message, Bobb told the man that she was involved in an accident and that she needed money to go overseas for treatment.

The complainant claimed that he sent monies in the name of Shevaun Bobb via MoneyGram and Western Union, but after finding out that the woman had been lying to him, he reported the matter to the Police. It was later discovered that her real name was Shevaun Bobb.

Bail was granted to Bobb in the sum of $400,000 after no objections were raised by the prosecution. Her next court date is September 20. (G1)

As International Day of the World’s Indigenous People was celebrated on Wednesday, Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai noted the important role Indigenous youths in the country have been playing to advocate for positive change and development within their villages and communities.

Themed “Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination in the Americas: Intergenerational connections,” this United Nations’(UN) Day of recognition was created to commemorate the achievements of Indigenous people and the work that is yet to be done to promote their rights.

In her message on Wednesday, Sukhai highlighted the increase of Indigenous youths holding decision-making positions, noting the Government’s continuous efforts to further support them.

“At the national level, the President of Guyana, recognising the huge power youths have as agents of change, established a National Youth Council with advisory powers to ensure that there is inclusivity, encapsulating the Indigenous youthful voice in policymaking at the highest level,” Sukhai stated.

Efforts are also being made to upskill these

youths with the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme implemented by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry supporting some 2645 Community Service Officers (CSOs) across the country.

“Through this programme, Indigenous youths are provided with valuable capacity-building opportunities through training in small-engine repairs, tractor driving and maintenance, garment construction, empowerment, and tourism and hospitality,” Sukhai stated.

With these new skills, the young people are expected to boost their villages’ agriculture production and community transportation needs.

Another Ministry-led

initiative, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, is also ensuring all hinterland students have access to education through online and national scholarships, producing a number of young professionals and advocates in Indigenous issues.

In another effort, Sukhai added that the Government remains committed to ensuring land tenure for Amerindians, with 106 titled villages in Guyana existing thus far.

“The Amerindian Land Titling Project is mandated to furthering land security for Indigenous people collectively in Guyana. The outcome of this entire process ensures absolute and indefeasible ownership of land by Amerindian villages in Guyana,” Sukhai said.

While land titling is one step towards promoting self-determination, Sukhai noted that another comes in the form of preserving inter-generational relationships among Indigenous people.

“While there exists traditional knowledge, it is absolutely [essential] that there be in place a relationship between the elderly and the youths to ensure there is transmission and ultimately preservation of Indigenous knowledge,” Sukhai said, adding that this has to be a self-driven process.

Man jailed for 4 years, fined $39M over drug bust at cargo company

Timehri, EBD, intercepted a motor car, PWW 5561, with the driver, Douglas, as the lone occupant.

A search was conducted on the vehicle, which led to the discovery of 23 brick-like parcels of suspected cocaine and a 9mm pistol along with a magazine containing 14 rounds of matching ammunition. As such, Douglas, 37, was arrested and escorted to

CANU Headquarters. While there, the narcotic tested positive for cocaine. CANU has said that it continues to work assiduously with other stakeholders to ensure that narcotics are not transshipped via passenger or cargo through the CJIA and the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD). (G1)

Jailed: Christopher Douglas

Over the discovery of 57 pounds of cocaine at a cargo company, 37-year-old Christopher Douglas was on Wednesday jailed for four years and fined $39,024,000.

Douglas, of Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and of King Edward Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking charge when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts.

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Sunday, during a routine operation at a cargo company at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA),

Woman extorted almost $10M from boyfriend claiming she was pregnant – court hears

Death of shopkeeper… 34-year-old slapped with manslaughter charge

Thirty-four-year-old Fabian Smith, the prime suspect in the killing of a Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) shopkeeper, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with manslaughter.

Smith was not required to plead to the indictable charge after it was read to him by Magistrate Christel Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

The case was adjourned to August 25.

Guyana Times had previously reported that Andrew Harris, called “Short Man”, a shopkeeper of Surinamo Landing, Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was found dead at ‘Mer Meria’

Backdam, Middle Mazaruni River, at sometime between July 31 and August 1.

Police reports indicate that 55-year-old Harris and Smith had been working together for the past 10 days on a newly-built shop owned

by a 52-year-old businesswoman of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

According to that businesswoman, Smith contacted her on Tuesday, August 1, at about 10:00h, and in-

Woman remanded over cocaine, ganja found at resort

A32-year-old woman has been charged with drug trafficking after Police allegedly found a quantity of cocaine and marijuana at her resort.

Deneve Ramzan, owner of Lorenzo and Deneve (L&D) Resort located at Kumaka, North West District in Region One (Barima-Waini), appeared at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

It is alleged that on August 4 at Kumaka Waterfront, she had 382 grams of cannabis in her possession for the purpose of trafficking. It is further alleged that on August 4 at Kumaka Waterfront, Ramzan had 20 grams of cocaine in her possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The defendant, who was represented by Attorneyat-Law Bernard Da Silva, was remanded to prison by Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce. She will return to court on September 24.

bag containing a quantity of seeds, leaves, and stems suspected to be cannabis were found.

Ramzan was immediately told of the allegation, that she was in possession of narcotics.

A further search was conducted in the washroom area, under the face sink, where Police found a plastic bag containing a quantity of creamish/whitish substance suspected to be cocaine.

She was again told of the offence committed, and she said: “Those things belong to my boyfriend Roberto Miggins”, whom she said was staying with her for a few days, and that they were currently having a problem and he was trying to “set her up”.

Police then searched Room #6, which Peters occupied, but nothing unlawful was found.

In Peters’s and Ramzan’s presence, a further search was conducted in an aban-

placed into the Police vehicle along with the narcotics found, and while escorting them to the station, Miggins was seen walking on the road.

Ramzan immediately pointed him out to the Police.

Miggins was told of the allegation, which he denied. However, he was arrested, placed in custody, and escorted to Mabaruma Police Station. While at the station, the suspected narcotics in the black plastic bag were weighed in their presence, and it amounted to 382 grams.

The suspected cocaine was weighed, and it amounted to 20 grams, and the narcotics wrapped in the brown scotch tape amounted to 449 grams.

formed her of the tragic discovery of Harris’s lifeless body at the shop.

Upon reaching the scene, investigators found Harris’s body in a slouched position on a bench, with

apparent bloodstains on his jersey and the surrounding area. Further examination revealed a 3-inch -wide stab wound on his upper left chest. Smith was subsequently apprehended at a

nearby camp. According to a statement from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Smith confessed to stabbing Harris during a video-recorded interview. (G1)

Man allegedly confesses to killing girlfriend’s ex-partner

Days after a wanted bulletin was issued, Police apprehended Eliuge Allicock in connection with the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend’s former partner, which occurred during a confrontation over the weekend.

According to the Police Headquarters, the 26-yearold miner of Hubu, Parika, East Bank Essequibo was taken into custody on Tuesday at Issano Landing, Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Following his arrest, Allicock reportedly confessed to the crime.

Reports are that on Saturday last, Calvin Nelson, a 39-year-old miner of Bartica, was killed at around 02:30h at Honey Camp Backdam, Middle Mazaruni River.

Police reports disclosed that after the incident, a 22-year-old female cook of Tasserene village in the

Middle Mazaruni River was contacted by law enforcement officers. She allegedly admitted to being in an intimate relationship with the suspect, Allicock, and revealed her prior involvement with the deceased, Calvin Nelson.

It is alleged that the woman and Allicock were consuming alcoholic beverages and become intoxicated during a visit to Honey Camp Landing on Friday. The situation escalated when they stopped at Clive Smith’s Shop around 01:00h on Saturday, where Nelson approached her, inciting a conversation that angered Allicock. This confrontation turned physical as Allicock assaulted the female.

Nelson stepped in to intervene, leading to a fight between him and Allicock. Amidst the struggle, Allicock allegedly pulled out a knife and inflicted two stab wounds on Nelson.

Following the altercation, Nelson sought refuge at Michael Bacchus’s shop, located nearby. There, he recounted to Neville Critchlow what had happened. Critchlow, a 65-year-old construction worker, accompanied Nelson to the Issano Health Post in a vehicle, but unfortunately, Nelson was pronounced dead upon arrival. (G9)

narcotics

According to a Police report, ranks from Mabaruma Police Station, at around 22:30h on August 4, went to Lorenzo and Deneve (L&D) Resort located in Kumaka, North-West District, where a search was conducted in Room Four, which was occupied by Ramzan, in the presence of her brother Alister Peters, a 26-year-old maintenance worker at the said resort.

While searching, a box containing several costumes, and a black plastic

doned fridge by the lobby area, where a rice bag was found containing a quantity of seeds, leaves, and stems wrapped with brown scotch tape, and suspected to be cannabis.

They were told, separately, of the offence committed, that they were in possession of narcotics for trafficking, and they both denied knowing the narcotics, claiming it belonged to Miggins.

As such, the siblings were then arrested and

Also at the station, Ramzan made a report against Miggins, whom she claimed assaulted her. She was escorted to seek medical attention at Mabaruma Regional Hospital, where she was seen by a doctor, who treated and sent her away. She was also issued with a medical certificate.

Miggins was questioned, and admitted to sharing a relationship with Ramzan. He told the Police that he had been staying with her in Room #4 for the past four days. At about 20:00hrs on August 3, he related, they had a problem and he moved; he, however, denied assaulting her. (G1)

Guns, over 170 rounds of ammo found in Vergenoegen house

Police from Regional Division Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) have unearthed three firearms alongside more than 170 rounds of ammunition at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo.

According to Police, the ranks conducted a cordon-and- search operation on Tuesday between 11:50h and 13:30h at Lot 2 Archer Street, Vergenoegen, at the home of a 35-year-old labourer, Delon Osborne, called ‘Gizmo’.

On arrival, the ranks contacted Osborne and Joyann Sobers – the 22-year-old mother of his child.

Reports are that a rank informed Osborne

that the Police received information that he had narcotics, guns, and ammunition in his home, and

bedroom, under a mattress on a bed, Police found one suspected .32 firearm with the serial number filed out. The magazine was removed, and it contained nine live matching rounds of ammunition.

as such, a search would be carried out; to which, Police stated, Osborne did not object.

Police stated that in a

According to Police, ranks then searched behind a red chair in the same bedroom and found one suspected improvised shotgun. A red Victoria’s Secret handbag was resting on the bed in the very bedroom, wherein one suspected silver and black .32 firearm with the serial number filed off was also found. The magazine was removed, and it contained 14 live .32 rounds of ammunition.

Osborne and Sobers were asked if they were

the holders of a firearm licence for the guns found, and they responded in the negative.

The Police ranks then further searched the kitchen area, where one bulky black plastic bag was found on a ledge above the back door. The bag contained 150 live rounds of suspected 9mm ammunition.

Osborne and Sobers were both arrested and escorted to the Leonora Police Station, along with the three firearms and cache of ammunition.

The couple was placed into custody pending further investigation and charges.

Meanwhile, two mo-

torcycles believed to be used in armed robberies in the division were also recovered at the same address. (G9)

4 persons shot after gunman opens fire on crowd in Sophia

Four persons have been shot and injured following a shooting on Tuesday night in the B’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown community.

According to the Police, the incident occurred around 21:30h on the ‘B’ Field Access Road, Sophia. Those injured are Abdool Joshua Kamal, a 32-year-old welder of ‘A’ Field Sophia, who was shot in the left shoulder; Shellon Collins, a 23-year-old shopkeeper of ‘B’ Field Sophia, who sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of her face; Omale Dick, a 27-year-old labourer residing in Lodge Housing Scheme, who suffered three gunshot wounds (two in the abdomen and one in his left thigh); and Quincy Hoyte, a 33-year-old labourer of ‘B’ Field Sophia, who was shot in the lower back.

According to the Police, the victims were among a crowd that had gathered to witness a fight between two men on the access road.

Investigators are actively seeking the individual responsible for the shooting. The suspect reportedly approached the crowd and began firing gunshots,

causing panic and causing everyone to disperse.

Police have provided a description of the suspect, noting that the person was wearing a grey hoodie, red and black pants, stood about 6 feet tall, had a dark complexion, and was armed with a handgun.

Based on Police reports, an earlier dispute between Shellon Collins and another woman, Felicia Thom, 34, from ‘B’ Field Sophia, led to tension. Collins claimed that Thom had caused damage to her shop. Both women informed their respective partners about the incident.

As a result, on Tuesday night, Collins's partner, Dion Morris, 24, a labourer, confronted Thom's partner, Malcolm Hutson, 38, a

minibus driver, on the ‘B’ Field Access Road. The altercation escalated into a fight, attracting a sizable crowd, including the four victims.

It was during this commotion that the shooter approached and fired multiple rounds into the crowd surrounding the two men.

After the shooting, the gunman fled in a northerly direction. The injured persons were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where Kamal received treatment and was discharged, while the other victims remained hospitalised.

At the scene of the incident, eight spent 9mm shell casings were discovered. The investigation is ongoing. (G9)

President Dr Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali, along with the high-level delegation in Santo Domingo on Tuesday during an official visit to the Dominican Republic. Guyana’s delegation, was treated at a State Dinner hosted by President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, held at the National Palace in Santo Domingo. Also on Tuesday, President Ali spoke at a Private Sector meeting in Santo Domingo, where he highlighted the opportunities in Guyana (Office of the President photos)

2 more road deaths recorded in 24 hours

OPM hosting ICT camp in Region 5

Two persons have died in less than 24 hours in motor vehicular accidents along the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara respectively.

A motorcyclist lost his life on Tuesday night following a collision with a motor car along the Nabaclis Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Dead is Akeem Gouveia, also known as “Wild Pine”, of Victoria Village, ECD.

An eyewitness to the accident told <<<Guyana Times>>> that they were on

the road about 19:30h when the motor car emerged from a street in Nabaclis, but Gouveia, who was reportedly speeding west-bound, heading towards the city, collided with the car.

According to the eyewitness, the driver of the car did not seem to have noticed the motorcyclist and made a turn to proceed eastwards. Upon spotting the motorcyclist, the car driver made a sudden stop. Despite the driver's efforts to avoid Gouveia, the collision occurred and the speeding

Dead: Akeem Gouveia

motorcyclist slammed into the left side of the car.

The impact of the collision caused Gouveia to be thrown to the ground, resulting in severe injuries all over his body. He was swiftly transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted as a patient and placed on life support.

However, he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. The situation regarding the possible arrest of the car's driver remains unclear at this time.

Meanwhile, about 18:15h on Wednesday, a man was hit by a motor car along the Mocha-toDiamond Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD). He died on the spot. Police have since launched an investigation.

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is hosting a one-week information and communication technology (ICT) camp in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) to expose more persons to technological advancements. Robotics is also included in the one-

has said that programing is one of the areas of focus of the camp, which will also expose participants to robotics.

She said that as the world advances in technology, many are not moving forward at that speed, so the Office of the Prime

The robotics component of the camp will be done on Friday. Frantzen referred to programing as the backbone of any app used by persons today. The camp is acting as an introduction, thus allowing persons to understand the concept which

week programme. The Industry and Innovation Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister has as its mandate to create an enabling environment that would support ICT development. The one-week camp, which is being held at Bath Primary School in Region Five, seeks to do just that.

Minister, through its Industry and Innovation Unit, is seeking to ensure that everyone stays abreast with technological advancements.

may serve as a base if they want to pursue programing.

Regional Outreach Officer Dawnice

On Wednesday, the focus was on programing, wherein persons were taught how to create and write programs for the Web, while earlier in the week, the focus was on Microsoft.

The camp is an annual feature of the Industry and Innovation Unit. ICT training is to close this gap and prepare persons today for the working world. It also is essential for those working. Technology provides different opportunities for upward mobility in the workplace. (G4)

Wheat trial successful thus far – Agri Minister

With the aim of making Guyana the food hub of the Caribbean, the Government continues the trial in wheat production, which, according to the most recent update, has been successful thus far.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, during an interview on the sidelines of an event on Monday, informed that, “We have started a number of trials. We did in Paramakatoi in Region Eight, we are doing now at Santa Fe Farm in Region

Nine, and so, we are working jointly with that village to do some cultivation there in terms of open field.”

He noted that the trial in Paramakatoi has been successful thus far, as well as the indoor one being conducted at the Rice Research Station at Burma, Mahaicony.

“You cannot start planting wheat when you just did only one time of trial and it reaped success. You have to do it for a number of times to see how it grows and the conditions that it grows in,”

the Agriculture Minister is quoted in a Department of Public Information (DPI) report as saying.

He said once these trials remained successful, wheat would become a variety crop that would be grown in Guyana.

According to the DPI report, Mustapha noted that Guyana’s Chief Scientist at the Rice Research Station is also working with other stakeholders, and receiving help from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA).

Guyana received 49 lines of wheat from the Government of Mexico to commence the trial process in May 2022.

As wheat adds to diversity in the agriculture sector, this crop is also expected to reduce the cost of flour locally.

It will also assist Guyana in becoming self-sufficient and less dependent on imported wheat products.

Many job seekers fail at interview – Labour Ministry

Many job seekers even though qualified fail at the job interviews. This is according to an official of the Labour Ministry, which has noted that efforts are being

is holding these sessions via seminars for potential job seekers with the most recent held Wednesday in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).

The Central Recruitment

ing training to unemployed persons, who are seeking employment.

According to Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer Yolanda Grant, the Agency seeks to help job

During one of those sessions held on Wednesday in Region Five, Grant explained that the Agency provides employment services to both agencies offering jobs as well as job seekers, and on many occasions, the feedback is that the job seeker was unsuccessful. Hence, the training to prepare persons for the world of work in order to ensure that they are ‘work-ready.

“Many times, persons would possess the requirements for the job; it could be the academic qualifications and/or skills, but they fail at the starting point and that is the interview process,” Grant pointed out.

She added that CRMA registers persons who are seeking employment and once they match the requirements which the Agency would have received from employers those persons are referred for interviews.

view.

That would entail how to conduct themselves at an interview: how to answer interview questions, etc. Many people do not even know how to answer interview questions. For example, one of the questions that are asked at an interview is ‘Tell me about yourself’. One might say, ‘I am 24 years old and I have two children’. This is not the answer they would be looking for,” the CRMA officer explained.

She noted that an employer was more interested in what the job seeker has to offer in order to be an asset to the company.

“One of the ways a person can answer that question is by saying, ‘I am reliable, I am resourceful, I am a team player’, those are some of the things that you can say in response to a question like that.”

According to Grant, the CRMA has offices in the coastal regions and Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) and does not only cater for persons who visit the agency’s regional offices.

made to make prepare the unemployed to be job ready.

Currently, the Ministry

and Manpower Agency (CRMA) within the Labour Ministry has been provid-

seekers understand what is required when seeking a job.

However, before those persons are provided with the relevant training to prepare them for the job inter-

Since coming into being last year, some 6217 persons have applied for jobs through the Labour Ministry.

As of March last year, a job board was established where persons can access employment opportunities online while allowing persons to upload their résumés and engage employers.

The site is Jobs.gov.guy (G4)

Center launched to research contemporary issues in Guyana

The American University of Peace Studies (AUOPS) has officially launched its Center of Research & Strategic Thinking, geared towards promoting innovative and scientific research at the social, economic, political, environmental, and technological levels.

This center will also conduct poll sampling surveys as it relates to contemporary issues in Guyana as well as research on current issues so that the relevant stakeholders can use the information from the studies to guide policy decisions, thus, enhancing the welfare of Guyanese society.

During a press conference held by the university on Wednesday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AUOPS, Dr Eton Simon shared that research was imperative for the development and transformation of our country. He highlighted that with research readily available, people would be able to make informed decisions that would benefit our country’s growing economy and advance our human resources.

“We should have research centers in every corner of this country, conducting research in all different topics. And

if we can have that, we will make a tremendous breakthrough, because the pace of research will bring you critical information, will bring you vital knowledge so that you can make the right decision. But if you don’t have the knowledge, how can you make decisions? you’re not going to get it on social media, they’re not going to give it to you because they don’t have it,” Simon explained.

“The kind of research that we’re talking about here is innovative scientific research. And this type of research is going to transform Guyana,” the CEO added.

Additionally, the Director of Curriculum and Academic Affairs at the university, Dr Nandanie Ramsarran explained that these surveys would be conducted periodically and information gath-

ered would be disseminated to the general public and relevant authorities in both the Government and the Private sector who can address the needs of citizens and make a change.

“We have a number of issues, for example, persons are complaining a lot about healthcare issues in Guyana. So, what our research center will basically do is to see what is it that is causing the downfall in the healthcare system, and when the research is done, present those findings that we would have analysed to the relevant persons in the Government or even the Private Sector who will take it on board and move forward with it,” Dr Ramsarran explained.

She added that the public would also have access to this information, which w further

serve as a form of accountability for those who have been presented this information to make a change.

“When they are presented, then at least the public is aware that we would have presented the findings. What is it now that as a Government body, we are going to do about that? It’s our (the AUOPS) responsibility to conduct the research, present the findings

and allow them to take it and make a change, because we do need change and an urgent change,” Ramsarran remarked.

The research will be conducted by a body of professionals as well as students of the university and information will be disseminated to the public via press releases, meetings, and the media. This initiative is sponsored by stakeholders of the

AUOPS and other independent bodies.

The American University of Peace Studies has been facilitating Guyanese and International Students in qualifying and upgrading their knowledge and skills to function in this dynamic society for over 22 years. It is a research-based institution that focuses on using empirical data to facilitate the needs of the populace.

Black Belly Sheep programme...

Last batch of sheep to arrive in country soon

(Mahaica-Berbice) last March, Minister Mustapha noted that there has been considerable interest from farmers, with the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) working alongside them to ensure a smooth rollout.

“We already have a number of farmers who would’ve registered and who want to get in the programme. The President would’ve launched that a long time ago in Region Five. Now we have close to the number [of sheep] talked about – 1000,” Mustapha said.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has announced that the Black Belly Sheep Project will be commencing shortly, as the Government looks to aggressively tackle food insecurity and reduce the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM’s) food import bill.

Barbados had earlier this year agreed to send 1000

sheep to Guyana to kickstart this project as the two countries entered a collaboration with the overall goal of building a regional brand of sheep to decrease the importation of lamb and mutton products into the region.

Last August, Guyana received the first 132 sheep from Barbados, consisting of 112 ewes and 20 rams.

“Recently, another 300

came in. Just about 100 are remaining. I’m hoping that within a few weeks from now, we’ll get that,” Mustapha said during a tool distribution exercise in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

“We’ll start to roll out the programme shortly. I will not wait until the 100 arrive. We have close to about 850 in the country,” Mustapha said.

This sheep breed is pri-

marily raised for meat and other high-demand by-products. Guyana reportedly possesses enough land, an appropriate climate, and all other prerequisites for increasing the production of black belly sheep.

Through this project, the sheep will be given to farms to assist in mixing their breeds.

Since the programme’s launch in Region Five

The Government expended approximately $600 million to start this project, and later another $17.7 million to provide additional resources to maintain it.

Major infrastructural work to support this project continues to progress. For one, a $257 million all-weather 4300m road at Blairmont, West Bank Berbice is being

constructed, as well as fences and living quarters for those supervising the project.

In addition to attaining Guyana’s goal of reducing CARICOM’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025, this project also seeks to provide women, youths and persons with disabilities with a means of sustainable income.

Migrant, hinterland children to benefit from generators, ESL resources

The Education Ministry on Wednesday received a donation of 16 generators

and a number of “English as a Second Language (ESL)” resources from the United Nations High

Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to aid migrant students and schools in the hinterland regions.

The generators will be distributed to selected schools across the hinterland, to ensure their electronic learning devices are powered continuously, thereby enhancing the teaching and learning experience.

Among the ESL resources received were ESL workbooks, dictionaries, board games, exercise books, art books, stationery supplies; and sport sets for cricket, volleyball and football.

UNHCR Head of Office, Henri Sylvain Yakara, and UNHCR Assistant Education Officer Danielle Dipoo handed over the items to the Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, who was accompanied by Deputy Chief Education Officer for Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development (AHED), Marti DeSouza, and Coordinator of the Risk Management and Migrant Support Section (RM&MSS) of the Ministry of Education, Rampattie Prashad-Bisnauth.

According to King, the Education Ministry is continuously making efforts to improve educational op -

portunities made available to migrant children and those living in hinterland and riverine communities at large. In addition to making Spanish a compulsory subject in the primary school curriculum, King noted, test questions presented during the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) are also now being translated into Spanish. Through this modification to cater to migrant students in schools, questions can be answered in either English or Spanish without penalisation.

Meanwhile, King added that work is also being done to expand the provision of secondary school education in the hinterland, as contracts have been signed for the construction of new schools at Hosororo and Kwebana, Region One (Barima-Waini) and Karasabai, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

This is in addition to the reconstruction of the Northwest Secondary School in Mabaruma, Region One.

These new facilities,

King said, will deliver a higher quality of education to students. He added that the Ministry’s distance education tools – the Guyana Learning Channel and EdYouFm – will continue to expand, so that all of the hinterland regions can benefit from 100 per cent coverage.

In response, the UNHCR representatives expressed their commitment to continuing collaboration with the Ministry on its programmes to positively impact the education system.

New $10M well to offer Capoey residents potable water

Approximately 200 residents of Hill Top, Capoey Village in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), will soon gain access to potable water for the first time in the village’s history, as a new well is set for completion within the next two weeks.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, alongside the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Executive Director of Hinterland, Ramchand Jailall, and a team of technical experts, over the weekend visited the well site to comprehensively assess its ongoing progress.

The $10 million well is currently being drilled by the GWI Hinterland team using the newly-acquired Pat Rig that is designated towards well-drilling operations in the hinterland regions.

A significant investment towards improving the lives of Capoey residents, the well is designed to include a range of features to ensure its functionality and sustainability, including storage tanks fed by a photovoltaic system that will reduce the carbon footprint of the facility.

Following its completion, the GWI team will

seek to establish a distribution network.

The Pat Rig will also be relocated to Pomeroon, where several wells will be drilled following the Government’s promise to ensure access to clean, potable water to citizens countrywide, notably to each hinterland and riverine community by 2025.

Residents of Wakapao

and Akawini (Baracaro) in the Lower Pomeroon and Karawab and Kabakaburi in the Upper Pomeroon are expected to gain first-time access to potable water with the imminent drilling of these new wells.

Onderneeming plant

In addition to the provision of clean water through the commissioning of new

wells, efforts are also being made to increase treated water coverage along the coastland, with the Government constructing 13 new treatment plants and rehabilitating 13 existing treatment facilities.

As such, work on a new water treatment plant at Onderneeming is underway, with it expected to provide services from

Supenaam to Taymouth Manor on the Essequibo Coast by November 2024.

Croal recently conducted a site visit at this facility as well, once again with GWI’s Jailall and a team of engineers and technical support staff.

The $1.18 million project is being carried out by Toshiba Engineering, and includes the construction of

a contact tank, three filters, a storage tank of 3000 cubic metres, a chlorination system, and a primary pump station with an output of 660 cubic metres per hour.

The Onderneeming plant is intended to meet the needs of a potential future population of some 20,000 individuals, equivalent to over 5000 households.

New equipment, personnel expansion boost GPHC Pathology Dept

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Pathology Department has been boosted with the recent acquisition of a state-of-the-art microtome machine, and an advanced auto tissue processor which will fast-track its services.

These two innovative technologies have allowed the department to revolutionise sample processing, reducing the turnaround time from over 30 days to seven days.

On Tuesday, the GPHC, in a statement, said: “These cutting-edge additions represent a remarkable leap in the efficiency and accuracy of sample processing, enabling our esteemed team of Pathologists to provide rapid and precise diagnoses. The quicker turnaround time translates to expedited diagnosis, patient care, and ultimately enhances our ability to serve the community with the highest standard of medical excellence.”

Additionally, the hospital, in its statement, noted that a new lab manager

and an additional pathologist have been appointed, further strengthening the department's expertise and capacity to handle a higher volume of cases effectively.

In tandem with the personnel expansion, the department also underwent a complete restructuring, streamlining workflows and optimizing resource allocation, the statement read, adding that the implementation of training programs conducted in collaboration with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has ensured that its staff is equipped with the latest best practices and knowledge in the field.

Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran, in expressing his enthusiasm for the ongoing efforts to expand the department's scope and improve overall efficiency, said: "Our commitment to advancing patient care is unwavering. We are continuously exploring avenues for further engagement and advancements in technology, to

achieve greater efficiency and expand our services."

Recently, the Government announced the opening of a modern pathology lab in November 2023, to reduce the waiting time for certain diagnoses. The laboratory is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Mount Sinai Health System.

Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie

Ramsammy, made the disclosure during a recent episode of “The Guyana Dialogue”.

“This will have equipment that we procured at about close to US$3 million, and fully automated pathology labs that will allow us to prepare all of our specimens right here in Guyana. We don’t have to send them anywhere, and will allow us to access the expertise of pathologists around the world,” Dr

Ramsammy disclosed.

To complement this, four health personnel will shortly be sent for training in pathology at Mount Sinai, the health adviser stated.

According to Dr Ramsammy, “They would be able to view the specimens and view slides, view tissues using the remote technology that we have introduced. And so, some of the constraints of not having people physical-

ly here are overcome by using technology,” Ramsammy is quoted as saying in a DPI report.

Meanwhile, the Government is collaborating with Mount Sinai and Hess Corporation to transform Guyana’s healthcare into a world-class service that is second to none, and will ensure accessibility and affordability for citizens locally and across the Caribbean.

Ecuadorian presidential candidate killed in attack at campaign rally

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio has been killed in an armed attack at a campaign rally in the capital Quito, according to the country’s President, Guillermo Lasso and local media reports.

Lasso confirmed the killing of Villavicencio on Wednesday and vowed the crime would not go unpunished, according to the Reuters news agency.

“For his memory and his fight, I assure you that this crime will not remain unpunished,” Lasso said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

“Organised crime have gone very far, but all the weight of the law will fall on them,” he said.

Lasso said he would host

top security officials at an urgent meeting.

Local media had earlier reported Villavicencio, a former legislator who had been polling at 7.5 per cent voting intention, had been shot at a campaign event in Quito.

Several others were injured in the armed attack at

Rainforest countries form pact to demand conservation cash from rich nations

Adozen rainforest countries formed a pact on Wednesday at a summit in Brazil to demand developed countries pay to help poorer nations combat climate change and preserve biodiversity.

The joint statement, titled "United for Our Forests," was issued by Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Guyana, Indonesia, Peru, the Republic of Congo, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Venezuela.

this week's Amazon Summit in a bid to forge a united front among rainforest nations when they engage in international negotiations like the United Nations' COP28 climate summit, due to be held later this year.

"We are going to COP28 with the aim of telling the rich world that if they want to effectively preserve the forest that exists, they need to pay money not only to take care of the canopy, but to take care of the people who live under it," Lula said on Wednesday.

promise to provide US$100 billion in climate financing annually to developing countries. Additionally, they called on developed nations to meet an existing commitment to provide US$200 billion per year for biodiversity preservation.

The countries also condemned the use of environmental measures that they said are disguised as trade restrictions, alluding to the European Union's passage of a law prohibiting firms from importing goods linked to deforestation.

the Colegio Anderson in the capital, according to local media reports.

A Journalist and political activist, Villavicencio was one of eight presidential candidates registered to stand in the elections scheduled for August 20.

(Al Jazeera)

Colombia conflict: Rebels deny plot to kill Attorney General

Left-wing rebels from the National Liberation Army (ELN) have denied they are plotting to assassinate Colombian Attorney General Francisco Barbosa.

The Attorney General's office had said that it had received information from "three sources" which "indicated that there would be a terrorist attack" targeting Barbosa.

The news of the alleged plot came days after a ceasefire between the ELN and the Government came into force.

The ELN has been active since 1964.

The Attorney General's office said it had been warned by the intelligence division of the armed forces – a Police unit dealing with criminal organisations and its own investigative division.

In a statement, it said that all three alerted it to a meeting they said had been held in neighbouring Venezuela last month between "five high-ranking ELN members".

According to the sources, ELN members were being trained to carry out a sniper attack on Attorney General Barbosa under the command of a man known by the alias of "Rolo".

The office of Barbosa also said that there had been "suspicious transactions" worth up to US$750,000 in accounts linked to "Rolo".

But a delegation of the ELN which is engaged in peace talks with the Government labelled the statement as "false". It also accused the Attorney General of "trying to sabotage the peace process".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

T&T court orders 64 migrants released from heliport

Agroup of 64 Venezuelan migrants detained at the Chaguaramas Heliport has been granted conditional release pending the outcome of their lawsuit over their proposed deportation.

Delivering a decision

Tuesday afternoon, Justice Ricky Rahim ordered that the group be released on orders of supervision which will remain in place until their joint substantive lawsuit is eventually determined.

While the Immigration Division was also barred from executing the depor-

tation orders against the group, Justice Rahim did not invalidate them (the orders).

The migrants were among a large group of fellow nationals who were detained for immigration offences at a nightclub in St James on July 8.

Two weeks ago, however, High Court Judge Avason Quinlan-Williams upheld a claim from six of the detainees in which they contended that they were unlawfully held at the location, which was officially designated as a quarantine facility for the COVID-19 pandemic but not

The Amazon, the Congo Basin and Southeast Asia are home to the world's largest rainforests, critical ecosystems that absorb carbon dioxide and house a riotous diversity of species.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called

In the joint statement, the dozen countries called for financing mechanisms to be developed for the world to pay for the critical services provided by forests.

They also expressed concerns that richer nations have not delivered on a

Wednesday's pact builds on an accord a day earlier by the eight Amazon nations, which was criticised by some environmentalists for failing to secure a commitment to end deforestation by 2030.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba records hottest month since 1951, straining electric grid

Cuba in July recorded its hottest month since 1951, officials said, with the soaring temperatures on land and sea straining the country's decrepit electric grid and pressuring fragile ocean resources.

The average temperature in July hit 29.1 degrees Celsius, Cuba's Meteorological Institute said. The previous record on the Caribbean island, known for its sultry summers, was set in August 2020.

Sea surface temperatures, too, have soared around the Caribbean and the tropical Atlantic Ocean, Cuban officials said, boosting the prospects for the development of tropical storms and hurricanes through November.

Cuban meteorologists expect 13 named storms during this year's hurricane season, up slightly from a previous forecast in May of 11.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned earlier this month that the warmer water around Florida could su-

as an immigration detention station.

Two days later, High Court Judge Frank Seepersad considered a similar application from another of the detainees.

In their application for judicial review, the group was mainly challenging the failure of National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds to place them on supervision orders so that they could complete their asylum seeker/refugee applications with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

percharge tropical storms and hurricanes, which build more energy over warmer waters.

The balmy ocean around Cuba also contributes to keeping night-time temperatures over land uncomfortably warm on the island, depriving residents of sleep and raising tensions in a country already stricken by food, fuel and medicine shortages.

The surface ocean temperature in and around the Florida Keys, just 100 miles

north of Cuba, reached typical hot tub levels in late July, killing off coral and stressing sea life. Cuba's coral reefs have also suffered from rising temperatures, scientists have said.

The growing frequency and intensity of severe weather – both on land and in oceans – is symptomatic of global, human-driven climate change that is fuelling extremes, experts in the field say, with heatwaves expected to persist through August. (Reuters)

US nurse and daughter kidnapped in Haiti released – aid group

A US nurse and her daughter who were kidnapped near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince late last month have been released, the faith-based, humanitarian aid group that the woman had been working with has said.

In a statement posted on its website on Wednesday morning, El Roi Haiti confirmed “the safe release” of Alix Dorsainvil and her

child.

“Today we are praising God for answered prayer!” the organisation said, without elaborating on the circumstances surrounding the pair’s release or who had abducted them.

“We are so thankful for everyone who joined us in prayer and supported us during this crisis.”

Kidnappings of women and children have surged

across Haiti as the country remains gripped by widespread gang violence.

Earlier this week, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said close to 300 kidnappings of women and children had been reported in the Caribbean nation in the first six months of the year – nearly reaching last year’s total and almost three times more than in 2021. (Al Jazeera)

Around The World OIL NEWS

2 dead after attack on Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia – Minister

deaths.

Oil hits new highs on US fuel demand, tighter supply

Oil prices hit new peaks on Wednesday with the global Brent benchmark touching its highest since January after a steep drawdown in US fuel stockpiles and Saudi and Russian output cuts offset concerns about slow demand from China.

Brent crude settled US$1.38, or 1.6 per cent, higher at US$87.55 a barrel, its highest since January 27.

West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) closed US$1.48, or 1.8 per cent, higher at US$84.40, at its highest since November 2022.

US gasoline stocks fell by 2.7 million barrels last week, while distillate inventories, which include diesel and heating oil, dropped by 1.7 million barrels, Government data showed, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for both to hold mostly steady.

"The draws in refined products continue to be bullish for the oil market," said Andrew Lipow, President at Lipow Oil Associates in Houston.

Markets largely shrugged off a higher-than-expected 5.85 million-barrel build in US crude stocks after a record drawdown the week before.

The US fuel stock drawdown helped offset some demand concerns after Chinese data on Tuesday showed crude oil imports in July fell 18.8 per cent from the previous month to their lowest daily rate since January.

China's consumer sector also fell into deflation and factory-gate prices extended declines in July, as the world's second-largest economy struggled to revive demand.

Supporting prices, however, were top exporter Saudi Arabia's plans to extend its voluntary production cut of one million barrels per day (bpd) for another month to include September. Russia also said it would cut oil exports by 300,000 bpd in September.

"The latest recovery is mainly driven by the pledge of major producers, like Saudi Arabia and Russia, to keep supply subdued for another month," said Charalampos Pissouros, senior investment analyst at broker XM.

Crude posted its sixth consecutive weekly gain last week, helped by a reduction in Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) supplies and hopes of stimulus boosting oil demand recovery in China.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's Cabinet said it reaffirmed its support for precautionary measures by OPEC+, to stabilise the market, State media reported.

Markets will also closely watch July's US Consumer Price Index (CPI), due today, which is expected to show a slight year-over-year acceleration. (Reuters)

Two people were killed and seven injured in an apparent missile attack by Russia on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said.

A Reuters reporter at the scene saw emergency workers lifting a body, putting it on a stretcher and wrapping it into a black body bag.

Rescuers went through debris and an ambulance was parked near damaged buildings.

"We are waiting if they find anyone under the rubble," a doctor, Vyacheslav, said. He did not give his last name.

Ukrainian officials had earlier reported three

"Fortunately, one person was resuscitated. Doctors were assisted by Police paramedics at the scene," Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on the Telegram messaging app.

Zaporizhzhia city council secretary Anatoliy Kurtev earlier said that Russia had hit a residential area of the city. According to him, windows were blown out in several buildings.

A video posted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy showed smoke billowing from burning and badly damaged buildings next to a church.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential

Biden issues executive order restricting US investment in Chinese tech

President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order that will narrowly prohibit certain United States investments in sensitive technology in China and require Government notification of funding in other tech sectors.

Biden said in a letter to Congress he was declaring a national emergency to deal with the threat of advancement by countries like China “in sensitive technologies and products critical to the military, intelligence, surveillance, or cyber-enabled capabilities”.

The long-awaited order authorises the US Treasury Secretary to prohibit or restrict certain US investments in Chinese entities in three sectors: semiconductors and microelectronics, quantum information technologies, and certain artificial intelligence systems.

Senior Administration

Twitter fined for delay in complying with federal Trump election probe

Newly-released court documents have revealed that federal investigators successfully requested a search warrant for the Twitter account of former United States President Donald Trump.

The documents also indicated that Twitter — now known as X — attempted to resist the warrant, ultimately resulting in the social media platform being held in civil contempt.

The court filings, unsealed on Wednesday, stemmed from a decision issued by the US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC, on July 18. The court upheld a US$350,000 fine against Twitter for failing to meet the terms of the search warrant.

“Although Twitter ultimately complied with the warrant, the company did not fully produce the requested information until three days

after a court-ordered deadline,” the decision reads.

The warrant sought materials related to the @realDonaldTrump social media profile, formerly the ex-president’s platform of choice.

Trump was eventually suspended from Twitter and other social media platforms such as Facebook in the wake of the US Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the building in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Special counsel Jack Smith has been investigating the attack on behalf of the US Department of Justice, as part of a broader probe into Trump’s actions during the 2020 race. Smith filed four criminal charges this month against Trump for attempting to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

officials said that the effort stemmed from national security goals, rather than economic interests and that the categories it covered were narrow in scope. The order seeks to blunt China’s ability to use US investments in its technology companies to upgrade its military while also preserving broader levels of trade that are vital for both nations’ economies.

The US and China appear to be increasingly locked in geopolitical competition, along with their deep trade relationship as the world’s two largest economies. Biden Administration officials have insisted that they have no interest in “decoupling” from China. Yet, the US has limited the export of advanced computer chips, sought to limit investments in China and kept the expanded tariffs set up by former President Donald Trump.(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

administration, later posted a photo showing that the church is located close to residential buildings. Ukraine

suspects that an Iskander missile was used in the attack, Yermak said.

(Reuters)

Hawaii wildfires: 6 deaths confirmed as blazes engulf Maui

Wildfires are tearing through Maui towns to Maui.

Six people have died and more have been injured by wildfires sweeping the Hawaiian island of Maui, officials say.

Thousands are without power or cell phone service due to fires that are being fuelled by winds from a nearby hurricane in the Pacific Ocean.

Several blazes are also burning on the Big Island, also known as Hawaii island, a neighbouring island

Niger coup leaders accuse French forces of destabilising the country

Coup leaders in Niger have accused French forces of freeing captured “terrorists” and breaching a ban on the country’s air space in an attempt to destabilise Niger, as France promptly rejected the allegations.

Soldiers from the country’s presidential guard seized power and detained President Mohammad Bazoum on July 26, triggering international condemnation and the threat of a military incursion by neighbouring West African nations. The coup leaders closed Nigerien air space on Sunday and have warned against any foreign intervention.

In a video address on Wednesday, the coup leaders’ spokesperson, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, claimed France had released 16 “terrorist elements” who had then gathered to plan an attack on Nigerien military positions in areas along the border.

He claimed that a unit of the National Guard was attacked at 6:30h (05:30 GMT) in Bourkou Bourkou, about 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) away

from the Samira gold mine in the Tillaberi region.

The colonel also claimed that a French military plane breached a ban on the country’s airspace.

“We are witnessing a real plan of destabilisation of our country, orchestrated by French forces,” Abdramane said. The spokesperson did not provide any evidence for the claims.

France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs rejected the accusations and said its aircraft movements were part of an earlier agreement with Nigerien forces, the Reuters news agency reported.

It said French troops stationed in Niger were there at the request of the legitimate authorities.

“No attack against a Nigerien camp took place,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

A French Government official told the AFP news agency that “no terrorist has been freed by French forces.”

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Officials say search and rescue efforts are still ongoing. But they warn that the death toll may rise.

Authorities have evacuated neighbourhoods, closed roads, and opened shelters to host thousands of evacuees.

An emergency order has been signed discouraging people from coming to Maui, which is a popular tourist destination.

"We have shelters that are overrun, we have resources that are being taxed, we are doing whatever we can" for local residents, the state Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke said during a news briefing on Wednesday morning local time.

On Maui, about 4000 visitors are trying to leave the island, said state transportation official Ed Sniffen.

Thousands there are also without cell service, due to about 29 power poles collapsing. The full scale of the damages to homes and businesses is not yet clear, officials say.

Major General Kenneth S Hara, who is in charge of the emergency response, said the priority at the moment is "saving lives, preventing human suffering, and mitigating great property loss".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Don’t settle for less when you can achieve much more with extra effort. Trust and believe in yourself. A personal pick-me-up will build confidence. Romance is favored.

(March 21-April 19)

A high-energy approach will help you take care of your responsibilities and prove yourself to anyone who doubts your ability. Don’t let emotions take precedence over common sense.

(April 20-May 20)

PEANUTS

(May 21-June 20)

Keep busy; idle time will lead to poor decisions and emotional setbacks. Consider what you can do to make your home more functional, or give yourself a makeover that lifts your spirits.

Take a unique approach to work and personal responsibilities. Think situations through and you’ll dodge criticism from someone who likes to interfere. Personal gain is apparent.

(June 21-July 22)

Don’t feel you have to follow someone else’s lead. When in doubt, put your foot on the brake. Pay more attention to what you can do to help others, and make a difference in your community.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Not everyone you encounter will have the same intentions. Hide your emotions and be resourceful in creating a scenario that conditions you to take advantage of what’s available.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Stop fighting roadblocks; taking the path of least resistance will make it easier to get the elements to bend to your way of thinking. Simplicity and common sense will get you where you want to go.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Take better care of yourself, your position and the prospects you are trying to achieve. Step outside your comfort zone and dress up your ideas with marketable trends. Avoid emotional spending.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Refuse to let a fast-talker propel you in a direction based on unproven information. It’s time to balance your time between work and play and to honor what your body craves.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Be a good listener, and you’ll gain access to information that can lead to a healthy investment. Home improvements or making a move will lead to unexpected opportunities. Avoid health risks.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

If someone invites you to get involved in a risky scheme, take a pass. Pay attention to how loved ones respond to your opinions and options. Don’t let your emotions cloud your vision.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

A disciplined approach to how you live and let people treat you will make a difference. You’ll be prone to overestimating or underestimating if you allow your emotions to take over.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Senior Men’s Football League…

Football action continues around the country

Goal-shout on the West Side

to kick-start the season

When the much-anticipated West Demerara FA Senior Men's League (SML) got underway last Saturday at the Tuschen Community Centre ground, there was a proliferation of goals, including 11 unanswered ones from the highly talented Slingerz FC.

After successive weekends of postponement, play began in hot sunshine with Uitvlugt FC coming up against Leguan Uprising FC.

Junior Fraser scored twice in nine minutes (20' & 29') for Uitvlugt to take command. Louis Primo stretched it to 3-0 in the 32nd minute. The final strike came from Cosper Evans 8 minutes into the 2nd period.

Two minutes from the final whistle, Amir Rodrigues pulled one back with a consolation conversion for a 4-1 final score.

The game that followed produced an annihilation for Wales FC, as they looked helpless against the mighty Slingerz in an 11-0 battering. Hector Azacon led all scorers with a brace in the 71st and 84th minutes.

Dominique Babb opened the floodgates as early as the 3rd minute, before Jamal Codrington in the 38th and Leo Lovell on the stroke of half time joined the party. After 8 minutes of 2nd half action, Ricardo Halley made it 4-nil, and 6 minutes later, Cordel Roberts added his name to the scorers’ list.

By the 70th minute, Samuel Garrett made it 10-0. Sammy Garnett (62'), Rondel Peters (65') and Samuel Codrington (76') were among the other scorers.

On Sunday, Pouderoyen needled Eagles 1-0 with Dwayne St. Kitts on target. Then it was an 8-goal thriller that ended in a stalemate between Belle West and Crane Rovers. A brace each by Pablo Singh and Adrian Webster accounted for Rovers’ tally, while for Belle West it was one each from Tyler Wharton, Chrison Archer, Kwesi Henry and Marvin Griffith.

Wins for Strikers, Beacons and Rivers View

Potaro Strikers continued their rich vein of form when they produced another vintage performance last Saturday night at

the Bartica Community Centre ground, where the Bartica FA's Senior Men's League is being staged.

The two top marksmen for the Strikers struck again in a comfortable 4-1 win over AK Galaxy to move their team to the top of the table on 16 points from 7 games. Reon Hall was on target in the 45th and 78th minutes to take his season’s tally to 6, while Daniel Gardener netted his 8th in the 73rd minute to move to one less than the competition's leading scorer, Andrew Simmons of Rivers View. Coby Jones scored the other goal in the 53rd minute, while Voldeno DeFonseca got the consolation goal for Galaxy in the 33rd minute. The other scheduled match was not played, as Agatash failed to show up yet again,

and the Bartica FA has hinted they may have to suspend the Agatash participation in the League.

Meanwhile, in Monday night's double-header, Beacons FC came back from a 2-goal deficit to earn a 3-2 win over Rising Stars, and Cup holders Rivers View rebounded with a lopsided 5-0 dismissal of Mil Ballers.

A double strike from Neil Martindale in the 18th and 24th minutes gave the Ballers a surprising lead. Shaquell Hopkinson reduced the lead in the 36th minute. Troy Dougan then delivered a match-winning brace for Beacons in the 53rd and 88th minutes as they reclaimed their spot at the top of the table on 17 points after 7 matches.

The League's top marksman, Andrew Simmons, produced his 2nd hat-trick of the season to propel Rivers View to a 5th win from 6 games. Against Mil Ballers, Simmons netted in the 28th, 35th and 54th minutes to take his season’s tally to 12. Earlier, Omario Lake scored in the 8th and 24th minutes as the Cup holders rebounded from their recent loss to Beacons.

There will be more play at the Bartica Community Centre ground tonight (Wednesday 9th) with Wolves United taking on AK Galaxy at 7pm and at 9pm Lazio meeting Agatash.

Paradise Invaders and Monedderlust stay unbeaten in Berbice Defending champi-

ons of the Berbice FA Senior Men's League(SML), Paradise Invaders, and rivals Monedderlust FC had little difficulty in putting away their opponents last Sunday when play continued at the Rosignol Community Center ground.

In the first game of the double-header, Akeem Wilson gave Invaders the lead as early as the 2nd minute, before Quincy Aulder netted a double in the 33rd and 38th minutes.

Lamar Reid pulled one back for Cougars 3 minutes from halftime. Four minutes from the end, Compton Cudjoe made it 4-1. It was the first defeat in 3 outings for Cougars, while Invaders remain unbeaten at

the top on 10 points with 3 wins and a draw.

The nightcap was another embarrassing performance for the other New Amsterdam side in the League, as they were humbled 6-1 by Monedderlust. Atlin Brown struck a treble(35',49' & 70') to set up the emphatic win. Also on the scorers’ list were: Paul McDonald (11'), Okeno Collins (61') and Brentnol Frank (86'). Omar Glen netted the lone goal for NA United in the 23rd minute. United have now lost all three of their games, while Monedderlust improved their perfect run to 3 wins from as many games to hold 2nd position in the points table.

Shields and Dindnauth win LGC Greensome and Barbeque golf tournament

…LGC PRO grateful to sponsors for major support

After many years of absence, the Lusignan Golf Club hosted a Greensome and Barbeque on Sunday August 6, 2023. The event featured a Better Ball two-man scramble tournament, which saw a total of fifty (52) players turning out and a raffle drawing.

The tournament marks the first of many, as the May-June rainy season had hampered the normal flow of golf. The results for the tournament were as follows:

● 1st Hilbert Shields and Mohanlall Dindnauth (HC 3, Gross 36, Net 33)

● 2nd Bholoram Deo and Vijay Deo (HC 3, Gross 36, Net 33)

● 3rd Anasha Ally and Sam Harry winning via countback (HC 4, Gross 38, Net 34)

● Nearest to pin –Rabindra Persaud

● Longest Drive – Mark Thomas

● Best Dressed Golfers

– Troy Cadogan and Ryan Joseph

● Honest Players –Miguel Yunes and Norma Yunes

First-place winners received cellphones compliments of GTT; second-place winners received gift hampers from Banks DIH; third-place winners received a gift basket from Ansa McAL; Longest Drive and Nearest-to-pin winners received gloves; and Best Dressed and Honest Players received ball sleeves.

At the raffle drawing, some of the winners were Anasha Ally, Jason Clarke, Jason Fraser, Miguel Yunis, Arnol Deo, etc. Some of the sponsored prizes won were 3 gift hampers from Banks DIH, 3 gift baskets from Ansa McAL, 1 cell phone from GTT, 5 dinner vouchers for 4 persons at OMG from Banks DIH (one voucher caters for four persons), 1 gift voucher from Amici Restaurant, 1 gift voucher for 4 persons from Froggy’s Restaurant, 1 champagne from Oasis Café, and 2 tours to the Essequibo River from Odyssey Site Seeing.

Speaking on behalf of the club was PRO Paton George, who said, “The Greensome and Barbeque tournament turned out to be everything we would have hoped for. The course is in excellent condition, as the guests gave positive comments. This was made possible by the ground staff who brought the course back after the rainy season. If there is any kind of

drought, we also have to look at that aspect, so we have our ears to the ground and our eyes open as we are aware of all the elements that can affect the conditions of the golf club. In addition to the festivities, we had a raffle drawing in which prizes were contributed from many of our major sponsors, such as Banks DIH, Froggy’s Restaurant, Ansa

McAL, Silvie’s General Store, GTT, Odessa's Tour, Amici, Oasis Cafe and the members and staff of LGC.”

The LGC PRO also noted that the event was also great for the children, as it showed great diversity, representative of Guyana. He noted that the tournament reflects the club, as it was community-based, where everyone across

Guyana was able to participate. “There were a lot of expats and Guyanese mingling. One of the special things that happened was the presence of María Belén Francesena and Mateo Pinto of Argentina. The couple embarked on a cycling journey across South America some two-and-a-half years ago, making their way to Guyana just last month. It was a definite privilege to have them at the club,” George shared.

George further explained that due to the successful nature of the event, the club is seeking to make it a regular spectacle. “We want to encourage families and children to come out and participate. You do not have to be a member to play at the LGC; anyone is welcome. We want everyone to be aware that the golf club is open, we are family-oriented, any day of the week you can come out and have a coaching session, or just to come and enjoy the atmosphere of the club. We welcome everyone with open arms,” George posited.

Winfield Braithwaite School Boys and Juniors…

GBA names 21-member team in pursuit of retaining title

The Guyana Boxing Association has officially selected 21 persons who would be tasked with defending home turf in the prestigious Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys/ Juniors Championship, programmed for August 18th-20th at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The team, which features two female pugilists, includes representation from the Forgotten Youth Foundation, the Guyana Police Force, Andrew Lewis Gym, Rose Hall Jammers, Vergenoegen, and Pace and Power Boxing Gym.

The team compris-

es [Rose Hall Jammers] Shimroy Wings, Raham Peters, Travis Sancho, Matthew Sancho, Kenyon Hamilton, and Joffes Jackson; [Vergenoegen] Keyon Britton, Markel Blue, Joel Hinds, Garvel Hyman, and (female) Tianna Moore; [Forgotten Youth Foundation] Wayne Castello, Tiquan Sampson, Shakquain James, and (female) Akeelan Vancooten; [Pace and Power], Khamuda Alexander, Ken Harvey, and Ryan Rodgers; [Andrew Lewis] Eon Bancroft and Leon Albert; and [Guyana Police Force] Chance Niles. The GBA had commenced its arduous selection process with its month-

ly U16 Championships, which were hosted at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown and at

the National Gymnasium. Upon the end of the previous competition in July, combatants were shortlisted for further assessment, which resulted in the afore-

mentioned cadre being selected. The team will be encamped to continue the preparatory phase, and will be once again under the supervision of the GBA coaches Lennox Daniels, Sebert Blake, Clifton Moore, Francisco Roldon, and Technical Director Terrence Poole, MS.

Steve Ninvalle, President of the GBA, said that the selection was a result of a thorough and structured process which commenced months in advance of the impending championship. The team will be under the watchful eye of the association’s technical machinery, whose sole objective is to prepare our pugi-

RHTY&SC/Republic Bank Grade Six Summer Camp 2023…

lists to defend home turf, Ninvalle pointed out.

“While we would have prevailed on each occasion as the overall winner, we simply cannot utilize past results as a barometer," Ninvalle added. “As a consequence, we will leave no stone unturned in our continued preparation to maintain our dominance in the region, as the competition provides a window, brief as it may be, into the future and overall imminent direction of the discipline in the region”, he further said. Guyana will join teams from Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago at the tournament.

Paulene Flatts emerges as best student as camp successfully concludes

The 2023 Grade Six Summer Camp or-

ganized by the cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) with sponsorship from Republic Bank concluded on Friday with dozens of students graduating.

Paulene Flatts, one of the top Region Six students at the recent National Grade Six Exams, emerged as the Best Student of the three-week summer camp.

RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster expressed satisfaction at the overall success of the camp, which attracted over seventy youths. The camp was conducted by top CSEC students Rhea and Vis Kistama under the supervision of the management and members of the RHTY&SC.

Foster disclosed that the students were taught Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Integrated

Science. While they were involved in several lectures on topics of importance to their personal development. Among the topics covered were peer pressure; importance of discipline; choosing friends; drug abuse; importance of religion; and how to use sports with educational background. The camp also involved the stu-

dents taking part in several cricketing sessions as bonding.

Foster expressed delight that members of the 2023 camp emerged as the winners of an anti-human trafficking campaign organized by the Ministry of Human Services. The students were inspired to join the promotion by their tu-

tors, and were pleasantly surprised to emerge as champions. The students were also involved in a spelling bee competition for attractive prizes.

Foster, in a comprehensive speech at the closing ceremony, told the students that the next five years in secondary school would lay the foundation for a successful future. He advised them to always say no to drugs, crime, preadult sex, and to avoid getting involved in gangs.

He spoke of the importance of personal discipline, a focused mind, and total dedication to succeed against all odds.

Republic Bank representative Christopher Phagoo hailed the success of the summer camp and congratulated the RHTY&SC on its effort to make a positive difference in the lives of youths in the county of Berbice.

Raghoo expressed con-

fidence that the bank would continue to sponsor the summer camp in the future.

Head tutor Vish Kistama, in a brief report, stated that he was very impressed by the positive attitude of the students and by their commitment to succeed. Each of the students at the camp received a school bag with educational materials, coloured T-shirts, and a food hamper.

Student of the 2023 summer camp, Paulette Flatts, carried home close to $170,000 worth of special prizes, including an electric bike, designer watch, kitchen utensils, household items, and several hampers with items.

The awardees of the summer camp were: Most Disciplined - Aiden Patoir; Most Cooperative - Gabriel Looch; Most CommittedYash Ramdeo; Most Improved - Catalaya Ramalho; Most Outstanding Leader - Leanne

BCB/Dave West Indian Imports 40 Overs West Berbice final…

Gaffoor spearheads Cotton Tree to championship win over Achievers B

Cotton Tree Cricket Club won their first cricket tournament organised by the Berbice Cricket Board in twelve years when they easily defeated Achievers B by 114 runs in the finals of the Dave West Indian Imports 40 Overs second division tournament.

Playing in front of a sizeable crowd at the Cotton Tree Ground, the home team was spearheaded by a brilliant all-round effort by their captain Roshan Gaffoor, who was named “man of the finals”.

Winning the toss and batting first, Cotton Tree were given a solid opening stand of forty-one runs by openers D Harrynarine and Nick Ramsaroop in five overs, before the latter was dismissed by the run-out route for 17. They were eventually bowled out for a healthy 214 in the 38th over. Abdool Subhan top-scored with 54, which had four sixes and two boundaries, and received support from Roshan Gaffoor with 37, Fawaz Gaffoor with 25, Harrynarine with 21, and Nashad Gaffoor with 16.

Bowling for the visitors Leon Andrews took two wick-

ets for 23, S Ramsammy took 2 for 30, and M Reymond took 2 for 38.

Needing to score 215 from their allotted forty overs, Achievers B got off to a terrible start, as they stumbled to 18 for 5 in the 6th over, with some very bad batting. It took some positive batting by Leon Andrews and Mark Reymonds to lead them to a respectable score. The pair added 67 for the sixth wicket before Andrews threw away his wicket, caught by Subhan off the bowling by Roshan Gaffoor for 20. Reymond soon

followed for 47, which included four maximums and two boundaries.

Achievers were eventually dismissed for 100 in 19 overs. Gaffoor completed a great all-round performance by claiming five wickets for 14 runs, while Nashad Gaffoor and Abdool Subhan took 2 wickets apiece, for 16 and 14 runs respectively.

BCB President Hilbert Foster congratulated the Cotton Tree team on being crowned champions, and hailed the outstanding work of the club under the lead-

ership of Roshan Gaffoor, whom he described as a role model administrator. Special mention was made of the club’s involvement in the promotion of junior cricket at the under-13 to under-19 levels. Foster committed to assisting the development of cricket in the West Berbice area, and announced that two more second division tournaments would be played shortly. They are the Jaffarally 20/20 and the Lalsa Construction 20/20 for teams in the area.

President of the West Berbice Cricket Association also congratulated the cham-

Bhigroop; Most DiligentMonika Ramdass; Best Social Studies - Imani Hawker; Best English - Catalaya Ramalho; Best Mathematics - Paulene Flatts; Best Integrated Science - Aatika Khadaar; and Students of the Year — Paulette Flatts.

Students at the end of the camp each collected a certificate of participation along with a completed report of their performance.

The cricket teams of the RHTY&SC that organized the camp were Poonai Pharmacy Under-11, Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division; Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate; Metro Females; and NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Under-23 and First Division.

The teams expressed thanks to the management and staff of Republic Bank for their sponsorship, espe-

cially Branch Manager Satie Cox. Student of the Camp, Paulene Flatts, who coped 94% during the final test, expressed thanks to the cricket teams and Republic Bank for their support to make sure that they make a successful transition from primary to secondary school.

CLASSIFIED ADS

VACANCIES

pions and hailed the hard work of the BCB in promoting the game in Region Five. Special thanks were also expressed to Dave Narine of Dave West Indian Imports for his sponsorship of the tournament. Dave West Indian Imports is based in New York, USA. The tournament involves five different championships in the Berbice river, West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne areas, and then the five different champions would clash for the overall Berbice title.

1 Male Engineer. Must have at least 10 years of experience in road and building construction. Must be mobile. Email C.V to rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com. Call # 613-0855.

1 Male Project Supervisor (Road Construction Field). Ages 35 to 50 years. Must have managerial experience at least 5 to 8 years. Must be mobile. Email C.V to rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com. Call # 613-0855.

Bobcat roller operators. Ages 25 and over. Must have at least 5 years of experience. Call # 6130855. Truck and Canter Drivers. Ages 30 and over. Must have at least 5 years of experience. Call # 6130855.

Skilled Labourers (Road Construction). Ages 20 and over and Diesel Mechanic. Call # 6130855.

Republic Bank injects over $2.5M into LGC activities

…Approximately 150 children to benefit

Ahefty donation from Republic Bank

Guyana Limited will fuel a week’s worth of activities for children as the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) gears up to host its Junior Drive, Chip and Putt Competition.

With a $2.5M price tag attached, prospective golfers between the ages of 7 and 16 years old will have the opportunity to be introduced to the game, learn the rules, familiarize themselves with the various clubs and their uses, and compete in a chipping and putting tournament. The

Region 10 in Linden; we are bringing 50 kids from Belladrum, and we're having 50 kids also from the nearby and outlying community,” Persaud shared.

Speaking of the benefits of hosting such a camp, Persaud added, “Golf is about ethics. It has a lot to do with how your persona is dictated around persons around you. Golf brings out the best and the worst of you. it actually teaches you to be humble, and it learns you a lot in terms of relationships with other comrades around you and friends and associates.”

Vet inspection for Guyana Cup runners starts tomorrow

tinue on Saturday morning at GLDA compound, Georgetown from eight (8) am. A report of the inspection will be posted on the One Guyana Chat Group site.

initiative will cater to approximately 150 children.

During the official launch at the Club’s Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD) headquarters on Thursday, LGC President Patanjilee Persaud disclosed that children from other counties will also be involved.

“We would like to thank Republic Bank for joining us this year. You know, it’s a sizeable sponsorship that means so much, bringing out the best, and we are bringing kids from the

Meanwhile, Republic Bank’s Managing Director Stephen Grell revealed that throwing the company’s support behind the initiative was a no-brainer.

“As an avid golfer myself, to have the Republic Bank contribute to growing the game of golf carries extra meaning. This initiative is a true collaboration of the private sector and the community and sport, with Republic Bank fuelling a program engineered by the Lusignan Golf Club executives to encourage

Guyana’s youths’ interest in the sport of golf,” Grell related. As such, the RBL Managing Director highlighted the company’s commitment to such activities. Grell shared, “While we are a bank, we are very keen on investing in our communities and providing avenues for our nation’s youth to be involved in meaningful activities that create an appreciation for sport, as well as the spinoff benefits of discipline and social aptitude.

“Republic Bank Junior Golf is now part of the bank's Social Investment Program, ‘The Power to Make a Difference’, our commitment to youth empowerment through sport. We believe in the importance of providing the nation's youth with the opportunity to participate in a sport that promotes integrity, tenacity and determination,” he further stated.

For the chipping and putting competition, children will be grouped by age, namely; 7-9 years old, 10-12 years old, 13-14 years old, and 15-16 years old.

Kid Rock Basketball Foundation launch camp

The Kid Rock Basketball Foundation launched their basketball camp on the 7th of August, 2023 at the Albion Ward Court. It will take the course of a week and conclude on the 12th of August, 2023.

This camp will cater to boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 18 years old, to offer an incredible opportunity for young basketball enthusiasts to refine their skills and ignite their passion for the game.

The founder of Kidrock Basketball Foundation, Dennis Niles, emphasized the all-round benefits they are teaching the participants.

“Our aim is to develop youths through sports. Mainly, some of the key things we teach them is that through the courses in the program, they are gonna realize that basketball is a lot more than playing with the ball on the court. There are

morals that govern the sport, such as discipline, consistency, and punctuality, and it depends on the way you apply yourself, you can succeed and you can apply these things in your life,” Niles shared.

The sessions will be facilitated by Coach Dennis Niles and Kevin Joseph commencing sessions at 8am and

Veterinary inspection of all the horses entered to race on Guyana Cup Day, Sunday August 13, 2023, at Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) on the West Coast of Berbice will start on Friday, and will end on Saturday.

Veterinary inspection was made compulsory by Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) top brass Nasrudeen Mohamed Jnr. The inspection process will start on Friday at Regions Five (5) and Six(6). All horsemen who have horses close to the stated venues are asked to comply with the request to have their horses pass the veterinary inspection.

If their horses fail the inspection, they will be informed after the process is completed the same day.

It will be conducted by a

team of professionals, and they have included independent personnel to be present when the inspection is being undertaken.

The inspection will start at RSTC from 10a.m. The team will then proceed to Slingerz Stable at 11a.m., then to Jumbo Jet Stables at 11.30am.

The inspecting team will then move across the bridge to Region Six (6), and will stop at Jagdeo Racing Stables. Inspection will start there at 2pm. The team will then proceed to Port Mourant at 2.30pm, after which it will proceed to Kennard Memorial and will inspect horses there at 3.15pm. They will close off that day at Bengal Paddy Drying Floor at 4.30pm.

Resumption of the inspection process will con-

The JJTRC's spokesperson (Mohamed) Junior, reached on the inspection of horses, declared, "This is about transparency and animal welfare, which is an international issue. I am asking horsemen to spread the message and get their horses inspected."

He warned, "Horses not inspected will not be allowed to race on the day. This process is to ensure that welfare of the horses entered to race on the day are looked after."

He advised, "This is a very big day in Guyana's horse racing calendar, and the eyes of not only the Caribbean, but the world will be focused on us.”

He also revealed that the draw for the remaining seven (7) races will be done today after the entries are closed off. He repeated: “The draw for those seven races has not been done. It will be done today."

Commonwealth Youth Games 2023… Guyanese team sprints into 4x4 relay final

Heat 1 of the event, and then clocked another PB in the semifi nal, crossing the line in 21.99s. However, Austin narrowly missed a spot in the final by split seconds.

Also competing for Guyana on Wednesday was Attoya Harvey in the Women’s 800M semifinal

1. Harvey clocked 2 minutes, 17.47s, while her colleague Narissa McPherson stopped the clock at 2 minutes, 19.76s in semifinal

concluding at 11am. The Summer Camp has been made possible with sponsorship from ExxonMobil donating lunch bags and bottles, along with Maximum Works Construction Company, Wilson Plumbing, Home Refurbishing Service, and Youth Basketball Guyana.

Guyana’s athletes once again showed their class on the track on Wednesday evening when they booked a spot in the 4x400M Mixed Relay final at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

The combination of Tianna Springer, Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson and Javon Roberts stopped the clock at 3 minutes, 27.71s to grab first place in Heat One.

The Guyanese team finished ahead of Nigeria, who clocked 3 minutes, 29.98s, and Kenya, who finished third in 3 minutes, 36.70s.

Also on Wednesday, Guyana’s Golden Girl Tianna Springer secured the opportunity to add to her personal medal tally today, after qualifying for the Women’s 200M final.

Springer clocked 24.56s in her Heat to qualify for the semifinal. In the semis, Springer crossed the line in 24.39s to secure the final spot in today’s 200M final.

2. However, neither of the Guyanese ladies was able to qualify for today’s final.

Also missing out in a final was Javon Roberts, who clocked 2 minutes,

In the Men’s version of the event, Malachi Austin rewrote his personal best time, but was unable to advance to today’s final. Austin clocked 22.27s in

19.76s in the Men’s 800M semifinal.

The Women’s 200M final is set for 16:35hrs, while the 4x400M Mixed Relay final is scheduled for 19:00hrs today.