Kaieteur News

As the government of Guyana (GoG) continues to hide the agreements inked for the US$2B Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson fears that the venture will only serve as a

‘20-year maintenance contract for Gas-to-Energy project will benefit PPP boys’ - Patterson

doorway to finance kickbacks for cronies of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

He made this statement during a recentAlliance For Change (AFC) press conference.

Patterson in his remarks

reasoned that while the project is now pegged at around US$2B, the single largestfinancialprojectever pursued in the country’s history, the government has not yet addressed costs such as the Operation and Maintenance (O&M)

expense, which he believes will be pocketed by the members of the governing party

He reasoned, “Someone has to operate it and run it. It’s not GPL, who is the company? It’s not the companythatisbuildingit,it cannot be that company operating and running it. How are we gonna get that?

So therefore there will be a company collecting the money from GPL, they will just be like a Wartsila (that) used to do (maintenance for GPL) plants- an O&M company

That company, who are thebeneficialownersofthat company because I mean if it’s one of the PPP cronies and you get US1 cent per megawatt for 300MW for 365daysfor20years.Ifyou do the maths, you can see that that that’s generational funding.”

Patterson said that this contract will be worth billionsofdollarsandadded, “That is why they do these things so opaque and they’ll say oh it’s some company and of course the beneficial owners will not be known until the government is changedandweunravelit.”

TheOppositionhasbeen makingrepeatedrequestsfor theagreementsinkedtodate by government for the project but have been unsuccessfulintheirefforts.

Since 2022, the government signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with the Stabroek Co-ventures that outlines the principles and conditions for the commercial and technical arrangements of the deal. Several other agreements and contracts for the project

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure,

have also been signed but remainhidden.

Pattersonhadrequesteda copy of the HOAagreement in Parliament back in December 2022, but the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat said it could not be made availableyet.

Patterson in his request for the information, submitted to Parliament on October18,2022,hadasked whether any agreements w e r e s i g n e d w i t h ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL)- formerly Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)- in connection withtheWalesprojectandif yes, for the Minister to supplytheHousewithacopy ofthesaidagreement.

Bharratinhisresponseto Patterson said, “There are other agreements on supply, buyer’s agreement, field development, licensing conditions, onshore works, and land matters that are currently being drafted. The

respective agreements and policy documents will be presentedtothisHonourable House when they have been agreed upon and executed. All agreements are being done in a timely manner to meet the Final Investment Decision which will allow for the project to be completedbyourcommitted deadline of December 2024.”

Notably, the timeline for the delivery of the GTE projecthasnowbeenshifted to 2025, and Exxon is yet to make a Final Investment Decisionfortheinitiative.

Exxonisconstructingthe pipeline component of the project that will be used to transport natural gas from the Liza fields in the StabroekBlocktotheWales DevelopmentSite.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e governmentisconstructinga Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300 megawatt power plant, aimed at reducing electricity charges by50%.

Canadiangoldcompanytoconduct EIAforoperationsinGuyana

ReunionGoldCorporation,one of several Canadian mining companies in Guyana’s gold industry on Tuesday announced a significant step forward in its operationshere.

The company revealed that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized and approved the Terms of Scope (ToS) for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) on the Oko West Project, located in Guyana’s RegionSeven(Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Rick Howes, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reunion Gold, expressed his satisfaction with the approval, stating, “We are very pleased that theEPAhasapprovedtheTermsof ScopefortheESIAonOkoWest,as this represents a significant milestone in the advancement of the permitting process for the project.”

He highlighted the company’s commitment to maintaining an accelerated development timeline, aiming to complete a preliminary

economicassessment(PEA)bythe endofthesecondquarterof2024.

Reunion’s journey toward this milestone began in September 2023 when the company applied foritsenvironmentalpermit.

Since then, Reunion Gold said ithasworkedcloselywiththeEPA to establish the ToS for the ESIA. This collaborative effort included meetings with government agencies and local communities in latelastyeartoidentifythecrucial elementstobeincorporatedintothe ToS.

In addition to finalizing the ToS, Reunion Gold has made significant progress in completing the environmental and social baseline studies required for the ESIA. These studies encompassed various aspects, including groundwater and air quality, plant, animal,andaquaticecosystems,as well as socio-economic and health baselines. Community meetings werealsoconductedtoaddressany potential cultural heritage considerations.

Looking ahead, Reunion Gold plans to complete its Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), by June 2024 and subsequently focus on advancing the feasibility study and environmental permits throughout the remainder of 2024 andintothefirstquarterof2025.

Reunion Gold is now actively considering both open-pit and undergroundmining.

The company aims to reach a construction decision by 2025, marking another crucial milestone in its journey toward operational readiness in Guyana’s gold industry

TheCanadianminingcompany has firmly set its eyes on reaching gold production at its Oko West Gold Project by 2027. The company has an estimated 4.2 millionouncesofgold.

In February 2024, Reunion announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) containing a total of 4.3 Moz of gold in Indicated Resources grading 2.05 g/t and 1.6 Moz of

goldinInferredResourcesgrading 2.59 g/t. The February 2024 MRE includes an underground Resource containing 1.1 Moz of gold at a gradeof3.12g/tAuintheInferred category

This publication had reported thatthecompany’sCEO,duringan interviewdisclosedthattheyareon afasttrackedtimelinewithitsOko Westproject.

In 2020, the Company announced a new greenfield gold discovery at its Oko West project and announced its maiden mineral resource in June 2023 after just 22 months of resource definition drilling.

Since discovery, Howes noted thattheresourceestimatecontinues togrow,andthatthedepositoffers ample scale to underpin a meaningfulminingoperation.Last June, the company announced its maiden resource estimate of 2.5 millionouncesofgold.

Reunion’s CEO underscored thatwhatsetsthecompanyapartis the meticulous execution of their

strategy to advance the project through studies and permitting, to support the aggressive timeline, whichwasaffirmedbyoverUS$70 million raised last September to fullyfundthestudies.

Reunion’s CEO attributed being adequately capitalized to continuewithoutfurtherdilutionas a major accomplishment for the companylastyear

Despite volatile markets, Reunion Gold was able to secure funding from La Mancha InvestmentGroup.

Tel:

BillboardsandBharrat

Thingsthathavetruthastheiressenceoftentakeawhile beforeregisteringopenlyanddeeply Thiswasthecasewith thebillboardsthatExxonMobilplasteredacrosssomewelltraveledplacesinGuyana.ThebigchiefsattheAmericanoil giantinsistedandpersistedwiththeexaggerationofa52% total take of this oil for Guyana. ExxonMobil's big chiefs usedtheoildollarsofGuyanesetodeceivesmallGuyanese, citizenswhodonotknowmuchaboutoilmatters,aboutthe money they were getting from their wealth. When a company can take it upon itself to deceive and mislead an entirepopulationaboutitsportionofthenationalpatrimony sopubliclyandsoshamelessly,thenthereisnolimittowhat itwouldnotdowhenGuyanesearenonethewiser

WeatthispublicationbelievethatGuyana'snumberone oil man, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had some knowledge, more than a passing idea, that 52% was not it, was inflated, was a falsehoods foisted on the Guyanese people. Yet, he said nothing, did nothing to rein in his socalledanalystsandintellects,themselvesfullycommittedto peddling for a penny ExxonMobil's 52% income farce. What kind of analysts are these, and what could be said about their intellectual honesty, their commitment to delivering accuracy and what is truthful to Guyanese?

Whatevertheyare,itisnotaboutwhatisgoodforGuyanese, but a shameless bunch of brownnosers, who will try to justifyanythingforadollar,andforpartisanpurposes.This ishowdirtythisoilwealthhasmadesomeofthem,almost all of them. But what does this say about Vice President Jagdeo himself, in whose hands has been placed this most sensitive,thisrichest,ofnationalportfolios?

HemusthaveknownthatExxonMobil's52%waswrong innumber,wronginmoney,andwronginthedamagebeing done to Guyanese being sold a blown-up pig in broad daylight.Therearethosebillboards,thankstothebrightness of ExxonMobil's corporate standards. There was Dr Vincent Adams pressing that 52% total profit button and blowing it out of the water Other Guyanese have pointed thatout,butJagdeowassodeepinExxonMobil'sbellythat hecouldn'tseethelight,didwhathedoesbest,whichwasto refusetoadmittoseeinganylight. Forsomestrangereason, Jagdeo has now finally come to his senses. He can finally acknowledge that, “One thing I can agree with Vincent Adamson,isthatthesebillboardsExxonMobil(is)putting up all around the place, is misleading in many ways… Exxon's billboards are misleading. So, they said that Guyana receives 52% of all profits from Stabroek Block…theydon'tspeakof75%goingtocostrecovery.” It is healthy that Jagdeo could finally speak to this 52% untruth, that he could find it in himself to use the word “misleading” twice to describe the hoax with which ExxonMobilwasbrainwashingGuyanese. Itisworthgoing backtoapointmadeearlierhere. IfExxonMobilcantryto trick Guyanese so blatantly and so openly with this 52% sham,thenwhatcanGuyanesetrustthecompanytodowith realproductionnumbers,realexposurestothiscountry,and realprotectionforeveryonehere.

Moreover, oil czar Jagdeo found the time and strength (andtruthtoo)tomention“theydon'tspeakof75%goingto costrecovery.”

Indeed,menoftheprowessofAlistairRoutledgenever do,likelyneverwould. Itisgood,therefore,thatJagdeohas nailed that 75% cost recovery detail that ExxonMobil preferstohavesweptunderthecarpet. Whatwouldbemost encouraging is for Jagdeo to take steps to have all those concealed expenses representing billions, and audit and other reports that conceal so much, to be laid before the Guyanese people. Let them be made public, so that Guyaneseanalysts(thoseworthyofthename,andgenuinely patrioticones)cangothroughthem. Puttheminthepublic domain, Mr Jagdeo, and let the real analysts determine if and how and by how much ExxonMobil is misleading Guyaneseinotherways. ExxonMobilhaslittlecredibility with honest Guyanese. Bharrat Jagdeo could, but he must deliver

Will the businessmen behind oil spill be sanctioned?

DearEditor, The President, Vice President, and their propagandists have been silentontheTobagooilspill (of February7 andongoing) that has spread to multiple islands. Oil was purchased fromasanctionedstatetobe used by Guyana's stated owned power company, GPL. It can't be that the President, VP, other state actors,andtheagencydidn't knowaboutthepurchase.

Illegal purchase of oil from Venezuela has been goingonforaperiodoftime with the involved businessmenmakingalotof money,andnowwiththeoil spill, the public and the region get to know that Guyana has been defying Americansanctions,withits agenciesdoingbusinesswith Venezuela.Fourindividuals, friends,advisors,andfamily of high government functionaries were involved in the purchase of the oil contractedforGPL.

Will the American

government impose sanctions on the four individuals involved in the purchase of the Venezuelan oil and government functionaries who closed their eyes to it? American visasshouldbecancelledfor everyone involved in the purchase and who were in the know Will the Guyana government impose sanctions on the four businessmeninvolvedinthe deal for defying American sanctionsandforpurchasing oilillegallyfromVenezuela? TheUSAhasbeenprotecting our democracy and our country from Venezuelan threat,whataudacityforour government, GPL, and businessmen to defy the Americans!

Awarding winning investigative reporter Asha Javeed (March 4) of the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian newspaper did a very thorough investigation oftheoilspilldisaster Itwas a disaster waiting to happen in which an old barge that

had a history of leaks and ongoingstructuralissuesand a tugboat with a history of problems were used to transport the oil to Guyana. Didn't the businessmen known that? There was a leak and the tugboat abandoned the barge which overturned The coast of several islands became polluted; there was untold damage.At first, theVPand thePresidentdeniedthatthe oilwasdestinedforGuyana.

After exposure, there was admission that it was purchased by a Guyanese business on contract with GPL,sayingitwasaprivate business deal The state agencyandthePresidentand VP must know that the oil was purchased from Venezuela which has been under enforced sanctions Every effort was made to deceivethepublicthatitwas not Venezuela oil untilAsha Javeed exposed the fraud. W h y h a s G u y a n a government defied the American sanctions? Is it

that the government and its agencies like GPL and certain businessmen affiliated with the President and VP don't care what the Americans say? It rings familiar like the 2014 feral blast against the American Ambassador Is history repeatingitself?

Ms. Javeed mentioned two names Kesh Nandlall,brotherofAttorney General Anil Nandlall, and Dr Reyaud Rahman. Kesh Nandlall, who was previously affiliated with a government agency and f o u n d h i m s e l f i n controversy, left for Canada during the coalition He returned from Canada last September as newly appointedCEOofGPLwith a sweetheart contract. After providinginformationonthe purchase of the sanctioned oil, investigative reporter Ms Javeed said Kesh Nandlall responding responding to questions. Dr Rahmanhasbeenadvisorto

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AgricultureremainsthebedrockofGuyana'seconomy

DearEditor, The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Ministry of Agriculture have taken note of a letter published in the Saturday, March 9, 2024 edition of the Stabroek News.

Apart from the bias and malicious statements made by the writer, it is clear that the author has ulterior motives and continues to d i s s e m i n a t e f a l s e information.It is appalling that the writer would insinuatethattherearemany scandals involving the purchaseofseveralpumpsto be installed at stations being constructed across the country

Itisimportanttonotethat this newspaper and other local print publications can verify that these pump stations were advertised under open tendering conditionsandlaterawarded bytheNationalProcurement and Tender Administration Board(NPTAB).Eachofthe pump stations has a consultant and these consultants play an integral role in ensuring the smooth e x e c u t i o n a n d implementation of the projects and functionality of thepumpstations.

Based on a thorough assessment by our engineers in the fields, consultants are ofteninvolvedinthevarious stagesofeachproject.

The agriculture ministry

along with the management of the NDIA also hosts regular progress meetings with contractors executing these major projects, to discuss ways in which the completion of these works can be expedited, thus allowingthemtohonortheir obligations.

Upon satisfactory completion, these pump stations and drainage structures will be commissionedfollowingthe conclusion of the defects' liability period While the government continues to appeal to contractors to ensure they are well equippedandsparenoeffort to ensure projects are completed on time, it continues to face challenges that contribute to these setbacks.Whilesomedelays may be unavoidable, the government must ensure all of its developmental programmesandprojectsare implemented within the giventimeframe.Therefore, like other contracts, provisions were made to catertosuchoccurrences.

As such, it should be notedthatdefaultcontractors will be paying liquidated damages as set out in the conditions of their contracts as several of these revised extension periods have elapsed To date, several pump stations are currently under liquidated damages. The NDIA has since informed the NPTAB of

these underperforming contractors Meanwhile, it is unbelievable that the writer wouldventureontosaythat the ministry was "wasting resources"andthattherewas "novision."

Itbringsgreatpleasureto note that, indeed billions are beingspentandthesemonies are being injected into projects that will, without a doubt, transform Guyana's agriculturalprospects.

The government agrees that farmers should benefit from the financial resources of the country This is why following the 2021 floods, farmers and fisherfolk were given relief grants in the formofcashtorebuildwhat they lost. Farmers can have allthemoneytoplant,butif theydon'thavetheresources like farm-to-market access roads, an effective and efficient drainage and irrigation system, agriculturaltoolsandinputs, land development and expansion, technological research, and other support services then their labour willbeinvain.

The Dr Irfaan Ali-led Administration has been working with local financial institutions to give farmers better access to financing at significantly lower interest rates. Further, at the level of CARICOM, steps are being put in place to introduce an insurance product for farmers in Guyana and

acrosstheregion.

The writer used a poor example when comparing the prices of two commodities; one produced locally and one that is imported The imported commodity referenced is produced on a significantly larger scale resulting in a relatively lower price while the price of the locally produced commodity is based on seasonal availability.Whileinputslike fertilizer, pesticides, seeds, s e e d l i n g s , D & I infrastructure,farmingtools, machinery and implements, fuel, and extension services are either free, tax-free or heavily subsidized, the global cost of production continuestoskyrocket.With the gas-to-energy project soon to come on stream, production costs are projected to decrease by 50 percent.Agricultureremains the bedrock of Guyana's economy With Guyana leading CARICOM's food security ambitions under the leadership of President Ali, Guyanese, especially farmerscanrestassuredthat there will continue to be investments in the sector with the ultimate goal being to reduce the region's food import bill by 25 percent by theendof2025.

Yourssincerely,

Dr. Jagan would not have allowed the ill treatment of teachers and public servants

DearEditor,

Itisrightandproperthat a political party observe the death anniversary for its founder and for some, a person can be seen as a sort of patron saint. On Sunday March 10, 2024 PPP faithfuls and supporters gathered at Babu Jaan to

show their respect and love toDr CheddiJagan.

The occasion was tarnishedbytheshoutingsof both the General Secretary of the PPP and the Head of State. Instead of confining themselves to show due respecttoamanofhistorical significance,theyspenttheir

I congratulate Eric for his letter

DearEditor, I have read with considerable interest, the extremely informative and instructive letter from Eric Phillips, Chair of The G u y a n a N a t i o n a l Reparations Committee, published in the Stabroek thNews,11 March, 2024, headlined “Highly recommended that CARICOM establish separate commissions for indentureship and colonialism in relation to reparatoryjustice”.

It is the first time I have

beenabletoreadalucidand constructive distinction being made between the horrors of “Chattel Enslavement”, the cruelty andviolenceandbetrayalof Indentureship and the economic exploitation and oppression of Colonialism. As a descendant of Indentureship and a Guyanese dedicated to the unity and oneness to all of the people of Guyana, I congratulate Eric for his letter

Yourssincerely,

time in the usual abuse of certain individuals and sections of a credible independent media, completely misrepresenting things said and written by those,whoseonlyinterestis thetruth.Intherunuptothis event, Guyanese could not help noticing that the PPP Government is practising with pomposity a situation they for years criticized, that is, party paramountcy So you have press conferences at Freedom House hosted by the General Secretary dealing with matters of the state which demonstrates his belief that he is the beginning and end of all things, of all people and of allsituations.

As they showered praisesonDr Jagan'swork, Isaidtomyself,howbrazen can some people be. Any intelligent person would recognise the party's betrayal of the things Dr Jagan stood for - Respect and a concern for the working class with a few

glitches but more importantlyabeliefthatour workshouldbetoelevatethe fortunes of ordinary people consistent with socialist ideas.

Today, those who shouted at Babu Jaan have betrayedthefinerprinciples of Dr Jagan. Tears must have been flowing from Dr Dr Cheddi B. Jagan as he listenedtothetiradeatBabu Jaan. Present were those whoarereapingthebenefits of a country now rich, but lookaroundthepoormasses are struggling to provide propermealsforthemselves and family while the big onesincontroloflargesums carelittleforthesmallman.

Some of us have relatives abroad but are not returningbecauseinspiteof the monies allocated for the Ministry of Health, our health services do not provideGuyanesewillingto come home with the confidence they had hoped for Dr Jaganandtheearlier leadersoftheunitedPPP

(Continuedonpage6)

This was an extraordinarily impressive production

DearEditor,

Iwasprivilegedtoattend

Musings of a Poet - 2 at the CulturalCentre,producedby the National Drama CompanyandtheMinistryof Culture, Youth and Sport, written byAl Creighton Jnr., also Artistic Director, and directed by Mark LukeEdwards.

T h i s w a s a n extraordinarily impressive production and artistic performance of drama, poetry, dance and song, worthy, in my humble view, ofaBroadwayProductionin Manhattan.

In order, I believe, to emphasise the intimacy of communication between the performersandtheaudience, theproductionwaspresented on a smaller stage built for the occasion on the upstairs floor of the Cultural Centre, accommodating a smaller audience than the full CulturalCentre.

For me, and I believe all who were privileged to be in theaudience,thisproduction

met all the requirements of Theatre: entertainment, relevance and exceptional standardsofperformance.

I w a s h u g e l y disappointed, however, that not a single member of our Cabinet, not even our Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon Charles Ramson, was there to see, hear and appreciate the enormous professional talents and skills that our countryhastooffer

The production featured one of the finest musical renditionsIhaveheardofour National Anthem It addressed society's ills, spirituality and myths, comedy and concluded with aFinaledepictingthevariety of our ethnicities forged togetherasonenation.

This production should be staged again as a Presidential Command Performance and which I recommend to our Minister responsibleforCulture.

Yourssincerely,

KitNascimento

Implementaproperperformanceappraisalsystemforteachers

DearEditor,

Icomefromafamilywheremy female siblings are teachers and nurses.As a child, I can recall my sistershavingtodonotesoflessons and scheme of work etc. in the evening, and also the pride they tookinfriendlycompetitionamong their peers relative to the performanceoftheirstudentsatend oftermtests.

I recently served as the PTA PresidentataSecondarySchoolin GeorgetownandIsupposeIhavea fair understanding of the current situation with teachers and the sometimes fractured relationship officials of the Ministry of Education.

Asamatteroffact,Iamacutely aware of some of the challenges because I have had to write the Minister in relation to a serious electrical matter that affected the

school for years and was being ignored by Ministry officials. The issue was subsequently dealt with and they are now operating in a saferenvironment.

It is obvious to all that, like nurses, teachers deserve to receive reasonable remuneration Likewise,noonecandenythatthe recent teachers strike will pose serious challenges for the syllabus ofthecurrenttermtobecovered.

Itisnotmyplacetocastblame on who is responsible for the prolonged impasse because we all have common sense and should be able to be rational in arriving at a sensible conclusion. The fact that the strike was discontinued after four(4)weeksduetocourtordered mediationseemstosuggestthatthis could have been done three (3) weeksago.

But let me state clearly, that I

haveneverbelievedandstilldonot believe in across the board increases It rewards under performers and the hard working individuals striving for excellence are left in a conundrum as to whetheritmakessenseforthemto continueworkingashard.

It is no secret that a high percentage of teachers go beyond the call of duty to ensure that they utilise their instruction time constructively and effectively In some instances, they engage parents and students after hours instructing students who seek clarifications and to ensure that their tasks and assignments are completed in a timely and proper manner Indeed, they deserve a betterpackage.

But there are teachers who are habitually late, do not spend the allotted time in their classroom,

poorly manage their class and the qualityoftheirworkleavesmuchto bedesired. Itisoftensaidthatsome teachers save the best of their teaching time and skills for their after-schoollessonswhich,ifthatis so,disqualifiesthemfrombeingin the profession. For them to be rewarded with similar remunerationastheirhardworking peerscannotbejustifiedandshould nothappen.

But across the board increases, reward these underperforming teacherswithremuneration,similar to the hard-working professionals, which is not fair, is demotivating and needs to be discontinued with extremehaste.

The employer (MOE) and the nation students deserve value for money, which is why a properly implemented Performance Appraisal system needs to be part

and parcel of the current discussions between the Ministry of Information and the GTU. And do not tell me it already exists because the teachers and the GTU know fully well that it is not being properly implemented across the boardatallschools.

And while they are it, there must be consequences for underperforming teachers who not only fail the students but can put their hard-working peers under unnecessary pressure to do remedialworkasaconsequenceof theirincompetence.

Itshouldnotonlybeaboutmore money, there needs to be a mechanism to monitor performance and ensure value for money with serious corrective actionwhereandwhennecessary

Yourstruly

Dr. Jagan would not...

Frompage5 would not have allowed the widening of the gap between the few rich and the many poor BabuJaandishonouredDr Jaganbystatingunkindthings about people and the independent media whose onlycrimeistospeakthetruth and reveal to all of us how much the current crop of PPP leaders have strayed from the high principles of Dr Jagan.

As they rabble-rouse at Babu Jaan, they could not explain how they are in charge of an economywhereasnotedfrom reliable sources we should have a total revenue from the

oil sector amounted to US$ 214,740,ooo instead the account only received US$2,694,000dollars.

Whatever may have been theshortcomingsofDr Jagan, andweallhaveshortcomings, hewouldhavenotallowedthe ill treatment of teachers and public servants. He would not have allowed this apparent level of corruption and wild spending we see today Those who let off so much hot air at Babu Jaan must be reminded that you can fool some of the people, some of the time but notallthepeople,allthetime.

Sincerely

Will the businessmen behind oil spill...

Frompage4 President Ali since 2020 and his name came up about permits and licensing of oil purchase. His name was previously linked to questionableexpendituresand fraud when he was CEO of Vector Control, another state agency(SNApr24,2016).He resignedafterGlobalMalaria, a foreign NGO, reported that there was eleven million dollars fraud. Irfaan Ali saw greatvalueinReyaudRahman and hired him as executive advisor. He frequently traveledwiththePresident.

Four individuals were involvedinthepurchaseofthe spilled oil all four are connected with highest government functionaries One a 'doctor' and two are knownbusinessmenwithlinks to the President and VP and one a former cricketer turned businessman.

Thecricketerendorsedthe PPP at the last local election

and is tasked with recruiting African youths to the ruling party; he received huge land concessions and multimillion-dollarcontractsforhis association with the ruling party Others who have been associated with the party and wereballotboxwatchershave been shunted aside for the newcomers. Since2020,there has been corruption everywhere. The four men raised the money to purchase the oil. It cost US$2 millions, saysMs.Javeed.

It is believed GPL was paying four million for the purchase.

Thatwouldbeahandsome return on the investment of 100 percent. As it is, the investment is lost. It is not known whether there was insuranceorwhetherGPLwill pay for the expensive loss. Will the cost of the oil loss be passedontoGPLcustomers?

Yourstruly, NigelPilgrim

‘Hemisphericactionneededtoaddresshuman resourcedeficitinthehealthsector’-Dr.Singh

- at Economic and Health Dialogue of

Senior Finance Minister intheOfficeofthePresident with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday said that “the question of adequate supply of trained health sector professionals is one that cannot be confronted nationallyalone,ithastobe confronted regionally, and evenhemispherically.”

The Minister was at the time participating in the secondhighlevelmeetingof the Economic and Health Dialogue of the Americas (EHA) Initiative. He called for hemispheric action to address human resource deficit in the health sector, which is a hemispheric and evenglobalproblem.

Themeetingwaschaired by the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, U.S. Department of State, Honourable Jose W Fernandez,andwasattended by finance and health ministers from across the Americas.

To g e t h e r , E H A supported by the U.S. State DepartmentandDepartment of Commerce represents an effort that focuses the region’s governments, private sector and civil societyonsharedchallenges and opportunities to build resilient, inclusive, sustainable, and equitable health economies and ecosystems.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Dr Singh, while discussing challenges in the region, pointed out that in countries like Guyana, where the population density is relatively low, and with several communities being remotefromthemajorurban centres, delivering care to the entire population is extremely challenging and expensive.

“In this regard, and in keepingwithPresidentAli’s commitment to improving access to and delivery of social services for all Guyanese citizens, the government is building out 12 regional hospitals, and potentially as many as 50 centres with some form of telemedicine capabilities, which will aid in remote diagnosis, potentially allowing for remote

theAmericas

treatment,” the ministry’s statementsaid.

Further,MinisterSingh, in relation to the human resource deficit in the health sector, said that “perhaps the single biggest challenge we face in the health sector is ensuring that we have an adequate supply of suitably skilled doctors and nurses, bearing in mind that we are o p e r a t i n g i n a n environment where the market for skilled medical professionals is a global market and that there is a globalshortageofsupplyof skilled health sector professionals,andtherefore, the question of adequate supply of trained health sector professionals is one that cannot be confronted nationallyalone,ithastobe confronted regionally and evenhemispherically.”

The minister said that in addressing this deficit, the government of Guyana is investing heavily in the training of health sector professionals including doctorsandnurses,building out of two new nursing schools,andutilizingonline platformsforthedeliveryof nursetraining.

Dr. Singh thanked the relevant agencies of the United States of America government for the leadership they have providedinthishemispheric approach to this most pressing challenge to ensuring that the region is equipped to manage and containpublichealthrisk.

“Dr Singh also highlighted the absolute necessity for coordinated hemisphericandmultilateral approaches in confronting problems that are multinationalinnature,with public health risks being perhaps the most obvious exampleofsuchproblems,a lessonthatwouldhavebeen learnt from the recent COVID-19 pandemic,” the MinistryofFinancesaid.

The Senior Finance Minister is currently in Punta Canta in the Dominican Republic, where he attended 2024 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and IDB Invest whichwereheldfromMarch 6to10.

The President's Youth Choice Initiative

did not live up to expectations

Bharrat Jagdeo misrepresented thecriticismsthat were being levied at the proposed construction of the hotel on Carifesta Avenue.

The criticisms about 'green space'wereneverintendedto prevent the erection of the hotel. All that was being questioned was why was the hotelbeingerectedinanarea traditionally used and assigned for sport and recreationalpurposes.

In response to this criticism, Jagdeo however said that the government had identified several neglected playfieldsinGeorgetownand were taking steps to improve them. But improving areas already set aside as green spaces is different from appropriating a green space for the construction of a hotel.

The issue is not about investment, it is about the progressivedisappearanceof greenery, a green zone in the north of the city is being effectivelyde-zonedtoallow forahotel.

Jagdeo has obviously not learntthelessonsofthepast. It is during his time as President that hundreds of millions of dollars were deployedtowhatwasknown as the President's Youth Choice Initiative. The idea wastoallowyoungpeopleto identify projects and for government to support the development of these projects.

That programme was a dismal failure. It flopped.As was remarked by theAPNU, there was little to show for it

and the projects had little impact on young people, particularly in terms of employment. Most of the projects went into decline because they were illconceived and had no sustainability element incorporated.

The APNU accused the government of having an unplanned response to youth unemployment. At a press conference in 2009, a PNC spokesperson said, “If the President Youth Choice Initiative was intended to createemploymentforyoung people, it has significantly failed.”

In 2009, this newspaper publishedanarticlefeaturing aCommunityCentreatKuru Kuru that was established under the President's Youth ChoiceInitiative.TheCentre had fallen into disrepair and had become a 'white elephant'.

In an editorial in 2011, Stabroek News had this to say about the President's Youth Choice Initiative “President Jagdeo in one of his earliest `initiatives' p r e s id e d o v e r th e squandering of millions in the ill-starred President's Youth Choice Initiative which featured myriad buildings being constructed across the country –includingsomeforcomputer centres – and going to waste because the project, while brimming with noble objectives, was not properly c o n c e i v e d a n d implemented.”

Instead of owning up to thefailuretoproperlydesign

DEM BOYS SEH

the projects under the President's Youth Choice Initiative, blame was deflected to the adults Addressing a gathering duringaCabinetOutreachin Crabwood Creek in 2010 Jagdeo blamed the lack of communityspirit.

Most of the funds used for the President's Youth Choice Initiative came from the Lotto Fund A great numberofpersons,including from the Opposition were of the view that the proceeds from the Lotto should not be held outside of the Consolidated Fund. This controversy was not helpful fortheimageoftheInitiative.

At present, the PPP/C government is making the same mistakes that were madebefore.

What is the use of improving community groundsandplayfieldswhen there is no model for the m a n a g e m e n t a n d sustainability of these grounds.

Thisisoneofthebiggest mistakes which is being by the PPP/C government. It is going around the country digging-up and relaying grounds and fencing playfields but who manages these facilities afterwards.

All that will happen is that a few years from now, the government will again have tospendhundredsofmillions inredoingthesameworkthat they are doing now because there is no system to ensure that those who manage these grounds can afford to maintainthem.

Under the same

De Stairway to Success Full ah Traps

De young people of Guyana are stuck in decareerquicksand.Demdoesstartdemfuss wuk with nuff dreams of making it big. But demdreamsdonotmaterialize.

Firstoff,smallbusinesses.Oh,demcozy lil'ventureswheredreamsgo tonapforever You start off hustlin' and bustlin' thinkin'… "OnedayIgon'bebig!"

But nah, dat's where dreams shrink, not grow

It'sliketryin'toplantatreeinateacupain'tnospaceforgrowth!

And medium-sized enterprises? More like medium-sized excuses! Dey actin' like deyinanever-endinggameofmusicalchairs, 'ceptdeyalltooscaredtomakeamove.Ain't nobodypassing'rounddeCEObatonanytime soon!

Now, let's talk 'bout dem big fish in de

President's Youth Choice Initiative, fences were built around some playfields

including in South Georgetown After a few years, the fences fell into disrepair because there were no means for the persons managing these facilities to maintainthefences.

ButtheAPNU+AFCdid notdoanybetter Itpromised a 'green state' but turned Durban Park into a parade ground. There is little green left in the area which the

APNU+AFC developed for hostingnationalevents.

Jagdeo has promised to hold a press conference on the Skeldon Sugar Factory Hemustbeheldtohisword.

But before he does that, he should hold one to evaluate the successes of his President's Youth Choice Initiative.

Oneofthemajorfailings of this project has been the absence of a published an assessment of its successes andfailures.Youneednotask

which was greater. Even Jagdeo would be hard pressedtodenytheobvious.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the authoranddonotnecessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and itsaffiliates.)

business pond. Dey sittin' on top like dey gluedtodeCEOchair!

Ain't no room for fresh faces, unless yuh come packin' some serious clout or connections. It's like trying to crash a VIP partywithoutaninvite-goodluckwithdat!

Asfuhdepublicservice.Dempromotions 'boutasrareasahumblepolitician!

When was de last time yuh heard 'bout a promotionindepublicservice?

Exactly! Dey holdin' onto dem top spots likeisararediamond.

But hey, who needs upward mobility whenyuhgotdelateralshuffle,right?

'Roundand'roundwego,wherewestop, nobody knows! Just keep on spinnin' dat career wheel of fortune and pray yuh don't landonbankruptcy!

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

The Ali, Jagdeo, Norton trinity

Hereisaquestionforalloilrich Guyanese:whatdoesPresidentAli, Vice President Jagdeo, and Opposition Leader Norton have in common? With due regard to the fine practitioners of palmistry and prophesy, these three leading men in Guyana’s political trinity have becomeassociatedwiththefuture.

Predictions about the future Entanglements with the future. Dependingonthefuture Thefuture iswhatallthreeofthesegrandmen in Guyana’s political leadership trinity have hinged their own standingson Itismydutytocalla dog a dog: in this instance, what Guyanese have is an unholy trinity Politicsandstrangebedfellows

Guyanesearestrugglingintheir numberstocopewithahardguava season present, and this band of brothers, this titillating political threesome,isbusyemphasizingthe future. ItwastheRightHonorable BharratJagdeowhostartedtheball rollingwiththisbusinessaboutthe future. Hewoulddowellintheoil marketsasaFuturestrader

The problem for him is that everything he puts his hands on turns into the stuff of septic tanks. Nowheretorunbutsmellingtothe heavens. Thismanisdangerousto

thewellbeingofGuyanese. Jagdeo decided he found a winner to holdupimpatientGuyanese.

Sell them on the future. Of what could be, in all its loaded weight, its lush glitter Like a Powerballticket,whichheissureis the guaranteed winner Jagdeo does a holdup of distrusting Guyanesebystickingthemup.

Wait for tomorrow, he promises, as he emphasizes more production, winding down overall expenses, and maximizing revenues. It is the same shady story: tomorrow will be better I urge all Guyanese to look back at every damn politician in this country, and they should come to this grey conclusion: tomorrow nevercomes,hasneverinaGuyana whichhassomemanygifts.

It has been more than mere political leadership follies. It has been leadership felonies. Jagdeo sells Guyanese on the future with ‘maximizing revenues’ (arranges withAlistair Routledge to sing his versionoftherevenuechorusfrom the sidelines). To my fellow Guyanese, this bright talk of the futureisJagdeosellingGuyanesea snake but marketing it as salmon. He is hoping that oil prices will

behave, travel in are warding upwardtrajectory

Many have been the expert oilmen who have made that bet, only to lose their shirt and shorts. Jagdeotheprophetissmartenough to know that financial models are like those on carpeted catwalks: they sway from side to side, and they sometimes stumble. In the lingo of the oil trade, the commodity on which so much of the present and future hinge is volatile.

Opposition Leader Norton has also found his niche strategy, his niche of operations. He, too, is depending wholly on the narrow confinesofthefuture. Hehasmade it his mantra to speak of oil in the contextofthefuture,likeJagdeo.

When the future brings the return of the opposition back into power,allthesegreatoilthingsthat are suspended in midair currently will be high on the agenda for aggressive addressing and action. Somebody (I have a good idea of those involved; just look northward) must have influenced brother Norton to accept a rainchecktorelyuponinthefuture. The thinking from this side of the creek is that he is holding on to a

bouncecheck. Guyanaisintooil, andsoshouldMr Norton.

The problem is that he is dealinginrubberchecks,promises and hopes that lack substance. Thus, when comrade Norton talks of the future, waits on the future, andbetsthehouse(bettermakethat palm tree) on the future, he is clingingtosmoke. Thefellowson DukeStreetandinExxon’stowers aregoodatthis,fortheyhavedone thesamething,wherevertheytake upresidence.

Then, there is the newest member of Guyana’s unholy political leadership trinity, Excellency Ali taking up his position,withreadyscriptinhand. It is an encyclopedia embossed withasinglewordonitscover,and as the sum of its content: future. The future of oil will facilitate paying more to public servants currentlystarvingontheirfeet,and madenoughtodevouracrabdawg.

Thisisaleaderwhohasneverseen aloandangledinthepresentthathe has not loved, but one who highlights the future. Here is a political plotter who presides over drainingthenation’soilfundinthe present but is ludicrous and frivolous enough to stare into the

future when it is the current wellbeing of ordinary Guyanese thatisunderassault.

This is the now times, Excellency Ali; the new times of oil,OEsteemedOne,talkingabout the future is the patented farce of those who sell what they do not own Shamans do that, not principled presidents; peopleoriented ones. I again beat the same goatskin: build a little less (just a little), give the afflicted people a little more. A little something that has buying power andstayingpowerwouldwork. It hastobenow,andnotinthenever, neverland that the future sometimes boils down to, leaving the wretched more emptyhanded, andemptyofstomachandhope.

MypartinggreetingtoDrs.Ali, Jagdeo, and Norton is simple: the futureisrightnow

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaperanditsaffiliates.)

Three firms bid to audit Exxon’s 2021, 2022, 2023 expenses

- as Govt. yet

to release findings of two prior reports

TheGuyanaGovernment recently received three proposals from local and international consultants interested in conducting the third audit of ExxonMobil’s expensesfortheperiod2021 to2023.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, the executing agency for the project, had previouslysoughtconsulting services for ‘Cost Recovery Audit and Validation of the Government of Guyana’s Profit Oil Share for the period2021to2023.’

Attheopeningoftenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, it was revealed that the three biddersare:VHEConsulting (which is a registered partnership between Ramdihal & Haynes Inc; Eclisar Financial; and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc ); Grant Thorton UK LLP and PKF Barcelona & Company; and M Sukhai & Company (local) in joint venture with InfoWorks.

According to the tender, the Terms of Reference (ToRs) said the successful consultant is required to conducta pre-auditanalysis; deviseaneffectiveauditplan inclusive of an appropriate methodology; execute the audit in adherence to the provisions of the Stabroek Block PetroleumAgreement and applicable local laws, regulations, and procedures; as well as international good practicesandstandards.

The scope of works also includes conducting verifications of the crude oil valuation pursuant to the provisions of the petroleum agreement for the audit period as well as verifying royalties remitted to the government for the said period Additionally, the selected company will also be required to validate the accuracy of the total government share of petroleum for the period under review, and assessing

the impact of the audit on futureprofitoilrevenues.

This project marks the third such audit the Guyana Government has embarked on Kaieteur News had reported that the first audit was done by a British firm, IHS Markit for the period 1999 to 2017. That audit examined expenses totalling US$1.7B. While the report for this exercise has been completed, it has never been releasedtothepublic.

The second audit was done by a local group, Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. bolstered by the international support of SGS and Martindale Consultants That audit examined expenses totalling US$7.3Bcoveringtheperiod 2018to2020.Findingsonthe second audit were also not made public by the government.

At a weekly press conferencejustrecently,Vice PresidentDr.BharratJagdeo promisedthathewillfindout why the Guyana Revenue Authority(GRA)istakingso long to release the reports of two audits on billions of US Dollars in expenses racked up By ExxonMobil from 1999to2020.

It must be noted that the two audit reports handed overtothegovernmentwere never released through the appropriate government channels Instead, the documents were leaked to sections of the media that widely publicized the findings.

The Vice-President has repeatedly said that he and his Cabinet want to stay far away from getting involved with audits to avoid political interferenceandhasdirected the media to get the documents from GRA becauseithastheauthorityto makethempublic.

However, three years have passed and the agency has failed to release the two auditreportstothepublic.

Manon$50,000bailforchoppingneighbour

A 22-year-old man was on Monday placed on $50,000 bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’Courttoanswer a grievous bodily harm charge.

The accused, Aldrin Archibald, made his first court appearance before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse. He is accused of

chopping a man about his bodywithacutlass. Archibald pleaded not guilty to the offence which alleged that on March 4, 2024 at Lane Avenue, West Ruimveldt he maliciously and unlawfully inflicted grievous bodily harm on OdingaCoxall.

According to the facts presented, Archibald and

Coxall are neighbours and on March 4, 2024 between 10:00hrs and 11:00hrs, Coxall was at his reputed wife’shometalkingwithher mother, when the accused who was armed with a cutlass, reportedly barged into the apartment and chopped Coxall about his body

After the chopping

incident, Coxall called his boss who took him to the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation (GPHC) where hewasadmitted.Thevictim was discharged from the hospitalthreedaysafter

Meanwhile, Archibald was arrested on March 4 when he admitted to the crimeviaanaudioandvideo interview conducted by the

police. During Monday’s hearing,Archibald’slawyer assured the court that he is notaflightriskwhilenoting that he was granted station bailandappearedbeforethe courttoanswerthecharge.

As a result, the attorney appliedforbailtobegranted inareasonablesum.

In response, Magistrate

Nurse placed Archibald on $50,000 bail on condition thatheandCoxallbeplaced onbondtokeepthepeace.

Further, Archibald is required to report to the Ruimveldt Police Station every two weeks until the conclusion of the court matter

Heisscheduledtoreturn tocourtonApril11,2024

ExxonMobil updating Stabroek Block reserves for themselves, but keeps Guyana in the dark

ExxonMobil has been updatingtheStabroekBlock reserves but keeping Guyaneseinthedarkwhenit comes to the true value of those resources The information is instead being used by the company to inform its investment decisionsacrosstheblock.

This was recently revealed by the Senior Vice President of Exxon Mobil Corporation,NeilChapman, while disclosing the company’s strategy to boost Guyana’s daily oil production to 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027. Chapman was at the timerespondingtoquestions posed to him during the Morgan Stanley’s Energy and Power Conference hosted in New York last weekwhenhedisclosedthat a total of six drill ships are currently operating in Guyana,conductingnotonly exploration but appraisal activities as well to help the company understand the resources.

Chapmansaid,“Wehave sixdrillingshipsinthebasin in pretty close proximity And these drill ships are doingacombinationofwhat I call exploration drilling,

appraisal drilling and development drilling. Development drilling is drilling wells for the next production vessel, appraisal is appraising so you fully understand or comprehend the resource and then explorationis,youcancallit wildcatsifyoulike...” He noted that Exxon is continuing to appraise the south eastern corner of the Stabroek Block, which the company hopes, can lead to further discoveries. In the realm of oil and gas, companies undertake a process known to the

-SeniorVPrevealsatEnergyConference

during the forecasted productionlife.

Since 2022, the operator of Guyana’s Stabroek Block hasnotupdatedthecountry’s recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block. Nearly two yearssincethelastupdateof an average 11 billion oilequivalent barrels, the company recently explained itisnotfocusedonproviding anupdatetothatnumber,but moresoonmonetisingthose resources.

industry as appraisal to help the developer determine whether or not a project is viable.

During appraisal, more wells are drilled to collect information and samples from the reservoir and other seismicsurveymightalsobe acquired in order to better delineate the reservoir This process helps to reduce the range of uncertainty in the volumes of hydrocarbons in place; define the size and configuration of the reservoirandcollectdatafor the prediction of the performanceofthereservoir

Alternative dispute resolution to play key role in revamping justice system – AG Nandlall

Guyana’s justice sector is undergoing significant transformation with the introductionofalternativedisputeresolution methods and streamlined plea bargaining, aiming for greater efficiency and adaptability.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, on Monday said several new pieces of legislation have been presented in the NationalAssemblytoachievethis.

Speakingattheopeningceremonyofthe Restorative Justice PractitionersTraining, at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex in Georgetown, AG Nandlall highlighted the massive benefits that these approaches will haveoncitizensandbusinesses.

Last year, the government tabled the Arbitration Bill and the Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion, Plea Agreement, Plea Assistance Agreement) Bill of 2023, taking another tangible step in providing faster and more amicable alternatives to traditional litigation.

Arbitration allows disputing parties to reach an agreement with the help of neutral arbitrators, potentially saving time and money The bill will allow for top-class arbitrators and companies offering arbitral servicestosetupinGuyana.

“Our country’s commercial sector is expandinglikeneverbeforeandtherefore we have to incorporate into our legal system new and innovative measures that

will allow this growth,” AG Nandlall emphasised.

Meanwhile, the revamped Criminal Procedure Bill is designed to tackle the backlog of cases currently straining the system.Itwillallowforpleaagreementstobe made between defendants and state prosecutors before a guilty verdict, expediting resolutions and freeing up court resourcesformoreseriouscases.Withproper implementation, the legislation creates wide avenues for the defendant and the prosecution to sit outside of a trial environment and work out a plea deal that will satisfy the basic tenets of the community’ssenseofjustice.

The Attorney General made it clear that these solutions do not apply to serious offences such as murder and human trafficking. “We are a society that believes in strong punishment, and none of these measures are intended to dispense with strong punishment in appropriate cases,” he said. The concept of restorative justice alignswiththisagenda.

TheRestorativeJusticeBillwaspassedin 2022 and already, significant progress has been made in implementing its principles. Toshaos, community leaders, religious leaders, and other legal and social actors nationwide are being trained in various aspects of the doctrine, to ensure that it becomes part and parcel of Guyana’s socioeconomiclandscape.(DPI)

excited about the discoveries In the early days, there was a focus on resources and how big the basin might be and how many reservoirs have we penetrated.”

It was the President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge who told the media at a press conference lastmonth,“Intheearlydays of exploring the basin, Guyana was a frontier basin years ago and everyone was

He added, “But that focus has shifted to, of that discovered resource, can we monetize it and move it forward into economic development ” Routledge explained that the company isassessingthedevelopment conceptsandhowtomanage costs down to be effective and ensure these are robust investments for the long term.

Given the foregoing premise, he said Exxon is no longer talking about discovered resources

anymore He said, “We are talking about developments andcanwemovetheresource we found to date forward, whatadditionalworkneedsto be done to reduce risks associatedwiththatresource, doweneedtofindmoreina particular area so we have sufficient energy density to make an economic project So, we are not going to talk about that number going (forward) We are more focusedontheprojects”

Notably, the chief policy maker for the sector, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had agreed with the company’s position to hide the new discovery figures fromthepublic.

Duringapress

Continuedonpage16

Teachers threaten to return to the streets as salary talks collapse

talks between GTU and Ministry of Education fizzled out on Tuesday

Teachers are prepared to return to the streets after discussions between the Ministry of Education and theGuyanaTeachers’Union (GTU)oversalaryincreases collapsedonTuesday

President of GTU, Dr MarkLyte,toldthemediaon Tuesday that the Union will be heading back to the High Court in wake of a breakdown. The GTU and Education Ministry had agreed to engage in talks towards solving teachers’ salary woes following the Court appointed mediation process. The mediation was alsogearedtowardsbringing an end to five weeks of protest and industrial action led by teachers across the country

During an emergency press conference held at the GTU’s headquarters on Woolford Avenue, the GTU President accused the Ministry of Education of reneging on an earlier agreementthatthetwosides would discuss salary increasesforteachersforthe period 2019-2023 in accordance with the multiyearagreement.

Dr Lytetoldmembersof themediathat“Wearegoing totakethismatterbacktothe Court for the Court to adjudicateonthematter We are at present, in consultation with our lawyers,andwebelievethat renegingonthefirstposition taken, and the legitimacy of the signed agreement

coming out of the first meeting is placing this administrationasonethatwe cannottrust.”

He explained that the negotiationsfizzledafterthe Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shannielle Hoosein- Outar, showed up at the meeting to introduce herself as the “chief negotiator” for the Government and making it clear that the Government has no intention to discuss a wagepackagefortheperiod 2019-2023.

Lyte noted this was after the Chief Education Officer during the first meeting identified himself as the “chief negotiator” for the Education Ministry, and consulted with his superiors beforeagreeingthatthetalks onincreasesalarieswouldbe donebasedonthemulti-year agreement 2019-2023. “We were not even settled when the permanent secretary indicated that the Government will not negotiateasagreedonatlast Thursday’s meeting from 2019-2023 The Union resolutely put forward its position that we are not interested in discussing any multi-year proposal from 2024andbeyondbecausewe have not submitted such,” Dr Lytesaid.

Dr Lyte explained furtherthatatthetime,“The Chief Education Officer, who was then the chief negotiator,wenttohis

Continuedonpage24

ExxonMobilupdating...

Frompage15 conference at Office of the President, the Vice President saidthequestionofExxon’supdateoftheresourcesisnot as serious an issue as it is being made out to be by some industrystakeholders.HesaidExxon’sannouncement,or lack thereof, will not change the fact that there is a discoveryalreadythereforthebenefitforthecountry

“It’s just a (matter of) timing when we increase our reservesornot…Infact,they(Exxon)haveagreaterkind of need to do that because globally… they look at your reserveandthathelpstomovestockpricesforExxonbut they’vedecidedthattheywanttofocusmoreonappraisals astohowmanybarrelsareinthesediscoveries,etc,”said theVicePresident.

Overall,hesaidExxon’smovetofocusonmonetizing the discovered resources is a logical step. This therefore means that Exxon has deliberately decided not to update the nation on the true value of its offshore resources and also has the blessings of government to instead rush to pumpthecountry’soil.

Haiti’sPrimeMinisterresigns ….aslawandordercollapses

(BBC NEWS) Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has agreed to resign following weeks of mounting pressure and increasing violence in the impoverishedcountry

It comes after regional leaders met in Jamaica on Mondaytodiscussapolitical transitioninHaiti.MrHenry is currently stranded in Puerto Rico after being prevented by armed gangs from returning home. In a video address announcing his resignation, Mr Henry urged Haitians to remain calm. “The government that I am leading will resign immediately after the installation of [a transition] council,”MrHenrysaid.

“I want to thank the Haitian people for the opportunity I had been granted I’m asking all Haitians to remain calm and do everything they can for peace and stability to come backasfastaspossible.”Mr Henry, who had led the country supposedly on an interimbasissinceJuly2021 following former President J o v e n e l M o ï s e ’ s assassination, had repeatedly postponed elections, saying security must be restored first. Many Haitianshadquestionedhim governing the country for this long without an elected president.

Heavily armed gangs have tightened their grip on thestreetsofthecapitalPortau-Prince, and attacked the main prison to help thousandsofinmatesescape. They also demanded the resignation of the unelected prime minister The capital Port-au-Prince and the surrounding region is under a month-long state of emergency, while a curfew hasbeenextended.

MatthiasPierre,aformer elections minister in Haiti, broke the news of Mr Henry’s resignation to the BBC’sNewsdayprogramme before it was confirmed publicly He described the current situation in the c o u n t r y a s “ v e r y precarious”. “The police forceisweak,andmorethan 40 police stations [are] destroyed. The army is very limited and not equipped; gang members occupy most of the [Port-au-Prince] downtown and some government headquarters “Very soon people will be out of food, medication and... medical support.” Mr Pierre said the gangs were nowpushingtobepartofany new power-sharing deal, adding that such a political settlement was impossible without the “support” of an

internationalarmedforce.

Mr Henry had been in Kenya to sign a deal on the deployment of an international security force tohelptackleviolencewhen acoalitionofgangsattacked police stations and stormed two of Haiti’s largest prisons.AplanecarryingMr Henry was stopped from landing following sustained attacks at Haiti’s internationalairport.

Mr Henry’s resignation had been expected for several days. The Caricom group of Caribbean nations had made its position clear that he was seen as an impediment to Haiti’s stability and that he would have to stand down so the move to a transitional councilcouldbegin.

The White House had initially wanted to see Mr Henry return to Haiti to oversee the transitional process, but the ferocity of fighting in the country changed minds in Washingtoninrecentdays.

Without the support of either the US state department or his neighbours, it was clear that MrHenryhadnoalternative buttostanddown.MrHenry has expressed a wish to return to Haiti but the security situation has to improve before he is able to do so, according to the US which was at the talks in Kingston on Monday A senior US official said Mr Henry had first made the decision to step down on Fridaybuthehadwaitedfor an official announcement so talkscouldtakeplace.

US Secretary of State AntonyBlinkencommitteda further$100m(£78m)tothe 1,000-strong UN-backed security force Kenya is expectedtoleadinHaiti.The proposedUScontributionto thesecurityforcenowstands at $300m following Mr Blinken’s announcement, with a further $33m allocated for humanitarian aid.

However, the top civil servant in Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry has told the BBC that its deployment of police to Haiti has been put on hold following Mr Henry’s resignation. Korir Sing’oei added that Kenya would wait for the installation of a new constitutional authority before further decisions weremade.

Earlier, the chairman of the Caricom group and Guyana’s President Irfaan

Ali said: “We acknowledge his resignation upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council and naming of an interim prime minister.”

President Ali said the transitional presidential council would have two observers and seven voting members, including representatives from several coalitions, the private sector and civil society, and one religiousleader

The council has been mandated to “swiftly” appoint an interim prime minister,hesaid,addingthat anyone intending to run in

Haiti’s next elections will notbeabletoparticipate.Itis hoped the council will pave thewayforthefirstelections inHaitisince2016.

HAITI:THEBASICS

· The Caribbean country shares a border with the DominicanRepublicandhas an estimated population of 11.5million

· It has a land area of 27,800 sq km, which is slightly smaller than Belgiumandaboutthesame size as the US state of Maryland

Chronic instability, dictatorships and natural disasters in recent decades

have left Haiti the poorest nationintheAmericas

·An earthquake in 2010 killed more than 200,000 peopleandcausedextensive damagetoinfrastructureand theeconomy

· A UN peacekeeping force was put in place in 2004 to help stabilise the

country and only withdrew in2017

· In July 2021, President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Port-au-Prince. Amidpoliticalstalemate,the country continues to be wracked by unrest and gang violence

Govt. promises to address damage to Dochfour residents’ properties proper

Do c h f o u r residents were guaranteed on Monday that any damage to theirpropertiesasaresultof the ongoing East Coast Public Road widening and improvementprojectwillbe addressed.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill madethecommitmentwhile facilitating a community consultation with the affectedcitizens.During the engagement, the minister instructed the engineering teams, contractors, and consultancy firm to conduct a comprehensive survey of all the homes within the work path to promptly resolvetheongoingissue.

“By the end of this week, before we continue further up, a conditional surveyofeveryhomeinthe work path must be done inside and outside. We must learn from the

lesson,” Minister Edghill underscored. He continued, “The first instance is to settle the issue because it happens. We have to be able to keep the people’s interest protected but at the same time we can’t allow the contractor to be exploited,” the minister firmlyunderscored.

Based on an analysis done by the ministry’s engineers,itwasdetermined that the initial cause of structuraldamagessustained by the homes of residents was the milling phase of the project The damages worsened due to a preexisting depression at the headoftheHopeBridgeand the constant traversing of heavily laden trucks generating intense vibrations.

Some of the damages consist of internal and external cracks in walls and breakage of windows in 13

homes. Ten of the homes were within the 30-metre work path catered for in the contractor China Railway First Group (CRFG) contract, while three were approximately 300 metres outsideoftheworkpath.For the homes outside the coverage parameter, the project’s contracted consultancy firm, Beston ConsultingInc.,willprovide guidanceonthewayforward based on the norms and standards of the FIDIC rule. Additionally, to ensure each home is inspected, the ministry will publish the conditional survey on its social media platform Following the survey, a cost evaluation will be completed, and if there are stillunresolveddisputes,the government will acquire a technicalengineeroutsideof the contract to further examine and verify the reasonsbehindthedamages.

During the engagement, Minister Edghill also instructed CRFG to install speedbumpsonthepathway before the bridge to reduce furtherimpact.TheUS$192 million East Coast Public Road widening and improvement project from

Annandale to Mahaica commenced in 2023 and is expected to be completed in May 2025.The project aims to enhance the capacity, safety, and efficiency of the East Coast Public Road, a vital thoroughfare in the region. It involves widening

the existing road to accommodate increased traffic volumes, improving intersections and junctions, enhancing pedestrian facilities, and implementing measures to mitigate flooding and erosion along thecorridor (DPI)

Israeli troops beat and humiliated us after hospital raid

BBC - Palestinian medical staff in Gaza have told the BBC they were blindfolded,detained,forced to strip and repeatedly beatenbyIsraelitroopsafter a raid at their hospital last month.

Ahmed Abu Sabha, a doctor at Nasser hospital, described being held for a weekindetention,where,he said, muzzled dogs were set upon him and his hand was brokenbyanIsraelisoldier.

His account closely matches those of two other medics who wanted to remain anonymous for fear ofreprisals.

They told the BBC they were humiliated, beaten, doused with cold water, and forced to kneel in uncomfortable positions for hours. They said they were detained for days before beingreleased.

The BBC supplied detailsoftheirallegationsto the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).They did not respond directly to questions about these accounts, or deny specific claims of mistreatment But they denied that medical staff were harmed during their operation.

Theysaidthat"anyabuse of detainees is contrary to IDF orders and is therefore strictlyprohibited".

The IDF raided the hospital in the southern GazancityofKhanYouniswhich was one of the few in theStripstillfunctioning-on 15 February, saying intelligence indicated that the hospital housed Hamas operatives.

They also said Israeli hostagestakenbyHamason 7 October had been held there - and some of the hostages themselves have publicly said they were kept atNasser Hamashasdenied that its fighters operate insidemedicalfacilities.

Footage secretly filmed in the hospital on 16 February,thedaythemedics were detained, was shared withtheBBC.

It shows a row of men stripped to their underwear in front of the hospital's emergency building, kneeling with their hands behind their heads. Medical robes are lying in front of someofthem.

"Anybody who tried to move his head or make any movement got hit," the hospital's general manager, Dr Atef Al-Hout, told the

BBC. "They left them for around two hours in this shamefulposition."

The IDF told the BBC:

"As a rule, during the arrest process,itisoftennecessary for terror suspects to hand over their clothes such that theirclothescanbesearched and to ensure that they are not concealing explosive vestsorotherweaponry

"Clothes are not immediately returned to the detainees, due to the suspicion they may conceal means that can be used for hostile purposes (such as knives). Detainees are given back their clothes when it's possibletodoso."

Medical staff said that they were then taken into a hospital building, beaten, and then transported to a detention facility, all while undressed.

Dr Abu Sabha, the 26year-old newly qualified doctor and volunteer medic at Nasser, described some elements of his treatment whileindetentionastorture, such as making detainees stand for hours without a break He said other punishments given to detainees included being madetolieontheirstomach for prolonged periods and delayingtheirmeals.

Dr Abu Sabha said he was detained and beaten by Israeliforcesaftertheraidon NasserHospital.

A n e x p e r t i n humanitarian law said the footage and the testimony from the medical staff interviewedbytheBBCwas "extremely concerning". He said some of the accounts provided to the BBC "very clearly cross over into the category of cruel and inhumanetreatment".

Dr Lawrence HillCawthorne, co-director of the Centre for International Law at the University of Bristol,said:"Itgoesagainst whathasforalongtimebeen a very fundamental idea in thelawthatappliesinarmed conflict, which is that hospitals and medical staff areprotected."

"The fact that they treat nationals of the enemy side should not in any way undermine their protection," hesaid.

The BBC has been investigating the hospital's story for several weeks, speaking to doctors, nurses, pharmacists and displaced people camping in the courtyard. We have cross-

checked details in these accounts.

Weweregiventhenames of 49 Nasser medical personnel said to have been detained. Of those, 26 were named by multiple sources, including medics on the ground, the Hamas-run healthministry,international groups, and the families of thosemissing.

The three medics who say they were detained and laterreleasedhavenotgiven their accounts publicly before.TheyincludeDrAbu Sabha, who we interviewed twice. His story remained consistent, and we corroboratedkeypartsofhis accountindependently

Families of five other medics at the hospital have told the BBC their loved ones are missing In

-GazamedicstellBBC

addition, the International CommitteeoftheRedCross has confirmed to the BBC thatithasreceiveddozensof phonecallsfrompeoplewho say family members, including medics, who were atNasser,arenowmissing.

Medics who remained at Nasser say the IDF's operation at the hospital left them unable to care for patients.WhentheIDFtook control, nearly 200 patients were being treated there, many of them "bedridden", includingsixinsidetheICU, according to Dr Hout, the generalmanager

Those staff allowed to remainhavedescribedbeing orderedtomoveseriouslyill patients between buildings, being taken away from their dutiestobeinterrogated,and assigned patients whose

casestheywerenottrainedto dealwith,allastheyworked in cramped, unsanitary conditions.

Multiplemedicssaidthat 13 patients died in the days afterIsrael'stakeover

They said many of those patients had died because of theconditionsatthehospital, including a lack of electricity, water, and other essentials needed to keep Nasser running. We cannot independently verify this. A doctor shared photos of bodies in bags on beds that we have confirmed were taken in a ward at the hospital.

The IDF told the BBC that it had "provided the hospital with hundreds of food rations and an alternative generator that enabled it to continue

functioning and treat the patientswithinit".

The "essential systems" of the hospital kept functioningduringtheIDF's o p e r a t i o n o n a n uninterruptible power supplysystem,itsaid.

On 18 February, the World Health Organization (WHO)saidthehospitalwas short of food and basic medical supplies, and had ceased to function. The remainingpatientsweresent to other hospitals around Gaza and the medical staff who worked there left shortlyafterwards.

Released detainees and other medics told the BBC that the maternity building, called Mubarak, became the place where the IDF interrogated and beat staff.

(Continuedonpage24)

WANTED VACANCY

Carpenters and Labourers wanted in Linden and Georgetown. Call: 602-9469, 660-6385 or 625-7642.

Vacancy for Sales Clerk. Call: 661-1000.

Experienced able-bodied Handy boy/girl willing to work & be a team player. Call: 227-8539.

Experienced furniture Maker for Aracari Resort, Vreen-nHoop. Call: 264-2946, 6265290.

Wanted! Male & Female workers preferably from WBD, for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100 per day. Call: 611-7839.

One Bobcat/Mini Excavator operator experienced in digging foundation filling curbwall, E.C.T. Call: 6190898, 623-2728.

Domestic (Live in option available), female cook and male & female workers for the interior. Call: 660-9093 /6615332.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari Hotel,WBD. Fully furnished, secure location free parking, Wifi & breakfast. Rates from $65 USD. Call: 264-2946-9.

ENTERTAINMENT

Aracari Resort weekend: pool, family fun, DJ, Sunday breakfast. Adult $3000, kids $1000. Call: 264-2946-9.

SERVICES

Business/ residential PFSGYD$58M, Visa Application, advertisements, graphics design, passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. For more information Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132, 645-8443.

One House-keeper, Must know to cook. Preferably from West coast Demerara. Contact: 680-4718

Aulicio Mining Inc is hiring Dredgemen, Porter &Truck Driver. Email: shebika@ officegy.com or Call: 6589158/ 619-5886.

AM/PM W/Union CSR'S, Cashier, Shelf restockers, Porter, Packers and bond Clerk. Call:609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

One Housekeeper needed, preferably from East Bank Demerara. Decent salary and NIS Included. Contact 6321047, 686-8985.

Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 6998486.

Experienced able-bodied Canter Driver needed, flexible hours. Call: 699-8486.

Vacancy for Carpenter & Masons, $7,000 - $8,000 per day Call: 650-1394.

Experienced Lorry Driver, must have a valid lorry licence. WhatsApp application: 609-2220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions @gmail.com

Labourer & Janitorial Staff, must have good attitude and reference. WhatsApp application: 609-2220, 725-4360, Email: dlebusiness4solutions @gmail.com

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VEHICLES FOR SALE

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 649-0956.

1 Toyota Allion, Pioneer DVD, CD & USB deck, reverse camera, alarm, low milage. Excellect condition. Call: 649-0956.

Cop shot dead during search for prison escapee

A police sergeant was on Tuesday shot dead during a search at Karrau Village for prison escapee, Akeem Wong who is alleged to have killed a woman and her son at Saxacalli last week.

Dead is Sergeant, Alex Vaughn. Wong escaped from the Mazaruni Prison back in February this year.

It is unclear who shot the policeman, although reports suggest he was hit by friendly fire. In an initial statement, police detectives were de-

LAND FOR SALE

20 Acres of vacant land in La grange, West Bank Demerara. Call: 622-7446 /416-9513-995.

Corner land at Durban Street, Georgetown. Call: 701-6735/ 623-1615.

FOR RENT

Aracari Resort Resturant space for rent, formerly Macaw Resturant. Secure location. Free parking & Wifi. Call: 264-2946-9.

Place to rent at Vreed-enhoop junction, for lessons, church, office, storage bond, other. Call: 603-6400.

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All sizes loaders, excavators & rollers, concrete pump & mixer trucks, mobile crane and Howo 30 ton dump trucks. Call: 650-0402/652-0251.

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House lots & commercial plot for sale available at blankenburg W.C.D. Call: 652-0251/ 650-0402.

ployed to the location to ascertain the circumstances/ details of the shooting death of Sergeant Vaughn.

Last week Friday, 49-yearold David Gomes and 75year-old Elizabeth Nellie Gomes of D'Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown were brutally chopped to death.

Police suspect that the killings took place between 17:00hrs and 20:00hrs.

In a press statement, police had said that so far their investigations revealed that at around 10:00hrs, last Friday Gomes, his 6-year-old son and his mother travelled to Saxacalli Mission for three days to clean up their house and surroundings.

“According to David's 6year-old son, at around 15:00hrs Friday last, the suspect came to their house at Saxacalli and asked for something to eat and directions,” the police statement said.

Gomes gave the suspect something to eat and also drank Vodka with him.

The child reportedly said that the suspect spent some time at the family's property. He told police that he later saw the suspect arming himself with a cutlass and chopping his father about his body. His grandmother, after observing what was happening, reportedly rushed to his father aid but the suspect also dealt her several chops about her body.

The boy told police that he was hiding under the bed

during the entire ordeal.

After killing the mother and son, the suspect attempted to wash away the blood but ended up running away into nearby bushes when he heard a boat approaching.

The boy then reportedly located his father's cell phone and sent a voice note to one of his father's friends asking for help.

Police were alerted and ranks were sent to the location to conduct investigations.

The investigators have since learnt that the prison escapee was seen in the area and at the Gomes' property. It is believed that he is the killer.

Police learnt too that the suspect was also chopped during the ordeal.

Meanwhile, crime sleuths

reported that the victims' bodies bore multiple chop wounds to the head and other parts.

Kenya puts Haiti police mission on hold - top official

NAIROBI, Kenya (AFP)

Kenya has decided to put on hold plans to send police to violence-wracked Haiti under a UN-backed multinational mission, a top official said Tuesday.

The move came after Haitis Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he had agreed to step aside as armed gangs have taken over much of the Caribbean nation.

“There has been a fundamental change in circumstances as a result of the complete breakdown of law and order and the subsequent resignation of the PM of Haiti,” Korir Singoei, principal secretary for foreign affairs, told AFP.

“Without a political administration in Haiti, there is no anchor on which a police deployment can rest, hence government will await the in-

stallation of a new constitutional authority in Haiti, before taking further decisions on the matter.”

Singoei said however that Kenya remained committed to “providing leadership to the MSS,” referring to the Multinational Security Support mission that was approved by the UN Security Council in October last year.

In response to the Kenyan announcement, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters: “I would be concerned of course about any delay, but we dont think that there will need to be a delay.”

In recent weeks, the Haiti crisis has grown even more violent, with bodies strewn across the streets, armed bandits looting basic infrastructure and fears rising of a famine. Kenya has said it was

ready to deploy up to 1,000 personnel to Haiti, an offer welcomed by the United States and other nations that had ruled out putting their own forces on the ground.

But the planned mission has faced legal challenges.

In January, Kenyas High Court ruled that the National Security Council which authorised the deployment only has the authority to send the military abroad and not police officers.

The judge said Kenya could deploy police to a country if a reciprocal agreement exists. Such a deal was signed on March 1 in the presence of Kenyan President Wiliam Ruto and Haitian PM Henry. However, an opposition politician who petitioned the Nairobi High Court against the deployment has vowed a fresh challenge.

NDIA to purchase 3 new mini-excavators

TheNationalDrainageandIrrigationAuthority(NDIA)is lookingtoprocurethreenewmini-excavators.

AttherecentopeningofbidsattheNationalProcurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, it was

MinistryofHumanServicesandSocialSecurity RepaintingandminorrepairstoDorms buildingatPlumPark,Sophia.

disclosed that 11 companies have bid for the contract. The companies submitted bids ranging from $32 million to $48 millionfortheprocurementofthethreemachines.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Human Services' dormitory

located at the Children and Family Centre in Plum Park, Sophia, Georgetown will be rehabilitated. The works are estimatedtocost$10.9million.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

DrillingofpotablewaterwellsatVergenoegen, EastBankEssequibo,andatWales,WBD.

Bidder

Tendered

BasdeoEngineeringServices $151,010,628

C&HEngineering&ConstructionCoInc. $236,041,860

R.KissoonContractingServices $291,496,600

QACivilWorks $168,501,400

S.JagmohanConstruction&GeneralSupplyInc. $232,754,470

JemcorpEngineering&Imports $232,754,470

Supergraphics $198,806,900

4SSecurity&BuildingEnterprise $158,490,600

ZecoGroupofServicesInc. $232,840,170

Engineer’sEstimate $235,335,750

DrillingofpotablewaterwellinCummingsLodge.

Bidder

C&H

S.Jagmohan

Professional

Zeco

Engineer’s

AmountTendered

AdamantiumHoldings $151,462,822

R.KissoonContractingService $162,067,000

ZecoGroupofServicesInc. $105,868,236

S.JagmohanConstruction&GeneralSupply $128,441,000

SMHGeneralConstructionLimited $93,011,240

C&HEngineering&ConstructionCoInc. $137,370,930

QACivilWorks $86,234,700

ProfessionalWellDrillers&SuppliesInc. $101,102,920

4SSecurity&BuildingEnterprise $92,195,600

Engineer’sEstimate $125,139,875

Interpolissuesarrestwarrantfor Surinameex-president,Bouterse

PARAMARIBO - The Public Prosecution Service (OM) in Suriname has initiated an official process to use the Interpol institute for the international identification of the convicted persons Desire Delano Bouterse and Iwan Leendert Dijksteel At national level, they have alreadybeentracedbyorder oftheAttorneyGeneral,and are now also included in the InterpolRedNoticelist.

The Public Prosecution Service requests the cooperationofthepublicand the international community toprovideinformationonthe current whereabouts of the named convicts. Individuals with relevant information can contact the Military P o l i c e C r i m i n a l Investigation Department viatelephonenumber 477642/ 472221, the Command Center at 115, or the Interpol General

Secretariat.

Back in January, Surinamese authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Bouterse after he failed to turn himself in to start a prison sentence for involvementinthemurderof 15activistsin1982.

A three-judge panel in December last affirmed the convictions of Bouterse, 78, and four others in the executionofthegovernment critics who included lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers and universityprofessors.

While Bouterse was ordered back in January to reporttojail,hiswife,Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring, had told journalists outside their home"He'snotgoingtoturn himselfin."

Bouterse dominated politics in the former Dutch colony for decades and left officein2020.

He has denied the

Former Suriname President, Desi Bouterse

chargesbutwassentencedto 20yearsinprison.Oneofhis co-defendants also failed to reporttotheprison.

"The public prosecutor's officehasstartedtheprocess oftracingthoseconvictedin the December 8 criminal case who have not reported to the penal institution as stated in the order for

execution of sentences," the prosecutor's office said in a statementbackinJanuary Advocates, including Sunil Oemrawsingh, presidentofanassociationof relativesofvictimsinthesocalled December murders, and international observers saiditwasnotsurprisingthat Boutersedidnotshow

Israeli troops beat and humiliated us after hospital...

Frompage21

Dr Abu Sabha said he was initially picked to stay with patients after the raid, but was later taken to Mubarak, which he said had become "morelikeatortureplace".

"They put me on a chair anditwaslikeagallows,"he said. "I heard sounds of ropes, so I thought I was goingtobeexecuted.

"After that they broke a bottle and it [the glass] cut my leg and they left it to bleed Then they started bringing doctor after doctor in and started putting them next to each other I was hearingtheirnamesandtheir voices."

The IDF told the BBC it "doesnotandhasnotcarried out mock executions of detainees, and rejects such claims".

Allthreeofthedetainees the BBC spoke to said they werecrammedontomilitary vehicles and beaten as they were transported in a large group. Soldiers beat them withsticks,hoses,riflebutts andfists,theysaid.

"We were naked. Just wearing boxers. They piled us on top of each other And they took us out of Gaza," one of the medics who w a n t e d t o r e m a i n anonymous said. "All along the way we were being hit andswornatandhumiliated. And they poured cold water onus".

Dr Abu Sabha said that during the journey, soldiers tookthedetaineesoutofthe vehicle. "They took us to a patch of ground covered in gravel, forced us to kneel down and our eyes blindfolded… There was a pit in the ground, and we thought they would execute us and bury us here. We all started prayers."Hewasthendriven to a building where he and theotherdetaineeswithhim wouldbeheld,hesaid.

The two other released

detainees said that at some stage they were given medical checks but no medication. One said that instead of getting treatment for an injury, an IDF soldier hit him where he was injured.

Dr Abu Sabha told the BBC that detainees were routinely punished for perceived infractions. "At one point, the blindfold moved down a bit and my handswerehandcuffedfrom behindandIcouldnotfixit.

"They took me out for punishment I was standing with my hands raised above my head and my face looking down for three hours. Then, he [a soldier]askedmetocometo him. When I did, he kept hitting my hand until it was broken."

Later that day, he was taken to the toilet, beaten, andhadmuzzleddogsseton him,hesaid.

The day after, an Israeli doctor fitted him with a cast andthensoldiersdrewaStar of David on it, he said. This cast was later changed by a doctor in Gaza and Ahmed waswearingacastduringhis interviewwiththeBBC.

TheBBCconfirmedthat DrAbu Sabha had an X-ray and sought treatment for a broken hand at a field hospital in Gaza after his detention,andthathearrived there in a cast with a Star of Daviddrawnonit.

The IDF did not address the BBC's questions about DrAbuSahba'scast.

Noneofthethreemedics were made aware of any specific charges, but two said interrogations focused on whether they had seen hostages or Hamas fighters withinthehospital.

Theysaidtheywerealso asked about their whereabouts on 7 October, when Hamas gunmen rampaged from Gaza into

Israelandkilledabout1,200 people, taking 253 others hostage More than 130 hostagesarestillbelievedto be held by Hamas. Israeli officialshavesaidatleast30 ofthemaredead.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 31,000 people have been killed in Israel's retaliatory air strikes and its ongoinggroundoffensive.

One of the released detainees said that two days afterbeinginterrogated,IDF officers told him there was noevidenceandhewouldbe released.

"I asked him, 'Who will compensate me for all the beatingsandhumiliationI've beenthrough,thatyoudidto me, while I knew that I wasn't involved in anything?' He started muttering, 'I don't have anything on you No charges.'"

Dr Abu Sabha told the BBC he was never interrogatedduringhiseight daysofdetention.

The three medics we spoke to say they were transported back to Gaza blindfolded after their release.

The BBC has confirmed DrAbuSabha'saccountthat hecrossedbackintoGazaat the Israeli-controlledKerem Shalom crossing, which is near the southernmost point of the Strip where Gaza, IsraelandEgyptmeet.

Themedics'accountsare at odds with a separate briefinggiventotheBBCby a senior IDF official who said that no arrests were made of medical staff at Nasser,"unlessweknewthat it was possible to get this or t h a t i n t e l l i g e n c e information"fromthem.

"We had reasonable grounds to assume that they haveinformation,sowetook them in for questioning and interrogation, but not

beyond that," the official said.

"There were no handcuffs, we did not take themawayforinterrogation, nor for advanced arrest, but for the purpose of questioning and trying to obtaininformationaboutthe hostages or the Hamas commanders who were in the hospital… a very simple questioningandthat'sit."

Some hostages taken from Israel on 7 October have described being brought into the Nasser hospital complex in an ambulance One released hostage said her husbandwho remains in Gaza - was covered in a sheet to look likeacorpse.

They have described being kept in small rooms andbeingforcedtoknockif they needed to go to the toilet.Onehasdescribedher time in captivity as "psychologicalwarfare".

Israel Defense Forces sayevidenceofHamasusing Nasser hospital includes weapons, medicines for hostages and a vehicle that had been used in the 7 Octoberattacks.

The International CommitteeoftheRedCross (ICRC) says that since 7 October, Israel has suspended its detention visits, meaning it has not been able to visit any detainees.

It told the BBC it was "deeply concerned" by the reports of arrests and ongoing detention of medics "Wherever and whoever they may be, detainees need to be treated humanelyandwithdignityat all times, in accordance of international humanitarian law,"itsaid.

" T h e I C R C h a s continuously called for, and is ready to immediately resume, detention visits in order to monitor the

treatment of detainees and theconditionsofdetention."

An internal UN report seen by the BBC has described widespread abuse of Palestinians who have been captured and interrogated at makeshift Israeli detention centres since the war began, which are similar to the accounts the medics gave. The IDF has previously denied specific allegations in the UN report, including the denial of access to water, medicalcareandbedding.

BackatNasser'hospital couldbarelyfunction'

Meanwhile, in Nasser hospital, a few medics were allowed to stay and care for theremainingpatients.

Some patients had been detained during the raid, according to Dr Hout, the generalmanager

In one video provided to us by a Nasser eyewitness, IDF soldiers wheel two hospital beds and the occupants'handsarehoisted above their heads, zip-tied. We have verified it is authentic.Inseparatefootage publishedbytheIDF,people can be seen lying on beds in the hospital grounds with their hands zip-tied, their arms in a similar raised position.

We do not know who these people are, or what happened to them after this footage.

The IDF said: "We emphasize that the hands of patients who were not suspected of involvement in terrorismwerenottied."

Medics who remained were frightened of being shotiftheydefiedordersnot to leave the building, Dr Hatim Rabaa, who also worked at Nasser, told the BBC in a phone call on 22 February, as explosions sounded in the background. But nevertheless they went

down to the yard to collect water,worryingthatpatients wouldotherwisedie,hesaid.

"People were dying of thirst. On my shoulders, I carriedthreegallonsofwater so that I can make people drink.WhatelsecouldIdo?"

Multiplemedicssaidthat the IDF would not grant them permission to bury or even move the bodies of patients who died in the aftermath of the operation. The bodies remained inside with staff and patients as they began to decompose, themedicssaid.

"The smell filled the whole department," Dr Rabaa said. "Patients were screaming 'please remove themfromhere'.Iwastelling them,'itisn'tinmyhands'."

Dr Rabaa was one of a small group of medics chosen to remain with patients. He said that he too had been stripped to his underwear and made to kneel in front of the emergency department - but he was then led away to the buildingwherepatientswere kept.

Hesaidhedoesnotknow what happened to his colleagues he left behind in thecourtyard.

The BBC put detailed questions about the allegations to the Israeli military

In its response, the IDF toldtheBBCthat"about200 terrorists and suspects of terrorist activity were detained, including some who posed as medical teams" They said that "manyweaponswerefound, as well as closed medicines intended for Israeli hostages".

They said they had operated in a "precise and focused manner, creating minimal damage to the hospital's ongoing activity, and without harming the patientsorthemedicalstaff".

Teachersthreatentoreturntothe...

Frompage16 principals two hours and five minutes to consult and came back with a position, as documented in the minutes that they are prepared tohavetalks2019-2023proposal.”

GTUPresidentsaidtoothatitwas disrespectful for the Permanent SecretarytosuggestthattheUnion should return to its members to discuss a new proposal that spans 2024andbeyond,sincethereisno fiscal space to accommodate the proposedincreasesfor2019-2023.

As such, he said that the GTU after consultations with its attorneysonthelegalactionstobe taken,itwillconsiderotheractions, including the resumption of the

strike.“Wearemakingitclearthat theUnionwillnotbebulliedbythe Government, it would appear that the Government is divided on the issue…Forobviousreasons,allthe options are before us, strike being the one that we would have called off, and strike being a possible actionthatcouldresume.

Infact,callingoffofthestrike was temporary to have these discussions take place. So, this nation can be plunged again into a nationwide strike action because the thousands of teachers across thiscountryaredisappointedinthe action of this administration and they will be held accountable for this,”theGTUPresidentsaid.

General Secretary of the Teachers' Union, Coretta McDonald said the Union will press on with its representation of its members. “I want to say to our teachers, thank you for being this resilient,andthatwewillcontinue tohavethisfightbecausewearein astruggleforsurvival.

And I just want to quote from MayaAngelou,whosaid,'youwill facemanydefeatsinlifebutnever allow yourself to be defeated.' So, as a teaching fraternity that's what we will go forward with,” McDonaldsaid.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the MinistryofEducationsaidthatthe Permanent Secretary of the

Ministry of Education informed the representatives that fiscal provisions for prior year increases were not provided for in the 2024 budget.

She reiterated that teachers wouldhavebenefittedfromacrossthe-boardsalaryincreasesgivenin previous years and asked the representatives to discuss the salaryproposalscommencingfrom 2024.

The Ministry indicated however, that President of the GuyanaTeachers'Union,Dr Lyte, saidthattheUniondidnotprepare aproposalfor2024onwards.

As a result, the Permanent Secretary asked that the Union

prepare this proposal and submit sametotheMinistryforcontinued discussion. The Union objected to thisrequestandstatedthattheyare unwillingtodiscussanyotheritem on the agenda unless the ministry addresses the prior year increases. “They subsequently left the meeting without setting a date for thenextmeeting.

The Ministry of Education reiterates its commitment to continuing dialogue with the GuyanaTeachers'Unionwhichhas produced several noteworthy results to the benefit of teachers, children, and the system as a whole,” the Education Ministry saidinitsrelease.

WednesdayMarch13,2024

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

Asapersonwhoenjoysbeing gregarious and outgoing, days like this provide a wonderful outlet for your energy

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

This is a great time to take advantage of a little solitude to pursue some cherished goals, Taurus Your c o n c e n t r a t i o n a n d imaginationareoperatingata veryhighlevel..

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Be careful of gossiping too much with your friends and colleagues, Gemini. It's fun to laugh and exchange stories, but remind yourself of the fact that the truth in a story is diminished and changedeachtimeit'srepeated

CANCER(June21–July22)

Don't be surprised if you don'tspendtoomuchtimeat home today All signs indicate that you're more likelytobeoutandabout.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Youknowthatyouhaveavery fertile imagination, Leo, and today's aspects highlight this special quality You might wishtochannelyourthoughts intoanartisticendeavor

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Yikes! What an emotional day, Virgo. The planetary energies are forecasting conflict, and lots of it Do your best to personally steerclearofanyofit

Ramdass, Hardaiow chalk up centuries for Everest Masters

Ryan Ramdass and Sahadeo Hardaiow hit belligerent centuries for EverestMastersCricketTeam last Sunday against hosts St. Cuthbert'sPakuriJaguarsina friendly25-overmatch.

Ramdass, a former West Indies opening batsman, clobbered 16 fours and three sixes to make 110, while Hardaiowhammered15fours and three sixes as well to score 101. Everest Masters galloped to daunting 327-2 from the 25-overs while St. Cuthbert's Pakuri Jaguars only responded with 133 all outinthe23rdover

Joint players of the match Sahadeo Hardaiow and Ryan Ramdass collecting their prizes.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Emotions will run high with today's planetary energies, Libra.Butthisisnoreasonto run away and hide! People will be much more honest thanusual,evenbrutally

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Today's emotional energy risks being exceptionally high, Scorpio. You may find yourself at the end of your ropebymidday Trytotakea long walk or bike ride in ordertocalmdown.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Today is good for entertaining, Sagittarius. Enjoy thecompanyoffamily and friends, and don't get distractedbygloomythoughts aboutworkormoney

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Today'senergiesaregoingto be stirring up everyone's emotions, Capricorn You may wish to avoid getting involvedinanyargumentsor conflicts.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Yes, you can be proud of yourself.Youreallyknowyour stuff You have committed yourself to deepening your knowledgeandcapabilitiesand itreallyshows.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today is wonderful for surrounding yourself with thoseyoulovethemost Hosta get-together with family and friends, full of stimulating conversation.

Both right-handed Ramdass and Hardaiow retired-hurt, having occupied thecreasefor60and43balls respectively, they were sensational from the beginning having shared a magnificent, 254-run, openingstand.

B. Ramkhellawan also contributed a fiery 45, while

Raja Pooran was left unbeaten on 20 For the home-team, John Ferriera hit a fighting 53 and 22 from Simon, only name given, as skipperRajaceSinghgrabbed 3-19 from three off-spin overs Ex-Guyana Guyana youth leg spinner Lokeshwar Mahabeer also accounted for threevictimsbutconceded35 runs off his maximum five overs. Gavin Singh helped

with the demolition job by snappingup2-21(5).

St Cuthbert's Pakuri Jaguarsstartedofftheirchase wellbylosingthefirstwicket with the score on 89 but then therewasadramaticcollapse astheylostsevenwicketsfor 17 runs. The trophies were sponsored by Satyendra Khemraj of New Doctor's Clinic.

Hickerson, Lowe...

Frompage28

DaSilva'sstellarperformanceas he outplayed Matthew Daby withscoresof11-3,11-3,and112. However, Richard Rodrigues later emerged victorious against DaSilvawithanimpressive111, 11-3, 11-2 scoreline. Justin Goberdan and Justin Ten Pow alsoshowcasedtheirskills,with Ten Pow ultimately clinching the top seed after a thrilling encounter with Goberdan, ending 11-1, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4 in his favour.Excitement escalated intheU17andU19divisionsas Justin Ten Pow delivered a masterclassperformanceagainst Avian Wade in the U17 Boy's, securingan11-1,11-4,11-3win. Blake Edwards also impressed with a 3-0 victory over Nandishraj Singh, who faced another defeat against Avian Wade later in the evening Meanwhile, Joshua Verwey continued his winning streak from the opening day, defeating Justin Ten Pow 3-0 and later emerging victorious against DemetriLowewithan8-11,114, 11-9 scoreline.On the Girls' side, Rylee Rodrigues showcased her skill against Emily Fung-a-Fat in the U17 category,securingahard-fought victorywithscoresof12-10,117, 12-10. Additionally, a lone clashintheFemaleU19division saw Kaylee Lowe emerge victorious against Georgiana Fernandes after a thrilling fivegame battle, ending 3-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7 and 11-6 The championship, sponsored by Woodpecker Products 'Trophies and Sports' and supported by ENet, promises more thrilling action as it continues until March 16 at the Georgetown ClubSquashCourts.

Woodpecker Junior National Championship 2024...

Hickerson, Lowe, Ten Pow, Verwey among winners on day two

DaytwooftheWoodpeckerProducts National Junior Squash Championship unfolded with remarkable performances attheGeorgetownSquashClubonCamp Street. Highlighting the action-packed daywerestandoutdisplaysfrombudding talents like Zion Hickerson, Justin Ten Pow, Joshua Verwey and Kaylee Lowe acrossvariousagecategories.

Starting with, the Girls' Under-11

division, Tehani Munroe exhibited dominance, clinching a convincing 3-0 victoryoverEllaFernandes.While,inthe Boys'Under-13category,ZionHickerson and Egan Bulkan showcased their prowess. Hickerson displayed skillful playinhismatchagainstNidalBacchus, securing an 11-2, 11-0, 11-4 win, while Bulkan triumphed 3-0 against Kristian Viapree.The Boys' Under-15 category

witnessed Brenno Da Silva's stellar performance as he outplayed Matthew Dabywithscoresof11-3,11-3,and11-2. However, Richard Rodrigues later emergedvictoriousagainstDaSilvawith an impressive 11-1, 11-3, 11-2 scoreline. JustinGoberdanandJustinTenPowalso showcased their skills, with Ten Pow ultimatelyclinching thetopseed

(Continuedonpage27)

GDA AGM set for March 30 at Dynasty

The Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) will conduct its Annual General Meeting(AGM)onMarch30th,2024atthe Dynasty Sports Club,Aubrey Barker Street, South Ruimveldt.The meeting will begin at 1pm(13:00hrs).

Pursuant to the GDA Constitution, the businessoftheAGMshallbe,butnotlimited to-

Receive the Secretary's report for the previousyear

▪Decideonpoliciesfortheensuingyear

▪ThepresentationofFinancialReports.

▪ Appoint two Internal Auditors (if necessary).

▪ Discuss Motions submitted Member Clubs/Teamsandtomakeresolutions.

▪ Amend, alter or rescind these rules (if necessary).

▪ Hold elections for Members of the ExecutiveCommittee(ifnecessary).

Thepublicisinvited.

GTA designates Joseph as Official Tourism Ambassador

The Guyana Tourism Authority(GTA)hasproudly unveiled West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph as its official TourismAmbassador

I n a r e c e n t announcement, the GTA highlighted Joseph's outstanding performance in

Australia,whereheclaimeda historicsevenwicketsfor68 runs,leadingtheWestIndies toaremarkablevictoryinthe secondmatchofthetwo-test series.

Hailing from Baracara, Berbice, Joseph embodies unwavering determination,

both on and off the field, according to the GTA. They recognize his exceptional talent and anticipate his continued success in the cricketingworld.

“Weareincrediblyproud to welcome Shamar Joseph as our TourismAmbassador.

He is about to embark on a journey to discover and showcase the best that Guyana has to offer,” said Kamrul Baksh, Director of GuyanaTourismAuthority

Baksh emphasised that Joseph's dedication, resilience, and love for his homeland perfectly align with Guyana's values

collaborate on various projects, particularly focusing on initiatives leading up to the eagerly awaited ICC Men's T20 cricketmatchesscheduledin Guyana. Their partnership will include a range of promotional activities, such

as educational sessions with students, promotional s w e e p s t a k e s , a n d exploratorytripstoGuyana's stunningnaturalwonders. The GTA expressed confidence that the collaboration will significantly enhance Guyana'stourismprofile.

Shamar Joseph was named as the country's latest tourism ambassador by the GTA

2024 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 4… Guyana

Harpy Eagles vs. Barbados Pride

Rested Harpy Eagles look to restart tournament on high note versus Pride

Following a short break and some time back home, the Guyana Harpy Eagles wingedoutonSundayasthey prepare to face Barbados Pridefromtodaywhenaction resumesintheCWIRegional 4-DayChampionship.

T h e d e f e n d i n g championsspentafewweeks home, training and working onthenecessaryareaswhich showed up during the opening phases of the tournament.

With some essential rest time, mixed with team training sessions and simulations, Eagles departed shores this past weekend as they prepare to play a dangerous Barbados Pride franchise come today when the two face off at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua.

The champs also made a few slight changes with batsmanAkshayaPersaudset

to play his first game this season while Berbice speedster Nial Smith will make his return; as Guyana seek to shoot up the points table having ended the first couple rounds below the top 5teams.

Guyana will have a few days in Antigua to acclimatize and prepare for the middle stages of the competition, where action is sure to pick up following an intensestart.

BarbadosPridewontheir last match by 4 wickets against Jamaica Scorpions. WestIndiesTestSkipperand Pride captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, hit an amazing 142inthelastround.

Along with Shane

Dowrich, Jomel Warrican, Shayne Mosely, Roshun Primus and others in form, Guyanawillneedtobewary oftheloomingthreat.

The Harpy Eagles on the

other hand, soared to a huge 221-run win over the West Indies Academy, putting the confidencelevelheadinginto thisgameonpar

Theirmatch-winnersthus far have been their bowlers. Bothpaceandspinprimarily, have been the catalysts behind Guyana's success, with their batting now clicking.

Spinners Gudakesh

Motie,VeerasammyPermaul andKevinSinclair,whohita career-best 165 not out, will againbeinthespotlight.

Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kevlon Anderson, Kemol Savory, TevinImlachandothershave beencomingaroundwiththe bat as of the last two rounds andwillneedtosettleinover the next few days should the Eaglesmakeastatement.

CombinedCampusesand Colleges (CCC) will play Leeward Islands Hurricanes

at Sir F

MemorialGround.

Meanwhile, Jamaica ScorpionstackleWestIndies

Academy at Sabina Park, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will face the table leaders Windward

Kraigg Brathwaite

Islands Volcanoes at the Queen's Park Oval; with all matches bowling off at 10:00hrespectively

Guyana Breweries Inc., Smalta to sponsor 6th edition Guyana South America Undiscovered Martial Arts Championship

Guyana Breweries Inc. and Smalta became flagshipsponsorsofthe 6thAnnualGuyanaSouthAmerica Undiscovered Martial Arts Championship, set for M a r c h 3 1 2024.The annual martial arts extravaganza, which is backed by the Korean International Martial Arts Guyana, will kick offattheNational Gymnasium.

Theeventwill showcase the diverse martial arts talents and sportmanship of o v e r 1 5 0 competitors from across the region, including84local

athletes.

Ahead of the competition, Guyana Breweries Inc hopped onboard via Smalta as Brand Manager Trisha Heeralall made trophy presentations during a mini

presentation ceremony Sunday, where all parties were optimistic ahead of hosting one of the b i g g e s t M a r t i a l A r t s competitions to date Organizer of the event RolandEuxodie,said

hewashappytohavesuchsupport fromthecorporatearmofGuyana, something he said helps to further develop athletes while promoting healthy competition from across theworld.

Just like Martial arts training promote focus, discipline, perseverance and a healthy lifestyle, Smalta remains committed to supporting an active futureforall.

Duke and Henery crowned 2024 Fitness Challenge

‘King and Queen’

The 2024 Fitness Challenge, a collaboration between the Guyana Fitness Games and KFC brand, concluded with resounding success at the National Park on Sunday Among the standout performers were Christopher Henrey, Semonica Duke, Lieke Verwoerd, and Ramon Reishin, emerging victorious intheirrespectivedivisions.

Sponsored by KFC, the event drew over 30 elite athletes competing across four divisions: Men's and Women's Master's events, as well as Men's and Women's Openevents.Thecompetition featured a range of challenging categories, including Deadlifts (DT), As Many Rounds (Reps) as Possible (AMRAP), the Moon-gazer, Overhead Squats, and the Final Burn events.

Christopher Henrey continued his streak of success from the previous year,securingfirstplaceinthe Men's division. Dominating the Men's RX category, he completed12roundsofDTin animpressive29minutesand 20 seconds. Despite being edged out by Linden's Omisi Williams in the AMRAP event, Henrey showcased his strength by lifting a total of 745lbsintheOverheadSquat event He completed the

Moon-gazerin3minutesand 44seconds,wrappingupwith the Final Burn in 9 minutes and42seconds.

In second place, Omisi Williams displayed commendable performance, closely trailing Henrey. SemonicaDuke,astandoutin the female fitness scene, claimed victory in the Women's RX division with exceptional performances across the board. Her closest competitor, Delice Adonis, proved formidable in the FinalBurnevent.

Leike Verwoerd secured first place in the Women's Mastersdivision,followedby well-deservedsecondplaceto FellonCheungandKimPinas inthird.

The Men's Masters division saw Ramon Rieskin dominatingwitharemarkable performance, while Raoul Moendir and Romelton Siland occupied second and thirdplacespots,respectively

The success of the event was made possible by the support of prominent entities such as Lucozade Energy, Genesis Fitness Gym, TechPro, Trophy Stall, Stars Rental, MVP Sports, Jamar Enterprise, Sterling Products Limited, Guyana Beverage Inc. (GBI), Oasis Waters, IMerch, Forrestor Lumber, Nutrasnax, and Team Mohamed's.

Entries close for Grand Phagwah One day Horserace

Meet as over 65 horses entered ...Metro hands over large trophy for feature event

Over 65 of Guyana top racehorses have taken entry for the eagerly anticipated Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) annual Phagwah Horserace Meet. The event is slated for this Sunday March17thattheKMTC,BushLot Farm Corentyne, Berbice racecourse.

Withjustafewdaystogobefore the mega race day, horse owners, connections and turfites are rounding out preparations for the eagerlyanticipatedevent.Themeet, whichisoneofthepremiereevents on the horseracing calendar in Guyana, is expected to see an exciting and scintillating day of racing.

WiththeKMTCbeingtoutedas the top horseracing entities in Guyana, with most facilities in place,fansareeagerforraceday

A number of sponsors are on

West

board for the meet. The Colin Elcock Delmour Company Limited has joined the likes of Metro Company, Trophy Stall, Torginol Guyana Limited, the Balkarran Brothers and the Kennard Family amongothers.

With six races listed for the day and over $5M in cash, trophies and otherincentivesupforgrabsonecan expect an entertaining day at the races.

TheMetroStationeryandOffice Supplies, which is sponsoring the feature 'C' and Lower 1 mile event for a winning purse of $1M, has handed over a large trophy for the clash.What a clash it is expected to be with the likes of Stolen Money, AmericanTraveller,BechanJames, Cremore, Wild Texas Tom and PhilinEchoslatedtogo.

Theotherracesslatedfortheday are the H1 and Lower 6 furlongs

match for a first prize of $500,000 andatrophy

There is the Three years old Guyana Bred race with over $400,000 and a trophy, which is availableforthe7-furlongevent.

The other events are one for animals classified J and K and lower, one for L class open horses and the final event for L nonwinners horses The top jockey, stable and trainer will be presented with trophies compliments of RameshSunichoftheTrophyStall.

The event will be conducted undertheaegisoftheKMTC.

Interested persons can make contactwithBasilBactowaron6617815,FazalHabibullaon657-7010, T Jagdeo on 618-7278 or Isaac Dalloo on 689-0629 for more information.

Racetimeis13:30hrs.

(SamuelWhyte)

End Mall, Singh Brothers, Blue Spring Water and Money Tree Trading on board One Guyana T10 Softball Cup

WestEndMall,SinghBrothers, BlueSpringWaterandMoneyTree Trading have supported the inaugural “One Guyana InterRegion Ten10 Softball Cricket Cup” which is set to bowl off on Sunday, March 17, at several venues with matches slated to get underwayfrom09:00hrs.

The tournament will be played in an Open category, using the round-arm style, on a knockout basis.

Accordingtoareleasefromthe organisers, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) has teamed up with Roraima Community Developers (RCD) to stage this tournament which will see basic softball cricket rules beingapplied.

Reports indicated that the regional coordinators are getting theirgrounds,players,umpiresand scorersinordertoensureaprompt start.

Some64teamsacrossRegions 1,2,3,4,5,6and10havealready registeredandindicationsarethere arelikelytobeseveralmorebefore the draw takes place The tournament is set to climax on Sunday, March 31 with all the regional winners meeting in the playoffstobattleforchampionship honours.

The tournament will see regional winners pocketing a cash prize of $80,000 and trophies, while there will also be incentive prizes for the runners-up, the best bowler/batsman and player of the final.

According to RCD, over $500,000incashandprizeswillbe given out in the playoffs to the winners, runners-up, third place, player of the series, player of the final,bestbowlerandbestbatsman, while player-of-the-match incentives will be given out for eachgame.

Thistournamentisagrassroots oneandtheaimistoreturnsoftball to the village level and to bring peopletogether

The regional coordinators are, Region 1-Sherlon 668-3657,

Region 2-Basil Persaud 610-0842, Region 3 – Sadiek (WCD) 6986406, Surijpaul (Wakenaan) 6737748,FrankSatnarine(WBD)6155343, Region4–FazalKhan 6708114 and Darmin 668-2783, Region5-Mahaseon626-1869and Chris on 706-7073, Region 6Teka 667-4121 or Omesh Sirikishun on 677-2826 and Region 10 Niles on 697-8306.

Roraima Community Developers can also be contacted on telephone orWhatsapp on 6575 6 1 2 , o r v i a e m a i l

developersroraima@gmail com forfurtherdetails.

The tournament has so far received sponsorship from West Central Mall, Singh Brothers Contracting Services, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Blue Spring Water, Feroze Construction and Money Tree Trading.

The organisers are however hoping for more sponsors to come on board to ensure the success of thetournamentwhichisalsoaimed to give back to the various regions

in different ways that will benefit theyouths.

A launching ceremony is expected to take place during the week, when a title brand holder is expectedtoberevealed.

Theofficialsarehopingforfull cooperationfromthepublicandare encouragingspectatorstocomeout and support their teams in the regional competitions The tournament is being used as a stepping stone in bringing people together in unity through sports in building“ONEGUYANA.”