Kaieteur News

ChevronsaystakeoverofHess30%stake inStabroekBlockgoodforeveryone

(CEO) of Chevron Corporation,anAmericanoil giant, recently stated that the US$53 billion acquisition of Hess Corporation, another American oil company, has benefits for everyone, includingGuyana.

Chevron is facing legal challenges from U S oil giant, ExxonMobil Corporation and China's CNOOC, over Guyana's prolific Stabroek Block–which Chevron would gain access to Hess' prized asset, holding a 30% interest in the block Situated in the northeastern offshore region of Guyana, the Stabroek Block boasts water depths ranging from 1,600 to 2,000

meters. The Stabroek Block is one of the largest exploration discoveries globally in recent years

During the recently concluded CeraWeek in Houston,DanielYergin,Vice ChairmanofS&PGlobaland Wirth were engaged in a conversation.

Yergin probed Wirth aboutChevron'smergerwith Hess, expressing curiosity about the company's perspective on recent developments Wirth, responded, “Look, a couple of things. Number one, this transaction is an important one. It's good for Chevron shareholders. It's good for Hess shareholders. It's good for the country of Guyana. I thinkit'sgoodforUSenergy

security Good for the industry So we think it's an important deal and a good deal.”

Exxon is the operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest and CNOOC holding 25% stake in the asset The block-partners have moved to arbitration at International Chamber of Commerce in Paris to assert theirrightsoverHess'shares inGuyana'sgoldenoilfield.

Moreover, Wirth revealed that Chevron had made efforts to engage with the Stabroek Block partners in a constructive manner for several months He expressed surprise at the block partners' sudden decision to pursue arbitration. Chevron's CEO

continued,“Wedidextensive diligence on the joint operating agreement during the negotiation of the contract, we have extensive experience with these types of agreements around the world,asdoesHess.Andwe remain very confident in our understanding of the languageandlookforwardto seeing it affirmed in arbitration.”

Moreover, Exxon announced the discovery of oilin2015andswiftlymoved to commence production activitiesbyDecember2019.

Production from the S t a b r o e k B l o c k developments sits above 600,000barrelsperday(bpd) –withExxonhavingtheLiza 1, Liza 2 and the Payara

projects online The oil companies have embarked on an aggressive drilling campaign in the Stabroek Block targeting three other developments: Yellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail projects. It should be noted that Yellowtail and Uaru have alreadybeenapproved,while Whiptail is under review awaiting government approval any day now The Stabroek Block witnessed a remarkable discovery in 2023 with the unveiling of the Lancetfish field, located in ultra-deepwater and deepsealayers.Lancetfishfieldis one of the eight discoveries made by Exxon in the Stabroek Block, since 2022, and according to CNOOC holdsanestimatedreserveof 746 million barrels of oil.

According to disclosures by the operator, the block has

accumulated over 30 new discoveries, with a total estimated recoverable resource volume of approximately 11 billion barrelsofoilequivalent.

from oil, gold only benefits the richest in society says poor remains in extreme poverty’

“The wealth derived from oil and gold exploitation and mining only benefits the richest in society leavingthepoorestinasituationof extreme poverty,” said French United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee (CCPR) member Helene Tigroudja. She made that comment last week, during the Government of Guyana appearance before that body Tigroudja explained that one concern of the committee is the right to consultation and information given to the population. She stated: “often the government seems to take consultation as being a synonym for consent. It doesn't recognise that those two issues are separate, you consult and then you wait for theconsent.”

TigroudjahighlightedGuyana's legislative framework which recognisestherightsofpresentand future generations to a healthy, clean, and sustainable environment.

She scrutinised Guyana's Environmental ProtectionAgency, seeking clarification on its functions and mandate to enforce strict environmental standards amongallstakeholders.

The Committee member highlightedGuyana'sratificationof both the Paris Agreement and the

Escazú regional agreement, focusing on the latter's provisions for access to information, public participation, and justice regarding environmental issues in Latin America and theCaribbean(LAC).

However, concerns were raised regarding Guyana's exploitation of its golden oil resources,specificallythelack of consultation with indigenous populations and the environmental impact of illegal exploitation activities, including mercury poisoning inwatersources.

Furthermore, Tigroudja criticized the indirect interaction between oil companies like ExxonMobil andtheGuyanesepeople,with communication being filtered through the government. She underscored the plight of fisher folk, who lack political representation and are marginalised in decision-making processes due to their informal sector status and absence from unions.

extractive industries and theirenvironmentalimpacts.

Guyanahasbeenblessed with bauxite, timber, gold, diamonds, manganese and oil.

In December 2019, ExxonMobilGuyanaandits partners in the Stabroek Block commenced oil production in Guyana Guyana has been touted as thefastestgrowingeconomy intheworldasaresultofoil operationsinthecountry

Notably, the poverty rate, the share of the population living below the U.S.equivalentofUS$5.5a day, is about 38.8 percent, among the highest in the Caribbean and Latin America (LAC), according to the United Nations DevelopmentProgramme.

wealth being shared we have reported here, the increase in allocations for health and education, the fact that in every Amerindian village in our society or Indigenous village in society, every rural village in our society, every municipality, there are schools for children at the nursery, primary and in the regions which are large, we have secondary schools where children come (from) in the interiors where dormitoryisprovided.”

In response to these concerns, Tigroudja questioned how Guyana will ensure the implementation of the Escazú agreement, particularly its provisions for consultation,

access to information, and decision-makingprocesses.

“So in light of the aforementioned range of concerns, wewouldliketoaskthestateparty tosharewiththecommitteehowit concretely intangibly guarantees the implementation of the Escazu agreement,”shesaid.

Tigroudjaemphasisedtheneed toprioritizetheinterestsandneeds of communities affected by

17

M o r e o v e r, t h i s publication had reported that last week the Committee posed a question to Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance,GailTeixeira,wholed theGuyanesedelegationbeforethe UNbody,inquiringhowthewealth isbeingusedtoensureeverycitizen benefits.

In her response, Minister Teixeirasaid,“Theissueofnatural

To this end, she explained that for a country of fewer than 800,000 people, coming from a p o o r b a c k g r o u n d , significant changes have been made in terms of free education, free health care, subsidize housing, increasesin thewateravailabilityintheinterior and rural areas, and electricity Guyana's first trillion dollar was passed in the National Assembly lastmonth.

Thelargestchunkofthe$1.146 trillion budget was allocated to improving the country's infrastructure: roads, bridges, sea defenceandairstripsamongothers, with $221.4 billion allotted to this sector

For healthcare and education system, $129.8 billion and $135.2 billionwereapprovedrespectively

Nine out of the seventeen generatorsrecentlyacquiredbythe Guyana Power and Light are currently on the grid. This was disclosed by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar on Wednesday during a telephone interview with this newspaper

Even with these added sources of electricity frequent blackouts and power outages continue to plague this oil-rich nation. This publicationreachedouttoMinister Indar to get some clarity on the

situation.Theministerwasaskedto provide an update on the new generators that GPL recently acquired and if they were already addedtothegrid.“Notallofthem, notallofthemonthegrid,actually nineofthemonthegrid,allareon the planks let me clear it… All of them are on the planks, because I want to make sure you get my information correct. So all are set upandareontheplanks(but)nine ofthemareonthegrid,fiveofthem should be added again to the grid sometimeduringthenewweek,”he said. “There were some electrical worksthathavetobedoneandthe exhaust and everything have been installed.Thefueltanksandsojust some electrical works need to be done to have five more. And then we have three more that will complete the 17 should be done before the end ofApril.Thatis the latest update as of Tuesday afternoon at four,” the minister added.

experienced across the country Indarsaidthat,“Yesthatisthecase, IaskedGPLtoputoutastatement, there were three last week that is why I asked you when. Early last week, it would have been because we had two engines at the Power ProducersDistributionInc,(PPDI) twoenginestotalling13megawatts were down Both engines experienced failures, one with a bearingandonewithanotherissue andthosewereoutofPPDI.”

was purchased under the APNU that engine came with a turbo charger that is half the life of the normalturbocharger Soitisa8000 turbochargeronthosesetsanditis onlyhalfthelifesoitonlyrunsfor 4000 hours and one of them came so that took out another 9 3 megawatts.Soatotalof22around 22andahalfmegawattswereoutof thesystem.Sothatiswhyyouhad some parts were getting outages andso.”

He was also asked about the frequent blackout being

Furthermore, during last week, “one of the 46 or the new one that

TheGPLInc.in2023recorded (Continuedonpage6)

Tel:

Death of our young bikers

Our young people are going down like flies Sometimes,they take down innocentbystanders and other roaduserswiththem.Motorcyclistsandtheirpillionriders are particularly endangered, with road deaths and severe injuriespersistentitemsinmediareports.

Beforeitwasminibusesthatattractedthemostattentionand the most dread from other road users, including passengers, pedestrians,andothers Thoughthatmenacehasnotdepleted significantly,itismotorcyclistswhoarenowmakingthenews morefrequentlyandfortheworstreasons:theydietooyoung,or theyarebadlyinjured,withothersalsomaimedintheprocess Livesarelost,andthelivingdamagedforlife Wereportedon Wednesdaythatfivebikersdiedinthreedays Thereistheusual reckless speeding, with riders often seen weaving breathtakinglythroughtrafficinthecityandcountryareas Theyare playinggamesofdangerousroulette,withtheoddsmultiplying againstthemdaily

Too frequently for comfort, motorcyclists are seen riding without helmets, or doing ‘wheelies’(daredevil stunts in the faceofoncomingtraffic) Whenbikescollidewiththebigger machines,therecanonlybeoneloser,andanotherlossoflife being the result One of the alarming aspects of the road mayhemsistheageofthosefallingvictim,eitherbytheirown hand,orthoseofothers Thenumberofyoungerdriversand riders on our roads is easily observable Speeding and carelessnessseemtobetheirfirstcallings,likelyaproductof overflowing testosterone, and the rush of adrenalin that accompanies taking chances by pushing pedal to floor, or throttles to the max Truth be told, older drivers, especially males,whoaresupposedtobemorematurefromlongerroad exposures, can also be major contributors to the routine breakingoftrafficrulesandregulations Toaskfor,ortoexpect, basicroadcourtesies,isanexerciseinfrustration Veryrareare the occasions on which such are displayed or encountered Cloudsoflawlessnessanddiscourtesiesarenotthepreserveof ordinarycitizens,forwhatGuyaneselivewithonadailybasisis asaturationofbothineveryaspectoflife,andatmostlevelsin thissociety

The educated might as well be illiterate. The experiencedwhohaveseenaworldofgoodandbadshould be a helpful asset. But too often they are too much in the middleofaroilingmilieu,ofwhichtrafficmayhemisoneof the more visible confirmations. It has been the case that when there are traffic developments that lead to conflict, therearenocalm,restrainingvoices,onlythosethateggon theinvolvedfromthesidelines. TrafficdrivesGuyaneseto madness,ormakesthemrunforcover Citizenstakealeafout of the thick playbook of veteran political figures, who themselvesaretheworstexamplesofallthatisgoingwrongin thiscountry Wespeaknotjustofthemockeriesthatoccuron ourroads,butoftheperversitiesthatgooninremotehinterland communities,andthefixesthathavebecomethenormtomake mattersgoaway Whoisnotdrunkwithpower,isdrivingdrunk most likely exempt from radar detection, or seemingly drunkenlymanglingGuyanesewhohavetheaudacitytostand in their way As regular threatening road users do to their fellows,thereisthemowingdownofthosewhoareobstaclesto thefreeforallthatpoliticiansroutinelydemandastheirdue

Onegoodthingisthattherearemorepolicetrafficranks on the roads, either on motorcycles or on foot. The bad thing about their presence is that they seem to be in their own world, minding their own business, which is not necessarily the business that they were put on the roads to address. Thatis,tokeepasharpeyeoutfortrafficviolators, eitherthroughspeeding,pranks,orwhatputsothersonthe roadindanger. Themorerulesthereare,themorethereare deaths, injuries, and abuses. We love to mouth off about beinganationoflawsandnotmen. AsurveyofGuyanese lifeindicatesthat‘men’isanunderstatement:themonstrous isnowthenorm,withmoredailymayhem,moremangling fromhighofficestolowroads.

UNDERMINISTERTEIXEIRA, THEGOVERNANCEPORTFOLIO HASDELIVEREDNOTHING

DEAREDITOR

Minister Gail Teixeira recently came under intense scrutinyashergovernment’s spokesperson during the hearings of the UN Human Rights Committee on the third periodic report of Guyana. Many would have noted the sheer volume of actions and decisions a governmentmustgetrightto qualify as having an acceptablehumanrightsand good governance record. In the end, the general consensusisthattheminister and the PPP government floppedmostofthetests.

Which raises the matter thatthereexistsinGuyanaa cabinet portfolio for governance, within the Ministry of Parliamentary

Affairs and Governance. As its minister, Ms. Teixeira is accordingly charged with implementing and protectingprinciplesofgood governance in Guyana and with matters related to the country’s obligations under international treaties on human rights and antic o r r u p t i o n ( s e e https://mpag.gov.gy/)

Ms. Teixeira is known for her unprogressive and uncompromising approach to politics. In assigning her these potentially farreachingresponsibilities,the PPP is obviously signaling its own unwillingness and disregard for advancing Guyana’s democracy and politicalrelations.

Since 2020, what has

Minister Teixeira done with the several hundreds of millions of dollars from the National Treasury to promote good governance?

Has she taken any measure to promote such tenets as transparency,accountability, the rule of law, inclusivity, consensus-building, and financial efficiency and effectiveness? Does her Ministry hold training workshops for government officials, propose legislative changes, hire experts and technical staff, circulate administrative guidelines, champion causes and, generally,createmuchfuss–all in the name of good governance?

NoonebelievesthatMs. Teixeira is so inclined or

motivated. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governanceisruled,likethe rest of the government, to ensure the government always gets its way Its disposition is to block, put down, or reverse any progressive idea that stands in that way Ms. Teixeira’s attempt to miniaturize the PublicAccounts Committee is one of her best works in thisdishonorablemission.

The country needs a wide-ranging and highflying governance portfolio, one headed by a change agent and an advocate for democracy and political reform That wouldn’t happenunderthePPP.

Sincerely

Ashortage of the will to do the right things

DEAREDITOR, These last few days identify three significant religious events, which should require their adherenceandforthatmatter all Guyana to observe the stealthy, steady steps to a de factodictatorshipinGuyana.

On Monday, we celebrated the Hindu festival, Phagwah or Holi. It celebrates the eternal and divine love and signifies the triumphofgoodoverevil Christiansareintheclose of Lent and Muslims are in the midst of the Holy month of Ramadan and in different ways, they all point to the love of fellowmen, the dignity of humanity and the ultimate triumph of good overevil.

Dear Editor, this period represents a propitious opportunityforustoobserve the stealthysteadystepstoa de facto dictatorship, in direct contradiction to the requirements in our Holy Books.

When the Government took office in August 2020, therewasapiouspromiseto set us on the path of goodness and the finer aspects of democracy and decency

So the fit point is this Government and the State controlled media must end thischaradeofalltheseevils

and wrongdoings before August 2020. We were appalled and disgusted by the response of Hon. Gail Teixeira at the United Nations Human Rights Meeting in dealing with the failureofourGovernmentto point to a substantive ChancellorandChiefJustice leavingtheJudiciarywithout a stealthy, stable and therefore confident Leadership.

The excuse by President Ali that we do have a ChancellorandChiefJustice isinfantile,theutterancesof an inept school boy No matter how puerile and unconvincing,thehallmarkofa democracyisastructurethat sitsonfourpillarsofsupport, 1. The Executive, 2. The Parliament, 3 An independent, and I stress Independent Judiciary and thefourthestate,thatisafree responsibleandindependent media.

In Guyana we see the Executive manipulating the major law enforcement agencies, the Guyana Police Force where it appears that postings, preference and appointments are all politicallymotivated.Others have given details of this troubling condition, safe to say Editor, in traditional GovernmentandOpposition communities, there is a

woefullackofconfidencein the majority of members of theGPF.Thisisadangerous and distressing state of affairs. Thank God there are still a few professionally driven Police Officers and ordinaryranks.

Second, we must disagree with much of President Maduro of Venezuela’scontentions.But Guyanese should ponder on hisrecentcontentionthatthe oilgiantsandothersarenow steering the ship of state in Guyana.

Forthoseofuswhotook part in the Independence struggle, this is a serious matter.Serious,becauseitis being driven by stealthy, steadystepstodictatorship.

When you have a

Government rolling out the biggest budget ever but not onecenttoacquiremetresto checkandverifytheamount of oil being extracted, something is very, very wrong. Or is it stealthy, steady steps to a de facto dictatorship?

When you have a

Governmentthatignoresthe constitutionalrequirementto consult with the Opposition, we are making stealthy, steady steps to a de facto dictatorship.Whenyouhave aGovernmentthattrivialises the important role of education by mistreating

teachers and Guyana Teachers Union, in circumstances where the childrenandthebigonesare notaffectedbecausetheycan afford to pay their fees and transportation, Private Schools, you create stealthy, steady stepstodictatorship.

A dictatorship strides in an environment where the majority of a generation is poorlyeducated.

Where the award of contracts including public advertisements seem lopsided, you have the ingredients of an apartheid situation, the hallmark of stealthy, steady steps to a de factodictatorship.

When blacklisted Contractors and those who underperform are still allowed to bid for lucrative Government contracts, we are making stealthy, steady steps to a de facto dictatorship. We the people and the independent media must not give up and must not be guilty of the sin of silence.

Finally, over six months ago, the President was blaming the previous Government for the spate of blackouts,andpromisedthat this would end before Christmas 2023. With an abundance of cash, we all believedinHisExcellency,

Urgent attention required for the rehabilitation of 62 Midpoint Access Road to 63 Beach The Dominican Republic company and Recent high profile Visitors

I am taking a moment amidst the solemn observanceofHolyWeekto draw attention to a pressing and perennial issue of paramountsignificance.

The Midpoint Access Road, marked as No 62, leadingto63Beach,haslong been recognized for its pivotal role within the 63 B e a c h A r e a T h i s thoroughfare, diligently maintained for nearly two decades by the late Vivekanand Narpatty during ourresidenceattheSunsplash BeachResortHome,remains in dire need of attention and reverence for its invaluable contribution to tourism and thelocalcommunity

Regrettably, since the tragicdemiseofVivekanand Narpatty, little has been undertaken to perpetuate his legacy or uphold his pioneeringeffortsintourism development within the region.

The critical significance oftheMidpointAccessRoad to 63 Beach lies in its function as a vital escape route from the relentless onslaught of high tides engulfingboththe63and60 village areas along the coastline.Thisnecessity has been poignantly witnessed by myself and fellow patrons, who have found themselves stranded amidst the ferocious tides on holidays, unable to navigate the perilous waters by vehicleoronfoot.

Last year’s Easter Monday at 63 Beach bore witness to chaotic scenes of disorganization, haphazard zoning, and severe traffic congestion,exacerbatingthe need for immediate action.

Despite the dilapidated condition of the street adjacent to Sunsplash Resort, my team and I

resorted to traversing it by foot, navigating through overgrown vegetation, dry mud ditches, and hazardous obstacles, including fallen trees obstructing the path. Repeated appeals to the Region 6 Chairman have yielded assurances but little tangible progress Additionally,thepresenceof i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h questionable motives, including deported individuals unlawfully exerting influence over the area, has further hindered effortsforrehabilitation.

Moreover, reports of preferential treatment, such as the construction of a concrete street exclusively benefiting a select few residences behind the Freedom House, underscore systemic disparities and neglect Contrary to assertions by government officials,therevitalizationof the Midpoint Access Road serves not only my personal interestsbutalsopromisesto foster widespread benefits, including job creation, e n h a n c e d t o u r i s m opportunities, and improved accessibility for both locals andvisitorsalike.

In light of the imminent inauguration of the Corentyne Bridge and the burgeoning potential of tourism, it is imperativethat immediate steps be taken to restore and upgrade the Midpoint Access Road, ensuring equitable access to 63 Beach and safeguarding the well-being of all stakeholders.

I a m c u r r e n t l y spearheading a petition campaign,garneringsupport from both local and international communities, t o p r i o r i t i z e t h e rehabilitation of the MidpointAccessRoadasan all-weather thoroughfare,

commensurate with the standards of neighboring streets. Let us seize this opportunity to embrace the transformative power of tourismandfosteracultureof inclusivity and accessibility By allocating resources to rehabilitate the Midpoint A c c e s s R o a d a n d implementing comprehensive zoning measures, we can ensure a safer, more vibrant, and prosperous future for 63 Beachanditsenvirons

Thank you for your attention and cooperation. I remainhopefulthatthisplea will elicit prompt action fromtherelevantauthorities, allowing all to revel in the splendor of 63 Beach this Easterandbeyond.

Warmregards,

Miss Ebony Narpatty Bridgebassey

CEO of Sunsplash Resort 63 Beach and UpcomingProjects

(Advocate for 63 Beach

D e v e l o p m e n t a n d Research)

DEAREDITOR, Thanks for your front pagecoverageofthevisitof Clinton. We read in social mediaandlocalpapersthata company from the Dominican Republic sponsoredthetripsofformer President Bill Clinton and former Prime MinisterTony Blair Is it so? Why? And why in Guyana? Is that the same company that paid for Irfaan Ali’s social event at TWA(PanAm)hotelatJFK last February? Why did a company sponsor that event?Doesithavebusiness inGuyana?Won’tthecostbe included in the contract price?

Events and awarding of contracts lead to the above questions and more Something is suspicious Something does not smell good.

The DR company that sponsored the Clinton and Blair trips — does it have business in Guyana? How much? Were Blair and Clinton paid fees? How much? Was there a quid pro

quo?Didtheycometolobby Irfaan and Jagdeo for contracts for the sponsoring company?

Tony Blair and Bill Clinton are not held in high esteemanymore.Theydon’t havemuchrelevancetotheir countries. It is recalled that Blair supported George Bush in the invasion of Iraq to find weapons of mass destruction None was found The country has experienced civil war ever since. Millions were killed from the invasion and the civil war Much of the country lies in ruins. Bill Clinton signed into law the toughestanti-Immigrantand anti-welfare laws in the history of the country As a result of the immigration law, many Guyanese and millions of foreigners were deported for overstaying t h e i r v i s a o r i f undocumented.

Why did the duo really cometoGuyanaandwhydid the DR company sponsor them? Dominican Republic has no commonality with

Guyana Their stock of peopleisdifferentfromours as is the culture and language. We have virtually no trade with DR and no diplomatic linkage. DR is notknownasacountrywith significant technical expertise It has no significant industries. A DR Ambassador recently makes itspresenceinGeorgetown.

Why then is this company given such prominence? Could more experienced companies be found in the USA and Canada? Why not a local company? Business opportunities are given to others The government bowstooverseasplayersthat have no relevance in the home countries. Facilitators of international deals are actingagainsttheinterestsof the local people. They are not here to help Guyanese but to take from Guyanese. And our government is in cahoots with them. Guyana is being looted The governmentisactingagainst

(Continuedonpage06)

Haiti: US guns pour into Port-au-Prince, fuelling surge in violence

(BBC NEWS) Haiti is a stateoutofaction.

More than two weeks after the country’s prime ministerresigned,following a surge of violence in Portau-Prince, details of a presidential transitional council have still not been revealed.

One of the challenges thiscouncilwillhavetoface is the illegal trafficking of guns,whichhaspoweredthe gangs which have taken over The escalation in violence has sparked an exodus from the capital Among those leaving is 14year-old David Charles whose father Israel is nervous with excitement as he waits for his son’s bus to arriveinCap-Haitien.

Acoachwithboarded-up windowspullsuptotheside of the road. He smiles in

anticipation.His14-year-old son David soon walks down the stairs with his luggage. Theyembracetightly David hasmanagedtoescapePortau-Prince - a city now torn apart by armed gangs and political chaos. Most of the violence gripping Haiti is centredinthecapital:theUN estimates 80% of it is now controlled by gangs. He had been living there for two years without his parents, in ordertofinishhiseducation, but Israel did not want him “tobecomeavictim”.

This month’s torrent of violence spurred him to get hissonouttoCap-Haitien,a city in the north of the countrywhichissafer “The journeywasverylong,more thansixhours.Iwaspraying thewholeway,”saysDavid. “The bus driver later told us there were a lot of gunshots

in one area, our bus just missed them ” Other passengers on the bus look exhausted, relieved but also upset. One man in a dark Tshirt and sunglasses speaks quietlyasweaskhimhowhe is But becomes visibly angry as he tells us he has a message for the United States.

“All the guns here are from the US, everybody knows it. If the US wants to stop this, they could easily doitonemonth!”Hepleads: “We are asking the US to giveusachancetolive,just give us a chance.” For a country that does not manufactureweapons,aUN report in January found every type of gun was flooding Port-au-Prince: high-powered rifles such as AK-47s,9mmpistols,sniper riflesandmachineguns.

9 out of 17 new generators on...

Frompage3 a total of 96 countrywide power outages, signaling an increase from the previous year This revelation came during a hearing of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week when the powercompanycameupfor reviewofits2023Operating Standards and Performance Targets (OSPT). In 2022, there was a 10% reduction recorded in the outages

frequency GPL’s Divisional DirectorforLossReduction, Parsram Persaud explained that the interruptions were due to a number of reasons ranging from planned maintenancetoemergencies. Persaud disclosed that the prolonged dry season contributed significantly to the demand for energy in November and December 2023, hence, demand outstrippedsupplyinseveral instances.

Hesaidthecompanywas able to grow its generation capacity by 14.5 percent in 2023 but the peak demand for power increased by 21.4 percent. As such, Persaud said that the agency’s Smart Grid pilot project at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was yielding results that may see an increase in power for households and commercialentities.

Ashortage of the will to do...

Frompage04

but as I dictate this letter at 3:50 pm in Lodge where I live, we’ve had a second poweroutagefortheday

There is no shortage of money these days but there seemstobeashortageofthe willtodotherightthings.All the President has to do is appoint persons with the

skill to manage the power company, but as long as the present culture of the Administration is to appoint persons whose prequalificationmustbeloyalty tothePPPtopbrass,wewill continue to have blackouts.

Inotherwords,theproclivity for square pegs in round holes persist Stealthy,

Gangs in Haiti have easy access to weapons

Theweaponsarefuelling the staggering surge in Haiti’s gang-related violence. There is no exact number for how many trafficked firearms are currently in Haiti. The UN report said some estimates put it at half a million legal and illegal weapons here as of2020.Itreportedthatguns and ammunition were being smuggled in from land, air and sea from US states such as Florida, Texas and Georgia. There have been seizures in the country’s mainportsinPort-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix and in CapHaitien. Illegal weapons are hidden in shipping containers among toys and

High

steady steps to a de facto dictatorship.

Concernedcitizensofall sides of our political and social box must speak up, speakupandspeakupanddo not be guilty of the sin of silence.

Regards

HamiltonGreen Elder

clothesdonations.

In July 2022, Haitian authorities seized a huge haul of dozens of weapons with 15,000 rounds of ammunition They were stuffed in a shipment from Florida heading to an EpiscopalchurchinHaiti.

The UN also identified theuseofseveralclandestine airstrips built for humanitarian purposes after the devastating earthquake in 2010, which are now hardly monitored Earlier this month, a UN spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told journalists the UN Secretary-General’s message to gangs in Haiti wasto“silencetheguns”.In

thecornerofhisoffice,CapHaitien’s chief prosecutor, Charles-Edward Durant, keeps a semi-automatic weapon.

Hesaysheneedssecurity whenever he travels. For him, things have never been so bad in Haiti. “This is a nightmare,ahorribledream. IwouldlikeHaitianstowake upandworktohaveabetter country.” Is he worried that with guns being so prolific, the violence could make its wayintoCap-Haitien?

At this, he smiles with more confidence: “We are resisting,wehaveourways: informants, checkpoints Aretheyafraidofus?Of

(Continuedonpage17)

incidence of accidents involving motorcyclists of

DEAREDITOR

major concern

It was another holiday weekend with several deaths, particularly young people, following road accidents, a number involvingmotorcycles;fires, two, which claimed lives; vehicle accidents among other incidents resulting in deaths or injuries and damage to and loss of property

The continuing trend of accidents on a daily basis mustbeofmajorconcern,as is the high incidence, of recentroaddeathsinvolving youngmotorcyclists.

The cause, more often, being speeding and losing control.

It seems as soon as youths meet the age for a license, the acquisition of a motorcycle or car is their priority

When will they learn?

Theanswerisblowinginthe wind.

My condolences and sympathies to all affected in onewayortheotherbythese sad events over last weekend. Another holiday weekend is almost with us.

Allareurgedtobesafe.

Regards

Shamshun Mohamed

TheDominicanRepubliccompany...

Frompage05

the interests of Guyana and Guyanese contractorsandotherbusinesses.IfBlairand Clinton really wish to assist Guyana, they wouldurgeExxontogiveGuyanaafairdeal inthecontract.

Guyanaisnotgettingafreeridefromthe visitors and the sponsoring DR company BlairandClintonwillwalkawaywithfeesof millionsofAmericandollarsandourcountry ispayingthembilledinoverbidsofcontracts. Isanylocalalsogettingafee?

Yourstruly,

Wild bikers

Too frequently for comfort, motorcyclists are seen riding without helmets, or doing 'wheelies' (daredevil stunts in the face of oncoming traffic) and of recent even without lights at nights.

When bikes collide with the bigger machines, there can only be one loser, and another loss of life being the result. One of the alarming aspects of the road mayhems is the age of those falling victim, either by their own hand, or those of others.

The number of younger drivers and riders on our roads is easily observable.

Speeding and carelessness seem to be their first callings, likely a product of overflowing testosterone, and the rush of adrenaline that accompanies taking chances by pushing pedal to floor, or throttles to the max.

Top Cop gets formal complaint to investigate corruption allegations against VP Jagdeo

Ac t i n g Commissioner o f P o l i c e , Clifton Hicken is now in possession of a formal complaint to investigate corruption allegations against Vice-President BharratJagdeo.

The police chief was written to by a local organisation called Institute for Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD) to commence investigations and was sent nine days after the government told United Nations (UN) Human rights Committee CCPR that it never investigated Jagdeo because no official police reportwasmadeagainsthim.

In the letter also copied to the Director Public Prosecution, Shalimar Ali Hack SC. and signed by former Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine, the organisationrequestedthata formal investigation be launched into allegations of corruption made against JagdeobyViceNews.

“The evidence presented in their report suggests that high level officials may be engaging in illicit activities, which must be thoroughly investigated to maintain public trust and uphold the ruleoflaw,”theIFAADsaid w h i l e u r g i n g t h e Commissionertoensurethat the investigation be done transparently and without anyobstruction.

The IFAAD added, “Once the investigation has been completed, we kindly requestthatyoushareallthe findings with the public,” IFAADsaidwhilecallingon Hicken to take the appropriate legal action if the allegations made are “substantiated” with evidence.

On Monday March 19, US Candidate to the Human Rights Committee for the years 2023- 2026, Professor Laurence Helfer grilled the government's representative th at its 140 session, Gail Teixeira, the country's Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, for answers on its shortcomingswhenitcomes to transparency and investigating allegations of corruptpractices.

In posing questions about alleged corruption in Guyana Helfer said that the human rights committee understands that the current Guyana Government had dismantled the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) when it took office and in 2020, in response to concerns about its effectiveness and asked which agency is now responsible for recovering stolenstateassets.

He then followed up by pointing out that the Human Rights Committee reiterates its “request for information on measures to ensure prompt and effective investigations into allegationsofcorruptionand the prosecution of perpetrators” before stating

“The committee is aware of public frustration regarding

for example the failure to investigate reports of corruptionbyVicePresident BharratJagdeo”.

Helfer did not say what alleged corrupt practices Jagdeo is accused of but Teixeira in her response spokeofaViceNewsarticle that accused him of using a Chinese businessman, Zhi Rong Su to “cash bribes f o r g o v e r n m e n t contracts” She said, “ there was no followup because there was no police report made by Vice News or anybody else and so police cannot investigate without some formofreportorcomplaint.”

“However, the VP has answered this issue publicly

several times in the same media that has carried these reports”,Teixeiraadded.

In2022,Jagdeo'sformer friend and tenant, Zhi Rong Su implicated him (Jagdeo) inbriberyandcorruption.Su had disclosed to VICE News reporters posing as Chinese investors that Jagdeo took “cash bribes” for multimillion dollar contracts and that he (Su) was his middle man VICE News on July 7, 2022 premiered a documentary with its findings.

In the documentary, Jagdeo called Su “a good friendofours”andhistenant duringaninterviewwithone oftheVICENews'reporters.

The letter sent to the Top Cop

Jagdeo is wrong about civil society

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has a false understanding of civil society For him, civil society cannot be limited to those organisations that he perceives as being antigovernment, but is much wider and includes the religiouscommunityandthe private sector both of which he says have large membership.

At his last press conference, Jagdeo was emphatic that the private sectorispartofcivilsociety

Hesaid,“theprivatesectoris part of civil society.” He needstogobackandeducate himselfastothedefinitionof civil society Civil society refers to voluntary and collective action undertaken by individuals and organisations to advance shared interests, values, and goals within a society. It encompassesawiderangeof organisations, associations, groups, and movements that operateindependentlyofthe government,politicalparties and the private sector Civil societyplaysacrucialrolein democratic societies by providing a platform for citizens to express their opinions, advocate for their rights, participate in decision-making processes, and hold governments and other institutions accountable.

Examplesofcivilsociety organisations include nongovernmental organizations (NGOs),communitygroups, trade unions, advocacy groups, charitable organisations, religious institutions, and grassroots movements. These entities often focus on addressing social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural

issues, working to promote positive change and social justice Jagdeo wrongly includestheprivatesectoras part of civil society But the private sector does not belong to civil society, contrary to what Jagdeo believes. The World Bank effectivelyplacestheprivate sector outside of civil society

The World Bank defines civilsocietyas,“asthespace among family, market and state; it consists of not-forprofit organisations and special interest groups, either formal or informal, workingtoimprovethelives of their constituents.” The family is therefore not a member of civil society

Neither are market groupings, such as the private sector nor is government part of civil society. The private sector comprisesofbusinessesand enterprises that are owned and operated by private individuals or groups for profit-making purposes While the private sector plays a significant role in society, it is not considered partofcivilsociety

Thereareseveralreasons for this distinction. For one, the primary goal of the private sector is to generate profit and maximise shareholder value Businesses operate with the intentionofproducinggoods or services that are e x c h a n g e d i n t h e marketplace for monetary gain In contrast, civil society organisations often pursue broader social, cultural, or environmental objectives that may not be directly tied to financial profit. Political parties also are not typically considered

partofcivilsociety Theyare primarily focused on contesting elections, forming governments, and implementing specific politicalagendasratherthan advancing broader social or public interest goals. While political parties play a crucial role by providing a platform for citizens to participate in the political process, mobilising support for specific policies or candidates,andrepresenting diverse interests within society, they are distinct from civil society organisations.

Supporting a strong and diverse civil society is integral to promoting a plural model of political inclusion Civil society serves as a vehicle for diversevoices,perspectives, andintereststobeheardand representedwithinthepublic sphere.Byfosteringarobust ecosystem of nongovernmental organisations, community groups, advocacy networks, and grassroots movements, civil societyenablesmarginalised and underrepresented communitiestobeheardand to advocate for their rights andpositions.Itallowsother actors, apart from political parties,toholdgovernments andinstitutionsaccountable.

In a plural model of political inclusion, where diversity of opinions and identities is valued, civil s o c i e t y a c t s a s a counterbalance to concentrated power It enriches public discourse. It expands the scope of democratic participation. It ensures that the needs and aspirationsofallsegmentsof society are taken into account in the formulation

DEM BOYS SEH

Standing in line

Workershavebeenpaid and de lines at the ATM machineslongerdantwine. People lining up fuh draw dem money fuh dem month’sexpenseandfuhde longEasterweekend.

And nuff of dem ATM running out of money It aggravating people who have to drive all over town tofindaworkingATM.

When yuh in de line, yuhdoesgetnufflaughs.A woman deh taking money out of an ATM, when de person behind her says, “Ha! Ha! I know your password. It’s four asterisks.”The first women replies, “Ha! Ha! No it’s

not.It’s3862.”

Butwegatsomepeople who can’t stand in line. Dem does always somehow stand outside of lineandjumpinwhendem timereachtoenterdeATM. Youeverseeoneadem standin’ dere like a lost sheep, waitin’to be herded into de fold? It’s like dem gangetsomekindofinjury if dem stand up in the line ordembelievedemtoobig fuh be standing in line. So demdoesstandatdesideof de line. Keeping a straight lineisanallergytodem.

Some of dem ATM running out of cash and it stretching people’s

and implementation of policiesandlaws.Thisisthe value of civil society and why Jagdeo should be less touchyaboutcriticismsfrom civil society Jagdeo, or any leader, cannot selectively embrace civil society organisations based solely on their alignment with the government’s agenda while disregarding or attacking those that hold dissenting views Upholding the principles of political pluralism requires recognizing and respecting the diversity of civil society in all its dimensions,

whether they have large or small memberships, and whether their perspectives alignwiththegovernmentor not.

By engaging with civil society across the spectrum, leaders like Jagdeo can demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles, inclusivity,anddialogue.

He can foster an environment where all voices are heard, all perspectives are considered, and all citizens feel empowered to participate in shaping the future of their country

This approach not only strengthens democracy but also promotes social transparency, and a c c o u n t a b i l i t y i n governance.

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

patience. One man get so angry de odder day dat he sehhegoinginsidedebank tocomplaintodemanager Within seconds, he come out back and claim how, “De complaints line inside longer than de ATM line outside.”

So as yuh bob and weave through dis ATM maze, remember dis: stay calm, stay straight (in de line, dat is), and may yuh pocketsbefatwithcashand yuh wit sharper dan a freshly sharpened cutlass. Dem boys seh, “Keep de line straight, nah bend it likeBeckham!” Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

Jurist in waiting

Judge not lest ye be judged Being the incorrigible renegade that I am, here I am looking for trouble again. Where the gods dare not tread, just checkandseewhoisseen,if not me.A good judge, we have some, but too few of them. Weareindireneedof more of them. With just about all the other major national institutions either in thrall of, or cowering in fear before, or prostrated in subjugation to, the caprices oflocalleaders,thejudiciary is theoretically the last standing presence guarding thebridge.

Both the guardians and what is being guarded have manifested an increasing ricketyside.

Decisions that make no sense by their illogic Interpretations that are foreign (in word and practice) to wisdom Verbiage that exhibits the garbage that judges come up with to rationalize their holdings Without a reasoned and resolute judiciary, Guyana is deader

than a doornail With a ramshackle one, Guyanese are dead without them declared to be so, and them not even knowing it.This is the backdrop against which the screening and selection process of new judges has been hailed and much watched.

May it be more of a genuine process and not part of the widespread and domineering political pretense. For the love of God, may this society be giftedahugehandfulofnew judges that stand for constitution, country, and citizens. Whether company law or the law of comrades (godfathers), let judicial acumen and not judicial artifice prevail. Let judicial sagacity and not judicial servility take precedence The last thing that this country needs, that this population, can absorb, is an extension into the storied realmsofjurisprudencefrom the madcap, dunce cap culture that has invaded and controls Guyana's National Assembly Though difficult

tobelieve,Guyana'shouseof the people (parliament) has been reduced to a house of charlatans and a large warehouseofcorruptpeople. If anyone finds that I have breached the protocols of parliament by using certain censored elements of the English Language go ahead charge me, jail me, or shoot me. Theydothathere,don't they? The point is that Guyanese are in urgent need ofaflockofnewjudgeswho would make them proud. Judging on the merits Standing for the people Being about what is judiciallyastuteandnotwhat ispoliticallyexpedient.

Or what reeks of substances that are personally enhancing. No position, no promotion, no judicial conclusion and production is worth the ambition. Canit. Kickitup the road, and down into the swampofoblivion.

This is what erects an unbreachable barrier between authentic princes of the judiciary and shambolic jokers not worth their law

degree. This must be the caliberoftheincomingbatch ofjudges,theymuststandin stark contrast to those who juice their way into favor Guyana needs judges who areaboutnationalandnatural justice, not those who allow themselvestobecomepawns ofnincompoops,thepuppets of those mocked in grand assemblies.

What I call for, push for, plead and press for, has its teethingpains,forGuyanaas a nation still struggling to recover from its birth pains. Almost three score years have passed, and the toddler stageisstillclutchedto,asif continued existence dependedonit.

Iftheonceandstillgreat United States of America with 200 years of experimentation and fermentation over Guyana is stillworkingitswaythrough less than stellar judges (Louisiana and Texas), then theprospectsdonotlooktoo good here. When the still vaunted US Supreme Court found it necessary to apply

the brakes on colleagues on lower benches, then therehasbeenaglaringloss ofjudicialhonesty

Whenadifferentkindof loyalty becomes the primary determining factor, then the check, the balance, the sobering-so much yearned for-dissipates in a haze of adjudications that make no sense.

Regardless of the supporting phrases intended todeceive,andnomore. Itis whatbringsthejudiciaryinto disrepute. If in America, where does that leave Guyana? Loyaltytothelure oflucreisinjusticewritlarge.

Wehavehadthat,andtoo muchofit.

Loyaltytolousyleaders, andthereisagrowinglistthat proves who stands for what, and where that condemns crucial issues of the times.When the compelling mattersofthisStatehavehad to be escalated to what is deliriously called the apex court,theCCJ,thenthisdoes notsaymuchaboutdomestic intellect or integrity For

when the CCJ is hailed and worshippedastheapexcourt, the final arbiter of matters Guyana,thenIthinkthatthat consigns Guyana's proceedings and rulings to a perpetual state of being less than the best. Of being second guessed locally and supersededregionally

It would be inspiring to learn of local decisions that instill confidence, which inspireshope,inturn.

It is that this country can hold its own, that there is a judiciary that is its own searcher of truth, its own finder of fact. And nothing more, so help them God. I hope the latter still has some meaning and traction in this country

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaperanditsaffiliates.)

‘Unhealthy air’ circulating Regions 3 and 4 - EPA says

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)onWednesdaysaidthatitssensorsare reportingairqualityinRegions3and4inthe 'unhealthy'range,basedontheWorldHealth Organization Standards for Good Air Quality

In a press advisory, the EPA said its sensors at Eccles, East Bank Demerara and Sophia, Georgetown are currently showing much higher concentrations than that recordedonMarch25,2024.“Inlightofits data, the EPA encourages members of the public to take precautionary measures to protecttheirhealthbylimitingthetimespent

outdoors and to wear dust masks as practicable.”

Additionally, the EPA said during the period March 19-26, a heat signature comparison revealed a substantial increase inheatsignaturesalongthelowcoastalplain ofGuyana.Visibilityhasbeenandcontinues to be affected by smoke from active fires in Regions3and4.“Inthisextendedperiodof little or no rainfall, the conditions are more conducivetospontaneouscombustionwhich mayleadtowildfires.Itisalsomorelikelyin these conditions that careless or deliberate humanactionsmayleadtowildfires.”

Mistreatmentofteacherswill eventuallydrivethemaway – GTU's

T h e c o n t i n u e d mistreatmentofteacherswill eventually drive them away to greener pastures, General Secretary of the Guyana Teacher's Union (GTU) CorettaMcDonaldhassaid.

McDonald's comments come even as the Government of Guyana announcedamovetorecruit over500healthcareworkers from Bangladesh to fill the country's shortage The decision to recruit the Bangladeshi workers comes at a time when the government is refusing to raise the salaries of local nurses, forcing hundreds of them to take up lucrative jobs in the United Kingdom andelsewhere.

In an invited comment, McDonald asserted that if the government is not careful, it will contribute to anothermassexodusofmore publicservants.“Thistime,” she said “it is the teachers who will be leaving for greener pastures, or at least to where they can find pasturesthataregreen.”

“You see our teachers are most valuable but they are not being regarded as such.

All they want is to be paid livable salaries so they can offset the expenses that come with the rising cost of living However, our government is blatantly ignoring their cries and because their concerns are not being heard then they will take their services elsewhere,” explained the GTUGeneralSecretary McDonald warned too

McDonald

that unlike the health sector, finding suitably skilled replacements for teachers w i l l n o t b e a s straightforward. “Unlike the healthsectorwheretheskills are universal, and the Government can sign some dealtorecruitworkerfroma place as far as Bangladesh, finding qualified teachers will not be as easy because even if they go as near as in the Caribbean or far as the Middle East, they will not findpersonswillingtowork for what they are paying teachershere.”

“Most of the teachers in the English-speaking Caribbean are being paid double and triple what teachers earn in Guyana, so theywon'tcomehere.Andif they Government should go beyond that they will encounter many issues to findtrainedandexperienced teachers to replace those who leave because they will face issues like language barriersandsoforth.”

To this end, McDonald said the Government should take into keen consideration how they are handling teachers “Everyone saw what played out with the efforts to achieve collective bargainingforbettersalaries and the Government has beenstubborn,notwillingto address concerns of its teachers.

As a result, Guyana will end up losing a lot of them andthenthenation'schildren

will suffer I hope they are able to remove from their stubborn position and treat teachers with a little more respect, and then they may be a different ending” McDonald asserted.At the endof2023,theGeorgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) the country's main referral hospital, had a deficitofabout600nursesto meet its needs and achieve industrystandard.

Just last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it approved Sigma Engineers Ltd , a Bangladeshi recruitment agency to recruit healthcare workers, with the view to addressing concerns raised both by the public and privatesectorsonthesevere skills shortage in the health sector The Ministry explainedinastatementthat “The Private Sector Commission has on

numerous occasions requested the Government's assistance in addressing the need to fill the skills shortages not only in the health sector but also in the

critical sectors of construction, engineering, and services given the expansion and growth of Guyana'seconomy.”

“In this regard, the recruitment agency was appointed to liaise with relevant authorities from various countries to recruit healthcare workers including, but not limited to Bangladesh. It is within this c o n t e x t t h a t t h e authorization letter was issued by the Ministry to prevent issues such as human trafficking or any abuse of this process,” the statementadded.

Theministrysaidtodate, no one has been recruited through Sigma Engineers Ltd. Inc. as shortages are currently being filled by personnelfromCuba.

“The Government of Guyana remains open to the

recruitment of specialized skillswhichdonotcurrently exist in Guyana from any partoftheglobe,forboththe public and private sectors,” thestatementconcluded. Government in recent times have been recruiting nurses from Cuba and other countries and reportedly payingthemmorethantheir localcounterparts.

Sigma Engineers Ltd Inc. was given the approval as the recruitment agency in a letter dated February 5, 2024.Intheletterwhichwas signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, the government confirmed that Sigma EngineersLtdastheagentto do the recruitment of 500 Bangladeshi healthcare workersforemploymentand liaise with the relevant authorities.

HealthMinistryworkingwith PrisonServicetotackle Chickenpoxoutbreak

TheMinistryofHealthon Wednesday said that it has been working with the Guyana Prison Service (GPS)totackleachickenpox outbreak at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The statement was in response claims made by Opposition Shadow Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings that the outbreak could have been prevented had there been better screeningpoliciesinplaceat the prison. “The MOH (Health Ministry) rejects totally the assertion by the PNC/APNU that the MOH and the medical team that work with Prisons Health have not taken adequate actions to combat the chickenpox outbreak in the Lusignan Prison”, the ministry said, while assuring prisoners and their relatives and staff members at the prison that “all necessary actions are being taken to ensure no further spread of chickenpox occurs at the LusignanPrison”.

Theministrysaidthatthe

outbreakhadonlyaffected53 inmates and was likely startedbyeitheraprisoneror a staff member or a visitor “ T h e m e d i c a l a n d surveillance teams are presently conducting contact tracingtoidentifythesource oftheinfection”,itadded.

Affected inmates according to the ministry were treated with (Acylovir and Calamine Lotion while the rest of the inmates and staff members at the prison were vaccinated by the Varicella-Zoster Virus vaccine. “The medical team will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that the outbreak is halted” the ministry said while adding “Atthemoment,theoutbreak appearstobeundercontrol”.

It continued that chickenpox outbreaks in prisons settings are not rare andhavebeencommonplace in detention centers across theworld.

“Varicella-Zoster virus is one of the most contagious i n f e c t i o n s a m o n g unvaccinated and nonimmune populations”, the

ministrysaidasitaccusedthe Opposition of creating unnecessary panic by giving the impression that outbreak is“outofcontrol”.

Dr Cummings in her statement on behalf of the Opposition had said, “The coalition confidently expresses that there should have been better screening policies and tools to indicate evidence of varicella immunity especially for incominginmateswhoarein the care of the State”, She added too that, “Special attention should also have been paid to the staff members and the inmates who are susceptible and are in close quarters where transmission and spread of

the disease could easily occur”.

Meanwhile, the prison service in an update of the outbreakonWednesdaysaid, thattherearenonewcasesof chickenpox at Lusignan Prison. “So far, there have been no new cases of chickenpox detected at the Lusignan Prison, and according to Officer-incharge, Deoraj Gyandat, sevenofthe25activecases havebeenclear”theprison servicesaid.

Accordingtotheprison service, screening processes are currently taking place at prison to avoid the spread. “All currently incarcerated people have been screened

Three juveniles charged with murder of Patentia teen

Wednesdaychargedwiththemurderof 17-year-old Aron Bess of Patentia, West Bank Demerara, who died last week.

According to the police, the three teensmadetheirfirstcourtappearances at theWales Magistrate's Court before MagistrateRhondelWeaver,wherethe chargewasreadtothem.Theywereall remanded to the Juvenile Holding Center and are expected to make their next court appearance on April 30, 2024.

This publication had reported that Besswaskilledbyagroupofteenagers whoreportedlylashedandstabbedhim severaltimesabouthisbody.Besshad just left a relative's birthday party in Patentia and was headed to a shop to buyadrinkwhentragedystruck.

The police had reported that on March 20, 2024 at about 21:30hrs, while on his way to a shop, Bess was attacked by the suspects who pelted himwithbottlesandbricks. Policesaidthattheattackstemmed

once,andnewadmissionsare screened when they arrive,” the GPS stated while explainingthatthescreenisa questionnaire “to better determine the risk of an offender contracting chickenpox.” It was noted too that if individuals are suspectedofhavingthevirus, they will be presumptively isolated.

Repeat offender remandedfor armedrobbery, illegalgun,ammo

Amanwhoisnostranger to court was remanded to prison on Wednesday, after he appeared before at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court to answer to several charges.

out a knife from his waist and dealt himseveralstabsabouthisbody,”the policereported.Aftercommittingthe attack,thesuspectsreportedlyfledthe scene.

It was reported by the police that after Bess was attacked, he was pickedupbyresidentsintheareaand rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police said upon examination of his body, wounds were discovered to his left upper chest, left lower stomach area andright-sideneck(jugularvein).

Thirty-two-year-old

from an old misunderstanding. “As Bess continued his journey, the suspects approached him, and one of the teens dealt him two lashes with a pieceofsteelwhiletheotherteentook

His body was later taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home where a postmortem was conducted Police previously stated that the suspects were a 17-year-old school dropout, a 16-year-old student from Skull City, Patentiaandanotherteenwhoseageis unknown. Kaieteur News wastoldby arelativethatBesshadlostbothofhis parentsatayoungageandthathewas residingwithhisgrandfatherbeforehe methisdemise.

Marvin Blackman, who is a fishvendoratMeadowBank Wharf, and a resident of Critchlow Street, Tucville, Georgetown, appeared before Principle Magistrate Faith McGusty, where five charges were read to him. Thefatherofonepleadednot guilty to the following charges:robberyunderarms; discharging a loaded firearm with intent; having a firearm in his possession without being a holder of a firearm licence and two counts of ammunition charges, that stated he had ammunition in his possession without being the holder of a firearm licence.

The court heard that on Saturday last, at River View, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, whilst being in the company of others and armed with a

firearm, Blackman robbed Travis Harley of a 40 pennyweight gold chain valued $480,000 and $600,000 cash, total value being $1,080,000. He is also accused of discharging a loadedfirearmwithintent.It is further alleged that on Monday,hewasnabbedwith an unlicensed firearm, and ammunitioninAlbouystown, Georgetown.

B l a c k m a n w a s represented by Attorney-atLaw George Thomas, who madeapplicationforbailina reasonable sum, but the prosecution objected on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. The prosecutor also pointed out that the accused is a repeat offender, who appeared multiples time before the court for offences ofasimilarnature.Inlightof the facts presented by the prosecution, the court refused bail and Blackman was remanded to prison. He isscheduledtoreturntocourt onApril 17, 2024 for reports andstatements.

Zeelugtresidentsfearfulof electricalfiresfromsquatters’ illegalGPLconnections

Residents of Blood Street, Zeelugt, West Cost Demerara (WCD) are fearful that their houses can be destroyed by electrical fires from illegal Guyana Power and Light (GPL) connections set-up by squattersatFisherdam.

Theresidentssaidthatthereare some30shackssetupbysquatters at the dam which borders their streetfromtheothers.

The illegal structures are not only hindering the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) from using the dam to clean a trench critical to preventing floods in BloodStreetwhenitrainsbutsome of them (reportedly eight) are allegedly stealing electricity from GPL light poles via illegal connection.

On Wednesday, one of the affected residents, 80-year-old, Leslie Debarros visited Kaieteur News with evidence of the illegal connection set up by the squatters. Kaieteur News was shown a photograph of a small black wire

connected to one of the GPL light polesinthestreet.

It was buried along the ground and then strapped to the pole with insulation tape. Debarros claimed the squatters have run the wires in some cases through the backyards oftheBloodStreetresidents.

“We have little children”,

passed and the state-owned companyisyettoshow

He even contacted the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) but they sent himtotheLeonoraPoliceStationto fileareport.

“Me tell the fire service that y'allcouldtekblamefuhnotgetting waterwhenthefirestartbutisGPL na come hay fuh get rid of the sourceoftheproblem”,theresident recalled while complaining to the firefighters.

Debarros said while noting that theycouldgetelectrocuted.

However, Debarros said the biggestconcernisthattheseillegal connections can cause devastating electrical fires that could destroy multiple houses at Blood Street.

“Wegottenhousepononesideand 11ontheotherside”,Debarrostold

Kaieteur News while explaining how close the squatters are with their illegal connections to the residentsofBloodStreet.

He said that he and other residents have complained to GPL askedthemtovisitBloodStreetand see the illegal connections and remove them but one month has

Brazilian pleads guilty to causing death,

Debarros complied and filed a reportattheLeonoraPoliceStation too but the illegal connections remainintact.

“Wegafuhgetridofthisthing becauseifmehousebundownisa big lost because me got tenants there too”, Debarros said while adding:“meis80andmewifeis74, ifafirestartwenahgonabletorun outadehfast”.

Miner who throws gun in river, tells cop he wanted to kill a man

After throwing a firearm overboard in a black bagatBarticaStelling, CuyuniMazuruni,RegionSeven,a 29-year-old miner reportedly told policewhilstincustodythathehad an illegal firearm in his possession becausehewantedtokillaman.

Police have identified the man as Fernando Fredericks, a resident ofOldSchemeTuschen,EastBank Essequibo (EBE). According to a report issued by police, Fredericks was arrested on Friday last at BarticaStelling.

It was related that Fredericks was a passenger in a Parika-bound speedboat,atthetimeofhisarrest. During the process of Frederick's apprehension, he reportedly threw anobjecthehadinhispossessionin abagoverboard.

reportedly told ranks that some time ago he bought the firearm from an individual in Venezuela and hid it on the Landing while passingthroughPuruni.

Fredericks further alleged that some time ago, a man who had an ongoing problem with his family went to his (Fredericks) mother's house in the Essequibo Coast and dischargedseveralrounds.

Duetothisincident,Fredericks explainedthatonThursdaylast,he returnedtoPuruniandretrievedthe firearm with the intention of returning to Essequibo to kill the man, who fired rounds in front of hismother'shouse.

Arrested: Fernando Fredericks

Thereafter, ranks escorted him totheBarticaPoliceStation,andhe was placed in custody, where he was questioned about the article that was in the bag he threw overboard Fredericks initially claimed that the bag contained marijuana, which was made submersiblebecausehehadabrick inthebag.

Notably, police said further investigations over the weekend revealedthatheliedandtheitemin the bag was not marijuana but actually a firearm The man

Police subsequently took Fredericks back to Puruni to identifythelocationfromwherehe had retrieved the firearm On Sunday,atabout22:00hrswiththe assistance of a diver, ranks were abletoretrievethefirearmthatwas in the black bag from the river at BarticaStelling.

Thefirearm,a9mmLugerwas shown to Fredericks, who

identifieditasthefirearmhethrew overboard. It contained five 9mm rounds of ammunitions. Notably, no visible serial number was seen on the firearm. Following that, Fredericks was told of the offence andcautioned.

The firearm and ammunition were marked, packaged and lodged.

Heremainsincustody,assisting withtheinvestigations.

Over$300Mincontractsawardedto drillnewwaterwellsinRegions1&3

Thegovernmentthrough the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) will be spending a p p r o x i m a t e l y $306,304,500 to drill new waterwellsthisyearinsome 16 hinterland and riverine communities in Regions OneandThree.

This is according to the projects recently awarded through the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB) office Information published by NPTAB revealed that contracts for the drilling of wells for BarimaKariabo,St.Anslem, Red Hill, and Powaikuri in Region One have been awarded to the tune of $77 million to contractor Fabra Enterprise.

Another contract awardedtoFabraEnterprise is for the drilling of wells at

Hotaquai and Hobodiah villages in Region One.The p r o j e c t i s w o r t h $39,380,000.

Still in the Region One area, contractor SRT Contracting and General Supplies was allotted a contract for $52,840,000 to drill water wells in Santa Cruiz, Kokorite, and Warapoka Contractor, Adamantium Holdings also won the bid to drill wells in Waioakarabi, Chinese Landing, Assakata, and Kariako,for$79,392,000.

MovingtoRegionThree, water wells for Caria-Caria, Santa Mission, and Lower B o n a s i k a C r e e k communitieswillbedoneby R Kissoon Contracting Service to the tune of $57,692,500.

With a number of wells slated for other hinterland

villages this year, Kaieteur News understands that the projects all form part of the governmental macro plan, which is aimed at achieving 100 percent water access in riverine and hinterland communitiesby2025.Atthe commissioning ceremony fortwowaterwellslastweek in Region One, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal had mentioned that $1.5 billion is set aside this yeartodrill40morewellsin the hinterland regions. He added that with more than $700 million already invested,theplanistodrilla minimumof25newwellsin RegionOne.

Duringthisyear'sbudget presentation, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with the Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh had

mentioned that government spentatotalof$16.8billion last year to improve water

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal at the commissioning of the 60.6 water well in Waramadong, Region Seven last year. 60.6

quality and supply systems acrossthecountry Thisyear, government has budgeted

$22 5 billion for further advancements in the water sector

Female soldier crushed to death by truck on Linden Highway

Afemalesoldierof

the Guyana Defence Force died Wednesday evening whenatruckcrashedintoher and another colleague while they were walking on the Soesdyke-LindenHighway Dead is Sergeant, Deslyn Nicholson.

In a press release the GuyanaDefenceForcesaidit regrets to inform about the passing of Sergeant Nicholson who died Wednesday evening following a motor vehicle accident.

According to the GDF Sergeant (SGT) Nicholson wasamonganumberofranks participating in the Force 30

km Annual walk which commencedatapproximately 17:50hoursWednesday Whileinthevicinityofthe Splashmins Fun Park on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, SGT Nicholson and two others were struck by a truck bearing numberplate (GAC 5915.) SGT Nicholson and the two other soldiers were rushed to the Diamond Hospital Complex by a GDF ambulance She was pronounceddeadonarrival.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, Officers and Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force extends sincere condolences to the family of Sergean DeslynNicholson.

More scholarship opportunities available in China

With a holistic plan to ensure free and equitable education is provided to citizens, the Governments of Guyana and China continue to collaborate to open up m o r e s c h o l a r s h i p opportunitiesforGuyanese.

Over the years, the two countries have been in talks and fostering partnerships in education as well as infrastructure, energy, and trade, among others Just recently, the two states through the Youth of Excellence Scheme of China programme announced that they are offering a limited number of scholarships for Guyanesetopursuestudiesat the master's degree level for the academic period of 2024 to2025.

Some of the courses i n c l u d e S o f t w a r e Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Ecology, Geospatial Information Science, and Energy and Power Engineering.Guyanesestand to reap significant benefits fromtheseprogrammes.

Additionally, upon completion, these students can return home where they are guaranteed gainful employment by the government. To be eligible, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in the relevant field of study with a strongacademicbackground. Theymustalsobe45yearsor under and must be the holder of a valid Guyana Passport. Interested persons are required to register and complete the Ministry of Public Service's online application via the website http://mps gov gy/ The closing date for applications isApril7,2024.Theconstant educational collaboration tightens the bilateral bond between the two countries. It oftentimesseesstudentsfrom bothnationscomingtogether to enjoy each other's culture andtradition.Infact,in2023, it was recorded that over 100 Guyanese benefitted from thispartnership.(DPI)

EPA issues warning over several reports of human-induced fires

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a warning to the public that there are currently a number of fires within Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Nine.

WANTED

VACANCY

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

One live-in Caretaker to take care of plants and keep surroundings clean. Call: 2332053,705-6937, 233-2923.

Handyboy needed. Must be willing to work and be a team player. Call: 661-1000.

Lorry driver needed. Must be experience and have a valid lorry licence. Call: 661-1000.

Porter needed for truck. Call: 661-1000.

Workers to work on cash crop farm. Salary $ 6500 per day. Call: 679-7552.

Sales Representative, canter Drivers & Porters to work in warehouse. Call: 673-7373.

One Typist/ Clerical Assistant. Apply at St John Association, 110 Cowan Street Kingston, Georgetown. Call: 225-9082.

Urgently needed dried carilla bush (any quantity). Call: 609-8281/ 693-3003.

Handyman to work in Bel Air Springs, 7am-12pm. Call: 6098989.

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

Experienced furniture maker for Aracari Resort, Vreen-nHoop. Call: 264-2946/ 6265290. Night Guard at Soesdyke area, Handyman & 1 Accountant Clerk with NIS/ payroll experience. Call: 2192170/ 708-4374.

One Handy person to work in the Interior. Call: 677-0869.

FOR RENT

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

One Luxurious furnished, 4 bedroom apartment fully AC, hot and cold water etc in Campbellville, G/town. Price US$2000. Call: 6167351/624-7436.

2 bedroom apartment in Georgetown. Call: 649-0761.

Newly constructed two bedroom apt in a safe and healthy evironment. Call: 698-6496/ 622-6512.

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

One Painter needed. Call: 615-9132/ 645-8443.

One Plumber needed for Eccles. Call: 645-8443/ 6159132.

Waitress/ Room Attendant to work shift in bar at Soesdyke, EBD. Call: 644-6551/ 661-3608.

Receptionist, Deskstaff, Room & Laundry Attendant & Security Guard needed at 233, South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198.

Vacancy exists for one Daf truck Driver to work for a Construction Company. Call: 624-9505/ 656-0603/ 225-5818.

Vacancy for Domestic/ Maid in Georgetown, includes cooking and evening man for cleaning yard & wash cars. Call: 653-4537.

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.

We repair & install fridge, freezer, washer & dryer, AC units, stove, etc. Whatsapp/ Call Omar: 683-8734/ 6549711.

For low cost repairs for AC units, refrigerators, freezers, gas stoves, washing machine, dryers, etc. Call: 6294946, 225-4822.

One middle age man is interested in a single female, Accommodation available. Call/ text: 704-6826.

Importantly, the EPA said in a statement that the fires are caused by a mixture of spontaneous combustion and possibly human-induced. The EPA is currently investigating this matter. The significant increase in fires has

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 6490956.

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

Leyland DAF single Axle, model m with winch, Nissan 4 door Pathfinder. Call: 6446551/ 661-3608.

Toyota Hiace van panel for sale, price $ 2.7 mil neg. Call: 609-8281.

2014 Mercedes Benz CLA250 PWW series, low mileage. Call: 609-8989/ 655-6283.

1 Lexus SUV, forklifts 3.5 tons diesel truck weigh scales (60 tons,40 ft) . (new installed at your site) Low bed trailers-60 tons,triple axle. Call: 665-3880

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

One Rav4, 4 wheel drive, fully Ac etc ideal for interior (Bush) work. Price$2.2M. Call: 621-5140.

A significant increase in fires has been reported by residents from affected communities and detected via satellite imagery. been reported by residents from affected communities and detected via satellite imagery.

To this end, the agency has explained to residents and communities within these regions to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to ensure personal safety and reduce ex-

posure to the smoke, which could potentially cause a dry cough, throat, eye irritation.

“Residents within the affected areas are advised to desist from lighting fires to burn garbage or vegetation. Children, the elderly, and persons with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular illness are most vulnerable.”

As such, the EPA has advised the public to report any sighting of fires to the Guyana Fire Service or the Civil Defence Commission and adhere to any advisory issued by local authorities.

The EPA said that it will provide the public with further updates as information becomes available.

Israel says UN resolution damaged Gaza ceasefire talks

(BBC NEWS) Israel says Hamas’s rejection of a current proposal for a Gaza truce deal with Israel shows the “damage” done by the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel would not surrender to what it called the Palestinian armed group’s “delusional demands”.

They include an end to the war and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. The US called the Israeli statement “inaccurate in almost every respect”.

A state department spokesman insisted that Hamas’s response had been prepared before the Security Council vote on Monday.

The Israeli military meanwhile said it had confirmed that the deputy leader of

Hamas’s military wing, Marwan Issa, was killed in a strike on a tunnel complex beneath Nuseirat refugee camp about two weeks ago.

“We have checked all the intelligence,” spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. “Marwan Issa was eliminated in the strike.”

Hamas political official Izzat al-Rishq said he had “no confidence” in the Israeli claim and that the group’s military leadership would have the “final say”.

Rear Admiral Hagari described Issa as the group’s “number three” and “one of the organisers” of Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel on 7 October, when about 1,200 people were killed and 253 others taken hostage.

More than 32,400 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 81 people in the past 24 hours, according

to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israel reacted furiously after the UN Security Council adopted for the first time a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza following months of deadlock over the issue.

Fourteen council members, including the UK, voted in favour of the text, which also demanded the unconditional release of all remaining hostages and an urgent expansion of humanitarian aid deliveries.

The US - Israel’s closest ally and military supportercriticised the resolution for failing to condemn Hamas for the 7 October attacks.

But in a sign of its increasing frustration at the way Israel is conducting the war, the US abstained, saying it fully supported the key objectives.

40 companies bid to reconstruct $131M BV Police Station

The Beterverwagting Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD) will be reconstructed

at an estimated cost of $131million. Thiswasrevealedduring the opening of tenders on

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

NationalDrainageandIrrigation Authority(NDIA)Constructionoftimber revetmentatBaracaraSchool,Baracara.

Extensionofworkshopbuilding withtoolroomandlockerroom, NDIAMechanicsStore,Lusignan.

Tuesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)Office.

Over40contractorshave bidfortheproject. With over $40billion approvedinthe2024budget

MinistryofHomeAffairs ReconstructionofBeterverwagtingPoliceStation.

for the Ministry of Home Affairs, the ministry intends to reconstruct a number of police stations across the

country and complete ongoing works at other policestationsthatbeganlast year

Haiti: US guns pour into...

Frompage06 course.Wearenotplaying. Anythingcanhappen. If a gangster comes, he’s not here to play, and so we aren’t playing with them either.” TheUSsaysitwill throw its weight at the problemofgunsandgangs, too.

Last year, the State Departmentindicatedithad plans to help establish a newpolicingunitinHaitito address weapons being trafficked into the country Barbara Feinstein, the deputy assistant secretary of state for Caribbean AffairsandHaiti,saidatthe timeitwasonly“onepiece oftheequation”.

However, with no head of state, and effectively no government, Haiti’s people are trapped in yet another vicious circle of violence powered by illegal guns. One of them is Juliette Dorson. The 50-year-old fled Port-au-Prince after survivingashooting.

The party planner still bears the scars from the bullets which hit her when she was ambushed at an eventshewascateringfor “I said run, run, run because they are shooting. At that moment, I was shot twice: once in my feet and theotherinthearm.”

Ten people were killed, including her 22-year-old business partner, Luc. She sobs as she speaks about him.Thememoryofitallis too traumatic to talk about at length. Juliette shows us the small space she currentlylivesin,sharinga bedwithafriend.

It is a world away from thehomesheonceownedin thecapital.

Thegangshaveclaimed that. She cannot return.

“When the gangs and the violence started in Port-auPrince, the government didn’tdoanythingtostopit. And they let this grow and grow It’s now too complicatedtostop.”

US State Dept human rights officer latest to resign in Gaza protest

(ALJAZEERA)Annelle Sheline, a Middle East analyst who promoted humanrightsonbehalfofthe United States government, hasbecomethelateststaffer at the US Department of State to leave her post in opposition to President Joe Biden’sIsraelpolicy

Sheline announced her resignation in an interview withtheWashingtonPoston Wednesday, as the official death toll in Gaza reached 32,490 since October 7 and the World Food Programme haswarnedthatfamineinthe enclaveisimminent.

“I wasn’t able to really do my job anymore,” Sheline told the newspaper “Trying to advocate for human rights just became impossible ” Sheline’s resignationfollowedanother State Department official, Josh Paul, a director in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, who resigned in October of last year, and Department of Education official Tariq Habash, a Palestinian American and Biden political appointee, whoresignedinJanuary

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Habash said Sheline’s decision to leave underscoredhowtheUnited States’s standing both at home and abroad has

diminished amid the war in Gaza. “It’s not surprising that there are people who tried to do important and critical work related to human rights at the State Department who felt like they were unable to do their job,”hesaid.

“It’s not surprising that [Sheline] felt like the only way that she can make an impact is by leaving, becauseinalmostsixmonths we’ve seen no substantive change in policy, and our influenceattheinternational stage seems to be disintegrating by the day,” he said. Sheline joined the State Department through a fellowship with the Bureau of Democracy, Labor, and HumanRights(DRL)aspart of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. She was tasked with promoting human rights and compiling annual reports on the issue. She holds a PhD and had previouslybeenaresearcher at the Quincy Institute for ResponsibleStatecraft.

Her work at the State Department, she told the newspaper, involved coordinating with activist and civil society groups across the Middle East and North Africa region. She said she saw firsthand how US credibility has degraded

among those groups as the war progressed. “If they are willing to engage, they mostly want to talk about Gazaratherthanthefactthat they are also dealing with extremerepressionorthreats of imprisonment,” Sheline said of the groups she worked with across the region. “The first point they bring up is: How is this happening?” Sheline’s departurecameastheBiden administration has continued to pledge support for Israel, even while rhetorically warning Israeli counterparts about an expected ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.Earlierthisweek,US Vice President Kamala H a r r i s w a r n e d o f “consequences” if Israel launches a ground assault, but officials have so far refused to leverage aid. A dayafterHarris’scomments, theUSabstainedfromaUN Security Council vote calling for a temporary ceasefireinGaza.

On Tuesday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the administration had received “written assurances” from IsraelthatUSweaponswere notbeingusedinviolationof international human rights law, despite repeated

- while Biden administration has faced internal dissent over policy, only a handful of officials have resigned

allegations from rights groups. He said the State Departmenthadsofarfound no evidence of violations in its“ongoing”assessment.

‘Who’snext?’

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Miller described Sheline as a “fellow at the State Department” who had finished the first year of a programme with an option for a second year He said that Secretary of State AntonyBlinken“meetswith employeeswhohaveabroad rangeofviews. He listens to their feedbackandhetakesitinto account in his decisionmaking and he encourages other senior leaders in the

departmenttodosoaswell.”

For his part, Habash described Sheline’s departure as “a really big moment” that shines a light ontheinternaldissentwithin the Biden administration That has included letters signed by staffers with USAID and the Department of Homeland Security, protest actions by federal workers, and a growing number of legislators in Biden’s Democratic Party callingforafullceasefireor at least for aid to be conditioned. “I think it will continue to send a message to the president, the secretary of state and to the world that even though the United States policy hasn’t

changed, there are a lot of people who fundamentally disagree with the position thatourgovernmentandour electedofficialshavetaken,” hesaid.“Andwearefinding ways every single day to communicate that in whatever ways we know howto.”

In a post on LinkedIn, former State Department officialPaulalsosaidhewas “so proud of” Sheline for becoming “the third US official to publicly resign over the absolute disaster that is the Biden Administration’s continuing support for Israel’s war crimes, bombings, and starvation of innocent civiliansinGaza”.

Senegal’s president-elect pledges to fight corruption after a stunning victory for the 44-year-old

DAKAR, Senegal (AP)

Senegal woke up

Tuesdaytoanewpresidentelect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye,aformertaxinspector andpoliticalnewcomerwho inspired voters, including many unemployed youth, with a vow to fight corruption and reform the economy

Faye,44,wascatapulted into the presidential campaign when he was backed by the popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko,whohadbeenbarred from running due to a prior conviction.

Winning Sunday’s presidential election was a dramatic rise for Faye, who was released from prison lessthantwoweeksagoand is now due to be the youngest leader of theWest Africannation.

“Ipledgetogovernwith humility and transparency, andtofightcorruptionatall levels. I pledge to devote myself fully to rebuilding our institutions,” he said during his first speech Monday night as presidentelect, restating promises madeduringhiscampaign. Advertisement

Celebrations erupted around the capital Monday evening as news of Faye’s victory spread, but calm returned on Tuesday and citizens went about their normal business. Mamadou Diakhaté, a 32-year-old marketvendorfromDakar’s suburbs, said he was relieved that elections had been peaceful and that life could resume after months ofuncertainty

“We hope the new president will not

disappoint,” Diakhaté said Tuesday “Theyounghavea lotofhopeinhim.”

While official results of Sunday’s vote are not expected until Friday, the otherfront-runner—former Prime MinisterAmadou Ba who was backed by incumbentPresidentMacky Sall conceded defeat based on clear margins in preliminary results. Ba and Sall both congratulated Faye and named him the winner

The election followed months of unrest ignited by thearrestslastyearofSonko andFaye,andconcernsthat the president would seek a third term in office despite constitutional term limits. The violence shook Senegal’s reputation as a stabledemocracyinaregion that has seen a wave of

coups. Rights groups said dozens were killed in the protests, while some 1,000 peoplewerejailed.

Sall sought to delay the electionuntilDecemberbut that move was blocked by the country’s constitutional court, and the government was forced to allow an election to go forward this month.

Faye was considered an anti-establishment candidate,andhiscampaign messages of economic reform and anti-corruption resonated with the youth. Almost a third of young peopleareunemployedwith thousandsriskingtheirlives on dangerous journeys in search of jobs in the West.

AbibatouFall,a25-year-old unemployed tourism graduate, said she was praying that the incoming

president can improve the economyandcreatejobs.“I am unemployed and my parents continue to look after me,” said Fall said.

“We needed change.” Faye has vowed to improve Senegal’s control over its natural resources by promoting national companies to prevent the country from falling into what his campaign called “economic enslavement ” His manifesto promised to renegotiate Senegal’s oil and gas contracts and introduceanewcurrency

On Monday night, Faye outlined some early foreign policy priorities, which included reforming the troubled West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS.

Rida Lyammouri of the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank, said that a promise by Faye to move away from former colonial power France could define the foreign policy of the country’s new government. “A win by the opposition also means major changes ahead in domestic and foreign policies, ” Lyammouri said. However, analystsatPangea-Risksaid thatthelackofamajorityin Senegal’s parliament and financial conditions imposed by the IMF will prevent Faye’s more drastic pledges.

Already, Faye has backtracked on the promise tocreateanationalcurrency, addingthathewillfirstseek to reform the regional currency CFA, shared between 14 West and CentralAfricannations.

Brazil fight back to draw six-goal thriller with Spain

AFP - Brazil snatched a late leveller to share an entertaining and occasionally heated 3-3 friendly draw with Spain on Tuesday.

Lucas Paqueta fired home a stoppage-time penalty to deny La Roja victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, after they had taken a late lead.

Spain captain Rodri scored two heavily debated penalties of his own in a pulsating battle under a closed roof in the Spanish capital.

The Manchester City midfielder opened the scoring from the spot in the 12th minute after electric winger Lamine Yamal tumbled in the box and Dani Olmo extended Spain’s lead with a fine indi-

vidual goal.

A mistake by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon allowed Rodrygo to pull one back be-

fore the break and teen sensation Endrick, on as a substitute, fired Brazil level five minutes into the second half.

Rodri dispatched his second spot-kick late on after Dani Carvajal was clipped by Lucas Beraldo but Paqueta had the final say.

The match, arranged to help combat racism after various incidents of abuse aimed at Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Junior in Spain, proved a pulsating battle between two of football’s heavyweight nations.

Vinicius captained Brazil for the first time but was largely kept quiet, with his teenage compatriot and future Los Blancos team-mate Endrick continuing to enjoy the limelight, while Yamal shone for Spain.

“It’s a shame it got away from us in the last second, it was a penalty we could have avoided,” Rodri told Teledeporte.

Thursday March 28, 2024

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Sometimes, it's amazing to see how your relationships can spin so easily out of control, Aries. Today you may have to deal with a lot of tension within your group. You'll almost feel as if no one understands the situation.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You sometimes have difficulty making up your mind. You don't always know exactly what you want. Today, Taurus, you'll be at peace with yourself.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Sometimes we all feel a little lost, Gemini. We often want to move mountains and use all our energy and enthusiasm to try to do so.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

You have a natural ability to accomplish a great deal rather easily, Cancer. But today you may feel snowed under with projects. Things around you might be moving quickly.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Your day has finally come, Leo. You have your own vision of life and you like sharing it with others. You're far from thinking that you're any sort of new messiah.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Today you'll have the strange feeling that something is floating in the air. The time is right to try to understand the different needs of your family circle.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

As the dawn of another quiet and peaceful day appears, Libra, you will be in the best disposition to observe and appreciate the lightness of things. Life can seem so beautiful on some days.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You will find a clean page on the agenda today, Scorpio. You should try to think only about yourself. This will allow you to meditate about your life and be at peace with yourself.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

You will wake up today on cloud nine, Sagittarius. Your morale is at a peak. You will feel totally free and be able to clearly perceive the essentials of life.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The

The astral energy will have you reminiscing all day long over childhood memories, Capricorn. These memories will take you to the houses and places where you were raised.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You love interacting with people others might consider eccentric. You can't help it. You're simply attracted to them. You will probably encounter one of these people today, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You have always tried to build up your health using traditional methods, and you take great care of yourself.

GAPLF to convene AGM on April 13 at Racquet Centre

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) is set to take place on Saturday April 13th, 2024, at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue and Camp Street. This would be the first AGM under the Presidency of Franklin Wilson who took over the helm of the Federa-

tion in March of 2023.

Apart from the election of a new executive, the presentation of the audited financial statement, which has not been done for many years, would be presented by Treasurer, Maxwell Denny. Reports from the President and General Secretary, Roger Rogers will also be tabled. The AGM will be called to order at 09:00hrs.

Derek Kallicharran and friend once...

From page 23 six helmets, twenty seven pairs of cricket shoes, eighteen pairs of batting pads, twenty four thigh pads, one bat rubber, thirty one pairs of batting gloves and three pairs of wicketkeeping gloves.

“We were united against a great team, they have such individual quality, we competed.” Rodri was given the armband on this occasion by regular skipper Alvaro Morata, as a gesture for the recent death of the midfielder’s grandfather.

“I dedicated (the goals) to my grandfather, for everything that he taught me,” added Rodri.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente picked a close to fullstrength side to face the fivetime World Cup winners.

La Roja excelled in the first half, barely allowing Brazil a sniff in Selecao coach Dorival Junior’s second match at the helm.

- ‘Never friendly’ -

Yamal won the penalty converted by Rodri for the opening goal, although the Barcelona winger was fortunate it was given after tumbling easily under a challenge from Joao Gomes. The 16year-old continues to grow in stature with every match and played in Olmo for the second goal.

RB Leipzig attacker Olmo finished it brilliantly, with some slick footwork to take Beraldo out of the picture before curling past Brazil goalkeeper Bento.

Spain allowed Brazil into the match just before halftime when goalkeeper Unai Simon gave the ball away carelessly to Rodrygo, who lobbed the ball over his head and into the net.

Dorival brought on Endrick, who scored the winner against England on Saturday in another friendly, at half-time, for his first appearance at the home of his future club, Real Madrid.

Many others youths would have benefited indirectly too. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club thirteen color uniforms while RHCCCC received three boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. Other beneficiaries are The Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of

Lethem and youth coach, Travis Persaud, softball teams in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans, Just Try CC, Wakenaam Cricket Academy, National fast bowler Shemar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple and Leguan Cricket Committee, Essequibo.

Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify talent. Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.

Anyone who wishes to make a contribution can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

Guyana makes debut at Indoor Hockey Masters World Cup

AGuyanaMastersOver45 men’s hockey team left the shores of Guyana for Nottingham,England,where they will be participating in the Masters Indoor Hockey World Cup scheduled for 28 Marchto1April2024. This is the first time ever that Guyana will be making an appearance at a world level tournament.

This event is the largest ever, with 42 men’s teams and 33 women’s teams in divisions running in 5-year groups from Over-35 right through to over-60. The tournament is scheduled for the David Ross Sports Village on the University of NottinghamCampus.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Men’s team will find themselvesintheprestigious companyofteamsfromhost country England, Australia, F r a n c e , G e r m a n y, Bangladesh, Canada and Wales. There will be two pools of 4 teams each and Guyanahasbeenincludedin Pool B with England, Canada and Wales. The scheduleseesGuyanafacing Canadainitsopeningmatch

today (Thursday 28th March) at 0600 hrs Guyana time The lone South Americansidethentakeson England the following morning and completed the poolroundagainstWaleson Saturday30th.

Guyana has selected a

solid contingent with its 12 man team featuring no less than four former national captains in Ian Nicholson, Alan Fernandes, Philip Fernandes and Devin Munroe.

The full squad is as follows: Jerazeno Bell

late eighties and held the position for several years beforemigratingtotheUSA. While there are three more overseas based players selected, in Marc King (Canada), Captain Jerazeno Bell (Jamaica) and goalkeeper Gregory Garraway (Trinidad), the restoftheteamareallbased inthehomelandofGuyana.

Locally-based players, goalkeeper Azad DeAbreu, Devin Hooper, Chris LowKoan, Ivor Thompson, Devin Munroe, Dwayne Scott and the Fernandes brothers round out the selection. Alltwelveplayers have represented our nation during the prime of their career which is testament to thequalityoftheside.

Theteamwillbecoached by Canadian International, JonathanRoberts,whoisthe son of the late Cecil ‘Skip’ Roberts, a former hockey stalwart and captain of Guyana.

CARIFTA Games contingent departs today

BYRAWLETONEY

Guyana’s 23-member contingentfortheCARIFTA Games in Grenada is set to depart the country today to compete in the 51st edition of the games, which commencedin1972.

Yesterday, the team paid acourtesyvisittoMinisterof Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr at his Main Street office, where they received words of encouragement to be exemplary ambassadors for Guyana.

Minister Ramson, whose office provided the Athletics AssociationofGuyana(AAG) with its largest financial backing for the CARIFTA Games,alsoissuedachallenge to the athletes to surpass last year’s performance, where theysecured13medals–three gold, two silver, and three bronze. This year’s squad marks the largest representation from Guyana for the CARIFTA Games which is scheduled to take placefromMarch30toApril1 at the Kirani James Stadium inSt.George’s.

Minister Ramson challenge athletes to better last year’s performance

All eyes will be on Tianna Springer, who clinched gold in the 400m eventlastyearandcontinued her winning streak in the 400mattheCommonwealth Youth Games and the South A m e r i c a n U 2 0 ChampionshipsinAthletics.

Expectations are also high for athletes such as Javon Roberts, Nerissa McPherson, double medallist Attoya Harvey,andMalachiAustinto shineinGrenada

The team also includes Sahel Cornett, Charisa December, Nalicia Glen, RondellGreen,JamalSullivan, RobertMarcus,andDhnielson Gill, who will compete in Under-20categories TheU-17 contingent comprises Athaleyah Hinckson, Duel Europe, Skylar Charles, Kaidon Persaud, Ezekiel Millington, Easter McKinnon, Ryan Joseph, Akilla Blucher, Keneta Fraser, Marissa Thomas, and Nathaniel Samaroo. U-20 Females:Tianna Springer: 400m, 200m, 4x400m, 4x400m Mix - Charissa December: 400m Hurdles, 4x400m -

Attoya Harvey: 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 4x400m, 4x400m Mix - Nerissa

McPherson:400m,4x400m, 4x400mMix-NaliciaGlen: 100m, 200m U20 Males:Jaheel Cornette: 100m, 200m-JavonRoberts:800m, 1500m, 4x400m, 4x400m

Mix-MalachiAustin:200m, 400m,4x400m,4x400mMix - Rodell Green: Long Jump, TripleJump-JamalSullivan: 800m, 1500m, 4x400m, 4x400m Mix - Robert

Marcus: Long Jump, Triple Jump - Dhnielson Gill: 400m, 4x400m, 4x400m

Mix U17 Females:Athaleyah Hinckson: 100m, 200m - Esther McKinnon: 1500m, 3000m - Akilla

Blucher: 1500m - Keneta

Fraser: Long Jump, 100m, 200m - Marissa Thomas: 400m, 800m U17

Males:Duel Europe: Long Jump, Triple Jump - Skylar

Charles: 100m, 200mKaidon Persaud: 400m, 800m - Ezekiel Millington: 100m, 200m - Ryan Joseph: Long Jump, Triple JumpNathaniel Samaroo: Shot Put,DiscusThrow

(Captain), Gregory Garraway (Goalkeeper), A z a d D e A b r e u (Goalkeeper), Dwayne Scott, Chris Low-Koan, Marc King, Devin Munroe, Alan Fernandes, Devin Hooper,IvorThompson,Ian Nicholson and Philip Fernandes Allan Newark will serve as Team Manager while Jonathan Roberts will act in the capacity of Team coach.

Notably, Nicholson, the oldest of the group assumed the captaincy of the Guyana National team, back in the

The rest of the team Management comprises of Assistant Manager, Jeremy RobertsandAssistantCoach GeorgeMelville.

ECS Construction and General Supplies’ supports Easter ‘Cash & Gold’ Cup

ECS Construction and General Supplies haspledgeditssupporttotheongoingEaster ‘Skills Cash and Gold’ Football Championship This commitment was solidified during a brief presentation ceremony held last Friday at the company’s premises.

The Managing Director of ECS Construction, Ewert Saner alongside event promoters Lynton Luke, President of Cool Promotion,andGledfordFordyce,President of Paradise Sports Club (PSC), collaborated toalleviatethefinancialburdenoforganising thisgrassrootsfootballcompetition.

Since its inception, the tournament has experienced continuous growth, surpassing previous year’s achievements. Luke and Fordycehavejoinedforcestoraisethebarfor this year’s competition, aiming to attract a larger audience and establish themselves as one of the leading organising committees in localgrassrootsfootball.

Meanwhile, the winners of the tournamentwillwalkawaywithasubstantial prize of $500,000, inclusive of medals and the championship trophy Additionally, 20 gold championship rings will be awarded to the champions. Second-place finishers will receive $300,000, along with a trophy, medals,and20silverrings.Thirdandfourth place will secure $150,000 and $50,000 respectively,alongwithmedalsandtrophies.

In an interview with Kaieteur Sports, Luke expressed profound gratitude to ECS Construction and General Supplies for their financial backing, which has made this competition possible. He remarked, “The

support has been overwhelming, and I am deeplygratefulforenablingustohostahighintensity football competition for these youngplayers.Italsoallowsus,asmembers of Cool Crew Promotion and PSC, to offer substantial incentives as rewards for their performances.”

Additionalsponsorsfortheeventinclude Anchor Cement, Central Housing and Planning, Moore and Son Construction, SinghandSonConstruction,theUrbanShoe Company, Republic Bank, JS Engineering and Supply, Lucozade Energy, Magnum Brand, Professor Emanuel

Park

Dharry, Marques promise fireworks on April 20 -AllicocktomakeProdebut

EltonDharryandDexter Marquesaresettoignitethe ringwithexplosiveactionon April 20 at the Everest Cricket Ground, as they vie for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super FlyweightGoldTitle.

The bout marks the second showdown between the two pugilists, with Dharry claiming victory in their initial encounter back in 2011 via a seventh-round Technical Knockout at the CliffAndersonSportsHall.

Tensionsranhighasboth fighters exchanged bold declarations of triumph, briefly sparking heated exchanges before officials intervenedtoseparatethem.

“This isn’t 2011,” Marques asserted during the press conference held at the Everest Ground yesterday,

highlightingtheevolutionof bothfighterssincetheirfirst encounter

D h a r r y m a d e i t unequivocal that he is the superior boxer, pledging to step out of the ring onApril 20withanenhancedrecord.

Since his professional debut in 2007, Marques has stepped into the ring 21 times, amassing a commendable record of 18 victoriesandthreelosses. His most recent win was against Colombian fighter Luis Carrillo, while his last defeat came at the hands of Panamanian Gilberto Pedroza.

As for Dharry, the current holder of the WBC International Super Flyweight title, boasts a notable record of 27 wins, six losses, and a draw

Dharry has maintained an

undefeated streak since his controversial 2019 bout against Australian Andrew Moloney, where he was forced to retire hurt in the eighth round of a scheduled 12-round fight for the Interim WBA Super FlyweightWorldtitle.

In another highly anticipated match, worldrated amateur boxer Keevin Allicock has punched his way into the professional arena for the first time against Barbados’ Gardel Roberts.

Despite Roberts’ record ofjustonewinin11outings, Allicockmadeitclearthathe is not underestimating his opponent as he aims to establish his dominance in theprofessionalranks.

Laured Stewart, initially slatedtofaceJermaineKing whowithdrewfromthecard,

Fruta Conquerors crush Pakuri Jaguars 5-0

Fruta Conquerors showcased their prowess on Sunday as they delivered a resounding5-0victoryoverPakuriJaguarsin the latest Women’s Senior League Football tournament, second round fixture held at St. CuthbertMission.

Fromtheopeningwhistle,itwasevident that Fruta Conquerors meant business, dominatingpossessionanddictatingthepace ofthegame.Thematchquicklyturnedintoa one-sided affair as the Fruta Conquerors’ ladies exhibited a masterclass in aggressive football,leavingPakuriJaguarsstrugglingto findtheirfooting.

Thestandoutperformerofthematchwas none other than Amanda McKenzie, whose sensational hat-trick stole the spotlight. McKenzie’sbrilliancewasonfulldisplayas shefoundthebackofthenetinthe28th,46th, and 71st minutes, putting Pakuri defence in shambles and securing a commanding victoryforherteam.

However, McKenzie was not the sole contributor to Fruta Conquerors’ triumph. Marissa Frank set the tone early on with a goal in the 12th minute, followed by Ciara Glasgow’ssuperbfinishjust9minuteslater, giving Fruta Conquerors an early lead and laying the groundwork for McKenzie’s heroics.

Despite brief flashes of brilliance from the Pakuri Jaguars side, particularly highlighted by Frank’s early goal, they struggled to maintain momentum against Fruta Conquerors’ relentless attack. The pressureintensifiedwhenGlasgowfoundthe net just nine minutes after Frank’s opener, leaving Pakuri Jaguars scrambling to regain

willnowtakeonImranKhan in a six-round bout, promising an exciting showdownforfans.

StephanDaSilvaissetto make his comeback to the ring following his 2022 victory over Fiji’s William Mel in Sydney, Australia, where he claimed the prestigious World Boxing League (WBL) Junior LightweightTitle.

Da Silva’s opponent for this highly anticipated bout is Barbados’ Ricardo Blackman Jr, who has yet to secure a victory in his professional career, having lost all nine of his previous fights.

In another match-up, Edmond DeClou will make his return to the ring against Charwin Estwick in a sixroundcontest.

DeClou, boasting a

with hat-trick

control.

Meanwhile, as the match progressed, Pakuri Jaguars found themselves increasingly on the back foot, and desperation seemed to seep into their play McKenzie capitalized on this vulnerability, nettingherfirstgoaljustsevenminutesafter Glasgow’s strike and ultimately completing herhat-trickwithtwomoreclinicalfinishes.

In the end, Fruta Conquerors’ dominant performance left Pakuri Jaguars reeling, unable to find an answer to their opponents’ relentlessonslaught.

record of 17 wins and four losses,lastenteredtheringin 2018 against Jamaica’s Sakima Mullings, where he sufferedaTKOdefeatinthe sixthround.

PeterAbdool,President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), expressed gratitude to

Dharry Promotion, Bristol’s Promotion, and the Guyana Television Network for organizing the event.

Abdool also hinted at additionalfightsbeingadded tothecardandurgedboxing enthusiasts to show their supportforthesport.

Derek Kallicharran and friend once again on board with Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

USA based Guyanese Derek Kallicharran and Shazam Hussain have once againprovidedsupportinthe formofthreeboxesofwhite cricket balls to this joint initiative of Kishan Das of theUSAandAnilBeharryof Guyana. The presentation was done on Kallicharran’s recentvisittoGuyanaduring a friendly cricket game to honourthenationalteamthat won the double in 1983 (Shell Shield and Geddes Grant/HarrisonLine).

Kallicharran, a former West Indies “B” all rounder, said that they are impressed with the noble purpose of thisfinegesturethathelpsso many young cricketers across Guyana and will continue to provide support as it becomes possible. This project is very grateful for the assistance and will continue to support cricket clubs that have a vibrant nurseryprogramme.

The project also calls on corporate Guyana, private businessesandindividualsto help sports clubs in their areas. Village leaders are also encouraged to mobilize the youths and get them actively involved in sports and keep them away from drugsandcrimes.“Therehas

At

been a recent surge in teenage criminals and let’s work together to eliminate this from our society,” a statement from this joint initiativenoted.

Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $370,000 in cash, thirteen colored cricket uniforms, two trophies, twentypairsofcricketshoes, thirty three pairs of batting pads,thirtyfivecricketbats, thirtypairsofbattinggloves, twentyfivethighpads,three pairsofwicketkeepingpads, six arm guards, two chest guards, two boxes, twelve cricketbags,sixbatrubbers,

six helmets, one softball cricket bat and thirteen boxes of white balls. In addition to the above, over $600,000 worth in gear was donatedbySheikMohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available atthetime.

To date, seventy two youngplayersfromallthree counties of Guyana have directly benefited from seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, thirtyonebats,threeboxes, (Continuedonpage21)

PELE FC Alumni to host four matches today in memory of Pele F.C. Fallen Heroes

Football fans and lovers will today be treated to four matches when the Pele FC Alumni Corporation host a specialafternoonofactionin memory of Pele FC fallen heroes at the Georgetown Football Club Ground, from 16:00hrs.

The local chapter of the club, led by Dirk Exeter has teamed up with the USA based Alumni for what is expected to be a memorable day of action with a number of past and pleasant players expected to attend

According to Chairman of the Pele FC Alumni Corporation, Denis Ivor ‘Carrie’ Carrington, the day’sactivityisveryspecial for those players who have made the journey back to their homeland to celebrate the contributions their past stars,manyofwhotheyhave playedwithbackintheglory days. ”This event today is dear to us all as we not only reflect on the contributions of these players but keep their memories alive by lettingthenowgenerationof

playersknowandappreciate their contributions. It would be a very entertaining afternoon and evening of football, on and off the field of play.” Carrington further informed that the likes

William ‘Bucka’ Chan, Lindon ‘Colt’ Carter, Lawrence Stoby, Lyndon ‘Pinhead’ Laing, Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, Eric ‘ Riggy’ Smith, Alfred ‘Morro’ Morrison, BrenthleyYiraiyah Babb, Clyde‘Farmer’Browne,and himselfwillallbepresentat

thevenue,onceknownasthe mecca of the game in Guyana.

The first match today, and Under-15 clash will see Pele taking on Black Pearl whichwouldbefollowedby a female clash between Pakuri Jaguars and GT Kanaimas.

Honouringthememories ofthePeleFCFallenHeroes will then take center stage followed by an Under-20 showdownbetweenPeleand Buxton Stars FC. The main event of the night will be a

senior shindig between old rivalsPele,andSantos.

Fallen Heroes being honoured are FrankWatson, Cecil McKenzie, Billy Braithwaite, Denis ‘Pancho’ Alexander, Harold ‘Lightweight’ Kissoon, Joe Liken,AliceLiken,Wendell Manifold, Gregory ThorneStewart, RodwellAnderson, Shefton Young, Shawn Bishop, Orin “Big Ears” Parris, Ashton “Chucker” Taylor, Sherwin “Dighty” Maxwell, Mark “Flap Hat” Stanton, Corwin Benjamin,

Devon “Worm” Charles, Rosco Charles, Keith Giddings, Gavin “Bulla” Thompson, and Lawrence “ShortyPeck”Glasgow M e a n w h i l e , t h e Alumni’s annual Youth Development Seminarfor youths during their Easter breakIsetforApril2nd,and 3rd of 2024 and will attract over150youthsbetweenthe agesof11-17.

This year’s programme will be held at Marian Academy Auditorium, CarifestaAvenue.

Argentina roar back to beat Costa Rica 3-1 in friendly

AFP - Angel Di Maria, Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez rescued ArgentinaonTuesdayasthe worldchampionscamefrom behindtobeatCostaRica31inaninternationalfriendly inLosAngeles.

The South American giants, missing injured captain Lionel Messi, wrappeduptheirtwo-match touroftheUnitedStateswith adeservedvictoryattheLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Lionel Scaloni’s side, whodefeatedElSalvador30 in Philadelphia on Friday, dominated the opening 45 minutes and carved out a series of promising

openings.

However it was Costa Ricawhotooktheleadon34 minutes after a sweeping counter-attack.

Alvaro Zamora latched on to Manfred Ugalde’s pass and fired a low shot that was blocked by Argentina goalkeeper WalterBenitez.

Benitez’s save however fell invitingly into the path of Ugalde, who bundled homethereboundfor1-0

Argentina got back on level terms early in the second half with a superb equaliser from veteran Di Mariaon52minutes

The 36-year-old Benfica wingerhitasuperbfree-kick

from just outside the area which flew into the top corner beyond the reach of Costa Rica goalkeeper KeylorNavas.

Argentina made it 2-1 four minutes later from anotherset-piece Nicolas Tagliafico headed against the bar after a corner and

Liverpool midfielder Mac Allister reacted first to nod home the rebound fromcloserange

Inter Milan forward Martinez made the game safe in the 77th minute, latching on to a delightful through ball by Rodrigo De Paul before lifting a deftfinishoverNavas

GBAofficiallylaunchesitsNationalAcademyTrainingProgramme

In what can only be described as a move of historic proportions, the Guyana BoxingAssociation (GBA) has officially launched its National Academy Training Programme, which will be rolledoutinvarioussections of the country, withAndrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis gym in Albouystown serving as the initial starting point, a release from the association disclosed.

The novel endeavour, which will feature a judge/referee component, will also be conducted during the month of August as it seeks to further expand and concretize its local scope.Theprimaryfunction oftheacademyistounearth and nurture new talents in thediscipline.

Steve Ninvalle, President of the GBA, said, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish. If we start with this group, I see that whenitcomestotheend,we willhavemanymorepeople here.

Itwouldberemissofme if I did not applaud the effortsofsomeofoursenior boxers, including Desmond Amsterdam.

ColinLewis,Abiola,and AleshaJackmanforseeingit fit to turn out to be somethinglikethis.Itshows that their hearts are with boxing,asareallofusatthe headtableandallofyouwho arehere.Wedecidedtomake this academy a reality not becausetheexecutivewants topumpitschestasbeingthe

first to do something but becausewethinksomething likethisisneeded.

We need to bring young and fresh blood to the sport of boxing. Maybe you don’t know, and some of you are too young to know that boxinghastheonlyOlympic medalthatGuyanahaswon. Boxing is the only sport where we have won world titles, and this is a sport that somepeopleseeassomeone going out to intentionally hurt you, but we see it as an artandsomethingthatcanbe rehabilitative.”

He further said, “It is an expensive exercise, but we see it as something fitting and something that is needed, and this academy will not be run in Georgetownalone;itwillbe run in Berbice, Linden, and

other parts. So, if you ask me,andIhopetobehonestat all times, boxing is moving. Last year, we would have had,foraverylongtime,the most international tournaments that we would have sent fighters to and participatedin.

This year, we expect to dothesamething.Wewould have had 16 U-16 competitions last year, and this year we intend to improvethat.

I must say thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, the National Sports Commission, and the government of Guyana for assisting us in all of our endeavours.

Asamatteroffact,aswe speak, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport has ordered and paid for

three competition rings for boxinginGuyana.Whatthat saysisthatwearebetterable to decentralise the sport and beabletohaveaqualityring in Berbice and in other places,soIwanttosaythank you to the honourable Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.,becausethatisthesortof support that we need if we aretotakeboxingtowhereit should be and where we wantittobe.”

Ninvalle also disclosed, “Very soon, a team will be leaving Guyana to go to the Champion of Champions in St. Lucia, and we have shortlistedasquad.

I don’t think the entire squad will make the team, but we are working assiduously to make that a reality Whatwealsowantto

do is focus more on the female component of boxing. Before, we would havehadoneortwo,butnow that I will sit and see four, five, and six, it says that we are going in the right direction, and I would want to say to the two Jackman sistersthatyoumusttakethis on and shoulder it as your burdentomakesurethatyou keep doing the right things so as to encourage other youngwomentocometothe sport. They will be looking to seewhatyoudo,andit’svery important that you act as leaders so that we can have many more females coming intothesportofboxing.”

“Thereasonwehaveour onestar,whowillsoongoto a two-star referee or judge here,isbecausewewantthis

to be a comprehensive programme.Thereisnoway that we can be boxers and good boxers without knowing the rules, so while you are physically capable, wewanttomakesurethatwe equip you with the rules so thatyoucanbecomeamuch more rounded person and boxer The longest journey begins with your first step, and your first step is never your best, but it gets you started.

Thismaynotbeourbest stepinhavingthisacademy, but it has gotten us started, and as I sit here, I want to assureyouthatthiswillbean annual affair because in August we expect to have a longer-runningacademy,but rest assured that this will become something of an annualnature,”headded.

Farm Supplies and Mercury continues to support Bartica Regatta

Farm Supplies Ltd. (FARMSUP), a pioneering force in the agricultural and industrial equipment sector has once again thrown its support behind the organisers of the annual BarticaEasterRegatta

This week, Sales Coordinator, Ms Tracy Cox handed over the company’s sponsorship chequeto Adrian Brandsford, Member of the Bartica

E a s t e r R e g a t t a Committee

Ms Cox intimated that

has been

supporting the Regatta for many years now, noting that Bartica is one of the many communities that supporttheirproducts

”This is a way of saying thank you to our faithful customers and many of whom are from Bartica

W e k n o w t h a t Regatta is the most anticipated time for the community, and we will continue to play our part in ensuring that the many activities are s u c c e s s f u l l y undertaken ” FA R M S U P w a s

established in June of 1993, by Renger Oene van Dijk, and continues to play a pivotal role with t h e s u p p l y a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f heavyduty equipment in theagriculture, mining, construction, forestry, quarry, power generation, andmarineindustries.

M r B r a n s f o r d extended thanks on behalf of the Bartica

E a s t e r R e g a t t a Committee to Ms Cox, Management and Staff of FARMSUP for their committed support towardstheevent