Kaieteur News

Two captured, charged in connection with murder of Bartica Miner, worker

GRA seizes large quantity of uncustomed liquor, foreign chicken at Annandale Turkish company to supply 36MW to ease blackout - Jagdeo

Kaieteur News retracts article on purchase of two planes from India

VP Jagdeo blames Exxon for delays to Wales gas project ...Opposition flags lack

Jagdeo has blamed

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) for the construction delays in the Walesgasplants.

TheNaturalGasLiquids (NGL) Facility and the 300 megawatts (MW) power plant contract was awarded to a joint venture CH4Lindsayca for US$759M in December 2022 Jagdeo during his weekly Thursday pressconferenceatFreedom House, Georgetown explainedthatthecontractor was required to deliver 228 MW of power by the end of 2024 He said, “Four turbines were to come on streamattheendof2024-57 MW each. To complete the project in the agreement where the full 300 MW would come on line, that is the combined cycle the steam turbines should have comeonstreambytheendof 2025.” He therefore noted that the completed project wasexpectedtobedelivered by the end of 2025

Consequently, he pointed out,“whatwehavenow...the delay we believe is by three monthssotakingittoendof March- April and the contractorwantstocomplete thesimplecycleturbines,the gas turbines by August but the project timeline has not shifted that is to bring the 300 MW fully on board in 2025.”

Jagdeo explained that E x x o n M o b i l w a s responsible for the site preparation, the road, the Materials Offloading Facility (MOF) and the laydownyard.

“We were supposed to hand over the site to the contractor by June, we did nothandoverthesite,thatis Exxondidnothandoverthe site until September and it wasstillincompleteandthey handed over an additional US$14M from the US$1B that they set aside to the contractor to complete the site, so a three months delay,” he said Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) was contracted by ExxonMobiltocompletethe site.

Jagdeoexplainedthatthe government has decided to give the contractors an extension of three months (fromtheendof2024),“that is why we are arguing that the plant must be completed byApril of 2025, instead of end December 2024 ” Further, Jagdeo explained that GAICO, another Guyanese firm was contracted to construct the Materials Offloading Facility (MOF) and was required to hand over the facility to Exxon in July but never did so until October with there still being challengesinthatregard. Arbitration

AReutersreporthadfirst disclosed that the contractor filed for arbitration

According to Jagdeo, “That iswherethethreemonthswe arearguingthethreemonths delay on the project came. They want a longer period because the liquidating damages for not completing the project on time for the contractor, if they don't completetheprojectontime its over US$11M per month they have to pay in liquidating damages for delay on the project so they are arguing they need more time beyond the three months.Wearesayingthree monthsisadequate.”

Jagdeo added that the contractor has now made a claim for additional money since they argue the delay is costing them. The VP noted however, that the independent supervision firm that was hired by the government from India, Engineers India Limited (EIL)hasreviewedtheclaim andrejecteditinitsentirety Consequently, the VP said the contractor was required to file for a dispute resolution through an official'disputeadjudication and arbitration board'. He saidthematterislikelytobe determined by a three member board that is currently being set up. If at the end of the process either partyisnotsatisfiedwiththe

outcome, they can then requestarbitration.

Loseoilrevenue

Jagdeo said that while the Reuters report estimated thatGuyanawouldlosefour weeks of oil revenue during the pipeline connection, government was told it would cost two weeks. “We will have deferred production because we will notproducinginthisperiod, this was taken into account in our forecast for the revenueforthisyear

It'snotaUS$1Bofloss, we estimate about 6-7 million barrels of deferred production but they are hoping to bring forward maintenance for that period ontheFPSOs...butyoucan't not shut them down and make the connections,” he reasoned.

Additionally,theVPsaid that while it was reported that there is a dispute over US$90M, this was inaccurate. He said it was around US$50M but the figureneededtobeverified. The third aspect of the project, for the transmission of the electricity will be completedbytheendofthis year

Notransparency

M e a n w h i l e , t h e Opposition during its Thursday press engagement called out the government for the lack of transparency in the management of the

of transparency

Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project

The Opposition's spokesman on Oil and Gas, Elson Low said, “That this disputeescalatedtothepoint of arbitration, with the government not saying one word to the Guyanese people,illustratesthetypical PPP disdain and arrogance. Wemustnowworryandask: what else is being hidden aboutthisproject?”

Low called for the VP Jagdeototellthenationwhat efforts were being taken to preventthisfurtherfinancial loss and the impact arbitration may have on all existing contracts and arrangements for this project, including the timeline for the delivery of theproject.

He noted, “In light of these controversies and

uncertainties,wemustagain call for the release of all agreements with Exxon for the provision of natural gas. How Guyana will pay for this pipeline is once more unclear, as there are reports that it will come from cost oil, which we have said before is a violation of the constitution.

All spending should be approved by parliament, be subject to the Public Accounts Committee, be scrutinized by the Auditor General's office and fall under the oversight of the Public Procurement Commission.Wehavestated that any such backhanded attempt to fund national infrastructure bypasses all these institutions and is reckless and dangerous beyondmeasure.”

Vice President Bharrat

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Exxon in the business of making money ...not enough incentives to invest in renewables - Darren Woods

ExxonMobil's Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Darren Woods has defended his company's hardline stance against shareholders who over the past 10 years have submitted more than 140 motions calling on the companytocutitsemissions, as activists not interested in the ideology of the business, thatismakingmoney

Woods gave his position during a recent interview with Fortune Magazine's in whichhesaidoverhalfofthe submissions were from just three activist groups, “they don't have an economic interest in the company.” He instead,lambastedtheUnited States, Securities Exchange Council for permitting the motions Qualifying this position, Woods told the interviewer while the company prides itself on giving a voice to, and catering for its real investors that want to see a return (profits), “we don't feel a responsibility, for activists

that hijack that process and franklyabuseitthatadvance and ideolog that is inconsistent with the ideologyofthecompany.”

Theirstrategy,hesaid“is to get us to stop selling oil andgas,that'swhatwedoas abusiness.”

As it relates to Climate Change and the company's role, Woods spoke to investments that the companyhasbeenmakingto do its part such as Carbon Capture technology and the extraction of lithium, a key component in the use of batteries for Electric Vehicles.Infact,Woodswas adamant that renewable energy such as wind, solar and EVs have a role to play, but insists the existing technology is not enough to meet the net zero objectives. Hewasadamant,“wewaited too long as a society and we're not investing enough, today's technology will not solvethisproblem.”

AccordingtoWoods,this

was the “dirty secret that nobody is talking about, is howmuchit'sgoingtocost.”

To this end he was adamant that governments around the worldneedtobefrankerwith their constituencies saying, “they need to be aware of it andpeopleneedtoknowthe price;governmentsgottoget thattotheirconstituency.”

Further defending Exxon's importance in the industry, Woods told the interviewers that the incentivesweresimplynotin place to warrant the investments.

Tothisend,hedisclosed that ExxonMobil as a company has the technology to refine fuel with lower carbon content, but argued thatitwouldenduphavingto be sold at a higher price. “Whenarepeoplegoingtobe willing to pay for carbon reduction; we can make fuel with less carbon but people won'tpayforit.”

Woods said ExxonMobil is aware of the challenges

GRA seizes large quantity of uncustomed liquor, foreign chicken at Annandale

C u s t o m s L a w enforcement officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), in an operation on Wednesday in the environs of Annandale, East Coast Demerara, seized two mini buses and a large wooden motor vessel laden with quantities of Spirituous Liquor, Heineken Beers and RockinghamChicken.

Four persons were arrested and are currently assistingwithinvestigations. In a press release the GRA saiditcontinuestocarryout operations in its continuous

efforts to curb smuggling and other such illegal activities, thereby allowing for a level playing field for legitimatebusinessesandthe collection of associated revenue.

“The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) wishes to remind the public that smuggling is illegal and anyone who attempts to import or export goods with intent to defraud the Revenue Authority of any dutiesisguiltyofanoffense andisliableforsuchoffense tofinesandorimprisonment

in accordance with Section 218 of the Customs Act, Chapter82:01.TheRevenue Authority pleads with the General Public to report any illicit, unlawful or smuggling activities on telephonenumber227-6060, Extensions 3201, 3204, 3205, 3206, 3211, 3212, or 3408 All information provided will be dealt with strict confidentiality and such persons may be rewardedinaccordancewith the provisions of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.”

Kaieteur News retracts article on airplanes purchased from India

KTheerroneousarticlewaspremisedona miscalculation of the price for the aircraft.

media house had incorrectly reported that the Indian government had purchased sixDornier-228aircraftforUS$31.9million from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-a company that Guyana had purchased two similar planes from for US$16 million. Kaieteur News apologises for the error and any inconvenience it may havecaused.

posed by Climate Change and the need to reduce emissions, the company was looking to invest in new technology Since, the presenttechnologyavailable, aresimplynotgoingtomeet requireddemandsinorderto meettheobjectivessetfornet zeroemissions.

According to Woods, compoundingthesituationis

the fact that while the world is not on that path, the policies in place don't incentive success, for the investment in existing renewable by Exxon such as windandsolar

“As we look at the transition, a lower emissions world,thequestionweasked ourselves is how we can bring our capability to solve

that problem” according to Woods. “When you look at levels of investment, talking about wind and solar that is already established we don't bring capability to that spaceotherthanacheque;it's not an appropriate use of ExxonMobil technology,” according to Woods, hence hisargumentgreaterfocuson decarbonizingthrough,wind and solar won't be effective inmeetingneeds.”

To this end, he was adamant,“ifyouaregoingto driveinvestmenttomovethe needle, it will cost a money, building a business on govt. subsidy is not a long-term strategy,” in response to further investment by the company in its efforts in meetingthenetzerotargets.

According to Woods, “you have to put a value on decarbonizing.”

ExxonMobil's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods

EDITORIAL

METER MADNESS

In another country there would already have been

riotsinthestreet. IfparkingmetersinGuyanacould havepromotedtheruckusthatitdid,thentheabsence of meters at ExxonMobil’s production points should have resultedinpitchedbattlesinthelocalenvironmentsinceso muchmoreisatstake.

To clarify, there must be Guyanese owned oil meters overseen by Guyanese and its full details documented by Guyanese. It is inconceivable that Guyana’s leading oil champion, Bharrat Jagdeo, is so timid about these meters. Oil meters at ExxonMobil’s offshore production sites must beapriorityifthiscountryistoknowwhatishappeningwith itswealth. ThequestioniswhatgameisJagdeouptowhen hedragshisfeetonoilmeters.

The plan to install parking meters in the city created an uproar, due to the pricing being wrong. Guyanese had no time about much-needed order restored in the busy city, which was and is, a free-for-all. Yet today, when a great shout and a big push should be made for meters at the ExxonMobil production sites, there is little interest in Guyaneseaboutwhatmeanssomuchmore. Itisaclearcut instanceofapennywiseandapoundfoolish. Manymillions of such pounds, considering what could be draining away rightundertheeyesoflocals.

The first clue is that Jagdeo has not come forward with determinationandconvictiontogetoilmetersatthepresent meteringpointsontheoilships. Longexperiencehastaught Guyanese that when Jagdeo starts to hopscotch around an issue,thenheisuptosomething.

Thishasmostlyproventobewhatisnottothebenefitof Guyanese. Oil meters are not that expensive, and even if they were many times what they cost, Guyana still needs them,musthavethem. Further,oilmetersarenotthatscarce to obtain where Guyana has to place an order for them and joinalongwaitingline.

Thebottomlineisthattheyarereadilyavailableandare wortheverycentspenttoobtainthem. ThefactthatJagdeo has been asleep at the wheel with oil meters gives some indication of how much he has been suctioned into ExxonMobil’sorbit. HegetsvacuumedupbyExxonMobil, and Guyana is the loser for it. Because as Jagdeo goes, so does President Ali, with Guyanese not clear about who is leading whom. It certainly is a mystery why obtaining oil metersandputtingthemtowatchforourinterestsissucha demanding undertaking for Jagdeo and the PPPC Government. Unconsciouslyornot,itisExxonMobilitself thathashelpedtounraveltheoilmetermystery

The second clue is the giveaway, and it is all ExxonMobil’sdoing. Auditorsweretoldthatitisnottheir businesstoknowthelocationofthecompany’soilmeterson theLisaDestinyship.

ExxonMobil’s personnel were like the Roman dog, Cerberus, who was given the duty of guarding the gates of hell.Nobodypassedbeyondthatpoint.NoGuyanese,thatis; no snooper nor spook who could see too much to the company’s disadvantage. It is hard to believe that ExxonMobil’s oil meters are syphilis infected, or that they are carrying some strain of a lethally contagious virus.The company’s reflexive, dogged blocking action to thwart Guyana’sauditorsfromevenaccessingrawproductiondata has a peculiar smell about it. It is not that of a partner that couldbetrusted.

Whycan’tGuyanaseethatdataset? Whatistheretohide fromtheownersofthisgreatwealth?

ForamanassharpasJagdeo,oneoverwhonoonepullsa fastone,itisamazingthatheissomumwhenExxonMobil makes mincemeat of this company-country business partnership. We want to know how many barrels of oil ExxonMobilisproducingdaily

ExxonMobil should want Guyana to know Jagdeo shouldwanttoknow Metersofourownmustbetheway,and thatshouldbeintheshortesttimepossible. Jagdeo must be able to deliver meters, so that Guyana knows how much oil is produced, and how much Guyana mayhavebeencheated.

Official mafia banditry replaces other forms of Thievery and graft

DEAREDITOR,

Guyana and Guyanese may be spared of kick down door banditry although bicycle gang robbery and choke and rob are still prevalent.Overthelastthree years, robberies have been replaced by government officials managed mafia operationstoripoffthestate ofmillions.

Theordinarybanditsand graft recipients in offices cannot compete with mafia operations run by functionaries of the g o v e r n m e n t T h e government officials enjoy protection of the state and they also get huge contracts facilitated by government agencies and even receive payment for work not done because of nepotism and friendship.Asanillustration, itisnotedthatthecountryis enjoying a construction boom including in massive concrete infrastructure projects.Roadsarebuiltwith concrete instead of asphalt. Has anyone wondered why? One high official of the

government owns four companies supplying concrete. One can’t escape purchasing concrete from thefourcompanies.

The companies are making a killing supplying concrete, some of which are below the paid for PSI. The four companies get all the statecontracts(regardlessof the contractor) to supply concrete. Contractors must buy concrete from them at artificially high prices

Consumers are paying higher rates and the tax payers are saddled with the debt to pay for the government projects

Similarly, consumers are paying dearly for overpriced chicken that is kept artificially high to benefit onemajorchickenproducer

The same government person who owns the four concretecompaniesalsohas a huge chicken farm and he also own several trucking companies, construction companies, paving companies, among others.

Chicken price is kept

artificiallyhightobenefithis company Andwereadofthe scams of giving contracts to foreigners because of big draw backs Guyanese contractors are disregarded or shafted in preference for the cunning foreigners. We read in SN (Apr 10) that a company sued the government for an extra US$90 M for work on the Wales power generating plant. Apparently, work had stoppedovermoney

That project is running a year behind with cost overruns Isn’t that sufficient ground for government to terminate the contract? Why is that company retained? And worse why is that company givenothercontractslikethe oil refinery? Why is government doing business withacompanythattakesus to court? Did someone tell the company to go to the court? Or is it a case where officials in the government advised the company to sue the government in order to milk more money from the

contract? With the level of corruption afflicting this government, one can’t put anything pass some very corruptofficials.

The entire country sufferswithhighpricesfrom the mafia operations of several officials in government and of those whoarewellconnectedwith the two big men in governance. Two years ago we were told the electricity plant would be fourteen centsaKW Withcostofthe project having tripled since then, wont the cost of electricityalsotripletoforty cents?Isn’tcurrentGPLstill cheaperthattheWalesplant?

Guyanese are very fortunate that crooked officials have a political avenuefortheircunningness and deviousness to enrich themselves. Otherwise, the officials would have run amokwiththeworstformof kick down door banditry ever experienced in the country

Yourstruly, NigelPilgrim

TheAFC has lost its way

DEAREDITOR,

It is rather disheartening to see the Alliance For Change, the once promising third force that provided hope to the country for bringing about meaningful changes and reforms in our political culture and governance systems, now being relegated to being the ‘Press Release’ party, churning out a myriad of recommendations and proposals of ideas for improved security which it had no space to propose much less implement under theCoalitiongovernment. Thisistheverypartythat h e l d m i n i s t e r i a l responsibility for the security sector in a period stained by explosive allegationsofcorruptionand the imposition of the power of party paramountcy over thecountry’ssecurityforces. It was under the AFC’s security portfolio that Guyana experienced the most corrupted system for the issuance of firearm licenses and citizenship, the prostituting of the Guyana Police Force in unbridled witch-hunting of political opponents of the Coalition; and Gestapo-like control of the electoral machinery of the 2020 regional and generalelectionsaswasseen by all and sundry during the

attempted rigging of the Region Four returns at the Ashminbuilding.

Wasn’t’ it the AFC Minister of National Security who hired an international security expert whichlaterturnedouttobea most vulgar conflict of interestsaga?

Now, with little to no credibility remaining, no electoral constituency ahead ofthenextgeneralelections, and desperate to project some semblance of relevanceandviability,what remains of the AFC leadership, many of whom I had placed trust and high hopesinwhileservinginthe party; is now grasping at straws in the very sector where its most glaring failureswererecorded.

Unashamedly,theAFCis now proposing several measures it sees as vital for arresting public security amid, what it says is “escalatingcrimeandnarcotrafficking”situation.

They now want the current government to i m p l e m e n t t h e recommendations of the British Security Sector Reform which the coalition left languishing in the dust, and craft a policy that is compatible with democracy and not a strong-man nor iron-fisted state. Do they

believetheGuyanesepeople haveforgottentheconcocted assassination plot against Granger which turned out to be nothing but a rouse to boost security around the president akin to the North Korean dictator, and for which the Crime Chief was sent packing for telling the President that there was no shred of evidence of a plot; the so-called interception and deportation of supposed Russian saboteurs; and the political hijacking of GECOM by the GPF and its puppet masters to secure the electionsriggingprocess?

They are calling for stronger community policing,whichtheCoalition abandoned; they want better vetting of police officers, especially senior ranks, many of whom the coalition usedtoenablethesubversion oftheconstitutionandruleof law during the election tabulation and verification process; they now want wider surveillance systems; enhanced road signage; c o n v e n i n g o f t h e ParliamentaryCommitteeon Public Security; and most l a u g h a b l y , t h e depoliticization of law enforcement.

All of these lofty recommendations stand in stark contrast to the recklessness that passed as

public security management under Ramjattan, reckless abandonmentwhichenabled glaring security lapses and breaches that led to the burning of the Camp Street Prisons,andacallousandillthought-out gamble of issuing hundreds of pardons for criminals instead of seriousapproachestoreform and rehabilitation There could be no doubt that it is the AFC and its consuming domineers in the 2015-2020 Coalition Government who mustbeheldresponsibleand accountableforencouraging and offering support to criminal elements bent on destabilizing the country, beforeandduringtheirreign.

Instead of regularly resortingtopontificationson issues of governance which the AFC and its partners failed so miserably on, the party would do well to caution the few remaining membersandseniorpolitical figures that they ought to be mindful of the dangers and legal implications of the criminalpracticeofdrinking and driving, and indecent exposure while they fight in futility to avoid political oblivion.

Sincerely,

TrevorWilliams Former Member of Parliament for the Alliance forChange

Whatever are your beliefs, if we fail to get more benefits from our natural resources, these blessings could be a curse

DEAREDITOR,

E v e r y p a t r i o t irrespective of race, colour orpoliticalpersuasionought to be concerned with utterances over the past few daysemanatingfromthetop leaders, or should I say the rulingcabalofthiscountry

A worrisome condition that if not halted can suffocate and deny the aspirations and dreams of this and succeeding generations.Withlessthana million people, good climatic conditions and an abundance of natural resources we are per capita the richest by far, human beings in the universe and therefore, every citizen should benefit from this harmony of nature and mankind.

The challenge and our dilemma is to have persons in charge with a sense of morality, sense of justice, decencyandanappreciation of the separate roles of the Executive, the Parliament, the Judiciary and a free informativeandindependent media.

Thisweekweheardfrom the mountain top an explanation for a stressful daily dose of blackouts.The main protagonist from the Government’ssidewas Vice President Bharat Jagdeo the General Secretary and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

TheStatementsfromthis distinguished, honourable ubiquitousandthefontofall knowledge spoke on oil and gas, United Nations Human Rights Commission and Blackouts.

Following the known script, our illustrious Vice Presidentblamedthespateof blackouts on the 2015/2016 Coalition Government David Patterson has debunked this deception withclearlucidwords,andit

is therefore unnecessary for me to go over this matter in this letter But we should take note that part of his excuse in defence of the present administration was referencetothegloriousnew development taking place under his Government’s watch, new hotels, businessesandhouseswhich requiredair-conditioning,all requiring more electricity from the national grid. A profound analysis. Therein liestheabsolutefollyofthis high sounding boast of development.

Any good government, any management of even a simple cake-shop ought to proceed on the basis of planning ahead The old saying of if you fail to plan, we plan to fail. All these grand developments to which the Vice President referred in his hour long monologue exposed the presence of either incompetence or zeal to proceed on a spending spree with all the potential evidenceofcorruption,poor performances extant in Guyana.

Simply if you are building facilities that require additional power, goodsensesuggeststhatyou providethebasicstosupport theseloftydevelopments. The basics are water, electricity, transportation and availability of health, recreational and educational facilities.

So Mr Vice President, you condemn your Government for failing to provide the basics. It is the same stupidity of building hospitals and schools before andIrepeatbeforespending your money to provide the human resources to man these buildings. Hospitals, schools are nothing but wood,stoneandglass,unless you provide in advance, I repeat in advance the medical and teaching personnel Only an idiot would build a house and no one to live in it or build a church, mosque or temple and there is neither a Preacher, a Pandit, a Molvi noraCongregationtousethe building.

In another matter, he praises Madam Gail Texeira handling matters posed by the Human Rights Commission dealing with alleged corruption in Guyana. You can fool some of the people, some of the timebutnotallofthepeople, allofthetime.

I referred to Charles Dickens’work,TalesofTwo cities which dealt with the social and economic disparities in England and France which led to the FrenchRevolution.

AsIlistenedpainfullyto our Vice President’s fulminations on every topic, except of course our disappointment to learn

about his tenant and erstwhilegoodfriend,Mr Su speaks volumes. I could not help remembering again CharlesDickens’playOliver Twistandhischaracter,Jack Dawkins, better known as the Artful Dodger whose English Literature describes him as a pickpocket and his nickname refers to his skill and cunning in that occupation.

Dear Editor and citizens as I approach four score years and ten my illusion to Oliver Twist’s character has absolutelynothingtodowith anyone alive today, but perhaps the wandering and wonderment of an old soldier

On another matter, for the benefit of our young people, let me remind them that in the late 70s, the PPP and their acolytes were severe in their criticisms about the PNC promoting in their words party paramountcy

What we see here is a political boomerang when from headquarters of the PPP, its General Secretary pronounces, prattles and pontificates on matters that arestateissues,weare

(Continuedonpage6)

Audit limitation

DEAREDITOR,

Recently,itwasreported that the Auditors appointed by the Government of Guyanatoauditthebooksof ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) have been deniedaccesstopertinentoil reports and associated cost information ((See Anand Goolsarran’s Report, “The auditreportonExxon’spostcontract costs (Final Part)”, https://www.stabroeknews.c om/2024/04/08/features/acc ountability-watch/the-auditreport-on-exxons-postcontract-costs-final-part/)

Similar difficulties were observed on a US$214.0 Million expenses that reduced Guyana’s profit share by at least US$107.0 Million. This amount could not be verified and arbitration, a costly exercise for Guyana, is the only p a t h w a y f o r w a r d (https://wwwkaieteurnewso nline.com/2024/04/11/us40 m-in-materials-bought-byexxonmobil-could-not-beverified-govt-kept-in-thedark-audit-report-reveals/).

This non-responsiveness by EMGL to deliver the reports is contrary to the stipulationasspecifiedinthe PSA,Article 23. 2, Page 55, where it is documented that: ‘The Minister shall have the right to audit the accounting records of the Contractor in respect of Petroleum

Operations in accordance withAccountingProcedure’. And in Article 23.3, it is further specified that ‘NothinginthisArticleshall be construed as limiting the right of Government or any officer of the Government pursuant to any statuary powertoauditorcausetobe audited the books of the Contractor(EMGL)’. This unwillingness of EMGL to be transparent is palpably obvious, while in another case, EMGL showcaseditswillingnessto mislead the Guyanese people by placing a billboard that falsely proclaimedthatGuyanawill receive 52 percent of the p r o f i t ( O G G N : https://wwwtiktok com/@o ggn_/video/7339658873780 882694? r=1& t=8kBk1ad 1Vtr). This billboard must come down, for this 52 percent profit share is not included in any of the Articles of the PSA. Given the information presented above, it is clear that the Government of Guyana is not up to the task of protecting the interest of the Guyanese people; for this is evidence of the government sleepingonthejob.Wakeup Guyana!

Sincerely,

Dr C.KenrickHunte Professor and Former Ambassador

Whateverareyourbeliefs,ifwefailtogetmore benefitsfromournaturalresources,these...

Frompage5

witnessing the essence of partyparamountcy

Let me now turn to a grievous, unbelievable state ofaffairs.Thankstoasuperpatriot, Glenn Lall, Kaieteur Radio among others we learnt that the Government through theAG has secretly joined with Exxon Mobil in its appeal to the highest Courtinourjurisdiction,the CCJ.TheHonourableAGin explaining why it was unnecessary to consult the People’s representative and or inform the media before the demarche let the proverbialcatoutofthebag.

He said that the 2016 agreement which the PPP andtherestofusdescribedas lopsided was bringing in billions into our coffers allowingustobuildallthese roads, bridges, houses, hospitals,schools,digcanals etc.

He did not go on to say that his Party was severe on Granger’s coalition on the 2016 Agreement and had promised when in office to have this Agreement renegotiated.

Instead, the AG now boastsofthegreatbenefitwe are getting from this 2016

Contract. The AG’s Party severely criticised this Contractandpromisedwhen they got into Office they would renegotiate But instead we hear this nonsense about the sanctity of Contract. So instead of burnishing our symbols of Independence and keeping theGoldenArrowheadaloft, we are metaphorically burning and tarnishing our Independence obviously at the behest of those who are harvesting our natural resources, and when we should be getting millions, our present Administrators aresatisfiedwiththecrumbs that fall from the master’s table. What has made the Hon Attorney General’s statement frightening is when he confuses the Government and the State.

A n i n e x c u s a b l e , unforgivable mix up by our chieflawmaker

Whatweheardfromhim is the translation of this One Guyana story, which really meansthattheoneisthePPP TopBrass. AnexampleofTheArtful DodgerII.

In all this, the man with the constitutional authority thatisPresidentAli,toreign

inthisBrigadeofBrigandsis silent, and therefore complicit to all the wrong doings Guyanese everywhere must speak up whetheratfamilygatherings, community meetings, religious and cultural organisations,mustspeakup to save our country from a notable descent into the Dungeons and Darkness of DonkeyDung.

Finally, let me make it crystalclear,wewelcomeall those who come to harvest our precious non-renewable natural resources, but we should draw the line and standupagainstwhatisnow palpable, the rape of our resources and the inequity and unfairness in the distributionofthoseprecious and priceless gifts of God. Human history is replete withexamples,wherepeople including leaders recline in theircomfortzoneofsilence.

The nation pays a high priceincircumstanceswhere repairstodamagedoneistoo late. Let me remind those presiding over the debauchery of our oil, gold, diamonds, bauxite and manganese,thatthesearenot replaceable.

Whatever are your

beliefs,ifwefailtogetmore benefits for our natural resources, these blessings couldbeacurse.

People everywhere must demandofourleaderstofirst standuplikeMenagainstthe Mighty and not be afraid about this nonsense we hear from the VP, that he doesn’t want to discourage development. Finally, while our Government in this trilliondollar

Budget has not provided onecenttoacquiremetresto measure the oil being extracted every day, forcing ustorelyonthefiguresgiven tousbytheseconglomerates.

Silly steps of shared stupidity

To Citizens everywhere, you should recognize the dangerweface.

I remind us all of the significance of these words belowbySamuelKoranteng Pipim, Ghanaian Scholar, Author and Public Speaker, (1957) - “Those who read are those who lead. But those who write keep the leaders right. For silence is the crime by cowards of everytime.”

Sincerely

HamiltonGreen Elder

AmnaAlly is not racist and will not work with the PPPcovertly or otherwise to undermine the PNC

DEAREDITOR,

I hold no brief forAmna Ally Infact, I do not believe she likes me but she is not racist and would never betray the PNC by having anyassociationwiththePPP Amna’snavelstringisburied in Congress Place and she hasbeenafiercedefenderof the PNC to the point where shewouldbebrutalwithher comrades in the Party, regardless of their ethnicity, if she felt they were not workingintheinterestofthe partyshelovesanddedicated her life to serve. She is known to be strict and at times bullish but she is no sellout. The PNC has factionsandAmnaisapartof the David Granger, Joe HarmonandRoysdaleForde faction. I see nothing wrong with that. That faction lost control of the leadership of the party and they stepped away in silence but did not leave the PNC. They chose not to support the present leadership but as I understand, they did not worktoundermineit.

We are approaching partyelectionsandRoysdale Forde has signalled his intention to challenge Nortonfortheleadership.He has every right to make that bid and to enjoy the support ofafactionoftheparty The

PNC is known for its democratic principles and transparency when it comes towhowishestoleadit. It is simplistic and dangerous, wicked and dreadful and disingenuous, dishonest and disgusting for anyoneinthepartytoallude to Roysdale Forde, Amna Allyandthatfaction,asPPP operatives.Anyleaderinthe PNC that goes to that extent to say that, is dangerous and deceitfulandhasbroughtthe party to a new low It is an unforgivable and shameful act.Weareheadingforparty elections and anyone who is eligible to run for office should be allowed to do so without being seen as undermining the party and causing division. The PNC does not need a maximum leaderwhobelievesthatthey mustnotbechallenged.Iend by repeating that former General Secretary of the PNC and former coalition minister, Amna Ally is not racistandwillnotworkwith the PPP covertly or otherwise to undermine the PNC. It is only a desperate and depraved mind that will conjure up such a ridiculous viewforwhateverreasons.

Sincerely,

NormanBrowne Social and Political Activist

Parkingmeters vsoilmeters

Back in 2017 the plan by the Georgetown City Council and an overseas investor to install parking meters in the city created an uproar due to the pricing being wrong. Guyanese had no time about much-needed order restored in the busy city, which was and is, a free-for-all.

Yet today, when a great shout and a big push should be made for meters at the ExxonMobil production sites, there is little interest in Guyanese about what means so much more.

It is a clearcut instance of a penny wise and a pound foolish. Many millions of such pounds, considering what could be draining away right under the eyes of locals.

Record oil production in Guyana helps Exxon pocket US$36B in profits for 2023

...says earnings grew over 40% since

The startup of oil production in Guyana since 2019 has been driving the growthofAmericanoilgiant Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM).

The company in its 2023 Annual Report, released on Thursday, revealed that it pocketed US$36B in profits, drivenbytherecordlevelsof oilproductioninGuyanaand thePermian.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of XOM, Darren Woods told shareholders of the Fortune 500 company, “We outpaced peers across a range of metrics, delivering earnings of $36 billion and operating cash flows of $55 billion. In fact,since2019,we'vegrown

“Our work in Guyana continues to be among our most exciting and successful - for our business, the people of Guyana, and the world.” - Exxon Mobil Corporation

earnings at a compound annual growth rate of more than 40% and cash flow by more than 15% – both well aheadofournearestpeer.”

Woods added that the company's financial position has enabled it to deliver a 15% annualized total shareholderreturn,including

more than $32 billion of shareholder distributions in 2023 alone, which also led peers.

Exxon's CEO said, “Our industry leadership extends to our record annual productioninGuyanaandthe Permian and the continued strengthening of our already

advantagedportfoliothrough divestments, acquisitions, andinvestments.”

Exxon's 2023 Annual Report notes that the company produced 3.7 millionoil-equivalentbarrels per day on account of the growth in Guyana and the Permian.

Notably, the company reported that production in the Permian averaged 610,000 oil equivalent barrels per day (koebd) for 2023, approximately 60 koebdhigherthanin2022.

Meanwhile, Exxon noted, “Our work in Guyana continues to be among our most exciting and successful -forourbusiness,thepeople ofGuyana,andtheworld.We

2019

started up our third major projectaheadofscheduleand under budget. Our full-year gross production of more than 390,000 barrels per day represents an increase of morethan40%over2022.”

In November 2023, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, a subsidiary of XOM commenced oil productionatathirdFloating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO), Prosperity, adding an additional220,000barrelsof oil per day (bpd) to its total output. Prosperity reached its

220,000 (bpd) full production capacity in January 2024, ahead of schedule This additional capacity marks the third major milestone towards reaching a combined production capacity of more than 1.2 million barrels per dayontheStabroekBlockby year-end2027.

ExxonMobil is the operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30% interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds25%interest.

CEO, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Darren Woods

Credibilityisabouthonoringpromises

Credibility is the currency of trust.

It'sthebasisupon which public trust is built, andinthecaseofpoliticians, it is earned through the consistent honouring of promises made to the electorate.

Whenapoliticianfailsto uphold their promises, they jeopardisenotonlytheirown credibilitybutalsothetrustof thepeopletheyserve.Thisis the predicament facing Vice President Jagdeo in the ongoing discourse surroundingthefailureofhis PPPC government to renegotiate the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the government and oilcompanies.

At his weekly press conferences, Vice President Jagdeo has been bombarded with persistent questions regarding the renegotiation ofthePSA.

He gets very agitated whenaskedcertainquestions that place him in an uncomfortable position. His responses have been often evasive, characterised by stockanswersandexcuses.It iseitherthathehasanswered that question before or that the government would be breaching the sanctity of contracts if it seeks to renegotiate the oil contract. This week, he added another onefromtheextensivestock: agovernmentthatchangesits mindwillnotbecredible.

Jagdeo's reluctance to engage in renegotiation, coupled with justifications citing potential negative impacts on investor

confidence, raises legitimate concerns about his the promises he made prior to assumingoffice.

In other words, it is not about the credibility of the government but about his credibility Duringhistimein Opposition between 2015 and 2020, Jagdeo vocally criticisedthePSA,labelingit as flawed and a sell-out. He assuredtheelectoratethatan incoming PPPC government would renegotiate the agreement because the APNU+AFC had sold the countryout.

However, upon assuming office, Jagdeo's stance appears to have shifted drastically He now contends that changing the terms of the contract would undermine investor confidence and create unpredictability

This about-face is not only disappointing but also undermines Jagdeo's political credibility The credibility of a leader hinges onhisorherabilitytohonour promises, irrespective of the circumstances.

When politicians fail to uphold their commitments, they betray the trust of the electorate and tarnish their owncredibility

Credibility is not s y n o n y m o u s w i t h stubbornness or inflexibility

Leaders are not expected to adhere rigidly to their positions regardless of changing circumstances

However, when it comes to fundamental promises made to the electorate, such as renegotiating an unfair

contract,credibilitydemands actionnotexcuses. Nooneis askingthePPPCgovernment tounilaterallyaltertheterms ofthecontract.

All that is being suggested is that it calls the oil companies to the table to discussrenegotiation.

The PSA itself provides provisions for renegotiation. Itisthereforenotthecasethat thePSAisinflexiblewhenit comestoseekingbetterterms for the country The contract explicitly states that the contractcanbechangedwith theconsentoftheparties.

The original agreement signed between Janet Jagan and ExxonMobil was renegotiated by the APNU+AFC government

As such, there is precedent for the PPPC government to have engaged with the oil companies to change the terms of the PSAto ensure a fairerarrangement.

Governments possess a legalandmoralobligationto seek fair deals on behalf of their citizens, particularly in mattersascrucialasresource extractionagreements.

The sovereign authority vested in governments empowers them to negotiate and enter into contracts that safeguardtheinterestsofthe people.

International law recognizes the right of states to regulate and manage their natural resources in the best interests of their people Therefore, governments have both the legal standing and moral obligation to pursue fair and just agreements that maximize

DEM BOYS SEH

De phone can be a nuisance!

Yuh gat to be careful these days about how yuh using yuh phone. De gat some peopledoesbelievedemcancallyouatany timeofdedayornight.

Someofdemwhendehcallyouisfuhno important reason. Then deh gat some wah doescallyouandquicklyhangupsodatdem cansavepundemphonecredit.Butyouhave touseupyourcreditsodattheycantellyou whattheywanttotellyou.

Well, if you want tell me something, I should not have to pay But this is Guyana fuh you and some people does believe they smartandtheycouldpassondemexpenseto you, even if it is for a simple thing like a phonecall.

But what is more upsetting is when people fuh no proper reason, invade yuh privacy just because dem want talk. And even more worse is when people yuh don't knowcallyuh. Itmekdemboysremember destoryofdemanwahdialshishomephone numberfromwork.

Astrangewomananswers.Theguysays,

the benefits for their people, overandabovetheprofitsof multinationals.

The refusal of Jagdeo's government to enter into talks for renegotiation sends a troubling message It portrays a government unwilling to uphold its promise, and one that is weak-kneedwhenitcomesto negotiating with the oil companies.

Thisperceivedweakness emboldens oil companies and undermines the bargaining power of the

government, perpetuating the lop-sided nature of the PSA Jagdeo should be ashamedratherthansococky about his government's position regarding renegotiation

Vice President Jagdeo owes the electorate a better explanation for his failure to initiate renegotiation talks. He must acknowledge the importance of honoring promises made during the electoral campaign and demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing

theconcernssurroundingthe PSA Anything less undermines the trust placed in his government by the peopleofthecountry (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.)

"Whoisthis?”

"Thisisthemaid",answeredthewoman. " We d o n ' t h a v e a m a i d ! "

"Iwasjusthiredthismorningbytheladyof thehouse.”

"Well,thisisherhusband.Isshethere?”

"Ummm...she's upstairs in the bedroom with someone who I just figured was her husband.”

Theguyisfuming.Hesaystothemaid, "Listen,wouldyouliketomake$50,000?”

"WhatdoIhavetodo?”

"Iwantyoutogetmygunfrommydesk in the den and shoot that witch and the jerk she'swith.”

Themaidputsdownthephone.Theguy hears footsteps, followed by a couple of gunshots.

The maid comes back to the phone.

"WhatshouldIdowiththebodies?”

"Throwthemintheswimmingpool!

"Whatpool?”

“Uh..isthis832-4173?"

Talkhalf.Leffhalf

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Standing for Exxon is like standing with Maduro

I can understand PPP fanatics standing for Bharrat Jagdeo. They worship him, owehim. Icanappreciatethe tribalists and loyalists in the ruling party being inseparable from whatever the PPP Government is about Regardless of the subjugation of their minds. What is incomprehensible to me is how PPP diehards can stand for Exxon. What it is doing to the promise of Guyanese.

Howcananycitizen,any person of principle, any man who calls himself a man still look favorably at Exxon, given what its purebreds Colonel Alistair Routledge and General Darren Woods areinflictingonthehopesof

Guyanese, on the dignity of this country When Exxon does not deceive in attempts to brainwash locals, it hides from Guyanese what they needtoknow,wouldalready know in a country that had stones as part of its geography, and with leaders to match. We have heard of women wedded to women and of men doing the equivalent with their own gender, but who are these Guyanese fundamentalists for Exxon married to, if not the company's interests and desires? What is that marriage of the local and foreign all about, if not for some dirty money earned under the usual veil of secrecy? I understand they

are called community activists and media activists, carriers and wavers of the Exxonflag.

In colonial India, the maharajas and nawabs were pleased,felthonored,tobow before the British viceroys andtomanifestpubliclytheir homage to the Crown, their obedience to its agents. In return, the maharajahs and nawabs were given the freedom to run their kingdoms like before, other thanforoutsiderelationships and defense, which the British arrogated to themselves.

A side benefit for the colonialmasterswastheygot tomaintaincontrolofrestless natives and obtained

valuable local allies in their comprehensiveplunderingof India. There is appreciation that PPP riffraff, the public onesthatformthespearhead of itsThuggee battalion, due to their ignorance and blind obeisance to cult leaders. Butthereisnothingbututter scorn for the educated and intellectual elite in the PPP, or those that are part of it in the outer rings. In contrast, I pitythesemenwhoknow,or should know, what Exxon is doing to Guyanese aspirations, but who still willfully blindfold their eyes and stagnate their minds to stand in support of Exxon. We need investment (and accompanying skills and technology) to cultivate and harvest the riches. What we don't need are new colonials who fold Guyana and its natural resource riches in their nuanced imperial calculations.

In such a case-and it isthen it would have been betterforourancestorsnotto have left India Why exchangeuptheroadoneset of enslavers for another brand of the same poison? Since there is dogged resistancetostandingupand fighting for a better Guyana, one bettered by its jewels, then there is no difference from those (except Baroda's Gaekwad) who partnered with the likes of Curzon to keep the heel of the exploiters on the heads of their own. There were the buttocks-kissing and filtheating maharajahs and

nawabs before in India, and we have their equivalents today in Guyana. These mothers should be proud of themselves; they are when theysurrendertotheluresof Exxon. Thisoilismorethan dirty to the atmosphere, it createdirtyanddirtierpeople whereveritisfound.

Now, a parallel must be drawn When Guyanese yield their minds, surrender their courage, and submit their persons to standing for Exxon, then it is the same as standing for Maduro. The Venezuelan covets Guyana's wealth in land and natural gifts at the point of a sword; the Americans covet and carry away Guyana's riches atthepointofapen. Though there may be differences in approach and methodology, the visions and strategies coincide: the ultimate objective of both sets of people is to wrest this country's endowments away from its people at the least cost.

We can talk ourselves blueinthefaceaboutthelaw o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l relationships, and the obligations of contractual relationships.

But when both are distorted by the ambitiously crafty from foreign shores at the expense of Guyanese, thenwhereisthedistinction? When the maniacal from Venezuela and the mangling from America can be partnered with by demented locals (leaders and their

verbal stuntmen), what's the difference? The end games of the foreigners are just as lethally subversive to Guyana's welfare, only the coversheets come in distinguishing colors Venezuela'sandMaduro'sare inred(whatcouldbeblood); America'sandExxon'sarein green (what's overflowingly prospering to their financials).

Guyanesewhostandwith Exxon's Woods and his Guyana's Attilaare about knowingly prostrating themselves to what is treacherous to the existence that is the due to all citizens. The treachery is subtle and marginally sophisticated

Ontheotherhand,Venezuela andMadurothreatsarecrude and blatant, but their greediness to grab great chunksofGuyana'sdestinyis onthesameplane,inevitably leads to the same results.

Whether smooth Exxon (Routledge) or envenomed Venezuela (Maduro), Guyanesewhostandwiththe former stand for the latter The consequences to Guyanesedon'thavemuchto separatethem.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)

'We must leave no one behind'

...Commonwealth Secretary-General urges greater adoption of digital technology

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland is supporting the growthofdigitaltechnology, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The Secretariat is doing its part to accelerate progress withcitizensinits56member states, it said in a press release.

Special attention is being paid to the 1.5 billion young peoplewhoarecitizensofthe Commonwealth, recognising that there are also underserved groups, including girls and the differently abled, within that number One initiative is the r e c e n t l y l a u n c h e d C o m m o n w e a l t h A I Academy, which equips citizens with essential tools for upskilling and provides a foundationforafuturewhere AI is ubiquitous In partnership with Intel, a seriesofsixonlinecoursesis now available on the Commonwealth eLearning Platform.

Courses available include: Introduction to AI for Youth, Introduction to Generative AI, Introduction to Web 3.0, Introduction to Responsible AI Skills, Demystifying Intel® Rev

Cloud,andDemystifyAIand OpenVINO™ toolkit Similarly, government officials can explore strategies through the Digital Readiness for Public Sector Leaders program to safeguard their citizens' interestseffectively

Theonlineandself-paced course was launched in March 2023 and aims to demystify emerging technologies among seniorlevelpublicsectorofficialsin Commonwealth countries. It alsoprovidesanoverviewof artificial intelligence, its potential applications, current challenges and the digital readiness of respectivecountries.

The second initiative, a collaboration with Open Weaver, aims to allow small a n d m e d i u m - s i z e d businesses to build websites and mobile applications using the platform's no-code solutions. On April 11, the Commonwealth Secretariat initiated a three-year collaboration with Open Weaver, commencing with the launch of the A c c e l e r a t i n g EntrepreneurshipUsingAI& DigitalProgram.

During the launch, the

Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral declared the 'makeathon' portal open for a p p l i c a t i o n s T h e opportunity is open to all Commonwealth citizens, with an emphasis on underserved communities, including women and girls. This digital upskilling project will provide one-ononementorshiptoensurethat all Commonwealth citizens whoapplycanmakethebest of these opportunities. Over the three years of the collaboration, over 10,000 applicants will benefit from US$4.1 million in platform credits.

They will use the credits to create projects that boost their earning potential, providejobs,andcreateother solutionsforadvancement.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General opined: “The world is facing unprecedentedchallenges,so thereisapressingneedforus to deliver solutions that are collaborative, inclusive and stamp out inequities. I see technology,andinparticular, the use of AI tools to be central to the process of uniting the world to help solveourcommonills.Ihave been unequivocal about the

pathahead-itisdigital.”

“Asapersonfromasmall islandstate,Ialsounderstand and have seen the effect of inequity So, it is crucial that we ensure that all who can learn about these tools can getaccesstothem.Theworld

needs our innovative approach, global leadership, and commitment to joint actiontotrulyadvance.And, the Commonwealth's continuedresiliencedepends onit.”

The Commonwealth Secretary-General asserted that increased use of technology will also enable economic advancement acrossthe56memberstates.

Additionally, the Commonwealth Artificial Intelligence Consortium (CAIC), launched in 2023, wasformedtohelpaccelerate the use of AI in the 56 memberstates.

The CAIC includes global tech firms, worldleading research institutions, andnon-profitorganisations. Six Commonwealth member countries have also been included in the CAIC and willchampionAIinnovation in their own nations and throughout the union In October 2023, the CAIC

agreedonanactionplanthat seeks to leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to support small states. With an emphasis on empowering young people and women to ensure inclusive growth, the CAICisfocusedonensuring membercountriesuseglobal AIinnovationsforeconomic development, sustainability, healthcareimprovement,and jobcreation. This plan also includes a framework allocating roles and responsibilities and the establishment of four working groups focusing on policy, capacity-building, data and infrastructure, and researchandinnovation.

The Secretariat's launch

Mahaicony house goes up in flames after owner received threats from villager

AsectionofahouseatDeKindren, Mahaicony was destroyed by fire on Wednesday after the owner Sheik Sauttarreceivedthreatsfromavillager

Sauttar told Kaieteur News that he and the villager had a confrontation over the dumping of garbage on his (Sauttar)property

Heclaimedthatthevillagerbecame angry and attacked him and other family members with a cutlass. The maneventriedtorunabusoveroneof hisrelativesduringtheargument.

Sauttar said that during the confrontationthevillagerthreatenedto burnhishousedown. Themansaidthat hereportedthethreattopolicethesame

eveningitwasmade.

Ranksweresenttothevillagetoarrestthe villagerbuttheyreportedthattheycouldnot locatetheman.

The following day, Sauttar's house went upinflames.

“Iwasatworktoday(Wednesday),anda get a phone call that my house is on fire,” Sauttar said before adding “When I came homethefiretruckwasalreadythere”.

The man told Kaieteur News that his neighbours also helped to contain the fire from spreading and completely destroying histwo-storeywoodenandconcretehouse.

TheGuyanaPoliceForceandtheGuyana Fire Service are investigating the circumstancesthatmighthaveledtothefire.

of the AI Academy and collaboration with Open Weaver demonstrates the C o m m o n w e a l t h A I Consortium'scommitmentto fulfil the directives established during the previous Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Rwandain2022.

At the last CHOGM, Commonwealth member states reaffirmed their commitment to equipping citizens with the access and expertise needed to maximise the benefits of innovations, emerging t e c h n o l o g i e s , a n d opportunities in the digital realm.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland

The gutted section of Sheik Sauttar's home

Turkishcompanytosupply36 megawattstoeaseblackouts

TheGovernmentof G u y a n a i s finalising an agreement with a Turkish p o w e r c o m p a n y –Karpowership for the supply of 36 megawatts of power to the Guyana Power andLight(GPL)companyto ease the persistent blackouts that have plagued the country

ThiswasrevealedbyVice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo during his weekly press conference held on ThursdayatFreedomHouse. J a g d e o s a i d t h a t Karpowership would sell the electricity at 8 cents per

megawatt over the next two years.HesaidGuyanawould supplythefueltothebarge. According to Jagdeo the powersupplybargewillhelp supply electricity until the Wales Gas to Energy-natural gas-fired electricity generation power plant is completed in 2025. “GPL continues to give us headaches and we are very much aware as I said last week about the problems it's causing many people in this country We have been inundated with complaints and people's lives are being disrupted because of the situation.”

The Vice President said thatthevesselwouldarrivein another two to three weeks and would be hooked up to the Guyana Power and Light's grid at Everton, Berbice where the system couldtakeoffthatmagnitude of electricity He said the system at Kingston, Georgetownwouldbeunable to take off that amount of energy TheVPdisclosedtoo that“Wehavenotcompleted thecontractasyetbutthereis a capacity charge and an ONM [Operation and Maintenance] charge and combined that's less than 8 cents per kilowatt per hour

but then we have to supply the fuel.” “They will supply the equipment to operate it but we supply the fuel. That wouldbelessthan8centsfor the equipment and the OMN perkilowattperhour.”

GPL's peak electricity demand in the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System (DBIS) is just over 170 megawatts but existing generators are pushing just about160megawatts.Jagdeo said that he is part of a team of ministers working to address the power woes, efforts were continuing to hook up all of the 17 generators that GPL had acquiredfromAPANEnergy at a cost of US$27.5 million to cater for the Christmas seasondemand.

“So we understand this from a policymaker's perspective. The President has put together a group of ministersandIampartofthat whereweareonadailybasis lookingatwhatishappening in GPL to ensure that all of the equipment... Last week, we looked at the equipment their age and why we are in this situation, given the lack ofinvestmentbyAPNU.”

According to the VP, the reality is all the equipment that should have been in reserve is still being used. “These are old equipment… Wewillbeusingthatuntilthe

Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo

new power plant comes on stream. So we are focusing heavily on ensuring the currentcapacitythatwehave is maximised. That involves bringing to production some oftheunitsthat werebought and have not been brought onlineandfixingsomeofthe equipment that have developedproblems Sothey told that hopefully by Saturday They should be able to get most of the equipment or some of the equipment up and running againtoallowusthecapacity that maximizes the peak demand,”theVPadded.

While he will not vouch for GPL, Jagdeo said that he was informed that the power supply company has been working in earnest to rectify the situation. He noted that simultaneously, a group of

ministers including the Attorney General, the MinisterofFinance,Minister ofPublicWorksareworking with a proposal. “Today, we are meeting with a company to supply emergency power Hopefully, before the end of the week we can conclude this contract and have the vessel arrive in the country and maybe two to three weeks later we will see a significantinjectionofpower into the grid in addition to whatwehave.”

“So, this will be we intendtocontractthisfortwo yearsuntiltheGastoEnergy is completed. So we are hopingthatwithinamatterof weeks we bring the situation tonormalcyandthenaddress anyfailureofequipmentthat we have experienced lately,” headded.

GrannymissingsinceEaster

Mondayfoundaliveindrain

BerylBruce,the78-year-oldwomanof Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) who went missing on Easter MondaywasfoundaliveonWednesday,April3, 2024 at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown in a drain.

Bruce was out with her brother, Randolph Braithwaite when she went missing. The man recalledthatduringanoutingonEasterMonday he left her in his car on Vlissengen Road in the vicinity of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Base CampAyanganna and upon his return, she wasnowheretobeseen.

Bruceissaidtohavedementia.

Meanwhile, Braithwaite told Kaieteur News onThursdaythathissisterwasfoundduringthe eveninghoursonApril3.

He said that it was after this newspaper publicised the woman's disappearance he receivedacallfromsomeonewhorecognisedthe womanfromthearticle.

The caller informed the man that his sister wasfoundinadraincoveredinmudatLiliendaal andthattheambulancewascalledtotakehertoa cityhospital.

Upon learning that his sister was found Braithwaitevisitedthecityhospitaltocollecther Sheissaidtobeinastableconditionandathome.

Found: Beryl Bruce

Truong My Lan:

Vietnamese billionaire sentenced to death for $44B fraud

(BBC NEWS) It was the most spectacular trial ever held in Vietnam, befittingoneofthegreatest bank frauds the world has everseen.

Behindthestatelyyellow portico of the colonial-era courthouse in Ho Chi Minh City, a 67-year-old Vietnamese property developer was sentenced to death on Thursday for looting one of the country's largestbanksoveraperiodof 11years.

It's a rare verdict - she is one of very few women in Vietnam to be sentenced to death for a white collar crime. The decision is a reflection of the dizzying scale of the fraud. Truong My Lan was convicted of taking out $44bn (£35bn) in loans from the Saigon Commercial Bank The verdictrequireshertoreturn $27bn, a sum prosecutors saidmayneverberecovered. Some believe the death penalty is the court's way of trying to encourage her to return some of the missing billions.

The habitually secretive communist authorities were uncharacteristically forthright about this case, going into minute detail for the media. They said 2,700 people were summoned to testify, while 10 state prosecutors and around 200 lawyerswereinvolved.

Theevidencewasin104 boxesweighingatotalofsix tonnes. Eighty-five others were tried with Truong My Lan,whodeniedthecharges and can appeal. All of the defendants were found guilty Four received life in jail. The rest were given prisontermsrangingfrom20 years to three years suspended.TruongMyLan's husband and niece received jail terms of nine and 17 years respectively "There has never been a show trial like this, I think, in the communist era," says David Brown, a retired US state department official with long experience in Vietnam. "There has certainly been nothingonthisscale."

The trial was the most dramaticchaptersofarinthe "Blazing Furnaces" anticorruption campaign led by the Communist Party Secretary-General, Nguyen Phu Trong. A conservative ideologuesteepedinMarxist theory, Nguyen Phu Trong believes that popular anger over untamed corruption posesanexistentialthreatto

the Communist Party's monopoly on power He began the campaign in earnest in 2016 after outmanoeuvring the then probusiness prime minister to retainthetopjobintheparty

The campaign has seen two presidents and two deputy prime ministers forced to resign, and hundreds of officials disciplined or jailed. Now one of the country's richest women has joined their ranks. Truong My Lan comes from a SinoVietnamesefamilyinHoChi MinhCity,formerlySaigon. It has long been the commercial engine of the Vietnameseeconomy,dating well back to its days as the anti-communist capital of SouthVietnam,withalarge, ethnicChinesecommunity She started as a market stall vendor, selling cosmetics with her mother, but began buying land and property after the CommunistPartyusheredin aperiodofeconomicreform, known as Doi Moi, in 1986. By the 1990s, she owned a large portfolio of hotels and restaurants Although Vietnam is best known outside the country for its fast-growing manufacturing sector, as an alternative supply chain to China, most wealthy Vietnamese made their money developing and speculating in property All land is officially stateowned. Getting access to it often relies on personal relationships with state officials Corruption escalated as the economy grew, and became endemic. By 2011, Truong My Lan was a well-known business figure in Ho Chi Minh City, and she was allowed to arrange the merger of three smaller,cash-strappedbanks into a larger entity: Saigon CommercialBank.

Vietnamese law prohibits any individual from holding more than 5% ofthesharesinanybank.But prosecutors say that through hundredsofshellcompanies and people acting as her proxies, Truong My Lan actually owned more than 90%ofSaigonCommercial. They accused her of using that power to appoint herownpeopleasmanagers, and then ordering them to approvehundredsofloansto the network of shell companies she controlled. The amounts taken out are staggering. Her loans made up 93% of all the bank's

lending According to prosecutors,overaperiodof three years from February 2019, she orderedherdriver to withdraw 108 trillion Vietnamesedong,morethan $4bn (£2.3bn) in cash from the bank, and store it in her basement. That much cash, even if all of it was in Vi e t n a m ' s l a rg e s t denomination banknotes, wouldweightwotonnes.

She was also accused of bribinggenerouslytoensure her loans were never scrutinised. A former chief inspector at the central bank wasgivenalifesentencefor acceptinga$5mbribe.

The mass of officially sanctioned publicity about the case channelled public anger over corruption against Truong My Lan, whose fatigued, unmade-up appearance in court was in stark contrast to the glamorous publicity photos peoplehadseenofherinthe past. But questions are also being asked about why she wasabletokeeponwiththe alleged fraud for so long. "I am puzzled," says Le Hong Hiep who runs the Vietnam Studies Programme at the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore "Becauseitwasn'tasecret.It was well known in the market that Truong My Lan and her Van Thinh Phat group were using SCB as theirownpiggybanktofund the mass acquisition of real estate in the most prime locations.

"It was obvious that she had to get the money from somewhere. But then it is such a common practice. SCBisnottheonlybankthat is used like this. So perhaps

the government lost sight because there are so many similarcasesinthemarket."

David Brown believes she was protected by powerful figures who have dominated business and politicsinHoChiMinhCity for decades. And he sees a bigger factor in play in the way this trial is being run: a bid to reassert the authority oftheCommunistPartyover the free-wheeling business culture of the south. "What Nguyen Phu Trong and his allies in the party are trying to do is to regain control of Saigon, or at least stop it fromslippingaway

"Up until 2016 the party inHanoiprettymuchletthis Sino-Vietnamese mafia run the place.They would make alltherightnoisesthatlocal communist leaders are supposedtomake,butatthe

sametimetheyweremilking the city for a substantial cut ofthemoneythatwasbeing made down there." At 79 years old, party chief Nguyen Phu Trong is in shakyhealth,andwillalmost certainlyhavetoretireatthe next Communist Party Congressin2026,whennew leaders will be chosen. He has been one of the longests e r v i n g a n d m o s t consequential secretarygenerals, restoring the authority of the party's conservative wing to a level notseensincethereformsof the 1980s. He clearly does not want to risk permitting enough openness to undermine the party's hold onpoliticalpower

But he is trapped in a contradiction Under his leadership the party has set an ambitious goal of

reaching rich country status by 2045, with a technology and knowledge-based economy This is what is driving the ever-closer partnership with the United States. Yet faster growth in Vietnam almost inevitably means more corruption Fight corruption too much, andyouriskextinguishinga lot of economic activity Alreadytherearecomplaints that bureaucracy has slowed down, as officials shy away from decisions which might implicate them in a corruptioncase.

"That's the paradox," says Le Hong Hiep. "Their growth model has been reliant on corrupt practices for so long. Corruption has beenthegreasethatkeptthe machinery working. If they stop the grease, things may notworkanymore."

Man found with narcotics during roadblock jailed 3 years

A 27-year- old a construction worker of Marshall Street Annandale, East Coast Demerara was charged and sentenced to prison for three years on Thursday for possession of narcotics while travelling in aminibus.

Kellon Adams made his firstcourtappearancebefore Magistrate Allen Wilson at the Mahaica Magistrate's Court where the charge was read to him. Adams was charged with the Offence of Possession of Narcotic for the purpose of TraffickingContrarytoSection5(i)a(i) of the Narcotic, Drug, and Psychotropic Substances

(Control) Act 10/2010. He pleadedguiltytothecharge. Police reported that during a roadblock on the Helena Public Road, East Coast Demerara between 16:00 hrs and 17:20 hrs on Monday, several vehicles including minibus–BAC 6035 were stopped. The suspectwasobservedacting suspiciously while police wereinspectingtheminibus. In the minibus police found two bulky transparent plastic bags, containing 3, 563 grams of marijuana.

Adams was told of the offense, cautioned and was taken to the Mahaica Police Station After Adams

Jailed: Kellon Adams

pleaded guilty to the charge of the offence Magistrate Wilson sentenced him to threeyearsimprisonment.

Truong My Lan is accused of looting one of Vietnam's largest banks over a period of 11 years

Two captured, charged in connection with murder of Bartica Miner, worker

Po l i c e h a v e captured and charged two persons in connection with themurderofaBarticaminer and his worker who were riddled with bullets on SundayMarch3,2024.

The suspects have been identified as brothers, Travis Fredericks, a 32-year-old Miner from 287 Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and Fernando Fredericks, a 28year-old Miner from the sameaddress.

In a press statement sent out on Thursday, police said t h a t f o l l o w i n g a n investigation the brothers appeared separately at the Bartica Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed and were each charged with the offense “of being an accessory after the facttomurder”.

Theywerenotrequiredto plea to the charge and were both remanded to prison. Theirmatterswereadjourned

to April 25, 2024 for disclosure.

OnthemorningofMarch 3 last Bartica Businessman, Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff, 50 and a former national athletewhoworkedwithhim, Donovan Washington, 26 were murdered by bandits while returning from Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni River, RegionSeven.

Mohammedownedaland dredge in the backdam. He hadreportedlystartedhisday earlythatdaywithprayersat

the Masjid in Bartica before leaving with Washington for Arimu Backdam on an ATV (fourwheelbike. Theyhadgoneinthereto wash down (a process of washing separate gold from matsplacedinasluiceboxto trap the precious metal) and bring out production (the gold).

According to police reports they left with 102 ounces of raw gold worth some $37M but at around 10:00hrs that day, they were

both shot dead and the gold stolen.

The dead businessman's General Manager (GM) Joel Stephen, 39, told police that Mohammed and Washington were killed some five minutes after leaving camp. He recalled hearing “several loud explosions which he suspected to be gunshots”, policesaid.

Stephen reportedly followedthedirectionsofthe sounds and after walking for 500 meters away from camp

he found his boss and Washington dead in the trail with visible gunshot wounds totheirbodies.

Notonlydidhediscover that the gold they were carrying was gone but Mohammed's two licensed guns, a .32 pistol and a 12gauge shotgun, were stolen. Police had reported that investigators learnt that the businessman and his worker wereattackedbytwomasked men on a Red ATV (fourwheelbike).

Simulation Lab for nursing students opens in Region 9

TheMinistryofHealthon Thursday commissioned the first Simulation Laboratory at the Lethem Regional Hospital with the aim of enhancing healthcare education and training for nurses. The laboratory was commissioned by Health MinisterDr.FrankAnthony.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that this facility will serve as a crucial

learning hub for students enrolled in the Hybrid Professional Nursing programme and the Hybrid N u r s i n g A s s i s t a n t programmeintheregion.

The laboratory, which will be managed by Registered Nurse, Deshona Mentis, is set to provide students with hands-on experience and practical skills crucial for their future

careers in healthcare

Through immersive simulationsandcutting-edge equipment, students will have the opportunity to develop their clinical competencies in a safe and controlled environment, ultimately enhancing the quality of patient care in the region. Minister Anthony said the concept of the simulation centers came

about after the authorities examined the new approach of training healthcare professionals.

He said when the government took office one of the things that was observed is that there is a deficit of healthcare professionals in the system. This, when they examined with their training methods, demonstratedthatmostofthe persons that needed to be trained hail from remote communitiesandwouldhave totraveltoGeorgetowntobe trained “The amount of training per year was not enoughtofillthegapthatwe

have and in most in our institutions if we did not do something differently then we'llbeconstantlybehaving those gaps. So we decided that we wanted to have a different way of training peopleapartfromthefaceto face training. We came up with a system where we put the theoretical content of the training online and that you would be able to access the training online and then whenyouhadtodopractical things that we will have simulationcenterswhereyou can practice,” Dr Anthony explained.It was noted the simulation laboratory would

be established wherever there is training ongoing for student nurses across the country Just recently, a similar laboratory was commissioned at the Linden Hospital Complex in Region 10.Also on Thursday, the minister launched the Medical Laboratory Te c h n i c i a n ( M LT ) programme and the Community Health Worker (CHW)programmeaimedat further strengthening healthcareservicesinRegion Nine.

Currently, 28 MLT students and 40 CHW studentsarebeingtrained.

Remanded, Travis and Fernando Fredericks Murdered, Mohammed Sherriff Murdered, Donvan Washington

Man charged with murder of Sand Hill miner

Two years after Shawn Thomasalsoknownas'Troy Richards' was on Thursday chargedwiththemurder22year-oldRayNarain.

ThomasofPearlVillage, East Bank Demerara made his first court appearance before Magistrate Teriq Mohammed at the Bartica Magistrate'sCourtwherethe murder charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prisonuntilMay3,2024.

Thomas is accused of murdering Narain, after dischargingaloadedfirearm towards him at Sand Hill Backdam,RegionSeven,on September 22, 2022 Kaieteur News had reported that Narine was fatally shot on that day while his twin brother Ron Narain, and

another man, Rakesh Chunilall, 30, of Goed BananenLand,Berbicewere injured during the course of theincident.

According to the police, thebrothersoperateadredge in the Sand Hill backdam area. Ron had related to investigators that on the night of the incident, he and Ray left their mining operation and went to Sand Hill Landing and while sitting on the front step of Shanaz Allicock's shop, a Honda XR motorcycle rode up with both suspects. The young man recalled that the suspects dismounted the motorcycle and hurriedly walked towards their directionwithwhatappeared tobehandgunsandstartedto discharge several rounds in

Health Ministry to procure new dengue fever vaccines

Despite the country's ability to control the number ofdenguecases,theMinistry of Health is actively seeking further measures to minimise theseoccurrences.

Speaking at an event on Tuesday at the ministry's headquarters on Brickdam, Minister Dr Frank Anthony toldreportersthattheministry is currently in the process of acquiring a new vaccine for dengue.“Wearenowtrying to get a particular vaccine that will cover the four differenttypesofdengue.As of right now, we are still exploring that option because the vaccines are quite expensive,” Dr Anthonystated.

Acknowledging the spike in dengue cases during the early part of last year, Dr Anthonyassuredthatwiththe current methods in place, denguecaseswillcontinueto remain at a low rate. One of these methods involves the ministry'sVectorControlUnit conducting spraying and fogging activities in communities to eliminate the mosquitoes responsible for transmittingthevirus.

The minister also highlighted the introduction of a new technique known as Abatetopreventthespreadof

theirdirection.

As a result, he said both he and his brother ran, but the suspects continued discharging rounds in their direction.

The young man told police that while trying to evadethesuspect,hesawhis brother collapse on the roadway as he continued running and he sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm. He said that he sought refugeinsomebusheswhere he remained for about two hours after which he returnedtothelanding.

When he arrived at the landing,hesaidthathefound his brother lying motionless on the road with what appeared to be blood stains on him. Police had reported that upon examination of Narain'sbody,twosuspected gunshotwoundstothechest area were seen, along with one-inch lacerations to the abdomenandshoulder,anda two-inch laceration to the right arm Thomas was arrested on February 23, after the victim's father recognizedhimatafastfood outletonMandelaAvenue.

Charged, Shawn Thomas

dengue fever For context, Abate is a larvicide, which means, it effectively targets and kills mosquito larvae, specifically those of Aedes species,helpingtopreventthe spread of dengue fever “With Abate, you put it in stagnant water, and it will dissolve.

When this mixture is made,itwillhelptoprevent breathing sites for the mosquitoes,” the minister explained.

Dengue fever outbreaks are more likely during the rainyseasonbecausestagnant water, where Aedes mosquitoes breed, becomes more abundant Minister Anthony emphasised a more proactive approach to diagnosingdenguefever This involves increased use of rapiddiagnostictests(RDTs). Rapidtestsplayacrucialrole in precisely diagnosing dengue.

This allows for early and proper treatment, potentially leading to a decrease in the number of dengue cases MinisterAnthonyhighlighted the effectiveness of this method, noting that it has contributed to the reported reduction in dengue cases across all ten administrative regionslastAugust.(DPI)

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MyanmarmilitarylosescontrolofkeytownonThai border,rebelssay,inmajorwinforanti-juntaresistance

CNN - Myanmar rebels fighting the junta say they have seized the last remainingmilitarybaseinakeyborder town, dealing the latest significant blow to the country’s military rulers as they struggle to cling to power

About 200 soldiers abandonedtheirbaseinthesoutheastern town of Myawaddy and have been pushed to the No2.FriendshipBridgelinkingMyanmartoThailandfollowing an attack Wednesday night by Karen resistance fighters, a spokesperson for the Karen National Union told CNNThursday “Officiallywe(arein)control of the town Myawaddy since last night,” KNU spokesperson Saw Taw Nee said.

Thelossofthemajortrading point with Thailand was “a big issue for the military,” he added. CNN cannot independentlyconfirmtheKNU’s claim.

The spokesperson clarified that the rebels do not yet control the border bridge, saying the soldiers are trying to get safe passage into Thailand.

Myawaddy, a strategically important town of 200,000 people, sits across fromThailand’sMaeSot.

The border crossing, which was under the control of the junta, is vital for trade, especiallycommercialgoods and food flowing into Myanmar

It is also the location for multiple compounds that form the billion dollar online scam factories that have exploded inside Myanmar’s lawless border regions in recent years, many of them staffed by foreign nationals forced to work in conditions akin to modern day slavery

The UN estimates that up to 120,000 people could be held in compounds across Myanmar

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How Ecuador went from tourist haven to a nation in the grip of gangs

BBC NEWS - “Things are dangerous right now

Death can come from anywhere,” Paul tells us. Small, skinny and about 30 yearsold,heisamemberof one of Ecuador’s most violentcriminalgangs.

He believes he has been onarivalgroup’shitlistfora year and a half and the only reason he is still alive is thanks to his mother’s prayers: “It’s like God doesn’t want me up above, and the devil won’t take me down below.” Paul (not his real name) explains he has spentabouthalfofhislifein the gang. Like many, he joined young, when he was 15. He thought it was going to be all “raves, parties, and girls”.

As we talk, we drive around Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city. Paul is afraid that if he stays still too long, his enemies from rival gangs - which are waging a bloody turf warwill catch up with him. So we keep moving to make it harder for anyone to follow us. “I wanted respect,” he says about his reasons for joining one of the up to 20 gangs which have contributed to the violence that has changed the face of Ecuador. Until recently considered one of the safest countries in the region, Ecuador, which is also the gateway to the Galapagos Islands and home to the rainforest, attracted many tourists.

Butnowithasthehighest recorded murder rate in Latin America In 2023, police recorded about 8,000 violent deaths. That is eight timesmorethanin2018and puts Ecuador ahead of countries like Mexico and Colombia.

Since then, police have arrested more than 16,000 people.

The state of emergency ended on Monday, but the president maintained a state of “internalarmedconflict”, with the military retaining exceptionalpowers.

He wants to introduce further measures such as stricter gun controls and tougher prison sentences Thesewillbeputtoavotein a referendum on 21 April. There is no doubt that the lives of many Ecuadoreans havechangedduetotherise in gang violence. Dr GabrielaAlmeidasayssheis seeing “more and more patients with anxiety, and people who are suffering from panic attacks” Dr Almeida herself avoids going out at night. “There was a kidnapping near here, four blocks away,” she explains.

“WhenIwasateenager,I remember seeing what was going on in Colombia,” she says of the neighbouring country’s drug-related violence “We never thought anything like that could happen in our country,” she says, adding that she is considering emigrating to Spain because in Ecuador “we’re living a nightmare”.

Guayaquil, Ecuador’sdrugshub

Much of that nightmare has been fuelled by the growth of the drugs trade. Worldwide production and consumption of cocaine have reached record levels, according to the United NationsOfficeonDrugsand Crime.

Between 2020 and 2021 alone, cocaine production shotupbynearlyathirdand international drug cartels beganlookingfornewroutes through which to smuggle the cocaine produced in Colombia and Peru

In January, Ecuador made headlines around the worldwhenaTVstationwas takenoverbyarmedmasked menduringalivebroadcast. At the same time, gangs carried out kidnappings and setoffexplosionsinmultiple cities,andprisonersriotedin jails President Daniel Noboa,whohadbeensworn in just two months earlier, declared a state of emergency

Ecuador, which is sandwiched between Peru and Colombia and whose authorities lacked experience in fighting trafficking, was seen as the perfectoption.

As a result, Ecuador has been transformed into a global distribution hub, where drugs are stored, prepared for transit - often hidden inside shipping containers - and sent out to

theirfinaldestination.Gangs like the one Paul is part of play a key role. Paul tells us that he shifted from dealing relativelysmallquantitiesof drugs to trafficking kilogrammes of cocaine. He says his new role consisted of hiding illegal drugs amongotherproductsinside shippingcontainers.

Ninetypercentofillegal drugs leaving Ecuador are hidden inside shipping

containersdepartingtheport of Guayaquil, according to Ecuador’s coastguard. The coastguardhassteppedupits surveillance but it says the risk for its staff has increased,too.

“In the past, we were dealing with common criminals.

Now, anyone we see could have high-calibre weapons,” one of the coastguard commanders

tells us, as we join his team on a boat patrolling the port andsurroundingareas.

He does not want us to reveal his name for fear of reprisalsfromthegangsand wears a grey balaclava to hide his face. His armed team carries out up to four patrols a day, looking for gang members who use small boats to try to hide drugs in containers stacked onthehugeships.

Bidenvows‘ironclad’supportforIsraelamidIranattackfears

BBC NEWS - President Joe Biden has promised Israel“ironclad”USsupport amidfearsthatTehrancould launchreprisalsforanattack thatkilledseniorIranians.

Mr Biden warned that Iran is threatening to launch a “significant attack” after Israel struck the Iranian consulate in Syria 10 days ago.

“We’regoingtodoallwe

cantoprotectIs rael’s security,” he added Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s leader said the Israeli attack in Damascuswasequivalentto an attack on Iran itself

“When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory,” AyatollahAliKhameneisaid in a televised speech. “The evil regime must be

punished, and it will be punished.”Itisunclearwhat form any reprisal attack wouldtake.

For Iran to strike Israel directly would risk an even greater escalation in the conflict, and analysts have said Iran does not have the military capability for a significantconfrontation.

A possible alternative is an attack via an Iranian

proxylikeHezbollah,which has traded fire with Israel across the border from Lebanonalmostdailysince8 October

Those exchanges have intensified in recent weeks. “Hezbollah is very capable, hundreds of thousands of rockets and missiles there, on the border that can reach all the way into southern Israel,” Joe Buccino, former CommunicationsDirectorat the US military’s Central Command,toldtheBBC.

“Hezbollah is much more capable than Hamas. Sothey’dhavethecapability todosignificantdamageinto

Israel ” On Sunday an Iranian official warned Israel’s embassies were “no longer safe”, suggesting a consulatebuildingcouldbea possibletarget.

Experts have also suggested Iran could target Israel with a cyber-attack.

Thirteen people were killed in the 1 April attack on the Iranian consulate building, including senior Iranian militaryleaders.

Among them was BrigGen Mohammad Reza Zahedi,aseniorcommander of Iran’s elite Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon. Israel h a s n o t c l a i m e d

responsibility for the attack, but is widely considered to have been behind it. US and Israeli forces in the region havebeenputonhighalertin thedayssince.

Last week the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) cancelled leave for soldiers serving with combat units and called up reservists to bolster air defence units.

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz respondedonsocialmediato Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments by saying if Tehran attacked from its territory, Israel would react and “attack in Iran”

ExxonMobil's Future Warriors Tapeball tournament for Primary Schools expands to Essequibo

ExxonMobil Guyana's commitment to youth development was showcased

with their continued investment in the Future

Wa r r i o r s Ta p e b a l l tournament for Primary Schools.A tournament that started in Georgetown and expanded to Berbice will now head to Essequibo from April 13-14 at the Imam BacchusGroundatAffiance, EssequiboCoast.

Twelve schools –

Mainstay Primary, Charity Primary, Taymouth Manor

Primary, Queenstown

Primary, Suddie Primary, Aurora Primary, C.V Nunes

Primary,8thofMayPrimary, Good Hope Primary, Huis't Dieren Primary, Hampton

Court Primary and Fisher Primary – will participate in thetournament. Organised by FL Sport, the tournament aims to expose grassroots talents to cricket, and schools are allowed to field both boys and girls on their teams at their discretion.Community Relations Advisor for ExxonMobil Guyana, Ryan Hoppie, charged the participantstodreambigasif theymightbethenextstarsof Guyana or West Indies cricket Hoppie hopes the children would use the opportunity to develop their talents and build lifelong friendships Co-Director of FL Sport John Ramsingh is confident that, based on the

success of the other two tournaments,teamswillgive their all and have fun while competing.

Noticeablefromtheother two tournaments, Ramsingh envisionsaplethoraoftalent on show and hopes the players can transition into clubs or a more structured programme.The format will be eight overs per side and contested on a straight knockout basis. Teams can field 11 players from their squadof13.

The three remaining teams, after day one, will be outfitted with jerseys and returntoplayaround-robin finalonSunday Both match days commence at 08:30h, and

WednesdayApril12,2024

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

You might wake up today feeling a little grumpy and outofsorts,Aries.Youcould aspire to nothing more strenuous than spending the day without any distractions otherthanagoodbook.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Some pretty heavy soul searching could reveal that the time has come to make use of a talent you may have always had but never developed.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You'relookinggoodandyour social skills are at their peak, Gemini Therefore, social eventsandgroupactivitiesthat you might attend today could wellbethemostsatisfying

CANCER(June21–July22)

Today you could find yourselfbrainstormingaway toputyourinventivenessand ingenuitytoworksothatyou can advance your career by leaps and bounds and increaseyourincome.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

An intense study of philosophy, religion, or some otherexaltedschoolofthought couldfindyouinvolvedwitha groupthatsharesyourinterestin thesubject.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Sex and romance should be atthetopofyourprioritylist today, Virgo. You should be feeling especially warm, loving, and passionate

the organisers will provide bats,balls,andtransportation free of cost to all of the participating schools, along with various meals and refreshments throughout the playingdays.

Thewinningteamwillbe gifted a gear bag with numerous pieces of equipment for tapeball cricketandalsosecureaspot in theupcoming'Champions of Champions' tournament, where that winner will be 'adopted' by the Guyana Amazon Warriors during their home leg of the

JohnnyBarnwell'sKings&QueensDominoes and4-a-sideFootballkicksoffthisweekend

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Alackofcommunicationon the part of your mate or perhaps a business partner can cause you to feel uncertainty about the relationship..

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Therightmomenttoaskfora raiseorapplyforapromotion or new job could come your way today, but you'd better make use of it or the opportunity could pass you by

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Love and romance are definitely on the agenda for today, Sagittarius, and you should be feeling warm, passionate, and particularly sexy

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

A friend or family member could be feeling rather grim, taciturn, and not open to communication. He or she could have you wondering if you've done something wrong, or they're angry with you.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Awarm,lovingphonecallor letter could come your way today from a lover or close friend who's presently out of town.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today you could discover a talent for investment, real estate, or other form of moneymanagementthatyou neverthoughtyouhad.

Johnny 'Overseas' Barnwell is gearing up to celebrate his 78th birthday in style with a thrilling Kings and Queens Dominoes Competition. Scheduled for Saturday, April 13,theeventwilltakeplaceatWillsHideout inVryheidLust.

The Kings and Queens Dominoes competition promises an exciting start to the festivities; kicking off at 6:30 p m Participantscanjointhefunforanentryfeeof

$1,000 per person. Throughout the night, numerous medals and trophies will be awarded, adding to the competitive spirit of the event Following the dominoes competition,theexcitementcontinuesintothe following day with a highly anticipated 4-aside football tournament. This event will be held at the Vryheid Lust Tarmac, where intense matches and thrilling moments culminatetheweekendofcelebration.

On Sunday, the festivities reach its peak with the Senior Small-Goal football competition,whichissetforthe VryheidLustTarmac.

Alongside the thrilling matches,participants/teamswill havetheopportunitytowincash prizes, as well as medals and trophies. The action begins at 7:00p.m., ensuring a thrilling conclusion to the birthday celebrations.

Trophy Stall at Bourda Market has generously donated trophies and medals, adding prestige to the competitions. Additionally, P&P Insurance and Ken Phillips, CEO of Antarctic Maintenance and Repairs, have sponsored cash prizes.

Savory 155...

Frompage22 milestone of his innings (150), mistimed a shot off Salmon and was caught, bringing an end to anentertaininginnings.

Imlach stepped on the gas afterthepartnershipendedashe found support from Niall Smith who raced to 33 off 28 with six good-looking fours and 11 runs fromlast-manThorne.

The Guyana skipper, seeing his partners fall around him, steppedonthegasandclobbered afewsixesandafoursashesped intothe90'sbeforereachinghis hundred as the final wicket fell soon after; just at the stroke of lunch. Day 3's action continues todayfrom11:00h.

CaribbeanPremierLeaguein September Stella Maris Primary (Georgetown)and Cropper Primary (Berbice) are two champions for their district.

ExxonMobil Linden Inter-school football kicks off today

The ExxonMobil Inter-School Football Tournament is set to commencetodayat2:00pmwitha doubleheader at the Wisburg SecondarySchoolGround.

Prior to the start of the third editionofthetournament,avibrant openingceremonyisscheduled.

Officials from sponsors ExxonMobil will be present alongside representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) to deliver remarks.

Kicking off the action-packed day, Kwakwani Secondary will face off against Wisburg Secondary, while last year's champions, Christianburg Wismar Secondary, will go head-to-head withMcKenzieHighSchool.

Team captains from seven of the eight participating T schools, along with the championship trophy for this year's ExxonMobil Linden Inter-schools football tournament.

Organised by New Era Entertainment,thetournamentwill feature eight schools divided into two groups. Group A comprises McKenzie High School, Christianburg Wismar Secondary, Linden Technical Institute (LTI), andHarmonySecondarySchool. Group B will see Wisburg Secondary, New Silvercity Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary, and Kwakwani Secondary battling it out.Teams will compete in a round-robin formatduringthegroupstage,with thetoptwoteamsfromeachgroup advancingtothesemi-finals.

20, and 21. The highly anticipated finalwilltakeplaceonApril26.

In addition to today's doubleheader, matches are also scheduled forApril 13, 14, 16, 19,

ExxonMobil's substantial investment of $5M in this year's championship underscores their commitment to community developmentthroughsports.

2024 CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 6 Day 2 GHE vs. JS... GBA finalises fight roster for 'Champion of Champions' boxing tournament in St. Lucia

Containing the largest representation of femalefightersinrecentmemory,theGuyana Boxing Association (GBA) has finalised its fight roster that will compete in the 'ChampionofChampions'boxingtournament inSt.LuciafromApril12th–14th.

Three females will form a significant aspectoftheeight-memberteam,whichwill be under the tutelage of national coaches LennoxDanielsandCliftonMoore.Theyare siblings Abiola (heavyweight) and Alesha Jackman (middleweight), who represented GuyanaattheWorldChampionshipsinIndia. The other female who will be making her international debut is Angelina Rodgers (flyweight).The other members of the squad are: Shakquain James (welterweight); Ryan Rodgers (bantamweight); Keyon Britton (44 kg); Zidhan Wray (super-heavyweight); and JuniorMadray(28kg).

AlsomakingthejourneyareInternational Technical Officer Elton Chase and One-Star Referee/Judge Lawrence Assanah. Some of themajorterritoriesthathaveconfirmedtheir participation in the competition are:Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Martinique, and TrinidadandTobago.

GBAPresident, Steve Ninvalle, said that hisexecutivewasseekingtohaveworldrated AkeelaVancootentraveltoSt.Luciabutthis was floored after difficulty in securing opponentsinherweightandagecategories.

“What is historic about our participation inthischampionshipisthatthreefemaleswill competeontheinternationalcircuit,whichis a major step in the development of the women's component of the discipline. This has not occurred in years and is evidence of thestridesthatwearemakingandrealisingin the female aspect. Our participation in this competition arrives weeks after the introductionoftheinauguralGBAAcademy, aninitiativethatfurtheraddstothestructure that has encompassed our developmental ideology,” Ninvalle added.“The GBA views

this event from a developmental standpoint, as we aim to expose our emerging talents, especially females, to the rigours of international competition, which unmistakably is experience that will prove vital with the Caribbean Championships scheduled for August. This is even more significantforthefemales,whoareexpected to lead a revolution in aspiring for more participation in the future, which is a major objectiveoftheacademy”,headded.

Guyana'sTravellingContingent:

Roster

AbiolaJackman(heavyweight)

AleshaJackman(middleweight)

AngelinaRodgers(flyweight)

ShakquainJames(welterweight)

RyanRodgers(bantamweight)

KeyonBritton(44Kg)

ZidhanWray(superheavyweight)

JuniorMadray(28Kg)

TechnicalOfficers/Coaches

NationalCoachLennoxDaniels

NationalCoachCliftonMoore

One-Star

Referee/Judge Lawrence Assanah

International Technical Officer Elton Chase

Savory 155, Imlach 101* re-shift momentum for Guyana

- Permaul 5-55, Guyana lead by 271 runs heading into Day 3

It was a magical first innings for the Guyana HarpyEaglesthankstotwin centurions Kemol Savory and Tevin Imlach who gave their side the driver's key with a 271-run lead as they soar into Day 3 with action intensifyingatSabinaPark.

The Harpy Eagles will feel relieved, yet upbeat as theydidwelltorecoverfrom 40 odd for 4 wickets during the opening day, to end on a formidable 424 all out in 116.3 overs by the stroke of lunchonDay2.

Acareer-bestknockfrom Savory,anelegant155from 309 balls with 16 fours and threesixes,gaveGuyanaand by extension his captain Imlach, an unexpected foundation which could result in them acquiring 1st inningshonors.

Eagles Captain Imlach, cracked his third 1st Class career ton and second of the season, finishing unbeaten on 101 after hitting 11 fours andapairofmaximums.

Scorpions' front-line wicket-takers, pacer Ojay Shields (4-103) and spinner Pete Salmon (3-117) along with Abijahi Mansingh (250)toiledfortheirscalps. Stumps on Day 2 left Jamaicaon153-9intheir1st innings, after veteran spinner Veerasammy Permaul bagged 5-55 with

speedster IsaiThorne(2-19) lendingahand.

Brandon King (32), allrounder Ramal Lewis (24) and Romaine Morris (21) stood out amidst a dismal battingcardforJamaica.

By tea, Jamaica had already lost 4 key wickets after breakthroughs from fast-bowlersIsaiThorneand Ronaldo Alimohamed with help from left-arm spinner Permaul.

Abijahi Mansingh (18) departed before the tea break, leaving King in search of a new partner for the last session The Jamaicans hung around but Permaul made steady inroads leaving the

tailenders with an impossibletasktoday

Day 2's action resumed withSavoryandImlachboth lookingconfidentduringthe morning sessions, eventuallyaddingamassive partnershipof153runsafter both centurions owned the sessions leading up to lunch and the end of Guyana's 1st innings.

The 27 year-old Savory, worked the bowlers as he nudgedhiswaypastthe150mark, doing most of his damage on Day 1 when he celebrated his first milestone.

Savory, after reaching whatwouldbethe3rd

(Continuedonpage19)

QueensideChessCampseesmorewomen...

Frompage25

girls in chess. She lauded the federation for its progress in promotingthesportovertheyears,creatingopportunitiesfor children to play from a young age.The Guyana Chess FederationthankstheJagmohanFamilyfortheircontinued support in promoting the game of chess and empowering younggirlstobetheirbestandcontinuetobreakbarriers.

The one-day camp is the perfect lead into the next tournament, the 2024 Women's Chess Championship Qualifiers, which will play at the National Racquet Centre, WoolfordAvenue,fromthe13th-14thApriland20th–21st April 2024.Chess teaches life skills, some of which are respect,howtofocus,andmakingdecisionsunderpressure.

Interested persons are welcome to sign up to become members of the federation and also register for Guyana Chess Federation's Chess Club for students at https://guyanachess.gy

Ryan Hoppie, ExxonMobil's Community Relations Advisor for Public and Government Affairs, highlighted the company's dedication to supporting the communityandyouth,highlighting theseaskeyareasofinvestment.

Angelina Rodgers

Anand Ramchand set to Debut RenaultSport Megane Trophy at GMR&SC Circuit championship opener

The local motorsport world is abuzz with anticipation as Anand Ramchandgearsuptodebutin the Renault Sport Megane TrophyattheGMRSCCircuit Championship opening round onApril 21st at South Dakota Circuit.

Aseasoned driver with an impressive track record, Ramchand is optimistic about his prospects in the upcoming season, adding to the excitement.

Ramchand's confidence in the RenaultSport Megane Trophy is palpable. "It's a reliable car," he stated, emphasizing his belief in its capabilities on the track.With his sights set on podium finishes and even a shot at victory in the GP4 Class, Ramchandispoisedtomakea strongimpressioninhisdebut race.

A former GP3 and Starlet Cup champion, Ramchand brings a wealth of experience. Hissuccessinmultipleclasses

speaksvolumesabouthisskill behind the wheel. Alongside his debut in the RenaultSport Megane Trophy, Ramchand will also be competing in the BAL Toyota Starlet Cup and the SIC GP3 with his trusty 911ToyotaStarlet.

With his proven track recordasaseasoneddriverand a race winner across multiple classes, Ramchand's presence onthegridaddsanextralayer ofexcitementtotheupcoming season.Fanscanexpecttosee thrilling battles and memorable moments as Ramchand takes on the competition in pursuit of victory

As the countdown to the G M R S C C i r c u i t Championship opener begins, all eyes will be on Anand Ramchand as he embarks on this new chapter in his racing career With determination, skill, and a competitive spirit, Ramchandisreadytoleavehis markonthetrackandmakethe 2024seasononetoremember

Dolphin Speed Swim Club to Host Exciting Swim Meet and Short Course Competition on April 14

Following the success of the recently concluded Easter Swim programme, the Dolphin Speed Swim Club is poisedtomakeanothersplash withitsupcomingSwimMeet and Short Course Swimming Competitionscheduledforthis Sunday, April 14th at the NationalAquaticCentre.

The one-day event will featurealineupofcompetitive swimming events designed to showcase the talents of athletes across various disciplines. Participants will have the opportunity to competeinchallengingevents such as the 50 Meter (m) Butterfly, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke, and 50m Freestyle,pushingthelimitsof their abilities in pursuit of victory

In addition to the main events, the Swim Meet will also cater to newcomers with Novice Swimming events, including the 25m Kickboard and25mFreestyleraces.

Theeventwillalsofeature short courses tailored to different age groups, catering tokidsaged10andunder,1114,and15andOver Meanwhile, adding some flare to the day's festivities, parents will have the opportunity to join in on the action with the Parents' race, divided into categories based on age: 35 and under, and 36 andover.

Excitement awaits both participants and spectators, with medals and prizes awaiting the winners of each event as recognition of their outstandingperformances.

Beyond the thrill of competition, the event also serves as a fundraiser, with a gateentryfeeof$200required for admission.Action is set to commence at 11:20 am, promising a day filled with excitement, camaraderie, and exceptionalswimmingtalent.

Anand Ramchand (centre) and the RenaultSport Megane Trophy. (GT Tuner photo)

12 complete Referee Introduction Course

Fifteen individuals eager to pursue officiating roles locallyandinternationallyon Sunday successfully completed the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) RefereeIntroductoryCourse.

The April 5 - 7 practical and theoretical workshop was conducted by the GFF RefereeingDepartmentatthe GFF National Training Centre in Providence, East BankDemerara.

Four women and eight men, including former players, were awarded certificates for completing the training programme on the role of referees in matches, encompassing international regulations and guidelines The groupAldrin Benjamin, Sheldon Toney, Kezia McLennan, D e r i c k D a n i e l s , StefvonDaniels, Jenel Walker, Wesley McDonald, Andre Sampson, Alliyah Elexey, Jaheim Crandon, Tiffany Lord and Kevin Morean-alsoparticipatedin fitness assessments as an integral component of the workshop GFF Head of

RefereesLenvalPeartsaidhe was pleased with the response from individuals from as far as Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), but he was disappointed in the absence of individuals

r e p r e s e n t i n g G e o r g e t o w n P e a r t emphasised that the GFF continuestoinvestintraining programmes for field officials to ensure a widespread presence of referees across Guyana, but for the refereeing pool to expand, there needs to be dedication from all associations.The course was led by Natasha Lewis, AbdullahHamidandIngram Johnson, alongside fitness instructors Tyrone Tyrrell Derick Daniels, hailing from Rupertee community in Region 9,

sharedhisenthusiasmforthe workshop, describing it as "very interesting” and added thatheintendstoreturntohis community and educate "the other officials... about this aspectofthecourse."

Former player Alliyah Elexeyadded“Ilovefootball so that's the reason why I decidedtobecomeareferee.

The Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)resident, noted that, persons are interested in the game, “but because of the whole stigma and everything when it comes to females playing footballit'sbasicallytough.I

want to be that guiding light for them to let them know youdon'thavetobeamaleto like football, you can be a female and they have different opportunities for females in football for instance, they need a lot of femalereferees.”

The GFF remains committed to expanding the pool of officiating talent, with a focus on increasing game time across all levels, from junior to senior competitions.

The national recruitment initiative will be ongoing throughouttheyear

Athletes Commission to host Social Media Management workshop tomorrow

TheGuyanaAthletesCommission(GAC) will be hosting a Social Media Management Workshop tomorrow April 13, starting at 10:00am at the Guyana Olympic House, markingittheirinauguraleventfortheyear

In line with its mission to represent and support athletes within the Guyana Olympic Association(GOA),theGAChasannounced thisworkshoptoequipathletesfromvarious sporting disciplines across the nation Invitationshavebeenextendedthroughtheir respectivenationalfederations.

The workshop aims to provide athletes with essential knowledge on maintaining a professional online presence across different social media platforms, thereby fostering opportunities for personal and athletic growth.

LedbytheChairpersonoftheGAC,table tennis player, Chelsea Edghill, OLY, the workshop will stress the importance of professional online conduct and address often-overlooked aspects of competition, including interview etiquette and handling pressconferences.

Participants can anticipate comprehensive guidance tailored to their needsasathletes,navigatingthecomplexities ofsocialmediamanagementeffectively

As the primary forum for athletes' representation and development, the GAC remains steadfast in empowering Guyanese athletes both on and off the field. This workshop underscores their commitment to

providinginvaluableresourcesandsupportto the athletic community, ensuring their sustainedsuccessontheglobalstage.

Establishedin2022,theGuyanaAthletes Commission (GAC) serves as the foremost advocate for athletes within the Guyana OlympicAssociation(GOA).

ChairedbyEdghill,theGACisdedicated to championing the rights and welfare of Guyanese athletes, fostering their holistic developmentonandoffthefield.

Athletes Commission Chairman Chelsea Edghill

Successful participants at the Guyana Football Federation Referee Introductory Course take a photo op.

KFCEliteLeagueSeasonSix... Guyana Defence Force defeat

Monedderlust 11-0 to move up to second on the points table

...Ann's Grove United takes down old rivals Buxton United 2-0

Guyana Defence Force FC on Tuesday night delivered a commanding performance, unleashing an unstoppable barrage to secure a 11-0 win over Monedderlust FC to move to second on the KFC Elite League SeasonSixpointstable.

Ann's Grove United FC also emergedvictoriousonApril9after a hard-fought 2-0 battle against their East Coast Demerara rivals, Buxton United FC, at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre in Providence,EastBankDemerara.

Inthesecondgameofthenight, GuyanaDefenceForceFC'sDarrel George scored a brilliant opener just 10 minutes into the game, openingthedoorforhisteammates Obumchi Benjamin and Stephen McDonaldtoaddthreegoalsapiece tothescoreboard.

Benjamin netted in the 27th, 42nd and 84th minutes, while McDonald secured goals in the 45th,72ndand82ndminutes.

Three more players found the back of the net before the final whistle-ChrisMacyinthe39thand 79thminutes,andCedricOsbourne and Sherwyn Caesar, clinching the last two goals of the night in the 55th and 90+3 minutes, respectively

Earlier in the evening, Ann's GroveFChadanelectrifyinggame breakingthroughBuxton

Ann's Grove United FC emerged victorious after a hard-fought 2-0 battle against East Coast Demerara rivals, Buxton United FC.

United FC defence to score twice - Elton Sullivan in the 29th and Yohance Francis in the 52nd minutes.AsofApril10,theGuyana Defence Force FC, the league's defending champions, sits in second position on the points table with 15 points from five straight victories. Guyana Police Force FC leads the pack with a total of 18 points secured from six wins and one loss.Slingerz FC moved down a spot to third place on 15 points from five consecutive wins, while Western Tigers FC finds themselves currently in fourth, boasting three victories and two losses,accumulatingatotalofnine points There was not much

movementwiththeleague'smiddle teams - Fruta Conquerors FC are stillinfifthwiththreewinsandfour losses,alsototalingninepointsand

DenAmstelFCisinsixthposition, securing seven points from two wins, one draw, and two losses.Tuesday'svictoryseesAnn's Grove United jumped one place to seventh and Santos FC moved down a spot to eighth on the table with two wins and four losses, amassingsixpoints

BringinguptherearareBuxton United FC and Monedderlust FC, both still to secure points after playingfivegamessinceseasonsix

kickedoffonFebruary25. Ten top-tier clubs are competing for the first-place prize of G$2,000,000 and cash rewards of $1,200,000, $800,000, and $500,000forthesecond,third,and fourthpositions,respectively

Tomorrow, April 13, Fixtures read: Buxton United FC take on SlingerzFCat6:30p.m.,followed by GDF FC facing off against WesternTigersFCat9p.m.,bothat theNTC.

Queenside Chess Camp sees more women participating in Chess

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), together with the Guyana Women in Chess Community (GWICC), on Sunday, April 7th hosted the Queenside Girls and WomenChessCampatCaraLodge HotelinGeorgetown.

It is the second year that the GWICC has hosted the femaleonlychesscamp.Thecoremission of the annual camp is to close the gapingenderparityinthegame.

TheGCFhasseenasignificant membership increase in female players, especially in the girls' division in the age category tournamentsofrapidgames.

The annual event attracted more than 50 girls and women, agedfromeightyearstofortyeight years, who came to enjoy an afternoon of fun and social interaction among their peers. In the group, some beginners eagerly learned from the seasoned players, while others focused solely on playing.

The chess camp aims to empowergirlsandwomenthrough chess and encourages knowledge sharingwhilefosteringfriendships among the females. The afternoon event certainly achieved this goal as the younger girls were enthusiastic and vocal in their expressions and joy only chess playerscanattaininplayingchess. Thesepromisingyoungplayers are poised to contend for the championships vacated by aging competitors. Company Secretary of the Guyana Chess Federation andorganizerofthe QueensideeventMarciaLee,in the opening remarks of the camp, expressed gratitude for the strong support received from the GCF, parents, and the sponsors of the event, International Import, and Supplies.Mrs.Leespokeaboutthe need to hold a space for female chess players who can develop their skills and encourage each other Shenotedthatthenumberof

girls and women playing chess, whether casually or competitively, has increased when compared to previousyears.

The Queenside event sponsor representative,Mrs.Jagmohanalso madesomeremarks,encouraging (Continuedonpage22)

Action in the contest between Guyana Defence Force FC and Monedderlust FC.

Some of Queenside Chess Camp participants pose for photo-op at Cara Lodge

2024CWIRegional4-DayChampionships

2024CWIRegional4-DayChampionships

Round6Day2GHEvs.JS...

Round6Day2GHEvs.JS...

Savory 155, Imlach 101* re-shift momentum for Guyana

Eagles

Sports

- Permaul 5-55, Guyana lead by 271 runs heading into Day 3 - 5-55, lead 271 into 3

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul grabbed 5 wickets yesterday

GBA finalises fight roster for ‘Champion of Champions’ boxing tournament in St. Lucia

The boxing team and their coaches take a photo as they head to St Lucia to seek glory in the ring.

Kemol Savory slammed a career-best 155 to give the Eagles a huge lead.

Captain Tevin Imlach cracked his second century of the tournament.