Kaieteur News

Fining Exxon for flaring will not compensate for damage to the environment

…Guyanese scholar urges Govt. to ensure Exxon abides by Int’l best practices

ByDavinaBagot

The Government of Guyana (GoG) often boasts of the introduction of a carbon tax, now imposed on oil companies, particularly the operator of Guyana’s prolific Stabroek Block,

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited(EMGL).

Though this fee is intendedtodeteroilandgas companies from flaring associated gas during production activities offshore Guyana, the finances collected by government will not repair thesignificantdamagebeing donetotheenvironment.

Underscoring the

importance of prudent managementofthesectoron Friday evening during a keynote address, in

observance of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD), was Guyanese scholar, Dr Ulric Trotz.Hewasinvitedbythe Guyana Press Association (GPA) to deliver remarks since this year’s WPFD was observedunderthetheme‘A Press for the Planet: Journalisminthefaceofthe EnvironmentalCrisis’.

TheScientistwhoserved

as Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of GuyanaandformerDirector of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology is r e n o w n e d f o r h i s contributions to the fight against Climate Change

Since 1997 Dr Trotz has been giving direction to the Caribbean Region’s efforts tobuildcapacityforClimate

ChangeAdaptation.

ExxonMobil flaring at Guyana’s first FPSO, the Liza Destiny

In 2005, he assumed the post of Deputy Director and Science Advisor to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Climate ChangeCentreuntil2020.

During a virtual presentationatMorayHouse, Camp Street, Georgetown to journalists, Dr Trotz highlightedthecrucialroleof media workers in ensuring the protection of the environment Hewaskeento note that the burgeoning petroleumindustryinGuyana poses serious environmental challenges to the country,

which must be carefully managed

Hecharged,“Carehasto be taken to ensure that there is minimal if any degradation of Guyana’s pristine terrestrial and marine space that would compromise the ability of the ecosystems they accommodatetoprovidethe vitalecosystemservicesthey contribute to our wellbeing.”

Dr Trotzreferencedalist of recommendations he had madeinapaperontheOil& GasIndustryandthe Continuedonpage6

Guyanese scholar, Dr. Ulric Trotz

Exxon’s Italian contractor

was fined in Algeria for corruption, bribery

Italian-based company SaipemwasfinedinAlgeria forcorruptionandbribery In 2022 upstreamonline com reported that Saipem had won a contract 14 years earlierto“builda4.7million tonnes per annum liquefaction train for the GNL3 Arzew project, and construction was completed in2012.”

“However, the Algerian criminal proceedings saw Saipem,SaipemContracting Algerie and Snamprogetti Algeria Branch charged, in accordance with national law, of allegedly “having obtained a contract, with a price higher than the correct value, concluded with a

state-ownedcommercialand industrial company, benefitting of the influence of representatives of that company”; and of “false customdeclarations”.

This resulted in two of the company’s former employees being sentenced by the Tribunal of Algiers. Theywerethethen“headof theGNL3Arzewprojectand a formerAlgerian employee —tofiveyearsandsixyears o f i m p r i s o n m e n t , respectively Another employee of Saipem Group was acquitted of all charges.”

Total fines and damages of approximately €199 million ($205 5 million)

were imposed on the three companies –involved, “comprising some €60 million in fines and around €139 million in favour of civilparties.”

OnApril 16th, 2024 this publication reported that Saipem, announced that it had won an engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contractworthuptoUS$1.5 billion to supply a subsea production facility for ExxonMobil’s Whiptail ultra-deepwater field development offshore Guyana.

Saipem in making the announcement said it has already started initial

Chinese national killed as septic tank wall collapses

A 52-year-old Chinese national was on Sunday killed after the wall of a septic tank he was working in, collapsed and crushed him at Eccles Industrial site, East Bank Demerara(EBD).

PoliceidentifiedhimasZhengShunLiu and said that the fatal accident occurred at around 09:55 hrs. Zheng Shun Liu, an employee of ‘L and P Construction’ company, was reportedly working alone inside a septic tank that is being built at a bondunderconstruction.

“Itisallegedthatthewallonthewestern

sideofthetankcollapsedpinningShunLiu,” police said before adding that co-workers rushedtoassisthim.

They managed to remove Zheng Shun Liu from under the concrete debris and called an ambulance. They notified police too. When the ambulance arrived, the Emergency Medical Technicians onboard pronouncedhimdead.

The scene was processed by detectives and Crime Scene Investigators before the body was removed and transported to the MemorialGardensFuneralHome.

activities — the detailed e n g i n e e r i n g a n d procurement of long lead items for Whiptail and following FID, now has the issued authorisation to proceed with the execution of the remaining project activities.

It is important to note that the French-US firm Technip FMC who also recently secured a contract

for subsea works in Guyana’s 6th oil project

W h i p t a i l , w o r t h approximately $US1B, had faced multiple lawsuits and fines for corruption and bribery of government officials,intheUnitedStated and the United Kingdom overthelastfewyears.

GOVT.HANDSTIED

Amid these revelations and despite Guyana’s oil is paying for these contracts the Government of Guyana (GoG)said itshandsaretied andcannottakeanyactionto prevent United States oil major, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) from awarding contracts to companies that were

accused of corruption. This was explained by Vice President,BharratJagdeoon Thursdaylast.Hewasasked by this publication whether he is concerned that the company could be granting projectstoshadycompanies usingGuyana’soilrevenues whilethecountryhasnosay

AlthoughGuyana’soilis being used to procure the servicesofthesecompanies, the country has no say in their awards; it can only verify whether it was overcharged after the contracthasbeengranted.

Jagdeo pointed out that the provisions of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement(PSA)allowsthe country to verify costs after they have been incurred by the operator of the Stabroek Block, through the audit process.

“That’s the purpose of theauditsowhentheyquery it,theysendittoExxonnow, Exxon has to explain how this screw was procured at this cost when the benchmark price, they cost everywhere else is $3,” the

VicePresidentnoted. According to him, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is utilising benchmarking software that compares the costs submitted by Exxon to averagecostsintheindustry If the costs claimed by Exxon are found to be exorbitant, it would be flagged and the company would have to explain procuring products and servicesbeyondtheindustry standards.

The next step would be fortheoilcompanytoreturn theinflatedcoststotheprofit bank. However, if Exxon disagrees with the government, it is then resolvedthroughthedispute mechanism provided in the PSA, through a sole expert orviaarbitration.

It would be poignant to notethatGuyanawouldhave to pay for all legal charges related to resolving the dispute with the oil company

What Guyana needs to know about ExxonMobilChina’sModusOperandi.

Kaieteur News

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Another Arrival Day

We arrived, but it is only at a spot on the map, a space in a physical place somewhere in this sprawling, scorching Tropics. For arrival means that there is readiness to move, to launch, oneself beyond the original place touched after that long oceanic emancipation. Similarly, Emancipation is not merely a release from physical restraint, it is the mentality that liberty is so free flowing as not to have any limits. Yet here we are still stuck in this irony of having arrived, of being emancipated, but still helpless trapped in self-made dungeonsnowalmostescape-proof.

Definitely,thereisahistorytowhatisencircledbythis remembrance of a day overflowing with meaning from long years ago. It is a story worthy of telling and retelling of the great journey made, and of the thrilling picking up of selves by the bootstraps to lift up from the bottom, to rise to heights unexpected, but always to those areas whichbringgreaterresponsibilities.

Like Emancipation, Arrival has to serve as the launching pad for venturing into the unknown, but possibly possessing some different promise. It is of what makes for a truly successful presence, a healthy environment, in a new place troubled by countless anxieties, the listlessness of a society that has so much, offers so much more to all. We (the arrived and emancipated, as joined at the hip) are too much in love with ourselves to appreciate that are still more sacrifices tobemade,morejourneystobeundertaken.Thesedonot involvevesselsandphysicaltravels,butofaspiritualstate thatleadstounselfishnessandwisdomslongsoelusive. Somuchgained,yetsomuchmorestilltobegained. In a plural society, this is beyond the ugliness that has tainted us, taunts us, and reminds us that as much as we may believe we have arrived and moved on and up, we have not progressed by too many centimetres Emancipation has done the same to us: set us free from harsh bonds and narrow boundaries, still there is so much libertytobetasted.

This is not even touched because we condemn ourselves into the limits of corners out of which we can’t seemtofindourway

In fact,withreflectionandevaluationon therealstate of Guyana, in the sum of its many different peoples and the self-sustaining injuries they continuously nurse, we know what is best, but are contented with where we are. For these reasons, and others left alone on this day filled with so much grace, it is how we refuse in our stubbornness, despite our dreadful unhealing sores, to try thebonafidemedicines,thosewithsomehopeofalasting cure.

In terms that all can understand today, regardless of whethertheycameinopenboats,orthosewithchainsand whips as inseparable parts of their journey of misery, an old world with a lot of the familiar was left behind. It was to see and experience all that a hoped-for new world would bring, could offer. Much was given up, ties were ruptured, so that more can be had, and as impossible as such a dream may have seen or been to others, it was embarkedupon,braved.

Yet what must be dared today with measured temperament and courageous vision, if not spirit, we shrinkfrom,becausewehavearrived,andthatisallthere is to it.We have been emancipated from the horrible past, anditisallthefreedomthatwewishtoknow,thatwecan conjure.

ThisisthecontradictionofGuyana,beittodayinMay, oranotherearlydayinAugust.

The full sum of our national success will only be harvested when we embrace the totality of the odds overcomebefore,thedutythattheplacesweoccupytoday placebeforeus.

Weknowofcaste,andwehavebeenhurtbytribe,but neither was allowed to get the better of us. True Arrival, real Emancipation, will only come and flourish, when we revisit the strengths of our history, so that we can take the firstbabystepstoremakeourfuture.

The PPP’s democratic deficit’

DEAREDITOR, the source of the democratic government to establish a Walter Rodney and the By pure chance - and deficit, and this autocratic presidential commission of Guyana Human Rights some would add a great deal approach pervades political inquiry to investigate the Association (GHRA) noted of APNU+AFC coalition life in Guyana because the killings and ensure that all that the ‘provocative’ terms political incompetence - the PPP must be able to allegations are promptly, of reference firmly inserted PPP has been bequeathed unilaterally make all impartially, transparently the PPP into an inquiry in with an enormous amount of important decisions and and thoroughly investigated; which it should have been financial resources. Almost provide all state services if it

marginal. The release also anyone with such resources istobeabletoapplythelevel

suggested that the act of can become involved in o

establishing the inquiry at a massive construction and objectiverequires. commensurate with the time when elections were in distribution, but in terms of The Kaieteur News gravity of the crimes are the air appeared the worst national development, the reported that Vice-President handed down and that full form of electioneering achievement would be Bharrat Jagdeo recently reparation is provided to ‘ReluctantlytheGHRAfeels constructing and distributing announced

hat his victims’families. compelled to conclude that in a gene

ationally government will investigate The commission of the proposed initiative has sustainable democratic the extrajudicial killings that inquiry will only be able to more to do with prolonging manner Put another way, are tookplacebetween2002and ‘impartially, transparently, the ethnic dimension of the roads, etc. designed in a 2006 Estimates of these and thoroughly investigate’ Guyanese politics than manner that fosters nation extrajudicial killings range the above mentioned period laying to rest controversy building and last at least from 1,300 to 400 people, if there is some degree of overwhowasresponsiblefor twenty to thirty years? The mainly of African descent. democratic compromise WalterRodney’sdeath.’ answer is no: the less said This decision by the relating to its establishment The constitutional abouttheroadsthebetterand government came unusually andoperation,butthiswould requirement for collective arguably Guyana has never quickly on the heels of the be asking too much of the bargaining is denied to keep beenmoredivided.Thus,the recent comment from the PPP the workers in the place PPP goes to its 32nd United Nations Human Guyana’s constitution assigned to them by the Congress as an enormous R i g h t s C o m m i t t e e allows the president to PPP’sobjective. failure because it wallows in (UNHRC) that it was appoint commissions of It must solely determine a democratic deficit largely disappointed that the regime inquiry and so far they - the emoluments of all public ofitsownmaking. has not completed the particularly those having to servants, including teachers. Given the PPP objective investigation it promised do with political matters - Similarly, it starves the city o f e s t a b l i s h i n g would have been completed h a v e b e e n u s e l e s s of Georgetown and other ethnic/political dominance, by 2018 Indeed, the Controversy usually rages localauthoritiesoffundsand itisforcedtooperateasifina UNHRC claimed that there over the appointment of the proper oversight to facilitate democratic environment but are still reports of commissioners and their its objective of winning does so unilaterally, i e extrajudicial killings being termsofreference,etc. Africanvotesbyblamingthe without the necessary carried out by the police Forexample,in2014,the local bodies aligned to the consultations, compromises, forceandothers. regime established a COI to largelyAfrican-supported and consensus. Herein lies It called upon the inquire into the death of Dr (Continued on page 5)

THERE IS MORE TO THE JOB PICTURE THAN JUST HIGH NUMBERS

massive amount of working poor, both in the private and public sectors. Furthermore, for any given worker in the construction and DEAREDITOR, agriculture industries, much of the work

With regards to SN’s Editorial on would be intermittent, seasonal, or Saturday, 4th May, titled “Fifty thousand unpredictable. All told, many who work still jobs”, I wish to offer six additional face daily food poverty Third, if as the considerations. First, SN’s demand that the government claims that it has created 65,000 government should produce verifiable data jobs and, further, that there exists a labour onemployment,ratherthansnatchingfigures shortage, why have the ranks of 10-day from the air, is quite in order In this regard, workers swollen to around 16,000 persons, we should note that the Bureau of Statistics andwhyhastheirpayrolljumpedfrom$6.6B has stopped publishing the Guyana Labour in 2023 to $10B in 2024? One would have Force Survey (GLFS) since the third quarter assumed that these part-time workers would of 2021. This stoppage is not accidental. have been absorbed into the full-time labour Apart from overall unemployment, the force. survey also provides such information as So, what is really going on? Fourth, it is underemployment, youth unemployment, another example of the classic incompetence average monthly incomes, and employment of the PPP to boast about high employment by ethnicity and gender. Several of these rates and labour shortage and ignore to surveys were produced and released under properly address the likelihood that more the Coalition government. None has been women are entering the workforce. Several releasedoverthelastthreeyears. issues arise when women join the workforce

Second, it is sheer political ruse to boast ingreaternumbers,suchastheavailabilityof about the number of jobs created without childcare services, and the female- addressing the income workers receive from friendlinessofworkplace these jobs.Are these good paying permanent

(Continued on page 6) jobs? In Guyana, as we know, we have a

State buildings were painted in party colours under the coalition

DEAREDITOR, evenwhenitwaspointedout neutralinstitution. So flying of party flags, this was against established So what’s the huge cry as the ruling party holds its protocol, was not seen as aboutnow? congress,hasbroughtoutthe insulting nor was there any Sincerely, ireoftheopposition. condemnation then from Shamshun Mohamed Whentheoppositionwas thosecryingfoulnow in government, the painting This act was seen as of state buildings in the p r e s e r v i n g p a r t y coalition colors outside of paramountcy over the state. elections periods, State The same as a previous act House and Office of the where a party flag was flown President comes to mind, abovethepremises ofastate

The PPP’s democratic deficit’

From page 4 and as I indicated last week, solidify its hold over its People’s National Congress according to Guyana’s ethnic c

ns

u

ncy, (PNC) for nonperformance. constitutional arrangements, cognisant that these It then takes the opportunity therulingpartyhavedefacto approaches reinforce and it has created to intervene control over the executive prolong the ethnic divide. If with all manner of ad hoc and the parliament and as a the regime does not spot the projects over which the result significant influence danger inherent in its elected councils have little overthejudiciary Therefore, adoptingtherouteoftheCOI say Its draconian measures the usual partisan and on this occasion, it will be of controlling the local areas unilateral way COIs have interesting to see how it and even obstruct the people been appointed by the theoppositionrespondtothe from using local facilities president will not do. Justice challenge that pits personal without central government will only be done if it is seen and political self-interest permission. tobedone.Ademocraticand against that of the general

A decade later, what was open process of developing citizenry and the victims of saidabouttheWalterRodney the terms of reference, the 2002-2006 killings and Commission in terms of PPP recruiting the chairperson, theirrelatives.

ethni

oneering and managing the entire Name withheld remains the case. The COI event will be of vital into the March 2020 general importance if it is to have and regional elections national and international concluded its report in creditabilityandnottosuffer February2023,afewmonths a similar fate to those before local government mentionedabove. elections were held. So here All the talk about ‘One we go again: the PPPintends Guyana’ is d

tousetheCOIrecommended essentially to an African by the UNHRC to mobilise audience and is intended to its ethnic base in time for the camouflage the existing 2025 general and regional democratic deficit. The PPP elections, but there is a

significant troublesome antinational strategies to twist.

This COI is directed towards events during a period when the general secretary of the PPP, Bharrat Jagdeo, was the president,

Fining Exxon for flaring will not compensate for...

From page 2 contributor to climate EnvironmentinGuyana. change.

According to the For his part, Dr Trotz Scientist, “Operations for said Guyana should be the development and looking to adhere to the production of oil and gas international best practices should adhere to the highest to cut methane pollution available standards for such fromflaring. activity with particular He told this newspaper, attention being paid to air “The new trend now is the emission, waste water prevention of any sort of discharges, solid and liquid methane flaring or injection waste management with into the environment so I specific attention to shore don’t know if Exxon will base disposal of radioactive comply in terms of wastes, noise generation applying the same (including underwater), oil standards that they are held spills,energyefficiencyand to in operatingintheUnited resource conservation States while in Guyana and Procedures that mimimise if they don’t I think it’s in leakage of natural gas and our interest for the its venting and flaring must government to insist that beadopted.” thatiswhatisrequired.”

During a question-and- Additionally, Dr Trotz answer segment, Dr Trotz pointed out that there is an was asked by Kaieteur international agreement to News for his views on cut methane pollution from Guyana’s introduction of a oil production activities flaringfee. where restrictions are being

This mechanism is imposed on methane provided for in the Permits leakage from oil production g r a n t e d b y t h e facilities.

Environmental Protection Consequently, he Agency(EPA)toExxonand argued, “This whole stipulates that the operator question basically of will be fined a maximum of flaring, the idea of putting a US$50 per tonne of carbon monetary penalty on flaring dioxide equivalents (CO2e) doesn’t compensate for the emitted as a result of flaring damage that it does to the in excess of the startup and environment.” maintenance periods The PPP/C Government outlined. has often touted its Flaring is the burning of commitment to Climate gas that is produced during Change Adaptation and the extraction of oil beats its chest over its 85% operations During this forest cover which makes process, harmful emissions the country carbon sink are released into the (removingmoreCO2thanit environment, including produces). The question is methane which is 28 times however, ‘does this as damaging as carbon authorise the oil and gas dioxide (according to the companies to pollute the U S E PA ) - a n o t h e r environment?’

We deserve what the wealth of this country is capable of giving to us

DEAREDITOR, was a Marxist, Cheddi also. thePPPwhichhad36seatsin Standards” I was selected to Mr Clement Rohee in a Well Mr Rohee the PPP 2006 had this reduced to 32 represent the PPP on this lettercaptioned,Mr Bissesar constitutionsays thePPPisa in 2011 when it lost the committee. sought refuge in Cheddi Marxist Lenninist Party but parliamentarymajority Let Rohee deny any of Jagan’s legacy and dated when last has anyone read or He continues, “Mr this. His claim is I was, “ May 04 2024 was a very heard any utterance by the Bissesaralludedtoinrespect sulking on the periphery of feeble attempt to respond to PPP leaders anything to election to leading Party Partypoliticsfromthedayhe my letter published on May Marxist. bodies is mind boggling to joined to the day he left”. He 2nd, 2024 and captioned, Those who read the letter say the least fake news continues and accuses me of “The “lean and clean” column would know that I full of gaps, falsehoods, “limited store of knowledge government of Dr Cheddi Rajendra Bisessar have been assumptions”. Well Sir you about the workings of the Jagan is a thing of the past.’ writingaboutthistopicinthe had an opportunity to supply PPP, memory lapses and At best it was a collection of press. So definitely, I have the “facts”. Tell us how the distortedbeliefs. ad hominem as he dealt with been following in the votesarecounted,Sir Whether Readers agree me and not what I wrote. He footsteps of Cheddi and I respond to his attacks withmeornotIamsurethey could not correct any of the Walter Rodney I have been on my person seeking to would never agree with statementsImade. consistent in my support of denigratemeratherthandeal ClementRoheeassertions. His response was, “Mr the working class and have with the issues, let me say Ifthisisthebestresponse Bisessar bad-talked the continuouslybeencallingfor this. I was the Head of the coming from a top leader of PPP”, “Mr Bisessar sought the unity of the working UniversityofGuyanaPYO.I the PPPthen indeed, the PPP to besmirch ” , “Mr class. was its presidential isinverybadshapesavedby Bissesar has established ThePPPandPNCbenefit Candidate. I was a central the little money that they are himself as a known critic”, from this division, the PPP Committee member of the squandering. “Moreover when fact- because of the numbers, PYO and a candidate The youths of this checked, the content will be more than the PNC.Aunited member of the PPP Central country cannot accept this in found to be based on self- working class would hold Committee. 2025. They deserve much inflicted bitterness” , any government accountable I was selected to better however Rohee could not because of the collective represent the PYO at the This is one reason that have and did not negate powersitpossesses. executive meeting of the propels me to contest the anything I wrote nor Rohee says, “For the International Union of 2025 elections under the providedalternative“Facts”. period while he was a Party Students held in Ethiopia, I refuge of Dr Cheddi Jagan His argument was simple, he member Mr Bisesar gained attended the Congress of the legacy We cannot accept the wrote “… the thrust of his the reputation of being a World Federation of low standard of being better (Bisessar) arguments suffer ‘‘griper ’ and ‘born DemocraticYouths in Berlin than the PNC. We deserve frommuscularatrophy”. complainer”. a n d a t t e n d e d t h e what the wealth of this

THERE IS MORE TO...

From page 5 rules and practices. This kind of complex thinking and planningisbeyondthePPP

This gentleman is a First, I draw attention to International Festival of country is capable of giving member of the executive of my letters to the press in Youths held in Moscow tous. the PPP and was a Minister, defense of the PPP He nor WhenPresidentBurnhamset Regards, no wonder they had to anyone can produce any up the “Committee of Rajendra Bisessar depend on me to take on public documents or videos Freddi Kissoon, Stella, where I condemned or PeepingTom , Lincon Lewis attacked the PPP i.e. until etc Let him deny this 2009 when I could no longer DonaldRamotarwrotetome tolerate the deep-rooted congratulating me on my corruption that gripped the writings. PPPgovernment.

Rohee wrote, “Mr. R. Icriticizedthecorruption Bisessar, unashamedly, and Office of the President sought refuge in the legacy instructed that my services of Cheddi Jagan”. He is be terminated with correct here and I am correct immediate effect Bharrat when I say the present even withheld my basic leadership has betrayed benefits guaranteed by law I Jagan’s legacy not only of did not even take them to “lean and clean” but also his court as advised by the legacy Attorney General Mr

This same leadership Nandlall. quite correctly criticized the Let Rohee deny that WPAleadership of betraying many supporters were Rodney’s legacy Rodney disillusioned and that is why

Fifth, if tens of thousands of persons have joined the workforce, then a government must also ensure that the concomitant demand for general supporting services is being met,suchastransportationservices,recreationalservices,and healthandwellbeing(includingmentalhealth)services.

Sixth, if indeed, the labour force has swollen and the labourmarketistight,thenapropergovernmentwouldnotbe trying to diminish and sideline workers unions, but would instead be seeking to collaborate with them as partners and fellowstakeholders.

Guyana needs a new kind of governmentality if we are to move beyond simplistic notions of development and stagnant livingstandards.ThisisnotgoingtohappenunderthePPP

Sincerely,

Sherwood Lowe

Those elected to the Central Committee

FormerrapeaccusedDharamlallre-electedtoPPPExecutive

…gets sixth highest votes ahead of 8 Ministers and a Fmr. President

Former rape accused Nigel Dharamlall who had resigned as a Government Minister, amidst a police investigationintotherapeof aminorhasbeenre-lectedto the 35-member Central Executive of the Peoples ProgressiveParty(PPP).

This was confirmed yesterday at the conclusion of the PPP’s 32nd Congress where the party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, provided the results of the vote by the 3,000 registered delegates.

the 40 member Central Executive Body–five nonvotingmembers.

Addressing members of the media following the conclusion of the party’s conference yesterday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre(ACCC),theGStold membersofthemediaitwas a decision of the Delegates. Dharamlallsecuredthesixth highest number of votes among those nominated for

Questioned by media operatives on Dharamlall’s reelection to the party’s highest decision making body, Jagdeo said, “all that happened is that the names wereputtothedelegatesand people voted it was an open transparentprocess.”

According to the PPP’s General Secretary; “each of th

(

cted” members would be a member of a valuable member, the committee...”

Head of State, President IrfaanAli, led the votes and was followed by General Secretary, and Executive M e m b e r, Z u l f i k a r Mustapha.

The others elected to the 35 member body are: Vickram Bharrat, Gail teixeira, Nigel Dharamlall, Colin Croal, Kwame MCcoy, Anil Nandlall, Pauline Sukhai, Shyam Nokta, Ricky Ramjraj, Jennifer Westford, Neendkumar, Anand Persaud,Dr FrankAnthony, Sarah Brown, Zamal Hussain, Faizal Jaffarrally, Bryan Allicock, Vindiya Persaud,CharlesRamsonjr, Karl Singh, Paul Cheong, Claire Singh, Former President Donald Ramotar, Omesh Odit, Brentnol Ashely, Dharamkumar Seeraj, Bheri Ramsaran, Sheik Mohamed, Inshan Ayube, Vickash Ramkisson, Sasenarine Gunraj, Clement Rohee and Indranie Chandarpal.

Meanwhile,thefivenonvoting members of the committeeareDeodatIndar, May Thomas, Jason Abdullah, Andrew Forsythe andRyanPeters.

In thanking the outgoing members, who he said played a great role in the party, Jagdeo noted that the newlyelected35,alongwith its five non-voting members

will be meeting later in the week to have another election.

At this stage, he explained the 35 Executive Committee Members will vote for the 15 Member Central Executive. The 35 membershesaidwillalso,at a date sometime later in the week vote on positions such as General Secretary, Executive Officer, Finance Secretaryandothers.

“As I said before the Congress will choose 35 members to go to the Executive, these are voting members and then another five non-voting members, the35memberswillthenget together and elect an Executive Committee made up of up to 15 members that willmeetinbetweencentral committeemeetings…”

Altogether, the 40 members will get together “but only 35 can vote and then they will elect the executiveoftheparty;when thatmeetingisheldlaterthis

week, then all of the others will be elected at that meeting,”Jagdeo said in the briefing.

Head of State, President Irfaan Ali had in July last year, announced that Dharamlall had resigned from his post as Local Government Minister and Member of Parliament Dharamlall’s resignation came just hours after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), ShalimarAliHack,SCstated that in the absence of the School Girl’s complaint against him, “there is no legalprovisionforthePolice toproceedwiththematter”.

Dharamlall had found himself embroiled in a public scandal after a 16year-old schoolgirl accused himofrapeandsodomy The allegations sparked major protests demanding justice and his sacking by the government.

An official statement was made to police and following an investigation, a case file was sent to the DPP for legal advice The DPP returned the file to investigators requesting further probe into the matter

According to police however, investigators had contacted the complainant forfurtherstatementbutshe reportedlytoldthemthatshe wishes not to proceed any further with the matter and gave them a “no further actionstatement”.

Former rape accused, Nigel Dharamlall

Global advocacy and leadership are not the same

nd In his address to the 32 security Anation’s ability to surrounding environmental

wiling under the strain of that rhetoric alone cannot Congress of the People’s provide its citizens with stewardship, and the country daily blackouts.The Guyana substitute for substantive Progressive Party, Second reliable access to nutritious being a net carbon sink, dollar is not appreciating action and results. Without Vice President Bharrat and affordable food is Guyana has little to show

local leadership,Ali will not Jagdeo repeated the claim paramount. However, Ali’s Even though it claims that it revenuesfromtheoilsector be respected ever globally that Irfaan Ali and Guyana track record in this regard is has generated carbon credits Education is still in a He may be courted and are providing global marred by failures. Just take from its forests which it is mess judging from the patted on the back but this is leadership on food, energy a walk in the markets. The selling, so far we have learnt number of failures at the not the sort of validation that unsuccessful global and and climate security Jagdeo rising cost of locally- on only one buyer, an oil

NGSA and those who fail to

even went as far as saying produced food has placed a company with interests in obtain five or more subjects leadership,notnownotever championedbyJagdeointhe that the opinions of Guyana significant burden on the oil and gas sector in at the CSEC examinations. Irfaan Ali’s amiable past. are being sought on these consumers, highlighting the Guyana – a sector that is

When it comes to crime, persona aside, he lacks the

(The views expressed in issues. government’s inability to fueling carbon emissions Guyana is an unsafe place. necessary standing or this article are those of the Itwouldbeinterestingto e ff e c t i v e l y m a n a g e globally

know which global leader or agricultural production and H o w i s G u y a n a

Corruptionisagainpolluting gravitas to ascend to the

the society, especially in ranks of a global leader His necessarily reflect the major organization is distribution as well as to providing leadership on terms of the award of certain primaryfocusshouldthusbe opinions and beliefs of this seeking out the foresight and ensureareductioninthecost climate change, by selling contracts to friends, family directed towards effective

insight of IrfaanAli on these offoodtoconsumers. carbon credits? Guyana andfavourites. local leadership, rather than affiliates.) questions. Jagdeo must not D e s p i t e i t s v a s t continues to complain about Jagdeo has to understand attempting to revive the confuse invitations to speak agricultural potential, the low price, its carbon on certain issues at Guyanastrugglestotranslate credits are fetching in the international forums as it into food security The local market. These prices suggesting that Guyana’s disconnection between arenowplungingglobally opinions are being actively rhetoricandrealityisevident Global leadership has to sought. here: while leaders may begin at home. Guyanese Guyanaisnowanoilrich champion the cause of food want to see their President country and other countries s e c u r i t y, t h e l i v e d lead on issues such as arecourtingGuyanabecause experiencesofcitizensspeak renegotiating the flawed oil they see the possibility of v o l u m e s a b o u t t h e contract. markets for their goods and inadequaciesofgovernance. They want to see him services. And they see The record of the PPPC lead on reducing the cost of Guyana’s youthful and government on energy this sector on the local immature leadership as security is even more economy. Since first-oil, the b e i n g a m e n a b l e t o distressing. The persistent prices of almost everything manipulation. blackouts plaguing the have skyrocketed, putting Jagdeo needs to be nation represent a major t h e c o s t o f h o m e reminded that mere failure in planning by the construction and rentals, for advocacy and championing Ali-Jagdeo administration example, out of the reach of of critical issues such as The government’s reactive thepoor climate, food and energy approach, resorting to costly The rosy picture the securityareinsufficienttobe emergency measures like government paints is deemedasgloballeadership. procuring generating sets different from the realities True leadership demands and, now, a power ship, facedbythepublic.Thepoor tangible actions, effective highlights the lack of are struggling to put food on policies, and measurable foresight and long-term their tables and in their outcomes. Guyana, despite planning. children’s lunch kits. Jobs its aspirations and rhetoric, Sustainable energy are still difficult to find in falls short of being deemed a policies and investments in rural Guyana, which has global leader in these crucial renewable energy sources long been neglected by the areas. are conspicuously deficient, PPPC.

Charity they say begins highlighting a missed

The sugar industry athome.Globalleadershipis opportunity for Guyana to continues to lose money and a mere extension of local lead by example in recovery does not seem on leadership and in all three of transitioning towards a the horizon. Huge trucks are these areas – climate, energy greenerenergyfuture. causing massive damage on andfood, IrfaanAlihas been Whenitcomestoclimate our roadways and resulting foundwanting. s e c u r i t y, G u y a n a ’s in traffic jams and lost man Firstly, let’s address the contributions are negligible hours. The manufacturing foundationalelementoffood at best. Despite the rhetoric and commercial sectors are

Dem Boys Seh...

PREZZY GAT HE MOVES!

De Prezzy dance moves are causing entertainmentpurposes. quite the stir Now, we ain’t saying he’s the Dare ain’t no price tag on the joy that nextMichaelJacksonornoUsher,butwhen comes from seeing our leader shake off the itcomestobustingamove,thePresidentgot burdens of office and shake it on the dance more groove than a jukebox in a juvie. At floor leasthedoingbetterthanthatfellowwithhis For in those moments, we glimpse a twoleftfoot. glimmer of hope, a reminder that no matter There is a moral to all the shimmy, spin how dire the situation, there’s always room slide, struts, sways and swirl. It reminds us foratwo-steptowardsabrightertomorrow that we can dance away our problems with a While Prezzy may not be moonwalking seasoned pro, reminding us all that his way into the history books, his dance sometimes, the best way to tackle trouble is moves serve as a reminder that even in the withatwirlandatwist.Sure,thestreetsmay toughest of times, there’s always a reason to be dark and the markets may be emptying shake what your mama gave ya. So let’s our wallets faster than a politician emptying follow his lead, let’s dance away our promises,butinthemidstofitall,there’sour problems,andwhoknows,maybewe’llfind Preszzy, showing us that there’s still a little thatthebrightestdaysareyettocome. light left to boogie by It is nice to see the DemBoysSeh,let’sboogie! Prezzy having a good time, even if it is for Talk half. Leff half...

Indian Arrival Day: The majesty, the other arrival remaining

Being someone with scant patience for the wiles and timing of men, I went ahead and made it official. Arrival day is now Indian Arrival Day All by myself, the deed is done. A joyful Indian Arrival Day to my sisters and brothers of the ethnic strain.That is, if they will have the goodwill in their hearts to accept such a greeting, a handshake, from someonelikeme. Perhaps,it isagooddaytoremindthem of something else: in all the disagreements and disputes, I have never besmirched or slandered the race, in any formorfashion. Differ,yes; butmalignandputdown,not thiscitizen.

Fourteen years prior to the bicentennial (I hope that this is right) anniversary of the first Indians from the subcontinent, it is high time that this is gotten right. IndianArrivalDay,itshould have been already Must be now, to make matters right. Somefriendsmayhavebeen earned just for this posture, this call. The hope is that they will stay that way, with none lost, a couple more gained, for speaking with frankness in what now follows.

Indiansdidarrivethenon Guyana’s shores, and Indians have arrived now Long before now If it is okay, the history lesson will be left for another day But Indiansdidarrivephysically And they have arrived educationally, financially, politically, recreationally, and along with most of the

other lovely and positive adverbsthatsaymuchofthe stridesofaforeignpeoplein theirnewland,theirstrange, newhome,nolongernewor strange.

They have arrived religiouslyinwhattheyhave retained, and part of their arrival has been what they haveembraced. Butthereis still an arrival, a glaring strand or two missingtowards which they must work just as diligently to reach and deliver from what mustbeanelevatedperch. I see this as a combination of the mental and the spiritual, and both will possess all the attributes to contribute immeasurably to the other statesthatwereidentified. The sum of the story is that since the Arrival of IndiansinGuyana,theyhave been blessed with their arrival at different heights andindifferentrealmsinthis land of theirs, this Guyana. From rivers crossed to barriersovercometoheights scaled to inhibitions conquered. It is a grand story, is it not? To say otherwise would be a sacrilege.

An enduring dishonor to the line of ancestors, who toiled with nothing to achieve a little more than theystartedoutwithintheir journeyofdiscovery There isgratitude.

Gratitudetothem,andto all the others who looked likethem. ButIwouldbean infinitely smaller man if I weretobesolimitedasnotto takeabowtothememoryof

thosewhoweredifferentand didopenadoorortwoalong myway

Itrustthatnoneofthisis so peculiar, and peculiarly said, that it goes over the head of those reading, absorbing,andthinking. To promote thinking is what infuses all these writings, these public service hands, thatareextendedbeforeone andbeforeallGuyanese.

Becauseinmybookofa few pages and only a few more paragraphs, there is thisvision,thispoint,thatis dug up and given free of charge. Arrivalismorethan amomentintime. Arrivalis more than the national recognition and national celebration that are long overdue, very much deserved.

Arrival is about landing ononestep,thencreepingto the one above, then still aspiring and moving for those next difficult steps in the staircase (those challenging rungs in the ladder), that are there to be climbed and from there to soar Toputdifferently,and in the most undesired terms (probably), Indian Arrival Day is here, but having arrived,wheredoIndiansgo from here? Having arrived cannotandshouldnotbethe dead end of a terminal for IndiansinGuyana.

It is what must not be, regardless of the costs, the sacrifices, that are sure to line the way ahead

Especially given the context of the environment, the demands of this new era in

Guyaneselife.

The proud Arrival of Indians must sweep up and carry along others in this society, so that there is no danger of any Guyanese being left behind. Not one Guyanese (or any lawa b i d i n g f r a t e r n a l Venezuelan) left behind. In their moment of triumphant arrival, Indians must c o n s i s t e n t l y a n d comprehensively manifest that they are broadminded enough and profound enough.

Meaning that they are of the vital substances to consider the steps that remain in their journey towards an authentically inclusive national instinct, national practice, and national destiny It is to be

broadmindedenoughto think of those whose arrival preceded them Profound enough to discern those who came after them. Those who are yet to encounter and taste the fullest freedom of having arrived in a space of extraordinary wonder that shouldbethepropertyofall Guyanese.

The national patrimony thatmakessomuchpossible foreverynational. Whenall areheldinthebestoflights, w h e t h e r c o m i n g involuntarily to Guyana before, or landing afterwards, then arrival would be at its most towering apex. There is Indian Arrival Day Then there is that national arrival day that is an epoch that transcends all other arrivals. Thereisthatonearrivalthat islefttocomplete. To all Indians, from President Ali to Vice President Jagdeo to the men intheOpposition:Ramjattan and that honorary Indian, AubreyNortonandthecircle of Guyanese people: a special Indian Arrival Day Thisiswhatmustpowerthe expansiveness of today’s long-ago arrival, and the arrival of that other day that iswaitedupon,nowbelieved possible.

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

Govt.tosecureUS$250Mto upgradeGPL’stransmission anddistributionsystem

During a recent press conference, Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that the GovernmentofGuyanaisactively pursuing funding in the range of US$180 million to US$250 millionfortheenhancementofthe Guyana Power & Light (GPL) distribution and transmission system.

WithinthescopeoftheWales, West Bank Demerara, Gas-toEnergy project, comprising elements like the gas pipeline to bringthegasonshore,theNatural GasLiquids(NGL)Plant,andthe power plant infrastructure, GPL’s distribution system requires enhancements.

JagdeoexplainedthatGPLhas already submitted their proposal and that government has already indicated that they will fund the project. “So we made it clear wewillfundtheseactivities,”Jagdeosaid.

He mentioned that a contract has been grantedtoanIndiancompany,Kalpataru,to transmitpowerfromtheplantatWalestothe control centre at Eccles, East Bank Demerara and to Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. This will enable the distributionofpowertovarioussubstations and transmission mains, with completion expectedbytheendoftheyear

The Vice President also explained that there are other key components. “One is to build a transmission main to take power to Linden and with a substation to allow distributionof some of the power alongthe highwaytoelectrifythecommunitiesalong the highway,” Jagdeo said. For that aspect, he added that the government has already drafted and published the Request for

Proposal(RFP).

The other component which calls for about US$250 million, Jagdeo explained is critically needed for upgrades to the distribution and the transmission system to ensurenodisruptions.

“So then we will have power, more power, but still have blackouts because of theweaktransmissionsystem.Sothatisalso a component that they are working on and we will fund that, we will have to fund it,” theVicePresidentsaid.

Furthermore,heemphasisedtheneedfor urgent action, stating, “That has to start almost immediately, immediately” He disclosed that the government is looking to have the upgrades financed from a loan or approach the National Assembly for supplementarybudget. “Ithastobeithasto bedone.Ithastobedonebeforethemiddle oftheyearwehavetogetthisdoneintime for the distribution of the power,” the Vice Presidentadded.

Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo

Eightyearsafterreceiving6.6MacresStabroekBlock

ExxonMobilsayswillreturn20%inOctober

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited(EMGL)said it will return 20% of the Stabroek Block to the GovernmentofGuyana(GoG)in Octoberthisyear

This was revealed by EMGL’s President, Alistair Routledge during a press conference last week at the company’s Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown office. Hetoldreporters, “That is scheduled to take place in October this year that is when the next prospecting license renewal takes place and at that point, we will relinquish acreagebacktothegovernment.”

TheExxonofficialnotedthat thecompanyhasnotyetfinalised the portion of the block that will be returned to the state but will workwiththegovernmentonthe calculation of what the 20% represents and the subsequent identificationoftheacreagetobe relinquished Exxon was requiredtoreturnaportionofthe Block to Guyana in 2023, however, former President, David Granger had granted the companyanextensionin2020to conduct further exploration activities.

According to documents releasedbytheMinistryofNatural Resources,Grangersignedanorder giving Exxon a one-year grace period to hold in their entirety, the Stabroek, Canje and Corentyne Blocks. Thethreeordersstatethat GrangerwaswrittentobyExxon’s Country Manager, Alistair RoutledgeonJuly2,2020,seeking agraceperiodgiventheCOVID-19 pandemic and its impact on restricting the implementation of explorationforthethreeblocks.

The extension granted by the former Head of State one month beforehedemittedoffice,required theoperatortoprovideproofthatits work programme was indeed impacted. Despiteferventcallsby Kaieteur News and members of civil society for the incumbent government to release documents proving that the company’s operations were impacted by the pandemic, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeowhomanagesthesectorhas refusedtodoso.

He said, “So they (Exxon) demonstrated how COVID affected them. It is the David Granger extension that therefore shiftedthetimelinetorelinquish20 percent of the block from 2023 to 2024 and that is the consequence we are living with.” When asked about sharing this evidence publicly, the VP said, “We don’t havetogiveevidencetoAFC.”

The chief policymaker for the sectorwasalsonotinclinedtomake government’sreportsonthismatter public to ease tensions of other stakeholders.Hesaidthefactofthe matter is that an extension was grantedandthegovernmentdidnot

extendit. According to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the GoG and ExxonMobil, the Petroleum Prospecting License was granted for an initial period of four years from the effective date of the contract. The Agreement also provided for no more than two

renewalsforuptothreeyearseach. Thereafter, the Contractor is required to relinquish 20% of the Contract Area to the government, exc

discoveries have been made or areas where there are ongoing appraisalactivities.

ExxonMobil holds a 45% interest in the Stabroek Block,

while its co-venturers, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25percentinterest.

Since 2015, Exxon has unlockedatotalof41discoveriesin the26,800squarekilometersblock, amountingtoover11billionbarrels of oil. The company has often

bragged about the size of the blockandthepotentialitholdsfor economicgrowthofthecompany anditsshareholders.

Senior Vice President of ExxonMobil Corporation (XOM), Neil Chapman in March this year while appearing at the Morgan Stanley’s Energy and Power Conference in New York discussedthecompany’sstrategy and its intent to push production to 1.2 million barrels of oil in Guyanaby2027.

Chapman said, “This is an enormous block and it’s actually quitephenomenalifyougodown there.Wehavesixdrillingshipsin the basin in pretty close proximity.” He pointed out that the Stabroek Block is in fact equivalent to more than 1,000 blocksintheGulfofMexico.

Notably, the contract signed with Exxon has been deemed the ‘worst’ oil deal by this government,butithasdetermined it will not seek a renegotiation. Citizens fear that due to the lack of ring-fencing and other key provisions such as the tax-free holidaysgrantedtoExxonandits sub-contractors, Guyana will continuetocollectameagershare of revenues from the sector well intothefuture.

The deal allows Exxon to deduct 75% of the monthly earnings to cover its investments. The remaining 25% is then shared equally with Guyana. This means Guyana receives 12.5% of the profitsand2%royaltyasagreedin thecontract.

Map showing the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana

US State Dept. official resigns over Biden’s Gaza policy

-

SAYS “I COULD NOT STAY SILENT”

A State Department official responsible for promoting human rights in theMiddleEasthasresigned in protest at Joe Biden’s Gazapolicy

Annelle Sheline, 38, resigned last week Wednesday, the latest example of dissent among

officials over American support for Israel‘s war in Gaza. Israel’s offensive has killed over 32,000 people according to local health officials, destroyed over 60 per cent of homes, and displaced around three quarters of the Strip’s population. It was launched

after the 7 October Hamas attackonsouthernIsraelthat killedsome1,200Israelis.

Ms Sheline said she had not planned to make her resignation public but that many of her colleagues shared her concerns and asked her to “speak” out on theirbehalf.

Ms Sheline worked as a foreign affairs officer in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour beforeshepubliclylaunched an attack on president Biden’s administration, saying she and her colleaguesfelt“betrayed”by theWhiteHouse.

MsShelinequitoneyear intoatwo-yearcontractwith the bureau, with nearly half of that tenure dominated by thewarinGaza.

“For the past year, I worked for the office devotedtopromotinghuman rights in the Middle East. I believe strongly in the missionandintheimportant

work of that office,” she wroteinanopinionpiecefor CNN entitled “Why I’m resigning from the State Department”.

“As a representative of a government that is directly enabling what the International Court of Justice has said could plausibly be a genocide in Gaza,suchworkhasbecome almost impossible,” she wrote.

“Unable to serve an administration that enables such atrocities, I have decided to resign from my positionattheDepartmentof State.”

Ms Sheline said she was disappointed that the US governmentdidnotdomore to prevent the deaths of 32,000 people, including 90 Palestinianjournalists.

Shesaidshetriedtoraise concerns internally on dissentcables–amessaging frameworkopentoforeign

Continuedonpage17

Gang of five robs man on Aubrey Barker Road

A gang of five men armed with a knife on Saturday eveningrobbedanengineerofhis$89,000cellphone. The robbery took place around 22:15 hrs. on Aubrey BarkerAccessRoad,Georgetown.

PoliceidentifiedthevictimasRobertAlladinofEccles IndustrialSite,EastBankDemerara.

Hetoldpolicethathewasstandingontheroadwhenhe wassurroundedbyfivemen.

One of them armed with a knife took away his cell phonebeforeescapingwiththegang.

Thematterwasreportedtopoliceandonemanhasbeen arrestedinconnectionwiththerobbery Investigationscontinue.

Annelle Sheline resigned from State Department over U.S. Gaza Policy

PPP Congress votes to fight back against critics using social media and AI

…ditches ‘cold war era’ Marxist, Leninist, Socialist ideologies

The Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday concluded its 32nd Congress, adopting a menu of measures including the abandonment of the cold war era Marxism, Leninism and socialism philosophies to instead pursue a new path of democratic centralism–a philosophy thatwill be shared with the party membershipin thecomingyear

Thisinadditiontotheadoptionformallytheuseofsocial media more robustly in order to propagate its message of achievements and to fight back against the “naysayers”, which according to General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, left uncheckedledtothepartybeingportrayedinanundesirable lightbyitsdetractors.

To this end, he spoke to the adoption by the party’s delegatesofaresolutionthatitsmembershipusesocialmedia more. To this end, the General Secretary disclosed that the partyinthiseffortwillevenbetrainingitsyoungermembers to ensure that social media presence is felt, not to “criticise peopleorengageinnastiness”butensurethepartypropagates itsachievementsandrobustlyfightoffthecritics.

As it relates to the decision to completely remove MarxismLeninismandSocialismascoretenetsoftheparty, Jagdeo said this was in keeping with the reality of today’s worldandshouldnotbetakentomeanthatthepartywasnot stillpro-workingclass.

“We will be organised based on democratic centralism, majorityrule,notsomethingtoholdpeopleinbondage,”the General Secretary, explained, noting that what the party has done is to replace the alien concept now, not relative to the existingrealities.

Hesaidwhatthe amendmentdoesinfactprovidesforisto bringitsconstitutioninlinewiththatofthegovernmentofthe day that is to, embrace pluralities, religious harmony, racial diversity and other such phenomena that more accurately reflects the country. “We believe that this is political democracy that we have in the amended constitution; somethingweembracefully,”theGeneralSecretarystatedas he reiterated the party’s tenets of cultural diversity, racial equalityandsharedresources.

Elaborating on his party’s concretising of its newer ideologies he explained that democratic centralism says peoplewillhaverobustdebateifthereisanissuehoweverat theendofthedayifadecisionismadeeveryonehastocomply withthatdecision.

“We don’t find it very different from democracy in the boardroomoranyotherorganisation;ifyousitonaboardand you have diverse views you have to allow the sharing of the views,….but when a decision is made by a majority not a singleindividual;andeveryonesaysthisiswhatwewilldoat thecompanylevelthenyouhavetocomply.”

Tothisend,theGeneralSecretaryretorted“Idon’tknow howpeoplegetthisnotionitwillinvoketheviewtheydon’t get to participate; they get to participate but they have to followthemajorityrules;it’sanormaldemocraticprinciple.”

Emphasisingtheneedforaformalshiftinideologiesthe Party’s General Secretary again pointed to the ever growing youth base of the party many of whom are unaware of the principlesofLeninism,MarxismandSocialism.

According to Jagdeo however, the younger members of thePPPoftodayarenotpassivemembers;theyareveryvocal on issues and they come from every one of the regions. As such, “now we need to equip them more with the tools; we need to train them more on social media, and (AI)Artificial Intelligence (AI), and all the things that matter most to the propagationoftheparty.”

Referencing the initial pushback, the General Secretary conceded there were some of the older folks that felt by including more and more younger persons in the party their ideologies would somehow be diluted but he pushed back saying“ifyoulookatthemembershipoftheparty,theparty’s ideologyanditsbeliefscannotbedivorcedfromtherealityof thecountry,therealityoftheworldandtherealityofourown membership,theworldhasmovedonfromcoldwarera;soin thatsensewearebringingourconstitutionwiththeprevailing ideologyintheworldwhereyoudohavepartiesthatpractice workingclassideologywithoutanism.”

Some 3,000 delegates attended the congress

‘Best welfare package for public servants by 2030’ – Pres.Ali promises

During his Labour Day address, President IrfaanAli underscoredaboldvisionfor Guyanese public servants, promising them the most comprehensive welfare package in the region by the year2030.

He also emphasised government’s commitment to exploring innovative methods to enhance the disposable income of the working class. On Wednesday, President Ali hosted a Labor Day Brunch at State House in Georgetown. In his address, hestressedtheimportanceof transforming conditions to elevateeverysegmentofthe population, particularly the vulnerable,thepoor,andthe oppressed, at a much faster pace to achieve just and equitable development during this period of grand transformation.

The head-of-state statementcomesontheheels of unions calling for improved wages and salaries On February 5, teachers from across the countrytooktothestreetsto protest for better wages and salaries.Thisactionwenton for almost a month and

resulted in a court battle

Teachers Union (GTU) and thegovernment. InresponsetotheGTU’s industrialactiongovernment had announced that teachers who participate in the strike action – salaries will be deducted However, GTU challengedthegovernment’s decisionincourtandonApril 19, 2024, High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon ruled in favour of the teachers, affirming the legality of the strike and prohibiting the

deductions.

Also, over the years, Guyana’s nursing industry has seen hundreds of nurses migratingtoothercountries. M

ner pastureshasbeenthecentral reasonforthemassexodusof healthcare professionals as many nurses have been takingupattractivepackages offeredbyhealthcareentities in the United Kingdom and theUnitedStateswherethere

Continuedonpage16

President Irfaan Ali

Anotherchargedmaninconnection withBarticadoublemurder

A fifth individual was on Friday charged in connection with the March 3, 2025 murders of Bartica Miner, Mohamed Zaheer Sherriff and his worker DonovanWashington.

PoliceidentifiedhimasJosephThomas,70,ofLot5 Liverpool Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six. Josephhasbeenchargedwith“AccessoryaftertheFact of Murder’. He appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed and was not requiredtopleatothecharge.Hewasgranted$600,000 bailandisrequiredtoreturntocourtonMay31,2024. Four other men have been charged in connection with the murders and two still remain wanted by police for questioning.

The four are: Teddy Thomas, 44, a Taxi Driver of ItaballiLandingandJamesDerrick,20,aminerof

Continued on page 17

Teddy Thomas Paul James Derrick

The four men presently on remand for the Bartica Double Murder

Dead businessman, Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff (left) and Donovan Washington

The two still wanted by police in connection with the double murder

Thefifthman,JosephThomascharged inconnectionwiththemurders.

WANTED VACANCY

Porter needed for truck. For more information Call: 6611000.

One male able- bodied Staff. Call: 231-2029, 616-5954.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade 2. Email application: techserigy@yahoo.com or Call: 615-9132.

Global Commodity Prices Level Off, Hurting

Prospects for Lower Inflation

Global commodity prices are leveling off after a steep descent that played a decisive role in whittling down overall inflation last year, which could make it harder for central banks to cut interest rates quickly, according to the World Bank’s latest Commodity Markets Outlook

challenges, is expected to bolster gold prices throughout 2024.

Maid to cook & clean for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

Wanted: Skilled Masons, Carpenters and Labourers to work in Linden. Call: 6029469, 660-6385 or 625-7642. Experienced Salesperson, knowledge in writing bills, stocktaking, cashing & 1 General Domestic. Apply at Keyfood Mc. Doom Village next to the Post Office.

Caricom Insurance is now hiring Sales Agents/Representatives. Attractive Commission and Training provided. Call (592) 610-6650.

Wanted! Workers for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100-$5000 per day. Workers paid weekly. Call: 6117839.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

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

One BMW for sale, mileage 082443. Call: 655-7405/ 6947817.

LAND FOR SALE

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EDUCATION

First AID/CPR/AED & home nursing courses Available at St. John Headquarters. For more information Call: 2259082.

call : 612-8305

Hiring spray Painter, Joiner & Carpenters, experience would be an asset, Interested persons can Call: 667-0859.

Vacancy for Receptionist and Hotel Attendant at Hick's Ville Hotel. Email: info@vegeworld.net or Call: 227-7714/ 223-3448.

Masons, carpenters, & skilled men labourers wages $8,000-$10,000 per day & Labourer 5-7K per day. Call: 650-1394, 692-7110.

1 Office Assistant, must have atleast maths and english. Ages 20-35 years. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Canter Driver needed. Ages 30 years & older. Must have atleast 5 experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Skilled Labourers needed for road construction. Ages 20 years & older. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Male Engineer & Project Supervisor at road and building construction. Must have atleast 5 years experience. Email CV: rbinvestmentinc@gmail.com, Call: 613-0855.

Vacancies Exist for Carpenter, Mason, Labourer, and Security Guard at Happy Acres, ECD. Call or WhatsApp Saoud Osman: 643-9861 / 611-6151.

Room Attendant, Receptionist, Deskstaff, Supervisor needed at 233, South Road Lacytown. Call: 2250198.

Cook and Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 699-8486 / 674-9999

The report also finds that a major outbreak of conflict in the Middle East could halt the inflationary decline that has occurred over the past two years. Between mid-2022 and mid-2023, global

Male & female needed to work in the Interior, ages 18 years and older. Call: 6609093

Experienced landridge worker to work on 6 inch. Call: 6883844 or 681-3801

FOR SALE

Two SUV Lexus for sale @ 8.9 mil each. For more information Call: 650-0402/ 652-0251.

One income generating property. Land size 37'x 345' at Middle road, Pouderoyen. For more information Call: 655-7405/ 694-7817.

One 6076 John Deere 6 cylinder engine. Interested persons an make contact 7014000. Monday-Friday 8 am4 pm

Visa Application and consultation, advertisements publishing, graphics design, local & USA passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 626-7040. Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. For more information Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

For Land Clearance (Grubbing), Sand fill, Housing Plan and Estimates. Call K. Lakeram Building Contractor 692-8464 or whatsapp 622-0267.

commodity prices plummeted by nearly 40%. This helped to drive most of the roughly 2percentage-point reduction in global inflation between 2022 and 2023. Since mid-2023, however, the World Bank’s index of commodity prices has remained essentially unchanged. Assuming no further flare-up in geopolitical tensions, the Bank’s forecasts call for a decline of 3% in global commodity prices in 2024 and 4% in 2025. That pace will do little to subdue inflation that remains above central bank targets in most countries. It will keep commodity prices about 38% higher than they were on average in the five years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Global inflation remains undefeated,” said Indermit Gill, the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist and Senior Vice President “A key force for disinflation—falling commodity prices—has essentially hit a wall. That means interest rates could remain higher than currently expected this year and next. The world is at a vulnerable moment: a major energy shock could undermine much of the progress in reducing inflation over the past two years.”

Persistently high geopolitical tensions over the past two years have propped up the price of oil and many other critical commodities even as global growth has slowed.

The price of Brent crude oil, for example, surged to $91 per barrel earlier this month— nearly $34 per barrel above the 2015-2019 average. The Bank’s forecasts indicate that Brent prices will average $84 per barrel in 2024 before declining to an average of $79 in 2025, assuming no conflict-

related supply disruptions. If the conflict in the Middle East were to escalate further, however, oil-supply disruptions could push up global inflation. A moderate conflict-related supply disruption could raise the average Brent price this year to $92 per barrel. A more severe disruption could see oil prices surpass $100 per barrel, raising global inflation in 2024 by nearly one percentage point.

“A striking divergence is emerging between global growth and commodity prices: despite relatively weaker global growth, commodity prices will most likely remain higher in 2024-25 than in the halfdecade before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ayhan Kose, the World Bank Group’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group “One critical factor behind this divergence relates to heightened geopolitical tensions that are keeping upward pressure on prices of major commodities and stoking risks of sharp price movements. Central banks must remain alert about the inflationary implications of commodity-price spikes amid elevated geopolitical tensions.”

The average price of gold—a popular choice for investors seeking “safe haven”—is expected to hit a record in 2024 before moderating slightly in 2025. Gold holds a special status among assets, often rising in price during periods of geopolitical and policy uncertainty, including conflicts. Strong demand from several developing-country central banks, along with heightened geopolitical

An escalation of the conflict in the Middle East could also drive up prices of natural gas, fertilizers, and food, the report notes. The region is a crucial gas supplier—20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade transits the Strait of Hormuz. If the LNG supply were interrupted, fertilizer prices would also rise substantially, likely driving up food prices. The Bank’s baseline forecast, however, is for overall food prices to decline somewhat—by 6% in 2024 and 4% in 2025. Fertilizer prices are expected to fall by 22% in 2024 and 6% in 2025.

Accelerating investment in green technologies has bolstered prices of key metals that are critical for the global clean-energy transition. Prices of copper— necessary for electricity-grid infrastructure and electric vehicles—surged to a twoyear high this month. They are expected to rise 5% in 2024 before stabilizing in 2025.

Prices of aluminum are forecast to rise by 2% in 2024 and 4% in 2025, bolstered in particular by the production of electric vehicles, solar panels, and other renewablepower infrastructure.

The report also contains a special focus section evaluating the performance of five well-known approaches used to forecast the prices of three key commodities— crude oil, copper, and aluminum. It finds that each of them suffers from certain deficiencies, but each also offers important advantages. As a result, the analysis suggests, forecasts are most accurate when they reflect a variety of analytical approaches—and a healthy dose of judgment.

‘Best welfare package for public servants...

From page 14 are severe shortages of nurses.

For his part, President Ali articulated that the government’s philosophy is centered on bolstering the working class by fostering opportunities for all. “One that is fair and just, one that is equitable and one that seek to bring the balance among all the Guyanese people,” he added. “You will approach the new era, 2030 and beyond, not only having the best welfare package in this region but we will approach 2030, as the most advanced, educated and skilled population in this region and maybe unmatched globally,” Ali said.

He underscored that the ongoing education revolution is not solely for university-bound individuals but also extends opportunities to those who were previously overlooked in secondary education. Moreover, reflecting on recent economic progress, President Ali noted the transformation of

Guyana’s economic landscape in just three and a half years.

He attributed this success to the dedication of the workforce. He reiterated initiatives to provide free training and guaranteed employment for aspiring teachers and nurses, highlighting the government’s commitment to investing in human capital.

“And although we made monumental adjustments in the salary of our workers, I believe that we have to find more innovative ways of ensuring more disposable income is placed in the pockets of all our workers, in the public and private sector,” Ali said. He continued, “We have to find more innovative ways in which will ensure that our farmers can be supported, the productive sector can be supported and as I speak to you, the government I lead, we are examining those innovative ways to ensure more money remains in the pockets of the workers…”

VACANCY

$25MestimatedtoinstallstreetlightsinEBDhousingarea

The supply and installation of solar streetlights for housing areas on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) is estimatedtocost$25million.

This is according to the estimates provided by the Central Housing and Planning Authority's (CHPA) engineer

The project was recently read at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office and it revealed that Lot1 of the project is pegged at $12,688,200andLot2is$12,316,000.

It was reported that this project is being funded by an Inter-AmericanBank(IDB)loanwhichthegovernmenthad received towards the Road Network Upgrade and Expansion Programme (Adequate Housing and Urban AccessibilityProgramme).

The agency in its advertisement for bids had noted that thedelivery/constructionperiodforthecontractis210days perlot.

It was also reported in the media that the Bank had agreedin2017toprovideUS$63.5MtofundGovernment's AdequateHousingandUrbanAccessibilityProgramme.

According to the loan agreement, this support will help vulnerable households, including those led by single parents,andthoselivinginstructuresthatarenothabitable. In special occasions, families may also opt to relocate to serviced and transportation-accessible CH&PA sites in the projectarea.

Further, the objective of the reformulated project is to improve the quality of life in urban and peri-urban Georgetown through better access to adequate housing and basic infrastructure for low-income populations, and throughimprovedaccessibilityandmobilityservices.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

Central Housing and PlanningAuthority

Supply and installation of solar integrated LED streetlights for East Bank of Demerara (EBD) Housing area. Lots1 &2.

Ministry ofAgriculture

Rehabilitation of 30km access road at Ebini/ Kimbia.

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport

Procurement and installation of security camera system for Kuru Kuru Training Centre.

Guyana RevenueAuthority

Supply and delivery of the Human Resource capital management payroll system.

Guyana CivilAviationAuthority

Supply and installation of central air conditioning units at Timehri Control Tower

Office of the Prime Minister

Supply and delivery of line hardware for network update in Region One.

Another charged man...

From page 15 He had reportedly started his Onderneeming, Essequibo day early with prayers at the Coast, Region Two, Travis Masjid in Bartica before Fredericks, a 32-year-old leaving with Washington for Miner from 287 Tuschen Arimu Backdam on an ATV Housing Scheme, East Bank (four wheel bike). They had Essequibo (EBE) and gone in there to wash down Fernando Fredericks, a 28- (a process of separating gold year-old Miner from the from mats placed in a sluice sameaddress. box to trap the precious Derrick and the two metal) and bring out Fredricks relatives were all production(thegold). charged with “Accessory According to police after the Fact of Murder’ reports they left with 102 while Thomas was charged ounces of raw gold worth withmurder some $37M but at around They were all remanded 10:00hrs that day, they were to prison Derrick and both shot dead and the gold Thomas are expected to be s t o l e n T h e d e a d back in court on May 15, businessman’s General 2 0 2 4 w h i l e Tr a v i s Manager(GM)JoelStephen, Fredericks and Fernando 39, told police that Fredricks made their second MohammedandWashington courtappearanceonApril25 were killed some five last. minutesafterleavingcamp. Meanwhile Police had He recalled hearing also issued wanted bulletins “several loud explosions for two more men who are which he suspected to be still at large. One of them gunshots”, police said Romain Henry, 19, was Stephen reportedly followed reported missing by his the directions of the sounds mother days before police and after walking for 500 issued a wanted bulleting for meters away from camp he him. The other wanted man found h

s and isKellonFredricks,21. Washington dead in the trail Reports on the murder with visible gunshot wounds case are that on the morning totheirbodies. of March 3 last Bartica Not only did he discover Businessman, Zaheer that the gold they were Mohammed Sheriff, 50, and carrying was gone but a former national athlete Mohammed’s two licensed who worked with him, guns, a .32 pistol and a 12Donovan Washington, 26, gauge shotgun, were stolen. were murdered by bandits Police had reported that while returning from Arimu investigators learnt that the Backdam, Cuyuni River, businessman and his worker RegionSeven. were attacked by two Mohammed owned a masked men on a Red ATV land dredge in the backdam. (four-wheelbike).

US State Dept. official...

From page 12

service officers – and staff forums but her concerns weren’t heard.

She also wrote thatAmerica’s credibility as an “advocate for human rights has almost entirely vanished since the war began” and her efforts to mobilise help from NGOs were being refused. Her decision to make her resignation public stemmed from the encouragement of her colleagues who told her to “please speak for us”, she said. “So many of my colleaguesfeelbetrayed.Iwriteformyselfbutspeakformany others. “Across the federal government, employees like me have tried for months to influence policy, both internally and, whenthatfailed,publicly,”shewrote.

“My colleagues and I watched in horror as this administration delivered thousands of precision-guided munitions,bombs,smallarmsandotherlethalaidtoIsraeland authorised thousands more, even bypassing Congress to do so ” She said she was “appalled” by the Biden administration’s“flagrantdisregardforAmericanlaws”.

Relations between Mr Biden and Israeli prime minister BenjaminNetanyahusanktoawartimelowthisweekwiththe US allowing passage of a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the UN and drawing a sharp rebuke from the Israeli leader Mr Biden’sdecisiontoabstainattheUN,comingaftermonthsof mostly adhering to a longtime US policy of shielding Israel at the world body, appeared to reflect growing US frustration withtheIsraelileader (The INDEPENDENT)

Construction of access road at Canal No.2 Conservancy Dam.

Israel shuts downAl Jazeera, raids office

JERUSALEM/DOHA,May5

raided a Jerusalem hotel room used

1996 and views it as a way to

(Reuters) - Israeli authorities bolsteritsglobalprofile.

“Al Jazeera Media Network by Al Jazeera as its office after the strongly condemns and denounces government decided to shut down this criminal act that violates theQatari-ownedTVstation’slocal human rights and the basic right to operations on Sunday, an Israeli access of information,” the official and an Al Jazeera source network said in a statement “Al toldReuters. Jazeera affirms its right to

Video circulatedonline showed continue to provide news and plainclothes officers dismantling information to its global camera equipment in a hotel room, audiences ” which the Al Jazeera source said

The UN Human Rights Office wasinEastJerusalem. alsocriticisedtheclosure.

Prime Minister Benjamin

“We regret cabinet decision to Netanyahu’s cabinet shut down the closeAlJazeerainIsrael,”itsaidon network for as long as the war in X. “Afree & independent media is Gazacontinues,sayingitthreatened essential to ensuring transparency nationalsecurity & accountability Now, even more Al Jazeera said the move was a so given tight restrictions on “criminal action” and the reporting from Gaza. Freedom of accusation that the network expressionisakeyhumanright.We threatened Israeli security was a urgegovttooverturnban.” “dangerous and ridiculous lie” that

A man manoevres media equipment following an Israeli police raid on Al Jazeera’s office at the Ambassador Hotel in Jerusalem, May 5, 2024.

Israel’s parliament last month putitsjournalistsatrisk. ratified a law allowing the It reserved the right to “pursue temporary closure in Israel of everylegalstep”. foreign broadcasters considered to

The network has criticised beathreattonationalsecurity Israel’s military operation in Gaza, The law allows Netanyahu and from where it has reported his security cabinet to shut the throughoutthewar supported the closure said Al Jazeera’sGazaoperations. systematic Israeli attacks to silence network’s offices in Israel for 45

“The incitement channel Al Jazeera could still try to block it in Israeli satellite and cable AlJazeera”. days, a period that can be renewed, Jazeera will be closed in Israel,” court. television providers suspended Al It said Israel deliberately soitcouldstayinforceuntiltheend Netanyahu posted on social media The measure, the statement Jazeera broadcasts following the targeted and killed several of its of July or until the end of major following a unanimous cabinet said, includes closing Al Jazeera’s government’sdecision. journalists, including Samer Abu militaryoperationsinGaza. vote. offices in Israel, confiscating There was no official comment Daqqa and Hamza AlDahdooh, Qatar, where several Hamas

A government statement said broadcast equipment, cutting off fromtheQatarigovernment,which both killed in Gaza during the political leaders are based, is trying Israel’s communications minister thechannelfromcableandsatellite deferredtoAlJazeera. conflict. Israel has said it does not to mediate a ceasefire and hostage signedordersto“actimmediately”, companies and blocking its The network last month targetjournalists. releasedealthatcouldhalttheGaza but at least one lawmaker who websites. It did not mention Al complained of “a series of Qatar established Al Jazeera in war.

Al Jazeera condemns Israeli government’s decision to shut down local offices

Aljazeera - Al Jazeera commitment to cover, whilst channel Al Jazeera will be

thatwewillbenext,”hesaid. ‘Atrocious’ Press freedom groups

e Jazeera’soperationsinIsrael condemned Israel’s decision

Media Network has more than 140 Palestinian closedinIsrael,”hepostedin government’s decision, the afteritsparliamentapproved toshutdownAlJazeera. condemned the Israeli journalists have been killed Hebrew Al Jazeera station’s a law that grants senior Tim Dawson, the deputy government’s decision to since the beginning of the Israel’sCommunications broadcasts have been ministers powers to shut general secretary of the close its operations in Israel waronGaza.

Minister Shlomo Karhi stoppedinIsrael.” downforeignnewsnetworks International Federation of as a “criminal act” and “ T h e N e t w o r k wrote on X that he had Israel’s decision deemedasecurityrisk. Journalists, told Al Jazeera warned that the country’s vehemently rejects the signed the orders against Al escalates the country’s long- “Al Jazeera harmed from London, that it is suppression of the free press allegations presented by Jazeera, which would be running feud against Al Israel’s security, actively “utterly a retrograde and “stands in contravention of Israeliauthoritiessuggesting effectiveimmediately Jazeera. It also threatens to participated in the October 7 ridiculousdecision”. i n t e r n a t i o n a l a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l m e d i a Karhi said he ordered the heighten tensions with massacre, and incited “Closing down media, humanitarianlaw”. standards have been seizure of Al Jazeera’s Qatar, which funds the against Israeli soldiers,” closing down television

Al Jazeera Media violated It reaffirms its broadcasting equipment media network, at a time NetanyahuhadpostedonX. stations is a sort of thing that Network strongly condemns unwavering commitment to “used to deliver the when Doha is playing a key The network accused despotsdo,”hesaid. and denounces this criminal the values embodied by its channel’s content” , role in mediation efforts to Netanyahu of “incitement”, “Israel makes much of act that violates human CodeofEthics,”itsaid. includingeditingandrouting halt the war in Gaza. Israel holding the Israeli leader being a democracy and the rights and the basic right to The statement comes equipment, cameras, has long had a rocky “responsibleforthesafetyof idea that it can simply close access information Al after Israeli Prime Minister microphones, servers and relationship withAl Jazeera, its staff and network down an international Jazeera affirms its right to Benjamin Netanyahu’s laptops, as well as wireless accusing it of bias against it premises around the world, broadcaster of considerable continue to provide news cabinet voted unanimously transmission equipment and and collaboration with following his incitement and reputation and history is and information to its global to close Al Jazeera’s somemobilephones. Hamas The Qatar-based this false accusation in a atrocious,”Dawsonadded. audiences,” the network said operations in Israel, weeks Later on Sunday, police network has repeatedly disgracefulmanner”. Nour Odeh, a political inastatementonSunday after Israel’s parliament raidedAl Jazeera’s premises rejectedtheaccusations. Al Jazeera’s Zein analyst, warned that other “Israel’s ongoing passed a law allowing the in occupied East Jerusalem Al Jazeera is one of the Basravi, reporting from media organisations could suppressionofthefreepress, temporary closure of foreign and satellite and cable few international media Ramallah in the occupied betargetedinthefuture. seen as an effort to conceal broadcasters considered to providerstookAlJazeeraoff outlets to remain in Gaza West Bank, said the “People should be its actions in the Gaza Strip, be a threat to national air Messages have appeared throughout the war, Palestine-Israel conflict is concerned,”shesaid. stands in contravention of security during the months- instead of Al Jazeera’s broadcasting bloody scenes “oneofthemainreasonsthat “This is not just aboutAl i n t e r n a t i o n a l a n d longwarinGaza. broadcast on a number of o f a i r a t t a c k s a n d ournetworkexists”. Jazeera I think this humanitarian law Israel’s Netanyahu announced satellite providers, including overcrowded hospitals, and “So to have our t h r e a t e n s a l o t o f directtargetingandkillingof the decision on X, formerly messages with the words accusingIsraelofmassacres. journalists, our operations, organisations. Perhaps even journalists, arrests, Twitter “The government “Yes”and“Hot”. Last month, Netanyahu threatened in this way a few progressive Israeli intimidation and threats will headed by me unanimously The message flagged had said he would “act Definitely, the worry here in newsorganisationsthathave not deter Al Jazeera from its decided: the incitement with “Yes” reads: “In immediately to stop” Al the occupied West Bank is beencriticalofthewar.”

Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce (without cap) produced sensational bowling figures of 4-8 to rip through Ireland’s top batting order (Getty Images)

Scotland reach T20 World Cup for first time after beating Ireland

(BBC Sport) - Scotland the Scots reach their target HorleyandcaptainBryce. booked their place at this witheasein16.2overs. Scotland will face Sri year’s Women’s T20 World B r y c e ’s b

Lanka - who beat hosts Cup with a dominant eight- brilliance was backed up by United Arab Emirates - in wicket qualifier semi-final three wickets from Rachel Tuesday’s qualifier final, win over Ireland in Abu Slater, who dismissed Paul safe in the knowledge that Dhabi which ended the Irish and Arlene Kelly after their they have already achieved team’s hopes of earning a 60-run partnership had theirtournamentgoal. placeinBangladesh. enabled Ireland to reach “That’s up there with the Skipper Kathryn Bryce threefigures. best [spells I’ve seen],” set up Scotland’s victory as Ireland skipper Laura Sarah Bryce said of sister she ripped through the Irish Delany and Eimear Kathryn’sexploits. top order by producing Richardson also departed “ O b v i o u s l y a n figuresof4-8. cheaply to Bryce deliveries unbelievable spell in itself, Bryce dismissed openers with Slater’s crucial but to do that in a must-win

Amy Hunter and Gaby contribution including the gametogetyourcountrytoa LewistoleaveIrelandon1-2 run-outofOrlaPrendergast. WC for the first time under and it soon became 25-5 OpenerColl’s50washer that sort of pressure is after6.1overs. maiden international T20 unbelievable.

Monday May 06, 2024

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Things are coming to a dramatic climax for you in matters of love and romance. Perhapsyou'vebeennurturing a relationship.You've put a lot of passion and soul into buildingastrongconnection.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Foryou,Taurus,loveislikean adventure, crazy sport, or some sort of video arcade game. Lately, you may have been too caught up in the fantasyaspectofit.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Love and romance should be going well for you now However,todayyoucouldfind that things get a bit uneasy wheneitheryouoryourpartner suspects something isn't true or is suspicious about the situationathand.

CANCER(June21–July22)

The notion of truth could get shot down today due to someonewhoknowsyoubetter than most It won't take a long, drawn-out conversation or deep explanation to reveal the fact that there is a bit of deception that has been coveringthetruth

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Do what you can to stabilize your emotions, Leo. Romance should be on a slow, steady path as long as you're honest withyourselfandothersabout howyoufeel.

VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)

You need to slow down in matters of love and romance

You're likely acting on the assumption that things are fine andyoucancontinuemovingat lightning speed though you longagolostyourroadmap.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Issues of love and romance should be going well for you, Libra, and you'll find that regardless of where you are in your relationships, you're right whereyouneedtobe.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Thingsarecomingtoadifficult stalemate regarding the love in your life, Scorpio. Perhaps you've felt like everything was goingfineandyouhadnothing toworryabout.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Loveisveryrealtoyou.You're apt to take it very seriously, perhaps even too seriously This is one of those emotions that eventually takes over your brain and leaves no room for rationalthoughtsonthetopic.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Matters of the heart are likely to get a bit sticky. Perhaps you feel as if someone is shutting off from you and being very stubborn about it. Perhaps this person is giving you the cold shoulder and refusing to acknowledge you until you crawlbackwithanapology

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Your warm, loving, romantic nature is noticed whether you realize it or not, Aquarius. Perhaps you sometimes feel like there isn't enough excitement in your lifeespeciallyyourlovelife.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

When it comes to romance in yourlife,Pisces,theremaybea great deal of talk but not enough action. Perhaps you're a terrific flirt who can keep things moving at a quick pace intellectually, but nothing reallycomesofit.

Leah Paul’s 45 help half century as she was “I couldn’t be prouder of Ireland post 110-9 but it involved in two 49-run her, and I think that set the looked a below-par total and partnerships with Saskia tonefortherestoftheday.”

Megan McColl’s 50 and Bryce’s unbeaten 35 helped

Salah scores on return as Liverpool thrash Tottenham

Tottenham’s dramatic decline

Cole Palmer (20) has scored 10 goals in his last five appearances at Stamford Bridge (Getty Images)

Referee (VAR), while Villa captain continued as their hopes of JohnMcGinnwasalsojudgedtobe reaching the Premier League’s top inches ahead of the Brighton four faded even further after they defence before scoring at the other were well beaten by Liverpool at end. Anfield.

Unai Emery’s fourth-placed AstonVilla’sdefeatatBrighton side remain seven points clear of leftthedooropenforSpurstomake Tottenham, who lost 4-2 at a late push for next season’s Liverpool on Sunday but have a Champions League but even a late gameinhand. comeback could not prevent a

fourth successive defeat as disappointing loss to Olympiakos Liverpool found form once more in the Europa Conference League aftertheirownrecentslump. onThursdaynight,Villamissedthe Mohamed Salah put his chance to strengthen their hold on touchline bust-up with manager fourthwithtwomatchesleft. Jurgen Klopp at West Ham behind They were sluggish throughout him to open the scoring with a far- andBrightonlookedtohavetakena post header from Cody Gakpo’s deserved lead in the 68th minute cross after 16 minutes, Andy when Gross met a Pedro cross with Robertson adding the second right a clever finish, but VAR ruined his on half-time when Spurs keeper celebrations. GuglielmoVicario could only push

The Seagulls had found Villa outtheEgyptian’sshot. switched off to allow substitute West Ham almost hit back have climbed up to seventh and sit keeperOlsen-replacingtheinjured Spurs lost discipline and Richarlison and Heung-Min Son to immediately when Jarrod Bowen’s just two points shy of sixth-placed Emiliano Martinez - in fine form, Vicario had to separate team-mates give Spurs unlikely hope but it was header crashed back off the Newcastle, while West Ham, who butkeptpressing. Cristian Romero and Emerson too late and they remain seven crossbar, but it was one-way traffic have two games remaining, stay When winger Simon Adingra Royal as they went off at half-time, points behind fourth-placed Aston fromthenon. ninth. went to ground in the box under a with matters not improving for Villawithagameinhand.

Chelsea doubled their lead on Brighton win upsets Villa’s challenge from Ezri Konsa, referee Ange Postecoglou’s side as they Chelsea thrash West Ham the half-hour mark through Conor Champions League charge RobertJonespointedtothespot. were over-run after the break by a Chelsea strengthened their Gallagher before Noni Madueke Joao Pedro struck a late winner It was almost in keeping with rampantLiverpool. chances of securing European headed in the third six minutes as Brighton put a dent in Aston thegamethatPedrohadhispenalty Gakpo headed the third from football next season, cruising to later Villa’sChampionsLeaguehopesat pushed away by Olsen, but the Harvey Elliott’s delivery five victory against West Ham at Nicolas Jackson struck twice in theAmexStadium. striker was sharp enough to nod minutes after the interval, the latter StamfordBridge. the second half to round off a The Brazilian headed home a hometherebound. gettingonthescoresheethimselfin It took just 15 minutes for wholly positive afternoon for the reboundinthe87thminuteafterhis Roberto de Zerbi’s side moved the 59th minute with a glorious Chelsea to get their noses in front Blues. penaltywassavedbyRobinOlsen. upto11thinthetableafterendinga curlingfinishfrom20yardsintothe with Cole Palmer reacting quickest With just three games left to Pascal Gross had an earlier disappointing six-match winless topcorner tomeetalooseballintheWestHam play, Chelsea’s season seems to be effort for the hosts ruled out for run and claiming their first home Liverpool then inexplicably box. heading for a strong finish as they offside by the Video Assistant successagainstVillasince1980.

Norris beats Verstappen in Miami for first F1 win

Lando Norris finished second in China two weeks ago (Reuters)

( B B C S p o r t ) - pace and set the foundations McLaren’s Lando Norris forhiswin. beat Red Bull’s Max The fact that this was not Verstappen with help from theusualcruisetovictoryfor the safety car to take his Verstappen was obvious maiden Formula 1 victory at when he missed the chicane theMiamiGrandPrix. on lap 21 and displaced a Norris jumped to the bollard. front because he was able to Thevirtualsafetycarhad make his pit stop when a to be deployed for half a lap safety car was deployed at to clear the debris from the about half distance while track. Verstappen pitted two othershadalreadystopped. laps later, and rejoined 10 Verstappenwasunableto secondsbehindNorris. keep pace with Norris when But despite having the race restarted with 27 fresher tyres, Verstappen did laps to go, and the Briton not close on Norris - in fact stretched ahead, while the the McLaren started to pull worldchampionhadtosettle away made it difficult for himself when he had finished the revenge for Sainz, who had ahead of the lacklustre Perez for second ahead of Ferrari’s And when the safety car with a nervy restart which race since Ferrari’s Carlos been angered by Piastri forfourthplacetotheend. CharlesLeclerc. was deployed Norris had a gave Verstappen the chance Sainz in Singapore in forcing him off the track Lewis Hamilton had an Inadditiontoabitofluck sufficient advantage to pit to think about a pass at Turn Septemberlastyear whenhepassedtheFerrariat eventful race in his and timing, Norris’ victory and come out still in the Oneattherestart. Behind them, Leclerc Turn 11 a few laps earlier, Mercedes, battling first with was based on genuine pace - lead But the combination of drove a strong race to stay a f t e r w h i c h S a i n z Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas and he was the quickest car on There was bit of the pace of the upgraded within two seconds of complained vociferously on then Yuki Tsunoda’s RB to track once he was released confusion when the safety McLaren and Verstappen Verstappen despite making the radio that he should be take sixth, just a second from behind the struggling car picked up Verstappen struggling with a lack of his pit stop for tyres four given the place back. But the behind Perez, ahead of the Red Bull of Sergio Perez rather than Norris and the front grip meant Norris was laps before the Red Bull stewards did not agree and Japanese and the second when the Mexican made an field had to be let past to run able to stretch away, turning driver. felt Piastri had done nothing MercedesofGeorgeRussell. early pit stop for tyres on lap around and catch up behind the tables on Verstappen, on His team-mate Carlos wrong. And Fernando Alonso 17. Norris, but now it came whom Norris inflicted the Sainz took fourth place, The collision wrecked recovered from a poor From then until the down to a straight fight pain the Dutchman usually despite a collision with Piastri’s front wing and he qualifying in the Aston safety car for a collision between the McLaren and doesontherestofthefield. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri had to stop for it to be Martin - the Spaniard started between Williams’ Logan theRedBull. In doing so, and winning when passing the Australian replaced, but Sainz managed only 15th - to take ninth Sargeant and Haas driver Usually, Verstappen by nearly eight seconds, he with 17 laps to go at the final to get away with minimal place, passing the Alpine of Kevin Magnussen at Turn wouldhavebeenexpectedto became the first driver to corner damage and he was Esteban Ocon, who took the Three, Norris turned on the pass Norris, and the Briton beat Verstappen on track It was uninte

comfortably able to stay finalpointfor10thplace.

GMMAKAto attend NorthAmerican Federation of MartialArts C/ships

The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association (GMMAKA) was recently invited to the North American Federation of Martial Arts Championship in Atlantic City, NewJersey,scheduledforMay24–25,2024.

With this being the fourth year of participation, the GMMAKAteam is well prepared and is in full preparation to represent its native Country once again. The team is made up of 16 members led by Master Lloyd Ramnarine, who are all eager to demonstrate their talent and skills among greater karatekas.TheteamisscheduledtodepartureGuyanaonMay 21andwillmaketheirwaybackontheMay28.

On behalf of our team, the GMMAKA is kindly seeking financial sponsorship from the Government of Guyana or any privatesector Yourcontributionstowardsourteamwillmean agreatlottoussinceourgoaliscentredonthedevelopmentof children and making them happy in any way possible. The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association’s future upcoming events will be in Trinidad in the month of July and AugustinSuriname. Formoreinformationfeelfreetocontact uson698-6727,689-9288,681-1701or698-7456.

KFC Elite League…

Santos tame Western Tigers

- GDF & Slingerz battle to a stalemate

Both sides remain undefeated after the first Round of Season 6

The Guyana Defence One Slingerz player who the scoring for Santos in the Force (GDF) and Slingerz foundsuccessinthemidfield 6th minute, after which Football Club, battled to an area was Darron Niles, who Randolph Wagner levelled intense stalemate on was visibly given the thescoresinthe23rdminute. Saturday evening when the assignment of ‘marking’ RobertsputSantosahead KFC Elite League Season GDF’s power midfielder againinthe51st,butWagner Six continued at the Guyana Ryan Hackett Though pulled Western Tigers level Football Federation’s (GFF) smaller in stature compared againinthe74thminute. National Training Center, tohismark,Nileswasableto Eventually, it was Providence, East Bank ‘shut down’ Hackett on a Santos’ Stefan Reynolds Demerara (EBD), witnessed number of occasions and who ended the see- saw by hundreds of spectators, coupled with Hackett’s battle in the fourth minute of who braved the inclement seeming inability to get it injuries and stoppages time weather right; GDF were even more (90th+4).

T h e d e f e n d i n g unable to convert their The KFC Elite League champions, GDF, was the chances. will continue tomorrow, more technical of the sides, When regulation time Tuesday, May 7 with a clash however, this separation in whistle sounded, there was between Western Tigers FC theirstylesonSaturdaynight little to separate the two and Den Amstel FC at could also be chalked up to League favourites as they 19:00hrs, which will mark theabsenceofSlingerzHead remainedunbeaten. the conclusion of the first Coach Alex Thomas, who In the other fixture on RoundofSeason6. was issued a red card during Saturday night, Santos FC The League

, the club’s encounter with the pulled of an astonishing 3-2 thereafter, take a short break Guyana Police Force (GPF) victory over Western Tigers and resume on Saturday, FCaweekprior FC. Randy Roberts opened May18.

IPL: Narine plunders 81 to propel KKR to emphatic victory over LSG

In a sensational display wickets. comprehensive victory The of power hitting, Sunil Narine’s explosive match also witnessed Narine spearheaded Kolkata batting display in the initial standout performances from Knight Riders (KKR) to a overs set the tone for KKR’s Ramandeep Singh, whose commanding victory over commanding total After quick-fire innings added Nicholas Pooran’s Lucknow Salt’s aggressive start, crucial runs to KKR’s total, Super Giants and a place Narine took centre stage, putting LSG under immense atop of the IPL table with a unleashing a barrage of pressure. stunningknockof81runsoff boundaries and sixes. His With this convincing just39deliveries. innings featured a total of win, Kolkata Knight Riders

Alongside Narine, seven sixes and six fours, continue to demonstrate c

demonstrating his ability to their formidable form in IPL Ramandeep Singh (25 off 6 accelerate the scoring rate at 2024, buoyed by standout balls), Phil Salt (32), will. performances from key Angkrish Raghuvanshi (32), Despite eventually being playerslikeSunilNarineand and Shreyas Iyer ensured dismissed while attempting Andre Russell, signaling that KKR posted an another big hit, Narine’s their intent as serious imposingtotalof235for6in con

theirallotted20overs. foundation for KKR’s tournament. (SportsMax)

Thematch,heldatoneof the lower-scoring venues in IPL 2024, set the stage for a challenging run chase for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Despite a 50-run partnership between KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis, LSG struggled to accelerate the scoring rate, ultimately succumbing to the pressure imposedbyKKR’sbowlers. Andre Russell emerged as a pivotal figure in the match, not only with his powerful batting but also w i t h h i s c r u c i a l contributions with the ball. Russell’s bowling spell saw himclaimthecrucialwickets of Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran, swinging the match heavily in KKR’s favor As LSG’s innings faltered,therequiredrunrate soared out of control, with the last nine wickets falling for just 67 runs Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana were instrumental in dismantling LSG’s batting lineup, each claiming three

(Associated Press)

Karatekas of the GMMAKA

Sunil Narine struck a 27-ball fifty

Nexgen Golf Shines Bright with the Success of its First-Ever Night Golf Event

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One of the highlights of taking Female honors with a the Night Golf Event a the event was the Glow Ball prize from Sterling Products resounding success. Special Competition, where Ltd. All the junior players thanks to Sterling Products participants competed for received large snack packs Ltd, Sunshine Snacks, Ansa prizes by showcasing their compliments of Sunshine Mcal; Balance Wait accuracy and finesse under Snacks. Female players also Services; Guyana Beverages the cloak of darkness received bottles of Barefoot Inc. and Pegasus Hotel & innovative golf experiences, Nexgen Golf is redefining upcoming events, visit their Spectators cheered as Wine from Ansa Mcal as a Suites. dedicated to pushing the the future of the sport and Instagram and Facebook competitors neon balls part of the grand two-day About Nexgen Golf: For boundaries of traditional inspiringanewgenerationof pages,visitthematWoolford tracingdazzlingarcsthrough event. more than three years, golf Through a diverse players. Avenue or Westside Golf thenightsky “As we reflect on the Nexgen Golf has been the range of events, and For more information Course in Vreed-en-hoop or The Night Golf Event success of our Night Golf leading provider of Secondaryschoolinitiatives, about Nexgen Golf and call6450944.

IBA presents far-reaching 4-year competition calendar and $80M prize fund

( I B A ) - T h e coming in at an impressive yearly prize fund of $7 the impressive budget we International Boxing $4.8 million. The upcoming million. secured for the upcoming Association (IBA) is IBAWomen’sWorldBoxing Elite continental events four years, we commit to investing over $80 million Championships is set to take for men and women are to delivering the best for the into prize money over the place in Astana, Kazakhstan take place yearly on each sport of boxing, which is next four-year cycle until from 21 September – 6 continent with up to a $1 unprecedented. I am looking 2028 and announced its October 2024 The next million prize fund allocated forward to exploring new fully-packed global event M e n ’ s W o r l d per event. Youth and Junior formats of events and calendar The IBABoard of Championships scheduled events are scheduled for the developing the current Directors approved the forApril,2025. continents for every year ones.’ comprehensive event The IBA Youth World ongoing. In addition, the Chris Roberts OBE, IBA roadmap at its meeting that Boxing Championships will IBA launches the new IBA Secretary General and CEO, took place in Madrid on 4 be an annual event with a $1 Team World Cup taking added, ‘This is crucial for May 2024.The flagship IBA million prize fund; with the place biannually with an our organization to serve as events,theIBAMen’sWorld J u n i o r W o r l d inaugural edition planned the true Home of Boxing, Boxing Championships and Championships also for December 2024 in primarily supporting our W o m e n ’ s B o x i n g scheduled to take place Dubai,UAE. boxers and coaches. With a Championships will take yearly IBA’s flagship pro- ‘We are ready to clear, tailored roadmap and place every other two years. styleevent,IBAChampions’ continue the investment in calendar, we are poised to The prize money fund for Night packed 2024 schedule our athletes, and we are advance as an organization, Men’s events is set at an will not disappoint with demonstrating that with our ensuring our athletes can astounding$10.4millionper regular events touching all actions,’ IBA President meticulously plan their event, and the women’s corners of the world with a Umar Kremlev stated. ‘With careers.’

Alvarez beats Munguia on points to defend titles

(BBC Sport) - Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez beat fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia by a unanimous points decision to retain his WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF super-middleweight titlesinLasVegas.

Munguia was dropped for the first time in his career in the fourth when he was caught by a right uppercut before Alvarez went on to win on points - the judges scoring the fight117-110,116-111and115-112.

Alvarez extended his career record to 61 wins, two drawsandtwolosses,whileMunguia’sunbeatenrecordwas endedinhis44thbout.

“Jaime Munguia is a great fighter He’s strong, he’s smart.ButItakemytime,”said33-year-oldAlvarez.

“I have 12 rounds to win the fight and I did. I did really goodandIfeelproudaboutit.

“He’s strong but I think he’s a little slow I could see every punch. That’s why I’m the best. I’m the best fighter rightnow,forsure.”

Munguia had won all his previous 43 fights, with 34 beingbyknockout,beforefacingAlvarez.

“I came out well,” said the 27-year-old. “I think at the beginningIwaswinningsomeofthoserounds.

“It was going well, I let my hands go but he’s a fighter with a lot of experience. Unfortunately, he beat me. It definitelyhurts.”

Canelo has defended his WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF supermiddleweight titles 4 times (Getty Images)

First place winner, Rohan Albert, received his prize from Veonita Needham

Russia’s Albert Batyrgaziev (left) claimed the inaugural IBA Pro World Champion title, defeating Lazaro Alvarez of Cuba in the 60kg main event of the eighth IBA Champions’ Night at the Agenda Arena in Dubai, 2023. (Photo: IBA)

Haynes and Sammy confident of West Indies’ success at T20 World Cup

(CMC) - West Indies winning teams,” Sammy complete the group stage lead selector, Desmond said. “We’ve done it before, againstNewZealandonJune Haynes and white-ball head and I think, as a selection 12 at the Brian Lara Cricket coach, Daren Sammy, said group, we’re really excited Academy in Trinidad and they were confident that the aboutit. Afghanistanfivedayslaterat right squad was selected for “It’s an exciting time, the venue named after their the ICC Men’s Twenty20 and this preparation did not coach in his homeland of St WorldCupnextmonthinthe start now It started from the Lucia. Caribbean and the United last World Cup in Australia. States. What we’ve been able to do

Haynes and Sammy throughout the last year as a officially announced, on T20group,theplayerswe’ve Friday, that co-hosts West exposed, has brought us to Indies rolled the dice and this moment, and I think named the Guyanese duo of we’re about to ‘knock it out uncapped pacer Shamar ofthisworld’.”

Joseph and left-handed

BothHaynesandSammy batsman Shimron Hetmyer said finding players to fit in their provisional 15- specific roles in the side was member squad for the global an important part of the showpiece. selection process because of Joseph, 24, has played the nature of the format and only three T20s in his career the length of the tournament, and is yet to make his and this led to some of the international debut in the choicesthatweremade. format, and Hetmyer, 27, a “We had very long formerWestIndiesUnder-19 discussions, especially with World Cup-winning captain, the batting, and our process was included after being has always been about dropped during the home roles,”Haynessaid. series against England last “From the time that Christmas, overlooked in Sammy came in, and I also January for the Tour of agreed with him, we’ve Australia,andmodestrunsin looked at the roles that we theIPL. wantplayerstoplay.”

Haynes said he felt the Sammy added: “We are squad selected had all the ready When you look at role resources to follow in the definition from the group footstepsofthetitle-winning we’veselected,Ithinkwe’ve squadsof2012and2016. come up with the best “This is a very good time combination to help us win in West Indies cricket,” he thisWorldCup. told reporters during a news “All the preparation, all conference in the Barbados the thought process capital of Bridgetown. “I identifying the key roles that believethatwe’vegotateam we need to be effective in to that can win this World Cup, helpuswin,hasbroughtusto and I feel damn good about thismoment.Ithinkwehave this. the guys that are ready to go “We’ve had preparations outandexecuteforus.” forthelastyear Themajority A l l W o r l d C u p of the players, we had them provisional squads may be involved and they were very changed up to May 25, after successful. which any alterations will This is a very exciting require approval from the timeforus,andIwouldhope technical committee of the that everyone in the tournament. Caribbean, and all the West West Indies will play in Indies fans support us Group“C”ofthetournament because this is our best with Afghanistan and New chance.” Zealand, and two ICC West Indies are a two- Associate teams – Papua time champion of the NewGuineaandUganda. tournament, having won in Theirfirsttwomatchesin 2012 in Sri Lanka and 2016 the tournament will be at the in India under the leadership Guyana National Stadium, of Sammy, and guidance of where they face the Papuans coaches Ottis Gibson and on June 2 and take on the PhilSimmonsrespectively Ugandanssixdayslater “We know how to select The Caribbean side will

West Indies coach Daren Sammy (Getty Images)