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De cost of living high; but de cost of dying higher Aug 20, 2024 Dem Boys Seh, Features / Columnists, News Kaieteur News – Dem boys seh it cheaper to live than to dead these days. Yuh think the cost of living high? Wait till yuh hear bout the cost of dying! Back in de day, when somebody dead, de community would gather at de home, sit around and sip black coffee, crunch a few dray biscuits, and share stories ’bout de departed. It was a simple, humble affair—people come together to remember de life that was lived, not to run up de grocery bill. It was what was known as “Wake” But now? Oh, it’s a whole different ball game. When somebody dead, it’s like yuh planning a big party. Is no longer ‘Wake’. It is “Shake”. People showing up to de Wake expecting more than just dray biscuits and black tea. Nah, dem want box food, snacks, and drinks—plenty of it too. And yuh better believe some of dem want alcohol in de mix. So instead of mourning, de family left worrying ’bout how to feed all these people who show up like is a free-for-all. Dem boys seh this Wake business getting out of hand. One night’s worth of food and drinks can run yuh pocket dry. Some people now can’t even afford to keep de wake every night until de funeral like before. Dem only keeping one night, and even that is breaking de bank. Imagine that! The wake, which suppose to be a time of reflection and comfort, done turn into a financial burden. And just when yuh think yuh done with de expense after de wake, here come de repass after de funeral. Yes, dem asking, “Wha’ bout de repass?” Now yuh have to serve food and drinks again! Funeral done become like a two-for-one special—feed people twice and still have to pay for de burial. So dem boys seh it cheaper to live than to dead these days. Who woulda thought? With all this expense just to lay somebody to rest, it might be better to just keep on living and save yuhself de trouble. One day we might start hearing people saying, “Nah, don’t bother to die, yuh can’t afford it!” Yuh got to plan fuh yuh funeral like yuh planning fuh a wedding—cost just as much! Talk half. Leff half Related Similar Articles

Guyana extends its Boxing C/ship record with 7th title Aug 20, 2024 Sports Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle (extreme right) as well as medalists and coaches share photo-op on Sunday at the National Gymnasuim, as Guyana secured a seventh Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean title …Niles, Bancroft cop Best Boxer accolades Kaieteur Sports – Guyana’s Chance Niles, Ezekiel Bancroft, Ken Harvey, and company led the host to their seventh Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys’ and Girls’ Boxing Championship title on Sunday. The tournament concluded at the National Gymnasium, with an enthusiastic crowd witnessing Guyana’s success in yet another premier boxing event hosted by the Guyana Boxing Association. Ezekiel Bancroft delivered a standout performance, capturing the crowd’s attention on the penultimate day of the competition. He won gold in the 13-14 age groups Schoolboy’s 40kg final and was named Best Boxer of the 2024 Caribbean Tournament. Bancroft’s victory against Trinidad’s Zafar Al Sadiq also earned him the Best Boxer award in the Schoolboy’s category. Chance Niles once again demonstrated his dominance in the Junior’s 70kg division, securing gold and being recognized as the Best Boxer in his class. His powerful punches and strategic awareness helped him claim the top prize at this year’s championship. Guyana’s Ezekiel Bancroft was adjudged Best overall Boxer at the Seventh edition of the Winfield Braithwaite Schoolboys’ and Girls’ Boxing championship Ken Harvey, another rising star in Guyana’s boxing scene, claimed victory in the Junior’s 60kg division. He defeated St. Lucia’s Kurt Kirton in just one minute and 26 seconds, adding another gold medal for the host nation on the final day. The final day featured 20 bouts, including 14 finals, as well as a mix of exhibition and elite matchups. Guyana secured six gold medals on the last day, which contributed to their overall first-place finish. Among the gold medalists was Kevin Klass, who triumphed over St. Lucia’s Nervon Medick in the Schoolboys’ 26kg final, winning by RSC in the second round. His sibling, Kenroy Klass, followed suit by winning the 44kg final, while sister, Kenisha Klass, also earned gold in the female 44kg division. Also in the Junior’s 75kg final, Joffes Jackson of Guyana performed well, defeating St. Lucia’s Elroy Canchon. Ken Harvey and Chance Niles completed Guyana’s campaign with victories in the 60kg and 70kg finals, respectively. As the tournament wrapped up, Guyana celebrated their seventh consecutive title, amassing 38 points. Trinidad and Tobago finished second with 29 points, while St. Lucia narrowly secured third place with 13 points, edging out Suriname with 12. Trinidad’s Neraj Mahadeosingh and Reyah John also received recognition, being named Best Boxer in the Youth and Schoolgirl’s categories, respectively, rounding out this year’s awardees. The tournament was sponsored by the Government of Guyana, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Guyana Olympic Association, Bounty Farm, John Fernandes Limited, Secure Innovation and Concepts, Ernest Dunlop, Delmur Shipping, Games Xpress, Hits and Jams Radio, Enet, Star Party Rental, Antarctic Maintenance and Repairs, Mrs Mayfield Ninvalle and Khalsan PR Inc. Related Similar Articles

John excels to win third stage Aug 20, 2024 Sports Briton John receives his accolades for conquering the third stage 33rd Tour Cycliste de Guiana… Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Cycling Federation reported the current standings of our local cyclist riding as Team Guyana following the completion of Stages 2 and 3 in the 33rd Tour Cycliste de Guiana. The team continues to demonstrate resilience and competitive spirit as they progress through this prestigious nine-stage race. Stage 2 Recap Briton John delivered a solid performance, finishing 33rd in Stage 2, maintaining his position in the race while Curtis Dey completed the stage in 56th place, showcasing his endurance and determination. The remaining Team Guyana cyclists finished in the latter part of the stage, continuing their efforts in this challenging competition. Stage 3 Recap John achieved a remarkable victory in Stage 3, crossing the finish line in first place. This outstanding performance highlights his skill and strategy, marking a significant achievement for Team Guyana in this year’s Tour. Briton John The results for the other Team Guyana riders in Stage 3 were still pending confirmation at the time of this release. The victory in Stage 3 by John is a proud moment for Guyana, reflecting the hard work and dedication of the entire team. The Guyana Cycling Federation is confident that this success will motivate the team to continue performing strongly in the upcoming stages. The Tour Cycliste de Guiana remains a challenging and competitive event and Team Guyana is committed to giving their best as the race progresses. The Federation extends its gratitude to all supporters and sponsors who have contributed to the team’s journey. Related Similar Articles

Maurice Solomon & Co. Golf Tournament: Persaud, Zeplaki and Sookram share the spoils Aug 20, 2024 Sports Avinash Persaud won the 0-14 category Kaieteur Sports – On Sunday last, the Lusignan Golf Club hosted the highly anticipated Maurice Solomon & Co. Golf Tournament, drawing some of the region’s finest golfing talent. The competition, known for its challenging course and competitive field, did not disappoint as players battled both the elements and each other for top honors. The tournament featured a diverse range of participants, with categories that allowed golfers of varying handicaps to compete on an even playing field. The event underscored the skill, perseverance, and sportsmanship that the Lusignan Golf Club is renowned for, while also highlighting the growing prominence of golf in Guyana. Tournament Results In the 0-14 handicap category, Avinash Persaud emerged as the top performer with a Gross score of 74 and a Net score of 71 after a Handicap of 3. Close on his heels was Munaff Arjune, who finished second with a Gross of 82 and a Net score of 72 after a Handicap of 10. Bridgelall Harry secured third place with a Gross of 87 and a Net score of 73 after a Handicap of 14. The 15-28 handicap category witnessed a fiercely competitive field. Sam Zeplaki clinched first place with a remarkable Net score of 68 after a Gross of 84 and a Handicap of 16. Chatterpaul Deo followed in second place with a Gross of 87 and a Net score of 71, adjusting for his Handicap of 16. Bholoram Deo rounded off the top three with a Gross of 87 and a Net score of 73, factoring in a Handicap of 19. In the Ladies category, Christine Sookram delivered a commendable performance with a Gross score of 91 and a Net score of 81 after a Handicap of 10. At the end of the results there was also a card raffle in which Gavin Todd won a prize compliments of FROGGY’S Grill. The tournament was a clear demonstration of the participants’ dedication to the sport, as well as the meticulous preparation by the Lusignan Golf Club. The course was in fair condition, providing the perfect backdrop for a day of competitive and enjoyable golf. As the tournament concluded, participants and spectators alike reflected on the success of the event, which not only celebrated the talents of its winners but also highlighted the vibrant golfing community in Guyana. Related Similar Articles

President Ali and Lennox Cush to lead teams in Cricket for Charity Aug 20, 2024 Sports Flashback to 2023! President Dr. Irfaan Ali (left) and Lennox Cush, along with the son of Guyana Amazon Warriors captain Imran Tahir, after the coin toss Kaieteur Sports – Some former international players, Ministers of government, entertainers, and athletes will join in a noble cause to raise funds for charitable organisations in Guyana when they compete in the exciting Cricket For Charity match at the finals of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast on August 24 at the National Stadium, Providence. The teams – Team Kanuku and Team Roraima – will once again be led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and former national cricketer Lennox Cush. President Ali’s team is expected to feature fellow government members Minister Charles Ramson Jr., Minister Vickram Bharat, Devendra Bishoo, Ryan Ramdass, Caleb Bastain, Commission of Police Clifton Hicken, Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson, Wr Reaz, and Navin Prashad, among others. Lennox Cush’s side, which is also expected to feature the likes of Ramnaresh Sarwan, young Shahid Ramzan, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Clairmonte Christopher Lewis, Chief of Defence Omar Khan, Rawle Ferguson, Jeremey Garrett, Minister Susan Rodrigues, and Robbie Rambarran, among others. In 2023, the match raised well over G$17M for charitable organisations in Guyana. The Charity Match forms part of an action-packed day, with the first semi-finals set for 15:00h between Montra Jaguars and Mahdia (Movements Family), followed by Titans All-Stars against Diamond Gunners from 17:00h. The charity match is from 19:00h, and the final is from 20:30h. Each of the losing semi-finalists on August 24 will take home $250,000, compliments of Premier Insurance. Second-place – $500,000 from SuperBet Guyana, and the winner pockets $1.5M from Star Rentals. More so, players will vie for the titles of Most Runs, Most Wickets, and Player of the Final. Each winner will receive a Smart TV and a $75,000 cash prize compliments of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre. Assuria Insurance will present a motorbike, and $85,000 will go to the Most Valuable Player. Additionally, $100,000 will be split equally between the Kawasaki Super Striker of the tournament (player with the highest strike rate—minimum of 12 balls) and the Most Economical bowler (lowest economy rate—minimum of 24 balls). Admission to the venue is free. The Kares One Guyana T10 Blast also enjoys the support of Kares Engineering, Banks DIH Limited, Montra Restaurant and Lounge, Demerara Mutual, ETS, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Jacobs’ Jewellery, Digital Technology, First Change Builders Inc, KFC Guyana, Hoosein’s Security Services, NEW GPC Inc., Building Expo 2024, Giftland OfficeMax, Sankar’s Auto Works, ENet, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., Trophy Stall, ANSA McAL Distribution, Camille’s Academy, R. Kisson Contracting Service, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, Samaroo Investments, and Coel’s Boutique. Related Similar Articles

Exxon Guyana PROs Aug 20, 2024 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column Kaieteur News – Exxon’s Lord Alistair Routledge of Permian-by-the-Demerara has been conspicuously silent in recent days. He has good reason; in fact, the best I would contend. Lord Routledge now has an army of willing Guyanese at his beck and call to do Exxon’s menial jobs (dirty ones), so he doesn’t have to get his lily-white hands sullied. Considering that the company has a right to pay its money and put up its offensive billboards (Jagdeo said so, not I), I take the same position. That is, Exxon has a right to hire any Guyanese mercenary to do ugly duty for it for a fee.  Obviously, the bigger the better, and there has been no shortage of Guyanese takers for Exxon’s cheap and nasty dollars. Absorb the following. GHK Lall First, I commend Exxon for recruiting those skilled Guyanese who perform honest duties at the offshore rigs, others doing legitimate work elsewhere.  After that, the road runs out of space, not one millimeter left.  I have only total scorn, utter contempt (for emphasis), for those Guyanese who collect Exxon’s dime for the wrong reasons, under one pretense or another.  It could be a PPP political luminary, and I don’t care: traitor.  It could be a PNC/AFC superstar, and I’m immovably locked in the same harsh place: betrayer.  When poor Guyanese can manage, however they are able to do so, with Bank of Guyana currency, so must they.  One more thing is worthy enough to be placed in the public record: any Guyanese-be he or she [or it or them or they] Indian, African, Indigenous, or mixed heritages one-there are no objections, no qualms, no condemnations for any Guyanese who do propaganda work for the PPP or PNC.  Such is more than their right; it is now an inseparable part of their sacred birthright.  Just like that oil out there.  But I see red, is overcome by dread, when Guyanese strip themselves naked for ready prostitution for Exxon’s dollar to sell this voraciously American corporate John to Guyanese.  When they tell Guyanese about how good Exxon has been to locals and will be for them that is beyond the pale of consideration.  Though propagandize has a certain taint to it, to say that Guyanese who sell themselves to Lord Routledge’s bid falls short of the ghastly reality.  Without nary a doubt, when Guyanese stoop so low as to guzzle Exxon’s dollar off the ground, with the Yankee jackboot on his neck, he or she is engaging in more than propagandizing and marketing.  That Guyanese is pimping for Exxon.  Pimping Guyana, pimping Guyana’s promise, pimping Guyanese aspirations, for an ugly dollar from the company.  No self-respecting Guyanese should be so engaged.  I recognize the value of having Exxon here, but I abhor it when it is on the company’s terms exclusively.  Damnit to hell, I didn’t leave one white master in America to return to Guyana to pick up another.  Let that be a lesson for those with PhDs and JDs and now an integral part of the machinery oiled by DDTs.  My fore parents (and those who are of Africans, Chinese, and Portuguese strains) did not embark on their grueling journeys, endured the harrowing misery of the estates and their other circumstances inflicted by the white man for me to subject myself to the wiles and guiles of their descendants.  No matter how smooth or benevolent or innocent they may appear to be, there can be no dealing, intermingling, with them on their terms.  Thus: my revulsion at those Guyanese brethren (they still are) who creep on their knees and crawl on their elbows to ketch a dollah or two thrown their way for their labors. When the arms of Guyana’s State media network are directly or indirectly maneuvered by Exxon (or Lord Routledge’s Guyanese born minions) to trap locals in a treacherous corporate net, I have a problem.  When Guyanese of learning, and some of profound ignorance masquerading as wise men and women, grab Exxon’s greenbacks to propagandize (pimp) for the company to gullible Guyanese in the diaspora concentrations, I have a bigger problem.  My biggest objection of all is when sneaky Guyanese of a particular political lineage, as well as the proper racial strain, visit local communities and deceive the naïve villagers about the beauty of Exxon and what that means for their destiny.  Can there ever be a latrine pit deep enough for Guyanese like these?  Sell loyalty to Burnham, sell love for Jagan, and I am good.  Hail Ali and Jagdeo and Aubrey and Hughes, and that’s appreciated, even applauded, notwithstanding my differences with all four of them.  But sell Exxon and collect its cash under the table is where I draw the line. Exxon has abused Guyanese.  Then, Exxon has used some ready Guyanese to engage in harlotry for the company, both locally and across the United States.  It is a pitiful state for any Guyanese, one that can never be rationalized at near zero royalty, zero taxes, no comforting oil spill safety net, and all the rest.  I had firsthand experience of those using PPP feeds, coaching, and propaganda to sell the party and government.  As demeaning as that was to the lackeys, a pass is given, because it is the sum of the perverseness and rancidness of Guyanese politics.  It is managing of my expectations.  But I draw the line when Guyanese delight in using Exxon material, claiming such as one’s own, and collecting its 30 pieces of silver.  That’s beyond the point of no return, is unpardonable.  When the numbers are different for this nation, then I may reconsider, even withdraw this redline position of mine.  Go tell Exxon and all its Woods and Routledge (s) that I said so. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles

The pandemic of disorder Aug 20, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom Kaieteur News – In Guyana where the clamor of development rings out like a hopeful hymn, a dissonant note has begun to reverberate through the daily life of its citizens. This is not the discord of political strife, nor the cacophony of economic despair; rather, it is a quieter, more insidious affliction that creeps unnoticed until its effects are too entrenched to reverse. The spirit of Guyana, once vibrant and hopeful, is being steadily eroded—not by external forces, but by the unchecked proliferation of a new pandemic: the pandemic of disorder. This disorder, though it may seem benign to some, is no less devastating than the physical ailments that plague societies. It is not a sickness of the body, but of the spirit, manifesting itself in the chaotic sprawl of illegal vending and haphazard business establishments that now encroach upon the very arteries meant to carry the lifeblood of the nation—its roads. Where there should be order, there is now a festering chaos, a creeping malaise that threatens to suffocate the spirit of this nation. The government, in its ambition to modernize and propel the country into a future of economic vitality and social progress, has poured tens of billions into the construction of four-lane roadways. These roads, gleaming and new, stand as symbols of progress, the physical embodiment of the nation’s aspirations. But no sooner are these roads completed than they are swallowed up by the very disorder they were meant to transcend. The newly minted extra lanes, intended to ease the flow of traffic and provide safe passage for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike, are quickly repurposed as parking spaces for businesses that spring up like weeds along the roadside. What was once a promise of fluid four lanes of movement and modernity is reduced to a congested, two-lane nightmare, where pedestrians and cyclists are forced to navigate a perilous gauntlet of parked cars of customers that patronize businesses and illegal vendors. Guyanese have a history of improvisation, unmatched anywhere in the world. We could turn discarded materials into a stove. This improvisation was born of necessity in a land where resources have often been scarce, and formal avenues of opportunity, limited. But this tact, once a source of pride and resilience, has now become a double-edged sword. For in the unchecked proliferation of roadside commerce, there lies a dangerous disregard for the rule of law and the good of others. The roads, which should be shared spaces for all, have become battlegrounds where the selfish few stake their claims, indifferent to the disruption and danger they cause. This is not merely a question of aesthetics, though the unsightly sprawl of makeshift stands and illegal structures is undeniably a blight on the landscape. It is a question of whether we will allow continued disorder to become the defining feature of our public spaces. The soul of Guyana is not just in its people, but in the shared spaces where we come together as a community. When these spaces are hijacked by those who believe they have a right to set up shop wherever they please, the social fabric begins to unravel, thread by thread. Consider the recent completion of the four-lane Cemetery Road, intended to be a major thoroughfare that would alleviate congestion and provide a modern route through the heart of the city. Even before its completion, the road has seen an alarming increase in the number of caravans, roadside businesses, and illegal vending stands propping up along its edges. The same has happened to the extension to our lanes of Sheriff Street. Sections of that road, once intended for pedestrians and cyclists, have been overtaken by parked vehicles, effectively reducing the road’s capacity from four lanes to two. The very lanes which were allocated for the safety of the most vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists—are now usurped for parking, turning the promise of a modern, efficient roadway into yet another symbol of the disorder that plagues the nation. On the East Bank of Demerara where two-lane roads are being expanded to four lanes, illegal vending has already began to prop up along these public roadways. Imagine what will happen when these arteries are completed. It will be a free-for-all on the freeway. The narrowing of public roads due to illegal vending and parking create bottlenecks that lead to traffic accidents, endangering the lives of drivers and pedestrians alike. The clutter of makeshift stalls and permanent structures along the roadways obstructs visibility, turning what should be a safe passage into a minefield of potential hazards. The spirit of the law, which seeks to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens, is being trampled underfoot by those who see only their immediate gain, oblivious to the broader consequences of their actions. The proliferation of illegal vending and unchecked business expansion speaks to a deeper malaise within the society—a creeping sense that the rules do not apply, that disorder is not only tolerated but tacitly encouraged. The authorities, overwhelmed or indifferent, often turn a blind eye, allowing the problem to fester and grow. The result is a landscape where the lines between what is legal and illegal, right and wrong, are increasingly blurred. The once vibrant and orderly public spaces that should be the pride of the nation have become contested territories, where the forces of order and chaos are locked in a relentless struggle. There is a dangerous fallacy at the heart of this disorder, a belief that personal enterprise can, and should, flourish unfettered by the constraints of law or consideration for others. But in a society, freedom cannot exist without responsibility. The right to transact business must be balanced against the right of others to move freely and safely through their city. When one person’s enterprise – whether legal or illegal – infringes upon the freedom of another, disorder ensues, and with it, the slow death of the communal spirit. The disease of illegal vending and the indiscriminate approval of businesses along major road arteries, unless addressed, will lead to the snuffing out of the soul of this nation. The pandemic in which some persons believe they have a right to set up “shop” wherever they want is at the heart of this malaise. Disorder is now the order of the day. This is not merely the story of a road besieged by vendors and parked cars; it is the story of a nation at a crossroads. Will we allow the spirit of Guyana to be smothered by the pandemic of disorder, or will we stand up and reclaim the spaces that belong to all of us? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) Related Similar Articles