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Kares T10: Montra, Mahdia, Titans and Diamond seal semi-final spots Aug 12, 2024 Sports Ricardo Adams of Mahdia (Movements Family) played another brutal innings Kaieteur Sporst – The semi-finals of the second Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast promises to be filled with blockbuster action, given the caliber of teams sealing spots at the National Stadium, Providence, on August 24. The semi-finals will be Montra Jaguars against Mahdia (Movements Family) at 15:00h and Diamond Gunners against Titans All-Stars at 17:00h. The Cricket For Charity match, led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, will be from 19:00h, followed by the final at 20:30h. The four sides reached the semi-finals after four entertaining quarter-final matches in front of a ram-pack crowd at the Enmore Community Centre Ground on Sunday. The four winners at Enmore pocketed $100,000, while each loser got $30,000, for a total payout of $520,000, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. It meant each of these eight teams regained its entrance fee of $25,000, while the winner received an early bonus. 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). It will bring over G$3.4M being distributed in cash prizes. More so, Manoj Goldsmith has opted to increase the prizes for each Player-of-the-Match from the quarter-finals. The longstanding jewellers will donate a silver chain to each Player-of-the-Match from now on. 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. Below are the summarised scores of the four matches. Team Corruption v Montra Jaguars: Team Corruption 110-6 from 10 overs (Dejourn Charles 58*, Keon Morris 25, Ntini Permaul 12; Ronsford Beaton 2-21, Parmesh Parsotam 2-21, Raymond Perez 1-18) v Montra Jaguars 114-3 from 8.1 overs (Anthony Bramble 50, Kevlon Anderson 24, Jonathan Foo 15*, Ramnaresh Sarwan 14; Keon Morris 2-26, Cordell Mars 1-12). Jaguars won by seven wickets Tarmac Titans v Mahdia (Movements Family): Tamarc Titans 68 all out from 9.2 overs (Jayadev Mana 21, Kenroy Cox 15, Marcus Watkins 10; Raydon Austin 3-18, Deonarine Seegobin 2-18) v Mahdia 69-1 from 4.2 overs (Ricardo Adams 43*, Carlton Jacques 1-26). Mahdia won by nine wickets Titans All-Stars v The Guards: Titans All-Stars 161-5 from 10 overs (Shemroy Barrington 41, Kemol Savory 32, Keemo Paul 27; Keston Harcourt 2-23) v The Guards 98-7 (Kevon Boodie 40, David Williams 18, Chetram Nauth 12*; Nial Smith 2-22, Antony Adams 1-19, Quentin Sampson 1-19).Titans won by 63 runs Brooklyn Youth Strikers v Diamond Gunners: Diamond Gunners 102-6 from 10 overs (Clint Jones 34*, Damian Vantull 19, Andre Lim 15; Orrin Gibson 2-11, Sanjay Algoo 2-22) v Brooklyn Youth Strikers 100-8 from 10 overs (Riyad Zaman 28, Ameer Mohamed 27, Jermaine Dewsberry 23; Dorian Grenion 3-19, Laurel Parks 2-23). Diamond won by two runs Related Similar Articles

Agri. Minister discusses medium, long term plans for Region Five Aug 12, 2024 News Some of the farmers at the meeting in Region Five Kaieteur News  – Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday said government is working to modernise the country’s drainage and irrigation system. The minister made the disclosure during a meeting with farmers from Prospect and other surrounding communities in Region Five (Mahaica Berbice), the ministry said in a press release. Minister Mustapha said that the government is currently working to develop an integrated drainage system for the country. “We started that programme with the construction of the high-level Hope Canal when we were in government prior to 2015. When that canal was constructed, many persons were criticizing it, calling it ‘Jagdeo’s white elephant’. We saw the usefulness of that canal when we had the flood in 2021. While all the areas in the country were affected, that area and Georgetown were not affected because the water was draining directly to the Atlantic Ocean,” he explained. Minister Mustapha also said the tender for the high-level Hope-like canal being constructed in Region Five will be out in the coming week. “In our manifesto, we said we’d construct other high-level canals in various parts of the country. Based on our assessments, it was observed that the best places to construct these canals were in Regions Three, Five, and Six. Work has already commenced in Region Six to construct two of those canals. We are doing an embankment from Number 66 Village to the Canje Creek to prevent water from coming from the backlands into the cultivation areas when there is heavy rainfall. In Region Five, we’ll do another set of high-level canals. In the coming week, the tender will be out. The expression of interest has already been published for these canals. This Danzig / Prospect area is slated for one. With that, we’ll install several irrigation pumps to bring water from the backlands into the irrigation system so that farmers can have sufficient irrigation. This will work in conjunction with the high-level canal so that we will not experience flooding when there is heavy rainfall. We are also constructing a pump station at Cottage. That pump will help with the long-term development of this area,” he explained. While speaking on the medium-term plans, Minister Mustapha said that the requests made by farmers during meetings with officers from the Guyana Rice Development Board GRDB) for infrastructural upgrades to drainage and irrigation structures as well as the clearing of canals will be done. “We’ll work to clear those canals and build those dams. These will be medium-term developments because we have to have a work plan. I cannot send machines into the area without doing a proper analysis and survey. So, the NDIA will be working on that. The NDIA Chairman will be coming with a team to look at the area, and once the survey is complete, I will designate machinery to do the work. I am optimistic that within a month, those works can commence,” Minister Mustapha added. Related Similar Articles

Shuttle Strikers win inaugural ‘One Guyana’ President’s Cup Badminton title Aug 12, 2024 Sports Shuttle Strikers won Badminton title of the inaugural President’s Games Kaieteur Sports – The President’s Cup tournament, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, concluded on Saturday at the National Gymnasium. Hosted by the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), the event was a team tournament with four captains selected through a random draw conducted during practice on Thursday night. Ultimately Shuttle Strikers lifted the title with a 3-0 win over Terminetters. The action got off to an excellent start with each team showcasing a unique cheer. The tournament eventually served off with an official draw a little after noon, Akili Haynes and his team (Shuttle Strikers) looked formidable unit from the onset; solidifying a spot in the final with a 4-1 victory against Nkosi’s Black Panthers. While in the other semi-finals, the Terminetters triumphed over the Court Conquerors by winning three matches. The finals saw the Terminetters and Shuttle Strikers face off in a thrilling match, with the Shuttle Strikers emerging victorious with a 3-0 scoreline, claiming the inaugural President’s Cup Badminton title. Notably, the participating teams were made up of athletes who will represent Guyana at the Carebaco Regional Tournament in Aruba from August 22-25, 2024. Related Similar Articles

We are living in “Interesting Times” Aug 12, 2024 Letters Dear Editor The world is becoming a dangerous place as countries throughout the world pursue their own respective “far-right” ideology. We have Russia invading Ukraine on the pretext that NATO was expanding on its borders. Then we have the UK Brexit and the rise of the far right which is gaining political support. Then we have India with its (new) mantra of India for Hindus as opposed to India for everyone. Then we have expansionist China seeking to replace America as a superpower. Then we have America with its rich supporting politicians with far-right agendas. Then we have Israel which is determined to wipe Hamas off the map with some countries determined to wipe Israel off the map. Then there is the EU that is considering increasing military spending proposal. Let us not forget the Venezuela/Guyana situation. Confrontation and conflict seem the norm. It is inevitable. War is coming. Safe havens are no more; nowhere feels safe anymore. No one is listening to peacemakers anymore. Instead, they are more concerned about whose ideology is right. They talk about AI (Artificial Intelligence) being an economic cure-all without remembering that AI is a “tool” which can be used for good or bad. Then we are faced with Global Warming that threatens us all. But is there a United front? The answer is a resounding “NO” as every country is pursuing its own economic well-being to make its citizens wealthier regardless of the cost. OUR Great Knowledge that we have gained over the Centuries have not made us any wiser; it is making us more barbaric. The war that is coming will demonstrate what is meant. SincerelySean Ori Related Similar Articles

‘Elections skulduggery’ Aug 12, 2024 Letters Dear Editor Elections rigging, is using‘illegitimate and undemocratic means of tilting the playing field clearly in the favour of one party or candidate at the expense of others.’ Since it involves human beings, a level of elections skulduggery is to be expected and the following categories have been identified: gerrymandering, vote buying, repression, denying media access, intimidating supporters of other parties, digital hacking, stuffing ballot boxes, multiple voting and duping the international community. Nicholas Cheeseman and Brian Klass claim that to be safe, elections are best rigged long before elections day, by which time only four main rigging options are available. Two– multiple and illegitimate voting – can be deployed while voting occurs and two –stuffing ballot boxes and tampering with the counting process – come into play once voting has taken place. ‘These four strategies have one thing in common, … they can only work if the electoral commission is involved’(Nicholas Cheeseman and Brian Klaas (2018) How to Rig an Election.  Yale University Press). The British colonialists rigged elections against the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) and were prepared to tolerate the Peoples’ National Congress (PNC) of Forbes Burnham doing so because they considered – and now the evidence that they were correct has become public – that the PPPconstituted a threat to the international liberal democratic order. From the Western standpoint, which I share, under no circumstances should majority rule – ‘democracy’ – particularly one rooted in a stable ethnic allegiance, have been allowed to undermine the liberal order. In mitigation of its intended behaviour, at the independence discussions the British rulers offer shared governance, but the PPP, perhaps because, unknowing to the Guyana population, it had already made written commitments to take Guyana in the dictatorial Stalinist communist alliance, refused. Immediately upon the fall of Soviet communism, the West supported free and fair elections, and these brought the PPP to government. But Guyana’s ethnic configuration then turned its destructive power internally. Once added to a competitive democratic environment, a different kind of political disorder arose that, although solvable, the local political elite has to date been unable to resolve. Instead, they have been practising and accusing each other of all manner of ethnic atrocities: extra-judicial killings, subversion, discrimination, electoral manipulations, etc. This is the operational context in which, with the 2025 elections in mind, a few days ago the Alliance For Change (AFC) ‘expressed dissatisfaction with the integrity of the electoral system, especially as it pertains to the voters list’ and called upon the chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) ‘to provide a comprehensive update on the measures being implemented to improve the system… [and]assure the nation that the current system will inspire public confidence in the 2025 elections’ (SN: 03/08/2024). The party noted that the bloated voters list has ‘contributed in no small part to the resulting stand-off,’ i.e. the 2020 elections dispute now before the courts, of which the PPP is making the kind of huge political song and dance that has plagued this country since the return to ‘democracy’ in 1992. The AFC implored GECOM to stay within the law but in seeking to support the status quo, in its response GECOM sought to pass the buck by taking refuge in ‘the law’ and the ineptitude of its directorate. For example, ‘the introduction of biometrics requires legislative changes and, until such is enabled, GECOM cannot proceed with implementing such a feature’. When it comes to updating the electoral list, GECOM cannot update the national register of registrants database (NRRDB)or any list extracted therefrom except by way of the existing legal provisions. Then, a ‘motion on the introduction of biometrics was discussed by the Commission and a decision taken to conduct a feasibility study  … The feasibility study has since been completed and copies have been circulated to all members of the Commission.’  The Commission informed that it routinely updates the NRRDB by the very routine methods – claims, objections, or continuous registration exercises – that AFC and others have found insufficient! Assessing the legally truncated partial house-to-house registration that was done by GECOM in 2019, the European Union (EU) Final report recommended a thorough update of the decade-old register well ahead of the next election cycle, based on inclusive consultations and political consensus. At the same time ensure greater effectiveness of the ‘continuous’ registration system by improving access – both in terms of geographical spread of registration offices and duration of the registration periods.’ The Caribbean Community 2020 recount group suggested that such a cleaning of the list should be the minimum condition before the 2025 elections. Rigging elections by way of a bloated list’ has now become the modus operandi in Guyana and is the major reason why only just over 20% of the population is certain they are not manipulated. Notwithstanding, the PPP’s protestations to the contrary, from his own experiences in ‘How the PPP and GECOM rigged the 2011 elections,’ Malcolm Harripaul (Commentary 12/02/2011) provided the following examples of PPP behaviour that fits well with the categorisation above. Multiple voting, buying votes, PPP control of GECOM, GECOM creating obstacles to polling agents, polling places located at the homes of PPP supporters, phantom voting, ballot box tampering, PPP demanding recounts and GECOM secured ballot boxes. Please spare me the nonsense about foreign monitors certifying elections. There are many examples of the courts rejecting results after they were certified by such monitors and of the monitors acting in their own national self-interest! During the 2020 elections process the chairperson of GECOM, having requested and received reports from the relevant state officials about elections skulduggery, concluded that they were of sufficient import to come by way of an election petition. The former GECOM Chief Elections Officer claimed that there were some 4,686 impersonations and other irregularities.  In 2013, the court in Moldavia overturned a certified election when it found that 5,623 ineligible persons had voted. But it appears that Guyanese will not now receive the judicial adjudication GECOM recommended. The EU election follow-up mission of 2023 reported that the present electoral list remains problematical and that the ‘opposition is advocating that a new voter register be compiled through house-to-house registration combined with electronic capture of fingerprints, as well as advocating the introduction of biometric (fingerprint) verification of voters at polling places. The PPP/C government, on the other hand, prefers to improve the existing voter register through extended continuous registration and somewhat improved procedures for the removal of deceased registrants.’ We shall see if the opposition will go to, and hope to win an election with the current list because the PPP does not want it changed! The AFC requested recommendations from GECOM but GECOM passed the buck, and this indicates that the political elite has much work to do. ‘The freedom of a people largely depends upon its vigilance in designing, establishing and reforming its governance mechanisms to keep the political establishment in check. However, the political context is, more or less, opportunistic and even the most well thought through arrangements may prove inadequate for this task. To meet this eventuality, a people need to always keep its power dry’ (‘A people must keep its powder dry,’ (SN: 02/07/2014).’ RegardsDr. Henry Jeffrey Related Similar Articles

Freddie attacked me because I exposed the inconvenient truth of racism that the world knows about Aug 12, 2024 Letters Dear Editor I recently wrote three Letters to the Editor. The first addressed the European Zoo like imagery of People of African Descent being asked to parade in African clothing to receive small Emancipation grants from the government of Guyana. The second discussed the fact that Emancipation is not Freedom unless it has economic, political, cultural and social rights and equity in the society that has been emancipated. The third addressed the issue of a Parliamentary prerequisite to obtain inclusive government at the 2025 elections. No Party obtaining a Parliamentary majority of 33 seats. I sent these letters to the Kaieteur News, the Stabroek News, the Guyana Chronicle, the Village Voice, Demerara Waves, and the Guyana Times. The Guyana Chronicle and the Guyana Times did not print any of the three thereby signifying their continued commitment to censorship and racial bias. Then suddenly, Freddie Kissoon, with cowardly pride, attacked me, not my ideas, in the Guyana Chronicle. This is his new dark cave where he has sought ethnic refuge and entrenched himself. In my third letter, I explained how the last elections were a “period of terror” for People of African descent in Guyana as there was a carefully orchestrated campaign of racial hate of “Black people” on social media managed by experts who used strategic segmentation to espouse negative views of people of African Descent including using words like “hungry belly niggers”. Kissoon’s pathetic response to my ideas was to spend half of his article discussing Vincent Alexander and IPADAG, then suggesting I am like Vincent Alexander. This type of predatory and primitive analysis lacks both depth and substance. This is because his childlike mind informs Freddie that his readership needs this type of raw blood to appreciate his daily schizophrenic diatribes. Poor Freddie. Freddie Kissoon is a known pathological liar as he denies he never heard the words “hungry belly niggers” and challenged me to present evidence. He ended his bizarre article by stating “I monitored the entire five-month period in 2020 of attempted rigging by the PNC, APNU, the AFC, and covert support from certain civil society groups like the Guyana Human Rights Association, Red Thread, SASOD, Transparency International Guyana Chapter, and there was never any report of anyone using such a derogatory remark about African Guyanese. This is the first time I am reading that such a statement by was made. Eric Phillips should do the decent thing and supply the evidence or face being ostracised, like Tacuma Ogunseye and Rickford Burke”. Really? Freddie did all this monitoring and didn’t find this campaign of ethnic fear mongering. Well Freddie, attached to this letter to all the Editors in Guyana, is another document entitled “elections racism”. These are all Facebook and social media documents. The folks were so empowered by the campaign that they have their photographs on their Facebook assault of Africans in Guyana. In essence, they felt good to put their faces to this racial and political frenzy of hate. Especially racist were the many quotes from the Facebook site named “PPPC Family”. There were hundreds of comments on these Facebook pages, all showing a dark Guyana. Some pages were replayed on thousands of other pages. And Freddie didn’t see any. Has journalism gone to the dogs? I am sure many politicians, church leaders and NGOs saw these pages. I sent them to the Observers and to the United Nations Well Freddie Kissoon, here is the proof. I will also share this with the Ethnic Relations Commission later this week as I have asked for a meeting with the Chairman on another matter that is quite explosive. I hope the ERC gets on with the job of Social Inclusion instead of their mission of Social Cohesion. People of African Descent in Guyana want to be included not to be on some sloganized campaign that tells them to be nice to everyone while they are being brutalised. I hope the ERC gets about the job of implementing the 66 United Nations recommendations, especially the recommendation about disaggregating data to show exclusion or inclusion in contracts etc. These recommendations are several years old. Why hasn’t Ravi Dev with his theoretical Ethic Impact Statements demand this simple scientific analysis? Now the truth of the matter is that Freddie attacked me because I exposed the inconvenient truth of racism that the entire world knows about. People of African descent in America, the Caribbean, Brazil, Colombia and African states know this. It is not a secret Freddie. Just ask the Diplomatic community living in Guyana. In 2008, I wrote 7 letters entitled the African Renaissance in Guyana. He called me “Hitler” and questioned who gave me the right to speak on behalf of Africans in Guyana. Of course, he could. We saw this attitude repeated in Gweneva this April at the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African descent. Here is a summary of the seven letters and the eleven principles I espoused.    AFRICAN RENAISSANCE IMPERATIVES We build together, we share together, we are one. Shared governance is a fundamental “human right” of Africans in Guyana. Stimulate cultural pride and the courage to prevail against all odds. Nurture a commitment to self-determination through self-employment. A commitment to tackling the scourge of HIV/AIDS The economic, social, cultural and political re-vitalization of our villages Recapture the importance of a sound education as a basis for economic sustainability. Nurture and create Youth leaders committed to self-determination, self-employment, respect for all cultures, justice, equity and the rule of law. Bring all African organizations and all African Leaders together. The African intelligentsia must immerse itself in the struggle to end poverty, ignorance and backwardness African Guyanese to take control of their own destiny–economically, politically, socially, psychologically and culturally Freddie Kissoon has normalized schizophrenic idiocy. This ailment of his is surpassed only by his genetic dishonesty and learnt oxymoronic ambivalence. When in 2008, Freddie called me Hitler, I replied that he was living in a “Circle of Self” —- “Circle of Self”, namely:  self-importance, self-deception, self-deceit, self-indulgence, self-denial and self-destruction. Freddie is part of a unique group in Guyana that have become vertically integrated “communal shells” of misinformation and misdirection. Ravi Dev just wrote a deception and diversion on the Amerindian Act of 2006 not being reparations. Great going guys. My American Whie House Fellow classmate and lawyer insisted that I sue Freddie Kissoon in Guyana and the United States for “libel and criminal defamation” for calling me Hitler. I did not. Perhaps I should. Is there a statute of limitation of character assassination? I wonder if the Guyana Chronicle and Guyana Times will print this fourth letter and the Facebook examples I have provided, given their attachment to the propaganda of Freddie Kissoon. Sincerely YoursEric PhillipsWhite House Fellow Related Similar Articles

Contract for reconstruction of Soesdyke-Linden Highway to be signed soon – Pres. Ali Aug 12, 2024 News Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali on Thursday evening announced that the US$161M contract to upgrade the Soesdyke – Linden highway will soon be signed between the government and the contractors. The President made the announcement during his address at the opening ceremony of the International Building Exposition 2024. He was at the time speaking of the road link between Guyana and neighbouring Brazil that his government intends to establish. “We had a dream of driving on the beautiful highway from Timehri all the way to Brazil, no longer a dream. We will soon go to sign a contract for the new Linden to Soesdyke Highway. We started the new highway from Linden to Mabura Hill, we have started the Wismar Bridge and we are working on advancing work, so we will continue the highway all the way to Lethem and we have almost completed the building of the bridges along the Linden to Lethem highway,” the Head of State told attendees. This publication reported previously that Namalco Construction Services (from Trinidad & Tobago) in joint venture with Guyamerica Construction Inc. (from Guyana) was awarded the contract to upgrade the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) published on its website that on June 26, 2024 Namalco and Guyamerica were awarded the US$161,369,374 contract. Kaieteur News reported that the joint venture companies were among four bidders vying for the contract when it was opened in January 2024 at NPTAB. The project was estimated to cost US$183,567,095 according to the Ministry of Public Works’ engineer’s figure. The upgrade to the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is being funded by a loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). This publication reported that in May 2023, the Government of Guyana and the Islamic Development Bank, signed a US$200M Framework Agreement for the reconstruction of the highway. The project will see the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 73 kilometres of the highway, with two lanes undivided, nine bridges, and six culverts with improved design, quality and standards. The project also includes ancillary works and road corridor improvements providing essential public administration support, improved connectivity with communities, roadside and other facilities. The Soesdyke-Linden Highway is a 73 kilometres-long, two-lane highway that runs between Soesdyke and Linden in Guyana. The East Bank Public Road connects Soesdyke with Georgetown. In October last year, the NPTAB had awarded a contract to Kuwaiti firm, Al-Habshi Engineering Consultants in joint venture with Guyanese company – CB& Associates Inc. to provide supervision services for the project. The contract cost is US$ 1,775,000. It was highlighted before that the importance of rolling out this project was that the highway is in dire need of repairs. While the Government has spent millions repairing the roadway due to exhaustive use, it has returned to a dilapidated state in most sections. Picture: highway roadCaption: The Soesdyke – Linden Highway. Related Similar Articles