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The continuation of the Heroes’ Highway from Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam on the East Bank Demerara is swiftly nearing completion.

Engineers responsible for the project provided President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali with an update during his site visit on Thursday.

President Ali urged the contractors to work day and night shifts to ensure the project is completed within the stipulated timeline.

He said no extension will be given after the deadline which is set for March this year.

“We have no intention of having these projects extend beyond the completion date,” he stated.

The Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam connection is the third phase of the highway, following the Mandela to Eccles and the Eccles to Diamond phases.

Sections of the project are at different stages, with one of the segments being as much as eighty per cent completed.

This road will connect Georgetown to Soesdyke, giving commuters the option to head to Linden along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway or to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri.

The project is divided into six lots. It includes the construction of more than 30 reinforced concrete bridges, 8.6 kilometres of reinforced concrete highway roads, and two roundabouts.

Close to $11 billion in contracts were awarded for the completion of this phase of the project.

Contractors tasked with executing the project are GuyAmerica Construction, VALS Construction, China Railway First Group Co. Ltd, NABI, and H. Nauth and Sons Contracting Services.

Some $80.4 billion and $40.5 billion in contracts were also awarded for the Buzz Bee Dam to Land of Canaan, and Land of Canaan to Soesdyke sections respectively.

President Ali instructed the contractors to ensure a separate alignment is created for persons working on the Buzz Bee Dam to the Land of Canaan extension to move their materials.

This is to ensure that unnecessary strain is not placed on the newly completed roadway.

Budget 2025 allows for the expansion of new roadways, including the continuation of Linden to Mabura Road and the expansion of the Schoonord to Crane Highway.

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The platform for emerging powerlifting strongmen and women will be locked and loaded on Sunday, February 16, 2025, when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) commences its 2025 season.

Novices and Junior lifters will take center stage as they seek to commence successful careers.

The athletes will showcase their strength in the three lifts affiliated with the sport: squat, bench press, and deadlift, at Saint Stanislaus College Auditorium.

This will be the first of four competitions that the Federation hosts annually.

The Federation will seek to ensure the sport enjoys another successful year and is considering five international competitions to send athletes.

These are the World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships (June 8-15 in Germany), the World Classic and Equipped Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting Championships (August 29 – September 7 in Costa Rica), the South American Bench Press and Powerlifting Championships—ESUPO (September 20-27 in Brazil), the World Classic and Equipped Masters Powerlifting Championships (October 12-19 in South Africa), and the World Equipped Open Powerlifting Championships (October 10-16 in Romania).

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The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) is poised to host the highly anticipated Dem Life Golf Tournament on Saturday (February 8), continuing its tradition of competitive excellence and camaraderie in the sport.

“Sponsored by Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society (Dem Life), this annual event promises a thrilling contest among some of the country’s finest golfers, all vying for top honors on the club’s meticulously maintained course,” the LGC said in a release.

The tournament will follow a medal play format over 18 holes, with play set to commence at 12:30h.

Competitive Structure and Prizes

Participants will compete for several prestigious accolades, including:

• Best Net in each flight
• First, Second and Third place awards
• Overall Best Gross score
• Special skill-based prizes for ‘Nearest to the Flag’ on Hole #4 and “Longest Drive” on Hole #5

The defending champion from the 2023 edition, Mike Mangal, had secured victory in the 0-16 handicap flight, posting an impressive Gross 79, Net 71 off a Handicap 8.

“With the field expected to be as competitive as ever, this year’s tournament is set to deliver an exciting showcase of talent and precision,” the LGC added.

Tournament Logistics and Player Guidelines

As part of the standard tournament protocol, all participants are required to check in with the Club’s Manager on the day of the event to collect their scorecards and complete payment of tournament fees.

Players must then proceed to their designated tee boxes in preparation for the 12:30h shotgun start, which will be signaled by a horn or siren.

Following the completion of the tournament, the awards presentation ceremony will be held at approximately 17:30h, where winners will be formally recognised for their achievements.

Demerara Mutual: A Legacy of Trust and Commitment

The Dem Life Golf Tournament is a testament to the enduring partnership between Lusignan Golf Club and Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society.

As a leading insurance provider in Guyana and the wider Caribbean, Demerara Mutual has upheld its reputation for over a century by offering reliable insurance solutions to more than 20,000 policyholders.

Through a dedicated team of professionals, the company remains committed to ensuring the financial security and well-being of its clients.

The Lusignan Golf Club extends its appreciation to Demerara Mutual for its unwavering support of local golf and looks forward to another successful staging of the tournament.

Golf enthusiasts and supporters are invited to witness an afternoon of premier golfing action as competitors strive for excellence on the greens.

For further information and updates, interested persons can contact the Lusignan Golf Club at 220-5660.

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Pakistan opening batter Saim Ayub has been confirmed out for at least another five weeks owing to injury; he continues his rehabilitation from the ankle injury he sustained in South Africa in January.

It further confirms that he will not be available for the Champions Trophy, which runs until March 9, and the extent of his involvement in Pakistan’s white-ball series in New Zealand after that remains uncertain.

A PCB statement said Ayub was “progressing well in his right ankle fracture injury”.

He remains in England, where he will complete the remainder of his rehabilitation, and has been ruled out for 10 weeks from the time of his injury, which he picked up while fielding in the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town five weeks ago.

Ayub had to be stretchered off the pitch in just the seventh over of the match, when Ryan Rickelton edged a delivery through the slips, sending Ayub off on a chase to deep third alongside Aamer Jamal.

Jamal pulled it back in as Ayub stood poised to be the relay fielder, but lost his balance and twisted his ankle.

He went down immediately and appeared in anguish holding the lower part of his leg as the physio rushed on.

Despite prolonged treatment outside the boundary line, Ayub was unable to put any weight on his right ankle, and appeared to be in tears as he was placed on to a stretcher and taken off.

He was later seen on crutches in the medical booth.

The PCB initially said he would be ruled out for six weeks, which offered some hope of his availability for the Champions Trophy, which Pakistan host.

Last week the board announced the squad for the tournament, with Ayub absent from it.

A week after the Champions Trophy final, Pakistan embark upon an eight-match white-ball tour of New Zealand, playing five T20Is and three ODIs between March 16 and April 5.

The Pakistan Super League starts on April 8. (ESPNcricinfo)

 

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Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo described budget proposals from the APNU+ AFC opposition as contradictory, confusing, and without any vision for development.

In scathing remarks, the Vice President rubbished some of the statements made by Opposition Parliamentarians during the recently concluded Budget Debates.

According to him, the promises made were lofty and demonstrated that those in the political opposition may not have a clear understanding of how an economy and a country’s finances should be managed.

“What bothers me a lot is that the presentation from the Leader of the Opposition himself epitomises the contradictions and confusions we saw from the members of Parliament.

“… (Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton) argued that we were using too much oil money. This is a primary contention of his presentation, that we need to save more because we can’t be certain about future oil prices.

“Then he proceeded to lay out a plan that would double spending from oil resources, and not just double spending from oil resources in a sustainable manner, but double it only for recurrent expenditures, not capital expenditures,” Jagdeo said at his weekly press conference at Freedom House, Georgetown.

Further, the Vice President pointed out that the opposition promised to substantially increase the income tax threshold, far beyond the $130,000 figure currently in place. He said such promises, without a clear explanation of how the move would be sustained, are troublesome.

Then Jagdeo addressed the promise of hiking wages and salaries in the public sector by 35%, a promise he said would cost about $517 billion- a sum more than the $512 billion of oil revenues that will be used to help fund budget 2025.

So he lamented, “That’s not an alternate budget, that’s just a party trying to do more than the PPP… Any fool, a clown, a donkey can come and say ‘I’ll do 10 times more’.”

Jagdeo believes the seemingly ad hoc promises indicate that the opposition does not have a cohesive vision for development. And he called on persons to scrutinise these promises more.

The $1.38 trillion National Budget was passed hours before Jagdeo’s press conference. The passage of the budget came after a week of budget debates and four days for the consideration of the budget estimates.

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According to a notice seen by News Room Sport in the local newspaper, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will host its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

The AGM is also expected to pave the way for the election of office bearers on the same day.

The AGM will be held at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue from 10:00h, and “all financial members are asked to attend.”

The elections follow the executive’s numerous public spats about the troubles in Track and Field governance.

The constitution mandated that the AGM be held in December 2024 or by January 31, 2025.

The General Secretary must give at least 28 days notice in a newspaper circulating in Guyana.

News Room Sport understands that the clubs, who hold the status quo, permitted the process to be extended to accommodate the new AGM date.

In June 2021, Hutson was re-elected for a third consecutive term after the body held its Annual General Meeting and Election of Officer Bearers at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue.

Hutson won when Hermonstine conceded after four consecutive rounds of voting were tied 5-5.

The incumbent has not officially announced their intentions to run again but has stated that he would accept if the clubs seek him to be in charge.

Hermonstine, who acted as President during Hutson’s ‘suspension’, has also not publicly stated her intentions of another challenge for the top spot.

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A 28-year-old truck driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a car before crashing into a house at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara on Thursday morning.

Police said the driver, Atash Singh from No. 71 Village, Corentyne Berbice was speeding at the time.

A car was also damaged in Thursday’s collision

The accident occurred at about 10:45hrs. Singh also damaged a Guyana Power and Light pole. The driver of the car has been identified as Jameela Kelvin, 31, of Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown.

Singh also damaged a Guyana Power and Light pole.

Both drivers suffered injuries and were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by EMTs in conscious states.

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Three men who confessed to the murder of Parbhudai Boodhram during the course of a robbery have been charged and remanded to prison.

Rohan Singh, 40, a businessman Belle West, West Bank Demerara; Philbert Cush, a fisherman of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo and Kishan Narine, also a fisherman of Vergenoegen, all appeared before Magistrate Robin Singh at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court recently.

Dead is: Parbhudai Boodhram

The men were arrested on Saturday, hours after they committed the heinous crime.

They were not required to plea to the charge in court and the matter was adjourned until February 17, 2025, for report.

Police on Wednesday issued a wanted bulletin for the fourth suspect. He has been identified as 31-year-old Yoemil Barrios called “Pepee”, a Venezuelan national who also resided at Belle West.

Reports revealed Boodhram known as ‘Renie’ lived with her husband, 63-year-old tailor Anthony Alphonso Boodhram, who operates a shop in Georgetown. The woman regularly visited her husband at his shop to assist with work, and after completing her tasks, she would return home, sometimes leaving him at the shop overnight depending on his workload.

Last Friday morning, Boodhram left her home and went to her husband’s shop, where she helped him throughout the day. Later, she left the shop and made her way back to Belle West. Before reaching home, she stopped at a local shop. The shop is reportedly owned by Singh.

There, Boodhram purchased groceries and was escorted home by Singh.

The News Room understands that Singh was known to Boodhram, who used to care for him as a son.

Police had previously reported that Singh related that he watched as Boodhram entered her yard, after which he drove away.

However, during the investigation, the News Room was told that Singh reportedly told investigators that Narine and Cush followed Boodhram to her house and committed the act.

Information revealed that the men’s motive was to rob Boodhram. However, while in the act Boodhram collapsed and died.

After they tied up Boodhram, the suspects made off with a purse, US$4,000 in cash, and jewellery.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Boodhram was strangled. She also suffered trauma to her head.

 

 

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Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has formally submitted the names of three individuals to sit on the Local Government Commission.

The nominees put forward by Norton are Mr Sherwin C. Benjamin, Ms Joan Ann Ramscindo, and Ms Nicole Trotman. However, Norton has been asked to provide additional information including the curriculum vitae of these individuals before the appointments can be finalised.

The issue came up during the consideration of the 2025 budget estimates for the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development on Tuesday. Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul raised a question to Minister Sonia Parag, asking, “When will the Local Government Commission be sworn in?”

In her response, Minister Parag stated that the process had already been initiated, and a letter had been sent to the Leader of the Opposition. However, she claimed there had been no response from Norton to date.

This prompted MP Mahipaul to assert that the Opposition Leader had, in fact, responded, presenting two pieces of correspondence to substantiate his position during Wednesday’s sitting of the Committee of Supply.

Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira weighed in, claiming that the Leader of the Opposition had not responded to her.

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, who attended the session virtually, explained that Norton has history of bypassing her Ministry, which is responsible for handling correspondence on constitutional appointments.

Teixeira noted that this issue had once again surfaced, as Norton did not respond to her communications, instead directly reaching out to the President or using an intermediary.

“Mr. Norton has a habit of not recognising me as the person who writes to him on behalf of the President. So, any correspondence sent to him on constitutional appointments, he will respond directly to the President and/or through an emissary,” Teixeira said.

As a result, Teixeira admitted that she was unaware of the Opposition’s nominees until Monday. Upon learning of them, she instructed one of the Presidential Secretaries to request the resumes of the nominees from the Leader of the Opposition.

Teixeira went on to explain that had she anticipated the question being asked of Minister Parag, she would have informed her in advance to avoid the confusion in the House.

“I would like to ask the Honourable Member that, as I am asked by the President to write to the Leader of the Opposition, that he also provides me with his responses or correspondence, instead of always disregarding my correspondence and treating me as if I am too much beneath him for him to respond,” Teixeira said.

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