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“The two new large mines that will come into operation before the end of this year will see training for full-time employment of more than 700 persons. So, we have to find 700 persons to work in one of those mines,” President Ali revealed.

President Ali emphasised the ongoing discussions between Bartica’s mayor and regional stakeholders to facilitate these training programmes.

Furthermore, the government is exploring the feasibility of establishing a call centre within the region, offering additional employment prospects for young individuals.

Meanwhile, in line with efforts to bolster agriculture in the hinterland, President Ali highlighted the Ministry of Agriculture’s initiatives to develop large-scale honey, citrus, and sweet cassava production programmes.

These endeavours, he said, aim to enhance food sustainability and security within the region.

“In this region, you will have between 400 to 500 new hives when you look at all the communities we are going to support. We want to have large-scale citrus farming and we have already identified areas for this. We are working now to expand the sweet cassava programme, looking at higher-yielding variety,” the head-of-state explained.

To promote sports activities among residents, plans are underway to rehabilitate six recreational facilities, complementing ongoing works on others.

Acknowledging the significant investments made by the government in the region, President Ali underscored the allocation of over $4.2 billion in education, $13 billion in housing and water projects, and an additional $500 million in agriculture over the past three years.

“We are going to continue to make these investments to ensure that the people of this region benefit, to ensure that lives are made easier and better the level of services that will be brought to the people,” the president asserted.

President Ali reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to realising these initiatives, emphasising that no effort will be spared to ensure the region’s residents benefit from improved services and opportunities.

For the past two days, President Ali led an outreach to Bartica and surrounding communities in Region Seven, actively listening to residents’ concerns and providing immediate interventions to address them.

“As you know, sports is big business and also being able to host these international tournaments comes with particular obligations…

“It is a privilege to have the World Cup come to the West Indies. We are looking forward to a successful game and hosting of the tournament,” the minister pointed out to the National Assembly on Friday.

He stressed that it is a great accomplishment for Guyana to host the World Cup tournament.

“The country’s ability to host and the region’s ability to host is now under different circumstances and challenges. One that is very unique that we haven’t faced before. We now have the United States of America entering the market as a player to host international matches…” he stated.

Minister Ramson explained that Guyana passing this legislation signals its intention for this tournament.

He continued, “It also sends a very important signal to the world about putting into place a developmental pathway to achieving that vision for President Ali for Guyana to be a world-class premiere destination for international events.”

The Bill also enables the minister to declare premises and land to be Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2024 venues ancillary to such avenues and to declare periods to be match periods for the Act.

Furthermore, it outlines that the control of CWC 2024 venues during the match period will rest with Cricket West Indies (CWI) 2024 Inc., subject only to the rights of certain persons such as any authority responsible for public health.

According to the Bill, the CWI is responsible for all the sale and distribution of the tickets. It also allows the Government of Guyana to provide the relevant work permits relative to CWC 2024 activity and the processing of these permits.

The Bill also empowers the minister to make regulations for the Act and amend by order any of the schedules to the Act.

The National Stadium in Providence, on the East Bank of Demerara, is currently undergoing renovations in preparation to host several cricket matches during the Men’s T20 World Cup next month.

Guyana will host group games from June 2 to 8 and the semi-final (one) on June 26.

Minister Ramson also took the opportunity to announce that Guyana will be hosting the test match with South Africa for the first time in 13 years.

Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn noted that all stakeholders involved are working assiduously to ensure that the events are well managed during this period.

“There are indeed a number of positions or understandings that we need to have from the security side or understandings to the matter,” the home affairs minister emphasised.

For instance, the Bill prohibits unauthorised entry into and exit from a stadium. It also empowers a police officer to demand the name and address of suspected offenders.

CWI is responsible for the sale and distribution of tickets as it is an offense to sell or supply a ticket for admission to a CWC 2024 activity without the written authorisation of CWI.

Importantly, Minister Benn highlighted that there will be a $5 million fine for anyone found guilty of the unauthorised sale of tickets.

The Bill prohibits the use of cricket tickets in any form of commercial activity as prizes in any competition or game without the written approval of CWI.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC also delivered brief remarks while providing his full support for the Bill. [DPI]