Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 25-01-2024

THURSDAY 25th January, 2024

'

PRICE

$100

VAT INCLUSIVE

No.107334

President Ali to receive Global Africa Leadership Award in Ghana 02 PAGE

Guyana ‘honouring’ commitment to Argyle Declaration –– President Ali says as Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers, technical persons meet today in Brazil

PAGE

03

The Savannahs are currently undergoing preparations for the cultivation of corn and soya on an additional 3,000 acres. Guyana aims to become self-sufficient in the production of these two crops by 2025. (Office of the President photos)

More women, APNU+AFC shenanigans ‘They did Opposition MP youths being nothing for 05 in House aimed at the people of hospitalised 03 involved in 12 diverting attention from this country’ agriculture ––Minister McCoy criticizes after incoherent positive Budget 2024 Opposition for track record in office PAGE

11

PAGE

PAGE

PAGE

––PPP/C women parliamentarians say; condemn vile actions which include derogatory remarks, alleged attempt to physically harm VP Jagdeo

––Highlights how the PPP/C Gov’t ‘picked up the pieces’ and improved lives of all Guyanese

budget presentation

Budget 2024: An expression of hope, optimism for future

––Agri Minister says, as gov’t expands sector, refutes opposition's claims that initiatives not benefitting all citizens, hinterland regions –– defends massive budgeted funds for agriculture at National Assembly

–– Parliamentary Affairs Minister says

PAGE

06

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

President Ali to receive Global Africa Leadership Award in Ghana

President Dr Irfaan Ali

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali will be honoured for his strong and transformational leadership during an official visit to Accra, Ghana, this week.

The Head of State departed Guyana Wednesday and will return to Georgetown on Monday, January 29, 2024.

President Ali will be conferred with the prestigious Global Africa Leadership Award for his “strong and transformational leadership” since taking office in August

2020.

The honour also recognises President Ali’s commitment to building ‘One Guyana’ by emphasising the need for unity, inclusivity, and shared prosperity and his strong and principled leadership during the period of heightened tension due to the border controversy between

Guyana and Venezuela.

During his official visit, the President is also expected to deliver the keynote address at the Presidential Dialogues session and participate in panel discussions at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues Summit of Heads of State and Business Leaders.

Region Five neglected under APNU+AFC – Gov’t MP discloses

IN highlighting the significance of budget 2024, Faizal Jaffarally, a Parliamentarian from the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), emphasised its inclusive nature, benefitting every individual in Guyana. Additionally, he emphasised the notable increase in opportunities under the present administration, in contrast to the APNU+AFC period.

“Budget 2024 that was presented to this National Assembly caters for every single Guyanese,” he said.

During the third day of budget debates, he refuted the opposition’s argument that nothing is being done for Guyanese.

He said: “Let’s get the facts straight. The APNU+AFC MP said Moraikobai village does not have a water ambulance nor a land ambulance. They have both!

I have photos to prove! Look at it!” as he showed the evidence.

Speaking more on the track record of the former administration in office, the Parliamentarian went on to say: “The APNU+AFC government built 32 roads in Region Five in selective communities in five years. In the year 2023, the PPP/C constructed a total of 169 roads in Region Five, providing benefits to every democratic council and community.

He also highlighted that there are now more education opportunities for residents of Region Five under the IrfaanAli-led administration.

Jaffarally remarked: “We recognise the importance of education in the growth and development of our country…We have modernised the education system to create an environment that is both conducive to teaching

PPP/C Parliamentarian, Faizal Jaffarally

and learning.”

Adding to this, he boasted that in Region Five, 1,420 residents benefitted from GOAL scholarships on various levels. “…GOAL scholarship is catching and more and more young people, and they have coming from various communities and various backgrounds, and we should be happy that this government has given another opportunity to our young people to ensure that they can develop their education,” the Parliamentarian said.

Turning to agriculture, he said the PPP/C government has made numerous investments to promote development in this sector.

“Mr. Speaker, agriculture is the lifeblood of region five, where more than 50 per cent of its residents are occupied in agriculture. Whether they are rice farmers, cattle farmers, cash crop farmers, or poultry farmers, they are being involved with the fishing industry..” he said while underscoring that the region is the “breadbasket” of Guyana.

He owed these advancements to the Ministry of Agriculture for implementing programmes, that have made significant strides in empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.

“We have implemented numerous measures to enhance irrigation and drainage system. We provide farmers with improved varieties and offered training programs to help them to adapt to modern techniques…” he said.

Guyana ‘honouring’ commitment to Argyle Declaration GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

3

–– President Ali says as Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers, technical persons meet today in Brazil

By Naomi Parris

ly challenging the validity of the award.

In 2018, Guyana took a decisive step by approaching the International Court of Justice (ICJ) seeking affirmation of the award’s legitimacy.

Venezuela initially claimed that the ICJ lacked jurisdiction, a contention flatly rejected by the World Court in a crucial ruling in December 2020. The door was thus opened for the ICJ to delve into the merits of the substantive case.

GUYANA is honouring and fulfilling its role to maintain a peaceful region, as the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd, today leads a delegation to Brazil where a meeting will be held with Venezuelan officials, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said.

The Head of State, less than 24 hours before the Joint Commission of the Foreign Ministers and technical persons meet, told a local journalist here during an interview on Wednesday that the continued conversations between the two nations will set the stage for another scheduled meeting with himself and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro in keeping with the Argyle Declaration, an 11-point agreement that outlines a pledge from both countries to refrain from escalating the decades-old border controversy among the two states.

“I think the meeting is a very important step in fulfilling what we agreed on in St. Vincent, and that was the establishment of this commission to look at all the consequential matters to develop an agenda so that the conversation between the two countries can continue,” the Guyanese leader said.

In December, the two Heads of States met in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

The meeting was facilitated

Flashback: The historic face-to-face meeting between President Dr Irfaan Ali and President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela in the presence of CARICOM, CELAC, Brazil and the United Nations, on December 14, 2023, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines by the Prime Minister of “We have quickly moved are things that are crucial in Vernon Robinson, Chargé St. Vincent and the Gren- towards honouring the a stable and peaceful envi- d’affaires, of the Guyana adines, Ralph Gonsalves, agreement, implementing ronment,” President Ali said Embassy in Brazil. and observed by Brazil, the agreement, secondly it Wednesday.

GENESIS OF THE CARICOM, and a UN Un- continues the conversation Guyana’s delegation BORDER der-Secretary-General. that is very critical, the con- is led by Hugh Hilton CONTROVERSY This historic meeting versation between Guyana Todd, Minister of Foreign The genesis of the culminated in what is now and Venezuela. It adds to the Affairs and Internationknown as the “Argyle Dec- stability and peaceful envi- al Cooperation and will border controversy goes laration,” an 11-point agree- ronment, and importantly, include Robert Persaud, back to the 1899 Arbitral ment that addresses matters it gives us the opportunity Foreign Secretary; Am- Award, a landmark deconsequential to the border to outline the agenda with bassador Elisabeth Harp- cision that delineated the controversy, including the items that both sides will er, Permanent Secretary; land boundary between fact that Guyana stands firm want to speak on, issues of Richard Van West Charles, British Guiana (now Guyin its position that the sub- trade, climate, energy secu- Ambassador of Guyana ana) and Venezuela.

Despite the historic arbistantial case is before the rity, initiative to expand our to Venezuela; Donnette International Court of Justice trade to improve our neigh- Streete, Director of the tration, tensions have persist(ICJ). bourly relationship. These Frontiers Department; and ed, with Venezuela repeated-

HOW DID WE GET TO THE ARGYLE DECLARATION? Prior to the meeting of the two South American leaders, Venezuela’s President held a Referendum on December 3, which was seen and feared to be a gateway for the Spanish-speaking nation to further fortify its claims to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, the Essequibo region.

With tensions rising, a meeting was arranged for the two leaders to meet.

According to a recent press release from Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country remains fully committed to the principles of the Argyle Declaration, in particular the maintenance of peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.

IN a dramatic turn of events, the Parliamentary Budget Debates witnessed an abrupt halt on Wednesday afternoon when Opposition Parliamentarian Geeta Chandan-Edmond’s speech raised serious concerns.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, made the decision to take

a break due to apparent “slurring and incoherence” in Chandan-Edmond’s presentation.

The incident unfolded just three minutes into her speech, with fellow opposition MPs watching without immediate intervention.

A statement from the Office of the Leader addressed the situation, highlight-

Opposition Parliamentarian Geeta Chandan-Edmond during her presentation on Wednesday

Opposition MP hospitalised after incoherent budget presentation ing that as Chandan-Edmond approached the podium, “there were notable signs of slurred speech and physical tremors.”

However, there have been claims that she was imbibing during the lunch break.

And there have also been frequent allegations that this is a common pattern in the opposition camp.

The gravity of the situation involving Chandan-Edmond prompted the Emergency Medical Technician stationed at the National Assembly to recommend her immediate transfer to the Accident and Emergency Unit.

Days before the reading of the 2024 Budget, the MP, who is a People’s National

Congress Reform (PNC/R) memeber, was replaced as the shadow Home Affairs Minister by Khemraj Ramjattan of the AFC and moved to Governance and Parliamentary Affairs.

In 2022, the attorney and former magistrate resigned from her post as General Secretary of the PNCR.

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

Budget 2024: MP Datadin highlights infrastructure investments for holistic national growth

GOVERNMENT Member of Parliament, Sanjeev Datadin, expressed unwavering support for budget 2024 during the session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, emphasising the extensive scale of financial management.

According to the MP, the budget consists of principles that will make a substantial contribution to the growth of every sector in the country and its populace.

“Now, this is a budget that is being managed on a very large scale for a reason. The fundamentals of

this budget, Mr. Speaker, were simple. We built out infrastructure…The infrastructure in turn provides housing and economic activities, both of which require more skills, [and] more services,” MP Datadin stated.

He said the government has laid out a series of programmes to educate the citizens in both a physical and virtual manner to provide skills as quickly as possible.

As the government seeks to do this, it is also making the disposable income of people better by easing their economic

hardships.

These hardships include the cost of fuel, tax, and shipping cost, among others, which he said is exactly what budget 2024 seeks to address.

“Now, the budget does these things in stages.

The infrastructure that we build, the bridges, the highways, the roads… those things allow for the development of communities…We have increased salaries, we have increased pensions. We have also alleviated the cost of living, and increased the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant,” the MP pointed out.

Moreover, in comparing the multitude of measures implemented by the PPP/C Government with the limited actions undertaken by the APNU+AFC, Datadin emphasised the clear distinction between democracy and its absence.

Based on his assertion, the opposition frequently talks about numerous developmental initiatives it plans to implement, yet failed to do so during its previous tenure, disregarding the concerns of numerous citizens.

“This side of the house is actually doing what it

Member of Parliament, Sanjeev Datadin said it would do…Spending money for the betterment of the Guyanese people,” he stated.

When discussing the nation’s oil and gas resources, with a particular focus on local content, Datadin highlighted that more than 6,000 individ-

uals are employed as contractors and machinery operators, among other occupations.

Moreover, he emphasised that the local content act itself presents a chance for the employment of Guyanese individuals.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

APNU+AFC shenanigans in House aimed at diverting attention from positive Budget 2024 –– PPP/C women parliamentarians say; condemn vile actions which include derogatory remarks, alleged attempt to physically harm VP Jagdeo

IN a strongly -word ed statement released Wednesday, the women parliamentarians of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government vehemently rejected what they termed as the “hypocrisy” of the A Partnership for National Unity /Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) owing to the Opposition parliamentarians’ actions that appear to be a clear attempt to divert attention from the positive Budget 2024.

The PPP/C women argue that this act was a deliberate attempt to divert attention from significant benefits for the people that are outlined in the national budget currently being debated on in the National Assembly.

According to the PPP/C statement, the APNU/AFC

has a history of directing offensive language towards female members of the PPP/C. Cathy Hughes, a prominent figure within the opposition, was specifically named for allegedly making sexist remarks about Minister Priya Manickchand, referring to her as “sitira gyal” – a derogatory term.

The statement further claimed that the AFC had issued an official statement using the same derogatory language against Minister Manickchand.

The release went on to highlight recent instances of sexist comments made

by Coretta Mc Donald, an APNU/AFC member, on her social media page directed towards female PPP/C MPs. The statement also pointed to an incident on budget day where Dr. Karen Cummings, a female APNU/AFC Parliamentarian, was recorded attempting to harm Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo within the Parliament precincts, with a video attached as evidence.

The PPP/C women parliamentarians condemned what they described as the “vilest, most racist, and sexist comments” coming from the women of the APNU/AFC. Despite these allegations, the PPP/C members expressed their commitment to denouncing all attacks on

individuals, regardless of party affiliation or gender, and asserted their determination to support the growth and well-being of all Guyanese citizens.

In response to the recent walkout by the opposition, the PPP/C women asserted that it was a calculated effort to divert attention away from the ongoing national budget debates, which they argue contain significant programme and policies aimed at benefitting women and the Guyanese population at large.

The statement concluded by condemning all personal attacks on any gender within the National Assembly, emphasising the importance of maintaining a respectful and focused environment for constructive parliamentary discussions.

5

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

Building peace

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali started 2024 as the new Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), championing collaboration instead of confrontation, sharing neighbourly commonalities and reiterating Guyana’s commitment to preserving the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace.

The President had reflected on the outcome of his December 14, 2023 summit with Venezuelan Counterpart President Nicolas Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and said he’d approached it “with a clear understanding that Guyana wants, first of all, peace and stability within this region” and ensuring, “We will do everything to ensure that Guyana and the wider Caribbean region enjoy peace and stability.”

He maintained that any destabilisa-

tion of Caribbean peace and stability would not only affect Guyana, but also the economies of all its neighbours, including Brazil, which depends heavily on transportation and logistics as one of the major exporters of food and other raw materials and a major importer of fertilisers and other chemicals.

Presidents Ali and Maduro last month agreed Guyana and Venezuela will not threaten or use force against each other in any circumstances, including the border controversy -- and that any controversies will be resolved in accordance with international law.

They also agreed to continue dialogue on any other pending matters of mutual importance to the two countries and to avoid incidents that can re-escalate tensions, which, if they arise, will

be immediately communicated with each another, as well as with CARICOM, CELAC and the President of Brazil, to contain, reverse and prevent recurrence.

The two states established a joint commission of Foreign Ministers and technical persons to address all related matters, an update from which will be submitted to the two presidents. The first meeting of the joint commission is set to take place today in Brasilia, Brazil.

President Ali has already urged his counterpart to concentrate more on possibilities of mutual cooperation, instead of concentrating on whipping-up tensions over matters that do not contribute to the spirit of the Argyle Accord.

Guyana and Venezuela have both identified concrete areas of cooperation

that the two can cooperate on, and it will be well for Caracas to pay more attention to cooperation than prolonging discording discussions that do not contribute to successful implementation of the agreed accord.

President Ali underscored that peaceful neighbourly ties are more worthy of pursuit than continuing unending neighbourly quarrels.

Keeping the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace starts with every nation doing its utmost to preserve the status quo by not only talking about peace, but also actually engaging in peacebuilding exercises, including strengthening national defenses to protect the region from external interventions.

And in this regard, Guyana is leading the way.

Budget 2024: An expression of hope, optimism for future –– Parliamentary Affairs Minister says

MINISTER of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, said on Wednesday that the 2024 National Budget, themed, “Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All” expresses hope and optimism for the country’s future.

The Minister made these remarks during her contributions to the National Budget debates during the 74th sitting of the twelfth parliament.

It was at that moment when she observed that the commitments made by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government have been upheld.

Against this backdrop, Minister Teixeira stated

that the PPP/C administration has chosen a path of national development based on transforming the physical infrastructure of Guyana to open the country to modernity, new areas of production, and economic activity.

By incorporating this, it leads to the development of novel skill sets, job opportunities, and a thriving community of entrepreneurs, all driven by the philosophy of ensuring no one is left behind.

Further to this, she noted that parallel investments have been made in the people of the country through various programmes like the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), Get

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira Ready for Opportunities to Work (GROW), Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) among others.

“We have made promises as a party, we have kept promises and we will continue to keep our promises because that is the honour and respon-

sibility of our party to serve the country,” she expressed.

In addition, the Minister further stated that the government’s implementation of various programmes has resulted in substantial benefits for women.

During that time, Teixeira highlighted the fact that women account for over 60 per cent of the GOAL scholarship awardees, as well as approximately 44 per cent of the recipients of house lots and expanding small businesses.

Additionally, she mentioned that in previous years, a significant challenge encountered was the limited involvement of women in the economic realm. Nonetheless, the current scenario depicts a positive shift, with women

increasingly establishing their dominance in various sectors, including micro and small businesses.

Teixeira stated that the opposition fails to grasp the forward-thinking and progressive movement of the people.

“It is unfathomable to them while at the same time each of their MPs [Members of Parliament] also benefit from the measures the PPP government has introduced, as they should!

The people like the budget measures, they understand what this will bring to their lives and they want more and they will get more as the country transforms, so they know that things are better and far better than under the APNUAFC,” the Minister expressed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

Commercial banks, a 'small piece' and Guyana’s proletariat

I NOTICED the daughter of Mr. Brindley Benn wrote a letter in the Guyana Chronicle yesterday on his 101st birth anniversary.

I have had a close relationship with Brindley Benn. There were youths around the same age who saw a political future in the PPP. The year was 1968. It was me, Leyland DeCambra, and Ronald Gordon.

Leyland and Ronald are very much alive and live in Guyana. Our political frustration drove us into the arms of Brindley Benn and his party, the Working People’s Vanguard Party. I have fond memories of Brindley.

All three of us embraced Marxist politics and saw the working class and the rural proletariat as the classes our activism would be devoted to. People go their separate ways. Leyland went to East Germany, Ronald almost became Guyana’s first African Hindu priest, and I was the only one that remained in politics.

This is the environment in which my politics evolved, and I have never ever detached myself from my political roots. I was a working-class activist at 16, and I have never removed myself from that existence now that I am in my early seventies. Tragically, I believe all my decades of activism, my 26 years as a UG lecturer, and my 35 years in journalism will come to naught in 2024 because I see the proletariat in Guyana and the rural peasantry in

decline without a protective hand. That hand was large and ubiquitous in the environment my politics were born into.

I was chatting with the famous Dominic Gaskin, a former business minister and AFC executive, and we disagreed on the regrets we have in our respective lives. He said he does not have regrets when he looks back; he may acknowledge mistakes, but not regrets.

My regrets are enormous. I regret the way I shaped my praxis. There have to be too many political and psychological cruelties in my life that the regrets will never fade from memory.

When I see how the commercial banks treat Guyana’s proletariat from one end of Guyana to another and no one does anything to confront such class bias, I feel my politics have been a failure. I get so many heartbreaking complaints about the mistreatment of Guyana’s working people by the commercial banks that I wonder what the people who protégéd me in politics would say if they were alive today.

Some of their names ring in my ears: Cheddi Jagan, EMG Wilson, Brindley Benn, Vincent Teekah, Boyo Ramsaroop, Brian Rodway, Dr. Josh Ramsammy, Walter Rodney, and Andaiye, among others. All of them, without exception, practised the politics of working-class liberation. I have never been close to a politician who is not dedi-

cated to elevating the working people of the world.

In Guyana in 2024, an ordinary person cannot go into the bank with a million dollars to deposit it without an enormous burden to prove where he or she got it from. Per capita, Guyana has the largest diaspora in the world. Relatives and friends return for visits and give their relatives money.

A million or two million is absolutely no significant amount of money in the context of the Guyanese economy.

You go into the commercial bank with two million, which is a “small piece” from your visiting relative and that relative has to state if he or she gave you the money and that relative has to provide the bank with proof of earning and proof of employment in the foreign country he/ she lives in.

This is the repression

working people have to bear up with in Guyana.

They simply find it impossible to bank two million dollars. To date, no political party, no trade union, no lawyer, no civil society group, and not one organisation has written about this abuse of people’s rights by financial houses in Guyana, including the NBS. An incident I witnessed at NBS last year got me so emotional that I wish I was young and

radical again. Financial houses are wrongly using the anti-money legislation to devastate ordinary people in Guyanese society.

Guyana discovered a magic formula that would secure the future for all Guyanese. It is the oil industry. Yet to date, there are eleven (maybe more) lawsuits against the oil industry.

All are from people with money who either belong to the upper middle classes

7

or are wealthy. There has not been one writ filed in court against the denial of the rights of ordinary people by the commercial banks.

When I was very small, there was a famous song by a group named the Kingston Trio. I leave you with the opening lines -Where have all the flowers gone?

Long time passing Where have all the flowers gone Long time ago.

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

Gov’t prioritises legal rights for Indigenous Peoples –– says Amerindian Affairs Minister in defence of budget –– opposition MP acknowledges gov’t support to Indigenous Peoples in education sector

By Naomi Parris

THE legal rights of Indigenous Peoples have been given priority by the Government of Guyana, according to Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai.

Sukhai, during her contribution to the budget debates on Wednesday in the National Assembly being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, passionately defended the funds budgeted to support Indigenous Peoples and their communities.

Highlighting the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT)

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai Project, Sukhai said that the $800 million that has been budgeted for this project guarantees legal protection

of Amerindian-owned lands, which she said was stagnant during the opposition’s tenure.

“The APNU+AFC had no intention to advance land titling for Amerindians…It was under the PPP/C Government that the percentage of land owned privately by Amerindians increased from 6 per cent to 16 per cent.

The ALT project will go down in the history of this house and in the records. It will show that the majority of lands titled to indigenous people were all done under the PPP/C Government.”

According to Sukhai, over the last two years, 20 investigations were conducted and in less than two years, seven extensions were awarded, while eight land demarcations were conducted.

Aside from this, over 800 village-led projects are currently being implemented in over 200 Amerindian, hinterland, rural, and riverine communities across Guyana.

This is being funded through the country’s first carbon credit sale and agreement with Hess Corporation where a minimum of US$750 million will be generated over the coming decade.

Sukhai disclosed that some 232 village councils and community development councils have already withdrawn their funds, to-

taling $3.8 billion.

Meanwhile, opposition Member of Parliament, Dawn Hastings-Williams, said in her presentation to the national assembly that she believes more needs to be done to support the indigenous communities; however, she acknowledges several initiatives being done to enhance the lives of persons in hinterland communities through enhance training in the education sector.

“I can also recall approaching the Minister of Education, whom I have great respect for, Priya Manickchand about the teachers who were enrolled to do online courses but were unable to do so in my region

and specifically in upper Mazaruni. I am much appreciative that she came up with something and that is to bring them out to Georgetown to attend classes at CPCE,” Hastings said.

Notably, the government has been working to improve access to education in hinterland communities, and as a part of these investment were made to further support the Cyril Potter College of Education’s (CPCE), where some 1,796 educators recently graduated.

Among the large contingent, several teachers from hinterland regions received their certificates and accreditation to further advance their careers.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Dawn Hastings-Williams

9

Minister Benn proposes fire victims’ awareness day

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

–– to honour Mahdia tragedy victims

IN an effort to pay tribute to the 20 young lives lost in the tragic Mahdia School Dorms fire of 2023, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has recommended the establishment of a Fire Victims Awareness Day. Minister Benn, in his presentation on the 2024

experienced by the affected families and communities.

He highlighted the objective of the proposed Fire Victims Awareness Day, which seeks to signify national unity and remembrance, promoting a sense of communal support and empathy amidst challenging circumstances.

“I want to applaud the

The 20 victims who perished in the Mahdia dormitory fire

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn National Budget on Tuesday, initiated his proposal by recounting the heart-rending incidents related to the Mahdia fire, which resulted in the untimely demise of 20 young individuals.

The Minister said that the victims, who are from Guyana’s indigenous community, faced an untimely demise in a fire that cast a shadow of sorrow over the nation.

“I want to propose that we have, in remembrance of the day of the Mahdia fire, at all fire stations and at the Ministry, a Fire Victims Awareness Day,” Benn announced.

The explanation outlined a proposal to establish a day devoted to reflection and remembrance, incorporating the exhibition of photographs depicting the young victims and the laying of flowers to honor their memory.

The Minister emphasised the significance of commemorating the victims of Mahdia, particularly in recognising the sorrow and anguish

work of the Guyana Fire Service. There is so much that you could do,” Minister Benn expressed, highlighting the courage and dedication of the firefighters who responded to the Mahdia incident and continue to serve the nation.

Against this backdrop, he said that the proposal extends beyond remembrance, since it serves as a platform to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention.

By commemorating the Mahdia tragedy, Minister Benn envisions an annual event that not only pays respects to the victims but also educates the public on the importance of fire safety measures.

“We have to continue to carry the message of greater fire awareness,” stated Minister Benn, signaling the need for increased public understanding of the devastating impact fires can have and the importance of taking preventive measures.

The Minister also addressed the aftermath of the

fire incident, citing a presidential commission of inquiry and increased funding for the Guyana Fire Service.

In spite of these measures, the opposition maintained their criticism, contending that the budget does not adequately tackle the underlying causes of such incidents.

However, the Minister stated with certainty that fire prevention measures and substantial updates are under consideration in the budget for 2024. In the current fiscal year’s budget, a total of $90.6 billion was designated for the security sector, with $6.5 billion specifically allocated to the Fire Service.

According to Benn, the projects this year included the construction and restoration of fire stations, acquisition of advanced fire-fighting equipment, and initiatives to strengthen emergency medical services.

The finding into the COI report was handed over to President Dr. Irfaan Ali last week by the CoI chairman, retired Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Major-General Joe Singh, who was accompanied by fellow commissioners, Chairman of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) Derrick John, and Attorney-at-law Kim See page 10

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

Guyanese lawyer admitted to Montserrat bar GUYANESE attorney, Mohamed Ravindra Ali, has achieved a significant milestone by being officially admitted as a Barrister at Law of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in Montserrat.

The petition for his admission was presented at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, on Tuesday, by attorney Yuri Saunders before the Honourable Justice Dale Fitzpatrick. Ali made a virtual appearance through the use of Zoom.

The ceremonial admission, conducted with solemnity and legal decorum, marked Ali’s formal entry Attorney-at-law into the legal fraternity of Mohamed Ravindra Ali the Eastern Caribbean.

In a symbolic commitment to the highest standards of the legal profession, Ali took his oath before Justice Dale Fitzpatrick, pledging to “uphold all the ethics of the legal profession” within the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Ali’s legal journey began with his admission to the local bar in Guyana in October 2009.

His foundational legal education was obtained at The Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago, where he successfully earned his Legal Education Certificate.

Minister Benn proposes fire ...

From page 9

Kyte-Thomas.

Upon receiving the report, President Ali mentioned plans for a proper memorial in remembrance of the lives lost in the tragic incident. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, will engage with the Private Sector Commission to pool resources for the memorial.

“We have commissioned various artists to come up with a representation of what this memorial should be… Because the memorial of this nature is one that is very important,” he said.

The findings of COI had revealed that the deadly Mahdia dormitory fire in 2023 was due to several factors, especially the “grave neglect” of the facility under the APNU+AFC government.

Notwithstanding, it was also determined that the events and circumstances leading up to the causes of the fire were “an unfortunate outcome of several factors”.

The factors outlined in the report include the influence of the mining culture on social relationships, the vulnerability of youth, especially teenage females, and the negligence of officials regarding fire readiness.

The Committee of Inquiry (CoI) identified deficiencies in the fire prevention measures of the dormitory. It is important to note that even a more well-equipped facility may not have changed the tragic outcome, considering the cause of the fire.

During the public hearings, 29 witnesses testified, including the facility’s dorm mother and father, and senior fire officials, among others.

On May 22, 2023, the country was plunged into mourning after a fire that authorities said was maliciously set, ravaged a secondary school girls’ dormitory in Mahdia.

At the time of the fire, 56 of the girls were present, as three had gone home to their families for the weekend.

The children housed at the ‘dorms’ came from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie, and Chenapau.

Initially, 18 girls from the ‘dorm’ and the five-year-old son of the ‘Dorm Mother and Father’, perished in the fire, but another student who was injured in the fire, passed away a few days later.

Airlift operations were conducted to transfer several survivors to Georgetown for emergency medical care. A young girl with critical injuries was transported by medical evacuation to a healthcare facility in New York for additional treatment.

Following a successful round of treatment, she has now returned.

‘They did nothing for the people of this country’

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

–– Minister McCoy slams Opposition for track record in office

–– Highlights how the PPP/C Gov’t ‘picked up the pieces’ and improved lives of all Guyanese

By Trina Williams

will not happen overnight.”

TO unmask the Opposition’s claims of Budget 2024 possessing nothing for the ordinary man, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, unveiled how the government has “picked up the pieces” and improved the lives of all Guyanese since assuming office in August 2020.

Despite the House being previously disrupted by an unexpected event by an opposition parliamentarian, Minister McCoy did not let this deter him from setting the record straight.

“Since the reading of the budget last week, Opposition politicians have been huddling in their various rabbit holes… they were not trying to comprehend its [budget] magnitude and its catalytic features feeding Guyana’s transformation pathway that is sure to create empowerment for every Guyanese, including their constituencies,” the Minister boldly remarked.

He noted that job opportunities and the ability to accumulate wealth are lush for Guyanese under the Irfaan-Ali led administration, given the massive injections of investments that they are making.

Commenting on the last few days of budget debates, he highlighted the Opposition has not been constructive with their criticisms but instead used the moment to act as if they attained significant accomplishments from 2015 to 2020.

“The people over the last few days who did little or nothing are the loudest in this house, and I’m happy they identify themselves; [they did] nothing [for] the people across this country…” he said.

Expounding on the measures that are set in place for all Guyanese, the Minister said that the allotted time he was given to present could not do justice to the many incentives that have been conferred on the lives of all citizens.

Despite the Opposition “masquerading” under the pretense of care, McCoy

NEW HEIGHTS As the government continues to strive to produce world-class healthcare, quality education, more economic opportunities, the Minister stated that Budget 2024 serves as a vehicle to continue this development.

“Budget 2024 has shattered every conceivable ceiling Guyana has ever been constrained by since our independence, with provisions for exponential growth of every sector and measures that create an enabling environment for young people to emerge from poverty and various other social strata and begin thriving,” Minister McCoy boasted.

Using a random sample, he stated that he found 736 Guyanese that lauded the PPP/C’s efforts to craft a better Guyana.

Despite the statements stemming from the Opposition on the topic of inflation, Minister McCoy pointed out that this is a global phenomenon and not something that is foreign to Guyana.

Nevertheless, he stated that prudent management is what sets people apart, given the increasing cost of living due to inflation.

He related: “We are constantly consulting with our stakeholders and people right across this country and reviewing our policies and programmes to address all the pressing issues, including the issues of cost of living, and of course, to make sure that we have sustainable economic and social growth while providing real time cushioning interventions to ease the cost of living burdens for every citizen.”

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy said that it was under the APNU+AFC administration that Guyanese saw 200 new taxes being placed on their backs, water, and electricity subsidies being taken away from the pensioners, among other measures.

Also, according to Minister McCoy, the blame is at the feet of the previous APNU+AFC government for failing to carry out the Amaila Falls Hydropower Station (AFHP), which serves as the gateway for Guyanese to get cheaper electricity.

The AFHP, with its potential 165 megawatts of power generation, could have been a game-changer for Guyana, but the project was not pursued by the former APNU+AFC coalition administration.

Notably, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is aiming to lower energy costs by at least 50 per cent through an energy mix that incorpo-

rates gas, solar, wind, and hydropower.

Emphasising how Guyanese are seeing brighter days under the PPP/C government, the Minister said that the sugar workers, who were robbed of their right to earn a living when APNU+AFC sent thousands of them home, were rehired under the PPP/C. In 2017, the former APNU+AFC Coalition government announced the closure of several sugar estates across the country, leaving thousands of people without jobs or sources of income.

The move saw four sugar estates being closed and over 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs.

The Rose Hall Estate, prior to its closure, was “home” to some 2,500 sugar workers, but 1,181 of those were retrenched. The remaining workers from the Rose Hall Estate were transferred to Blairmont Estate over in

West Coast Berbice and Albion Estate on the Corentyne.

Moreover, the minister shifted his attention to the upward trajectory that Guyana has been undergoing.

“We restored our citizens’ constitutional rights to housing with over 30,000 house lots distributed…We provided economic empowerment pathways for women and single mothers and Mr. Speaker, we restored our children’s grant, and of course we have worked to improve the lives of people right across this country,” he said.

Adding: “…We are not saying that we have done it all. All of this is part of a process in which we started out in 2020 picking up the pieces, correcting the mistakes, fixing things and working every single year to improve our assets, to improve the lives of the people… it is a process, it

PUBLIC AFFAIRS Addressing the improvement of state media entities under the present government, the Minister emphasised the ongoing investments being made to enhance the working conditions of those employed in this sector.

“Over the past three years, we’ve worked tirelessly to restore a greater semblance of standards in jour-

nalism, communication, and broadcasting protocols across the sector. Extensive refresher training interventions were conducted, and last year, we commenced an extensive up-skilling strategy with international exposure and certifications under the umbrella of the ground-breaking Media and Communication Academy. We will advance those efforts this year,” the Minister said.

The Minister additionally commented that the Department of Public Affairs (DPA) will consolidate and strengthen the country’s regional and international endeavours, aiming to foster relationships and harmony among the state media entities of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other continental jurisdictions.

He said: “This week, Mr. Speaker, our first Memorandum of Understanding for information and communication co-operation will be signed with my counterpart at the Ghanian Ministry of Information, and in February, with my counterpart in the Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica.”

In the coming two years, there will be knowledge exchange and capacity-building missions conducted at various government-related hubs in Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

“With regard to my wider Public Affairs portfolio Mr. Speaker, my secretariat has been engaging with communities across the country with the help of Community Engagement Officers to address and channel wide-ranging issues, and ultimately respond to people’s expectations. We have directly engaged and assisted thousands of citizens and will intensify those efforts this year with the aid of our budgetary allocations,” he said.

In 2024, the DPA will roll out several wide-ranging public education campaigns targeting engendering behaviour change across the society, to roll back some of the negative social consequences of undesirable behaviours and actions.

12

More women, youths being involved in agriculture

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

– Agri Minister says

–– as gov’t expands sector, refutes opposition’s claims that initiatives not benefiting all citizens, hinterland regions –– defends massive budgeted funds for agriculture in National Assembly

By Naomi Parris

DEFENDING the mammoth budgeted allocation of $97.6 billion for the agriculture sector in Guyana’s 2024 fiscal package, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday said more women and youth are being involved in the sector.

Mustapha, during his presentation to the National Assembly on day three of budget debates, said that the government has begun the expansion of many major projects to support farmers and increase the country’s food production across all the regions.

This was contrary to what the minister’s opposition counterpart, Vinceroy Jordan argued during his presentation, which opened the day’s proceedings.

Jordan, in his contribution to the debates, said that the funds allocated to the sector does not outline the ‘geographical needs’

of all the stakeholders, especially those in the hinterland communities.

In response, Mustapha referenced the establishment of the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme, which was launched by the government back in 2022 and has since seen the increased production of high valued crops through the establishment of shade houses.

The minister mulled plans to further expand this project, stating that it will be expanded to Regions Two, Five and 10.

“We are empowering young people…we are making young people shareholders of companies, we have the agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme that was launched

by His Excellency to date we have over $25 million in that company and young people will receive benefits from that company as shareholders …we have an objective in the Ministry of

FOLLOWING the conclusion of the second day of the 2024 budget debates on Tuesday evening, parliamentarians Seepaul Narine and Bhagmattie Veerasammy expressed glowing praise for the $1.146 trillion development plan.

During their presentations to the National Assembly, the two MPs praised the government’s strategic and dedicated drive to deliver on the promises outlined in their manifesto.

Speaking in alignment with his profession as a trade unionist, MP Seepaul Narine highlighted his interest in specific measures that safeguard and advance the lives of the working class and their families.

These encompass adequate educational infrastructure, tuition-free university education, and youth-focused initiatives aimed at advancing the prospects of Guyanese young people.

Additionally, there are affordable housing options,

ensuring comfort, safety, and security, as well as modern hospitals and healthcare facilities, among numerous other benefits.

“It is clear as day that the PPP/C is committed to honouring our promises to our people. Budget 2024 has broken all records it anticipates spending in the interest of our people $1.146 trillion by any yardstick it is a massive investment in our people. That is why I’m heartened to recognise that budget 2024 aims to address those questions meaningfully,” he emphasised.

Noting the increases in public assistance, old age pensions, and the increase in the income tax threshold, Narine stressed that these measures represent a ‘victory’ for the working class, propelling the country further into a prosperous future.

“I know many workers paid careful attention to the budget and were not disappointed. Increasing the income tax threshold to

Agriculture where 35 per cent of young people and women have to be involved in all the projects of this ministry,” Mustapha said.

Further outlining the expansion of the sector, Mustapha reiterated that focus has been placed to advance the agriculture sector in every region across the country.

Providing facts to defend his arguments, the Minister said: “In Region One, we turned that

region into the spice region in our country. We have turmeric, we have ginger, we have nutmeg and those crops are being expanded.”

“As I am speaking today, we have 300 acres of ginger that will be harvested shortly where we will have two million pounds of ginger coming from Region One. We have $28 in planting material that we have distributed to Region One,” he added.

Aside from this, the government, he noted, has invested in agro-processing facilities to add value to farmers produce, not only in that region but across the country.

Projects like these, Mustapha said, are being replicated in several other hinterland regions contrary to what the opposition has said.

Turning his attention to sugar, a sub-sector that has over the years garnered much attention due to the controversial closure of the country’s sugar factories by the now opposition, Mustapha said the industry is now being revitalized.

And although, Member of Parliament, Jordan said the sugar industry was thriving and maintained that the opposition had a clear plan to advance the sector, Mustapha provided statistics to the national assembly refuting this.

“The decline of the sugar industry did not start under the

PPP/C government, I will give the facts…in 2014 the last year when we were in office sugar grew by 16 per cent we made a target of 216,357 tonnes in 2015 when they took over in March the sugar industry started to decline it had gone to seven per cent increase at that point, but from 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 the sugar industry declined by 21 per cent, 25 per cent , 24 per per cent, 12 per cent,” Mustapha said.

In the 2024 fiscal package $6 billion has been budgeted to support the sector.

In 2017, the coalition government had announced the closure of several sugar estates across the country, leaving thousands of persons without jobs or sources of income. The move saw four sugar estates being closed and over 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs.

To date, some over 8,100 employees were hired across the industry.

MPs Narine, Veerasammy praise Budget 2024 for helping working class

Member of Parliament, Seepaul Narine $100,000 monthly is a significant gain, this intervention alone will put some 5 billion dollars in the pocket of our workers,” the MP pointed out.

Meanwhile, MP Bhagmattie Veerasammy described the budget as a ‘masterpiece’ that continues

the foundation created by the PPP/C government, to realise a vision of national advancement.

“The 2024 budget focuses on people, the development of infrastructure, the diversification and strengthening of our economy, job creation, building an educated and wealthier nation, ensuring that individuals and families own their own homes, and utilities provided to them for improved standard of living. That is what prosperity is all about,” she stressed.

She drew attention to a series of projects completed by the government since returning to office, many of which the previous administration failed to complete during this five-year reign.

These included the East Coast four-lane highway, Sheriff to Mandela Road and the Ogle to Eccles highway.

These incomplete projects represented the abysmal failure that characterised the opposition’s tenure in office, according to Veerasammy.

“Not only did they fail to complete these projects, but they increased the cost for them. Between 1964 [and] 1992, the PNC and APNU’s economic track record was an abysmal failure. They destroyed infrastructure, the educational and health facilities, and bankrupt[ed] this country through their poor management and incompetence,” she said.

Turning to the string of measures that the 2024 budget promises for Guyanese, the member of parliament highlighted that women, children, and the elderly are some of the vulnerable groups that will see an improved quality of life, as billions more in disposable income will be placed into their pockets.

“The opposition on the other side of this House claims that this budget has nothing for our people.

They are strangers to the truth. Look at the 200 taxes imposed on our people.

Do you remember the promises of a good life

Member of Parliament, Bhagmattie Veerasammy for all? As promised, our PPP/C government removed all those taxes and created conditions to facilitate investment, economic growth and prosperity for our people,” Veerasammy pointed out.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

USAID launches programme to support Caribbean farmers, food security

BUILDING food security took a leap forward on Wednesday when the United States Government, through the United States Agency for Development (USAID), in partnership with Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC), formally launched the regional agricultural programme, Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA).

This initiative will spark investments to increase efficiency and reliability in growing and accessing food so that farmers can better nourish families, communities, and nations.

Attendees at this event, including senior government officials from Guyana, Dominica, Suriname, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the University of Guyana, and partner organisations, affirmed support that investing in smallholder farmers is critical to tackling food insecurity.

CAPA, a three-year,

Officials at the USAID launch of the CAPA programme US$5.3 million USAID-funded initiative will help farmers increase fruit and vegetable productivity; build relationships between buyers, suppliers, and farmers; and improve farm-level extension systems.

“USAID is committed to supporting the Caribbean in unlocking the full potential of its agricultural sector,” said Mervyn Farroe, USAID

Eastern and Southern Caribbean Regional Representative. Mr. Farroe reiterated that CAPA is one of several initiatives supported by USAID, another being the Farmer-to-Farmer programme.

Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla Barnett, stressed the importance of the project reaching the intended beneficiaries to im-

prove food security, while creating wealth and economic development for the region.

Dr. Barnett referred to several initiatives spearheaded

by CARICOM, including the highly successful Caribbean Week of Agriculture, the approval of several long-standing policies by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to

enable greater intra-regional trade, and the upcoming CARICOM Development Partners Meeting on Food Security.

U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot noted that CAPA grew out of the Ninth Summit of the Americas and stands as a swift response from the U.S. Government. It is a major pillar of PACC2030,

the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030. CAPA will address food insecurity challenges facing the region, exacerbated by the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war, the ongoing climate crisis, rising food prices, and the disruption to supply chains.

Ambassador Theriot affirmed the significance of CAPA in supporting improved smallholder access to markets and integration into value chains, as well as providing agritech and climate smart technology opportunities with small and medium agribusinesses and farmers.

CAPA will be rolled out in Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago. The regional office for CAPA is based in Guyana.

CAPA will also provide virtual capacity building and knowledge sharing events for stakeholders throughout the Eastern and Southern Caribbean region.

3,000 more acres of land being prepared for corn, soya bean project

14

By Naomi Parris

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan

Ali has revealed that approximately 3000 acres of land are currently being

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

prepared for corn and soya cultivation in Guyana’s Savannahs.

3,000 more acres of land are being prepared for the cultivation of corn and soya bean The disclosure was made by the Head of State on Wednesday through his official Facebook page, where he also shared images of the ongoing land development for the significant food production project.

In this year’s fiscal package, the government has set aside the sum of $967.8 million to further boost the capacity of the Tacama Savannah corn and soya bean facility.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, made the announcement during his Budget 2024 presentation at the National Assembly last Monday.

“Government’s collaboration with the private sector to roll out a development programme for corn and soya bean in the intermediate savannahs has been very successful,” the senior finance minister highlighted.

Over the last three years,

the government has spent more than $1.4 billion to develop the infrastructure within the Tacama area to meet the region’s production and cultivation goals.

By 2025, Guyana is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of all livestock feed, resulting in a decreased reliance on imports.

This progress is evident as 10,000 acres of corn and soybean were cultivated in 2023.

Additionally, there will be a significant decrease in the cost of meat, particularly poultry and other varieties.

The production target for corn and soya bean production is of utmost importance, with a goal of reaching 26,000 acres by the end of 2024 and 30,000 acres by the end of 2025.

Completion of the Tacama access road has been achieved, alongside the successful implementation of the drying and storage facilities.

An access wharf is currently under construction at

Tacama, with completion anticipated in 2024.

In 2023, four major private producers cultivated approximately 10,000 acres of corn and soya bean.

“I am happy to report that, in 2024, three additional major investors will enter the market, and together expand cultivation to 26,000 acres,” Minister Singh further announced.

In the year 2021, a collaboration was formed between six local companies and a regional firm to embark on a significant project aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in corn and soya bean production in Guyana in the coming years.

The owners of Guyana Stock Feed Ltd., Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned N F Agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets.

Two dead, four injured in Heroes Highway crash

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

LAW enforcement officials are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal accident that took place at the intersection of Heroes Highway and Diamond Main Access Road.

The accident led to the unfortunate demise of two individuals, one of whom was a three-year-old girl and caused injuries to four additional individuals.

Main Access Road, where there is a ‘Diversion’ with reflectors and road markings lawfully placed for vehicles to turn West (right) into Diamond Main Access Road only, the driver failed to make a right turn at the said Diversion and continued further South. In doing so, he collided with some concrete piles lying on the side of Diamond Main Access Road,” police said.

The accident scene at the junction of Heroes Highway and Diamond Main Access Road, East Bank Demerara Dead are Elleana Persaud, three years old, and Bagot Singh, 50, both of Providence Housing Scheme, EBD. According to the Guyana Police Force, the accident occurred at around 18:10 hours Tuesday and involved motor car with registration PAD 6435, which was driven

by Daniel Gomes, 21.

At the time, he had five passengers in his vehicle, namely Britney Hendricks, age 23; Emily Persaud, two years old; Tresha Singh; Bagot Singh, age 50; and Elleana Persaud, three years old — all from Providence Housing Scheme.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the car was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway of Heroes Highway at a fast rate.

“As the driver approached the junction of Heroes Highway and Diamond

As a result of the collision, the driver, along with the five occupants, received injuries to their heads and other parts of their bodies.

Emily, Elleana, and Tresha, who were all seated in the rear (back) seat of the car, were taken out of the vehicle by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they were all seen and examined by doctors on duty.

Police said that Elleana died while receiving medical treatment and the other two occupants were admitted for observation.

The ambulance services promptly arrived at the scene with a team of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) who assessed the driver and the two other occupants.

Subsequently, all individuals were transported by ambulance to Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where they under-

went examination by on-duty physicians.

Bagot was declared deceased upon arrival, while the driver was admitted for

medical treatment.

Britney was referred to the GPHC, where she was further seen and examined by a doctor on duty and admit-

Dead: Elleana Persaud ted as a patient in the Critical Bay (Accident and Emergency Unit) at the GPHC. The bodies of both deceased were escorted by

Dead: Bagot Singh the police to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting post-mortem examinations. Investigations are still ongoing.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

‘An exciting time for Guyanese and for the country’ –– Minister Ramson affirms

MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, on Tuesday said every Guyanese will witness and benefit from the wealth creation, as the country continues to grow under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

The minister made those remarks during his presentation on day two of the 2024 National Budget debate in the House, where he added that for the country’s significant transformation to take place, bigger budgets are required.

“At the heart of larger budgets, it means that governments can do more. You can bring more development, do more for people and it’s hard to argue against larger budgets, only how the money is going to be spent,” he said.

According to Ramson, last year, members of the

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson opposition argued against infrastructural spending and lost that argument in the National Assembly and in the public sphere.

This year, however, he said that they are trying to argue that there should not be this scale of infrastructural development in the country.

“So, if that is the argument, the scale of infrastructure development, now they are going to have to tell us and the public what projects they are against; that is what I want them to tell us… which schools, which hospitals, which roads, which bridges, which highways, which housing developments,” Ramson said.

It was then that he noted that all of the projects being undertaken, when consultations were done, were the requests of the residents of the communities and the people of the country.

As he shifted gears to the allocations for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ramson said that when he went to office, the ministry had just $2.4 billion and right now it is getting some $8.8 billion.

Regarding the rehabilitation and upgrading of community grounds, when an assessment was done, it was discovered that between the period 2011 and 2014, while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic was in office, some $300 million was spent on the groundenhancement programme.

However, in the subsequent years, up to 2020, the APNU+AFC administration spent only $100 million a year on the ground-enhancement programme, cutting the community enhancement programme by two-thirds.

This, he said, was one of the reasons that many community grounds were in such bad condition.

Ramson related that some 150 grounds are currently being done and if those in the hinterland communities are to be included, that will take the number up by another 100, while another 100 are being done by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

“So, currently 350 community grounds across this country are getting support and it will continue.

This year, it will be $1 billion we are allocating towards community grounds… because it’s been so important for bringing this country together to develop our talent,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

19

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS TURFFONTEIN 08:10 hrs On The Horizon 08:45 hrs Warhawk Bomber 09:20 hrs Terra Time 09:55 hrs Pretty In Pearls 10:30 hrs Cerulean Dancer AMERICAN RACING TIPS GULFSTREAM Race 1 Main Line Cipher Race 2 What Say Thee Race 3 Gran Roque Race 4 Numeric Race 5 Bonmati Race 6 Andie One Race 7 Blueish IRISH RACING TIPS GOWAN PARK 09:05 hrs Uncle Gerhard 09:40 hrs Captain Cody 10:15 hrs Ashdale Bob 19:50 hrs Dunboyne 11:25 hrs Saint Felicien 12:00 hrs Don’t Talk 12:30 hrs Samyr ENGLISH RACING TIPS SOUTHWELL 08:25 hrs Pagliacci 09:00 hrs Base Note 09:35 hrs Liv Lucky 10:10 hrs Broughtons Flame 10:45 hrs Daafy 11:20 hrs Bobby Joe Leg 11:55 hrs She’s The Danger WETHERBY 09:15 hrs Torneo 09:50 hrs Mister Barclay 10:25 hrs The Edgar Wallace 11:00 hrs Fortunate Man 11:35 hrs Lincoln Lyn 12:10 hrs Tune In A Box NEWCASTLE 08:15 hrs Optik 08:45 hrs Artistic Mission 09:15 hrs Atrafan 09:45 hrs Palias Lord 10:15 hrs The Gay Blade 10:45 hrs Bonito Cavalo 11:15 hrs Sibyl Charm

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

Andrew, Thorne help West Indies U-19 register win

CMC – JEWEL Andrew extended his purple patch with a polished unbeaten half-century as West Indies registered their first points of the ICC Under-19 World Cup with a comfortable five-wicket victory over Scotland on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old, who shot to prominence with a dashing hundred in a losing effort against South Africa last week, struck 64 not out off 60 deliveries, helping the Caribbean side overhaul a target of 206 with nearly 15 overs to spare at Senwes Park.

Batting at number six, Andrew entered the contest with West Indies in a spot of bother at 90 for four in the 14th over and inspired a 95-run, unbroken sixth wicket stand with Nathan Edward (27 not out) to get West Indies over the line.

Fast bowler Isai Thorne (4-46) had earlier set up West Indies’ win with an important four-wicket haul as his

spell helped restrict Scotland to 205 for nine off their 50 overs.

Opener Jamie Dunk top-scored with 57 from 87 deliveries, his opening partner Adi Hegde chipped in with 32 while number three Alec Price struck 31, but the innings declined from a healthy position of 145 for two, seven wickets tumbling for 60 runs at the back end.

West Indies now sit second in their group on two points, behind leaders England who they face in their final game on Friday.

“We’re really happy.

We came into this game knowing it was a mustwin and we did that, so I’m very happy,” said captain Stephan Pascal. “[Jewel] is basically our rock at the moment because the top order isn’t really performing as we should, but I’m confident that we will come good.

“But for the meantime, I am very happy that Jewel is really contributing and putting us over the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday January 25, 2024) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville,Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 25 & 26* (2) 36 & 15

Today’s Quiz: (1) What was the highest score by a WI in the recent first Test against Australia?

(2) What was the highest score by an AUST in the recent first Test against the West Indies?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

line.”

Choosing to bowl first, West Indies bowlers were frustrated by Dunk and Hegde who put on 89 for the first wicket, to give Scotland the upper hand.

When Hegde perished at the end of the 22nd over after facing 72 balls and hitting four fours, Dunk put on a further 29 for the second wicket with Price, whose knock was a breezy one off 42 deliveries with three fours and a six.

Dunk fell at the end of the 30th over after notching half-dozen fours, driving seamer Raneico Smith to cover where Pascal leapt high to haul in a sharp catch.

Price and Owen Gould (5) put on 26 for the third wicket but the impressive Thorne removed both in the 38th over to trigger the collapse.

Adrian Weir fell cheaply for seven in reply, scooping seamer Ruaridh McIntyre to cover point to depart with 22 runs on the board in the fifth over.

And Pascal struck a run-a-ball 26 with five fours before following in the eighth over, holing out to long on off left-arm spinner Logan Briggs.

When Joshua Dorne loosely slapped pacer Ibrahim Faisal to midoff in the ninth to perish for 11, West Indies were courting trouble and they were still in danger even after Mavendra Dindyal (29) and Jordan Johnson (26) put on 45 for the fourth.

Andrew arrived to allay his side’s fears, however, motoring to a run-a-ball fifty as he combined with Edward to thwart Scotland’s plans.

Scoreboard

WEST INDIES 1st Innings K. Brathwaite b Cummins 13 T. Chanderpaul c Green b Cummins 6 K. McKenzie c wk Carey b Hazlewood 50 A. Athanaze b Hazlewood 13 K. Hodge c Green b Hazlewood 12 J. Greaves c Labuschagne b Hazlewood 5 †J. Da Silva c Head b Cummins 6 A. Joseph c Smith b Cummins 14 G. Motie c Lyon b Starc 1 K. Roach not out 17 S. Joseph lbw b Lyon 36 Extras (b12, lb1, w2) 15 TOTAL (all out, 62.1 overs) 188 Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Chanderpaul), 2-27 (Brathwaite), 3-52 (Athanaze), 4-98 (Hodge), 5-107 (McKenzie), 6-108 (Greaves), 7-132 (Da Silva), 8-133 (Motie, 47.6), 9-133 (A. Joseph, 48.2).

Bowling: Starc 12-5-37-1 (w1); Hazlewood 15-6-44-4; Cummins 17-5-41-4; Lyon 12.1-2-36-1; Marsh 2-1-5-0 (w1); Green 4-1-12-0.

AUSTRALIA 1st Innings S. Smith c Greaves b S. Joseph 12 U. Khawaja not out 30 M. Labuschagne c Motie b S. Joseph 10 C. Green not out 6 Extras (nb1) 1 TOTAL (2 wkts, 21 overs) 59 T. Head, M. Marsh, †A. Carey, M. Starc, P. Cummins, N. Lyon, J. Hazlewood to bat.

Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Smith), 2-45 (Labuschagne).

Bowling: Roach 7-2-21-0; A. Joseph 7-0-19-0 (nb1); S. Joseph 6-1-18-2; Motie 1-0-1-0.

Position: Australia trail by 129 with eight first wickets standing.

Toss: Australia.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

Blackwood using Regional first class Rising Sun horse race championship to retain W.I. spot meet cancelled due

CMC – AXED West Indies Test vice-captain, Jermaine Blackwood, says he intends to use the upcoming first class championship to recapture his place in the international squad.

The 32-year-old, who has played 56 Tests, was dropped for the ongoing two-Test tour of Australia due to a run of lean form which saw him average 29.5 from 13 Tests over the last yearand-a-half.

Blackwood also said that, once he regains his side in the squad, he would look to expand his reach to the One-Day International setup.

“I’m just looking to score the most runs and to dominate the four-day competition this year and get back into the Test team; it’s as simple as that,” he told the Observer newspaper here.

“I have to get runs and I know that, so I just have to go out there and do it.

“I always want to play ODIs and once I get back into the West Indies team, I’m going to play ODIs cricket after that.”

Blackwood is currently gearing up for the first class championship where

Jermaine Blackwood he will do battle with Jamaica Scorpions.

And the franchise will hope Blackwood’s experience can aid in a turnaround of its form which saw the team go winless in the championship last season, ending bottom of the table on 25.6 points.

Blackwood averaged nearly 40 in his four innings in the five-match season.

He said preparation for the February 7 to April 20 campaign had advanced smoothly and also said he was expecting high standards of performance throughout, despite the inexperience in the group.

“The guys are loving it so far. It’s hard work but the guys are putting in the hard work because four-day cricket is not easy,” Blackwood pointed out.

“It’s going to be four long days so we’re getting in all of the necessary hard work from now so that the guys can become used to a certain type of work, so [that] when they face it in competition, it will be a walk in the park for them.”

He continued: “Players are just identifying their roles in the team but we have a young team. But not because we have a young team [means] we shouldn’t expect them to do well.

“These players that we have, these younger players, are very good in my eyes.

I know that this four-day [competition], we’re going to see a much-improved team from last year.”

CWI congratulates Matthews on Women’s Cricketer of the year

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) today congratulated West Indies women’s captain Hayley Matthews on winning the prestigious title of ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023, a fitting accolade for a player of her calibre who enjoyed an outstanding year, consistently performing with bat and ball.

2023 was a year of dominance, nothing short of phenomenal. Her performances were not just about the numbers; they were about the impact she had in turning games around and stepping up when her team needed her the most.

Matthews’ batting in 2023 was a testament to her technical prowess and mental strength. She accumulated a historical 700 runs at a strike rate 132.32, the first time a women’s player had reached this figure in a single calendar year. The highlight innings of the year was the 132 runs she scored in the historical 213 run-chase against Australia in the second T20 International (T20I) at the North Sydney Oval; that followed 99 not out in the first match. In the third T20I she struck 79 to accumulate 310 runs, the most by any player in a women’s T20I bilateral series. She took on the opposition’s bowlers with a mix of traditional and innovative shots. Her ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when required makes her one of the most feared batters in the T20I circuit.

Bowling-wise, Matthews was equally impressive. Her right-arm off-spin

Hayley Mattews deliveries, characterised by their flight and turn, baffled many top-order batters across various teams. She picked up 19 wickets with an economy rate of 6.84.

Matthews’ recognition as the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023 is not just a personal achievement

but also a significant boost for West Indies women’s cricket. It highlights the talent and potential within the team and the region, inspiring many young players in the Caribbean.

Matthews said: “It’s nice to see all the hard work paying off. It’s been a long two or three years to get to this point; it’s been really nice to have a good time with the bat and the ball in the last year to help the team as best as I could. I am very grateful for this award and it’s something that growing up I saw my role models achieving so to win one myself definitely means a lot.”

Matthews was also named as a member of the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2023.

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, congratulated Hayley on her award saying: “Hayley has been remarkable by any standard and has embodied leadership by example. Beyond her obvious talent, her professionalism and work ethic certainly underpin her performance and should be a source of inspiration to aspiring cricketers in the West Indies and the world over.“ As Hayley Matthews continues her journey in international cricket, her eyes are set on more victories and accolades. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and other international fixtures on the horizon this year, Matthews is undoubtedly eager to continue her impressive form.

to insufficient entries

THE second race for 2024 racing season, which was scheduled to run off on Sunday January 28, at Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC), has been cancelled, due to insufficient entries.

Promoter, Fazal Habibulla, stated, “I have to apologise to owners, trainers and sponsors for the cancellation of Sunday’s seven-race card because of insufficient entries.

RSTC had extended the entries date from Sunday 21st January to yesterday, but the extension failed to gain the required result. As such we were forced to cancelled the card.”

Habibulla explained, “This card was written based on requests, and condemnation that promoters are not writing sufficient races for the Guyana-bred horses.

RSTC decided to listen to the horsemen’s cry, and wrote races to facilitate them.

For example RSTC wrote a race for three-yearold Guyana-bred horses(zero entry), a race for fouryear-old Guyana-bred(four horses were entered), a K-Class race for Guyana-bred horses (four horses).

The feature race only attracted four runners.

The West Indian-bred four-year-old only attracted three runners.”

Habibulla continued, “It will be unfair to patrons to stage a four-race card, and charge any fees to enter. So, in the best interest of all, RSTC took the decision to cancel the day’s card.

May I also point out that the card was advertised very early this month.

Would you believe we had to extend the entries date to encourage trainers to enter their horses?

This will stop. We are heading towards a regulated industry, and we have to get ready.

There will not be any late entry or entry on the day of racing anymore. So promoters will be doing their part to get all horsemen ready.

Therefore, late entry, and delayed entry will be history moving ahead.”

“I have to thank owners, trainers, and most of all the new sponsors who made it possible for RSTC to raise the purses in the lower class races. Yet this was taken advantage off by horsemen. So, as a promoter, you will be very disappointed, not because I have already lost money with the cancellation of the race card.

To me they have lost more than me, as the same persons, who have been ‘swearing’ that we only writing races for the big owners, have failed to the answer to their cry.

Races are written for them, and they have not entered their horses.

These are the challenges we encounter. As the saying goes damn if you do, and damn if you don’t.

It will take time, but everybody will be on the same page as promoters intend to enforce their entry date times” Habibulla predicted.

The next race day will be on Sunday February, 25 at RSTC, Rising Sun, West Coast Berbice, and entries will close on February 21, 2024, four days before the race day.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday, January 25, 2024

GCB Harpy Eagles four-day trials…

Perez, Nandu miss out on centuries –– Pair share in 173-run opening stand

By Sean Devers RAYMOND Perez and Matthew Nandu missed out on centuries as the pair batted for a session and a half yesterday to put together an opening stand of 173, on day two of the second trial match.

Playing for Kemol Savory’s XI in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) four-day trial match at the Meten-Meer-Zorg ground, Perez counted 10 fours and three sixes in his 97 from 165 balls and the left-handed Nandu stroked a classy 82 from 162 with seven fours and three sixes.

Support also came from Jonathon Vanlange (38) and Clinton Pestano (43) who featured in a half-century seven wicket partnership as Kemol Savory’s Xi reached 311-9 by stumps, responding to Kevlon Anderson’s disappointing 97 all out on the opening day.

Perez followed up his unbeaten 76 in last week’s trial match with an array of scintillating shots to reach his 50 from 75 balls which included six fours and one six.

Nandu, the son of former

Raymond Perez goes over off Steven Sankar in his 93 in West Demerara yesterday (Sean Devers photo) Guyana First-Class leg-spin- took him to 84 as the runs Nandu being run out at the ner, Arjune Nandu, played flowed on a sluggish outfield. non-striker’s end.

Savory’s X1 slumped some delightful shots and by After trying to go after lunch the pair had taken the off-spinner Malcome Hubbard from 173 without loss to score to 116 without loss - the too hard and losing his shape, 238-7 as they lost seven former on 49 and Perez on 62. a seemly frustrated Perez at- wickets for 65 runs; Hubbard Nandu reached his fifty tempted to loft Permaul over removing Balgobin (16) and just after the interval, from cover for Ronsford Beaton to Skipper Savory for duck as 111 balls decorated with four hold a well-judged catch inch- they slipped to 185-4.

Permaul struck twice, getfours and a six, wading into es from theboundary. left-arm spinner, VeerasamUshardeva Balgobin ting rid of Zynul Ramsammy my Permaul, and hitting him joined the well-set Nandu (14) and Quinton Sampson for consecutive sixes. before the latter clipped a (0) while Sanker trapped Perez flicked Steven San- ball to backward square; Junior Sinclair (10) after he kar for an effortless six be- Balgobin charged down for had swept him onto the roof fore another six in same over a suicidal single resulting in of a house outside the ground, and by Tea Savory’s X1 were 271-7 with Vanlange on 26 and Pestano on 22.

After Tea, in overcast conditions, Vanlange and Pestano went after the bowling with a brutal assault before the former fell to Looknauth while Nail Smith bowled Pestano before rain stopped play. Permaul, with over 600 first-class wickets, finished with 3-81 while Hubbard took 2-13.

Today is the penultimate day and is set to start at 09:30 hours as preparation continues to pick Guyana Harpy for the Regional four-day First Class season which commences in St Veerasammy Permaul about to dismiss Perez to take 3-81 yesterday (Sean Kitts on February 7.

Devers photo)

UDFA battling lack of facilities in Linden to promote football –– President Wainwright Bethune

PRESIDENT of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), Wainwright Bethune, has called for inclusiveness as the association continues to push for the promotion of the sport, despite the many challenges it faces due to a lack of football grounds in Linden.

Speaking at the recent presentation of the monetary awards for the year-end futsal tournament held at the Watooka Club, Bethune said “I hope that this year we will see a lot more progress and production in the UDFA that we can play football at all levels.”

The occasion was also used to give recognition to the association’s Under 17 team which won the national tournament.

Milerock received its $1M prize while Capital FC collected $500,000 for placing second and Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection got $200,000 for placing third and Botafago collected $100,000 for getting fourth.

Bethune recalled: “We all know the issues that we have in the UDFA. We are faced with many challenges; nevertheless we were able to pull off a successful year-end tournament. As you know, at the end of 2022, we could not have finished the League. In the entire 2023 we faced so many challenges that we could not have played regular football,” he added.

“I would also like to commend the UDFA Executive, namely Sean Adams, Olston Thorman, Patrick Dey, James Trotman and Kellon Josiah, because these guys sat less than a month ago and put this tournament together and we were able to get sponsorship. Thanks to Banks DIH for coming on board, Jai Signs, Jermain and Son, Triple L Bakery, Bernard’s Variety Store, Bolo’s Variety Store. [We were able to] put this tournament together and it was a huge success.”

The lead UDFA football official said: “We did not want to just hand you the money at the end of the final but, more-so, to incorporate the winning UDFA Under 17 team, which, regardless of the circumstances, because of lack of playing facilities, had a very good showing and came out victorious in the recently concluded NAMILCO National Under 17 championship.”

In the presence of those gathered, Bethune offered: “Amidst those challenges too, we put our heads together and we reached out to sponsors and they responded in kind, and we were able to pull this tournament together in just three weeks’ time, if we date it back from today. As we look forward in 2024, I look forward to your support. This game needs inclusiveness.”

Irrespective of what is happening, I want us to take some time and sit and reason and understand each other, because while we might hear so many things outside happening in the football arena, we need to sit and be part of the solution. Far too often we sit and talk about the problems and we criticise, but if we come and have the solution-oriented discussions, I think we can go a far way.”

He added that the UDFA is aiming to work with their executives and the teams, as well as the young players, to hone the talent of the mining town.

The UDFA boss also noted that the team’s spot in the National setup has been falling away and urged the U17 players to continue working hard.

Let us keep Linden football together. We have many challenges, and we need your support,” he ended by saying.

GCB Harpy Eagles four four--day trials trials… …

Perez, Nandu Perez, miss out on centuries –– Pair share in 173 173--run opening stand

Matthew Nandu drives yesterday during his 82 (Sean Devers photo)

Isai Thorne took four wickets•Jan 24, 2024•ICC via Getty Images

Andrew, Thorne Andrew, help West Indies U-19 register win

see story on page 21

see story on page 23

Rising Sun horse race meet cancelled due to insufficient entries see story on page 22

Horse racing action for this weekend has been cancelled due to the insufficient number of horses entered

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024