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AIETEUR

Borderline Facts Pt. 10

Venezuelan NEWS stamps used in the 90s Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most clearly show it accepted popular weekly Essequibo as part of Guyana

Sunday Edition December 10, 2023 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Price $150

Online readership yesterday, 102,201

Guyana’s land boundary

not up for discussion President Irfaan Ali assures ahead of meeting with Maduro Talks aimed at maintaining peace in the Region - St. Vincent PM

Chief-of-staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan, stands alongside female ranks of the army during a visit to several border locations on Saturday. (Photo: GDF)

Survivors of deadly GCAA, Police launch GDF helicopter crash probe into deadly in ‘good spirits’ GDF helicopter crash

Pres. Lula tells CNN he will break ties with Maduro if Venezuela invades Guyana

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Sunday December 10, 2023

Sunday December 10, 2023

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Guyana’s land boundary not up for discussion - President Irfaan Ali assures ahead of meeting with Maduro - Talks aimed at maintaining peace in the Region - St. Vincent PM

Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro

By Davina Bagot

the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela.”

President Ali in a subsequent media release explained that he was contacted by leaders representing CELAC, Brazil and several bilateral partners, encouraging dialogue with the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. He said on Friday evening in the emergency meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM, the Heads urged Guyana to explore the possibility of a meeting with President Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

While the invitation to President Ali is clear that the talks are premised on the border controversy, the Head of State pointed out “Guyana’s land boundary is not up for discussion, as it is currently before the ICJ and when adjudicated will be fully respected

by Guyana.”

The President said he will continue to engage Guyana’s bilateral partners on defence cooperation pacts, as well as the ongoing range of political, social and economic arrangements. According to the Head of State, “Guyana is clear that the advancement of our development agenda will not be compromised. Our development partners and investors can be assured that there will be no changes nor alterations to existing arrangements.”

The President also reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) process in the resolution of the border controversy, and to ensure that the Continued on page 6

Guyana’s Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali has made it clear that Guyana’s land boundary is not up for discussion, ahead of a meeting with Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro.

The Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, in a correspondence to the two heads of states, dated December 9, 2023 said, “The leaderships of the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consider that it is necessary and desirable to facilitate the convening of a meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., between the Presidents of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on matters consequential to the border controversy between these two great countries.”

It went on to state that both heads have agreed to this meeting in the presence of President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Gonsalves noted that in light of the recent events relative to the ongoing border controversy, “the leaderships of CELAC and CARICOM have assessed, in the interest of all concerned, including our Caribbean and Latin American civilisations, the urgent need to de-escalate the conflict and institute an appropriate dialogue, face-to-face, between

Map of Guyana showing the portion being claimed by Venezuela

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Sunday December 10, 2023

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Beacon of Hope

EDITORIAL

Maduro throwing seems. It is refreshing that Guyana to defend her intervention; otherwise, it D E , could become disastrous.

It is extremely alarming Guyanese are identifying borders and Sovereignty. caution to the winds that the Sovereignty of themselves as “Guyanese” We are thankful to the US Prayer will bring God’s EAR

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is following up on his December 3rd referendum. There has been an inexorable escalation of steps intended to convey how serious he is, and committed to a certain course of action.

With each new development, new points of no return are breached, as the Venezuelan leader throws caution to the winds. He had made known Venezuela’s position on any ICJ ruling that favoured Guyana, that spoke against his referendum of last Sunday. Now, he has moved to add substance to his prior saber-rattling, as he goes beyond words with some specific actions publicized.

An open-ended invitation has been extended to companies to invest in oil and gold operations in the newly claimed State of Essequibo, now sitting with even more luster in the map of Bolivarian Republic. It is a huge provocation. Upping the stakes even further, President Maduro has delivered what is nothing but a loaded ultimatum. Companies that are operating in the rich Essequibo have been given three months to close their operations, and leave. As provocations go, this is as big as it gets. For what is happening is that Maduro, for all intents and purposes, is signaling to Guyana, and the world, that he is the one standing over Essequibo, and only his decisions count. We do not think that Maduro nor most Venezuelans really want war. He keeps raising the bar on an already tense situation and himself. Now if concrete actions follow on the heels of his warning to companies operating under Guyana licences in Essequibo, then the border controversy has been entirely resolved by Maduro alone and to his satisfaction alone. Though we have said it before (and others also have), there is merit in taking the same position again. If this is allowed to take root, then any country, and reckless national leader, would be free to think that borders can be redrawn and international law can be ignored, as either suits their schemes and calculations.

Guyana is smaller in almost every respect when compared to neighbouring Venezuela. But on this border (Essequibo) issue, Guyanese must stand taller, show that their hearts are bigger, and their resolve more powerful than this man Maduro and his dangerous escalations and machinations. The first challenge is clear and convincing efforts at national unity. Guyanese must be united in soul and in spirit on Venezuela, or Venezuela will pick this country apart one aggressive move at a time.

Leaders must set the tone from the top in words, attitudes, and actions, and that tone must form part of a continuous national commitment to standing as one against probable Venezuelan and Maduran incursions in Essequibo.

Venezuelan officials and other agents here must feel the intensity of Guyanese unity, and convey that to Caracas. A fight is not desired, but if it has to be, then be prepared for a hard one. Guyana has the backing of many in the international community, especially the more influential voices that can cause some real problems for Venezuela, and deepen its existing economic malaise.

Nicolas Maduro may fool himself into thinking that his calculated brinksmanship has Guyanese flinching, and running for cover. He is wrong, and is advised to standdown now, instead of barreling ahead in the manner of bullies, only to trip over his own feet. It is one thing to escalate, but it is quite another to overextend and expose oneself dangerously. It is our view at this paper, that President Maduro is not so far gone that he is beyond listening; or as he would like Guyanese to believe. The world is arrayed against him, and any allies that he may have. Whatever mind games he is playing with the granting of licences, and chasing out existing concession holders in Guyana, can and will backfire in his face. For there is the significant risk that his disorderliness could prove to be contagious, and that the likelihood of country-to-country disagreements and disputes deteriorating into chaos.

At some level, Venezuela is currently held as a pariah state in the fraternity of nations. It would be another layer to the Venezuelan tragedy if it adds a rogue leader. Venezuela is not Manchuria; Venezuela is in the Americas.

DITOR

Guyana is being threatened in such a blatant manner.

Guyana stands at the threshold of becoming a leading energy supplier to the world, and there are those who would like to plunder her wealth.

This is a desperate time for Guyana and it requires desperate measures. As a child growing up in Guyana, the song “Not a Blade of Grass” was quite entertaining. But now it has suddenly become a reality it

and not by their racial ethnicity as they take a unified stand against such aggression at their doorstep.

Guyana has been raised up for such a time as this to make her mark on the world stage.

Ironically, Guyana can indeed become the bread basket not only to the Caribbean, but to those near and far. It is encouraging that so many nations and, specifically the US, are standing side by side with

for its unwavering support. A Super Power is indeed necessary to keep law and order.

These tensions have reiterated the need for Guyana to have more of a global perspective and not just a regional in the Caribbean.

But more importantly, I would like to encourage all Guyanese and our leaders to bow their knees before God. Now more than ever, we need God’s protection and

blessings on our land in greater measures when done on a national level and in a unified manner.

I urge our leaders to call for a National Day of Prayer.

Let prayer ring out throughout the land, from Parliament to the public arenas, to the Essequibo region. Guyana needs God’s help and mercy more than ever! God is our Beacon of Hope is this dark hour.

Yours truly, Daniel Singh

Sunday December 10, 2023

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox United we stand; divided we fall DEAR EDITOR, What follows is a matter of some urgency. It is a plea for all of our purported national leaders to recognize that the drum-beating and verbosity from our western neighbour gives us an opportunity to set aside our differences to act responsibly and with courage so that the magnificent resources manganese, gold, diamonds, bauxite, fertile lands and now oil are not dissipated and be a millstone around our necks.

Forgive the anecdote but if we don’t walk carefully on oil, every child will tell you, we can slip, fall and cause

i n j u r y. W h e n M a d u r o announced his Referendum, I told a senior government functionary that this whole border issue can be a damp squib if handled with adroitness and calm. That this so-called controversy must not be used as a distraction, as a cloud disallowing the people of Guyana to see the deeper issue involved.

For, the success of any protagonist, whether it be boxing, cricket, football, you must know the proclivities, beliefs, strength and weaknesses of the adversary.

The old folks would say

study the nature of the beast.

Our western neighbour is in the back-to-the-wall survival mode encumbered by a background and faith by its orthodox religious beliefs and whatever may be our cultural background, we must take account of the other man’s beliefs and habits and a world we live in that is shaped by conquest and an addiction to harmful conflicts.

Even when great nations and leaders agree at solemn ceremonies and truth pacts motivated by self-interest and sometimes bullyism these pacts are not only

Remember their names in this dark December DEAR EDITOR, For generations to come, the people of this land, from across all 83,000 square miles, will remember their names. Brigadier Gary Beaton, Col. Michael Shahoud, Lt. Col. Michael Charles, Lt. Col. Sean Welcome, Sgt. Jason Khan.

Their honour, their courage, their service, and most of all their indomitable fighting spirit to hold dear and defend this country, shall live on.

They, with their brothers Lt. Andio Crawford and Cpl. Dwayne Jackson, were on a mission at Arau, the same mountain village where, His E x c e l l e n c y, P r e s i d e n t Mohamed Irfaan Ali had hoisted the Golden Arrowhead exactly two weeks before. These fallen heroes have left us, but will never be, forever gone.

To the families of these men, we know that no words, no poetry, no song, will or can extinguish the pain, the anguish, the suffering, or the long and lonely days and nights to come. Yet, by now, you know that you are not alone because this nation stands with you this dark December. Yes, the nation

stands shoulder to shoulder, heads held high, in honour of these brave souls who gave their lives, so others live with security, peace, and dignity.

It is only fitting that in this moment of national grief, I end with the words of President Ali, words that have moved this nation to tear. Said the President – “I knew each of these individuals personally, and my respect for them was boundless.

They were not just military men; they were guardians of our sovereignty, defenders of our values, and champions of our freedom.”

Having directly observed President Ali’s interaction with those in

uniform along the border communities at Mabaruma, Eteringbang, and Kikan on November 23-24, I can say unequivocally, that the families of our fallen heroes will never be left alone.

I would like to send sincere condolences to the families of Brigadier Gary Beaton, Col. Michael Shahoud, Lt. Col. Michael Charles, Lt. Col. Sean Welcome, Sgt. Jason Khan.

I had the honour and privilege of meeting Col. Shahoud and Lt. Col. Michael Charles and being with them in the hinterland just two weeks ago. Rest; rest gently, until we meet again!

Dr. Randy Persaud Advisor in the Office of the President.

renegotiated but violated.

We’ve seen these lofty principles trampled upon, even today we’ve seen evidence of this from both sides of what we’ve been told make up the democratic system. The Middle East today is a classic example.

Second, Guyana ought not to treat this matter in isolation to its new found mighty natural resources, oil and gas. Oil, gas and gold have in strange ways started extended conflicts depending on those who have the might and technology. Note the purported lifting of sanctions on Venezuela by the great and even though a little weakened, still the greatest nation did not act capriciously but in what may have been considered in their best interest. Guyanese leaders should note the cautious rhetoric from China and the deafening silence from India on this so-called border issue.

Third, this issue which surfaced before and after we hoisted the Golden Arrowhead on the 26th of May, 1966 must not be seen as unrelated to the thousands of barrels of oil and the tons of gold, manganese, and bauxite in the Essequibo area. The wisdom articulated by eminent Statesmen and Philosophers said that we should have ‘no permanent friends or permanent enemies, but only permanent interest.’

Fourthly, let Maduro’s adventurism or exposure of a few loose screws in his personality, if that is the case, or that his adventurism means that he senses the weakness of a chink in our armour. Be that as it may, the

present situation gives us a golden opportunity to ensure henceforth that as a Nation, we speak with one voice on matters of importance, on matters that will determine whether Guyana becomes Glorious, Great and Prosperous or inglorious and deficient. The two vital matters are (a) the security of our borders and (b) getting maximum benefits from our God-given resources.

The opportunity is for our political leaders to manifest the words in our National Motto of being ‘One People, One Nation and One Destiny.’ The opportunity should allow us represented by our political leaders on both side of the divide to say to those who are harvesting our nonrenewable natural resources that we demand, we respectfully request and that we ask on behalf of our a n c e s t o r s , o u r contemporaries and our descendants that we sit around the round table, ask and get much, much more, I repeat much, much more than they are getting for oil, gas, diamond, bauxite, gold etc. With less than a million souls and resources much more per capita than any other country in the world, it is absurd that we should be borrowing money. In fact, Guyana being one of the architects of the Caribbean

community, if we demand more, should be able to help some of our small island neighbours, particularly when they face earthquakes and hurricanes unknown to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

In short, dear Editor all that is necessary is for our leaders to be bold, to be sensible and put an end to the divisive rhetoric and behaviour which has suffocated our country. If we spoke and acted in unison, our neighbours and developers will know that we are dealing with a Guyana that is united on two vital issues.

For emphasis, the integrity of our borders must be sacrosanct and equally important that the natural resources must be exploited on terms that benefit all Guyanese and that would be much more than we are getting at the moment On my way from the East Coast, the radio was playing a popular ballad of by-long times “Some things are better left unsaid,” but Editor, this much I say. Not for the first time, “United we stand; Divided, we fall.”

I am sending a note along the lines in this letter to the President, the Leader of the Opposition, the General Secretary, PPP, General Secretary of the PNC, and Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, Leader, AFC. Hamilton Green

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 10, 2023

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Advocating for peace and resolution in We are one! the Guyana – Venezuela border dispute:

DEAR EDITOR, I am no soldier. More than likely, you are not either. While we may each have our own way in which to express love of country and courage of purpose, none of us is volunteering to selflessly serve the nation of our birth with the life that we hold so dear.

Shock and grief at the passing of soldiers in the midst of fulfilling their pledge to be the stewards of our nation, demonstrating as best they could, that these sons of Guyana were already working to keep their homeland safe…for us. We that remain can do nothing less than honour their profoundly selfless dedication to our nation.

As I watched, my heart broke at the sight of them, our fallen returning to the capital, caskets embraced by the Golden Arrowhead; itself a somber substitute for the love and gratitude of an entire nation. These five citizens of Guyana who volunteered to serve us all by being the shields that willingly navigated our densely lush and vast interior; the vanguard who remain vigilant for any possible threats to our sovereignty, freedom, and national territorial integrity.

The tumult of emotions this created; perhaps confusion is better than despair; uncertainty more palatable than sorrow. But there is one, and only one, possible sliver of light peering at us between our prayers and tears; an everwidening shimmer that gives me hope.

From small days, in our family, we were exposed to the GDF and engaged with the families of the many comrades and friends my

late father (Cpt Asad Ishoof) still had who remained in the disciplined services after he left. What we learned from this has been a lifelong personal ethos, crafting a perspective of Guyana that saw no racial, religious or other boundaries between us and our fellow countrymen.

My father often remarked t h a t G u y a n a ’s a r m y community, though quite sparse and seen as deeply polarizing at times, was one family. His ties to soldiers that served with him and under him never broke.

There was no space to infuse these relationships with the suppurating chancre that characterized the abysmal race relations in Guyana.

Army loyalties ran blood deep; and I have witnessed the many, many instances whereby the country’s historic disease failed abysmally in separating military comrades.

Today, as our young President faces the task of providing leadership, compassion, empathy and strength for a country suffused with grief; he is not alone. Guyanese of every political persuasion, race, religion, region, local or expat, finally, finally…we seem to fully understand what One Guyana means, as our nation’s heart breaks with the loss of five honorable men, who died in service to us all. Nobody raised the specter of race, nobody cared. Nobody cared what region they hailed from, or if they were of any particular socioeconomic status, or if their value stemmed from being affluent or influential…none of this mattered, drowned as it was by our tears for our lost countrymen.

In this moment, we all

recognized that we cared, deeply. Not one person enquired what political affiliation these men were aligned to, as for once…we were one, united in grief.

Perhaps this is the catalyst that will finally break the back of the stranglehold that race has had on our nation? We must take this opportunity to reflect on what it means to be Guyanese…to be born in a country that is rapidly ascending internationally; one that is simultaneously, brilliantly able to initialize the herculean task of rapidly transforming into a significant, petroleumproducing nation; while maintaining our rainforests, contributing to regional food security and continuing to actively pursue viable avenues of alternative energy. A country, not perfect by any means, but it is ours to be proud of.

Do not forget how you felt seeing the caskets of five extraordinary Guyanese servicemen brought back from where they perished.

Do not forget that in these moments, none of us cared where they came from, what race they were and most importantly, none of us gave a damn what their politics were. We just cared that they were some of the best of our Guyanese family…and we had lost them as they did what they had sworn to do: honourably and selflessly serve Guyana.

It is time for us to become that nation of one people, with one collective destiny. #OneGuyana #VivaGuyana #GDFproud Sincerely, Scheherazade Ishoof Khan

A call for harmony and cooperation DEAR EDITOR, I trust this letter finds you well.

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the escalating tension in the Guyana – Venezuela border dispute and the potential ramifications it may have on human rights and global well-being. In the spirit of fostering understanding and harmony, I implore you to consider publishing this letter in your esteemed media outlet.

In a world already grappling with the profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic challenges, and geopolitical conflicts, the prospect of another war is disheartening.

The global community is currently facing a myriad of issues, including the RussiaUkraine conflict, the Israel-Palestine situation, a n d v a r i o u s environmental crises.

It is crucial to address these issues collectively and seek peaceful resolutions.

Recent developments, as reported by “The Guardian” on December 1st, 2023, indicate that a referendum has been initiated by the United Nations through the

International Courts, urging Venezuela to refrain from unilateral actions in the Guyana – Venezuela border d i s p u t e . We a w a i t a constructive decision from Caracas and hope for a peaceful resolution to avoid the devastating consequences of war.

Reflecting on the potential outcomes of conflict, I am reminded of poignant lyrics from songs such as “Where is the Love”

by The Black-eyed Peas, “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye, and “One Love” by Bob Marley.

These artists have used their music to advocate for peace and unity, emphasizing the futility of violence and the importance of embracing love and understanding.

I p r o p o s e a constructive and humanitarian approach to the situation.

Instead of resorting to war, let us consider the p o s s i b i l i t y o f collaborative solutions that benefit both nations.

T h e r e a r e opportunities for cooperation in areas such as skilled labor, housing, a n d e c o n o m i c development.

As a businessperson, I am committed to

welcoming Venezuelans into our communities, providing them with opportunities for employment and a secure living environment.

Moreover, I had the privilege of attending a Guyanese dancing competition at Caribbean Heat 2 in Toronto, Canada, where the DJ played Bob Marley’s “One Love” as a call for peace.

It was a poignant moment that resonated with the collective desire for unity and resolution.

In conclusion, I urge both Guyana and Venezuela to prioritize diplomatic dialogue, seeking peaceful resolutions that will benefit their citizens and contribute to regional stability.

As business leaders, we stand ready to support initiatives that promote collaboration and mutual prosperity.

Thank you for considering this letter, and I trust that its message resonates with your readership.

Sincerely, Miss Ebony Narpatty Bridgebassey, MSc, BSc, CPAL CEO of Sunsplash Resort, Journalist, YouTube Miss Ebony NN Bridges

Their deaths must not be in vain DEAR EDITOR: That they died in defence of country, in protecting the lives of countless others leaving behind their distraught mothers, fathers, wives and children; their deaths must not be in vain.

This tragedy must be cause for introspection and reflection and must serve

to eschew among Guyanese all forms of discrimination, division and hatred. This tragedy must serve to bring recognition to the fact that out of many we are One People, One Nation, One Destiny. Condolences to all the bereaved families.

Regards Wesley Kirton

Guyana’s land boundary not up for discussion...

From page 3 region remains a Zone of Peace.

PEACE TALKS Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gonsalves during a press engagement on Saturday evening clarified that the talks between the two heads is geared towards maintaining peace in the Region.

Gonsalves was asked by Denis Chabrol of the Demerara Waves to explain the purpose of Thursday’s meeting if Guyana is insisting the border controversy must be resolved by the ICJ and Venezuela is maintaining a bilateral solution.

The Prime Minister in his response pointed out that the

bilateral discussions are intended to ensure the Region remains at peace.

He said, “There are many things to be addressed and the matter of the commitment to international law, the commitment to peace, to maintain the region as a zone of peace and not to go to open conflict. All those things are of great importance and I’m sure when leaders sit down, they will search for and find modalities to continue to maintain the peaceful coexistence”. He stressed that the two nations are neighbours and must live alongside each other. As

such, the Prime Minister said he believes there is great value to the communication between the two leaders.

Moreover, he stressed, “I want you also to look at what is preferable; talking in peace and respectfully than fighting...it is not beyond the leaders to help to save the Region from intense conflict which will bring about lots of pain and suffering and set back this Region more than a generation.”

Presently, Guyana and Venezuela are before the ICJ to settle the ongoing border controversy.

While the outcome is still pending, Venezuela forged ahead with a referendum on December 3, 2023 to consult

its citizens on a move to annex Guyana’s mineralrich Essequibo region into the map of Venezuela.

Following this process, P r e s i d e n t M a d u r o ’s government announced a suite of measures in defiance of the ICJ orders, to essentially take control over G u y a n a ’s s o v e r e i g n territory. The World Court had told Venezuela on December 1, 2023, that it should not take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over the Essequibo Region. It also instructed both nations to refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the

dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve. Be that as it may, the Venezuelan government on December 5, 2023 announced the appointment of a governor of Guyana’s Essequibo Region, Major General Alexis Rodríguez Cabello.

International media reports also note that the Maduro regime has also announced that he and his team will grant concessions in the Essequibo region and have also given companies within the area three months to vacate. On Tuesday evening, Venezuelan authorities also presented a new map to its people which shows the Essequibo region being part

of the Venezuelan territory.

The Guyana government has condemned the desperate act by the Venezuelan government and has updated the international community on these and other developments.

It would be poignant to note that the border dispute between Guyana and Venezuela was settled since 1899 through an International Tribunal of Arbitration, an award that was accepted and celebrated

by Venezuela, since through that instrument it secured control over the mouth of the Orinoco as well as the Orinoco Basin.

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Venezuela had crystallized its acceptance of the 1899 Arbitral award with postage stamps It is astounding how conveniently Venezuela has allowed the memory of the past 60 years to fade, during which it not only accepted but celebrated the Arbitral Award of 1899 that clearly delineated the Essequibo Region as part of Guyana.

History shows that Venezuela’s celebration was not a silent affair; it was marked by the issuance of several stamps, indelibly imprinting the region within Guyana’s boundaries for the world to see.

Yet, now, it seems Venezuela is attempting to rewrite history, disregarding its own jubilant acknowledgment of the very borders it now contests.

It’s a selective amnesia that tries, but fails miserably to erase Venezuela’s decades of acceptance of a geopolitical reality then, as it is now.

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Sunday Monday December May 02,10, 2022 2023

Pres. Lula tells CNN he will break ties with Maduro if Venezuela invades Guyana Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT)

Venezuela's President, Nicolás Maduro

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

PAGE 09

Top-up economics Every year, except for 1999 and 2000, the governments of Guyana have imposed salary increases on public servants.

They continue to do so because the workers continue to accept their helplessness.

The government may wish to continue to delude itself into believing that over time, it has narrowed the wage deficit which in inherited in 1992. But the reality may be different: the wage deficit – that is the gap between what is paid to workers and what is required for a living wage – may have actually increased.

T h e P P P / C government’s idea of a wages policy for public servants has been to offer a few percentage points, usually, one or two points, above the inflation rate.

Thus, in 2022, for example, the government’s own numbers suggested that inflation was 7.2%. It offered workers an 8% increase, less than one percentage above the recorded inflation rate.

Food inflation last year was 6.4%, according to the government. The reality experienced by housewives would suggest however that local food inflation was in double digits.

Since then and for this year, food and rent inflation has skyrocketed. This has led to prices increases across a vast range of goods and services in the economy.

Fuel prices have not fallen in any significant way but have remained stable at their high levels despite the removal of

all taxes by the government.

Food prices recently surged even higher against the backdrop of shortages in vegetable and chicken production.

Given all of these developments, it is difficult to imagine that this year’s inflation rate can be lower than last year’s. As such, it is indefensible, even by the government’s own standards, for it to have offered a mere 6.5% increase to workers.

But the government will defend its decision on the basis that this offer is higher than the annual inflation rate f o r t h i s y e a r. O n e government official even had the temerity to suggest that inflation for this year is 3%. One has to ask which country he lives in.

The country’s inflation rate has been the subject of much controversy. Not many economists believe that it accords with reality. There have been concerns expressed about the quality of the data used in compiling official statistics including for inflation. Guyana has a poor ranking when it comes to data quality.

In 2007, the officialrecorded end-of-year inflation was 14%; the average annual inflation rate for that year was said to be 11%. In 2006, annual inflation was 4.2%. Price increases have been far higher now than they were back then. How then can Guyana have recorded an inflation rate of less than 6.5% for 2023?

Guyana’s inflation rate has been a long-standing

grouse. Not many economists have confidence that the published inflation rate actually and accurately measures the movement of prices in the economy. Also, as has been pointed out before, there was a time when the Georgetown inflation rate was extrapolated to the entire economy. Up to now, there is no published data on rural inflation as compared with urban inflation.

This deficiency colours the government’s wages policy. The government continues its deliberate policy of “topping-up” wages by a percentage sufficient to compensate for inflation, without factoring in that workers are not enjoying a living wage and that the wage gap may actually be widening rather than narrowing.

If the annual wage increases by the government does not accord with the realities that are experienced by consumers, how then can the government’s annual wage increase be said to be improving real wages?

The solution to this problem was mentioned in my column of yesterday. The government should undertake an independent assessment of the country’s inflation rate. And it should in so doing distinguish between rural and urban inflation.

At the same time, the government should determine a living wage and how the country’s minimum wage stands in relation to this minimum wage. It determining its wages

DEM BOYS SEH

Pressure bussing poor people pipe A man get a wuk in the city. He decide fuh come and look fuh a place to rent fuh he and his family.

He did hear how is hard fuh find a place in Georgetown and how it does be expensive. But he had a positive attitude and believed he would be able to find something reasonable.

He ask around and a friend tell he about a place.

When he went to see the place, he was overjoyed when the landlord told him it was not far from where he worked and that it was

available. De man was so happy he start to cry.

But a few minutes later, his tears of joy turned into tears of sadness. De landlord tell he that because he know his friend he gan give he the place at a reasonable price: only US$2,500 per month for de unfurnished two bedroom flat.

De man see another empty building advertised and he mek a call. De person tell he dem only looking fuh rent to Exxon but if he can come up with six months deposit, dem would

consider renting de place to he. When he ask what is the monthly rental, he was told US$3,500 per month.

These are the struggles that poor people have to endure every day in Guyana. De rich people buying up all de properties in Georgetown and dem converting them to either businesses or high-end rentals.

Lang ago, yuh could come from the countryside and find a reasonable place to rent in the city. Is pressure pon de poor!

Talk half. Leff half.

policy, the government should cater to only to cover inflation but also to narrow, incrementally, each year, the wages gap defined in this instance as the difference between a living wage and the actual minimum wage.

Guyana is now the fastest growing economy in the world and it is time that

the wages gap becomes extinct. But to do so requires an approach that comes beyond the Jagdeo formula which provides public servants with annual wage increases that amount to a top-up of the dubious official inflation rate.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the

author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

L

LAL

Sunday Monday December May 02,10, 2022 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Pension cash - The Ministry of Inhumanity and Social Obscenity Necks stretching. Eyes gazing. Ears waiting. Feet tapping. Anger rising. It is a glimpse of the elderly in motion, in suspension, as they waited patiently for the $25,000 cash rollout at various centers across the country, with particular emphasis on what went on in Georgetown.

I was an eyewitness, heard firsthand, and also what came to me secondhand via phone and media. If it were one center o n l y, t h e r e c o u l d b e sympathy, but it was all over.

I share what I label elder brutality from the Ministry of Inhuman Services and Social Savagery.

I spent two hours and ten

minutes at the Alberttown Basketball Court. It was two hours too long for such a simple 30 second exercise, at the end of which I felt as though I had endured a full NBA game, with elbows and a few flagrant fouls. This ministry should be ejected from consciousness. The staff laboured, unthinkingly sometimes, not skillfully on occasion; they are spared.

They worked with what they have, whatever standards set.

The Hon. Minister of Human Services should go gracefully: resign. If not, firing is wasted on her. For this (pension books, elder consideration, citizen treatment) to be the norm

yearly for a book (or cash trickles) is beyond embarrassment, more than rank institutional debacle. It is foulest shame, an outright national disaster, when some 75,000 citizens in Guyana's population could be maltreated from one pillar to the next post.

I could be wrong, but reports are that Minister Persaud visited the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Campbellville last week.

Thanks for caring, sparing a moment, minister. When the complaints raged, her first defence was 'it is not our fault.'

When will these people understand that a Minister is Chair, President,

and CEO of an entity, a business, a service. I humbly inform and re-inform the hon. minister that every single thing that happens under her watch is her responsibility, and when things do not add up, it is still the duty at which she has failed. Every bee, rat, and roach that tarnish her portfolio is her responsibility and whatever negatives ensue are her fault. She should reacquaint herself with President Truman's motto. Everything is her responsibility.

No matter how deserving, I will not insult Minister Persaud by referring to her leading the angry,

disgusted citizens in song during her visit. She is not that kind of singing nun, and I hope that the song was “We shall overcome” or “not a blade of grass”, and not some political battle song.

For grass was the food fed to senior citizens desperate for the paltriness of 25 large ones. Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church took 6 hours for one citizen; one citizen fainted, and had to be tended by her peers.

How can the ministry extend care to battered women and the terribly disabled, when the staff downed their heads, and continued unmoved.

Whether heart condition or diabetes or hypertension or a combination of those and other serious complications, plus the weight of age, this was the plight of the elderly in Alberttown, the Palms, Trinity Church, Aubrey B a r k e r S t r e e t C e n t e r, Cultural Center tarmac, and all the way to Leguan. Eight places of elder punishment, in a cash rollout exercise that was a horror of horrors. Six hours here, four hours there.

I sum this up as follows: heh, tek dah, yuh deh pon yuh own. They hang people in China and Iran for such egregious failures, decadence.

This is the modern Guyana-rich and extravagant-now so savaged and ravaged by deceptive, callous politicians, who have never embraced what it is to be servants of the people.

There is also a neighbouring leader unhinged by the throes of grand delusions and the onset of dementia, amnesia, and hysteria. Everywhere that Guyanese of all ages turn, there is this human wretchedness, the detritus of the worst, the perversities upon the people, from both local and foreign sources.

If we do not take care of our own people in their time of need, then their children may not be there when needed. If we cannot get the basics of distributing an envelope with some degree of efficiency, with some bread and rice money inside, then how can we ever be equipped to face possible Venezuelan hordes already inside our border, and those on the edges of it? If we cannot care for our needy, then how can we manage those who menace this nation on the periphery of its boundaries?

A number of strangers said to me: 'please make sure that something is written about their ordeals, compliments of the Ministry of Inhumanity and Social Depravity. I fulfill the duty given.

The hope is that I have conveyed their anxieties, the urine withheld, the faintness that hovered, and their anger bottled up. Though I escaped unscathed, my own disgust has just begun, must cool and settle more swiftly. If we can't get the distribution of a little envelope right, then how can we ever begin to fight?

Perhaps, this is the leadership way to exercise total control, and condemning the people of Guyana (old and youthful) to passivity, stupidity, and captivity.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

PAGE 11

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY – DECEMBER 03, 2023 The international community stands with Guyana!

The Organization of American States, the Commonwealth of Nations and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have all made resounding statements in defence of Guyana’s sovereignty, in the aftermath of a positive judgment by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

These organizations, representing more than 70 unique member countries, have endorsed the order of the world’s highest court, that Venezuela must not interfere with Guyana’s control of the Essequibo region, pending the outcome of the case.

We all know that this unhinged campaign by Nicolas Maduro is being used to throw a cloak of obscurity over his poor governance of Venezuela, as he seeks to secure another term in Venezuela’s next election.

Guyanese and the rest of the world are hopeful that Maduro would let good sense prevail instead of starting a losing war against the sacredness of international law.

MONDAY – DECEMBER 04, 2023 Nothing to fear over spurious Venezuelan claims over Guyana’s Essequibo- President Ali “I want to assure

Guyanese that there is nothing to fear over the next number of hours, days, months ahead. Of course, our vigilance will be enhanced but we are working around the clock to ensure that our borders remain intact and the people and our country remain safe…the entire world is looking at this, the entire world is looking at the way in which Venezuela will behave and Venezuela is under greater global scrutiny because we have made it very clear that we are going to abide by the ICJ orders and we are going to respect those orders and work in accordance with the ICJ.” “I want to advise Venezuela that this is an opportunity for them to s h o w m a t u r i t y, a n opportunity for them to show responsibility and we call upon them once more to join us in demonstrating maturity and responsibility and allowing the rule of law to work and to determine the outcome of this controversy…

We are your neighbours and we are taught to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Long after this controversy we will live together as neighbours, you have to determine for yourselves whether you want to be part of a system that runs afoul with international law.”

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 05, 2023 A rigged referendum “We have seen the Maduro government proclaim victory after the

referendum. I believe that the consequences are disastrous and the outcome is disastrous for Maduro...

We know that figure is a rigged figure. All day long, we saw images from the polling places and reports from the Latin American press, pointing out that it was an abysmally low turnout and people were not interested in the referendum so miraculously, they extended the timeframe in the evening claiming that they had a large number of people at polling places which wasn’t factual, and then manufactured a 50 percent turnout of eligible voters; but even if we assume for a moment that the 50 percent turnout was real, it meant that only half of the eligible voters showed up at the poll and of the half that showed up at the poll, at least five percent voted no.

So we believe that Maduro had no choice but to rig the outcome and he had no choice but to claim victory but in fact, it was a defeat given the low turnout.

People just rejected that.

They saw it as a distraction from the electoral problems that Maduro faces at home,” Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

WEDNESDAY – DECEMBER 06, 2023 Guyana is prepared for any eventuality “Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has been saying to the leaders that he has no intention of invading Guyana he said this to Caricom Leaders and all those who spoke with him.

We h a v e h a d t h e opportunity to speak with many of those leaders here at COP and they have all said in their conversations with him this is what he has said...people believe that Venezuela will not invade but we cannot, the leadership in Guyana cannot just take assurances from the Maduro government that they will not invade the country even if that is so, we have to be prepared for any eventuality and we must not let our guard down or let ourselves be less vigilant.

We have to be very vigilant in this upcoming period because the Venezuelan leadership has shown itself to be very unpredictable and therefore that is why we have been working with our partners to ensure that we enhance defence cooperation that should the worst outcome happen, that we can defend our country by all means necessary,” Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

THURSDAY – DECEMBER O7, 2023 Venezuela: a rogue state By defying the [International Court of Justice], Venezuela has rejected international law, the rule of law generally,

fundamental justice and m o r a l i t y, a n d t h e preservation of international peace and security. They have literally declared themselves an outlaw nation.

Nothing they do, however, will stop Guyana from proceeding with the case in the ICJ, or stop the ICJ from ultimately issuing its final Judgment on the merits of the case. We will not allow our territory to be violated or the development of our country to be stymied by this desperate threat,” President Irfaan Ali, December 5, 2023 FRIDAY – DECEMBER 08, 2023 Guyana must deal with Venezuela as an adversary “Guyana must deal with Venezuela as an adversary that is hell bent on cheating us out of our territory that has been legally Guyana’s as a result of the Arbitral Award of 1899 which constitutes a full and perfect settlement of the border between Guyana and Venezuela.

Venezuela’s claim to have the right to issue licences to businesses in Essequibo must be rejected

by Guyana and a fullfledged campaign must be

launched to maintain the status quo and Guyana’s control over our Essequibo.

The Parliamentary Opposition’s support for such actions is guaranteed,” Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton.

SATURDAY – DECEMBER 09, 2023 Guyana will continue to advance diplomatic efforts, defence cooperation to defend Essequibo Guyana’s Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo recently assured that the government will continue to advance diplomatic efforts and defence cooperation to preserve the integrity of the Essequibo Region.

He said as well that the country will continue along this path as it has no intention of exuding the belligerence that is now a well-known characteristic of Venezuelan leader, Nicholas Maduro.

Let it be known to one and all, that Kaieteur News stands zealously with the Guyana Government, and all citizens, in defense of our dear land.

Guyana belongs to all of us. May we continue to serve her, until our last breath.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Sunday December 10, 2023

‘There must be no talks on border controversy’ ...Opposition insists ahead meeting between Guyana and Venezuela Ahead of a dialogue between the leaders of Guyana and Venezuela, the joint parliamentary opposition, A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNUAFC), has issued a statement insisting that there must be no talks regarding the border controversy between the two countries since the matter is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The Opposition said while it welcomes the action being taken by the international community to ensure there is peace between the two countries, it believes that “there must not be any discussions of the territorial controversy between our two countries as this matter is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and this process must be allowed to take its course so that it is settled within the

confines of international law.”

The statement comes moments after it was announced that the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has offered to host a dialogue between leaders of the two countries to possibly quell rising tensions.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Opposition said outside of its reservation on discussions on the border

controversy, it is not opposed to dialogue or discussions with the President of Venezuela as this could lead to better relations between the countries and their people.

The APNU+AFC noted that paragraph 3 of the Geneva Agreement recognises that “closer cooperation between British Guiana and Venezuela could bring benefit to both countries”.

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton “That is why since independence Guyana has sought and promoted bilateral relations with our Western neighbour across a spectrum of issues including health, education, and other relevant areas of development.

It must also be recalled that during the Parliamentary debate on the territorial controversy that the opposition insisted that the door should always be open to dialogue,” the Opposition said.

The statement continued: “We believe that the meeting should seek to ensure the two states recommence bilateral discussions since they will open new vistas for good

neighbourliness, and peace between our two states and peoples.”

The Parliamentary Opposition said it remains committed to playing its role in the ongoing relationship between Guyana and Venezuela and will always work towards the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Guyana.

“It is the considered view of the Opposition that the two leaders could continue to explore the expansion of bilateral issues which could improve the lives of the peoples of our two countries and contribute to the peaceful development of the Latin American and Caribbean region,” the statement said.

Charges withdrawn after Chinese national agrees to pay employee

A

matter against a C h i n e s e national who appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts on Friday to answer charges relating to his failure to pay his former employee, was discontinued after the accused agreed to pay the virtual complainant monies

he owed him.

We n g u i a n Z h u , a Chinese national, who resides at 140 Regent Street, Bourda Georgetown, is accused of failing to pay

Malachi Agard, a porter whom he employed on a weekly basis, earlier this year. It is alleged that Zhu failed to pay a sum in lieu of leave with pay and also failed to pay the man in lieu of notice termination.

The accused, who was represented by an attorney, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, where the charges were read to him through an interpreter.

During the court proceedings, Zhu indicated to the court that he will pay the Virtual Complainant (VC) the outstanding money he owed him.

To t h i s e n d , t h e magistrate withdrew the case and the matter was discontinued.

Sunday December 10, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

WEEK-IN-REVIEW SUNDAY Auditors instruct Exxon to return Guyana’s $52M oil profits used to purchase branded caps, fishing shirts and sweatpants Between the period 2018 and 2020, United States oil major, ExxonMobil engaged in a spending spree using Guyana’s revenue from the Stabroek Block.

This glaring observation has been captured by the local audit team Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. that was supported by international firms, SGS and Martindale Consultants. The local consortium was contracted by the government of Guyana in May 2022, to undertake a four-month review of the expenses racked up by the operator of the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) during the 2018 to 2020 period.

According to the findings of the report that has been handed over to government, ExxonMobil spent a total of US$266,490.32 on promotional items such as caps, tumblers, Columbia fishing shirts, t-shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts, fleece pants and others, all branded with the Contractor’s and/or vendor logos.

The auditors flagged the sum highlighting that those costs were not related to the petroleum operations and could therefore not be recovered by the company.

They pointed out that the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed between Guyana and the Stabroek Block Co-Venturers define petroleum operations as “Prospecting Operations and/or Production Operations…”

To this end, the auditors informed the company that the cost must be carried out for, or in connection with, production operations for the sum to be

recoverable. In fact, they instructed Exxon to return US$259,690.32 or approximately GYD$52M. The company was granted an exception on US$6,800 that was used to purchase safety glasses.

Not satisfied with this exception however, ExxonMobil in its response to the audit findings said, “It is common practice in the international oil and gas industry for such items to be awarded to Contractor and Sub-Contractor personnel for employee recognition and safety performance. The identified awards were not in any way used as promotional items.”

Kaieteur News understands that the auditors have maintained the position that the $52M is not recoverable by the Contractor.

The audit team also found several other acts of brazen misuse of the revenues generated in the Stabroek Block. For instance, it was reported by Kaieteur News that ExxonMobil was caught red handed by auditors sporting Guyana’s oil profits from the Stabroek Block on staff parties, social media ads, and trips for exgovernment officials.

Auditors therefore asked Exxon to return US$299,120 to the Stabroek Block account.

It was also reported that ExxonMobil Guyana Limited removed US$12.5M from the Stabroek Block account to cover expenses related to transporting its personnel around the country as well as the tuition fees for the children of its international workers.

The audit report explained that Exxon charged approximately US$10.3M for private drivers to take its employees in and around the country.

Auditors said the details they reviewed did not contain information to differentiate what trips are taken, by whom, and to where. It therefore means that auditors have no way of telling if Exxon employees alone are racking up those costs. They also had no

Sunday December 10, 2023

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge

way of telling if those trips are for work or pleasure.

Specifically, auditors said the 2020 costs were approximately US$400,000 per month and were for vehicle rent, drivers, dispatch, supervision, fuel, and maintenance.

Auditors said there are approximately 90 vehicles and eight buses used to transport personnel in-country. Kaieteur News understands that over 95% of the costs were allocated to the Stabroek Block account with the remainder being charged against Canje and Kaieteur (a block Exxon walked away from in September).

Auditors said they also observed that Exxon charged Guyana’s Stabroek Block account US$2.2M to cover for registration, tuition, and other fees required by the Georgetown International Academy, a school attended by the children of expatriates.

Exxon at full production at Liza field again, after quietly fixing mechanical issue at FPSO ExxonMobil has successfully returned to full production at the Liza Destiny floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, marking a significant turnaround after a mechanical issue

that was discreetly addressed by the company. This fix enables the field, with the Destiny and Unity FPSOs, to consistently produce at or above 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), breaking new ground in the performance of the ships. However, concerns linger about Exxon and its partners’ transparency regarding the mechanical issue, particularly in the context of debates over safe production levels at their Guyana projects.

The issue first came to light through Hess Corporation, a 30% stakeholder in the Stabroek Block, in its third-quarter earnings report for 2023. Before Hess disclosed that there was a mechanical problem, the only hint of a problem was a noted decrease in production, as recorded in the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Petroleum Management Programme for August.

Following the revelation, E x x o n M o b i l , t h e o p e r a t o r, conducted expedient repairs in October, leading to the resumption of full production mid-month. This swift response was crucial in restoring the Liza Destiny’s output after several months of diminished production. But ExxonMobil remains secretive about the cause of the problem.

Liza Destiny FPSO

In the first ten months of 2023, ExxonMobil produced more than 110 million barrels of crude oil offshore Guyana. The company had previously embarked on debottlenecking activities at the Destiny in 2022, which increased its production from the original 120,000 to about 150,000 barrels per day. While these efforts aimed to optimize production, they also raised safety and environmental concerns among some stakeholders.

ExxonMobil has maintained that its production optimization processes are safe and intends to apply similar strategies to upcoming projects in Guyana.

Notably, the Liza Unity FPSO, with a design capacity of 220,000 barrels per day, is already producing 250,000 barrels per day.

The company is also hopeful for optimization for the newly commenced Payara project, and future developments like Yellowtail (2025), Uaru (2026), and Whiptail (tentatively 2027), each with a capacity of 250,000 barrels per day.

However, the lack of detailed information about the nature of the recent mechanical issue at Liza Destiny raises questions about the safety and sustainability of E x x o n M o b i l ’s p r o d u c t i o n practices.

The company’s reluctance to disclose specifics fuels speculation that the issue may be tied to the increased production rates, possibly to avoid public backlash against its debottlenecking plans across the Stabroek Block projects.

Adding to the unease is the government’s silence on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Prosperity FPSO started operations in November and is on track to reach its full production capacity in the coming months. Guyana’s offshore oil production is expected to close the year at approximately 450,000 barrels per day.

MONDAY ‘Guyana remains on high alert’ – Pres. Ali tells BBC In an exclusive interview with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Radio on Sunday, President Irfan Ali, addressing the border controversy with Venezuela said that while Guyana has intensely focused on diplomacy and the maintenance of peace, the country remains on high alert.

The long-standing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela revolves around Venezuela’s claim to a significant portion of Guyana, which includes the entire Essequibo region and its offshore exclusive economic zone.

Expressing serious concerns about Venezuela’s rhetoric and behavior, President Ali highlighted (Continued on page 15)

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

From page 14 the need to take President Nicolas Maduro’s statements seriously. He emphasized the potential consequences of reckless behavior and adventurous rhetoric, calling for a peaceful resolution through international legal mechanisms.

“The rhetoric out of Venezuela and the behaviour and attitude of the President and Vice President necessitate serious concerns, and we cannot be caught wanting. As the President of Guyana, we have to take everything that the President and the military say very seriously, and their rhetoric has not been an encouraging one,” the Guyanese leader asserted.

Acknowledging the importance of being alert and prepared, President Ali revealed that Guyana maintains a high state of military readiness. However, he emphasized that diplomacy remains the first line of defense, with Guyana mobilizing global support.

Moreover, the President expressed gratitude for the backing received from the international community. He assured that the government will spare no effort to protect Guyana’s territory and its people.

“We have been mobilising around the globe. And I must say that the international community has supported Guyana tremendously, and has issued very strong statements; the Commonwealth, CARICOM, the OAS, France, the UK (United Kingdom), Canada, the US government. So, with our partners, we’re not taking this lightly whilst, at the same time, we are monitoring the situation,” President Ali affirmed.

Venezuela accepted the 1899 Arbitral Award for over six decades before contending that it was “null and void” – as such Guyana initiated legal proceedings in March 2018 at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), actively pursuing a binding judgment to assert its ownership of the Essequibo region. However, Venezuela has since opted to conduct a “consultative referendum” scheduled to be held on Sunday December 3, 2023. This referendum seeks to gauge public support for Venezuela’s decisions regarding the Essequibo region.

On Friday the ICJ ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over its Essequibo region, but did not specifically ban Venezuela from holding its planned referendum.

During the BBC interview, the head-of-state also shed light on historical perspectives.

President Ali emphasized the significance of the 1899 Arbitral Award, considering it as the full and final settlement of the border. He highlighted Venezuela’s active

President, Irfaan Ali

Civil society activist, Ramon Gaskin

participation in the process, jointly establishing boundary markers with Guyana. The controversy arose decades later, just before Guyana’s independence, leading to the involvement of the 1966 Geneva agreement.

President Ali stressed that the ICJ had been chosen as the avenue for a full settlement and urged Venezuela to abide by international law and engage in the ICJ process.

President Irfan Ali concluded the interview by reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to resolving the border controversy peacefully through diplomatic means and the ICJ process.

Guyana will continue to lead region in malnourished population …as Opposition heated on smuggled chicken but quiet on oil sector – Civil society activist Guyana is recognized as the country with the highest discoveries globally in the last

decade. Despite the vast resources discovered offshore Guyana, specifically in the Stabroek Block, the country has topped the charts for child malnutrition in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, a phenomenon that is likely to continue as the political Opposition fails to hold government to account on the management of the vastly developing sector.

Civil society activist and transparency advocate, Ramon Gaskin on Sunday told Kaieteur News that while the Opposition has demonstrated an overwhelming vigor on smuggled chicken over the weekend, the same group failed to take a similar position on the main driver of the country’s economy, the petroleum industry.

“I saw them fighting over smuggled chicken but these people have been silent on all that has been happening with our oil sector. The very contract that we signed with Exxon is an economic model that promotes hunger and malnutrition

PAGE 15

in this land but instead of our leaders speaking up on that, we hear them getting heated over issues like smuggled chicken,” Gaskin said.

The activist noted that while the political body should be vocal on such corrupt acts, it has taken a questionable position when it comes to holding government to account on this crucial sector.

Gaskin said that while the National Assembly has not been meeting as it should over the past three years to present the opportunity for proper scrutiny, the political group has been failing to fervently do its job when it comes to the activities of the oil companies.

“They are not doing a good job of holding these people to account.

Another critical body, the PAC (Public Accounts Committee) has not been meeting as it should too because of the lack of quorum and besides that the Opposition has not been very active in dealing with critical issues facing the country such as the audit, renegotiation or fighting for better terms for Guyana and couple other things but they are not dealing with that,” he said.

Gaskin believes the Opposition has been deliberately keeping silent on the burgeoning petroleum s e c t o r. A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , “Essentially Norton and his people are supportive of ExxonMobil and the American people and they are hoping with the help of this country that they can get a change of government.”

G a s k i n a rg u e d t h a t t h e Opposition has taken a “friendly” approach to Exxon and the United States much to the detriment of Guyanese and its resources. He reasoned, “They are not doing the work they are supposed to do because they are focused on one objective- to take over government, so while these people are taking advantage of Guyanese and their resources the Opposition is just focused on getting support from the United States and ExxonMobil.

That’s why he doesn’t say anything about them at his press conferences, he doesn’t condemn them, he doesn’t say anything.”

Meanwhile, the activist highlighted, “Guyana is the highest in the region with malnutrition in this place according to the reports. We have these large oil finds compared to the whole world and everybody malnourished and hungry in this country. The economic model that we have here only favours the foreigners and this is what is going to continue because our leaders are refusing to do anything.”

TUESDAY Maduro assures regional leaders he will not invade Essequibo – VP Jagdeo Guyana’s Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, revealed in a

Monday interview that President Nicolas Maduro has assured Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders that Venezuela harbours no plans to invade Guyana. Despite these reassurances, Jagdeo emphasised the importance of sustained vigilance.

The Vice President is currently in Dubai attending the United Nations Climate Summit. During an interview with the News Room’s Neil Marks in Dubai, Jagdeo said that Guyana is prepared for the worst, as he conveyed the country’s readiness for any scenario by building defence cooperation with allies. He also urged Guyanese not to worry unnecessarily.

The Vice President said, “Maduro has been saying to the leaders that he has no intention of invading Guyana, he said this to CARICOM leaders and all those who spoke with him. We have had the opportunity to speak with many of those leaders here at COP and they have all said in their conversations with him this is what he has said.”

Jagdeo added that Venezuela lawyer to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said the same thing.

“We don’t believe they have a mandate for anything and secondly that they will invade Guyana and if you look at the assessment done by CNN and many international bodies, they believe too, because they speak to a lot of people in Venezuela, in the military, in the U.S Intelligence circles, people believe that Venezuela will not invade.”

“But we cannot, the leadership in Guyana cannot just take assurances from the Maduro government that they will not invade the country even if that is so, we have to be prepared for any eventualities and we must not let our guard down or let ourselves be less vigilant.”

Jagdeo continued: “we have to be very vigilant in this upcoming period because the Venezuelan leadership has shown itself to be very unpredictable and therefore that is why we have been working with our partners to ensure that we enhance defence cooperation that should the worst outcome happen that we can defend our country by all means necessary.”

As it relates to defence cooperation, Jagdeo said, “we are engaging, we are coordinating efforts, those who are engaged with us are working with us to build our capacity, not just planning capability but to look at protecting our territorial integrity.”

“We are not a belligerent country and we are not one that would threaten Venezuela, so we are acting purely in a precautionary manner and in a defence capability but that does not mean that should they defy the International Court of (Continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

From page 15 Justice or defy the consensus in the world that we will just sit down and accept it and therefore this defence cooperation means preparing for the worse outcome.”

M o r e o v e r, J a g d e o r e a f f i r m e d G u y a n a ’s position to abide by the decision of the ICJ and to allow the substantive case to be heard to its finality, since the country is confident in its case.

He was keen to note that the controversy has not distracted government from its development agenda and is in fact focused on exercising sovereignty over the country’s resources and utilising those in sovereign territory for all Guyanese.

“We have not changed or slacken the pace on any of our development programmes so the work of government continues and I would say to the people of Guyana, don’t get caught up in this incessant almost traumatic experience of worrying unnecessarily and sharing things that may not be the truth.”

He said that only on Sunday evening, the Guyana Defence Force issued a statement in response to a widely circulated video on social media where a tribe of Venezuelans were removing the Golden Arrowhead from Guyana’s territory. Jagdeo clarified that this was not the case but the video was already shared by tens of thousands causing worry among citizens of Guyana.

The former President in this regard said: “I want them to rest assured that we are doing all necessary to keep our borders safe and we will take whatever steps necessary to do so and Venezuela will not succeed on this issue, will not.”

89% of Venezuelans turns back on Maduro’s referendum – Venezuelan Opposition …says about 2 million people out of 20.7M voted in exercise Venezuelans who turned out to vote in a referendum on the status of the oil-rich Essequibo have overwhelmingly backed Venezuela’s territorial claim, but the opposition in that oilrich country has poured cold water on the exerciseestimating that about two million people voted out of a total of 20.7M eligible

voters.

More than 95% approved establishing a new Venezuelan state in the territory known as Essequibo, officials said, according to the BBC. Guyana, and British Guiana before it, have administered Essequibo for o v e r a c e n t u r y. T h e referendum has ratcheted up tensions between the two neighbours.

Critics of the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, say he called the nonbinding referendum to whip up nationalist fervour and distract from calls for free and fair elections to be held.

President Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, had urged people to turn out in masses and vote “five times ‘yes’” to the five questions his government had posed on the status of Essequibo.

The 159,500-sq-km (61,600-square-mile) region makes up two thirds of the total of the land currently controlled by Guyana.

Ve n e z u e l a h a s l o n g maintained that a decision taken in 1899 by an international arbitral tribunal to award it to Britain, the colonial power which at the time ruled over Guyana, was u n f a i r. T h e m a t t e r i s currently before the International Court of Justice, although Venezuela has disputed the i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o u r t ’s authority to rule on the matter. In the referendum, the Venezuelan government

has denounced the proposal as an attempt at annexation and President Irfaan Ali has accused his Venezuelan counterpart of fomenting conflict by calling for the referendum. President Maduro hailed the results as “an overwhelming victory”.

“We have taken the first steps of a new historic stage in the struggle for what belongs to us, to recover what the liberators left us,” he said.

The overwhelming support shown by voters had been widely expected as Ve n e z u e l a ’s c l a i m o f sovereignty over Essequibo has very broad support in the country. This is reflected in the fact that there was no campaign for a “no” vote.

What analysts were keen to see was how many people would follow the government’s call to turn out. Elvis Amoroso, the head of the National Electoral Council and a close ally of President Maduro, said that 10.5M votes had been cast – something he described as “historic” in the country of 20.7M eligible voters.

What Mr. Amoroso did not say was how many voters took part in the referendum, a detail opposition politicians seized on.

Henrique Capriles, who lost to Mr. Maduro in the 2013 presidential election, suggested that considering that voters were asked to respond to five questions, the 10.5M votes only equated to two million voters.

Opposition media also

Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro described the result as a great victory but critics have queried the turn-out asked voters to back its stance on the controversy.

The most controversial question was the fifth, which asked Venezuelans if they agreed with “the creation of the Guayana Esequiba state” and its “incorporation into the map of Venezuelan territory”.

Electoral officials said 95.9% of voters cast a “yes” vote to that question. Guyana

reported that polling stations had been very quiet throughout the day, casting doubt on the claims of the government that turn-out had been high. The referendum came at a time of heightened tension between Guyana and Venezuela after the 2015 discovery of oil in the waters off Essequibo’s coast by US oil giant ExxonMobil.

Sunday December 10, 2023

president’s mandates was the instruction to PDVSA and the Venezuelan Corporation of Guayana to create the Essequibo Commission, and proceed to grant licenses for oil, gas and mining exploration.

Guyana will report Maduro’s aggression to ICJ, UN Security Council within 24 hrs Engaging US military and other Allies – Pres. Ali

Vice President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo Te n s i o n s i n c r e a s e d further in September this year, when Guyana held an auction at which oil companies bid for exploration licences in Essequibo waters. Guyanese citizens formed human chains on Sunday to show their support for Essequibo remaining under the control of their government.

G u y a n a ’s p r e s i d e n t reassured them in an address broadcast on Facebook, saying that “there is nothing to fear” and that his government would defend the country’s borders. The International Court of Justice has warned Venezuela not to take any action that may alter the status quo in Essequibo.

WEDNESDAY Maduro makes Essequibo new state of Venezuela *sets up temporary Govt. for Essequibo *gives mining and oil companies in Essequibo 3 months to leave *instructs his state company to immediately start granting concessions for oil, gas, and minerals Venezuela’s Head of State, Nicholas Maduro on Tuesday evening announced the appointment of a governor of Guyana’s Essequibo Region, Major General Alexis Rodríguez Cabello.

International media reports also note that the Maduro regime has also announced that he and his team will grant concessions in the Essequibo region and have also given companies within the area within three months.

The troubling developments follow on the heels of a binding order from

the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last Friday for Venezuela to refrain from any action that would alter Guyana’s control over the Essequibo region. The court also stressed that both Guyana and Venezuela should refrain from any action that would make the case border controversy difficult to settle.

Despite the ruling of the c o u r t , Ve n e z u e l a s t i l l insisted that it would take action on the referendum it held on December 3 which sought its citizens support for the annexation of the Essequibo region.

On Tuesday evening, Venezuelan authorities presented a new map to its people which shows the Essequibo region being part of the Venezuelan territory.

Maduro also announced the creation of a new High Commission for the defense of Guayana Esequiba, which goes far beyond the presidential level.

T h e Ve n e z u e l a n government also said it would activate a debate in the National Assembly for the approval of the Organic Law for the defense of Guayana Esequiba. “That instrument that will give rise to the implementation of the decision made by the people o f Ve n e z u e l a i n t h e consultative referendum,” Maduro explained.

In the Government Council, the president also announced the creation of a Comprehensive Defense zone of Guayana Esequiba with 3 areas of integral development and 28 development sectors. The headquarters will be in Tumeremo, for this, Major General Alexis Rodríguez Cabello was appointed sole authority.

Another of the

Statement by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana following Venezuela’s appointment of a governor of the Essequibo Region as well as plans to issue licences in that area: Fellow Guyanese, I address you on an unsettling development in relation to the unlawful claim by Venezuela to Guyana’s Essequibo Region, which constitutes more than two-thirds of Guyana’s national territory.

To n i g h t , P r e s i d e n t Maduro announced several measures which his Government intends to take in enforcing the outcome of the referendum held on December 3, 2023.

As I made clear from the date the referendum was first announced, this is a direct threat to Guyana’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence, and in violation of fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the UN and OAS Charters.

The measures announced are in blatant disregard of the order given by the International Court of Justice on December 1, 2023. Guyana views this as an imminent threat to its territorial integrity and will intensify precautionary measures to safeguard its territory.

I have tonight spoken to the Secretary General of the United Nations and several leaders alerting them of these dangerous developments and the desperate actions of President Maduro that fly in the face of international law and constitute a grave threat to international peace and security.

Also, Guyana will tomorrow, bring this matter to the United Nations Security Council for appropriate action to be taken by that body. Further, (Continued on page 59)

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

PAGE 17

Maduro had called for respect for int'l law, all UN organs in 2013 visit to Guyana V

enezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, in September 2013, during a visit to Guyana, had emphasized the importance of respecting international law, multilateral organizations, and the United Nations. The Venezuelan leader said such respect is critical in maintaining the universal right to peace.

His statements were made during a joint press conference with former President Donald Ramotar.

He was responding to a question from a Guyanese journalist about Venezuela's legislative approach to the long-standing controversy over the Essequibo region.

“The only path for the world to truly be a human world is respect for international law, multilateral organizations, the UN, and the right to peace that we all have,” Maduro had stated categorically.

Fast forward to December

2023, the Maduro-led government's actions contradict the very principles he once advocated.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ), in an attempt to resolve the Guyana/Venezuela controversy over the Essequibo region, has issued provisional measures urging Venezuela to refrain from actions that could alter Guyana's administration of the mineral-rich region.

The ICJ also advised both nations against any actions that would make the issue difficult to resolve.

Despite these directives, President Maduro on December 5, announced several steps he would take in response to the outcome of the referendum he had held to garner support for his quest to annex Essequibo.

While his sham referendum was rejected by 89 percent of the voting population, Maduro still insisted on

Venezuela's President, Nicolás Maduro

advancing his agenda by unlawfully ordering companies operating on and offshore the Essequibo region under Guyanaissued licenses to vacate within three months. Moreover, he directed Venezuela's state oil

company PDVSA to establish a subsidiary for oil and gas exploration in the contested area, and encouraged the Venezuelan parliament to consider a law declaring the Essequibo region as a new Venezuelan state.

These actions have intensified the controversy, drawing attention from international media and diplomatic circles due to the potential for regional conflict.

Furthermore, the Venezuelan government's reliance on the controversial referendum, questioning the legitimacy of the ICJ's jurisdiction and proposing the creation of the state 'Guayana Esequiba' as part of Venezuela, has attracted numerous statements of condemnation from the global community.

This includes the USA, the United Kingdom, CARICOM, the Organization of American States, and the Commonwealth.

Guyanese authorities have made it clear that they will not respect any law Venezuela passes to govern Essequibo.

T h e y h a v e a l s o u rg e d companies to completely disregard Maduro's ultimatum.

GCAA, Police launch probe into deadly GDF helicopter crash The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Guyana Defence Force's (GDF) helicopter crash which claimed the lives of five servicemen on Wednesday.

The Force's Chief-ofStaff, Brigadier Omar Khan told reporters on Saturday at a press conference held at Base C a m p Ay a n g a n n a , Georgetown that no information is available relative to the cause of the accident. He said too that those details will be provided when the investigation is completed.

A GDF Bell 412EPI

H e l i c o p t e r 8 R - A YA disappeared in the dense jungle between Ekereku and A r a u , n e a r t h e Guyana/Venezuela Border in the Cuyuni District, Region Seven. The recently commissioned aircraft had reportedly crashed that day killing five of the seven occupants on board.

Those who died are Brigadier (Ret'd) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan.

Lieutenant Andio Michael Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Jackson are the lone survivors of the horrific crash.

Chief-of-Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan

Map showing the direction of GDF Bell 412EPI Helicopter on Wednesday after departing Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown.

GDF's Chief of Staff, Brigadier Khan told reporters that, “There is a phase now we are going into which is the investigation phase and that is outside of the remit of the GDF. We will now have the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority along with the Guyana Police Force conduct their investigation.”

He noted that because the GDF was a part of the operation, they would have to

provide the information to those investigators.

“The process has already started, we have handed over a number of items to the Civil Aviation Authority and the police also has commenced their investigation,” he related.

Brigadier Khan said too that the two survivors, having received full medical treatment will brief investigators on what

occurred that day.

Apart from the GCAA and the Police Force conducting their investigations, the GDF will also be conducting its own investigations through its Board of Inquiry (BOI).

“We already convened a board to be done internally with our own protocols, certainly this incident has resulted in the loss of lives and we want to know why

also within our own system.

A Board of Inquiry will be done,” the Chief-of-Staff added.

Meanwhile, Brigadier Khan said that while there is currently an imminent threat to the country's territory, the particular flight to the bordering area on Wednesday was a “command mission to visit our troops not only Arau but also (Continuned on page 63)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Sunday December 10, 2023

“The GTU rejects with scorn this forced upon salary increase/decrease”- Union “The Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) rejects with scorn this forced upon salary increase/ decrease.”

This was the position of the GTU on Saturday after the government announced on Friday that public servants would receive a 6.5 percent, across the board salary increase retroactive from January 2023. The increase will benefit 54,000 individuals, encompassing public servants, and members of the Disciplined Services, constitutional office holders, and government pensioners.

Following the announcement on the increase which was made by the Senior Minister within

the Office of the President with responsibility of finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, the GTU said it stands “in awe and disbelief, that the government could be so callous and disrespectful.”

It said that the 6.5 percent increment translates to a less than $5000 addition to the monthly earnings of public servants currently receiving the minimum wage.

The union further noted that it is evident, “that the announcement speaks of a shameless, meager and disrespectful 6.5 percent, to public sector workers, falling 1.5 percent below from the previous year that had a salary increase of 8 percent.”

The GTU said, “The high-class indecency and total disregard lends beyond the imagination of public servants, teachers and any veracious thinking citizen, which will cause even the smallest child to conclude that this government is wicked, uncaring and deceptive.”

The GTU stressed, that it must be recognised that teachers are the backbone of Guyana's economy, which it said, has been dubbed, “the Dubai of the Caribbean.”

It said to unleash on public servants “such a whiplash, it is of most insensitive and disgusting to even state the least.” The

Union noted also that given the high cost of living and taxation, in described the 6.5 percent increase as a mere dot on the sea of glass.

The GTU issued an empathic call for the government to reconsider with immediate effect their position and “the lawless behaviours they have demonstrated while urging them to come clean with the teachers' of Guyana.”

To this end, the GTU reminded the government of a “Comprehensive Proposal' which, according to them, was submitted many moons ago, and to date not a favourable response was given.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh “It's an opportunity for you (government) to retrieve the document and let us (Teachers) sit around the

table and talk like right thinking and law-abiding citizens, who care about their workforce,” the GTU said.

Pres. Lula tells CNN...

From page 8 region and regretted that Maduro “exploded” the Brazilian effort to normalise next year's elections in Venezuela and thus take the country out of isolation.

CNN said if the president of Venezuela moves forward with his war plans in the region of Guyana, Brazil will respond harshly. The country, however, still bets on the path of negotiation.

On Tuesday, Chancellor Mauro Vieira spoke with President Irfaan Ali, and on Wednesday, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Yvan Gil. On Friday, Brazil won the support of Mexico.

Mexico's foreign secretary, Alicia Barcena, stated that her country was "alonging" to Lula's initiative for Celac to "promote dialogue" between the two countries "in order to find a peaceful solution".

The Brazilian diplomatic messages, however, are all of reprimand to Venezuela. The South American trade bloc – Mercosur in a statement criticised "unilate attitudes", which, in Brazil's view, so far, have been taken only by Venezuela.

The passage from the document in which both countries are “stimulated to dialogue” should not be seen as criticism of Guyana, diplomats explain. For Brazil, the Guyanese only

sought international support when resorting to the United States, although the country sees with great concern the American military presence in the region.

Moreover, according to international reports, in a phone call on December 9, Lula reportedly urged Maduro against taking unilateral measures that could escalate the border controversy.

"Lula emphasized the importance of avoiding unilateral measures that could escalate the situation" in the disputed oil-rich Essequibo region, the Brazilian presidency said in a statement.

It said Lula had told his Venezuelan counterpart of fellow South American countries' "growing concern," citing a joint declaration Thursday by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay that called for "both parties to negotiate to seek a peaceful solution."

Lula reiterated that call in his conversation with Maduro, proposing the head of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States contact both sides to set up talks on the dispute, according to his office. He told Maduro that "we are a region of peace," the statement said.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

PAGE 19

Survivors of deadly GDF helicopter crash in ‘good spirits’ Survivor, Lieutenant, Andio Michael Crawford

GDF’s Medical Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Langhorne

Survivor, Corporal Dwayne Jackson

T

he two survivors of the horrific Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter crash which occurred on Wednesday reportedly suffered no major injuries and are in “good spirits.”

This is according to GDF’s Medical Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Langhorne who provided an update on the two survivors’ condition during a press conference on Saturday at Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown.

Kaieteur News had reported that the GDF Bell412 helicopter, bearing registration 8R-AYA, which disappeared on Wednesday just before noon between Arau and Ekereku in Region Seven, crashed

in the jungle, killing five of the seven occupants onboard the aircraft.

Those who perished are: the pilot-in-command, veteran aviator Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, Staff Sergeant Jason Khan and Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton.

Lieutenant Andio Michael Crawford, a pilot on board the aircraft, and Corporal Dwayne Johnson survived the crash.

Providing the update yesterday, Lieutenant Colonel Langhorne said, “I am happy to report there was no injury of significance. They [survivors] are

all in good general condition. I had a visit this morning and by then they were able to be fully examined, and I had a talk with them and they are all in good spirit, their families are alongside them, supporting them.”

In his brief remarks at the press conference, the GDF Medical Officer stated that on Thursday, the medical team was inserted in the general area of operation where they set up a staging area at the Blake Slater airstrip in the Cuyuni.

He said he was part of the medical team which also comprised two other GDF doctors and three medics.

He shared that upon the arrival at the location, two of their Special

Forces Medics were inserted into the area closest to the crash site. He said bad weather which hampered the extraction of the survivors and the deceased, resulted in the medical team spending the night on the ground with them.

Langhorne noted that the medical team at the site was able to provide a real time update as it relates to the health status of the survivors, and that first aid and all other general support to the survivors were provided.

“On Friday, we were able to extract the survivors and further assessment was done at Blake Slater airstrip where we were located and they were then transported to Ogle,” he related.

Lieutenant Colonel Langhorne went on to say that from the initial stages of the operation, there was an indication that the survivors were in good general condition.

This was further confirmed upon further examination at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) of the two men.

He noted that alongside the GDF’s medical team, doctors of the GPHC are ensuring that the two survivors receive the necessary treatment and care.

Kaieteur News understands that the Lieutenant Crawford and Corporal Jackson are still hospitalized and are receiving treatment.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

Borderline Facts Pt. 10

Venezuelan stamps used in the 90s clearly show it accepted Essequibo as part of Guyana

g

By Kiana Wilbur

When the Arbitral Award was handed down in 1899, giving Guyana control over the Essequibo Region, Venezuela did not object.

As noted in a previous instalment, the Venezuelan government celebrated the award.

It was that very instrument that allowed Venezuela to secure control over the mouth of the Orinoco as well as the Orinoco Basin. That was their sole aim at the time.

As part of their jubilation, which lasted for over 60 years, Venezuelan authorities sent into circulation, several stamps for the world to know the landmass it acquired.

Interestingly, these stamps also proudly displayed the Essequibo Region being within Guyana’s territorial boundaries.

In this edition of Borderline Facts, we present two of the stamps that were used in the 90s.

Sunday December 10, 2023

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

s l l a f r e t Wa The

Some of the tasty treats which 'The Sweet Spot' offers to customers.

Young entrepreneur, Kayleen Smith

...for delicious homemade cakes & desserts

A show of resilience under pressure…

Berbician beats odds to become first prison rank to top Standard Officer's Course

Officer Thomas in his ceremonial dress

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

Jovan Wilson Born in Georgetown but cultured in Berbice, Guyanese beauty, Jovan Wilson is a proud daughter of the soil and founder of 'Twelve 21 Media' , a company that offers specialized services under the pillars of marketing, media and tourism management.

She carries over 10 years of experience in the Media stratosphere. This week's beauty is a celebrated and sought after Broadcast Journalist with experience working in British Virgin Islands.

Jovan is also a professional Emcee and seasoned poet, and has served as a beauty ambassador for Guyana with 4 titles under her belt, including Miss Guyana Jamzone 2011. Her favourite quote "to whom much is given, much is required".

Sunday December 10, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Whamageddon: DJ sorry for playing Last Christmas by Wham!

BBC - A football stadium DJ has apologised for playing Last Christmas

by Wham!, potentially knocking more than 7,000 people out of cult game Whamageddon.

Players try to avoid George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley’s 1984 hit for as long as possible before Christmas Eve and are eliminated once they hear it.

M a t t F a c e r, D J a t Northampton Town, was criticised for playing it at the home game against Portsmouth on 2 December.

“I never knew people took it so seriously,” he said.

Whamageddon started about 10 years ago, and has grown in a popularity through social media.

It now has set rules, a dedicated website and

Selena Gomez is dating record producer Benny Blanco

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Glamour - Barely two hours after confirming her relationship with record producer Benny Blanco, Selena Gomez was on the defensive, arguing with fans on Instagram who questioned whether Blanco, 35, was a good match for the 31-yearold. “Then why is he the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Gomez replied after a fan shared their disapproval.

“He’s still better than anyone I’ve been with,” she added, seeming to shade all of her exes.

But that is not where this story ends. Gomez also jumped into the comments of multiple fan accounts to defend her relationship with Blanco, which she says is sixmonths strong.

After some followers deemed him “unworthy” of her, Gomez replied, calling Blanco “the best thing that’s ever happened to me” and “better than anyone I’ve been with.

Speculation that Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco were dating began a few weeks ago, after fans noticed that they had been interacting with each other on social media…a lot. Fans also believe that a cutesy note Blanco shared, which he claimed was from his “gf,” was in Gomez’s handwriting.

The most telling clue?

Gomez’s mom, Mandy Teefey, recently began following him on Instagram.

Really, we should’ve known at that point.

merchandise. The game’s rules state: “While we can’t stop you from deliberately sending your friends to Whamhalla, the intention is that this is a survival game.

Not a Battle Royale.”

Mr Facer, known as DJ Matty, played the song during half-time in the League One clash at Sixfields, attended by 7,215 people.

“I gave it a spin, thinking it would be quite funny to wipe out 7,000 people who couldn’t avoid it, but clearly it isn’t funny,” he said.

“I had a bit of an insult on Tw i t t e r, l i g h t - h e a r t e d , [saying] it was not a nice thing to do, and apparently that was quite tame to what was being said in the stadium. “So I officially apologise to everybody whose Christmas I’ve ruined.” He has promised not

The game “Whamageddon” sees people try to avoid the Wham! hit Last Christmas

to play the song during the home game against Fleetwood Town, to avoid upsetting fans of the Lancashire side.

He told BBC Radio Northampton: “I can take

on the chin with my home fans and Portsmouth, but I don’t think I’ll be playing it again.

“I think it’s a shame people in professions like mine can’t play Wham! until

[late] December, but it’s a game and we all have to jump on board.” Last Christmas reached number two on its release, finally reaching the top spot on 1 January 2021.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

THE

Court Journal

By Renay Sambach In a resolute stand, Guyana’s leaders affirm their commitment to resolving the longstanding border controversy with Venezuela before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Despite diplomatic pressure, the Government of Guyana (GoG) insists on the ICJ’s role in providing a conclusive judgment on the matter; stating that they have no intention of having direct dialogue with the Nicolas Maduro-regime with regards to the border controversy.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking at a recent press conference, condemned Venezuelan President Maduro’s attempts to annex Essequibo.

Jagdeo asserts that Guyana will not be swayed by these actions and remains steadfast in its decision to pursue legal recourse at the ICJ. Jagdeo stated that Maduro has proved that he cannot be trusted, and therefore, any out of court attempt to settle the border controversy will be a waste of time.

In 1899, Guyana (then British G u i a n a ) a n d Ve n e z u e l a participated in an Arbitral Award, conclusively settling their border, including the Essequibo territory as part of Guyana. However, prior to Guyana’s independence, Venezuela revived the border controversy.

This led to the establishment of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, a legally binding instrument addressing the controversy over the 1899 Arbitral Award and the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. The agreement’s Article IV outlined a procedure for mandatory settlement. If bilateral negotiations failed, both countries agreed to refer the matter to the United Nations Secretary General.

Initially, the Secretary General employed his good offices to facilitate a mutually satisfactory settlement. Despite over 20 years of engagement between Guyana and Venezuela, this process yielded no progress.

Consequently, the Secretary General declared the failure of the

PAGE 25

Before the ICJ: Where Guyana will resolve border controversy good offices process. According to Article IV of the Geneva Agreement, the next step was the selection of a new means of dispute resolution. The Secretary General opted for litigation before the International Court of Justice.

In March 2018, Guyana submitted an application to the ICJ, seeking a final and binding judgment on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the boundary between the two states.

Venezuela twice appeared before the Court to object to its exercise of jurisdiction in the matter, and the Court rejected Venezuela’s objections both times.

The Court ruled that the basis of its jurisdiction was precisely Article IV of the Geneva Agreement and the Secretary General’s decision that the controversy should be resolved by the Court.

President Irfaan Ali had underscored the obligatory nature of ICJ orders for all parties, emphasizing the commitment outlined in the UN charter for states to earnestly adhere.

Emphasizing the ICJ as the designated platform for a comprehensive resolution, he encouraged Venezuela to engage constructively in the international legal process.

While the substantive case is still ongoing, on December 1, 2023, the ICJ in a unanimous decision ordered Venezuela not to take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over its Essequibo region – acting on the

results of its contentious referendum which is aimed at getting the public’s support for Venezuela’s decisions regarding the Essequibo region. The court also ordered both Guyana and Venezuela to refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the controversy or make it more difficult to resolve.

The ICJ, located in The Hague, in The Netherlands is the principal judicial organ of the UN. Established in 1945, its primary function is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted by States, and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies.

The ICJ’s powers include jurisdiction over contentious cases, where states submit disputes voluntarily, and advisory jurisdiction. The court’s decisions are binding on the parties involved and are considered final.

The ICJ operates based on the principles of international law and strives to promote peaceful resolution of conflicts. It has the authority to interpret treaties, customary international law, and general principles recognized by civilized nations.

While the ICJ plays a crucial role in the international legal framework, its effectiveness is dependent on the cooperation of states and their willingness to abide by its decisions.

The United Nations Security

Council (UNSC) has the authority to take measures to enforce compliance with ICJ orders.

The Security Council consists of ten elected members, and five permanent members—China, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation.

If a state defies ICJ orders, the matter can be brought to the attention of the Security Council.

The UNSC may then decide on appropriate actions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

Chapter VII grants the Security Council broad powers to address threats to international peace and security. These measures can include economic sanctions, diplomatic measures, and even the use of force. However, any enforcement action requires the approval of at least nine of the 15 Council members, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States).

It’s important to note that the use of force is considered a last resort and is typically subject to significant diplomatic negotiations. The Security Council’s response depends on the specific circumstances of each case and the political dynamics among its member states.

History of ICJ The creation of the Court represented the culmination of a long process of developing methods for the pacific settlement

of international disputes, the origins of which can be traced back to classical times.

Article 33 of the United Nations Charter lists the following methods for the pacific settlement of disputes between States: negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, and resort to regional agencies or arrangements, to which should also be added good offices.

Some of these methods involve the services of third parties. For example, mediation places the parties to a dispute in a position in which they can themselves resolve their dispute thanks to the intervention of a third party. Arbitration goes further, in the sense that the dispute is submitted to the decision or award of an impartial third party, so that a binding settlement can be achieved.

The same is true of judicial settlement (the method applied by the International Court of Justice), except that a court is subject to stricter rules than an arbitral tribunal, particularly in procedural matters.

Historically, mediation and arbitration preceded judicial settlement. The former was known in ancient India and the Islamic world, whilst numerous examples of the latter can be found in ancient Greece, in China, among the Arabian tribes, in maritime customary law in medieval Europe, and in Papal practice.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ).

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g ts in s... re re e t In eatu Cr

Okapi

National GeorgraphicKnown as the “forest giraffe,” the okapi looks more like a cross between a deer and a zebra.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , i t ’s t h e giraffe’s only living relative.

The okapi is native to the Ituri Rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo—the only place where it can be found in the wild—and has thick, oily fur to stay dry in the rain. It also has scent glands on the bottom of its hooves that help mark its territory. Except for the tips, the okapi’s short horns are covered in skin.

While all males have horns, most females have knobby bumps instead.

Habitat and diet The okapi lives among dense flora in the rainforest.

It can blend into its surroundings thanks to the brown and white stripes on its rump, which mimic the appearance of streaks of sunlight coming through the trees.

Its plant-based diet consists of fruits, buds, leaves, twigs, and other vegetation. Just like the giraffe and cow, the okapi has four stomachs that aid with digesting tough plants.

Also like its giraffe cousin, the okapi has a long, dark tongue that can strip leaves from branches.

An okapi consumes between 45 and 60 pounds of food each day, including riverbed clay for minerals and salt. It will occasionally eat bat excrement for nutrients.

Behavior and reproduction Active during the day, the elusive okapi prefers to be alone. Its hooves secrete sticky territorial markings, while males also spray their territory with urine.

Sometimes, however, okapis will congregate in small groups to eat, groom, and even play.

Female okapis typically have only one calf per pregnancy. An okapi calf is able to walk just 30 minutes after it’s born but can’t defecate until it’s at least a month old—that way, the smell of feces won’t attract predators.

While adult okapis don’t vocalize much (except when they’re ready to breed), calves will bleat, cough, and whistle when their mother is a w a y. O k a p i m o t h e r s communicate with their calves by making

infrasounds, which are noises that are undetectable to the human ear. Female okapis are very protective of their young and will beat the ground with their hooves to ward off potential threats.

However, upon reaching six months of age, a calf must fend for itself.

Threats to survival According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the okapi is endangered. While it’s not clear how many remain in the wild, scientists estimate that populations may have been slashed in half over the past two decades. Though the leopard is the okapi’s chief predator in the wild, human hunters pose a greater threat to the okapi’s existence. In 2012, a militia group killed 14 okapis at a conservation center located at the headquarters of the Okapi Conservation Project.

Today, poachers continue to kill okapis for their meat and skin, and civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo makes enforcement of wildlife protection laws i n c r e a s i n g l y d i ff i c u l t .

H u m a n - i n d u c e d deforestation also leads to fragmentation and destruction of crucial okapi habitats.

Conservation Founded in 1987, the Okapi Conservation Project still exists, despite the brutal attack on its headquarters in 2012. It supports the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a World Heritage Site in the Itiru Forest, home to 5,000 okapis.

The Okapi Conservation Project works with the Institute in Congo for the Conservation of Nature to provide resources to rangers who patrol the reserve and other okapi-occupied areas.

The rangers’ duties include detaining armed poachers before they can kill okapis and monitoring agricultural expansion that could harm okapi habitats.

IUCN has also teamed up with other organizations, including the Zoological Society of London, to implement a decade-long strategy to reduce illegal activity that could drive the okapi to extinction.

Source of information: https://www.nationalgeogra phic.com/animals/mammals /facts/okapi

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This week in History Cristina Fernández de Kircher was elected first female President December 10 February 19, 1953, La Plata, Argentina), Argentine lawyer and politician who in 2007 became the first female elected president of Argentina; she held office until 2015.

Fernández de Kirchner twice represented Santa Cruz in the Argentine Senate (1995–97 and 2001–05). She also served (1997–2001) in the Chamber of Deputies. During her tenure in Congress, she was one of the PJ’s most vocal critics of the Peronist administration of Pres. Carlos Menem, voting frequently against his legislative initiatives. Her husband assumed the presidency on May 25, 2003, after Menem—facing a certain loss to Kirchner in a second-round runoff—withdrew from that year’s presidential race.

In 2005 Kirchner was in a struggle with former president Eduardo Duhalde for control of the PJ in the crucial province of Buenos Aires, where 38 percent of the Argentine population resided.

The struggle peaked in October when Fernández de Kirchner squared off against Duhalde’s spouse, Hilda González de Duhalde, in the Buenos Aires province senatorial election. In that contest Fernández de Kirchner won 46 percent of the vote, easily defeating González de

President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kircher Duhalde, who claimed just 20 percent.

While the high-profile victory helped her husband win acknowledgment as the undisputed leader of Peronism, it also reaffirmed Fernández de Kirchner’s growing political influence and helped insulate her against charges of inexperience during her own run for the presidency in 2007.

Avatar: The Way of Water movie was released December 16 Avatar: The Way of Water is a 2022 American epic science fiction film co-produced and directed by James Cameron, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver from a story the trio wrote with Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno. Distributed by 20th Century Studios, it is the sequel to Avatar (2009) and the second installment in the Avatar film series. Cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Giovanni Ribisi, Dileep Rao and Matt Gerald reprise their roles from the original film, with Sigourney Weaver returning in an additional role,[6] while Kate Winslet joined the cast. It follows a blueskinned humanoid Na’vi named Jake Sully (Worthington) as he and his family, under renewed human threat, seek refuge with the aquatic Metkayina clan of Pandora, a habitable exomoon on which they live.

Cameron said in 2006 that he would like to make sequels to Avatar if it were successful, and he announced the first two sequels in 2010, following the widespread success of the first film, with the first sequel aiming for a 2014 release However, the addition of two more sequels, for a total of five Avatar films, and the necessity to develop new technology to film performance capture scenes underwater, a feat never accomplished before, led to significant delays to allow the crew more time to work on the writing, preproduction,

Edward VIII’s official Abdiction from Britain’s Throne December 11 In early December 11, 1936, a constitutional crisis in the British Empire arose when King Edward VIII proposed to marry Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who was divorced from her first husband and was in the process of divorcing her second.

The marriage was opposed by the governments of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth.

Religious, legal, political, and moral objections were raised. As the British monarch, Edward was the nominal head of the Church of England, which at this time did not allow divorced people to remarry in church if their ex-spouses were still alive.[a] For this reason, it was widely believed that Edward could not marry Simpson and remain on the throne. As a twice-divorced woman,

Simpson was perceived to be politically, morally and socially unsuitable as a prospective queen consort. It was widely assumed by the Establishment that she was driven by love of money or position rather than love for the King. Despite the opposition, Edward declared that he loved Simpson and intended to marry her as soon as her second divorce was finalised.

The widespread unwillingness to accept Simpson as the King’s consort and Edward’s refusal to give her up led to his abdication in December 1936. [b] He was succeeded by his brother Albert, who became George VI. Edward was given the title of Duke of Windsor, and styled Royal Highness, following his abdication, and he married Simpson the following year. They remained married until his death 35 years later.

Kenya became independent from British rule December 12 Jamhuri Day (Republic Day) is a national holiday in Kenya, celebrated on 12 December each year. Jamhuri is the Swahili word for “republic” and the holiday officially marks the date when Kenya became an independent country on 12 December 1963, six months after gaining internal self-rule on 1 June 1963 (Madaraka Day) from the United Kingdom. Kenya later became a republic, with the inauguration of Jomo Kenyatta as president taking place on 12 December 1964, exactly one year after Kenya attained independence in 1963. Kenyatta, having previously been sworn in as Prime Minister, continued as prime minister of newly independent Kenya, before assuming the position of President one year after Independence Day. The Trooping of the Colour of the Kenya Defence Forces takes place every Jamhuri Day. The ceremony begins at 11:30 after the President of Kenya, takes the national salute, and inspects the parade. The band plays a slow march followed with a quick march the

The Keyan flag lone drummer then breaks away to take his position beside number one guard to play the drummers call, signaling the officers of No.1 Guard to take positions to receive the colour.

The escort for the colour then marches off to collect the colour as the massed KDF band plays the chosen Kenyan tune.

After the handover and as the Escort presents arms the first verse of the Kenya national anthem is played, then the escort to the colour marches off in a slow march to the tune of the British grenadier guards. The first tune normally played during the march is always ‘By land and sea’.

The parade concludes by marching to the tune of ‘Kenya Daima’ as the tri-service parade exits.

Taylor swift birthday

and visual effects.[9] The filming process, which occurred simultaneously with a currently untitled third film, began in Manhattan Beach, California, on August 15, 2017. The filming location moved to Wellington on September 25, 2017, which ended in late September 2020 after three years of shooting. With an estimated budget of $350–460 million, the film is one of the most expensive films ever made.

December 13 Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. She has been recognized for her songwriting, musical versatility, artistic reinventions, and influence on popular culture and the music industry.

Swift began professional songwriting at age 14 and signed with Big Machine Records in 2005 to become a country singer. She released six studio albums under the label, four of them to country radio, starting with Taylor Swift (2006). Her next, Fearless (2008), explored country pop, and its singles “Love Story” and “You Belong with Me” catapulted her to mainstream fame. Speak Now (2010) infused rock influences, while Red (2012) experimented with electronic elements and featured Swift’s first Billboard Hot 100 number-one song, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”. She departed from her country image with 1989 (2014), a synth-pop

album supported by the chart-topping songs “Shake It Off”, “Blank Space”, and “Bad Blood”. Media scrutiny inspired the hip-hopflavored Reputation (2017) and its number-one single “Look What You Made Me Do”.

Swift signed with Republic Records in 2018. She released the eclectic pop album Lover (2019) and autobiographical documentary Miss Americana (2020), embraced indie folk and alternative rock on 2020 albums Folklore and Evermore, explored understated pop styles on Midnights (2022), and released four re-recorded albums subtitled Taylor’s Version after a dispute with Big Machine; these spawned the number-one songs “Cruel Summer”, “Cardigan”, “Willow”, “Anti-Hero”, “All Too Well” and “Is It Over Now?”. In 2023, Swift embarked on the Eras Tour, the highest-grossing concert tour in history. She has also directed music videos and films such as All Too Well: The Short Film (2021).

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Over 200 graduate from Linden Technical Institute

O

ver 200 students graduated from the Linden Technical Institute on Thursday December 7, 2023 when the institution hosted its annual graduation and prize giving ceremony at the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition and Conference Centre in the mining town.

The graduates were awarded for their outstanding achievement throughout their studies at the institution.

The ceremony, which was held under the theme, “Fostering and Cultivating Technical and Vocational Education Through Cohesion Now and Beyond,” saw a packed programme with a diverse line-up of speakers.

They included guest s p e a k e r, A l i c i a B e s s Anderson, workforce development advisor at ExxonMobil Guyana, Mayor of Linden Sharma Solomon, and Camille Cummings, Linden Technical Institute board member.

Amongst the awardees, was the best overall graduating student, John Anthony from the Building Department: Electrical Installation-Level 2 and best first year student Okeisha

Chairperson, Leroy Barry

Best overall graduating student, John Anthony

Hope also of the Building Department.

Prizes were also awarded to the best first year students and they include Shane Tappin, Jenn Hartman, Dalhia Peters, Tyrel Stephen, Caylan D’Oliveria, Daniel Mardenborough and Sherrod Sumner.

On the entertainment side of things, the attendees

were treated to a dance, poem, musical rendition and song by the institute’s choir which added a splash of flair to the auspicious occasion.

The graduates were encouraged to put their best foot forward and to continue to strive for excellence as they continue on their academic and professional journey.

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‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ goes to No. 1 - after 65 years This week’s No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 is one you’ve probably heard before — over and over again. For decades. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”— sung by Brenda Lee, and first released 65 years ago, during the Eisenhower administration — has gone to No. 1 on the singles chart, for the first time ever.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was written by Johnny Marks — who, as part of a long, great tradition of American Christmas songwriters, was himself actually Jewish. (Marks

also wrote “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas.”) Lee recorded the song when she was just 13 years old, not long after she signed a contract with Decca Records.

Since its 1958 debut, this Yuletide classic has become a staple on holiday playlists. It’s a sunny, up-tempo, broadly secular song, perfect for providing cheerful ambience. But there are a few more specific reasons it’s been able to reach the top spot this year.

Back in 2018, Billboard reconfigured its chart calculation

formula, giving more weight to streams (and especially to streams made on subscription or paid-tier services). That meant that catalog recordings — whether released a year earlier or decades ago — would have more of a chance to chart alongside new material, since listeners are likely to stream old favorites over and over again.

That effect has been especially notable during the holiday season, when artists have generally refrained from dropping big new releases — and when more (Continued on page 39)

Brenda Lee after gher holiday hit “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” has reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, 65 years after its debut.

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Nicki Minaj Recruits Skeng, Skillibeng - Samples Dave Kelly, Beenie Man On New Album ‘Pink Friday 2’ (Dancehall Mag) Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj released her Pink Friday 2 album on Friday, featuring Dancehall artists Skillibeng and Skeng on the track Forward From Tr i n i , w h i c h s a m p l e s elements from veteran producer Dave Kelly‘s Stink (1996) and Showtime (1997) riddims.

The album’s final track, Just The Memories, also credited Beenie Man and American soul singer Jerry Butler after it interpolated lyrics from Beenie’s classic hit Memories (Stop Live In A De Pass) (1995), which itself had interpolated lyrics from Butler’s Memories Don’t Leave Like People Do (1973).

On Forward From Trini, Skillibeng handles the first

verse before the rapper shows off her Caribbean pride and later joins Skeng in the final verse. Notably, the song also includes a sample of Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s voice, uttering the words “fully dunce” from Skeng’s Likkle Miss.

The track also credits Dave Kelly for samples of the ‘crowd noise’ and chants first heard in his Stink and Showtime riddims on the Madhouse label.

Cham, who had three songs featured on Showtime, had declared the riddim “the greatest of all time.”

“Di reason why is because Dave Kelly actually put a crowd from a soccer stadium in di riddim di riddim itself going “ahhh” and den yuh have di odda voices going saying “hey’

and dat’s how di whole idea of Showtime came about.

Because it is really Showtime when you hear di crowd noise, yuh feel like it’s time to just explode, on the stage,” said Cham in a 2021 Instagram post.

For Just The Memories, Nicki interpolated the chorus f r o m B e e n i e M a n ’s Memories (Stop Live In A De Pass), rapping “Memories don’t leave like people do They’ll always ‘member you”.

Memories, produced by Lynford Marshall and Colin ‘Bulby’ York, appeared on Beenie’s 1995 album, Blessed, which had also featured the hit songs Slam, World Dance, Modelling, and Tear Off Mi Garment.

Kanye West previously sampled the track in his 2013 song, Send It Up with King

‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas...

From page 33 listeners turn to a shared body of communally well-loved songs.

Those chart changes had an impact on the holiday music landscape right away. In December 2018, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” went to No. 6 on the Hot 100 — the highest position it had ever reached on the singles chart. (When it debuted in 1994, Columbia Records didn’t bother to release the song as a commercial single in any physical format, so due to the chart rules of the time, it wasn’t eligible.)

Since then, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has become the perennial star atop the Hot 100 each holiday season. It went to No. 1 for the first time in 2019 and continued that streak for the next three years. (Just behind it: one “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” peaking annually at No. 2

between 2019 and 2022. Before this past decade, “Rockin’ “ had peaked at No. 14 on the Hot 100 — in 1960.

This year, to mark the 65th anniversary of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Lee, who turns 79 next week, has made an extrabig push to help it climb all the way up the chart — past Mariah Carey. She recorded the song’s first official video, which features cameo appearances by Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood and has become a hit on TikTok, garnering 8 million views and counting.

Trailing Lee on the Hot 100 this week is Carey, followed by Jack Harlow’s “Lovin On Me” and two other deep-catalog holiday classics: Bobby Helms’ recording of “Jingle Bell Rock” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas.”

But with the top spot to herself, Brenda Lee has finally received her holiday wish.

Louie.

This is not the first time Minaj has collaborated with Jamaican artists. In May 2021, she tapped Skillibeng for the Crocodile Teeth Remix, which climbed to No. 99 on the Billboard Hot 100. Last year, she joined forces with Skeng on the Likkle Miss Remix.

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Beyonce Thanks Fans for ‘Outpouring of Love’ Amid ‘Renaissance’ Film Success “I am so touched and encouraged by the incredible reviews,” Bey wrote.

T

he “Alien Superstar” singer took to Instagram on Friday (Dec. 8) to share “gratitude” to the fans and team who supported her Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce concert documentary that hits theaters on Dec. 1.

“I am so deeply thankful to AMC and every team member who worked so hard on this film.

I just can’t thank all of you enough for your support,” she wrote in her post, adding, “I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from my

Hive. And WOW! I am so touched and encouraged by the incredible reviews!!!”

She added, “I love seeing everyone all dressed up in their most opulent lewks in the theaters. The mute challenges still happening, even in the theater!! Y’all are cracking me up. Please keep that energy going. I can’t wait to see what else yall do :)” Prior to its Friday opening, Renaissance enjoyed star-studded premieres in Los Angeles (Nov. 25) and London (Nov. 30). The latter was attended

by Taylor Swift and other

celebs, including Michelle Williams, Blake Lively and will.i.am.

T h e c o n c e r t documentary was written, executive produced and codirected by the 32-time G r a m m y w i n n e r, a n d chronicles her recordbreaking Renaissance World Tour.

The superstar singer’s Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé is likely to earn between between $22 and $24 million in its domestic debut, giving it the largest early December opening in two decades, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Beyoncé performs onstage during the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at PGE Narodowy on June 27, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood

Britney Spears Thanks Fans for Crowning ‘The Woman in Me’ the Best Memoir of 2023 on Goodreads: ‘This Makes Me So Happy’ The “Toxic” singer also reminded fans that it isn’t too late to pick up a copy before the end of the year.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears is finishing off 2023 with one more achievement on her resumé. On Thursday (Dec. 7), the “…Baby One More Time” singer took to Twitter to reveal that her memoir, The Woman In Me, received the fan-voted honor of best memoir and autobiography by the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards.

“Thank you for naming my memoir, THE WOMAN

IN ME, the 2023 Goodreads Choice Award winner for B e s t M e m o i r & Autobiography!!! This makes me so happy!!!” she shared.

For those who still have yet to complete their reading list for the year, Spears added information on how fans can get their hands on a copy, digitally or otherwise: “If you haven’t yet … grab your copy in stores or at

http://britneybook.com and listen to the audio book narrated by Michelle Williams wherever audiobooks are available ! ! ! ” S p e a r s ’ m e m o i r, released earlier this year on Oct. 24, quickly became a best seller. In the day following its arrival, Spears stated the book was “the highest selling celebrity memoir in history” within its first day on shelves. “And it’s only day 1 !!!” she added.

“Thank you to the fans who have been so supportive !!!

Love you all <9 !!!” At the time of Spears’ comments, the memoir was No. 1 on Amazon.com’s list of most read and sold non-fiction books, and currently maintains the top spot as of publishing time. The memoir detailed Spears’ relationship with Justin Timberlake — she wrote that

the couple had an abortion amid claims he wasn’t ready for fatherhood, and said that she cheated on him after he allegedly had affairs with other women. Following the pair’s breakup — which occurred over text — the “Gimme More” singer said in the book that Timberlake sent her a framed letter.

Other bombshells from the book included insight into her 55-hour marriage to Jason Alexander (according to Spears, she was “just honestly very drunk”), her fling with Colin Farrell (“We were all over each other, grappling so passionately it was like we were in a street fight”) and some of her most iconic pop culture moments, namely the star being the mastermind behind her “…Baby One More Time” schoolgirl outfit.

Charlie Puth on How Joining TikTok Early Changed His Career: ‘There’s No Age Discrimination Anymore’ On Sunday, Dec. 10, TikTok will host its first live global music event, TikTok in the Mix, with a slate of star headliners — including Cardi B, Niall Horan, Anitta

musical process better than anything else.” Plus, as he says, it’s provided a perfect place to show off his humor: “I’ve been a fan of internet meme culture for a very long

Charlie Puth performs at Spark Arena on November 04, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand.Dave Simpson/WireImage

and Charlie Puth. In addition to the performances, the sold-out one-day event will bring to life TikTok’s famous For You page with a variety of in-person activities, inspired by the platform’s most-loved trends. “My first thought was, ‘I’m glad that I was one of their first calls,” says Puth, “because it’s played such a huge part in my career. I think the app has been able to explain my

time,” he says. “I was the kid on EbaumsWorld.com in like, 2003.” Puth was in fact among the first artists to embrace the platform.

And now, he says he continues to reap the benefits, from fans rediscovering his older hits to feeling like he can finally bring fans inside the creation of those songs – an experience he hopes to bring to the stage this weekend.

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A show of resilience under pressure…

Berbician beats odds to become first prison rank to top Standard Officer’s Course In life everyone has dreams and aspirations and some people never have a Plan B. Sometimes the way fate has it, a Plan B is thrown at you whether you like it or not, and your “dream” is not the path you end up finding success.

This is the case of Brandon Thomas who shelved his childhood dream of becoming a teacher to become part of Guyana’s Discipline Forces. Thomas joined the ranks of the Guyana’s Prison Service (GPS) in 2015. He recently made history as he became the first officer from the GPS to top the Standard Officer’s Course (SOC) #54.

This course is sit by members of the disciplined service including the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). The course is done through the GDF.

Officer Thomas in his ceremonial dress employment in the custodial field of the GPS. He later took an interest into the welfare and corrections department for inmates.

During his early years at the Prison Service, Thomas secured an associate’s degree at the University of Guyana in social work. He graduated with a distinction,

Thomas applied to undergo training with the Standard O f f i c e r ’s C o u r s e # 5 4 .

However, he said that getting accepted into the programme was not easy. He applied for five consecutive years to join the course before he was successful.

His 6th request to undergo training on the

Following his graduation, Thomas and his family shared a moment with President Irfaan Ali.

An elated Thomas told The Waterfalls that joining the GPS was actually his plan B. He explained that for a long time, he had his heart set on becoming a teacher but when he first applied to secure a teaching job, he simultaneously sent in an application to the Prison Service as a back-up plan.

Thomas noted that it so happened that the Prison Service responded first and in 2015 his training on the Basic Recruit Course commenced. The rank said that he excelled and graduated as the best student runner up of his course which secured his

before going on to obtain his Bachelors.

An ambitious young man, Thomas sought to advance in his career. He eyed the prize of becoming a Cadet Officer and wanted more than anything to be able to have a wider influence and leadership platform in the GPS. But the Berbician grew up enjoying the simple yet fun “country style” childhood never dreamed of the things he would have to endure to achieve new heights in his career.

Ye t h i s d e s i r e f o r advancement was unwavering. As such,

Standard Officer Course was approved in 2021 and he knew then that he was going to make the best of the o p p o r t u n i t y.

Thomas nonetheless said he never regretted it as the experience changed his life. According to him, it brought out the stamina and resilience that he never knew he possessed.

The top graduating cadet officer recalled having to leave his pregnant wife and 15-month-old child at home to begin training on the course.

On January 24, 2022 his son entered the world and it troubled him deeply that he couldn’t be at his wife’s side when she needed him the

most. He also grieved that he was missing important milestones in their lives.

“Weeks went by that I was not allowed to make any contact with my family. I cannot get back that time lost, and moments gone, I do however remind myself that their father needed to make the sacrifice, the sacrifice that would not last forever, and was worth it.”

On March 25th 2022 during the fitness competition of the GDF, he broke the 3rd metatarsal of his right foot.

After seeing the doctor; Thomas was advised that it would be in his best interest to discontinue the course at that point because of the extent of the fracture. The doctor explained that even if the fracture did heal, it was highly likely that the injury would reoccur due to the course demands.

The denial rang in his head and he was determined not to abandon ship. With his leg in a cast, he did what he could, even though he felt alienated amongst his peers, he endured, complied and never complained. After taking the cast off of his leg, it still wasn’t 100% but he hobbled, wobbled and hopped along.

DISCIPLINE AND ENDURANCE Further detailing his experience, Thomas recounted that during the regimental phase of the course, he fell ill going five days without sleep. “I remember asking the training staff to take me to the medical center. I was denied, and shortly after we commenced an activity where we had to remove our shirts, place it in a bucket of cold water and put it on while it was still dripping wet, this was repeated for several hours under the moon light in the cold weather,” he recalled.

The young man said that he shivered and gashed his teeth, but he can recall the training staff telling him “right now you may believe that I am being cruel and unnecessary but life is ten times as cruel than I am, I am preparing you for life, who will take you to the medical centre when you are in the jungle and possibly alone?

Life can be cruel; you must learn to be strong.”

“That night changed my life,” Thomas asserted.

He recalled too when he had to be awake by 04:00hrs to make his bed, clean his surroundings and attend flag raising. Though the task may seem simple, the consequence for failing to do was not.

In the process, Thomas developed a deep appreciation for discipline and admits that it greatly improved his quality of life.

The father of two said that, “Discipline causes you to do what you have to do even when you don’t feel like doing it. Doing these simple

realized that their intentions were never to kill, they only unlocked my mind to know that I myself sometimes do not know what I am capable of. There is little that you cannot do with a strong mind.”

CONTINUOUS TRAINING Through all of his struggles, Thomas learnt a valuable lesson that determination and dedication always pays off.

He said, “I continue to qualify myself, and was finally given the opportunity

Officer Thomas during a demonstration at his commissioning ceremony things after almost two years havs changed my outlook and attitude towards much more than bed making.”

Thomas reflected, “One year ago, from this date, I envisioned that at this stage I would be well equipped with all that I need to know to lead and manage those under my command…. At various points of my training, I was convinced that the staff was only concerned with shortlisting the course strength to a smaller number by applying vigorous training methods and sometimes unrealistic goals.”

He added that he was convinced that they were exempted from the law hence why they were not fearful of driving and pushing Officer Cadets past their limits sometimes close to near death.

“I expected someone to die at some point, however I

in 2021, the year I commenced my training in the Guyana Defence Force, the day I was accepted, that event in itself changed my life, persistence, dedication and determination.”

Thomas noted though he has accomplished a lot.

Training is continuous in the disciplined forces.

Looking back the married father of two is forever grateful for his experiences as he said that he enjoys his job today and doesn’t regret responding to the Prison Service.

He said, “I expected to hate my entire training body at all levels at the completion of this course, on the contrary, I find that I am grateful for the rebukes, denials and punishments. I did not die. I am strong and they have contributed by teaching me how to adapt and utilize, and what to abandon and disregard.”

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Before you buy a Christmas tree, can these converts sell you on a fake?

NY Times - Last year Charlene Truong Launer, a social media content creator, bought a real Christmas tree from a seller on a sidewalk in Manhattan.

Ms. Launer, 29, and her husband carried the tree 15 minutes to their apartment in TriBeCa and spent hours setting it up. “I was so excited,” she said.

The next morning, however, it all came crashing down — literally. “Our Christmas tree had toppled o v e r, a n d a l l o f o u r ornaments broke,” she said.

“I was so devastated.”

They put it back together, but the tree headaches didn’t end there.

“The whole time we had the tree the pine needles were all over the ground,” she said. Ms. Launer added that when it was time to toss the tree out, the collection team scattered pine needles everywhere after dragging the tree out of her apartment building.

She vowed never again.

Instead of shopping for a Christmas tree in person this year, she ordered a fake, nine-foot fir from Home Depot. “It arrived in a box, and I popped it open, and it was perfect,” she said. “It even came with lights.”

Ms. Launer considers herself a convert: “It looks really real,” she added. “I love it.”

She is hardly alone.

According to polling by the American Christmas Tree Association, 77 percent of people who have at least one Christmas tree this year are going faux.

The association found that people like how easy fake trees are to set up, that no maintenance is required, and that the trees look consistent and pretty throughout the holiday season.

Ben Frumin of Wirecutter, which is owned

by The New York Times, said its guide to the best artificial Christmas trees was one of its most read product reviews last month — out of a catalog of more than 1,000 reviews.

But the popularity of faux trees isn’t necessarily great news for the environment: Bill Lindberg, a horticulture expert at Michigan State University, said there were environmental and economical benefits to having a real tree.

“Artificial trees are made

of plastic that will eventually end up in a landfill. Real trees are renewable resources and can be mulched up and returned to the ground,” he said.

But if you are going to opt for an artificial tree, he said the best thing you could do is use the same one over and over.

“There was a study done that compared the environmental impacts of a real tree versus a fake tree,” he said. “It showed that if you kept your artificial tree for eight years, that is basically when you start to break even.”

If you keep it for longer, he added, “you could be helping the environment.”

Other factors also drive fake trees’ popularity: Some people like how cost effective it is to buy one tree that can be reused for decades.

“Our real Christmas tree that was six or seven feet was $300, which would be an expensive annual tradition,” Ms. Launer said.

“Our fake one was $500, and then we get to put it in storage for next year.”

There’s also the fact that many fake trees now look remarkably real.

Home Depot’s Grand Duchess, an artificial, 7.5foot balsam fir that comes with 250 color-changing lights, became known as “the viral Christmas tree” on TikTok. The company said it was already sold out for the season.

Emily Scheiner, 36, who works in marketing, didn’t object when her boyfriend insisted on buying an artificial tree this year for their apartment in SoHo. “He is a neat freak, so the thought of falling needles around the apartment was freaking him out,” she said.

Ms. Scheiner, who is Jewish, didn’t grow up having a Christmas tree, so she was amazed by the many options for artificial ones.

The couple settled on a 6.5foot, artificial Douglas fir by the National Tree Company.

She said her dog, Bernie, had embraced it, too. “We have to keep him from eating it.”

Even people who have been surrounded by real Christmas trees their whole lives are going faux this year.

Lillian Greene, 22, grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Boone, N.C. “Every year I would get to choose my own tree and

cut it down,” she said.

But now she lives in Los Angeles, where she works as a youth counselor, the experience was different.

“They have pre-cut ones at the grocery store, but I figured if I wasn’t getting the full Christmas farm experience, what was the point?”

She bought an artificial, six-foot tree from Amazon, which “felt a little like a family betrayal,” she said. “I already miss some things about having a real tree, like the smell.”

She also noticed that the fake tree was a little “too perfect,” and added: “Real trees would have some dry spots where there aren’t any leaves.”

But she was enjoying the fact that there was no cleaning or maintenance. “I think as long as I live in L.A., I’ll stick to the fake one,” she said.

H e r s i s t e r, L a u r e l Greene, 20, who still lives in North Carolina, even got one, too.

Emily Scheiner and her boyfriend chose a 6.5-foot artificial Douglas fir by the National Tree Company to keep their SoHo apartment neat.

Their dog Bernie has embraced it, too. (Credit...Emily Scheiner)

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GNBS IN FOCUS

TIPS FOR GOOD MEASURE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON T

he Christmas season is closely associated with delicious food, fruits and other goodies for children and adults alike, as families gather to celebrate the holidays.

To make the long list of dishes that satisfy the taste buds of each family member, many persons have commenced shopping for their ingredients at shops, supermarkets and markets countrywide. As the National Measurement Institute (NMI), the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is encouraging consumers to purchase from businesses using verified scales and other measuring instruments. The measuring instruments used in trade are verified twice annually by the GNBS in accordance with the 1981 Weights and Measures Act, to ensure

accuracy. To date, the Bureau’s Legal Metrology Inspectors have verified 2,102 electronic scales, 3,860 equal arm scales and 11,455 masses.

Verification exercises were conducted at shops and markets across the country in the first and third quarters of 2023. Verified measuring instruments are affixed with a blue and yellow seal which is signed and dated by GNBS Inspectors.

Seals are placed on the front of the instruments to be visible to consumers when purchasing groceries and other weighed or measured items. In addition to purchasing from users of verified measuring instruments, consumers have meaningful roles to play which would guarantee that they are not given short weights and measures.

These include: 1. Making sure the

instruments used to weigh or measure your goods are clean and tidy.

Dirty instruments often give inaccurate weights and measures and can cause the contamination of goods including food items.

2. P u r c h a s i n g products in metric units (Kilograms and Grams for mass, litres and millilitres for liquids,and metres and centimetres for length measurements) 3. Ensuring that you can see the measuring indicator of scales during the weighing process.

The scale must be positioned in a manner, which will allow you to see the weighing process.

4. Do not buy from vendors or shopkeepers using the domestic (kitchen) scales. These scales are not approved for commercial trade because their internal mechanisms are quickly

worn, hence they give inaccurate weights.

5. Do not accept purchase if you have doubts about your weight or measure.

You can ask the seller to reweigh or measure the item to be satisfied with the quantities given to you.

6. Buy all solids by weight (mass) instead of measure. Rice, peas and channa are solid goods and all solids must be weighed, not measured. Request these goods in grammes and kilograms instead of pints and gallons.

7. Buy prepackaged goods that are labelled with the quantity (net contents).

For example: 450 grams, 1 kilogram, 3 litres, etc.

Remember, without a stated quantity on the label/package you can be sold a lesser quantity than you are paying for.

8. Call or send a

WhatsApp message to the GNBS or visit the suboffices or Weights and Measures Office in your region to make complaints about short weight or

measure if the need arises.

F o r f u r t h e r information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064 - 66, or WhatsApp: 692-4627.

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Sunday December 10, 2023

Christmas Biscuits © Junior page Andrea Kaczmarek 2020 How to make Christmas tree

Have you ever wondered about Christmas traditions in other countries? Well this ones about a german story.

Anna's Grandma is from Germany. Every December Grandma invites Anna and her cousins to a 'Biscuit

smiled around at her two other cousins, rolling out their cookie dough. They were listening, too. Chris looked up. “I love the cinnamon stars. Especially the thick white frosting on the top.” “I like gingerbread men best.” Daisy joined in. “ Yo u c a n h a v e f u n decorating them.”Grandma smiled as she brought out her box of biscuit cutter

Christmas tree?” Chris laughed. But Grandma explained. “After Christmas, we took the apples and nuts off the tree, too – and baked the apples in the hot kitchen oven, stuffed with the chopped nuts, honey and marzipan. That was something special. I loved those baked apples.”

The three children were wide-eyed. Grandma

Bake'. “Why do we bake these little gingerbread biscuits, Grandma?” Anna always enjoyed the 'Biscuit Bake'.“It's an old tradition in Germany. We bake these rather special biscuits in December, and I love these old traditions. These biscuits tastes are the tastes, and delicious smells, of Christmas – vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nuts, oranges, honey and chocolate. It reminds me of my childhood Anna, and, it's a good reason to get all my grandchildren together for a baking afternoon.”Anna

shapes – stars, Christmas trees, bells, snowflakes, angels, gingerbread men and even stocking shapes.“Yes, Christmas was very different when I was a little girl. Before we had the fancy Christmas tree decorations that we have today. The families in Germany often decorated their Christmas trees with the gingerbread stars, apples, nuts and little red candles. It was such a pretty sight – and over the Christmas days the children could take off the gingerbread stars and nibble them.”“Apples, on a

laughed and promised. “Yes, we'll have baked apples with thick vanilla custard tomorrow…”AND, they all decided to make extra biscuits. “I am going to put a little Christmas tree in my room and decorate it the oldfashioned German way.

Gingerbread stars, apples and nuts. But, no candles, far too dangerous these days.

We'll find some old fairy lights, and I'll help you. We used to paint the nuts with gold paint….” Grandma was enjoying herself, and the Christmas smells of baking biscuits was so delicious.

Grandma teaches her grandchildren about the German Christmas tradition of making sweet biscuits.

ETRY O P H T I W N FU

Our Father, protect our Guyana

By Uncle Roy Father God, please watch over Guyana, Keep our people and places safe; Please guard this land of ours Against those who want to invade.

Father God, please speak to those Who would want to do us harm, And steal what is ours, Our lands and rivers and farms.

Father God, please watch over Guyana, So that we continue to be free, And live in the place you gave us In love, peace and unity.

decorations from buttons

You will need: · Buttons · Twine Step 1 For this quick and easy Christmas tree decoration tutorial, we're going to show you how to make a mini Christmas tree with green buttons.

So first, select ten green buttons of different sizes, and arrange them largest to smallest.

Create a trunk by threading three or four brown buttons together – make sure they are smaller than the largest green button.

Step 2 Once you've threaded the trunk, start adding your green buttons – largest to smallest – to create your tree shape.

Finish by tying a knot at the top, leaving enough spare thread for the next step.

Step 3 Thread a starshaped button from back to front and adjust the thread so that the star stands upright.

Finally, create a loop, so you can hang your finished decoration onto your Christmas tree.

And that's it!

Quick and easy – we love it.

If you have a selection of buttons left over, why not make this adorable minisnowman and mini-wreath for your tree?

Just thread on a string of buttons, loop together and

finish with a bow.

The hardest part will be

deciding which colour combo to go for!

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TEEN TIME Do your part to Let us all do our part in the present uncertain situation by acting and praying for peace and unity among all Guyanese keep Guyana secure We are all aware of the uncertain times in which we are now living under the threat of invasion by our neighbouring country, and I am now proposing that we all make a special effort to keep calm ourselves, and help the people around us to do the same. It will be necessary, if this invasion becomes a reality, for each

Security is a basic need of us all, We need to be confident we are always safe; So we have to ensure we are free of danger, In our country which others want to raid.

of us to do our part to ensure the safety of ourselves and all others with whom we come into contact. This would mean that we forget any differences we had with any others, and cooperate in this endeavour to keep all our citizens safe and secure.

It has been so heartening in the past few weeks to see the demonstrations of loyalty

The surest way is to keep united with all others In our community and our country, So that together we can remove all the threats That any intruders bring into our society.

and unity by Guyanese in all areas of our beautiful country, even those near to the border with our aggressor.

This must encourage all of us to share in this partnership to ensure all our people enjoy this peace and togetherness.

This is also an occasion in which we can renew friendship with those with whom we disagreed previously, and to appreciate that our differences are nothing compared to the dangerous situation that may evolve and harm our

people and nation.

Up to the time of this issue, it is still uncertain whether they are really going to invade our shores with the aim of capturing the part which we have owned and controlled for countless years.

If they do carry out this a t r o c i t y, i t w o u l d b e necessary for all our citizens to stay united and help our fellow citizens to keep safe, not only in the area of Essequibo which they mean to confiscate, but all over our beloved country.

The best way to defeat all who would harm us Is to stay united and ready to cooperate; This would make us appear more powerful And able to withstand all who would invade.

Keep our country as “One Guyana” by doing your part to protect yourself and others.

Solutions to last week’s Christmas movies

Hexadecimal sudoku

Each row, column and 4x4 block contains all the digits 0 thru F (or numbers from 1 to 16, in the decimal versions).

Toto puzzles

Hexadecimal Sudokus (also known as 16x16 Sudoku) are a larger version of regular Sudoku that feature a 16 x 16 grid, and 16 hexadecimal digits.

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Easy Ways To Protect Your Hearing and Ear Health 1. Wear Earplugs Around Loud Noises Loud noises such as those emitted by power tools, concerts, lawnmowers, firearms, and aircraft can all gradually lead to hearing loss, especially if you are exposed to these noises on a regular basis. Wear earplugs in environments that expose you to loud noises to protect your ears and reduce your risk of hearing loss.

2. Turn Down the Volume Listening to loud music can damage your hearing, especially when using earbuds that sit directly next to your eardrum. Keep the volume turned down when watching television or listening to music in your home or vehicle, and consider using over-the-ear headphones instead of earbuds, which place more distance between your eardrums and noise from portable devices.

3. Give Your Ears a Break Concerts and clubs may be extremely fun, but they also have the potential to cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. When attending loud events such as these, take frequent breaks by stepping outside or going somewhere to separate yourself from the noise, even if just for five minutes.

4. Stop Using Cotton Swabs People have been using cotton swabs for decades to remove earwax buildup from the inside of their ears, but researchers have found that cotton swabs may actually do more harm than good.

5. Keep Your Ears Dry Swimming and bathing can result in water entering your ear canal, which can be risky for your hearing and ear health if the water contains harmful bacteria or sits in your ear canal for a long period. Tilt your head to the side after bathing or swimming to help excess water drain out of your ears, or use a small, soft towel to soak up excess water in your ears.

6. Use Medications Properly as Directed Hearing loss is a side effect of many different medications.

Drug-induced hearing loss is known as ototoxicity, which may occur in those who use specific drugs in high doses or for a long period. You may also want to ask your doctor about other treatments for your health condition that won't increase your risk for hearing loss.

7. Stay Physically Active Exercising regularly promotes good blood flow and circulation, which helps blood and oxygen reach your ears to keep them in optimal health. Make exercise a priority, and aim to be active on most days of the week to protect your hearing and ear health. The best way to stay engaged with an exercise routine is to do activities you truly enjoy.

8. Manage and Reduce Stress Stress increases your body's production of cortisol and adrenaline, which are stress hormones released as a fight-orflight response to potential threats. These hormones can temporarily affect your hearing, which is completely normal.

However, long-term stress can lead to elevated levels of these hormones, which increases the risk of permanent hearing loss.

Find effective ways to manage and reduce stress, as chronic stress can lead to a large number of health problems in addition to hearing loss. Listen to soothing music, exercise daily, or find other outlets that allow you to release pent-up stress and anxiety. You may also want to focus on eliminating certain stressors from your life that are causing you to experience chronic stress.

9. Know the Warning Signs of Hearing Damage Ringing in the ears, dizziness, muffled sound in the ears, and loss of balance are common signs of early or temporary hearing damage. If you are in an environment with loud noises and start to experience any signs of hearing loss, remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible to protect your hearing.

10. Stop Smoking, and Don't Start Smoking reduces your blood oxygen levels and narrows blood vessels all throughout the body, including those in your inner ear.

11. Visit Your Doctor Regularly For Checkups Many otolaryngologists recommend getting your hearing tested every three to five years if you are between the ages of 18 and 40. https://www.lompocvmc.com/blogs/2021/september/11easy-ways-to-protect-your-hearing-and-ear-hea/?locale=en

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‘Aunty Edna’, Kitty’s oldest resident celebrates 106th birthday

Third Guyana Energy Conference billed for February 19-22 Guyana will host its third annual Energy Conference, rebranded to the ‘Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo’ between February 19 and 22, 2024.

Next year’s event is themed ‘Fuelling Transformation and Modernization’.

The upcoming event, billed for the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown will feature an impressive lineup of industry experts, policymakers and foreign officials who will offer insights as keynote speakers and through their participation in several panel discussions.

Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology of Newfoundland, Andrew Parsons has been confirmed as a guest speaker for the four-day conference.

Parsons has represented the district of Burgeo – La Poile since 2011. A lifelong resident of Channel-Port aux Basques and a trained lawyer who was called to the Newfoundland and Labrador bar in 2005. Mr. Parsons practised law in the region before entering provincial politics. He previously served as the Opposition House Leader and the opposition critic for Justice, Health and Community Services, and other key portfolios.

On August 19, 2020, he was sworn in as Minister of I n d u s t r y, E n e r g y a n d Technology and Attorney General.

Minister Parsons will share insights and expertise on sustainability and

diversification, offering a valuable perspective on the global energy landscape.

He will be joined by President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley and Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Davis along with several others to be announced at a later date.

The session featuring Minister Parsons will delve into the critical aspects of sustainable energy practices and the importance of diversifying energy sources for long-term resilience.

Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the strategies and initiatives that Newfoundland has undertaken to achieve sustainability goals.

The Secretariat also aims to broaden its platform to include focus on a number of industries for potential investment, such as health, information and communication technology, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and mining.

Guyana’s first Energy Conference and Expo was held in 2022 at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown between February 15 and 18 under the theme “Powering the Future”. The event brought together regional leaders such as Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi and President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa AkufoAddo. It also saw the participation of energy giants such as ExxonMobil and several others.

Edna Stephenson of 85 D a v i d S t r e e t , K i t t y, Georgetown, celebrated her 106th birth anniversary on Saturday.

She is reportedly the oldest resident of Kitty.

Ranks from the Kitty Police Station visited Stephenson who is fondly called ‘Aunty Edna’ to celebrate with her and present her with a gift.

Edna Stephenson centre taking a photo with the Kitty police ranks.

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eur

pren e r t n E g n u o Y

Sunday December 10, 2023

Some of the tasty treats which ‘The Sweet Spot’ offers to customers.

Young entrepreneur, Kayleen Smith

...for delicious homemade cakes & desserts “We’re not just creating businesses; we’re crafting solutions while inspiring other young people. As a young entrepreneur, I believe our role is not just in business but in shaping a progressive and forward-looking society for the benefit of all.”

By Allyiah Allicock

“Baking and pastry making has always been a passion of mine ever since I was young and I’ve always dreamed of opening a business to share my creations with others.”

Those are the words of young baker and entrepreneur Kayleen Smith, whose baking business has been appealing the taste buds of many over the past three years.

Twenty-year-old Smith is the proud pioneer of a cake and dessert business called ‘The Sweet Spot’ which was launched in August 2020. She is a recent graduate of the University of Guyana where she read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Health In a recent interview with the Waterfalls magazine, Smith said that beyond environmental health, her passion lies in trying new recipes and exploring new places. Smith related that she finds joy in the sweet and savory aspect of the culinary arts and even though she recently graduated from university, her dream is to enroll in culinary school, to hone her skills to become a true professional in the baking and pastry making world.

When asked how ‘The Sweet Spot’ came about, Smith shared that pre-COVID-19, she was unable to find the time to bake since at the time she was enrolled at UG pursing her degree. But shortly after, an opportunity to get her skills known came knocking at her doors and she grabbed it. Like many others, amid the pandemic, Smith took a chance and turned her passion for baking into a business venture.

“When the quarantine started, like so many teenagers and young adults I now had a significant amount of free time on my hands and decided I had to occupy myself with something, so I decided that I would finally stop putting off my business ideas,” she shared.

Her business is all about making gourmet desserts available to all, so that she can make fine dining available to

the average person at a reasonable price, right in the comfort of their home.

Smith went on to elaborate that when she first started the venture, she decided to focus on one product and that was cheesecake. “I perfected the recipe a n d m a d

e 4 different varieties of cheesecake, from this came one of my bestselling,” she added.

Among the list of items on her menu is the ‘Cheesecake Jar’ which is a fun twist on cheesecake made in a jar. There are also birthday cakes, wedding cakes, and popular desserts such as brownies and cookies. She noted that recently a catering menu was developed with items such as cake pops, chocolate covered strawberries and pastries, items for any special events.

Having been serving the population for over three years, Smith stated that a large majority of her support for her work comes from her parents who she noted have been there to lend both financial and emotional support since the very beginning of this journey.

She went on to say that while business has been flourishing it was no easy task. “Balancing The Sweet Spot while studying at the University of Guyana during the pandemic posed challenges, juggling coursework and business demands,” she briefed.

But adapting a flexible schedule and taking advantage of online platforms helped her in managing both. “It was truly a balancing act, but perseverance and creative solutions enabled me to overcome hurdles, ensuring my small business thrived despite the uncertainties,” Smith expressed.

Despite challenges which are common in owning a business, Smith said she is constantly working on growing and advancing her craft. She highlighted that her long-term goals involve having a few of her products be produced on a large scale with the hopes of getting them on shelves of supermarkets. And also, the hope that one day her business would become a household name.

Meanwhile, speaking about young people who are in business and the responsibility they have in society, the young woman related that young entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our society.

She further explained, “We’re not just creating businesses; we’re crafting solutions while inspiring other young people. As a young entrepreneur, I believe our role is not just in business but in shaping a progressive and forward-looking society for the benefit of all.”

Ways, in which society can help boost small businesses she noted, is for persons to choose to shop locally whenever possible. Also she also noted that they can spread the word about their favorite small businesses on social media and to attend events showcasing local businesses. Persons can boost small business also by encouraging friends and family to support these businesses as much as possible, she added.

For persons who would like to try Smith’s delectable sweet treats, she can be contacted via Facebook and Instagram at thesweetspot.gy or WhatsApp her on telephone number (592) 697-9993.

Sunday December 10, 2023

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Guyana will not engage in bickering

by Suriname’s opposition group over map submitted to ICJ - VP Jagdeo Guyana's Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said on Thursday that the government will not be drawn into any opportunistic bickering some Suriname opposition members are trying to stir up over a map Guyana submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) showing the New River Triangle as part of its territory.

Dr. Jagdeo's comments follows on the heels of a letter that was dispatched to the ICJ by the Democratic

Alternative 91, a political organization in the Republic of Suriname. The letter states that Guyana presented a map to the ICJ that includes a portion of Suriname's territory known as “Tigri” (New River Triangle).

The group said it finds the map to be “astonishing and deeply regrettable.”

It also asked that the ICJ discard this map that was presented in Guyana's border controversy case with Venezuela.

In response to this letter,

Dr. Jagdeo said, “I met with both (Albert) Ramdin, the Foreign Affairs Minster and (Suriname's President, Chandrikapersad) Santokhi and (President, Dr. Irfaan) Ali met them too at the 28th Conference of the Parties and this is not an issue we discussed.”

He added, “We have good relations with Suriname…I don't wanna get into that issue now because some people are opportunistically trying to use this issue before the ICJ which had a history as

to how it ended up at the ICJ, an almost 50 years history.”

T h e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t reiterated that the government would not succumb to the opportunism of certain groups, adding that Guyana will remain focused on its case before the ICJ. Guyana is currently before the ICJ with Venezuela to settle once and for all, the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award which said the boundaries between the two nations was “a full, final and perfect” settlement.

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

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CXC awards 2023 regional top performers in CSEC, CAPE

This year's top CSEC and CAPE performers in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on Thursday awarded the regional top performers at the May-June 2023 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

This year the awards ceremony was hosted by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with CXC at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).

The ministry, in a release, said this year Guyana was awarded eight of the awards.

The students from Guyana honoured for their outstanding performance were: Alex Muntaz of Anna Regina Secondary School (CSEC) who copped the Overall Outstanding Achievement, Most Outstanding in Technical/Vocational awards; Siddiq Gafar of the I.S.A Islamic School (CSEC) who copped Most Outstanding in Business; Naila Rahaman of Queen's College (CSEC) who copped the Most Outstanding in Humanities

award; Abigail Stephanas of Queen's College (CSEC) who received the Most Outstanding in Sciences award, and Naresh Jagnanan of Queen's College (CAPE) who copped Overall Outstanding Achievement, Most Outstanding in Business Studies (ACCA Award).

Other regional CSEC students who received awards were Meira Wohl of Jamaica's Campion College who was awarded for Best Short Story; Kayla Wright of Campion College who received an award for Most Outstanding in Principles of Accounts (ACCA Award); Celando Matchevelli of Jamaica's Manchester High School copped the Most Outstanding award in Visual Arts- Two Dimensional and Deanna Beepath of Trinidad & Tobago's Rio Claro West Secondary School who the copped Most Outstanding in Visual Arts- Three Dimensional.

In the same category Matthew Dunn of Jamaica's York Castle High School

(CSEC) copped the Most Outstanding award for History; Darius Payne of Trinidad & Tobago's Naparima College (CAPE) copped the Most Outstanding award in Natural Sciences; and Rishi Rakesh Pokhriyal of St. Maarten Methodist Agogic Centre Comprehensive Secondary Education (CCSLC) was awarded Top Male Performer.

It was also declared on Thursday that the Anna Regina Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast was awarded CXC's School of the Year 2023.

Delivering remarks at the ceremony, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand stated that the ceremony was not just about recognizing academic excellence but it is about celebrating the power of knowledge, the pursuit of wisdom, and the transformative impact of education.

She noted that the awards presented are not only accolades but are symbols of the potential that resides within each student and the promise of a brighter future for the

Caribbean region.

The minister went on to acknowledge the pivotal role played by the dedicated educators, supportive families, and the entire academic community whose unwavering support have been instrumental in helping the students achieve their academic success.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips who was present at the event, stated that the success of the awardees serves as a reminder of the immense potential within the Caribbean.

He expressed that Guyana is delighted to host the CXC® Governance Meetings and Regional Awards Ceremony and reaffirmed Guyana's commitment to supporting the Caribbean Examinations Council. Chairman of CXC, Professor Sir Hillary Beckles and Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CXC, Dr. Wayne Wesley briefly also delivered brief remarks and congratulated the students for their outstanding achievements.

CANU intercepts man with $12M worth of cocaine at Providence A resident of Canal No. 2, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was on Friday intercepted at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) with $12M worth of cocaine, the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) said.

CANU identified the man as 33-year-old Khaled Alberto Perez, of Mon Desir, Canal No.2, WBD. Perez was reportedly driving a route 31 minibus, BLL 179 when CANU intercepted.

According to CANU, it was an intelligence-led operation.

The minibus was searched and 10 brick-like packets containing 25 pounds of cocaine worth $12M were found. Perez was arrested and the drugs seized. Investigations are ongoing.

Detained after cocaine was found in his bus, Khaled Perez

The $12M worth of cocaine seized by CANU

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 10, 2023

Red Thread women during a protest against gender-based violence

Red Thread calls out Human Services Ministry on silence over gender-based violence by Govt. officials T

he Red Thread grassroots women group has called out the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for failing to denounce acts of gender-based violence by senior government officials.

Wintress Whyte, an executive member of the group, told this newspaper that the Ministry has demonstrated a “double standard” in its approach to gender-based violence (GBV).

The World Bank describes GBV as violence against women and girls, adding that this “global pandemic” affects one in every three women in their lifetime.

The United Nations (UN) outlines various types of violence

against women, including intimate partner violence, sexual violence such as rape, femicide, human trafficking, online or technologyfacilitated violence such as cyber bullying and child, early or forced marriage, just to name a few.

Today, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will host a walk in commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The walk commences at 15:00hrs at Lamaha and East Streets, Georgetown and specifically geared towards raising awareness to end femicide.

Red Thread, however, views this move as a façade; consequently, the group said it will not be participating. Whyte said,

“The Ministry of Human Services has been silent on a number of issues. They were silent with the rape against the Amerindian girl when the [former] Minister Dharamlall was accused, and part of that Ministry was the Child Care Agency which had that child locked away with limited access to her, even her parents, so what do you call that?

It is double standards but people in high places are allowed to do as they like so this walk that they are organizing against gender-based violence is just a sham.”

She argued that this activity was merely being done in observance of the 16 days of activism against violence towards

women.

She said, “They shouldn't wait until this period to do something.

This is the Ministry that is mandated to deal with these things and they are not doing it in a proper manner or a way that people see that they are doing something.”

Red Thread pointed out that earlier this year when a female journalist of Kaieteur News was cyber bullied in a m a l i c i o u s manner by elements close t o t h e P e o p l e ' s P r o g r e s s i v e P a r t y, t h e same Ministry did not bother to denounce the a t t a c k . S h e said this begs the question as to who the ministry is for, and what is its purpose.

Whyte further pointed out that

only two weeks ago a senior member of the government, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo described a female Member of Parliament a s a ' l o w l i f e ' .

“There was no mention of this by the Ministry, there was no statement put out against that so he was allowed to abuse a woman and use his power, as a matte r o f fact and he should know better because h e h o l d s a h i g h o ffice, than to abuse a woman calling her a low life,” Whyte argued.

More concerning for the women's group, however is that “there was no outcry from the Ministry, there was no statement put out from them, that means they condone his actions.”

CANU, Police find $30M worth of Ganja in boat at Berbice The Customs Narcotic Unit (CANU) on Friday made a mega ganja bust worth $30M at Number 52 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six. The illicit drugs were found in a boat at a koker.

In a press release, CANU said that members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) assisted in the search.

CANU said at the time of the interception, three persons were seen on the boat but when they saw the ranks they ran away. The lawmen were unable to catch the persons but inside the vessel they found several parcels of ganja that weighed a total of 296 pounds.

Investigations are ongoing.

The ganja found by CANU and Police

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

From page 16 we have engaged CARICOM, the OAS, the Commonwealth and many of our bilateral partners including the United States of America, Brazil, the United Kingdom and France. The Guyana Defence Force is on full alert and has engaged its military counterparts including the US Southern Command.

By defying the Court, Ve n e z u e l a h a s r e j e c t e d international law, the rule of law generally, fundamental justice and morality, and the preservation of international peace and security.

They have literally declared themselves an outlaw nation.

Nothing they do, however, will stop Guyana from proceeding with the case in the ICJ, or stop the ICJ from ultimately issuing its final Judgment on the merits of the case.

We will not allow our territory to be violated nor the development of our country to be stymied by this desperate threat.

THURSDAY GDF helicopter missing near Venezuela border with seven onboard The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Bell 412EPI Helicopter 8R-

AYA commissioned only a few months ago, on Wednesday reportedly disappeared in the dense jungle between Ekereku and Arau, near the Guyana/Venezuela Border in the Cuyuni district, Region Seven.

Seven persons: three crew members and four passengers were onboard the craft at the time. The three crew members included the pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, co-pilot, Lieutenant Andio Michael Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Johnson. The four passengers onboard were identified as Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shaoud, Lieutenant Colonel Shaun Welcome and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan.

GDF’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan said that persons onboard were heading to Arau, located at the country’s western border with Venezuela. Colonel Shaoud was in charge of the mission and their duty was to visit soldiers stationed there. The GDF said in a statement that the helicopter departed Camp Ayangana around 09:23hrs.

Khan told reporters at a press conference that the helicopter had stopped at Olive Creek in Region Seven to refuel but shortly after taking off contact was lost with the

chopper and its crew onboard. GDF said that it was around 11:20 hrs.

The Chief of Staff said it has no report of anyone seeing what had happened to the helicopter when it took off from Olive Creek.

Khan explained that GDF and relevant authorities were made aware of the situation after an Emergency Locater Transmitter (ELT) signal was sent off from the helicopter. “… The ELT signal can be given off on crash landing, a hard impact, or it can be triggered manually”, Khan said.

Based on the signal received, it is believed that the helicopter disappeared 30 miles east of Arau.

One individual, however, told Kaieteur News that he was at Ekereku top close by to an airstrip there when he heard a chopper passing through the area but he is unsure of what happened after then.

The sound, he said vanished quickly and he does not know if it was because it had landed somewhere or crashed.

Nevertheless, a joint private sector and GDF search and rescue mission was launched immediately after.

GDF Special Forces were sent to the location onboard the force’s sky van and there was some assistance from Omni Helicopters- a Sikorsky helicopter- but their efforts proved futile to locate the missing chopper

PAGE 59

and the crew onboard. play is involved in the Both the GDF and the National disappearance of the helicopter Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia, given that tensions are currently said that the weather hampered the h i g h b e t w e e n G u y a n a a n d rescue mission greatly. Khan neighbouring Venezuela. explained that it was pretty overcast and the area is mountainous and FRIDAY heavily-forested. As a result safety precautions had to be taken by Five dead, two survive GDF members of the rescue. The rescue helicopter crash… mission was eventually called off last evening but will continue Five of the seven occupants of today. Khan said based on reports the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) received, the weather is expected to B e l l 4 1 2 h e l i c o p t e r w h i c h be more friendly today. disappeared on Wednesday He noted that because of the between Arau and Ekereku in mountainous terrain and dense Region Seven died after the aircraft forest, the rescue team will have to crashed in the jungle, the army has use other methods to search for the confirmed. missing chopper since it will be Those confirmed dead are: the Venezuela’s Head of State, Nicolas Maduró difficult to do so on foot. The area pilot-in-command, veteran aviator

Major General Alexis Rodríguez Cabello, the man Maduro appointed with the sole authority of the Guyana’s Essequibo

New Venezuelan Map presented by the Venezuelan Maduro Regime in Parliament.

“is not inhabited”, he said while adding that the closest point to where the ELT signal was sent off is Ekereku top where GDF has an airstrip.

While the loved ones of those onboard the missing helicopter and Guyana at large fear the worse, Brigadier Khan says that he remains optimistic that the men might be safe and well. “As Chief of Staff I remain optimistic that officers of this aircraft are the best, Colonel Michael Charles is no stranger to the public and definitely not the force- with four decades of flying experience”, Khan told reporters.

Questions were raised by reporters as to whether it was wise and safe to send some of the top officers and some of the most experienced men on the trip.

Khan in response said that every time the GDF plans a trip there is an assessment an analysis done to ensure that it is safe. He said that he trusted the person in charge of planning the flight, noting that they did follow the necessary protocols.

He added too that that the GDF has not received any other information suggesting that foul

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Shaun Welcome, Staff Sergeant Jason Khan and Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton.

Lieutenant Andio Michael Crawford, a pilot on board the aircraft, and Corporal Dwayne Johnson survived the crash. The GDF said the Force entered the second day of its search and rescue operation on Thursday to locate the helicopter, bearing registration 8RAYA, which went missing since 11:20hours Wednesday when it encountered bad weather. A Special Forces team was inserted into the area on Wednesday and arrived at the crash site at approximately 14:30 hours on Thursday afternoon when the men’s deaths were confirmed.

The next phase of the operation involves the extraction from the area, followed by the commencement of an investigation into the incident, the GDF said.

GDF’s Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan said on Wednesday night at a press conference that the chopper had departed Base Camp Ayanganna around 09:23hrs for (Continued on page 60)

PAGE 60

From page 59 Arau, located at the country’s western border with Venezuela.

Colonel Shahoud, who was commander of the First Infantry Battalion of the GDF, was in charge of the mission and the duty of the team was to visit soldiers stationed at the border location. Khan told reporters that the helicopter had stopped at Olive Creek in Region Seven to refuel but shortly after taking off, contact was lost with the crew. The Chief of Staff said it received no report of anyone seeing what had happened to the helicopter when it took off from Olive Creek.

The Bell412 helicopter was commissioned by the GDF in June this year. The GDF extended sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished. “The Guyana Defence Force is committed to providing unwavering support to these families during this unprecedented and challenging period of mourning. These Officers have served and given excellent service in the defence of our country and will be duly recognized,” the Army said.

The Army also expressed gratitude to the search and rescue team, “for their tireless efforts, working around the clock to navigate adverse conditions and challenging circumstances. Their dedication and resilience have not gone unnoticed, and we commend them for their selfless service during this trying time.”

Nation in mourning On social media, tributes poured in Thursday afternoon after news of the men’s death circulated.

Leading the tributes was President Irfaan Ali, who in a statement, said he knew each of the victims of the crash personally. He said his respect for them was boundless.

“They were not just military men; they were guardians of our sovereignty, defenders of our values, and champions of our freedom. Their commitment to duty was unwavering, as evidenced by their willingness to embark on missions even in the most treacherous conditions to ensure the safety of our Motherland,” he said. “For our nation and the Guyana Defence Force, this is a blow that words fail to capture adequately. Their sacrifice, made in the line of duty, will forever be etched in the annals of our history, a testament to their courage and devotion,” Ali said.

President Ali expressed condolences to the relatives, friends and colleagues of the casualties of the crash. The Office of the Opposition Leader expressed condolences to the families of the soldiers who perished in the crash.

“We will forever honour these current and former Army officers as genuine and brave sons of the soil who gave dedicated service and

their lives in defense of our dear homeland, Guyana.”

It noted that it shares the “mixed emotions” of the families of the victims. “Our thoughts and prayers are also extended to you.” The Opposition Leader’s office said it expects that the survivors and their families will have the full support of the GDF in particular, and the Government of Guyana in general, as they seek to overcome the trauma associated with the accident. In a message to the GDF officer corps and servicemen, the Office of the Opposition Leader said it stands with the military “in this moment of bereavement. At this moment when our country is under threat from abroad, we know you are standing resolute and brave, despite the loss of your comrades.”

Heavy heart Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo said it is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that “I extend my sincere condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the five brave Guyana Defence Force soldiers who tragically lost their lives in the helicopter crash on December 6, 2023.” Jagdeo a former president said during this difficult time, “my thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate the pain and sorrow that comes with the loss of your loved ones. The sacrifice and dedication of Brigadier Gary Beaton- Project Engineer, GOG; Colonel Michael Shahoud- Commander 1st Infantry Battalion; Lieutenant Colonel

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

Michael Charles- Pilot; Lieutenant C o l o n e l S e a n We l c o m e Commanding Officer Reserve Battalion; and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan- 31 Special Forces Squadron, to the service of their country will forever be remembered and honoured.” “May you find strength in the cherished memories you shared with your loved ones and in the knowledge that their commitment to duty has left an indelible mark on the nation. We share in your grief and stand united in offering support and solidarity during this trying period.”

He said in honouring the memory of these valiant soldiers, “let us also acknowledge the selflessness and bravery they displayed in the line of duty. Their service to Guyana will be remembered as a testament to their unwavering commitment to the principles of duty, honour, and sacrifice. As you mourn the loss of these heroes, please know that you are not alone. The entire nation joins hands in expressing our deepest sympathies, and we are here to offer any assistance and support that may bring comfort in this challenging time. May the souls of the departed soldiers rest in eternal peace, and may you find solace in the collective embrace of a grateful nation. I want to extend my heartfelt wishes for the swift and complete recovery of the two surviving soldiers – Lieutenant Colonel Andio Michael Crawford and Corporal, Dwayne Jackson – who endured this harrowing

potential. He regularly posts photographs and videos of his many trips on social media platform Facebook, showcasing a range of scenes of the landscape of Guyana. Outside his military duties, he produced several tourism documentaries, including the ‘Guyana: Yours to discover” series which gives viewers insightful views of the country.

In January 2021, Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips hailed Charles, as a pioneer in showcasing Guyana’s tourism product to the rest of the world. At the time, the late pilot had presented his fourth video“Sounds and Colours of the Rainforest”- the fourth video in a “Guyana -Yours to Discover” series. Known popularly as “Mike Charles,” the late aviator was awarded the Medal of Service in 2011 for his contribution to military aviation and for showcasing Guyana to the world through video and photography.

A decorated and well-known military man, Charles told Kaieteur News previously that he joined the GDF at age 18. The second of four boys, he was born and raised at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara and lived there until his passing.

Charles was trained for one year as an Officer Cadet after which he became a Second Lieutenant. He was commissioned in 1982 by then Head of State, Forbes Burnham, whom he had previously met when he was just a young boy during a school play.

He swiftly scaled the ranks in the GDF and always had his eyes on the Air Corps as he always dreamed of becoming a pilot since he was a little boy. So enthused was the young Charles in flying, that viewing the aircraft from the distance of his home at Soesdyke was not enough, thus he would hop on his bicycle and head for the airport regularly to get a closer look in order to satisfy his fascination.

Charles retired from the army in 2010, but he was re-employed by the government to fly the Bell 412 the following year. He was an integral member of the crew which ferried to Guyana from the United States, a new Bell 412 helicopter acquired by the GDF in 2021.

Distinguished officer Shahoud, who gained his formal education in Berbice at the St. Theresa’s Primary School in New Amsterdam and later, the St. Margaret’s Primary and North Georgetown Secondary Schools in the city, has been described as a distinguished officer. Upon the completion of his secondary education, Shahoud enlisted in the GDF and studied law at the University of Guyana. He benefited from training on several courses both locally and overseas. During his service, he has held numerous appointments, and served as Legal (Continued on page 61)

incident. Their strength and resilience in the face of adversity are a testament to their courage and commitment.”

Soldier of valour The Ministry in Home Affairs said it “deeply mourns” the devastating loss of the servicemen.

The ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the country and the GDF. Former Chief –of-Staff of the GDF, Rear Admiral (ret’d) Gary Best said he was saddened at the loss of the men. “It is with great sadness in my heart that I express deepest condolences to the families of the four GDF Officers and soldier of valour who lost their lives in service to our great country,” he said.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) in statement, said its thoughts are with the victims of the crash, adding that in the “face of adversity, we acknowledge the courage of those who survived.” It said the soldiers “contributions to the defense of our nation will be remembered with gratitude.’ The Bar Association expressed sadness at the deaths of the soldiers. The body also it is praying “for the good health and recovery of the two servicemen who survived.”

Aviator Extraordinaire Charles, whose popularity has grown immensely over the years given his decades of experience as a helicopter pilot, has been described by many in aviation circles as aviation extraordinaire and promoter of Guyana’s rich tourism

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 10, 2023

From page 60 Officer, in the GDF’s Legal Services Department. Shahoud, proceeded to read for a pre-law programme at UG, in 2008, and later received a military scholarship to pursue the Bachelor of Law Degree -gaining a distinction – and the Legal Education Certificate at the Hugh Wooding Law School. In 2018, Shahoud headed the GDF promotion list, he was promoted from Substantive Major to Lieutenant Colonel along with three others. Earlier this year, he was promoted to Substantive Lieutenant Colonel.

“The Force shaped me” Brigadier (ret’d) Beaton served the GDF for 35 years until his retirement in March 2021. Beaton enlisted in the GDF in 1985 and was commissioned as an officer in 1987. At a ceremony to mark his retirement in March 2021, he said, “The Force being the parent, and I the child, like with any good parent, the Force began to shape me and mould me into the person I am today. The shaping and moulding came in many different forms, such as advice from my seniors, peers and juniors as well as tough decisions in situations regarding

career choices and occupation experience.”

During his tenure in the GDF, he served as Officer Commanding C o n s t r u c t i o n C o m p a n y, Commanding Officer 4 Engineers Battalion and Commander Engineers Corps among other positions. He also completed a Bachelor ’s Degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Guyana and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering at the Auckland U n i v e r s i t y, N e w Z e a l a n d .

Brigadier Beaton is also the recipient of the Military Service Medal, MSM. He was the husband of Member of Parliament, Dr. Jennifer Westford.

“Paratroopers never die” Khan’s family and friends recalled fond memories of the late soldier who was a paratrooper. He was also an integral member of the G D F ’s b a s k e t b a l l t e a m .

Paratroopers, never die; we regroup and come again,” one of the friends posted on Facebook on Thursday afternoon. “Our flag doesn’t fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it,” Khan’s friend said.

Earlier on Thursday, his wife spoke highly of the soldier, she

expressed optimism that he was okay.

Welcome the all-rounder Welcome, who graduated this year from the University of Guyana with a Master’s degree in Strategic Development Studies, was described as an all-rounder. During his career in the GDF, he served in the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). He is a former student of the Centre for Communication Studies at UG. In 2018, Welcome, who was at the time a member of the Guyana Peoples Militia, was adjudged the top graduate of the GDF’s Senior Command and Staff Course (SCSC) Number 15.

Longtime UG lecturer, Valarie Monica Goorasammy Smith, noted on Facebook that she will always recall Welcome’s smile while he was one of her students at the St. Joseph’s High School.

Twenty-nine years ago, a small aircraft crashed in the area where the chopper went down on Wednesday.

On December 6, 1994, a Trans Guyana Airways Cessna 206, bearing registration 8R-GGS, crashed after departing the Ekereku Bottom airstrip. Three people, including the pilot Nyron Mirza, died in the crash.

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U.S. reaffirms ‘unwavering support’ for Guyana The United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Wednesday reaffirmed the support of the U.S. for Guyana in the border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela.

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of State, Blinken spoke with President Irfaan Ali during a call and reiterated the United States’ call for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between the two states.

According to the missive, the U.S Secretary of State also called for “all parties to respect the 1899 arbitral award determining the land boundary between Venezuela and Guyana, unless, or until, the parties reach a new agreement, or a competent legal body decides otherwise.”

Blinken and President Ali recalled the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its December 1 order, called for parties to refrain from any action that might aggravate or extend the dispute. It was reported that the Secretary reiterated that the United States looks forward to working closely with Guyana once it assumes its

non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in January 2024. The two leaders concluded the discussion by agreeing upon the importance of maintaining a peaceful and democratic Western Hemisphere.

Venezuela has historically claimed Guyana’s Essequibo region as its own despite its initial acceptance of the 1899 Arbitral Award that gives Guyana control of the Essequibo. Presently the matter is before the ICJ. Despite the outcome still pending, the Venezuelan government held a referendum on December 3, 2023 to consult its population on a move to annex Guyana’s Essequibo as part of that country’s map.

Following what was deemed a success by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the government on December 5 announced the appointment of a governor of Guyana’s Essequibo Region, Major General Alexis Rodríguez Cabello.

International media reports also note that the Maduro regime has also announced that he and his team will grant concessions in the Essequibo region and have also given companies within the area within three months to vacate.

(Continued on page 62)

Kaieteur News

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From page 61 Maduro also announced the creation of a new High Commission for the defense of Guayana Esequiba, which goes far beyond the presidential level.

T h e Ve n e z u e l a n government also said it would activate a debate in the National Assembly for the approval of the Organic Law for the defense of Guayana Esequiba. “That instrument that will give rise to the implementation of the decision made by the people o f Ve n e z u e l a i n t h e consultative referendum,” Maduro explained.

In the Government Council, the president also announced the creation of a Comprehensive Defense zone of Guayana Esequiba with 3 areas of integral development and 28 development sectors. The headquarters will be in Tumeremo, for this, Major General Alexis Rodríguez Cabello was appointed sole authority. Guyana has since informed the international community of these developments.

SATURDAY Nation Mourns as bodies of 5 GDF servicemen flown to city 2 survivors welcomed by families; receiving medical attention The bodies of the five Guyana Defence Force (GDF) servicemen who were killed in a tragic helicopter accident and the two lone survivors were on Friday afternoon flown to the city.

President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips joined relatives and members of the Disciplined Services at the Eugene F. Correria International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) as the aircraft arrived with the two survivors, Lieutenant Andio Michael Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Jackson and those who died, Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Lieutenant Colonel Sean We l c o m e a n d S t a f f Sergeant Jason Khan.

Lieutenant Crawford and Corporal Jackson were stranded at the crash site for more than 48 hours with the bodies of their colleagues due to inclement weather.

With tears streaming

Relatives of the survivors consoling each other down their faces, relatives welcomed the men who arrived at about 16:20h and were quickly whisked away to the hospital in waiting ambulances for medical attention.

An emotional President Ali greeted the survivors after which he shared a brief moment with the relatives of the five GDF servicemen who died.

The GDF skyvan carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers arrived at the Ogle Airport at around 17: 17 hrs.

The caskets of the men were draped with the Golden Arrowhead and as they were removed from the aircraft, there were no dry eyes at the facility.

An emotional President Ali could not stop tears from flowing as he watched the servicemen being transported to the waiting hearses.

Some relatives were inconsolable as the GDF ranks who served as pallbearers slowly carried their colleagues from the aircraft to the five waiting hearses on their shoulders.

The bodies of the servicemen were then taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.

O n We d n e s d a y, a Bell412 helicopter commissioned by the GDF in June this year lifted off from Camp Ayangana at 09:23 hrs. with the seven servicemen on board, flown by pilot, Lieutenant Colonel

Michael Charles, Co-Pilot Lieutenant Andio Michael Crawford, flight engineer, Corporal Dwayne Jackson and the four passengers, Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Shaun Welcome and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan.

The men were reportedly heading to Arau located close to Venezuelan Border in the Cuyuni District, Region Seven to visit soldiers stationed there but stopped halfway the journey to fuel up at Olive Creek, Region Seven.

Shortly after taking off, the helicopter disappeared.

GDF said that it was around 11:20hrs that an Emergency Locater Transmitter (ELT) signal was sent off from the chopper. ELT signals can be triggered manually but also on hard impact, or a crash landing.

Realizing that the chopper was in trouble, a search and rescue team was dispatched to the location that the ELT signal went off, reportedly some 30 miles east of Arau.

Bad weather hampered the search and the rescue operation and as a result the team could not locate the crash site until the following day (Thursday) when they reportedly saw signs of life after seeing persons waving.

There was great hope that the men would have returned alive but bad

weather kept the nation in suspense because the rescue team was unable to access the crash site.

However, at around 14:00 hrs., it was announced that six GDF Special Forces Soldiers were walking towards the location where persons were reportedly seen waving.

At around 17:00 hrs. the nation was informed that only two of the seven men survived the crash.

Attention was then focused on and extracting the injured survivors but again, the weather proved to be a hindrance.

The survivors were forced to spend one more night nursing their wounds in the dense jungle. On Friday, just after noon the men were extracted and their journey to the city began.

Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan told reporters on Friday that an investigation will be conducted into the accident.

He noted too that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) will be actively involved in the investigation.

Guyana not helpless against Venezuela’s threats, despite size of GDF – VP Jagdeo …says allies with greater capabilities support country’s interest “We have allies also who will not countenance the lack

Sunday December 10, 2023

of democracy in Venezuela, who will not countenance V e n e z u e l a n aggression…[they] have made it very explicit that in this hemisphere they are not going to allow it and we have to extend our capabilities on the basis of the defence cooperation with these allies and we have done so.”

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed the view that the size of Venezuela’s army has rendered Guyana helpless in the face of that country’s baseless claims over Guyana’s Essequibo region.

During a press conference on Thursday at the Office of the President, the VP assured that government is taking necessary steps to protect all 83,000 square miles of Guyana. He pointed out that while the Venezuelan army is indisputably about 30 times the size of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the country has forged relationships with capable allies.

The former Head of State made it clear, “Here in Guyana we will work to keep our country safe and our people safe. Our diplomatic efforts are geared towards that.”

He said, “Now an incessant assessment of whether the GDF has the same capability as the Venezuelan army, it’s not helpful. We know that from a very long time that the size of the Venezuelan army is probably 30 times the size of ours because they have a large population and they have had more border conflicts with other countries and they have been a more belligerent nation than we have ever been in the past.”

Be that as it may, Jagdeo noted that it is crucial for small states, such as Guyana to build strong diplomatic relations with countries that boast greater capabilities and share strategic interests. To this end, he assured, “we have allies who share our strategic interest.” He was keen to note that these allies, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the entire Latin America, including Brazil are prepared to defend peace in the region.

He pointed out, “We have allies also who will not countenance the lack of democracy in Venezuela, who will not countenance Venezuelan aggression…

[they] have made it very explicit that in this hemisphere they are not going to allow it and we have to extend our capabilities on the basis of the defence cooperation with these allies and we have done so.”

Consequently, the VP noted that Guyana is ready to defend its territory. Jagdeo explained that the country is exerting its efforts to deter any illegal action that may be taken by Venezuela however, should that country breach the orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Guyana is armed with an extended capability to defend its sovereign territory.

The World Court had told Venezuela on December 1, 2023, that it should not take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over the Essequibo Region. It also instructed both nations to refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.

Despite the Court’s ruling, Venezuela held its referendum on December 3, 2023 to consult its population on a move to annex Guyana’s Essequibo as part of that country’s map.

T h e Ve n e z u e l a n government, led by President Nicolas Maduro later announced intentions to grant concessions in the Essequibo region while noting that companies operating there should vacate within three months.

The government of Guyana has shared this development as well as the other measures revealed by the Maduro-administration, which threatens Guyana’s control over the Essequibo region, to the international community.

To this end, Jagdeo assured citizens on Thursday, “We are not as helpless or blowing in the wind as some people would like to think.”

Ve n e z u e l a h a s historically claimed Guyana’s Essequibo region as its own despite its initial acceptance of the 1899 Arbitral Award that gives Guyana control of the Essequibo.

After years of fruitless mediation, the two countries were sent to the world court through the United Nation’s (UN) peacekeeping process to settle the controversy once and for all.

Sunday December 10, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 63

$342M more for Parika Market project T

he government is planning to spend an additional $342 million on the Parika Market which is currently under construction.

During the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) bids were read for Lot 1 of the project which is estimated to cost $213,253,194 and Lot 2 which is estimated to cost $128,844,705.

It was reported that the government, had already

spent almost $300 million on phase one and phase two of the Region Three market project.

Currently, phase three of the project is out for tender and contracts would be awarded soon.

At the opening of the bids at the NPTAB, bids were read for the construction of an annex building at the Ministry of Health compound, which is estimated to cost $179 million.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)Selection of a consultant firm for the development of a Website for the GPHC

Ministry of Finance Refurbishing of washroom (Main Building and NPTAB).

Supreme Court of Judicature Supply, delivery and installation of six multifunction photocopiers for various Courts.

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Construction of Parika Market Lot1

Supply and delivery of two new motor vehicles.

Construction of Parika Market Lot2

National Communication Network Lot1 – Construction of Tower Foundation and Lot2 – Installation of 400 feet tower and transferal of transmissions system

GCAA, Police launch probe into deadly...

Ministry of Health Construction of an annex building in MOH compound

From page 17 Eteringbang and Makapa.”

During the mission also, Kaieteur News understands that the flight was taking a small supply of ration for the troops at the locations.

Briefing the media also was Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Mohinder Ramjag who said the GDF Bell 412 EPI Helicopter departed C a m p Ay a n g a n n a a t 09:24hrs on Wednesday on a mission and the intent of the mission was to go to Arau.

After departing Camp Ayanganna, it made a stop at

Olive Creek, Region Seven, a distance of approximately 144 miles away. The aircraft got there at 10:47hrs and according to Lieutenant Colonel Ramjag, the aircraft refueled and at 10:58hrs, it departed Olive Creek for Arau.

Demonstrating via a map the intended route of the aircraft to go to Arau from Olive Creek, Lt. Col. Ramjag said, “However on this day (Wednesday), the pilot deviated to the right or to the north and that can be for many reasons.”

He noted that shortly after the aircraft deviated from its intended route while enroute to Arau, contact was lost with the aircraft in the vicinity of the Blake Slater’s area.

According to the army officer, on receiving the Emergency Locater Transmitter (ELT) signal from the aircraft at 11:19hrs that day, a search and rescue operation was immediately launched.

However, efforts to locate the aircraft that day were hampered by the bad

weather. Kaieteur News had reported that the crash site was located on Thursday and efforts to extract the two survivors and the deceased were done on Friday.

This publication understands that the GDF Bell 412 EPI Helicopter, as a result of the crash, is badly burnt leaving few remaining parts. Ramjag disclosed that the body of the aircraft was primarily burnt.

The GDF said its plans to extract the aircraft will be made known. (Allyiah Allicock)

PAGE 64

Kaieteur News

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Vacancy for a babysitter/ Nanny in Georgetown. Call: 609-8737.

One Hauler Driver needed, starting salary $13,000 daily.

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Property and 80X120 land for sale in Enmore. Front and back driveway access. Call: 623-8754.

Sunday December 10, 2023

Sunday December 10, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

PAGE 66

Sunday December 10, 2023

‘People are starving’: WFP says humanitarian

operation in Gaza ‘collapsing’ (AL JAZEERA) - The World Food Programme (WFP) says its ability to supply basic necessities to the people in Gaza is on the verge of collapse amid escalating Israeli attacks.

“There’s not enough food. People are starving,” WFP Deputy Director Carl Skau wrote on X, formerly Twitter, following a visit to the besieged coastal strip on Friday.

He said his team had reached more than a million people, “but the situation is untenable. We need to get our supplies in,” wrote Skau, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Only a fraction of the necessary food is reaching the Gaza Strip, there is a lack of fuel, and no one is safe, Skau continued in a WFP statement, adding: “We cannot do our job.”

Camps and emergency shelters were overcrowded, he wrote, as the muffled thunder of Israel’s bombing raids could be heard in the background every day.

“With law and order breaking down, any meaningful humanitarian operation is impossible,” the United Nations official said.

“Gazans are living packed into unhealthy shelters or on the streets as winter closes in, they are sick, and they do not have

enough food,” he added.

Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza after the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire on Friday, a move strongly condemned by humanitarian groups.

In a rare move, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had triggered the vote by invoking Article 99 of the UN charter, a measure unused in decades, saying, “The people of Gaza are looking into the abyss.”

At least 17,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in two months and nearly 49,000 wounded, while many people are still trapped under the rubble.

Skau said the recent seven-day truce showed that humanitarian aid can be delivered if conditions allow.

“We have food on trucks, but we need more than one crossing.

And once the trucks are inside, we need free and safe passage to reach Palestinians wherever they are.

This will only be possible with a humanitarian ceasefire and ultimately, we need this conflict to end,” he said.

‘Nine out of 10 not eating every day’ On Saturday, Skau told the Reuters news agency a new process for inspecting

Palestinians crowd together as they wait for food distribution in Rafah in southern Gaza [Hatem Ali/AP] Gaza aid at Karem Abu Salem crossing, called Kerem Shalom by Israel, is being tested Israel has so far rebuffed UN pleas to open Karem Abu Salem, but both signalled on Thursday that the crossing could soon help process the delivery of humanitarian supplies into Gaza.

U n t i l n o w, l i m i t e d quantities of aid have been delivered from Egypt through the Rafah crossing, which is ill-equipped to process large numbers of trucks.

Trucks have been driving

more than 40km (25 miles) south to Egypt’s border with Israel before returning to Rafah, leading to bottlenecks and delays.

“It’s good, it’s useful because it would also be the first time that we can then bring in a pipeline from Jordan.

But we need that entry point as well because that would make all the difference,” Skau said.

Speaking to reporters in Israel earlier this week, Colonel Elad Goren, head of the civil department at COGAT, the Israeli agency

for civilian coordination with the Palestinians, said, “We will open Kerem Shalom just for inspection. It will happen in the next few days.”

Goren said a COGAT team was engaged in discussions with the United States, the UN and Egypt on raising the volume of humanitarian assistance.

“We have frontloaded with our internal resources so that we have food available in Egypt and in Jordan to reach some 1,000,000 people in one

month. We are ready to roll.

The trucks are ready to move,” Skau said.

Skau described the situation in Gaza as increasingly chaotic as people grabbed what they could from aid distribution points.

“There is a question for how long this can continue, because the humanitarian operation is collapsing,” he said.

“Half of the population are starving, nine out of 10 are not eating every day.

Obviously, the needs are massive.”

Canada’s surging cost of living fuels reverse immigration Reuters - The dream of making it big in Canada is turning into a battle for survival for many immigrants due to the high cost of living and rental shortages, as rising emigration numbers hint at newcomers being forced to turn their back on a country that they chose to make their adopted home.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made immigration his main weapon to blunt Canada’s big challenge of an aging and slowing population, and it has also helped fuel economic growth. That drove Canada’s population up at its fastest clip in more than six decades this year, Statistics Canada said.

But now a reversal of that trend is gradually taking hold. In the first six months

Justinas Stankus, 38, who came to Canada from Lithuania in 2019 and is studying at the University of Toronto, walks his dog in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, November 29, 2023. REUTERS /Wa Lone Acquire Licensing Rights

of 2023 some 42,000 individuals departed Canada, adding to 93,818 people who left in 2022 and 85,927 exits in 2021, official data show.

The rate of immigrants leaving Canada hit a twodecade high in 2019, according to a recent report

from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), an immigration advocacy group. While the numbers went down during pandemic lockdowns, Statistics Canada data shows it is once again rising. While that is a fraction of the 263,000 who came to the country over the

same period, a steady rise in emigration is making some observers wary.

For a nation built on immigrants, a rising trend of people leaving Canada risks undermining one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau government’s signature policies, which granted

permanent residency to a record 2.5 million people in just eight years.

Reuters spoke with a half a dozen people who have either left the country or are preparing to do so, because of the high cost of living.

Cara, 25, who came to Canada in 2022 as a refugee from Hong Kong, now pays C$650 ($474) in monthly rent for a single-room basement apartment in Scarborough in eastern Toronto, which is about 30% of her monthly take-home salary.

“I never realized that living in a Western country, you can only afford renting a room in the basement,” she said. She declined to give her real name because she fled Hong Kong after participating in the 2019 protests triggered by a now-

abandoned extradition bill.

Cara works three parttime jobs, making Ontario’s minimum wage of C$16.55 per hour, and goes to an adult learning school to earn university credits.

“I almost use every single penny,” she said, while in Hong Kong she was able to save about a third of her monthly salary.

To be sure, emigration as a percentage of Canada’s overall population touched a high of 0.2% in the mid 1990s, and currently stands at about 0.09%, according to official government data.

While the numbers are small now, lawyers and immigration consultants warn that a pick-up could cast a shroud over Canada’s appeal as the one of the favoured destinations for newcomers.

Sunday December 10, 2023

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Kaieteur News

England Tour of the West Indies 2023…

West Indies clinch series 2 – 1 to end 25-year drought On Saturday, the Kensington Oval in Barbados witnessed another thrilling One Day International between the West Indies and England that ultimately led to a 2 – 1 series win for the home team, despite numerous threats of rain during the day/ night contest.

The series win has broken a 25-year series victory drought in the ODI format for the West Indies against this opposition.

West Indies reached 191 – 6 to claim a 4-wicket triumph after a revised Duckworth/ Lewis target of 188 from 34 overs was set for victory.

Rainfall before the match re-

sulted in the first reduction of overs to 43 per side, however, following another lengthy rain delay, England’s overs were reduced to 40, which allowed them to reach 206 – 9.

Before Windies’ innings began, the revised target was set.

Their chase commenced with the quick loss of Brandon King (1) with the score on 2 in the second over. Alick Athanaze (45) and Keacy Carty (50) did well to propel Windies after the opposition struck and added 76 for the second wicket partnership.

Athanaze was the second to fall while the skipper, Shai Hope (15), was the third En-

gland breakthrough with the score on 99. Shimron Hetmyer (12) and Sherfane Rutherford (3) followed cheaply then the well set Carty lost his wicket as the score ticked over to 135 – 6.

Needing 53 from 50 for victory, the pair of Romario Shepherd and debutant, Matthew Forde, dug deep and tipped the equation in their favour with positive stroke play.

Shepherd’s onslaught of 41* from 28 deliveries and Forde’s key innings of 13* from 16 was just what was needed to get them over the line.

For England, Will Jacks claimed 3 – 22 from 7 overs,

Sunday December 10, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside.

You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you're unstoppable!

You're a very hard worker by nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a more artistic pursuit.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days.

Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today's planetary energy should compel you to commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

Gus Atkinson had 2 – 58 while Rehan Ahmed ended with 1 – 37.

Earlier in the day, the debutant fast bowler, Forde, put forth a magnificent performance with the ball in a spell of 3 – 29 from eight overs, which led the bowling attack. Forde removed both openers, Phil Salt (4) and Jacks (17), along with the number three batter, Zak Crawley, for a duck.

While Ben Duckett (71) was defiant with a half century for England, Forde was supported by the vice-captain, Alzarri Joseph, who claimed 3 – 61 from his eight overs and Shepherd with 2 –

50 from his allotted overs.

Joseph was responsible for the other wicket to fall with an effective bit of fielding off his own bowling, which caught Harry Brook (1) short of his crease with a direct throw to negate the quick

singe attempt.

Liam Livingstone (45) was the other significant contributor with the bat as late unbeaten flurries from Atkinson (20) and Matthew Potts (15) gave England some fight in the closing overs.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 68

Sunday December 10, 2023

Marian Academy captures maiden Pee-Wee U11 Girls title Some on the action between Marian Academy and St John the Baptist in the final of the MVP Sports U11 Girls Football tourney

The thrilling culmination of the 2023 Petra/MVP Sports Under-11 Girls Football tournament reached its zenith yesterday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground, marked by a gripping clash that ended with Marian Academy securing a well-deserved 2-1 triumph over St John the Baptist Primary School.

Amidst a vibrant atmosphere, both teams captivated the numerous spectators with a match that would be etched as the pinnacle of the tournament.

While both captains showcased their prowess, it was the girls in blue who emerged victorious, lifting the coveted 2023 title. The standout moments of the game belonged to Shemia Hing of St John the Baptist and the duo of Captain Skylar DeNobrega and Haley Haberkorn from Marian Academy. Their performances lit up the final, captivating the audience from start to finish.

The final encounter was a spectacle right from the outset. Marian Academy and St John the Baptist initially had a measured start until

captain DeNobrega seized the moment with a spectacular play. Receiving a precise pass on the left wing, she confidently found the net in the 13th minute, granting her team an early 10 lead. However, St John’s captain Hing swiftly responded, maneuvering past Marian’s defense to score a stunning equalizer 10 minutes later, leveling the score at 1-1.

Wi t h t h e d e a d l o c k persisting, both teams relentlessly pursued a breakthrough. In the 40th minute, Haberkorn clinched the winning goal for her side, capitalizing on a beautiful assist set up by captain DeNobrega. A remarkable cross from the right found Haberkorn, whose decisive touch secured a 2-1 lead. As the final whistle echoed across the venue, Marian Academy celebrated their maiden championship victory, with Skylar also clinching the Most Goals accolade.

Earlier in the day, the 2019 champions, North G e o r g e t o w n P r i m a r y, secured a 5-2 victory on penalty kicks against West

Ruimveldt after a goalless draw to cop the third-place.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, P o t a r o Primary emerged victorious over Tucville with a 3-0 win on penalty kicks, while Friendship Primary claimed their victory by virtue of a walkover. At the presentation ceremony, St John the Baptist captain

Shemia Hing won the Most Valuable Player award, Zoey of Marian Academy won the Best Goal Keeper award.

Meanwhile in a post match interview, Marian’s Coach stated, “I’m overwhelmed with winning this championship. This being my third title and the

first with the female’s team, I excited for the girls, they played well and I’m happy.”

“I was counting on them to go out and execute well and they did just that. So I am extremely proud of this group of girls.”

When asked about his emotions regarding his Best Coach Award. He explained,

“This is another remarkable achievement for me, this is my fourth best coach award; winning three out of four titles. In fact, I would say that this is the missing piece to the puzzle (the Girls championship). I am always looking forward to contribute to youth football.”

Narine and Asif Ali lead New York Strikers to Abu Dhabi T10 title New York Strikers had a lot to celebrate during the finale

(SportsMax) Deccan Gladiators’ hopes of a hat-trick of Abu Dhabi T10 titles were dashed by New York Strikers, who put in a fantastic bowling display led by Sunil Narine in the final to romp home by seven wickets with four balls in hand on Saturday.

Big scores had gone down as the tournament wore on, but Gladiators’ 91 for 5 after being sent in appeared insufficient for the big occasion. It proved to be exactly that, despite Strikers being 7 for 2 in 1.1 overs, with openers Muhammad Waseem and Rahmanullah Gurbaz dismissed cheaply.

Niroshan Dickwella and Asif Ali, the Player of the Match, put the innings

back on track, before Dickwella was sent back

by Andre Russell for a 12ball 14. From there on, it was all about Asif and captain Kieron Pollard, who put up 56 runs together without much scoreboard pressure to weigh them down.

Asif scored 48 not out in 25 balls with two fours and four sixes, and Pollard chipped in with 22 not out in 13, with a four and six, as Strikers won the title.

The win was set up by the bowlers, though.

Gladiators had a decent opening stand of 28 with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Nicholas Pooran, the No. 1 and No. 3 on the tournament run-scorers’ list, but Narine broke through in the third over

with Kohler-Cadmore’s wicket for a seven-ball 13.

Pooran fell to George Scrimshaw two balls later, and Gladiators were suddenly 28 for 2, which

became 36 for 3, 41 for 4, and 57 for 5 after 7.1 overs, with Narine returning 2 for 6 from his two overs without conceding a single

boundary.

Russell, who finished with an unbeaten 30 from 18 balls with two fours and two sixes, and David Wiese, 20 not out from 11,

with a four and two sixes, completed the innings with some momentum, but it was too few for Gladiators to defend on the night.

Sunday December 10, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 69

Hetmyer, Motie, Shepherd, Rutherford named in Windies team ahead of England T20 series The Guyanese quartet of Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie and Sherfane Rutherford were named in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) 15-m man squad ahead of the 5 match T20 series versus England.

Action starts from December 12 to 21 and It marks the first time that both sides will be going head-tohead in a T20I series during the festive season as West Indies come home for Christmas.

The West Indies T20I squad return to action after their thrilling 3-2 Series win against India in August.

Matthew Forde is selected for the T20I squad for the first time, having impressed with the new ball throughout the past two CPL seasons and this follows his recent selection for the West Indies ODI squad.

Rutherford is also selected and returns to the squad after last representing the regional side in January of 2020. Motie returns to the

West Indies and England completed their ODI series on Saturday. (Associated Press) T20I squad after recovering from injury which caused him to miss selection for the India Series.

The T20I squad also sees the return of all-rounder, Andre Russell, who last played for the Men in Maroon at the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. Johnson Charles, Obed McCoy, Odean Smith and Oshane Thomas miss out on selection after

featuring in the previous T20I squad.

Shai Hope becomes the vice captain of the T20I team, to add to his role as captain of the West Indies ODI team. The Selection Panel has the opportunity for squad adjustments ahead of the final two matches of the Series to be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on from 19 to 21 December.

Speaking about the

composition of the squad, CWI lead selector, the Honorable Dr. Desmond Haynes said: “This will be the final home T20I series for the West Indies in 2023, as they prepare to be one of the two host teams for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in June 2024. We have selected a squad that we think gives us the best chance of success in that

tournament.

We will continue to assess in the lead up to the competition.”

Fans can purchase tickets online and in advance from the Windies Tickets service, presented by MasterCard.

Fans can save up to 20% on tickets when they purchase online in advance and local fans can benefit from other promotions and benefits.

West Indies fans can also benefit from a further saving thanks to Mastercard, West Indies official payments partner. Caribbean fans who register with a Caribbean address and a Caribbeanbank issued Mastercard, can benefit from a further 20% off selected tickets when visting the following link https://www.windiescricket. com/news/west-indies-fansto-benefit-from-specialmastercard-ticketpromotion-as-officialpartner-of-the-west-indies/.

Stadium gates open two hours before the first ball is bowled.

FULL SQUAD: Rovman Powell (Captain), Shai Hope

(Vice-Captain), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd West Indies v England T20I Series Schedule (Match start time in brackets) 1st T20I – 12 December – Kensington Oval, Barbados (13:30h) local time/5.00pm Jamaica time) 2nd T20I – 14 December – National Stadium, Grenada (13:30h) local time/12.30pm Jamaica time) 3rd T20I – 16 December – National Stadium, Grenada (13:30h) local time/12.30pm Jamaica time) 4th T20I – 19 December – Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad (16:00h) local time/3.00pm Jamaica time) 5th T20I – 21 December – Brian Lara Academy, Trinidad (16:00hs local time/12.30pm Jamaica time)

Gokarn Ramdhani Memorial Tournament – Day 2 results The Guyana Badminton A s s o c i a t i o n ’s G o k a r n Ramdhani Memorial Tournament entered its second day on Friday at the National Gymnasium.

Below are the complete results: Mixed Doubles: Anthony Stephens/Alima Eatsman vs. Joanathan Debidin/Gabrielle Felix2115, 21-16 Under-23 Men’s Singles: Frank Waddell vs. Lennox Morrison21-18, 21-12 · U n d e r - 2 3 M e n ’s Singles: Akili Haynes vs.

Jahiem Carmicheal 21-5, 218 Under-23 Men’s Singles: Tyrese Jeffrey vs. Jonathan Robinson 21-6, 21-15 M e n ’s D o u b l e s : C h e t Bowling/Xavio Alexander vs. Nkosi Beaton/Matthew Klautky21-19, 21-7 Women’s Doubles: Anna Perreira/Ayanna Watson vs.

Genvieve Bookram/Tyra Gomes walkover · Under-23 Women’s Singles: Priyanna Ramdhani vs. Gianna Ramanarine21-6, 21-9 · U n d e r - 2 3 M e n ’s Singles Consolation: Gabriel Felix vs. Vishal Gopaul 21-11, 21-11 · M e n ’s D o u b l e s :

Ernesto Choo-AF a t / Av i n a s h O d i t v s .

Joanathan Debidin/Frank Waddell 21-2, 21-7 · Men’s Doubles: Marlon Chung/Wenyuan Chen vs.

Lennox Morrison/Jahiem Carmicheal 21-11,21-11 · Under-23 Women’s Singles: Mishka Beharry vs.

Alimah Eastman21-16, 21-7 · U n d e r - 2 3 M e n ’s Singles Consolation:Omkar Persaudvs. Ruel Rambiriche21-19, 10-21,

21-17·Mixed Doubles: We n y u a n C h e n / A n n a Perreira vs. Chet Bowling/Asiyah Eastman 2 1 - 1 6 , 2 1 - 1 7 M e n ’s D o u b l e s : A k i l i Haynes/Tyrese Jeffrey vs.

Jonathan Ferreira/Vishal Gopaul 21-8, 21-7 · M e n ’s D o u b l e s Consolation: Anthony Stephens/Gavin Cao vs.

Haresh Persaud/Jedidiah Uwagboewalkover · U n d e r - 2 3 M e n ’s

Singles Consolation: Matthew Klautky vs.

Nikolas Pollard21-10, 21-10 Women’s Doubles: Mishka Beharry/Leshaunte Berkley vs. Gabrielle Felix/Gianna Ramnarine21-8, 21-14 Under-23 Men’s Singles: Nkosi Beaton vs. Frank Waddell 21-11, 21-17 · U n d e r - 2 3 M e n ’s Singles: Xavio Alexander vs. Joanathan Debidin 2119, 21-17 · U n d e r - 2 3 M e n ’s

Singles Consolation: Jedidiah Uwagboe vs.

Avinash Ramnarine 21-8, 21-4 Mixed Doubles: Akili Haynes/Ayanna Watson vs.

Medhi Ramdhani/Emily Ramdhani 21-10, 21-7 · Mixed Doubles: Tyrese Jeffrey/Jefina James vs.

A.Stephens/A.Eastman 2119, 21-12 Under-23 Women’s Singles: Priyanna Ramdhanivs. Asiyah Eastman21-6, 21-9 ·Men’s Doubles Consolation: Gabriel Felix/Nikolas Pollardvs.

Andrew Browne/Andrew Browne21-13, 21-14 · Mixed Doubles: Av i n a s h O d i t / M i s h k a Beharry vs Nkosi Beaton/Neveah Eastman 219, 21-13 Women’s Doubles: Alimah Eastman/Asiyah Eastman vs. Malia Haley/Neveah Eastman218, 20-22, 21-17 ·Men’s Doubles Consolation: Colin Bowry/Ryan Alexander vs.

Omkar Persaud/Raoul Wilson 21-8, 21-6 · U n d e r - 2 3 M e n ’s Singles Consolation: Matthew Klautky vs.

Gabriel Felix 21-17, 21-16 · U n d e r - 2 3 M e n ’s

Singles Semi-Finals: Akili Haynes vs. Xavio Alexander21-11, 21-10 · Wo m e n ’s D o u b l e s Semi-Finals: Priyanna Ramdhani/Ambika Ramraj v s . M i s h k a Beharry/Leshaunte Berkley 2 1 - 7 , 2 1 - 11 Wo m e n ’s Doubles Semi-Finals: Ay a n n a Wa t s o n / A n n a Perreira vs. Alimah Eastman/Asiyah Eastman 21-16, 21-16 Mixed Doubles S e m i - F i n a l s : Av i n a s h Odit/Mishka Beharryvs.

Tyrese Jeffrey/Jefina James 21-17, 21 23, 21-17 · Mixed Doubles Semi Finals:Wenyuan Chen/Anna Perreiravs. Akili Hynes/Ayanna Watson 2117, 22-20 Under-23 Men’s Singles Consolation:Jedidiah Uwagboe vs. Omkar Persaud 21-13, 21-8 · M e n ’s D o u b l e s Consolation:Anthony Stephens/Gavin Cao vs.

Ruel Rambiriche/Avinash Ramnarine 21-9, 21-11 · M e n ’s D o u b l e s Consolation:Jason Stephney/Sekhar Mallampati vs. Gabriel Felix/Nikolas Pollard 21-5, 21-11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 70

Sunday December 10, 2023

Forde secures third consecutive term as GFF President - pledged to continue football-centric agenda Wa y n e F o r d e o n Saturday was re-elected as the president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

He secured his third consecutive term as the head of the football body after a decisive win against opponent Franklin Wilson at the December 9 Extraordinary Congress, setting the stage to continue his development-focused agenda rooted in the ethos of ‘Football First.

‘The GFF president received 14 votes out of the total 22 eligible ballots, triumphing over Wilson, a former president of the GFF. The Electoral Congress was held at the Federation’s National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Before the voting commenced, the GFF top executive delivered a passionate pitch, addressing swirling rumours with c o n v i c t i o n a n d determination. He also underscored his administration’s accomplishments since 2015, reinstatement of transparency and fairness while consistently investing in football at every level.

Following a seamless voting process accompanied by a verification recount, Forde was officially declared the victor just before 1 p.m.

In his post-election press c o n f e r e n c e , h e acknowledged the members who demonstrated their faith in his leadership through the ballot and reiterated that his primary motivation for pursuing a final-term was to finalise ongoing infrastructure projects, notably the NTC and the Durban Park Stadium set to be named the Blue Water Shipping Stadium.

“We also want to go on record thanking the members who expressed through the ballot their faith in us for a final four years.

Our motivation was driven primarily by our intention to complete the National Training Centre (NTC), and to embark on a monumental project at the Durban Park facility which we signed with Blue water Shipping.”

He also announced that his administration plans to meet with Wilson and his team within the next three weeks to discuss collaborating for the

betterment of football.

“We will be inviting presidential candidate Mr Franklyn Wilson and his slate in 21 days from this day to have a heart to heart discussion with them and to see how best we can bring them into the planning for the future development of our football. I believe that it is important that in our own way we can set an example where while we may have been on opposite sides when we lobbied the members for the office…that we can now come together and reconcile any differences we may have had and find a way to work together to move our sport forward.”

Head of One Concacaf and Caribbean Projects Howard McIntosh extended congratulations and recognition to both teams for their commitment to serving.

He noted that he was “pleased to see how the congress ran,” and is looking forward to working with the new administration to “grow football in Guyana.”

F o r d e ’s 2 0 2 3 t e a m comprised Brigadier (ret.)

Bruce Lovell, Rawlston Adams, Dion Inniss, President of the Women’s

Football Association Andrea Johnson, Denneze Lovell from Den Amstel Football Club, Alden Marslowe of Bartica Football Association, along with Magzene Stewart and Rayan Farias. In 2015, Forde claimed his first presidency by advocating for integrity, taking the helm of a federation plagued by scandals and a damaged reputation at local, regional, and international levels.

Throughout the last eight years, he has orchestrated an impressive overhaul within the federation. Central to his approach has been a focus on advancing football, nurturing grassroots initiatives, establishing robust senior leagues, l a u n c h i n g t h e groundbreaking Members Financial Assistance P r o g r a m m e ( M - FA P ) providing grants to Member Associations for their football programmes, and nurturing a flourishing national team program.

This concerted effort resulted in monumental achievements, such as the Golden Jaguars’ historic advancement to League A of the Concacaf Nations

GFF President Wayne Forde

League and the Lady Jags securing a spot in the Prelims of the inaugural Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup in 2024.

“We stand as a united team committed to nurturing football development in all

corners of Guyana, ready and willing to collaborate with others to ensure the enduring prosperity of this beautiful game,” Forde concluded. (This is an official release of the GFF).

Banks DIH Limited to quench Port Mourant’s Horse Race Meet today

B

anks DIH Limited in its continued push as a cooperated entity is spearheading funding for several activities during December especially leading up to the Christmas season.

One of the main attractions is the annual Port Mourant Turf horse race meet set for today at the Club Track Port Mourant Corentyne Berbice.

Known as the Port Mourant “Big Yard” Turf Club, because of its size, horseracing events at the entity, which is the only one with some governmental control, are always keenly contested with large crowd support and are very entertaining.

With the support of Pacesetter Bank DIH Limited and other corporate sponsors, the entity has organised a seven-event horse race meet set for today at the entity.

From reports close to $10M in cash trophies and other incentives are up for grabs.

The feature event is open to all racehorses in

Guyana and is expected to see the top trotters in the country enter into battle for the top purse of a whopping $4M and trophy.

Apart from its massive support Banks DIH has also taken charge of the Banks Derby 3-years old open Guyana and West Indies Bred event with a whopping $2M and a trophy for the top prize.

The next event is for animals classified G and lower for an encouraging $1M and trophy as the winning stake.

The event for 2-years old Guyana bred horses has a winning take of $1M and a trophy.

The horses racing in the J and lower race have a top reward of $600,000 and a trophy.

The final two events are for animals classified K and lower and L and lower and they also have hefty pole position takings at stake.

Turfites are in for a treat as apart from horse racing several added attractions are on the cards compliments of Banks DIH and other sponsors.

Race time is 1200 hrs.

(Samuel Whyte)

Sunday December 10, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 71

GFF signs MoU with BWS for ‘Blue Water Shipping Stadium’ at D’Urban Park

T

he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation in partnership with Blue Water Shipping have begun the initial steps to create an innovative new, multipurpose sports, educational and entertainment venue.

The project will focus on expanding the ways the stadium serves the Guyana national football teams as well as the wider community. The goal is for the venue to be accessible to people from all backgrounds and will be integrated with Guyana’s art and cultural life.

The GFF and Blue Water Shipping began discussions on a possible partnership in September 2022 when President Wayne Forde visited Blue Water Shipping during their 50 years Jubilee celebrations in Denmark.

Both parties envision a potential new stadium that makes our community proud and enhances the reputation of the great city of Georgetown.

The Guyana Football Federation is focused on designing and building a stadium capable of hosting a prestigious international event on the weekend and accommodate a steady flow of impactful community programming later that same week. This is a project that will serve the wider community in Georgetown and the country of Guyana as a whole for generations. “ A t B l u e Wa t e r Shipping, we are committed to being part of the communities where we operate. It is with great honour and respect we enter into this partnership with GFF as part of the new stadium in Georgetown. We are looking forward to great football matches and events that can bring pleasure and excitement to everyone in Guyana.

Football, sport and culture are deeply rooted in our company values, and we are privileged to be able to strengthen our cooperation with GFF – beyond our current sponsorship for the U15 Girls League,” states Thomas Bek, COO Energy, Ports & Projects at Blue Water Shipping.

The President of the Guyana Football Federation said: “The BLUE WATER

Blue Water Shipping has consistently partnered with football in Guyana and has put their full support behind the design and construction process.

SHIPPING STADIUM will be an imposing landmark in the city of Georgetown and a standard bearer for architectural excellence in this new era of football infrastructure.”

“This groundbreaking partnership with BLUE WATER SHIPPING is an unequivocal example of the huge strategic role corporate Guyana can play in the transformation of the sporting landscape across Guyana. I am truly humbled and grateful for the opportunity to work so closely on this project for the past year with our friends at Blue Water Shipping.”

“This facility when completed, will not only inspire thousands of Boys and Girls in the coming years, it will also transform t h e Wo r t m a n v i l l e community. It is therefore entirely fitting that I extend heartfelt thank you to the Management of Blue Water Shipping for their vision, commitment and generosity.

Finally, I would like to thank the Government of Guyana for leasing the 7.3 acres of land on which the stadium will be built by the Guyana Football Federation.”

Blue Water Shipping has consistently partnered with football in Guyana and has put their full support behind the design and construction process. As a result, The Guyana Football Federation and Blue Water Shipping have concluded an agreement for Blue Water Shipping to hold the

exclusive naming rights for the facility for an initial period of 5 years.

Key features of the design include Exterior terraces and stands with

panoramic views of Georgetown that will serve as critical space during event days, Open design, Good sight lines for all spectators through diverse viewing

experiences and High-tech and sustainable materials throughout the building.

Other features of the stadium complex include a dedicated community space

that could be utilized yearround for educational opportunities, youth sport, non-profit events and other community-minded purposes.

Marian Academy crowned 2023 MVP Sports U11 School Girls Champions rts Spo

Marian Academy captures maiden Pee-Wee U11 Girls title England Tour of the West Indies 2023…

Matthew Forde struck twice with the new ball on his West Indies debut. (Associated Press)

West Indies clinch series 2 – 1 to end 25-year drought

Wayne Forde and his team following their triumph.

Forde secures third consecutive term as GFF President - pledged to continue football-centric agenda Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.