Kaieteur News

K

France tells NEWS Venezuela to refrain from annexing Essequibo AIETEUR

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Thursday Edition December 14, 2023 - Vol. 16 No. 50

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 77,430

...reiterates support for Guyana's territorial integrity

Venezuela brazenly passes 2024 budget with allocation to annex Essequibo Ahead of St. Vincent peace talks…

Farewell Mike Charles! woman,

Guyanese son killed in Trinidad

Hollice Thomas and her son, Noel Thomas

Broke GPL unable to hold X-mas party for staff Soldiers performing final military rights for Lieutenant Colonel, Michal Charles before his cremation at the Memorial Gardens Crematorium (Shervin Belgrave photo)

Over $56M spent on overseas trips for Pres. Ali, VP Jagdeo

Govt. foregoes more than half of its tax revenues collected

by GRA in 2022 – AG Report

PAGE 02

Kaieteur News

Ahead of St Vincent peace talks…

Thursday December 14, 2023

Venezuela brazenly passes 2024 budget with allocation to annex Essequibo T

h e Ve n e z u e l a n Congress passed a US$20.5B budget on Wednesday for 2024, with allocation to advance their illegal claims to the Essequibo region which has been part of Guyana's territory since 1899.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Eloína Rodríguez during her reading of the budget. The troubling announcement represents another act of defiance for an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 1, 2023.

T h a t o r d e r categorically stated that Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro should refrain from any act that could affect Guyana's control over the territory.

It is also another worrying development that occurred ahead of “peace talks” today with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. That meeting is being hosted in St. Vincent

and the Grenadines and mediated by its Prime M i n i s t e r, D r. R a l p h Gonsalves. Also expected in attendance are Prime Ministers of Barbados and T r i n i d a d a n d To b a g o respectively, Mia Mottley and Dr. Keith Rowley.

During her presentation, Rodríguez said, “…for the first time, we are formally including in the budget, the defense of Guyana, fulfilling the mandates given by the Ve n e z u e l a n p e o p l e o n December 3 of the current year.” (See link for full s p e e c h : https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=wPXn7cNSGXA) Readers would recall that on December 3, 2023, Venezuela held a sham referendum to galvanise the support of its people to annex the Essequibo region.

Eighty nine percent of the voting population had refused to participate in Maduro's imperialist agenda. Weekly publication, the Latin

Executive Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Eloína Rodríguez American Advisor, recently featured several comments from industry stakeholders who also condemned Maduro's reckless actions.

Two such persons included Michael Shifter, former president of the InterAmerican Dialogue, a leading policy forum on Western Hemisphere affairs based in Washington, DC; and Andrea Colombo, a former intern at

the Inter-American Dialogue.

In a joint statement, they said, “With his back against the wall, Maduro is seeking to galvanize Venezuelans and whip up nationalist sentiment around the country's long dormant territorial dispute with neighboring Guyana…”

They added, “Maduro's irresponsible and dangerous gambit clearly reflects the regime's frustration in

successfully countering opposition leader María Corina Machado's overwhelming victory in the October primary vote. That the U.S. company ExxonMobil is deeply involved in the oil-rich region further fuels Maduro's antiimperialist narrative…”

Ahead of the meeting with Maduro today, President Ali has assured that he will not entertain any discussion about deviating from the International Court of Justice which has been asked to determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award which gave Guyana control over the Essequibo region.

With that understanding in mind, the Guyanese leader said he is open to having talks aimed at de-escalating Venezuela's aggressions which recently included threats for companies in the Essequibo region to leave in three months and an imminent law to govern the affairs of the mineral-rich area.

Four homeless after fire razes house in Corentyne Fire ravaged a home on Tuesday at B Bengal Farm, Corentyne, Berbice leaving four persons homeless.

According to information received the owner of the house, 43-year-old Jonell Batson had left home around 08:00 am to take her two children to get public

transportation so that they can attend their school's Christmas party.

While on the road the woman received a phone call from a relative informing her of the fire.

The woman said she rushed back home to confirm the news. She told the media

that she lost everything in the fire and the total cost is estimated to be in the region of $5 million.

Batson said it's sad that she lost everything and they are now homeless.

Her focus at the moment is to seek help and have her home rebuilt.

The destroyed structure. (Photo Credit GDN)

Thursday December 14, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Govt. foregoes more than half of its tax revenues collected by GRA in 2022 – AG Report

The Government of Guyana (GoG), through the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), waived $169.262 billion in taxes and duties for investors here last year.

This sum represents 56.93 percent of the actual revenue collected by the Authority for the same year, as revealed in the Audit Office of Guyana (AOG) 2022 Report.

Exemptions from duties and taxes totaled $169.262 billion for the year under r e v i e w, c o m p a r e d t o $247.632 billion in 2021, reflecting a decrease of $78.369 billion or 31.65 percent over the corresponding period.

The Auditor General Report detailed tax exemptions granted according to concession

categories. Here is a breakdown of the types of exemptions and the amounts f o r e g o n e : companies/businesses ($149,985,745,000), ministries/government d e p a r t m e n t s ($10,800,944,000), remigrant ($2,370,230,000), churches/charitable o r g a n i z a t i o n s ($1,139,872,000), diplomats ($1,264,120,000), public officials/officers ($2,149,266,000), foreign funded projects ($993,447,000), Hospitals ($427,286,000) and Local VAT ($131,925,000).

While the total for these figures amount to $186,997,601,000, after deducting $17,714,806,000 in unconditional tax exemptions, the final total

stood at $169,262,795,000.

Tax exemptions granted to companies and businesses accounted for 88.61 percent, equivalent to $149.986 billion of the total conditional tax exemptions granted. Significantly, tax exemptions in this category were 36.31 percent or negative $85.5 billion less than the previous year. The decrease resulted from declines in conditional tax exemptions, especially Investment Agreements facilitated through the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Manufacturing, Fuel, Mining, and Fishing.

Tax exemptions granted to companies and businesses represented 88.61 percent

A comparative analysis of tax exemptions categories for companies and businesses equivalent to $149.985 Billion of the total conditional tax exemptions granted.

The table of the tax exemptions

Notably, tax exemptions in this category were 36.31 percent or negative $85.5 Billion less than the previous year. The decrease was as a result of the decline in the conditional tax exemptions (Companies/Businesses) especially Investment

Agreements facilitated through the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), manufacturing, fuel, mining and fishing.

Another breakdown (Continued on page 22)

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe

Paul Slowe's sexual France tells Venezuela to assault trial to remain refrain from annexing Essequibo in Magistrate Court

...reiterates support for Guyana's territorial integrity France on Wednesday reiterated its support for Guyana's territorial integrity when its Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna held talks with President Irfaan Ali about recent developments in the ongoing border controversy between Venezuela and Guyana.

Minister Colonna reiterated the importance of Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity being respected in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter. France

calls on Venezuela to refrain from any unilateral action.

The minister also emphasised France's commitment to the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes, including recourse to the International Court of Justice.

She recalled that France calls on the parties to fully implement the ICJ's decisions, particularly its order of 1 December, 2023.

The Minister said France will continue lending its support to all regional and international

initiatives promoting dialogue, including the extraordinary session convened by CELAC and CARICOM on Thursday, 14 December, in the presence of the Venezuelan and Guyanese Presidents.

The conversation also provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges and forthcoming major engagements in the FrancoGuyanese relationship.

France welcomes Guyana's election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council and looks forward to cooperating in that body

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna with its neighbour in the Guiana Shield.

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe has failed in his bid to have a High Court Judge preside over a sexual assault case against him, police said on Tuesday.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, on Tuesday dismissed submissions made by his lawyers, Nigel Hughes and Associates for his case not be tried in the Magistrate's Court. “…The Chief Magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution that all three of the sexual assault cases instituted against Paul Slowe will proceed summarily by the court”, police stated.

Slowe was on October 15, 2021 charged with three counts of sexual assault at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court and was released on bail.

It is alleged that during his tenure as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in 2020, Slowe had sexually assaulted a female Assistant Superintendent of police who worked with him, on three occasions.

The woman had alleged that the assault took place in the months of May and April and claimed that Slowe had offered to promote her. Slowe has since labeled the allegations against him as trumped up charges.

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

570 days of secrecy Transparency is taking a beating in Guyana. No matter what President Ali says, no matter what the PPPC Government mouthpieces say, transparency is under attack in this country, and has been left ragged. The Food and Agriculture department (FAO) was invited by the government’s Ministry of Agriculture to conduct a limited study of the local fishing sector, and its worrying catch declines. It was a good development, with Guyanese thinking that whatever the relationship, if any, between fish catch declines and ExxonMobil’s offshore oil operations, they would now know from what the FAO reported.

Apparently, the PPPC Government and its Ministry of Agriculture have radically different ideas about this alarming fishing issue that impacts many Guyanese in many ways.

The FAO finished its work and handed over its report. It is now 570 days later, and Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has cast the report out of his mind, and buried it somewhere safe from the prying eyes of Guyanese. What is there to hide from Guyanese, especially fisherfolk and their families, and those who make a living supporting them? It is reasonable to conclude that if the Minister (and government) had concluded that the report was favorable, viz., it indicated no connection, no correlation, between declining fish catch and ExxonMobil’s offshore oil operations, then Guyanese would have been allowed to see the FAO’s report from the day that it was issued. There would not have been any of this delay, certainly not for this embarrassment of 550 days wrapped in thick secrecy. If Minister Mustapha were still to insist that this is transparency, then it is nothing but a figment of his overworked imagination. Somebody needs to return to nursery school, and we do not think that it is us.

Almost a year and a half ago, it was Minister Mustafa himself who said the report will be published, “when it is convenient to the government.” When governments get to decide when is convenient, an eternity is normally needed to elapse before such a time arrives. The government is the servant of the people, so it does not have the right to determine on its own when is “convenient.” Convenient was from the time that the FAO handed over the report to Minister Mustafa.

Convenient is today, no matter how belated such may be.

Convenient is all the time, and not when and what suits the PPPC Government’s manipulations, its endless assortment of tricks. This is not transparency, for when the FAO’s work and documentation are shrouded in secrecy, then it relays to Guyanese fisherfolk, and the consuming public, that something is wrong. For, once again, it is not unreasonable to believe that the FAO’s report has some findings, and drawn some conclusions, that point to some link between the ongoing declines in fish catch and the oil activities going on offshore. The PPPC Government has one objective only when its leaders make these choices, go down these roads.

It is to protect ExxonMobil at all costs, by the employment of any twist and con, so as prevent Guyanese from learning what is really going on, what are the consequences of these accelerated oil activities.

This is how a government obligated to look out for the interests of its people first, turns its back on them, and could possibly be hurting them. For if the PPPC Government were to go the other way, ExxonMobil is likely to stand exposed, and its oil operations called into question. It would not be just as such relate to fish catch declines. The government looks shabby when a mockery is made of transparency. The fishing sector is battered, the consumer is left to deal with supply and quality shortages, and is still forced to manage with higher fish prices.

When chronic secrecies become an everyday norm, then the government takes on the appearance of a big, fat worm.

When secrecy infects a government, its sick state is confirmed beyond any doubt. Section after section of the Guyanese population, is feeling its way through increasingly tougher days. And all the democratically elected government could do is wrap itself in an impenetrable blanket of silence and secrecy. Withholding the FAO report speaks about this in very compelling terms.

Thursday December 14, 2023

Mr. President , please do something for the private sector Dear Editor, Please permit me to draw the attention of the people as well as the government of Guyana to the very unfair treatment of private sector employees.

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, the problem is about the GYD 25,000 one-off cash distribution to public sector employees only.

I am a private sector employee; I don’t benefit as a Guyanese, and my taxes are being paid daily to the government’s agencies, etc.

While my voice is small in these short sentences, I

would like the President of Guyana to know that every Guyanese, whether public or private sector, must benefit from these initiatives.

Let me turn my attention to one event in our country: “ELECTION.” When we go to the poll station to cast our vote, we don’t vote as private or public sector, but as a Guyanese exercising his or her constitutional right, so why can we in the private sector benefit?

Mr. President, how can you address the country and the international stage about how all Guyanese are

benefiting from the wealth of the country?

In addition, Editor, here is another example: based on several articles from January 31, 2022, the GYD 30,000 grant initially catered only to public school learners; the government went on to extend it to private school learners, benefiting an additional 17,000 students.

It is time that private sector employees get that one-off cash grant.

Also, a gentle reminder to the Government that a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led

by Ms. Alina Carare, held

discussions during August 28–September 11 for the 2023 Article IV Consultation and reported that the Guyanese economy continues to grow very rapidly, supported by the g o v e r n m e n t ’ s modernization plans, including the unparalleled oil sector expansion.

Following record real GDP growth in 2022—62.3 percent, the highest in the world—real GDP is expected to continue to grow extremely fast in 2023 (38 percent).

Yours sincerely, Concerned Guyanese

Burnham did well with the Foreign Service, the PPPC should gear up with a Foreign Policy Institute Dear Editor, With the limited international relations resources at our disposal at home and our missions abroad, we have done relatively well over the last few months to rally support on our side on the border controversy. Foreign policy has not been a strong point of governments since the death of Burnham in 1985. The Ministry was largely neglected by succeeding administrations — understaffed, under equipped, and underfunded to efficiently respond to crisis. The Venezuela crisis has now made the Ministry extremely important in our relations with the globe as we need to engage in robust PR to counter our western neighbor’s claim.

The President, Vice President, PM, and Attorney General have all given measured responses to Maduro’s provocations.

H o w e v e r, o u r f o r e i g n missions and the domestic bureaucracy can do much better; the Washington team seems to be on top of things in keeping the US administration and Congress informed. When I was an activist in the 1970s thru 1990s, Congress was kept abreast of developments in Guyana as well as the border controversy. I am not sure what our missions in London, Brussels, New Delhi, New York, Geneva, Ottawa, and elsewhere are doing. Beijing, Moscow, and Havana are not likely to say

anything on Maduro and that is not surprising as they are allies of the socialist, a newfound friend, as opposed to Guyana that has been a socialist friend since the 1950s and 1960s.

Government should give consideration to an independent review of our mis s io n s ’ r es p o n s e to Maduro and weaknesses addressed.

We seem taken aback by Maduro’s bellicose language after the ICJ conservatory order. Our missions abroad need to be more prepared and assertive or aggressive in our PR response to Venezuela’s aggression and claim. A better trained and equipped bureaucracy would help us to respond promptly and more effectively to Maduro. We should always be prepared with our own PR in response t o M a d u r o ’s t o u g h talking.The inadequate international response, especially at certain capitals and world forums, and lack of preparedness for a stronger push back to Venezuelan threat to our national territory suggests that the time has come to construct a foreign policy or internal relations institute to train a new generation of diplomats to address crisis.

The institute will provide them with the requisite skills on how to respond to threats with speed. Once trained, they can be dispersed to important world capitals.

A quick brief review of the history of our diplomacy

or international relations would reveal that since the passing of Burnham in 1975, foreign policy has been deemphasized by successors. To his credit, Burnham built a competent, respected cadre of diplomats. He paid for their studies in the west and they were offered accepted scholarships from western institutions. They received good training. Almost all of them were trained in the West at recognized reputed universities on government scholarships. They returned home after their education to serve their master. Guyana was the envy in the Caribbean during the late 1960s 1970s, and 1980s for the kind of diplomats produced.

Unlike the PNC that sent its supporters to be trained in western bourgeois capitalistic societies in social sciences, the PPP sent its supporters for training in the Soviet bloc. The PPP did not have the power of the purse to send its supporters for training in the west. And even if it did, more than likely they would still have been sent to the Soviet bloc for tertiary training. Jagan accepted scholarships from the Soviet bloc where its cadres were trained. PPP supporters were not oriented towards studying social sciences unless given scholarships. Those who pursued private studies in the west were into natural sciences, medicine, and engineering. Most of those

who studied in Soviet bloc came back knowing about Marxism/Leninism/Stalinis m. It is hard to say whether they were equipped to conduct foreign policy in a western setting and whether they studied theories of IR constructed by towering figures in the West — requirements of studies of IR in the west. Burnham too sent some of his followers to study in the USSR, but such scholarships came in the late 1970s when Burnham was thought to be a friend of the socialist bloc.

PNC stalwart Vincent Alexander was among those who studied in Moscow on a scholarship. And he has been a success story in academia — one who could analyze social issues objectively and among the most articulate scholars to come out of Russian training; there are few equals on the opposing side to analyze social and global issues.

A f t e r B u r n h a m ’s passing, the foreign ministry was gutted by Desmond Hoyte. Finance was tight and Hoyte started closing down missions. He shut down the High Commission in Delhi and kept Embassies in Africa, China, USSR, and Europe. India was at the time among the largest donor countries to Guyana. The other countries were not sending meaningful aid to Guyana like India. Jagan, in response to a question from me at a 1992 press conference in New York, (Continued on page 06)

Thursday December 14, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 05

PPPC Govt. should include an I disagree with GHK Lall, Opposition member as part pension cash distribution of St. Vincent delegation DEAR EDITOR, Our leaders must be shrewd enough to recognize “a pappy show” when they are presented with one. Such is the nature of the invitation extended by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to our own President to attend a meeting with President Maduro this coming Thursday.

Like many, I have serious misgivings about the benefits of such a meeting.

High level meetings of this sort must have a clearly defined agenda which would have been informed by the work of technocrats on both sides and not seemingly rushed as would appear to be the case in this instance. This is certainly not the time to “gaff” and for hugging up comrades.

This is time for serious business with the leader of one of the world’s largest countries in attendance and who in my estimation and out of deference, should be chairing the meeting. We need a chairman who can focus; not prone to obtuse verbiage; who can keep the discussions within required guardrails and who can exercise leverage or influence to ensure a successful outcome to the meeting. In my humble opinion, Prime Minister Gonsalves does not sit well w i t h i n t h o s e

parameters.Additionally, Dr. Gonsalves’ role in this meeting raises serious issues of conflict of interest. It is an open secret that SVG and Dominica are heavily dependent and beholden to Venezuela for financial and economic support under the Petro Caribe agreement. As such, they are at best weak interlocutors coming from a position of strong dependency and are therefore in no position to exercise any form of suasion o v e r Ve n e z u e l a .

Additionally, they might not want to support positions that they might view as being adversarial to their own interests.

One notes the commendable as well as tactical offer of support by Sir Shridath in his desire to see that the discussions are kept in check, and one hopes that his offer would be taken up. I do not, however, accept his charitable attempt in praising Caricom for its role on this border issue. Sir Shridath has always been the doyen of our diplomats and like us, he would have noticed the many iterations of Caricom’s statement of support for Guyana before a final one was found to be strong enough and acceptable. Even to the untrained diplomatic eye, this would clearly suggest that there was strong

division within Caricom on the wording of the statement, perhaps between current and prospective PetroCaribe beneficiaries and the rest of the community. It is further instructive to see public statements of support coming from Trinidad & Tobago, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Belize, with these countries clearly demonstrating that they do not intend to hide behind the collective statements of Caricom.

I would, therefore, hope that Guyana’s presence at Thursday’s meeting would be out of respect to President Lula who has graciously agreed to attend and not out of pandering to the idle fancies or acts of selfaggrandizement of others wishing to achieve great and monumental things. In essence, this meeting must not be treated like a “Pappy show”!!

Finally, I urge in the interest of transparency and openness that the Government includes a representative of the Opposition to be part of its delegation.

This would clearly demonstrate to all participating that we are totally united as a country on this issue.

Yours sincerely, Robin Bascom,

The jungle is one of Guyana’s best assets DEAR EDITOR, With the passing of these highly experienced and valuable members of our military, we must continue to be strong and confident in the face of the would be invaders.

Our strength continues to be in our knowledge and abilities in jungle warfare.

Allow open military combat to be the domain led by our allies, and maintain our focus where our military strength serves us best.

There was a time during His Excellency President Burnham’s tenure when the GDF carried out training exercises with the US military in jungle warfare.

During that period there were many stories of how well the GDF did in sharing

our techniques and our knowledge of the terrain.

Given the relative size of our military when compared to that of Venezuela, we must continue to embrace a combat strategy that leverages the use of jungle warfare. It will be more to our advantage vs. traditional combat.

This tragic loss of

experienced and long serving military personnel is a reminder that the military equipment which Venezuela has and relies upon, will be restricted in its use in our jungle.

Sincerely, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

was a thing of beauty

DEAR EDITOR, Editor, I accept that GHK Lall tortures the English language but does not get it to reveal its meaning so I could be misinterpreting his pejorative letter of the 10th December describing the distribution of the $25000 cash grant to pensioners.

My experience was the complete opposite. I turned up at about 11am at Albion Sports Complex on the second day allocated for my village. A member of staff called over my wife to say her pension book for 2024 had arrived as it was not available in November.

There were about a dozen people in front of us and within 20 minutes we collected our cash grants, exchanged pleasantries with staff members and left. Job

done and a pleasant experience.

I expect what can and does happen is that people turn up on the first day of cash distribution whether or not they are allocated to that collection point.

Not everyone reads the papers where the schedules are printed. They will be there at least an hour before the sharing of money begins because that’s how things work in Guyana. If people are too impatient to follow the guidance, then be prepared for chaos and a long wait. This is not the fault of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

Vindhya Persaud has done a lot to make pensions easier to receive and to take pressure off post offices each month.

Under her

leadership we can collect our pension from Moneygram or Surepay outlets or have the money paid directly to a bank account.The cash grant is beautifully packaged and in this small way shows respect to senior citizens.

GHK’s playground insults directed at the Minister and her Ministry were unfair to say the least.

I am no fan of politics or politicians, but I can see that Vindhya Persaud is head and shoulders above everyone when it comes to parliamentary debate, she is exceptionally gifted and creative, her presentation of the television programme Kala Milan is inspirational and she is dedicated to serving Guyana.

Namaskar, Robert Perks.

Guyanese employ the PPPC Govt., it must deliver or be fired DEAR EDITOR, I have said it before and I will say it again, that the general Guyanese populace is brainwashed to believe the doublespeak of viciously cunning politicians.

The diehard followers of these politicians do not hold them accountable for fulfilling their pre-election campaign promises. An important analogy of campaign promises is similar to a person applying for a job in a firm.In this case,Guyana is the firm, and the populace is the collective owners of the firm.The

politicians are the applicants for the job of making the firm prosperous. The pre-election campaign is where they promise what they would do to build your firm.On the strength of their promises they are given the job on a five years contract. During the course of these years, they are monitored by the employers for implementing their glorious promises.

If their promises are fulfilled in a timely manner and the time comes for renewal of the contract, it will be done without hesitation. But if major

promises are unfulfilled, then renewal is a nob r a i n e r. T h e p r e s e n t administration, during the last pre-election campaign made a big deal of lambasting the previous administration’s oil contract.

They promised to renegotiate if elected. Now all we are hearing is the lamebrained excuse about the sanctity of contract.

What about the sanctity of promises. The people of Guyana employed them and not the other way around.

Yours truly, George Lam

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 14, 2023

Do not gloss over injuries or what happened with copter crash DEAR EDITOR, Following the fatal helicopter crash it was reported the survivors ‘facing no major injuries’ and ‘they are in good general condition’ (NewsRoom Dec 9). It was therefore surprising to learn, days later. that one of the survivors, Corporal Jackson, has in fact suffered second degree burns and a broken

limb. While these injuries are not life-threatening and he is being treated with ‘dressing, antibiotic and pain relief (SN December 12), it has to be wondered how these injuries were not detected and made known, prior to the revelations in parliament on Monday, December 11?

The perceived glossing over of the state of the

survivors, at least one of them, is troubling. It was inconceivable that the survivors would not, did not, receive injuries as a result of the crash.

My best wishes to Corporal Jackson for a full and complete recovery. It is also hoped the other survivor is faring much better.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Burnham did well with the Foreign...

From page 04 committed to re-open the HC in Delhi were he to be elected as President. After his election, he kept his promise and re-opened the Delhi mission although it took some goading from myself and others.

Jagan ran a lean administration and very little funding was committed to Foreign Relations.

This trend has continued till this day.

Missions around the globe lacked funding to host receptions on national days or cultural events and to reciprocate invitations from missions of other states.

The cost of receptions, if held, had to be borne by individuals at the missions.

The missions were also understaffed and could not respond to issues efficiently and promptly. And many

among those appointed as diplomats lacked credentials or sufficient training in IR or foreign policy or diplomacy.

Foreign bureaucracy staff at home and abroad also seemed to lack necessary training in their field.

This was or is a far cry from the 1960s thru 1980s under Burnham who made available resources to train and equip the best brains for the foreign service.

The Foreign Ministry had some of the most towering personalities at the time until Hoyte ‘de-Burnhamize’ his administration.

Post Burnham administrations lacked financial resources for a robust foreign policy.

However, we have had a financial windfall since 2020 from oil revenues.

Government should consider directing some

funds toward establishment of a Foreign Relations Institute (that offers a diploma or a degree) perhaps attached to UG to provide training for new recruits in foreign service. Retirees and IR scholars can be requested to assist with training.

Foreign relations have become as critically important as economic relations since the claim of Venezuela to our territory and our natural resources.

Unless we have human resources that are able to orally defend our territory through an aggressive diplomatic front all over the globe and win allies, we will not be able to retain access to our natural resources and by extension funds.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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B T LUNT. UNT...B BL Thursday December 14, 2023

Kaieteur News

“If we are serious about the development of our people and ensuring that this region remains a zone of peace, there are many issues consequential to the controversy that have to be discussed. I think that we can discuss on modalities on future interactions, and establishment of technical groups and working groups to look at the development path,” President Irfaan Ali said in justifying meeting today with Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro.

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Kaieteur News

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Thursday Monday December May 02,14, 2022 2023

Over $56M spent on overseas trips for Pres. Ali, VP Jagdeo T

he Government of Guyana has expended a total of $56,270,055 from its coffers to pay for overseas travel for President Irfaan Ali and Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo.

This information was laid over in the National Assembly in response to questions posed by

parliamentary opposition.

According to information contained in the document, the expenditure of overseas trips taken by the President for the period from August 2, 2020 to May 17, 2023 total GYD $35,973,449.

The information provided also points to similar expenditure for VP Jagdeo's travels abroad.

However, Jagdeo's travel expenses for the period August 2, 2020 to May 17, 2023 totaled $ 20, 296, 606.

President made 21 trips on official business for the Government of Guyana while Jagdeo made eight trips abroad on official business for the government.

In President Ali's case, the airfare and out of pocket expenses covered trips taken to the United Nations General Assembly (2021 and 2022), Caribbean Community Heads of Government meetings, energy conferences in Trinidad and Tobago and investment forums in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The President's airfare totaled $32.1 million (or US$150,964). Meanwhile, meals and out of pocket e x p e n s e s a n d accommodation cost $3.8 million (or US$17,925). This means that total expenses for that period, in relation to

President Irfaan Ali travels, totalled $35.9 million (or US$168,889).

The Vice President's travel expenses from 2021 to 2023 were reviewed, including trips to the O f f s h o r e Te c h n o l o g y Conference (OTC), to India, Ghana and the UAE for furthering bilateral relations and to the CERA week energy conference in Houston, Texas.

His airfare totaled $18.1 million (or US$85,274), while out of pocket expenses

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

totalled $2.1 million (or US$10,015). In total, the Vice President's expenses totalled $20.2 miillion (or US$95.2 million).

According to document, the benefits derived from these trips include repairing the damage done to Guyana's international credibility, and regaining Guyana's leadership position on climate service issues, as well as promoting the investment opportunities in Guyana and establishing

new embassies in Qatar and the UAE. There were also 50 Memorandum of Understandings (MOU), agreements or joint statements were signed during these trips, aimed at ensuring international cooperation.

Further, these trips were also aimed at garnering knowledge and experience from other countries on developing the oil and gas sector.

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 14, 2023

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The meeting

O

ne should not expect too much from the talks which are likely to take place today in St. Vincent and the Grenadines between President Maduro of Venezuela and Irfaan Ali of Guyana. Both sides have adopted entrenched positions that could lead to the meeting being at best unproductive or worse being cancelled. Guyana has rightly opted not to discuss

the border controversy. Its position is that the matter is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and as such there is nothing to discuss.

Venezuela, on the other hand, is hoping to use the meeting to force discussions about the border. The two positions adopted by each other are akin to parallel lines. They will not converge.

It will therefore be left to

the skills of the facilitators of the dialogue, the representatives of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to find a middle ground for talks between the two sides. If this fails, then the talks will have to be cancelled.

Ve n e z u e l a h a s n o t adopted an implacable position. Nor has Guyana.

Frontera, CGX to see first oil in Guyana by 2030, seek partners HOUSTON, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Frontera Energy (FEC.TO) and CGX Energy (OYL.V) expect to make a final investment decision by 2026 on developing a promising Guyana offshore block, with first oil output potentially by 2030, executives from the companies said on Monday.

The Frontera-CGX joint venture could become the next group to advance an oil and gas exploration project in Guyana after an Exxon Mobil-led (XOM.N) consortium. That group began output in 2019 and is this year producing some 400,000 barrels per day.

U.S. investment banking firm, Houlihan Lokey has been retained to help Frontera and CGX “pursuing options” for a possible deal to find partners for developing the Corentyne block’s potential, they said in a release. The

appraisal of the entire area is expected to be finished in 2025. If a positive final investment decision is made, the consortium would move to topsides construction for a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, drilling and subsea architecture.

The companies and subsidiaries had exploration licenses for several large blocks in Guyana, but following discussion with Guyana’s government, in 2022 they agree to focus on Corentyne. Guyana recently received bids from international and local firms for eight new blocks to be awarded soon. The joint venture retained Subsea Integration Alliance (SIA), an oilfield services group by SLB’s (SLB.N) OneSubsea and Subsea7, to complete a conceptual field development plan for

Corentyne, it said during the presentation.

The timeline for Corentyne’s development comes after the firms analyzed data from the Wei1 exploration well, where they identified medium sweet oil, but they have not yet estimated the area’s full potential, said Mark Zoback from CGX’s board of directors. The venture has identified gross prospective resources of between 514 million and 628 million barrels of oil and gas in the Maastrichtian horizons alone, and additional potential in the deeper Campanian and Santonian horizons. “We are working on the deeper zones, it’s high priority,” Zoback said.

Frontera and CGX believe that the rock quality discovered in the Maastrichtian horizon is analogous to that reported in Exxon’s Liza discovery.

DEM BOYS SEH

Santa Claus is coming But what is he bringing?

Tis the season to be jolly, or so they say. But the public servants are far from happy. Why, you ask? Well, because the Fine Ants Minister has graciously bestowed upon them a whopping 6.5% increase in their salaries.

As the year draws to a close, those hardworking elves of the public sector, are donning their festive hats and eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus.

They’re not looking for sugarplums or gingerbread houses; they’re looking for a Christmas miracle that will address the harsh reality of the high cost of living and the government’s tight-fisted approach to

distributing the spoils of their oil revenue treasure chest.

While the government is swimming in billions of dollars from black gold, the public servants are left counting their pennies. It’s a classic tale of the haves and the have-nots, with the Fine Ants Minister playing the role of the Grinch who stole a more significant pay raise.

Perhaps, in the spirit of the season, he could have thrown in a few extra percentage points as a token of goodwill.

After all, ’tis better to give than to receive, especially when you’re giving away other people’s money.’

Santa, with his magical sleigh and bag full of

goodies, might just be the hero that Dem Boys need.

While the government is busy counting its oil dollars, Santa could swoop in and deliver a fair share of prosperity to the hardworking public servants.

It’s time for Santa to show the Fine Ants Minister how to spread cheer and alleviate the financial burden that weighs heavy on the hearts of the working class.

Dem Boys deserve more than a mere 6.5% slice of the holiday pie. After all, if the government won’t open its purse strings, maybe Santa will have to be the true Fine Ants Minister this year.

Talk half. Leff half

Venezuela can be nudged by the Caribbean Community to freeze the implementation of the recent decrees that it issued, including the one which creates a 24th state.

But this may be an unrealistic proposal at this time. The area in which the most progress is likely to be made in the de-escalation of tensions. There is a strong possibility that both sides can be encouraged to tone down the rhetoric since this can inflame tensions and lead to a breach of the peace.

The Prime Minister of St. Vincent has called for mature, respectful and wise discourse. But what this means in a practical sense, is not clear.

Yet, the Prime Minister of St. Vencent has received plaudits for seeking to defuse tensions between the two South American neighbors. A former President of the Caribbean Court of Justice has welcomed the initiative of CELAC and CARICOM, saying that it sets a wonderful example for the rest of the world.

These platitudes however will become meaningless if there is no progress in defusing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela. A possible menu of measures would be important in helping to ensure that the meeting results in progress. But as of going to press, there has been no indication as to what the agenda of the talks will be like. It may be that this will be an initial face-to-face meeting with no fixed

agenda. This will at least allow for optics that would show that both sides want a peaceful resolution. But as far as Guyana is concerned, a peaceful resolution lies in the ICJ. And as far as Venezuela is concerned, a peaceful resolution likes in a return to what it deems dialogue under the Geneva Agreement.

The two positions are irreconcilable.

Once the Secretary General of the United Nations had chosen a juridical path for the settlement of the controversy, the issue of good offices and the other means of settlement became moot.

The talks are attracting heightened interest. The Office of the Secretary General of the United Nations is sending observers. The Brazilian President is also dispatching a representative. Given this level of interest, it is not likely that the talks are going to be cancelled at the last minute because of the conflicting positions of each side concerning what is to be discussed.

This is all the more reason why discussions on de-escalation of tensions are likely to dominate the talks.

Both leaders are likely to be asked to tone down the rhetoric but whether Guyana’s President can commit to constraining one of the senior members of his government who has made it a habit in recent times of attacking Maduro and his Foreign Minister, is left to be seen.

All eyes are likely to be

on Ali who is inexperienced in dealing with situations of this nature and urgency. He has to prove that he has the diplomatic finesses to engage productively in such talks.

But he is not the only one under pressure. President Maduro is likely to face much internal pressure in Venezuela to return with something tangible in relation to the territorial dispute.

He will be expected, by his people, to return home with some concession, much more so if he is going to make any concession to freeze the recent decrees concerning the 24th state of Venezuela.

Given all these challenges, the meeting may end up being about processes to deescalate tensions. This nevertheless would be a positive outcome for both sides. If they can l e a s t a p p o i n t plenipotentiaries to discuss possible ways of reducing tensions between the two countries, both sides are likely to feel pleased by the outcome.

(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

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UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

LALL

Thursday Monday December May 02, 14,2022 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Will St. Vincent be Maduro's Munich?

I

am glad that there is St. Vincent on the travel agenda of President Ali and President Maduro. I am still working through, though, my own construction of a possible meeting agenda.

This is notwithstanding the publicly rigid line drawn in stone by Guyana's President Ali. In three words: no border discussion.

The combined APNU+AFC Opposition has added its own muscle to prop that line about no discussion, no negotiation, no nothing (pardon the Brooklynese) that has anything to do with the border controversy. I hear all of this and ask this: then what? What is the Kingston conversation about then? As much as I welcome it, why even be there, have it, if notalks about the border?

President Ali and the PPP Government have preached a constant refrain: we want peace, we are a peaceful nation, we are about peace. It has to be peace with honor.

Because from my perspective, there is none other.

It is arduous for me to visualize Brazilian President Lula letting the moment that he had worked for so hard pass without a word being said in the tightly guarded confines of the Ali-Maduro handshake, smile, and summit.

Since he is the heavyweight presence in the room, he may have to use his potent jab to bring some sense to the two leaders in this embroiling controversy.

It may even come to the point where the Brazilian may be forced to remove his gloves

and knock heads together.

Like I said, he is the heavyweight, and there is a lightweight and bantamweight, relatively speaking, in the room.

President Ali has nothing to lose. President Maduro has everything lined up, and on the line; the slightest crack, and it collapses.

He does. In his version of Bonfire of the Vanities, I think that President went too far too fast, and now he is going to have to dial back and dial down his prior escalations. A U-turn is what I think could be in the making.

How that is accomplished is beyond me at this time.

The problem for Nicolas Maduro is that whatever he does he is damned. I shed no tears for him, for he dug his political grave with a live

microphone and the nib of a pen. The former empowered him to say too much, and he did, while the latter spilled and splashed his unwisdom throughout the region, then around the world.

Licenses for the interested in Venezuela to setup shop in Essequibo.

Expulsion after 90 days for prospectors, explorers, operators, and producers.

The question is whether he was bluffing all the time with his bullying; just another political blowhard trying to create his own version of sunshine and running into a thunderstorm.

Like that Greek fellow Icarus, it is my belief that Senor Maduro flew too close to the sun. Whatever he does, his wings will lose their luster, with the shears coming out.

I am thinking of 1938 and a British Prime Minister by the name of Sir Neville Chamberlain. He went to Munich and went back to Whitehall.

Since then, history has been most unkind to him, given what he agreed to there.

Appeasement became the dirtiest word in the political lexicon, and Neville Chamberlain the Great Appeaser.

If President Lula acts according to form, President Maduro is going to have to start thinking of how much he has to retreat, how much face he is going to lose.

I understand that the Venezuelans are a volatile bunch, so I pray that this brother of mine, only loses some face, and nothing more.

As an aside, that could be pounced upon as another example of what is defined as subversive in this mental and intellectual ghetto.

The fact that Maduro was nudged or shoved (cajoled) to travel to St. Vincent is in and of itself a surrender of the heights on which he was perched.

Truth be told, the call has always been for dialogue from the Venezuelan side, with Maduro as the lead baritone, in his best Paul Robeson imitation. But dialogue about what, and how to squeeze that into the conversation when President Ali has the equivalent of his inviolable marching orders:

no border discussion. Even if there is an off the record word or two about the burning issue that stands before all, whatever comes out of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy may not be cleared to filter into the public domain, if anything at all?

It is my humble position that there will be some overture, some segue, some slight detour into that forbidden border territory.

Mark my words, and seal it with a $5,000 bill. U.S., to be exact.

Whether silence or some little something, Maduro is the one that is going to have to yield an inch, even a mile or two. Some zeros added should help this to register better on the Guyanese side.

Whatever is said, whatever is done, in these preliminaries, when Nicolas Maduro journeys from Kingston to Caracas, it will be one hell of a bumpy ride for him.

The reception on the ground could be on the Arctic side.

In case appeaser is too much to chew, then sellout should go down more sweetly.(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

Thursday December 14, 2023

PAGE 11

Man tells court he stole solar Mabaruma teen feared dead lights because he smokes drugs A man while appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday to answer to a charge relating to the theft of solar lights from Merundoi Incorporated on November 23, 2023, said the reason for him stealing the lights is because he smokes drugs.

Rackesh Arjune appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, where the charge of simple larceny was read to him.

The prosecutor related to the court that on November 23, 2023, at Lot 109 'E' Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Arjune stole two solar lights valued $18,000, property of Merundoi Incorporated.

According to the prosecutor on the day in question, the virtual complainant (name known) who is an employee at Merundoi Incorporated, went to the workplace, when she observed two solar lights missing. She then made checks on the Close-Circuit Television, when she noticed on the video tape, a man removing the lights and carrying it out the building. A report was subsequently made to the police outpost at Kingston Seawalls and the defendant was then contacted by police. Ranks informed him of the allegations made against

Rackesh Arjune at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts him, to which he admitted to.

Police were subsequently led to a place he calls his, 'uncle

yard', and the two solar lights were recovered. Arjune was escorted back to the police outpost, placed in custody and then charged for the offence committed.

Notably, Arjune entered a guilty plea to the said charge.

The magistrate then asked the reason for him stealing the solar lights and the accused response was that he smokes. When asked to be more specific on what he smokes, he made a general statement by saying all drugs. The defendant also said to the court that he is an only child of parents who are deceased and he does not know any other relatives.

Arjune pleaded with the Magistrate saying: “please spare me and next time it wouldn't happen again.”

Thereafter, the prosecution did not object to bail, on the grounds that Arjune does not have any prior matter with the law. The accused was then sentenced to do community service, commencing from December 15, 2023 on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's.

The community service is said to conclude on February 21, 2024. The Magistrate then sternly warned him that if he fails to be present for one day, he will spend three weeks in prison.

PAHO Director highlights efforts of the Americas to recover public health gains lost during the pandemic Washington, DC, 12 December 2023 (PAHO)- On the occasion of Universal Health Day (also called Universal Health Coverage Day), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, highlighted the efforts made by countries of the Americas to recover public health gains lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These efforts include investment in pandemic preparedness and response capacity; expanding access to health services based on strengthened primary health care; and harnessing the power of innovation in digital transformation.

The PAHO Director also emphasized that countries "ar e s t r e n g t h e n i ng their health workforce, building interprofessional teams that attend to the holistic needs of people, irrespective of where they live," and are also reinforcing actions in health promotion and disease control and prevention.

"Building the foundation of resilient, inclusive an d e x p a n s i v e h ealth systems means that we will be better prepared for the future. And the time for action is now – to invest, innovate and impleme nt strategies

to strengthen our health systems based on primary health care," remarked Dr. Barbosa.

To this end, he mentioned the recent launch of the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas (AxAPS), an initiative promoted by PAHO, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank, which seeks to "support our countries in accelerating and expanding universal access to health and universal health coverage".

It is estimated that one third of the population of the Americas has unmet health care needs even before the pandemic, ranging from 55% in lower middle-income countries to 12% in high-income countries.

They also face serious inequalities in the way health care is delivered, distributed and made available to the population.

The theme of Universal Health Coverage Day this year is 'Health for All: Time for Action'.

The day was proclaimed on December 12, 2017 through United Nations General Assembly resolution 72/138, in response to efforts initiated years ago to promote access to quality and affordable health services for all people.

following boat incident

A 17-year-old boy of Mabaruma, North West District is feared dead after he fell overboard while travelling in his father's boat late on Tuesday.

Reports are that Safea Daniels and his father boarded their boat at Port Kaituma late on Tuesday afternoon and left for Mabaruma.

As the duo travelled along the waterway, another boat passed by and the waves generated by that vessel rocked the Daniels' boat. The young man fell overboard and a search immediately commenced for the teen.

According to a resident of Port Kaituma, the young man's father, who operated the boat, was imbibing at the community earlier on Tuesday. He was said to be “heavily intoxicated” when he informed several people that he was preparing to leave the community for Mabaruma.

However, his friends urged him not to get into the boat given his condition. The man ignored their pleas and informed them that he had to leave.

As the father and son left the area, the young man requested to operate the boat's engine; however, the man ignored the lad.

Meanwhile, many residents of the town of Mabaruma reacted in shock at the young

Feared dead: Safea Daniels man's possible death. One of his cousins noted that “he was very quiet and helpful. He was never in trouble” Late on Wednesday, the teen's body was still not recovered.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 14, 2023

Commonwealth launches e-learning course to help Caribbean countries access billions in climate finance Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland on Monday l a u n c h e d t h e 'Commonwealth Climate Finance Essentials Elearning Course' at an event in Dubai during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).

The course builds on the extensive experience of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub. The hub has helped 17 small and vulnerable states in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific to access more than US$322 million in climate finance for projects to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

In a press release the Commonwealth Secretariat said government officials and experts can use the course to better understand complex areas, such as the climate finance landscape, the

compliance requirements set by major funders, the financial requisites for accessing funding and the specific needs of vulnerable groups. Crucially, the course introduces officials to the core elements needed to write a successful application for securing climate finance for projects.

It also unpacks the use of innovative tools, such as earth observation data, to improve project rationale and navigate red tape.

A t t h e 2 0 2 2 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, leaders urged developed countries to fully deliver on their commitment to providing US$100 billion every year in climate finance to help developing nations address challenges posed by climate change.

However, access to funding remains a barrier.

Some small island developing states report spending two to three years to develop a climate project proposal.

This is followed by another year of legal and i m p l e m e n t a t i o n arrangements before governments receive funds and can start projects.

Speaking at the event, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “Despite contributing least to the problem, small and vulnerable states are bearing the biggest burden.

Increasingly frequent and extreme weather events are causing widespread destruction to livelihoods and infrastructure – and destroying economies.

“While the international community is stepping in to provide support, it's not enough. Small and vulnerable states also need to

navigate the demanding conditions necessary for accessing available climate funds.

“The Commonwealth's e-learning course is a significant step towards helping government officials better understand the complex structures of multibillion-dollar funds and access the finance they need.”

During the event, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for Climate Change, drew attention to the capacity challenges faced by developing countries in accessing climate finance on time.

He specifically pointed to the prolonged approval process, citing instances where Bangladesh had to wait nearly nine years to receive funds after submitting project

applications.

Mr Chowdhury said: “The course is a great tool.

All the good practices from the Commonwealth are brought together and are now available in the form of elearning.

It will help with building that capacity that is so very essential.”

Through this course, he added, countries equipped with the necessary capacity would not only have priority in accessing funds, but also ensure support reaches those most in need. Orlando Habet, Belize's Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, endorsed the new course.

He said: “Climate finance

is critical for small island developing states and least developed countries. We have been told that the process of finding finance takes too long.

This course will assist us to cut down on that time.”

The minister also thanked the Commonwealth Secretariat for deploying a national climate finance adviser to Belize.

He added that the adviser has been assisting his country in securing funding to implement the national climate plans. The course is part of a package of resources developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat to support its 56 member countries in tackling the global climate crisis

Man in court for damaging $12,000 Govt. sets aside another $300M glass door

to fix Hubu Access Road Having undertaken contracts last year to have sections of the Hubu Main Access Road in Region Three road be rehabilitated, the Ministry of Public Works is once again seeking contractors to repair another part of the road.

During the recent opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), it was disclosed that the ministry has set aside some $300,440,150 to execute phase two of the road project.

At the reading of bids, only three companies applied for the contract; they all submitted bids below the engineer's figure. The contractors who submitted bids are: Vals Construction $299,679,000, S&D Construction $257,867,020, and Bardon Construction Services - $277,443,000.

In June 2022, this publication reported that contracts valued $351,306,585 were awarded to upgrade the road to an asphaltic surface.

Those works were executed by Platinum Investment and Avinash Contracting & Scrap Metal Inc., and were expected to be completed in a six month period.

The state of the East Bank of Essequibo (EBE) road was highlighted by a resident who wrote a letter which was published by Kaieteur News in February last year, calling on President Irfaan Ali to intervene in addressing the issue.

Robin Salim, the affected resident, noted in his letter that the main road from the Parika Junction leading all the way to St. Lawrence, EBE was in a

Drainage works which were carried out along the Hubu Main Access Road in June this year. (Photo courtesy, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar) deplorable state for some time. “Road users, especially motorists are frustrated at the present condition. In some areas, the vehicles look as if they are going down in a trench.

Many persons have complained that their vehicles have been badly damaged while navigating the huge potholes.

Pedestrians are also forced to walk in the mud and huge potholes to avoid being in the path of the oncoming

traffic,” Salim said in his letter.

Kaieteur News was informed that during 2021, sectional repairs were done on this stretch of road but due to heavy vehicles and machinery which would use the roadway, it deteriorated.

The Hubu Main Access Road is the only road which gives residents in that community access to and from Parika and would also be used by heavy traffic such as logging trucks and farmers.

A 45-year-old man, who displayed disorderly behaviour at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday when he was arraigned on a malicious damage to property charge was ordered to get psychiatric help by Acting Chief Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

Bernard Campbell, is accused of maliciously damaging a glass door valued $12,000, property of Natasha Ramdass on December 10, 2023, at Lot 28 Kingston, Georgetown.

Campbell pleaded not guilty. Notably during the court procedures, it was revealed that the defendant and the virtually complainant are known to each other. During the court proceedings, the accused hurled offensive remarks at the virtual complainant. He also threatened the woman saying: “ah gon kill ayuh out.” Due to this behaviour the Magistrate told the court that Campbell needs to have a medical check-up.

Following that, the prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that since the accused does not have a fixed home, he can be a flight risk.

Notwithstanding the prosecution, the Magistrate granted bail in the sum of $30,000 to the accused, with the condition that he is sent to speak to a psychiatrist and

Burnard Campbell at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts receive medical assistance.

The court case was then adjourned to January 31, 2024.

Thursday December 14, 2023

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Thursday December 14, 2023

Amidst pomp and ceremony… Guyana bids

farewell to pilot Michael Charles G

u y a n a o n Wednesday bade farewell to Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles with thousands gathering in person and online to honour his life and legacy.

Lt. Colonel Charles, 61, was among the five GDF servicemen who perished l a s t We d n e s d a y i n a helicopter crash at Arau Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

His remains were flown in a Bell 412 helicopter from Guyana Defence Force (GDF) headquarters in

gun salute before he was cremated.

At his residence in Timehri, President Ali delivered a touching tribute in honour of the distinguished serviceman.

Describing Lt. Colonel Charles as “a pilot 'extraordinaire', a legend, and true son of the soil, who was always ready to serve,” the President told mourners at his Charles Hyde Park Timehri residence that the fallen serviceman discovered his purpose in life and fulfilled it. “Mike did not just fly, every time he

Guyana. “He lived life doing what he loved– flying.

Always ready with a solution…Loved nature. He loved children. He loved Guyana and people of Guyana and the children of Guyana and he set an example for all the men under his command.”

The President lauded the pilot's photography skills, noting that he captured Guyana's “magnificent” natural beauty.“In his videos he combined his extensive knowledge of the country's vast and pristine hinterland with his accomplished skills

of Charles work would be mounted on the walls of the National Museum. President Ali said too that he could not conclude without stressing that “Above everything, Mike was a patriot.” “Mike was a patriot who would lay down his life willingly in defense of Guyana. In his job, he undertook risky missions and he always acted out of a sense of duty,” the President added.

Similarly, Chief-ofStaff, Khan, lauded Lt. Col. Charles' contribution to the GDF's Air Corps, adding that his legacy will live on in his

When we deployed our Air Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Charles was always there, with a solution,” the GDF Chief-of-Staff stated.

Meanwhile, the programme honouring the life of Lt. Colonel Charles detailed that he commenced his dedicated career of service of the country at the age of 18, when he joined the GDF. According to the information contained in the programme, Lt. Colonel Charles went on to devote 40 years of his life to providing exemplary service navigating the skies above

A portrait of Lt. Colonel Michael Charles in front of his mother's residence Georgetown, to his residence in Timehri, East Bank Demerara where Guyanese joined the funeral procession via live stream, and in person paying tribute to the fallen son of the soil. President Irfaan Ali accompanied by Prime Minister Brigadier (ret'd), Mark Phillips, GDF Chief of Staff,Omar Khan and several government ministers were among many who paid their final respects to Charles.

His body was escorted to his Timehri residence before making a stop at his mother's residence in Soesdyke before a funeral service at the Church of the Nazarene in Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara. There was also another viewing at Promenade Gardens in Georgetown where friends and military colleagues offered tributes before the final procession to the Memorial Gardens, Le Repentir, where he received a military send off and a 21-

flew, he flew for country…,” Ali said. President added that among the things Lt. Colonel Charles was known for was his love for nature and children.

The Head-of-State noted that this was evident in the videos and photographs he captured while traversing the length and breadth of

as a pilot and a seasoned videographer, providing a marvellous birds-eye view of Guyana's unsurpassed beauty,” the President Ali further said.

Ali noted that “the sounds and colours of the rainforest is Mike Charles's best work yet,” as he made a commitment that a memorial

pictures, videos, the officers he trained and the lives of many Guyanese whom he touched along the way. “He was full of love and lived to serve this nation and I am even more proud that he did it while wearing the uniform…Things that felt difficult and challenging, there was always a solution.

Guyana's extensive navigating the skies above Guyana's extensive hinterland and borders. “In the early part of his career, he served at the 1 infantry Battalion as a platoon commander before venturing into aviation in 1984. Upon joining the air corps, he assumed the role of

trainee pilot endowing the Guyana Defence Force and Guyana with a pilot and patriot whose immeasurable love for his country was witnessed by all,” the tribute added.

Lt. Colonel Charles served as an officer for 29 years before retiring in 2010.

Throughout his service, he completed various military and aviation courses. His dedication was recognized with a military efficiency medal in 1997, awarded during his 16 th year of service.

He also received the 40th Anniversary Medal.

According to the information, Lt. Colonel Charles returned to service in 2011, and dedicated the last 12 years to the GDF Air Corps. His expertise proved invaluable in search and rescue operations and medical evacuations. His extensive aviation training included Commercial Pilot Certification in China, Bell 412 helicopter reefressher in Barbados, helicopter instrument in Aruba, Bell 412 pilot training and Bell 206 helicopter ground and flight training in the United States of America. In 2021, he was promoted to rank of Lieutenant Colonel by President Ali. While he was widely known as Mike Charles, Lt. Colonel Charles lived and died in service.

“His years in the skies were shared with all Guyanese, as he captured and conveyed the wonders of the vast country through videos and images. His infectious smile, wonderful anecdotes and commitment to service will be missed, his legacy will endure,” His tribute stated.

Thursday December 14, 2023

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One child dies, seven discharged after heart surgeries at GPHC

A

n eight-month old child out of the 10 children who underwent complicated heart surgeries is now dead after developing post-surgery complications.

Seven of the children have since been discharged from the hospital

and are expected to make full recoveries. The surgeries were made possible through collaboration between the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) and the Gift of Life International (GOLI) with the Second Pediatric Walk. The

Part of the team of specialists who conducted the surgeries.

During one of the procedures.

surgeries performed from December 4th to 8th, represented some of the most complex the team has ever seen, the GPHC said in a press release.

The GPHC said the nine survivors were in the hands of a team with unparalleled precision and expertise.

“The remaining nine patients showcase the resilience and dedication of the collaborative medical teams.

Post-operative care, a crucial component for recovery, was diligently provided by the

dedicated teams from GOLI and GPHC, including physicians and nurses.”

Before the procedures could have been performed, doctors undertook a thorough screening to assess the patients' conditions to determine if they were able to survive the surgeries.

A 22-member team hailing from Canada, USA, Chile, Puerto Rico, Australia and Colombia worked along with over 50 staff from GPHC to achieve this feat.

The international collaboration underscores the global effort to

provide critical medical care to those in need, the GPHC said.

The mission is part of a broader initiative and three similar missions are already scheduled for next year.

“As we witness the unfolding of this mission, let us join hands in applauding the dedication of the medical teams involved and wishing the young patients a swift and successful recovery.

Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of these children and contribute to a healthier, heartstrong future,” the medical institution noted.

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Venezuela prods BP, Chevron to revive gas project near Trinidad, Guyana - Reuters report President Irfaan Ali

(Reuters)- Venezuela has begun contacting energy firms involved in a longidled offshore natural gas project to push them to begin new exploration and operations near its maritime border with Guyana, five people close to the talks said.

The request to act on blocks that have not been touched in more than a decade comes amid an escalating territorial controversy with Guyana that has rattled the country and led to an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Ve n e z u e l a n P r e s i d e n t Nicolas Maduro wants state oil company PDVSA, and oil majors’ BP (BP.L), Chevron (CVX.N) and Shell (SHEL.L) to revive an offshore project shared with Trinidad and Tobago with some 8 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas reserves.

Guyana’s Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali has made it clear that the issuance of mining or petroleum licences and unauthorised activities in Guyana will not be condoned. The President on the sidelines of an event on Sunday evening was responding to a journalist from London on the measures announced by the Venezuelan government that the state-run oil company, PDVSA would grant licenses for oil, gas and mining exploration in the territory. This was among a suite of other measures announced by the Nicolas Maduro-administration on

December 5, 2023 following the consultative referendum held in Venezuela on December 3.

President Ali said, “We are not going to allow any of this to happen on the grounds of Guyana. Let me make it very clear, he can announce, he can issue (but) none of this, we have made it very clear, we are working with our allies, we are working with our partners to ensure that there is absolutely no overstepping into the sacred space of Guyana which includes comprehensively, a n d i n t o t a l i t y, t h e Essequibo.”

He assured that there is no need for fear while noting that Guyana is ensuring it is prepared at every level. The Head of State said the country wants peace and is working towards that but is not naive. To this end he said, “We have every intention to ensure the safety and security of all our people on our borders, every single investment is safe in G u y a n a . We w a n t t o encourage our investors to continue to invest as much as they want in every county of Guyana, in every region of Guyana.”

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that called Plataforma Deltana, the discoveries were never developed amid insufficient capital, an unfinished reservoir sharing effort with Trinidad, and a lack of clear rules for investment. In 2019, both countries authorized Shell to develop

Trinidad’s portion of the largest reservoir, called Manatee, with a final investment decision expected next year and gas output to start in 2028.Recently, Maduro has backtracked on that decision, telling Trinidad’s government in public comments in September that the fields should be jointly developed. His government and PDVSA started tapping companies to weigh their interest.

Chevron was the only company that completed exploration in Plataforma Deltana, certifying 7.3 tcf of recoverable gas and declaring two of Venezuela’s five blocks commercial in 2010. It never took steps to begin production. Russia’s Rosneft (ROSN.MM) in recent years explored another block but did not complete work in the area, w h i l e To t a l E n e r g i e s (TTEF.PA) and Equinor (EQNR.OL) returned one block to Venezuela after a non-commercial discovery.

One of the five blocks was never awarded.

“They are talking about working at blocks 2 and 4, which are the most advanced ones,” one of the sources said. On Trinidad’s side, those two blocks extend to Shell’s Manatee project and to BP’s Manakin shallow water block, both of which are moving to development and production design. BP and Trinidad’s government expect to begin negotiations with Venezuela to jointly

produce gas at Manakin upon completion of discussions for Manatee, which have already started, according to another person familiar with the matter.

Chevron has been in talks with Venezuela about its license, two of the people said. Venezuela also made initial contact with Australia’s Melbana Energy (MAY.AX), which operates in Cuba. The discussions could lead to a seismic contract for the less explored blocks, one of the people said. Melbana said in a Dec. 10 statement that it is not in talks with Venezuela’s government, and remains focused on its own projects, with “a busy work program underway.”

Shell declined to comment. Venezuela’s oil ministry, Trinidad’s energy m i n i s t r y, P D V S A a n d Chevron did not reply to requests for comment. BP told Reuters it views the Manakin field as an important part of its future area development plan, even though it had been unable to progress work there. “Since the temporary lifting of sanctions by the U.S. government, BP has been in early talks with the Trinidad and Tobago government assessing the opportunity to recommence development planning,” the spokesperson said.

TRIPLE INTEREST Plataforma Deltana is the closest energy project that Venezuela has to the waters in dispute with Guyana.

Both nations have drawn maritime border lines that cross offshore oil and gas areas in the other’s claimed territory. The north portion of the Stabroek block, a massive area in development

by Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), CNOOC (0883.HK) and Hess (HES.N) under license from Guyana, extends into Ve n e z u e l a n w a t e r s , according to Maduro’s government. One of Plataforma Deltana’s blocks extends into Guyana’s claimed waters.

Venezuela’s oil ministry and PDVSA have worked since 2016 to outsource 2D seismic data collection and map areas including the Esequibo and the Isla de Av e s t e r r i t o r y i n t h e Caribbean, which are in dispute with Guyana and Dominica, respectively, said Antero Alvarado, managing partner of consultancy Gas Energy Latin America.

“Venezuela has not completed seismic work in a very long time. The urgency of doing it now comes amid

the controversy with Guyana and its renewed interest to export gas to markets like Trinidad,” he said. The territorial dispute with Guyana is being discussed at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which this month ordered Venezuela to refrain from taking any action that would alter the situation with its neighbor.

That came after Maduro’s government held a vote on a referendum asking Venezuelans whether they a c c e p t e d t h e I C J ’s jurisdiction on the issue.

They did not. Maduro on Dec. 5 said he would authorize oil and mining exploration in the disputed areas with Guyana, but did not elaborate on locations or projects. PDVSA and state industrial conglomerate CVG were asked to create specific divisions for that purpose. President Ali called Maduro’s actions a blatant disregard of ICJ orders and an imminent threat to G u y a n a ’s t e r r i t o r i a l integrity.

Police and Travis Chase tussle over gun used at crime scene Police on Wednesday said that spent shells retrieved from the scene of the execution attempt on Travis Chase might match his gun.

The force has requested that he lodge his licensed firearm so that police investigators can conduct further analysis before making any conclusion.

Police in a statement alleged that one of its expert firearm examiners compared the spent shells casings with the specimen shell casings that were obtained from Chase’s gun when he had registered it. “…the preliminary test result reveals significant similarities between these spent shells”, police said.

Travis Chase has since refuted the police’s claims calling it “absolute nonsense”.

According Chase, he had his gun on him at the time of the shooting

and had never fired back any bullet at the suspect.

A gunman had reportedly opened fire on the journalist’s car around 9:05hrs at D’Urban Street and Cemetery Road, Georgetown. Chase told police that he parked his car in front of his house at the area and went inside to collect a shopping list from his aunt.While entering his house, he heard gunshots coming from the direction of his car. He sought cover and after making sure his attackers had left, he stepped out and saw three bullet holes in his car.The matter was reported to police and according to investigators, three nine millimeters spent shells and one live 9MM round were found at the scene. Several persons have since been questioned by police. Chase told Kaieteur News that the experience was a scary one and he hopes

Journalist Travis Chase that investigators are able to make a breakthrough in his case since it is not the first time efforts were made to harm him.In 2020, Chase’s Honda SUV was burnt by unknown persons while parked within the Ministry of Public Service’ compound, on Vlissengen Road and D’Urban Street, Georgetown. The case remains unsolved. On Monday night, Chase said he had no idea who would want to kill him but suspects that

his style of reporting may have angered someone.

Notwithstanding, the journalist reassured: “I am a reporter that stands for the truth. I am not going to be scared or back down from this.”The attack on Chase has been condemned by the Guyana Press Association and Pedro Vaca Villarreal, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) called on the Guyanese authorities to protect the journalist.The GPA on Tuesday had called for a thorough investigation into the shooting incident.

“The GPA calls on the authorities to move swiftly to bring the perpetrators to justice. Journalists must be allowed to work without threats to their lives and livelihood. The GPA has since notified its regional and international partners of

this development,” the associated statement read.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister and Member of Parliament, Geeta ChandanEdmond said in a statement Wednesday that she is “profoundly shocked , saddened and extremely concerned about the attempts on the life of one of Guyana’s revered media personnel, Mr. Travis Chase.” Chandan-Edmond said this development is indicative of how dangerous freedom of expression and the right to be a journalist has become under the PPP Administration.

“This development flies in the face of the UN Declaration of Press Freedom, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions and the UN Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists. It is my sincere

hope that this sordid act will be investigated and the perpetrators are brought to justice forthwith.”

She said this call is made against the backdrop of rising crime and Guyana facing its most insecure time in decades. “To date, the Guyana Police Force remains highly politicized, there is no crime plan, the Ministry of Home Affairs has no clue and criminal justice system is on its knees.

I use this opportunity to, once again, call on the Government to arrest the crime situation and return Guyana to its pre-2020 calm and peace.

The people of Guyana must be safe and secure in their homes , communities, villages and towns and it is a responsibility of the state to formulate and articulate clear and consistent policies to ensure citizen security,” the shadow minister said.

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Thursday December 14, 2023

Kaieteur News

ANUG frowns on govt.’s 6.5% salary increase amidst billions in oil revenue, rising cost of living

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A New and United Guyana (ANUG) political party has expressed dissatisfaction with the Government of Guyana (GoG’s) decision to impose a 6.5 percent salary increase for public servants.

On Friday, Senior Minister within the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh announced the 6.5 percent increase, effective retroactively from January 1, 2023.

This figure represents a decrease from the 7 percent and 8 percent increments provided in 2021 and 2022, respectively. He also announced a one-month tax-free bonus for members of the disciplined services.

“ANUG vehemently opposes the government’s decision to implement a meager 6.5% annual raise for public servants in Guyana,” the statement read.

The party emphasized that the decision is grossly inadequate, especially when one considers the substantial increase in the cost of living throughout 2023. “We emphasize that essential public servants, including police officers, military personnel, firefighters, nurses, teachers, doctors, and ministry staff, deserve a more substantial and equitable salary adjustment to cope with the rising expenses they inevitably face.

These individuals play a pivotal role in maintaining the essential services that contribute to the well-being and stability of our nation,” ANUG stated. The party in criticising the 6.5% raise, said

A New and United Guyana (ANUG) newly elected executive team

that it fails to meet the needs of hardworking public servants and raises concerns about potential negative repercussions on the economy.

ANUG explained that as the government is the largest employer in Guyana, the limited salary increase for public servants may lead to reduced disposable income nationwide, impacting private sector businesses due to diminished consumer spending power. ANUG reminded that prior to 2020, when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) sat in Opposition, they demanded a 50 percent salary increase for civil servants from the previous administration, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition Government.

“At the time, no oil revenue had been received, but the Opposition PPP correctly pointed to the escalating cost

of living, and the woefully inadequate salaries being paid.

Their call for 50% was ignored by the APNU/AFC government of the day,” the party highlighted. ANUG asserted that since 2020, Guyana received US$ billions in oil revenue and can afford to treat its public servants with dignity. “Since 2020, the cost of living has escalated in a much steeper trajectory, and the working people of Guyana are suffering, but the PPP, now in Government, has blandly announced a 6.5 percent salary increase for public servants,” the party emphasized.

The party noted too that the annual cost of the increase equates to some of the larger government contracts being handed out to “a favored few, financed from the same oil revenue which should be benefiting all Guyanese, not some.”

“The lives of our people are not a game,” the party

outlined.

ANUG stressed the necessity for serious leadership in Guyana, urging the government to engage in responsible decision-making that prioritizes the well-being of all Guyanese.

Moreover, the party contends that a more generous and fair approach to salary adjustments is not only essential for the well-being of public servants but also crucial for sustaining a robust and flourishing national economy. The party said that adequate compensation for those dedicated to the public service is not only a matter of fairness but also a wise investment in the country’s overall prosperity. ANUG urged the government to reconsider its decision and engage in constructive dialogue with relevant stakeholders to find a solution that better aligns with the needs and aspirations of public servants.

Govt. foregoes more than half of its tax revenues...

From page 3 outlined a comparative analysis of tax exemption categories for companies and businesses, including: investment a g r e e m e n t s ($116,451,949,000), manufacturing ($3,040,804,000), nonoil ($2,071,298,000), fuel ($1,772,040,000), agriculture ($1,536,295,000), construction ($670,833,000), mining ($444,288,000), fishing ($117,248,000), aircraft ($89,109,000), forestry ($44,296,000) and public transportation ($2,765,000).

Notwithstanding the decrease in exemptions granted under investment agreements, manufacturing, and fuel, these categories accounted for 92.24 percent, 2.41 percent, and 1.40 percent, respectively. Together, they represented 96.05 percent of the total exemptions granted in 2022. In response to the AG’s findings, the GRA Head of Budget indicated that their role concerning the tax exemp-

tions regime is to administer various provisions outlined in the Tax Acts through which exemptions are granted.

These exemptions, enshrined in law and/or policies, are non-discretionary on the part of the GRA. The Commissioner General has advocated for the removal of the concession regime and suggested replacing it with a system of tax credits, akin to practices in developed nations, to enhance compliance with tax laws and Investment Agreement conditions. The decrease in conditional tax exemptions may have resulted from amendments to laws concerning fuels and other pivotal industries. Additionally, it was stated that the GRA cannot demand taxpayers to make exemption requests.

Moreover, the Investment Act No. 1 of 2004 Section 4(1) states, “The Government encourages and seeks to facilitate persons, either

individuals or legal entities, to invest capital in Guyana on the basis of mutual benefit and observance of the laws of Guyana and international treaties or agreements to which the State or Government is a Party.” Section 3(c) highlights the objective of “promoting the development of international best practices regarding investment.”

The report also revealed that from a sample of 23 Investment Agreement applications processed, 81.82 percent of the applicants did not provide audited Financial Statements, while 9.09 percent submitted and 9.09 percent partially submitted.

As such, the financial stability of the companies who are receiving billions of dollars for projects may not be able to successfully complete these projects due to poor cash flow. It is imperative to note that, Financial Statements provide insights of a business financial health, and

gives insight into its performance, operations and cash flow. For instance, it provides information about a business revenue, expenses, profitability and debt.

Additionally, 52.17 percent of the sample applicants did not submit their Business Registration or Articles of Incorporation, making it impossible to determine the establishment year of these businesses. The GRA clarified that effective from 2020, its role in processing Investment Agreements changed significantly as these functions were absorbed by Go-Invest.

GRA’s role now primarily involves oversight to ensure that the items in draft Agreements align with long-standing government policies and tax laws. Notably, GRA mentioned conducting its review to ascertain applicants’ tax status and identify any significant anomalies before the Minister of Finance makes a decision in each case.

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Thursday December 14, 2023

Guyanese woman, son killed in Trinidad

( T R I N I D A D GUARDIAN) Returning home from work Tuesday morning, Marcus John met a chilling sight. His eight-yearold stepson Noel Thomas lay lifeless, murdered in his sleep with a single stab to his neck.

His common-law wife Hollice Thomas, 40, lay on the bedroom floor, fighting for breath, as blood poured from a wound on her neck.

Before she died at the San Fernando General Hospital, Thomas tried to mutter the name of their attacker.

Standing at the murder scene while undertakers removed the bodies, John appeared dazed, his eyes bloodshot.

Clutching the door of a car, he whispered: “Doh ask me nothing now, please. A little later. I cannot deal with this right now.”

In a statement given to police, John said he left home at 6 am to go to work. He came home at 9 am and called out to Thomas, who was supposed to be with Noel at the time. There was no answer. As John walked into the house, he saw blood on

the bedroom floor.

Then he saw little Noel lying dead on his bed, his body still warm. There was a gaping wound to the child's neck.

Horrified, John then saw Thomas lying at the side of her bed, gasping for breath.

She too was bleeding from the neck. She was still conscious but couldn't speak.

Thomas was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital, where she died shortly after.

A neighbour who requested anonymity said the family had moved into the apartment building less than six months ago. They lived downstairs while other families lived upstairs.

Despite their close proximity, they kept to themselves.

“I would see her but I didn't know anything about her,” the neighbour said.

Noel attended the Ste Madeleine Government Primary School, while Thomas worked as a security guard. Jennifer Ramdin, 78, who lived opposite them,

Hollice Thomas and her son, Noel Thomas said she saw Thomas on the porch hanging up some clothes a few hours before her body was found around 9.05 am.

“It is so frightening. I am shaking right now,” Ramdin whispered. She recalled hearing some screams but did not investigate, as she

thought people were playing on the road outside her house.

“People always making noise. At the time I didn't think nothing about it,” she revealed. Lamenting the state of crime, Ramdin said she was now afraid to come out of her home.

Meanwhile, police said Thomas and her son had been victims of domestic violence in the past.

Thomas was born in Guyana and attended the university in Guyana before moving to T&T. She got engaged in 2012 and was married one year later. In 2019, Thomas reported that a male relative had attacked her and chased her then-fouryear-old son Noel with a chopper.

The relative was later charged with assaulting Thomas, occasioning a wound, and was jailed for a year. A medical report from the San Fernando General Hospital presented in court, showed Thomas suffered bruising and swelling to her right cheek, a laceration to her inner bottom lip, bruising

and tenderness and blunt trauma to her head, which caused headaches.

At the time, the relative told the court he and Thomas had a “little argument” over an uncooked meal which later turned violent. Thomas told the magistrates she had another incident in 2018 and was afraid for her life, but the police never took her report seriously.

Apart from the crime involving Thomas and her son, the relative also faced other charges of attempted murder against another person. Police said while they cannot link yesterday's murders to the 2019 attacks, they were searching for a suspect.

The murder weapon was also recovered. Officers of Homicide Region III, headed

by Assistant Supt. Persad, Insp. Dirk John and Insp.

Amzal Ousman, visited the scene, along with Supt.

Singh, Insp. Roland Ramlogan, Sgt. Noyan and Sgt. Seeteeram.

Investigations are continuing.

Broke GPL unable to hold X-mas party for staff The mood at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) offices may have dimmed last week after the company informed staff that it is unable to host its annual Christmas party this year.

“As you are aware, the Company at this time is faced with severe financial constraints and we are very challenged to meet day to day expenses,” the power company said in an internal memorandum addressed to staff and seen by this publication.

Alternatively, GPL told its staff that since it is unable to find funds for its Christmas party, it offered

each staff member $4,000 by way of cheques.

However, GPL said it expects staff to plan and execute individual parties through committees and it said it expected all employees to be involved.

This year, GPL was allocated billions of dollars in the national budget to upgrade its operations. In addition, a sum of $43.3 billion was budgeted to facilitate the construction of Wales gasto-shore this plant and associated facilities.

Despite the huge budgetary allocations, the country continues to be plagued by blackouts, some

of which lasts for hours and which occur almost daily.

The power company has been forced to carry out load shedding exercises for hours-long periods this year as consumption exceeded the company's power generation capacity. In addition, the company was forced to take its large consumers off the national grid during peak hours. In November, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar said at a press conference that the government has invested US$27.5 million to increase the company's generating capacity.

The internal memorandum which GPL's staff received last Thursday.

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Volodímir Zelenski

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Thursday December 14, 2023

Russell’s back and killing it, but the West Indies cricket soap opera is far from over (ESPN Cricinfo) Everyone wants to be their own boss. Choose your own hours. Pick your holidays.

And take two years off before coming back in time for a home World Cup. The return of Andre Russell to the T20I side is the latest in the West Indian cricket soap opera.

In the last month, the region has seen Darren Bravo, 34, controversially omitted from the ODI squad because of his age, with the sprightly Kjorn Ottley chosen instead. And happy birthday to Kjorn, by the way, he turned 34 on Saturday.

Shane Dowrich, 32, was recalled to the white-ball setup after four years on the sidelines, only to announce his retirement from international cricket ten days later. And chief selector Desmond Haynes said he was unaware of Akeal Hosein’s status when it came to the ODI series, only for him to open the bowling in tonight’s T20I. And just as the cricket threatened to take over. In the space of two days, the return of Russell and the departure of Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran and Kyle Mayers were confirmed. All of whom have

opted to reject the Cricket West Indies central contract.

Russell isn’t the player he once was, but he is still a match-winner, and in his much anticipated return, he put in a Player-of-the-Match performance with a gamechanging spell of 3 for 19, before sealing a four-wicket win for West Indies as he bludgeoned 29 not out off 14 balls.

“I love the start I got,” Russell said in the moments after play, still sweating after his 49-run partnership with skipper Rovman Powell got the West Indies over the line.

“I always want to play for the

Thursday December 14, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Are you an artist, writer, or musician, Aries? If so, your work may take on a more symbolic or impressionistic tone. Today you're probably more interested in conveying feelings and impressions than details.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Innovative art forms might seem especially appealing today, Taurus. Stay out of gallery shops unless you're prepared to take home a carload of merchandise.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Do you believe in ghosts?

Some strange phone calls, emails, or other communications may come your way today, Gemini. One may come from someone who thinks you're someone else.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) An unexpected sum of money could come your way today, Cancer. It probably won't be large, but it will be welcome nonetheless.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Are all of your friends into astrology, divine science, or spiritual matters, Libra? It might seem like most of them are today, anyway. You may have many new friends in those fields.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A love partner may host a social event or meeting of some kind, Scorpio. It might be interesting to get acquainted with friends of your mate you haven't yet met.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Are you contemplating a trip, Sagittarius, perhaps to a place you've always dreamed of visiting? If you're in doubt as to whether or not you can do it.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The Material values may pale beside spiritual ones today, Capricorn. You might consider giving up the rat race and retreating to the wilderness.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Have you been exercising too rigorously lately, Leo? If so, you might feel some little aches and pains. Stay off your feet for most of the day.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A current or potential romantic partner might seem like the most perfect, wonderful person in the world to you, Aquarius. Your romantic nature could get the better of you today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) You may feel indecisive today, Virgo, especially in the morning. Other people's actions may confuse you.

Don't worry. Concentrate on your projects and goals.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might not be able to concentrate on your work today, Pisces. Your head may be in the clouds and your eye for detail could fail you somewhat.

West Indies. Sometimes people might think it’s all about playing leagues and all of those things, but I try to make sure that I look after my body and make sure that when the call-up is here, I’m ready. I was really excited for this call-up.”

The return of Russell is a boost for West Indies both on-and-off the pitch. He is a global superstar, with his presence a boon for every marketing and financial spreadsheet. But more to the point, he fills a middle-anddeath-overs-shaped hole for West Indies that the team was crying out for.

No longer an out-and-out hard hitting allrounder, Russell is now a hard-lengthhitting bowler, who, if you ask nicely, is also good for a few sixes.

His three-wicket spell was split between the first over that went for ten and the following three that went for just nine and included the wickets of Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and Rehan Ahmed.

“The last delivery of my first over, I bowled a slower ball and I realised it gripped,” Russell said of his spell.

“Since then, I told most of the seamers, bowl cutters, make it difficult for them. Pace-on deliveries, that’s where they get most of their runs… I tried to pass the message on as quickly as possible.”

“Sammy mentioned that once I do what I have to do in the CPL he will definitely mention my name in selection.

And I had my fingers crossed… I’m here to play cricket and I’m just happy I can be wearing this crest on my chest” Before Russell’s slowerball intervention, England had scored 77 runs without a wicket, and they then lost all ten for just 94 more.

“I was excited to see all the guys there trying to make sure the plan that we discussed in the huddle came out,” Russell said. “And it’s good to pull it back from a high-scoring game to 170 [171]. We know how good the quality of England’s spinners are and their [other] bowlers, so it was good to actually restrict them and have some cushion and comfort.”

That Russell is back in West Indies colours is down to new head coach Daren Sammy. Together, the pair won the 2012 and 2016 T20

World Cups, and it was after Russell’s 11 wickets in the CPL three months ago that Sammy teased the idea of him coming back to win a third.

“Sammy mentioned that once I do what I have to do in the CPL he will definitely mention my name in selection,” Russell said. “And I had my fingers crossed…

I’m here to play cricket and I’m just happy I can be wearing this crest on my chest.”

It is a full-circle moment for West Indian cricket, as two of the first high-profile players to go down the freelance route have reunited

under the national banner.

Sammy and Russell were cut from the national contracts list in 2016, experiences that make them well-placed to assist and understand the latest generation of players’ internal debates when they are weighing up what’s best for their own futures. When it was Russell and Sammy doing it, it was a leap into the unknown. But now, for the likes of Pooran, Holder and Mayers, who have opted to forego their CWI contracts, it’s a risk where the potential rewards are evidenced by the senior player and head coach in their own dressing room.

Thursday December 14, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 29

Blue Water Girls’ Under-15 Development League to go nationwide in 2024

T

Part of the action in the friendly match between Georgetown’s Tucville Secondary School and Bartica’s Potaro Strikers

he Blue Water Girls’ Under-15 Development League will run as a national tournament in 2024, providing a competitive platform for budding talents to exhibit their skills and contend for potential positions within the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) national team programme.

The announcement was made during a friendly m a t c h b e t w e e n Georgetown’s Tucville Secondary School and Bartica’s Potaro Strikers to c e l e b r a t e B l u e Wa t e r Shipping’s acquisition of the naming rights for the GFF D u r b an P ar k S tad iu m located in the heart of Georgetown.

The football community warmly welcomed news of the stadium after its announcement on December 8 by the GFF and Blue Water Shipping. The state-of-theart, multi-million-dollar facility will have a seating capacity of 10,400, a main pitch, mini pitches for grassroots programmes and office space for the federation. It will be completed in four years.

Blue Water Shipping Senior Vice President of

Sales and Development Richard DeNobrega affirmed his company’s dedication to nurturing youth talent and emphasised that the stadium plays a pivotal role in the nationwide growth of football.

“At Blue Water Shipping we are always happy to contribute in a meaningful way to sport development.

This further development of our partnership with the GFF step allows us to build on our existing commitment to the U-15 Girls League with the construction of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium.

Our vision is that the continued development of talent is boosted and youths from all across Guyana are given the opportunity to benefit from a facility that promotes their growth. This is something we should all be proud of.”

In May 2022, the GFF and Blue Water Shipping collaboratively launched the first girls’ league aimed at nurturing young female footballers across Guyana.

Now, the league will mirror the recently concluded Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Power Under17 National Academy Playoff.

GFF President Wayne Forde highlighted that the Guyanese football community has plenty to celebrate thanks to the extended partnership with Blue Water Shipping.

“Thank you to Blue Wa t e r S h i p p i n g f o r s u p p o r t i n g t h e G F F ’s football infrastructure goal.

This is another significant step toward achieving our state-of-the-art stadium, given the green light by Concacaf and FIFA, within the coming four years.

T h e B l u e Wa t e r Shipping Stadium is poised to become the official home of football.”

Furthermore, Forde highlighted that the 2024 launch of the Blue Water Girls’ Under-15 Development League tournament shows the c o m p a n y ’s r e s o l u t e commitment to fostering the growth of talented girls across Guyana. “ G F F ’s f o c u s o n grassroots initiatives is crucial to our strategic plan to ensure the sustainable advancement of football.

This initiative’s rollout in 2024 promises positive engagement from participating schools.”

England Tour of the West Indies 2023…

Buttler: England must put the brakes on big-hitting West Indies (Reuters) - England must find a way to restrict the big hitters in the West Indies team after the hosts smashed 14 sixes en route to a four-wicket win in the opening Twenty20 International in Barbados on Tuesday, captain Jos Buttler said.

West Indies chased down the tourists’ 171 with 11 balls to spare in the raindelayed match, with their top three batters combining for nine sixes - three more than the entire England side.

“They hit a lot of sixes as a team, that’s something that is a trademark of their side and we’ve got to find ways to limit that,” Buttler told reporters.

“Obviously, the swing in the game with sixes is so big.” England got off to a strong

start, reaching 77 for no loss in the first six overs, but then lost wickets regularly to be all out in 19.3 overs. “From the position we were in at halfway, to only end up with (171) is an area we could have improved in,” Buttler said.

“The wicket definitely got harder, and the West Indies adapted.

“You’ve got to find ways to get it out the arc, try and find ways to take wickets as well, be aggressive and be committed. It’s a great test for us and we’ll find out lots over the next few games.”

The teams play the second of five T20s on Thursday afternoon in Grenada.

The hosts won the preceding One Day International series 2-1.

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 14, 2023

Milan stun Newcastle as both teams bow out of Champions League

Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff in action with AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez (Reuters)

(Reuters) - AC Milan substitute Samuel Chukwueze struck a superb late winner to seal a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United as both teams exited the Champions League at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

At one point on a nervejangling climax to Group F, Newcastle were heading for the last 16 as they led through Joelinton’s rasping first-half drive and Paris St Germain trailed in Germany to Borussia Dortmund.

But seven-times champions Milan were far better in the second half as Newcastle ran out of steam and Christian Pulisic equalised on the hour from Olivier Giroud’s pass.

With both sides going for victory, Bruno Guimaraes had a shot tipped on to the crossbar by Milan keeper Mike Maignan before Rafael Leao hit the post at the other end.

Milan had won only one of their previous 21 encounters in Europe away to English opposition, in 2005, but Chukwueze made it a memorable night for the Serie A side when he curled past Martin Dubravka in the 84th minute following a slick counter-attack.

The final whistle saw tempers boil over as Newcastle’s frustration was obvious. Milan’s joy was muted as news of PSG’s 1-1 draw at Dortmund meant the French club finished runners-up in the group with eight points, the same as Milan but with a better headto-head. Milan go into the Europa League while Newcastle, who finished bottom with five, bow out of Europe.

Roared on by the home fans, injury-ravaged Newcastle dominated the first half and deservedly led when Joelinton smashed a rising drive past Maignan after being teed up by 17year-old midfielder Lewis Miley.

Milan barely mustered an effort on goal although Leao did pose a threat on the rare attacking foray.

Stefano Pioli’s side looked rejuvenated after the interval and equalised when Leao’s low cross ended up at the feet of Giroud who shifted it on to fellow former Chelsea player Pulisic to fire into the net.

Anxiety gripped St James’ Park but when Leao’s shot struck the post after he was played clean through it seemed the hosts might still muster the victory they needed. But it was not to be as their first Champions League campaign for two decades ended in crushing disappointment.

KFC Goodwill Int’l Schools Series continues today with round 2 The KFC Goodwill Series is in full swing, showcasing thrilling action in the School Boy’s Under18 football matches. Round two kicks off today at the Queen’s College (QC) and Ministry of Education (MoE) grounds, promising a lineup packed with intense clashes and potential gamechangers.

Following an explosive opening day where teams like Trinidad and Tobago’s St Benedict’s and Jamaica’s Clarendon College, alongside local talents Carmel Secondary and Chase’s Academic Foundation, claimed victories, the stakes are high for today’s matches.

Today’s agenda at the Queen’s College ground will commence with an opening showdown between Chase’s Academic Foundation and Bartica Secondary. This will be followed by a face-off between Carmel and VWO4 (Suriname), both matches promising an adrenalinepumping experience for football enthusiasts.

The action doesn’t stop there-later in the evening the MoE ground will witness

Clarendon College locking horns with St Ignatius Secondary, followed by a gripping match-up between St Benedict’s College and defending champions DC Caesar Fox Secondary (Waramodang).

Taking u back on the o p e n i n g d a y, C a r m e l Secondary clashed with DC Caesar Fox Secondary in the final match of the day, resulting in a nail-biting 2-1 victory for Carmel. Ian Daniels emerged as the star of the game, securing an effective brace with goals in the 16th and 43rd minutes.

Antonio Isaacs of DC Caesar Fox Secondary managed to pull one back for his team in the 45th minute, but Carmel’s solid defense held firm, sealing the game at 2-1.

The tournament is sponsored by Beharry Restaurant Holdings Inc., through its KFC Guyana franchise with support from MVP Sports, ANSA McAL (Lucozade), the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Ministry of Education, the Guyana Football Federation, and ExxonMobil and is organised by the Petra Organisation.

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 14, 2023

PAGE 31

Peru sack coach Reynoso after poor run

Adrian’s Grocery lends support to East Bank vs. The Rest Street Football

(Reuters) - Peru have fired coach Juan Reynoso, the country’s FA (FPF) said on Wednesday, following a run of poor results in their opening games of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Peru are bottom in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings with two points after two draws and four losses.

Reynoso was appointed in 2022 to replace Argentina’s Ricardo Gareca, who led Peru to their first World Cup in 36 years in 2018.

“Today it is our duty to inform that the best understanding has been reached to end his cycle as manager and we express our best wishes for success in the next steps of his career,” the FPF said in a statement.

Peru will face champions Argentina, Chile and a CONCACAF playoff winner in Group A at next year’s Copa America. They will resume their World Cup qualifying campaign in September against Colombia and Ecuador.

Adrian’s Groceries has teamed up with Ballerz Entertainment to co-host the upcoming semi-finals and final of the East Bank Versus the Best Street Football competition. Their substantial sponsorship injects an extra dose of excitement into the tournament as it reaches its climax. This partnership brings a surge of anticipation to the pivotal phase of the competition.

Mark your calendars for December 16th as the action continues at the Mocha Community Centre, Tarmac.

The semi-finals feature Sparta Boss, Back Street Warriors, Five-O, and Team Family battling it out from 8:00 pm, vying for a chance to claim up to $1,000,000 in cash and prizes. Will East Bank emerge victorious, or could Sparta Boss or Back Street Warriors seize the moment?

The success of the tournament owes much to the generous support of Ryda Hard Wine, GT Beer, Klovers Fashion, Adrian’s

Juan Reynoso (Photo: Reuters)

- Semi finals kick off this Saturday

Adrian’s Grocery supports Ballers Entertainment Street Football competition Groceries, Mocha Arcadia NDC, Hungry Helpers, Joy’s

Water, Igloo Ice Cream, and Adrian’s Groceries.

Jokic ‘crossed the line’ as ejection prompts boos from Chicago fans (SportsMax) - Nikola Jokic accepted he “crossed the line” after being ejected from the Denver Nuggets’ road win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, a decision which prompted boos from the opposing fans.

Jokic was ejected with just over a minute remaining in the second quarter, but Reggie Jackson stepped up with a team-high 25 points as Denver rallied in his absence for a 114-106 win.

The two-time NBA MVP was tossed after yelling at official Mousa Dagher while asking for a foul call, with ESPN reporting that he told Dagher: “Call the foul, mother******”.

The pool report said Jokic was thrown out for “profane language that warranted an ejection”, and while Jokic accepted he was in the wrong, he said other officials would not have called a technical for that offence. “Sometimes it’s not even a technical,” Jokic said after the game. “I crossed the line, I understand, but sometimes that word doesn’t

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after he was ejected from the game by referee Mousa Dagher (not pictured). (Getty Images)

cross the line. It is what it is.”

Jokic’s ejection led to boos from the Chicago crowd, and the Bulls were expecting a large contingent of Serbian fans to be in attendance on Jokic’s only visit to United Center this regular season.

“It’s the second-biggest Serbian population here,” Jokic pointed out. “Belgrade is the first, and Chicago is the second. So, maybe they

came to see me!” While Denver coach Michael Malone was pleased to see Jokic’s team-mates step up, he said the team must ensure that he stays in games for the duration. “I think everybody was surprised it was a onetech toss,” Malone said.

“Maybe I have to do a better job because if he’s getting fouled or he thinks he’s getting fouled, let me take the tech. “That’s my job as a

head coach because I don’t want him being put in that position where he is getting thrown out. It’s not good for him and more importantly it’s not good for the team.

“We can talk about how great our bench was tonight, but in the big picture, we need Nikola available. He knows that, and we just have to work on how we engage and how we communicate with the referees.”

Jokic was not the subject of the only high-profile ejection across the NBA on Tuesday, with Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green tossed for the third time this season in a 119-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Green was ejected in the third quarter after receiving a Flagrant 2 foul for hitting Jusuf Nurkic in the face, with the incident coming less than a month after he was banned

for five games for putting the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert in a headlock.Green must now wait on a league review to discover whether he will face another suspension, and he apologised for catching Nurkic in the aftermath of Golden State’s loss.

“I am not one to apologise for things I do, but I do apologise to Jusuf because I didn’t intend to hit him,” Green said. “I sell calls with my arms. I was selling the call, I swung and unfortunately I hit him.”

While Suns coach Frank Vo g e l c a l l e d G r e e n ’s behaviour “reckless” and “dangerous”, the 33-yearold insisted he didn’t intend to strike Nurkic. “If I intended to do that, then I would feel awful about not being there,” Green added.

“But my intentions were just to sell the foul.

“You guys have known me long enough, if I intended to do something, I am not apologising. But I did make contact with him, so I do apologise. It’s a hard hit.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Thursday December 14, 2023

ICC unveils revised schedule for ICC U19 Men’s World Cup in South Africa

The event will welcome a new format for this edition, where teams progressing from the group stages will enter a new Super Six stage (Photo: CWI Media)

A revised schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 has been revealed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), confirming five venues in South Africa that will host the 15th edition of the celebrated event between 19 January and 11 February, following the decision taken by the ICC Board in November to relocate the event from Sri Lanka.

The new schedule sees the hosts kick off their campaign against the West Indies in Potchefstroom on opening day while defending champions India start the defense of their crown a day later against former champions Bangladesh, who claimed the silverware when the tournament was last hosted in South Africa back in 2020.

The most exciting young talent in world cricket will compete for the silverware across 41 matches held at established international venues; Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Buffalo Park in East London, Kimberley Oval in Kimberley, JB M a r k s O v a l i n Potchefstroom and finally Wi l l o w m o o r e P a r k i n Benoni – the venue selected to host the Semi-Finals on 6

and 8 February, and the Final on 11 February.

The event will welcome a new format for this edition, where teams progressing from the group stages will enter a new Super Six stage, starting 30 January, where two groups of six teams will clash to determine the SemiFinalists and the subsequent Finalists.

In the group listings, holders India are joined

by Bangladesh, Ireland, and USA in Group A. Group B consists of England, South Africa, We s t I n d i e s , a n d Scotland. Group C features Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Namibia while Group D i s m a d e u p o f Afghanistan, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Nepal.

ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley commented, “In the past 12 months we have seen South Africa successfully deliver two milestone events for the sport - the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup last year, and the groundbreaking ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that immediately followed.”

“The relocation of the U19 Men’s Cricket World

Cup 2024 to South Africa allows us the opportunity to build on this momentum and welcome the best young cricketers on the planet to five notable international venues. This event has a long-standing tradition of unveiling the newest stars onto the international stage, and with fans given the opportunity to witness these players in action for free, we firmly believe the stage is set for another thrilling edition.”

Tournament Director, Wanele Mngomezulu added, “As Cricket South Africa we are humbled by the ICCs show of confidence in our abilities to stage

international cricket events.

While the task of hosting the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 has been conferred upon us with very tight timelines, we are happy to take on the challenge.

Hosting this event allows us an opportunity to further sharpen our skills and capabilities in the run-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 which will be held in South Africa.”

“Hosting the tournament on home soil is opportune for us to promote cricket to sport-loving South Africans and attract new fans and young talent to the game, thereby driving our strategic

pillars of excellence, access, and inclusion.”

Ahead of the event, each competing team will play two warm-up matches between 13 and 17 January in venues in Johannesburg and Pretoria. The U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup has long been the springboard for some of the most recognizable stars of the global game. West Indies won the title in 2016 when the event was staged in Bangladesh. That team was led by Shimron Hetmyer and included Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Obed McCoy, and Odean Smith.

Through the history of

the event, India are the most decorated with five U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup titles, Australia has won the event three times, Pakistan twice, while England, Bangladesh, West Indies and 2024 hosts South Africa have each been crowned once.

West Indies first round matches are: 19 January: vs South Africa at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom 24 January: vs Scotland at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom 26 January: vs England at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Rahm’s move to LIV Golf will make ‘more apples fall from the tree’ (BBC Sport) - LIV Golf chief executive Greg Norman says there will be “more apples falling from the tree” following Jon Rahm’s decision to join the Saudi-funded tour.

Rahm announced he would be leaving the PGA Tour for LIV earlier this month.

The move represented a huge U-turn for the two-time major winner, who had previously ruled out joining LIV since its inaugural season in 2022. “To have Jon on board was critically important to our future and what we want to do,” Norman said. Speaking t o Wo r l d B u s i n e s s Report, Norman added: “It will create a domino effect, there will be more apples falling from the tree - no question about it, because LIV continues to develop.”

Rahm, 29, said in 2022 that LIV’s three-day events,

with shotgun starts and no cut, were “not appealing” and he was chasing a golfing legacy over money.

However, the Spaniard now joins other major winners on the breakaway tour including Brooks Koepka, who won this year’s US PGA Championship, 2022 Open champion Cam Smith and six-time major winner Phil Mickelson.

Rahm is reportedly set to earn upwards of £450m ($566.4m) as part of his switch.

Norman said Rahm’s move has caused other players to consider signing for LIV. “Since Jon signed, less than a week ago now, I know my phone is blowing up,” Norman said.

“I know we probably have eight to 12 players who are very, very keen to sit down and talk to us about coming on board.”

However, Norman said he has not tried to get world

Rahm won this year’s Masters and the 2021 US Open (Getty Images)

number two Rory McIlroy, a staunch opponent of LIV, on board.

Critics say Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented spending on sport has been used to improve the oil-producing k i n g d o m ’s r e p u t a t i o n over its human rights

r e c o r d a n d its environmental impact.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister said claims of sportswashing against the country are “very shallow”.

Australian Norman, a two-time major winner,

said Saudi Arabia “really cares” about golf, adding that the animosity LIV has faced since its inception has been “disappointing”.

“If you see the way they’re embracing the game of golf, they’re investing in the game of

golf in their country for their people into the future,” he said.

Reuters reported on Wednesday that 21 golfers playing for the PGA Tour have written a letter demanding more information about the organisation’s future.

In June 2023, the PGA a n d D P Wo r l d To u r s announced they had a “framework agreement” to merge with the Saudi A rabian P ublic Investment Fund (PIF), which has pledged $2bn (£1.6bn) of support to LIV. That agreement has a deadline of 31 December 2023 to be ratified, although the American government is examining the PGA Tour’s plans to take massive investment from Saudi Arabia.

Norman said he did not believe the merger would fall through, adding golf has been recognised as an asset because of LIV.

Thursday December 14, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Matthews hails Barbados Royals Girls Cricket Club as significant platform for women’s cricket provide mentorship and resources to 100 young ladies as they seek to foster their cricket development.

“I honestly think it’s something that has been needed for a very long time and that’s why I’m so happy to see it come to

West Indies Women’s captain, Hayley Matthews (Getty Images)

(SportsMax) - West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has hailed the launch of the Barbados Royals Girls Cricket club in her native Barbados as a significant developmental move for women’s cricket on the island.

“I think it is huge. It is

something that we definitely needed in Barbados for a long time now,” Matthews said.

The club was launched this past weekend at the Passage Road Playing Field in St Michael, and big names in attendance included Matthews, former England

captain Mike Gatting, West Indies Women’s T20 World Cup winner Stacey-Ann King, and West Indies selector Roland Butcher, the first black man to play for international cricket England.

Barbados Royals Girls Cricket Club will seek to

fruition. Hopefully we can see this thing really take off and present girls with a lot more opportunities,” said the 25-year-old Matthews, currently ranked as the World No.1 all-rounder in Women’s T20 cricket.

“I think that to be able to give young girls from age six and up the opportunity to be able to come out here and fall in love with the game of cricket is a great first step in Barbados and hopefully we can (more) see stuff like this moving forward,” she added.

rts Spo

Bryan Wharton (no.7) will be in action today for Chase’s Academic Foundation at QC Ground.

England Tour of the West Indies 2023…

Buttler: England must put the brakes on big-hitting West Indies

Rovman Powell and Andre Russell sealed victory with an unbroken stand (Getty Images)

KFC Goodwill Int’l Schools Series continues today with round 2 Georgetown’s Tucville Secondary School and Bartica’s Potaro Strikers female teams took a photo op prior to their friendly encounter

Blue Water Girls’ Under-15 Development League to go nationwide in 2024 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.