Kaieteur News

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Friday Edition Five pirates AIETEUR NEWS sentenced to death for 2016 attack on fishermen December 15, 2023 - Vol. 25 No. 50

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 72,219

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

Venezuela agrees to scale back aggression against Guyana - Guyana insists border matter must be resolved by ICJ, Venezuela maintains position court has no jurisdiction Pres., Dr Irfaan Ali (left) and Pres., Nicolas Maduro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday

Oil rich Guyana can't afford more than 6.5% pay increase to public servants - VP Jagdeo

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Kaieteur News

Friday December 15, 2023

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Audit General report… Reg. 1 RDC pays 79%

of contract sum for incomplete school A

uditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma in his 2022 Report has flagged the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region One for paying approximately 79 percent of the contract sum for incomplete works on the construction of a primary school at Oronoque, Port Kaituma.

Kaieteur News had reported that during the opening of tenders in April last year, two contractors had submitted bids for the project.

They were International Imports & Supplies and Caribbean Construction Consult & International Supplies.

The project was estimated to cost $25,164,850, according to the government engineer.

In his report which was released earlier this week, the AG stated that the contract for the construction of Primary School at Oronoque Port Kaituma was

awarded in the sum of $24,668,000 by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The report states that of December 31, 2022, the sum of $19,734,000 was paid to the contractor.

Mr. Sharma documented that an audit examination of Payment Vouchers and supporting documents for the project revealed that details on the signing of the contract, contract duration and the defects liability period could not be determined.

He noted that on July 14 of this year, a physical verification conducted, discovered that the site was abandoned and the works were incomplete, “while our inspections, measurements and calculations revealed an overstatement of $10.557M,” was discovered.

Not only that, the AG detailed that during the verification of the project, sub-standard works were observed on the construction

Photos of incomplete works and abandoned site of the construction of the Oronoque Primary School. (Photo courtesy, Audit Office of Guyana) of the 6-inch kerb wall, with “blocks not being laid leveled”, while the block work to accommodate the fill material and floor slab was “poorly done and out of line” and will require adjustments.

In response to the AG findings, the Head of Budget Agency indicated that the

contractor is presently onsite correcting the faulty work, and once completed the Audit Office will be notified.

The Audit Office in its recommendation to the Head of Budget Agency noted that t h e R e g i o n a l Administration; “should immediately desist from certifying payments for

incomplete works with the intention to cut and hold a cheque.”

A n o t h e r recommendation is that the Regional Administration should carefully inspect all completed works and should not accept poor quality and sub- standard works on their facilities and that they

should monitor the pace of the works closely and encourage the contractor to expedite the completion of the works.

“In addition, all delays should be documented and any extensions of time granted should be supported by justifications,” the AG added.

163 individuals graduated from GITC with a range of technical skills

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ne hundred sixtythree graduates of the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) are now equipped with technical skills essential to meet the labour demands of industries within Guyana's evolving and diverse economic landscape.

Some 29 persons received certificates in data operations, 48 in electrical installation and 20 in welding. Seven graduated in furniture making, eight in masonry, 13 in metalwork engineering, 21 in plumbing, and 17 in motor vehicle repairs. Of the 163, 62 ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have been upskilled.

Additionally, 11 of the ranks were awarded prizes for their academic performances.

The 56th graduation and

GITC's 56th graduation and prize-giving ceremony prize-giving ceremony was hosted at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on Wednesday.

Delivering the feature address, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton charged the graduating batch to use their newly acquired knowledge for their financial development and stability.

“You are as worthy as

anyone else…what will take you through this world is knowledge.

So, you have to be able to use your knowledge to ensure that you will become economically viable,” Minister Hamilton proffered.

He also encouraged the graduates to be disciplined and responsible in their future endeavours and lauded

the continued efforts of the GITC. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) with responsibility for Technical Education, Dr Ritesh Tularam said the graduates have a strategic role. He said that they possess the requisite skills, knowledge, and attitudes to make a tangible contribution

to Guyana's emerging socioeconomic landscape.

“The opportunities are numerous before us; maximise them. Navigate your pathways and create new possibilities, because you are now strategically positioned to make that lifechanging contribution to your beautiful country – Guyana,” Dr Tularam noted.

He also implored the graduates to maximise other opportunities including the programmes which are available through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme.

Since its establishment, the GITC has continued to deliver training opportunities for young men and women by empowering them to realise their potential, while developing skills that will enhance their contribution to the public and private sectors.

Special prizes were awarded to the bestgraduating students and most improved students in the various programmes. GITC's A d m i n i s t r a t o r, D e x t e r Cornette, and other officials were also in attendance.

(DPI)

Kaieteur News

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Friday December 15, 2023

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor-in-Chief: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

President Scrooge Charles Dickens’ classic about the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, an English banker, could very well apply to almost any Guyanese government leader. So much money in hand, fists so tightly closed, like a pawnbroker, so punishing, like a moneylender. These are the dreadful circumstances that approximately 54,000 Guyanese public servants find themselves in at this time of joy and goodwill. A case could be made that the millions of American dollars withdrawn are for priority national security considerations, given the momentum and urgency of the Venezuelan threat, with its unpredictable president plotting and running amok.

In September, Guyana’s own President Ali gave every assurance to public servants that something was going to come their way come later in the year, viz., around this holiday season. What has come in tatters and ragged slippers is a scrawny and sickly Scrooge. Public servants now celebrate the timely generosity, and the grand bounty, of a 6.5 percent raise. But there is a silver lining in what has to be nothing but a mudpie. The 6.5 percent raise is retroactive to January 01. If President Ali and the PPPC Government expect to be applauded for their small mercies (6.5 percent), then both are in for the biggest boo that public servants can muster. Our position is simple: this 6.5 percent raise is not right. And it should be hauled out of sight, since it is such a blight and blotch on this season of lavishness, this era of national richness.

The president said that accounts have to be analysed, and that the most prudent management of the country’s endowments is always a priority. But public servants and teachers and members of the Joint Services will all have their day. It is a dismal day, when President Ali could be so reminiscent of Ebenezer Scrooge: so hard of heart, so lacking in understanding that many Guyanese are weak from fighting with cost-of-living, and so casual about his people’s condition. We are sure that the president and his minister in charge of some money decisions, Dr. Ashni Singh, are well aware that a 6.5 percent raise is an insult, a slap in the face of Guyanese public servants and their families. For those earning $250,000 and upwards monthly, some breathing room may be afforded. But for those below that testing figure, living becomes a test of endurance, a daily battle to survive.

In the politest fashion that we can think of, this question is put before President Ali and Dr. Ashni Singh: what can 6.5 percent buy? Whether GY$50,000 or GY$100,000 in retroactive pay, how many items could that cover, what beyond the basics, if anything at all? It is going to be a White Christmas for public servants, with their hopes for a fair share of Guyana’s wealth subject to the worst of leadership whiteout that can be imagined. Even at this early moment, there is palpable fear in the thinking of many public servants on the lower ends of the salary bands regarding what the looming new year could hold. In the richest country in the world, Guyanese cannot even dream, constantly lose hope, when there are Scrooges by the dozens prancing around and making speeches about how great they are for Guyanese.

Pensioners got the pittance of a one-time GY$25,000 cash envelope, which was an ordeal of official tortures, just to collect. Following the pittance of GY$25,000 for some 75,000 elderly, there is now the stinginess of a 6.5 percent increase for 54,000 public servants. Well-set farmers got hundreds of thousands for fertilizers, yet the crops that they produce skin Guyanese alive. The farmers take a leaf out of the PPPC Government’s book: Guyanese are gouged every time. Public servants are gouged, the psyche of workingclass Guyanese are ripped to shreds, and all the while the Minister of Finance is proud to speak of “national development priorities”, which are a secret to all others.

Almost GY$200 billion withdrawn from the Oil Fund, and Guyanese public servants and pensioners cannot buy bread. Guyanese are too docile, their government too depraved. This country is too rich for a single Guyanese to live with needs unfulfilled, for a government and its leaders to be so self-centered and cruel.

I still have enough evidence to prove that I have attended secondary school and earned passes at GCE DEAR EDITOR, With regards to a letter published in the Kaieteur News on the 11th of December, 2023 which stated that I am the national coordinator for agriculture is very inaccurate. As such, I refute the suspicion and allegation.

Let me declare that my contract states, “National Cash Crop & Small Farmers Coordinator.”

Secondly, I still have enough evidence to prove that I have attended secondary school and earned passes at the General Certificate of Examinations.

Let me also state that I have never ceased pursuing higher knowledge. I am still engaging myself in philosophy and career courses.

I must be kind to inform you that several times I am invited to deliver speeches at the University of Guyana and other educational institutions. Speaking at the international forum is not

strange to me. This personal attack is very sacred and helpful to me. It allows me to high my achievements at both national and international levels. I must say that I have evolved amazingly as an individual and a citizen of this country.

After completing secondary school, my first attachment was office and field officer at the Letter T Estate. I also had a stint with GUYSUCO. Later on, I engaged myself as a personal farmer and businessman.

The all-around experiences achieved at the various levels of my evolution secured me positions both at national and international levels. I have served on many national boards with both governments. These include National Commission for the family, Central Housing Board, Health Board, Prison Board, School Boards, and Estate Boards. As if not enough, I was elected to serve as an Integrity Commissioner under four

governments.

My evolution continues as I was appointed Justice of Peace and Commissioner to Oaths and Affidavits as a License Marriage Officer in Guyana and the United States. To date, I am presenting regular philosophical lectures on National Television. Only recently I returned from South Korea as an International Ambassador of Peace. The opportunity to serve is always the high point of my existence.

F r o m t h e commencement of my contract, I have created in excess of one hundred and fifty farmers’ group countrywide.

To facilitate the mandate of our government, that is to satisfy local and regional consumption of food. My role is important. Our government and ministry have to clean up the failure and disappointment established APNU/AFC and at the same time create

possibilities for the future.

Even a primary school child could have testified to that truth.

Today, agriculture is highlighted as the saviour of the Caribbean, and Guyana is leading the way. Guyana, through this government, has retained its rightful position as the torch bearer of the Caribbean. I am proud to be an ambassador assisting in fulfilling the mandate of the ministry. I enjoy what I do since agriculture permeates my very being. I will continue to demonstrate, guide, assist, and inspire farmers at all levels.

You don’t have to be an academic to qualify for this position.

All it takes is passion and selflessness. It is better to dive for facts rather than jump to conclusions.

Civility costs nothing but buys everything.

Sincerely, Rabindranath Persaud National Cash Crop & Small Farmers Coordinator

MP Annette Ferguson misleads about the sugar industry DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) must express its disappointment and dismay at the statements made by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Ms Annette Ferguson, in her OpEd published by online news outlet Village Voice on December 13, 2023. In her piece, the MP continued the O p p o s i t i o n ’s h o s t i l e campaign against the sugar industry. Such hostilities also probably extend to the industry’s thousands of sugar workers and their families.

We consider it absolutely unacceptable that the Honourable MP has chosen to denounce the praiseworthy efforts of the Irfaan Ali Government to support the sugar industry by claiming that the industry does not enhance the National Treasury.

In our view, it is clear that the MP is out of her depth and seemingly either lacks knowledge or is intentionally engaging in deception by making such misleading statements.

It is imperative that we call out the blatant falsehoods being advanced

by Ms. Ferguson, as any person with even a basic understanding of the matter would recognise the patent absurdity of her claims.

It is crucial to recognise that the spending of sugar workers and their families alone can generate billions in taxes and other fees for the Treasury, thanks to the multiplier effect. It is furthermore, creating indirect employment opportunities for thousands of individuals in the sugar belt, including market vendors, shopkeepers, fishermen, taxi and minibus drivers, and many others, which collectively further enhances the Treasury. It is important to note that the sugar industry also provides various services that result in significant savings for the Treasury.

The provision of drainage and irrigation alone requires tremendous sums to maintain and operate and benefits thousands of Guyanese in the villages within and beyond the sugar belt.

We, therefore, see Ms. Ferguson’s statements as not only mischievous but also deceptive, as they fail,

whether deliberately or not, to acknowledge the numerous contributions of the sugar industry beyond the production of sugar and molasses.

It is evident that the MP in question is well aware of the atrocities that took place in the sugar industry between 2015 and 2020. As a highranking member of the former Coalition Government during that period, she and her colleagues caused significant harm to the industry while sitting atop their ivory tower. The consequences of their actions were severe - 7,000 sugar workers lost their jobs, estates were closed, and workers were subjected to the humiliation of a wage freeze. Furthermore, the industry was deprived of essential capital input. It’s worth mentioning that Ms. Ferguson and her comrades’ argument of “right-sizing” the industry was nothing but a euphemism used by the APNU+AFC to drive the industry into extinction. The ILO’s socioeconomic study into the closure of sugar estates disclosed that “…four out of seven sugar

estates were closed within the space of a year, with little evidence to support the claim that the closures would be the basis of restructuring the industry…”.

During its lackluster term, the Coalition Government suffered many bouts of myopicness, severely damaging our country. The sugar industry was a prime example.

P r e s i d e n t I r f a a n A l i ’s Government, however, has recognised the sugar i n d u s t r y ’s v a l u a b l e contribution and is taking necessary steps to repair the disdainful damage inflicted

by Ms. Ferguson and her colleagues.

In this context, the ongoing support to the sugar industry is provided. The substantial support the industry provided to the country in the past and its role in keeping Guyana’s head above water during difficult and trying times should also not be forgotten.

We find it appalling to witness Ms. Ferguson, who herself received significant government support to pursue her academic studies, criticise a government’s (Continued on page 6)

Kaieteur News

Friday December 15, 2023

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President Ali meeting with President Maduro is of critical importance DEAR EDITOR, Like many Guyanese, I was at first flabbergasted when I began watching the press conference with Dr Ralph Gonzalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, last Friday evening. I began to adjust my outlook as the Prime Minister, who is also the incumbent President of the Community of Latin American & Caribbean States (CELAC), read the contents of the letter he had addressed to national Presidents Ali and Maduro r e s p e c t i v e l y. W h e n I subsequently saw a video of Maduro grandly telling an audience that he had accepted an invitation to talk with President Ali, I became convinced that our President attending the meeting is undeniably the right move.

Various regional leaders have described where we live as a zone of peace – and all have expressed the wish that the region remains a zone of peace. They hold that consensus for a few obvious reasons – the most obvious

being that nobody sensible relishes the idea of living in or near a war zone. It follows that member-State CARICOM islands for whom tourism is very important, would be extremely anxious since tourists sensibly tend to stay away from areas of unrest.

Refugee challenges inevitably appear during hostilities – an issue that would impact upon the entire region which is already challenged by the current migrations of Venezuelan refugees in alarming numbers. Arguably a major consideration of our Central and South American neighbours, would be the sanctity of their own borders drawn in accordance with agreements made more than a century ago, when those countries were all colonised

by European powers.

The concerns of CARICOM and CELAC are thus very real and properly fall to be respected notwithstanding ongoing proceedings before the ICJ. Guyana and Venezuela are

next door neighbours. One is threatening the other who stoutly refuses to back down.

The potential for a bloody fight is very much alive.

President Ali consulted with the Leader of the Opposition and Guyana’s team in the Hague about accepting the invitation to Thursday’s meeting with the Venezuelan President. The President of Brazil will also be in attendance. Our President has made it patently clear that the border controversy will not be on the table for discussion – however matters legitimately concerning peace in the region will be freely addressed. Naturally, there will be efforts made by President Lula, Prime Minister Gonzalves and President Ali also, to dissuade the Venezuelan President from executing his declared intentions in relation to Guyana, now bolstered by the widespread support he claims was signalled by the Venezuelan people on 3 December 2023.

Mr Maduro is still seeking

The dialogue will yield no meaningful outcome. It should be postponed DEAR EDITOR, With each side seeing the focus and thrust of the dialogue from their respective perspective, it is posited nothing meaningful will be the outcome.

The engagement should be postponed until a mutual agenda is agreed upon.

It is futile to go into a meeting of this kind without an agreed agenda and parameters of the dialogue. The convenor/broker ought to know this, especially when contentious issues confront.

Regards, Shamshun Mohamed

Lies and deception are Maduro’s war tactics DEAR EDITOR, Whatever Venezuelan president Maduro may say he wants to concede in talks with President Ali, he should not be believed, even under a white flag. Lies and deceptions are common tactics in war, for such is our status with Venezuela after the unilateral setting up of the administrative region of “Guayana Esequiba”, and offering Venezuelan IDs to residents in our Essequibo.

Why did Señor Maduro not offer IDs to the hundreds of poor Guyanese, who wandered over there “illegally” many years ago, and who still cannot therefore access the Health Care ¯ unlike the thousands of poor Venezuelans who have been registered in Guyana by a caring Government at the risk of our own security?

Regards, Alfred Bhulai

the mandate of the Venezuelan electorate – not the meaningless support he claims from a massive YES vote to loaded questions in a referendum that generated only a modest turnout – but their support in real numbers at free elections to be held some time in 2024.

I think there are two good reasons why President Ali meeting with President Maduro is of critical importance. Those reasons relate to the reality of Venezuela’s assertion that it does not accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ. It thus follows that should the ICJ rule in Guyana’s favour,

Venezuela will not accept the validity of the 1899 Arbitration anyway and will continue to revive its spurious claim whenever domestic circumstances make doing so good politics to excite national fervour. It is better that neighbours who do not see eye to eye on an important issue, talk to open a line of communication with a view to continuing a rapport – so that they may still relate closely with each other in respect of noncontroversial matters like trade and the movement of their peoples.

Whether the upcoming meeting on neutral ground

delivers will depend upon how the meeting flows. Our President is fully capable of giving as good as he gets – from anyone – especially foreign journalists who ask testing questions. President Maduro is not a clever foreign journalist but the strongman who lives next door. You don’t want a ‘busshead’ for not dealing with brawn by using your brain!

The meeting provides Maduro with an opportunity to save face – after making much noise about taking over “Esequiba” with i m m e d i a t e e ff e c t . M r Nicolas Maduro should be (Continued on page 6)

Inefficiencies and delays plaguing Licence Revenue Office DEAR EDITOR, I am writing to express my deep concern about the current state of affairs at the Licence Revenue Office (LRO) of the Guyana Revenue Authority. As a well-established auto dealer, I have been disheartened by the inefficiencies and delays plaguing the vehicle registration process.

It has come to my attention that the LRO is failing to meet the reasonable expectation of processing new vehicle registrations within three to five working days. In this modern era, such delays are unacceptable and detrimental to businesses like mine.

What is particularly troubling is the apparent prevalence of bribery within the LRO staff, where individuals are compelled

to pay additional fees to “expedite the process.” This not only undermines the integrity of the registration system but also creates an unjust advantage for those willing to engage in such practices.

I firmly believe that genuine efforts must be made to address the root causes of these issues and restore the public’s trust in the licensing process.

I implore relevant authorities to investigate and rectify the problems within the Licence Revenue Office promptly. The citizens and businesses of Guyana deserve a fair, efficient and corruption free system for vehicle registration.

Sincerely, A renowned Auto-dealer

Kaieteur News

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Friday December 15, 2023

I thought President Ali was describing the PPPC Govt., only to realise it was Maduro’s DEAR EDITOR, There is a troubling crisis brewing on Guyana’s border instigated by Venezuela’s Maduro, which got more troubling with the crash of a missing military helicopter and tragic deaths of senior brass of Guyana’s military.

Rightfully, all Guyanese should be mourning and hoping for a calm and peaceful resolution to the recent border crisis.

Now the propaganda arm of Guyana’s government and their mouthpieces are changing the narrative of people’s thoughts, saying now is not the time to criticize the government and mention the root causes that got us here in the first place.

The mouthpieces now contend we must think of the families of the dead military men. Fine, but since when did PPP mouthpieces care about soldiers in the GDF? Where were these mouthpieces when the honorary ex-military Officer Malcolm Harripaul was arrested and treated like a slave wearing foot chains for his opinion on the PPP’s attitude towards the military? The PPP propaganda arm has never said anything about the deaths of Guyanese due to the flaring and dumping of

superheated water into the ocean by ExxonMobil, some even called VP Jagdeo brilliant, when he said Guyana’s forests are big enough to absorb the pollution from the oil operations, and Guyana will be receiving carbon credits for the pollution.

President Ali in his interviews on foreign media, described a government as corrupt, undemocratic, t a rg e t i n g c r i t i c s , a n d unfavorable among the majority of the population.

It was only when he called Maduro’s name, that I realized then he wasn’t talking about the PPP government. Now we must accept the narrative focusing on Maduro’s aggression to Guyana, but not the secrecy, and unethical Guyana’s’ government dealings with foreign exploiters that are the root causes.

Just like when people were to focus on wounded, and dead soldiers of invading countries in the last Iraq war, but not on the lies

by George Bush, and Tony Blair that started the war, and not on the Iraqi deaths. Just like the Hamas attack on Israel, but not the genocidal ethnic cleansing of Palestine, even as Israel carpet bombs Palestine areas

that did not vote for, nor support Hamas.

We got here because both APNU and PPP/C practices in government allowed foreign companies and governments into Guyana to do whatever they wanted, once these foreigners came bearing gifts for MPs. I have mentioned many times, that the global predators were never going to sit back and let the Guyanese enjoy their God-given massive wealth.

The global predators will be coming for it, since this is who they are, this is what they do, this is their nature.

Guyana’s only chance was to have leaders doing the necessary things to put Guyana in a better spot, like being transparent with the oil business, having experts managing the oil sector, making trade/peace deals with our neighbors, and having the correct relationships with world leaders, and world organizations. When leaders of both ruling political parties only flew to Texas, USA to conduct oil business in secret without telling the nation anything, what did you think was going to happen?

We can blame Maduro all we want, but any leader of Venezuela that outmans, and outguns Guyana would not sit idle on sanctions while Guyana was allowed to produce oil, especially if it’s by the same people who sanctioned Venezuela. It should be noted Venezuela started to object, the minute the Grainger Administration allowed ExxonMobil into Guyana, but instead of meeting with Venezuela for talks, previous leaders, and now President Ali continue to take instructions from Texas, USA while shunning Venezuela. The plan the global predators have for Guyana is open on the internet, as they have done it multiple times across the Third World. Glenn Lall and his staff have devoted their lives to alerting Guyanese on what’s in store for Guyana if there is no action taken against the global predators

by Guyana’s MPs, but Guyanese refuse to pay attention.

Guyanese will come to know the name Chevron soon, when sanctions were recently lifted on Venezuela, it was Chevron that got their oil fields, Chevron also bought out Hess Corp.

holdings in Guyana way over the market price of US$53 BLN, with only 2 oil projects on stream, meaning Chevron has a plan to get its money back plus profits, so who do you think will lose?

Chevron doesn’t care how many Guyanese, and Venezuelans die or suffer, they have to make annual incremental profits for their shareholders. ExxonMobil clearly states they will continue to pump oil regardless of border conflicts, and as usual, the silent 3rd partner in the oil fields CNOOC, continues to stay silent. Guyana doesn’t have leadership with the strength and resolve to handle this global geopolitics Guyana finds itself in, so now the leaders run to the UN, ICJ, USDJ, CARICOM, CCJ, NATO, EU, WTO, OAS, Commonwealth, etc. Who do you think fund these organizations? It is the same global predators operating here, all these organizations will do, is play good cop, bad cop with Guyana based on their interests.

Independent media must continue to expose the global predators and their local enablers as the number one reason Guyana finds itself in this tenterhook position.

Maduro is the secondary threat, and critics of independent media will say now is not the time for this, reminding these critics that in times of dark crisis truth will be the only light, unlike the Critic who says Maduro is acting up because Glenn Lall on his shows exposed how much wealth Guyana has. Guyanese leaders who thought they were smart for the Guyanese people sneaked the fox into the fowl pen silently during the dark of night, now the fox has only woken up, just wait till it starts to feed. These smart Guyanese leaders have now met more than their match, up against the real smart people of the foreign predators, which now has Guyana on a hot plate, these Guyanese leaders should have heeded the old people’s warning of which part of the cow smart flies usually end up. The global predators thrive in chaos, especially if it’s dramatic and tragic like the downed helicopter along with the death of Guyana’s premier soldiers.

Instead of President Ali opening diplomatic channels

with Maduro, he is on world TV bashing Maduro. Ali should know this is not the same as bashing APNU. Ali doesn’t seem to remember Ukraine, Russia asked the Ukrainian leader for talks, but the man followed instructions from NATO and The EU, now Ukraine is destroyed. President Ali is taking Guyana down the same path, Guyanese who are thrilled that foreign troops will come to protect Guyana should know these troops are also in Africa, and the Middle East, yet the citizens there continue to die.

The global predators don’t care about citizens, it’s for their economic interests. The global predators want war in oil-rich countries.

They make money from the high oil prices as a result, they get to sell arms, they get the contracts for rebuilding, and they get to set foot in your

country to establish themselves. Guyanese who are praying for peace should also call on Guyana’s leaders to open talks with Venezuela and to stop taking instructions from Texas, Wa s h i n g t o n , L o n d o n , Belgium, or wherever they are taking instructions from.

We must mourn the fallen soldiers and give sympathy and condolences to their families and loved ones, and the government’s gesture to take care of their families is a good one. We must also go further to honor the fallen by sending instructions to Texas rather than receiving.

Guyana will be demanding more benefits from future oil projects, so we can truly honor the fallen by providing more for the military, their families, and every other Guyanese.

Yours faithfully, R. David

President Ali meeting with President Maduro is of...

From page 5 allowed to return to Caracas able to proclaim to his nation that he was urged not to invade Guyana by President Lula, Dr Gonzalves and President Ali, to which he magnanimously decided to accede in the interests of regional peace. He’s likely to add that the sun still rises in “Esequiba” – to which as a Guyanese I’d say so what? Saving face – either way – means a lot in Latin America.

Editor, the reality is that launching a military expedition of any meaningful scale against Guyana will pose enormous logistical challenges to Venezuela, given the combination of the terrain along and within thousands of square miles of our Western border, our allies’ support and the resolve of the Guyanese people. Still, saving face in the eyes of others is responsible for hundreds of men currently serving long prison sentences in Guyana, and millions similarly doing time or languishing on Death Row in prisons worldwide. Maduro could still order invasion against all logical reason simply to save face. He could instead be allowed the alternative facesaving opportunity to cancel the aggressive rhetoric, and declare instead to his country, that taking all factors into account he has decided that peace today would be best. Our countries might even become friends as a result – and although I would not hold my breath for that outcome, wouldn’t it be simply wonderful?

Yours truly, Ronald Bostwick

MP Annette Ferguson...

From page 4 efforts to assist its people during these challenging times.

Such behaviour demonstrates, for us, a complete lack of concern and empathy for ordinary people.

At a time when national unity and togetherness are most needed, it is disheartening that certain individuals continue to push their divisive agendas to further their partisan

political ambitions and score cheap political points. Such behaviour clearly indicates their lack of commitment to the people they are supposed to represent. It is time for national leaders to take responsibility for their actions and prioritise the welfare of the people they serve.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

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Kaieteur News

“Guyana's position is and will remain that the controversy must be resolved at and by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

The referral of this matter to the ICJ is consistent with and pursuant to the Geneva Agreement.Guyana's only intention is to pursue a course that will secure and ensure peace and stability in our region and respect for Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity,” President Irfaan Ali. (December 14, 2023)

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Kaieteur News

Friday Monday December May 02,15, 2022 2023

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

Israel bombards Rafah as pressure mounts over civilian death toll in Gaza (AL JAZEERA) At least 26 people have been killed in an Israeli air strike on Rafah in southern Gaza, according to Palestinian officials as international calls grow for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Footage from the scene shared online and verified by Al Jazeera on Thursday showed local residents trying to extinguish a fire and rescue survivors as black smoke rises from one of the buildings.

Two adjacent homes belonging to the Abu Dhbaa and Ashour families were obliterated in the attack on the city, where tens of thousands of displaced people have sought shelter since a weeklong truce collapsed in early December.

Displaced people have been sleeping in makeshift shelters and in the streets after evacuating from the north and from other areas of southern Gaza that had previously been deemed safe by the Israeli army.

“It was difficult because of the dust and people’s screams. We went there, and we saw our neighbour who had 10 martyrs,” said Fadel Shabaan, a resident who rushed to the area after the bombing.

“This is a safe [refugee] camp. There is nothing here.

The children play football in the street,” he told the news agency Reuters.

Gaza health authorities said 26 people were killed in the attack. Gaza’s Ministry of Health said on Thursday that at least 179 people had been killed and 303 wounded in Israeli attacks over the past day, bringing the death toll in Gaza since the war began on October 7 to 18,787 with 50,897 injured. Footage verified by Al Jazeera shows relatives mourning by the shrouded bodies of at least 20 people.

A member of the Ashour family said she lost her mother, two brothers, their wives and their children.

“I have a niece who is still under the rubble,” she said. “We had displaced people. One of them was our cousin who was displaced from the north. Our neighbour and his grandmother who were displaced from Beit Lahiya were killed too.”

Another member of the Ashour family said there were more than 50 people inside the four-storey building.

“They were people from

Beit Lahiya, Jabalia, alSaftawi and Nuseirat,” she said. “We lost [an] old lady, a five-month pregnant lady, her little boy and her husband, … my brother, his son and his wife.”

Fighting rages across Gaza Two weeks after the truce collapsed, the war has entered an intense phase with fighting now raging across the entire Palestinian enclave and international organisations warning of a worsening of the humanitarian catastrophe there.

Israel has brushed off calls for a ceasefire, including a resolution at the UN Security Council blocked by a US veto last week and another that passed overwhelmingly in the General Assembly this week.

Despite Israel’s pledges to reduce harm to civilians, it has extended its ground campaign from the north to the south this month, leaving no part of the enclave unscathed. It says it is offering warnings where it can before attacking an area.

In the main southern city, K h a n Yo u n i s , w h e r e advancing Israeli forces reached the centre this week, a whole city block was bombed to dust overnight.

Although most people had fled after Israeli warnings, neighbours digging in the rubble with a hand shovel afterwards said they believed four people were under the debris. One body had been recovered.

In the north, including the ruins of Gaza City, fighting has escalated since Israel announced that its troops had largely completed their military objectives last month. In Jabaliya also in the north, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israeli forces had stormed a hospital, detaining and abusing medical staff and preventing them from treating a group of wounded patients, at least two of whom had died.

Twelve children were in the intensive care unit, where the electricity had been cut and there was no milk, ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra said.

Israel’s military said Palestinian fighters had been operating inside the hospital, 70 of whom had surrendered there “with weapons in hand” and were now undergoing interrogation.

Wa s h i n g t o n h a s

provided diplomatic cover for its ally but expressed increasing alarm over civilian deaths. US President Joe Biden, whose government has provided Israel with billions of dollars in military aid, delivered his sharpest rebuke of the war on Wednesday. He said Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza was eroding its international support.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who arrived in Israel on Thursday, will discuss with the Israelis the need to be more precise with their strikes, spokesperson John Kirby said.

Up to 45 percent of the 29,000 air-to-ground munitions that Israel has dropped on Gaza since October 7 have been unguided “dumb bombs”, according to a US intelligence assessment reported by CNN. Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, a member of Israel’s security cabinet and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, rejected Biden’s characterisation of Israel’s strikes as indiscriminate.

“There is no such thing as ‘dumb bombs’. Some bombs are more accurate. Some bombs are less accurate.

What we have is mostly pilots who are precise,” he told Army Radio. “There is no chance that Israel’s air force or other military units fired at targets that were not terror targets.” “[Sullivan] will likely point to the UN General Assembly vote in favour of a ceasefire earlier this week, but we have already heard from Netanyahu and [Israeli Defense Minister Yoav] Gallant that this war will be conducted the way they want,” Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher said, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem.

Netanyahu promised to carry on the war “until victory, nothing less than that”, and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has said the war would continue “with or without international support”.

The United Nations estimated 1.9 million out of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced.

The head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, said on Wednesday that Palestinians in Gaza were “facing the darkest chapter of their history”.

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Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

LALL

FridayMonday December May15, 02,2023 2022

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Travis Chase: The man who knows too much Journalist Travis Chase is no shrinking violet. Now, it seems that somebody is out to shrink his existence to nothing, as in lights out. the question I put before my fellow Guyanese is what is it that Mr. Chase knows that makes him such a watched citizen? What is it that makes it necessary, a priority, that he be removed from this realm? Whatever it is, Mr. Chase is in danger, and living dangerously.

There is a familiar ring to that, which resonates in this neighborhood.

To clear the air, I met Mr. Chase twice about four years ago, and have spoken to him no more than three times. I figure him to be a pushy, inthe-face type of person. But that is no reason to place him in the path of a speeding bullet.

By my count, this is the third attempt on this journalist's life. The first time may be ruled out as an accident (things like these happen). The second is time to consult with an insurance company, which may be the only comfort left when incidents of this nature occur. The Guyana Police Force has its strengths; but it also has its culture, and labours under some handicaps.

But when a third attempt is made on anyone's life, then it is not a laughing matter anymore.

Somebody is

serious out there, they are watching, and they are bent on putting out Mr. Chase's light.

Three times in the gunsights mean that Mr. Chase is living a catlike existence. He is on a hot stove. He knows too much, or it is believed to be so. It is likely that the twin of knowing too much is part of his troubles, the ominous attention he is getting. He talks too much about things which people don't even whisper in this country, and this could be part of his ongoing problems with the wrong end of a firearm.

I am told by many in the PPP that Guyana is a democracy and that it allows freedom of speech, the finest articulations of conscience, and fullness of truth. Even I am not falling for that one, and about which I think that Mr. Chase is still more caustic and critical than me in what prevails here. Speak out of turn, and the final turn could be in the cards for one of those mortuaries, cemeteries, or crematories.

It would be interesting to hear what those two honorable gentlemen of Guyana have to offer on all this.

They are the Attorney General, Mr. Anil Nandlall, the man of law; and Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn, the Guyanese in charge of order

and cyber ethics. It is one thing to hurl warheads at Travis Chase from behind the skirt of social media. It is quite another to do so with warheads made of steel.

I say it again: somebody is working diligently to put Mr. Chase out of business.

For good.

There is no question that his style, his doggedness, and his very presence have offended some people who can make certain things happen. Like an execution.

If busy, camera covered Main Street could have been the scene of a bloody crime, then D'Urban Street and Cemetery Road have a certain alarming, out-of-theway truth in this less lit corner of Guyana. Truth and exposure and justice in this country have all fallen by the wayside.

Whatever it is that Mr. Chase has bundled up deep inside of him, some resourceful people in this country want it to stay right there.

And the best way to ensure that any such gems remain out of the public domain is to take Mr. Chase out of commission.

Whatever Mr. Chase does with what he has, he must strategize on getting the maximum value out of it, and in the hands of the right people. That is, presuming he does have what merits some interest and further

State agencies not NPTAB contracts awarded - AG Report The Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma in his 2022 Report has flagged the failure of state agencies to publish notices of contracts awarded as required by the National Procurement Regulations.

In his review of the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTA) and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the AG explained that procuring agencies were not reporting all contracts awarded, in excess of $1.5M to the National Tender Board. He said this has restricted the NPTAB from publishing on its website all contracts awarded.

Each procuring entity is required, under Section 11(1) of the Procurement Act to publish notice of procurement Contracts awarded within seven days of awarding such contracts. In addition, Part II (4) of the Procurement Regulations requires each procuring entity to provide within five days of publishing notice of the award, a report to the Administration of all contracts awarded in excess of $1.5M. On receipt of the report, the Administration is then required to publish the information on its website.

The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board This lack of transparency mounts further concern as stakeholders have accused the government of doling out contracts to 'friends and family'. In fact, the failure by these agencies to publish the contracts awarded can be seen as a 'cover up' attempt by the respective Ministries.

While the Auditor General in his 2022 report was not specific as to the agencies that failed to meet these requirements, he pointed out that in March of 2023, the Public Procurement Commission issued a Circular reminding all heads of their obligation in this regard.

inquiry. I think I can see the Hon Attorney General squirming uncomfortably.

All of his lovely speeches about reform this and reform that come to naught when certain developments make the news in this manner.

What right, what plight, the speaker (or writer) of conscience and objective truths in this country….? It does make a mockery of d emo cr acy, clean governance, and much more, all of which are burned to cinders due to leadership rottenness and darkness.

I wonder what the Commissioner of Police and his Crime Chief think of, or, have to say about all of this,

g i v e n M r. C h a s e ' s possible offenses against those who don't take too well to no for an answer, or having their stories out in the open! Plus his worrying, troublesome, and (I must acknowledge it) his dangerous presence in this environment that has so many secrets to protect. Just ask me about that department. Of course, no one is going to raise their hands, and volunteer for a confession, or a police lineup.

This only makes the job of the Top Cop and the man in charge of crime a tad more on the porous side, and their statistics about serious crime

all that more questionable.

After three attempts on his life, Mr. Chase is clearly a man with a bullseye on his back, probably a bounty on his head. The money is there. He can rock more boats, but better have his lifejacket ready.

Lovely democracy this is, isn't it?

(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.)

Latin American, Caribbean to remain on path of low growth - ECLAC The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on Thursday said that the region will stay on a path of low growth, which means job creation will decelerate and informality and gender gaps will persist, among other effects.

The organization released on Thursday the Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2023, its last annual report this year.

According to the report – which was presented at a press conference led by the United Nations regional commission's Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs – Latin America and the Caribbean will grow 2.2% on average in 2023 and 1.9% in 2024, which points to a deceleration in regional growth from the levels seen in 2022.

Although all the subregions will have lower growth in 2023 than they did in 2022, the report emphasizes the heterogeneity among countries in the region. South America is seen growing by 1.5% (versus 3.8% in 2022); the group made up of Central America and Mexico by 3.5% (4.1% in 2022); and the Caribbean (without including Guyana) is forecast to grow 3.4% (6.4% in 2022). In 2024, it is expected that the region will maintain this dynamic of low growth and all the subregions will grow less than in 2023: South America is seen expanding by 1.4%; Central America and Mexico by

2.7%; and the Caribbean by 2.6% (without including Guyana).

These projections reflect, in part, low dynamism in economic growth and global trade, which translates into a limited impetus from the global economy. Although inflation has declined, the interest rates of the main developed economies have not, which means that financing costs have remained high levels throughout the year and they are expected to stay that way in coming years.

Furthermore, this low growth is also attributable to the limited domestic space for fiscal and monetary policy faced by the region's countries. In this regard, it is emphasized that while public debt levels have declined, they remain high, and this – coupled with the increase in financing costs – restricts fiscal space. In the monetary arena, inflation continues to decline in the region, but monetary policy still has a restrictive bias, due to the effects that rate cuts could have on capital flows and the exchange rate, given that high interest rates are still in effect in developed countries.

In 2023, it is forecast that average inflation in the region will finish the year at 3.8%, far below the 8.2% recorded in 2022. In 2024, that decline will continue, with the average regional inflation rate estimated at 3.2%, according to the report.

ECLAC estimates that the number of employed persons will have grown 1.4% in

2023, which points to a 4% point drop from the 5.4% recorded in 2022. This lower rate of job creation is seen continuing in 2024, when the number of employed persons is projected to grow by 1.0%.

To escape the low-growth trap, “it is necessary to escalate productive development policies with a focus on strategic, dynamic sectors, carry forward policies to promote public and private investments, and adjust the financing framework to enhance resource mobilization,” José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs emphasised. In its Preliminary Overview 2023, ECLAC calls for complementing productive development policies with macro and financial policies that would allow for proper management of the financial and foreign-exchange risks faced by the region, and would stimulate domestic resource mobilization to expand fiscal space and increase investment and productivity. Likewise, policies are needed that would enable greater inclusion and reduction of the significant inequalities that characterize the region, among them gender inequalities. Furthermore, ECLAC indicates that reforms to the international financial and tax architecture are needed to accompany the region's countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, by directing resource mobilization towards the region.

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Borderline Facts Pt. 14

Venezuela's Boundary Commissioners helped UK map out Essequibo Region for Guyana in 1900s ...Also kept detailed record of its participation at Foreign Affairs Ministry

By Kiana Wilburg

It is well known by now that in 1899, an Arbitral Award granted Guyana full control over the Essequibo Region.

But what may not be known to most readers is t h a t Ve n e z u e l a n authorities had participated in the process of helping the United Kingdom back in the 90s to outline the boundaries it shares with Guyana.

Another interesting fact is that Venezuela even placed into its archives, the very documents that captured its full participation in the process of mapping out the borders. The foregoing facts are

all outlined in Guyana's submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as part of the border controversy case w i t h Ve n e z u e l a .

According to Guyana's Memorial, one year after the 1899 award was handed down, the United Kingdom (which was in control of Guyana at the time) and Venezuela, embarked upon an extensive joint programme to achieve the physical demarcation of the border.

A joint UK-Venezuelan Commission was established to carry

out that task. Both States participated fully and without any reservation.

By 1905, the demarcation was completed.

The Joint Commission of Venezuelan and UK B o u n d a r y Commissioners then produced an Official Boundary Map and issued a Joint Declaration, agreeing on the perfect delimitation of the border.

The commissioners did not stop there. They also signed an agreement as an added

seal of the validity of the Map of the Boundary dated January 10, 1905.

Venezuela then recorded that agreement in the official record of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It formed part of a publication called 'Treaties and International Agreements in force”: Republic of Venezuela, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Public Treaties and International Agreements, Vol. III.’

PAGE 12

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

Venezuela agrees to scale back aggression against Guyana - Guyana insists border matter must be resolved by ICJ, Venezuela maintains position court has no jurisdiction

By Kiana Wilburg in St. Vincent & the Grenadines

T

he historic “peace talks” between Guyana and Venezuela on Thursday in St Vincent and the Grenadines have resulted in a joint declaration where the Nicolas Maduro government has agreed to scaling back its aggressive tactics to seize the mineral-rich Essequibo.

The joint statement followed hours of dialogue that started at 10 am at Argyle International Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, between President, Dr. Irfaan A l i a n d Ve n e z u e l a ' s President, Maduro.

Both leaders arrived on Thursday morning for talks which were mediated by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime M i n i s t e r, D r. R a l p h Gonsalves. Other leaders present included Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley and Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley. Senior officials from CARICOM and the United Nations were also in attendance.

During a brief press engagement, Dr. Gonsalves read the statement both leaders signed onto. Notably both leaders were not present for this part. Dr Gonsalves

said all parties attending the meeting at Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reiterated their commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean remaining a Zone of Peace.

Expounding on the measures in the joint statement, the Prime Minister said Guyana and Venezuela agreed that they will not, directly or indirectly threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

Both nations also agreed that any controversies between the two States will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.

They also committed to the pursuance of good neighborliness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean.

I n t e r e s t i n g l y, b o t h nations agreed that they will continue to hold their respective positions. In this respect, Guyana maintains its commitment to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the

President Irfaan Ali meeting CARICOM heads of state before face to face dialogue with

Venezuela's President, Nicolás Maduro

President Irfaan Ali being escorted by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves b o r d e r c o n t r o v e r s y.

M e a n w h i l e , Ve n e z u e l a maintains its position that it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICJ in resolving the border controversy.

Furthermore, both nations agreed to continue dialogue on any other pending matters of mutual importance to the two countries.

They also agreed that both States will refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them. The statement said the two States will cooperate to

avoid incidents on the ground conducive to tension between them. In the event of such an incident, the two States will immediately communicate with one another, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), and the President of Brazil to contain, reverse and prevent its recurrence.

Another critical development was that both nations agreed to establish i m m e d i a t e l y, a j o i n t commission of the Foreign Ministers and technical persons from the two States to address matters as mutually agreed. Kaieteur News understands that an update from this joint commission will be submitted to the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela within three months.

Additionally, both States agreed that Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves, the ProTe m p o r e P r e s i d e n t o f CELAC, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the incumbent CARICOM Chairman, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil will remain seized of the matter as Interlocutors and the UN SecretaryGeneral, Antonio Guterres as Observer, with the ongoing concurrence of Presidents Irfaan Ali and Nicolas

Maduro. For the avoidance of doubt, Prime Minister Gonsalves' role will continue even after Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ceases to be the Pro-Tempore President of CELAC, within the framework of the CELAC Troika plus one; and Prime Minister Skerrit's role will continue as a member of the CARICOM Bureau.

Both States also agreed to meet again in Brazil, within the next three months, or at another agreed time, to consider any matter with implications for the territory in dispute, including the above-mentioned update of the joint commission. It should be noted that the outcome of this historic faceto-face meeting occurred just hours after the Venezuelan Government set aside a large sum of money in its 2024 budget to brazenly annex the Essequibo region.

That financial support is

expected to buttress the other measures Maduro had announced on December 5, 2023, all of which are aimed at taking control of the mineral rich region. It was not clarified during yesterday's meeting if the Maduro regime would now repurpose those funds.

Several stakeholders r e g i o n a l l y a n d internationally believe that it is Guyana's oil wealth that has piqued Maduro's interest, hence he has intensified his baseless claims for the region.

Since the announcement of oil offshore Guyana on 2015, Maduro stepped up its claim for Essequibo which led to the matter being referred to the ICJ. The World Court is expected to rule once and for all on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award which gave Guyana the Essequibo region.

Kaieteur News

Friday December 15, 2023

PAGE 13

Jagdeo: Oil rich Guyana could

not afford more that 6.5 %

salary increase for 2023 A

lthough Guyana h a s b e e n regarded as the fastest going economy in the world because of the billions of dollars it has earned in oil revenues, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday explained why the government was only able to grant a 6.5% across the board increase to public servants.

“I see people calculate we brought in $200M this year, $1B US from the oil and gas sector in the budget, and how come only six and a half percent? They didn't say that the school kids now are getting $10.5B more, and the pensioners are now getting $14.5B more in their increase,” he said.

Jagdeo also said that since it's annualized the increases for the last three or four years have to be factored into this year's payout to civil servants.

“When you increase salaries it's recurrent, you have to pay for this year, last year, the year before increase, because that's part of your salary. So they only look at 6.5 % and say, oh 6.5 {percent} of $200M,” Jagdeo said.

To this end, the VP noted that people are not taking into consideration previous increases, and how much the country's wage bill has grown within the last few years.

Additionally, he said that the part time workers obtaining $40,000 per month, adds to the wages bill.

“Joint Services bonus, you gotta look at it. Then we are investing in housing, that's for our people, we have invested over $100B in

US$30M in oil profits daily.

H o w e v e r, h e s a i d t h e increase which public servants will receive this month, amounts to GY$4,800 for minimum wage workers.

“Generating over US$30M profits a day, and can only give US$35M as an

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo housing because it's subsidized, to do 50,000 house lots it means a benefit to 50,000 of our people.”

As he elaborated on the subject, Jagdeo stressed that, “Any salary increase that is not grounded in an analysis of your economy, the state of your finances and doesn't take account of the future revenue stream will be conjectural. It will not be sustainable we have seen this happen in many countries in the past.”

Following the announcement by the government of what many see as a paltry increase in salaries, publisher of Kaieteur New Glen Lall raised concerns about the pay hike, as he noted that the payout cannot match the rising cost of living in the country.

Lall said that, Guyana being an oil rich country, pumps over half a million barrels of oil per day, and this generates to approximately

increase to all 54, 000 public servants for the whole year, tell me man.

Is this not a crime being committed against its citizens?” Lall stressed.

Not stopping there, Lall said, “more than half of this population, who not going to bed hungry, finding it

difficult to grab one proper meal when the day comes, in a country that is now one of the richest per capita, and the fastest growing on planet earth.”

Recounting the massive profits made from the oil, the businessman emphasized that the GY$4,800 in

increase that will be added to the minimum wage workers, is small, given that the cost of living here has skyrocketed by a 100 percent and in some cases, 200 percent.

To this end, he said that the meager increase translates to four slices of pumpkin.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Friday December 15, 2023

Five pirates sentenced to death for deadly 2016 attack on fishermen Justice Sandil Kissoon on Thursday imposed the death sentence on five men who pleaded guilty to the gruesome murder of four fishermen during a piracy attack back in 2016.

Those sentenced are: Leon Sammy of Number 75 Village, Ganesh Naidoo of Number 79 Village, Ramesh Singh of Liverpool Village, Ramchand Latchman and Stephon Leacock of Number 77 Village, Corentyne.

The five men had reportedly engaged in a homicidal rampage involving piracy, hijacking, and robbery between May 27 and 28, 2016. At the High Court in Berbice, the men confessed to killing Dhanpaul Ramphal, also known as “Sunil,” 38; Munish Churman, 26, also known as “Boyo,” of Number 60 Village; Dochan Sukra, 54, called “Butcher”; and 45-year-old Hemchand Sookdeo, aka “Dread”, a father of five from Number 55 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Sammy, Naidoo, Singh, and Leacock pleaded guilty to the crime at their first appearance before the judge and jury at the High Court.

Latchman entered a not-

guilty plea upon his arraignment at the High Court. He was undergoing a trial for the crime but decided to change his plea to guilty mid-way the proceeding.

On Thursday, Justice Kissoon imposed the death sentences alluding to the savage nature in which the crimes were committed. In handing down the sentence, Justice Kissoon took into consideration inter alia case from the Caribbean Court of Justice and the guidelines for imposing maximum sentences as well as mitigating factors. In the circumstances of the case, Justice Kissoon found there were no mitigating factors to lessen the sentence.

Describing the crime as “horrific and an act of atrocity of utter and complete savagery,” Justice Kissoon sentenced the men to suffer death in a manner prescribed by law on each count in the indictment.

Back in 2016 it was reported, boat captain Seepersaud Persaud of the Rosana 664 vessel and his four fishermen were out at sea when they were attacked by the pirates and thrown overboard. Persaud made it through the ordeal alive.

The five pirates who were sentenced to death for the deadly piracy attacks Fuel and other equipment, as well as the fishermen's daily catch, were taken by the bandits.

The pirates first threw Sookdeo, who was injured and bleeding, into the water.

Then, the other three were bound and strapped to anchors. They, too, were thrown into the ocean. Hours after the attack, Sookdeo's body was discovered entangled in seines with a chop wound to the back of his

skull.

The three other crew members: Churman, Sukra, and Ramphal, are still unaccounted for and are thought to have perished. The three missing fishermen were reportedly tossed overboard while still tied to an anchor.

A few days later, Police visited No. 65 Village foreshore in Corentyne in response to information they had received, and they observed a boat that matched

the description of the vessel used during the attack. On board, Police found the four confessed killers and Latchman. According to those reports, one of the five men had admitted to the crimes and implicated Latchman.At the sentencing on Thursday, Singh and

Leacock were represented by Attorney-at-Law Tuanna Hardy, while Naidoo and Sammy were represented by Attorney-at-Law Kevin Morgan.

Both lawyers indicated that they would be appealing the death sentences on behalf of their clients.

To stand trial, Randolph Williams called “Travis”

Bartender to stand trial for rape of minor

T

wenty-seveny e a r - o l d R a n d o l p h Williams called Travis, a bartender of Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, was on Wednesday committed to stand trial before a judge and jury for the allege rape of a minor.

The matter was before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate's Court. Williams was charged with rape of a child under 16 years, Contrary to Section 10(3) of the Sexual Offences

Act, Chapter 8:03. Williams is accused of committing the act on a child May 21, 2023.

All statements and documents were tendered and marked as exhibits during Thursday's hearing.

Magistrate Sam later ruled that based on the statements and exhibits tendered before the court there is enough to commit the accused to stand trial at the next practicable session at the Suddie Supreme Criminal Court.

Williams is currently out on $150,000 bail.

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

COP28: Landmark summit takes direct aim at fossil fuels (BBC) Nations at the UN climate summit have for the first time taken explicit aim at the use of fossil fuels.

The talks in Dubai came close to collapse but in a dramatic turn-around, nations agreed to "transition away" from coal, oil and gas.

But small islands hit hard by climate change protested, saying the deal was rushed through without them. And it departed from earlier stronger language to "phase out fossil fuels".

Many nations including the US, UK and European Union had pushed for a phase out from the opening of the talks. Close to 200 nations were in the United Arab Emirates for almost two weeks to try to make progress on tackling climate change after months of recordbreaking extreme weather.

Expectations had been low that oil-rich United Arab Emirates could deliver a deal that took aim at the fossil fuel i n d u s t r y. T h e C O P 2 8 president Sultan al-Jaber's dual role as CEO of Abu Dhabi oil giant Adnoc attracted further criticism.

Onlookers' fears of a conflict of interest seemed confirmed when leaked documents suggested Mr Jaber had planned to use the presidency to strike business deals. But on Wednesday Mr. Jaber delivered a jubilant speech, saying the conference "should be proud of our historic achievement".

The deal today will likely be seen as a victory for his leadership.

The gavelling of the deal itself took many delegates by surprise but was met with cheers and a standing ovation in the plenary room.

H o w e v e r , a representative for the Alliance of Small Island States (Aosis) - representing nations on the frontlines of climate change - took the microphone as soon as comments were open to nations. "It seems that you just gavelled the decisions when the small island states weren't in the room," she

said. And she said Aosis are concerned that the key language about transitioning away from fossil fuels "potentially takes us backward rather than forward".

The 21-page deal Mr. Jaber presided over says countries will "contribute... to transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner". It also recognises that global emissions of warming gases will likely peak before 2025, but could be later for developing nations.

Pushback from oil-producing nations including Saudi Arabia appears to have been successful in softening the commitments.

Poorer nations that are reliant on fossil fuel exports, including Iraq, also opposed the stronger language because they said it did not fairly reflect their limited role in causing climate change. And many developing countries said other agreements at COP28 did not secure enough finance to transition their countries onto greener energy or make up for the loss of income from selling fossil fuels.

But all nations at the talks appeared to accept the compromise of the deal.

US Climate Envoy, John Kerry said that in the context of conflict in Ukraine and in Israel and Gaza, the deal was "cause for optimism". He admitted the text did not have everything the US had pushed for, but he said it was a step forwards and represented what nations could agree to.

Wopke Hoekstra, the European Union's climate commissioner, saluted the deal as an historic achievement after 30 years of no agreement on the fossil fuel question. And the UK climate minister, Graham Stuart told the plenary it was "the beginning of the end of the fossil fuel era" but admitted "there are elements here we do not like".

Away from politicians' speeches, activists and scientists called the deal weak, saying it does lsittle to fix the growing problem of emissions released into the atmosphere, causing global warming. Countries have just six years to reach a target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 45% but are far off track.

Uganda youth activists, Vanessa Nakate said the decision is "nowhere near enough" and called the

meeting "a fossil fuel COP out". Tuvalu negotiator, Mervina Paeuli, 25, said she was left with "mixed feelings", and worries the deal does little for her Pacific island home. "If the overall goal was to push action for the 1.5C target, then it's not a good day for me," she said, referring to the globallyagreed goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5C. And despite the chair of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,

Prof. Jim Skea, saying that Mr Jaber is "attentive to the science" during the COP talks, many scientists are sceptical of the deal. "No doubt there will be lots of cheering and backslapping... but the physics will not care.

As the new agreement locks in high levels of emissions for years to come, so the temperature will continue to rise," said Prof Kevin Anderson from University of Manchester.

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres also gave his judgement. He said many governments wanted a clear reference to phase out fossil fuels but "it was watered down". "Whether you like it or not, fossil fuel phase out is inevitable. Let's hope it doesn't come too late," he said.

The host for the UN climate talks, in 2024, was also confirmed as gas-rich Azerbaijan in the Caucuses.

PAGE 16

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

Govt. recovers $50M in overpayment without dispute in 2022 - Audit report

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The Auditor General (AG) Deodat Sharma reporting in his 2022 report noted that the Government was able to recover over $50 million in overpayments, without dispute.

This is the first time the overpayments were not disputed but recovered.

According to the Auditor General’s report, a total of 466 contracts being undertaken by ministries and the regions for 2022, were examined. The Auditor General found that as much as $52.8 million in payments were made on measured works for 33 of these contracts.

“Sums totalling $14.146 million were in relation to Ministries of which the entire amount was recovered at the time of reporting, whilst sums totalling $38.681 million was in relation to Regions One, Two, Five, Six, Eight and 10 of which $17.121 million still remained outstanding in respect of projects for Regions One and 10.”

“It should be noted for the year 2022 except for Regions 1 and 10, all overpayments were

recovered. This is the first time these overpayments were not disputed,” the Auditor General detailed in his report.

The AG report noted that nonetheless that there were several instances where overpayments still continue to happen.

For instance, in 2019, sums totalling $199.435M were paid to the Contractor of the Leguan stelling. However, the estimated value of works completed at the time was only $50.970M, resulting in an overpayment of $148.465M. That project is still ongoing under the purview of a new contractor.

Overpayment has been a sore and recurring issue in audit reports which continues to be flagged at meetings of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee. Engineers and other officials are called upon to ensure that this does not persist but despite this, millions are still overpaid on contracts every year. Just last year it was reported, the AG report noted that efforts are being made to recover the overpayment of $204, 201million of new salaries and

Auditor General Deodat Sharma deductions. The overpayment for the period 2016 to 2019, the Finance Ministry was able to recover $92,569 million of the net salaries and $96,677 million of the deductions and efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining sums overpaid.

Under the Ministry of Health, the overpayment of salaries for 2021 amounted to approximately $22.88 million which was made to six former employees.

Two persons have agreed

to repay $9.01 million and four have been escalated to the Solicitor General for legal assistance to recover the sum of $13.87 million.

The AG report noted that Ministry is currently conducting research to engage other former employees in an effort to recover additional sums overpaid.

The Ministry has also taken several actions to reduce/prevent instances of overpayment which include the assignment of a senior officer to initiate weekly contact with supervisors to ascertain staff attendance, and instructions to supervisors to report resignations and job abandonments via available technology to facilitate faster reporting and action.

In relation to the overpayment for the period 2015 to 2020, the Ministry had reached out to the Solicitor General for legal assistance to recover $3.6million of the $8.221million overpaid and research is on-going to facilitate recovery of the additional overpaid sums.

EPA says audited Financial Statements laid in Parliament After being flagged in the Auditor General’s (AG’s) 2022 Report for failure to complete audits for several years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has clarified that its audited Financial Statements have been laid in the National Assembly.

In a statement, the EPA explained, “Whilst the Auditor General’s Annual report for 2022 was tabled in the National Assembly on December 10th 2023, the Audited Financial Statements for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 were laid in the National Assembly on May 10, 2023.”

The AG, Deodat Sharma in the annual report listed EPA as one of seven errant agencies, under the remit of the Office of The President that have not been audited for several years. In fact, the Audit Office highlighted that the EPA was last audited in

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Notably, the EPA in its response said that for the year 2019, an Audit of the Financial Records were completed by the Audit Office in December 2020. Meanwhile, for the year 2020, it noted that the Financial Statement was submitted to the Audit Office of Guyana on April 26, 2021.

The agency said it is awaiting

an Audit of the Financial Records.

Additionally, as it relates to the years 2021 and 2022, the EPA said these financial statements will be submitted to the Audit Office of Guyana in early 2024. The EPA assured that it takes its obligations seriously regarding the effective management of its financial

resources and honouring the requirements stipulated in the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. It noted, “The Agency remains committed to continuing its efforts in ensuring its financial records are up to date and its audited financial reports laid before the National Assembly in a timely manner.”

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Govt. to spend $2.2B to construct medical training centres in Regions Two and Six

T

he government is expected to spend $2,244,139,714 for the construction of two health science training complexes at New Amsterdam in Region Six and Suddie in Region Two which are being built to train nurses and other medical professionals.

At the recent of opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, it was revealed that the facility at New Amsterdam is estimated to cost $1,118,394,857. For this project, a total of 15 contractors have submitted bids.

The facility for Suddie is estimated to cost $1,125,744,857 and a total of 18 contractors have submitted bids to execute the works. Both projects are being supervised by the Ministry of Health.

As reported, with the country’s health sector rapidly advancing and with a number of new health facilities being established, the health ministry is working to train over 2,000 persons to adequately staff these facilities.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Procurement of one minibus for NSP

Office of the Prime Minister - Rental of building Ministry of Public Works Rehabilitation and upgrade of Lima Sands access roads, Region Two Bureau of Statistics Rehabilitation to office space.

Ministry of Health Construction of the health science training complex at New Amsterdam Rehabilitation of public and main access roads 2023, Lots 14-15

Bar Council mourns passing of Retired Justice Nandram Kissoon Rehabilitation of public and main access roads 2023, Lots 11 to 13

Construction of the health science training complex at Suddie, Essequibo Coast

Retired Judge, Nandram Kissoon passed away on Saturday last and the Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana expressed deep condolences to his family.

Justice Kissoon, 81, retired from the Judiciary as a Justice of Appeal in the mid-2000s, having served as a Justice of Appeal and Puisne Judge since 1987 on his appointment to the Bench.

“Even in retirement, Justice Kissoon continued to serve the Country by accepting an appointment and then reappointment by the President as Chairman of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal from 2017 to his death,” the Bar Council said.

According to the council, Justice Kissoon was well known on the Bench for his pleasant, nonconfrontational disposition and his frequent encouragement to parties appearing before him to try settling their disputes amicably.

Having been called to the Bar in British Guiana on his return from studies in England in 1969, Justice Kissoon began his practice with the State, as Counsel at the Chambers of the

Retired Judge, Nandram Kissoon Director of Public Prosecutions and then at the Attorney General's Chambers. Justice Kissoon then spent some years in private practice before returning to service with the State until his recent demise.

“The Bar Council expresses its deepest condolences to his surviving relatives, including his daughter, his brother Jailall Kissoon, Attorney-at-Law, his nieces, Rinee Kissoon, Rishee Kissoon, Shauna Kissoon and Prithima Kissoon, Attorneys-at-Law and his nephews, Justice SandilKissoon, Satyesh Kissoon, Devindra Kissoon, Satcha Kissoon, Nitya Kissoon and Madan Kissoon, Attorneys-atLaw.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Friday December 15, 2023

Labour leaders push President Biden for a Gaza ceasefire at US Capitol Washington, DC – Influential labour leaders have joined progressive legislators in the United States Capitol to push the administration of President Joe Biden to support a ceasefire in wartorn Gaza.

In a news conference on Thursday, representatives from United Auto Workers (UAW), United Electrical Workers and the American Postal Workers Union framed their appeal as part of a long history of labour movements supporting human rights at home and abroad. “We know unions provide a bridge toward fighting all forms of hatred, phobias, racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, Islamophobia and more,” said Shawn Fain, president of the UAW. “Now it’s time for the rest of our elected leaders to step up and do what it takes to end the violence.”

The news conference was organised by Democratic Representatives Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib, who introduced legislation in October calling for a ceasefire. Over 18,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza so far, amid an ongoing Israeli military offensive.

“As an activist and organiser and a proud daughter of a former union member, I know that the foundational message of every guild is to stand with the people, to fight for their dignity and to advocate for those most marginalised,” Bush said at the press conference. “Our humanity needs a ceasefire, and that is precisely why I’m so happy to have unions here today to join in this fight, because we know that unions know how to organise. Unions know how to mobilise and galvanise and energise.”

‘Time for workers to leverage our labour power’ Both the Congress members

Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers union, joins legislators at a press conference on Thursday calling for a ceasefire in Gaza [Kevin Dietsch/AFP] and the labour leaders used the press conference to underscore the political power that unions wield.

The UAW, for instance, represents an estimated 400,000 active members, while the American Postal Service Union boasts 330,000 workers. They hinted there could be consequences for Biden at the ballot box, should he fail to heed their call for a ceasefire.

“As the US funds Israel’s campaign of terror, we, the workers, are footing the bill for the massacre of innocents in Palestine,” said Janvi Madhani of the United Electrical Workers.

“This is the time for workers to leverage our labour power and electoral power to stand in uncompromising solidarity with the cause of Palestinian freedom.”

Judy Beard, a representative of the American Postal Workers Union, indicated that her organisation’s call for a ceasefire reflected wider views among the US public. “As a

union that stands for equality, social justice, human labour rights and international solidarity, we unite with millions of good people [and] members of Congress,” she said. Her union first announced its support for a ceasefire on November 8.

Video Duration 02 minutes 07 seconds 02:07 Most ‘pro-labour’ president in history Biden has long touted himself as the “most pro-union president in American history”.

But while he enjoyed the endorsement of both the UAW and the American Postal Workers Union during the 2020 presidential race, his unwillingness to call for a ceasefire could alienate the unions as he seeks reelection in 2024. The Democratic president has been reluctant to criticise Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, citing the country’s “right to defend itself” in the wake of an October 7

attack that left 1,200 people dead.

But the subsequent war on Gaza has killed thousands, many of them women and children. Entire neighbourhoods have been levelled, with United Nations experts warning of a “grave risk of genocide” in the Palestinian t e r r i t o r y. T h e s p i r a l i n g humanitarian crisis in Gaza has provoked widespread outcry. Even Biden has warned that “indiscriminate bombing” could cause Israel to lose public support.

Still, many within Biden’s own party have criticised him for his “unwavering support” for Israel. As of Wednesday, an estimated 62 members of the US Congress have called for a ceasefire, according to the Working Families Party, a leftleaning political group. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released last month also showed 68 percent of Americans supported calls for a ceasefire. That number was even higher among Democrats alone.

Rallying union support As the 2024 presidential race nears, surveys show Biden falling behind his chief Republican rival Donald Trump in key swing states like Michigan, which boasts large Arab and Muslim American communities.

A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll released this month showed Trump leading Biden 46 percent to 42 in a one-on-one matchup in the state. But Biden has made strides in trying to woo Michigan’s relatively large body of union workers.

An estimated 14 percent of “wage and salary workers” in the state belong to a union, higher than the national average of 10 percent.

In September, Biden flew to Michigan, where he became the first sitting US president to visit a picket line of striking UAW workers.

The auto union, at the time, was in the midst of its first-ever strike against all of the “Big Three” car companies: General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. The strike was also the union’s longest in nearly a quarter century, and it resulted in higher wages and better benefits for auto workers.

But Trump also sought to appeal to auto workers during the strike, holding a rally a day after Biden’s appearance on the picket line.

The UAW has yet to endorse a candidate for the 2024 race. With its headquarters based in Detroit, Michigan, it has significant sway in so-called “Rust Belt” states, where manufacturing has been a historic driver of the local economy.

“I call on the rest of the labour movement to join us in this mission for peace and social justice for all of humanity,” Fain, the UAW president, said on Thursday, pushing other union leaders to join the call for a ceasefire.

EU to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova (BBC NEWS) European leaders have decided to open EU membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova and to grant candidate status to Georgia.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the decision, made at a summit in Brussels, as “a victory” for his country and Europe. A spokesperson for Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, said that agreement was unanimous.

Hungary has long opposed talks starting with

Kyiv, but did not veto the move. Prime Minister Viktor Orban left the room momentarily in what officials described as a preagreed and constructive manner, while the other 26 leaders went ahead with the vote. He then distanced himself from his colleagues with a video message on Facebook: “EU membership of Ukraine is a bad decision.

Hungary does not want to participate in this bad decision, and therefore stayed away from the decision today.”

M r. Z e l e n s k y w a s

delighted by the EU’s announcement: “This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens,” he said on X. Ukraine and Moldova applied to join the EU after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

They were both given candidate status last June, while Georgia was passed over at the time. Moldovan President Maia Sandu said it was an honour to share the path to EU accession with Ukraine. “We wouldn’t be

here today without Ukraine’s brave resistance against Russia’s brutal invasion,” she wrote.

E a r l i e r t h i s y e a r, Moldova warned that Russia was seeking to seize power in Chisinau. Ms. Sandu said Moldovans were now feeling Europe’s “warm embrace” and congratulated her compatriots on what she called “an award for all of society, all those who choose democracy and prosperity”.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan welcomed the EU’s “historic” move to open

accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, calling it a “crucial step toward fulfilling their Euro-Atlantic aspirations”. Talks on joining the European Union can take years, so Thursday’s decision will not guarantee Ukraine membership.

People in Ukraine know that the path to full membership is a long one, but this decision in Brussels will be a boost for morale.

EU candidate countries have to pass a series of reforms to adhere to standards ranging from the rule of law to the economy,

although the EU’s executive has already praised Kyiv for completing more than 90% of the steps taken so far on justice and tackling corruption.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised his fellow leaders for showing a “strong sign of support”, adding that it was clear that both Ukraine and Moldova belonged to “the European family”.

A diplomat at the summit said it was Mr. Scholz’s idea for Mr. Orban to leave the room to enable the vote to go through.

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

Friday Thursday December November 15, 2023 24, 2022

KFC Goodwill Series 2023…

Wharton superb again as nd Chase’s Academic wraps up 2 win Bryan Wharton continued his goal-scoring prowess yesterday, securing a phenomenal hat trick for Chase’s Academic Foundation in a commanding 4-0 victory over Bartica Secondary during the opening match of the second round in the KFC Goodwill International Schools Football tournament at the Queen’s College (QC) ground.

W h a r t o n ’s s t e l l a r performance saw him notch up his seventh goal of the tournament against Bartica.

Just two days prior, he wowed spectators with an impressive 4-goal spree in the preceding match. Bevon Jones contributed another goal, solidifying Chase’s Academic’s position with two wins in as many games as they advance to the third round.

In the second match of the day, fans witnessed VWO-4 of Suriname clinching a narrow 3-2 victory against Carmel Secondary.

Arivin Djojoseparto stole the spotlight by scoring all three goals for the Surinamese team, marking their first win of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the remaining two games

Friday December 15, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Heightened imagination and ingenuity could bring new thoughts for advancing yourself in the financial arena.

Practical information from outside sources merges with insights to bring useful ideas your way.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Social events could bring some exciting new contacts your way. Relationships with partners of all kinds should be fruitful and mutually beneficial.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your efficient, practical abilities are operating at a very high level today. A long-term goal you've been working toward could finally be reached, bringing good fortune and acknowledgment.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your strong business sense and practical skills couple with imagination and innovation to bring advancement. Information from far away could prove especially valuable.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) With the current astral environment, your professional and financial interests could take a turn for the better. Any difficulties you may have had seem to disappear as if by magic.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) All indications are that you're feeling mentally and physically great. Your professional and financial interests could take a sudden turn for the better. Love matters should also be going well, and children bring great pleasure today.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Financial difficulties could be overcome today through the help of someone considerably older than you. Helpful advice could make a future course of action clearer and more practical than it seemed in the past.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today a piece of information for which you've been searching could become k n o w n . Yo u r m o n e y management skills might be called upon to help out a friend or perhaps a family member.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Friends and family could visit you today. They're likely to bring new friends whose expertise benefits a project you're working on. You might fantasize about how you're going to spend all the money you're going to make off this project.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) With the shifting planetary alignment, all of your efforts over the past few weeks could finally bear fruit. Success and good fortune are strongly indicated, especially where money is concerned.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A social event in your neighborhood, perhaps in your home, could bring useful information your way that you can use to advance your career.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A long-awaited vacation or a move you've been hoping to make could finally be possible.

Before you go, there may be some paperwork to take care of.

between Clarendon College and St Ignatius Secondary, and St Benedict’s College and DC Caesar Fox Secondary were set to conclude the second round at the Ministry of Education ground. However, the results of those matches will be provided in the Saturday edition.

This tournament, sponsored by Beharry Restaurant Holdings Inc. through its KFC Guyana franchise, is supported by MVP Sports, ANSA McAL (Lucozade), the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture, the Ministry of Education, the Guyana Football Federation, and ExxonMobil, is expertly organized by the Petra Organisation.

Member Associations’ winners...

From page 25 top-performing second-place teams from these groups will progress to the knockout stage.

For the semi-finals, matchups will be randomly drawn from a pot containing the names of the group winners and the most successful second-place team, heightening the thrill and anticipation.

The Elite League remains the cornerstone of the GFF President Wayne Forde’s commitment to club football, offering players a pathway not only to secure a spot on the Golden Jaguars but also to explore opportunities beyond Guyana.

Matches are set to take place at various venues, i n c l u d i n g E v e L e a r y, Rosignol Ground, Bartica Community Center, Buxton Ground, Wisburg Secondary School Ground, Tuschen Ground, Anna Regina Multi School Ground, and Wadapna Ground.

The tournament concludes on January 1, 2024 with a thrilling final showdown to determine the club that will earn promotion to Elite League Season Six.

PAGE 21 19

King, Powell turn on the...

From page 24 sometimes do, with a hint of misfortune, as Powell’s underedge eluded both his stumps and Buttler’s dive. But thereafter it was carnage. Twice Curran took the pace off, twice he was butchered high over the ropes. Twice he aimed fuller, and was launched brutally down the ground. In between whiles, he tried to hide the ball and was done for a brace of wides.

The fourth of Powell’s sixes brought up his 27-ball fifty, and he might have made it five in the over had Brook at longon not intercepted with a brilliant full-stretch dive. But his departure didn’t exactly slow West Indies’ onslaught. King was waiting for Rehan’s return, and made it 48 in two overs with three fours and a mighty slog over deep midwicket, as the rookie retreated with 1 for 47, his most bruised figures of the tour so far.

At least Mills had the experience to restore a degree of order. He’d been quietly effective across first first two overs and utilised his startling range of pace-on and -off deliveries to limit King and Andre Russell to an exchange of four singles in his third. Russell, inevitably, connected with two sixes before the innings was done, including a remarkable leaping uppercut off long-off, but Mills struck back with a pinpoint slower ball before making two in two to wrap up the 20 overs, as Jason Holder holed out to cow corner.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Friday December 15, 2023

Draymond Green: NBA star suspended indefinitely after Jusuf Nurkic clash (BBC Sport) - Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been suspended indefinitely after striking Phoenix Suns player

Jusuf Nurkic in the face.

Green was ejected for a third time this season in the Warriors’ 119-116 defeat.

The NBA said it had

given him a rare open-ended ban because of his “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts”.

The league said the 33-

year-old would be “required to meet certain league and team conditions” before he is allowed to return to play.

An indefinite suspension is an almost unheard of sanction by the NBA, which more commonly issues bans for a fixed number of games.

Referees ruled Green’s swinging arm into the face of Nurkic in the third quarter as a flagrant foul 2 - defined as “unnecessary and excessive contact” - which leads to an automatic ejection.

The four-time NBA champion later apologised to Nurkic, saying he had

accidentally struck the Bosnian after swinging his arm to try to win a foul call, believing he had been illegally held back.

However, the Suns player remained unhappy, saying: “What’s going on with him? I don’t know.

Personally, I feel like that brother needs help.”

The incident is the latest in a long line of disciplinary incidents involving Green.

He was given a fivegame ban for putting Minnesota Timberwolves centre Rudy Gobert in a headlock on 14 November.

The forward was also

The NBA said it had taken into account Green’s history of “unsportsmanlike acts” when issuing him an indefinite ban.

(Getty Images)

ejected for two technical fouls against the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in November and was suspended during the playoffs in April after stamping on the Sacramento Kings player Domantas Sabonis.

He was also famously suspended for game five of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers for a low blow against LeBron James.

The Warriors (10-13) are 1 1 t h i n t h e We s t e r n Conference and play the Clippers in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Friday December 15, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Henry, Latif dismantle GAPLF National Senior EBCA by 9 wickets Powerlifting Championship - Henry (5-5), Latif (4-4) record brilliant figures

rescheduled for this Sunday

T

he Guyana A m a t e u r Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) has made a respectful decision to postpone its prestigious National Senior Championship, following the declaration of a National Day of Prayer.

Originally slated to take place last Sunday, the flagship event will now be held this upcoming Sunday

Reyaz Latif

Brandon Henry

Spin twins Brandon Henry and Reyaz Latif put a hurting on East Bank Cricket Association (EBCA) as the in-form GCA U15 team secured a commanding 9 wicket win yesterday.

It was a resounding, relentless assault from the Georgetown team at the Farm Ground, who mowed down EBCA for a tourney low of 22 all out.

Henry led with a breathtaking spell of 5-5 from 6 overs with Latif chipping in with 4-4, including a helmet-trick to help strangulate the East Bank boys in just 12.4 overs.

It was a dismal performance for EBCA as Ravendra Singh was the top-scorer with 8 runs off 27 balls, as the remaining batters failed to even reach double figures.

A vicious GCA U15 then romped to their

total, finishing on 23-1 in just 4.1 overs, with EBCA’s Jasani Craig returning (1-7) as his fellow bowlers toiled to defend their paltry total.

The chase was set up by Shane Shivbarran who hit a run-a-ball 13 not out, with Ravin Singh lending ideal support with 10 not out off 11 balls.

Today, the ECCB play WDCA while EBCA will tackle UDCA/Select XI at the Farm Cricket Ground, with GCA pulling a bye.

The 5th and final round will go down on Tuesday December 19, with GCA battling ECCB at a venue to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, WDCA will square off against UDCA/Select XI at the Meten Meer Zorg Ground with EBCA drawing the bye.

at the St. Stanislaus College auditorium.

The Federation, in a released statement, expressed solidarity with the nation during a day of mourning.

The decision to r e s c h e d u l e t h e championship was prompted by the country’s collective sorrow over a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five

brave servicemen from the Guyana Defence Force.

Last Sunday was marked as a National Day of Prayer, allowing the community to come together and reflect on the devastating loss experienced by the nation.

As a gesture of respect and empathy towards the fallen servicemen and their families, the GAPLF chose to align with this solemn observance.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Friday December 15, 2023

King, Powell turn on the power as West Indies surge to 2-0 lead (ESPN Cricinfo) Brandon King and Rovman Powell produced the power s u r g e t h a t E n g l a n d ’s renowned white-ball hitters couldn’t come close to replicating, as West Indies surged to a 2-0 series lead with a victory in Grenada that was significantly more

emphatic than the final 10run margin would have you believe.

Such a result didn’t seem on the cards when a collapse of 4 for 11 in 16 balls left West Indies rocking at 54 for 4 in the ninth over of the match, at which point England’s twin-spin attack

of Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed were in complete command of the contest.

And yet, West Indies turned the tables in startling fashion, first through a brace of half-centuries from Powell, who belted 30 runs off Sam Curran’s second and final over, and King, whose

superb unbeaten 82 from 52 included three sixes and four fours off the last 12 balls of Rehan’s day.

And then, with a stiff but attainable 177 to defend, West Indies served up a spin stranglehold of their own, as the left-armers Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie put a

lock on the contest for eight consecutive overs from the Pavilion End. They produced the combined figures of 3 for 33, and though Curran showed gumption to top-score with 50 from 32 balls after his chastening bowling display, a requirement of 28 off the final over proved way beyond Rehan and Moeen Ali. Dot and bash in powerplay West Indies owed their victory in the opening T20I to a familiar trait, with their pain-train of batters outthumping England by 14 sixes to six. Today was a similar story - 13 played eight in the final analysis, including Rehan’s penultimate-ball slap over point when the game was already lost.

For the first half of their bowling effort, however, England appeared to have mitigated for that threat.

Three of West Indies’ sixes duly came in the powerplay, but then, so too did 18 dotballs, or half of their allocation, as the recalled Moeen burgled a three-run opening over before Chris Woakes’ crafty use of the cutter gave him the final say in an engaging duel with Kyle Mayers.

With memories of the record-breaking 46-six ODI on this same ground in 2019, Jos Buttler had had no compunction about bowling first after winning the toss, safe in the knowledge that a stiff chase was on the cards.

The fact is, their eventual targeted wasn’t nearly as stiff as he might have bargained for, yet England were still a distant second-best.

Rash and Rehan rip the top-order Master and apprentice, heir apparent and all that… from the moment he bowled England to the Under-19 World Cup final two years ago, there was never much doubt that Rehan would eventually take over the mantle of England’s attackleading legspinner across formats.

What was less obvious, however, was that there would be a period, in R e h a n ’s i n t e r n a t i o n a l infancy and at the tail-end of Rashid’s magnificent career, that the pair would dovetail as a twin-spin force to be

envied. And to judge by their thrilling post-powerplay surge, that time might just be now, notwithstanding the gulf that eventually emerged between their eventual figures.

After entering the attack for the seventh over, Rashid was first to strike, just three balls into his spell, as Nicholas Pooran was flummoxed by a diet of loopy googlies and surrendered with a loose hack to long-on. Rehan then went one better - his second delivery burst through the defences of the in-form Shai Hope, dipping and ripping into off stump to dispatch him for 1 from 3.

Not to be outdone, Rashid took the baton back in his very next over, confounding Shimron Hetmyer with a wonderful double-whammy - a huge air-ball first-up that plopped on a middle-and-leg line, followed by a flatter flipper outside off next-up that Hetmyer could only prod uneasily to Moeen at slip.

By the time their fiveover alliance was done, West Indies were listing at 68 for 4 after 11, with King’s forceful thump through the line off Rehan being their only boundary in 31 balls. That, inevitably, was about to change.

King, Powell serve the smackdown Unwittingly or otherwise, Rehan’s change of ends marked the start of West Indies’ charge. His first ball was too full and got the treatment as King climbed handsomely through the line.

A fumble from Woakes at long-on then gave way to a beastly slog-sweep for King’s fourth six, and a 33ball half-century, whereupon Powell unleashed a muscular thrash off Tymal Mills to bring up the hundred inside the 14th over.

Rashid returned to restore some short-term order. His fourth and final over yielded a trio of singles, for the outstanding figures of 2 for 11, but Powell was only just getting started. Curran’s fragile form has been a concern for some months now, and now he found himself fully exposed by the most expensive over of his career.

It started, as these things (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

Friday December 15, 2023

PAGE 25

Member Associations’ winners ready to battle for spot in 2024 Elite League Season Six Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Competition Directory Troy Peters on Thursday confirmed that all preparations for the December 17 kickoff of the GFF Elite League Promotional Playoff are now in place and the nine successful teams from the Member Associations’ Leagues are geared up to compete fiercely for a position in the prestigious Elite League Season Six in 2024.

The playoff marks the culmination of the vibrant 2023 GFF football season that showcased club competitions throughout Guyana.

A mere two days before the kickoff, Peters and his team are in the midst of thorough double-checks to ensure the success of the playoff.

“The GFF-Elite League Promotional Playoff will showcase many of the top

Club representatives of the various Member Associations that will be participating in the upcoming League. players and hidden talent as the nine teams vie for a spot in Season 6 of the Elite League 2024,” Peters shared, adding that the competition will be a “treat for football lovers for the festive season so we encourage the fans to come out and support their favourite teams.

“The Federation is extremely pleased to have these nine association champions go head to head in the 2023 Elite League

Promotional Playoff.”

The competition promises to be intense as the stakes are high for participating clubs - Beacons (Bartica Football Association), Beacon ( G e o rg e t o w n F o o t b a l l Association), Buxton Stars (East Coast Demerara Football Association), D o m i n a t o r s (Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association), Herstelling Raiders (East Bank Demerara

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Football Association), Monedderlust (Berbice Football Association),

Slingerz (West Demerara Football Association), Ta b a t i n g a ( R u p u n u n i Football Association), and Winners Connection (Upper Demerara Football Association).

On the opening day, three clashes, decided from the November 22 draw, are poised to set the tone. At 2 p.m. in Anna Regina, Slingerz FC will confront Dominators FC. Following this, Buxton Stars FC will take on Bartica’s Beacons FC at 5 pm at Eve Leary, with the evening will culminate with

Tabatinga FC meeting Herstelling Raiders FC at 7 pm, also at Eve Leary in Georgetown.

Between June and November, the GFF’s nine Member Associations hosted senior leagues with support from the Members Financial Assistance Programme (MFAP).

The teams were divided into three groups of three and will compete in a roundrobin format where each team will face off against the others in their group. The group champions and the (Continued on page 21)