Kaieteur News

Bandits posing as passengers beat, rob taxi driver at Nismes, West Bank Demerara

A 30-year-old taxi-driver of Tuschen New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) was on Tuesday morning robbed and beaten by two banditsposingaspassengers.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the taxi driver was relieved of a silver Toyota Premio motorcar bearing Registration PXX 6084 which is valued $2.9M; a Samsung Galaxy J7 valued $40,000; one Nokia cell phone valued $4000 and $30,000cash.

It was stated that during the wee hours of Tuesday, the taxi driver had just dropped off a passenger at the West Vybz Bar, which is located at Tuschen.

While there, he was approached by the two suspects who asked if he was workingtaxiandhetoldthem yes.

According to the police, thesuspectsrequestedthatthe taxi driver take them to the Demerara Harbour Bridge. However, upon reaching the

location, the suspects then asked the taxi driver to take them to Nismes, West Bank Demerara(WBD)instead.

According to the victim, when he arrived at Nismes Village, one of the suspects exited the vehicle and the otherchokedhimfrombehind and dealt him several cuffs to hisfaceandhead.

It was also stated that the suspects then relieved him of his cellular phones and cash beforeescapinginhisvehicle.

The matter was reported to the police and an investigationisongoing.

Kaieteur News had reported that at least two cars are stolen every month in Guyana. Earlier in the year, members of the GPF were able to put a major dent into a carjacking ring after seven stolen cars were found completely dismantled in b u s h e s a l o n g t h e

Soesdyke/Linden Highway

Several persons were arrested and placed before the court fortheoffence.

Car shells found in August hidden in the backlands along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway

Nation still to see ExonM local content reports for 2016-2021

Since assuming

office, neither PresidentIrfaanAli nor his Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has ensured the release of ExxonMobil's local content reports which aresubmittedtotheStateona half yearly and annual and basis.

In fact, it is well over two years since the Ali government has been in office and the public is none the wiser about the oil giant's true performance on hiring and training locals as well as the use of indigenous products and services for the period2016to2022.

Article 18 of the 2016 P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement (PSA), which was signed for the Stabroek Block, speaks to the use of Guyanese Resources. It specifically states, “Within 60dayspriortothebeginning ofeachyearorpartthereofas applicable, the Contractor and the Minister shall provide a yearly plan for the utilization of qualified Guyanese resources for the upcoming year Following the submission of the plan, the Contractor and the Ministershallmeettodiscuss a n d c o n s i d e r t h e effectivenessoftheplan.”

Since being in office, the People's Progressive Party C i v i c ( P P P / C ) Administration has not outlined details about its e n g a g e m e n t s w i t h ExxonMobil on this front, especially as it relates to the company's local content utilization plan for 2021, 2022or2023.

Article 18 goes on to

state, “The Contractor shall provide half-yearly reports submitted within 30 days aftertheendofeachhalf-year to the Minister outlining its achievements in utilizing q u a l i f i e d G u y a n e s e resourcesduringtheprevious half-year and make appropriate adjustments to the yearly plan to better accomplish the goal of increasing the qualified resourcesavailableforuseby the Contractor in its Petroleum Operations and other entities performing petroleum operations in Guyana.”

Todate,neithertheHeadof-State nor the Vice President has disclosed these reports for the public to peruse and hold the oil companies accountable Neitherhasalsoinformedthe nation about whether they reviewed previous local content reports submitted by Exxon and partners and whether those were satisfactory and in keeping with the PSA's call for

President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

increased use of Guyanese servicesandskills.

LOCALCONTENT REGULATOR

While the government has made significant steps with the passage of the Local Content Law and the establishment of a regulator in the form of the Local Content Secretariat, industry stakeholders have stressed t h e n e e d f o r t h e administration to keep its focus on releasing timely information to the public on Exxon's performance As citizens await verified information from the Local Content Secretariat, ExxonMobil continues to dominate several platforms with its selective local contentstatistics.

Chatham House Advisor and Trinidadian Energy Strategist, Anthony Paul has s a i d t h a t p r o p e r implementation and regulation of companies' compliance with the law will becriticaltoGuyana'sability

toclawbackvalue.

During a previous interview, Paul told Kaieteur News that the regulator will be essential to providing citizens with the truth on the extent of goods and services used by oil companies. He further noted that there are different models which can be used to achieve this. The ChathamHouseAdvisorsaid thatinGhana,byregulations, thePetroleumCommissionis the responsible regulator He said that the Petroleum Commission has instituted guidelines and procedures for reporting as well as auditing what is provided to it.

He noted that the regulations include targets which are to be achieved. He also revealed that the Commission has a dedicated local content team and work systems that cut across differentdepartments.

In the case of Nigeria, Paul noted that a specific agency, the Nigerian Content D e v e l o p m e n t a n d

M o n i t o r i n g B o a r d (NCDMB), was established by legislation for managing Nigerian Content. Paul said that the NCDMB has dedicatedteamsandhasbeen v e r y e f f e c t i v e i n transforming the local contentlandscapeinNigeria.

Closer to home, Paul said that the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) in Trinidad and Tobago is responsible for all aspects of regulating the industry,otherthanfiscaland environmental.

Paul said that Trinidad and Tobago has some strong

regulations requiring local capacity development and local content and for reporting and monitoring performance, but these have not always been robustly applied.

He said that the MEEI does not have dedicated Local Content Personnel, but it has established a multistakeholderPermanentLocal Content Committee, to oversee implementation of its 2004 Local Content Policy which is aligned with the provisions of the PetroleumRegulations.

The Oil and Gas expert said, “There is an old saying, 'what gets measured, gets done.' So it makes sense that Guyanese are made aware of the progress of the policy or law by having a responsible agency report on measurable outcomes.”

The Advisor said that unless that agency is empowered to effectively undertake its responsibilities and keep citizens informed with independent data, there is no guarantee that the truth will be known about the extenttowhichGuyaneseare benefitting from their resources.

Vice

President, Irfaan Ali

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

The culture shock that is here

NIGELWILLIAMS

Editor-In-Chief: Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

EDITORIAL

STABROEK BLOCK: GOVERNMENT AFTER GOVERNMENT HAS

FAILED

DEAREDITOR, There should be no by the quick-time of campaigns. Established I write to clarify shamewiththesluggishrate economic transformation, businesses cannot want it is arguments I recently made of cultural adjustments. It is with the slow-time of both ways, namely practice concerning cultural change quite normal, and academic culturaladjustment. pavement theft while hiding in Guyana, and some of the studies have repeatedly

US

The Stabroek Block was what was used over two decadesagotosellGuyaneseintoslavery When

both the PPPC and the APNU+AFC Coalition Governmentsshouldhavelaiddownthelaw,theylookedthe other way, and allowed ExxonMobil to continue with its pillagingofGuyana.

Governmentaftergovernmentusedaloopholeinthelaw toletExxonMobiloffthehook. Guyanesenowlivewiththe failures of their governments, pay harsh prices for their incompetence, and what increasingly registers as their chronicandcostlybetrayals.

Astandardprovisioninthelawcallsforatotalof75%of the Stabroek Block to be relinquished after 7 years, in increments of 50% after the first four years, 25% after the succeeding three. The remaining 25% not subject to a production licence also has to be given back to Guyana (“ExxonMobiltogiveup20%ofoilrichStabroekBlocknext year”, KN December 10). This should explain why ExxonMobilisinsuchahurrytokeepexpandingitsoffshore footprint. Itisthatsoitcangobbleupmoreandmoreacreage of the Stabroek Block under the authority of production licenses,whichgivesittheinviolablelegalprotectionthatis necessary

The loophole in the law, as identified by Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, is the discretionary power given to the subject minister allowing for adjustment of the relinquishment arrangements. It is discretion that has been used most unwisely, heaping abject misery on Guyanese. Ministers acting at the behest of their leaders and governmentshavedonejustthattothegreatdisadvantageof Guyanese.

This began in 1999 when the then PPPC Government under Janet Jagan first entered into agreement with ExxonMobil. In 2012, it was worsened and continued by another PPPC Government, on this occasion by former President Donald Ramotar In 2016, the APNU+AFC Coalitiondidtheunbelievableandthehighlyunacceptable, viathe2016post-discoveryagreementsandrelinquishment provisions,withbothformerMinisterRaphaelTrotmanand former President David Granger neck deep in the abomination that is now this albatross that hangs over Guyaneseheads.

TherealityisthatinsteadofgivingbacktoGuyana75% of the Stabroek Block after 7 years, the ExxonMobil-led consortium is only readying to relinquish 20% of this superrich oil block. Every barrel of oil that ExxonMobil drains from that block for its almost exclusive gain is an intolerable pain to every citizen of this country The 20% relinquishment of the Stabroek Block by ExxonMobil is what Vice President wishes to make Guyanese believe is such a grand development for them, and of which he is so proud.

LetuslookagainatthisgalleryofGuyaneseoilheroes. FromJanetJagantoDonaldRamotartoDavidGranger(and certainly not ignoring the powerful role that behind-thescenes, president Bharat Jagdeo would have played), all of thesenationalleadershavefailedGuyanesebynotstanding upforwhatisbestforGuyaneseinterests,bynotadjustingor nottouchinginanymannertherelinquishmentarrangements embedded in the law In fact, it is accurate to assert that Guyana’s ministers and presidents have bent in the other direction where relinquishment provisions are concerned. TheyhavegivenExxonMobileveryconcessionwithtiming, as well as the percentage of the Stabroek Block to be given up.Worse still, ExxonMobil has made its moves to tie up bigger and bigger swathes of offshore areas within the Stabroek Block under production agreements. This effectivelycontinuestheplunderatwillbytheAmericanoil companyofGuyana’soilwealth.

Thishasbeenwiththefullestcooperationimaginableby past PPPC Governments and the present one, and the APNU+AFC Government, as well. More projects are waiting for approval and the issuance of production agreements, and already it is clear that ExxonMobil’s reign ofrobberywillgoonunchecked.

Theeffortsbythecurrent behind the elasticity of the challenges that lay ahead. I foundthatvaluesandbeliefs administration to remove informal sector, and at the was keen on showing that are more difficult to change, encumbrances from the same time complain about developmentsinGuyanaare compared to changing roadside and vending from street vendors stealing of such forms and behaviour the streets of Georgetown customers, or littering. Stop magnitude, that we are The truth is that the have been met of charges of it! experiencingcultureshock. dynamic of change is an “inter-class warfare” (KN, I wrote before, and I Regrettably, some took amalgam of differential 12/29/2022, p. 9) and other repeat now, “[w]hat is umbrage at the core temporal speeds, with d e r o g a t o r y needed is systematic and arguments because they aspects of economy, culture, characterizations. The same systemic resocialization of mistook aspects of my and society moving in sync folks, however, are the ones individuals into functioning a n a l y s i s , f o r attimes,whileatothertimes, who usually cuss-down the citizenship, beginning with recommendations. Yet, this generating contradictions or government for allowing the family Religious is bound to happen in any evenchaos. donkey-cart cultural practices perhaps need to society that moves from No one less that Peeping practicestopersist. become a bit more secular bicycles to SUVs in a Tom,forinstance,appearsto Well, you can’t have it and address problems of decade,orfromrotitocereal be shocked that “…some both ways. If you want a everyday life rather than inmuchshortertime-span. businesses opened on society based on systems of focus on the principles of W h a t w e a r e Christmas afternoon, systems, standard operating abstract salvation and experiencing is not easy to something which is usually procedures, and the other deliverance. decipher. The principal unheard of ” (Kaieteur ‘technologies’ of modern Educational institutions reasonforthisisthattherate News 12/29/2022) Tom life, you need not only give need to go beyond exam of economic transformation might recall that Sunday charity,butgive-upmanyof preparation and inculcate a is moving at the speed of shopping was at one time theinformalinstitutionslong culture of reciprocal S e c r e t a r i a t , t h e seen as a violation of embeddedinthesociety obligations in a new regime thoroughbred from Caroline religiousprinciples.Editor,I I fully agree with KN ofnorms.” County, Virginia, while our would like to connect the columnist Freddie Kissoon And again, “[n]o culture is crawling along at observations above with that government must be disrespectintended.” the speed of Shell Beach some developments that even-handedinexecutingits Sincerely, turtles. highlighttheproblemsposed clean-up and clear-out Dr RandolphPersaud

What’s with this ‘on-the-bed’promotion?

DEAREDITOR, preparedfor

them advised him to make public inquiry be held and I I am puzzled and I hope I am aware that His this public show by hope that appropriate that your investigative Excellency has at least four promotingonthespotarank measures are in place to journalismwouldseeksome Advisors, one I am told on who allowed an outsider to ensure the safety of this clarity so that ordinary folks security, Mr Kit apparently with ease get to Nigerian potential intruder could understand how a Nascimento, Dr Roger him at close quarters and so that we can get a police rank posted at the Luncheon, Captain Gerry while you are pursuing this backgroundofthispersonin official residence of the Gouveia and a Dr Persaud strange case ascertain when order to ensure that country’s President could be except for the last name, the the rank who had the 9mm Immigration stops persons promoted in circumstances others I know to be men of pistol taken away would be with such habits from where he was obviously ill- competenceandexperience. promoted to Sergeant or enteringthecountry prepared for a situation that Dear Editor, please find Inspector Regards, he should have been outfromthesemen,whichof Finally, when will a EricMoseley,MS

The whole concept ofAli’s “One Guyana” is a farce and hoax

DEAREDITOR, derail the functioning of the THEPPP/C’sinfluence.Itis Commission and the Public

AstheWorldpreparesto National Assembly by the belief of many that the Service Commission, with welcome the year 2023, so continuous abuse of courtshavebeenweaponised the intention of stymieing tooisGuyana. Opposition MPs, irregular bytherulingoligarchy promotions of persons

TheYear 2022 has been holding of committee The Guyana Police outsideoftheirconstituency; one of drama and meetings. Force, rather than serving the willful act of excluding disappointment for the All of this under “the and protecting citizens, has Opposition representatives average Guyanese citizen. watchfuleye”ofthePPP/C’s been associated with from state boards, to name a However, a few well- appointed Speaker Mr intimidation and harassment few connectedpersonshavealot Manzoor Nadir This was of those aligned to the Earlier in the year, to celebrate as beneficiaries compoundedbytheinjustice Coalition on the instructions Guyanesewerealsotakenby of their friends in and unfair treatment meted of prominent political surprise at the allegations Government. out to eight Opposition figures. made against Mr Bharrat

SinceAugust2,2020,the Members who were denied At the other level, the Jagdeo in an exclusive PPP has carried out an their RIGHTS to natural E x e c u t i v e a r m o f interview by Vice News, a assault on Opposition justice! government, there were USbasedagency Members in the National The other arm of several infractions The allegations included Assembly They utilised government, the Judiciary, committed by the PPP/C the awarding of contracts their one seat majority to has allegedly not escaped regime. and favours using a Chinese

ExxonMobilneutralizesrelinquishmentprovisionsbycleverly forcing the hands of our governments into production agreements. AndGovernmentsofGuyanahavebeenonlytoo willing to sign on the dotted line, and give away for almost nothingallofouroilriches. WhatExxonMobilrelinquishesin percentage,GuyanaGovernmentshavebeengladtogiveright backtotheoilcompanyunderproductionagreements.

To name a few: middleman, Mr Sue. Mr unfairnessintheawardingof IrfaanAli,whositsintheseat contracts, unfairness in the of President failed in his distribution of cash grants, many attempts to appease with the beneficiaries being Guyanese on this issue. We mainly PPP/C constituents; were told that an the non-commissioning of investigationwillbe the Teachers Service

InQuestofaKnowledge-BasedSociety

DEAREDITOR, priority by successive and to fill vacancies in their The Ministry of administrations. There was, communities The GOAL Education (MoE) is playing and continues to be, a clear project has brought many a key role in laying the recognition that greater students who would have education infrastructure to national development and a been previously excluded propel the social and reduction in poverty are from secondary and tertiary economic transformation of integrally associated with a education into the higher the country that would lead sound education system ” educationstream. to“fairness”intheallocation Consistent with this

The attrition rate among of state resources to all statement, the PPPC female teachers is 8-9% Guyanese, irrespective of governmenthasensuredthat compared with 2-3% for race, gender, region, or Education receive the males Significantly, religiousaffiliation. highest budgetary allocation proportionately more H o w e v e r , o n e of $(G) 74 4 billion (or females are trained as formidable challenge to the 11.5%)in2022. teachers compared with pursuitoffairnessisthehigh MoEhasbeenworkingto males. poverty level which, stallandreversetheteacher’

For example, there are accordingtotheWorldBank, attrition; improve the 69%trainedfemaleteachers was 48% (calculated at number of trained teachers compared with less than 1% $(US)5.50perdayminimum acrossallschools;reducethe male trained teachers at the earning per household) in number of ‘out of school’ nurserylevel;whilethereare 2019. Given the country’s c h i l d r e n ; e x p a n d 55%femaletrainedteachers rapid development, connectivity; fill existing at the secondary level including job creation, this teaching vacancies swiftly; comparedwith16%formale poverty level is likely to introduce computer coding: trained teachers The decline to 40% by year-end address the posting of Ministry says that its goal is (2022) When a sizeable teachers to hinterland toachievefulltrainingforall impact of the country’s oil locations; and continue to 100% of teachers in the wealth is realized by 2028- strive for excellence in the system by 2025. Students’ 2030, the poverty level is quest to modernize the enrollment in 2017-2018 expected to decline to 10%. education system, through was “95% at both primary Abright spark to push forth GOAL and other such and secondary levels povertyreductionisformore measures as computer through to grade 9,” but the citizens to acquire a good coding and skills-technical average daily attendance education. And the PPPC development. (2019-2020)atNurserylevel government says that it is MoEsaysthattheGOAL was 75%; at primary, it was providing the resources to (GuyanaOnlineAcademyof 79%; and at secondary, it makethishappen. Learning) scholarships was 74% The existing The government’s programme (6,000 awards dropout rate is not available transformative statement on weremadein2021and4,500 but the UNICEF study education is captured in the awards made in 2022) (2017) notes: “at risk of Education Sector Plan, should also attract enough dropping out are 11.7% for 2021-2025: “Education has indigenous people to childrenacrossgrades1to6 been signaled as a national become qualified teachers (Continuedonpage6)

ThewholeconceptofAli’s “OneGuyana”isafarceand...

Frompage4

notedthatafarewellfunction continues in their old habits conducted, and that Mr was held for Mr Persaud by o f p r o p a g a t i n g Jagdeo was going to bring theIndianGovernment. Asa misinformation to mislead litigationagainstMr Suefor taxpayer, I have a few citizens. During the 2020 his“falseaccusations”.Well, questionsforMr Ali.Canhe Elections campaign, it’s heading to the close of advisethepeopleofGuyana Guyanese were promised 2022 and Guyanese are still when exactly Mr Persaud is thatthePPP/Cregimewould waiting for this case to be expected in Guyana? Does renegotiate the Production heard. he plan to offer him another SharingAgreements.As has Then Guyanese were paid position in his become the norm with the forced to contend with the government? Editor, I hope PPP, they intentionally odious and embarrassing this information would be misled citizens to garner conduct of Mr Charrandass made available to citizens votes. There never was any Persaud, Guyana’s High withinthenextfewdays. intention to revisit the Commissioner to India The decent and agreements as is evidenced Afterthepublicoutcryonthe honourable thing to do by the excuses repeatedly release of the video would be to remove the being made by Mr Bharrat recording of Mr Persaud’s disgraced Mr Persaud Jagdeo.Wearealsoyettobe abuse surfaced, Mr Ali, on permanently from the told how the nation is October 26, 2022, said that government’spayroll.Under benefittingfromthenation’s “representatives of our the PPP/C, public servants oil resources Editor, the country must on every andteachersexperiencedthe PPP/CregimeMUSTgovern o c c a s i o n c o n d u c t wrath of the PPP/C regime. in the interest of ALL themselves in the highest There were no attempts at Guyana. The whole concept regard…in keeping with the collective bargaining to of Ali’s “One Guyana” is a best interest of Guyana and ensure decent wages to farce and hoax. We are one the image of Guyana, Mr combat inflation. Less than people, one nation with a Charrandass would return forty-eighthours,theIDBin common destiny It is that home”. a released, has reported that motto that Mr Ali swore to I however read that Mr the inflation rate in Guyana beguidedby Lethimsodo. Persaud was still invited to has tripled in the past two Yoursincerely, perform official duties in years.

AnnetteFerguson

MemberofParliament

November Afewdaysago,I The PPP/C regime

Correcting Nandlall’s misinformation

InQuestofaKnowledge-Based...

Frompage5 May2022.Thoseinprimary and 4.8% across grades 7 to schools are being taught 9. Students stay home or English, in an after-school drop out of school due to class. The goal is to expand inequities in economic these classes by doubling conditions, religion, child their number to 30 in 2023. labour, abuse, among other Appreciatingdiversityinthe factors. country’s education system

DEAREDITOR, “everypersonmayvoteatan was never intended to be to plug in its acclaimed Days in collaboration with a also beneficial to the wider On December 27, 2022, election if he is of age populated with the names of electoral reform, which is resident cooperative as Guyanese community The inthequietudeofmyhome,I eighteenyearsorupwardand dead persons, hence locally, intended ostensibly to evidenceofanon-impacting list of over four thousand was obliquely hearing a is either a citizen of Guyana such names are removed reduce the possibility of activityasifthatisallwedid (4000) persons, initially byreplay of Nandlall on The or a Commonwealth citizen based on the objections electoralmal-practices.That with 500,000,000 Guyana passedforfloodrelief,which Gildarie-Freddie Kissoon domiciled and resident in exercise or based on the omission raises an ominous Dollars over five years. It is wesubmittedtotheMinister Showwhenmyattentionwas Guyana.”Thiscertainlydoes death reports from the redflag. butanexampleofIDPADA- of Agriculture included drawn to perverted notprovidefordeadpersons Registrar of Births and I now turn to IDPADA- G‘s undertakings, which are hundreds of Indo-Guyanese, commentsontwoissues:(a) to vote; and implicitly for Deaths office. In the case of G Nandlall continues to too many to be mentioned whose complaints we the bloated list; (b) and themtobelistedasvoters.It those persons who reside peddle the falsehood that here. In any case, what responded to, and who we IDPADA-G Given my therefore begs the question and/ or die overseas there is IDPADA-G is a private makes the self-proclaimed registered. In a desperate interest in, and more as to the lawful nature of a no mechanism for the company with “its directors “Shastri”thejudgeofwhat‘s attempttodividetheAfrican particular my knowledge of list which does not provide removaloftheirnamesfrom being the beneficiaries ” impacting for the African Guyanese community, he both matters, I feel duty- for the removal of names of the voters’ list. Call it what Indeed,IDPADAisaprivate Guyanese community Isn‘t sought to authenticate his boundtoexposethespinand all of the dead persons from you may, the list has names company,butitsregistration the retention and circulation concerns based on some outrightfalsehoodsthatwere thelist. thatshouldnotbethere.The specifies that it is a “not for of money in the village a statement purportedly intended to be passed off on Nandlall on occasions, consequential issue: profit company.” There are laudable and valuable emanating from the the innocent public as the when cornered, admits that evidence of electors who no shareholders nor is any contribution to the village Rastafari community For truth. thereisnomechanismforthe were recorded as being dividend payable The economy and community therecord,IDPADA-Gwent The first such matter is removal, from the voters’ overseasandforwhomvotes directorsarevolunteers.Not well-being. throughagestationperiodof the “bloated list.” Nandlall list, the names of thousands were cast, poses the real evenastipendispayable.To Significantly, he fails to over one year which continues to focus on the of registered Guyanese who problemofthefairnessofthe wit, its Articles of acknowledge that the included the active wordbloatedandarguesthat die overseas There is elections. Incorporation states, “If Government demanded an participationoftheRastafari the list is compiled in therefore a flaw in our Nandlallseekstodismiss upon the winding up or investigative audit of community They have keeping with the laws of system that provides for the thisissueoffraudulentvotes. dissolution of the company IDPADA-G in December stayed the course unto the Guyana. In that regard, the names of the dead to be However, the Chief there remains after the 2021 to which we time of the scripting of this constitution states that, retained on the list. The list Immigration Officer satisfaction of all debts and immediately acceded. That letter authenticated, in one liabilities any property audit was conducted by the F o r N a n d l a l l ‘ s instance, that of three whatsoever, the same shall Ministry of Finance and information, IDPADA-G is hundredandten(310)names not be paid to or distributed covered the period 2018 to accessible to anyAfroof persons who were among members of the 2021. In response to more Centric organization which allegedly absent but voted company but shall be given recentslanderousclaims,we is registered or has a proven for, two hundred and eleven or transferred to some other invited the Government to track record of activism (211) were verified as being body or bodies having conductanauditofour2022 Whether Sam Hinds or his outofthecountry Thisisbut objects similar to the object records even though the ilk was invited, as Nandlall a sample. This, therefore, of the company… and in so audit is not even due. He laments, is irrelevant verifiesthatfraudulentvotes far as effect cannot be given questioned IDAPA-G‘s IDPADA-G’s membership werecast.Italsoascertained to this provision, then the membership, thus showing comprises community that a percentage of those property shall be applied to little or no regard for the groups not individuals. We whowereallegedlyvotedfor some charitable object or African community and the are not concerned with the mayhavevotedinperson.It, objects.”

The Ministry of is crucial to building the Education is also moving Presidents’ “One Guyana” swiftly to fill 500 teaching society vacancies by January 2023. To complement MoE’s There are currently 178,962 leadership role in public school students with educational and societal 11,906 teachers (which transformation, there are providearatioof15students other agencies (both public perteacher).Thisratiovaries and private) that are integral across regions and at the tothismission.Thereare,for three school levels: 17 5 example, the Port Mourant students per teacher at Oil and Gas Institute, and primary; 14 1 at the variousTechnicalVocational secondary level, and 11.7 at and Education Training the nursery level. The MoE (VET) programs for which plans to have all teachers the Board of Industrial trained (both in coastland Training(BIT)hasoversight andhinterland)by2025.The r e s p o n s i b i l i t y status of teachers’ Notwithstanding the remuneration has recently challenges, Education been hinted upon by the MinisterPriyaManickchand President. expresses her deep pleasure

Recognizing the need to at the wonderful results help immigrants like Guyanese students have Venezuelans adjust to their achieved at the 2022 CSEC new lives, MoE has and CAPE examinations established a Migrant Unit These accomplishments set f o r t h i s p u r p o s e thestageforgreaterthingsto Venezuelans’ children at come. schools (nursery, primary, Regards, secondary)number740asof Dr.TaraSingh

o v e r 6 0 m e m b e r political affiliation of therefore,debunksNandall‘s Nandlall also officiously organizations that comprise individuals. What unify us contentionthatthepresence, sought to convey to the IDPADA-G. In so doing, he arethechallengesfacingour on election day, of some of public that IDPADA-G was paid scant regard for our community and the theallegedfraudstersmeans the recipient of 500,000,000 c o n s u l t a t i o n s i n opportunity to make a thattherewasnoinstancein Guyana dollars for which communities across the difference under the UN which votes were cast for there is little or no evidence regions in the formative declared Decade with its absentpersons. of benefit to the African process and again as we goalsof:recognition,justice

There is a glaring gap in Guyanese community He draftedourstrategicplan. anddevelopment. ourelectorallaws,agapthat mocked our sponsorship of Theplannedactivitiesof Yourstruly, the Government has refused the Mocha Arcadia Market IDAPADA-G activities are VincentAlexander

No increase in pension for some GuySuCo pensioners

DEAREDITOR,

senior staff pensioners of me give an example, this giveusanincrease,butover Kindly allow me some GuySuCo. These pensioners year government announced theyearsSTEPSkeeptelling space in your newspaper for for over ten years now have an8%increaseinpensionfor us that they are not in a this letter I am writing this not received any increase in allgovernmentpensionersin position to give us any lettertobringtotheattention their pension from the this country and the GAWU increase,soIamappealingto of the President of this STEPS pension scheme, pensioners in GuySuCo also you sir, please use your country and his Finance whilstallotherpensionersin receivedan8%increase,yet position as President of this Minister an injustice and this country have been the junior and senior staff country to get someone to discrimination that is being getting increase in their pensioners of GuySuCo give us an 8% increase, so perpetuatedonthejuniorand pensions over the years. Let received 0% increase. And that we can also be in a this has been going on in position to combat the high GuySuCo as I said for over cost of living that is killing tenyearsnow Wheneverthe allofus.Afterall,ithasbeen GAWU workers receive an over ten years now that we increase in their salaries, have not received any their pensioners receive the increase. You being the sameamountandwereceive compassionate President we nothing. know you are, I know you

Mr. President, I know willnotdisappointthejunior when you would have seen andseniorstaffpensionersof this letter and asked what is GuySuCo. Hoping to hear going on, you would be told fromyousoon. byGuySuCothatisaSTEPS Yoursfaithfully, problem and STEPS should ImtiazBaccus.

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ONE GUYANA AGAINST THE LOPSIDED EXXON DEAL

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President IrfaanAli has been trying hard to rally Guyanese behind his ‘One Guyana’ project. Though laudable, given the fractured relations among the various groups here, the initiative is bound to fail because many citizens do not think PresidentAli and his government are sincere.

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We at the Kaieteur News believe that a rallying point, from which One Guyana can take flight, is the renegotiation of Exxon contract to bring greater benefits to Guyanese. With the high levels of poverty and inequality here any real effort to extract more for Guyana from the oil deal will see all and sundry lining up behindAli on his ‘One Guyana’ project.

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But no, he and his Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, are hell-bent on keeping Guyanese impoverished, while pushing their unity agenda. There will be no ‘One Guyana’ when all the dealing and wheeling of our oil benefit only the foreigners and a few in the PPP/C.

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Trinidad prepared to withhold oil blocks if

Shell, BP don't meet basic requirements

Neighbouring oil

a n d g a s p r o d u c e r ,

Trinidad and Tobago, is prepared to reject bids from two of the country's major oil and gas producers as they have failed to meet the c o u n t r y ' s m i n i m u m requirement for accessing its offshoreoilblocks.

An exclusive Reuters report said Wednesday that the TT government is set to have discussions with BP Plc BP L and Shell Plc SHEL L, the only two companies that took part in its oil block auction, but will be holding back its deep-water assets if the oil majors cannotcometoterms with the basic requirements of the twin island's most recentbidround.

ReuterssaidthatTrinidad could reject four of the offshore exploration bids presentedbyBPPlcBP.Land ShellPlcSHEL.L.

It said that Trinidad and Tobago's deep-water bid round closed in early June with offers received only from a BP-Shell consortium

on four of the 17 available blocks.

It was noted that the country's Energy Ministry objected to the offers' conditional commitment to drill new wells and what it described as a meager signingbonus.

The consortium's bid proposed to evaluate seismic data before committing to a drillingplan,thereportsaid.

It was related that the Trinidad government will nonethelesspursuetalkswith the two oil and gas

CabinettoldReuters.

Thereportcontinuedthat in 2020, a similar situation occurred in the auction of shallow-water blocks with proposals from the same BPShell consortium being rejected after they failed to meetminimumthresholds.

to comment on the matter, saying that it had not been notifiedofaformalrejection, a BP spokesperson related earlier in the month, that company's willingness to initiate talks regarding the blocks.

TTgovernment.

It was noted that in November, Energy Minister Stuart Young confirmed that hisministryhadsubmittedits recommendation regarding the bid to the TT Cabinet.

Trinidad is said to be Latin America's largest its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter, with the capacity to process 4.2 billion cubic feet per day of gas into LNG, petrochemicals and power Its gas production is just under 3 billion cubic feet per day

fieldsforfutureoutput.

ItwasstatedthatTrinidad too urgently needs new gas supplies to boost its liquefied n a t u r a l g a s ( L N G ) production.

In November Trinidad's Energy minister had said that the government originally had hoped to announce winners for the deepwater blocks in September but was delayed.

BP Plc and Shell Plc, already the country's major gas producers and co-owners with state-owned National Gas Company in its Atlantic LNGexportfacility

c o m p a n i e s o n a n y willingness to improve the jointlysubmittedbids.

“Ifnot,theblockswillnot be awarded,” officials at the Ministry of Energy and the

The groups entered into talks that failed to reach an agreement and that process was subsequently scrapped.

Reuters said too that while Shell has declined

It said that the company was "looking forward to progressing talks on the deepwater blocks," but declined to comment on the timingofthediscussionsasit felt that the details should come to the public from the

Reuters said that BP's president for Trinidad and Tobago operations, David Campbell, had urged movement on the bids saying BPneedstoaccessdeepwater

Some notable provisions in Trinidad's Deep-Water Model Production Sharing Contract includes fiscal stability via ring-fenced ProductionSharingContract, Cost Recovery up to 80 percent,andpaymentoftaxes and royalty for the operator on behalf of the contractor outofthegovernment'sshare ofprofitpetroleum.

The minister's share of profit petroleum and the minimum work obligations arebiddableitems.

Trinidad and Tobago's Energy Minister Stuart Young

We must encourage discipline on our roadways

Itdoesnotrequiredrastic is quite difficult Yet, operational bus stops, the ought to be. And if buses longerinsistonbeingputoff nor draconian measures for decades after it was evident vast majority of minibus continuetoputoffortakein at “spot” but have to accept thenumberofroadfatalities that we needed to do drivers only use them when passengers other than at that we must disembark and inGuyanatoreduce.Allthat something about traffic there is a visible police thesebusstops,theoperators embarkatthedesignatedbus is required is a commitment controlinthecity,wearestill presence.Itreflectsnotonly should be charged for stops. which frequently result in to a sustained campaign to to relocate certain bus parks the level of indiscipline but violatingthelaw The mangled minibuses fatalities. inculcate greater discipline inthecity alsomisplacedpriorities. But all the responsibility that we regularly see on our (The views expressed in onyourroads. Andtoaddtotheparking We must develop a must not rest on the side of newspaper pages are always this article are those of the Yet whenever there are woesistheexpansionofbus culture of lawfulness within the lawmen We, the reported to have been author and do not tragic accidents on our parks. Guyana.Thismeansthatwe traveling public, must travelingatafairclip.Andas necessarily reflect the roadways, the first reaction Meanwhile, on Regent musthavezerotolerancefor changeourattitude.Thoseof in many other accidents, the opinions and beliefs of this is to say that something Street, right under the nose indisciplineontheroad.Iam us who travel in public public attributes, whether n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s dramatic needs to be done. of traffic cops, certain amazed to see traffic cops transportation have to rightly or wrongly, speeding affiliates.) This is reflected in calls for vehicleswithprivatenumber pulling vehicles over to understand that we can no as the cause of the accidents all manner of restrictions on plates are being used as hire check the bona fides of the roaduserssuchasequipping cars and are monopolizing documents of drivers, when publicvehicleswithgadgets the limited parking space every day in the country that limit speed, rather than available. hundreds of public trying to ensure that there is Imagine having to drive transportation buses break greater discipline on our down the country’s busiest thelawsimplybythemanner roadways. streetonahotswelteringday inwhichtheystoptoputoff If you have to go where traffic is backing-up andpickuppassengers. downtown Georgetown to onbothsidesoftheroadonly I would think that the do business, you will find tofindthataminibus,unable energies of our traffic that parking is problematic. topullovertotheshoulderof department would be better There are so many vehicles theroad,stopsinfrontofyou deployedinbringinggreater in the country today that toputoutapassenger discipline by ensuring that securing parking downtown Even though there are thebusstopsareusedasthey

TWO SONGS FOR ME ON MY BIRTHDAY TODAY

Today is my people of this nation are watch and you will see just

The dream that I see season birthday I was bereft of a sense of moral whoIam. makesmewhatIam Everything has born72yearsago obligation to humanity On I dedicate to me on my That far away prize, a itstime

to Panchmani the personal side -my life birthday today, these two worldofsuccess Showmeareason Do

din and Hari has made me one of the favouritesongsofminethat Is waiting for me if I And I’ll soon show Kissoon. I am the last of luckiest humans on Planet have relevance to the way heedthecall youarhyme

So many men seem seven siblings. I can’t say Earth. I married one of my life evolved. The first I won’t settle down, Cats sit on the window destined that it was has been an civilization’snicesthumans. one, “I’ve Gotta Be Me” is won’tsettleforless sill

To settle for something enjoyable life holistically Ifindrefugeandsolacefrom by Sammy Davis Junior As long as there’s a Childrensitinthesnow small speaking. I don’t want to the evils that inhere in The second one is by the chancethatIcanhaveitall WhydoIfeelIdon’tfiti ButI,Iwon’trest lookyounger Idon’twantto civilized society in my inimitable Johnny Mathis. I’ll go it alone, that’s AnywhereIgo ‘TilIknowIhaveitall dye my grey hair I don’t wife’scompany Of the 42 artists that have howitmustbe Rivers belong where So don’t ask where I’m want to wear designer Outsideofthepersonal,I sung it, Mathis’ rendition I can’t be right for theycanramble going clothes. I don’t want to be hatewhatIdidwithmylife. remains the most soulfully somebodyelse Eagles belong where Just listen when I’m part of high society in Obviously,Iamreferringto penetratingversionforme. IfI’mnotrightforme theycanfly gone Guyana. Iamdismissiveof mypraxisof55years.There “I’ve gotta be by,” Igottabefree,I’vegotta I’ve got to be where my Farawayyou’llhearme thepeoplewhocompromise were too many sacrifices SammyDavisJr befree spiritcanrunfree singing suchasociety Iamahappy andwhenyoulookdownthe Whether I’m right or Daring to try, to do it or Gotta find my corner of Softlytothedawn person though I will road,theywereallinvain. whetherI’mwrong die thesky

Rivers belong where willingly confess; I will When I look back at my WhetherIfindaplacein I’vegottabeme E v e r y m a n h i s theycanramble, always be driven by angst politicallife,Ithinkthemost thisworldorneverbelong I’ll go it alone, that’s daydreams

Eagles belong where overthefailureofGuyanato satisfying moments is when I gotta be me, I’ve gotta howitmustbe Everymanhashisgoal theycanfly be a caring nation, to be a Iheldthepositionofadvisor beme I can’t be right for People like the way I’ve got to be where my country where people have to the Maurice Bishop What else can I be but somebodyelse dreamshaveof spiritcanrunfree. someunderstandingofwhat Government of Grenada in whatIam IfI’mnotrightforme Stickingtothesoul Gotta find my corner of civilized society means and 1983. I was satisfied that Iwanttolive,notmerely Igottabefree,Ijustgotta Thunderclouds have thesky theneedforcivilizedsociety who I am and what I stood survive befree theirlightening

(The views expressed in to comprehend the forwasappreciated. AndIwon’tgiveupthis Daring to try, to do it or Nightingales have their this article are those of the elementary meaning of I have a huge surprise dream die song author and do not justice and decency A tonight on The Gildarie- Of life that keeps me Igottabeme Don’tyouseeIwantmy necessarily reflect the society cannot be Freddie Kissoon Show I alive

“Corner of the sky,” lifetobe

o p i n i o n s o f t h i s wholesomeifithasnomoral will not go into even a I gotta be me, I gotta be JohnnyMathis

Something more than newspaper.) compass to guide it. The fragment of a detail. Just me Everything has its long

FrederickKissoon

NOT ONE GUYANESE SHOULD BE WITHOUT, NOT WITH SO MUCH

a hearty holiday season; generous one; its members something worth sacrificing HereweareinDecember time, temper their passions, enough leftover to share a can afford such luxuries, for. Remember that it only three years later (and the tonedowntheprejudices,be littlegoodcheer. Thisisthe even those who have earned takesone. hopes and dreams), and we receptivetotheideaofanew size of the endowment that a reputation for being I believe that Guyanese have been gifted with the and different way. It is the has been given, the skinflints, and tightfisted. arealavishlyblessedpeople; nectarofthegods,forwhich mystery and magnitude of inheritancethatisours. The Thrift is truth, but kindness anddespiteourtroubles,our men in 1000 ships set sail, December that one voice wishandprayerarethatwhat and care are righteous, even conspicuous limitations, with their compasses set would lead to so much life. is in mind is accurate. All holy These are the surprisingly we are now deadcenterforthisdotonthe One doesn’t have to believe have something, none is teachings,thesubstance,and beyond compare. Let it for map. It is a dot that has anything; but nature’s without. Inalandasfilledto the imperatives of this time the right reasons, and how grown to outsized bonanzas are out there, and overflowing as it is with oftheyear wehandlematters. Wewho proportions, with the rest of theyours.Ofthat,lettherebe riches, we are the ones that Without drifting into the used to and still think it the world tumbling over no doubt, regardless of who should be sharing joy to the religious, and regardless of normaltotrackfrompillarto itself to secure a spot here, tellsuswhat. worldbecausewehavesuch whether one is a true post to obtain some any sweet spot. More ships Itistimetogo. Thistime joy in our times, and also believer, a believer of sorts, economic sustenance. The and planes will come. We of the year is of yearnings resonating in our hearts oradoggednonbeliever,has repertoire of natural must grow alongside, prove thatcomealive. Iwouldhate Look at our numbers and no bearing What is disasters seems to have that we are deserving of our to think that a single Happy holidays to all how they gleam. Listen to relevant, what should count, looked with a smile on us, graces,andthewisdomsand Guyanese is left behind, Guyanese, no exceptions how we feature in the isthatwearealiveandaware andgenerouslybypassedus. temperateness that have doesn’thaveenoughisofthe Happyholidaysalsotothose conversations of countless of the pull and promise of While an array of abundant sidestepped us, will forgotten. Howcanthisbe? whohavemadeGuyanatheir others When we were this extraordinary time. A natural resources have somehowcome. Whyshoulditbe?Notwhen home,sometemporarilydue always on the move to seasonfromthemistsoftime landed here, and taken up One man came, and the wehavesomuch?Bestofthe tocommerce,othersbecause elsewhere, others are that long ago made kings deep residence that has world of mankind has never season to all citizens. Now of the necessity of tumblingoverthemselvesto queasy,nowthemonarchsof outlasted the ages. All the beenthesame. Remember- that we have more, we also circumstances. Havingbeen gethere. today can’t stop talking way down here in South he was only one. Guyanese haveadutytodomore. thereandlivedwithmyown Itisnotjustafunctionof about us. We may have no America, we have our own should be in a holiday spirit (The views expressed in circumstances for an economics, but of the down angels in the midst, but we version of manifest destiny daily, there is doubt that the this article are those of the eternity,Iknowwhatitislike to earth reality that is could use a few saints and In American terms, we devoted would be bored; or author and do not to be away from the land of palpable, that touches first, martyrs. We have causes s h o u l d b e l i v i n g that those who prefer to be necessarily reflect the one’sbirth. and that then lingers for a calling at us from right in thanksgiving, we are our outsidethepalewouldfindit opinions and beliefs of this Every Guyanese should long time within each of us. frontofus. Itstartswithonly own thanksgiving. This is in themselves to believe. n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s haveplenty,enoughtoenjoy A contented populace is a one. Something to hold on; sayingsomething,isn’tit? Buttheymay,theywouldin affiliates.)

By GHK Lall

Court to hand down decision on legality of NRF Bill today

ustice Navindra

of how the monies from oil openly and loudly protested

Jhalt but this did not stop the Singh will today and gas will be used and thepassageoftheBill. Speaker from allowing hand down his provide for continuous He agreed too that while

decision in the case public disclosures, audits theSpeakerisempoweredto

challenging the legality of and parliamentary manage the affairs of

the passage of the Natural approvals. Parliament by way of the

Resources Fund (NRF) Bill

On a previous occasion, StandingOrders,thisdidnot

shni

ingh fr

Askedabouttheseriesof National Assembly on Christopher Jones was defying his orders after he events that followed as Dr December29,2021. subjecttocross-examination rejected a proposal by Jones Singh read the Bill, Jones

which was approved in the Opposition Chief Whip, stop the Opposition from

Thecasewasinitiatedby inthecasewhichwasfiledto tohavethematterdebated. said he could only speak to A Partnership for National challenge the legality of In response to the some of the events as he did Unity+AllianceForChange passage of the Natural Speaker’s denial of his not capture everything as (APNU+AFC) Opposition Resource Fund bill which request, Jones agreed with theyunfolded. Chief Whip, Christopher was approved in National theAG’ssuggestionthatthis

He claimed that for Jones and Trade Unionist, Assembly on December prompted him and other instance,whileheknewthat NorrisWitter 2021. After giving a brief Opposition Members of there was a confrontation Among other things, the overview of his witness Parliament (MP) to leave between some of the duo claimed that due to the statement produced in the theirdesignatedseatwithout Opposition MPs and the a b s e n c e o f t h e trial, Jones faced several the approval of the Speaker

Speaker and staff of the ‘Parliamentary Mace’ – the questions from Attorney and engage in a protest National Assembly over the most significant symbol in General (AG)Anil Nandlall exercise whereby, they parliamentary mace, he did the National Assembly, and SC, the lead counsel banged on the desks, blew notseewhichMPattempted some members not seated, ensure that there is security, r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e whistlesandchantedloudly Article 13 of the to run off with the the legislation cannot be t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d

Government of Guyana in This,Jonessaidwasinan

Constitution. Further, the ceremonial object. Jones regarded as being lawfully accountability surrounding the matter. While under attempt to get the Speaker Opposition Chief Whip claimed that he could not passed. revenues the country gains cross-examination by the and Government members agreed with the suggestion recall some of the events The NRF Bill which has fromoilandgas. AG, Jones accepted that the of the NationalAssembly to thattheiractionsbroughtthe clearly that he only learnt of sincebecomelawismeantto Italsooutlinesastructure Opposition members had adhere to provisions of proceeding to a temporary somevianewsreports.

Finance Minister with the

Office of the President Dr

A

S

om

completing his presentation

ontheNRFBill.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC

Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones

$750M spent to construct first 100 low-income homes in Hampshire/ Williamsburg

The Ministry of

Housing andWater has constructed the first 100 single flat lowincome homes with two b e d r o o m s i n Hampshire/Williamsburg, Berbice, Region Six, each measuring20x30ft.

The construction of the 100 homes is partial f u l f i l l m e n t o f t h e Government's fulfillment of delivering some 50,000 house lots to Guyanese within its firstterminoffice.

The entire scheme has the basic amenities which include electricity and water Thirteen contractors received contracts totaling about $750M to construct the first 100 homes in the region. These contracts were awarded November 2021.

Similar houses are also being constructed at Fort Ordinance,RegionSix.

Bymakingservicedhouse lots available for allocation,

the government said it is committed to providing affordable housing for its citizens. These house lots are t a r g e t e d a t y o u n g professionals, vulnerable groups, people with disposable income to commence construction, and plots for private housing developers.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Department of Public Information (DPI), the ministryhasestablishedabout 16 new housing areas in Regions Three, Four, Five, andSix.

For 2022, the ministry surpassed its annual target of allocating more than 10,000 house lots through its 'Dream Realised'housingdriveacross thecountry Some$12.4Bwas allocated for the housing sector, which was utilised to develop housing units as well as the necessary road systems and other infrastructure to supporttheseexpansions.

Teen remanded for robbing, beating Essequibo market vendors

Nineteeny e a ro l d Moraino Thomas, a construction worker of Lot 27Adventure P u b l i c R o a d , Essequibo Coast, Region Two was on W e d n e s d a y remanded to prison f o r a l l e g e d l y robbing and beating twomarketvendors.

Thomas, who made his first court appearance on Wednesday before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrates' Court was charged for the offence of robbery with violence, which occurred on December 23, 2022 and committed on 56-year-old Odho and Nalani Persaud, both market vendors ofRiverstownPrimarySchool Dam,EssequiboCoast.

Thomas was not required to plead to the indictable offence. However, the Police P r o s e c u t o r m a d e a n a p p l i c a t i o n f o r t h e Administrative of Justice Act (AJA) to be applied to the

charge. With the application oftheAJA,thechargewaslaid summarily allowing Thomas toenterhisplea.

Magistrate Sam re-read thechargetotheteenwhothen pleaded not guilty The Police Prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the teen and he was remanded to prison by MagistrateSam.

The matter has been adjournedtoJanuary5,2023.

Some of the two-bedroom, single-flat low-income houses at Hampshire/Williamsburg, Region Six (DPI)

Remanded, Moraino Thomas

CDB Approves US$5 million for Belize Agriculture Project

Amultimilliondollar project to i m p r o v e agricultural productivity and resilience for small farmers in rural Belize, is receiving a

US$5 million injection in funding from the Caribbean DevelopmentBank(CDB).

The bank's board of directors approved the loan to the Government of Belize

fortheResilientRuralBelize Programme (B-Resilient) project at their December 9 meeting,CDBsaidina press release

The goal of the project is

to improve the commercial agricultural output farmers, increase access to markets s t r e n g t h e r e s i l i e n c e t o climate change

S e n i o r O p e r a t i o n s O f f i c e r , Agriculture and R u r a l Development at CDB, Mr Luther St. Ville, explained the rationale behind it, noting that while agriculture is a economic driver in the small farmers who make up much of the sector, require greater assistance to help it reach its fullpotential.

“Theagriculturesectoris one of the main pillars of the Belizean economy – it contributed an estimated 10.2% of Gross Domestic Product(GDP)in2021.

The sector is dominated

by small farmers who play a critical role, especially in enhancing national food security

H o w e v e r , t h e i r productivity and income are far below potential due to a range of reasons including limited productive resources such as access to finance,

limited training in modern agricultural techniques and investment in production and marketelated infrastructure andservices.”

The programme will see, among otherthings,70km w o r t h o f agricultural/rural r o a d s rehabilitated, ten s m a l l - s c a l e r r i g a t i o n a n d rainage systems alled which will p l y w a t e r t o imately 450 acres and a national climate information system being putinplace.

It will also provide technicalassistance,training and rural infrastructure upgrades to increase the ability of smallholder farmers to engage in sustainable production and enhance their access to highvaluemarkets.

It will also promote farmers' adoption of new technologies and practices tobuildresiliencetoclimate change.

The project, worth US$25 million in total, will bejointly financed by the International Fund for A g r i c u l t u r a l Development (IFAD) and The Green Climate Fund (GCF) along with CDB

D'Urban St. robbery/ murder…

Woman confesses to sharing relationship with alleged killer and slain businessman

The two alleged suspects in the Boxing Day robbery and shooting to death of ShimronAdams,theD'Urban and Chapel Streets, Lodge businessman have been arrested, police have confirmedintheirreport.

The two men have been identified as Andrew 'Aids Man' Ridley ofAlbouystown and 20-year-old Akelow Marshall of East La Penitence Ridley was arrested onWednesday while Marshall was nabbed on ThursdayclosetotheBerbice Bridge. It is believed that he was trying to escape to neighbouringSuriname.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had issued a wanted bulletin for Ridley in connection with the murder of Dexter McFarlene of Laing Avenue, in November. Meanwhile, 41-year-old Adams of Lot 129 Macaw Drive, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was shot at around 23:40h on Monday at hisbusinessplace.

Police had reported that Adams operated a wholesale and retail alcoholic beverage business at the three-storey building while at the bottom flat, located on the southwestern side of D'Urban and Chapel Streets. The business place is fitted with a zinc shutter to the northern side (front) and has CCTV cameras.

According to police reports,whenranksarrivedat the scene Monday night, Adams' 29-year-old female friend said she arrived at the business place at about 21:30h The woman told investigators thatAdams was wearing a gold ring and a goldbandandhadasmallbag hangingonhisshoulder

At about 23:30hrs, the woman said Adams closed his business place and started to pack items into a freezer About ten minutes after, Adamsopenedtheshutterfor them to leave from the bottom flat. It was while doing so that two persons entered the building through

the shutter and ordered them to lie on the ground. The woman told police that they complied. The two suspects

reportedly wore surgical facemasks and one of was armedwithahandgun.

Police were told that the unarmed suspect then took off the businessman's gold band and ring and ordered him to get up. He followed the instructions given. The suspect then held onto the businessman's shoulder bag and pulled at it, but Adams continued to hold onto the bag to prevent the suspect

fromtakingit.

The suspect, who was armed with the firearm, dischargedaroundatAdams, which struck him to the right side of his abdomen. As a r e s u l t o f t h i s , t h e businessman ended up releasing the bag and fell to the ground while bleeding fromthegunshotwound.The suspectremovedhisshoulder bag, picked up the businessman's phone and the

woman'scellphoneandmade goodtheirescapethroughthe shutter

On Thursday, police sources close to the investigation, in an interesting twist, revealed thatthewomanwhowaswith Adams on Boxing Night told investigators that she shared a relationship with both Ridley and the businessman. The woman reportedly told police that Ridley had found

out about her relationship with Adams after seeing photographs and text messages in her phone. She said Ridley took away her phone and told her that he will robAdams. The woman said she begged him to change his mind. However, the suspect robbed and shot Adams. Thegunusedduring the robbery was found at the Ridley's residence, Kaieteur News understands.

Businessman, Shimron Adams

Chateau Margot bridge still to be completed

The $35 million Chateau Margot bridge on the Railway Embankment is still tobecompletedoveramonth sinceworksstarted.

With the bridge out of commission creating major traffic jam on the East Coast Demerara especially during themorninghours.

With school scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, residents on the East Coast Demerara are desperately hoping that the bridge would be ready “It is a struggle in the mornings when you have to

divert from the embankment to the main road in the morningandnowwithschool reopening,itwouldbechaos. I hope the bridge would be completed in time for this,” Shonette James told this newspaper in an invited comment. Another resident, Troy Douglas of Victoria Village said he too was hoping that the bridge would bereadybeforethereopening of school. “It would be chaos with all the traffic and the schoolchildrenbackout.”

A c c o r d i n g t o a

Ongoing works on the Chateau Margot bridge

Department of Public Information (DPI) press r e l e a s e , w o r k s a r e progressing well on the bridge with a possible c o m p l e t i o n d a t e o f December 30, 2022. This is according to the Ministry of Public Works. The project, which began in early November, is part of a wider

programmebytheministryto replace aqua-panel bridges with pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete structures, for s t r o n g a n d d u r a b l e infrastructurecountrywide.

Earlier this month, over $5B in contracts was signed to continue infrastructural works to advance the m o d e r n i s a t i o n a n d sustainable development of the country's infrastructure.

At the contract signing,

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill said the continuous rehabilitation works represent the government'scommitmentto improve lives and foster resilient and durable infrastructure for the future.

“We are advancing, and putting in what is called resilient infrastructure, as it relates to our bridges. We have to take out the timber bridges that we traditionally

use and be able to replace themwiththingsthatwilllast us 20, 40 years,” he said. Of the mammoth $96.1 billion budget allocation, $76 7 billion was allocated to improve roads and bridges countrywide. Some $173.9 million was budgeted for the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of bridges in Garden of Eden, Chateau Margot, Beterverwagting, andCemeteryRoad.

Nursing Assistants must adopt a 'sympathetic' attitude towards patients r – Health Ministe

Trainee nursing assistants are being encouraged to provide care to patients with a professionalandsympatheticattitude.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, who made the call recently at the launch of a Nursing Assistants' programme in Region Two, said they must also remember why they pursued the profession. These trainees, once certified, will provide direct care to patients in hospitals and nursing homes, as well as home care. They are a vital part of a larger careteamthathelpspatientswithbasicneeds including eating, bathing, grooming, mobilityandmore.

“If we adopt that attitude, then you would see thatthings would change and we'll have a lot of people who would want to come to the institute because they recognise that when

they come to the institution, they're getting somebody who can care for them and that is very important,” Dr Anthony said. The public healthcare system has been criticised by the public concerning how care is provided.

However, Dr Anthony believes this perception can change if professionals adopt the proper attitude. As a result, he noted that the government through the Health Ministry is working aggressively to improve the overallhealthcaresysteminGuyana.

“We can have the best improvements in the health care system but if you got one person who got the wrong attitude… then it turns everything else that the whole team has been doing,” the health minister expressed. (DPI)

…commuters raise concerns ahead of school reopening

GNBS hails adoption of new petroleum standard as highlight of successful year

Th e G u y a n a

National Bureau

of Standards (GNBS)saidithasrecordeda successful year with several outstandingachievementsfor 2 0 2 2 i n c l u d i n g t h e development of the petroleum measurement standards.

Focusingonthestandards and measurement needs of consumers, businesses and organisations,theBureauina press release said it managed to surpass its targets in the timely delivery of its standards and services demanded by various stakeholders.

L e a d i n g t h e s e achievements is the opening of three new sub-offices, and the certification of over twenty (20) companies under the Made in Guyana C e r t i f i c a t i o n M a r k Programme. Meanwhile, in 2022, the Bureau developed dozens of standards for various sectors, continued the verification of measuring instruments and monitored itslistofproductsforquality According to GNBS, in itsquesttopromotetheuseof Standards in all sectors of the economy, the Bureau developed, revised and adopted a total of seventyfive (75) standards including petroleum measurement standards relevant to the Oil and Gas sector In addition, 466 voluntary and 69 Compulsory standards were sold.

To promote the use of standards across the country, the GNBS also expanded its reach with the opening of three new branch offices this year: in the Fort Wellington Office, Region Five in September, and in Lethem Office Region Nine and Mabaruma Office Region One in November These offices were opened to allow the GNBS to better serve businesses and consumers in therespectiveRegions.

The Bureau in 2022 commenced the certification of products under its Made in Guyana Certification Mark Programme. From April to December of 2022, twentyone (21) companies were c e r t i f i e d u n d e r t h e programme, which permits them to place the Made in Guyana Standards Mark on their authentic Guyanese products. These companies, which met the specified criteria, include large businesses as well as small agro-processors in Regions Two,Four,SixandTen.

Under the other GNBS'

established Certification programmes, two (2) new medical laboratories were certified, and nine (9) laboratories were recertified based on the GYS 170 Standard - General Requirements for the Operation of a Laboratory The two new certified laboratorieswereHomeCare Medical Laboratory of Columbia, Essequibo Coast and Caribbean Surgery Inc. Laboratory in Georgetown. Certified laboratories provide accurate and reliable resultsforclients/patients.

UndertheGNBSProduct Certification programme, one new hollow block manufacturer was certified whilesixotherproductswere recertified to the respective standards.

The Certification Department also completed fifteen (15) Management systemAudits for companies i m p l e m e n t i n g t h e requirements of international standards.

The GNBS' Business Development Department also worked with many companies to promote the implementation of national and international standards. In 2022, the Department conducted 73 training coursesinwhich863persons from the public and private sector were trained on Management System Standards and other requirements The Bureau also provided Technical Assistance to thirty-eight (38) companies towards

certification/accreditation to international standards including the ISO 9001 –QualityManagementSystem Standard.

In addition, the GNBS continued to monitor 17 categories of products to ensure only quality gets to consumers.

Importantly, the Product Compliance department conducted 2,735 inspections of products at the dealers and manufacturers premises as well as sale outlets. Further, 5,645 import inspections were conducted to ensure consumers get quality products.

Meanwhile, the Bureau continued to meet its objectives as the country's National Measurement Institute(NMI).

One of the Bureau's main roles is the verification of measuring instruments In 2022, the GNBS' Legal Metrology Department verified 39,807 measuring instruments used in trade including scales, masses, petrol pumps, breathalysers, speed guns, electricity metersandotherdevices.

In addition, throughout 2022, the Legal Metrology Department conducted 3,878 surveillance visits to shops, markets and other retail outlets to ensure the measuring instruments comply

Amongst GNBS key achievements for 2022, the Industrial Metrology and Testing Laboratory launched new services. Those are non-

destructive testing of gold, Calibration of steel rules, tapes and depth gauges, testing of crude oil and medium distillate fuels for 5 parameters, and testing of percentage acid and base. In 2022, the Department also calibrated 2,039 measuring instruments.

This sum includes 938 weights, 216 electronic balances, 360 thermometers, 181 volumetric meters, 183

pressure gauges, and 37 torquewrenches.

Finally, to create awareness on its product and services, the GNBS conductedseveraloutreaches inclusiveofschoollecturesat the secondary schools and meetings with stakeholders.

Primary Schools were also engaged in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 in its Standards in Academia Quiz Competition with Bath Settlement

PrimarySchoolemergingthe winner The GNBS extends gratitude to all its stakeholders for having confidence in the standards and services it provided over the last year In the new year 2023, the National Standards Bodywillcontinuetoworkto create a culture of quality in Guyana through its responsiveness to the needs of industry and the education andprotectionofconsumers.

Govt. throws lifeline to small-scale loggers with $900M Revolving Fund

Following up on President Irfaan A l i ' s announcement in October of a $900M Revolving Fund to boost Guyana's Forestry Sector, Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh on T h u r s d a y s i g n e d a M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding (MOU) with Demerara Bank Limited during a simple signing ceremony at the Ministry of Finance.

President Ali had indicated during his a n n o u n c e m e n t t h a t Government's intention is to increase its focus on small, medium and community loggers and had noted that Government and Demerara B a n k L i m i t e d w i l l collaborate to make available the $900M Revolving Fund to increase production in the Forestry Sector, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release

The signing was witnessed by Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, Forestry Sector stakeholders including representatives of the G u y a n a F o r e s t r y Commission (GFC) and the

Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA).

The establishment of the Fund is expected to address some of the challenges faced in the Forestry Sector in terms of the availability of easily accessible, low cost financing, especially for small-scale operators Meanwhile, the $900M Revolving Fund comprises a commitment of $300M by the Government of Guyana and a further $600M commitment by Demerara Bank Limited to address the challenges.

It is expected to be utilised by individuals or companies operating within the Forestry Sector for the purpose of increasing production and value-added productsinthesector

Speaking during the ceremony, Dr Singh reiterated that despite Guyana's economy growing due to the oil and gas sector, Government remains committed to ensuring that the country's economy is also diversified and resilient and not dependent solely on the oil sector and as such is continuing to work towards the country building a

'vibrant, competitive and rapidly growing non-oil economy'.

“Naturally oil and gas will be driving a lot of the incredibly exciting economic growth that we're seeing in Guyana. In 2022, we'll see out economy growth in excess of 50 percent of real terms and in 2023,wearegoingtoseeour economy continuing to grow by an astronomical 25 percent or thereabouts. And

this is expected to continue into the medium term based on current proven reserves comprised of 11 billion barrels of oil but of course exploration is still ongoing…,”headded.

Dr Singh pointed out as well that in keeping with Guyana's historical and pioneering Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which has resulted in Guyana being the first country to gain the first sale

transaction of certified carbon credits, under which Guyana has already earned US$75M as a first transaction of an ongoing series of transactions… that the realization of the ForestrySector'sgrowthwill be achieved in the context of continued responsible management of Guyana's forestry resources and continued strong emphasis onvalue-addedproduction.

Noting that access to

financehasbeenabottleneck for small loggers in Regions 1 and 10 in particular who are in need of same to capitalize or to recapitalize theiroperationsaswellasthe n e e d f o r a v a i l a b l e concessions to produce, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat who witnessed the signing today,notedthattheForestry Sector is in a better position t h a n i t w a s w h e n Government returned to officein2020andthattodate the GFC has allocated over 100 concessions to local smallGuyaneseloggerswith thesecondissuebeingaccess to financing being addressed currently.

“So it is indeed pleasing formeasMinisterofNatural Resources that we have reached this stage where we bargained(ofcoursewiththe intervention of His Excellency President Ali) with Demerara Bank Limited that we can now access finance for our small loggers, our sawmillers and to ensure that the Forestry Sector is being restored and returned to its former glory days,” Minister Bharrat added. MinisterBharrat

Brothers remanded for killing surveyor at Arimu Backdam

Two brothers, 26-yearold Mario Moses and 29-year-old Rondel LaynewereonWednesdaycharged forthedeathofRickyAmbrose,the surveyor whose lifeless body was found last week on the Arimu Backdam trail, Cuyuni with multiple incised wounds and lacerations.

Moses and Layne both of Lot 500 Centre Dam Goed Intent West Bank Demerara (WBD) made their firstcourtappearanceattheBartica Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Crystal Lambert where thechargewasreadtothem.

The duo was not required to plead to the charge which alleges that on December18, last while on the Guana SandTrail, Cuyuni, they

murdered40-year-old Ambrose, of Lot 3093 Profit's Square South Ruimveldt,Georgetown.

The two were then remanded to prison until January 31, 2023 for statement.

Kaieteur News had reported that the brothers had confessed to the crime on Christmas Day In their confession, the brothers reportedlytoldinvestigatorsthaton December 18, Ambrose visited their camp and instructed them to remove from the land on which theywereworking.

ThemenclaimedthatAmbrose shot one of their pumps and even threatened to kill them if they refusedtoremove.

The duo told police that they armed themselves with two pieces

of wood and went into the trail and waited behind a tree for Ambrose. When Ambrose approached the location on his ATV, the brothers saidthatoneofthemstruckhimoff the ATV and the other dealt him severalstabsabouthisbody

The siblings then took his firearm and walked through the bush and threw it in a creek after which they returned to their camp. This publication had reported that Ambrose was found dead at about 10:00h on December 18 by a miner whowasw

alking along the 'Guana Sand trail.Theminerhadraisedanalarm and police at the Bartica Police Stationwerecontacted.

Ranks, on arrival at the scene, found Ambrose's body lying face

down in a pool of blood. He was reportedly clad in blue jeans, redTshirt and black boots. Kaieteur News learnt that Ambrose's body boresixincisedwoundstohisback, onetotherightchestandtwotothe backofhisrightear

Eight lacerations were also visible to the head. Two pieces of woodwerefoundbesideAmbrose's body A statement from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Association (GGDMA)hadnotedthatAmbrose was a Sworn Land Surveyor and Ranger for the past twenty years and was a great support to miners.

“The late Ambrose is well-known to all in that populated area and other mining districts in the country The GGDMA would like

to express its condolences to the family and friends of the late Ricky Ambrose,” the Association expressed.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and other stakeholders at the signing ceremony.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and Demerara Bank Limited, General Manager Dowlat Parbhu Exchange documents following the signing of the MoU. Also in photo is Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat

Dead, Ricky Ambrose

No improvement in Guyanese standard of living despite oil -Forde

...accuses Govt. of accessing billions of dollars while families stretching small incomes

The Guyana Government would have withdrawn revenue from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) three times this year since receiving income from its oil sector. The money amounted to more than US$600M or morethanaGY$100B.

Despitethiswindfallcash growing this year's budget to the largest the country has ever seen, Shadow Attorney General and Legal Affairs MinisterRoysdaleFordesaid that quality of life for the ordinary Guyanese saw “ negligible to zero improvement…”

Forde said that prices increased a hundredfold on some essential items resulting in greater financial burden for families. “Having to cut and contrive for those whocan'tafford,andtomake ends meet, many, including pensioners and single-parent mothers, are finding it difficult to serve nutritious meals, maintain a roof over t h e i r h e a d s , p a y transportation and utilities bills, and save for a rainy day.”

In his latest writing 'From the desk of Roysdale Forde SC' published in the Village Voice, the Member of Parliament (MP) said that thrice this year, the government dipped into the NRF In May, US$200M was withdrawn, in July another US$200M, and this month US$207.6M. Forde said that the 2022 Budget was the largest ever Guyana expects to earn more than US$ 1 billion from oil and gas, and the economy is projected to growby60percent.

“By no stretch of imaginationisGuyanaapoor country,” he said. “Guyana is ranked among the world's fastest growing economies, but the growth and spending are leaving the majority behind because of structural discrimination, nepotism and corruption.”

This discrimination, the MP said has a face and those affected are feeling it. “A pensioner is expected to subsist on $28,000 per month. The average salary for public sector workers, many of whom are single parents, is less than $90,000 per month. The entry level salary for a police constable is $102,000 per month. A significant number of men and women in uniform are earning less than $130,000.

Many teachers, tasked with the noble responsibility to mould our children's minds, earn less than $150,000 per month.Aworker with a $8M house mortgage pays $60,000 per month to the bank. The minimum rental for a decent unfurnished, 2 bedroom- house, with the basic amenities, in southern Georgetown, is about $ 60,000 per month. Not to mention the cost of electricity, kerosene and/or gasandotheressentials.”

Forde added that in the last two years inflation has risen steadily, reducing the purchasing power of the dollar Guyana's inflation rate for 2021 was 5.03%, a 4.04% increase from 2020; for2019,theratewas2.09%; in2018,theratewas1.28%,a 0.62% decline from 2017. In 2022, the International Monetary Fund projected inflation will rise to 9.4 %. It is becoming increasingly difficult for workers to survive on their salaries, Forde posited. He said that, “as families are stretching themselves thin on small incomes the government has been withdrawing billions

from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) but the sum has had no direct impact on the livesofordinarypeople.”

He submitted that President Irfaan Ali's 'One Guyana' is not about all of Guyana and that the government has repeatedly demonstrated this attitude by the way it treats the majority of Guyanese, with scant regard He said the

government's election campaign promise of a 50% increase to all public servants, after more than two years in government, the president has not delivered. Instead, unilaterally tossing less than 20% increase in wages and salaries to public servants,inrecentyears,isas discriminatory as it can get, Forde said. He reminded that in 2020 public servants receivednoincreasefromthe government. He said that in 2021, they were tossed a 7 % taxable increase, and in 2022 an8%taxableincrease.

“ M e a n w h i l e , t h e government has been facilitating the massive transfer of state wealth and awarding huge contracts to the identified 'one Guyana.'

Flagrant disregard for public sector workers and the vulnerable in our midst continuesdespiteevidenceof the vast economic disparities andrepeatedadvicetopursue politicalinclusionandshared prosperity.”

Forde highlighted that senior members of the US President, Joe Biden's administration, and most recently the resident US Ambassador,havealsourged thePPPtoactresponsibly He saidthatarecentWorldBank Report (October 2022) drew attention to the ignored inequities, noting the: “Negative impacts of the pandemic on household income, food insecurity and children's education persisted in 2021 with about

half of households (49 p e r c e n t ) r e p o r t e d l y experiencing lower total household income compared to the period before the pandemic ” “Guyana's national poverty headcount, the share of the population livingbelowUS$5.5aday,is among the highest in the LatinAmericaandCaribbean

region at around 48 percent.” Forde reported. He said that Guyana's structural discrimination can only be dismantledwhenthePeople's P r o g r e s s i v e P a r t y government stops the selfishness of 'one Guyana' and acts responsibly and govern in the interest of all Guyana.

Shadow Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Roysdale Forde

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Brazil’s Lula picks Amazon defender for environment minister

AP — Brazil´s PresidentelectLuizInácioLuladaSilva announced Thursday that AmazonactivistMarinaSilva will be the country´s next ministerofenvironment.The announcement indicates the new administration will prioritize cracking down on illegal deforestation in the forestevenifitmeansrunning afoulofpowerfulagribusiness interests.

Both attended the recent U.N. climate conference in Egypt, where Lula promised cheering crowds ”zero deforestation”intheAmazon, the world’s largest rainforest and a key to fighting climate change, by 2030. “There will be no climate security if the Amazon isn’t protected,” he said.

Silva told the news network Globo TV shortly after the announcement that the name of the ministry she willleadwillbechangedtothe MinistryofEnvironmentand ClimateChange.

Many agribusiness players and associated lawmakers resent Silva. That stems from her time as environment minister duringmostofLula’sprior presidency, from 2003 to 2010.

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Lula also named Sonia Guajajara, an Indigenous woman, as Brazil’s first minister of Indigenous peoples,andCarlosFávaro, a soybean producer, as agricultureminister

Silva was born in the Amazon and worked as a rubber tapper as an adolescent. As

environment minister she oversaw the creation of dozens of conservation areas and a sophisticated strategy against deforestation with major operations against environmental criminals and new satellite surveillance. She also helped design the largest international effort to preservetherainforest,the mostly Norway-backed Amazon Fund. Deforestation dropped dramatically

ButLulaandSilvafell outashebegancateringto farmersduringhissecond termandSilvaresignedin 2008.

Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon reached a 15-year highintheyearendinginJuly 2021,thoughthe devastation slowed somewhat in the following12months.

InEgypt,Lulacommitted to prosecuting all crimes in theforest,fromillegallogging to mining. He also said he would press rich countries to make good on promises to help developing nations adapt to climate change.And hepledgedtoworkwithother nationshometolargetropical forests — the Congo and Indonesia—inwhatcouldbe coordinated negotiating positions on forest managementandbiodiversity protection.

think she matured and we matured.

Wecanmakeprogresson important agenda items for the sector while preserving (theenvironment)atthesame time.”

Silva and Brazil stand to benefit from a rejuvenated Amazon Fund, which took a hitin2019whenNorwayand Germany froze new cash transfers after Bolsonaro excluded state governments and civil society from decision-making. The NorwegianEmbassyinBrazil praised “the clear signals” from Lula about addressing deforestation.

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From page 20 reminded that Government also has a housing project initiative with Barbados and St. Vincent and the boost to the Forestry Sector for further production through the MOU initiative signed today would assist in ensuring that there will be a further increase from that in 2022andmoreproductionin the years beyond.

helped many to return to the fields, which in turn helps thesectorsinGuyanawhich depend on rice especially

“Today, we are ensuring that for another sector in Guyana credit is available,” he added as he thanked PresidentAli for the initiative.

Lula appears to have convinced her that he has changed tack, and she joined his campaign after he embraced her proposals for preservation.

As environment minister, Silva would be charged with carrying out much of that agenda.

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Signing on behalf of Demerara Bank Limited was General Manager Dowlat Parbhu who said that the Bank was pleased to partner with Government in the monumental initiative that will help to boost the sector

HerecalledthattheBank has been supporting a number of sectors including agriculture alluding to the Bank’s launch of the Farmers’ Credit Line which providesloanstofarmersfor up to $1.5M at a very concessional rate. He noted thatalmost300farmershave been loaned financing from the last crop and this has

President Ali, in October had highlighted that financing through the Fund would be provided at an affordable interestrateof4percentand thatGovernmentwouldwork in conjunction with the bank to prequalify persons based on recommendations from the GFCfollowingwhichasystem would be put in place to provide access to financing so that there would be an increase in cash flow for production. He had also emphasized that his Governmentiscommittedto supporting small, medium and community-based loggers but that there must be “clarity, good governance, transparency, accountability and a system that works”.

“Brazil will return to the protagonist role it previously had when it comes to climate, to biodiversity,” Silva told reporters during her own appearance at the U.N. summit.

This would be a sharp turnaboutfromthepoliciesof the outgoing president, Jair Bolsonaro, who pushed for development in the Amazon and whose environment minister resigned after national police began investigating whetherhewas aiding the export of illegally cuttimber

Bolsonaro froze the creation of protected areas, weakened environmental agencies and placed forest managementundercontrolof the agriculture ministry. He also championed agribusiness, which opposes the creation of protected areas such as Indigenous territories and pushes for the legalizationoflandgrabbing.

Silvaisalsolikelytoface resistance from Congress, where the farm caucus next year will account for morethanone-thirdofthe Lower House and Senate.

Two lawmakers allied withLulawhocomefrom the nation’s agriculture sectortoldTheAssociated Press before the announcements they disagree with Silva’s nomination given the conflictofherpriortenure. Theyspokeonconditionof anonymity due to fear of reprisals.

Others were more hopeful. Neri Geller, a lawmaker of the agribusiness caucus who acted as a bridge to Lula during the campaign, said things had changed since Silva’sdeparturein2008.

“Atthetime,MarinaSilva was perhaps a little too extremist,butpeoplefromthe agro sector also had some extremists,” he said, also citing a strengthened legal framework around environmental protection. “I

“We think the Amazon Fund can be opened quickly to support the government’s actionplanoncetheBrazilian government reinstates the governing structure of the fund,” the embassy said in a statement to the AP

The split between Lula and Marina in his last administration came as the president was increasingly kowtowing to agribusiness, encouraged by voracious demand for soy from China. Tension within the administration grew when Mato Grosso state’s Gov Blairo Maggi, one of the world’s largest soybean producers, and others lobbied against some of the anti-deforestation measures.

Lula and Silva were also at odds over the mammoth Belo Monte Dam, a project that displaced some 40,000 peopleanddriedupstretches of the Xingu River that Indigenous and other communities depended upon for fish. Silva opposed the project; Lula said it was necessary to meet the nation’s growing energy needs and hasn’t expressed any regret since, despite the plant’s impact and the fact it is generating far below installed capacity

Govt. throws lifeline to small-scale loggers with $900M...

FILE - Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is running for reelection, right, and congressional candidate Marina Silva, campaign in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sept. 12, 2022. Brazil’s President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva named Silva as environment minister for his incoming government, indicating he will prioritize cracking down on illegal deforestation in the Amazon. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File)

Australia beat South Africa by innings and 182 runs in Melbourne to seal Test series

(BBC Sport) - Australia thrashed South Africa by an innings and 182 runs in the second Test to win the series with a game to spare.

Resuming on 15-1, South Africawerebowledoutfor204 before tea on the fourth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed3-58,includingTemba Bavuma for 65, while Khaya Zondo and Keshav Maharaj were needlessly run out.

The final Test in Sydney starts on 3 January

Australia, who won the firstTestinsidetwodays,extended their lead over India at the top of the World Test Championship table. South Africa, who began the series in second, are now fourth.

Australia captain Pat Cummins described his side, who have won seven of their 11Testsin2022,as“probably the best test team I’ve played in”.“Intermsofcaptaining,I don’t feel like I have to do muchatall,”hesaid.“Everyone looks after themselves. Youjustkindofmakesurethe

buses are on time, which the team manager does.

“It’s just in a really sweet spot at the moment. We can just sit back and appreciate the place that we are in becauseit’sreallyspecial.We’re havingahellofalotoffunas well doing it together with some of our best mates.”

SouthAfricacaptainDean Elgar said: “That was bit of a hammering. It is not easy at themoment.

“We’re playing for the badge; we’re playing for the pride of our team. I’m sure

there’salotofguyshurting.”

Australia’s victory at the MCGwasallbutcertainafter they posted a mammoth 5758declared-featuring200from David Warner and Alex Carey’s111-inreplytoSouth Africa’s189.

Although the tourists avoided an eighth successive total of less than 200, they neverlookedlikelytotakethe game into a fifth day

Friday December 30, 2022

ARIES (Mar.21–Apr.19)

There'sanoverwhelmingintensity about the day that mightmakeitdifficultforyou tomaintainthepeace,Aries. Strong opinions and courageousemotionsareclashing inaclimacticfashion.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You may feel extra selfconfident today, Taurus, makingyoumoreabletosay and do the things you might normally keep inside. Be warned

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You might find that others' strong opinions dictate today'sactions,Gemini.The atmosphere is quite intense, soyoumightwanttolaylow and let others have their way. Don't try to put up a fight.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Create your own reality, Cancer. It could be that you have the puppet strings in your hands, but you're too afraidtousethem.Don'tshy awayfromresponsibility

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Things that you thought were obvious may not seem quite as clear as you'd like them to be, Leo. Be aware that there may be some intense opposition to your plans.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Other people may tend to snap under the emotional pressure of the day, Virgo, butyou'rewellsuitedtosoar through with flying colors. You're ruled by your emotions and you have no problem.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

There's a need for decisive action today, Libra, and you'retheonefitforthejob. Strong wills and forceful opinions will win out. Others aren't likely to be easily manipulated. Everyone has avoice.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

There may be tension and opposition today, Scorpio, so be prepared. It could seemlikeeveryonewantsto rattle your cage. Stand strong. There are forceful opinions crying out to be heard.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

What ails you now can be eliminatedifyou'rewillingto stand up and say exactly what needs to be said, Sagittarius. Going with the flow may be an easy route tofollow

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

It takes two to tango, Capricorn. Remember that life isn'taone-waystreet.There needs to be a bit of give and take if you expect others to treat you the way you want to be treated.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

It may be hard to resolve anythingtoday,Aquarius.It couldbethatthere'sanoverwhelmingresistancemaking it difficult to act according to plan. Today isn't a good day to fight.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20) Intense emotions are apt to dominate the scene today, Pisces. Don't do anything halfway. It's time to give it yourallornothing.Youhave the power to cut to the heart of the issue. Don't hesitate.

Bavumawastheonlybatter to make more than 33 as ScottBolandclaimed2-49on his home ground and Cummins,whoremovedElgar on the third evening, conceded only 20 runs from 16 oversandreviewedtwodecisionsthatwereoverturnedby theTVumpire.Part-timelegspinner Steve Smith sealed victory in the Shane Warne TestbybowlingLungiNgidi.

Pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who bowled 18 overs in the second innings despite dislocating a finger on the opening day, will miss the third Test.

All-rounder Cameron Green, who took 5-27 in the first innings and broke a fin-

BCB President

Foster touts...

From page 28 alsoreceivedschoolbagsand educationalmaterial.

30 Dave Narine came on board to sponsor a $1.7 M dollars second division tournament for close to ninety teams. 31 Sponsorship for a countywide inter-secondary school coaching programme wasobtainedfromNamilco.

This list of achievements can go on but we would stop due to space. I would like to highlight the hard work of Leslie Soloman, Angela Haniff, Rovin Bahadur, Dr Cecil Beharry, Balram Samaroo and Jonathan Rampersaud. 2023 promises to be another successful year for us once we remain committedandworkforthedevelopment of the game and our youths.

Too many persons in this county are only interested in cricketfortheirpersonalwell being and positions. Special thanks to all our supporters, sponsors and donors for their continued support. Please be assured that we appreciate yoursupportandwelookforward to working along with you next year as we strive to uphold the rich legacy of Berbice Cricket. The best is yet to come.

Hilbert Foster BCB President.

ger during his unbeaten 51, has also been ruled out.

Match details: Australia 575 for 8 dec (Warner 200, Carey 111, Smith 85, Green

51*,Head51)beatSouthAfrica189(Jansen59,Verreynne 52, Green 5-27) & 204 (Bavuma 65) by an innings and 182 runs.

Australia celebrate the wicket of Sarel Erwee. (AFP)

Pakistan in trouble after Williamson hits double century

KARACHI, Pakistan

(AP) New Zealand pushed Pakistan onto the backfoot in the first test after Kane Williamson hit a marathon unbeaten double centuryonThursday Williamson’s200notout in 10 hours earned New Zealand a meaningful 174run lead as the visitors declared at a monumental 612-9 at tea, with tailender Ish Sodhi scoring a careerbest65.

New Zealand spinners Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi made early inroads in the final session to reduce Pakistan to 77-2 at stumps. Pakistanstilltrailsby97runs on a wicket which has some encouragement for spinners fromthebowlers’footmarks.

“Weknowthere’salotof h a r d w o r k t o d o , ” Williamson said. “It’s (the pitch) definitely deteriorated a bit, there’s lot more rough

(bowlers’ footmarks) as we saw towards the backend of our innings ... lot of variable bounce.”

Imam-ul-Haqsawoffthe session with an unbeaten 45 while nightwatchman Nauman Ali survived an umbrella of fielders around him in the last over to go not outon4.

Abdullah Shafique once again threw away his wicket ashewascaughtlowdownat short mid-on for 17 after attempting a needless drive against offspinner Michael Bracewell.

Shafique had fallen cheaply in Pakistan’s first inningsscoreof438whenhe came down the wicket off Ajaz Patel in only the fourth over of the game and got stumped.

Lefthander Masood was out lbw for 10 after he went onto the backfoot against Sodhi’ssharpdelivery

Captain Tim Southee ended Pakistan’s long frustrating time in the field when he declared just after Williamson lifted mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed over extra cover for his 21st boundary and then raised his fifth double hundred with a single that also featured a six.

Abrar, who took 17 wickets in two test matches against England earlier this month, finished with 5-205 but not before Williamson and Sodhi had extended the lead with a 159-run seventhwicket stand on a slow turningwicket.

“ T e c h n i c a l l y , Williamson is a very sound batter and he took singles so easily on even good balls,” Abrarsaid.

Williamson and Sodhi dug in for well over 1 1/2 hoursintothesecondsession after New Zealand resumed

on 440-2 before Pakistan claimed three quick wickets throughspinners.

“Wewantedtobatlonger and get a few (runs) more on the board,” Williamson said. “The contribution from Ish Sodhiwiththebatwasreally important we need some patience going into tomorrow and try to utilize the assistance off the surface aswellaswecan.”

Bothputon79runsinthe first session and batted with determination even when Pakistan took the second new ball. They stood firm against the googlies and legspin of Abrar while leftarm spinner Nauman (3185) couldn’t pose problem fromthefootmarks.

Sodhi finally holed out soon after crossing his previoustestbestof63–also against Pakistan in 2014 –while Southee and Neil Wagner followed without scoring.

Williamson was on 186

when last man Ajaz Patel walked in but went into the 190s with a straight six over the head of Abrar before eventually reaching his second double hundred against Pakistan in a 395ballknock.

It was Williamson’s first international score of over 100 in almost two years since he made 238 against Pakistan at Christchurch in January 2021

Williamson fully capitalized on two stumping chances early in his innings and also twice successfully overturned onfield lbw rulings against him through television referrals as Pakistan rued themissedopportunities

Sodhi batted with a lot of patience and hit three boundaries against seamer Mir Hamza on the off side of the wicket after Pakistan tookthethirdnewball.

Hamza, also making a

comeback after playing his only previous test against Australia in 2018, could have had his first wicket in the penultimate over before the break but Pakistan didn’t appeal as the TV replays suggested he got a thin outsideedgeofSodhi’sbat.

New Zealand’s lead was 24 when Nauman came close to dismissing Williamson on 116 in his secondoveroftheday

But Williamson quickly went for a successful television referral against umpire Aleem Dar’s lbw ruling after he missed a full-length delivery down the legside and the TV replays suggested the ball had pitched outside the off stump.

Scores: Pakistan 438 and 77 for 2 (Imam 45*, Sodhi 1-17) trail New Zealand 612 for 9 dec (Williamson 200*, Latham 113, Conway 92, Abrar 5205)by97runs

Morocco threatens to skip African soccer tournament

RABAT, Morocco (AP)

After its sensational World Cup performance, Morocco’s national soccer team might boycott the A f r i c a n N a t i o n s Championship next month because of a diplomatic disputewithtournamenthost Algeria.

The Moroccan Football Federation said its team will only compete if there is a direct flight from the Moroccan capital Rabat to the Algerian city of Constantine, where Morocco’s games are scheduledtobeplayed.

Moroccan military and commercial aircraft have been barred from Algerian

airspace since the two n e i g h b o r s s e v e r e d diplomatic ties last year Their dispute is linked to multiple issues, including the contested Western Sahara, a territory that Morocco annexed in 1975 and that Algeria-backed Sahrawis have long sought independencefor T h e M o r o c c a n federationsaidinastatement Tuesdaythatithadwrittento the African Union about procedures for African s p o r t s e v e n t s a n d “facilitating the conditions oftheparticipatingteams.”

In its letter to theAU, the Moroccan federation demanded that the national

teambeabletoflydirectlyto Constantine on a private aircraft of Royal Air Maroc, the official carrier of Morocco’snationalteams.

Algeria’s government has not responded publicly tothedemand.

The African Nations Championship involves players for local clubs and runs Jan 13 to Feb 4 Morocco is scheduled to play against Sudan, Madagascar, and Ghana in thegroupphase.

Morocco became the first African or Arab nation to reach the semifinals of the World Cup in this year ’s tournament in Qatar

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who scored 200 runs not out, is congratulated by Pakistan’s Agha Salman, center, and Sarfraz Ahmed, right, during the fourth day of first test cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson plays a reverse sweep shot during the fourth day of first test cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

France’s Youssouf Fofana, center, vies for the ball with Morocco’s Youssef En-Nesyri and Achraf Hakimi, right, during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

NBAroundup:ZionWilliamson’scareernightpropelsPelicans

(Reuters) - Zion

Williamson scored his team’s final 14 points as part of a career-high 43-point night as the host New Orleans Pelicans came from behind to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-118 on Wednesday night.

TheTimberwolvesledby f i v e p o i n t s b e f o r e Williamson took over with 2:44 to play His 3-pointer and hook shot on back-toback possessions tied the score at 112-112 with 1:49 left.

After Anthony Edwards tied the game with a dunk with 29.2 seconds to play, Williamson was fouled and made one of two free throws to give the Pelicans a 119118 lead with four seconds left Edwards missed a baseline jumper as time expired. Williamson made 14of21fieldgoalsand14of 19 free throws in his return from a three-game absence due to health and safety protocol. Trey Murphy III added 21 points, CJ McCollum scored 20, Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Naji Marshall scored 12 points as New Orleans won its fourth straight.

Nets108,Hawks107

KyrieIrvingscored20of his 28 points in the second half to help visiting Brooklyn hold on to defeat short-handed Atlanta and extend its winning streak to 10games.

The Nets have the longestactivewinningstreak in the NBA and are the first team this season to win 10

consecutive games Brooklyn has also matched its third-longest winning streak in franchise history and improved its record in December to a league-best 11-1.

Brooklyn outscored Atlanta 12-2 to start the fourth quarter and led by as many as 13 points but couldn’t put the Hawks away The Hawks had a chance to tie with 29 9 seconds remaining, but Dejounte Murray made only one of two free throws Murraythenmissedawouldbe game-winning shot at the buzzer Warriors 112, Jazz 107 Ty Jerome came off the bench to score 17 points and teamwithDonteDiVincenzo on back-to-back 3-pointers that pulled Golden State from a fourth-quarter tie and propelled the Warriors past UtahinSanFrancisco.

Playing the second night of a back-to-back without Stephen Curry, Andrew W i g g i n s a n d K l a y Thompson, the Warriors — who own the NBA’s best home record at 15-2 — had enough energy to limit the Jazz to just six points over the final 7:21, enabling a rally that produced a fourth straighthomewin.

Despite missing eight of his 10 3-point attempts, Jordan Poole led the way for the Warriors with 26 points, including a short jumper with 1:27 to play after the Jazz closed within 107-106 on a 3-pointer by Jordan Clarkson. Bulls 119, Bucks 113 (OT) DeMar DeRozan scored a team-high 42 points to go with 10 rebounds and

AFP - An injury-time penaltyfromKylianMbappe sealedalast-gasp2-1winfor Paris Saint-Germain over modest Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Wednesday after Neymarhadbeensentoff.

Mbappe bounced back fromtheheartbreakoflosing the World Cup final to Argentina despite scoring a hat-trick for France by securing all three points for theFrenchchampions.

Captain Marquinhos had put the hosts ahead with an early header but the Brazilian defender scored an own goal after 51 minutes as some of PSG’s stars appeared to be suffering a post-WorldCuphangover

Lionel Messi was absent fromthePSGlineupafterhis

The game turned when Neymar picked up a yellow forapetulantflickintheface of a Strasbourg player and then earned another for a blatant dive in the penalty areajustafterthehour

Mbappe had been a constantmenaceforPSGbut was unable to find the target withtwoclear-cutchances.

But deep into secondhalfinjurytimetherelentless Mbappe was brought down in the penalty area and converted the winner from thespotinthe96thminute.

The victory put PSG eight points ahead of Lens, who must beat Nice on Thursdaytokeepup.

PSG also announced that

Nikola Vucevic added 15 points and 14 rebounds to help host Chicago defeat struggling Milwaukee, d e s p i t e G i a n n i s Antetokounmpo’s monster night.

The Bucks star had a game-high 45 points and a career-best 22 rebounds, and Bobby Portis added 20 points and 11 boards for Milwaukee, whose seasonhigh losing streak reached four games Milwaukee snagged 22 offensive rebounds, but the Bulls persevered to win for the fourthtimeinfivegames.

The Bulls closed regulation on a 13-2 run to force overtime before outscoring Milwaukee 13-7 in the extra period. Zach LaVine scored 24 points and Goran Dragic added 12 for

Chicago Kings 127, Nuggets 126 Malik Monk scored 33 points, including a free throw with 0.7 seconds left, as Sacramento stormed back from down 11 to start the fourth to top visiting Denver

Domantas Sabonis had 31 points and 10 rebounds despite playing with a fractured thumb, and De’AaronFoxalsoscored31 for the Kings, who split the two home games against Denver on back-to-back days. Nikola Jokic had 40 points, Bones Hyland scored 20, Michael Porter Jr 19 and Zeke Nnaji 14 for the Nuggets.

Denver played without Jamal Murray (knee soreness), Aaron Gordon (right shoulder strain) and Bruce Brown (right ankle

sprain). Pistons 121, Magic 101 Alec Burks scored 32 points and host Detroit snapped a six-game losing streak with a win over Orlando.

The game was marred by a skirmish that resulted in three ejections Orlando’s Moritz Wagner and Detroit’s Killian Hayes and Hamidou Diallo were tossed for an altercation in the final minute of the first half Chasing after a loose ball, Wagner committed a Flagrant Foul 2 by shoving Hayes into the Pistons bench. Diallo and Hayes weretossedforretaliatingby striking Wagner from behind. Burks went 10-for11 from the field, including six made 3-pointers. Saddiq Bey poured in 28 points and added eight rebounds and

four assists, while Bojan Bogdanovic had 14 points with five assists. Franz Wagner led the Magic with 19 points. Wendell Carter Jr. had 16 points and Paolo Bancheroadded15.

Wizards127,Suns102 Rui Hachimura matched a career high with 30 points off the bench to fuel host Washington to a blowout victoryoverPhoenix.

Hachimura made 11 of 13 shots from the floor and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for Wizards, who have won three in a row and four of their last five games. They began the latter streak with a 113-110 victory in Phoenix on Dec. 20. Washington’s Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma each added 22 points.

Deandre Ayton had a season-high 31 points along with seven rebounds, and Chris Paul added 20 points and seven assists for the Suns, who have lost four of their last five games. Prior to t h e g a m e , P h o e n i x confirmed that three-time All-Star Devin Booker will be sidelined at least four weekswithaleftgroinstrain.

Heat112,Lakers98

Jimmy Butler scored 27 points, Bam Adebayo added 23 points and 14 rebounds and Miami handed visiting Los Angeles its fifth loss in thelastsixgames.Butlerand Adebayobothreturnedtothe lineup after missing Miami’s win over Minnesota on Monday — Butler from a sprained ankle and Adebayo from an illness — to shoot a combined 21 of 34 from the

on Wednesday when 17year-old Monaco forward Eliesse Ben Seghir secured all three points in a 3-2 win over Auxerre on his Ligue 1 debut.

first goal within 12 minutes with an unstoppable shot to putMonaco2-1up.

their 30-year-old Italian midfielder Marco Verratti has extended his stay at the clubuntil2026.

Inothergames,Lillebeat 10-man Clermont 2-0 thanks to an Angle Gomes penalty and a late settler from MohamedBayodeepintime

addedon.

Lyon banged four goals past Brest in a 4-2 win away from home as they push for theEuropeanplaces.

- Memories of Thierry Henry-

France may have had a glimpse of the future earlier

Thierry Henry was two months younger when he scored his first double for Monaco against Lens aged 17 years and 8 months back in 1995, but the brilliance of Ben Seghir’s brace on Wednesday brought back memories of theArsenal and Francestar

BenSeghir,whodoesnot turn 18 until February, came onasasecond-halfsubstitute forWissamBenYedder,who had scored from the spot just before half time but was replaced anyway The newcomer unleashed his

He then delivered a solo effort to savour, delivering a curling winner from outside the box to make it 3-2

After the final whistle the Monaco players led Ben Seghir to be serenaded by the away fans on a night that will live long in the teenager’s memory

The win lifts Monaco up to fifth place on 30 points

Ben Seghir grew up in Saint Tropez but is of Moroccan origin and has yet to decide who he will represent internationally though he has turned out fortheFranceunder-18s

World Cup-winning exploits.

floor

Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) is defended by Milwaukee Bucks guard Wesley Matthews (23) during the second half at United Center. (USA TODAY Sports)

Kylian Mbappe sealed a last-gasp 2-1 win for Paris Saint-Germain.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Alzarri Joseph selected in ICC Test and ODI Teams of the Year, respectively

Alzarri Joesph and Kraigg Brathwaite

Iranianchessplayerappears atKazakhstan tournament withouthijabforsecondday

- Reuters witness

(SportsMax) - West Indies Test

Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and pace bowlerAlzarri Joseph were selected to the ICC Test and One-Day International (ODI) teams of the year, respectively,for2022.

Brathwaite was selected after a prolific season which saw him make 687runsatanaverageof62.4.Inseven matches in 2022, Brathwaite scored two hundreds and five fifties including a top-score of 160 against England in BarbadosinMarch.

Joseph was named to the ODI team after taking 27 wickets in 17 matches, the most among fast bowlers, at an averageof25.7in2022.

ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year: Kraigg Brathwaite (West Indies), Usman Khawaja (Australia), Marnus Labuschangne (Australia), Joe Root (England), Jonny Bairstow (England), Ben Stokes (Captain, England), Rishabh Pant (Wicket-keeper, India), Pat Cummins (Australia), Kagiso Rabada (South Africa), Nathan Lyon

(Australia), James Anderson (England).

ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year: Travis Head (Australia), Shubman Gill (India), Babar Azam (Captain, Pakistan), Shreyas Iyer (India), Tom Latham (Wicket-keeper, New Zealand), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh), Alzarri Joseph (West Indies), Mohammed Siraj (India), Adam Zampa (Australia), Trent Boult (New Zealand).

ALMATY,(Reuters)-An Iranian chess player on Wednesday took part in an international tournament in Kazakhstan without a hijab for the second day running, according to a Reuters journalistpresent.

A Reuters witness at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, saw Sara Khadem competing without a headscarf, a violation of Iran’s laws governingfemaledresscode.

Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country’s clerical leadership since mid-September, when 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman MahsaAmini died in

the custody of morality police who detained her for “inappropriateattire.”

L a w s e n f o r c i n g mandatory hijab wearing have become a flashpoint during the protests, with a string of sportswomen competing overseas appearing without their headscarvesinpublic.

Khadem, born in 1997 and also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, is ranked 804 in the world, according to the International Chess Federationwebsite.

The website for the Dec 25-30 event listed her as a participant in both the R a p i d a n d B l i t z competitions

BCBPresidentFostertoutssuccessfulyear2022forBerbiceCricket

Dear Sports Editor,

Theyear2022wasavery successful one for the Berbice Cricket Board, despite been a challenging one off the cricket field involving cricket politics in Guyana. As President of the BCB I am proud of the progresswehavemadeandit adds to the remarkable strides we have made between 2018 and 2021. We would all recall the state of our cricket when the present administration took office andweshouldallbeproudof the development made in the last five years. The BCB is now widely considered the most progressive and active cricket board in the West Indieswithanunmatchedlist o f a c t i v i t i e s a n d achievements.

Some of our major achievementsin2022are:

1. Over fifty Berbicians represented Guyana at the different levels -junior and senior

2 Berbice won all the

titles at the senior levels (femaleandmale).

3 The only title we lost wastheunder17

4 Three under19 females were selected for the historic West Indies under19 female team

5 Ashmini Munisar created history with her appointment as the first ever West Indies under19 female captain

6 Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Kelvin Sinclair, Veersammy

Permaul, Guadakesh Motie, Shemaine Campbelle, Shakabi Gajnabi, Sheneeta Grimmond, Ashmini

Munisar, Ashley Ramnauth, Realanne Grimmond, Isai Thorne; It is remarkable that asmallcountycouldproduce twelve players for the West Indiesinacalendaryear

7 Several of our players were selected in CWI All Stars teams at the Under15, under17andunder19levels

8 C r i c k e t m i n i academies were held across

the ancient count while s e v e r a l c o a c h i n g programmes were done under the Dr Tulsi Dyal SinghProgramme

9 Over thirty junior players received financial stipends under the Dr Puran SinghScheme

10 Over one million dollars worth of uniforms, balls and gear were shared out to secondary schools in Berbice with assistance fromLochanSamkarran

11Twentyclubsreceived practice nets at the cost of $1M with the assistance of Terrence Blackman in a historicproject

12 Clubs in the West Berbice area benefitted from the Fazil Jaffarally Trust Fund.

13 Close to eighty clubs received $1M worth of cricket balls under the Shimron and Nirvani HetmyerTrustFund

14 Millions of dollars worth of gear were shared out to players, clubs and

schools with assistance from Cricket Kindness of England.

15TheBCBsuccessfully completed at least ten tournaments at the different levels, while numerous others are on hold due to the rainyseason

16 The BCB hosted several coaching clinics and inspiration forums for our players - among the coaches were former test greats Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Andy Roberts, Jimmy Adams, Roland Butcher, Clyde Butts, Reon King, Dr Desmond Haynes and former national player Sheik Mohamed Dr Frank Denbow and Bobby Deonarineassistedgreatlyin these visits along with Dr TulsiDyalSingh.

17 We hosted the Brian Ramphal award ceremony in April with former test captain Jimmy Adams as theguestspeaker

18 Legendary fast bowler Courtney Walsh

visited Berbice for a three hours inspiration sessions with our youths especially females

19 We hosted the Indian High Commissioner to a special visit and massive benefits would start shortly.

20 With the assistance of Local Government Minister Nigel Dharmlall, we now have the services o f n i n e t e e n coaches/trainers across the county

21The BCB handed over the second installment of its University of Guyana scholarshiptoMrA.Khanof Albion, while Ashmini Munisar received a grant of one hundred thousand dollars for her Guyana School of Agriculture studies.

22 Honored several heroes with our Tribute to HeroesAward.

23 Several youths benefitted from educational grants to assist them in their

studies.

24Thirtyyouthsfromthe New Amsterdam area received gear under the Ray HazelMemorialfund.

25Honored the BCB Mother and Father of the Year with support from BrianRamphal.

26 Mr Bobby Deonarine returned as a sponsor to Berbice Cricket after an absence of several years. He sponsored our under15 and firstdivisiontournaments.

27 The BCB obtained severalpitchcoversandnow haveatotaloffiveatthecost ofabout$1,700,000.

They are stored across the county Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh sponsored two of them.

28 Over eighty clubs across the county received scorebooks from the

RHTYSC,MS

29 Dozens of youth cricketers received cycles from the RHTYSC to attend practiceandschool.They

Sara Khadem of Iran sits in front of a chess board. (REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev/File Photo)

Pele dies: Brazil icon’s World Cup legacy ensures his place among football’s greatest

SportsMax - There is perhaps no sporting debate thatcapturestheimagination like that concerning the identity of football’s greatest everplayer

T h e i n c r e d i b l e goalscoring feats of Lionel MessiandCristianoRonaldo put them at the centre of the discussion, but what about thegreatsofyesteryear?

Does the cunning of Diego Maradona or the ingenuity of Johan Cruyff make one of them the best to haveplayedtheworld’smost popularsport?

The ultimate reference for all those iconic players, however, is Pele. The only player to have won three World Cups, the ultimate personification of “o jogo bonito”.

With tributes flooding in after the Brazil icon passed away at the age of 82, Stats Perform delves into the Selecao star’s incredible career, asking how it compares to those of the game’sothergreats.

Pele: The World Cup’s finest

While any debate over thegreatestplayerofalltime will always be subjective, nobody can deny Pele his status as the ultimate World Cuplegend.

His introduction to the globalstagecameatthe1958 tournament in Sweden, where Brazil exercised the demons of 1950 – when they lost the final on home soil to Uruguay in what became known as the “Maracanazo” –toclinchtheirfirsttitle.

A 17-year-old Pele missed Brazil’s first two

games at the tournament, but theSantosyoungsterquickly made the Selecao’s number 10shirthisownaftercoming in for a 2-0 win over the SovietUnion.

Fromthere,hewentfrom strength to strength, scoring his first World Cup goal againstWales before helping himself to a hat-trick against Franceinthesemi-finals.

As Brazil overcame the hosts 5-2 in a thrilling final, Pele – at the age of 17 years and 249 days – scored twice. Only one other teenager has ever netted in a World Cup final – Kylian Mbappe in 2018.

As if one outstanding World Cup campaign was not enough, Pele was key to further Selecao triumphs in 1962 and 1970 – assuming a talismanicroleinwhatmany consider to be the greatest international team in history atthelattertournament.

Pele’s tally of six assists in Mexico remains the highest tally recorded at a single World Cup since records began four years earlier, and his nonchalant lay-off for Carlos Alberto to finish off a flowing team move in Brazil’s final win over Italy remains one of the most iconic moments in the tournament’shistory

While modern-day detractors may point to Pele’s failure to test himself in Europe, his incredible record on the grandest stage of all dictates that he is remembered among the very best, and there can be no doubt as to his unmatched WorldCuplegacy

Johan Cruyff: The

innovator

If Pele’s legacy can be measured in World Cup accomplishments, Cruyff’s must be examined in a very differentway

Cruyff’s unbelievable tally of 36 chances created at the1974WorldCupmaybea single-tournament record, but it was not enough for the Netherlandstoavoidthefirst of their three final defeats at thecompetition.

Eight Eredivisie titles, threeEuropeanCupsandone LaLiga triumph as a player does not exactly do justice to the career of football’s great innovator, the man considered responsible for “total football” and by extension, every freeflowing Barcelona or Ajax teamthathasfollowed.

If Pele’s is best remembered as the World Cup’s greatest player, perhaps Cruyff deserves the title of football’s finest pioneer

Diego Maradona: The individualist

No conversation about football’s greatest could be complete without a mention of Maradona, the man who almost single-handedly carried Argentina to football’s greatest prize with a perfect blend of skill and cunning.

A s t o n i s h i n g l y , Maradonaclaimedfivegoals and five assists as Argentina won the 1986 World Cup – a feat no other player has accomplished since detailed data collection began in 1966.

Maradona’s quarter-final brace against England,

perhaps the most iconic d o u b l e i n h i s t o r y, encapsulated his on-pitch personality perfectly – a mischievous first goal being followed by a truly remarkablesecond.

Maradona’s tendency to carry unfancied sides to successwasreplicatedonthe clubstage,withhistwoSerie A triumphs with Napoli earning him a level of adulation that will perhaps neverbematched.

Abeaten finalist in 1990, not even El Diego could match Pele’s World Cup exploits, but the Argentine carved out a reputation as f o o t b a l l ’ s f i n e s t individualist.

pinnacleofthemoderngame – no player can match Ronaldo’stotalof140goals.

Ronaldo – who scored his 700th goal in club football earlier this season –has also lifted the Champions League trophy on five occasions – a tally no otherplayerhasbettered.

The 37-year-old started off the 2022 World Cup by becoming the first male player to net in five different editions of the tournament, thoughheultimatelyendedit in disappointment, making just 10 touches after coming on as a substitute in Portugal’s quarter-final defeattoMorocco.

tells you all you need to know, Messi’s army of fans may say, while Pep Guardiola’s revolutionary Barcelona side – considered by many as the best team to ever take to the field – was built to accommodate the Argentine’s incredible mix of elite finishing, dribbling andpassingskills.

Until the last two years, the only major blot on Messi’s career was a perceived failure to replicate the feats of Maradona, with the expectations of the Argentinian public often seeming to weigh heavily upon the shoulders of the diminutiveattacker

By Rawle Toney

Region 3 will face Region4inSunday’sfinalof the inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup football tournament, following their demolition of Region 7 in t h e s e m i - f i n a l s o n Wednesdayevening.

Played at the Edinburghbased National Track and Field Centre, Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) came back from being down a goal just three minutes into their encounter a g a i n s t R e g i o n 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) to win 5 – 2. With $400,000 up for

grabs for the winners of the respective semis, Region 7 got out the gate early, thanks to Whitney ‘Don King’ Welcome, much to the delight of the supporters from the Cuyuni/Mazaruni areainthethirdminute.

It was the first goal for Region 7 in the tournament from a player not named AndrewSimmons.

With a better roster and finishing on top of their group (B), Region 3 would claw their way back into the g a m e w h e n D e l o n

Lanferman pounced on a ballinfrontofthegoalinthe

24th minute to level the scores1–1.

Roundel Hutson fired a powerful right-footed v o l l e y f r o m approximately 30 yards out, and when Region 7 failed to hold firm on the ball, Trayon Bobb was there to clean up the spill and put his side up 2 – 1 in the 31st minute

With Region 3 leading 2 –1attheendofthefirsthalf, Lanferman would score his second goal of the game in the 55th minute to give Region3a3–1cushion.

Andrew Simmons, who

Ronaldo: The big-gameplayer

Cristiano

Like Cruyff, neither of the final two players on our list have made their greatest impact at the World Cup, but the incredible goalscoring feats of Ronaldo ensure his place among the game’s legends

In the Champions League – arguably the true

He has been the ultimate big-gameplayer Whetherhe is anymore is clearly up for debate.

Lionel Messi: The Magician

While some may prefer t h e e ff i c i e n c y a n d athleticismofRonaldo,there isnosightinmodernfootball as joyous as that of Messi slaloming through panicked defences.

Seven Ballon d’Or wins

However, having helped theAlbicelesteenda28-year wait to win the Copa America in 2021, Messi then contributed seven goals and three assists to mirror Maradona’s achievement of leading Argentina to World Cup glory, with the Paris Saint-Germain forward’s campaign in Qatar already regarded as one of the greatest in the tournament’s richhistory

up until the semi-final was the only player from Region 7 to score in the tournament, netted in the 69th minute from the penalty spot, after his teammate was fouled in the‘18’.

Jamal Perriera (72’) and ColwynAdams (81’) scored the other goals for Coach Nantambu Bilal’s men to send them to the anticipated clashwithRegion4.

Region 3 earned $400,000fortheirsemi-final win for a total of $1M in the tournament.

Wayne Dover watched on the sidelines as his star-

s t u d d e d R e g i o n 4 dismantled Region 5 in the first semi-finals on Wednesdayevening,8–1.

Kelsey Benjamin continued his rich form in the tournament, netting in the 45th minute, pushing his tally to nine goals in the inaugural competition and a front-running for the Honda XRmotorcycleprize.

A double from Nicolas McArthur (17’, 30’) and Omari Glasgow (51’, 55’), along with a Samuel Garnett (71’), Daniel Wilson (53’) and Jeremy Garrett (42’), sealed the comfortable win

Region4.

Abumchi Benjamin’s 84th-minute free-kick was too well-taken, as he beat goalkeeper Akel Clarke. It was the only cheerful momentforRegion5.

With the win, Region 4 also earned $400,000, putting their prize-tally to $1 2M, having played unbeaten in their four Group-stagegames.

In the tournament’s groupstage,teamspickedup $200,000foreachwin.

The winner of the tournament will pocket $2M andsecondplace$1M.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua –

The Cricket West Indies Selection Panel yesterday named the 16-member West Indies Women’s squad to play in a T20 International (T20I) Tri-Series against South Africa and India in East London from 19 to 30 January 2023 as part of their final preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World CupinFebruary

Windies Women name 16-member squad for Tri-Series against South Africa and India Former Guyana Chronicle Sports Editor Brent Chapman dies at 74 in New York

The West Indies Women will play at least four matches, playing two matches each against hosts South Africa and India. The two leading teams will then play each other in the TriSeries Final at Buffalo Park on 2 February † West Indies will also play a warm-up match against South Africa ahead of the Tri-Series at BeaconBayon16January

Lead Selector Ann Browne-John said: “The selection panel has named a squadthatwebelievehasthe talent and experience to compete against India and SouthAfrica.

Thesquadseesthereturn of Stafanie Taylor who missed the recent series against England due to injury and Britney Cooper, the middle order batter who last played against South Africa Women in September 2021.

Browne-John added: “Our batting in the most recent series was less than par against a very good England bowling attack. We believethatwiththereturnof some experienced batters, they will the able to support captain Hayley Matthews at

thetopoftheorder Shamilia ConnellandShakeraSelman also return after injury and will fortify the pace attack with Chinelle Henry, Cherry Ann Fraser and Aaliyah Alleyne The team had commendable performances inSouthAfricainearly2022 and we know that the entire team will be drawing on that experience as they take on the home team and India in this Tri-Series and then potentially again at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup alsoinSouthAfrica.”

All matches in the TriSeries will be played at the BuffaloParkinEastLondon.

Final squads for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa must be submitted by 2 February The eighth edition of the marquee ICC Women’s Event will begin on 10 February with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. WestIndieshavebeendrawn in Group 2 alongside England, India, Pakistan and Ireland.

Newlands, Cape Town, Boland Park, Paarl and St. George’sPark,Gqeberhaare the host venues for the tournament with both SemiFinals and Final being played in Cape Town. The Final at Newlands will be heldon26February †

FULL SQUAD: Hayley Matthews † (Captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Chedean Nation, Cherry Ann Fraser, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry,

Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor and RashadaWilliams.

MatchSchedule

16 January: Warm up Match vs SouthAfrica, Beacon Bay T20I Tri-Series West Indies Match Schedule – all matches to be played at Buffalo Park, East London

21 January: vs South Africa, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

23 January: vs India, 7pm local time (1pm Eastern Caribbean/12noon Jamaica)

25 January: vs South Africa, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

30 January: vs India, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

2 February: † Tri-Series Final, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group 2 West Indies Match schedule

13 February: vs England, Boland Park, Paarl, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

15 February: vs India, Newlands, Cape Town, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

17 February: vs Ireland, Newlands, Cape Town, 7pm (1pm Eastern Caribbean/12noon Jamaica)

19 February: vs Pakistan, Boland Park, Paarl, 3pm (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

MbappedismissesArgentinakeeper...

From page 31

PSG are now eight points clear of secondplaced Lens, who visited Nice later on yesterday Asked about Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Messi, who will return to the Paris club after the New Year, Mbappe said he congratulated him following the final

“It was a life’s goal for him, for me as well,butIfailed,soyoumustalwaysremain agoodsportsman,”hesaid.

Aston Villa coach Unai Emery said on Friday that he would talk to Martinez about the keeper’s attitude during the World Cup celebrations when he returns to the Midlands club

Former Sports Editor of the Guyana Chronicle, NormanBrentChapman,has died in New York at the age of 74 following a prolonged illness. Born on June 8, 1949, Brent Chapman, as he is popularly known, passed a w a y l a s t M o n d a y, December 26 — Boxing Day He entered the field of journalism in 1975 as a general news reporter attached to the Guyana Graphic and stayed on when the Chronicle and Graphic merged.

He later joined the Guyana Broadcasting Service(GBS)whereherose to the position of Sports Producer.

In 1982, he returned to the Guyana Chronicle as Senior Sportswriter and later,SportsEditor

The former Sportscaster at one time hosted a groundbreaking radio series featuring outstanding Guyanese sportspersons on Radio Demerara and was known for his forthrightness in his popular column “On The Ball” in the Guyana

Chronicle He covered several international sporting events at home and abroad for radio and newspapers, notably the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1985 International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey, between Guyana’s Terrence Alli and IBF lightweight champion Harry Arroyo Brent Chapman also served as

sports correspondent for the Caribbean News Agency (CANA)andRadioAntilles.

Migrating to the United States in the late 1980’s, he pivoted and carved out a successfulcareerasaneditor in New York publishing and advertising.

Norman Brent Chapman issurvivedbyadaughterand large extended family He will be cremated and his ashesreturnedtoGuyana.

Pele dies aged 82

SportsMax - Pele, the Brazil great and three-timeWorldCupwinner,hasdied.

The 82-year-old had been moved to palliative care early in December after his bodystoppedrespondingtocancertreatment.

Before Christmas Day, his family travelled to be by his side at the Albert EinsteinIsraeliteHospitalinSaoPaulo.

His death was confirmed by his daughter onThursday

Pele was regarded by most as one of the greatest players in the history of football, leaving an indelible legacy after a career that lasted21years.

He played the majority of his club career at Santos, for whom he scored 643 goals in 659 matches over an 18-year period. He also represented the New York Cosmos between 1975and1977.

But it was his impact for Brazil that truly cementedhisstatusasasportingiconandalltimefootballgreat.

He helped the Selecao to World Cup success in 1958, 1962 and 1970, with no player in the tournament’s history winning it morethanhim.

Pele’s first World Cup triumph in 1958 camewhenhewasjust17yearsand249days old, making him the youngest player ever to win it. He also scored in the showpiece game – no one younger has ever netted in a World

Cupfinal.

That was one of 77 goals at international level,ahaulthatstillhasnotbeenoverhauled by a Brazilian player, with Neymar just two behind.

After his retirement, Pele lent his name and influence to many charitable initiatives and will be remembered as arguably the greatestWorldCupplayerofalltime.

Meanwhile, Pele had visited Guyana in 2009ontheinviteoftheKashifandShanghai Organisation along with the GFF and government. A most memorable visit for Guyanesefans.

OneGuyanesesportsofficial,whoisnow the country’s Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle, shared his thoughts on the passing of the football legend: “Undoubtedly he is thegreatestplayer

Somuchthatoneoftheleadingandoldest football clubs in Guyana would have chosen his name and FIFA would have labeled him playerofthecentury

The world has lost a flamboyant and charismatic player who has assisted in spreading the game to every corner of the earth.Mayhissoulrestinpeace.

“On behalf of the Hon Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson, I offer sincere condolences to his surviving relativesandthefootballfraternity.”

Brent Chapman

Rockaway Legends spread joy to youths on ECD

Rockaway Legends cricket team have brought smiles on the faces of many youths on the East Coast of Demerara.

Theteamwhichisowned by Hafeez Ali CEO of Rockaway Group of Companies on Wednesday hosted youths and their families from Mon Repos andsurroundingvillagestoa lunch and also distributed toystoover300youthsatthe Mon Repos Community Centre.

Ali and members of the

team continued with the venture at Mon Repos marketthefollowingday Rockaway Group of Companies, with assistance fromPresidentDr IrfaanAli and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, renovated the Mon Repos Community Centremuchtodelightofthe villagers.

Ali stated that the RockawayGroupandfamily are happy to ensure that the youths have a joyful holiday season.

Ali said he will continue with the venture and c o m m e n d e d t h e Government for their input.

He added that he is happy to see the installation of lights at the venue and informed thatacricketteamhavebeen formed in the village, which will be sponsored by Rockaway Group of Companies.

Headdedthatheishappy to give back to the society and briefly recalled his youthful days on the East CoastofDemerara.

Mbappe dismisses Argentina keeper Martinez’s “futile” World Cup taunts

PARIS, (Reuters) -

France striker Kylian Mbappe has shrugged off Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez’s taunts after the World Cup final, saying he did not “waste energy on such futile things” as he awaited the return of Paris Saint Germain team mate LionelMessi.

Mbappe became the second player to score a World Cup final hat-trick as he dragged his country back into the match with a late second-half double and an extra-time penalty, which was still not enough as Argentina prevailed in a shootout.

During Argentina’s

jubilant homecoming, a group of fans set alight a makeshift coffin lid adorned with a cross and a picture of Mbappe. Martinez clutched

a toy baby with Mbappe’s face on it during an open-top bus parade through the capitalonDec.23.

“The celebrations, they’re not my problem. I don’t waste any energy on such futile things,” Mbappe told reporters after converting an added time penalty to give PSG a 2-1 win over Strasbourg in his first Ligue 1 game after the WorldCupfinal.

“What’s important for me is to give the best of myself for my club, and we’re looking forward for Leo (Messi) to return to continue scoring and winningmatches.”Leaders (Continued on page 30)

A section of the gathering at Mon Repos Community Centre.

Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe reacts. (REUTERS/ Sarah Meyssonnier)

West Indies Women play their first match on January 21.

Steve Ninvalle and Pele – Now Director of Sport

Steve Ninvalle (left) shakes hand with the legend himself, Pele, who passed away yesterday

Region

will play in the One Guyana President’s Cup final.