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AIETEUR Palestinians

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Friday Edition February 09, 2024 - Vol. 26 No. 06

forced to live in chicken pens

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 54,534

VP Jagdeo defends

ExxonM hiding new discovery figures Teachers free to strike,

wouldn't be victimised

- Bharrat Jagdeo

Exxon will know by year-end which project will fill capacity of gas pipeline Classrooms of St. Aloysius, St. Therese's, and New Amsterdam Primary Schools Bosai workers stumbled on skeletal remains in bush ExxonM closing shop in Equatorial Guinea to focus on ...as teacher’s ‘hot spot’ Guyana 53

Empty classrooms, big crowds strike intensifies - Bloomberg report

PAGE 02

Friday February 09, 2024

Kaieteur News

Teachers free to strike,

wouldn’t be victimised Expressing the notion that he is the least bit worried about teachers from communities deemed to be strongholds of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) being engaged in the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) led strike, Vice President (VP Bharrat Jagdeo said that teachers should not fear victimisation from his government.

Speaking at his news conference on Thursday Jagdeo in responding to a question as to whether he was concerned that there has been large turnout of teachers in

PPP's strongholds, Jagdeo said that some persons have been misled by the union.

“Many don't see it (the strike) as political and that's their right too and I know that many of them will go there but they will vote PPP at the end of the day so I'm not too worried about that.

We are not victimizing anyone because you go on the strike but I want them to understand that this is a political strike.”

He continued, “I am not worried about it. I know workers are being encouraged. I know of two

Deceased, Alexander Angoy

Miner drowns at Chinese Creek A miner drowned at Chinese Creek Backdam Puruni River, in Region S e v e n , o n We d n e s d a y afternoon.

According to police reports the miner has been identified as Alexander Angoy, a 31-year-old of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. He and his 18-year-old cousin Yashua Angoy of Chinese Creek Backdam had decided to swim across the river to get to Alexander's camp.

During the journey, Alexander reportedly went

under water but his cousin managed to make it to shore.

He then raised an alarm and subsequently informed persons about the situation including Alexander's mother Hyachin Angoy who also works in the Chinese Creek area.

A search party was deployed in the area, but they were unable to locate the man. On Thursday the search party including ranks of the police force continued their search and the man's motionless body was found in the Puruni River.

cases, where the leadership of the unions, have been consulting with the PNC to try to get workers from other areas to go out, but if that happened ,we will have to deal with it if people want to move politically.”

The VP made this statement as the GTU widened its protest action and President of the Union, Mark Lyte accused the government of being in denial of the impact of the strike thus far.

Lyte noted that when it is all said and done, “it's the teacher in every community, every home that are affected.

When the teachers begin to speak about hardship, we are now talking about policies… we are talking about salaries and there is a clear indication that the administration is not willing to negotiate the salary increases for teachers.”

According to Lyte, the Government is doing everything in its power to avoid going the collective bargaining table. He noted that “each year starting from

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

GTU President, Mark Lyte

2021, we have had imposed salary increases and no workers' union in this country was able to negotiate salary increase on behalf of the working class people” The GTU head stressed ministers and other government leaders whose salaries are super compared to teachers should not decide what it takes for teachers to live. “Why should we not be part of the conversation to indicate what to it takes to

live like us?”

As it relates to the impact of the strike, Lyte said it is not business as usual because many schools are operating with minimal staff. “There are some teachers who are afraid. Those who feel that the strike is unjustified and those who are threatened that if they participate they will lose their jobs, the CPCE teachers who are told if you strike, we are going to throw you out of college they are

- Bharrat Jagdeo

forced to be at work… But it's not business as usual if you drive along the roadways anyone of the communities and see if it is business as usual with children getting to school whether you see children on the roadways.

How can this administration give the impression that it is business as usual?”

Ly t e s a i d t h a t t h e Government has chosen to ignore this fact rather than addressing the salary concerns of teachers. “This strike reverberates around all political, divides from every racial group and ethnic background.

In Region Nine, the groups have come out. They can't come to one place but they are coming out.

Teachers and parents have been coming out in support…The protest is growing the numbers are growing, I have been seeing the numbers more teachers are getting the courage to come out,” the GTU head added.

BOSAI workers stumble on skeletal remains in bush W

orkers at BOSAI on Tuesday afternoon stumbled on the skeletal remains of a human in a clump of bush around 16:00hr.

However the matter was only reported to the police on Thursday around 09:010hrs by Mr Wainewright Bethune, a 52year-old Technical Services and Environmental Coordinator of BOSAI and of Mackenzie Linden.

The man informed police that he overheard some workers, while on duty saying that a colleague went into the bushes to defecate and he saw “a skeleton”.

Immediately he began his investigations and around 08:00hrs on Thursday, he contacted Mark Jeffrey, a c o n t r a c t w o r k e r, w h o confirmed seeing the skeletal remains and provided the location.

Police were called in and Detective Inspector DaSilva and other police ranks, in the company of Mr Bethune

The skeletal remains that were found. visited the scene at around 09:15hrs on Thursday. The skeletal remains were observed lying in a dried up drain, at the Tailing Pond situated at the North/Eastern

end of the BOSAI compound. A few bones were missing from the lower limbs. The entire scene was photographed and processed. The skeletal

remains were escorted to the Pensioner's Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination, which is s ch ed u led f o r F r id ay.

Investigations are ongoing.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

PAGE 03

Govt. issues RFP for third audit of Exxon's 2021-2023 expenses T

he Guyana Government issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Thursday for consultants capable of conducting a cost recovery audit of ExxonMobil's expenses in the Stabroek Block. The audit would also entail a validation of the State's share of profit oil for the period 2021 to 2023.

This marks the third such audit the Guyana Government has embarked on. The first audit was done by a British firm, IHS Markit for the period 1999 to 2017.

That audit examined expenses totalling US$1.7B. While the report for this exercise has been completed, it has never been released to the public. The second audit was done by a local group, Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & Consultancy Inc. bolstered by the international support of SGS and Martindale Consultants. That audit examined expenses totalling US$7.3B covering the period 2018 to 2020.

The RFP for the third audit said preference will be given to local companies that are engaged in joint ventures or consortia with globally acknowledged accounting and audit firms.

Government said these firms should have a comprehensive background in contract compliance reviews, joint venture audits, and auditing petroleum costs within the framework of production sharing contracts and other petroleum related agreements, along with an understanding of their fiscal consequences.

Further, the RFP states that consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services, such as description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, and availability of appropriate

skills among staff.

Under the present Terms of Reference (ToRs), the consultant is invited to fulfill the following scope of works: conducting a pre-audit analysis; devising an effective audit plan inclusive of an appropriate methodology; executing the audit in adherence to the provisions of the Stabroek Block Petroleum Agreement and applicable local laws, regulations, and procedures; as well as international good practices and standards.

The scope also includes conducting verifications of the crude oil valuation pursuant to the provisions of the petroleum agreement for the audit period as well as verifying royalties remitted to the government for the said period.

The selected company will also be required to validate the accuracy of the total government share of petroleum for the period under review, and assessing the impact of the audit on future profit oil revenues.

With respect to experience and required qualifications, the government said the consultant as a firm, or with its partners (local and foreign) combined must have completed at least three similar assignments during the past seven years. Kaieteur News understands that proposed team members should have in-depth international expertise, local and regional knowledge, and access to benchmarking for comparable deep-water environments.

The Audit Team must also consist of professionals who are transfer pricing specialists, financial analysts, tax lawyers, cost accountants, crude oil valuation experts, chartered accountants, Certified Public Accountants, Certified Fraud Examiners, procurement and contracts experts, a partner who specializes in natural resources/risk management, and a partner with expertise

The Stabroek Block which holds 11 billion barrels of oil-equivalent resources

in cost recovery audits in oil and gas.

Interested consultants

may obtain further information by email at jmckenzie@nre.gov.gy or

from the following address: Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Natural

Resources, located at 96 Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

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

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

EDITORIAL

Guyana and its oil wealth

T

he world would love to be declared the richest people on planet earth. All the many billions cannot be. Because that privilege, that pride of place, belongs to Guyanese. All the expert economists and statisticians, all the veteran analysts and academics, unanimously conclude that the Guyanese people are the richest anywhere.

On this single point, there has not been any argument or disagreement from any source, local or foreign. In the midst of glorious and mouth-watering numbers about Guyana, there is the jarring reality of most Guyanese living in the same manner. They are poor and struggling, trying to catch up but always falling behind, with the circumstances that local life has forced them to grapple.

To our Guyanese audience, there is this simple message.

The richest people in the universe are dragging by their behinds, as they are pierced and badly wounded by the challenges and traumas of daily living in Guyana. The wounded are not from other countries, they are those born and bred here. Living in Guyana for the majority of Guyanese has many limbs, and they are all connected in some manner that cripple citizens further: cost of living, quality of life, and standard of living all rear their heads up and stare intimidatingly at locals. It is not what should be.

This certainly ought not to be the situation for people deemed to be economically on top of the world, regardless of the computation used, or who is doing it.

A stranger, one who is out of touch, may ask why this is so, how this could be so for the richest citizens anywhere on the globe. How could this be the case for Guyanese who are richer per person than Americans, richer per head than Saudi Arabians and Europeans and Mongolians, some of whom (the latter) also have vast natural resources gifts. The answers are many: leadership incompetence, government impotence, individual and group malfeasance, crooked indulgence, and citizen concurrence.

Truth be told, incompetence and impotence and malfeasance and indulgence are as old as time. But they only endure as long as they do, and as much as they do, because of citizen concurrence.

One of the lessons of history is that when citizens sit on their hands in docile resignation, then all the wrongs that can be imagined come about, take deep hold. Another lesson is that when citizens, who empower political leaders, become so fascinated by, and fastened to, them, they (the citizens left on their own and in the dust) contribute to their own despairing circumstances.

When they allow the empowered to deceive and mislead them, citizens participate in their own impoverishment, their own woeful self-destruction, that does not have to be.

Guyana has all the oil that a country with this size population can dream of, ever hope to inherit. The oil is real, every single barrel of it. This is without a glance at the highly likely many billions more of oil equivalents lying under the seabed. To this point, this oil wealth has been battered by more than political mismanagement and governmental paralysis.

This great wealth has been mangled by one leadership mishap and monstrosity after another. Secrecies and tricks have been the norm in the oil sector, with twisted political lips delivering distortions by the barrel. Reviews and reports on the business are withheld.

Oversight and controls are nothing but a joke, a worldwide embarrassment. Instead of leaders clearing the air, they prefer cursing those who question what is going on, why things are the way they are.

This is now the standard of oil governance, the record of what stands for getting the best out of this greatest of national patrimonies. To all Guyanese, we offer a truth.

This is the family’s wealth, which is being played games with, where the few enrich themselves, while hunger and need stalk numerous homes.

Friday February 09, 2024

Teachers, your cause is just DEAR EDITOR, In recent correspondence I adverted to an unfolding tragedy in Guyana. It is the fact that many of us in August 2020, felt that notwithstanding the hubris of our political parties that we should give young President Ali an opportunity to overcome the horrors and hurt of the past and give him an opportunity to manifest the aspirations of Guyanese everywhere to heal this nation.

An aspiration that should be easy since the nation-state now has enormous financial resources and some of us at home and abroad were growing tired of the stress of this never ending political tug-o-war. But the recent events too numerous to detail, suggest that the President and his Cabinet have derailed, dismantled

and damaged any prospect to put this country on the royal road to glory, goodness and the realisation of being One People, One Nation and One Destiny.

Are Satanic Forces at w o r k ? We h a v e t h e announcement that we are now harvesting 650,000 barrels of oil daily. With gas reserves in magnificent proportions, extraction of gold, manganese, diamonds, bauxite and timber, where the shareholders, Europe, Asia and North America are joyful for their investment in Guyana.

Our leaders justifiably boast we are the fastest growing economy on mother-earth, yet the people responsible for moulding the character and imparting knowledge to this and future generations, our Teachers, have been forced to take

strike action to demand a decent living wage to cope with the increasing and out of control cost of living.

But what is bothersome and unbelievable is that the PPP founded for championing the cause of the working class, is now refusing to grant Teachers a reasonable living wage betraying the underlying philosophy of the founding fathers of our working class movement.

Guyana signed on many years ago to the various conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). When I held the portfolio for Labour, at Meetings of the ILO, representatives of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) supported and signed on to the idea that a Government must do nothing to frustrate

organised labour and that Unions representing workers must at all times be consulted on matters that affect those members of the respected Trade Unions.

How come against that background can a PPP Government Ministry write the Guyana Teachers Union telling them that they will stop deductions of the membership to the Union.

Flagrant breach of our Constitution and a violation of the many ILO Conventions.

The President and his elite group have faltered, failed and fallen flat on their faces and one wonders why they are doing this to the workers and the people of this now rich country.

Yesterday’s State-controlled Chronicle, published a letter asking the GTU to engage in (Continued on page 06)

Unfair Criticism of USA and India Visa Delay or Denial DEAR EDITOR, Recent commentaries unfairly criticized the United States and India on issuance of visas. Few countries are as generous as India and USA (and Canada) in granting tourist or sports or investment visas. Almost every Guyanese seeks a visa (or migrate permanently) to America or Canada, as I found in widespread conversations. If there ever were visa free entry to USA or Canada, Guyana will become empty; even the nationalists and communists may pack up and leave for life in the imperialist countries.

Every country has visa or entry restrictions in order to vet the applicant and or monitor his or her movements for national security reasons. Since 9/11, USA Consulates have been cautious about issuing visas, vetting every applicant. And since 13/12, India’s version of 9/11 also in 2001 when terrorists from across the border attacked the parliament, India has been careful about visa issuance, investigating applicants including sports personalities. British cricketer Shoaib Bashir does not enjoy special privileges or exemption from vetting and was not denied a visa.

Most countries require a visa for entry into its territory unless there is an exemption.

Visas are

granted on line or in person following an application process. The Consulate of the issuing country in a host country decides on visa issuance — to grant or to reject on the advice of the foreign ministry. The same holds true for Guyana.

For USA and Indian visas, as is the case for all countries, one has to file an application and be interviewed; a fee is also required. For USA, the fee is required for an appointment for an interview; it is non refundable. For India, the fee is paid at issuance of the visa.

Non-immigrant visas fall under tourist, in transit, work, sports, business, investment, entertainment, or other. The process could take days or even weeks depending on the country.

There are also emergency visas that can be granted the same day.

Many applicants in Guyana for USA visas were indeed denied. Visa issuance is at the discretion of the Consular section of the e m b a s s y. A n d s o m e applicants were denied a visa because of risks of overstaying in USA and or viewed as a threat to the security of the American homeland or failed to demonstrate strong ties to their own country.

India is not known to deny any Guyanese applicant a visa. In fact, India granted hundreds of visas annually over the last

several decades for various purposes including for studies on India government scholarships; several cricketers from Guyana and around the region received visas to play in India. And India rarely denies anyone in any part of the globe a visa unless the person is a threat t o n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y.

Depending on the applicant and his or her and ancestral history, the process could take some time as there has to be a thorough investigation of the individual’s background.

That is normal for all countries.

America, Canada and Western countries all have similar rules on visa issuance. In India, as is also the case in western developed countries, there is an investigation of the applicant including family history irrespective of race or religion. No one is exempt. I am a kind of Indologist and an indophile, and my history was also investigated before a visa was issued to me when I first visited the homeland as a visiting scholar in 1985.

Subsequently, when I went to India multiple times as a tourist, student, volunteer and lecturer, my application for a visa was thoroughly vetted. And when I was nominated for a national award from the Indian government for diaspora volunteerism, my ancestral

link was investigated. An Indian agent interviewed a member of an ancestral relative about their and my history. With regards to the delay of issuance of a visa to Shoaib Bashir, it is noted that he was granted a visa and played in the second test that England lost. Rehan Ahmed was granted a visa and he played in the first and second tests. Moean Ali and Adil Rashid were granted visas to play for England in India multiple times as well as in the IPL. Bashir ’s visa processing unfortunately took extra time. Regrettably, India’s bureaucracy moved slowly on the request. It was a Consulate issue that has nothing to do with Prime Minister Modi who was also unfairly and unjustifiably criticized about his leadership.

Mr Modi has been deemed to be the most popular political leader according to an opinion survey carried out by Morning Consult, an American polling company.

Annual surveys going back to 2015 found his approval rating above 80%. Polls by Indian psephologists also found him to be most popular politician in India in decades as indeed I found in surveys I conducted from 2014 when he was a candidate for office and after he became PM. Yours truly Dr Vishnu Bisram

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

PAGE 05

Our national security, the integrity of our borders and their protection is not a matter for political gamesmanship DEAR EDITOR, Retired Rear Admiral, Gary Best,has been provided space by Denis Chabrol,who publishes Demerara Waves, to express a series of opinions on the matter of Guyana’s national security.

In earlier days I knew and worked with Gary Best in the world of rugby and, even then, I knew him to be unpredictable, controversial and self-centered. He hasn’t changed.

He always was and remains a hardcore supporter of the People’s National Congress and, in fact, sits on the Central Executive Committee of that party. He was, however, appointed to serve as Chief-of-Staff, the Head of our Defence Forces, by the PPP government from September 2007 – September 2013.Given that fact, for him to now attack the recent Budget of failing to provide sufficient funds “to secure the nation state of Guyana and its citizens” in the context of the Maduro government’s declared threat to annex the Essequibo is not only sheer nonsense but reckless and irresponsible as a former defence chief. In doing so, he plays to the propaganda of Maduro.

Our national security, the integrity of our borders and their protection is not a matter for political gamesmanship and Gary Best should be ashamed of h i m s e l f b e c a u s e h e ’s knowledgeable enough to know better. It can be argued that, in recent years, previous governments, including that of the APNU/AFC, have neglected to budget enough money for the country’s security forces, both GDF and the Police, perhaps, because we are a nation of peace with no aggressive intentions towards our neighbouring countries, but that is not now the case. In fact, the Budget has doubled, that is, increased by 100% the funding for the Guyana Defence Force for purely

defensive purposes because w e a r e t h e t a rg e t o f aggression from the current Venezuelan government and have been from Suriname.

It’s worth remembering that the only actual border war we have ever fought was in removing an attempted Surinamese occupation of the New River Triangle at which my late brother Martin was the on-site Commander and, fortuitously, there was no loss of life on either side.

Best goes on, in his Opinion, playing politics by accusing the PPP of having “‘wished away’ this existential danger to Guyana for 23 years while in office” while forgetting the fact that it was the People’s National Congress, under Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, that signed on to the Geneva Agreement, which, to this day, is conveniently misinterpreted by the Maduro government.

To be fair to Burnham, however, it was in response t o t h e Ve n e z u e l a n government in 1962 unilaterally declaring the 1899 Boundary Award to be null and void on the eve of Guyana being granted Independence, that the British government, which had responsibility for British Guiana’s external relations, in 1966,which entered into the Geneva Agreement with the concurrence of the government of British Guiana, to seek what was described then as “satisfactory solutions for the practical settlement of the controversy between Venezuela and the United Kingdom”.

Not satisfied, Best then attempts to emphasise what he calls the “frailty of the Argyle Declaration”. For Best to seriously believe, never mind argue, that the result of the meeting in Argyle could have been an agreement entirely in favour of Guyana, suggests that he lives in cloud coo-coo land or displays a degree of naivety in the business of negotiating controversial

international agreements that is not expected from a former Chief-of-Staff.

Before the Declaration of Argyle, the likelihood of a Venezuelan invasion of the Essequibo was very real indeed. At Argyle, Maduro was forced to agree that “Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States” and “with any controversies between the two States will be resolved in accordance with international law”. Further, Guyana’s commitment “to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border controversy” was placed on record and recognized by the Declaration. Best behaves as though our government is not perfectly aware that Maduro was promised, in Barbados last October, the withdrawal of US government sanctions on Venezuela’s oil exports on condition that he conducts free and fair elections but, instead, he has manipulated a Venezuelan Supreme Court ban on his major political opponent, Opposition Leader, Maria Machado, and is now faced with the immediate shutdown of US government support and may well, therefore, be driven to violate all of the commitments he has made in the Argyle Declaration. In fact, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, said as much at his Press Conference last week when journalists asked his opinion on Maduro’s violation of his Barbados pledge, in warning, the Tr i n i d a d & To b a g o government to be very cautious in dealing with Venezuela on the Dragon oil

deal. For Best to suggest, therefore, that millions of dollars must suddenly be poured in to building the Defence Force in order to go to war with Venezuela is unbelievably foolish.

Guyana’s primary defence against Venezuela is the exercise of diplomacy, reliance on international law and commitment to the ruling of the International Court of Justice.

Best must recognise that all but one South American nation has declared its unqualified opposition to Venezuela’s claim on the Essequibo. The United Kingdom and, indeed, the C o m m o n w e a l t h C o m m u n i t y, a n d t h e government of France, have all declared their active support for Guyana. When British Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean, D a v i d R u t l e y, v i s i t e d Guyana in December last year he was unequivocal in declaring that “the UK will continue to work with partners in the region, as well as through international bodies, to ensure the territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld”.

Best must recognise that the US government has made its position pellucid.In J a n u a r y, U S D e p u t y Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for the Western Hemisphere at the US Department of Defense, Daniel P. Erikson, responsible

for US Defense and Security Policy for the Region, including Canada, Mexico, South and Central America and the Caribbean, in his first trip overseas this year visited Guyana underlining the US government’s defense and security partnership with our country. Last Sunday (4th February) US Deputy National Security Advisor, Jon Finer (described as a heavyweight in the Biden administration), emphasised the fact that the US and Guyana were “deepening our defence cooperation” to preserve Guyana’s borders and for Guyana to be able to defend its territorial integrity.

The message is clear and represents the policy position of the Biden Democrat administration. But, what of the US Republican party?

US Senator, Marco Rubio, a powerful Republican voice of the US Senate on Foreign Relations on Latin America matters has declared his support for the Biden’s administration joint military operations in Guyana after having met, l a s t S e p t e m b e r, w i t h President Ali. Rubio has called Maduro a “narco dictator”and the Maduro Referendum to annex the Essequibo as a “sham”.

And what of Guyana’s own preparation to defend itself? It’s clear from the recent meetings between Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan and US

Southern Command Air Force Commander, Major General Evan Pettus, that we are well advised and well prepared to utilize the detection technology of modern warfare to be forewarned and forearmed against any attempt by Venezuela at a military invasion of our country.

Gary Best is well aware of all of this, yet he indulges in the puerile political foolishness of claiming our government “has no policy for the defence of Guyana”.

Let me conclude by reminding Gary Best that in furtherance of the Argyle Declaration, the Foreign Ministers of Guyana and Venezuela have concluded their first meeting held under the auspices of the government of Brazil in Brazil when Foreign M i n i s t e r, H u g h To d d , underlined the fact that Guyana, at that meeting firmly “reiterated our support and commitment to the UN Charter, with the respect for international law, and the 1966 Geneva Agreement” and later in a following statement reaffirmed that “Guyana maintained that the settlement of this controversy was properly before the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the Geneva Agreement”.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Kaieteur News

PAGE 06

Friday February 09, 2024

Jagdeo beats around the bush on meeting with GTU for salary Another human remains sighting negotiations for teachers Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday dodged questions on whether the government will at some point engage the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) to negotiate increase in salaries and other co0nditions.

The VP instead claimed that the government has met about 60 percent of the union’s demands as it relates to creating better working conditions for teachers.

“Not everything has to be about wages, it could be about training of teachers, scholarships for teachers, it should be about housing for teachers. The 100 billion we spend on house lots, teachers will also benefit from that, the road we build for communities teachers will also benefit from that…” Jagdeo told a press conference even as the GTU marked day four of its planned nationwide teacher strike and protest action. The GTU has been lobbying the government for improved wages for teachers.

However, when he was asked about the 50 percent increase which he, [the Vice President] lobbied for, for teachers, while he was in Opposition, Jagdeo told the press that the public needs to forget about the 50 percent, since his government has been engaging union on other important matters.

“Forget the 50 percent; they [the union] couldn’t even meet with APNU, Coretta McDonald said it herself…. They had more

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

engagements with us than they had under APNU… So I have great credibility with that and I have numbers to show.”

Further defending the decision to not to engage the union in the collective bargaining process, the VP said that the PPP-led government now views the union as a political tool. Jagdeo asserted: “Now that I had chance to go through in great detail with the state of the union with this state of affairs this is not a credible body anymore. This seems to be a corrupt body and a political unit…” The Vice President also sought to defend the ministry‘s position to stop remitting teacher monthly dues to the union. According to Jagdeo, the remittance of dues was a courtesy that the government extended to the union. “So now, we are not going to support anyone who is going to divide our people for a political reason,” he added. Govt. has means to pay teachers better Meanwhile, in a statement on Thursday, the A

Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for C h a n g e (APNU/AFC) Opposition party, noted that with prudent management of the country’s financial resources, it is entirely feasible and possible to allocate more funds to dedicated public servants, including, teachers, nurses, doctors and disciplined servicemen and women.

The APNU/AFC noted that a careful analysis of the government’s recurrent expenditure, which is where wages and salaries are catered for in the budget, reveals significant room for optimization and reallocation of resources to pay all public servants a significant increase. “The current regime’s recurrent expenditure in 2024 amounts to $480 billion, a substantial sum. By scrutinising budget lines and identifying areas of with excessive expenditure… it becomes evident that prudent management can yield substantial savings without compromising essential services or benefits.” “For instance, if we maintain certain budget lines at their 2023 levels, where justified, or even consider a 5% increase, we could redirect approximately $20 billion towards improving the lives of hardworking taxpayers in Guyana. This can be achieved without imposing undue strain on the overall budget sum of $1.146 trillion,” the Opposition party posited in its statement.

DEAR EDITOR Another case of human remains found by members of the public not being reported promptly to the authorities.

In the first instance it was several weeks.

In the latest the remains were observed on

Tuesday but only reported on Thursday.

These cases so close, speak of a public failing in its public duty. Is it a criminal offence not to report such sighting promptly?

Sincerely Shamshun Mohamed

Teachers, your cause is just...

From page 04 constructive dialogue instead of strike action.

The GTU overtime has been rebuffed by the Government who prefer with the President in the lead to ignore the Union but deal with handpicked teachers. Here the President has faltered, failed and fallen on his face.

Let me remind those who may not know or have forgotten, the State-media accuses the Secretary of the GTU, Ms. Coretta Mc Donald of calling the strike for political purposes.

The evidence, they say, is because she happens to be a PNC Member of the Parliament, suggesting this as a disqualification for her advocacy to ease the pain and privation that Teachers in the public sector now face.

The PPP has posted placards, naming Dr. Jagan as a Father of the Nation. Dr. Jagan began his stewardship within the Trade Union Movement and gained a seat in the 1947 House of Assembly because he championed the rights of oppressed workers. I remember looking from the window at Queens College in Brickdam in 1948, seeing Dr. Jagan addressing an assembled group of persons, just west and outside of the Durban Park Race Course, where the hearses bearing the bodies of the five Enmore Martyrs had stopped before proceeding south to their final resting place in the Le Repentir Cemetery. I recognised Dr. Jagan and Jane Phillips-Gay, supporters of organised workers.

Our other political leader, Forbes Burnham also entered the political arena through the doors of the Trade Union Movement and was at one time President of the Guyana Labour Union founded by none other than Hubert Nataniel Critchlow, the father of Trade Unionism in the British Commonwealth.

Crithchlow himself began his stewardship fighting for the workers on the waterfront and on the sugar estates, but later in 1947 sought political office and contested and won the seat in South Georgetown.

It was Forbes Burnham who initiated and built the Enmore Martyrs Monument.

The Monument which stands majestically at Enmore in vindication of the struggles and sacrifices of workers everywhere in Guyana. We must not let them down by this assault on the Guyana Teachers Union. Others will deal with the absurdity of Government deeming that Teachers strike as illegal.

Earlier, i noted that a pattern of behaviour is similar to those of well known dictators such as Caesar and in our own lifetime, Hitler of Germany and Benito Mussolini of Italy is emerging in Guyana. Workers, white collar and blue collar,irrespective of which political party you support, must say as we did. “They shall not pass.”

What is the State media bleating about Ms. Mc Donald ditting in Parliament on the Opposition side? The President of the sugar workers Union, Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) is a member of our present Parliament sitting on the benches of the PPP Government. .

Fact not fiction. And the PPP controlled

State media must put an end to this faltered, failing and falling on their faces policy of deception and myopia.

But Dear Editor, the faltered, failing and fallen flat on their faces policy continues unabated, so with fanfare the Government announces two MOUs to expand facilities at the Cheddi JaganTimehri International Airport in essence with insinuation of a public, private partnership bearing in mind, the lofty words of the President in his address this week, to the Chamber of Commerce.

Forgetting the failures among earlier adventures where works commenced pre2015 without a solid feasibility study, no proper soil tests, etc and we had the embarrassment of what was styled and a never-done airport with billions wasted.

This week, we also with typical fanfare and flourish, were told that there would be a sugar refinery at Enmore. I believe that those with better knowledge and competence will share with the media and the public what appears to be the nonsense about refined sugar and white sugar and the fact that a refinery requires much energy, which will need to be imported, so to speak and as a layman, why not Albion where power is easily available?

Have we forgotten the mishandling and waste of billions with the Skeldon factory fiasco and are we looking at yet another faltered, failed and fallen on their faces by the PPP Government.

Even as we proceed, half blind, without a proper study of this gas-to-shore project and the green light and forgive the pun being given, even as the International Lending Agencies have not yet pronounced , we now dip into the people’s money to allow what appears to be our new Masters to proceed apace and the people of this country are being told that the light bills will be cut in half, clearly a figment of someone’s imagination.

This means they have faltered, failed and are now fallen flat on their faces.

Let us inform the Government and the Ministry of Education, that it is wrong, and inappropriate that a so-called working class Government should set out to punish a Union representing workers by not deducting Union dues.

This practce of deducting union dues for Trade Unions is an old and respected practice and this action by Government is disgraceful.

They Have faltered, failed and fallen flat on their faces. The President and his Party must tell us if they are now serving a new Master.

In its struggle for Workers rights, exact;y one hundred years ago, Gandhi was released from prison in Bombay.

To Teachers and the GTU, as one of our international stalwarts once said ‘a luta continua.’ - The struggle continues, so that we confront demonic forces to prevent us all from faltering , failing and falling flat on our faces because at the end of the day this and future generations will bear the burdens of a leader who has faltered, failed and fallen flat on his face. Teachers, your cause is just.

Regards Hamilton Green Elder

T N U L B . . .

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B T LUNT. UNT...B BL Friday February 09, 2024

Kaieteur News

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand appeared before non-striking teachers yesterday.

It was a spectacle, a show for the ages.

A political master on top prancing before the 'have nots'.

Google the Gucci bag, it's success, the mark of those in charge.

She can afford to preen and prattle, with that fat, juicy salary, and all those sweet allowances.

There she was showboating and grandstanding before the faithful. The queen looking down her nose at the commoners.

This is the arrogance, the disrespect that drove teachers to the streets.

Priya can celebrate and display her millionaire status.

Teachers must shut up and be contented with the miserly and stingy. She is a symbol of rich oil success. Teachers, the victims of political excess and contempt.

Take a bow, minister.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 8 10

Friday Monday February May 02,09, 2022 2024

Exxon closing shop in Equatorial Guinea to focus on hotspot Guyana – Bloomberg Report A Bloomberg report on Thursday said American oil giant, ExxonMobil plans to leave Equatorial Guinea within months to focus on hotspot Guyana.

The report said Exxon's exit marks the end to almost three decades of oil drilling that transformed the small West African nation into a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Notably, O P E C i s a n intergovernmental organisation of 13 oilexporting developing nations that aims to manage the supply of oil in an effort to set the price of that commodity

on the world market, in an effort to avoid fluctuations t h a t m i g h t a ff e c t t h e economies of both producing and purchasing countries.

The report said Exxon will transfer investments in

adding, “the decision to leave is consistent with ExxonMobil's long-term strategy.”

The company said that strategy entails focusing on the “fastest-growing, lowest-

the country to the government during the second quarter of 2024. “Our focus now is on a safe handover of operations and caring for all impacted by this change,” the company said to Bloomberg via an email,

cost opportunities in places like Guyana and the US Permian Basin.” Just recently, ExxonMobil's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman, Darren Woods boasted about the importance of Guyana's

operations to his company's portfolio.

With Guyana's premium oil assets, and other notable projects in its portfolio, he said, “No other company can match the depth and breadth of development opportunities his company offers.”

The CEO made this comment, among others, during Exxon's 2023 fourth quarter earnings call late last month. During that engagement with shareholders, Woods boasted that the company finished the quarter with US$7.6Billion in profits, with major assistance from Guyana's operations.

With three projects running successfully in Guyana at 645,000 barrels of oil per day, and well ahead of their designed production capacity, Woods expressed

ExxonMobil's CEO, Darren Woods excitement about the prospects of a fourth project in Guyana.

That development called Yellowtail is set to come on stream next year and produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day.

Overall, Exxon and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, are targeting an output of 1.3 million barrels of oil per day by 2027.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

PAGE 09

The strike is about respect

Jagdeo does not get it. He so immersed in his own world and that of his friends that he has become uprooted from the realities faced by the working class.

For him, the teachers strike represents a political salvo by a union which he feels is an Oppositioncontrolled union. He overlooks the fact that it was the same union and under the same leadership that took strike action against the APNU+AFC. Unlike the APNU+AFC which at least gave the appearance of engaging in collective bargaining and then began to filibuster, the PPPC government has refused adamantly to engage in collective bargaining with the Guyana Teachers’ Union on the issue of a multi-year wage package.

The PPPC claims to have been engaging the union on issues relating to benefits and other conditions of service.

It says that agreements were reached on

a number of demands. But the same Ministry of Education last July made it clear that it was the Office of the President that deals with multi-year wages agreement with teachers. The government can hardly therefore contend that it has been negotiating with the union on a multi-year wage package. Any Minister of Education that is told that the Ministry of Education should not handle multi-year wages agreement with teachers, should do the decent thing A multi-year wage package is a desirable development in the relationship between teachers and the government. Such an agreement avoids the union and the government having sit down across a table every year and hammer out increases for workers. It provides stability to the teaching profession because teachers and other educators know just what to expect in

each year when it comes to salaries and benefits.

The PPPC has in the past had multi-year agreements with the GTU. It was under Jagdeo’s Presidency that a multi-year agreement was signed between the government and the GTU for the period 2006-2010 and another agreement signed under the Ramotar administration which covered the period 20112015.

But the present administration has been pussyfooting when it comes to negotiating a multi-year agreement with the teachers.

In a display of total contempt for the union, the government met with a select group of teachers, rather than with the union, to ascertain their concerns.

After that engagement certain benefits and adjustments to the salaries of select categories of teachers were announced. The adjustments were generous but the imposition was a

DEM BOYS SEH

Money nah talking to poor people… yet

O

il come to Guyana and nuff people sliding into prosperity.

But dem wah doing good, wah mekking it big are those who are already rich or in de right sector such as construction, transportation and logistics.

But de small man still gat to deh pon a hustle. De money nah reaching down to he as yet. In fact, he gat things worse dan before because of de cost of living.

De prices jukkin out he eye, lashing he pun he knee and leaving in flat on his

behind.

On top of dat, de mall man can’t even ride he bicycle to work without de fear dat some car or truck or van can knock he down. Is all around de small man getting shafted.

He go into de supermarket and he head swinging… from seeing the prices. And when he draw he box hand, he realize dat he can’t afford dah bed or vanity he had he eyes pon because de price gone up.

Food get more expensive and he family eating less and less than before.

In de meantime, de rich getting richer, and de poor waiting and hoping fuh another cash grant fuh carry dem through de rest of de year. And when Christmas come, dem gan go and line up at de money transfer place fuh see how much dem overseas relatives sending.

De rich creaming off all de benefits of de fastest growing economy in de world. Dem wining and dining with we leaders and dem smiling too, all de way to de bank.

Talk half. Leff half.

flagrant violation of the C o l l e c t i v e B a rg a i n i n g Agreement with the GTU. But this is how the PPPC operates.

It does not believe in collective bargaining because it feels it has the prerogative to determine what increases teachers, public servants and sugar workers should receive.

It imposed a 6.5% increase on these public sector workers last year without any discussions with the GTU, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) or the Guyana Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU).

The government feels somehow that it knows what is best for these workers. It feels that it has the right to tell them what they should receive without any negotiations with the unions.

Naturally, the teachers want an increase in their salaries. Who would not given what is taking place in the overheated economy?

Teachers have not been unreasonable in the past.

When in 1999, public servants were awarded a 31.6% increase in salaries in 1999 following arbitration; the teachers had to settle for a 10% and 12%.

To d a y t e a c h e r s , admittedly, are earning far more than public servants. A trained teacher (and by now the entire education system should have been purged of untrained teachers) is receiving a salary of more than G$200,000. An entry level public servant is not earning half of that.

Therefore, teachers are better off than public servants and they are better off today than they were in 2019. But that is not the point and this is something that Jagdeo probably is incapable of understanding.

This strike is about respect: respect for teachers and their union. The government has no respect for teachers when it refuses to negotiate salary increases for workers but instead imposes those increases. This is what

the strike is all about: it is a demand for collective bargaining, a demand for respect and an end to the government arbitrarily deciding on its own what it will or will not pay to workers.

Teachers need to be shown respect and this is what is not happening because the government has issues with persons within the leadership of the union.

But it is those very persons who also called strike action against the APNU+AFC which at least had the decency to engage in negotiations with the union.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

LALL

Friday Monday February May 02, 09, 2022 2024

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Profits for Exxon, poverty for Guyanese T

he numbers are beautiful, and Exxon is on top of the world. In the event that anyone is wondering where Guyana is, just look towards the bottom.

Guyana is buried down there. The newswires are abuzz: Exxon striking it rich again with US$36 billion in profits for 2023. It is a figure to thrill any shareholder's heart. Guyanese hearts are still hoping. Guyana is ranked the 10 t h richest globally based on GDP by the IMF; sizzling double-digit growth has been recorded the last few years, with more of the same white-hot growth projected.

Yet Guyana's multitudes are still out in the cold.

According to the local economics maestro, Daktah Jagdeo, Guyanese time will come.

It is just not this year. A blip may be in the works for next year, due to crafty elections considerations. It is likely that the money that

cannot be found now, will be found then.

Meanwhile, Exxon is going great guns, and nowadays, they are riproaring and soaring.

In 2023, Exxon's revenues jumped 45%. Y thinking is that the creaming off of billions in expenses that Guyanese are prevented from viewing had a little to do with that development.

Earnings per share for last year was a round US$8.89 per share, which is more than one and a half times what many Guyanese had in their hands to spend per day.

Guyanese are grappling with a scorching and unforgiving cost-of-living setting, practically falling farther and farther behind daily.

In the 10th richest country in the world, with GDP numbers not seen anywhere in recent times, there are too many Guyanese, who are afraid to go food shopping for fear of embarrassing themselves.

In contrast, Exxon was in the top ten of US profit

performers in 2023, occupying 8th place on that chart. The next nearest oil company was Chevron, which was well-positioned in the 12th spot.

This oil major has to be drooling about what its arrival in Guyana could mean for its income statement, and that most watched metric, net profit.

In 2023, Exxon distributed a total of US$32.4 billion to its shareholders. At the current rate of deposits in Guyana's New York-based oil fund, it will be somewhere close to the year 2050 when Guyana would have collected that much in its hands.

The qualifier is that oil holds steady, and does not swoon into one of its customary extended fainting spells.

Whether it is from the company's own corporate communications, or from the financial news networks, Exxon is riding high and handsome from Guyana's oil.

This is while a great many Guyanese are crawling around and scrapping about below the economic radar to eke out a living.

Look at those 2023 numbers for Exxon again.

US$7.6B from the Guyana portion of its operations. In a partnership that calls for a half and half sharing relationship, Guyana didn't even draw close to that US$2B for last year.

From my perspective, half and half with Exxon for Guyana is more of what is in theory, and not what is practiced.

It goes to show how much that hemorrhaging 75% expense subtraction from off the top of Guyana's oil revenues goes to balloon Exxon's oil profits from this country. That expense lake is where the real profits are for Exxon, and where there is room for many kinds of manipulation.

No Guyanese should need any explanation, or anyone to hold their hands, to appreciate why Exxon insists that those expenses stay hidden.

Or, why Vice President Jagdeo skips and hopscotches to help Exxon keep them a secret, even if it

means that he must engage in the venomous while attacking dissenting Guyanese who call for transparency. I venture to remind my fellow citizens of what has surfaced from partial audits of some of Exxon's expenses, and how poorly those made the company look.

I urge interested Guyanese to refresh their minds about the behind-thescenes tricks and deceptions that surrounded that recent US$214M in findings by IHS Markit.

I believe that that went much higher than a foot soldier like Gopnauth “Bobby” Gossai. If for an amount as relatively small as that, then why not for amounts that are bigger, and that have the insulation of being a tightly held secret from the people who are paying, Guyanese?

When pressured to get more for Guyanese by forcing Exxon towards renegotiation of the 2016 contract, Excellency Ali took shelter under the most laughable of slippery constructions: “we are honorable people.” He didn't have to because he already had a good idea of how

honorably (or dishonorably) the company operates here, but President Ali still reassured Exxon. I encourage the same President Ali to impress that business about “honorable people” upon Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who has gone another way in his baseless, obscene attacks on Guyanese who expose both Exxon and him.

When all this is added up, Exxon's numbers from Guyana go up and up.

Over 21% of Exxon's 2023 profits came from Guyana, considering its US$7.6B booty. More than one in five of Exxon's 2023 profit dollars came from Guyana's oil. The reality of Guyanese today is that there is a PPP Government collaborating in every way possible with Exxon. Exxon prospers, Guyanese remain impoverished.

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

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

PAGE 11

MPs want court declare Jagdeo's seat vacant due to his prolonged absence from Parliament

T

wo Opposition Members of Parliament have approached the High Court seeking a declaration that Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo has vacated his seat owing to his prolonged absence from the House.

The court action was filed by MPs, Christopher Jones and Tabitha SaraboHalley who are being represented by Senor Counsel, Roysdale Forde.

“We filed an application with the High Court addressing the prolonged absence of

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo from the National Assembly and from parliamentary sessions (more than six consecutive sittings within the first session 2020- 2024),” Jones said in a statement.

In the application the MPs said good governance relies heavily on the active participation of all elected officials, noting that Articles 54 and 156 1 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana and Standing Order 106 (2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly of

Guyana provides that a seat of a Member of the National Assembly shall be vacated if a member is absent from the sittings in the National Assembly for more than six consecutive sittings of the National Assembly within the First Session (20202 0 2 4 ) o f t h e Tw e l f t h Parliament of Guyana and within a period of no longer than two calendar months.

The Application states that Bharrat Jagdeo was absent for eleven consecutive sittings of the National Assembly from 11th December, 2023 to the 1st February, 2024.

This being within the First Session (2020-2024) of the Twelfth Parliament of

Guyana.

The application particularly urges the Court to consider the constitutional and legal implications of Jagdeo's absence from parliamentary sessions and make several declarations including: A. Declaration that Bharrat Jagdeo, the Third Named Respondent has vacated his seat in the National Assembly by virtue of the conjoint effect and operation of Articles 54 and 156 1 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana and Standing Order 106 (2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly of Guyana as a result of being absent from the sittings in

the National Assembly for more than six (6) consecutive sittings of the National Assembly within the First Session (20202 0 2 4 ) o f t h e Tw e l f t h Parliament of Guyana and within a period of no longer than two calendar months.

B. A Declaration that Bharrat Jagdeo, the Third Named Respondent by virtue of the conjoint effect and operation of Articles 54 and 156 1 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana and Standing Order 106 (2) of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly of Guyana has vacated his seat in the National Assembly as a result of being absent from the sittings in the National

Assembly for more than six (6) consecutive sittings within the First Session (2020-2024) of the Twelfth Parliament of Guyana and within a period of no longer than two calendar months and has consequently ceased to be by virtue of Article 183 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana: (i) a member of the Cabinet of Guyana (ii) to hold the offices of Vice President and Minister of the Government of Guyana The application seeks to uphold the Constitution of Guyana and to secure the integrity of the parliamentary system, in our beloved country- Guyana.

Scotiabank and Habitat for Humanity partner to equip young people “Hinterland teachers deserve with construction skills …Region One educators chant

Scotiabank has donated $3,875,000 towards a youth focused skills training programme facilitated by Habitat for Humanity for persons ages 16-30 years.

Participants are benefitting from Construction Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction Training, which began on February 3, 2024, the bank said in a press release.

“We firmly believe that for real transformation to take place, focus must be on youth development. Guyana has been experiencing a rapid rate of expansion of the construction industry in recent years. This, paired with the need for the advancement in skills of those who service this industry provided a great opportunity for empowering the youth to contribute to this industry and national development. The youth and young adults with minimum construction skills will be building their capacity through a very intensive construction technology course, which also adds to community empowerment.

We are honoured to partner with Scotiabank to deliver this training programme to the youth of Guyana,” stated Jennifer Massiah, National Director Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago.

“Scotiabank believes in investing in the youth of Guyana. With this programme, there will be an increased number of persons, in particular youth with the technical know-how to engage in resilient construction practices, further supporting their

employability and financial independence,” commented Nafeeza Gaffoor, Country M a n a g e r, S c o t i a b a n k Guyana.

According to the bank, through its partnership with Habitat for Humanity, “we are seeking to increase the economic resilience of our country's youth, so that they can get on, stay on or rise-up the economic ladder to better futures,” she concluded. The Construction Technology Training (CTT) course, offered free of charge to participants, is structured to address the existing knowledge gap within the industry, in particular regard to resilient building methodologies.

The course will introduce participants to important theoretical aspects of construction, covering aspects such as understanding structural and architectural drawings, health and safety, concrete technology, foundations and walls.”

The practical aspect of the course will aim to develop dexterity through on-site sessions, where participants physically engage in core construction areas of building set out, block laying, plastering and wooden roof construction, giving each participant an immersive experience in the field of construction.

The Disaster Risk Reduction Training is aimed at increasing the knowledge and awareness of disasters, the importance of preparedness and the role it plays in the preservation life and property in the event of a disaster.

better”

during ongoing protests

As the strike by teachers continues across the country, dozens of the educators in the North West District braved the heat to join their colleagues on the Coastland in protest this week as they called on the government for an increase in their salaries, among other demands.

“Teachers deserve respect and fair pay,” one placard read at Moruca. “Stop the victimization, we need collective bargaining,” another at Port Kaituma read.

On Thursday morning, teachers from schools within the Moruca sub region gathered in front of the Department of Education building at Santa Rosa bearing their placards as they chanted and called on the Ministry

of Education to address their concerns.

Reports are that teachers from the villages of Manawarin, Karaburi, Santa Rosa, Kwebana, Chinese Landing and Wicarebe are on strike. The teachers from those communities were among those on the picket line at Santa Rosa on Wednesday and Thursday.

According to reports, while more than 90% of the teachers from the schools are participating in the strike, a few junior teachers, some of whom are fearful of being dismissed from the job, have turned up for work. The teachers told this publication that they will continue the strike action in support of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) until their concerns are heard and addressed by the government. They said

more teachers will be joining the protest next week. Over at Port Kaituma the teachers gathered opposite the Education Department building on Wednesday and Thursday for the fourth consecutive day as they protested for an increase in their salaries among other demands. “We the teachers of this lovely ONE GUYANA deserve to be respected,” one placard read while another stated “Just listen so we don't have to do this again. We need better salaries,” another stated.

Teachers from the Port Kaituma primary, secondary and nursery schools as well as the Falls Top Primary and Canal Bank Nursery schools took part in the protest this week.Teachers from (Continuned on page 13)

Teachers of Moruca during protest action this week

PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

VP Jagdeo defends Exxon hiding new discovery figures Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday defended ExxonMobil Guyana Limited's decision to no longer focus on updating the nation about the barrels of oil found at new discoveries. The chief policymaker for the sector said he agrees with the company's decision to channel its energies towards monetizing those resources

already unlocked in the Stabroek Block.

During a press conference at Office of the President, the Vice President said the question of Exxon's update of the resources is not as serious an issue as it is being made out to be by some industry stakeholders.

He said Exxon's announcement, or lack thereof, will not change the

fact that there is a discovery already there for the benefit for the country.

“It's just a (matter of) timing when we increase our reserves or not…In fact, they (Exxon) have a greater kind of need to do that because globally… they look at your reserve and that helps to move stock prices for Exxon but they've decided that they want to focus more on

appraisals as to how many barrels are in these discoveries, etc,” said the Vice President.

Overall, he said Exxon's move to focus on monetizing the discovered resources is a logical step.

Head of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge had said on Tuesday that his company is no longer focused on providing updates on the number of barrels added to its resource base following a rash of discoveries in 2022 and 2023.

This newspaper previously reported that the company's last resource count, dated April 26, 2022, declared the recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block at nearly 11 billion oilequivalent barrels, following discoveries at the Barreleye1, Patwa-1, and Lukanani-1 wells. However, since then, Exxon has announced seven more significant discoveries.

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo In 2022, Exxon announced four more discoveries at the Stabroek Block – at the Seabob-1 and Kiru-Kiru-1 wells in July of that year, followed by discoveries at the Sailfin-1 and Yarrow-1 wells in October. Moving into 2023, Exxon continued its successful exploration streak with discoveries at the Fangtooth SE, Lancetfish-1,

and Lancetfish-2 wells. The Fangtooth SE well, particularly notable as an appraisal well of the Fangtooth-1 discovery, is part of consideration for ExxonMobil's seventh Stabroek Block development.

Despite these advancements, ExxonMobil has maintained the same resource estimate.

Govt. spending $70M to repair three revetments, clear farmlands T

he government through the Ministry of Agriculture is looking to spend over $70M to build some three revetments on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two and to clear farmlands in Linden Region Ten. An advertisement was published in the local newspapers inviting contractors to bid for the projects which fall under the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Government's engineer estimates that it will cost some $37.7 million to rehabilitate three revetments on the Essequibo coast.

These revetments are located at Devonshire Castle, Somerset & Berks and Cozier. For the clearing of

The Ministry of Agriculture's invitation for bids farmlands in Linden, the engineer estimates that those works will cost $35.6 million.

The farmlands are located in Muritaro and Malali, Linden and entails

clearing of the lands and excavation works.

The excavation works will cost a total of $18 million for both location while the land clearing will cost $17.6 million dollars.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

PAGE 13

Exxon will know by year-end which project will fill capacity of gas pipeline H

e a d o f ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Alistair Routledge assured this week that his company has a keen interest in selecting an appropriate project that could help fill the pipeline for the US$1.7B gas-to-energy project.

The current structure of the gas project entails the transportation of 50 million standard cubic feet of gas per day through a 12 inch diameter pipeline.

That pipeline will have an offshore component that will take the natural gas from the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two projects in the Stabroek Block, through the onshore aspect of the pipeline which will connect to facilities at the Wales Development Site. Notably, Exxon is responsible for building the pipeline which has a capacity to take a maximum of 130 million

standard cubic feet of gas per day. Kaieteur News recently asked Routledge to state what project in the Stabroek Block would be tapped to bring in the additional 80 million cubic feet of gas to utilise the full capacity of the pipeline. Routledge said, “I can assure you that we are as motivated as the government to fill the pipeline.

We are a great believer that if you invest in an asset, you want to use it as fully as you can and there is no difference here with the gasto-energy pipeline.”

He added, “But we are working with government and looking at the developed or developing resources.”

Routledge said the Yellowtail, Uaru and even the Whiptail project that is awaiting approval, form part of the evaluation process.

F u r t h e r, R o u t l e d g e explained that discussions entail ascertaining how much

Sky High Aviation Services to launch connecting flight from Dominican Republic to Guyana S k y H i g h Av i a t i o n Services will launch three weekly flights connecting the Dominican Republic with Guyana, starting February 18, 2024, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport has said.

This service will provide convenient and affordable travel options for business and leisure passengers.

The new routes, operated by a comfortable Embraer 190 with 97 seats (9 Business Class, 88 Economy Class), will offer seamless connections between Santo Domingo's Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) and Georgetown's Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).This enhanced connectivity is expected to boost tourism, trade, and investment between the two nations, offering exciting opportunities for cultural exchange and economic growth. "We are thrilled to welcome Sky High Aviation Services to Guyana's aviation landscape," stated Bishop Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works. He added, "This new route aligns with our vision of fostering regional integration and creating a robust air transportation network. We are confident it will significantly contribute to increased tourism, trade, and

investment, further propelling Guyana's development."

Sanjeev Datadin, Chairman of the CJIA Board of Directors, echoed the Minister's enthusiasm: "The addition of Sky High Aviation Services to CJIA's portfolio of airlines demonstrates the growing confidence in Guyana's aviation industry.

This new route will provide passengers with more travel options, create employment opportunities, and stimulate economic activity within the region."

S k y H i g h Av i a t i o n Services is a Dominican Republic-based airline offering scheduled passenger and cargo services across the Caribbean, Venezuela, and the United States. The current route network includes flights to Miami, Caracas, Maracaibo, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Anguilla, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guyana, Santiago and Havana Cuba, among other destinations. With a focus on s a f e t y, r e l i a b i l i t y, a n d exceptional customer service, Sky High is committed to connecting people and cultures while contributing to the economic development of the regions it serves.

gas is needed to ensure the company maximises the recovery of the liquids “and then see if we can free up some other gas molecules to flow into the pipeline.”

He said, “I am sure by later this year we will have some better answers on what project will be used to fill the pipeline…” Routledge said what needs to happen in tandem with this increase is ensuring that there are the requisite facilities to take the additional gas, along with the right markets. “None of us

wants to invest more money in bringing the gas to shore when there is no off take onshore. So it has to be an ongoing collaborative discussion,” said the Country Manager.

In providing an update on the progress of the project, Routledge reminded that Exxon is responsible for building out the pipeline network which is expected to cost about US$1B. He noted that his company remains on track to complete the works it is

responsible for and deliver gas to Guyana by year-end.

Routledge said the onshore portion of the pipeline is 40 percent complete while the offshore portion is 55 percent finished. “…So the work ahead of us this year is to install the risers on the FPSOs (floating, production, storage and offloading vessels), lay the pipeline in the deepwater, complete the ultra shallow (water portion) and then connect to onshore,” the Country Manager said.

ExxonMobil Guyana Head, Alistair Routledge

“Hinterland teachers deserve better” From page 11 the Four Miles Nursery stayed home in support of their striking colleagues.”Well better living conditions at the teachers quarters, Port Kaituma Primary School is in need of an extention or we would say a new school, because that building was once an old dormitory which they refurbished,” a teacher noted.

“But that current building can't accommodate the children. As of recently we had 3 classes moved to the Amerindian Hostel because of space,” she added.

At the town of Mabaruma, the mood among teachers this week has been one of concern and anger as they expressed themselves on the picket line in front of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building since Monday when the countrywide protests started.

According to the GTU, 100% of the staff of several schools within the Mabaruma sub-region are on strike. Those schools include the White Water Primary, St. Mary's Primary, St Peter and Paul's Primary at Morawhanna, Wauna Primary, Mabaruma Nursery, and Hotoquai Primary. The GTU said 90% of staff of the Sacred Heart Primary and St Anthony's

Primary have taken industrial action. The union noted that staff of the Hosororo Primary, Koberimo Primary are among those on strike. IT was noted too that more than 80% of the staff of the region's premier secondary school, the North West Secondary School, are on strike.

Reports are that the teachers in Region One have vowed to continue their protest despite threats from education officials, some of whom have journeyed to villages such as Kwebana and Manawarin and told staff this week that they will be dismissed from the profession for taking part in the strike. It was noted too that the education departments in the three sub regions have been sending their staff to take photographs by grouping the students in attendance at schools into classrooms to gave an impression of large turnout of students.

Teachers at Mabaruma told this publication that the strike is likely to have an impact on the schools Mashramani Competition since preparations for the event have been affected by the ongoing strike.

The GTU noted that a number of schools at Region One including those in riverine areas have joined the strike, as the union fights for its demands from the government.

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

Antimicrobial resistance, and climate change key issues for the Americas at 154th WHO Executive Board Geneva, Switzerland, 27 January 2024 (PAHO) – Accelerating action to tackle the escalating threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and ensuring that health equity is taken into consideration in national climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts were among the top issues discussed at the World Health Organization's 154th Executive Board this week in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the region, we “recognize that the escalating threat posed by AMR demands our unwavering attention and concerted efforts,” PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said in a session on accelerating national and global responses to AMR. While 83% of countries of the Americas have a multisectoral antimicrobial resistance national action plan, “only 46% of these are being implemented effectively,” he added.

Countries must therefore work in collaboration with each other and with United Nations agencies and civil society organizations to “tackle this issue both at the regional and global level.”

During a session on climate change and health, the PAHO Director highlighted the particular vulnerability of the Americas to climaterelated effects and disasters.

“Populations in situations of v u l n e r a b i l i t y, f u t u r e generations and those living in susceptible territories such as Small Island Developing States or the Amazon rainforest – those least responsible for climate change – bear the brunt of its impacts,” he said.

Dr. Barbosa underscored that while there have been advances towards tackling the health imp a c t o f c l i m a t e change in the Region, i n c l u d i n g a collaboration with the European Union and the Green Climate Fund to help Member States

ensure climate-resilient health care systems, “progress has been unequal.”

It is therefore crucial that health sectors “integrate equity considerations into adaptation and mitigation efforts, thus contributing to a more just, sustainable and healthy future for all.”

During the Executive Board, which took place from 22-27 January in Geneva, Member States also discussed progress and challenges towards achieving immunization targets, as well as improving preparedness and response to health emergencies and disasters.

Dr. Barbosa held several bilateral meetings with representatives from countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to discuss priority issues, including health emergencies, the importance of addressing noncommunicable diseases and mental health, and dengue outbreaks, among other important topics.

Dr. Barbosa also met with the International Hospital Federation (IHR) to discuss the collaboration to strengthen hospital management in Latin America and the Caribbean.

During meetings with the Group of Member States of the Americas (GRUA) on 22-23 January, countries discussed priority issues, including the 14th General Program of Work (2025-2028), the need to ensure equitable distribution of funds among WHO regions, and health emergencies, among others.

The WHO Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms.

The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly, and to advise and facilitate its work.

The current Board comprises six Member States from the Americas: Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, Peru and the United States.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

PAGE 15

Empty classrooms, ...as teacher’s big crowds strike intensifies O

life, you will very well have some parents in this crowd…they are all showing solidarity to the teachers.”

The GTU President in a message to the Government said, “It would be wise to try and end this earliest.”

Teachers showed up in their numbers to protest, in front of the Ministry of Education office located on Brickdam. From Essequibo Coast, Region Two to Linden Region 10, teachers echoed chants for fair compensation and respect for educators' vital role in society.

N o t a b l y, e v e n a s accusations of political motives surfaced, teachers stood firm in their pursuit of a livable wage, emphasizing the nonpartisan nature of their struggle.

The crowd in Essequibo Coast saw a notable increase with over 250 persons including teachers protesting in front of the Regional Education Office in Cotton (Continued on page 18)

Teachers and others gathered under the band nearby the Regional Education Office in Cotton Field

n the fourth day of the nationwide teachers' strike, solidarity soared as hundreds more educators joined the cause, amplifying calls for improved salaries and working conditions.

The strike, which began on Monday is aimed at bringing Government to initiate discussions with the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to improve teachers' salaries and other working conditions. Mark Lyte, President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), yesterday noted a doubling in crowd size.

“A lot of teachers are outside for four days, the children are suffering who would want children not to be taught so this is not really prudent for this to go on longer,” he said.

Lyte continued by saying, “Well corporate Guyana is behind us, we have received so many calls and so many support from people of all walks of

GTU's General Secretary, Coretta McDonald addressing the teachers in Essequibo Cooking continues in Region Two

Port Kaituma Teachers came out again on Thursday

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

Friday February 09, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 09, 2024

Kaieteur News

Empty classrooms...

Bartica, Region Seven teachers protesting on day four of nationwide strike for better serials

Day four of teachers’ protest in Fort Wellington

From page 15 F i e l d , R e g i o n Tw o .

According to a live video documenting yesterday's strike action, several head teachers joined the protest.

“Slippers on the ground, we ain't backing down, we don't want lotus Viton but collective bargain, with our Union you must engage...” the chorus for one of the songs the teachers sang.

“When Ali (President Irfaan Ali wasn't president he know what we should get but now he turn president it seems like he forget,” the teachers chanted.

The teachers chant was based on a video which was also played during the live, depicting President Ali during his tenure as an opposition frontbencher as he addressed the National Assembly and said, “What about the nurses, the teachers, the police officers, aren't they equally important…?” “Selective memory you call it,” a teacher shouted.

The teachers gathered underneath a benab as they sang and called on the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and the government to meet with the Union and have a civilised discussion on increased wages for teachers.

Moreover, GTU's General Secretary, Coretta McDonald joined the teachers in Essequibo highlighting the struggles teachers face in Guyana. McDonald explained that for the past four years the Union has submitted their proposals to the government for increased wages and salaries for teachers.

However, she noted that

Teachers at Santa Rosa, Moruca, Region One continued protest actions on Thursday.

Scenes from the teachers protest in Georgetown

the government continues to push the matter aside while teachers are suffering. “Now it's your turn to submit a proposal. Tell us what you like and don't like let's sit at the table and talk like intelligent people,” she said. In her address to the Essequibo teachers, McDonald underscored that the Government continues to push the narrative that the strike is politically motivated, however, she noted that teachers protesting to be paid a livable wage has nothing to do with politics.

“We will continue this fight for as long as you have to carry it...We just wanna ensure that our families live comfortable,” she added. “We get pay today and we bruk today…” she chanted.

Additionally, the teachers also garnered support from the business community and others, which saw donation of several items. On Wednesday, the teachers started cooking providing eatables for the teachers who come out to voice their concerns.

In Linden, Region 10, day four of the protest action also saw an increased crowd compared to the previous days. Teachers took to the street in the mining town, holding placards and dressed in orange attire, while other teachers chanted through the streets, 'Slippers on the ground and we ain't back down” Meanwhile, while joining the protest in Linden on Thursday, Kaieteur News understands that there were teachers all the way from interior villages of Region 10 such as Ituni and Kwakwani.

Friday February 09, 2024

Kaieteur News

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$125M to improve water access in five Reg. 9 villages The Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) will soon roll out its installation of water supply improvement projects in five Amerindian villages in Region Nine.

These works, according to GWI’s engineer is estimated to cost $125,516,200. The five villages which are scheduled to get improved water access

are Katoonarib, Aishalton, Fair View, Yakarinta, and Potarinau.

At the recent reading of bids at the National Procurement and Tender

Administration Board (NPTAB) office, it was disclosed that works at Katoonarib is pegged at $22 million, Aishalton at $25.9 million, Fair View at $23.8

million, Yakarinta at $29 million, and Potarinau it is $24.6 million.

H a v i n g s p e n t approximately $16.8 billion last year in the water sector

to improve water quality and supply systems across the country, the government has allotted $22.5 billion in the budget for further advancements in 2024.

Below are the companies and their bids: Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Selection of consultant firm, development of a website for the GPHC.

Ministry of Agriculture Upgrading of National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute Tissue Culture Laboratory at Mon Repos.

Installation of water supply improvement project at Aishalton, Region Nine.

Ministry of Health Supply and delivery of stationery supplies for program 1 to 8.

Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) Installation of water supply improvement project – Katoonarib, Region Nine.

Continued on page 23

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Friday February 09, 2024

Kaieteur News

Digicel announces arrival of new fibre-optic cable …as it launches anniversary promotion to make 17 persons millionaires WANTED

VACANCY

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Drivers, Porters and Salesman needed, experience will be an asset, Attractive salary offered. Call: 6737373.

1 Janitor, Handyman and Farmer needed to work at Hujjatul Ulama, # 74 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. Call: 335-3749.

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 649-0956.

Wanted! Male & Female workers preferably from WBD, for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4100 per day. Call: 611-7839.

Customer Service Representative/ Dispatcher to work at a reputable taxi service. Call: 621-9356.

1 Toyota Allion, Pioneer DVD, CD & USB deck, reverse camera, alarm, low milage. Excellect condition.

Call: 649-0956.

One Painter needed. Call: 615-9132.

Maid needed. Live in or day work. Call Alex on 614-5181.

Wanted One Fridge Technician and one Trainee A/C Technician, Driver licence would be an asset.Call : 6899856 or 689-4946.

One 40-50 years Nanny to care for 1 year old, between 8am-5pm. Call: 682-5006.

Chain saw Operators and Labourers wanted for wood concession. Call: 670-6919.

Experienced Workers to burn charcoals and wood concession. Call: 670-6919.

One Hauler Driver needed, starting salary $13,000 daily.

For more information Call: 611-7088/ 639-6106.

Full time Domestic Helper/ Babysitter, includes cooking.

Call: 725-9610.

One female able-bodied Staff needed to work in a store.

Call: 225-2313, 226-1497, 6588559.

Wanted Experienced Carpenters and Mason with tools at West Coast. Call: 614-7669.

One live-in Caretaker for elderly person for Georgetown.

Call: 627-3650/ 223-0654.

Vacancy at Vegetarian Garden for Factory Workers (part time). Call: 227-7714/ 223-3448.

Email: info@vegeworld.net Receptionist, Laundry Attendant Deskstaff, Room & Security Guard, Handyman and Supervisor needed at South Road. Call: 225-0198.

Pump Attendant/Cashier,s hifts (6am-2pm&2pm-10pm).

Shell Station Providence E.B.D, Call: 265-7306. Email: Shellramsburg@gmai.com Captain, Seaman & Cook needed. Apply with valid certificates @ Liberty Ranges, 29 Sussex Street, Georgetown.

Room Attendant & Desk Staff needed at 233, South Road Lacytown. Part time rotating shift. Call: 225-0198.

Famous Flavors is hiring Kitchen Assistant. Call: 6014918.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade 1 or 2. Email application: techserigy@yahoo.com or Call 615-9132.

Male Cleaner for Eccles. Call: 645-8443/ 615-9132.

One industrial Electrician needed. Call: 645-8443/ 6159132.

One Bodywork man needed.

Call: 675-9988.

Volkswagen in excellent condition, Price: $2.7 mil neg.

WhatsApp: 648-5626 or Call: 621-9356.

Nissan X-Trail 2008 $2.3 Neg and Mitsubishi 3 stage Crone canter 4m51 Engine Manual $3.5 Neg. Call 6718845 or 638-4755

FOR SALE Tundra for sale, GKK5670.

1.8 Mil neg. Call: 668-5034.

House lots for sale in gated community, no down payment. $50,000 monthly. Call: 622-1957.

FOR RENT Land development Hyundai R140 long reach excavator & 1.5 sack ransom cement mixer. Call: 657-9237/ 6155669.

House lots & commercial plot for sale available at Blankenburg W.C.D. Call: 652-0251/ 650-0402.

Property for sale at Golden Grove and riverside land Timehri and Parika. Call: 6532477.

Digicel Guyana as part of its 17th anniversary celebration will soon launch its newest subsea fibre-optic cable called ‘Deep Blue One’ which recently arrived in Guyana, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Deonarine

SERVICES Business/ residential PFSGYD$58M, Visa Application, advertisements, graphics design, passport application forms & i130 application.

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Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

For Land Clearance (Grubbing) Sand fill, Housing Plan and Estimate's. Call K. Lakeram Building. Call: 692-8464 or whatsapp 6220267 For low cost repairs for AC units, refridgerators, freezers, gas stoves, washing machine, dryers, etc. Call: 6294946, 225-4822.

Drivers needed to work in Georgetown. Interested persons can Call: 701-4000 Mon-Fri, between 8am-4pm.

Reputable transportation service is seeking experienced Chauffeur with mini bus and hire car licence. Call: 645-0025.

Digicel Guyana launches ‘17 millionaires in 17 days’ anniversary promotion.

FOR SALE/RENT All sizes loaders, excavators & rollers, concrete pump & mixer trucks, mobile crane and Howo 30 ton dump trucks.

Call: 650-0402/652-0251 1 Lexus SUV, forklifts 3.5 tons diesel truck weigh scales -(60 tons,40 ft) Low bed trailers-60 tons,triple axle. Call: 665-3880.

LEGAL NOTICE APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDER’S CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 OF THE MONEY LENDERS ACT I, ANWAR HASSAN SALIM of Roden-Rust, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, hereby give notice that I have applied to the Magistrate of the WEST DEMERARA MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT for a Certificate under the Money Lenders’ Act, authorizing the grant to me of a Money Lender’s Licence to carry on the business of a Money Lender under the title· of SALIM’S MONEY LENDING of Roden-Rust, Parika, East Bank Essequibo. NOTICE of any objections to the application should be sent forthwith to the CLERK OF COURT OF THE WEST DEMERARA MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT and a copy of any such notice should be sent to the subscriber, ANWAR HASSAN SALIM of Roden-Rust, Parika, East Bank Essequibo

LAND FOR SALE 44X80 located at Policeman Street, Dairy. 2 minutes away from Harbour Bridge, $11 mil neg. Call: 677-4286.

Sworn to at West Demerara, This 7th day of February, 2024

Gopaul said. Gopaul told reporters at a press conference held at Digicel’s Pegasus Corporate Suite office on Thursday that the cable will be going live at the end of April.

“All the capacity needs for data for Guyana as a country combined… we can accommodate the traffic for the next 25 to 30 years. So the future of Digicel Guyana is secured, the future of Guyana as a country is secured through Deep Blue One,” the CEO announced.

The CEO said too that with the new fibre-optic cable, customers will be provided with higher speeds of data. He explained that currently, the existing fibre covers Georgetown but the company is working to expand the company’s footprint to other areas. The Digicel CEO thanked the company’s customers for their support over the last 17 years and assured that the service provided will only get better. “We are successful because of our customers, we are successful because of your push back, because of your demand for quality service is what makes us better, so we want to say thank you very much to every single customer and partners that has made us this successful,” Gopaul said.

Meanwhile, the company is celebrating its 17th anniversary on February 14 and as part of its many activities to observe the milestone, the company launched its 17th anniversary promotion ‘‘17 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Digicel Guyana, Deonarine Gopaul.

millionaires in 17 days’.

Digicel’s Communications Manager, Gabriella Chapman told reporters that 17 lucky Digicel customers will be gifted $1M on each day of the promotion, starting today. “All they have to do is top-up with $1000, every $1000 top-up gives them one entry into a draw. So the more $1000 they put into their phones, the more times their number would be in that draw to be pulled to be that millionaire for 17 days straight. So if they top up tomorrow (Friday) they are in the draw tomorrow and can be pulled,” Chapman explained.

The Communications Manager disclosed that in observance of its 17th anniversary, the company is offering customers 40% off selected Samsung Galaxy handsets at any Digicel store across the country.

Additionally, Chapman said that Digicel will spend $17 million this year on community projects. One of the projects, she identified is the rehabilitation of the Mahaica Girls’ Home, a home gifted by Digicel to the government.

Further, 17 families in need will receive hampers from Digicel, while 17 pets would be adopted from the Rosewood Foundation, which will also benefit from the telephone company. The company will also give back to 17 schools across Guyana.

Digicel thanked its customers for their support over the past 17 years.

Friday February 09, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

$125M to improve water access in five Reg. 9 villages...

Installation of water supply improvement project at Potarinau, Region Nine.

Continued on page 23

Installation of water supply improvement project at Fair View, Region One.

Installation of water supply improvement project at Yakarinta, Region Nine.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Friday February 09, 2024

Palestinians forced to live in chicken pens RAFAH, Gaza Strip, Feb 8 (Reuters) - With one million Gazans displaced from their homes by Israeli bombardments seeking refuge in the border town of Rafah, five families have moved into a chicken farm, living in its long concrete sheds, the battery coops transformed into bunk beds.

The war that began on Oct. 7 with a Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people - drawing an Israeli military assault on Gaza that local health authorities say has killed more than 27,800 Palestinians - has devastated the enclave.

More than 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants have fled their homes, with about one million flocking into Rafah, hard against the Egyptian border. Many of them live in tents crammed into empty lots or patches of

beach.

For the Hanoon family, one of five in an extended clan that have moved in there, the chicken farm feels close to rock bottom.

“We’re living in a place meant for animals,” said Umm Mahdi Hanoon, standing among the cages.

“Imagine a child sleeping in a chicken crate.”

“The place is very bad.

Water leaks down on us. The cold is really harsh for the children, for the old people, for those who are ill... sometimes we wish the morning won’t come,” she said.

Her son Mahdi said they had lived in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City, an area that came under the path of Israel’s military offensive early in the war. “ We m o v e d t o a l -

Zawayda. Due to the shelling we looked for another place but couldn’t find one because there are a lot of us. Then an acquaintance, a friend of my cousin’s, told me there’s a chicken farm in Rafah with cages,” he said.

“We struggled at first.

There were insects. We have children,” he said, initially thinking they would only be there for a couple of days.

But as the time went by they had to accept that the chicken sheds would be their home for much longer. They used the metal frames of the cages as beds and cook bread, when they manage to find flour, on a metal stove on the floor.

“It is hard to live in a place like this, a place which was designed for chicken and birds. You find yourself in a cage,” Mahdi said.

Diapers and baby formula are hard to find in Gaza, leaving parents desperate As the fighting between Israel and Hamas continues some parents in the Gaza Strip have resorted to desperate measures to look after their children.

Premature babies are prepared for transport to Egypt after they were evacuated from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to a hospital in Rafah, Gaza Strip on Nov. 20, 2023.(AP Photo/Fatima Shbair, File)

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Zainab al-Zein was forced to make a desperate decision: Feed her infant daughter solid foods that her tiny body may not be able to digest or watch her starve because of a lack of baby formula in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Al-Zein chose to give 2 1/2-month-old Linda solids, knowing the choice could lead to health issues.

“I know we are doing something harmful to her, but there is nothing,” said alZein, feeding her wailing daughter crushed biscuits in the cold tent they now call home. “She cries and cries continuously.”

The war between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers has sparked a humanitarian catastrophe that has brought shortages of the most basic necessities. Some of the hardest-hit are babies, young children and their parents, with diapers and formula either hard to find or spiking to unaffordable prices, leading parents to resort to inadequate or even unsafe alternatives.

Their plight is further complicated due to sporadic aid deliveries that have been hobbled by Israeli restrictions and the relentless fighting.

Displaced Palestinians are also being squeezed into

ever tighter areas of the tiny coastal enclave, prompting outbreaks of illness and disease, to which malnourished children are particularly vulnerable. The U.N. says the population is at imminent risk of famine, with a quarter of people already starving.

For Palestinians enduring increasingly dire conditions, the most basic of acts — such as changing a child’s diaper — have become a luxury that can require sacrifice.

“I sold my children’s food so I can buy diapers,” said Raafat Abu Wardeh, who has two children in diapers.

Displaced Palestinian girl Lana Hanoon holds bread dough in an unfinished poultry farm, where she takes refuge with her family, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah,in the southern Gaza Strip, February 7, 2024. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Brazil police seize Bolsonaro’s passport as net tightens in coup probe BRASILIA, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Brazilian police on Thursday confiscated former President Jair Bolsonaro’s passport and accused him of editing a draft decree to overturn election results, pressuring military chiefs to join a coup attempt and plotting to jail a Supreme Court justice.

Thursday’s operation included search warrants against four ex-ministers and the arrest of four former aides. Bolsonaro’s inner circle is under investigation for allegedly plotting a military coup after his electoral loss to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2022. The confiscation of Bolsonaro’s passport augurs badly for the former leader, a far-right populist often likened to former U.S. President Donald Trump. A federal police source directly involved in Thursday’s operation said seized passports can indicate the possibility of future arrests, as suspects are forced to stay in Brazil to face any potential charges.

Bolsonaro was at his beach house in Rio de Janeiro state when police arrived early on Thursday morning, demanding the document. Brazil’s federal police are now in possession

of the passport, which was in the capital Brasilia, Bolsonaro family spokesman Fabio Wajngarten said on social media.

According to the decision by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes that triggered Thursday’s operation, Bolsonaro in November 2022 received a draft decree prepared by his aides to overturn electoral results and issue arrest warrants for Moraes, fellow Supreme Court Justice Gilmar Mendes and Senate leader Rodrigo Pacheco.

At Bolsonaro’s request, the draft decree was modified, but the arrest of Moraes and a requirement for new elections remained, said the court order, citing police investigations.

After tweaking the decree, Bolsonaro summoned military commanders and pressured them to support a putsch, according to the police account, based on phone records and plea bargain testimony from the expresident’s former aide-decamp. Bolsonaro’s lawyer, Paulo Bueno, had no immediate comment.

“I left the government more than a year ago and I’m still suffering relentless persecution,” Bolsonaro told

the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper on Thursday.

“Forget about me. Someone else is running the country now.”

Bolsonaro has already been ruled politically ineligible until 2030 for spreading election falsehoods, and faces several other criminal probes that could land him in jail. He has denied wrongdoing and calls the investigations politically motivated. Last week, federal police searched properties linked to his son, Carlos Bolsonaro, on suspicions he used data illegally collected by spy agency Abin to attack his father’s rivals. He has denied wrongdoing.

‘LEGITIMIZE A MILITARY INTERVENTION’ Thursday’s operation targeted some of Bolsonaro’s closest allies until recently among Brazil’s most powerful men.

Search warrants were issued for properties linked to Walter Braga Netto, Bolsonaro’s former running mate; Augusto Heleno, his former national security adviser; former Defense Minister Paulo Nogueira Batista and former Justice Minister Anderson Torres, among others.

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 09, 2023

BCB hosts Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy for 80 youths - Holds successful talks with government ministers

BCB Patron Vickram Bharat and BCB delegation.

The Berbice Cricket Board is forging ahead with its ongoing cricket development programme.

The BCB last weekend hosted a highly successful cricket academy at the Port Mourant Cricket Ground for over eighty youth cricketers between the ages of ten to sixteen years.

The academy sponsored by overseas based BCB sponsor, Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, was coached by head coach Winston Smith with support from Leslie Solomon and Lawrence Mentis. Special emphasis was placed on improving the players’ batting, bowling and fielding techniques,

while the coaches also worked on the physical fitness of all players.

The academy also involved the hosting of several practice matches on the pitch where technical problems were identified and corrected. Players to the academy were drawn from (Continued on page 24)

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Friday February 09, 2024

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Kaieteur News

Ivory Coast run to AFCON final Rain spoils crucial Day 2, ‘like a dream’ for coach Fae as Harpy Eagles look to CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 1, Day 2 - GHE vs. TTRF

AFP - Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae described his team’s achievement in winning through to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations as being “like a dream” after the tournament hosts beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in Wednesday’s last-four encounter.

Sebastien Haller scored the only goal of the game in the 65th minute at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium to take Ivory Coast through to Sunday’s final against Nigeria.

It is a remarkable turnaround for the Elephants, who were on the brink of elimination after losing 4-0 to Equa-

regain control today

Jubilant Ivory Coast players celebrate making the Africa Cup of Nations final on home turf. (FRANCK FIFE) torial Guinea at the same stadium in their final group match on January 22.

“We are happy, we’re really moved. It’s like a dream, when you go back two weeks

Friday February 09, 2024 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Efforts to advance your career that have led to past successes might actually put you in the public eye today.

You could find yourself the center of attention, Aries.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) An increased level of physical and mental energy could have you feeling especially determined and highly motivated to move ahead with whatever means the most to you at this time, Libra.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) An opportunity to travel could come your way today, Taurus, perhaps in the company of friends or colleagues. This might involve education in some way.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) New opportunities, perhaps involving modern technology in some way, might present themselves to you in such a way as to transform your working life, Scorpio. You could find yourself .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Changes in your working environment could result in a rise in your income, Sagittarius. You've been working very hard in order to advance yourself in this regard.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A number of new people could come your way, Gemini, perhaps through projects of some kind with which you're involved.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) The opportunity to attend one or more huge social gatherings, such as balls or banquets, might come your way today, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Expect a strong boost to your ego and self-confidence today, Leo. Your physical and mental energies are very high, and you're apt to feel that you're capable of moving mountains.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Some unusual dreams could have unexpected side effects, Virgo. They could spark new ideas for creative projects or possible innovative concepts to advance your career or social life.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The Today you're likely to complete a creative project of some kind that you’ve been working on for some time, Capricorn. You might want to consult with friends or colleagues.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Some revealing conversations with friends or relatives could bring up old traumatic memories from the past that you may have been repressing.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you can expect some noticeable changes in your neighborhood, Pisces. Some new neighbors who might become your friends could be moving in. This could alter your life ever so subtly.

to the defeat here against Equatorial Guinea,” said Fae. “It was hard then to imagine that we might qualify for the final of our own AFCON.” That defeat was Ivory Coast’s heaviest ever home loss and they looked certain to be eliminated in the first round, only to scrape through as the last of the four best third-placed teams thanks to Morocco winning their last group game against Zambia.

Coach J e a n - L ouis Gasset was sacked following the Equatorial Guinea debacle and so Fae, who had been an assistant, was promoted to the role of interim coach.

Under him, Ivory Coast beat holders Senegal on penalties in the last 16, and then came from behind to beat Mali in extra time in the quarter-finals, despite playing most of that match with 10 men.

“As long as you still have a five or 10 percent chance you need to keep believing, because that is what makes football beautiful,” said midfielder Franck Kessie, who was named man of the match against DR Congo.

“After the Morocco result we knew we had qualified and that changed everything.

“It gave us the strength we needed, it boosted us. We knew we couldn’t do worse than in the first round.

“We need to keep going like this because you can’t go all the way to the final only to then give up.”

Sunday’s final will be a repeat of the group game between Ivory Coast and Nigeria on January 18, which the Super Eagles won 1-0.

Meanwhile, DR Congo will have to settle for a third-place play-off in Abidjan on Saturday against South Africa.

They had been hoping to win through to a first Cup of Nations final since they were champions as Zaire in 1974, half a century ago.

Day 2’s action between Guyana Harpy Eagles and the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, was spoiled by rain yesterday as the defending champions seek to regain control today.

Today’s third day of cricket will be important for both teams, after yesterday, Thursday’s day 2 of action at the Conaree Sports Club in St. Kitts ended up being washed out thanks to early morning showers.

Should mother-nature let up today, Guyana will be desperate to pull things back with Jason Mohammed still unbeaten on his century and the Red Force still solidly placed on 215-4.

With 2 wickets apiece, both speedster Ronsford Beaton and left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, will want a bit more support in the wickets column from their teammates as they seek to turn the tides on the Trinis.

Also, yesterday’s second Day match, Leewards Hurricanes and West Indies Academy had their encounter cut short too due to rain.

The Hurricanes made 137 all out batting first, with the Windies Academy looking to make good on their start when the chase recommences, on 60-2.

Day 3’s action will continue from 10:00h today; weather permitting.

Friday February 09, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Heartbreak for Pakistan as Australia seal final date with India An unbeaten tenth-wicket stand of 17 from MacMillan and Vidler helped Australia clinch thriller after Straker’s six-for

ESPNcricinfo - An unbeaten tenth-wicket stand of 17 between Raf MacMillan and Callum Vidler took Australia past Pakistan in a topsy-turvy second semi-final in Benoni to seal a date against India in Sunday’s final for the 2024

Men’s Under-19 World Cup title.

Chasing only 180 after Tom Straker’s 6 for 24 wrecked Pakistan in the first innings, Australia nearly threw away their advantage with the bat after a few clumsy top-order dismissals

brought some parity into the contest. Fifteen-year-old Ali Raza (4-34) struck thrice late in the day, but the young pair of MacMillan (19*) and Vidler (3*) staved off the challenge posed by the inspired Pakistan bowling attack in the death overs to

Tom Straker starred with six wickets. (ICC/Getty Images) just about take Australia over the line. The winning runs in the final over were scored off an inside edge that very nearly crashed into the stumps but instead trickled behind for four.

Australia also had opener Harry Dixon and wicketkeeper-batter Oliver Peake to thank for their contributions with the bat that held their fragile innings together.

Dixon, who models his game on David Warner, hit his third half-century of the tournament and perhaps the most important of his youth ODI career with 50 in 75 balls. He held one end up as Sam Konstas (14), Hugh Weibgen (4), Harjas Singh (run out for 5) and Ryan Hicks (0) fell in quick succession to leave Australia reeling at 59 for 4. Along with Peake, he added 43 for the sixth wicket, but a double-wicket burst from left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas brought Pakistan into the game.

Pakistan then went ahead in the contest when Raza with his blistering pace picked off Peake - on 49 and Straker in the 42nd and 46th overs respectively. He

then bowled the No. 10 Mahli Beardman for a duck leaving Australia scrambling with only one wicket in hand. But the tenth and most important wicket remained elusive.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan were inserted to bat

by Australia captain Weibgen. On a surface with ample spin and enough lateral movement, four of Pakistan’s top six were out for single digits.

Straker, with his height and pace, dismissed Shamyl Hussain (17) and Saad Baig (3) while fellow new-ball bowler Vidler got Shahzaib Khan (4).

Offspinners MacMillan and Campbell also found enough purchase to keep the left-hand heavy Pakistan line-up guessing.

Two batters who did look comfortable for Pakistan, though, were the No. 3 Azan Awais and the No. 7 Minhas.

They both struck 52 of different styles, to ensure Pakistan could make 179.

Awais was more reserved, playing according to the struggling situation Pakistan found themselves in, while Minhas was more attacking in the back end, with the

team searching for a respectable total. Their 54run fifth-wicket stand seemed to set Pakistan up for a score closer to 200, but their dismissals in the 41st and 45th overs gave Australia an opening to exploit.

And that came in the form of Straker’s extreme pace. He picked up a fourth wicket when Ubaid Khan mistimed a shot to cover in the 47th over, and when he returned for the 49th, Straker rattled the stumps of both the No. 10 and No. 11 Pakistan batters. In a game of close margins, the seven balls Pakistan failed to face in the first innings turned out to be mighty expensive.

The result now sets up a repeat of the 2018 Under-19 World Cup final and more recently, the 2023 ODI World Cup final contested between the India and Australia senior sides.

That contest will be at the same venue in Benoni on Sunday, February 11.

Scores: Australia Under19s 181 for 9 (Peake 49, Raza 4-34) beat Pakistan Under-19s 179 (Awais 52, Minhas 52, Straker 6-24) by one wicket.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

Krishna Arjune bats for Canada at Over-40 World Cup Just under two weeks for the commencement of the inaugural International Masters Cricket Over-40 World Cup to be staged in Cape Town, South Africa, the Canadian team receives a backing from former Guyana first-class player Krishna Arjune.

The Canadian team continues to intensify their preparations with indoor sessions consistently and despite that limitation due to the typical winter season, Arjune has thrown his support to see the guys coming out good. The 12-nation t o u r n a m e n t b o w l s o ff February 19 and things are set to conclude March 1 with a grand finale in the 45-overs showpiece. Arjune, who has been playing professionally in Canada’s local cricket for the past two consecutive decades, stated that Canada can be victorious once they play competitive cricket.

There will be two groups and Canada have been placed in Pool A alongside England, USA, Australia, Namibia and Zimbabwe while Pool B is made up of South Africa, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Wales, Sri Lanka and India.

“I think once the guys play smart and competitive cricket they can be the champion side; I [am] confident of that, the team looks balanced and I guess everyone is eager to

make a great representation for Canada,” the 43-year-old right-handed batsman Arjune declared.

Canada will open their campaign against Namibia before taking on Zimbabwe.

“I think they need to execute their plans well; in South Africa the pitches are characteristically responsive and that will help the spinners a lot; but that said, I would like them to be consistent and churn out good performances,” Arjune, who is currently residing in Scarborough, Ontario, outlined.

The Canadians are scheduled to arrive in Cape Town one week before things get cracking. They will have two practice games in readiness for the first encounter. Arjune believes that would do wonders for them because to get acclimatized and some muchneeded turf outing certainly going to boost their confidence immensely.

“Obviously, we are only limited to indoor facilities to prepare but getting to South Africa early and more vitally playing two warm-up matches will be very helpful; they just need to maximize on that effort,” Arjune related. Canada will be led

by Vinay Kumar Divesitty, a player with a wealth of firstclass experience in India and Canada as well. Arjune

mentioned that the leadership is pivotal for a tournament of this magnitude and strongly feels that Kumar going to lead from the front.

“Yes, a tournament of this stature going to test you in every aspect of your game; good leadership in important and I know Kumar will do a great job and lift the trophy at the tournament post-match presentation, so good luck to him and the entire team,” Arjune, eh represented Guyana in 40 first-class matches, commented.

Canada team reads: Vinay Kumar Devisetty (Captain), Manpreet Khaira (ViceCaptain), Kiran Bodhasrungi, Satjit Gill, Harmandeep Dosanjh, Godwin Louis Alfred, Rajbir Dhillon, Mohammad Yunus Anwar, Tarun Khanna, Ryan Pittiman, Rajesh Veetil, Shailesh Patel, Eveton Spence, Knawardeep Sukhija, Amit Anand and Kamaljeet Parmar. Coach: Surendra Seeraj. Manager: Akshay Pandya, Assistant Manager: Javed Khan.

AAG to host Academy meet on February 10

T

he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), will host an academy meet tomorrow, Saturday, February 10, from 10:00am at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

According to a release from the AAG, teams are expected from Linden, New Amsterdam, West Berbice, East Bank and East Coast Demerara, along with Georgetown.

The meet caters to athletes age’s six to twelve, and the aim is to “steer them in the right direction,” the AAG explained.

Athletics is one of the 12 core sports identified to

benefit from the National Sports Academy Programme.

Meanwhile, the AAG

Ataev vs Alfonso: IBA 86kg Pro World Champion to be crowned at Champions’ Night in Dushanbe

L

Krishna Arjune

also informed that February 17 and 18 at the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara, will be the last trials to select the country’s team for the CARIFTA Games, which are set for March 30 – April 1 in Grenada.

Thus far Tianna Springer (400m & 200m), Athaleya Hinckson (100m), Duel Europe (Long Jump), Attoya Harvey (1500m & 800m), Kaidon Persaud (400m & 800m), Javon Roberts (800m), Ezekiel Newton (100m & 200m), Charissa December ( High Jump), Ryan Joseph (High Jump), and Jaheel Cornette (200m) have booked their spots.

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a u s a n n e , Switzerland – A professional title fight between two IBA World champions, Russian Sharabutdin Ataev and Loren Alfonso Domingues representing Azerbaijan is to determine the IBA Pro Wo r l d C r u i s e r w e i g h t Champion in their 10-round bout at IBA Champions’ Night in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 16 February.

The battle between two strong representatives of the 86kg weight category is an exciting rematch following the final of the I B A Wo r l d B o x i n g Championships in Tashkent in May 2023, where Alfonso gave up the crown to Ataev in the finals. They have met three times previously, and the Russian leads in their personal contest with two victories against Alfonso.

‘The IBA has a n n o u n c e d i t s Wo r l d Championship in professional boxing, a milestone that will have a huge impact on the whole

boxing industry,’ IBA Secretary General and CEO Chris Roberts OBE said.

‘The first IBA Pro World Champion was determined in the men’s 60kg in Dubai, and we are looking forward to delivering more champions’ events and the crowning of the best of the best. The cruiserweight contest between Ataev and Alfonso will be a highlight of the night in Dushanbe, as the two strong powers will clash to see who is number one.’

In the 12-round co-main event, local star Shavkat Rakhimov faces Eduardo Nuñez from Mexico in 58.9kg category for the IBF E l i m i n a t o r Wo r l d Championship. Rakhimov lost this title in his last bout against Welsh boxer Joe Cordina in Cardiff, and now will fight to become a contender.

IBA World champion Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov from Uzbekistan has already had two professional fights, both on home soil and was

victorious. This time he will be challenged abroad, as he meets with Luis Rodrigues Ocaña from Mexico in a 10round challenge for the IBA E l i m i n a t o r Wo r l d Championship in 57kg. The winner is to meet Vsevolod Shumkov from Russia who won his Eliminator fight against Saidel Horta from Cuba last weekend at IBA Champions’ Night in Serpukhov.

I B A A s i a n championship title will be at stake in 63.5kg fight between Tajikistan’s World Championships bronze medallist Bakhodur Usmonov and Asian Games silver medallist Chu En Lai from Chinese Taipei.

Two 6-round rating fights between Tajik and Uzbek boxers are scheduled to open the program of the night. Supported by home crowd, Davlat Boltaev facing off against Madiyar Saydrakhimov in 92kg. In the 80kg category, local boxer Abdumalik Boltaev will challenge Ulugbek Sobirov.

Friday February 09, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Essequibo under15 cricketer benefits from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

F

rancis Gurahoo, a fifteen year old all r o u n d e r, w h o represented Essequibo in the recently concluded GCB Inter County Under15 Tournament, has again benefited from this joint initiative between Kishan

Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana.

Gurahoo was the recipient of one cricket gear bag, one pair of batting pads and one thigh pad. He resides at Hague, West Coast Demerara and attends Uitvlugt Secondary School. In Demerara, he is a

member of the Everest Cricket Club. Gurahoo expressed gratitude to this project. The initiative wished him well and encouraged him to continue his education to the highest levels.

To date, seventy young

players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from six gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, twenty nine bats, three boxes, six helmets, twenty six pairs of cricket shoes, seventeen pairs of batting pads, twenty four

Francis Gurahoo thigh pads, one bat rubber, thirty pairs of batting gloves and three pairs of wicketkeeping gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats.

Pomeroon, Leguan and Wa k e n a m C r i c k e t Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club thirteen coloured uniforms while RHCCCC received three boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails.

Other beneficiaries are The Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem and youth coach, Travis Persaud, softball teams in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans, Just Try CC, Wakenaam Cricket Academy, National fast bowler Shemar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk and Shamar Apple Cricket related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify talent.

Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.

We take this opportunity to thank Javed and Imran of

We s t I n d i a n S p o r t s Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J. Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Kelvin Brijlall, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru and Dennis Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Sadeo and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies, Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana, Gajanand Singh, Peter R a m k i s s o o n , Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor, Ameer Rahaman, Chin Singh, Denesh Chandrapaul, Davo Naraine of UK, Dr Cecil Beharry, Raj Mathura, Raj Bharrat, Latch Mohabir and family, Suresh Dhanai, Vishal Nagamootoo, Moses Nagamootoo, Regal Sports Store, Omkar Singh, P a r m a n a n d Dhaniram,Denanauti Singh, K r i s h n a R e n g e n s a m y, Ishwar Singh, Ricky Deonarain of 4R Bearings, Terry Mathura, Kennard Verapen and NY Pioneer Cricket Club and Derek Kallicharran. We thank the media for the role they are playing in promoting this venture. Distribution will continue.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

Qatar beat Iran 3-2 in thriller to return to Asian Cup final DOHA, (Reuters) Hosts and defending champions Qatar edged Iran 3-2 in a thrilling Asian Cup semi-final Wednesday at Al Thumama Stadium where striker Almoez Ali scored the winner to set up a title clash with Jordan.

In an end-to-end game, Ali grabbed the winner for Qatar in the 82nd minute while Iran lost Shojae Khalilzadeh to a late red card in stoppage time as Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei lost for the first time since he took charge last year.

Iran wasted no time in getting on the board when Qatar failed to deal with a long throw-in and Sardar Azmoun scored with an overhead kick to give Ghalenoei’s side a thirdminute lead.

Iran constantly got in behind Qatar’s defence but it was the hosts who equalised against the run of play when

Jassem Gaber’s shot from range took a deflection and looped over goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand into the net.

Qatar ’s Akram Afif nearly made it 2-1 when the ball fell to him and he raced away with Iran’s defenders giving chase but his shot was well saved while his effort from the rebound went over the bar.

But Afif got his fifth goal of the tournament on the stroke of halftime when he waltzed into the box from the left channel and pulled the trigger to beat Beiranvand with a shot that arrowed past his outstretched hand into the top corner.

However, Iran came out with renewed vigour for the second half and won a penalty for a handball after a VAR check when Saeid Ezatolahi shot straight at Ahmed Fathy, who was trying to protect his face and

turn away. Having scored a late winner from the spot against Japan in the quarterfinal, Alireza Jahanbakhsh stepped up once again and fired his spot kick straight down the middle to make it

2-2. Iran had their chances to score a third through some chaotic moments in the box but it was Qatar who took the lead again when Ali controlled a pass, turned and fired into the bottom corner.

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Qatar’s Almoez Ali celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates. (REUTERS/Molly Darlington)

With 13 minutes added on for stoppages, Iran were then reduced to 10 men when Khalilzadeh barged into Afif during a counter-attack, with the referee upgrading his yellow card after a VAR

check.

Jahanbakhsh nearly equalised right at the death but saw his shot come off the post as Qatar managed to hold on and advance to the final.

Paris 2024 medallists to take Abu Dhabi Open: Britain’s Emma Raducanu beaten by Ons Jabeur piece of Eiffel Tower home PARIS, (Reuters) Medallists at the Paris Olympics will be rewarded with a piece of the Eiffel Tower, organisers said yesterday as they unveiled the hexagon-shaped medals forged out of scrap metal from the monument.

The idea was to link the Games with symbols of France, said Thierry Reboul, creative director of Paris 2024.

“The absolute symbol of Paris and France is the Eiffel Tower,” said Reboul. “It’s the opportunity for the athletes to bring back a piece of Paris with them.”

Designed by jeweller Chaumet, the 18-gram hexagon tokens, representing the shape of France, are made of iron from past refurbishments of the Tower stored for years in a warehouse whose location is secret.

They sit in the centre of the gold, silver and bronze medals, ringed with grooves evoking light rays bursting outward – drawn from a tiara d e s i g n i n C h a u m e t ’s archives.

The back of the medals features the Greek goddess

Emma Raducanu claimed a straight-set win over Marie Bouzkova in the first round. (Getty Images)

Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Olympics organising committee poses with Olympic and Paralympic Games medals on the Eiffel Tower. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) of victory, Nike, charging forward, with the Acropolis to one side and the Eiffel Tower to the other.

Paralympics medals feature a view of the Eiffel Tower from underneath, and are stamped with Paris 2024

in braille – homage to the Frenchman who invented it.

The 5,084 medals are produced by France’s mint, the Monnaie de Paris.

The Games are scheduled for July 26 to August 11.

BBC - Britain’s Emma Raducanu was denied a place in the Abu Dhabi Open quarter-finals by second seed Ons Jabeur.

Competing as a wildcard in Abu Dhabi, the 21-yearold Raducanu lost 6-4 6-1 to the Tunisian world number six.

A surprise US Open champion in 2021, Raducanu made her Grand Slam return at last month’s Australian Open after missing the final eight

months of 2023 following wrist and ankle surgeries.

Jabeur, 29, will play Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the last eight.

Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, was in impressive form and hit 35 winners and eight aces on her way to a dominant win.

She led by a double break at 5-1 in the first set before Raducanu threatened a fightback - the Briton breaking back and saving four set points before Jabeur

served out the opener to love.

But Raducanu could not prevent Jabeur storming to a straight-set victory from there and she sealed her progress in style by taking six successive games.

British number four Heather Watson will take on Spain’s Cristina Bucsa on Thursday, when top seed Elena Rybakina also returns to action against American Danielle Collins.

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 09, 2024

NBA roundup: Jaden Ivey, Pistons stun Kings Reuters - Jaden Ivey scored 19 of his career-high 37 points in a brilliant fourth quarter, Marcus Sasser and Alec Burks each hit key 3pointers late in the game and the visiting Detroit Pistons stunned the Sacramento Kings 133-120 on Wednesday night.

Ivey shot 13 for 23 from the floor and 5 for 7 on 3pointers. He added seven assists and six rebounds.

Jalen Duren chipped in 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Pistons, who won for just the seventh time this season.

The Kings had thumped the Pistons 131-110 in Detroit last month. Domantas Sabonis had a team-high 30 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for Sacramento, which led 10197 in the first minute of the fourth quarter before Ivey took over. The second-year guard scored six straight points to draw the Pistons even at 103-all. He then buried a pair of 3-pointers, the second of which gave Detroit a 114-109 lead with 5:54 to go.

Ivey hit another 3pointer for a 121-113 advantage with 3:14 left.

Sasser (25 points) and Burks (18) followed with 3pointers on back-to-back possessions to halt a potential Sacramento rally.

Heat 116, Spurs 104 Jimmy Butler notched

Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) pushes the ball up the court during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center.

(Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports) his 16th career triple-double, leading host Miami past San Antonio. Butler had 17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists and added a gamehigh three steals with no turnovers in 34 minutes.

Tyler Herro had a game-high 24 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Heat.

Bam Adebayo added 20 points on 10-for-14 shooting. San Antonio, which has lost five straight games, was led by star rookie Victor Wembanyama, who had 18 points, a game-high 13 rebounds, three assists and one block. He made 7 of 13 shots, including 3 of 5 on 3-pointers, and he produced his 25th double-double of

the season.

Celtics 125, Hawks 117 Kristaps Porzingis made 13 of 19 field-goal attempts and scored a game-high 31 points to lead Boston to a victory over visiting Atlanta.

The Celtics’ Derrick White made four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 21 points.

Saddiq Bey led the Hawks with 25 points. Trae Young finished with 20 points and 10 assists and Jalen Johnson added 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Atlanta was within five points, 120-115, after Bogdan Bogdanovic hit a 3pointer with 1:17 left, but Porzingis sealed the win

with a 3-pointer that gave the Celtics an eight-point lead with 19.4 seconds to play.

Raptors 123, Hornets 117 RJ Barrett poured in 23 points and Toronto went on a 9-0 run down the stretch to send host Charlotte to its ninth straight loss.

Barrett didn’t play Monday night at New Orleans as he has been on load management since returning from a knee injury, but the Raptors needed his offense to snap a three-game skid. Barrett shot 9 for 15 from the floor, part of Toronto’s 53.1 percent shooting overall.

Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes each scored 18 points. Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 45 points, eclipsing the 40point mark for the second game in a row.

Cavaliers 114, Wizards 106 Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 40 points while leading Cleveland past host Washington. Evan Mobley added 22 points on 9-for-10 shooting from the field for Cleveland, which extended

the NBA’s longest active winning streak to seven games. Darius Garland scored 13 for the Cavaliers, and Jarrett Allen contributed 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 28 points, while Corey Kispert scored 23 off the bench.

Daniel Gafford collected 14 points and 13 rebounds for Washington, which dropped its fourth straight game.

Warriors 127, 76ers 104 Andrew Wiggins had 21 points and 10 rebounds to carry Golden State past host Philadelphia, which has lost seven of its past eight games.

Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga scored 18 points apiece and Lester Quinones added 13 for the Warriors. Stephen Curry scored just nine points in 25 minutes.

The depleted Sixers played without reigning MVP Joel Embiid (knee) for the fourth straight game.

Nicolas Batum (hamstring), Robert Covington (knee) and De’Anthony Melton

(back) were also out. Ricky Council IV led Philadelphia with 17 points.

Pelicans 117, Clippers 106 CJ McCollum scored 25 points and Zion Williamson added 21 points and 10 assists as visiting New Orleans extended its winning streak to four games with a victory over Los Angeles.

Brandon Ingram scored 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Pelicans won the opener of a four-game road trip.

They have won their past three road contests.

Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III each scored 13 for New Orleans.

James Harden scored 19 points and Norman Powell added 18 as the Clippers saw their four-game winning streak end in their return home from a 6-1 road trip.

Los Angeles started the night in a four-way tie for first p l a c e i n t h e We s t e r n Conference but now sits a halfgame behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.

—Field Level Media

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) dunks the ball during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden.

(Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)

Kaieteur News

Friday February 09, 2024

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Toolsie Persaud Ltd Reaffirms Support for Golf Development through GGA Toolsie Persaud Ltd officials along with Guyana Golf Association (GGA) executive share the moment at the presentation.

Hardware and building supplies giant Toolsie Persaud Ltd. and Group of Companies continued their long-term support for the efforts being made by Nexgen Golf and the Guyana Golf Association to develop playing facilities for beginner golfers and students at the Westside Golf Course.

A section of the facility is being built with materials contributed by the hardware giant which included bathroom fittings, piping, doors, paint and electrical supplies from the wide range of products the company carries. According to GGA president Aleem Hussain, “Toolsie Persaud Ltd and Group of Companies has been a staunch supporter and sponsor who has helped the development of Golf in Guyana over the past three years. Every major event that we held involving youngsters has received their support and we are extremely grateful to have them on board for this project.”

The Westside Golf Course was designed and built by Hussain and was

featured in Golf Architecture Magazine last October as an innovative approach to the expansion of the game by reducing playing and maintenance costs, thereby allowing a l a rg e r p o r t i o n o f t h e

population access to a previously elitist sport.

The new course is located in Vreed-en-hoop and will host Pagwah and Easter celebrations since Vi e r a P a r k i s u n d e r renovation.

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 09, 2023

BCB hosts Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Cricket Academy for 80 youths - Holds successful talks with government ministers

BCB Patron Vickram Bharat and BCB delegation.

The Berbice Cricket Board is forging ahead with its ongoing cricket development programme.

The BCB last weekend hosted a highly successful cricket academy at the Port Mourant Cricket Ground for over eighty youth cricketers between the ages of ten to sixteen years.

The academy sponsored by overseas based BCB sponsor, Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, was coached by head coach Winston Smith with support from Leslie Solomon and Lawrence Mentis. Special emphasis was placed on improving the players’ batting, bowling and fielding techniques,

while the coaches also worked on the physical fitness of all players.

The academy also involved the hosting of several practice matches on the pitch where technical problems were identified and corrected. Players to the academy were drawn from (Continued on page 24)

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Heartbreak for Pakistan as Australia seal final date with India Harjas Singh was run out after a mix-up with Harry Dixon. (ICC/Getty Images)

...An unbeaten tenth-wicket stand of 17 from MacMillan and Vidler helped Australia clinch thriller after Straker’s six-for Red Force centurion Jason Mohammed will be keen on adding to his score when action restarts.

rts o p S

CWI Regional 4-Day Championships Round 1, Day 2 - GHE vs. TTRF

Rain spoils crucial Day 2, as Harpy Eagles look to regain control today

Harpy Eagles pacer Ronsford Beaton gave his team the ideal start and will be key over the next few days.

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