Kaieteur News

EITI Report K NEWS flags secrecy of Exxon's audit findings

Wednesday Edition

AIETEUR

January 03, 2024 - Vol. 19 No. 01

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 (VAT Inclusive) readership yesterday, 33,923

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

Chris Ram challenges AG to produce evidence of tax payments Guyana made to GRA on behalf of Exxon and partners Trio wanted for GPHC welcomes 7 newborns on attempted execution of New Year's Day Campbellville businessman Brave man Child playing with shot dead while pursuing wedding lighter flattens house bandits La Grange home

Mrs. Mignon Bowen-Phillips, wife of Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, holds a newborn at GPHC as the proud mother looks on.

Sonia Parag named new Local Govt. Minister

- Pres. Ali announces as Public Service portfolio shifts to OP

Pres. Ali: Govt. to issue

Guyana takes up RFP to implement Gas membership of the United Nations Security Council Monetization Strategy p.18

2024 budget to tackle high cost of living, free university education – Pres. Ali

PAGE 02

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Chris Ram challenges AG to produce evidence of tax payments Guyana made to GRA on behalf of Exxon and partners Guyanese authorities to finance the companies’ tax payments utilizing oil revenues stored in the NRF. Ram, in one of his most recent columns in Stabroek News, found that the NRF is holding $276 Billion which should have been transferred to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the Exxon-led consortium.

Chartered Accountant and The lawyer then urged for Attorney-at-Law, Chris Ram the relevant authorities to fix this bloated state of the account.

Chartered Accountant and In response to Ram’s findings, Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram, along with Attorney General Nandlall pointed out that no and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil provision in the NRF law allows for Nandlall, have find themselves transfers to GRA. It only allows for embroiled in a debate regarding the transfers to the Consolidated Fund. utilization of funds from Guyana’s “In fact, any unauthorised Natural Resource Fund (NRF) to withdrawal from or interference address tax liabilities incurred by with monies from the Fund ExxonMobil and its partners in the constitutes an Offence, upon conviction, is liable to Stabroek Block.

The dispute arises from the imprisonment and several million terms of the Production Sharing dollars in fine,” the AG said.

Nandlall said too that the NRF Agreement (PSA) governing the deep-water block, which obliges Act features a supremacy provision

at Section 45 which states: “in the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Act and the provisions of any other law on fiscal matters and financial management, or between the provisions of the Act and the terms of a petroleum license, the provisions of this Act shall prevail.”

Nandall also argued that it matters not if the tax payments are in the NRF or with GRA; the fact is that it is in a government account and would be transferred to the National Treasury as per the withdrawal rules of the NRF. By way of a letter to the press, Ram made it clear that from the outset, he has concurred that the NRF Act does not provide for the withdrawal of money from the Fund to pay the taxes for the oil companies. Ram insisted however that this needs to be rectified.

He further noted that he does n o t a g r e e w i t h N a n d l a l l ’s referencing of a “supremacy provision” in the NRF Act. Ram said a case in which the very AG was involved in shows that laws are not always supreme to contracts.

“I need to remind him of the Rudisa v Guyana case [2014] CCJ (OJ) in which he was lead Counsel for Guyana. The judges lost no time in rejecting his argument that a failure by Guyana to honour its Treaty obligation was somehow excusable because of good faith efforts by the then PPP/C Government,” said Ram. Attorney General and Minister of Continuing on the Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall same case he said, “Ruling against Guyana, the CCJ unanimously re-affirmed the case, Ram challenged the AG to the legal principle ‘pacta sunt provide a schedule with particulars servanda’ (“agreements must be of the Certificates of Taxes issued respected). Just in case Anil thinks by the Guyana Revenue Authority that the reason for the CCJ’s to the oil companies as well as to decision was that the matter arose state the source of the money used solely out of the Revised Treaty of to pay such taxes for the oil Chaguaramas, it is in fact a long- companies. standing principle laid down in If no Certificates of Taxes were Trendex Corporation v Central issued, Ram asked the AG to state Bank of Nigeria [1977] 1 QB 529 whether there any other receipts, that sovereign immunity, including acknowledgments, documents or lawmaking, does not generally confirmation from the GRA to the apply to commercial cases.” oil companies of taxes paid on their Given Nandlall’s position on behalf.

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

2024 budget to tackle high cost of living, free university education – Pres. Ali The Government of Guyana will in a few weeks time, unveil its budget for 2024. This is according to President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali in his New Year Message.

The Head of State said this budget will detail the government’s expenditure and revenue plans for the coming year as well as deliver on his promise to continuously improve the lives of Guyanese.

Without stealing the proverbial thunder of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, the Head of State gave broad insights into what can be expected. In education, he said preparations are in place for the roll-out of free university education in 2025.

He said several major road projects are slated for completion and will make commuting easier. Turning

to the agriculture sector the President said, “We expect in 2024, sugar production to be increased, as we continue to invest in the sector ’s contribution to rural employment and the rural economy. Rice production, aquaculture and other initiatives will lead to increased food production.”

Furthermore, the Head of State said the capacity and capabilities of the Defense Force will be strengthened to allow for improvements in the overall defense of the nation’s sovereignty and our territorial integrity.

With respect to carnage on the roads, he said this will be greeted with a robust safety and traffic management plan. “I intend to have a national conversation on this issue within the coming days, and out of that conversation, new laws, regulations and

technology will be implemented to stop the carnage on our roads,” he said.

The President said too that citizens can look forward to cost-of-living interventions which will be made to cushion any spikes in prices. “We want to put more money into the pockets of people. Our policy making matrix will address this ideal and the idea of putting more money in the pockets of our people,” he said.

Further to this, he said workers will continue to benefit from increases in their wages and salaries, augmenting the other measures, which will be taken to enhance household disposable incomes.

Additionally, President Ali said works will commence on the construction of a new

international–branded hotel near the Georgetown Seawall, adding that ongoing construction of other hotels will be intensified.

With respect to Guyana’s energy security plans, he said this will be advanced through the ongoing works for the building of a gas-toshore energy plant that will reduce energy costs. He said too that the hinterland electrification programme will be expanded to bring electricity to more residents.

Turning to investments in culture and sport infrastructure, he assured that the budget will cater for improvements in sports grounds, playfields and cultural facilities.

Regarding human resource development, the President said, “We will also be addressing in a very frontal way, the issues of

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

mental health, and suicide.”

He said the budget will also feature measures to support the building of consortiums to further enable people to benefit from the opportunities here, supporting manufacturing and industrial development expansion, and supporting through incentivizing investment in manufacturing and industrial development, more community investment aimed at creating

community safe spaces, c o m m u n i t y s e c u r i t y, community livelihood, community empowerment.

He said too that there will be a robust plan to further advance the security architecture and infrastructure of communities and country as well as direct policies for expanding tourism and addressing squatting, especially on the LindenSoesdyke Highway.

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

Government targeting critics The recent announcement by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo that his government will be going after its critics abroad and its attempts to serve political activist, Rickford Burke with a summons to attend court here have touched a raw nerve among Guyanese.

Citizens are growing wary of the subtle attempts by the regime to curtail and control what they say. They see this every week with the crass disposition of VP Jagdeo at his press conference when he is challenged to provide answers on government policies. His resort to a cuss-out of reporters and his opponents is often followed up by allied media houses and online blogs doing same.

But we caution today that the PPPC Government and its media operators may think that they are artful because of their combination of smoothness, crudeness, vileness. We burst that bubble, for PPPC channels and instruments are not as sophisticated as they think. The giveaway is when dissenters are targeted, the objectionable are faulted, and when those who speak their conscience, or write their pain, are attacked. The government's game then becomes clear.

The bottom line is that the PPPC Government, its leaders, its propagandists and sycophants have no room, no use, no tolerance for honest disagreement. In the minds of the ruling party's people, all must speak with the same voice, or all must stay silent. Otherwise, be ready for the wrath of a government bent on total control, complete domination.

This newspaper incurs its share of abuse and viciousness. We can take it, and are ready for more. We are confident that our work is accurate and educates this nation on what is really going on here, and what the government and its leaders passionately do not want citizens to know.

We speak of glaring mismanagement of the vital oil sector, and it is a crisis for the government and its people, who are fattened by their enslaving relationships with foreign companies, especially ExxonMobil. We write of the lack of robust State institutions, plus those missing, and we are transformed into Public Enemy Number 1. We call out leaders in the government for their doubletalk, and walking back of what they once stood for, and their rage spirals from the exposures and accompanying embarrassment. To make themselves look big, they resort to verbal brawling, which is now second nature to most of them. If the frequent revelation of things that the government and leaders prefer to remain secret brings down the fury of those in charge, then we are ready and willing to deal with that, as it comes.

Similarly, when a decades-long entity like the Guyana Human Right Association (GHRA) speaks out, takes a stand, against what the PPPC Government shabby dealings, it finds itself being aimed at, and fired upon, with every intention of weakening its work, if not bringing it down altogether. The only truth in Guyana is now that of the government's and the only repository for facts and honesty is the government again. This is the paranoia that stalks Guyana today, where a posture by a citizen or a group (any dissenting citizen or group) attracts the vengeance of government soldiers.

Like the GHRA, there was this overnight development last year involving accounts and accountability, with allegations of fraud in the instance of IDPADA-G. It seems that the machinery and agents of the PPPC Government go into overdrive to beat up and smear citizens, who exercise their right to free expression of honest opinions. We can speak to that with authority since we have been targeted so often.

What the government needs to realise is that the more it lashes out, the more determined citizens become to stand their ground that they are doing right by their fellow Guyanese. What leaders in the PPPC Government must come to grips with, is that the more they lash out, the more they are secretive, the more they are of the vindictive, the more they expose their farces and failures. The more they do so, the more grounds they give Guyanese to protest, object, speak, and write. The pot keeps boiling.

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Nandlall seems to misunderstand the differences in the nature and functions between a Natural Resources Fund and a Consolidated Fund Dear Editor, Mr. Anil Nandlall, SC, Attorney General and principal legal adviser to the Government has written rather disparagingly about comments I made in my last Friday's Stabroek News oil and gas column. Without naming me or addressing any of the extensive data, sources and arguments I used in arriving at my findings, he claims that my assertions were “grounded in a shocking misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the intendment policy and express provisions of the Natural Resource Fund Act 2021, as well as a misconception of certain elementary principles of law”. In his opinion, they were so serious “that to leave such legal fallacies untraversed on the public record would be a grave omission.”

U n w i t t i n g l y acknowledging the ubiquity and the connection between actions of the Government and private and political

corruption, Anil thought it necessary to point out that I made no accusation about corruption. I apologise for disappointing him. More substantially, Mr. Nandlall seems to misunderstand the differences in the nature and functions between a Natural Resources Fund and a Consolidated Fund because “[the funds] will eventually be deposited into the Consolidated Fund”. At best, that is misleadingly simplistic.

The NRF is a sovereign wealth fund established under separate legislation to garner, manage, invest and use the proceeds from the exploitation of nonrenewable resources for current and future generations. Its structure, objectives and management are vastly different from those of the Consolidated Fund. A properly managed NRF aims to use only the income generated from the investment of the funds in the NRF. On the other hand, the Consolidated Fund is

effectively the operating fund for the day-to-day financial operations by ministries, departments and other budget agencies of the government. It is managed by public servants in a very decentralised framework.

Mr. Nandlall is not alone in confusing the two funds.

That same conflation was made in a 22 June 2022 article in the Stabroek News quoting the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority. One hopes that this misconception is not the reason for the confusion whether moneys were paid to the GRA for it to issue receipts and tax certificates to Hess and Exxon to claim credit in the USA for tax “paid” in Guyana.

Anil's volunteering that section 15 (1) and (2) of the NRF Act authorises petroleum revenues to be paid directly into the Fund is not relevant to anything in my column. The point the column made is that the NRF Act does not provide for the

withdrawal of money from the Fund to pay the taxes for the oil companies, an omission I described as a disconnect, and for which I made a recommendation.

Instead of acknowledging the omission and committing to fixing it, Anil cites the supremacy provision of section 45 of the flawed Act and that the “draughtsman's mind was alive” to what taxes are to be paid directly to GRA – another irrelevant non sequitur.

More seriously, Anil asserts that the provisions in the Agreement on taxation have “obviously been overtaken by the Natural Resource Fund Act”.He has achieved by default - and unilaterally to boot provisions which the Government has claimed are sacred and beyond renegotiation.

Anil also displays surprising carelessness when he claims as “a very rudimentary principle of law that if a contract conflicts (Continued on page 6)

'Burke's activism and an undesirable democracy’ Dear Editor According to the eminent political theorist, the late Samuel P Huntington, 'Democracy (meaning open, free, and fair elections) is one public virtue, not the only one, [and] … governments produced by elections may be inefficient, corrupt, shortsighted, irresponsible, dominated by special interests, and incapable of adopting policies demanded by the public good such as 'effective citizen control over policies, responsible government, honesty and openness in politics, informed and rational deliberation, equal participation and power' etc.

This incapacity makes such governments undesirable, but they do not make them undemocratic.'

These days, every twobit autocrat is holding elections to enhance their legitimacy by claiming to be democratic. Perhaps, to help and remove the fussiness between elections and the other virtues of a democratic political systems one of the most comprehensive databases - the Variety of Democracy Index - provides a classification of four types of political regimes. In descending order: liberal

democracies, electoral democracies, electoral autocracies, and closed autocracies. Guyana is classed an electoral democracy– (minus) i.e. verging on becoming an electoral autocracy.

Governments' attempts to pursue their enemies abroad are as old as time but the murder of Leon Trotsky in 1940 in Mexico by his rival, the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, stands out for me. The botched poising of a former Russian military o ff i c e r i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom in 2018 and a Russian opposition leader in 2020 allegedly by the Russan state, suggest that not much may have changed. If anything, the recent alleged murder of the Sikh separatist leader in Canada by the Indian authorities, of the Saudi dissident journalist by the Saudi state in 2018 in Turkey, etc., suggest that this approach should be taken seriously.

Like Rickford Burke, people had been complaining about the dictatorial nature of the regimes in their countries and Burke is on record as believing that the PPP regime is racist, corrupt, and has committed all manner of illegal and extrajudicial

judicial atrocities and infractions. Only recently, he claimed that he was being stalked by an unknown person allegedly from the Guyana embassy and now we have this attempt by the regime to have him extradited to its extremely questionable judicial jurisdiction.

On the V-Dem Index, Guyana is only marginally preferable than the above mentioned states, which are either elected or closed autocracies. On the 2023 Rule of Law Index, Guyana is at 76 - the lowest in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

For two decades it has been without substantive heads of the judiciary! Only a few weeks ago, I pointed out that in Guyana there is no separation of powers– an ethnic political party controls the executive, the parliament and as a result has significant influence over the judiciary, which some legal professionals have assessed is nearing collapse.

Expecting Burke to return and face the law in Guyana is like expecting dissidents of the above regimes to do the same: absurd!

Burke will have to be extradited and it appears that the political offense exceptions to United States

extradition policy almost guarantees safe haven to non-violent political offenders; more so those from questionable judicial jurisdictions such as Guyana. My question is: why is the regime wasting the states' resources and allowing itself to be lulled into being so predictably autocratic? It cannot be because of what Burke has been saying: so far as I am aware he is not saying much that is new although he tends to be more pointed. He and Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo appear to have a cussing match, but state resources should not be used for personal vendettas.

There is, however, some merit in the position that it is Burke's access to the halls of US power and his activism that are very troubling for the PPP. Given their institutional memory and arrangements, the present US government has already made their decision on what is wrong with Guyana and what is required to make it right. The PPP busying itself since the last local government elections, to change US perception by attempting to buy over Africans, has been an abject failure. But Burkelike activism is vital to (Continued on page 6)

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Kaieteur News

To tackle poverty and economic insecurity we need a government that can re-imagine living in Guyana Dear Editor SN's Cost of Living series often exposes a critical aspect of the life struggles of Guyanese that gets bundled within the general discussion on poverty.

That aspect is economic insecurity. It is a measure of how vulnerable we are as individuals or households to sudden financial loss or expense, such as death of a breadwinner, job loss, retirement, cost of medical emergencies, funeral expenses, losses due to flood, fire, accidents, and theft; the arrival of a newborn, and the new responsibility for caring an elderly family member.

Such events are collectively referred to as shocks.

A few of these shock events are highlighted in the small sample of cases in SN's editorial on 1st January, titled "View from the bottom". One respondent is quoted as saying: "My brother used to support me, but he died." Another stated: "The rising cost of living is affecting me very bad since recently I had a surgery done..." And a third person touched on another aspect of economic insecurity when she said: "you're not getting to save anything."

Economic insecurity is therefore a broader concept than straight poverty. Many individuals and households living above the poverty line could suddenly slip into a money crunch or poverty should they experience a

shock – and are unable or slow to recover from it. In the case of pensioners, many become impoverished because they are unable to recover from the abrupt loss of income on retirement unless they have deep savings or a retirement plan.

So, even as a government tackles poverty, it should also implement measures to reduce the financial vulnerability of families existing not too far above the poverty line. In particular, a government must ensure that those who recently escaped poverty do not easily re-pauperize.

All of this requires a government with a different mindset, a bigger heart, and a wider visioning, than what (Continued on page 5)

We are at the 'cusp' of fascism Dear Editor, Knowing Dr. Randy Persaud to be a paid propagandist of the Government, operating under the nomenclature: Presidential Advisor, I do not pay his letters any heed.

However, his letter of December 31 attracted my attention, since it is an attempt to respond to, and nullify, if not vilify, a letter written by me and carried by Stabroek News on Dec. 30, 2023 under the title: “Spouting the rule of law and good governance but observing them in the breach”.

The goodly Doctor`s letter is as vacuous, as can be. While, accusing me of “inaccuracies”, and “halftruths”, he fails to identify any inaccuracy or half-truth.

Rather, he seeks to place me in a cocoon: the PNC, by stating “Mr. Alexander`s party was happy with the passage of that Bill”, and on

that basis describes my letter as being “At best, …disingenuous”. That is but an attempt to distract the readers from the essence of my letter. It matters not, what was the APNU`s position on the bill, my contentions are grounded, factual and beyond repudiation. In fact, Persaud does not even attempt to repudiate or contest my contentions.

In similar manner, he seeks to distract the attention of the readers from GECOM`s corrupted employment practices and consequential installation of two persons to the highest administrative offices at GECOM, by referring to “the extrajudicial October 19, 2017 unilateral appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chair Of GECOM”. Where in the name of heavens does one wrong doing justify another.

Not to mention that

Patterson was removed from office, while those GECOM officers are in situ and largely responsible for conducting one of the exercises that constitute the kernel of our proclaimed democracy. It`s like putting the 'cat to guard the milk'.

As for his snide comment on my warning that we are at the 'cusp' of fascism, here is a definition of fascism: “a way of organizing a society in which a government ruled by a dictator controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree with the government.”(https://www. britannica.com>fascism).

Yours sincerely, Vincent Alexander

PAGE 05

A magistrate acting within the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Magistrates) Act Cap 3:05 does not have the authority to issue a summons to be served on someone outside of Guyana Dear Mr. Editor Happy New Year. I read a letter in the Sunday Chronicle December 31, 2023 by Mr. Robin Singh appearing under the headline, “For too long persons abroad have acted as though they are beyond our laws”. He quoted a Canadian case, Pietersv Guyana National Newspapers Limited 2020 Cam Can LI 107882 (ON SC) and stated that he “would hasten to advise our local judiciary to adopt the precedent soonest.”

This case was from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. It is a persuasive authority but not a binding precedent.

In the High Court case 2020-HC-DEM-CIV-FDA568 between Msenga Jones v Gecom et al, an application for judicial review Madam Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George stated inter alia that “Apart from res judicata under the common law system, applying the principle of stare decisis, I am bound to follow the

decisions of the CA and ultimately the apex court, the CCJ.” Mr. Singh also stated that “As local lawyers Roysdale Forde and Darren Wade continue to defy logic and common sense in asserting that the 'service' of Guyanese court summons cannot be effected in the United States.”A Magistrate is a creature of statute and that is such a fundamental principle of law that one can always not think there would be any ignorance, much fewer questions about it.

Unfortunately, that is not so.

A Magistrate's powers and duties emanate and are limited to the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Magistrates) Act Cap 3:05.

Section 68 (1) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Magistrates) Act Cap 3:05 states:“All summonses,

warrants, orders, judgments, writs of execution or other process or proceedings, whether civil or criminal, issued or taken by or by the authority of any magistrate respecting any matter within his jurisdiction shall have full force and effect and may be served or executed anywhere within Guyana (emphasis mine) by a bailiff of the court by the police or other constable to whom they are directed, or by any other police or other constable, as the case may be.”

There is no ambiguity in this section and a Magistrate acting within the provisions of the Summary Jurisdiction (Magistrates) Act Cap 3:05 does not have the authority to issue a summons to be served on someone outside of Guyana.

Yours respectfully Dawn Cush

Kaieteur News

PAGE 06

Guyana deserves strong and focused leadership; not Partisan Pettiness Dear Editor It has become necessary for me to reply to certain disparaging remarks made against me, and others deemed critical of the PPP/C and its dismal performance,

by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

If he is allowed to get away with it then I am afraid unsuspecting citizens would be led to believe alternative truths, and gross inaccuracies consistently propagated by this official, at those events.

Unbelievably, at his most recent press conference, Thursday, December 28, 2023, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo

made comments about my appointment to Senior Counsel. Whilst I have no problem with the right of this gentleman to express his opinion (a right he seeks to deny others) it must be seen for what it is- partisan pettiness.

In the face of a multiplicity of crises affecting our nation, one would hope for an inclusive approach at all levels of our society, and leaders, who would rise above petty politics. Sadly, recent snide remarks made by the Vice President about my appointment to Senior Counsel reflect a

disappointing diversion from the urgent issues at hand, particularly those ones that call into question the clumsy and unlawful attempt by the Guyana Police Force, to serve a summons on a critic of the government residing overseas, and the brutal attack on the right of individuals to free speech. It was Henry Ward Beecher who said: “Free speech is to a great people what winds are to oceans and malarial regions, which waft away the elements of disease and bring new elements of health; and where free speech is stopped, miasma is (Continued on page 24)

'Burke's activism and an undesirable...

From page 4 propel the US administration to make a difference in Guyana in a timely manner and so the PPP needs to discredit him.

The PPP appears also to have missed the depth of bipartisan understanding about countries such as Guyana in the US congress so without further alienating the Biden administration, the PPP seeks to surreptitiously sell itself as building a Singapore-like state in Guyana to its rightwing supporters, who it hopes will soon take government with a new republican regime in the US. We have, for example, Dr. Vishu Bisram telling us that the 'The Singapore model is highly recommended for states such as Guyana,' (SN: 25/12/2023).Please note that Singapore is classed an 'elected autocracy' and it was not invited to the 110-nation democratic summit the Biden administration recently convened. I have argued elsewhere (VV: 13/03/2022) that Singapore is significantly different from Guyana and that what is still taking place there is unacceptable. The following are a few of the offensive tit

bits that fit nicely into the PPP's notion of governance and Burke's activism persistently exposes them to those who matter.

S i n g a p o r e ' s parliamentary political system has been dominated by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and the family of current prime minister since 1959. It does not have an independent election commission; its elections department is a government body attached to the prime minister's office.

All domestic newspapers, radio stations, and television channels are owned by companies linked to the government. Editorials and news coverage generally support state policies, and self-censorship is common.

The law gives government ministers the authority to identify false online content and order its removal or correction. All public universities and political research institutions have direct government links that enable political influence and interference in hiring and firing. There is a ban on government employees joining unions and nearly all unions are affiliated with the National

To tackle poverty and economic...

From page 4 is on display in Guyana today. As I have asked in this space before: what impulse or feeling in the PPP government does SN hope to trigger with its weekly Cost of Living series? A serious government's moral obligation to ensure the welfare of its citizens? Its desire to honor the constitutional rights of citizens to a high quality of life? Or its understanding

that ending poverty and generally investing in people can spur further economic growth and development?

In the PPP, there is no such impulse or feeling at the required scale to make a real difference in the lives of citizens. To tackle poverty and economic insecurity (and the flood of other issues), we need a government that can reimagine living in Guyana.

Sincerely, Sherwood Lowe

Trade Union Congress that is openly allied with the ruling party.

The country's top judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister. Judgments against the government are rare but the judiciary is perceived to act more impartial in business-related cases. The LGBT+ community faces significant legal obstacles. (https://freedomhouse.org/c ountry /singapore/freedomworld/2020).

As for racism, a study conducted by Dr. Peter Cook suggested a solution to the existing economic disparities between races in Singapore. He proposed precisely what I have been suggesting to the PPP. 'The first step is to acknowledge that racism is an issue and be willing to have extensive discussions about it. Singapore could carry out something like what Australia has done; the government could release a 10-year plan to reduce racial disparities ('The Economic Roots of Racism in Singapore' 2021/07/010).

To crown it all, Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of the city state, was also a racist. 'Chinese are the product of a civilization which has bread a people with a belief in high performance, while the Malays, more fortunately endowed by nature had not the need to strive so hard. As a result, the Malays feel they are being asked to compete unfairly; they will not admit that because of history, they are a different gene pool and do not have the qualities that can enable them to enter the same race' (Ibid)!

Sincerely Dr. Henry Jeffrey

Wednesday January 03, 2024

74 years since the formation of the People's Progressive Party Dear Editor January 1, 2023 marks 74 years since the formation of the People's Progressive Party (PPP). The PPP was formed on January 1, 1950 and remained until this day the largest multi-racial political party in Guyana.

It speaks to the leadership acumen of the founding fathers of the PPP, especially Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his wife Janet that the Party they founded continue to be the dominant political party in Guyana, despite the several attempts made by reactionary forces to emasculate the party and keep it out of power.

The PPP was outsed from power in 1953, the first to be held under universal adult suffrage. It scored a massive victory winning 18 out of 24 seats. After a mere six months in office, the constitution was suspended and the PPP removed from office.

Following the suspension of the constitution, attempts were made to split the party. The PPP was split in 1955 after Forbes Burnham, a former founder-member unsuccessfully attempted to take over the leadership of the party. He then formed the (Continued on page 24)

Nandlall seems to misunderstand the...

From page 4 with a Statute, the Statute shall prevail.” I need to remind him of the Rudisa v Guyana case [2014] CCJ (OJ) in which he was lead Counsel for Guyana. The judges lost no time in rejecting his argument that a failure by Guyana to honour its Treaty obligation was somehow excusable because of good faith efforts by the then PPP/C Government.

Ruling against Guyana, the CCJ unanimously reaffirmed the legal principle “pacta sunt servanda” (“agreements must be respected). Just in case Anil thinks that the reason for the CCJ's decision was that the matter arose solely out of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, it is in fact a long-standing principle laid down in Trendex Corporation v Central Bank of Nigeria [1977] 1 QB 529 that sovereign immunity, including lawmaking, does not generally apply to commercial cases.

Anil's argument that the NRF Act applies to the 2016 Agreement, and by implication with retroactive effect, is not without considerable difficulties. But even if those hurdles are crossed, it is unlikely that this extends to making the stability clause(Article 32) in the Agreement inoperable.

That clause, while not forbidding any changes in the law, provides, inter alia, that “the Government shall promptly take any and all affirmative actions to restore the loss or impaired economic benefit to Contractor, so that the Contractor receives the same economic benefit under the Agreement that it would have received prior to the change … “ Prior to Nandlall's statement, there was nothing in the public domain to suggest that the new legislation affects the 2016 Agreement in any manner, let alone requiring resolution. For example, the

most recent audited annual financial statements of Hess and Exxoncontinue to reflect no change in their entitlement, or their understanding of the tax provisions. Mr. Nandlall's reactive interpretation will certainly excite them.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nandlall can help Guyanese in providing answers to the following questions.

1. Does his statement on his Facebook page represent his and the G o v e r n m e n t ' s o ff i c i a l position, or was it personal and unofficial?

2. D i d h e o r t h e subject Minister, at any time since the passage of the NRF in 2021, have any discussion with Exxon, Hess and C N O O C o n h i s interpretation of the implications and consequences for the Agreement?

3. Were his interpretation and its consequences accepted by the oil companies?

4. Was there a resolution in accordance with Article 32 (3) and how was that resolution formalised?

5. Since he does not agree with my interpretation of Article 15 (4) (b) of the Agreement regarding Government's obligation to pay the tax out of its share of profit oil, can he say what the correct interpretation is?

6. By virtue of section 45 of the NRF Act to which he accords supremacy status, is Guyana now relieved of the obligation to pay the taxes of the oil companies?

7. Would he be kind enough to provide a schedule, with particulars, of the Certificates of Taxes issued by the Guyana Revenue Authority under Article 15 of the Agreement?

8. What was the source of the money used to pay such taxes for the oil companies?

9. If no Certificates of Taxes were issued, were there any other receipts, acknowledgments, documents or confirmation

from the GRA to the oil companies of taxes paid on their behalf?

10. G i v e n A n i l ' s assertion that the Agreement is overtaken by legislative changes, does he consider that further changes are within the exclusive powers of the Government, without restoration of benefits?

I share with Guyanese three very fundamental concerns about the 2016 Agreement.

1. The use of the Government's share of oil profits to pay the taxes on behalf of the oil companies.

2. The stability clause which effectively deprives Guyana of legislative sovereignty until 2057 – give or take a couple of years.

3. The Government's insistence on the sanctity and inviolability of the 2016 Agreement, making it beyond renegotiation.

Mr. Nandlall's response to the column suggests that he has found a magic formula to overcome those concerns. If his statement represents the Government's position, it is the best news for the country at the beginning of a new year. It also portends that Guyana can settle other concerns about the environment, insurance, level of royalty and allocation of profits in the Agreement without adverse implications.

F i n a l l y, i t w o u l d certainly be preferrable for the conversation I am having with Anil to take place more widely, including in the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y.

Currently, that is wishful thinking. But I do believe that Anil is committed to constructive dialogue and that he too recognises the benefit of our exchange. I therefore welcome his response and look forward to his answers to my questions and confirmation of my conclusions.

Sincerely Christopher Ram

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Govt. spent US$1.6B of oil money to date The Ministry of Finance on Monday disclosed that the final withdrawal from the Natural Resource Fund for the year 2023, amounting to US$152.1 million (G$31.6 billion), was made.

This takes the total transfers for the year 2023 to US$1.002 billion (G$208.9 billion) as approved in the National Assembly. According to the release, the withdrawal from the NRF on December 27, 2023, to the Consolidated Fund marks the eighth transfer since the fund was operationalised.

President Irfaan Ali assented to the legislation on December 30, 2 0 2 1 . T h e c o u n t r y ’s f i r s t withdrawal from the oil account was announced the following year.

In 2022, the Government of Guyana (GoG) plugged US$607.6 million in oil money into the National Budget for first time. This means that approximately US$1.6

billion in revenue from the industry to date has been spent.

The most recent NRF receipts, published by the Bank of Guyana in September 2023 indicated that the country has received just over US$3 billion from the sector since production activities commenced in 2019. The NRF Act sets specific guidelines for the use of the funds; however, there has been no indication from government as to a single project financed from this revenue stream to date.

Section 16.2 of the NRF Act explains that, “All withdrawals from the Fund shall be deposited into the Consolidated Fund and shall be used only to finance: (a) national development priorities including any initiative aimed at realizing an

Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh inclusive green economy, and (b) essential projects that are directly related to ameliorating the effect of a major natural disaster.”

Government has not identified what are the “national development priorities” being funded by the oil revenue. This is particularly concerning as the legislation features no penalties for misuse of the funds.

The purpose of Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund is to ensure there is prudent management of the nation’s oil earnings for the present and future benefit of the people by ensuring that volatility in natural resource revenues does not lead to volatile public spending.

With little transparency regarding the use of G u y a n a ’s o i l w e a l t h , International Financial Analysts worry that the revenue may not be used to develop the country and

improve the lives of its poor citizens.

For instance, Director of Financial Analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Tom Sanzillo had pointed out that the government has not been prioritising saving the funds generated from the industry like Norway but has instead embarked on a massive infrastructural and energy development scheme which may very well benefit its partner, ExxonMobil more than the citizens in the country.

Meanwhile, the GoG previously said that money from the oil account is transferred directly to the consolidated fund which blends the various revenue streams. This means that the government is therefore unable to say what specific projects were funded by those earnings.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

PAGE 09

Government Should Seriously Reconsider its Plans to Offer Free Education at the University of Guyana by 2025

S

ince it was returned to office in 2020, the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) has taken commendable strides in revolutionizing tertiary education.

The highlight and highpoint of its efforts was the launch of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).

This innovative program of delivering tertiary education has been impactful. GOAL has been a game-changer, providing thousands of individuals with access to tertiary education who might otherwise be constrained by factors such as work commitments, geographical location, or the limited online offerings of institutions like the University of Guyana.

GOAL has been such a success story that it puts the University of Guyana to shame for its failure to not have rolled out more extensively an Open Learning initiative such as GOAL. GOAL has proven that there is an enormous need for a more flexible and convenient access to higher education in Guyana. It has also established that there is a massive void in terms of the delivery of tertiary education services.

In this context, the government should seriously reconsider its plans to o f fer free education at the University of Guyana by

2025.

Instead it should channel the resources for that initiative towards the GOAL programme.

One of the most significant advantages of the GOAL initiative is its flexibility in terms of class schedules. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar institutions, GOAL allows students to access lectures online, something that is more convenient and suited to the schedules of students.

This flexibility is particularly crucial for those who are already engaged in the workforce and may find it challenging to attend regular classes.

The flexibility offered by GOAL translates into greater accessibility for individuals who may face geographical barriers. Not everyone can relocate to access education at a traditional university, especially those living in remote areas. By expanding GOAL, the government can bridge the gap and ensure that quality education is accessible to all, regardless of where they live.

By providing greater access to tertiary education, GOAL caters to the needs of a diverse student population, ensuring that education becomes a viable option for working professionals and individuals with family obligations.

The GOAL program also stands out for its diverse range of courses, offering a far wider spectrum than

those available at the University of Guyana. The traditional model of tertiary education often limits students to specific fields and may not accommodate emerging disciplines and industries. GOAL, on the other hand, embraces a forward-thinking approach by providing a variety of courses.

Given that the Vice President is concerned about the sustainability of public servants wages especially considering that a time will come when there is no oil, it is surprising that he has not considered whether free education at the University of Guyana is sustainable.

The government has to factor cost effectiveness into its decision-making concerning use of oil revenues. Online education incurs lower overhead costs compared to maintaining physical campuses and infrastructure. Instead of pouring more monies into the University of Guyana, those funds can be redirected towards expanding GOAL. This would allow for the m o r e e ff i c i e n t u s e o f resources since UG is not known as a paragon of efficiency. It is a guzzler of public funds This strategic reallocation can lead to a higher return on investment for the government. It is one that will ultimately benefit a greater number of students.

Investing in the GOAL program represents a

DEM BOYS SEH

Instead of promotion we getting reshuffle In de good ole days the New Year used to lead to expectation and excitement in de public service. It was then that we used to learn about some of de big appointments. Even Burnham, at one time, used to use his New Year's address to de nation to announce important appointments.

Since de PPPC come in, promotions scale-back. Yuh does hardly hear about persons being promoted within de government. And when yuh hear about some appointment, is usually somebody from outside de organization who does get pitchfork into a new position bypassing somebody who was in de system.

Apart from de police and army promotions, not many people getting a push-up these days. When last y'all hear about public servants being promoted for the New Year. Dem hardly getting promoted during the year.

But Burnham did understand dat yuh does gat to mek people feel valued. And so he used to create a whole set positions including Vice Presidents and Senior Ministers, Advisers and Ambassadors and other senior positions in public corporations, and mek dese sound as if he promoting de appointees. One time he move a man from Vice President to an Ambassador, a clear demotion.

But the way he announce it mek yuh feel de man get a big wuk.

Instead of de PPPC promoting people, it reshuffling personnel. De old cinema man wuk so hard and everybody seh de man deserve to be appointed to de top post in he Ministry. Instead dem bring another Minister and give that person de wuk.

But is de Fine Ants man dem boys sorry for.

De man plate done full already and now he gat to overlook de Public Service. And all because de PPPC believe in shuffling de pack rather than introducing a new card.

Talk half. Leff half

forward-looking and strategic approach to tertiary education.

The online learning model allows for continuous improvements, leveraging advancements in technology and pedagogy.

In contrast, pouring more funds into a beleaguered institution such as the University of Guyana may yield limited returns without addressing fundamental issues such as outdated teaching methodologies, infrastructure challenges, and bureaucratic hurdles.

Governments have tried

without success to reform the University of Guyana.

Rather than pouring more funds into a struggling university system, the government should consider scaling up the GOAL program to create a new model of tertiary education in Guyana. The success of GOAL demands that it moves from an academy towards a full-fledged tertiary education platform.

This is not to say that the government should not support free education at the University of Guyana. It should do so but only for

select programmes which are the more relevant to the skills that are urgently needed for national development.

GOAL is the way to go.

UG should be let go!

Please save peeping Tom (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.)

PAGE 10

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Twenty workplace deaths recorded in 2023 The Ministry of Labour has recorded a marginal decline in deaths due to workplace incidents.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton made this disclosure during a press conference held at the Ministry of Labour’s headquarters on Brickdam, on Tuesday.

Hamilton explained that there has been a steady decline in workplace fatalities.

“In 2020, there were 32 workplace deaths; in 2021, the number decreased to 27 deaths and then in 2022, there were 21 deaths…Over a three-year period, we have moved from 32 deaths in that area and now 20

deaths that should not have happened. We have moved from 32 to deaths to 21 fatalities in 2022 and 20 in 2023,” Minister Hamilton told reporters.

The Minister noted that the majority of the fatalities were recorded in the Mining and Construction Sectors.

Hamilton reported that of the 20 deaths recorded last year, nine were in the Mining Sector with the majority occurring in Region Seven; six of the deaths occurred in the Construction Sector with four of those occurring in Region Four. The other deaths Continued on page 22

- Labour Minister

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton (centre) at the end-of-year press conference.

He was accompanied by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mae Thomas (left).

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

EITI Report flags secrecy of Exxon’s audit findings G u y a n a ’s E x t r a c t i v e I n d u s t r i e s Transparency Initiative (EITI) Report for 2021 has flagged the secrecy of ExxonMobil’s audit reports. EITI is a global standard to promote transparency and accountability in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

Guyana’s fifth EITI Report was prepared by an independent Administrator, Hart Resources Ltd, registered in the United Kingdom, while BDO Professional Services Inc, a Guyanese firm provided subconsultancy. It has noted that while two audits have been conducted to date these have not been made available to the public.

The core objective of the EITI report is to help the understanding of the level of contributions of the extractive sector to the economic and social development of Guyana to improve transparency and good governance at all levels of the extractive industry value chain.

Since 2019 ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) began producing oil in the Stabroek Block. To this end, the report noted, “The amount of cost oil deductible by EMGL in arriving at profit oil is subject to audit by the Government of Guyana. At the date of this report, two such audits were carried out by

separate teams, but agreement has not been reached on any potential adjustments to be made.”

It added, “These reports have not been made available to the public as the audits are considered incomplete.”

Meanwhile, the report went on to recommend that the Audit Office considers training on the oil sector, as the burgeoning industry will place new demands on the work required.

“We recommend that the Audit Office should review what resources will be required to put into effect a programme of bring government audits up to date; and should review whether training on the oil sector, as far as relevant to the responsibilities of the Audit Office, is required for staff in order to properly and competently carry out Continued on page 22

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

PAGE 13

GPHC conducted 748 emergency surgeries in 2023 Guyana’s premier healthcare institution – the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Department of Orthopedics conducted a total of 748 emergency surgeries for last year.

Speaking at the institution’s year-end press conference last

week, Head of the Surgery Department, Dr David Samaroo informed media operatives that 1,602 surgeries were conducted; of that, over 700 were emergency in nature. The department has also conducted advanced surgeries including surgeries on the pelvis to

the acetabulum. “In orthopaedics, many times when you consider very difficult surgeries, those around the pelvic area are sometimes the most difficult type.

And it was by no fluke that we achieved doing these surgeries, it was actually by design,” Dr

Samaroo disclosed.

He highlighted that the hospital acquired a new CT scan machine that allowed surgeons to study the fractures more precisely and understand the characteristics of these fractures.”The surgeons were able to train themselves and gear

themselves to treat these complex problems,” he said.

Dr Samaroo further pointed out that the department was able to successfully conduct complex spine surgery where surgeons were able to approach the spine both Continued on page 22

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday January 03, 2024

IDB plans to triple climate financing for Caribbean in next decade The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) is planning to triple direct and mobilized climate financing for Latin America and the Caribbean to US$150 billion over the next decade with the support of

its member countries, including through the anticipated recapitalization of its private-sector arm, IDB Invest.

By reaching this goal, the IDB Group would become one of the first multilateral development

banks to fulfill the G20’s recommendation that they triple climate financing. “We are placing action on climate and nature at the center of the IDB Group,” said IDB President Ilan Goldfajn at the United Nations Climate Change

Conference (COP28) in Dubai back in November last year.

“This means increasing direct and mobilized climate financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, expanding our work on global public goods, such as the

Amazon, catalyzing private-sector engagement and developing new financial instruments so we can mobilize more capital toward climate action,” he said.

This year the IDB will assume Continued on page 22

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

PAGE 15

Guyana takes up membership of the United Nations Security Council

Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, with other Security Council members outside the Council chambers. Also participating in the simple ceremony were the other newly elected members, Algeria, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.

Guyana has taken its seat as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term 2024-2025.

O n Tu e s d a y, P e r m a n e n t Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, installed Guyana’s flag alongside those of other Security Council members outside the Council chambers.

Also participating in the simple ceremony were the other newly elected members, Algeria, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Slovenia.

In a brief statement, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett recognized that the task of maintaining international peace

and security is growing increasingly complex with multidimensional challenges and, that the Council is, therefore, compelled to be proactive in addressing potential sources of conflict, and comprehensive in its response to existing conflict situations.

She stated that Guyana will seek a people-centred approach, including the involvement of women and youth in the search for solutions, ever mindful that conflict is a driver of poverty and underdevelopment and therefore inimical to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

T h e t h e m e o f G u y a n a ’s participation in the Security Council is, “Partnering for Peace and Prosperity”.

Guyana’s tenure on the Council will be rooted in a firm commitment to multilateralism and guided by the priorities of (i) climate change, food insecurity and conflict; (ii) peace building and conflict prevention; (iii) women, peace and security; (iv) protection of children in armed conflict; and (v) youth, peace and security.

In keeping with these priorities, Guyana has endorsed the ‘Joint Pledge on Climate, Peace, and Security’ and joined the ‘Statement of Shared Commitments on Women, Peace, and Security’.

This will be Guyana’s third time serving on the Council following terms in 1975 – 1976 and 1982-1983.

Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, installed the Guyana flag alongside those of other Security Council members outside the Council chambers.

Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Brave man shot dead while pursuing wedding house bandits The celebratory mood of a wedding house at Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD) took a sudden turn on Old Year’s Night after a 40-year-old man was shot dead by bandits following a robbery at the event.

Dead is Natram Persaud called ‘Vishaul,’ a father of two and an employee of the Guyana Lands and Survey Department (GLSD). He resided at Lot 43 Stanleytown, WBD. Another man, Manipaul Rambarhak called ‘Anand,’ a 57-year-old farmer of Canal Number Two Polder was shot and injured by the bandits. He was robbed of his gold handband valued at $250,000.

Police said the alleged robbery was committed by three male bandits, all of whom were dressed in dark coloured clothing and wearing masks. One of bandits was armed with a handgun. According to the police, the men invaded the wedding house in Canal Number Two Polder around 20:50 hrs on Sunday. It was reported to the Police that at the time of the incident, the wedding celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Samsundar was being held at the Canal Number Two venue and about sixty people were in attendance. The yard where the celebrations were being held is situated on the northern side of the Canal Number Two access road, facing south. At the entrance to the yard which is situated at the southern side, is a metal grilled gate which was wide open at the time of the robbery.

Police said Rambarhak was sitting at the western side of the entrance along with another friend when three masked men approached him and one of the men who was armed, discharged two rounds at him and relieved him of his gold band. The suspects exited the yard and the Persaud chased after the intruders and began to scuffle with one of the suspects. “During the scuffle, a loud explosion was heard, after which Persaud fell to the ground. The three bandits then made good their escape east of the Canal

Dead, Natram Persaud

#2 Polder access road,” police said.

Relatives then went to the assistance of Rambarhak and Persaud and it was observed that they both sustained gunshot injuries.

Rambarhak sustained a gunshot injury to his stomach; the bullet exited through his lower back. Persaud sustained a gunshot injury to the back of his head. Rambarhak was escorted to the Woodlands Hospital where he underwent an emergency operation and his condition was listed as critical. Persaud was escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor.

Persaud’s body is presently lying at the Ezekiel Funeral Home at Best Village, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

According to the police, detectives processed the scene and three .45mm spent shells were recovered, one on the bridge area and two at the entrance of the yard. In addition, several closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras were seen affixed to the building where the wedding function was held, and these will be reviewed by detectives. Several persons were questioned and certain information was received. No suspects have been arrested thus far, as investigations are ongoing.

Child playing with lighter flattens La Grange home Scenes from the fire

The fire in La Grange, West Bank Demerara that destroyed a home was ignited by a child playing with a l i g h t e r, i n v e s t i g a t i o n s revealed.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) clarified this while addressing claims in certain media outlets regarding their alleged failure to provide water at the scene.

According to a GFS press statement on Tuesday, the distress call reporting the fire at Lot 171, Unity Street, La Grange, came in at 13:35 hrs Monday. Responding swiftly, Water tender #111 and a team from the La Grange Fire Station arrived by 13:45 hrs, finding a two-storey wooden and concrete house fully engulfed in flames.

Despite the house being difficult to access as it was nestled behind several buildings and only reachable through a narrow alleyway about 250 meters from the fire truck, firefighters swiftly initiated a response.

The collapsed roof and absence of immediate threat to nearby structures led them to establish a continuous water relay system using a Continued on page 18

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

PAGE 17

$881M nursing school for Suddie, Region Two The Health Science Training Complex at Suddie, Region Two would be constructed at a cost of $881 million.

According to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office’s website an $881,463,975 contract was awarded to Roopan Ramotar Investment on December 27, 2023.

The contractor was among 18 firms that submitted bids for the

project which was estimated to cost $1,125,744,857.

The Health Science Training Complex at Suddie is one of two buildings the Ministry of Health had previously tendered for. The other structure is slated to be constructed in New Amsterdam, Region Six. At a graduation ceremony back in August 2023, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony had announced the government’s plans to build the new

Sonia Parag named new Local Govt. Minister - President Ali announces as Public Service portfolio shifts to OP

Minister Sonia Parag

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag has been reassigned to the Ministry of local Government and Regional Development; President Irfaan Ali announced on Tuesday evening. Parag now joins Junior Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud.

The decision follows the absence of Nigel Dharamlall, the substantive Minister of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. Dharamlall was placed on administrative leave last year amidst allegations of sexual assault, prompting Persaud, his deputy, to assume leadership.

Dharamlall resigned from his post as Minister and Member of Parliament in July 2023.Persaud has held the role of Minister within the Ministry since 2020.

On Tuesday, President Ali informed the nation via a live recording on his Facebook page that “I’m pleased also to announce today that the ministry, the Ministry of Local Government will see Minister Sonia Parag taking up responsibility there joining Minister Anand at the Ministry of local government. Minister Parag will now move from Public Service Ministry to the Ministry of Local Government.”

He added that the transition will take place over the course of this week. The Public Service portfolio will come under the purview of Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh in the Office of the President. Further, President Ali spoke to the emphasis being placed on community-oriented programs and accelerated initiatives within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

“We have a very robust community-oriented program at Ministry of Local Government and an accelerated program, a number of targeted initiatives at the level of the NDC (Neighbourhood Democratic Councils), the regions or the municipalities we are looking to empower the local governance structure more and more as we roll out the benefits to our people.” President Ali expressed.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony in August last year visiting the site for the nursing school slated for Suddie, Region Two. facility in the region. He had stated that the new structure will be built in the compound of the Suddie Public Hospital.

“We’ll be sure that when we build that nursing school, it will not be just for nurses, but this must be a training facility for all the different categories of workers that we must train for the health sector,” he stated.

Kaieteur News understands that the training

complex will be a two-storey steel and concrete building.

It will measure 280 ft in length and 118ft in width and will be equipped with a training hall.

The new structure is part of the ministry’s plan to expand training opportunities for nurses across Guyana.

Meanwhile, last week Minister Anthony announced the challenges the health sector is facing

due to the shortage of nurses in the country.

He shared that one of the things that the government is aware of is that recruiters are coming into Guyana and actively recruiting healthcare professionals. He said this is something that cannot be stopped.

“But one of the things that we have been doing to increase nurses in our system is to train more people,” he added.

The Minister said that to train more people means having the necessary training facilities in place.

Dr. Anthony noted that the current nursing schools at Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam are only able to train about 200 to 250 nurses per year, noting that an audit has revealed that the c o u n t r y n e e d s approximately 4,000 more professionals to reach the needs in the sector.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Govt. to issue RFP to implement Pres.

Gas Monetization Strategy Ali

Wife of Prime Minister, Mrs. Mignon Bowen-Phillips holding one of the New Years’ newborn baby as the mother looks on.

GPHC welcomes 7 newborns

on New Year’s Day

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Monday welcomed the birth of seven babies.

On New Year Day, Mrs. Mignon BowenPhillips, wife of Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, visited the Maternity Ward of the GPHC, where she shared love with the mothers of the newborns by gifting them essential supplies for their babies.

Whilst in the ward, Mrs. Bowen-Phillips interacted with the mothers and the seven New Year’s, babies consisting of five girls and two boys.

Notably, the Prime Minister’s wife expressed her excitement at contributing to the happiness of the mothers. “One of the

greatest gifts or one of the best blessings, in fact, for a woman is becoming a mother. And so, I’m excited that they have this responsibility to care and nurture another human being. “You know, we need all the resources that we have to be part of the development of Guyana, and so, it’s such a good feeling to be a part of this small but significant activity.”

She added, “It’s an opportunity for me to wish them all the best for the New Year and to hope that all their dreams in terms of the growth and development of their children will come true.” Mrs. Bowen-Phillips was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Mr. Robbie Rambarran.

Mrs. Mignon Bowen-Phillips, handing out hampers at GPHC maternity ward.

Child playing with lighter flattens...

From page 16 light pump and an open water source.

Regrettably, the fire razed the property, leaving nine individuals, including 44-yearold Nigel Douglas, 34-year-old Keon Gonsalves, and seven family members, homeless.

Investigations pinpointed the cause as a child’s use of a lighter left unattended on a chair, which sparked flames that rapidly spread to nearby combustibles. Utilizing one jet from light pump #118 connected to an open water source, firefighters managed to extinguish the flames.

The GFS emphasised the importance of accurate information dissemination, urging the public to avoid assumptions that discredit

Wednesday January 03, 2024

their efforts. They stressed the need for prompt contact with the Fire Service during fire incidents and advised caution, especially concerning children’s access to fire starters like matches and lighters. Furthermore, they recommended households install fire safety equipment such as alarms, smoke detectors, and extinguishers.

The Fire Service remains reachable through their toll-free number, 912, and encouraged citizens to report concerns or fire incidents promptly.

This incident serves as a stark reminder for the public to prioritize fire safety measures, particularly in relation to supervising children and having adequate fire prevention equipment available at home.

President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday evening unveiled plans for the implementation of Guyana’s National Gas Monetization Strategy, announcing that Requests For Proposals (RFP) will be issued soon.

The move aims to expedite the monetization of the country’s gas assets, a pivotal step in harnessing its natural resources.

During a live broadcast, President Ali highlighted the integration of public feedback into the strategy, signaling the imminent release of RFPs. “We are integrating those comments with the initial document and in another week, we expect to go to requests for proposals to move towards implementing or move towards looking at models…through which we can move as quickly as possible to monetizing the total gas assets that we have in our country,” the head-of-

President Irfaan Ali state said.

F o r m e r Tr i n i d a d & Tobago Energy Minister, Kevin Ramnarine, was reportedly paid US$20,000 to prepare the heavily criticized strategy.

Criticisms abound

regarding the strategy’s lack of concrete steps and its viability in transforming potential options into realities.

T h e d r a f t s t r a t e g y, unveiled on October 30, 2023, for public consultation Continued on page 22

Trio wanted for attempted execution of Campbellville businessman The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesday issued a bulletin for three men who allegedly attempted to m u r d e r a 4 2 - y e a r- o l d Campbellville man on July 6, 2023, at Austin Street, Campbelville, Georgetown.

Lennin Messiah also known as ‘Baby’, Joel aka Joe Sars and Shannon Braxton Wilson are accused of discharging a loaded firearm towards Safraz Khan at Austin Street, Campbellville, Georgetown.

It is alleged that on July 6, 2023, whilst Khan was reportedly pulling up in front of a building in his car, when a tinted car subsequently pulled up behind, and a gunman in a yellow hoodie stepped out and opened fire on him while he was sitting in his vehicle.

After firing multiple shots, the gunman ‘getaway’ car drove off, he ran and

entered the front passenger’s seat making good his escape.

Notably, Khan sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body.

Anyone with information

about the whereabouts of the trio is asked to contact the police on; 225-6940, 2258196, 226-7476, 225-2317, 227-1149, or the nearest police station.

WANTED: Leninn Messiah also known as ‘Baby’

WANTED: Joe aka Joel Sars

WANTED: Shannon Braxton Wilson

VICTIM: Safraz Khan

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Wednesday January 03, 2024

Construction of Govt. office complex to begin this year – Min. Edghill Construction of a high-rise government office which will link several government ministries and agencies is expected to begin in the first quarter of this year.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, gave the update at a yearend press conference last Friday

last at the ministry’s Wight’s Lane, Kingston, Georgetown office.

“This is a major project. You will have heard us discuss this at Parliament, and provisions have been made. We have actually moved the location to give us a better deal and a better service,”

the minister said.

He noted that the building will be constructed about 1 km east of the second roundabout at the new Eccles/Haags Bosch roundabout.

The complex will feature four towers that will have the capacity to hold approximately 6000 staff,

built on 20 acres of land. These complexes are intended to increase efficiency by consolidating these government agencies into one location, thereby improving on the delivery of services.

“Rather than people running Continued on page 22

Min. of Public Works, Juan Edghill

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Body of man recovered after swimming trip The body of Owen Smith, Jnr. was recovered from the Waini River in the North West District (NWD), Region One after a tragic incident during a bathing trip on Monday afternoon.

Friends and relatives discovered his body during search efforts on Tuesday morning in Santa Cruz, a village on the Waini River at the mouth of the Barama River.

Smith, a young father, reportedly plunged into the water around 16:00hrs on Monday but failed to resurface while bathing. His friends, who were with him at the time had launched a search, but were unsuccessful in rescuing him.

There are suspicions among family members and friends that Smith might have hit his head when he dived into the water. His body was transported to Kwebana by the police on Tuesday morning and later taken to the Kumaka Hospital at Moruca for a post-

Dead: Owen Smith, Jnr. mortem examination. The community mourns the loss of the young man, leaving behind two children and a grieving family.

PAGE 21

Owen's body being recovered from the river

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

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From page 10 were in the security, logging, vulcanizing, and transportation sectors.

In the past four years, more than 75 deaths have been recorded in the workplace.

Additionally, 175 non-fatal accidents were investigated in 2023, from a total of 577 reports.

Additionally, 950 inspections were conducted at workplaces across the ten administrative regions which af-

fected over 8000 workers.

Given the alarming number of fatal accidents in the mining industry, Minister Hamilton said the Labour Ministry will be partnering with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Ministry of Health to develop a special training programme aimed at providing miners with First Aid Training.

“So, one of the things

EITI Report flags secrecy of...

From page 12 audits of entities operating in or exposed to that sector,” the report states.

Following the review, it noted that the Audit Office should include any additional financial costs in its budget submission to the National Assembly.

Guyana’s first oil audit was conducted by a British firm, IHS-Markit. The contract was awarded by the Coalition government in September 2019 for the company to review some US$1.6 billion in costs incurred by Exxon during the period 1999 to 2017.

A second audit contract

was awarded by the incumbent administration in May 2022 for a local consortium, VHE supported by an overseas company, to undertake a US$7.3B review of the oil company’s expenses racked up between 2018 and 2020.

There has been public outcry since both audit reports, though handed over to government have not been shared publicly.

The first report was leaked rather than officially shared through government channels.

The second report however remains hidden from the public to date.

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type training in mining areas, and not just mining areas, in the forestry areas, so that you will have somebody on a mining site, or in the camp who have some first aid training,” Minister Hamilton explained.

Noting that one death, is one too many, Minister Hamilton said the Labour Ministry intends to bring the number down to zero by intensifying Occupational Health and Safety training, while collaborating with key stakeholders on the issue.

“Someone would ask, what’s the big issue here?

The big issue here is that every death is a person, it is not a statistic.

It is somebody’s child, husband, father. Some set of people mourning, some set of people having a funeral, and so for me, I don’t treat these as statistics and that is why we are doing everything possible to ensure that this could be reduced to zero.

We have established several joint technical committees with partner agencies whether private sector or public sector to help to ensure that this fatality rate decreases,” the Labour Minister said.

Govt. to issue RFP to implement Gas Monetization Strategy...

From page 18 by the Ministry of Natural Resources, has faced scrutiny for its vagueness and absence of actionable plans.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo labeled it a “discussion paper” after acknowledging significant flaws during one of his press conference.

This publication had highlighted that key elements like Methanol, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Ammonia/Urea production, and Hydrogen were discussed in the strategy. However, there’s a glaring absence of detailed strategies for Guyana’s entry into these markets, raising doubts about the feasibility of the government’s approach.

IDB plans to triple climate financing for Caribbean in next...

From page 14 the presidency of the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and Regional Development Banks Heads (RDBs) Groups, which are critical to fulfilling the G20’s goal of overhauling the global financial architecture to adequately address climate change. In this role, the IDB will work closely with Brazil’s G20 presidency to advance the reform agenda.

“Our reform priorities include a focus on making the

MDBs work better as a system, by harmonizing our standards and processes, and continued coordination on climate and nature projects.

Additionally, we will continue to lead the work on financial innovations as well as engaging private-sector participation in climate and nature finance. The goal is to help make MDBs achieve the scale and impact to meet today’s challenges,” said President Goldfajn.

As the principal source of

GPHC conducted 748 emergency...

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that…we are working on and we hope to implement this year along with partners is to do some training of a different sort, medical first aid

From page 13 anteriorly and posteriorly.

Several sports medicine surgeries including anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were also conducted by the department.

Joint replacement surgeries were also conducted through a collaboration with Operation Walk, with 62 joint replacement surgeries conducted. “For our own statistics, our surgeons were able to achieve 64 surgeries over the year and this is because, while we are doing joint replacement surgeries, our department also does several other fractures and orthopaedic pathologies,” he pointed out.

The GPHC is partnering with Hero Mission to conduct

complex orthopaedic surgery for paediatric patients and eight surgeries were conducted on this group of patients.

“Also, in October, we partnered with persons from the World Paediatric Project and we did seven scoliosis surgery. This is quite a phenomenal achievement because for the past 25 years, we have not done any scoliosis surgery here at GPHC and this is because of one, skill and two, because at the time in the past, lack of some instrumentation,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Surgical Outpatient Clinic saw 11,906 patients; 2550 were new patients and old patients while there were 9,356 revisits.

long-term development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, the IDB Group is committed to helping the region meet its climate mitigation and adaptation needs and maximizing its potential to become a global leader in climate and nature action.

As the home of Amazon rainforest - one of the world’s primary carbon sinks – and thanks to the significant share of renewables in its energy mix and abundance of crucial mineral reserves for the green transition, the region is well-positioned to become part of the solution to global climate change challenges.

IDB Support The Amazon is a critical part of the IDB Group’s action on climate and biodiversity. Amazonia For-

ever is the institution’s holistic umbrella program that aims to protect this region’s natural wealth and accelerate its sustainable development.

The IDB Group is committing up to $5 billion in additional financing for the Amazon over the next 10 years for sustainable development projects, leveraging partnerships and funding from countries and other stakeholders.

The IDB Group is also pioneering innovative financing mechanisms to help mobilize more resources and empower countries.

These mechanisms include debt-for-nature conversions, sustainability-linked bonds, and discounts when the nature and climate objectives of selected loan projects are met.

Construction of Govt. office...

From page 20 from different places to get service from an agency, several agencies will be in one complex.

So when you drive there and you park and you come out, you could get several services done,” Minister Edghill explained.

The sum of $2.6 billion, which was approved in the 2022 budget, was paid to the contractor – Caribbean Green Building Inc – to be used as

mobilisation advance for the office towers, as well as to facilitate geotechnical studies and designs.

The minister had said that the public works ministry would be the first to undergo this transformation.

The ministry has under its purview, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Work Services Group, and the Transport and Harbours Department, among several others. (DPI)

Wednesday January 03, 2024

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Wednesday January 03, 2024

Israel maintains onslaught as Gaza death ...Gaza's health ministry says 22,185 Palestinians toll tops 22,000 have now been killed in Gaza since October 7.

A woman reacts while standing in front of a house destroyed in Israeli bombardment in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip [AFP]

(AL JAZEERA) Israeli attacks have continued across the Gaza Strip with little let-up, as the death toll in the enclave rose above the latest milestone of 22,000.

The total number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 7 now stands at 22,185, while at least 57,000 have been injured, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday. Meanwhile, air and ground attacks continued

across the Strip, including in the south, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people have been directed to seek safety.

Some two-thirds of those killed amid Israel's bombardment of Gaza are women and children, according to the ministry.

Israel launched its campaign following Hamas's raid into southern Israel, which killed around 1,140 and saw around 240 taken hostage.

Overall, 207 Palestinians have been killed in 15 Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Tuesday. It also reported that 338 people were wounded.

Al Jazeera's Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Khan Younis in the south, said there was “intense bombardment” in the central and southern regions last night and in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

“There were reports of massive explosions in these two areas, in Khan Younis and refugee camps in the central part,” he said. The intensity of the bombing and the fact that many roads and much infrastructure were destroyed prevented ambulances from going to the targeted sites and taking people to hospitals.

Israeli forces hit a home in the central Gaza city of Deir el-Balah, and the majority of the dead were women and children, local Palestinian outlet Wafa News Agency said.

In the Nuseirat refugee camp, also in central Gaza, at least one girl was killed and several others injured after an Israeli drone opened fire on the market.

Meanwhile, in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, four people were reported killed in an Israeli bombing.

More than one million Palestinians have been displaced from northern Gaza since October 13, when the Israeli military

ordered people to evacuate to the south with 24 hours of notice.

Attack on Israeli forces In central Gaza's Bureij refugee camp, Hamas's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said it had clashed with Israeli forces in the eastern part of the camp, while also targeting an Israeli Merkava tank.

The al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad, says that its fighters fought an armed battle with Israeli soldiers in the Bureij refugee camp that resulted in injuries among the soldiers.

The armed wing also announced that it targeted the Israeli military with mortar shells in the alMahatta area in Khan Younis. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it killed Hamas members who were planting mines along Gaza's coastline and in nearby buildings. The Israeli army said it also killed three Hamas members in an air attack after seeing them

enter a building south of Gaza City in the north.

Lost 'carte blanche' With at least 22,000 Palestinians massacred in Gaza, Israel has lost its “carte blanche” from Western allies, said Adel Abdel Ghafar, a senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs.

“As scenes of carnage, displaced populations, dead children and starvation fill our screens, the tide is really shifting,” he told Al Jazeera, adding that massive proPalestinian rallies across Europe and the United States have exerted pressure on politicians, with some European countries like Belgium changing their tone on Gaza and calling for a ceasefire, something Israel has firmly rejected. “It's also very interesting to keep an eye on US politics given that this is an election year and [US President Joe] Biden's ratings are down,” said Abdel Ghafar. “This will factor into his calculus in this New Year.”

Guyana deserves strong and focused leadership...

From page 4 bred and death comes fast”.

At a time when Guyanese are grappling with an increasing cost of living crisis, an acute shortages of critical human resources, including nurses, in the public healthcare sector, poor and starvation wages for public servants (the PPP/C government gave an insulting 6.5% to public servants)a noticeable increase in crimes, and political and military tensions on our western border, the focus should rightfully be on finding solutions and nationbuilding. Despite their importance those challenges and issues did not figure prominently at that press conference H o w e v e r, t h e Vi c e President's comments about who should and should not be Senior Counsel, appear to be a ruse to shift attention away from these critical issues, displaying a regrettable display of political favourtism.

Appointment to the esteemed position of Senior Counsel is a testament to professional achievement and dedication to the legal professional; it is based on merit. It is troubling to witness the Vice President

insinuate that a member of his political party- the PPP/C- should have been awarded the title instead.

Again, this raises serious concerns about the priorities of PPP/C leaders and their ability to rise above very narrow party lines for the greater good of this nation. If only the Vice President had the ability to transcend political pettiness then he would not have to be hopping in front of the press, every week, to speak on every governmental and state issue. Instead, the crammed cabinet of ministers on the state's payroll would be allowed to function and carry out their duties, which include reporting to the people. It does appear that the Vice President is an authority on every subject.

Whether it is the environment, oil and gas, public works, public health, lands, legal matters or who qualify for conferment of senior counsel; the Vice President seems to know it all. Then what is the use of everyone else in his government?

Guyana is facing unprecedented challenges that clearly demand the full and focused attention of its leaders. From economic

hardships to the strain on our healthcare system, to a border controversy, now is not the time for divisive rhetoric. It is clear that, the Vice President's comments not only undermine the integrity of the legal system but also erode public trust in the government's ability to address the pressing issues confronting us. Instead of engaging in divisive discourse, the Vice President should be channeling his efforts towards fostering inclusivity, and work with all stakeholders to address the multifaceted crises that threaten the wellbeing of Guyanese and the democratic values of our country.

It is imperative that those in government prioritise the collective good over partisan interests. Indeed, Guyana deserves leaders who can rise above political bickering, especially in times of crisis. Guyanese should not be distracted by the petty politicking of the government but rather focus on finding solutions that will promote our nation to greatness. The people of Guyana deserve nothing less.

Regards Roysdale Forde (Senior Counsel)

A view of a street filled with debris of destroyed buildings in Deir el-Balah, Gaza [Ashraf Amra/Anadolu Agency]

74 years since the formation of the...

From page 6 People's National Congress (PNC) in 1957 after his break-away PPP (Burnham) failed to make any significant electoral impact in the 1957 elections. The PPP (Jagan) won 9 of the 14 seats with PPP (Burnham) winning 3 seats.

It is a historical fact that the PPP was engineered out of office in the 1964 elections after the British Government imposed a system of proportional representation as opposed to the conventional constitency method which had characterized all elections prior to 1964. The result was a PNC-UF coalition government which lasted for just three years until the UF was booted out of the

coalition government on the eve of the 1968 elections.

But it was the destruction of the democratic fabric of the society under Burnham's dictatorial rule that resulted in prolonged economic and social decline for almost the entire period of PNC authoritarian rule. During that period, Guyana was reduced from one of the more prosperous country in the Anglo-phone Caribbean to the poorest in the western hemisphere.

It was not until the restoration of democratic rule on October 5, 1992 after some twenty-eight years of PNC dictatorial rule that the economic fortunes of Guyana changed. Under the slogan of 'Time for Change:

Time to rebuild, the PPP/C under the leadership of Dr. Jagan began a process of people-centered development or what became known as ' development with a human face'.

This approach to development continued under successive PPP/C administrations. During this period the economic and social landscape of the country has changed markedly to a point where the economy is now ranked among the fasted growing in the world. Congratulations are in order for the leadership and membership of the party on the occasion of its 74th anniversary!

Regards Hydar Ally

4202 ,30 yraJanuary unaJ ya03, dse2024 ndeW Wednesday

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday January 03, 2024

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Wednesday January 03, 2024

PAGE 27

Knicks top West-leading Timberwolves SportsMax - Julius Randle had 39 points and nine rebounds, OG Anunoby made a strong debut with his new team and the New York Knicks earned a 112-106 win o v e r t h e We s t e r n Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday to end a three-game losing streak.

Anunoby was traded to the Knicks from the Toronto Raptors on Saturday and met his new teammates for the first time on Sunday.

Despite needing some occasional help to navigate coach Tom Thibodeau's system, Anunoby finished with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and pulled down six rebounds.

Randle finished 14 for 24 from the field and made nine

of 13 free throws for New York, which trailed by nine points after one quarter before outscoring Minnesota by a 38-17 margin in the second to build a 61-49 halftime lead.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves, who had a two-game winning streak halted, with 35 points. KarlAnthony Towns finished with 29 for Minnesota, while Rudy Gobert grabbed 15 rebounds to go along with 10 points.

Bench propels Pacers as Bucks' home winning streak ends Ty r e s e H a l i b u r t o n finished just short of a tripledouble as the Indiana Pacers put an end to the Milwaukee Bucks' 15-game home winning streak with a 122-

113 victory over their Central Division rival.

Haliburton compiled 26 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds to lead Indiana, which trailed by 15 points late in the third quarter to tie the game at 101-101 with under six minutes left.

The Pacers then embarked on an 8-0 run, with T.J. McConnell scoring six points during the spurt, to take the lead for good.

McConnell had 12 points in the fourth quarter to help the Pacers to a fourth straight win. He finished with 16 points off the bench, while Bennedict Mathurin had 25 along with a career-high 13 rebounds.

With Mathurin and McConnell leading the way, Indiana's bench outscored

Wednesday January 04, 2024 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19 You have a wonderful, nurturing nature, Aries.

Those around you reap tremendous benefit from your caring soul.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) In case you do any writing or artwork today, it will seem to come from a source outside of yourself, Taurus. Is this the divine muse you've heard others talk about?

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Put that book down and get out of the house, Gemini!

You've been by yourself long enough; it's time to start interacting with other people.

In addition to having heaps of fun.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your hard efforts to improve your life are finally showing results, Cancer. And this is just the boost you've needed, as some people set your self-confidence a bit on edge.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Romance is in the air today, Libra. It's the perfect time to make yourself look your best and invite that certain someone to dinner.

Even if you're already happily married.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Just because you're stressed now doesn't mean that you need to be stressed tomorrow, or the rest of the day for that matter. There are steps you can take to soothe your troubled soul.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) It isn't just royalty who gets to live happily ever after in fairy tales, Sagittarius. You have this right as well. The conditions are ripe for attracting a special person into your life.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Out with the old and in with the new! That seems to be your mantra for the day, especially where your home is concerned.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The people you meet today could be of tremendous benefit to you later on, Leo. You have especially keen vision today, so make sure to take note of everything.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You have an urge to hop on a plane and leave the country, Aquarius. It seems that this is the only way to free yourself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) This is a time of new beginnings, Virgo. Whether you are aware of it or not, you are more than ready to take on some new challenges. You have allowed yourself to become complacent about your career.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Finally, all of your efforts are bei n g r e c o g n i z e d , Pisces. That's not to say that you can now sit back and rest on your laurels - quite the contrary!

Milwaukee's reserves by a 70-16 margin.

The Central-leading Bucks were dealt their first defeat at Fiserv Forum since Oct. 29 despite Giannis Antetokounmpo's 30-point, 18-rebound, 11-assist tripledouble.

Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton had 21 points each for Milwaukee, though Bucks star guard Damian Lillard struggled with a 3-of16 shooting night while being held to 13 points.

Leonard returns to help Clippers top Heat Kawhi Leonard returned from a four-game absence to score 24 points and help the Los Angeles Clippers stay hot with a 121-104 win over the Miami Heat.

Paul George added 23 points and Norman Powell had 22 on 9-of-11 shooting to aid in the Clippers' third straight victory and 12th in 14 games.

Miami, playing without

Julius Randle had 39 points and nine rebounds, OG Anunoby made a strong debut. six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and a few other key contributors due to injuries, held a 35-23 lead after one quarter and was up by as much as 14 points in the second before the Clippers began battling back.

Los Angeles outscored the Heat by a 32-17 margin over the final 9 1/2 minutes of the first half to take a 5958 edge at the break.

Leonard, who had been sidelined by a hip contusion, had 13 second-quarter points to spark the comeback.

George then scored 12 points in the third quarter as the Clippers extended their lead to 95-85 entering the fourth.

Bam Adebayo paced Miami with 21 points and 15 rebounds. The Heat have now dropped two straight following a four-game winning streak.

GCB recognizes elite batch of...

From page 27 Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shaneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi and Kaysia Schultz West Indies Girls Under19 World Cup Team in January 2023 Ashmini Munisar (Captain) and Releanna Grimmond I C C Wo m e n ' s T 2 0 World Cup in March 2023 Shemaine Campbelle and Shabika Gajnabi West Indies versus Ireland Series in Jun-July 2023 Shemaine Campbelle, Cherry-Ann Fraser and Shabika Gajnabi C a r i b b e a n P re m i e r League (Women) in AugustSeptember 2023 Shemaine Campbelle, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shaneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Ashmini Munisar, Kaysia Schultz West Indies Women Tour of Australia 2023 in Sept- October 2023 Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Cherry-Ann Fraser and Ashmini Munisar West Indies Women 'A' Team Tour of Pakistan in Oct- Nov 2023 Mandy Mangru, Nyia Latchman, Shaneta Grimmond, Ashmini Munisar, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Wednesday January 03, 2024

GCB recognizes elite batch of players for 2023 season - Board hails local Windies/CPL /National selectees The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) enjoyed a record 2023 as a number of its players both male and

female, broke onto the national/international scene as a large number of local players were selected for

West Indies and Caribbean Premier League (CPL), senior and junior teams.

For the Male Cricketers

Shabika Gajnabi

Ashmini Munisar

Gudakesh Motie

Sherfane Rutherford

who stood out last year and will be resuming their careers with more international or national duties in 2024, a wide array of talent managed to shine as part of the West Indies team.

Below is a list of Guyanese players (Male/Female) and the respective tours they were a part of during 2023.

The West Indies Test Tour of Zimbabwe in February/March 2023 Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Gudakesh Motie West Indies Tour of United Arab Emirates Jul 2023; All-rounder's Keemo Paul and Kevin Sinclair ICC 50 overs World Cup Qualifiers in Jun-July 2023 Romario Shepherd and Kevin Sinclair and Keemo Paul West Indies 'A' Team tour of Bangladesh Kevin Sinclair West Indies vs. India 50 overs Series in August 2023 Romario Shepherd,

Shimron Hetmyer and Gudakesh Motie West Indies vs. India T20I Series in August 2023 Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetymer and Gudakesh Motie Caribbean Premier League (Men) in AugustSeptember 2023 Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Shamar Joseph, Junior Sinclair, Keemo Paul, Kevlon Anderson, Ronsford Beaton, Chandrapaul Hemraj and Sherfane Rutherford (St. Kitts and Nevis) the only Guyanese to feature outside the Warriors West Indies 'A' Team Tour of South Africa in November 2023 Kevin Sinclair, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Tevin Imlach Shamar Joseph and Kevlon Anderson West Indies Academy vs. Ireland Academy in Nov-Dec 2023 Isai Thorne, Junior Sinclair, Matthew Nandu, Kevlon Anderson West Indies vs. England

T20I Series in December 2023 Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford West Indies vs. England 50 overs Series in December 2023 Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford West Indies Tour of Australia in Jan-Feb 2024 Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Shamar Joseph and Tevin Imlach West Indies Under-19 Youth World Cup in JanFeb 2024 Mavendra Dindyal and Isai Thorne The list Women below, both senior and junior, like their male counterparts, excelled in 2023 both locally and internationally.

West Indies Women's Tri Series Team in January 2023 Shemaine Campbelle, (Continued on page 27)

Wednesday January 03, 2024

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Milerock claim $1M with clinical 7-3 demolishing of Capital FC UDFA Banks DIH/Jai Signs Christmas Club Futsal Final...

M

ilerock, rocked the back of the nets as they scored a dominant 7-3 victory over Capital FC who choked as the two clubs clashed in the final of the Upper Demerara Football Association's (UDFA) planned Banks DIH /Jai Signs Christmas futsal

- Drake cops MVP, Kennedy is best goalkeeper Colwyn Drakes of Milerock, was making his presence felt on the field of play, at one time dismissed a sure Capital FC goal when he blocked a shot with his goalkeeper beaten. Drakes,

crucial final period of play Gittens could not convert on a chance presented, but the good move by their captain Marcus Tudor resulted with goal number five for Milerock, as they took a 5-1

Milerock pose with their spoils after the game. championship contested New Year's night at the Retrieve Hard Court in Linden.

In the third place playoff match Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection stopped Botafago, 4-3 as they regrouped from the loss to Milerock in the semifinals with a composed victory.

After some commanding wins Capital FC appeared to get the edge before kickoff, but soon after that opening whistle it was clear that neither side had the upper hand from the opening salvoes.

But as the midway mark approached in the opening period, Milerock asserted themselves well to the extent that Allan Halley would send them into the lead 1-0 from a play down the left flank.

later named the Most Valuable Player of the final, sent his team 2-0 up when he scored with about five minutes remaining in this first half.

But even as Emanuel Atkins would cut that lead by half when he banged home Capital FC's first goal of the game, the experienced Rawle 'Boney' Gittens would increase the advantage once more with his strike, after a follow-up to an offensive move, for a 3-1 Milerock score-line when the lemon break came.

In the second half Drakes again would score to give his side a 4-1 cushion within the first five minutes of play and the game's tempo increased as the pace picked up.

Half way through this

MVP Colwyn Drakes collects cash incentive from Banks DIH Linden Branch Official Shawn Grant.

lead against a bewildered Capital FC side.

Stoutly defending and pressing for more goals, Milerock made it 6-1 when Drakes was able to penetrate and score with about six minutes to go, but Andre Mayers would get a goal for Capital FC, only to see Milerock respond this time through Tudor. And even though Tyric McAllister would net another goal for Capital FC, it was over bar the shouting, with Milerock comfortably being triumphant 7-3.

With the hat-trick of goals he scored and his commanding play Drakes was voted the Most Valuable Player, while the acrobatic goalkeeper for Milerock, Neil Kennedy, won the Best Goalkeeper award.

The winners' Trophy was p r e s e n t e d b y U D FA P r e s i d e n t Wa i n w r i g h t Bethune to the Milerock captain Marcus Tudor who received a US$100 incentive, compliments of Deputy Mayor of Linden Dominique Blair.

The runner-up trophy was handed over by Patrick Dey, Second Vice President of the UDFA to Tyric McAllister of Capital FC, while Banks DIH Linden official Shawn Grant handed over a cash prize also to Drakes. Regional Chairman of Region 10, Deron Adams, presented the third place trophy to the Winners Connection team as Member of Parliament Devin Sears was there to present the

fourth place winner Botafago with their trophy.

The sponsors for this

tournament were Banks DIH, Jai Signs, Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc., Bolo's Variety Store, B. Harry Lumber Yard and General Store, and Jermain and Son

Super Markets.

Presentation of the incentive prizes to the various teams is to be done later this week according to an official of the UDFA.

Wednesday January 03, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Bossalina spanks Spankhurst on New Year's Day at Rising Sun Turf Club Bossalina avenged her defeat in the Horse of the year title race by slamming a star studded field that included Horse of the Year winner, Spankhurst with comfortable

success in the feature event of t h e S i n o - Tr u c k S p r i n t Horserace at Rising Sun Turf Club, on New Year's Day. T h e D e l e e p Esreepersaud-owned/trained

dark/bay daughter of Street Boss/Headmistress scored from recent import Stolen Money, Spankhurst and John Bull with the crowd urging on the mare as the light began

The Bossalina connection completed their revenge in the feature race. to set on Rising Sun for a very popular victory. This was sweet revenge for Esreepersaud.

On Boxing Day last year, Bossalina was beaten by Spankhurst at Port Mourant, and that defeat was the reason why she wasn't voted as the Horse of the Year.

An elated Esreepersaud asked about the sever-yearold mare success stated," Last time we talk the horse win (speaking about the person interviewing him).

We need to speak more regularly. When I speak to you I win." Sharing what was the turnaround that improved her for the New Year's Day feature.

Esreepersaud added: “She came into this race well prepared. The jockey rode to instructions, and that is how I am speaking to you, as It's nice to see your horse wins.

It's very emotional. She will remain in training, and to me she is the horse of the year for 2023 and 2024." Jockey Patrick asked about the ride, "The last race I rode it did not have any speed so I had to ride against her style of running. This time it had speed, when she was beaten on Spankhurst as the race had no speed. This time I took her

back, and gradually made my move."

While not taking the focus from Bossalina, Spankhurst's rider Colin Ross almost fell from his mount at the bottom turn, because of an infringement caused by the rider on John Bull. On the first day of the racing season, rain and sun fought out a battle amongst themselves, while back on earth at Rising Sun Turf Club race track, humans and equine athletes battled for supremacy.

It was trainer Damain Dharamjit and his owner Jumbo Jet Racing Stable that dominated the New Year's seven-race card proceedings.

Jumbo Jet Racing Stable did not have any runner in the opening event, and their raid started from the second race with Twisted Jet trotting up under rider Colin Ross.

In the third race Ross opted to ride American Traveller instead of Game Changer, and that proved to be a very big mistake. As young Ronaldo Appadu (replacing Ross) rode a waiting race, and swooped on her field for a very facile success. In the fourth race where Guyana-bred horses competed, Country Rock

gave Appadu back to back success by slamming favourite Money Time very easily. Then it was all Jumbo Jet Racing Stable and Ross Dharamjit. They won the 1,600-metre Derby dominating with Firecracker, who scored readily from stablemates, Flight Time, and Scandal in the six-horse contest.

Jockey Appadu riding with skill on opening day of the 2024 racing suggest that he could be a very big threat to recently crowned Champion jockey Ross.

After four races were run off, Appadu won two aboard Game Changer for owner Jumbo Jet Stables trained by Dharamjit, and then took the 1100-metre Guyana-bred two-year-old contest aboard Country Rock.

While in the day's opener he finished aboard Shake The Bank, beaten by Donald Trump ridden Kevin Paul. He also finished second aboard GT Boss in the second race to Twisted Jet ridden by Ross to give Ross an early double.

However, Ross bounced back by recording a treble on the card.

Racing action continues at Rising Sun on January 28, 2024.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

PAGE 31

GGA thanks supporters for outstanding 2023 - Promises more growth for Golf in 2024

Several Schools have become a key part of the advancement of the sport locally.

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he Guyana Golf Association (GGA) sent its warmest 2024 wishes to all golfers and Guyanese alike, with major plans to further expand the sport with the New Year now starting.

“I wish to thank our partners, players, supporters, sponsors and donors for their awesome support that made 2023 the best on record quite possibly impossible to surpass!

Without you, none of this would have been possible so I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Best Wishes for another record-breaking year to come”, Said GGA president Aleem Hussain.

Hussain outlined the tremendous year that Golf under the GGA had experienced, with a number of new endeavors lined up for 2024.

Guyana Golf Association and NexGen Golf Academy in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Allied Arts Unit Priority Programme and Ministry of To u r i s m , G u y a n a To u r i s m Authority celebrated a year for golf within the schools system across Guyana Working with the Ministry of Education Unit of Allied Arts, we expanded the PE Teachers 'Train

the Trainers' Programme to reach 155 PE teachers in eight regions.

The Nexgen Golf Academy welcomed more than 1,000 additional learners in 2023.

The GGA hosted the 7th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser, the third annual Summer Camp for 250 kids along with the First National Junior Golf Championship with 135 participants from across 6 regions.

GGA/NexGen donated

equipment to and started a golf programme with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) while forging a partnership with the Guyana Tourism Authority; which saw at this last year's GuyExpo, over 3,000 participants enjoying mini-golf.

Some 289 students choose golf as a PE elective at CSEC achieving 100% pass rate with 93% at Grade I. Along with the Ministry of Education Priority Programme; the GGA launched the in-school PE

sports programme in October to reach over 14,000 additional participants.

Hussain also broke new ground as head designer and builder when of the Westside Golf Course Aleem Hussain was featured in Golf Architecture Magazine. In partnership with Tomorrow's Leaders, we hosted 300 children from orphanages and disadvantaged families at a Fun day filled with food and activities.

Local Golfers participated in

tournaments in Trinidad, Barbados and Suriname. Also, the Westside Golf Course was completed and is scheduled for full operation in January 2024.

GGA also became certified as the only LPGA USGA Girls Site in the country and entered into Collaboration agreements w i t h t h e Te x a s G o l f Association (TGA) and Barbados Golf Association (BGA) to provide opportunities to young golfers.

Golf continued to grow during the past year with the involvement of the GDF.

Monnaf Arjune outdistances the competition in LGCs exciting end-of-year Club Tournament

I

n fine style, and more focused on the bragging rights, Monnaf Arjune was delighted as he emerged Net Champion in the LGC's end-of-year 18-hole Medal Play Club Tournament that teed-off at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday 30 December, 2023.

Monnaf scored 69, including a Birdie from a massive 150 yard 4iron hole-in stroke on Hole Number 7. He outdistanced the competitors, including Guyana's current male National Golf C h a m p i o n , Av i n a s h P e r s a u d , who, though winning the Best Winners from left to right, Avinash Persaud, Miguel Yunes, Gross prize with an excellent score Monnaf Arjune and Patrick Prashad. (Gavin Todd was unavailable). of 74, came in 3rd after a tie with

veteran player Gavin Todd for a Net score of 71.

In 4th place was LGC Treasurer, Miguel Yunes, showing great improvement in the use of his Driver, with a net score of 74.Meanwhile, former Captain, Patrick Prashad brought his experience and skill to bear, winning both the Longest Drive and Nearest The Pin specialty prizes.

Club Captain Dr Pope Emanuel London, in expressing congratulations to the winners and thanks to the participants, indicated that the New Year promises to have even more exciting and rewarding competitions for the golfers.

Wednesday January 03, 2024

PAGE 32

GDF prevail over Western Tigers to clinch KFC Elite League Cup title

- GPF FC cops 3rd place, Western Tigers lose 8-7 on penalty kicks

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he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) concluded its KFCsponsored Elite League Cup on Monday at the Eve Leary ground in Kingston, Georgetown. The final showdown between Guyana Defence Force Football Club (GDF FC) and Western Tigers FC ended in a

The highly anticipated clash lived up to its billing right from the start. The initial 90 minutes saw exceptional goalkeeping from both sides, resulting in a deadlock. It was a thrilling match filled with near misses, remarkable saves, and flashes of brilliance.

Western Tigers exerted pressure on GDF throughout

Stiff competition prevailed between GDF FC and Western Tigers, seeing Western player (with ball) under tight guard during Monday's final.

Some of the action between GPF FC and Buxton United during the KFC League third-place playoff.

the game. In the 54th minute, Nicholi Andrews (GDF) received a red card for a strong tackle on the line.

Despite playing with ten players, GDF fiercely defended to prevent conceding a goal. Despite relentless attacks, the score remained unchanged, leading to an intense extra time.

Extra time heightened the drama, but neither side could break the opponent's defence. Both teams exhibited commendable resilience, battling fiercely

dramatic goalless draw, ultimately culminating in a gripping 8-7 victory favouring GDF FC in a thrilling penalty shootout.

GDF FC, boasted a starstudded lineup featuring experienced national players alongside rising talents, entered the final as clear favourites. Their journey to the finals was marked by tactical brilliance and standout individual performances.

The opposing Western Tigers, a team that consistently defied expectations in the tournament. Despite being labeled as underdogs, they displayed unwavering teamwork and resilience, overcoming tough opponents to reach the final.

on the field. With no goals scored, the championship fate rested on a tense penalty shootout.

The atmosphere at Eve Leary was electric as the penalty kicks began. Each successful strike amplified the intensity, with the scoreline remaining tight until a crucial moment when Western Tigers FC missed a decisive penalty.

This miss opened the door for GDF FC to claim the championship.

With unwavering focus, GDF FC converted the

winning penalty amid thunderous cheers from the crowd. Fans erupted in joy as GDF FC emerged victorious in an exhilarating 8-7 penalty shootout, securing the coveted KFC Elite League Cup title.

In earlier match, Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC secured a 3-0 victory against Buxton United FC in the third-place playoff, with Pernel Schultz (61'), Neron Barrow (69'), and Nicholas McAurther (86') scoring goals, earning Police FC a well-deserved victory.

Penalty kicks determined the title winners on Monday; GDF FC won 8-7 against Western Tigers FC.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 03, 2024

PAGE 33

Massara Village's Strikers FC Triumph in Debut Climb Guyana Cup Expanded 'Battle Of The North' 2024 Tournament to Feature Women's Teams North Rupununi

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trikers Football Club of Massara Village signed up for the inaugural Climb Guyana Cup at the lastminute on the eve of the December 23 launch, and went on to triumph over seven formidable teams in the epic 'Battle of the North' showdown at the Aranaputa Sports Ground.

With only three days to spare before heading to another competition in Lethem, Strikers grappled with doubts about enduring intense 60-minute knockout matches on December 23 and 24 against seven formidable North Rupununi teams, including FC Basin, C h a l l e n g e r s , Surama/Wowetta, Toka, Three Hills, Spartans and Falcons.

The young squad started with a resounding win against Surama|Wowetta on December 23 and powered through to defeat the formidable home club, FC Basin in the second round to earn their spot in the championship clash against Falcons FC.

Strikers Football Club of Massara Village are the inaugural Climb Guyana Cup football champs.

In a riveting December 24 final showdown, Strikers physically fit lineup and aggressive tactics prevailed, dominating the Falcons in a closely contested match that culminated in a thrilling 1-0 victory.

This hard-fought win

secured their rightful claim to the champions of the Climb Guyana Cup 'Battle of North' title, trophies, medals and $100,000 in cash.

Oslyn, the formidable goalkeeper for Strikers, clinched the prestigious Top Goalkeeper award bestowed

by Eon DeViera Academy, while Denzell Moses proudly secured the MVP trophy courtesy of Champion's Choice.

Falcons, having triumphed over Challengers and Spartans en route to the final, claimed the esteemed

second place, earning a cash prize of $75,000 for their stellar performance.

In the electrifying clash for third place, Spartans outshone the home club FC Basin with a commanding 31 victory, seizing the $50,000 prize money and the accompanying trophy.

Additionally, Spartans' Rondella Benjamin emerged as the recipient of the Petra Organisation's Top Goal Scorer trophy, recording an impressive tally of five goals throughout the tournament.

Climb Guyana founder Amanda Wilson-Falloon congratulated champions Strikers FC and thanked all participating teams, officials and fans for contributing to the success of the inaugural Climb Guyana Cup. She also expressed gratitude to North Rupununi Football Association (NRFA), Aranaputa Council, and Climb Guyana team members, including Region Nine Director Alphonso King, Lisa Khan, George Clarke, Breann Wilson and Pearl Jacobus for their unwavering commitment.

“Climb Guyana closed out 2023 in extraordinary fashion, marking a thrilling milestone with the inaugural Climb Guyana Cup. A big thank you to every player, official, devoted fan and members of Team Climb Guyana who made this event an incredible success.

Hats off to our champions, Strikers FC who participated with heart and determination from the first match.”

Wilson-Falloon highlighted that fans were treated to two days of exceptional sporting prowess and revealed that the tournament will be held again in the North Rupununi in a few months with bigger cash prizes, the inclusion of women's clubs and an array of surprises and twists to enthrall both players and fans alike.

"In just a few months, we're returning to the North with expanded prizes and the exciting addition of women's clubs, promising several days of thrilling football in the heart of North Rupununi,” Wilson-Falloon shared.

Australia star David Warner announces shock retirement from ODI cricket ahead of final Test Independent - Australia's cricket star David Warner has announced his retirement from one-day international and Test matches.

The 37-year-old opener will pad up for his 112th and final Test match this week in Sydney against Pakistan and did not rule out playing in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

The left-handed opening batsman was among the winning team to lead Australia to win its sixth Cricket World Cup against India last year.

"I'm definitely retiring from one-day cricket as well," Warner said on Monday.

"That was something that I had said through the World Cup, get through that, and winning it in India, I think that's a massive achievement.”

Warner, who became the first Australian cricketer to score 500 runs in two different ODI World Cups, said it was the right moment to call time after an "absolutely amazing" World Cup win.

"So I'll make that decision today, to retire from those forms,

which does allow me to go and play some other leagues around the world and sort of get the one-day team moving forward a little bit.

I know there's a Champions Trophy coming up,” he told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“ I f I ' m p l a y i n g David Warner was part of decent cricket in two Australia's record-extending years' time and I'm winning World Cup around and they need team.

(Getty Images) someone, I'm going to be available."

Warner finishes his career with 22 centuries

and 6,932 runs at an average of 45.30 over 161 one-day internationals.

The cricketer made his debut in January 2009, and took part in David Warner was Australia's two World Cups.

The Champions Trophy, which leading run scorer in cricket hasn't seen action since 2017, is World Cup in 2023. (REUTERS) poised for a comeback in Pakistan

in 2025. While it has traditionally been a 50-over cricket tournament, recent reports suggest a movement to transition it into a Twenty20 format.When Warner was first picked for the national team he had no prior experience in first-class cricket – the first time this happened for 132 years.

Piloted by Jockey Nicholas Patrick, Bossalina showed who was boss on New Year's Day.

s t r o Sp

Bossalina spanks Spankhurst on New Year's Day at Rising Sun Turf Club GFF President, Wayne Forde presents GDF Football team with KFC Elite League Cup trophy on Monday at Eve Leary ground.

GDF prevail over Western Tigers to clinch KFC Elite League Cup title - GPF FC cops 3rd place, Western Tigers lose 8-7 on penalty kicks

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