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“A grave dereliction of duty that borders on criminal behaviour”- Gaskin

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

No independent meters 4 years later…

January 15, 2024 - Vol. 17 No. 3

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 55,199

Norton now wants data on Exxon's well to decide if ring-fencing project is

the correct path for Guyana Businessman Miner dies killed after in Puruni car slowed down for cow backdam to cross road accident

Drivers can be banned

for overtaking on

- Management says

Demerara Harbour Bridge Govt. invites proposals for gas infrastructure to support upstream developments

6

th

oil project: AFC wants strict

timeline for audits, ring-fencing, full protection from Exxon for oil spills

Kaieteur News

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Monday January 15, 2024

No independent meters 4 years later…

“A grave dereliction of duty that borders on criminal behaviour”- Gaskin

C

Civil society activist, Ramon Gaskin

ivil society activist Ramon Gaskin has described the failure by government to install meters, for the purpose of independent verification of ExxonMobil’s daily rate of production, a grave dereliction of duty that borders on criminal behaviour.

In an exclusive interview

with this publication on Sunday, the economist bemoaned the state of affairs some four years after the country produced its first barrel of oil.

Gaskin said, “I’m convinced in my mind that politicians are not serious about monitoring carefully what these people are doing.

They are too much in bed with the oil companies and

the bauxite companies and all of them. They are not doing what they are supposed to do, they are not doing their jobs that they are supposed to do when it comes to the monitoring and all kinds of things.”

He continued, “It is a grave dereliction of duty which borders on criminal behaviour with the failure to do what you are supposed to do. It is not only a neglect of duty but is criminal because; we are losing a lot of money as a result of the government and their friends not doing what they are supposed to do.”

The activist pointed out that the previous administration also shares part of the responsibility for not ensuring an independent mechanism is in place to monitor and verify the daily rate of oil production.

Meanwhile, with regard to government’s plan to utilize a cable to feed off of information received by Exxon’s Control Centre being developed at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, Gaskin argued, “We don’t need no cable from nowhere.

We h a v e t o h a v e a n independent metering system. We don’t need a cable because the technology is available. The Vice President must know they can manipulate all of those results. We need a straight forward metering system that could be monitored by Guyanese inspectors on a 24-hour basis, so all this confusion with cable is unnecessary.”

The activist questioned the government’s reasoning in arriving at the decision to utilize information from the oil company to somehow verify oil production.

According to him, “The government doesn’t want to do it because if Exxon say they don’t want it, Exxon is the boss and in the controlling position when it comes to the government.”

Gaskin contends that since Guyana commenced oil production government has nothing to show as a tangible achievement; instead, he pointed out that the country’s debt to international and bilateral creditors continue to climb.

“There is no sharp increase for the standard of living or nothing. It’s a total mess. Since we signed this agreement for oil what can

we show? What have we achieved?”

The activist said there should be no delay by government to install independent meters to verify production as Guyana could be losing hundreds of thousands daily.

Guyana on December 20, 2023, commemorated its fourth successful year of offshore deep water oil production. ExxonMobil is the operator of the prolific Stabroek Block where more than 11 billion barrel of oil resources have been discovered since 2015.

The country now has three Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) in operation, without independent meters to verify production. Five projects have been sanctioned to date in the absence of this fundamental system with a sixth likely to be approved soon.

M e a n w h i l e , Vi c e President Bharrat Jagdeo when asked about the government’s intentions regarding the monitoring of ExxonMobil’s production during his end of year press conference in December said plans are advancing with the fiber optic cable to link Exxon’s onshore facilities to the FPSOs in the Stabroek Block.

Interestingly, Jagdeo said that once Exxon’s headquarters in Ogle, East Coast Demerara, is completed, it will enable real-time monitoring and possibly control offshore production activities.

Jagdeo explained that while government is hopeful to get a connection with the cable, he indicated plans for the government to establish its own means of monitoring, using satellite technology.

“Right now, we are in discussion with a couple people but most likely [government] will have to go to tender for a system using s a t e l l i t e t e c h n o l o g y.

Because we don’t have that cable as yet, but later we can probably use the same cable to the things that you’re saying,” the Vice President said.

Critics believe even government’s plan for satellite monitoring of oil production is flawed since this technology cannot determine the number of barrels produced.

Kaieteur News

Monday January 15, 2024

PAGE 03

Norton now wants data on Exxon’s well to decide if ring-fencing project is correct path for Guyana

I

n a recent press conference, Guyana’s political opposition asserted that they require detailed well specifics and expert advice before conclusively determining whether ringfencing projects within ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block is the correct path.

On Thursday, Leader of the Opposition (LOO) Aubrey Norton was asked about the ring-fencing of Exxon’s multi-billion-dollar projects in the Stabroek Block. Norton argued that, as a relatively new player in the oil and gas industry, Guyana lacks technical c a p a b i l i t i e s , u rg i n g a cautious approach. He emphasised the need to engage experts and thoroughly assess available options before committing to ring-fencing.

“It is easy to say do one, do two without looking at the consequences without the experts’ knowledge,” the Opposition Leader said.

Ring-fencing, in the realm of oil and gas, is a financial safeguard to segregate the economic activities of distinct projects. This strategy prevents the mix of funds from different ventures, ensuring that profits generated by a particular project are solely utilized to cover its associated costs.

It should be noted that the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed by the previous Coalition government, stipulates that a whopping 75 percent of the

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton monthly revenues are to be deducted as costs to repay t h e c o m p a n i e s ’ shareholders, while the remaining proceeds are split as profits equally with Guyana. In the absence of a ring-fencing provision, the companies have the leeway to use the profits from producing oil projects to pay for others that are yet to commence production.

A ring-fencing provision would therefore prevent oil companies from using revenue generated from a production field to offset costs in another project. It would also mean that when that project cost is repaid, Guyana would enjoy 50 percent of the revenue generated there.

T h e O p p o s i t i o n ’s economic advisor, Elson Low echoed similar sentiments as Norton. Low stated that access to detailed offshore operations data, particularly regarding the complexity and nature of the

wells, is crucial for informed decision-making.

The advisor underscored that the information available on well size and other aspects is insufficient, emphasizing the necessity of a holistic understanding of the wells’ complexity and deposits.

“One of the reasons that we say when we’re in office we will review this data and seek expert’s advice is because we want to ensure that it is clear what the correct path forward. The leader just mentioned that we don’t want to sway investors. Especially if we’re looking at circumstances where ring fencing is not appropriate but in order for us to really be able to put forward a final decision and to approach this issue, we will need access to that data and to that end we have been calling for access to data,” the Opposition economic advisor said.

The Opposition advisor

Melanie man caught with ammo A 46-year-old man of Melanie Damishana, East Demerara was arrested by ranks of the Customs Anti- Narcotics Unit (CANU) after he was found with a quantity of ammunition consisting of multiple types for various weapons on Saturday night.

According to CANU, during an operation on Saturday night at Norton Street Wortmanville, a search was conducted on the man and this led to the discovery of the rounds. The ammunition included one .223 round and eleven 9mm live rounds.

The man was escorted to the CANU head quarters and subsequently handed over to the police along with the ammunition for further investigation.

The ammunition which CANU ranks seized from the man. (Photo: CANU)

Opposition Economic Advisor, Elson Low said, “What we’re saying is ring-fencing is something we’re looking at but it’s not a hard and fast approach rather it is dependent upon getting access to more information.”

Low stressed the importance of considering the financial implications of

well complexity on investor decisions and expressed a need for additional information to gauge potential negative impacts on investment decisions.

“So we need to get additional information so that we can get a sense of

how investors will look at different well prospects and therefore, whether ringfencing will impact the investment decisions negatively or not cause an impact therefore we need access to that information but also the appropriate expertise to be able to guide us as we make that evaluation,” he responded.

Notably, during one of his 2023 press conferences, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo accepted that ringfencing the oil projects will allow Guyana to benefit more from the wealth generated in the resourcerich Stabroek Block, immediately.

Despite his acceptance however, the VP is unwilling to affect any changes to the lopsided deal that United States oil giant, ExxonMobil and its partners.

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Opposition reshuffle Cabinet and shadow cabinet reshuffles occur when circumstances necessitate, and usually after some back and forth. However, it is the leader's prerogative to do what is felt is best for the group and its visions. But when such reshuffles occur in close proximity to certain public developments, then the questions abound.

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, moved around some people, and the response has been less than upbeat. Reports are about intense emotions and reactions within the group, in the wake of Mr. Norton's decision(s). These surprising personnel moves of Mr. Norton could turn out to be a doubleedged sword. That is, there is the benefit of aligning some of the Opposition's members with what they know well from past experience. There is also the risk, however, of some heavy damage done to the group, both internally and externally, as a result of these moves. Candidly, the Opposition has been struggling, and one has to ask if these changes are not going to split the group wide open, to the detriment of the Guyanese people. A good Opposition is gold at any time. In this time of oil, amid chronic secrets and serious leadership lapses in government quarters, a platinum Opposition is the best thing that could happen to Guyana. A cohesive group of men and women that is committed to battling for the best for all Guyanese, and impressing observers with their skills and strengths, and applying consistent pressures on a stubborn, often contemptuous PPP/C Government. Little of this has been seen, which has led to an increasingly arrogant and abusive government. It is our position that the weak Opposition contributed to the cavalier manner in which governance has occurred, and the blatant ways in which the PPP/C Government has run amok.

There has been virtually no accountability, and with the nation's oil patrimony standing as Exhibit 1.

Given how the shadow cabinet changes came out, it appears as though the road ahead will be even rougher. Hard feelings, bruised egos, and bad blood within Guyana's main Opposition is not in the best interests of Guyanese. Some reports have seeped into the public domain about the Opposition Leader's unilateral approach, allegations of discourtesy, and lots of venom coming from him to complete the picture. Without getting into the internal dynamics and decision-making practices of the Opposition in general, or Mr. Norton specifically, he is going to have to work overtime to hold this group together.One of the more surprising moves has been that of David Patterson, the Opposition's Shadow Oil and Gas man. Almost three and a half years of knowledge have been accumulated on this most sensitive of local sectors, and to be rid of that overnight is something that this country can ill-afford. It is heartening that Mr. Patterson stays with the oil and gas portfolio. Observers have noted that the Opposition has been grappling with the demands of this sector, and falling behind. The Opposition Leader stands out for the mystery of his positions, and his shying away in a crunch. Oil and gas arrival in Guyana has converted men whose eyes used to blaze with energy on the issues that concerned Guyanese into limp rags provoking anxieties.With the return of Patterson, the Opposition gets a much-needed lift with oil and gas. The energy is there, and so is the passion that has been missing from many in the Opposition. The change involving Jermaine Figueira has to have an impact on the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where he was a conspicuous and relentless presence. In these two areas alone (natural resources and the PAC), the challenge is to pick up the pieces and go on with some level of renewed vigor. The PAC is about how the money is spent, after the fanfare has died down on big projects announced. Oil and gas is about the money that has to be fought for, but isn't by anybody, government or opposition.

Amid all this, the government is watching closely, and senses opportunities. One is a clearer path to barrel ahead, the other is for any hint or opening that allows it to pickoff disgruntled Opposition members upset about the changes made by the Opposition Leader.

Monday January 15, 2024

Fact checking should be a standard operation procedure of the media, in their effort to be the beacon of truth Dear Editor, In a recent letter to the Editor, I referred to Dr. Randy Persaud as a propagandist, although he refers to himself as the "Adviser on International Affairs, Office of the President, Guyana".

It might have been an understatement for me to have described him as a propagandist, given the nature and content of the columns, in the media, that are attributed to him.

An examination of the opinion piece "President Ali - Throw out your 'narrative of division" by Dr. Randy Persaud exposes the more than propagandistic nature of the columns penned by him. In that column, he contends that the vehicular crossings of the McKenzie to Wismar bridge increased from 768,000 in 2020 to 1.5

million three years later. While that may be true, the ruse is his contention that the increase is attributable to "the massive economic transformation of Linden, Region 10 and Guyana". That statement can only be considered as hollow words and a ruse, since there is no evidence of any "massive economic transformation" in Linden.

In the column, he went on to itemize the PPP/C`s record. Of the 15 items, none, individually, represents any form of economic transformation, nor do they collectively represent transformation.

His propaganda also extends to his statement about the bridge project which was conceived and for which financing was mobilized, by the APNUAFC government. He erroneously stated that "the APNU-AFC had planned a two-lane...for the cost of US

$30 million. The PPP/C is building a four-lane bridge for US $35 million".

However, the former Minister of Public Works, David Patterson, disclosed that "the construction cost for the two-lane version of the Wismar Bridge was US $23.6M...while the four-lane was pegged at US $29.2M. This revelation causes me to return to a previous call for "fact checking" by the media. There are far too many instances when the media facilitates the public being misinformed, when fact checking could avoid such occurrences and enable transparency and accountability. Fact checking should be a standard operation procedure of the media, in their effort to be the beacon of truth.

Yours truly, Vincent Alexander

The National Budget will be more of the same Dear Editor, A National Budget is a country's development plan centred around its resources, primarily targeting the removal of the citizenry from poverty.

The People's Progressive Party (PPP) leadership sees the National Budget as an opportunity to transfer this nation's wealth for personal enrichment and to political elites and cohorts by identifying and embarking on megaprojects, which include infrastructures such as roads and bridges, and moreso transferring state, ancestral and cooperative lands, buildings and businesses.

While the PPP may argue it is the government's responsibility to construct roads and bridges to facilitate movement of people and commerce, the PPP lacks the understanding that the government also has a responsibility to move persons and commerce by air and water.

The soon to be established ferry service with Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), Barbados and Guyana, is a function of government in the absence of lands that linked the three countries and consistent with the free movement of skills and trade within the CARICOM region.

To the credit of T&T Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, he continues to build on a process established through the maintenance of Caribbean Airlines. For as much as this airline is challenged f i n a n c i a l l y, t h e T & T government keeps it afloat.

The PPP continues to demonstrate disregard that development is about people and infrastructure is merely a facilitator of.

In its dogged pursuit to rape the nation of its wealth to further the interest of a few the regime has disregarded laws to push ahead with the gas-to-shore project leaving taxpayers, current and future, with the burden of repayment, as has been done with the more than US$200 million for the white elephant Skeldon Sugar Factory.

The PPP feels emboldened by the continuous presence of the Opposition in the National Assembly which the regime uses as a façade to say to the citizenry and international financial institutions (IFIs) that its lawlessness and mismanagement of the people's resources is acceptable.

In the absence of political disruption, the IFIs would not be concerned how the money lent to us is managed once commitment of repayment is honoured. This crucial aspect of governance escapes the attention and appropriate action of the political opposition.

No country can develop without its most vital resource, which is its people/labour, who are workers, be they past, present or future. The drop rate of our high schoolchildren is alarming but there is no studied approach to harness the decline, only cosmetic response and tomfoolery something will be done to arrest the situation, but

nothing is ever meaningfully done. The result of this is that the nation is being robbed of potential pool of talents and skills to enhance production and productivity. This is also another form of keeping citizens in perpetual poverty, which is a violation of human rights.

For the current labour force, the conditions of work for the majority violate basic human decency such as the right to collective bargaining, livable wage, proper occupation safety and health standards in the workplace, which adversely impact workers' standard of living and that of their families.

The retired are still denied basic access to resources taken for granted in progressive societies such as free use of transportation, medications in a society that has a free health care system, and a decent pension.

On the issue of health, the prudent thing to do is to build the human and physical capacities of major and regional hospitals and clinics to respond to the needs of the society.

Instead, the PPP regime is partnering with others to litter the landscape with private institutions with the aim of exploiting its own deficiencies.

Another major hindrance to development is the continuous denial of the right to free education from nursery to university as guaranteed in the Constitution of Guyana and spelt out in Article 27. This denial has hindered further educational pursuit and for those who do, they are

staddle with astronomical debts, which for some, is even before their first pay cheque. A phased-in and conditional return to a right is unacceptable and today I reiterate that this right be respected immediately and unconditionally!

The trade union movement has an abiding interest in free education from nursery to university, access to public health and livable wages/salary because the workers initiated and pursued the fight for these as perquisites for quality standard of living which resulted in enshrinement in laws.

Our professionals, be they nurses, doctors, teachers, graduates and other artisans continue to flee.

Their movement will deprive the nation of vital resources for development.

Many are forced to flee to foreign lands where their rights could be respected and opportunities at uplifting their standard appear real.

Guyana's only social safety net, the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) continues to be abused, denied the opportunity to be guided by actuarial studies and decisions to meet the needs of bonafide contributions.

The PPP will continue to ignore the necessity of writing off NIS' deficit in order that the scheme could get another opportunity of becoming viable. When the scheme was established under the Forbes Burnham government and with the support of the trade union movement, the PPP rejected (Continued on page 6)

Kaieteur News

Monday January 15, 2024

PAGE 05

We seem to be losing Recommendations for our collective sense of Inclusion in the 2024 Budget humanity as events in Dear Editor, I am writing to express my concerns and recommendations for crucial areas that I believe should be considered for inclusion in the upcoming 2024 budget. Addressing these issues would not only contribute to the overall well-being of our citizens but also reflect the government's commitment to the welfare of its people.

I n c r e a s e i n Allowances/Scholarship for Children in Riverine Areas: Children living in riverine areas face unique challenges, especially those attending schools on the coast or Georgetown. I propose an increase in allowances or scholarships for these children to ensure they have access to quality education. This targeted

support can help bridge the gap and promote educational equality across the region.

Daycare Subsidy Enhancement: The current daycare subsidy provided by the Ministry of Human Services, which amounts to $45,000 for the entire school year, falls short of the average term fee of $35,000.

Increasing the daycare subsidy would not only alleviate the financial burden on parents but also demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting families. A realistic adjustment in this subsidy would undoubtedly show that our government cares about the well-being of its citizens.

More School Buses for Safe Transportation: Transportation remains a

significant concern, particularly for children commuting to and from school. Increasing the number of school buses would not only enhance the safety of our students but also encourage higher attendance rates.

This investment in transportation infrastructure is crucial for the overall development of our education system. To avoid more congestion on our roads the government can consider contracting minibus owners and putting clauses in place to ensure decency and laws governing operation of public transportation is enforced.

Extended Maternity Leave and Introduction of Paternity Leave: Recognising the importance of family values, I propose an extension of maternity leave from the current 3 months to 6 m o n t h s . A d d i t i o n a l l y, introducing paternity leave for married couples would

allow for shared responsibilities in childcare and promote a healthier work-life balance. These measures would contribute to the overall well-being of families and support a more inclusive work environment.

It should be noted that globally paternity leave granted ranges from 2 weeks to 15 weeks.

I would also like to recommend that systems be put in place for parental leave. Parents need this sort of leave to attend sick a child or children especially when they are too sick to attend school.

Provision of Baby Formula at Health Centers: To assist parents in providing adequate nutrition for their infants, I recommend the provision of baby formula at health baby clinics. This initiative would be particularly beneficial for families facing financial constraints and ensure that every child receives the (Continued on page 6)

Dear Editor It has now gone past 100 days since the bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli military following the attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Regrettably, there is no end in sight to this depressing situation. If anything, the situation is getting worse with almost daily killings of innocent lives, including women and children by the Israeli military. The conflict is now spreading to other countries since the commencement of attacks by Houthi revels on shipping vessels in the Red Sea. This is indeed a worrying development. Millions of people all around the globe are protesting the carnage in Gaza which has already claimed over 23,000 lives, not to mention the wholesale destruction of property and infrastructure including hospitals and schools.

The fact that this situation has been allowed to continue for such a prolonged period can be seen as a failure of hopefully a roadmap on how diplomacy at the highest to get there. Consultation international level, including between the Government and that of the United Nations O p p o s i t i o n i s n e e d e d ; Security Council.

Consultations between the The main stumbling Government and Civil block has been the veto S o c i e t y i s n e e d e d ; power enjoyed by the bigger Consultations between the powers whose positions on Government and the Unions issues do not accord with the is needed. collective thinking of the B u t f i r s t o p e n international community as Communication is needed reflected by decisions taken before Consultations. at the UN General Assembly.

Sincerely I think the time has come Sean Ori for the removal of the veto

Someday, the wind will carry their laughter Cannot have consultations Dear Editor At the recent hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel, Israel claimed it is doing everything possible to avoid casualties against Palestinian civilians, even advocating for counties, Jordan and Egypt, to take in Palestinian refugees. It even posited during the presentation of its case that humanitarian aid efforts disprove genocide claim.

Yet even as Israel was making its case at The Hague bombings, destruction and deaths continue mercilessly in besieged Gaza. How can Israel claim it is doing everything to mitigate casualties when the facts and records on the ground tell a different story, everyday?

And the world watches.

The 'Conversation Tree' piece ' The deafening silence on Gaza' (SN Jan 7) is replete with facts and many burning

statements. The question is asked: we condemned the Houthis in the Red Sea at the UNSC so why can't we, affirmatively, condemn Israel's murderous rampage against a people, nation and state?

History will record and recognise the bold step taken

by South Africa in the Palestinian cause.

Someday, the wind will carry their laughter instead of their screams.

Sincerely Shamshun Mohamed

without communication Dear Editor The Democratically Elected PPP/C Government and the PNC-led APNU +AFC Opposition need to open direct communications.

We cannot have Consultations without Communication.

Hence, dialogue in between the Government and the Opposition is imperative.

I understand that the PPP/C Government has a vision for Guyana and

Ukraine and Palestine have demonstrated powers exercised by the bigger powers which has now become anachronistic and out of tune with the thinking of humanity as a whole. The United Nations Charter must be respected and more enlightened ways found at conflict resolution rather than brute force and ignorance as is currently the case in Gaza and Ukraine.

I n th e cas e o f th e Palestinian issue, there must be an immediate ceasefire and a return to the negotiation table to allow for a two-state solution. There is no other way out. Failure to arrive at such a solution would result in a prolongation of the conflict with catastrophic consequences as we are currently witnessing in the Gaza.

A more enlightened way has to be found to deal with conflict situations.

This is one of the reasons why the United Nations was established following the end of the Second World War, namely to end war and promote peace but so far with little success.

We live in what is known as the age of enlightenment but recent developments have raised some serious questions as to the extent to which we have lived up to the ideals of this supposedly new dispensation.

We seem to be losing our collective sense of humanity as events in Ukraine and Palestine have demonstrated.

Regards Hydar Ally

Kaieteur News

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Monday January 15, 2024

A TIME FOR GUYANA'S YOUNG PEOPLE Dear Editor, Back in April 2022, at the eleventh annual Youth Forum, the topic was “Young People's Meaningful Involvement Vital for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals.”

This is such an important reality to grasp, and I am pleased that President Irfaan Ali sounded this message when he interacted with some 50 Kitty youths, telling them that they need to be enrolled in skills development programmes, that the People's Progressive Party/Civic is so bent on. At the forum I mentioned, it was drilled into the audience that youths must “Take Action, not 'Pat Ourselves on the Back and Move On.' Why? This is because “The participation of young people is vital in order to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals … as Failing to invest in children and youth triggers substantial economic, social, and political costs resulting from negative outcomes such as early school drop-out, poor

labour market entry, risky sexual behaviours, substance abuse, and crime and violence.”

So, I am all for this commitment from the President, who said that “I want our youths to be engaged in a skills development programme; so right now, we have a shortage of machine operators, welders, construction workers.”

Editor, firstly, I want people to know that even high-risk youths can avoid involvement in delinquency, if they experience many protective factors.

These include improving education and youth employment opportunities, enhancing social skills, and providing youth with mentors and adult role models that are essential components of delinquency prevention, for too long, too many authorities have been focusing on 'stepping in' after the damage has been done, and then the only resort sometimes is a punitive one.

I believe that pathway of

having “our youths to be engaged in a skills development programme...” is not only preventive in terms of combatting antisocial norms, but it will almost assure the young people of a profitable livelihood as their years unfold.

The good thing about this venture, is that the young people need nothing but their commitment to get going.

The President iterated that “I want all of you to be registered in a training programme and we are going to get you employed after … and a stipend will be given to participants during their course of training.”

T h e b i g p ic tu r e is something else.

Just back in November 2023, it was announced that “As the PPP/C Government continues to place heavy emphasis on technical education, six new Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) centres will be opened soon … The centres will be built in Mabaruma, Region One, Fellowship in Region Three,

Beterverwagting in Region Four, Hopetown in Region Five, Bartica in Region Seven, and St. Ignatius in Region Nine.”

The statistics are quite encouraging too as “In 2023, a grand total of 4,444 individuals from all 10 administrative regions successfully completed free skills training programmes organised by the Ministry of Labour's Board of Industrial Training (BIT).”

The details show that “BIT certified 187 individuals in Region One, 646 in Region Two, 320 in Region Three, 1,224 in Region Four, 254 in Region Five, 697 in Region Six, 265

in Region Seven, 118 in Region Eight, 190 in Region Nine, and 543 in Region 10.”

Bear in mind that the programmes being offered have enabled the graduates to take on independent projects for personal growth while earning an income.

This is what life is all about.

And there is a place for every single young person who want to embrace this possibility.

The Government is behind “… a slew of courses, including fibre optic installation, building construction, boat building, welding, and fabrication, cosmetology, electrical installation, heavy-duty

equipment operation, early childhood development, and commercial food preparation, among others.”

People just need to 'get-up' and be enrolled. It's a winwin situation.

In fact, as the President stated, “We are spending more than US$100 million on creating a new state-ofthe-art national skillstraining centre, not only for the oil- and-gas sector, but for every single sector in our country, and every single skill that will be required to take our country forward.”

No doubt this is the age for Guyana's young people.

Yours truly, HB Singh

The National Budget will be more...

From page 4 its formation and function.

Today, we must question whether that hatred still resides within its leadership given the manner in which the cabinet treats the scheme.

In this oil rich and world's fastest growing economy this nation is haunted with half its people living in poverty, many unable to place three square meals on the table, having to decide whether to forego a meal to purchase their medications, living on wages/salaries that cannot see them through from one pay period to the next, even when they spend at the minimum on the necessities of life.

Such deprivations, transgressions and

violations could only be the result of a government that does not place its people as priority in development and allocate resources accordingly.

On Monday w h e n t h e N a t i o n a l Budget is read, Guyanese will be bracing themselves to hear more of the same, i.e., a greater portion of the nation's resources allocated to infrastructural development and no real effort made to alleviate the social and economic defects in society that could ensure justice and fair play for the ordinary man, woman and child.

Sincerely Lincoln Lewis

Monday January 15, 2024

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Kaieteur News

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Monday January 15, 2024

Govt. invites proposals for gas infrastructure to support upstream developments The Government of Guyana (GoG) has issued Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking private sector

pitches for the design, financing, construction, and operation of gas infrastructure to support

current and future upstream developments in Guyana.

The RFP was issued by the Ministry of Natural

Resources over the weekend.

According to the RFP, the government is seeking safe and timely development o f t h e c o u n t r y ’s g a s resources. The notice states that the government is also looking to create an openaccess infrastructure system.

The system will serve both oil and gas developments, encompassing the necessary pipelines required to connect to the gas infrastructure crucial for monetizing upstream gas.

As part of the process, the selected applicant will have exclusivity to negotiate with the government for its entitlement of gas to ensure the viability of the project and the overall value chain.

Notably, the project will be strictly financed and owned 100% by the selected private sector participant.

The RFP outlines several key requirements that potential developers must fulfill for consideration. The requirements include: the developer’s capability and credibility to execute such a project, clear written agreements among the parties, and if a consortium, evidence of consortium agreement for this project, site plan for the project, summarized and detailed project schedule, project costs, project structure diagram, business plan, list of legal agreements, proposed capital structure and details of proposed local content.

All proposals must be submitted by 09:00hrs on

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat overlooks the management of Guyana’s oil and gas sector Tuesday, February 27, 2024, to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main & Urquhart Streets, Georgetown, Guyana.

Late submissions will be rejected and returned unopened. Proposals should be valid for 120 days from the date of proposal opening.

The RPF comes months after the government unveiled Guyana’s National Gas Monetization Strategy.

The government is now looking to expedite the monetization of the country’s gas assets, despite the reluctance of ExxonMobil Guyana, the operator of the oil-rich Stabroek Block, to focus on monetizing the gas assets.

Former Trinidad & Tobago Energy Minister, Kevin Ramnarine, was 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. The draft strategy, unveiled on October 30, 2023, for public consultation by the natural resources ministry, has faced scrutiny for its vagueness and absence of actionable plans.

Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo subsequently labeled it a “discussion paper” after acknowledging significant flaws during one of his press conferences.

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 is a glaring absence of detailed strategies for Guyana’s entry into these markets, raising doubts about the feasibility o f t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s approach.

Moreover, the government has teamed up with ExxonMobil for the almost US$2 billion Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project.

Businessman killed after car slowed down for cow to cross road A 59-year-old businessman was killed on Saturday after a car slowed down for a cow to cross the road at Number 29 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five.

The dead man was identified as Dale Douglas, 59 of Number 28 Village, WCB. Police said Douglas met his demise around 14:30hrs on Saturday.

According reports, Douglas was walking in the corner on the southern side of the road when suddenly, a car slammed into him, reportedly killing him on the spot.

According to police, the car, bearing registration PJJ 8599, was being driven by Carlton George, a 55-yearold man of Lot 19 Number

Dead, businessman Dale Douglas Three Village, WCB. Investigators learnt that G e o rg e w a s a l l e g e d l y speeding east along the northern side of the road when another car, bearing registration PAD 9006,

travelling in front of him, slowed down for a cow to cross the road.

He reportedly could not slowdown in time and attempted to undertake PAD 9006 but clipped the car in the process.

As a result, the man lost control of his vehicle and it sped across to the southern side of the road and struck down Douglas before crashing into a parked truck.

Douglas was picked up and rushed to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Breathalyzer tests were conducted on both drivers but no alcohol was found in their system. Both drivers are in police custody as investigations continue.

Kaieteur News

Monday January 15, 2024

PAGE 09

Jagdeo has a bagful of excuses Guyana is pussyfooting when it comes to Gaza.

President Ali himself has pronounced that the raging conflict in Gaza is the first case of a “televised genocide”.

In the context of this admission by President Ali, it is incomprehensible that Bharrat Jagdeo, his Vice President, can continue to sand dance around the issue of Guyana breaking diplomatic relations with Israel. Guyana has little other choice. It is a contradiction for Guyana to concede that genocide is taking place in Gaza, yet refuse to break or suspend diplomatic relations with a country practicing both apartheid and genocide.

Such a move at isolating Israel diplomatically would be symbolic but also send a powerful message that Guyana does not condone the violation of international law.

Initially, Jagdeo's position was that many of the Middle Eastern states had not broken diplomatic relations with Israel when the conflict first started. In other words, he was saying why should Guyana take a lead when Middle Eastern countries were not isolating Israel.

Under the Abraham Accords signed between the Israel, the United States and a number of Arab countries including, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), along with Morroco and Sudan, there was a commitment towards normalization of relations with Israel. These accords have been viewed as an act of betrayal of the Palestinian question.

While Saudi Arabia has agreed to a process of normalization of relations with Israel it still does not recognise that country. This betrayal was essentially arms deal because under the agreement the United States agreed to sell the Saudis billions of dollars' worth of military hardware.

Saudi Arabia was making progress towards relations with Israel when the conflict with Hamas broke out. Saudi' position remains today that any normalization of relations with Israel is contingent on the establishment of a Palestinian State, which would mean that Israel must end its occupation of Gaza.

Morocco also got a deal. For its agreement to normalize relations with Israel, it secured recognition of by the United States of Morocco sovereignty over Western Sahara. Bahrain got nothing in return.

Sudan formalized relations with Israel. In return for its inking of the declarative section of the Abraham Accords, it got a loan of US$1.2B and the removal of the classification of a state that sponsors terrorism. In 2020, the United Arab Emirates established diplomatic ties with Israel.

It became the third country, apart from Jordan and Egypt, to do so. It is looking to purchase jet fighters from the United States.

It is incomprehensible that Jagdeo should be using these countries as a referent

point in deciding on Guyana's relations with Israel. Guyana has its own foreign policy and should be guided by that policy which emphasizes respect for international law. Burnham and Jagan certainly were not concerned about the countries which retained diplomatic and trade ties with South Africa during the apartheid era. Burnham went ahead and imposed trade and political sanctions on South Africa, measures which were supported by the PPP/C. When asked recently about the prospects of Guyana breaking diplomatic relations with Israel considering the President's remarks about “televised genocide” Jagdeo again mustered a lame excuse.

He argued that South Africa, which has taken Israel before the International Court of Justice has not severed diplomatic relations with Israel. He also claimed that South Africa has only recalled its diplomats, and noted that Guyana does not have any diplomatic presence in Israel.

South Africa cannot at this stage sever or suspend diplomatic relations with Israel. It has a case before the ICJ and it would incongruous for South Africa to file an action against a state with which it does not enjoy diplomatic relations.

Jagdeo may not be aware that the South African parliament unanimously passed a resolution in November calling for the suspension of diplomatic relations with Israel, until

DEM BOYS SEH

Roll in, it is a free-for-all!

Bai, yuh wouldn't believe what gwaanin' down in Guyana. De government build a gas station but lef out one lil' important thing – no pump! Imagine dat, people rolling in with dem ride, ready to full up dem tanks, and guess what? Nobody deh pon duty to check how much gas dem taking and how much money flying out dem pockets. Is an unmanned gas station.

It's like a carnival, a real free-for-all.

Them foreigners, deh smiling wide like dem hit the jackpot. Tanks getting filled to the brim, and nobody batting an eye. No boss man deh pon duty to watch ova de thing, no uncle counting the cash, nothing. It's a wild scene, man!Them drivers just taking what they want, and there's no system to keep track. It's like Guyana just seh, "Hey, do wha yuh want, tek wah yuh want." Chaos rule de day, and nobody ain't checking who doing what.And check dis out, bai, it ain't just 'bout filling up dem tanks. People rolling in like it's a one-stop shop for everything. Getting dem oil change right there on the spot, like it's a pit

stop in a race.

And if that ain't enough, it's like a bonus round – free air for your tires! Imagine dat!

Dem drivers smiling, not just 'cause they getting oil, but 'cause they getting a little extra somethin' somethin'. Free air, free perks, and nobody there to say, "Hold on a minute, let's make sure everything's running smooth and fair." Now, yuh might think this is just a gas station ting, but it's deeper than that. This whole setup, it's a mirror for how we dealing with our oil. Like them oil companies, rolling in, drilling and pumping without anyone watching. Nobody keeping tabs on how much oil deh pulling out, no oversight, no nothing.It's a real headscratcher. We need some serious watchful eyes, bai. Just like how dis gas station lacking a pump, we lacking in keeping watch on our oil, and dat ain't a good look for Guyana. If we don't wise up and start overseeing what's going on, we might find ourselves in a real sticky situation down the road.

Talk half. Leff half.

such time as the siege of Gaza ends. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) voted in favour of that resolution.

But the South African government is concerned that the suspension of such relations would affect its ability to represent the Palestinian cause, protect its national in Israel and provide consular services to them.

Guyana has no such concerns. A Caribbean country, Belize, has already broken diplomatic relations with Israel as has Bolivia.

The least Guyana can do is to suspend relations with the genocidal State of Israel.

This would conform to the responsibility to protect.

Under international law,

where a population is suffering serious harm because of war or other forms of conflict and the country in question is unable to halt or avert this suffering, the principle of non-intervention yields to the international responsibility to protect those who are subject to harm.

In responding to “situations of compelling human need” countries may adopt appropriate measures, including sanctions and international prosecution, and in extreme case military intervention.

The United States and the United Kingdom, the two main handmaidens of imperialism, will not allow for the Security Council to

authorize a military intervention to protect the people of Palestine. As such, the least countries, like Guyana, can do is to send a powerful message by suspending or severing diplomatic relations with Israel. But don't dare mention that to Jagdeo. He has enough excuses to fill a duffel bag.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Monday January 15, 2024

Nat’l budget: Manage the mind, manage expectations On this auspicious Budget Day for 2024, I have a word of advice, more of a caution, for fellow citizens.

Manage expectations. I am managing my mind, which enables being away from, or above, many things, including the promises about this year’s national budget.

I think it was President Ali who said that cost-ofliving challenges would be addressed in today’s budget.

There would be something,

but I would not inhale too deeply, not hold breath too long. If the provisions and record of the last two budgets, both breaking new heights, are anything to go by, then ordinary Guyanese are in for some unsteady weather. I wait to learn if 2024 will continue the trend, other than a tidbit here and a morsel there, relative to the struggles and anxieties of Guyanese below the middle of the economic ladder. I

sense some means testing, threshold limitations; yardsticks that make relief less than universal.

Corporate profits are spiraling; Guyanese hopes are derailing. How can any leader stand beside a fellow citizen failing and reeling, and not be moved?

Guyanese are supposed to be rich, yet food is a challenge. They can’t think of many other things, for food and sustenance come

first. Fix that, and then they are able to think of other basics, such as clothes and medicines, but with the rent coming first.

The government goes into the 2024 budget well-armed.

The latest word from authoritative sources is that Guyana has reached a rare elevation: it is now the 10th richest country in the world.

With a calculation like that, one with which I agree, even 1 in 10 Guyanese without food would be an abomination.

The reality, however, is that it is somewhere just under or slightly over 5 out of 10 that do not have enough to the point that they can claim it was a healthy day, a vibrant one. Meaning, that there were sufficient vittles for the pot, the table (if they have one), and the family. No! Dr. Jagdeo, it is more than ‘pockets’ of poverty.

The way I see this budget, carve it up, is simplicity itself. What will be there for inanimate objectives, and what is earmarked for people breathing.

Said differently, what bag of lavishness Dr. Ashni Singh has for infrastructure first, and what goodies for citizens next.

Definitely money must be for urgent defence needs, for social services, for other sectors such as sugar and mining, but I focus exclusively on people versus building productions.

In the fewest words, the people have lost that battle for first consideration every time. Cement and steel have resoundingly whipped callaloo and squash.

For every dollar given to the people, another ten or thereabouts were cleared for

the products that have handsome returns for ruling politicos, their circles and cabals, and the contractor class. They know the thrilling experience of living a life matching the richest anywhere.

The issue before watching, waiting Guyanese is whether the pattern set by past budgets will continue on this Monday.

I chose Monday for two reasons.

First, it is national budget day; and second, it is the day that Stabroek News usually publishes its latest cost-ofliving visit, and Guyanese expressions about their trials.

My hope is that on this f a t e f u l M o n d a y, t h e moneyman would have some good news for Guyanese bent double and twisted cruelly by cost-ofliving travails. There are hiccups. I observe Dr. Ashni Singh has a certain coldness about him that is chilling, when he is around numbers, dollars.

Whenever it is numbers involved, Dr. Singh reminds of a mortician: we care.

D o n ’ t w o r r y, l e a v e everything to us. It is what is frightening, and the last two whoppers (make them double) for national budgets have haunted Guyanese, in the skeletons attracted.

If the President and government (the learned VP also weighed-in) are really serious about cost-of-living relief, then try these recommendations.

First, have a structure; provide relief for the people through the tax system. Reduce VAT to 10%, with robust enforcement.

Cease with this incremental threshold increases; just make the darn

thing across the board for earners up to a million (Guyana) a month; alright, half million. If it is too steep, introduce Child Tax Credits and dependent (elderly) exemptions. Increase Old Age Pensions between GY$7,000 and $10,000 per month; make it effective from January 01. Stop this business about cash in envelopes, which is t a i l o r m a d e f o r experimentation and exploration.

Affix some level of COLA to the wages and salaries of workers.

If there isn’t an interest deduction on mortgages, then provide for it in the budget. Governments love to talk about how many house lots they distributed, when all they are doing is giving back the people their own land.

Support them with what makes a house lot become a home. Say something about the minimum wage, and it is not 10% more; resist being held hostage by the private sector.

The money is available.

Do more for the people in tangible terms. Do a little less for sand, tar, and bricks.

The imbalance has been too egregious. The pain of the people way too pronounced.

Me, I don’t expect much of anything. Over to the good doctor Ashni and his bag of medicines.

Hopefully, nothing bitter, but things palatable.

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

Kaieteur News

Monday January 15, 2024

PAGE 11

6th oil project: AFC wants strict timeline for audits, ring-fencing, full protection from Exxon for oil spills As the Government of Guyana (GoG) prepares to award ExxonMobil a sixth licence to develop the Whiptail project in the Stabroek Block, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is calling on the administration to ensure measures are taken for Guyanese to benefit from the vast natural resource.

At its first press conference of the year, the party listed a number of measures that should be taken by government in that regard.

The AFC’s point man on Oil and Gas, David Patterson, was keen to note that by now, Guyanese should be enjoying greater profits from the sector.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) commenced production activities in December 2019

at the Liza One project.

Guyana now has three producing projects but continue to see meagre profits.

Patterson explained that due to the absence of a ringfencing provision, Guyana is yet to enjoy the real value of the 50/50 profit sharing arrangement as the company continues to deduct 75 percent of the income towards cost.

When asked what specific changes should be made by government in approving another project, the Member of Parliament (MP) directed this newspaper to his 34-point amendments to the Petroleum Activities Bill.

N o n e o f t h e recommendations proffered by the party were accepted by government and the

revenues in one project from being used to finance other activities across the Stabroek Block.

Meanwhile, with regards to full protection for the country from an oil spill, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure said, “the licensee shall undertake to provide full liability coverage, inclusive of appropriate insurance and a parent company guarantee which shall be in force for each oil field development.”

These are a few of the key provisions the AFC believes government should consider when approving the 6th project.

According to project documents, the Whiptail development project is pegged at US$13B and will develop the Whiptail, Pinktail, and Tilapia fields,

legislation was passed as is, back in August 2023. The MP pointed out that had government taken on the suggestions, the new principles would have governed the 6th development as well as all future projects.

Patterson in his submission to the National Assembly made a case for timely audits to be conducted. He said, “All audits for money deemed cost recoverable under any production licence shall be completed within nine months of the end of each fiscal year. The Minister shall submit all audit reports to the National Assembly at the earliest possible time thereafter.”

He also recommended that a ring-fencing provision be implemented to avoid the

to participate in the petroleum industry.

Chief policymaker for the local petroleum sector, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said at his first press conference for the year that the project is on track for government approval this quarter.

Jagdeo said he could not confirm a specific date for the approval but assured that it remains on schedule. “I know the assessment is being done by our external consultants,” he said, while cautioning that the process could see Exxon being asked to supply additional information. “I can’t tell you on a daily basis where they are because I don’t track that.

But I think that it’s still on track so far for that, for the first quarter,” the Vice President added.

along with potential additional resources, if determined to be feasible and economically viable.

The current development plans for the project include drilling via drill ships to produce oil from approximately 40 – 65 production and injection wells. Production is expected to begin between the fourth quarter of 2027 and the second quarter of 2028 with an expected field life of at least 20 years.

A c c o r d i n g t o ExxonMobil, the project will be designed to add up to 275,000 barrels of oil a day to existing daily production volumes in Guyana with the associated additional revenues to the government of Guyana, while continuing a steady expansion of opportunities for Guyanese

Figure 1: Location of the Whiptail FPSO within the Stabroek Block N 60

-2

Stabroek

Extent Indicator

-2700

0

900

Payara

-70

0

0

00

-24

-80

0

-20

-25

-10

Liza Phase 2

00

-40

00 -2300

Uaru

0

-21

00

-5

Yellowtail

-2200

00

Liza Phase 1

-2000 Whiptail

-90

-160

0

-80

-1600 -1400

-70

0

Georgetown

-80

-40

km 2.

24

Legend

18

0

-8 0 0

-30

50 km -1

-1300

-8

25

Kanuku -80

12.5

-1500

-300

-5

0

-300

0

Projection: Transverse Mercator False Easting: 500,000.0000 False Northing: 0.0000 Central Meridian: -57.0000 Scale Factor: 0.9996 Latitude Of Origin: 0.0000 Units: Meter Created on 12/8/2022

-1700

-11 00

-6

WGS 1984 UTM Zone 21N WKID:32621 Authority: EPSG

-1900

0

-10

-1

APPROVED DEVELOPMENT

0

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BATHYMETRY CONTOURS (m)

Guyana

-10

GUYANA BLOCKS (EEPGL) KANUKU BLOCK

Map showing the Whiptail project offshore Guyana

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Monday January 15, 2024

Former President Ramotar disagrees with Guyana’s position on Houthis’ Red Sea attacks Former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar, disagrees with a position that Guyana has taken to condemn the actions of the Houthis movement in the Red Sea. The Yemeni militant group has embarked on a campaign to target commercial ships in the Red Sea - between Africa and Asia - to disrupt Israeli trade.

The group has said its actions are a show of solidarity with the people of Gaza, who have been facing 100 days of indiscriminate violence from the Israeli Defense Forces.

The Houthis have said they will not stop until Israel ends its war in Gaza.

Israel’s military actions in Gaza have been relentless, following an October 7 attack by the militant group Hamas. Israel, according to Palestinian authorities, has killed over 23,000 Gazans,

Guyana’s Ambassador to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett leading to accusations of genocidal intent. Israel claims it is targeting Hamas militants, but most of its victims have been women and children. The United Nations (UN) reported that the conflict has displaced nearly 85% of Gaza’s population and caused acute

food insecurity for over 90%.

Guyana has condemned the Houthis’ actions in the Red Sea because of the potential for economic disruptions. While Ramotar did not explicitly condemn Guyana’s statements, the arguments he criticised in a

Former President, Donald Ramotar recent letter to the editor, strongly mirror the position taken by Guyana at the level of the United Nations Security Council.

Guyana’s Ambassador to the UN, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, in a January 3 statement, said, “Guyana condemns in the strongest

terms the recent attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea.” She emphasized the need to ensure the “preservation of navigational rights and freedoms of all vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, in accordance with international law.”

The Houthis hijacked the ‘Galaxy Leader,’ a vessel owned by an Israeli businessman, along with its international crew, in November 2023. Guyana has called for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew.

Rodrigues-Birkett emphasized the importance of the Red Sea for international trade, stating, “The Red Sea, with its connection to the Suez Canal, is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The importance of this route to international commerce cannot be overstated with more than 12% of global trade passing through the Red Sea every day.”

Contrastingly, in a letter to the editor, Ramotar focused on the motive of Yemen’s Houthis, stating, “In these conditions, the Continued on page 13

Health Ministry launches post-Midwifery, lab technician training programme in Region Two

The Decentralised post-Midwifery and Medical Laboratory Technician Training Programme was launched at the Public Hospital Suddie, Region Two Pomeroon-Supenaam on Thursday

T

he first batch of Post Midwifery and Medical Laboratory Technician are set to undergo training within the next 12 months, The Decentralised post Midwifery and Medical Laboratory Technician Training Programme was launched at the Public Hospital Suddie, Region Two Pomeroon-Supenaam on Thursday.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony said through the programme which is being offered via the Health Ministry’s

Health Sciences Education programme, a total of twenty students are being trained in the respective fields. The duration of training for each programme will be 12 months.

Approximately GY$ 23 million has been allocated to the region to provide and cover the cost of accommodation, stipends, and meals for each student.

In his feature address last Thursday, Minister Anthony disclosed that the Health Ministry recorded no maternal deaths due to postpartum haemorrhage in 2023.

This he said this marks a significant milestone for the country in reducing the incidents of maternal mortality.

While acknowledging the pivotal role midwives play in the delivery room, the Ministry plans to continue to advance its training programme as it has seen many success stories in the safe delivery of mothers.

“The Ministry has developed a special programme where we trained community health workers, midwives, and other individuals in the safe delivery of mothers”, he

explained.

Anthony encouraged the students to keep advancing their careers in health as many opportunities for training are available through partnerships with the Ministry and its international partners.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahdeo in his address to the students, also emphasised the importance of ongoing professional development and skill enhancement for career growth in the health sector.

Deputy Director of the Health Science Education Division, Chandroutie Persaud, assured the students that despite being the first batch in the programme, a heavy support system is being put in place to ensure the successful completion of the training.

Also present at the launch were Dr. Ranjeev Singh, Regional Health Officer (RHO); Dr. Nicola Nero, Chairperson of the Nurses and Midwives Council; Dr. Johnathan Dudhnath, Deputy Director, Regional Health Services and other health officials.

Monday January 15, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

GAICO opens $30M marine facility at Nismes O

ver 200 jobs will be added t o t h e burgeoning economy in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) through the operations of a $30 million marine facility at Nismes, West Bank Demerara, which was commissioned on Saturday.

The facility was built

by GAICO Construction Inc., and comprises a wharf, dry dock and laydown and storage yard.

It is expected to open doors for continued economic empowerment in the region, and will also supplement the upcoming gas to shore project.

In his remarks, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali pledged that the region will see further transformational plans unveiled in every sector.

According to the head of state, Region Three is poised to undergo massive growth, while referencing the New Demerara River Crossing as one example of the tremendous development that is unfolding.

“In this region and along the Demerara River, what you are seeing is the creation of value. This accelerated value did not come by accident. This accelerated value was supported by the investment that the government is making, the investment by

The $30M marine facility at Nismes, West Bank Demerara

the private sector, and the policy-making matrix that exists,” he said. He reminded that four years ago, the Wales community was devoid of the wide range of robust activity that exists today, as its main economic asset was shut down.

“The name Wales was associated with destruction, disaster and failure. Today, every single person wants to acquire a piece of land in Wales. We have moved from rubble and ruins to prosperity and pride,” President Ali said. The

president commended GAICO and by extension the private sector for answering the call to invest in building l o c a l c a p a c i t y, a n d e x p a n d i n g G u y a n a ’s economic base.

“The government’s job is to create opportunities, and

that enabling environment. It is the job of the private sector to use those opportunities to build prosperity in the society,” he noted.

The head of state was accompanied by First Lady, Arya Ali, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark

Phillips, and his wife Mrs. Mignon Bowen-Phillips, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, and other Cabinet ministers, officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Private Sector Commission.

(DPI)

‘Greens Man’ crashes into pick-up Former President Ramotar after blinded by dust at Aranaputa disagrees with Guyana’s...

A vendor who sells vegetables on his motorcycle could end up losing one of his legs after he crashed into a pick-up on Sunday morning at Aranaputa Valley, North Rupununi, Region Nine.

Hospitalized at the Lethem Regional Hospital with multiple injuries to his body, including a severely damaged right leg is Randy Gilbert, also known as ‘Uncle Randy’ and ‘Greens Man.’ Kaieteur News learnt that Gilbert, who is around 60 years old, was riding his bike to deliver greens to a customer when he met with the accident.

According to reports, Gilbert attempted to overtake a truck in front of him while blinded by a cloud of dust and ended-up riding into the path of a pick-up travelling in the opposite direction.

Some eyewitnesses said that Gilbert is lucky to be alive since it was not a headon collision. They claimed that his bike clipped the “front side” of the approaching vehicle reportedly driven by one Ralfton Jacobus who also lives at Aranaputa.

The crash resulted in Gilbert sustaining severe injuries to his body. He was rescued by onlookers and rushed to the Annai Health Centre.

Gilbert is presently at the Lethem Regional Hospital and was expected to be transferred to neighbouring Brazil for further medical attention. Relatives and medical personnel fear that he could lose his right leg.

Gilbert’s crash has led to Annai Village suspending a games day which it had planned for Sunday.

Investigations are ongoing.

An injured Randy Gilbert

From page 12 Houthis began to take measures to halt the indiscriminate killings and massive destruction of property [in Gaza].” He further criticized the international community’s response to the situation in Gaza, particularly pointing out the role of Western powers. “Unfortunately, it did not, [but] instead led to the US and UK bombing Ye m e n , ” t h e f o r m e r President said.

Ramotar added that it is unbelievable that some would criticise the Houthis on the ground that their action would carry up the cost of goods imported in various countries. “This, in a sense, is putting a ‘little inconvenience’ by consumers above human lives.”

He argued for a more empathetic understanding of the Houthis’ actions. “What the Houthis are doing is

paying with their blood for the support they are giving to stop the massacre in Gaza.

This is genuine solidarity and should be commended not condemned.”

There have been protests in Guyana against Israel’s war which reached 100 days on Sunday. While the Government of Guyana does not support the actions of the Houthis, top government officials have condemned Israel’s war in Gaza.

President Irfaan Ali in November called it the “first publicly televised genocide.”

South Africa has filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), charging genocide. While Guyana has not officially endorsed South Africa’s case, the 57member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) of which it forms part - has voiced support for the case.

Israel rejects it.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Miner dies in Puruni backdam accident A 44-year-old man died on Saturday afternoon after he was crushed by a tree which an excavator operator uprooted moments earlier at a mining site at Sand Hills in the Puruni backdam, Region Seven.

Dead is Gary Prince, a father of two who lived at Laluni off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

Reports are that around 17:00hrs on Saturday, the man was working close to an excavator when the operator of the machine uprooted a tree. The tree fell on Prince and he reportedly died on the spot.

He sustained head and facial injuries, his mother, Eula Prince, told Kaieteur News. At the time, the man was working for a miner called ‘Indira.’

The man’s mother said she received a call on Saturday night from someone who informed her that her son succumbed to injuries he sustained after the tree fell on him.

“The person who called, they sent a video and I saw him lying down with injuries to his head,” she told this

Monday January 15, 2024

Drivers can be banned for overtaking on Demerara Harbour Bridge - Management says

A screen grab of the tree which fell on Gary Prince, leading to his death.

publication.

In the video, which was seen by this publication, the man’s colleagues stood around him as he lay on a tarpaulin with visible injuries to his head.

The man’s mother said she travelled to the town of Bartica on Sunday to await the arrival of her son’s body which was being brought out of the mining area by the

police.

She said Prince was her third son and according to her, he spent the Christmas season in the backdam area.

“He use to work hard.

He was in mining for years, he was a ‘marackman’ and he could also operate chainsaw and so,” the woman added.

Police are investigating the accident.

The management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) has issued a warning that vehicle operators who engage in overtaking on the bridge can be banned from using the facility.

The DHBC in a statement released on Thursday said it has observed an increase in vehicles overtaking during the standard two-way traffic crossing on the bridge.

A s s u c h , t h e management is reminding drivers that this is a violation of Rule No. 4 of the Bridges’ Rules for Vehicular Traffic, which states: “No unauthorized stopping, parking or overtaking of vehicles shall be allowed on the Bridge.”

The DHBC noted that

this action has resulted in an increase in both minor and major incidents on the bridge.

As such, drivers and riders are urged to immediately curtail the practice and to observe the speed limit and other rules and regulations.

“Failure to comply may result in a BAN from transiting the Bridge.

Other rules to note are the DHB’s speed limit of 32 kilometers or 20 miles per h o u r, a s w e l l a s t h e maximum weight limit allowed on the Bridge, 18 tonnes per normal crossing between 4 am and 10:30 pm, and 24 tonnes for special crossing between 10:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.,” the bridge management said in its statement.

The DHBC also urged motorists to familiarise themselves with the rules of crossing. The rules stipulate that in addition be being banned, motorists can also be fined or face imprisonment if they are found overtaking on the bridge.

Last week, an accident at the Demerara Harbour Bridge resulted in the death of a male rider.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:55 hrs as the man, police corporal Premdat Govinda was proceeding west on the bridge. While there is no evidence of a collision, or that any other person or vehicle was involved in the incident, the DHBC called on motorists to be cautious when traversing the bridge.

Vehicle operators can be banned for overtaking on the Demerara Harbour Bridge

Kaieteur News

Monday January 15, 2024

Fire Service hosts safety camp for children Fire officers carry out a demonstration during the event

S

tudents of several East Coast of Demerara (ECD) schools were on Saturday exposed to fire safety and essential life skills at a fire safety camp organised by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).

The Kids Fire Safety Camp was held on Saturday at the Lusignan Community Center, ECD. The camp focused on fire safety, instilling essential life skills in the young participants through activities and practical demonstrations, the GFS said.

Students from several ECD schools, namely Mon Repos Primary, Good Hope Secondary and Camille’s Institute, along with other children from the neighbourhood took part in the camp.

In brief remarks, Fire Chief Gregory Wickham said, “The Kids Camp is an integral part of a strategic plan aimed at reaching and

teaching children from all backgrounds.” He emphasized that children are the future and through the camp those in attendance will serve as catalysts for spreading the message of fire prevention.

The GFS said expectations were exceeded the event and the body believes that a memorable and educational experience was fostered for all the children at the camp.

At the event, firefighters shared knowledge about fire prevention and encouraged the children to commit to safety. The Fire Service said it is confident that the initiative will aid in the youngsters understanding the dangers and impacts of fires and how to avoid them.

The camps will continue to be hosted as well as other awareness events to spread the message of fires safety to citizens of all ages as the Fire Service is seeking to stem the

occurrence of fires across Guyana.

Thus far, the Fire Service has recorded over 20 fires and approximately 13 homes were destroyed by the infernos.

While January is still at the midway mark, a number of the fires recorded have either been determined as of an electrical origin or of children being left unattended while playing with open flames, be it a match or lighter, close to flammable materials.

The Fire Service has been constantly pleading with citizens to keep a watchful eye out for fires.

It noted that it is important to unplug electrical devices when not in use and also to be careful not to overload outlets. The Fire Service has been pleading with parents to not leave their children, especially the younger ones, at home unattended.

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Monday January 15, 2024

Kaieteur News

China says US 'gravely wrong' to congratulate new leader of Taiwan WANTED

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pictured with China's President Xi Jinping in June 2023

(BBC News) China has accused the US of sending "a gravely wrong signal" to those pushing for Taiwan's independence after Saturday's election result.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent Taiwanese president-elect William Lai a message of congratulations following the result.

Beijing called the message aviolation of Washington's commitment to maintain only unofficial ties with Taiwan.

Mr Lai has vowed to protect Taiwan from an increasingly aggressive China. But Beijing sees Taiwan as its territory and fiercely challenges any government that says otherwise. Messages of congratulations for Taiwan's new leader poured in from all over the world after the election, including from Mr Blinken who emphasised the partnership between Taipei and Washington, which he said was rooted in democratic values.

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"We look forward to working with Dr. Lai and Taiwan's leaders of all parties to advance our shared interests and values," he said in a statement. Mr Blinken also stressed that the US, one of Taiwan's biggest allies, is "committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability".

The top US diplomat was also quick to say that such collaboration should "further our longstanding unofficial relationship" and be "consistent with the US One China policy".

Under the policy, the US recognises and has formal ties with China rather than the island of Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province to be unified with the mainland one day.

Mr Blinken's remarks drew sharp criticism from Beijing, which views any statement of support for Taiwan as lending legitimacy to a candidate and political party it sees as a gang of separatists hoping to turn Taiwan into an independent sovereign nation. In a statement, China's foreign ministry said Mr Blinken's congratulations violated the US's promise to maintain "only cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations" with Taiwan. It stressed that the Taiwan ques-

tion is "the first red line that must not be crossed in ChinaUS relations" and said it had lodged a formal diplomatic complaint.

"China firmly opposes the US having any form of official interaction with Taiwan and interfering in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext." Beijing's statement will likely serve as a warning to Washington after it sent an unofficial delegation of former US officials to hold talks with leading political figures in Taiwan just hours after the self-ruled island elected Mr Lai. Deployed

by US President Joe Biden, who himself welcomed the election results, the delegation includes a former US national security adviser and a former deputy secretary of state. Other Western countries, including the UK, France and Germany, congratulated the new leader.

Beijing's Communist government reviles Mr Lai's prosovereignty Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has governed Taiwan for eight years. That is because China sees any statement of support towards the DPP as lending legitimacy to politicians, which Beijing sees as a gang of separatists hoping to turn Taiwan into an independent sovereign nation.

Monday January 15, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Palestinian death toll nears 24,000 as Gaza marks 100 days of war (ALJAZEERA) In that time, the death toll among Palestinians living in Gaza has risen to nearly 24,000 as Israel unleashed more than 65,000 tonnes of bombs on the besieged enclave and its population of 2.3 million people trapped in less than 400sq kilometres.

Israel's assault on Gaza began on October 7, in response to an attack by armed fighters from the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas and other Palestinian groups. Some 1,140 people died during the attack and about 240 were taken into Gaza as captives.

In retaliation, Israel began a vicious bombing campaign and tightened what was already a crushing siege that Gaza has been under since 2007. “We are fighting human animals,” Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on October 9, announcing that food, water, fuel, medicines, everything, would not be permitted into Gaza.

Since then, defying condemnations and pleas from international organisations and rights groups, Israel has continued an indiscriminate campaign that has sown terror among the people in Gaza, killed entire multi-generation families, and destroyed huge swaths of urban and rural lands. Israel now stands accused by South Africa of carrying out genocide in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The

Hague in the Netherlands.

Speaking on Saturday, after presentations by both sides were done at the ICJ, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “No one will stop us, not The Hague, not the axis of evil and not anyone else." His "axis" comment referred to Iran and its allied groups.

Alternating between claims that this level of killing and destruction is somehow justified in the name of selfdefence and statements that it is doing its utmost to avoid civilian casualties, Israel has often strayed far from its statements about the different aspects of this war on Gaza. Israel's messaging on civilians has confused observers. While claiming on the one hand to not be targeting civilians, it has also pushed a narrative that paints every civilian in Gaza as an armed member of Hamas.

In addition to that, Omer Tishler, the brigadiergeneral who heads the Israeli Air Force, told the Jerusalem Post as early as October 11 that the bombing campaign was taking out entire inhabited neighbourhoods in order to target one or two “Hamas commanders” its intelligence said were hiding there. The intelligence in question seems to be an AI system known as the Gospel (Habsora) that was churning out potential targets faster than attacks on those targets could be carried out and certainly faster than any review by a human could

Relatives of Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abudaqa mourn at his funeral in Khan Younis, Gaza, December 16, 2023 [Mohammed Dahman/AP Photo]

happen - which was not the procedure followed.

By naming the Habsoragenerated targets “military”, Tishler was able to conclude, chillingly: "There is always a military target, but we are not being surgical.”

On the ground, this means Israel has dropped bombs on refugee camps, hospitals, schools - and entire neighbourhoods, all of which have been destroyed.

Israel claims that its system of “warning” people it is about to bomb is adequate and absolves it from blame.

Mothers mourn over the bodies of children killed in Israeli attacks at the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, on November 18, 2023 [Fadi Alwhidi/Reuters]

The system in question is airdropping leaflets on neighbourhoods that tell residents their homes are about to be bombed, giving them anything from hours to a day or two to completely abandon their homes and lives and leave - on foot, as fleeing civilians have been banned from using vehicles from the early days of the war on Gaza.

Since October 7, Israel has allowed journalists from all over the world to come to Israel and report, conducting guided tours of the areas

attacked by the Qassam Brigades and other Palestinian fighters. It has also allowed, in November, two Western news networks to go on separate occasions into Gaza, where they were accompanied by the Israeli army and taken around and shown various areas that had been prepared for their visit.

However, Israel has not allowed the entry of any foreign or Palestinian journalists present outside Gaza into the Gaza Strip to do their own reporting. In late October, the Reuters and Agence France Presse agencies wrote to the Israeli army to ask that their journalists in Gaza not be targeted.

The Israeli army responded that it protects civilians but “cannot guarantee the safety of reporters in the Gaza Strip”, claiming that Hamas deliberately operated near journalists, thus putting them in the line of fire.

Foreign media appealed the prohibition on entering Gaza, but on January 9, Israel's Supreme Court refused their petition, claiming that the presence of foreign journalists in Gaza could endanger Israeli troops by giving away their operational locations.

As for those journalists in Gaza, they have found themselves in increasing danger, with little respect being given to the press markings they wear every day. To date, 100 Palestinian

journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza, one person each day.

The last two victims, Al Jazeera's Hamza Dahdouh and freelancer Mustafa Thuraya, were killed in a targeted air strike on their car in Khan Younis on January 7.

On December 15, the Israeli army targeted a school in Gaza from which Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abudaqa and Gaza bureau head Wael Dahdouh were reporting.

There were no reported disturbances nearby that could explain the attack.

Dahdoud was hit in the arm and managed to make his way to a nearby ambulance. Abudaqa was badly injured in the legs and could not get away. For the next five hours, the Intercept found, he lay bleeding as numerous appeals were made to the Israeli army to allow an ambulance to go save the journalist.

The army refused and threatened any vehicles approaching. In a continued blurring of the lines between acceptable targets and war crimes, Israel maintained from the early days of its war on Gaza that al-Shifa Hospital was serving as a cover for a massive Qassam Brigades command centre that was in tunnels underneath Gaza's biggest hospital.

After marking al-Shifa a target - while proclaiming that the tens of thousands of sick, injured, and displaced (Continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Monday January 15, 2024

Bond: T&T influential in energy issues; needs better regulations for renewables (TRINIDAD EXPRESS) THE United States government recognises Trinidad and Tobago's leadership on critical energy issues, US Ambassador to this country Candace Bond has said.

Bond made the comment on Thursday night at the reception at the US Ambassador's Flagstaff Hill residence at Long Circular Road.

“There is no question that T&T has an important role to play not only in Caribbean energy security but in global energy markets. I can assure everyone here today that the US government recognises and welcomes T&T's leadership on these critical issues, and that we remain your trusted partner in accelerating an energy transition that mitigates the worst impacts of climate change and provides opportunities for our citizens,” Bond said.

She added that although she highlights the “vast economic potential that exists” in expanding into renewable energy, she understands that many of these opportunities are “constrained by inadequate or nonexistent regulatory framework”.

“In all of my travels and engagements throughout the United States, I highlight the vast economic potential that exists in expanding r e n e w a b l e e n e rg y g e n e r a t i o n , establishing a lower carbon hydrogen industry, and other activities that would decarbonise T&T's energy industry.

the Office of Foreign Assets Control licence that allowed for the negotiations with Venezuela over the Dragon gas to take place.

President of Amcham T&T Stuart Franco in his address said he was “optimistic and resolute” in his belief that 2024 holds immense potential for increased progress and success. “Each one of us has the potential to be a catalyst for positive transformation in someone's life, in how we interact with each other, and in the way we conduct business.

ECONOMIC BENEFIT: This room, filled with talent, expertise, and influence, is a United States Ambassador to microcosm of the broader society Trinidad and Tobago Candace Bond we aim to improve. If we desire But many of those opportunities are change, it starts right here, right constrained by inadequate or non- now. Instead of being weighed down by existent regulatory frameworks that the obstacles we may encounter, let's discourage the investment needed. Full view them as opportunities for both approval of the drafted renewable feed- small and substantial steps toward in tariff, for example, would help create transformation. this,” she said.

So, I humbly ask each of you to Bond said there was no more visible consider how you can contribute to this sign of the United States' commitment collective effort. Whether through to T&T than the embassy moving four mentorship, innovative business facilities throughout Port of Spain into practices, or increased community one location. “We are putting down engagement, your actions can have a roots in a world-class, state-of-the-art, profound impact on the lives of others green facility that will so much better and the trajectory of our nation,” he serve those who have business to said. Franco said together, we could conduct with the United States build a nation where every citizen government in T&T,” Bond said. benefits, and where our collective She said the most critical economic efforts lead to a brighter and more achievement for the two countries was inclusive future.

Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau

Canada's PM under fire for Jamaican vacation ( J A M A I C A OBSERVER) Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire from the opposition party for a recent trip to Jamaica.

Members of the Conservative party are calling on Canada's conflict o f i n te r e s t a n d e th i c s commissioner to launch an investigation into the PM's recent trip.In a letter to the interim ethics commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein, MP Michael Barrett cited concerns about the prime minister's shifting narrative regarding the cost of the family's Caribbean vacation.

Barrett's letter focused on the "serious" concerns around the evolving language regarding the cost of the trip, in addition to the potential ethical implications of luxurious gifts, citing the

rules around accepting gifts.

"It is quite clear that the Frankfort villa has a defined commercial value, and that the corporate owners of Prospect Estate would be forgoing substantial revenue by letting the prime minister stay at the resort free of charge," Barrett wrote in a letter to the commissioner.

According to the National Post, the Trudeau family stayed at a privately owned villa that rents for several thousand dollars per night, and is part of a resort that belongs to the family of businessman Peter Green, who has long-standing ties to the Trudeau family.

The resort is also reportedly where Trudeau and his family vacationed in 2022, a trip that raised similar concerns among opposition Mps.

Palestinian death toll nears 24,000 as Gaza...

From page 17 people huddling there were not targets - Israeli forces surrounded the hospital in early November and the already struggling medical facility was plunged into darkness as it lost power.

The world watched in horror as hospital staff were forced to take 36 premature babies out of their nowuseless incubators and do their best to keep them warm and breathing with no equipment.

Eight babies died as Israeli attacks on people moving between buildings heightened the fear of the already terrified people in the hospital. Israel raided the hospital on November 15 and told people sheltering there to leave, on foot, and head south in Gaza. Israel denied it had issued evacuation orders for the hospital. Six days later, the surviving babies were finally allowed to be evacuated southwards towards Rafah.

They were eventually taken to Egypt for treatment they desperately needed. One day later, the Israeli Ministry of Defence's outreach programme, the Coordination of Government Activities in the

Territories (COGAT), said it had delivered large amounts of food to the hospital, including cakes, chocolate spread and pickles.

However, it did not mention how it decided on the amounts of food, how many people were left alive in the hospital, or how long these amounts were supposed to sustain them.

Al-Shifa Hospital was not alone in being attacked.

Israel seemed to be systematically targeting hospitals in Gaza.

According to the World Health Organization, Israel has hit about 94 medical facilities, including 26 hospitals, since October 7.

Among the hospitals devastated were the Indonesian Hospital, the AlAqsa Martyrs Hospital, and others. There have been almost 600 Israeli attacks on hospitals and healthcare within Gaza since October, the United Nations reports.

In these attacks, Israel killed about 606 people and devastated an already struggling healthcare system, preventing medics from providing life-saving care to thousands of victims in the enclave. Those hospitals that are still

standing are working with a shocking lack of supplies, performing surgeries without anaesthetic and only able to provide paracetamol to amputees - like three-yearold Ahmad Shabat, who lost both his legs in an Israeli bombing - for pain control.

Doctors have also recounted having to perform Caesarean section deliveries with no pain relief at all, fearing that the mothers' chances of surviving such physical pain would be slim.

Al Jazeera's Mohammed Mhawish wrote of being unable to access pain relief or antibiotics after he and his family's home was destroyed in an Israeli attack.

Mohammed described entire nights deprived of sleep as broken bones and open wounds plagued them.

“Infection is a constant worry,” he wrote, “Every time the first trace of contamination appears, the wounds have to be cleaned with scorching water, fluid so hot that it burns the healthy skin around the wound. It was difficult to get [Mohammed's two-year-old son] Rafik to understand that we weren't trying to burn him.”

Yet Israel's messaging

continued to claim that it was doing everything possible to help provide healthcare to the devastated people of Gaza. According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), children's living conditions continue to deteriorate rapidly in Gaza, with cases of diarrhoea and skin diseases increasing and raising the risk of more child deaths.

In a move harkening back to medieval siege tactics, Israel has gone from stopping entirely to severely limiting the amount of food, water and fuel that is able to enter the Gaza enclave. From an approximate 500 trucks of humanitarian aid every working day - in addition to normal commerce and movement of locally grown vegetables, fruits, dairy and livestock - Gaza was cut down to nothing for two weeks.

Water-purification and sewage-treatment plants ground to a halt, as they ran out of the fuel they needed to keep running. Desperate, the people of Gaza started drinking unpotable salty water and bathing and washing their clothes in the sea, resulting in the spread of skin diseases as a result of

contact with polluted seawater.

For the Gaza Strip, where 80 percent of the people were already reliant on humanitarian aid, these weeks with no food supplies were harrowing as hunger became a daily reality and parents feared their children would starve to death in front of their eyes.

The shipments of humanitarian aid that were eventually allowed in have been nowhere near enough to feed an already destitute and beleaguered population.

The UN says that about one out of every four people is starving in Gaza and that two-thirds of families in some areas have spent at least one full day and night without food.

Prior to Israel's war on Gaza, humanitarian aid was also allowed in through several crossings, which were whittled down to one, the Rafah crossing with Egypt, and burdened with a long, circuitous inspection protocol that slowed deliveries down further.

Throughout the fighting, COGAT has been charged with delivering relief to the besieged citizens of the Gaza Strip and has worked double

time to highlight any efforts, making extensive use of social media, often in sharp contrast with the experience of the people of Gaza that COGAT is meant to be helping.

According to aid agencies within Gaza, the territory is now experiencing the world's worst hunger crisis. Relief agency staff report that families are combing through the rubble and searching for whatever scraps of food they can find.

According to the internationally recognised five-phase scale used to classify food crises, more than half a million people in Gaza – a quarter of the entire population – are now understood to be living through the most severe phase 5 “catastrophic level”.

In other words, they are currently at critical risk of mass starvation and death.

COGAT claims to the contrary, relief and aid entering the Gaza Strip have barely met the urgent needs of a population now left destitute and starving.

According to the UN, in the final week of December, food assistance had only reached 8 percent of the targeted people in need.

Monday January 15, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Monday January 15, 2024

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Monday January 15, 2024

PAGE 21

Bolt tries hand at Formula E racing SportsMax - Eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is known for his supremacy in track and field, but the former sprinter has ventured onto another track, delving into Formula E racing.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist made a surprise guest appearance as part of a promotion: the fastest man in the fastest electric vehicle, driving the record-breaking GenBETA car ahead of the main event and taking part in the grid walk just prior to the race on Saturday.

Bolt is a well-known fan of Formula 1 racing and has been spotted at various Grand Prix races for the prestigious motor racing competition.

Unlike Formula 1, which showcases hybrid race cars with engines powered by traditional fuel sources, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship features allelectric race cars.

Bolt holds the men's 100m world record of 9.58 seconds, but smashed that time - obviously - in the specially modified version of the Gen3 car used in Formula E races, piling through the 100m track in 4.36s.

“This is the first time in my life I'm comfortable saying something is faster than me,” he joked.

“It is like a rocket ship on wheels.

Getting the chance to drive it was a mind-blowing experience. The power from

the start was such a surprise and the adrenaline you got is on a different level, easily.

Driving the GenBETA was like nothing I've experienced before; I was told that as soon as you drive, you don't want to stop or get out and they were right.

I would do it every day if I could.”

Bolt was also gifted a helmet by Formula E World Champion driver Jake Dennis.

The helmet incorporates a green and black colour scheme and features the Jamaican flag, Bolt's name, and his trademark “to di worl” logo, which showcases his iconic celebratory victory pose.

In addition to meeting Dennis and speaking with

Usain Bolt has ventured onto another track, delving into Formula E racing.

former F1 star and Formula E TV presenter David Coulthard, Bolt was also

introduced to Bajan Formula 2 driver Zane Maloney.

Maloney will serve as a

development driver and reserve driver in Formula E's 10th season.

Olympic Solidarity Archery Coaching...

Monday January 15, 2024 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19 At this time you might be in the space where you tend to doubt concepts and attitudes that you've accepted all your life. You generally tend to be a service-oriented person.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you might find yourself at a loss as to how to proceed with a particular task or project in which you're involved, Libra. There might be a number of options.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Dreams and visions might give rise to the desire to be especially artistic and creative today, Taurus. Ideas for new artistic projects could be popping.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Something may be troubling a family member, Scorpio, and this person doesn't seem inclined to talk about it. Your intuition seems to be temporarily blocked.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Successes over the past several weeks, along with an increase in money, might give rise to the desire to improve your living situation, Gemini.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Today you might feel as if you're living in a fog, Sagittarius. Some interesting but puzzling news may come your way today.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Stress from whatever work pressures you've been experiencing might cause you to feel a bit under the weather. Yet you're probably unwilling to take some time off.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Unexpected premonitions and gut feelings might prove too strong for comfort, Capricorn, especially if they sense upcoming events that aren't all that pleasant.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Blocks and obstacles that you may have reached with regard to your projects might cause you to wonder if you have what it takes to get them done at all, Leo.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) A goal that you've been working toward for a long time and in which you've placed a lot of hope and confidence, may suddenly s e e m i n d o u b t t o d a y, Aquarius. This doesn't mean it's dead in the water by any means.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Although almost everything in your life seems to be going well, Virgo, today you just might find yourself in a bit of a panic. You might have a temporary fit of fear.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A partner or colleague might be going through some changes right now, causing you to wonder if you have a future with this person.

From page 23 with various schools throughout the various Regions. Ms. Tejada has tailored a programme to include the basics of coaching juniors right up to the team tactics of senior level competition.

President of Archery Guyana, Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, in giving an update on planning of the event, expressed special thanks to President of the Guyana Olympic Committee, Mr. Godfrey Munroe, Mr. Garfield Wi l t s h i r e a n d E x e c u t i v e Committee members for the provision of an Olympic Solidarity grant, Director of Sport Mr. Steve Ninvalle and the National Sports Commission and the Unit of Allied Art, Ministry of Education.

Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon stated that among the topics to be covered in the proposed Agenda are Code of Ethics/WADA, Introduction to what is Archery and what is coaching, the Beginners Award Programme, How to build an Archery session, preparatory movements/ stance and nocking, string grip, bow and hand setting, body preposition, bow rising, anchoring, full draw form, production of forces, full draw form, expansion, aiming/target panic, Para Archery, release and follow through, balance, physical development, psychology, mental and visual and breathing.

The course will be conducted at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

There will be theory and practical sessions twice per day beginning at 8:30h to 12:00h and then again from 13:00h to 16:30h.

Monday January 15, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Bucks overpower Curry-less Warriors, 129-118 Reuters - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton combined for 84 points, and the well-rested Milwaukee Bucks overpowered the shorthanded Golden State Warriors late for a 129-118 victory Saturday night in Wisconsin.

Antetokounmpo led the way with a game-high 33 points. Lillard had 27 and Middleton 24 and a gamehigh 10 assists for the Bucks, whose only game since Monday was a 33-point breeze over the visiting Boston Celtics.

Playing the second night of a road back-to-back and doing so without Stephen Curry (rest), the Warriors also had three players score 20 or more points, led by Jonathan Kuminga with 28. Brandin Podziemski had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Klay Thompson chipped in with 21 points.

The Warriors led by as many as seven points, that coming when Thompson nailed a 3-pointer to give the visitors a 72-65 lead at the midpoint of the third quarter.

But two bursts eventually allowed the Bucks to win for

just the third time in their last seven games.

Less than two minutes after the Warriors had gone up by seven, Milwaukee regained a 75-72 advantage thanks to two Antetokounmpo dunks and consecutive 3pointers by Bobby Portis and Lillard in a 10-0 burst.

Golden State managed six subsequent ties, the last at 96all on a Kuminga 3-pointer with eight minutes to play.

But Antetokounmpo and Middleton countered with three-point plays and Andre Jackson Jr. scored on a dunk.

Malik Beasley made a 3pointer with 6:25 to go to give the Bucks a 107-98 lead.

Antetokounmpo shot 13for-22, Lillard 9-for-19 and Middleton 10-for-13 for the Bucks, who shot 54.3 percent from the floor.

Jackson finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Brook Lopez and Beasley added 11 points each and Portis 10.

Dario Saric had a teamhigh six assists to go with 12 points and six rebounds, while Trayce Jackson-Davis added 12 points for the Warriors, who have lost seven of 10.

Cross Country racing slated for next Sunday in Berbice Athletes in East Canje/ New Amsterdam areas and the wider Berbice will have a chance to show off their fitness and test their preparedness when former Distance athlete Lochan “Barry” Singh stages his second cross road race along the East Canje public road.

The event, which is sponsored and organised by Singh and his family along with Anil Karim, will be held on Sunday 21st beginning at 08:00 hrs. The athletes will race from the Rose Hall Estate in East Canje to Gangaram Village also in East Canje.

The race will past through villages such as Rose Hall, Reliance, Adelphi, Goed Bananen Land and Betsy Ground.

Cash, trophies and other incentives will be up for grabs for the top placers in the event, while incentives will

also be presented to the outstanding performers in the different categories and age groups including the oldest and youngest finishers. There will also be sprint prizes available.

The first event was won by young and upcoming distance athlete Anthon Wright.

Singh a former distance athlete himself said he taught it fitting to do continue the event he started last year to remind those of his days on the track, road and cross country events.

The former athlete, who resides in Gangaram and works at the Rose Hall Estate, is hoping that what he is doing can help to rekindle some interest in sports, especially athletics, and bring it back to what it was years before.

The event is open to all.

(Samuel Whyte)

Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) goes up for the tip off against the Golden State Warriors at Fiserv Forum. (Michael McLooneUSA TODAY Sports)

Australian Open: Novak Djokovic wins longest Grand Slam first round match of his career NBC Sports - Novak Djokovic passed his toughest Australian Open first round test since the first of his record 10 men's singles titles at the event.

Djokovic outlasted 178th-ranked, 18-year-old Croat Dino Prizmic 6-2, 67 (5), 6-3, 6-4 to begin his bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title.

Djokovic earned his 29th consecutive Australian Open match victory, but he dropped a set in the first round for just the second time in the last 17 years.

Prizmic further pushed Djokovic in the third set, breaking serve in a 17minute game to go up 3-2, but Djokovic won the next eight games.

Prizmic had a chance to become the first man to win two sets off Djokovic in the first round of a major since the 2010 U.S. Open (Viktor Troicki) and the first to do it at the Australian Open since American Paul Goldstein in 2006.

Djokovic was 18 then, half a lifetime ago.At four hours, one minute, it was Djokovic's longest Grand Slam first round match ever, according to Tennis Abstract. Djokovic had won his previous 48 Grand Slam first round matches in less than three hours.

Prizmic, the 2023 French Open junior champion, was making his Grand Slam main draw debut.

Djokovic next plays an Australian -

- 43rd-ranked Alexei Popyrin or No. 156 Marc Polmans.

He could play five-time Australian Open runner-up Andy Murray in the third round and American Ben Shelton in the fourth round. Last September, Djokovic swept Shelton in the semifinals at the U.S. Open en route to tying Australian Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in history.

Also Sunday, Taylor Fritz, the highest-seeded American man at No. 12, needed five sets and ankle treatment to reach the second round.

Another American, Amanda Anisimova, took out No. 13 Liudmila Samsonova of Russia in Anisimova's first Slam match since taking a mental health break last May and returning to

Novak Djokovic

competition this month. Anisimova reached the 2019 French Open semifinals at age 17.

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open champion, advanced in her first match in Melbourne since ending a three-andhalf-year retirement last summer.

Wozniacki, 33, was up 6-2, 2-0 on No. 20 Magda Linette of Poland when Linette, a 2023 Australian Open semifinalist, retired due to injury.

The Australian Open continues Monday (Sunday night in the U.S.) with U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka in action. Osaka, a four-time major winner, is playing her first Slam since returning from childbirth.

Kaieteur News

Monday January 15, 2024

PAGE 23

Century 21 kicks off the 2024 Chess season Century 21 Real Estate Agency is again supporting local chess development in Guyana. An estimated 30 players are competing at the National Racquet Centre, Georgetown, in the first Grand Prix One Chess tournament hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF).

The tournament is the first for the year in a series of chess events scheduled during the year by the GCF and is sponsored by Century 21.

The event runs from Friday 12th to Thursday 18th January. The eight-round Swiss System competition is contested in the Open Category by players such as FM Anthony Drayton, veteran players Loris Nathoo and Errol Tiwari, experienced players Justino Da Silva and Gilbert Williams, reigning National Junior Champion Keron Sandiford, Ricardo Narine, and youngsters Kyle Couchman and Sachin Pitamber. Competing in the

Women's Category are 2023 N a t i o n a l Wo m e n ' s Champion Jessica Callender, Sasha Shariff, Shazeeda Rahim, and youngsters Aditi Joshi and Ciel Clement, to name a few.

Proving that there are no limits to game performance based on age, this tournament promises excitement and will prove that chess is a battle of wits and strategy.

The total prize fund is $70,000. Prizes for 1st to 3rd places in either category are $20,000, $10,000, and $5,000, respectively.

The tournament will be played by FIDE (International Chess Federation) rules. Players will see their ratings dip or move upwards based on their performance.

The Chief Arbiter for the tournament is FIDE Arbiter John Lee, assisted by FIDE Arbiter Anand Raghunauth and National Arbiter Odit Rodrigues.

T h e C E N T U RY 2 1 Chess Grand Prix One is the

The Women's category also featured intriguing match ups. first of four similar tournaments billed for 2024.

Each Grand Prix tournament gives players a chance to earn Grand Prix

points, which will be tabulated in conjunction with their scores earned from the 2023 and 2024 National Open Championships and

2024 National Women's Championship tourneys.

These top scores will ultimately determine the team for the 45th Chess

Olympiad in 2024. Players who also compete regularly can improve their internationally recognized FIDE ratings.

Grand Prix One and Grand Prix Two will be a rigorous testing experience for top male and female chess players to be eligible for selection in the upcoming inaugural CARICOM tournament in March 2024.

The top eight players will have the opportunity to represent the country at this prestigious event.

Updates on each round of the Grand Prix One games, and player results can be viewed on the GCF website: guyanachess.gy.

The GCF extends its gratitude to the CENTURY 21 Real Estate Company for its collaboration and sustained partnership in the further growth of chess locally.

The Federation also would like to thank the National Sports Commission for the use of the Racquet Centre.

Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari & Caroline Wozniacki advance Aryna Sabalenka's 2023 Australian Open triumph is her only Grand Slam singles title. (Getty Images)

BBC Sport - Aryna Sabalenka started her Australian Open title defence in dominant fashion with a rapid victory over Germany's Ella Seidel in Melbourne.

The world number two overpowered the 18-year-old qualifier 6-0 6-1 in a ruthless 53 minutes yesterday.She had the chance to win without dropping a game, missing two match points at 5-0 in the second before serving out the match in the next game.

She is joined in the second round by Greek eighth seed Maria Sakkari.

Sakkari's 6-4 6-1 victory over Japan's Nao Hibino was her first Grand Slam win in a year.

"It was a difficult match emotionally but I'm happy," said the 28-year-old, who went out in

the first round of the last three Grand Slams.

Elsewhere, Danish wildcard and 2018 Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the second round after Polish 20th seed Magda Linette retired with injury.Former world number one Wozniacki, appearing at the Melbourne Grand Slam for the first time since coming out of retirement last year, led Linette 5-2 in the opening set when the 31-year-old took a medical timeout and returned with strapping on her leg.Clearly in discomfort, she attempted to continue but lost the opening set before Wozniacki ruthlessly broke in the first game of the second and Linette called time on her Australian Open campaign at 6-2 2-0 down.

Sabalenka wastes no time in late start It was nearly midnight by the time Sabalenka and Seidel started their match after Novak Djokovic's victory over qualifier Dino Prizmic ran to more than four hours on Rod Laver Arena.

Second seed Sabalenka, 25, seemed to be in no mood to make it a later night than necessary as she took immediate charge against the world number 173.

She raced to a 5-0 lead in the opening set and wrapped it up in just 22 minutes with a couple of backhand volleys at the net.

The dominance continued into the second set and it looked as though Seidel would not get on the board at all until the German saved two match points and held serve for

the first time, earning huge cheers from the crowd.

Sabalenka squandered four more match points in the next game before regaining focus to seal the win.

"I still have to work hard and work for my dreams," Sabalenka said.

"It's amazing I was able to achieve so many goals in tennis.

There's more to come."

She will take on 16-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova next after the Czech became the youngest woman to win an Australian Open maindraw singles match since American Coco Gauff in 2020 with a 2-6 6-4 6-3 win over Romanian Ana Bogdan.

Sakkari returns to winning ways Sakkari, who will face Russian Elina Avanesyan in the second round, endured a difficult 2023 with early exits at all four majors, her best result at a Grand Slam coming in Melbourne where she reached the third round.

But she managed to squash any nerves with a dominant performance against Hibino, cruising to victory without dropping a point on her first serve in the second set.

"You're always nervous, you

want to perform well. When you're a top seed you're always going to play players who do well against you. It was a difficult match today emotionally but I'm happy I managed to do the job right and play a good second set," she said.

Sakkari has now won her first four matches of the year for the first time since 2021 after she secured three victories for her country at the United Cup. Meanwhile, American Amanda Anisimova earned an impressive 63 6-4 win over 13th seed Liudmila Samsonova in her first Grand Slam since taking a seven-month break for her mental health.

The 2019 French Open semifinalist said she felt "a lot more refreshed" and was now enjoying her tennis again.

France's Alize Cornet fell in the first round, losing 6-2 6-4 to qualifier Maria Timofeeva, while Czech ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova came from behind to beat Japan's Mai Hontama 2-6 6-4 6-3 and will next face Germany's Tamara Korpatsch, who knocked out Briton Jodie Burrage on day one.

The Australian Open has been extended to 15 days this year in an attempt to avoid late finishes - with this its first Sunday start.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Monday January 15, 2024

Ngetich breaks world 10 km record in Valencia (Reuters) - Kenyan runner Agnes Ngetich broke the 10km world r e c o r d i n Va l e n c i a yesterday, shaving 28 seconds off the previous mark, becoming the first woman to run the distance in under 29 minutes.

Ngetich clocked a time of 28:46, breaking Yalemzerf Yehualaw's road mixed race world record set two years ago.

"I am so happy. I didn't expect this world record. I was coming to improve my time, at least somewhere around 29:14, but I am happy that I ran a world record of 28 minutes. I didn't expect this," Ngetich said.

T h e 2 2 - y e a r- o l d World Cross Country Championships 2023 team gold medallist had previously set the 10 km world record in a women-only race in September with a time of 29:24.

Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo won the men's race in Valencia with a time of 26:48.

Finland's Camilla Richardsson and Kenya's Agnes Jebet Ngetich in action during the World Athletics Championship - Women's 10,000m final. (REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File photo)

DCB/SVC Senior Inter-Associations T20 Tournament semi-finals…

West Indies Under-19s beat Bowlers power GCA Panthers into final New Zealand by six wickets after 10-wicket mauling of Eagles in opening warm-up game ahead of U-19 World Cup - Dick (4-23), Barnwell (1-2), Sankar (2-9) SportsMax - The West Indies Under-19s comfortably defeated New Zealand by six wickets on Sunday at the Braam Fisherville Sports Complex in Johannesburg in their opening warm-up game ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup beginning on January 19.

Vice-Captain Nathan Sealy starred with the ball with 4-21 from nine overs to help the men in maroon restrict New Zealand to 131 all out in just 39.2 overs.

They then needed just 24.5 overs to reach 132-4 thanks to an unbeaten

58-run match-winning partnership between Joshua Dorne and wicketkeeper Jewel Andrew.

Dorne ended up 45* off 66 balls including three fours while Andrew finished 36* off just 24 balls, hitting one four and three sixes.

Jordan Johnson (14) and Steven Wedderburn (10) also chipped in for the Windies.

New Zealand Captain Oscar Jackson took 2-14 from three overs.

The West Indies will take on Nepal in their next warm-up match tomorrow, Tuesday.

Yesterday's semi-final double-header saw tableleaders GCA Panthers, led by Dwain Dick and Chris Barnwell, propelling their side to a 10-wicket win over East Bank Eagles, further securing a spot in the final; while WDCA Jaguars crushed ECCB Pheasants by 9 wickets.

Semi-final 1Georgetown Panthers romp to emphatic 10 wicket win over East Bank Eagles Openers Shemroy Barrington (25) and Raymon Perez (23) continued to give Georgetown the ideal start while Johnathan Van Lange (20) and Chris Barnwell (19) finished as the premier scorers.

The Eagles were relentless with the ball, led by amazing spells from; Buddan Bakash (4-29), Anand Barrat (2-24), Leon Swamy (2-31) and a wicket each from Ricky Sargeant

and Floy Joseph kept their opponents to 133 all out in 18.2 overs.

However, the Panthers would put on one of the best bowling performances of the competition, as they mowed down the Eagles for a measly 64 in 13.2 overs.

Opener Sargeant was the lone fighter with 28 off 18, smacking 2 fours and three sixes. A lower order knock of 16 from Sagar Hetheramani was the only other significant score for East Bank.

Pacer Dwain Dick bottled the opposition batters with figures of 4-23 while Barnwell again showed his class with the leather, snaring 2-1; as the fast-bowlers shared 6 wickets.

The spin duo of Steven Sankar (2-9) and Devon Lord (1-12) played their roles well as they aided in the dismemberment of the Eagles.

WDCA Jaguars beat ECCB Canje Pheasants by

9 wickets East Coast batting first were restricted to 89 all out in 18 overs with Vishwanath Ramlakhan (26) and Vivian Albert (18) being the lone pair to cross double figures.

Narendra Persaud (3-10) and Aryan Persaud (2-13) and a wicket each from Richie Looknauth, Jamal Gomes and Nksoi Major helped to keep their opponents below 100 runs.

West Demerara opener and Man-of-the-Match, Ushardeva Balgobin then continued his form, blasting an unbeaten 24-ball 65 with four fours and 7 mighty sixes, to lead his side home comfortably.

Not much was needed thanks to Balgobin, but Navindra (16) and captain Akshaya Persaud who scored 14 not out off 11 with a pair of maximums, did enough to see their team home, as the Jaguars finished on 95-1 in 8.5 overs.

Kaieteur News

Monday January 15, 2024

PAGE 25

Olympic Solidarity Archery Coaching course to be hosted in Guyana Archery Guyana (AG) will stage an Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course beginning January 17, 2024 and will run until Sunday January 21, 2024.

This five-day Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course will be held under the auspices of Olympic Solidarity and in this regard the Board of Directors commended the Executive Committee of the Guyana Olympic Association for the guidance and making this possible for Archery and for Guyana.

World renowned World Archery Coach/Trainer, Ms. Ludy's Carina Tejada, is a Dominican, who actually started archery as an athlete in 1978-2008, being a recipient of numerous awards and has medalled in a number of events.

Tejada, now an Archery Coach who is also a member of the World Archery Development Committee from 2010 to date. Currently, she is a Coach of Santo Domingo Archery school and Pedro Henriquez Ureña University, which position she held since 2014 and has been selected as the facilitator of this course.

The course will be attended by 20 participants, both male and female, who are all local archery coaches of various levels and work (Continued on page 21)

The Olympic Solidarity Archery Coaching Course begins on Wednesday and will run until Sunday at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue.

Cricket fraternity mournsHetmyer Harrinarine Kascon Engineering bats for Adrian Chattergoon passing M

ulti-purpose engineering company, Kascon has thrown full support to National youth batsman Adrian Hetmyer for the year 2024. Businessman and owner of Kascon Engineering, Mr Rafeek Kasim has recognized the ultra-talented young Hetmyer, and decided to motivate the lad, who will receive a monthly stipend for the entire year.

The young Hetmyer also received top quality cricket equipment, compliments of Kascon, at a presentation ceremony held at the weekend at the company's office, at Number 2 Village, East Canje Berbice.

At a tender age of 14, Adrian has already scored nine centuries, including three double centuries, and cricket runs deep into his veins.

Adrian is the son of Seon Hetmyer, and nephew of Shimron Hetmyer.

“We at Kascon Engineering we have one saying, Test cricket was made for the Gods, average men play ODI and T20 cricket. With three double centuries at the age of 14, with an uncle who played at the highest level, with a father whose name is synonymous with a

Mr Rafeek Kasim and his family make the presentation to Adrian Hetmyer.

complete cricketer, and probably the best all-rounder in the Canje district, Mr Adrian Hetmyer, we at Kascon Engineering is proud to be part of your life for the next 12 months. We are more than grateful to have you part of our family.”

“We do hope in whatever way we can make your life better, just know we are always here for you,” the influential Kasim explained.

Meanwhile, young Hetmyer expressed his gratitude to Kasim and his company. He noted that this

sponsorship will benefit him significantly in his career. The 14year-old, who has already played for Guyana Under-15, is aiming to go one step higher in 2024 at the Regional level.

“I had a bad season in 2023, so I

am looking to better that this year,” Adrian said.

President of the Berbice Cricket Board Dr Cecil Beharry was also present, and he spoke highly of young Hetmyer. Additionally, Coach of the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre Cricket Club, Ameer Rahaman was in high praise for Kascon, for recognizing Adrian's talent.

The right-handed batsman, Adrian was recently called up to the Guyana Harpy Eagles senior trials.

While in Berbice, he featured in senior and junior club cricket, where he has shown he is a cut above the rest. Additionally, Kasim donated cricket balls to the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre Cricket Club, as he believes that club has shown significant growth in producing quality cricketers.

Kascon Engineering is a company in Guyana which specializes in contracting of roads, buildings, and sea defenses. Kasim is no stranger to cricket, as he played competitive cricket himself and served as a cricket administrator, where he was at the helm of the Young Warriors cricket club.

West Indies Under-19s comfortably defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the warm-up match.

West Indies Under-19s beat New Zealand by six wickets in opening warm-up game ahead of U-19 World Cup

s t r o Sp DCB/SVC Senior Inter-Associations T20 Tournament semi-finals…

Bowlers power GCA Panthers into final after 10-wicket mauling of Eagles - Dick (4-23), Barnwell (1-2), Sankar (2-9)

FM Anthony Drayton (left) during battle with Kishan Puran

Century 21 kicks off the 2024 Chess season

Dwain Dick return 4-23 to bag the MVP award following the GCA Panthers storming into the upcoming final.

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