Kaieteur News

Lindeners complain to Prime Minister about upsurge in gang violence

Residents of the mining town of Linden, Region

Ten on Saturday voiced their concerns about theincreaseingangviolence acrossthetownduringavisit of Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d)MarkPhillips.

called ‘OJ’, in Amelia’s Ward.

The shooting was believedtobetheresultofan ongoing drug related feud between the gang and Lindener Teon Alleyne who is currently incarcerated.

Williams’ execution was saidtoberevengeonAlleyne for opening fire on the gang member’s home. Williams was Alleyne’s cousin. His girlfriendwasalsoshotinthe ordeal.

An emotional mother,

The residents said there have been many cutlass attacks in the communities along the Wismar shore, which have seen several youth being injured about their bodies. As a result, the residents have called on the while describing a recent authorities to not only chopping incident that took investigate the prevalence of place in Wisroc on gang violence but take Christmas Eve and resulted actionstocurbit. in her 19-year old son being

The Prime Minister had choppedabouthisbody,said visited the community of shenowfearsforherlife. Wisroc,Linden. “Mr Prime Minister, The gang, popularly thereisaganginLindenthat known as the MOB or the controls Linden by the name alleged that gang members supportfromthepolice.

‘Cayenne’ gang has been of MOB controlling the ran into her home and “Right now, my life is in said that the incident the fingered in several violent drug trade and everything in choppedherson. threat,Itriedtomakecontact woman recounted was not and drug related incidents Linden,” she said before Seven other young men withthepoliceandthepolice reported. Further, he said no overtheyears.In2019,there explainingwhattranspired. were allegedly attacked.The ain’t helping me. If they can formal report of gang was a peak in gang related The angry mother said woman said she was forced bebravetochopeightyoung violence and incidents have violenceinLindenwhichled the chopping incident to protect her child at the men, who looking out for beenformallyreportedtothe to the execution-style involving her son occurred hospital after receiving we?Thereisnobodylooking police. shooting of Ian in Wisroc The woman threats from the gang and no out for we and they going in

Williams

However, after receiving thehouse,”shesaid. t h e i n f o r m a t i o n ,

Prior to the Prime Commander Winter said all Minister’s visit, several efforts will be made to residents had taken to social investigatethematter media in December to Meanwhile, the Region express their concern over Ten Commander met with gangviolence. the mother on Monday

concerning, particularly amongouryoungpeopleand the use of cutlasses as the weapon of choice The brazenness of these violent acts being committed in view of the public in different communities across Linden has to be dealt with condignly and stopped. The elected official made public calls to the regional police command, to deal with these issues seriously “I therefore call on him to look into these serious allegationsanddothatwhich is required to prevent a

Member of Parliament However, the woman was (MP) Jermaine Figueira in a informedcaseslikeherson’s Facebook post said, “ are usually difficult to arrest because persons seldom provide information that would lead to capturing the In response, Police criminals.

The potential upsurge of upsurge use of illicit drugs retaliation of vigilante (molly) and gang violence justice and more criminal w i t h i n t h e L i n d e n actstospiraloutofcontrol.” community is most

UN official for familiarization tour of Guyana

Ms Laura Flores, Americas Division Director of the Departments of Political and Peace building Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations at the United Nations, will be in Guyana on a routine familiarisation visit from January 16 to 17, 2023.

Ms.Floreswillmeetwith His Excellency Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, other national authorities, members of the political opposition, civil society, and privatesector,theUNsaidin apressrelease.

In addition, Ms. Flores will be received by Her Excellency Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General

of CARICOM. DPPA is the

United Nations entity

responsible

Commander Hugh Winter

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips listens to the pleas of a Wisroc mother whose son was chopped badly by gang members, as other residents look on.

for the UN’s Guyana, Ms Flores will

relations with regional proceed to Suriname for a

organizations. After visiting similarfamiliarizationvisit.

Ms. Laura Flores, UN Americas Division Director of the Departments of Political and Peace building Affairs

Guyana’s public debt increases by 16%

…stoodatwhoppingUS$3.6Mattheendof2022

Amid growing concerns COVID-19pandemic. about its excessive

In 2020, Guyana had six borrowing, Finance loanswiththeExportImport Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on (EXIM) Bank of China Monday announced that the totalling US$240 451 country’s total public debt million This represented stood at US$3,654.9M an 17.5 percent of the country’s increase by 16 9 percent external loan portfolio fromlastyear according to Goolsarran. To Almost all of its recently this end, the former AG a n n o u n c e d p u b l i c wrote “Last week, the infrastructural projects Authorities announced the government has been signing of two loan borrowing to finance them agreements with the China despite earning over US$1B (Bank) in the sums of in the oil account for last US$192millionandUS$172 year. Delivering his budget million for the East Coast presentation Dr Singh Demerara road expansion sought to allay the fears of project and the construction Guyanese by claiming that of the New Demerara River G o v e r n m e n t h a s increase is attributed to Bridgerespectively “maintained its long- Government’s issuance of With these two loans, standing practice of prudent new fiscal treasury bills. Guyana’s indebtedness to debtmanagement.” Total public debt service China is set to overtake the

He argued that Guyana rose from US$121.9 million 20 percent incurred by Sri continues to enjoy strong in 2021 to US$150.2 million Lankawhichiscurrentlyina d e b t s u s t a i n a b i l i t y in 2022. This increase was state of severe economic fundamentals, “even as we drivenprimarilybydomestic crisis after years of expand investments in debt service payments, economic mismanagement public infrastructure, social which totalled US$65 combined with the COVIDservices and other initiatives million in 2022, up from 19pandemic.” geared at ensuring improved US$41 2 million in the Goolsarran reminded standards of living for all preceding year The growth that in December 2017, the Guyanese This delicate of domestic debt service Sri Lanka Government balancing act hinges on our payments was, in turn, handedovertheHambantota time-honoured debt l a rg e l y d u e t o t h e PorttoChinawhichincluded management strategy of commencement of principal 15,000 acres of land around contracting development repayments on debentures it, for use for 99 years. The financing and meeting debt issued in 2021 to securitise Port was constructed by service obligations at the an inherited overdraft at the China Harbour Engineering lowest cost, within prudent Central Bank Compared Company with financing riskparameters.“ with the previous year, fromChina’sEximBank. To t h i s e n d , h e external debt service This development announced that total public payments increased by 5.5 occurred after the State and publicly guaranteed percent to US$85.2 million failed to make good on its (PPG) debt amounted to in 2022, mainly on account commitment to repay the US$3,654.9 million at end- of higher principal and loan Goolsarran in his 2022, up 16.9 percent from interest payments to Column made the point that end-2021, on account of multilateralcreditors. Sri Lanka’s experience has growth in external and Only recently former important lessons for d o m e s t i c d e b t Auditor General, Anand Guyana since the incurrence “Notwithstanding, the ratio Goolsarran warned that of excessive debt; both of total PPG debt-to-GDP while Guyana’s medium- internallyandexternally,can declined substantially over term economic prospects adversely affect the the past year, from 38.9 appear very favourable due economy percent at end-2021 to 24.6 to anticipated oil revenues, Itwasonthisnotethathe percent at end-2022. This government should warned that while the outcome is testament to our nevertheless exercise country’s prospects seem judicious contracting of restraint in Government favourable due to the development financing, at a spending, given the anticipated revenue from oil level well within Guyana’s volatility of oil prices and gas, government should debt carrying capacity,” Goolsarran had made the exercise restraint given the Singh told the National comments in his Column, volatility of petroleum Assembly published in the Stabroek prices.

He added that at the end News. of 2022, Guyana’s external His counsel comes at a debt totalled US$1,571 9 time when Guyana’s loans million, representing a 12.9 fromChinaaresettosurpass percent increase compared that of Sri Lanka, which to end-2021, mainly as a standsatsome20percent.In result of positive net flows drawing reference to that from both bilateral and country, the former Auditor multilateralcreditors. General pointed out that Sri

Meanwhile, domestic Lanka is now in a state of d e b t a m o u n t e d t o severe economic crisis after US$2,080.6 million at end- y e a r s o f e c o n o m i c 2022, up from US$1,731.5 mismanagement coupled million at end-2021. This with the impacts from the

Vickram Bharrat fails to give update on Exxon’s US$7.3B audit

process still ongoing

last said what the country some US$7.3 billion in bills needs is a thorough audit, handed to Guyana by United rather than a team to check States (U S) oil giant the bills it received from ExxonMobilisstillongoing. Exxon. His comments come

The review process of

This is according to on the heels of a revelation Natural Resources Minister, made by Financial Analyst Vickram Bharrat who on and Certified Accountant, Saturday had promised to Floyd Haynes who is part of give an update on the audit, the team conducting the being conducted by a U.S audit on behalf of Guyana. groupwiththeassistanceofa He sought to assure the Guyanese team. The publicthataforensicauditor contract was signed on May a witch-hunt is not being 24 last for VHE Consulting conducted. He explained which is a registered that,“Aforensicauditiswith partnership between the aim of identifying fraud Ramdihal & Haynes Inc, and embezzlement with the Eclisar Financial, and goalofgatheringevidenceto Vitality Accounting & be used in a court ” Consultancy Inc. The Local when completed. “I don’t Contrarily, a cost recovery Consortium is supported by know who is calling for it to audit is being done pursuant Internationalfirms-SGSand be laid in Parliament so I totheparametersofthe2016 Martindale Consultants for wouldn’t comment on ProductionShareAgreement the ‘Cost Recovery Audit that they will be public (PSA) governing the and Validation of the documents in any case.” As Stabroek Block. “The goal is Government of Guyana’s G u y a n a a w a i t s t h e to verify the accuracy or ProfitOil’Share’. completion of a US$7.3B rather the legitimacy and President Irfaan Ali in cost recovery audit of v a l i d i t y o f c o s t s November last year told this ExxonMobil’s expenses claimed…There is a huge newspaper that the process between the years 2018 to difference so I wanted to was estimated to wrap up 2020, some stakeholders are clear that up,” he said before the end of 2022, with not very confident that this Gaskinwas keentopointout the first report ready by process will bear much fruit that the review process December forthecountry Thereviewis demands more than

However, Minister zooming into costs incurred checking the expenses. He Bharrat explained, “No that for the Liza One and Liza reasoned that it requires a one is ongoing. It’s 120 Two Projects which are competent team, expertise workingdayssotheywentto currently producing over and knowledge, especially Oklahoma already, they 360,000 barrels of oil per since the audit is intended to went to Houston. They are day confirm some US$7.3B in back in Guyana now We Economist Ramon expenses the country will have already received a first Gaskin, who spent several pay for In the meantime, report so we should receive years of his professional C h a r t e r e d A c c o u n t thesecondonereallysoon.” career conducting audits, in Christopher Ram believes

TheMinistersaidthatthe an exclusive interview with thatGuyanaisona reports will be made public this newspaper in November (Continued on page 8)

- again says

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

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

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

INTERNATIONAL GROUPS HELPING GUYANA

We are getting a helping hand, and wise counsel, from one international group after another What our own Guyanese superstars and pundits have recoiled from doing, people from outside Guyana are stepping up to fill the gap, withsolidguidanceonwhattolookfor,howtobevigilant, andhowtomanagethisgreatoilwealththatisournational patrimony

The list of foreign voices and foreign hands that have beenraisedandextendedforourbenefitisalreadylong,and it is growing. We have had Chatham House of the United Kingdom,Oxfam,GlobalWatch,theWorldBank,andeven the IMF offering what can only be termed as meaningful adviceonthestewardshipofouroilbonanza.Warningshave come about spending too much too quickly We have been alertedtobeontopofthingsonboththeincomeandexpense sideofouroilbusiness. Wehavebeenadvisedrepeatedlyto build capacity, and to strengthen those institutions responsible for overseeing our oil riches. Different foreign groups,andindividualexpertsfromtheoutside,haveoffered priceless assistance to this country This is for the simple reasonthat,duetotheirownlengthyexperience,theyknow how predatory oil companies operate in new oil producing countries of the Third World, and their ugly histories of cheatingtheunknowingandtheill-equipped.

Becauseofallofthis,itwouldbetheheightofingratitude for any government, any leader, of this country to claim ignorance, to pretend at want of information, in the managementof this nation’s oilsector Theconcernis that our leaders in government, rather than run with what is receivedfromoutsidegroups,havetakentheoppositetack. The PPPC Government had been unsparing in its denunciationsofthe2016oilcontractthatGuyanahaswith ExxonMobil.

Yet, now that it is in the seat of power, the same PPP Governmentanditsleadershavetransformedintowhatcan only be described as stone-headed, and dismissive, through their actions with this oil, and to the great danger of all citizensofGuyana. Mostofthetimethesedays,thePPPC Government seems to be more on the side, more in the pocket,andmoreatthecommandofExxonMobil,Guyana’s exploiter,thanonthatofGuyanese,theirbrothersandsisters. Guyanese have had to live with that shady reality, learn to acceptthatstateofaffairspassively,whilegoingabouttheir old way of life, as if oil in massive quantities has not been discoveredhere.

Now, another foreign body, one of great presence and influence,hassteppedforwardtoadditsvoicetothegrowing chorus of foreigners, who are alarmed at how we conduct ourselves,giventhisgreatandunprecedentedwealththatis ours. It is not some fly by night startup that no one knows aboutthatispressingGuyanatodotherightthing,butthe56member Commonwealth group, of which Guyana has long been a part. Specifically, the Commonwealth is warning Guyaneseleadersabouttherisksthatarethenormintheoil business, and of how decommissioning costs, cleaning up, cangrowfrommillionsofUSdollarstobillionsofthesame currency (KN January 12). The Commonwealth has recommended strict monitoring policies, but it is doubtful that the PPPC Government is paying any attention, or is planning to do anything to protect the interests of this country.

Ontheheelsofthat,theCommonwealthalsonotedthat unless the Government of Guyana is bold and unflinching, thenExxonMobilislikelytoengageinstillmoreexpensive congamesonGuyanese. AccordingtotheCommonwealth, Guyanamustmovetosecurethecleanupmoneyunilaterally takenoutbyExxonMobil,andkeptinitscoffers,orthereis the looming danger that Guyanese taxpayers will be left to holdthecleanupbag,andfootthebill(KNJanuary13).Oil companiesarenotinbusinessforcharity,orapplause. They are about making money by any means, any tricks, which makes cleanup millions fair game for cheap exploitation. The Guyana Government, and Guyana’s leaders, either listen, or they will take this country and its hopes into the gutter

Wretched governance, wasted energy, woeful servants

DEAREDITOR,

authorising document, as forthcoming for 13 months, Further still, I inquire, I seek your courtesy to internal discussions had suddenly appeared at my where is the City Council share a personal story All taken place with the doorstep in the matter of a (CityHall,theCityEngineer, Guyanese should be made appropriate people. The few short hours. I am still LocalGovernmentMinister, aware of it. From President mayor promised to follow- asking myself whether this and others) when those to Vice President to up. Then, one morning in actually happened, and I illegal structures are going Opposition Leader; from August2022,Mr Scottfrom assure everyone that it did. upacrossthecapitalcity To Minister of Local theCityturnedup;wehada Hereisacitizentryingtodo His Excellency, President Government to Mayor, City pleasant, constructive the right thing, on his own Irfaan Ali, I have a simple, Council, City Engineer; and conversation of what I time and his own dime, and humble, question: is this the fromthebiggesttaxpayersto intended; he took there is this appalling Guyana over which you the smallest citizens, I measurements, and I made developmentfromanagency preside, sir? To His present this little account of clear that something in that is weakened and Lordship, Mayor Narine, I myexperience,andaskthese writing would be most crippled by politics, ask: what do we have for a questions: is this a real welcomed This was incompetence, and capitalcity? Andwhatdowe place? Can this ever be a promised. ItisnowJanuary inefficiency Yettherecould have for an organization at country? 2023,fivemonthslater,andI be this incredible City Hall? My City Council

The parapet in front of amstillwaiting. developmentwithinhoursof visitorofferedthevagueness my home has been Editor, due to the action being taken, for what of ‘a report received.’ It is threatening to collapse into decayed, rickety state of the the City cannot do, cannot difficulttobelievethis,since the city drains I had wooden wall that I had afford to do, cannot get I am doing all residents in boardeditupafewyearsago erected, I realized (and around to doing, including this area a favour; if the at my expense, but time has everyoneelsethatviewedit) issuing a simple piece of parapet collapses into the ravaged into an extremely that the parapet would cave paper I know that this is a drainagesystem,thewaterin rotted state; it can’t hold into the City’s drainage society of the sordid; but it their years have nowhere to much longer I spoke to the system I decided on doesnothavetobeacountry runoff, and would lodge Mayor in December 2021, greenheart and wallaba ofcardboardandcomicbook there. and he asked me to put in posts, with a touch of tar for citizens, inclusive of leaders Iclosewiththis. Isthisa writing what I was good measure at my and stewards.As an aside, real country? What kind of proposing. Ihadproposedto expense, the total of which, myratesandtaxeshavebeen people do we have here? shore up the crumbling inclusive of workmanship is paid,asisthenormsincelast What motivations could parapet with solid cast not cheap. Astonishingly, yearinto2024. Yetthisisthe unleashsomethinglikethis? concrete, reinforced with within hours of the work deplorable treatment that is Given these questions, clear steel, and on my children’s commencing to keep the metedouttothosewhofulfill appreciation comes dollar The mayor thought it drains flowing, to facilitate their obligations regarding how and why wonderful, said he would the runoff from myself and Separately, I commend people arrive from workwiththeCityEngineer, neighboursonthestreettobe PresidentAliforhiscleanup everywhere and walk all through the Council, for a deposited into the drainage efforts and campaigns; I overGuyanese,atwill. This visit,anunderstanding,anda system, and go to wherever have been footing the bill to can’t be clean governance, document to be issued such goes, a representative clear my drains, and empty principled leadership, or Nothing happened for oftheCityCouncilturnedup mygarbagebins,almostona ethical public service. The months. with questions. I leave my monthly basis for years. I urgeistostopidentifyingas

Subsequent calls to the attitude, my reaction, my have not complained, nor Guyanese. mayorindicatedsurprisethat wordstotheimagination. haveImadeabigproduction Sincerely, there was no visit, and no What was never ofmycivicduty

GHKLall

DEAREDITOR, the Ming dynasty (1368- china-buildings). 40 years were used in Chinaisoneoftheglobal 1644).Todayitisapowerful Third, the Potala b u i l d i n g t h e power houses with a human symbol of China’s enduring Palace, which is situatedon mausoleum(https://www.chi element that stirs my s t r e n g t h theRedHillofcentralLhasa, nawhisper.com/the-greatestimagination, heart and love. (https://wwwchinawhisper is the highest ancient palace ancient-china-buildings). My deep respects to the com/the-greatest-ancient- intheworld,withitshighest Timedoesnotpermitme People’sRepublicofChina. china-buildings). point reaching 3,76719m to tell of, the Zhaozhou

The creativity of the Next, The Forbidden abovesealevel. Bridge and the Songyue Chinese nature is a special City in the center of Beijing The Potala Palace was Temple ofChina The gift from the Universe to whichisthelargestandmost builtinthe7thcenturyinthe Zhaozhou Bridge, also them. Their unique skills in complete imperial palace Tang Dynasty during the knownasAnjiBridge,isthe Architecture is one that and ancient building reign of King Songtsan largest and oldest stoneclearly leaves me humble. I complexinChina. G a m p o o f T i b e t arched bridge in the world must make mention here of Itwasbuiltbetween1406 (https://wwwchinawhisper and was designed by the The Great Wall of China and 1420 during the Ming com/the-greatest-ancient- ancient architect Li Chun. which is the most famous Dynasty 24 emperors from china-buildings). This bridge took 11 years to Chinesearchitecture. theMingandQingdynasties Let me not talk of The complete from 605 to 616

It was originally lived and ruled China from mausoleum of Emperor d u r i n g t h e S u i constructedbyEmperorQin there.The Forbidden City, Qinshihuang (China‘s first Dynasty(https://wwwchina Shi Huang in the third extends753metersfromeast emperor) which is located whisper com/the-greatestcentury B.C. as a means to towest,and961metersfrom about 35 kilometers from ancient-china-buildings). keep out “nomadic tribes north to south. It consists of Xi’an City It is the biggest The Songyue Temple from the north”, the wall is some 9,900 bays of rooms imperial mausoleum in was built inA.D. 523 in the one of the most extensive and is built mostly of wood, ancientChina Northern Wei Dynasty It is construction projects ever roofedwithtilesandsitsona More than 700,000 the oldest extant large completed in the world.The foundation of stone labourers from all over pagoda in China This best-preservedsectionofthe (https://wwwchinawhisper China were requisitioned in twelve-sided,40-metre-tall Great Wall was built during com/the-greatest-ancient- this giant project and nearly

The Chinese must be applauded for their achievements and Guyanese should embrace them as friends

LincolnLewisrespondstoFreddieKissoon

DEAREDITOR, “Unplanned immigration Freddie’s article by his to quote me or seek to hide public officials there is a appreciation why the I return to this issue of brings with it consequences English teacher to do a behind me, thinking the universalprinciplethatone’s “miasmicmess”wasthrown Freddie Kissoon seeking to such as stress on the Comprehensive Review worldwouldnotseethrough family is off limit, in his face by those misrepresent my words in education and health would be unable to, because his inability to grapple with particularlyifthefamilyhas representing the current his penchant for attention. services, housing overrun, the article doesn’t make complex issues and committednoinfraction. regime. His article of 15th January the creation of slums, and sense. contributeintelligently And whereas my wife is IfKissoonhasaproblem 2023, “Guyana, the country our resources exploited by If I am speaking to And what has become a capable of meeting Freddie w i t h u n p l a n n e d with the world’s largest others willing to undersell unplanned immigration, characteristic of his failure, headonanddealingwithhis immigration, he only has to Diaspora,” was brought to their labour We also face a how in God’s name could healwaysattemptstodeflect grungy behaviour, I am not looktoseewhatishappening myattentionbecauseofwhat crisis of submerging our Kissoonseektocomparethis by getting personal and sure his family who is well at the United States of hesaidaboutme. culture further This threat to a statement purportedly hiding behind the known can endure the America southern border, In his poor attempt to comes from others who do made by Speaker of the unnecessary He revels in onslaught on their and the concerns and speak to the issue of not speak our language and National Assembly, goingafterpeople’sfamilies, personality or character I challengesposeforthistype migration, whether it be share a common culture… Manzoor Nadir that “We an issue that has no bearing caution Kissoon to think ofmigration. GuyaneseleavingorGuyana we also face a crisis of must make it harder for on the subject matter twicebeforehecommitsthis Persons desirous of seeinganinfluxofmigrants, submerging our culture… people to become citizens.” Further, it is a treatment he attackagain. knowing my views on he plunged into a discourse we are facing a pending If Kissoon desires an would not like to be meted The unacceptable unplanned immigration and with his feet and forgot his catastrophe which we must intelligent discourse on out to his wife and daughter behaviour of his, while the importance of the nation brains somewhere. This has seektoavoidatallcost.” immigration and wants to whose privacy he guards allowed ventilation through moving to a structured becomeapatternoftheman, The excerpt is an insertmycontributiononthe zealously different media, only immigration policy to avoid growing in intensity, and extraction from an article in topic, which I am not Kissoon needs to know highlightsthedebaucheryof repercussions could read now a national disgrace mycolumn,‘EyeonGuyana opposedtogivenit’samatter thefailureofpersonstotreat theman’smind,howlowhe h e r e : given that he hides behind with Lincoln Lewis,’ titled, of national import, he must with him in like manner is willstoopandhisinabilityto https://wwwkaieteurnewso thefaçadeheisanacademic “They are coming…are we rise above his penchant for not because they cannot go represent issues in coherent, nline com/2019/04/07/theyand taught at the nation’s prepared?” (April 7, 2019). the primordial instinct in into the gutter with him and logical and cogent manner are-comingare-wepremier institution of Any child preparing for the going low, by intelligently deal with him; it is because Kissoon is a man of nasty prepared/ learning.

Common Entrance Exams refutingtheargumentsIhave persons respect themselves characterandastimegoesby Regards, He quotes me saying: – (NGSA), who is given advanced.Itisnotsufficient that in conversations about Iambeginningtohavemore LincolnLewis

The Chinese must be applauded for their achievements and...

Frompage4 Sea; was a quest for “World sciences (Major Scientific commenced;evenbeforethe ties and relations between I have been fortunate to pagoda is built entirely of Peacethroughtrade”. and Technological establishment of formal the two countries. In recent visit China three times but I blue bricks. The body is Tothisdate,Chinaisnot Achievements of New Diplomatic Ties with China times Guyana now enjoys am still in awe of their girdledroundby15closely- known to invade another China, 1949-2009) It also on 27th June,1972; with the energy and gas partnerships knowledge; and their arranged eaves, which get country to take their lands, boasts major scientific arrival of the first group of withChina. wisdom continues to inspire smaller in beautiful destroytheirpeopleetc.The breakthroughs in cutting- Chinese migrants to the ThePeople’sRepublicof students, professors, proportions towards the ChineseskillsinTechnology edge domains like super country in 1853, and was Chinaneedstobeapplauded economists,etc.Ihopetobe t a p e r i n g and Healthcare is par hybrid rice, high- givengreatersignificancein for their achievement as a blessed to visit China once top(https://www.chinawhisp excellence Their natural performance computing, October,1971 when Guyana countryandweasGuyanese more. ercom/the-greatest-ancient- medicines, most of which is Chinese-character laser voted in favour of the should embrace them as Sincerely, china-buildings). All these notdoneinvasively,canboth phototypesetting,3Gmobile People’s Republic of China friends. HajjiDr.RoshanKhan great ancient buildings my physically and spiritually communications, etc asthelegalrepresentativeof dear friends, reflect the cure. Over the years, China (Major Scientific and ChinaattheUnitedNations. wisdom and efforts of the has been supplying Guyana T e c h n o l o g i c a l Guyana opened its Embassy Chinesepeople. with a Medical Brigade that Achievements of New in Beijing in 1973, this put Their Modern Architecture possess great skills and China, 1949-2009).The the country as the first of Sky Scrapers tickles the medical knowledge since country also leads in Space amongtheEnglish-speaking mindandthoughtandcauses theyarerecruitedfromsome Exploration Technology Caribbean countries to metofallinlovewithChina of the top Medical with its various missions to establish a diplomatic and their skills.At the 40th Universities in China, and the Galaxy It’s Nuclear mission in China. During ShanghaiExposition(heldin has built their own Medical Power Technology has been the ensuing years both 1Mayto31October,2010)I Staff Residential Complex for the benefit of energy countries have hosted top personally witnessed the so that their team can better consumption by its people. level official visits, cultural Chineseremarkableskillsin servethepeopleofGuyana.I China has never used its exchange groups, visits by Architecture on display have never heard of a nuclear weapon to destroy political and friendship These intricate skills in Guyanese treated by a the global ecosystem or to delegations,supportforeach Architecture from Ancient Chinese Medical Doctor causeharmortokill. other in mutual areas of time to Modern is one that complained about not been Their food and diet interests and benefits trulydeservesrespect. treated very well From menus have captured the Guyana is a signatory to the I n Tr a d i n g a n d Ancient to Modern times, hearts of the people world Belt and Road Initiative InternationalCommerce,the China has produced over ItwasfromtheChinese (BRI) on July 27, 2018 (a Chinese skills and excellent Scientists, their that Marco Polo (the great M O U t h a t a l l o w s knowledge is un matched. technology in Satellite Venetianexplorer/merchant) cooperation in the areas of They are some of the most development is world took “Noodles” to economics, transportation ethicalpersonsinbusinessin renowned In addition, Italy/Europe. They were the and communication); the termsofhonouringcontracts China boasts important first nation to use ‘paper’as 2001 and 2003 International extensively The Ancient research findings in a money and when Marco Trade Agreement between ChineseSilkRoad;thatisan number of fields, such as Polo mention that to the the Cooperative Republic of engineering wonder to this continental theory of Crown,hewasimprisoned. Guyana and the People’s date has taken Chinese Art petroleum origin, synthetic China and Guyana Republic of China; and an and History to the different bovine insulin, Goldbach Diplomatic Relations, AgreementontheProtection Worlds- to Mecca, conjecture,hightemperature started by the late president of Investment with China Jerusalem,Indonesia,Japan, superconducting, nano Linden Forbes Sampson respectively. Agreements Africa, Arabia, India, materials, quantum Burnham,datesbacktoover which all fosters the Europe, etc. by Land and communications, and life 50 years Friendships strengthening of diplomatic

- Govt. to draw down $208.9B from oil account for support

- sugar, fisheries, gold industries perform poorly Budget 2023 is $781.9B

Senior Minister somelingeringeffectsofthe The Finance Minister output from the smaller withresponsibility 2021floodsthataffectedrice disclosed yesterday that the operator grew from 229,942 for Finance, Dr production in 2022 mining and quarrying sector tonnes in 2021, to just

Ashni Singh However, production grew is estimated to have 299,409tonnesin2022. yesterday unveiled a to surpass 2021 levels, with expanded by 109.7 percent

On the downside, $781.9B budget for 2023 yields increasing to 5 9 in2022.

MinisterSinghsaidthegold underthetheme:“Improving tonnes per hectare in 2022, The estimated growth is miningindustryisestimated Lives Today, Building compared with 5.5 tonnes driven mainly by an to have contracted by 2.5 ProsperityforTomorrow.” perhectarein2021. expansion in the oil and gas percent in 2022, stemming

This is 41 4 percent Furthermore, the and support services from lower output from the larger than the 2022 budget ministersaidtheothercrops industry which, when small and medium scale whichstoodat$552.9B. sector is estimated to have combinedwiththeprojected producers.

During an almost six- grown by 15.3 percent in growth in the other mining He said overall hour presentation in the 2022, with expansions and bauxite industries, declaration of gold fell National Assembly, Dr. observed across all crop outweighsthecontractionin marginally from 499,054 Singh was keen to note that categories He said goldminingactivity ounces in 2021 to 486,415 $208.9Binoilrevenueswill significant growth was He was keen to note that ouncesin2022. be withdrawn from the recordedintheproductionof the oil and gas sector is Further to this, the Natural Resource Fund crops such as eddoes, estimated to have expanded minister said the single (NRF) to support national coconuts, sweet potatoes, by 124.8 percent in 2022, producing foreign operator development priorities this plantains, lettuce, and sweet with a total of 101.4 million recorded a notable increase year Last year, government peppers. The contributing barrels of oil produced, indeclarations,with101,418 had used $126B to prop up factors to higher output compared with 42.7 million ounces declared in 2022, the2022budget. include increases in acreage in2021.Thisperformanceis while output from the small Speaking to the nation’s cultivated and increased a t t r i b u t e d t o t h e and medium scale operators sectoral performance for yield. c o m m e n c e m e n t o f fell by 10 6 percent to 2022, the Finance Minister The livestock industry is production at the country’s 384,998ounces,attributedto said the agriculture, forestry also estimated to have second floating, production, lower declarations from the sector,MinisterSinghsaidit and hospitality industries and fishing sector is expanded, growing by 9 storage and offloading toptwodealerships. is estimated to have continuestoboostgrowthin estimated to have expanded percent in 2022 It is (FPSO)vessel–LizaUnity– K a i e t e u r N e w s expanded by 3.9 percent in construction. by 11.9 percent in 2022. He estimatedthattheproduction early last year In 2022, Dr understandsthatoutputfrom 2022. While sugar With respect to the saidthisgrowthisattributed of pork, poultry meat, Sing said the Liza Destiny the other mining and manufacturing is estimated services sector, he said it is to notable performances in mutton, and beef grew by FPSO produced crude oil at quarrying sector, which to have contracted by 18.9 estimated to have expanded theothercrops,ricegrowing, 15.8 percent, 12 percent, an average rate of comprises diamond, sand percent, he said the rice by 9 percent in 2022. While livestock, and forestry 10.1percentand1.8percent, approximately 128,000 and stone mining, continued manufacturing and other growth was recorded across industries. respectively,in2022.Onthe barrels per day (bpd), its upward trajectory, manufacturing subsectors all service industries, Dr He said growth in these downside, the production of compared with 117,000 bpd resulting in the sector are estimated to have grown Singh said the overall 2022 industries more than offset eggs and milk declined by in 2021, and the Liza Unity expanding by an estimated by 11.7 percent and 2.8 performance is mainly contractions in sugar 37 5 percent and 10 8 FPSO produced at an 38.5percentin2022. percent, respectively With attributed to growth in growingandfishing. percent,respectively average rate of about In fact, diamond respect to the latter, Dr wholesale and retail trade Dr Singh said the sugar In the fishing industry, 169,000bpd,reachingapeak declarationsareestimatedto Singh said growth was and repairs, administrative sector is estimated to have Dr Singhsaiditisestimated monthly rate of just over have grown by 85.6 percent driven largely by fabricated and support services, declined by 18.9 percent in to have contracted by 4.8 233,000bpdinDecember to 83,720 metric carats last metal products, plastic financial and insurance 2022, with sugar production percentin2022.Hesaidthis With respect to the year. Furthermore, sand products, and paper activities, real estate for the year totaling 47,049 isattributedtolowermarine bauxite mining industry, Dr. extraction and stone products,whichgrewby4.9 activities and transport and tonnes. production, with shrimp and Singh said it is estimated to production are estimated to percent, 35.7 percent, and storage. Hesaidthisperformance fishproductionfallingby7.1 haveexpandedby35percent have grown by 35.6 percent 98.8 percent, respectively These industries he said was largely the result of percent and 0.7 percent, in 2022, with increased and 18.6 percent, On the downside, however, grew by 15.6 percent, 11.8 lingering effects of the 2021 respectively. output from both producing respectively, supported by there was a 33 percent percent, 6 7 percent, 4 1 floods, which caused lower On theupside,Dr Singh operators. He said the total the heavy emphasis of contraction in the percent and 8 9 percent, yields per hectare and said the forestry sector is output from the industry is construction activity in m a n u f a c t u r i n g o f respectively reducedcanequality,aswell estimated to have expanded estimated to have expanded government’s Public Sector pharmaceuticals and a 9 Wi t h c o n t i n u e d as technical challenges in 2022, growing by 13.4 from 618,452 tonnes in Investment Programme percent contraction in the interventions and policies encountered in the first half percent. It is estimated that 2021, to 706,634 tonnes in (PSIP) as well as rapid manufacturingofchemicals, gearedatbuildingaresilient of2022. approximately 441,000 2022. expansion in private sector particularly oxygen, amid economy,Dr Singhsaidreal In contrast, Dr Singh cubic metres of timber He said output from the construction activity lower COVID-19 related Gross Domestic Product is said there is an estimated products were produced in largest producer increased Notably, for the first time in hospitalisationsin2022. projected to grow by 25.1 expansion of 8.1 percent for 2022, largely on account of from 388,510 tonnes in the last five decades, Significantly, the percent this year, a rate of the rice growing sector in growing demand from the 2021, to 407,225 tonnes in 255,081 tonnes of

Finance Minister noted that growth which currently puts 2022, with total production constructionsector 2022, despite delays in the manganesewereproducedin the construction sector grew Guyana among the top five of 610,595 tonnes Like E X T R A C T I V E start-up of a new kiln 2022. byaverystrong26.3percent fastest growing economies sugar, he said, there were INDUSTRIES Moreover,itisestimatedthat In the manufacturing in2022. in2023.

Aswasthecasein2021, Hesaidthispositioncan he said this expansion is be largely attributed to supported by intensified further ramping up of oil activity in the public and productionanticipatedinthe privatesectors. StabroekBlock.

Alongside massive He said growth in the Government investment in non-oileconomyiscurrently newandimprovedroadsand projected at 7.9 percent this b r i d g e s , h o u s i n g year, driven by continued developments, educational expansion in construction, and health facilities, and other crops, and wholesale agriculture infrastructure, and retail trade and repairs, Dr.Singhsaidprivatesector alongside a rebound in gold investmentintheoilandgas mining.

Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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BLUNT BLUNT

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OIL SALES

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This is the PPP’s version of ‘buy and sell’.

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The problem is no Guyanese know who buy and how much sell.

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The quantity sold is a mystery.

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The price received is shrouded in secrecy;

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Looks like Exxon pulled a fast one on the PPP.

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Just like how the PPPpulls many fast one on the Guyanese people.

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Auditor General Office should be middleman between

oil expense auditors and parliament - Transparency Advocates

Intheabsenceofoilaudit

AG’S office priority in Auditor General for all of General.” At (4) the Act information regarding the reviewing State revenues, Guyana’s money So, he is c l a r i f i e s t h a t overdue ExxonMobil but also allows for the supposed to be overlooking

“Notwithstanding anything expenses, local transparency government to have what is going on and if in this Act or any other law, advocates are suggesting additional audits by private necessary, give regular Government’s right to greater involvement of the entities. In the absence of updates to Parliament,” conduct or cause to be Office of the Auditor timelyoilexpenseauditsand Gaskin said. He pointed out conducted internal audits General (AG) to filter the failure of “governments” that while the law gives the remainsunimpaired.” information between the to have by now, capable, government the power to Stakeholders, including Guyana parliament and oil competent individuals to have external auditors theparliamentaryopposition auditors. readily scrutinise oil review State funds, “in the have been demanding more The transparency expenses, Gaskin believes interest of transparency and information from the advocates say that the AG’s that more must be done to accountability, there is no government in relation to office is the sole agency involve State mechanisms reason why the government various aspects of the oil responsible for auditing that promote the checks and cannot have the AG’s office sector, particularly, the State funds, and should be balancesofStatefunds. closely associated with the handling of oil revenues. involved in the review of oil

“Why is the auditor oil audits.” Gaskin related

Stakeholders are concerned monies spent by the general not involved in that Guyana has failed to that despite a minimal twoStabroekBlockConsortium. audits that affect the revenue buildthenecessarycapacity; year timeline to audit and Economist and former of the country?” the the audits continue to make objections to the oil Presidential advisor Ramon specific powers as it relates economist questioned. “The overshoot due dates and AG’s office by building oil expenses, Guyana continues Gaskin highlighted that the totheauditingofStatefunds. constitution says that he information remains auditing capacity there and to drag its feet in developing Constitution gives the AG Hesaidthatthelawgivesthe (AG) is supposed to be the minimal to nil. He noted at the Guyana Revenue capacity to audit the multitherefore, that if government Authority “This will enable billion-dollarexpenses. is serious about its oil u s t o h a v e t h e Vice President Bharrat money, it must find comprehensive audits we Jagdeo, who leads the oil additional ways to keep up require,”Lowposited. industry,haswarnedGuyana withitsrevenue.

Guyana’s Audit Act says that the country does not Opposition Economist in relation to functions, “(1) have co-management status and Youth advisor Elson that the Auditor General and therefore has no say in Low also believes that the shall be the external auditor how the Exxon Consortium AG’s office could be useful of the public accounts of develops the local oil sector, in monitoring oil expense Guyanaand,inthedischarge despite all monies spent by audits. He believes that the of his functions, shall have the oil company being AG’s office could allow for complete discretion in recoveredascostoil. greater transparency as it examining and reporting on He urged that the would be the middleman the receipt, disbursement, country’s only means of between the auditors and the andcontrolofpublicmoneys monitoring its cost oil is Parliament. “It will facilitate and on the economy, through the oil expense closercollaborationbetween efficiency and effectiveness audits. Given the “lax” parliament and auditors so intheuseofsuchmoneys.”It attitudetowardtheoilaudits, that the nation is kept up to says that “without prejudice the opposition said it is date on the status of audits, to subsection (1), the workingonwaystomakethe as opposed to the dark as we Government may cause an government accountable for are currently,” Low said. He additional audit to be oil funds. So far, it has laid a continued that it would be conducted by an auditor motion in parliament to have “very useful to have the other than the Auditor the government divulge auditor general’s office general where an agreement information relating to involvedinthecostoilaudits entered into between the construction of a US$1.3B because his office already Government and an pipeline which will be built lays audits before the Public international financial by the Stabroek consortium Accounts Committee, which institution so dictates through cost oil The is where we want to see the Without prejudice to Opposition contends that the currentauditventilated.” subsections (1) and (2), the pipeline is too costly for

This will only be truly Minister responsible for government to spend meaningful, Low reiterated. finance may request the without parliamentary Heopinedhoweverthatfora Public Accounts Committee oversight. It is demanding g r e a t e r e ff e c t , t h e to cause an additional audit from the government all government could look tobeconductedbyanauditor agreements surrounding the toward strengthening the other than the Auditor billion-dollarproject.

Vickram Bharrat fails to give update on...

From page 3

subjectedtoscrutiny

dangerous path if auditors believe that they To this end, Ram noted, “The suggestion are merely required to check ExxonMobil’s by Mr Haynes that this is merely a cost expenses to verify the expenditure for the recovery audit is dangerously wrong. [I] period2018-2020. never thought it would be necessary to point

Ram in a guest editorial published in this out to a team of Chartered Accountants that newspaper said while it is true that the audits they have a duty to familiarise themselves have to be conducted in accordance with the with the technical details of the Agreement Stabroek Block PSA, the auditors are not under which they have undertaken a restricted. Ram, who is also an attorney, is professional engagement; that costs are adamant that Haynes, the Guyanese classified, defined and allocated across six spokesperson on the audit panel, along with specific heads; that claims for recoverable his team must be aware that oil production expenses must satisfy three conditions; that ran for a full year in 2020 and all the records recordshavetobemaintainedtoallowforthe pertaining to the production, allocation of preparation and submission of seven productionshare,costsincurred,recoverable Statements to the Government ” As a and non-recoverable expenditure and costs consequence, he argued that Guyana should to be carried forward all form part of the be conducting more than just a cost recovery records of the oil companies that should be audit.

Economist and Youth Advisor to the Opposition leader, Elson Low

Economist and former Presidential Advisor Ramon Gaskin

WILLTHEPRESIDENTSURPRISEUSONHISRETURN?

Guyana’sPresidentisnot eitherfromSantokhiorfrom Caribbean Community which had been high on the example, he announced that the incumbent Chairman of the incoming Head from the Previously, he had asked for agenda of the Ministerial by 2025 Guyana intends to the Caribbean Community Bahamas. theBrazilianstobeincluded Task Force. Addressing a increase poultry production Assuch,hehasnoauthority In any event, it is not ontheMinisterialTaskForce forum in Trinidad and from 50,000 metric tonnes to invite the Prime Minister usual for foreign Heads of on Agriculture which was Tobago in 2021, Ali had per annum to 90,000 metric of India to attend and to StatetobeinvitedtoanInter- established to push regional hinted that regional food tonnes; corn and soya from address this year’s Inter- sessional Meeting which is food security This was an barriers could be removed 4,300 metric tonnes to islefttobeseen. Sessional Meeting of the usuallyheldtowardstheend unprecedented request and quickly Heshouldadviseus 35,000 metric tonnes; India in the meantime is HeadsofGovernmentofthe of February Such meetings one which was no doubt of just how many barriers vegetables from 324,000 being offered 200 acres of CaribbeanCommunity are intended to monitor the rebuffed President Ali havebeenremovedandhow metric tonnes to 400,000 land in Guyana to cultivate Itisbeingreportedinthe business of the Community meanwhilehasbeenmaking many newer ones have been metrictonnes;andricefrom millets.WhyIndiawithsuch media that the Guyanese in between the Regular the rounds in India erected since him assuming 560,000 metric tonnes to extensive agricultural lands President extended an Conferences. If Guyana is Following his interview in the Lead on agriculture and 847,000 metric tonnes by would want to come here to invitation to Prime Minister hostinganagriculturalevent Guyana with Al Jazeera, he foodsecurity 2025. plant millets is something Modi to attend the for CARICOM inAugust of met while in India with at If he does muster the Thenationneedsareport that is hard to comprehend. forthcoming Inter-sessional this year, then it may be least three media agencies, energy to host a press on what is being done to But our President has been meeting of CARICOM withintheprerogativeofAli, WIONZEETVandNDTV conference on his return achieve these targets. It is known as man of surprises. headswhichisscheduledfor who is the CARICOM Lead But it has been quite a fromIndia,hemayalsowish obvious that in relation to Let us hope he will surprise next month in the Bahamas. on agriculture and food while since he has hosted a to advise the nation on the poultry that there has been thenationbyhostingapress The Guyana Chronicle and security, to extend such an local Press Conference. It is extent to which the country some stagnation since conferenceonhisreturn.Itis the Press Office of the invitationbecausethisevent hoped that when he returns, has attained the targets poultry prices have the one issue in which his Government of India both will essentially be hosted in he will host such a Press which he announced at the increasedabovetheincrease usual enthusiasm has failed reportedthis.Therehasbeen Guyana.Buthecertainlyhas Conference for the local RegionalAgri-Invest Forum in input costs for feed. In him. nodenialorcorrectionofthis no authority to invite Prime media corps Such an hosted in Guyana last year relationtocornandsoya,the (The views expressed in reportbytheGovernmentof MinisterModitoaddressthe undertaking will allow him At that activity, he Brazilians and a consortium this article are those of the Guyana. next Inter-Sessional in to report on the outcome of announced initiatives which of local businesses were author and do not As far as is known, the February or for that matter his trip of India.And it will he said were aimed at expected to increase corn necessarily reflect the incumbent head of the Regular Meeting in July also provide ample helping to achievethe 25 by and soya production but opinions and beliefs of this CARICOM is President ofthisyear opportunity for him to 2025 goal set by the whether 35,000 metric n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s Chan Santokhi of Suriname This is not the first time provide an update on the Caribbean Community For tonnesby2025isachievable affiliates.) whose term ends in that controversy has erupted status with the dismantling February If an invitation is over purported statements of the barriers to regional to be extended, it has to be made by Ali concerning the tradeinagriculturalproducts

Man sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for 2020 murder of drinking partner

Jerry Heeralall, 30, was between January 25, 2020 Outar was on an outing on Monday sentenced to 20 and January 27, 2020, at with his wife and friends years imprisonment for Republic Road, New who were all imbibing. The killing his Cleon Outar, his Amsterdam Heeralall labourer went missing and drinking partner in 2020. murdered Outar, a labourer his body was subsequently The sentence was handed of Angoy’s Avenue, New fished out of the canal downweeksafterhepleaded Amsterdam. located near the Regional guilty to the lesser count of “I very sorry for what Democratic Council’s manslaughter in December happen,Igivemysympathy (RDC)officeinRegionSix. 2022 The sentence was to the relatives. It na go H e e r a l a l l w a s handed down by Justice happen next time like this represented by Attorney-atNavindra Singh at the here so,” Heeralall whose law Tuana Hardy while the Berbice High Court, New timespentonremandwillbe State was represented by Amsterdam,Berbice. deducted from the 20-year Attorney-at-law Nafeeza According to the charge, sentence. Beig.

Dem boys seh...

When dem boys bin small if somebody birthdaypartyanddemdecidedatcoughor coughtoomuchindecinema,depersonin nocough,demgatfuhgoandfulldembelly frontofandnexttodemusedtogetupand Dem nah kay dat dem might transmit movetoanothersection.Anddatteachdem something to dem lil pickney wah deh boys a lesson: if yuh gat cough or running about, or worse yet pass on something to nosenahgooutinpublic. some elderly persons. De indiscipline start Dat lesson prove useful during de back. pandemic. If somebody cough in public, Some people gat symptoms and nah peoplenahmove.Demusedtoscatter Ifde going and get tested. Dem claiming how personsneeze,umbrellausedtoopen. demgatfluandcold.Well,weallknowdat Somepeopledidfrightenfuhevenclear defluandcolddooftenmimicdesymptoms demthroatinpublicforfearofcausingmass ofdeCOVID-19. stampede. But Guyanese people memory Butnahtelldattodemwahgoingwith short.Evenafteralmost1300deadfromde coughandrunningnosetodecinemaandto COVID-19 virus, people now start fuh go weddinghouseandbirthday Asfarasdem outinpublicanddemcoughingandblowing concerned, de pandemic done and things demnoseinfrontofodderpeople. returntonormalcy Tilldesurgereturnwith Some of dem nah gat shame. Dem hear afury! about food sharing at wedding house and Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

GAWU and GFC reach agreement on fired workers

TheGuyanaAgricultural The disagreement the GAWU and the workers and General Workers Union between the Union and the agreed to certain proposals (GAWU) and the Guyana Commission saw the wherein the Commission ForestryCommission(GFC) workers with the support of agreed to certain ex-gratia through discussions have the GAWU taking protest payments to workers. The reached an agreement actions to press their workersfelttheproposalwas regarding payments to demands “Following our adequateandtookaccountof employees who were protests, we resumed the long and several battles terminated by the dialogue with the to reach to that point. As a Commission. Commission on the matter result, the Commission has

Previously, the GAWU Given the protracted period, now made available the held that the now former the GAWU felt it wise to payments to the workers. workers were entitled by continue discussions with a The GAWU was heartened virtueoftheirlettersoughtto viewofreachinganamicable by the developments and receive severance settlement between the recognisedtheimportanceof entitlements consistent with parties,” the union said in a good faith, open and frank the Termination of pressrelease.

discussions to bring about a Employment and Severance The union added that settlement. We believe this PayAct(TESPA). through those discussions, augurswellforallinvolved.

10 articles on journalism in Guyana for the US Ambassador to read

Before 2022 ended, the US the hard question because that is full swing; “If GECOM cannot testify at the Walter Rodney Ambassador, Mrs Sarah-Ann what journalism is all about. The declare election on credible votes Commission of Inquiry and Lynch, in talking about her ambassadorisrightthatsheexpects or declarations never challenged why he voted in Parliament embassy’sworkinGuyanapointed thehardquestionstobeasked.But ordeemedinvalidinacourtoflaw, against the public release of the to training for journalists so they in Guyana, our journalist have a then Mr. President, it behoves you findings. couldaskthehardquestions. convenient approach to the hard to cancel these elections.You have If you make a comparison in The envoy did not expand on question The most mediocre the power, you have the right to so thiscountrywithalltheprofessions “Notesonajournalisticjourney.” what she meant by “hard performance I have seen in do…Mr.President,forthegoodof including teaching, medicine, law, 5- Saturday, August 12, 2017, questions.”Thetermiscommonin Guyana’s journalism in my 34 Guyana, her laws and people, engineering, accounting, etc , “Politics and journalism in a journalismandconnotestheuseof years in the media occurred in the canceltheseelections.” journalism is billions of miles deadzone.” factual journalism to confront the Stabroek News in which the hard Those words were made in a behind in competence and 6-Saturday,December9,2017, interviewer who is either sparse question was completely ignored radio interview with Mark performance. It is a regrettable “Questions journalists must ask with the facts, offering alternative bythejournalist.Itoccurredinthe Benschop on July 28, 2020 and retrogression in Guyana The theAFCleadership.” facts,ignoringthewellestablished May 1, 2021 edition of the repeated the next day in the American Ambassador has days 7-Saturday, June 9, 2018, facts or evading the facts newspaper.Itiseasytoobtainbya Chroniclenewspaper.Ms.LaRose leftbeforesheleavesthiscountry.I “Guyana’s pathetic state of altogether. What the hard question Googlesearch. did not bring that up with Mr. haveneverseenherinpersonmuch journalism.” means therefore is that the Ms. Miranda La Rose Lewis.Also,wedon’tknowifMs. lesstalktoher.Imaynevereversee 8-December 21, 2019, interviewer simply reminds the interviewed the General Secretary LaRoseknewatthetimethatthere her or talk to her. But, before she “Guyana: The poverty of intervieweeoftherealitysothatthe of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. is no law and no section of the leavesGuyana,herearetenarticles journalism, journalism’s readers and the viewers can be Lincoln Lewis. Mr Lewis was constitutionthatgivesthePresident ofmineforhertoreadonthestate poverty.” givenanadditionalinsightintothe expansiveonthelackofdemocracy the legal right to cancel the results ofjournalisminthiscountry They 9-Monday, July 13, 2020, mindoftheinterviewee. in Guyana, the government’s ofanationalelection.Also,tonote extend over a period of over a “Election rigging: Faces of The examples are literally refusal to acknowledge Article 13 isthefactthatthePresidenthimself dozenyears: dangerousjournalism.” countless. Here is a hypothetical of the Constitution, the bullying was a contestant in that very 1- Thursday, April 21, 2010, 10-Wednesday, May 11, 2022, one.Themoviedirectorsaystothe attitude of the government among election. NeilMarksofNewsroom “Guyana:Gutterjournalismina “The mediocrity of Guyana’s journalist that he likes working other subjects. Ms. La Rose chose chosenottoaskthehardquestionto fascistenvironment.” journalism has no global withtheactor,JimJonesbecauseof not to ask the hard question Dr Rupert Roopnaraine. In the 2-Tuesday, September 21, counterpart ” (The views histemperament.Itisincumbenton Democracy is the right to vote and interview, Roopnaraine waxed 2010,“ThisisGuyana:Thestory expressed in this article are those thejournalisttotellthedirectorthat have your vote counted. Twenty- lyrical on his friendship with the ofinvestigativejournalism.” of the author and do not three of Jim Jones’co-stars issued twomonthsbeforeMs.LaRosedid late Dr Walter Rodney even 3-Thursday,October21,2010, necessarily reflect the opinions statement about finding him that interview, here is what Mr becoming maudlin with his “Plagiarism in Guyanese and beliefs of this newspaper and difficult to work with It is Lewissaidpubliclywhenthefiasco memories Marks did not ask journalism.” itsaffiliates.) incumbent on the journalist to ask of the March 2020 election was in Roopnaraine why he refused to 4-Sunday,September20,2015,

Health sector gets $84.9B to cure declining healthcare access

- Govt. talks

up

works on paediatric, maternal, six regional hospitals

Against the background of a obstetrician during her pregnancy Bankinarecentreportpointedout bringing modern healthcare to management.However,wehaveso recentspikeinmaternalandinfant Additionally, screening for post- that Guyana is placed 126th out of remote indigenous communities. farbeenabletoputsystemsinplace mortality and lack of access to partum depression will be 195countriesandnexttolastinthe An amount of $1.8 billion is to better manage the country’s quality healthcare here, implementedcountrywide.” Caribbean, after Haiti when it allocatedinBudget2023. stock which is reflected in government has budgeted some Meanwhile, Singh told the comes to access to quality He said too that this year will improved fulfillment of requests $84.9B for the health sector this House on Monday that while the healthcare. Similarly, the IDB said seethecompletionofthedesignfor fordrugssuppliedbytheMaterials year, promising to upgrade a paediatric hospital will be a centre Guyanaalsoranks137thoutof195 and commencement of ManagementUnit(MMU)in2022. number of facilities and advance of excellence for maternal and in the global health security index construction of the Bartica These efforts, as well as increases infrastructural works for the paediatric care, the six regional and is particularly weak in early Regional Hospital. An amount of in storage capacity, improved paediatric and maternal hospital hospitalsisintendedtodecentralise detection and reporting of $830millionisallocatedinBudget storage conditions for cold chain andsixregionalhospitals. modern healthcare into Lima, De epidemics,whichcametoattention 2023 According to Singh, products, as well as the Speaking about the health Kindren, Diamond, Enmore, Bath, with how the country handled the government will also retrofit and decentralisedtrainingofpharmacy sectoryesterdayashepresentedthe and No. 75 Village.An amount of COVID-19 pandemic. The Bank upgrade health centres, health assistants will support more country’s budget pegged at $13.1billionisallocatedinBudget said while the country has an posts,andotherfacilitiesacrossthe effective pharmaceutical supply $781.9B, Finance Minister, Dr 2023. extensive offer of primary country to the tune of $1 billion. chainmanagement.In2023,MMU Ashni Singh said the “This Government is steadfast healthcare through its numerous Thefinanceministerpromisedtoo, aimstofulfilover80percentofall administration is in the process of in our approach to continuously health posts and centres, hospital that the government will construct requests made for drugs and expanding both primary and modernise our health sector careismoreconstrained,withonly and rehabilitate health science medicalsupplies.” tertiary healthcare, improving infrastructure. In 2022, an amount 1.6 beds per 1,000 persons. The training facilities in Regions 2 and Additionaldoctors managementsystemsacrosshealth of $11 9 billion was paid as bank said this is lower than the 6 to the tune of $620 million; The finance minister said that facilitiesaswellasdeployingmore mobilisation advance, and works averagesinLatinAmerica(2.2)and upgrade the Karasabai, Annai and since the PPP/C assumed office in medical personnel throughout the were initiated for site preparations the Caribbean (2.3). Furthermore, Sand Creek health centres into August 2020, they have deployed regions to ensure access to quality for six regional hospitals and a the financial institution said the district hospitals, providing an additional 52 doctors and 53 healthcareservicesforall. state-of-the-art paediatric and country also faces human resource radiology and laboratory services. nurses to augment the existing Dr Singh said these maternal hospital Additionally, limitations, with just 0.8 doctors An amount of $237 million is complement in the hinterland investments will help to reduce $92millionwasspenttoretrofitthe and 1.0 nurses per 1,000 persons, allocatedinBudget2023. regions.“Challengesincompletion maternalmortality,whichstandsat FestivalCityPolyclinic,which,on far below the Latin American and “Mr Speaker, Government has of theatre facilities and other an estimated 112 per 100,000 as at completion, will provide dental, Caribbeanaveragesof2.0and2.8, been increasing our stock of logistical constraints affected the end of 2022. “Reducing this rehabilitation and laboratory respectively medical and non-medical placements in 2022 but additional incidence will be further aided by services. A sum of $1 billion was Additionally, he said, this year equipmentand,in2022,thesumof deployment is expected in 2023. the training of 29 traditional birth also spent on the upgrade of the government will commence the $2 1 billion was expended to Importantly, for the first time in attendants in Regions 1 and 9, and existing infrastructure of 258 rehabilitation, expansion and enhance the quality of healthcare recent history, the residents of the purchase of over $250 million healthfacilitiesacrossallregions– reconstruction of the Georgetown, delivery We will continue to White Water, Shulinab and inrelatedequipmentandexpanded an investment made to facilitate New Amsterdam and Linden increasethiscapacitywithafurther Monkey Mountain can now visit a training of healthcare providers in improved patient experience,” hospitals, as well as four $2.5 billion being earmarked for resident doctor in their respective family planning. In 2023, we will Singhnoted. telemedicine centres in Regions 1, purchases of equipment in 2023 villages In addition to the launch several new initiatives, For this year, he promised that 7,8and9.Thelatterareintendedto across all 10 administrative investment in health sciences including one that aims at Guyanese will witness a vast be modern facilities that will regions.Itisnosmalltasktorectify training facilities, over $500 expectantmothersinthehinterland transformation of infrastructure in deploycommunicationtechnology what could only be described as a millionisallocatedthisyearforthe havingatleastoneultrasound,and the public healthcare system. The to facilitate real time, remote b r o k e n m e c h a n i s m o f training of healthcare is visited at least once by an Inter-American Development diagnosis and treatment, thereby pharmaceutical supply chain professionals,”Dr Singhstated.

FrederickKissoon

$94.4B for Education Sector in 2023 budget

The Government

o n M o n d a y announced that

some $94.4B has been budgeted for the

…$12.4B to improve infrastructure

of Education’s move to On the subject of budgeted for the Guyana education sector with the incorporate Information and reforming teacher training, Online Academy of aim of increasing access for Communication Technology Dr Singh said that the L e a r n i n g ( G O A L ) all, across all levels and at in the sector, will see the government intends to have scholarship programme and worldclassstandards. Education Management all teachers trained by 2025 catersfor8,555newstudents

Senior Minister with the Information System in keeping with the and 1,047 continuing responsibility for Finance, software being implemented President’seducationvision. students. Dr Ashni Singh during his in all secondary schools in He noted that over the last Meanwhile, focusing on $781 8B National Budget R e g i o n F o u r a n d two years, 907 teachers have theTechnical andVocational presentation in the National Georgetown, to improve the completedtraining. Education Training (TVET) Assembly revealed that a data management capacity, AttheTertiaryEducation thisyear,thegovernmenthas sumof$12.4billionhasbeen the monitoring of school level, the Senior Minister budgeted $2.5 billion for the dedicated towards the performance and decision- noted that to meet the programme. construction, rehabilitation, making. growing demand for The Senior Finance extension, and maintenance

“We will also create 20 qualified personnel, tertiary Minister also stated that ofeducationalfacilities. smart classrooms for institutions in the country workswillalsocommencein

Budget 2023 is themed secondary schools bringing will increase their intake to 2023ontheconstructionofa ‘Improving lives today, the total to 36 smart produce more graduates to Guyana Technical Training Soesdyke Highway, North provide breakfast and hot Building prosperity for classrooms by the end of the boost Guyana’s human College at Port Mourant, Ruimveldt in Georgetown meals as well as juices and tomorrow’. year and we will procure in capital. Berbice that will be the and Diamond on the EBD biscuits to over 85,000 T h e M i n i s t e r excess of 7,500 tablets, Over the last two years, premier institution offering willbegin. pupils at a cost of $2.1 acknowledged that school which are capable of he shared, 6,100 students oilandgastraining.

Income tax threshold up to $85,000

assistance by

“We will also commence billion. infrastructure, especially in functioning offline in areas graduated from the Lastly, the Minister the construction of facilities Additionally, a new the hinterland and riverain with poor connectivity,” he UniversityofGuyana. announced, “Mr. Speaker an to house the students of St. Home-Grown School areas remain a challenge announced. According to the amount of $488.5 million is George’s and Christ Church Feeding programme, which while noting that the As it relates to textbooks Minister in 2023, an amount allocated for the Board of s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l s allows communities to Government is committed to for learners, the Minister of $3.7 billion is allocated IndustrialTrainingtoexpand Additionally, we will take provide fresh vegetables and providing a quality learning disclosed that from the for the management and trainingprogrammesin2023 actionstoprovideshort-term milk among other food environmentforallstudents. allotted sum, government expansion of operations at for7,890persons.” accommodation where there products to schools, will In this regard, he plans to spend $3.4 billion to the University of Guyana In 2022, the Government is overcrowding,” he stated. also,beintroduced. announced that from the purchase more textbooks for Turkeyen and Berbice had allocated some $72 As reported, St. George’s Meanwhile, Dr Singh allocated sum, construction use at the primary and campuses. Additionally, the billion for the education and Christ Church were two announced that the Ministry of secondary schools in secondarylevels. sum of $1 8 billion is sector schools that were recently Hosororo in Region One, guttedbyafire. Patentia in Region Three, Minister Singh also Orealla in Region Six, stated that part of the money Prospect on the East Bank of would see the government Demerara (EBD), Good continuing the roll out of the Hope on the East Coast of National School Feeding D e m e r a r a ( E C D ) , Programme which will Yarrowkabra on the Linden-

$5B for undetermined cost of living measures

As part of measures School Grant has been

continued impacts of costhighlighted in budget 2023, increased to $35,000 per of-living challenges due to Senior Finance Minister child He noted that in global developments, Dr Ashni Singh has announced Budget 2021, the grant was Singh revealed that another a $10,000 increase in the increased from $15,000 to $5B sum would be allocated incometaxthreshold,$3,000 $25,000 in Budget 2022 and for cost-of-living measures increase in public assistance the grant was further that will development and and another $10,000 hike for extended to accommodate implementation from parents with children students attending private ongoing community attending schools between schools. “This will benefit engagements. The same sum the nursery and secondary over214,000schoolchildren allocatedlastyear. levels. inpublicandprivateschools, L a s t y e a r , t h e

During the $781.9B and will place an additional government launched the budget presentation on $2.1 billion in the hands of part-time job programme as MondayreadbyDr Singh,it their parents,” the finance part of measures to cushion was announced that the minister informed He the rising cost-of-living. Dr income tax threshold would continued “that the newly Singh said the part-time job be increased to $85,000 increased grant of $35,000 programme allowed for one monthly commencing this together with the uniform person per household to announcedtheregistrationof year Last year, the threshold grantof$5,000perchildwill work in public offices in disabled persons for the was increased from $65,000 see parents receiving close proximity to their automatic allowance of to $75,000 monthly “As a $40,000 per child in total.” homesfor10dayspermonth monthly public assistance. result of this adjustment, The two grants, he said, will and earn $40,000. “Over They too will be receiving over 12,000 persons will be transfer some $8 6B to 11,000 persons were the $16,000 public removed from paying parents of school aged employed through the assistance sum. As it relates income taxes, and every children. programme in Regions 2, 3, to old age pensioners, they single taxpayer will benefit. Public assistance 5, 6, 9 and 10, injecting will access a monthly sum of This will result in a $3.3B recipients will see an $2.3B into these households $33,000 and increase of increase in disposable increase of $2,000 coming since the programme started $3,000from28,000lastyear income. At an individual from the State. Dr Singh inthesecondhalfoftheyear This measure, Dr Singh said taxpayerlevel,thistranslates noted that budget 2022 In2023,thisprogrammewill will benefit approximately to an additional disposal provided a $14,000 monthly continue and will be 73,000 pensioners, each of income of $33,600 annually public assistance allowance, expanded with $10B whom will now receive an for every taxpayer who is up from $9,000 in 2020. For allocated. The beneficiaries additional $60,000 per currently earning $100,000 the year 2023, persons of this programme are annum,placinganadditional per month,” Singh told the receiving public assistance encouraged to up skill $4.4 billion of disposable NationalAssembly will now get $16,000 themselves so they can incomeintheirhands. The senior minister said Additionally, in 2022, Dr eventuallytakeupfull-time R e c o g n i s i n g t h e that the Because We Care Singh said the government

- school grant increased by $10,000, public

$3000;

Senior Finance Minister, Ashni Singh

Guyana to get mere 30 out of 238 oil cargoes for 2022-2023

- as Exxon & partners walk away with 208

Senior Finance Minister, from the Liza Destiny and Dr Ashni Singh disclosed US$588.9 million from Liza yesterday that between 2022 Unity and 2023, ExxonMobil The profit oil receipts Corporation and its partners received in 2022 correspond will receive 208 oil cargoes to11Governmentlifts,asthe with each carrying remaining two will be approximately one million received this month barrels. Over the course of Additionally, US$155 2 thatperiod,Guyanawillonly million was received in get30. royalty payments from

During the presentation ExxonMobil subsidiary, ofthe2023budget,Dr Singh Esso Exploration and said there were 102 lifts of Production Guyana Limited crude oil from Guyana’s oil (EEPGL). In keeping with ships, 13 of which were for the NRF Act 2021, Government. The remainder US$607 6 million was totalling 89 will go to withdrawn to finance ExxonMobil. national development

Fortheyear2022,healso prioritiesinthe2022Budget.

lifts of profit oil from the US$225 2 million in can and will be withdrawn noted that the Natural At the end of 2022, the US$1.3B. Stabroek Block in 2023. royaltiesin2023. f r o m t h e N R F a n d Resource Fund (NRF) overall balance in the Fund, Dr. Singh was keen to Within this, Government is A s h i g h l i g h t e d t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e received US$1.1B in profit inclusive of interest income note that there will be 136 projected to have 17 lifts of previously, based on 2022 Consolidated Fund to oil,thatis,US$510.2million and after transfers to the profit oil from the producing deposits, an estimated s u p p o r t n a t i o n a l ships, earning an estimated US$1,002.1 million, development priorities this US$1.4B in profit oil and equivalent to $208.9 billion, year.

‘Deadmeatbudget’

-Norton says

This year’s Budget, Norton said that the have been put towards this presented to the tune of government has announced sector as well as each of the $781.9 million has been a number of increases but it non-oil sectors in a criticised by the Leader of has produced no measures profoundmanner the Opposition, Aubrey in this year’s budget to Nortonsaid,“Ithinkitis Norton as void of crucial address inflation. As such, five-plus hours of platitudes measures to grow the h e w a r n e d t h a t but when it comes to economy outside of the oil government’s spending can effective measures to andgassector. fuel the cost of living crisis combatpoverty,todealwith Norton says the budget currentlyaffectinglocals. inflation, to deal with high isasimply‘deadmeat’. On the other hand, he cost of living no such Speaking to reporters at said that the measures measures.” the completion of Finance announced to ease cost of He too said there is Minister, Dr Ashni Singh’s living had been explored e x c e s s f o c u s o n six hour-long presentation, already and have not infrastructure This, Norton said that the fiscal worked. As such he said: according to him is because plan lacks measures to “There is nothing new It is this is where corruption improve the lives of the same old measures that occurs. The Leader of the ordinary Guyanese citizens. you have tried that resulted Opposition said, “The AccordingtotheOpposition in increase in cost of living. government seems to like Leader, “It is a dismal We saw many of the calling big figures. How presentation The key measures did not trickle muchmoneyinthisandthat, problems facing the people down to the people and so what is missing is what of Guyana aren’t addressed. the people continue to face impact it will have on the “...but you present a budget, highcostofliving.” livesofthepeopleandwhen with no measures to Hewasalsokeentonote itcomestotheimpactonthe alleviate or eradicate that Dr Singh in presenting lives of the people this povertyandsoformeoneof thebudgetsaidthereisgreat budgetisdeadmeat.” the key issues affecting the focus on avoiding the He said the increases people of Guyana has not dreaded Dutch disease. The announced such as the beenaddressed.”

Opposition Leader however threshold by $10,000 is

According to him, believes that there should insignificant in comparison another issue that has not have been clear measures to the earnings government been addressed is cost of that suggest the Dutch is receiving. Additionally, living. disease will be avoided. He he said the cash grant He said, “Cost of living reasoned that while it is increase, another $10,000 is is linked to inflation. It is good to put resources also insignificant. Old age well known that if you put towards agriculture, the pension too, according to resources into an economy issue is that there is little or Norton will have no impact. without taking the measures n o e m p h a s i s o n Public assistance by a mere to stop inflation, you will m a n u f a c t u r i n g a n d $2,000 also is ridiculous fuelinflation.” therefore resources should Nortonsaid.

Seven Massy Motors’ customers win over $7M in Shell Lubricants Promotion

Seven Massy Motors’ Lubricant were eligible for customerswalkedawaywith the grand prize or any of the over $7M in prizes after otherprizes. participating in the Shell Marketing & Customer Lubricants ‘We wish you a Experience Manager, brand new ride and many Meletia Hossanah, said the more gifts too’ holiday promotion represented the promotion. company’s way of giving

The winners of the back to their customers and promotion which was open saying‘thankyou’. to all end users who “As a force for good, our purchased Shell Lubricants mission is to deliver value were awarded at Massy for all our customers, so Motors’ R5 Ruimveldt, during the holiday season, Georgetown Office on we hosted the first ever Fridaylast. promotion of this magnitude

The winners are Dulari with really amazing prizes Suhku (55’ flat screen upforgrabs,”Hossanahsaid. television), Rohinee Assistant Vice President Ramkissoon (Samsung of Operations, Mark Galaxy S22 cellular phone). Roopnarine, congratulated Balram Sookway, Carlson the winners and encouraged Wickham, and Lydia them to continue using Shell Samsudeen (US$800 Lubricants for all their shopping spree each), Nikita lubricantrequirements.

Budhu Doodnauth (Six- Massy Motors is the Island Caribbean Tour) and home of Shell Lubricants in Devena Jawahirlall who Guyana (at the end of 2022, walked away with the grand Shell has been named the prize of brand-new Datsun World’s Largest Global CrossVehicle. Lubricant Supplier for 16 tractors,UD&MackTrucks, The promotion ran from years in a row) and offers a Moura & Power Master October 12, 2022 to wide range of products – Batteries, Royal Black, December31,2022. such as new Nissan and Jeep Goodyear and Pirelli tyres –Customers purchasing SUVSandPick-ups,Massey for a transforma

any 4L or 20L Shell Ferguson & Farmtrac automotiveindustry.

Prime suspect in DJ’s murder remanded to prison

Dwayne Thomas, the prime suspect in the murder of local disk jockey (DJ), Brian Pitam aka DJ Viper was on Friday remanded to prisonforthecrime.

Despite President Irfaan Ali’s suspension of the Police Service Commission (PSC), former Chairman and r e t i r e d A s s i s t a n t Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe was defiant and continued to perform his duties.

–Courthears

Paul Slowe remained on the job even after Pres. suspended PSC

During Monday’s hearing of the legal challenge of President Ali’s s u s p e n s i o n o f t h e Commission, before Justice Gino Persaud at the Demerara High Court, Slowe through his attorney Selwyn Pieters said, inter the process outlined for the courtoflawtodecide. alia, that he did not consider s u s p e n s i o n o f t h e

Attorney-at-law Darshan thesuspensionlegal. Commission. Ramdhani KC arguing on

The lawyer argued that Thelawyersaidhisclient behalf of the secretary of the Slowe adopted that position did not feel obligated to PSC, who is also listed as a because he believed the comply with the suspension respondent in the matter, President failedto follow the since the President failed to centered his submissions on constitutional guidelines complywiththeConstitution thefactthatSlowecontinued relative to the suspension of m a k i n g h i s a c t i o n to function in the post even theCommission. unconstitutional and ultra afterhewassuspended.

The 20-year-old labourer of Laluni Village, SoesdykeLinden Highway made his first appearance at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court before Principle Magistrate Judy Latchman where the charge wasreadtohim.

He was not required to plead to charge which alleges that on January 8, 2023 at Laluni Village, he murdered28-year-oldPitam, a father of two of Lot 441 employee.

beatenbythethreemen. Goed Hope, East Coast The young man told The DJ received a huge Demerara (ECD). Thomas investigators that he chop wound to the back of was remanded to prison and chopped the DJ in self- his neck, right wrist and is expected to make his defence. some of his fingers were second court appearance on The suspect alleged that severed. February13,2023.

Pitam’s father-in-law had Pitam’s wife, Aliyah

Kaieteur News had slapped one of his friends Pitam, recalled that her reported that Pitam, a father first and they ended up in a husband died in her arms of a two-year-old boy and scuffle which led to a “big while they were on their way eight-month-old baby girl, fight” involving a lot of to a city hospital He was killed on January 8, by persons. reportedly told her that he three uninvited guests who During the fight, the loves her and their children allegedly crashed a birthday suspect alleged that he saw very much and asked her to party he was attending at Pitam running towards him rub his feet because he could LaluniVillage. withawoodandheretaliated not feel them before losing

Pieters reminded that at vires(unlawful).

The lawyer noted that the time of the suspension, Nonetheless, Pieters Slowe attempted to pass no tribunal was in place as is agreed with Justice orders to the Secretary of the p r e s c r i b e d b y t h e Persaud’s view that the Commission who refused to Constitution of Guyana. He constitutionally or lawful follow the instructions argued that President Ali course of action taken to given.Ramdhanitoldthe skipped an integral part of suspend the PSC is for a

Thomas was arrested on by chopping him with a consciousness.

Tuesday Kaieteur News had cutlass he reportedly found Pitam was laid to rest on reported that he was handed nearby Sunday Kaieteur News over by relatives to police According to reports, understands that another after he confessed to them Pitam was attacked while suspect involved in the that he had chopped the trying to defend his father- man’s death remains on the former Kaieteur Radio in-law from being badly run.

Charged: Dwayne Thomas

Dead: Brian ‘DJ Viper’ Pitam

Grand Prize Winner of the Brand-New Datsun Cross

Former PSC Chair Paul Slowe

President Irfaan Ali

Commonwealth observer group encourages Antiguans and Barbudans to vote in upcoming general election

The Chair of the s t a t e m e n t o f t h e i r

Commonwealth Observer observations will be issued Group in Antigua and shortlyafterelectionday Barbuda, Danny Faure, has President Faure Danny encouraged citizens of said the group’s task, as Antigua and Barbuda to vote independent and impartial in the country’s general observers, is to assess the electionon18January2023. entire electoral process. He

The former President of continued: “The task we Seychellesmadehisremarks have been given is one we in a statement in the capital take seriously and will Saint John’s, following the undertake solemnly in a r r i v a l o f f i v e c o m p l i a n c e w i t h Commonwealth observers international standards for on 14 January 2023 the conduct of international President Faure said: “The observers.” Over the next importance of the elections few days, observers will in a democracy as the receive a series of briefings ultimate expression of the from political parties, civil of political parties taking will of the people cannot be society, women’s and youth part in the elections and all understated.Castingavoteis groups,andthemediatogain C o m m o n w e a l t h a fundamental human right a better understanding of the governments. and we hope the citizens of moodinthecountryaheadof The report will be made Antigua and Barbuda will theelection. public shortly after this. The keenly exercise this right on Following the election, group’s eminent members electionsday.” the group will submit its include serving and former From 17 January, the recommendations in a report politicians, elections group will be deployed to the Commonwealth p r o f e s s i o n a l s a n d acrossthecountrytoobserve Secretary-General, who will journalists, hailing from the pre-election preparations forwardittotheGovernment Jamaica, Kenya, Seychelles, as well as voting, counting of Antigua and Barbuda, the St. Vincent and the and results processes at country’s Electoral Grenadines, and the United polling stations. An interim Commission, the leadership Kingdom.

Prison escapee surrenders at Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station

Singh, one of two prisoners who Meanwhile, Kaieteur News had reported escaped while being transported from the that on Friday two prisoners escaped from Leonara Magistrates’ Court to the Lusignan police custody while being transported from Prison on Friday, surrendered to police on theLeonora

Court,RegionThree. Monday Commander of the Region Three Police Police had issued a wanted bulletin for District,

Siwnarine, told Kaieteur Singh and Ryan Wilson known as “Pepsi” News that the prisoners, who were being after they escaped from a police van that was transported to the Lusignan Prison, kicked transportingthem. open the door of the vehicle transporting

However,policereportedonMondaythat themandescaped. the 22-year-old man visited the Vreed-en- “Just as the truck come off the Harbour Hoop Police Station, Region Three in the Bridge and turn onto the East Bank road and presence of his mother Diane Singh at about stop, two of them kick open the door and run 10:45h. away,”Siwnarinetoldthispublication.

Police in a statement said that the prison The other escapee, 28-year-old Ryan escapee contacted his mother on her cell Wilson, of Lot 69 Vergenoegen, East Bank phone and asked her to meet him at the Essequibo(EBE)isyettobefound. GuyanaPowerandLight(GPL)locatedatthe According to police, Wilson is before the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling, West Coast courtsforIndecentAssaultwhileSinghisfor Demerara (WCD). The woman reportedly SimpleLarcenyandPossessionofNarcotics. toldpolicethathersonwantedtosurrender Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Given her son’s request, the woman said Ryan Wilson is asked to contact police on shepickedhimupattheStellingandtookhim phone numbers, 225-6940, 225-8196, 226to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police station. Singh 7476, 225-2317, 227-1149 or the nearest wasthenrearrested. policestation.

Members of Commonwealth Observer Group in Antigua and Barbuda

Shamar

Magistrate

Mahendra

Surrendered: Shamar Singh

Wanted: Ryan Wilson

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North West teen stabbed to death

An 18-year-old porter of Log Hill, Baramita, North West District (N.W.D) died on Monday after being stabbed, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) announced.

The teen has been identi-

fied as Ryan Henry. Reports state that Henry was taken to the Baramita Health Centre on Monday morning with a stab wound to his abdomen.

He died at 06:25h from the injuries received.

The matter was reported to the Baramita Police Station and the person who allegedly inflicted the wound on Henry was apprehended by police and remains in custody assisting with the investigations.

Paul Slowe remained on the...

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From page 14 court that had the Secretary adhered to the instructions given then it would have led to “logical chaos”. The lawyer posited that his client acted within his right not to follow orders from a Commission the President had suspended. Meanwhile, in his submission Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC noted that while the PSC as a constitutional body enjoys the same autonomy as the Judiciary, the Constitution does make provision for a suspension on the grounds of misbehaviour.

der was filed in 2021 by lawyers Selwyn Pieters, Dexter Todd, and Dexter Smart, on behalf of the suspended PSC members.

The PSC was suspended one June 16, 2021 by President Ali after Prime Minister Mark Phillips sent two “show cause” notices were sent to Slowe and former Commissioner, Clinton Conway.

The men, both Retired Assistant Commissioners of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were asked to ‘show cause’ why the President should not follow the advice of the Prime Minister to remove them from the PSC.

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According to Nandlall, there was evidence that the PSC under the stewardship of Slowe and others had become “rogue.”

He noted that, among other things and in the circumstances, the President presumed his constitutional authority and suspended the PSC.

The notices were issues after Slowe, Conway and others were charged for defrauding the Guyana Police Force (GPF) of $10M. Slowe was also accused of sexually assaulting a female cop on three occasions.

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“I am not saying there was not constitutional noncompliance, because there was. However, it is not enough to negate the actions of the President given the circumstances. The fact that there was not a tribunal in place was not enough for the President not to exercise his powers… The tribunal is part of the procedural step but does not hold any power when it comes to the decision to suspend the PSC; that ultimately lies with the President,” Nandlall told the Court.

Based on the court document seen by Kaieteur News, the Paul Slowe ledPSC is, inter alia, seeking a declaration from the court that their purported suspension President Ali is contrary to, or in violation to the Constitution of Guyana.

They are contending that Articles 226(6) and 223(10) of the Constitution prove their case and should the court find favour with their arguments, they want their suspension order revoked.

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Along with other members of the Commission, Slowe challenged the suspension order in the High Court, seeking to have it revoked. The application challenging the suspension or-

Apart from this, Slowe and Conway are also asking the court to declare that the Prime Minister’s recommendation to the President for them to be removed is unlawful.

A decision in this matter is scheduled to be made on March 24, 2023 at 1:15pm.

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‘High Court cannot intervene in internal affairs of Parliament’

The High Court on Justice Younge asserted Monday refused an that the Parliament must be application to overturn the able to conduct its affairs suspension of eight without interference from Committees are only theParliament. Opposition parliamentarians theCourt.Sheexplainedthat controlled by the National

- Judge tells suspended MPs

Following the decision, for their role in an unrest in when it comes to the internal Assembly,andaddedthatthe Attorney General (AG) Anil the Chamber of the National operations of the National Parliamentarians have taken Nandlall SC lobbied for the AssemblyinDecember2021 Assembly, only that organ an oath to be bound by the Court to impose a $2M total over the passage of the couldexclusivelycontrolthe rules of the National cost on the suspended MPs. NaturalResourceFundBill. management of its own Assembly Shesaidthecourt He stressed that it would House officially approved T h e P r i v i l e g e s

Justice Damon Younge

In her ruling, Justice internal affairs, not the would not inquire into the teach them to take proper the report of the Committee Committee later presented a Damon Younge said the judiciary internal affairs of the consideration before of Privileges, which report that recommended High Court could not According to the Judge, N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y bringing matters before the recommended that the eight that MPs Ferguson, intervene in the internal it was legally determined otherwiseitwouldamountto court to waste judicial time parliamentarians be Philadelphia and Jordan be workingsoftheParliament. that matters of the Privilege ausurpationofthepowersof and resources However, suspended for their s u s p e n d e d f o r s i x attorney Selwyn Pieters who involvement in desecrating consecutive sittings for represented the MPs the Speaker’s Mace on committing serious beseeched court for a more December29,2021. violations in removing the reasonable cost given that The disgraceful incident Parliamentary Mace from its the Members of Parliament occurred during the debate rightfulposition. (MP) suffered financial loss on the Natural Resources T h e r e p o r t a l s o b y r e a s o n o f t h e i r FundBill.Chaosbrokeoutat recommended that Sarabosuspension. t h e A r t h u r C h u n g Halley be suspended for six

Babita Sarjou murder…

Ex-husband admits to paying hit man to kill wife, changes plea

Sarjou

Thirty-four-year-old was reported missing for six along with Ponto were Shradhanand Narine, called years before her skeletal sitting in Narine’s car. ‘Anand’ of Lot 51 Seaforth remains were discovered According to the confession Street, Campbellville, buried near Narine’s statement, Narine tricked Georgetown on Monday backyard. Sarjou into getting into the changed his not guilty plea On May 22, 2016, Crime vehiclebeforehegrabbedhis and admitted to paying a hit Chief Wendell Blanhum and sonandleftherinhisvehicle man $100,000 to murder his a team of detectives were alongwithPonto. wife, Babita Sarjou back in able to crack the case. After Notably, Narine had told 2010. Narine’s co-accused, digging the site for hours, Ponto to honk the car horn 41-year-old Daral Ponto detectivesrecoveredskeletal when he was finished killing called ‘Yankee,’ of Lot 54 remains which were later his wife. Ponto reportedly Broad Street, Charlestown, determined to be Sarjou’s strangledthewomantodeath Georgetownalsoadmittedto followingDNAtesting. before using a blanket to thecrime. State counsel, Muntaz cover her body in the

The duo was arraigned Ali,wholedtheprosecution, backseat.They then drove to before Justice Simone toldthecourtthatinNarine’s Narine’s Seaforth Street, Morris-Ramlall at the written confession, he Campbellville home where DemeraraHighCourt. Their detailed his involvement in they later placed her body in sentencing is set for the crime. According to the a hole that was dug near February 6, 2023. Narine is confession, in 2010 Sarjou Narine’sbackyard. represented by attorney-at- and Narine had marital The woman’s relative law Siand Dhurjon, while problems which resulted in later reported her missing, Ponto is represented by him publishing nude but it was until 2016 when attorney-at-law Nigel photographsofhiswife. detectives were able to crack Hughes.

In October 2010, Narine the case. Narine reportedly

A jury was empanelled and Ponto met at D’Urban confessed to a police officer for the trial after both men and Hardina Streets, saying, “Babita have a lot of denied that between Georgetown, where they affairs and she been a shame November 4 and 5, 2010, formulated the plan to kill me so I plan this thing with they murdered Sarjou Sarjou. On November 4, Daraltokillshe.” However, when the trial was 2010, Narine and Ponto He even offered the set to commence Narine and executedtheirplan. police officer $5o0, 000 to Ponto changed their pleas They first lured Sarjou to “helpmeoutthisthing.” and pleaded guilty to the theNationalCulturalCentre, For his part, Ponto’s capitaloffence. located on Homestretch confession statement was

B a b i t a S a r j o u Avenue,Georgetown. similar to Narine’s but noted disappeared on November 4, When she arrived, that he was given $50,000 to 2010. The mother of one Narine, his 4-year-old son killSarjou.

However, taking the Conference Centre (ACCC) consecutive sittings. It was matters into consideration, at Liliendaal, where the recommended that Jones, Justice Younge ordered that National Assembly was Duncan, Singh-Lewis and House Speaker Manzoor sitting, when the Opposition Mahipaulbesuspendedfrom Nadir, Clerk of the National MPs attempted to prevent fourconsecutivesittings. Assembly Sherlock Isaacs Senior Finance Minister, Dr. ThesuspendedMPs later and the main respondent AshniSingh,fromspeaking. approached the court In Attorney General Anil During the commotion, addition to the Attorney N a n d l a l l b e p a i d MP Ferguson attempted to General, the Speaker of the GY$350,000incosts.

steal the Speaker’s Mace, National Assembly,

The suspended MPs are and was joined by some of Manzoor Nadir and the Opposition Chief Whip her colleagues. Following Clerk of the National Christopher Jones, Sherod themayhem,aMotiontabled Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, Duncan, Natasha Singh- byMinisterofParliamentary werenamedasdefendants. Lewis, Annette Ferguson, Affairs and Governance, Justice Younge, had Vinceroy Jordan, Tabitha Gail Teixeira, was passed in previously heard arguments Sarabo-Halley, Ganesh the National Assembly in from Attorney General Anil Mahipaul, and Maureen January 2022 for the eight Nandlall, S.C., and APNU Philadelphia. On July 21, elected officials to be lawyer, Roysdale Forde, during the 48th Sitting of the referred to the Privileges S C , on the preliminary National Assembly, the Committeefortheiractions. issueofjurisdiction.

Income tax threshold up to...

From page 12

absorbing the impact of volatile fuel prices, employment as the labour market is and will continue to monitor the confrontedwithashortageofskillsincertain developments in global oil prices going areas,”Dr Singhreported. forward.Thezeroexcisetaxesonfuelwillbe

He went on to highlight that in support of maintained as long as fuel prices remain the housing development sector, government elevated,theministersaid. remainscommittedtoproviding50,000house Budget 2023 announced the removal of lotsbytheendoftheirterm Hesaidthathome the currently applicable 14 percent VAT on ownership will now enjoy an increase in the new (vehicles less than four years old) low-income mortgage ceiling to $20 million, electric motor vehicles (not hybrid) of any upfrom$15million,thusreducingthecostof power rating. In support of business’s borrowing within this range from the moving to more environmentally friendly commercial banks, and further incentivizing vehicles,Dr Singhannouncedanincreasein home ownership. The government also the writing down allowance applicable to all informedabouttheremovalof14percentVAT electric motor vehicles to 50 percent onthesaleofresidentialproperties annually In relation to the importation of

The Government adjusted freight new (vehicles less than four years) motor charges to the pre-pandemic levels (March vehicles below 1500 cc, Dr. Singh said the 31, 2020) to combat the escalation in duty will be reduced from 45 percent to 35 shipping costs which were passed on to percent, reducing the cost of importing such consumers by importers. Dr. Singh a vehicle by approximately $200,000. “In highlightedthatwhilethisreliefwasinitially relationtousedvehiclesbelow1500cc(used implementedforasix-monthperiodin2021, for the purposes of this paragraph refers to itwasfurtherextendedtocoverthewholeof vehicles 4 years and older), we will replace 2022. The adjusted freight charges will also thecurrenttaxratewithaflatrateoftaxesof remain for the whole of 2023, costing over $800,000. This will reduce the cost of $6B. Budget 2022 saw the reduction of importing such a vehicle by $300,000 on excise tax on petroleum products from 20 average.” Dr Singh said that an aggregation percent to 10 percent. In March of that year, of the measures implemented “will place the Government cut this tax further from 10 over $50B in the hands of citizens, easing percent to zero, resulting in tax revenue cost of living pressures while incentivising losses of over $17B. Dr Singh said the the expansion of economic activity and job government remains committed to creation.”

Daral Ponto called ‘Yankee’ (left) and Shradhanand Narine, called ‘Anand Daral’ Babita

$6.2B allocated for Justice Sector

total of $6.2B u n w a v e r i n g i n i t s

ADr Singh outlined with h a s b e e n commitment to strengthen respect to expanding access allocated from t h e j u s t i c e s e c t o r to justice, the Kwakwani

2023 national Accordingly, he said that Magistrate’s Court was budget for improvements to 2020 manifesto measures commissioned in 2022, the justice sector Minister included the reform and while an additional eight within the Office of the accountability of the courts: Court of Appeal, P r e s i d e n t w i t h t h e criminal justice system to Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Responsibility for Finance, ensure that justice is Vigilance, Cove & John, Dr.AshniSinghsaid. deliveredinatimelymanner. Mahaicony, Bartica, and

During his presentation, “Thisisespeciallyimportant Mahdia are slated for Dr.Singhmadethepointthat in boosting investor completionin2023. the preservation of public confidence in our changing

Additionally, he said, trust and the safety of economic climate which ICT is being deployed to citizens can only be attained relies heavily on the rule of improvetheefficiencyofthe when justice prevails for all law,” he added. In 2022, courtsystem. Guyanese.

Government spent $4.4B on In this regard, SMART

In the quest to attain this, t h e j u s t i c e s e c t o r courts are among the new

$43.3B allocated in Budget for Wales gas project

accelerate the provision of 2022,hesaidtheRestorative He added that “In this he noted that Government is improvements. projects intended to justice. He announced that Justice Act was passed, regard, I am pleased to an E-Litigation Programme pavingthe way for the use of announce that the new Laws for the Court of Appeal and alternative sentencing for of Guyana volumes are the Georgetown High Court, specific categories of expected to be available by a s w e l l a s a C a s e offences, along with the June of this year An amount Management System for the approvalofanamendmentto of over $600 million has Magistrates’ Courts is the Narcotic Drugs and been provided to finance intended to go live in 2023. psychotropic Substances theseandotherinitiatives.” Towards these and other Control Act, allowing the Further, in the interest of initiatives, $1.5B is removal of custodial expanding capacity of the budgetedin2023. sentences for persons in justice sector, Dr. Singh

An artist’s impression of the US$2B gas-to-energy project

Additionally, the possessionof30grammesor noted that work will be Finance Minister said lessofcannabis. advanced to improve the investments are being made In 2023, the Finance ease of access to legal to strengthen technical Ministernotedthatanumber education. capacity to improve the of other initiatives are Having received the efficiencyofthesystem. targeted to advance the green light from the Council

In particular, he said 34 constitutional and law of Legal Education (CLE), a persons successfully reformprocesses. feasibility study will be completed the Prosecutorial These include the prepared in 2023, on the ProgrammeattheUniversity operationalising of the establishment of a regional of Guyana increasing the Constitutional Reform lawschoolinGuyana,within number of prosecutors Commission;theworkofthe theframeworkoftheCLE. assigned to various courts Law Reform Commission; This will cater for local, countrywide,withtheaimof the completion of the regional and extra-regional reducing the need for pre- Revised Laws of Guyana; students given the growing trialdetention. and, the preparation of the need for legal education in

Further, in November LawReportsofGuyana. GuyanaandtheCaribbean.

ThePeople’sProgressive shared.

(kV) transmission line from Party(PPP)Governmenthas Some$24.6Bwaspaidto KingstontoSophiaandfrom set aside $43.3 billion in the meet start up costs Edinburgh to Hydronie; new 2023 Budget for the Natural associated with the project and rehabilitated substations Gas Liquids (NGL) facility last year, according to the at Hydronie, Sophia, and the 300 megawatt (MW) government. Columbia, Canefield and gas fired power plant- two Also on the energy front, No. 53 Village; and the components of the US$2 Dr. Singh noted that the replacement of 320 billion Gas-to-Energy administrationhascraftedan inefficienttransformers. (GTE)project. energy matrix that considers Meanwhile, the Finance

During the presentation the strong forecasted future Minister also made it clear of the $781.9B Budget on demand of electricity in the that government will be Monday, Minister with country moving in the direction of Responsibility for Finance, According to him, the requesting fresh proposals Dr Ashni Singh explained energy matrix is a careful for its Amaila Falls hydro that this allocation is study that addresses projectthisyear necessary as it will not only immediate short term The Government said deliver affordable, reliable i n t e r v e n t i o n s a n d last year that the Chinese and environmentally transformational medium to Contractor – China Railway sustainable energy but will long-terminitiatives. First Group – had been also cut emissions by 70 To this end, he pointed unable to secure the finances percent. out that the Guyana Power for the project It was

Oil sector accounts for 50.8% of economic growth last year, non-oil sectors struggle to 11.5%

Domestic Product (GDP) last year with oil The oil industry is also set to continue its accountingfor50.8percent. dominance in economic growth projections

Despiteacceleratedperformanceratesin with Guyana set to have three oil ships the construction and services sectors, the operatingthisyear non-oil economy struggled to keep up given The Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and the dismal performance of some agriculture Prosperity, are poised to be producing subsectors such as sugar and fisheries. In approximately600,000barrelsofoilperday fact, the non-oil economy saw 11.5 percent thisyear growthfor2022.

With continued interventions and

Additionally, he boasted and Light Inc. (GPL) is explained that the contractor thatthisprojectwilltriggera currently examining options had as late as April 22, last, series of major economic to boost the short-term written to the government development, as energy generationneedsthroughthe “saying that they are having costs will be significantly acquisition of an additional a hard time doing the BOOT reduced.

50 MW of generating (Build, Own, Operate

“This represents the capacity Transfer) contract and they single largest investment To further improve the want to shift to an EPC made in the electricity sector service, government this (Engineer, Procure, and the single largest year plans to roll out 413 Construct) plus finance” Engineering, Procurement kilometres (km) of new option instead. The project and Construction ever distribution lines and was meant to generate some undertaken,” the Minister feeders; a new 69 kilovolt 165MWofpower

Budget2022hadanticipatedthatthereal policies geared at building a resilient GrossDomesticProduct(GDP)wouldgrow economy, Minister Singh said real GDP is by 47.5 percent, with the non-oil economy projectedtogrowby25.1percentthisyear,a expected to expand by 7.7 percent. As the rate of growth which currently puts Guyana yearensued,theoilandgassectorperformed among the top five fastest growing even better than expected.At the same time, economiesin2023.Hewaskeentonotethat Government policies focused on supporting this position can be largely attributed to thetraditionalandnewandemergentnon-oil further ramping up of oil production pillars of the economy, helped ensure anticipatedintheStabroekBlock. stronger and more broad-based growth than

He also noted that growth in the non-oil originallyanticipated. economyiscurrentlyprojectedat7.9percent

It is now estimated that the economy this year, driven by continued expansion in grew by 62.3 percent overall in 2022 in real construction,othercrops,andwholesaleand terms, with a very strong expansion of 11.5 retail trade and repairs, alongside a rebound percent in non-oil real GDP At 62.3 percent ingoldmining.

Guyana’soilsectorhastakenfullcontrol overallrealgrowth,SeniorFinanceMinister, of the country’s economic growth Dr Ashni Singh said Guyana would be the According to government statistics, the fastest growing economy in the world in country saw a 62 percent growth in Gross 2022.

Christ Church Secondary School Fire was arson

- Fire Service

Cops arrested at roadblock with marijuana, cocaine and ammo

Last Thursday’s into action, the building onto the flames, working fire which left the quickly became engulfed in from a fire hydrant, open Christ Church flames,”theGFSsaidnoting water source and original

S e c o n d a r y thatdespiteeffortsmorethan tanksupply Thisbroughtthe School at Middle and Camp 80 percent of the building fire under control and Streets in ruins was an act of and its contents were subsequently extinguished arson, the Guyana Fire destroyed, with the theblaze. Service (GFS) said on remainder suffering severe “Finally, taking into Monday damage. considerationthetimeofday

“It is the determination Additionally, the GFS that both fires occurred of the Guyana Fire Service said that three buildings in (16:29 p.m. and 17:22 p.m.), that the fire was maliciously closeproximitytotheschool coupledwiththefactthatthe set by a person or persons were affected by the inferno second fire had several unknown,” the Fire Service and suffered damage to points of origin (seats), it is said Monday noting that it several AC units, PVC the determination of the h a s b e e n “ w o r k i n g guttering, ceilings, Guyana Fire Service that the assiduously to ascertain the windows,andcurtains. fire was maliciously set by circumstances surrounding F o u r vehicles p e r s o n o r p e r s o n s themajorfire”. unknown,” the Fire Service

According to the GFS stated. statement,Thursday’sfireat

Meanwhile, the GFS the school had “several on Monday stated that pointsoforigin”. a n e l e c t r i c a l

Thursday’s blaze inspection was also was the second fire at d o n e a t t h e the school in eight building and the days. The first had results have ruled erupted in the outthepossibility school’s science that the second laboratory and was fire could have caused by chemical been an electrical reaction combustion. one.

Two members of the Guyana Police acting in a suspicious manner and as such, a Force (GPF) were on Monday morning search was conducted on their person. The arrested at a roadblock, after a quantity of motorcarwasalsosearched,intheirpresence. marijuana, cocaine and ammunition were During the search, a grey and black bag discovered in the motorcar they were was found which contained two parcels and a travellingin. container with leaves, seeds and stems

The cops have been identified as Police suspectedtobecannabis. ConstableAlbert Beresford who is stationed The ranks also discovered another at the Clonbrook Police Outpost, and Police container inside the bag which contained Constable Julius Cambridge who is several parcels of rock like substances stationed at the Cane Grove Police Station. suspected to cocaine. The suspected cocaine The third occupant of the motorcar has been was weighed and amounted to 170 grams and identified as a 32-year-old mason of the suspected cannabis was weighed and Vigilance,ECD. amountedto9430grams.

The police reported that around Aftertheitemswereshowntothesuspects, 02:30hours, a party of ranks from Regional they were told of the offence, cautioned, Division Four ‘C’ were conducting a Road arrested and escorted to the Cove and John Block on the Cove and John Public Road, PoliceStation.Afurthersearchwascarriedout East Coast Demerara (ECD) when they in the motorcar, and two .38, two .40 and 11 stopped a silver grey Premio motorcar (PAB 9mmroundsofammunitionwerediscovered. 7863)whichthesuspectsweretravelingin. The suspects are currently in custody as

It was stated that the trio were observed investigationscontinue.

Fire fighters had saved

The findings of the building from GFS have been burning then and had handed over to police removed all chemicals from sothattheForcecanassist the building to prevent a infindingthearsonist(s). recurrence. The Fire Service

The Christ Church said that on Thursday, water Secondary School fire has alsosuffereddamagetotheir tenders from the Central, resulted in the displacement tail lights, bumpers, and A l b e r t t o w n , We s t of 502 students. Many have numberplates. R u i m v e l d t , a n d lost their SBAs (School

This was all due to the Campbellville fire stations Based Assessments) and are radiated heat from the w e r e i m m e d i a t e l y worried about how it might buildingoforigin. dispatched to the secondary affecttheirCSECgrades.

The fire was eventually school.

The government through contained, and fire fighters “ U p o n a r r i v a l , the Ministry of Education were able to stop it from firefighters observed smoke has made arrangements for spreadingtotheOfficeofthe emanating from the two- the students to attend classes Prime Minister and other storey wooden and concrete virtually until a place is nearbybuildings. structure, and while getting foundtorelocatethem. Eightjetswereemployed

The items that were discovered

The Christ Church Secondary School being burnt down on Thursday last

Guyana’s cricket, lies and deception...

From page 24 Bluff, Bluff 2023 would be abandoned by the current we will hear is the GCB is also promises under19 club the year!! May very well be administration upon taking modernizing. cricket, under 23 cricket and the year of cricket office.

I would also like to 18 academies. After 2 years demolition.

In fact, the money was address the fallacy of in office the current GCB The original cricket used to hire new staff during dumping mud on the allseem to be only making academy programme thecovidshutdownwhenno weatheroutfieldatLBI. promises.IntheGCBrelease (emerging players) was cricket was playing. A new The LBI facility was the we were bluffed with the established seven years ago CEOwashiredatsubstantial brainchild of Guyana’s best CWI roll out of five for fun by the then secretary Mr salary (Abt 500,000), for a ever cricket administrator Republic bank programme AnandSanasie,andcreateda man that is not computer Mr Anand Sanasie who which is actually a group of players on standby literateandapensioner developed it from a cow programme for all the for national duties, it Also, a pensioner pasture to a fast-drying Islands in the Caribbean developedafeedersystemto apparently was elected at international standard trying to reflect the Scotia the national team and kept controversial elections as facility with led floodlights, kiddies’ cricket programme under19playersintraining. Cricket Ombudsman Am complete with power only less comprehensive This programme was wondering if the next thing generationetc.

Since his departure, because of lack of maintenance and overuse, the outfield was damaged whilethegroundpreparation equipmenthaveallgoneinto disrepair

History as Chinese man...

From page 24 by the name “Jerry”. “So I think we are very lucky that I’m part of it and I’m very lucky that I’m part of this team. Hopefullywecandosomethingbiginthefuture.”

In addition to the significance of the result for China, Shang also achieved several personal milestones — aside from notching his first major win, he also earned his first tour-levelwininfourtries.

“I think overall this whole week was different for me, playing my first Slam, every day I was pretty nervous gettingonthecourt,”hesaid.

“Butatthesametime,it’soneofthebestmomentsIhave had so far in my career, so I’m just very excited to be on court,andeverythingisalearningprocessforme.”

ShangisleadingahistoricChinesechargeinMelbourne with three male Chinese players competing at any Grand SlammaindrawsincetheOpenerabeganin1968.

HeisjoinedbyZhangZhizhenandWuYibing.

Seven Chinese also entered the women’s singles draw, led by the veteran Zhang Shuai, who is ranked 22 in the world.

TheretiredLiNaremainsChina’sbest-everplayerafter shewontheFrenchOpenin2011andAustralianOpenthree yearslater

Tuesday January 17, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Practical matters involving home and family might need some attention today This isn't anything alarming,Aries, just a few tasks that you may have put off, such as house cleaningoryardwork.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Matters involving your community might require yourattention.Thisislikelyto involve communication in some way Perhaps you want to make some phone calls, write letters, or place an ad or articleinalocalnewspaper

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Financial matters might need attention today. Bills may need to be paid, checks deposited, and budgeting worked out. Your powers of concentrationarehigh.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Some projects might require practical attention today, getting irritating little details cleared up and out of the way Your natural efficiency is at a peak.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Relatives or old friends, particularly seniors, who visit youtodayarelikelytoawaken childhood memories that you'd long since forgotten. Someofthemmightcomeasa shock.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Todayyoumightspendalotof time on the phone with friends, some of them seniors. Your conversations will be loving, informative, and revealing, Virgo. As a result, you might decide to attend some group events in your community

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Today you could resolve to work harder than ever on whatever it is that brings the results you hope for, Libra. This is likely to involve nothing more glamorous than practical tasks, such as getting paperworkoutoftheway

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

Pursuing intellectual interests may be on hold today because of career matters Your ambitions, whatever they are, could get a shot in the arm through some new information, possiblyfromfaraway

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Memories of past events that caused traumas that you're still dealing with could come to light today This is a positive development, as the release of these old emotions could make it possible for you to progress morequicklyonmaterial.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Today you might see old and new friendships and romantic involvements reach a new understanding. This creates a stronger commitment between you and those who care for you.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

An important project could require intense concentration today, Aquarius, and you're in the right frame of mind. You could be pleased with the results and so could others whoseopinionsmatter

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Your practical skills should be operating efficiently, Pisces. A creative or intellectual discipline that fascinates you might require some intense concentrationtoday

The GCB in its list of satisfactory achievements 2022 had the temerity to thank the government for providing mud to dump on the playing area now rendering it useless. One has to wonder if no one other than Mr Sanasie realized years ago that the GCB needed a fast drying playing area to combat the rainy s e a s o n t h a t t h e s e ‘executives’ have destroyed. It appears as though someone was excavating a construction site and wanted a place to dump dirt now the entire drainage network installed at great cost is useless.

Itisimportanttonotethat the current GCB has built or improved nothing in their 2 years in office while continuing to destroy all that was built without any governments’help.

A visit to the indoor practice facility and hostel, also built under Mr Sanasie, would reveal the ongoing destruction, the nets are destroyed and the ball is damaging walls and windows.

We are returning to the National sports hall, from wherewecame.

In closing I would remark that KIM JONG UN is a dictator and will destroy everything he comes into contact with. My name is below, am waiting on the missiles.

Yours Sincerely, Godwyn Allicock Sports Administrator

Asked why Chinese women had traditionally always donebetterthanmen,Shangsaid:“It’sacomplicatedthing.

“IthinkI’mnotquitesurehowtoanswerthat,butIthink physicallyit’sabigstepforusinmen’stennis.

“ButIthinkwe’reontherighttrackrightnow Hopefully we can do a better job in the Slams, in the three-out-of-five sets,andhopefullythatcanhappeninthefuture.”

Sports scores $4.3B Budget allocation

Impressive first-day wins for Nadal, Gauff and Pegula at Australian Open

By

Rawle Toney the Inter Guiana Games to $250M allocated in last these shores after a five-year year’s budget for ground Dr Ashni Singh, Senior hiatus,” Dr Singh told the enhancement. Minister in the Office of the House He pointed to the

He added, “We have President with responsibility upgrade of the South Dakota provided lights for grounds for Finance yesterday Circuit, which he said came at 21 locations, we have announced an allocation of through a public-private conducted rehabilitation $4.3B towards sports and its partnership with the Guyana works at the National developmentinGuyana. Motor Racing and Sports Stadium, and we have Dr Singh was at the time Club(GMR&SC). completed synthetic tracks announcing sectoral The One Guyana inregionssixandten.” allocations for the 2023 President’s Cup Football Boastingthat2023bodes Budget at the Arthur Chung Tournament, a collaboration even better and more ConferenceCentre(ACCC). with the Guyana Football brightly than 2022 for sports Of the $4.3B, according Federation and the Kashif investment in Guyana, Dr to Dr Singh, $250M will go and Shanghai Organisation, Singh highlighted that towards to Ministry of was also highlighted by Dr “...provision has been set Culture, Youth and Sports’ Singh. aside for the establishment Community Grounds The Finance Minister of a National Cricket Enhancementproject. said, “The Inter-Regional A c a d e m y w i t h t h e

This year’s allocation of football tournament which construction of the state of $4.3B marks an increase of w a s l a u n c h e d a n d the art stadium at Palmyra $1 1B from last year, successfully executed, alsoslatedforthisyear.” bringing a total of $7.5B in witnessed the remarkable “Additionally, provision two years and $9B under footballing talent of our is made for other sports President Irfaan Ali’s country being mobilized in a i n f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d administration. During his singlecompetitionandledto development, including the Budget delivery, Dr Singh a significant increase in constructionofmultipurpose pointed to his Government’s national and international sporting facilities in the commitments in their exposure, including by the Hinterland, rehabilitation manifesto to upgrade spotting of some talent by works at the Cliff Anderson sporting facilities and internationaltalentscouts.” Sports Hall, construction of expand access to such “Mr Speaker, to promote stands and grass mounds in facilities. community-level sporting regions two and Six, an

“Countrywide Mr activity, we have upgraded a extensionofthesquashcourt Speaker, beyond the total of 54 community at the National Racket Caribbean Premier League grounds across regions One Center and procurement of (CPL) 2022, we saw at the to Six and eight to nine,” Dr sports gear,” the Finance Regional level the return of Singh said, pointing to the Ministernoted.

AFP - Rafael Nadal launched his Australian Open title defence with a four-set victory over Britain’s Jack Draper yesterdayashomehopeNick Kyrgios quit through injury withouthittingaball.

In the women’s draw, top seed Iga Swiatek survived a tough examination while Jessica Pegula and teenage prodigy Coco Gauff were both emphatic winners on thefirstdayofaction.

Spanish great Nadal, 36, had been in poor form by his sky-high standards, losing six of his last seven matches stretching back to defeat in thelast16attheUSOpen.

In fast-rising Draper, 21, the 22-time Grand Slam champion faced a stern test to start his campaign at a swelteringMelbournePark.

The top seed recovered from a second-set wobble — andabizarreincidentwhena ballboyaccidentallytookhis racquet—todefeatthe38thranked Briton 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, Djokovic, who was detained In-form Pegula blitzed 6-1atRodLaverArena. and deported ahead of last 161st-ranked Romanian Nadal, who recently year’s tournament after JaquelineCristian6-0,6-1in became a father, faces refusingtogetvaccinatedfor a 59-minute romp to signal American Mackenzie Covid,beginshistitleassault herintent. McDonaldinroundtwo. onTuesday Fellow American Gauff

“Very exciting, new Other winners on was equally explosive in beginning, just super-happy Monday included third seed racing into the second round to be back at Rod Laver with Stefanos Tsitsipas and sixth with a 6-1, 6-4 thumping of a victory I needed,” he said seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, CzechKaterinaSiniakova. aftergrindingdownDraper who saw off dogged Vasek The 18-year-old Gauff

“Last couple of months Pospisil in an all-Canadian now faces a mouth-watering havenotbeeneasyforme.” clash. encounter against former US

Nadalwasoncourtwhen R u s s i a ’ s D a n i i l Open champion Emma Australia’s talented but Medvedev, losing finalist in Raducanu. temperamental Kyrgios 2021 and 2022, fired up his It will be the first-ever called a hastily arranged bid to go one better with a meeting between Gauff and press conference and straight-sets demolition of the 20-year-old Raducanu, announcedthathewasoutof MarcosGiron. two rising stars of women’s the tournament with a knee But 21st seed Borna tennis. injury.

CoricfelltoCzechplayerJiri “I’m really looking

“ I ’ m d e v a s t a t e d , Leheckainstraightsets. forward to this match,” obviously,” said the - ‘Focused on myself’- Raducanusaid. Wimbledon finalist, who In the women’s draw, hot “I’m very up for it. Coco was considered an outside favourite Swiatek was far has obviously done a lot of bet to win a maiden Grand from her fluent best against great things and she’s Slamcrown.

Jule Niemeierbut got the job playingwell.

“I’ve had some great done,6-4,7-5. “I think we’re both good, tournaments here, winning “Honestly,Iwantedtobe young players, we’re both the doubles last year and focused on myself because I coming through — part of playing the tennis of my life know that Jule serves the next generation of tennis probably going into this amazing and was really really — it’s going to be a event. pushing, putting pressure on greatmatch.”

“I’m just exhausted from me,” said Swiatek, who Also safely through was everything, and (it’s) landedonly49percentofher another American, Danielle obviouslyprettybrutal.” firstserves. Collins, last year’s beaten

The first Grand Slam of “SoI’mprettyhappythat finalistinMelbourne. the year had already lost I got through this match Greek sixth seed Maria severalstarsinthebuild-up. because the first round is Sakkari also won and

Injured men’s world always tricky and I guess an Victoria Azarenka defeated number one Carlos Alcaraz opponent like Jule makes it SofiaKenininabattleoftwo and two-time Melbourne evenmoretricky.” former Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka — The Pole, who is chasing champions. who is expecting her first anAustralian Open crown to But two seeds fell at the child — are among the other gowithmajortitlesattheUS first hurdle, 25th-seeded playersmissing. Open and Roland Garros, Czech Marie Bouzkova and

Nine-time Australian plays Camila Osorio of American28thseedAmanda Open champion Novak Colombianext. Anisimova.

Coco Gauff

Secondary School cricket returns to West Berbice, historic Primary School tourney for 14 schools as BCB invests heavily into youth development

“ Y o u h a v e t h e

winner of both the primary opportunity to assist us to and secondary levels would unearth new cricketing go on to play the champions talentstocontinuethelegacy fromLowerCorentyne,New of Kanhai, Butcher, Amsterdam /Canje and Solomon, Fredericks and

Upper Corentyne to Kallicharran Berbice is determine the overall known across the world for Berbice champion The producing outstanding different winners would cricketers and we owe it to each receive vouchers to the next generation to purchase stationery and continue the tradition. The other needed items for the BerbiceCricketBoardunder school. my leadership is fully

Foster also informed the committed to lifting our teachers that the BCB would cricket to its highest ever also be providing copies of level and it would be our its historic coaching manual privilegetoworkwithyouin area.

2023, while for the first time 2012. Students shall have an and youth information this noble quest,” stated Foster was accompanied

Coach

in its eighty fours year attendance rate of seventy booklet to the schools to BCB President Hilbert by Secretary Angela Haniff, Angel. The

were history, the BCB would be fivepercenttoplay assist them to properly Foster when he and a Chairman of the Selection informed that the pro active hosting an under11 inter The BCB late last year prepare their students for the delegation from the board C o m m i t t e e B a l r a m cricket board would be primary school tournament. had provided the six tournaments. met with sports teachers of Samaroo, Chairman of the reintroducing cricket into Six secondary schools in secondary schools with The selection committee primary and secondary Competition Committee secondary schools with at regionfivewillparticipatein cricket uniforms, gears and under the chairmanship of schools in the West Berbice Leslie Solomon, West least two tournaments in the thirty over per side cricket balls to prepare for Samaroo, a former national tournament, while fourteen the expected tournament, junior cricketer, along with primary schools would be while the fourteen primary the BCB coaches working in involved in a ten overs schools would shortly region five, will select a Tapeball tournament from receive two bats and a set of special twenty four member earlynextmonth. tape flannel balls to assist squad for both levels. A

Tagenarine Chanderpaul XI win by 9 wickets, as Veersammy Permaul’s XI set paltry second innings total

First of two practice Kelvon Anderson on 5 runs Yearwood was also run out m a t c h e s b e t w e e n with

Tagenarine Chanderpaul XI upbothofthetwowicketsin came to the crease with the andVeersammy Permaul XI thefirstsession. scoreat135-7.RonaldoAliat the Guyana National Gudakesh Motie was Mohamed was out caught at Stadium, Providence introduced to the attack in mid-on. The score is now concluded yesterday with a the27thoverofday,helater 144-8, J. Sinclair together nine wicket victory for picked up the wicket of with Nedd looked to put Chanderpaul’sside. Nandu, trying to turn a some runs on the board: J. Day3,atthestartofplay delivery onto the leg-side, Sinclair hitting three nice was blessed with fair but onlytofindtheleadingedge 4’sinhisknockof18before slightly overcast weather ofhisbattopresentasimple he was bowled by Adams, Tagenarine Chanderpaul XI returncatch.Nanduhitthree while Nedd made 22 hitting resumed play at 378-6 4’sinhisscoreof24runs. one 4 and three massive 6’s. ChanderpaulXIwereallout After a few tidy overs With the score 177-9; the before the end of the first from Kevin Sinclair to lastwicketpaironlyadded9 session,adding51runsonto Akasahya Persaud, Sinclair runs together before J their overnight score, eventually got his man, Sinclair was bowled by finishing 429-10 and a lead when Persaud offered no Adams. of 168 runs. Ronsford shot to a turning delivery; Permaul XI were Beaton picked up 4 wickets trapping him in front his dismissed for 186 leaving for84runsoffof24overs. stumpstobeoutLBWfor15 Tagenarine Chanderpaul XI Permaul XI returned to runs. togetapaltry21runstowin bat trailing by 169 runs. With the score 84-4, from19overs. Matthew Nandu and Shamar Yearwood joined Second innings pursuit, Rampertab Ramnauth Kevlon Anderson at the Tagenarine Chanderpaul opened the batting for crease at the 44th over The and Chanderpaul Hemraj Permaul’s XI in the second right-handed Anderson only put 6 runs on the board innings. played well for his 40 runs, before Hemraj edged one

The left-handed West scoring most of his runs through to Imlach without Indies U19 batter: Nandu through the off-side before scoring, Nail Smith striking looked ‘in excellent nick’ he was run out by inhisfirstover after scoring a much Chanderpaultryingtosneak Kemol Savory then calculated half century in throughforasingle. came to the crease, getting the first innings He Veersammy Permaul XI the job done in 1.4 overs. managed to carry through to found themselves’ in more Savorymade14runsfrom6 the end of the first session. trouble when Garfield balls in the second innings. Despite losing Rampertab Benjamin was bowled by a Chanderpaul XI won by 9 for 7 runs and Imlach for 5 beautiful off break from wickets in the final session runsbeforethebreak. Rampersaudinthe51stover ofDay3.

The second practice Permaul XI were 26-2, Permaul XI at tea were match will be announced at Nandu on 13 runs and 131-6, trailing by 37 runs. alaterdate.

At lunch Veersammy oftheday

Foster, who was on his themtoplay

panelofcoacheswouldwork seventy ninth visit to the sub Each primary school along with the selected for associationsincehiselection would be required to select two days to assist in their in early 2018, disclosed that fourfemalesintheirfourteen development.Thesecondary the secondary school man squad, while two shall school tournament would be tournament would be for have to be selected in the sponsored by Latchman under19 players born on or final eleven. One of the ten C o n s t r u c t i o n a n d after the first of September oversshallalsobebowledby Landscaping Inc, while the 2004, while the cut-off date afemaleplayer primary school would be for the primary school C h a i r m a n o f sponsored by Caribbean under11 tournament would Competitions Leslie Motors and Dhanpaul be the first of September Solomon explained that the Sukhra.

Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association starts preparation for NAFMA Nationals

The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts himself, to attend this event once again. The Karate Association national team team is eager to demonstrate their skills and

has started making swift talent and will continue to make preparations preparations for the NAFMANationals 2023 forthisupcomingevent. on the 26th and 27th of May inAtlantic City, The Association is seeking contributions NewJerseyintheUnitedStates. towards the team attending the event and can

Master Lloyd Ramnarine is currently contact the association on 698 6727, 689 workingwithateamof11students,including 9288andor6987456forinformation.

Berbice President David

Black and

Shamal

teachers

ShamarJosephpicking for 20 runs. Ashmead Nedd

The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association after a training session.

BCB Executives pose with the teachers after the meeting.

ICC Women U-19 World Cup…

West Indies play Indonesia in second match today

West Indies without points and inverted James and Trishan Holder W o m e n NRRs from their opening (0), who both fell with the

Rising Stars matches. scoreon106. will face Indonesia today in Prior to West Indies’ However, Naijanni their second Group C showdown today, New Cumberbatch and Jannillea encounter of the inaugural Zealand and Ireland will Glasgow remained unbeaten International Cricket contest the other Group C on21and13,respectively,as Council (ICC) Women’s match at the same venue extras contributed a muchUnder-19T20World Cup, at from4:00amECT. welcomed 24. Freya Sargent the North West Cricket This past Sunday, the was responsible for the Stadium in Potchefstroom, Wo m e n i n M a r o o n dismissal of James and SouthAfrica. commenced their campaign Holder while Aimee

The ladies from the under the leadership of MaguireremovedSawh. Caribbean, currently second skipper, Ashmini Munisar, James returned with the in their Group behind New andwereabletosecurean8- ball and ripped through the Zealand, go up against the runwinoverIrelandtoclaim Ireland line-up to end with Asian side from 7:45am theirpoints. four wickets while Munisar, ECT Batting first, West Indies Kdjazz Mitchell and

Both New Zealand and posted 125 – 3 in their Glasgow all claimed a West Indies have two points allotted over then restricted wicket each The West from their opening win the opposition to 118 – 7 Indian bowling effort saw against Indonesia and whentheiroversexpired. only nine runs being given Ireland, respectively, but the OpenerZaidaJames(52) away in extras as Annabel former is ahead with a stood out with the bat for the Squirestopscoredwith42. superior Net Run Rate victorious side with a solid West Indies play their (NRR) of 4.405, compared half century Her opening final Group match on tothelatter’s0.350. partner Shunelle Sawh (15) Thursday, January 19, 2023 Ireland occupies third was the first to go with the at the same venue from whileIndonesiaarelast,both score on 61, followed by 7:45amECT

History as Chinese man wins for first time at Australian Open

AFP - Teenager Shang did not face another as he Juncheng created a slice of sealed the win on his third history yesterday by match point at Melbourne becoming the first male Park. Chinese player to win an His reward is a tough Australian Open main draw second-round encounter singles match, a feat he with either American 16th called “huge” for his seed Frances Tiafoe or country another German, Daniel

T h e 1 7 - y e a r - o l d Altmaier qualifier, the youngest “I think it’s huge for player in the men’s draw, Chinese men’s tennis. You battled past Germany’s know, we have had really Oscar Otte 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 good players from the (2/7), 7-5 in nearly three women’s side but not really hourstoprogress. big names in the men’s,”

After saving two break saidShang,whoalsogoes points in the opening set, he (Continued on page 21)

Letter to the Sports Editor

Guyana’s cricket, lies and deception

DearSportsEditor, stage.Significantly,itshould setup a few months before On the 31st December be noted that the cricket and is currently facing 2022 I observed that the carnival aspect of CPL was allegations of corruption in Guyana Cricket Board organized and executed by a Essequibo. published an epistle on its committee appointed by Only 2 years ago Guyana Facebook page captioned President Alli and consisted was unique in developing a “GCB satisfied with its 2022 of no representative from the system of franchise cricket achievements” It was Guyana Cricket Board, so (recently reiterated by obvious from reading the the masquerading by the Trinidadian coach K l o n g s e l f - p r a i s i n g GCB is quite obvious. It is Rampat) with eight publication that mediocrity being reported (to be seen franchises playing in all has become the accepted w h e n G C B a u d i t e d three formats on a round norm in the organisation or financialsarepublished)that robin basis where 120 that readers have suddenly the GCB purchased over players and 40 coaches and become dumb on cricket Four Million Dollars officials completed over 4 performance, not something (4,000,000) in CPL tickets months of cricket before thatcanbesaidofthiscricket for Executives, friends, regional tournaments. This lovingnation. family and supporters, this has all been abandoned by

Hence, after great being the extent of their the current administration consideration and some participation in the CPL, a for a mere 5 days of interbasic online browsing, I remarkable first-time countycricket. decidedtopenthisletter Not achievement.

In about three weeks (at so long ago the GCB was My online research the time of writing) Guyana regarded as the best indicated the following would be playing regional organized and administered “satisfactory achievements” Four-day cricket and no cricket board in the region of the Bissondyal Singh led three-day cricket has been with6regionalunder19wins Guyana Cricket Board, in played even at the minimal and 5 senior 4 day wins in Regional Tournaments over inter-county level. In 2022 less than an 8-year period. thepastyear no under19 or under15 Construction of playing 1. Regional Four (4) cricket was played. In fact, f a c i l i t i e s , w i t h o u t daytournament–thirdofsix the GCB is threatening its government assistance and participatingteam only sponsor, Dave West training of top-quality 2. Regional 50 Over Indian Imports, with court coaches and other officials Male – Fourth of Eight action for fees even though were some of the fantastic participatingteams the under15 tournament was achievements under the 3. Regional 50 Over not played and 50% of previouscricketboard. Female – Fourth of Six sponsorship money was

The GCB published participatingteams received in advance. This article was heavily padded 4. RegionalT20Blaze certainly has no good result with unrelated cricket Female Fourth of Six forcricket. matters (political), not clear participatingTeams In 2022 the GCB on actual performance and 5. Regional Under19 dismissed its two most placement in regional boys 3-day tournament – successful regional coaches, t o u r n a m e n t s a n d Fourth of Six participating Mr. Esau Crandon was at the photographs that were teams. helm when Guyana Jaguars certainly unrelated to cricket

6. Regional Under19 won Five regional Four-day achievements. In fact, one of Girlstournament–TheGCB tournaments, while Julian the images bears a striking article did not report on this Moore was in charge when resemblance to the president tournament but while some w e w o n 6 u n d e r 1 9 of Guyana and the other to news articles are available tournaments prompting the the President of North Korea online no points table can be then Board to put him in Kim Jong Un. The president seen. control of the Academy of Guyana loves his cricket

7. Regional Under17 These are seasoned coaches but certainly has nothing to boys tournament – Fifth of who could have been in do with the below par Sixparticipatingteams. contention for CWI duties performance of GCB and its

8. Regional Under15 like Reyon Griffith at this selected officials and teams, Boys Tournament – Second crucial time They are asIwouldaddresslater ofSixparticipatingteams. certainly more experienced

I must first of all make it Not much local cricket and qualified than their pellucid that the Guyana wasplayedwiththeUnder15 replacements whom I wish Cricket Board has no aborted, while the Under19 bestofluck. o p e r a t i o n a l o r boysdidnotevengetstarted. Let’s now look at the Administrative roll in the Berbice the proverbial promises, promises, organisation or execution of prodigal son won almost promises On the 20th the Caribbean Premier everything that was actually January 2022 Bissondyal League (CPL). Mr Bobby played, while its President Singh announced that there Ramroop, owner of the Hilbert Foster was sidelined would soon be cricket in Guyana Amazon Warriors, in cricket political primary schools, well and his staff are the local maneuvers, even being apparently, he is still administrators while the removedasadirectorofCWI planning on meeting the owners of CPL takes over to be replaced by a man who ministerthisyear Hisrelease and manage the playoff wasnoteveninacricketclub (Continued on page 21)

The West Indies Under-19 women’s team gets in a huddle during their match against Ireland. (Getty Images)

National U-12 Rapid Chess Tournament set for January 28

The DeSinco National compete can pay a fee of development of chess in U n d e r 1 2 C h e s s $2000 via MMG. Deadline Guyana, particularly at the Championships return on for registration for the youthlevel. January 28, 2023, at the tournament is at 6pm on SchooloftheNations. January27th2023.

Players will participate The top three finishers in ina7-roundtournamentwith the Open Division and Girls games limited to 20 minutes Division respectively will with5additionalsecondsper receiveprizes. move. This year’s one-day Prizes will also be rapid tournament will be awarded for the best underheld in person and is open to 10 boy and girl and the best all chess players under the under-8 boy and girl at the age of 12 at the beginning of endofsevenmatches. 2023. Round 1 is scheduled This year’s Under 12 tostartat09:00. titleisexpectedtobekeenly The Under12 Nationals contested Anticipation is werelastheldonJanuary15, high for amazing games 2022, on tornelo.com, an from players like Nicholas online chess platform. At Z h a n g , A q u i l a n i that time, 45 players Swaminadha and the competed for the title with Mohabir brothers, Julian Alexander Zhang winning and Landon Kataleya Sam, the Open Category and Chelsea Harrison, Skyler KristinXavierwinninginthe Gurchuran and Saudia Deo Girl’scategory among others are also set to Interested players can compete in the Girl’s r e g i s t e r t h r o u g h Category g u y a n a c h e s s o r g The Guyana Chess Registration is free for Federation is deeply grateful members of the Guyana to DeSincoTrading Limited, Chess Federation and is only the sponsor of this done online. Children who championship. DeSinco has are not registered with the been a long-time supporter Federation and still wish to and committed partner in the

Alexander Zhang

Kataleya Sam