Kaieteur News

Record-breaking speed of oil sector forces Guyana to import stone ..increasesawardofquarrylicences

The accelerated pace of activities in the oil and gas sector has resulted in a massive construction boom.

SeniorFinanceMinister,Dr Ashni Singh noted this during the presentation of his 2023 budget on Monday, stating that there is a massive ramp up in the construction of homes, hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and even infrastructure to support private sector investment. The construction boom he alluded, has also placed unprecedented pressure on the sand and stone industries which is struggling to keepupwithdemand.

Facilitating the need for more materials last year like sand and loamare22operatorstodate.

Dr Singh said these outputs saw production almost doubling last year He said Government, in 2023, will continue to promote accelerated investment in the subsectors and ensure that concessions are brought to production in the shortest possible timeinordertoboostproductivity

Similarly,Dr Singhsaidstones reached record high levels due to theconstructionboom.

The Minister said currently operating quarries collectively ramped up operations in 2022 to

produce a record 1,021,000 tonnes: the highest in over a decade. But even this is unable to meet the high levels of demand. In fact, Dr Singh said an additional six quarries were recently licensed and are expected to contribute a further400,000tonnesin2023.He said these licence awards reflect Government's efforts to ensure construction materials rise to match demand from housing and the other infrastructure works acrossthecountry.

milliontonnesfor2023.

He also said that Guyana's demand for stone could not be satisfied by neighbouring Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

( S e e l i n k : https://demerarawaves com/2022/ 12/30/guyana-mulls-buyings t o n e - f r o mcanada/#:~:text=Vice%20Preside nt%20Bharrat%20Jagdeo%20on, and%20rehabilitation%20works %20in%202023.)

In accordance with statutory regulations, it presented a mine plan for the proposed Silica Sand and loam mining project on 184 acresofstateland.

Borehole data and previous work done has indicated a mineable resource estimate of approximately 14,219,034 tons of sand resources and 31,468 tons of Loam resources. With a capital investment ofUS$292,000 and an annual operating cost of US$260,183, the mine would produce approximately 200,000 tonsofSilicaSandand10,000tons of loan per year for construction and industrial purposes over the life of mine while providing full time employment for 10 persons initially

expenditure and if the demand justifies further investment in expandingproductioncapacity

Kaieteur News understands that the mine output will be transported by barge down the Berbice river to New Amsterdam. The mine will produce sand, loam and laterite to be used primarily as fill materials in the construction sector

Government is presently developing several major infrastructural projects in the county of Berbice, including severalroads.

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had said last year that Government would be forced to import stone from Canada and other territories to ensure projects are not left stranded or at a standstill due to shortage of key inputs.

Areport by local media entity, Demerara Waves also quoted the Vice President as saying that the demand for stone is calculated at 6

In the meantime, the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given the green light for twocompaniestomoveaheadwith their sand pit development projects.

Castle Point INC., one of the companies granted permission, said it is eager to help in meeting the national demand for sand resources by establishing a viable and environmentally compliant

The other project which received EPA's go-ahead is led by developer, Hareshnarine Sugrim.

The area applied for is approximately 1,189 acres of state land in the county of Berbice. The project is being designed to produceacombined50,000metric tons of sand, loam and laterite per yearinitsinitialcapacity

This may increase when the project recovers capital

There are also numerous private sector developments related to the oil and gas sector, such as the CGX shore base being developed on Crab Island Presently there are no formal, organized, reliable open pit mines in Berbice to supply the necessary fill material for these various constructionprojects.

In light of this, Sugrim estimates the current demand for fill material to be approximately 50,000metrictonsperyear

Thisisaconservativeestimate and it is expected that demand will be increasing consistently over the next few years as the oil and gas sector expands and drives national development.

Silica Sand and Loam mining operation at the Canal #2 backlands, West Bank Demerara.

43% of Guyanese can't afford a healthy diet, 5% undernourished

Around five percent of Guyana's population is undernourished and a further 43% cannot afford a healthy diet, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has concluded in a new report releasedthisweek.

W i t h G u y a n a ' s population averaging around 800,000 the five percent of undernourished people works out to about 40,000. Ti t l e d “ R E G I O N A L

OVERVIEW OF 2022:

TOWARDS

- FAO report

Prevalence of undernourishment in Latin America and the Caribbean by country

IMPROVING

AFFORDABILITY

OF HEALTHY DIETS,” the report also concluded that in 2020, 42 percent of the populationintheworldcould not afford a healthy diet, almost 3.1 billion people. Due to the higher cost of a healthy diet, this percentage in Latin America and the Caribbean was 22.5 percent, or 131 million people, an increase of 8 million from 2019.

According to the report South America accounts for 57 percent of people unable to afford a healthy diet in Latin America and the Caribbean (74 2 million), followed by Mesoamerica (43 1 million) and the C a r i b b e a n (13.9million).

More than half of the Caribbean population (52 percent) cannot afford a healthy diet, followed by Mesoamerica (27.8 percent) and South America (18.4 percent).

Meanwhile, the FAO said i t s p r e v a l e n c e o f undernourishment indicator is derived from country data on food supply, food consumption and energy n e e d s , t a k i n g i n t o consideration demographic characteristics such as age, sex, and levels of physical activity

Designed to capture a state of energy deprivation lasting over a year, this indicator does not reflect short-lived effects of temporary crises or inadequateintakeofessential nutrients, the FAO said According to the FAO it strives continuously to improve the accuracy of the PoU estimates by taking into account new information, andtheentirehistoricalseries isupdatedforeachreport.

T h e F A O s a i d Undernourishment in Latin America and the Caribbean now sits between 7.5 and 9.7 percent. Considering the

middle point, in 2021 hunger affected 8.6 percent of the region's population, the highest since 2006. Hunger in the region had been growing steadily even before the COVID-19 pandemic The prevalence of hunger increased by 22.5 percent in the world between 2015 and 2021 – 1.8 percentage points –whiletheprevalencerosein Latin America and the Caribbean by 48.3 percent in the same period – 2 8 percentage points Since 2014, when it was at its lowest rate, hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean hasbeenincreasingatafaster pace, in particular between 2019and2021,gettingcloser totheworld'saverage.

Undernourishment varies within each subregion and country.

M o s t o f t h e people affected by hunger in the Caribbean are in Haiti. In the period between 2019 and 2021, nearly half its population 47.2 percent) –around 5.4 million people–w e r e undernourished.

By comparison, the p r e v a l e n c e o f undernourishment on the o t h e r e n d of thespectrumwas around7 percent in Dominica, the Dominican Republic, J a m a i c a , Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,andTrinidadand Tobago.

I n M e s o a m e r i c a , Nicaragua was the country with the highest prevalence of undernourishment (18.6 percent) in the 2019–2021 period, followed by Guatemala (16 percent), and Honduras 15 3 percent, which, amounts to almost 5 million hungry people in these three countries (1.2, 2.9, and 1.5, respectively). In Mexico, the largest country of the subregion, the p r e v a l e n c e o f undernourishment was 6.1 percent(7.8millionpeople).

In South America, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had the highest p r e v a l e n c e o f undernourishment (22 9 percent), which in absolute numbers equals 6.5 million people, followed by Ecuador with 15 4 percent (2 7 m i l l i o n ) , a n d t h e Plurinational State of Bolivia with 13 9 percent (1 6

million).

I n C o l o m b i a , Paraguay, Peru, and S u r i n a m e t h e prevalence is over 8 percent It is worth noting that Brazil has one of the lowest rates in the region (4 1 percent),butthehighest n u m b e r o f undernourished people (8.6 million). A look at hunger trends in the region's countries shows that hunger notably increased, by 18.4 percentage points, in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, or 5 million more hungry people between the 2013–2015 and 2019–2021 periods. And in those periods hungerincreasedby6.7 percentage points in Ecuador (1.3 million), by 4 6 percentage points in Haiti (900 thousand), and by 1.6 percentage points in Brazil (3 4 million morepeople).

The report states that in the Caribbean, despite the significant increase in the cost of a healthy diet, the number of people who could not afford it showed the smallest increase (less than 500 000 people). In Latin America and the C a r i b b e a n , t h e percentage of the population that cannot afford a healthy diet differs greatly between subregions as well as between countries Among the Caribbean countries, the vast m a j o r i t y o f t h e population of Haiti (85.9 percent) cannot afford a healthy diet, and in Jamaica more than two-thirds of the population (66 2 percent) cannotaffordit.

In the Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia, close to 20 percent of the populationisunabletoafford a h e a l t h y d i e t I n Mesoamerica, over half of Honduras' population (51.3 percent) cannot afford a healthy diet, nor can more than a third of the people in Nicaragua and Belize (35.7 and 36.4 percent), and more than a quarter in Mexico

(26.3 percent). In Panama and Costa Rica, less than 20 percent of the population cannot afford a healthy diet.

Lastly, Suriname (58 8 percent) and Guyana (43 percent) are the two South American countries with the highest percentage of people that cannot afford a healthy diet.

Almost a quarter of the p o p u l a t i o n o f t h e Plurinational State of Bolivia cannot afford a healthy diet, while in Brazil, Ecuador and Peruaround20percentofthe

population cannot. In Chile and Uruguay, on the other hand, less than 4 percent of the population cannotaffordahealthydiet.

Costofahealthydiet

The report stated that for Latin America and the Caribbean specifically, healthy diets were found to befourtimesmoreexpensive than an energy-sufficient diet. It said almost a quarter of the region's population (22.5percent)cannotafforda healthy diet. Lowering the cost of nutritious foods and

improving access to healthy diets is critical to eradicating hunger, improving food security and reducing malnutrition in all its forms. Not doing so will impede the progress countries can make towards SDG 2, which seeks to eliminate hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030. Malnutrition is also linked to poverty and other development outcomes, and hampers the achievement of otherSDGs.

Prevalence of stunting among children in Latin America and the Caribbean by country

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

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor-In-Chief:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

NO BUDGET MONEY TO MONITOR, AUDIT OIL SECTOR

ItshouldbeobviousbynowtoGuyanesethatthereisa

methodtowhatmayappeartobethemadnessofthe PPPC Government. It is not madness at all, but slicknessandtrickinesstakentonewlevels.

In a new oil producing nation ramping up production, spending billions upon US billions in exploration and operational expenses, it is expected that significant funds would be allocated in the national budget to facilitate continuing monitoring and audits of the ever-expanding oil sector Though that would apply elsewhere, Guyana has broken the mold, by exempting itself from any such consideration,standard.

Wehaveabudgetthatsmashespriorrecordsat$781.9B. The PPPC Government has made sure that it has allocated many billions to multiple areas, including education, health and,ofcourse,infrastructure.Inthelatter’scase,$136.1Bin the budget is for roads and bridges alone. Both represent a stepintherightdirection,buttheyalsoarethemechanismfor massive Governmental, contractual, and financial frauds. Giventhattherearesomanybillionsforroads,2023willbea feast for the fellows within the PPPC Government’s inner circle.

Thesamecanbesaidwithaccuracyandconfidenceonthe $94.4B for education, $84.9B for health, and $54.4B for Housing.Thesecanallhaveapositiveimpactonthelivesof Guyanese, but only on the condition that the bulk of those billions is actually spent on the sectors and projects identified. But amid all the grand numbers, and the grander words of the Minister of Finance, there is a glaring deficit, morelikeacriminallynegligentdevelopment,aboutbudget funds for the most significant area/sector Where is the money, any money, some money for the ballooning oil and gas sector, particularly to monitor and audit its costly activities?

If anybody going through this year’s national budget comes across money to monitor and audit the oil sector, we wouldwelcometheirpointingthattous.

It is doubtful that there would be anything to show us, because such an allocation is just not there in this year’s budget. TheFinanceMinisterhaslongshownhimselftobea man with not just a head for numbers, but also a mouth for comforting words.There is one drawback: the man’s words usuallydonotmeananything,theyarejustfillers,lackingin credibility and anything that relates to what is considered trustworthy

The record is that the budget presenter for almost six hours(heshouldgetamedalorastipendofabillionforthat alone)hadnotawordtoofferaboutbuildinghumanresource capacity to get in front of what is going on in our offshore oilfields, and with expenses among the top priorities. One would have thought that, with ExxonMobil’s endless capacity for rapacity and expense skullduggery, the PPPC Government and its senior leadership would be focused on doingwhatisnecessary,ifnotmandatory,toputthebrakeson ExxonMobil by having Guyanese equipped to dog the company footsteps, and to look over the shoulders of its people.

Healthy skepticism about what ExxonMobil operators aredoingintheoilfields,andwhattheyarebillingusfor,can onlyprotectandserveGuyana’sinterests.

ButthePPPCGovernmentisclearlymoresupportiveof ExxonMobil’sprosperity,thanitisofdoingwhatgetstothe bottom of whatever expense and operational shenanigans that ExxonMobil may be employing to trick and rob Guyanese. We have a very weak and hazy grasp of ExxonMobil’s machinations and manipulations, but the positionoftheGovernmentisthatitdoesn’tmatter,wedonot needtomonitorthecompany’sactivities.

Whenwedonotknow,thenwewillbehurtbadly When the Guyana Government plays the fool, then the Guyanese peoplewillpaytheheavyprices.

No budget money to monitor and audit the oil sector is remarkable in that it lays bare the incestuous relationship betweenthePPPandExxonMobil.

The burning of our schools is a despicable act

DEAREDITOR,

I was always of the opinion that the fiery end to our schools was the acts of arsonthesearelowdownand despicable acts that words cannot describe. To think thatpersonorpersonswould seek to burn down a school where over 500 of our children are there to receive an education to become worthycitizensoftomorrow, is most reprehensible Arsonists and other evil people are at work, they are underminingtheeducational and developmental programmes of our country. These demonic acts must be stopped!

As someone rightly said these evil people are purposefullyouttodenyour children an education and in return build a nation of

illiterates and criminals. But Imustsoundaresoundingno to their plans and tell them that they are not going to succeed!

Now that we are made awareofthemotiveandevil intentions of the arsonists, the authorities need to first find the arsonist/s and have thenfeelthebruntofthelaw, we must send a clear message that this sort of behaviour will not be toleratedinoursociety

We can ill afford to have such persons in our midst, andinthisregardwehaveto separate them from normal rightthinkingsociety.

There must be stiffer penalties for such actions, and in my book there is a recommendation for longer years in prison, if not a life sentence To burn down

structures meant for the education and development ofthenation’sfuturecannot, I repeat, cannot be treated lightly

LikeIsaidinmyopening statement, these burnings follow a definitive pattern when these destabilizing elementsareatwork,Icallto our attention those seemingly mysterious fires during election periods

These acts of arson surfaced during election time when dissatisfactionattheelection results run riot in some quarters, I say present day school fires are no different, they bear the signature statementsofthosetimesand the people who are of that backwardmentality.

It was Mrs Jagan who in the height of opposition protests, said “You have a

right to protest once you do so peacefully and in accordance with the law.” But some sections of the population who are of a decadent mentality cannot countenance a peaceful and legitimate protest, theirs is a blind fury as they go about those “ignorant” destructive acts,justburnanddestroy I must hasten to a close by saying the authorities have to stop this madness, establish CCTV cameras at all schools and public buildings in our country These ought to be placed at strategic locations and devices that are constantly monitored so that we can catch these subversives in theirtracksandputanendto itimmediately

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Growth with human development

is the signature of Budget 2023

DEAREDITOR,

In a nearly six-hour long speech to the Parliament of Guyana last evening, Dr Ashni Singh presented the largest budget in the history of the country The $781.9 billion is “fully financed with no new taxes”. More thanthat,itisadocumentof transformative proportions, meaning that when fully implemented it will help underwritethemovementof Guyana from a structurally dependent economy, to one that is both self-reliant and sustainable.

But economic change is not easy, nor does it work independentlyofothersocial structures and institutions in society This much has been well established in the academic literature on development.

In 1973, Charles K Wilber, then Chair of the DepartmentofEconomicsat the University of Notre Dame, made some observations that are germane to where Guyana stands today in terms of its development trajectory In the preface to part seven of The Political Economy of D e v e l o p m e n t a n d Underdevelopment, Wilber noted that “economic developmentisnotasmooth evolutionary process of change.Rather,itisapainful

process, which involves breaking up established ways of life and hurting many strongly entrenched vestedinterests(C.K.Wilber 1973/1979) While rapid modernization of the economic structure may be disruptive in the short term, the costs of maintaining the old economic order are worse,andthisespeciallyfor the poor and the powerless.

Thus, for Wilber, “ [ c ] c o n t i n u e d underdevelopment in bringing untold suffering to millionsofpeople”(Ibid).

B u d g e t 2 0 2 3 i s structured around two temporal rhythms. The first, a n d m o r e e a s i l y understandable are to be found in the new measures which, as is widely known, are intended to deal with problems in the short-term, or even consumption needs that must be addressed immediately On this score, Budget 2023 offers a list of substantive“interventions”.

Chief among them are –thetaxthresholdismoving from $75,000 to $85,000, ‘Because We Care’ Grants increases from $25,000 to $35,000, the school uniform grantstaysinplace,bringing total disbursements to students,to$40,000,thezero excise tax on fuel stays in place amounting to a

The PPPC Government looks out for ExxonMobil, and ExxonMobil looks out for the PPPC Government. No budget money to monitor and audit ExxonMobil confirm beyond a doubtthatthePPPCGovernmentisExxonMobil’slackeyand flunkey,anddonkeytoo.

significant subsidy for gasoline, the extension of freightrelieftothetuneof$6 billionisintact,$10billionis slated for the Part-time Jobs Program, Old Age Pension goes from $28,000 to $33, 000, benefitting 73,000 persons, Public Assistance moveto$16,000,removalof the 14 percent VAT on new all-electricmotorvehiclesis a massive cost-saving measureforconsumers,then there is the ‘increase in the writing down allowance applicable to all-electric motorvehiclesto50percent annually, in support of business’s investment decision to switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles’; this is combined withadecreasefrom45%to 35% on duty for new imported vehicle 1500CC and under; and not least, is the $800,000 flat tax on imported used vehicles under 1500CC. There is an additional $5 billion in measures aimed at countering cost-of-living pressures While the budgetary measures are for immediate human security needs, allocations in health, education, housing and water, human services, and agriculture get around 48% ofthe$781.9billion.

This means that more than half of the budget is aimed at direct human development to be realized within the next twelve months, or before the next budgetaryallocationsareput intoaction.

Put differently, the budget has significant expenditures that are an admixture of the investment and consumption functions. This model is within the historical development paradigmofwhatA.G.Frank and Barry K. Gills once labelled as “humanocentric” and “ecocentric”, thelatter,ofcourse,alluding to development that is mindful of the natural e c o s y s t e m s a n d environmentalsecurity

The long-term capital outlays of the budget fit within the classic PPP approach to development, which, as Minister Singh noted, are built on the principles of continuity, consistency, and credibility Even a cursory historical reflection would remind readers of long-term investments by PPP administrations that turned out to be monumentally important for the quality of life of the Guyanese people. Thinkoftheestablishmentof UG by Cheddi Jagan in 1963, or the building of the Hope Canal or Berbice Bridge under President BharratJagdeo.

The PNC under F Burnham also made longterm investments that still have value. The Demerara Harbour Bridge and the Soesdyke -Linden Highway were excellent long-term projects that continue to yield benefits daily The attacksonlong-termcapital

India and Guyana: Partners for Development

DEAREDITOR,

India will indeed be a mightypartnerforGuyanain Economics and Trade. It is one of the ancient civilizations and nations from which came a major portion of the Guyanese population and has an interest in being Guyana’s longstandingpartner

His Excellency the President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, with a Guyanese Team comprising of members from the Private Sector,recentlymadeavisit to India to create relationshipsinindustryand c o m m e r c e - S o m e monumental achievements were sign into various

M e m o r a n d u m o f

Understandings(MoUs). During this historic state visit to India, Guyana developed numerous collaborations in several areas such as Agriculture, Technology, Security, Oil and Gas, Education, Manufacturing, Human R e s o u r c e Development,Climate

Change, Health Care etc. This state visit also saw the President of Guyana receiving a number of high noble Indian honours inclusive of :Honorary DoctorateofPhilosophyand Management Studies from the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University in

Delhi, and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest civilian honour the Indian government grants to people of Indian origininthediasporaforhis contribution to politics and communitywelfare.

I welcome these partnershipswithopenarms, for India is the World’s largest democracy and is recognized as such globally It is also the world’s largest Englishspeakingnation.

First, Cooperation in Agriculture between Guyana and India for the exclusive production of millets in honour of the UnitedNationsdeclaringthe y e a r 2 0 2 3 a s t h e

The issue of cash grants

DEAREDITOR,

The minute Guyanese first heard the news that Guyanastruckliquidgold,a few Guyanese (lickerish?) have been licking their tongues,smackingtheirlips, rubbing their palms, rolling their eyes and started to dream about becoming overnight millionaires without having to raise a finger, move a foot or rub their head anymore, and not ponderinghowtomakeends meet with the honest earnings from their blood, sweatandtears!

This illusion took shape intheformofexploitingthe imagined opportunity of staying home and receiving free money from the Government without the burdenedeffortofphysically workingforaliving.Yes,the thought of receiving the suggested $1,000,000 annually per household is more than what low income Guyanese is taking home. Thisdesirousgift,wantinga boon dropped in the lap of theminimalminority,would resolvealltheirburdensand financial problems! This policy may qualify the economic theory of Direct Cash Transfer from the Oil and Gas revenue as a potential contributor towards the possibility of reducing (eliminating?) poverty Mindyou,nooneis

quantifying the basis of direct cash transfer on ‘condition’ but rather, evadingthetopicbynoteven mentioning about it being “unconditional.”

It’sinterestingtonotethe comments offered by those whoarenotsupportersofthe PPPCParty Wadingthrough themuddyfieldbackin2019 during the “Sanctimonious Granger” dictatorship, the Elder lent his ear to listen to the uncanny music made by the disturbing bugle, trumpeting the distorting sound of distant dissonance while trying to synchronize with the accompanying drummers, each beating a different rhythm. He had expressedtheviewthat“any increase of State revenues, whether it be from oil, gold, orwhatever,thoseadditional resourcesshouldconcentrate onsevenspecificareas,” Incidentally, none of them stipulated direct cash transfer While he admired

the likes of Dr. Clive Thomas, Dr David Hinds andLincolnLewis(Dr.?),he admonished them and sounded a warning (alarming?) in 2019 by advocating that the question of“cashtransfer”ismiredin interpretation He even illustrated a valid lesson he learntof“notspoilingpeople who are unwilling to help themselves ” The senior citizen as a teacher and preacher advised Guyanese to turn to the Bible for guidance, “There is an instructive story about the sower- Jesus tells us to choose the kind of soil that we would like to sow our faithon.”

Former President Granger proudly advocated the practice of “teaching a mantofish,insteadofgiving him a fish.” At a New York town hall meeting back in 2019, the media reported formerForeign Affairs (Continuedonpage6)

International Year of Millet (IYOM) This cooperation facilitates increase global production, better farming techniques such as crop rotation and promotes millets as an alternate food sourceintimesofincreasing demandforvegetarianfoods as it contributes to a healthy diet,andlandconservationin terms of its cultivation. It is primarily grown and consumed largely by c o u n t r i e s i n t h e subcontinents of Asia and Africa.

I must make mention here of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed betweentheGuyana Manufacturing and Services Association and NBR Cooling Systems Pvt Ltd (NBRofIndia)attheendof theGlobalInvestorsSummit inNewDelhi,India.

This agreement will identify and engage Guyanese companies or form consortiums to e s t a b l i s h a manufacturing/assembly plant in the engine cooling (automotive sector) of Guyana NBR has committed to allocating approximately USD

1million for this venture. Such a partnership will revolutionizetheautomotive coolingsectorinGuyanaand theCaribbeanRegion.

Dr Rosh Khan (II), the lead representative of the Guyanese Firm ACE Professional Services and Business Development Consultancy, also signed a M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding with the Indian Company Squadron with the goal of recruiting skilled Indian nationals for highly specialised roles to support the rapidly expanding oil and gas economicsectorinGuyana.

In addition, The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( F I C C I ) s i g n e d a M e m o r a n d u m o f

Understanding (MoU) that wouldallowforcooperation and understanding to promote bilateral trade and investment as well as business relations between IndiaandGuyana. Dr Rosh Khan,Councillor,GCCIand Mr ManishSinghal,Deputy Secretary, FICCI were the

signatories to this agreement.

Finally, MoU between the Guyana Office for Investments (GO- Invest) and ‘Invest India’, signed at the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi, India. An agreement which focuses on the s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f investment/economic relations between the two countries.

It allows for foreign direct investment, and creates a framework to promote the exchange of experience and relevant information between India andGuyana.‘InvestIndia’is the leading investment agencyintheWorld.Itisthe official investment promotion and facilitation agencyoftheGovernmentof India commissioned to facilitate investments in the country.

These economic and trade relations between Guyana and India will further strengthen the ties between the two counties. Guyana’sfuturewithIndiais bright as it forges ahead in thenewmillennium.

Sincerely, Hajji,Dr RoshanKhan

The budget is one for the people

DEAREDITOR,

It is important that we appreciate the 2023 Budget allocations, (791 billion), and what the general public should note is that this budget is being financed without any new taxes.That is remarkable. There are allocationsforallofGuyana to benefit. I have noticed a significant number of developmental projects presented in the budget in areas such as infrastructure, health, education, agriculture,etc.

Most outstanding is the 136 billion allocated to the development of roads & bridges, the faster travel times and bridged connections that the new roads will form most definitelywillbewelcomed. Itisalsorefreshingtosee1.4 billionbeingallocatedtothe

Culturesector Theculture& arts sector has been undergoing a delightful transformation since the current administration has taken over and I am excited to see what changes take placethisyear

The budget listed allocations that are too numerousformetomention individually, however, it is noteworthy the significant allocations for -Amerindian c o m m u n i t i e s T h e Government must also be commended for the past works done within Amerindiancommunities.

Evidently, the 2023 Budget is one for all the people of Guyana and I am excited to witness all the plans come to fruition and watchGuyanatransform.

Sincerely, RyanNewton

The issue of cash grants

Frompage5 Minister, Karen Cummings saying that, “President Granger is not in support of giving handouts but tying revenue from oil and gas to developmental policies and programmes such as free education.” Back in August 2018, the Guyana Standard quoted former Finance Minister Winston Jordan using this maxim to convey his perception of direct cash transfer,“Teachamantofish andhecanfeedhimselffora lifetime.Givehimoneevery other day, he will remain dependent.”

Again in 2018, former AFC member andAttorneyat-Law Nigel Hughes, warned a large gathering at Friendship Primary school that cash transfers could be used by Politicians to manipulate voters The media also quoted him saying,“Myfearisthatifwe start to talk about giving people cash, we are opening thedoorstoPoliticianstosay ‘I will give you more cash than the next one’ and you end up with a ridiculous election campaign of people being irresponsible about development because it becomesacompetitionabout who can give more.” In addition, he added, “I welcome that discussion but

I think we need to drag it to data otherwise we are going tobedazzledbythefantastic promises that are going to come from the political pulpit unrelated to reality and economic sustainability and that is a dangerous place,”hesaid.

Some studies done internationally by different research institutes in a number of countries, reveal adverse outcomes from directcashtransfers:reduced labor market participation, reduced economic activity, lackofinsuranceorsavings, increased risk health behaviors such as drinking, smoking and drug abuse, gambling, domestic upheavals, complacency, growth stagnation, etc. The distribution system may incur, exhibit and encourage diversion, theft and corruption.

The Government’s take is that cash transfers already exist in a number of areas: cash grants to every child in thesumof$40,000annually, $33,000 to Pensioners, $16,000 for Public Assistance, $600,000 for dialysis patients, $100,000 for disability persons, etc. Also in cash and kind, the Government is rolling out housing subsidies, free cement, low interest rates

with the banks, GOAL scholarships, free fertilizer for farmers, compensation for displaced sugar workers, fisher-folks, flood relief, COVID-19relief,etc.

Hinterland and riverine households enjoy special grants. Linden folks enjoy subsidized electricity Pensioners enjoy free water The PPP/C Government wantstoempowerGuyanese not only from the already mentioned media but more specifically by creating i n n u m e r a b l e j o b opportunities, building houses, giving them accessible education, providing free health services in each village, etc. The 2023 record breaking $781 9 Billion Budget, expansively,extensivelyand exhaustively, cover all the mammoth projects to be implemented this year so as to bring relief measures, reducethecostoflivingand provide and protect the man inthestreet.

According to Dr Tara Singh, former UG Senior Lecturer, “these programs makeapersonfeelsusefulto society Let’s be clear! If anyone is considered useless, no one would want to associate with him/her We empower people with jobs, housing, education, a

safe environment, social amenities and psychological comfort. These tools build self-esteem to restore confidenceinpeopleandnot necessarily handouts.” The PPPC Government has been spending massive sums in theseareasintheshortwhile of their governance. This is more than what the former administration did in their five years of prolonged agony to the Guyanese people. President Ali does not want to develop an entitlementsociety.

The Government has clearly stated that they are notaversetocashgrantslike in cases of flood, medical facilitation etc., but not as a nationalpolicy

In order for Guyanese to believe, identify and build confidence in themselves, the values just cited are the channels to make them r e s o u r c e f u l T h i s government is providing all theinfrastructuretomotivate Guyanese to get up, not lie down, work and earn so that theycaneat,drink,bemerry andbeproductivetosociety Like the labor man said, “Whenyoupullouttheoil,it finish.Isnotlike,bora,ochra andcallalothatyoucanplant back.”

Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall.

Growth with human development is the...

Frompage4 investments are not only uncalled for, but lack basic economicrationality.

Budget2023makesgood on key infrastructural projects.Chiefamongthese, is the NGL, Gas-to-Shore plant to be constructed at Wales on the West Bank Demerara.Theinvestmentof a little of $40 billion in this project will provide immeasurable benefits to consumers when completed. Electricitycostisexpectedto be cut by half, and cooking

gas is likely to drop by around 75%. As a transition energysource,therearealso important environmental benefits to be derived. Thousands of high-paying jobs will be created. The same benefits will accrue when the oil refinery in Berbiceisfinallycompleted.

Over$136billionwillbe spent on roads The Oppositionisfondofsaying thatpeoplecannoteatroads. While this is nominally correct, it is foolish in terms of economic development

where human-centered development is the priority. Aproper road, river, and air transportation network is criticaltofarmtomarketcost reduction, food security, reduction of travelling cost toworkandschool,accessto tourist/leisure facilities, accesstohealthcare,andthe reduction of lost labor hours due to traffic delays. Better roadswillalsocontributetoa reductionintrafficaccidents and fatalities. The strength of Budget 2023 is that it is human centered, and well grounded in the political economy of environmental sustainability Moreover, the budget avoids the decidedly irresponsible bias of those like Lincoln Lewis,

Opposition Leader Norton,

and the increasingly ellipticalAFC, who all want the Government of Guyana to become an ATM for all. The debates on these and other matters will no doubt begin in earnest come next Monday Finally, I was in Parliament for the entire budget speech, and would like to commend Dr Singh for keeping up his suave demeanordespiteastubborn cold. Praise must also be extended to the Opposition parties whose members, p e r s i s t e n t b a n t e r n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g , demonstrated good discipline and even better spirit of democratic engagement.

Sincerely, Dr RandolphPersaud

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

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

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

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

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

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

SICK OF SECRECY

There is the reality of secrecy to the point of national sickness in the oil sector.

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

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

Yet, for some strange reason, the President says that he is about transparency.

It could be that he is either sleepwalking or hallucinating.

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

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

Guyanese should beware: when secrecy reigns, then skullduggery results.

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

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

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

Secrecy will not bring prosperity, claims of transparency is the height of folly, comedy

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

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

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

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

Despite abundance of oil money, Government fails to ease cost of living burdens - Shadow AG

Despite the oil revenue backed 2023 budget being overfortypercenthigherthan last year's, it has failed to addressthehighcostofliving problems faced by the nation's vulnerable. Shadow Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Roysdale Fordesaidinapublicmissive yesterday that even “with an abundance of oil money, the Government has not put in place systems to ease the burden of the high cost of livingonthepeople.”

As the parliamentarians' gear for budget debates in a matter of days, the Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) is already registering his dissatisfaction with the government's proposed spending Forde described that budget as “a povertytrapintheoilandgas economy.” He said this year Guyana's economy is expected to grow by 100 per cent when compared to 2022 and 2021, but the majority of Guyanesearebeingleftout.

He said the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) continues to refuse

to negotiate with the Trade Unions in keeping with those workers' right to collective b a r g a i n i n g . “ T h e International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that in 2022, inflation in Guyana rose to 9.4 per cent (but) workers who received pay raises only got 8 per cent.” He said that public sector pay increase proposed by the Government is budgeted at $3billion in salary adjustments for healthcare workers and members of the disciplined services, but “the allocation is insufficient even for the identified categories ” He said public service workers go beyond the identified workers but they were not cateredforanincrease.

“Increasing the tax threshold by $12,000 is negligible when compared to the President and Ministers who continue to pay themselves increases when they pay ordinary workers, but their income remains tax free” Forde pointed out. He claimed that the sum allocated to the agricultural sector is not for the

development of ordinary farmers, fisherfolk and sugar workers, but an avenue for Government to channel money to the 'One Guyana' beneficiaries. “GuySuCo continues to be plagued by ineffectiveness and inefficiency. President (Irfaan) Ali must address his mind to fixing the ailing industry Throwing money behind it without a proper plan and allowing for poor management will not deliver successful results,” Forde warned.

He said that while education is a gateway to escape poverty, many are being deprived of it. “The allocated $3.7 Billion to the University of Guyana (UG) and $1 8 Billion to the Guyana Online Academy of L e a r n i n g ( G O A L ) p r o g r a m m e , w h i c h represents half of UG's sum, is misdirected,” Forde believes. He said the money given to GOAL should have been directed to the university and local educational institutions like the Critchlow Labour

Shadow AG and Legal Affairs, Minister Roysdale Forde

College, the Technical Institutes, and Trade Schools, while recruiting local educators and paying them more. Instead, 2023 is anotheryearwhenGuyanese are being denied free university education despite Article27oftheConstitution ofGuyanastipulatedthisasa right “and the country can more than afford to pay for its citizens' education A childgrantanduniformgrant could never be a substitution forqualityeducation,”Forde emphasized.

The MP related that the s u m a l l o c a t e d f o r infrastructure within the country represents a significant portion of the budget, but believes it was

d e l i b e r a t e s i n c e

“infrastructure presents avenues for corruption…”

He said the opposition and citizens have not forgot the corruption and money laundering revelations with Vice President Bharrat and missing Chinese Su Zhirong involving state assets Corruption has increased under the Ali government, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e Transparency International Corruption Index, Forde said. “(And) there is every reason for Guyanese to feel this budget, the largest ever in the country's history, could create possibilities for increasing corruption if PresidentAli does not return to the anti-corruption policy o f t h e C o a l i t i o n government.”

Guyanese want to see fairness by Government and many do not feel they are getting their fair share “Their views are not without justification The Budget was not about All Guyana, only about President Ali's 'One Guyana'. Mr Ali has ignored the calls of United States Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch to be inclusive and ensure shared prosperity He has ignored the inclusionary r e q u i r e m e n t o f t h e

Constitution. He has ignored the input from the political opposition and many stakeholders in society,” the Shadow AG informed. He opinedthat“the41.6increase inspendingisnotdesignedto address the 48 per cent of Guyanese who live on less than$1200perday,the49per cent of Guyanese who are poor, the Public Servants finding it increasingly difficult to have three square mealsonthetable,andkeepa roof over their heads when inflation has outstripped salary increase.” He said the 2023 budget is amazingly uninspiring and profoundly disappointing and one clear message in the Budget is that people do not matter; things do.

Senior Finance Minister Ashni Singh, highlighted a $10,000 increase in the income tax threshold, $3,000 increase in public assistance and another $10,000 hike for parents with children attending schools between the nursery and secondary levels in budget 2023 Persons requiring public assistance will now receive $16,000 monthly as well as the disabled, while pensioners will receive $33,000 a month The government has again set aside $5b for cost-of-living measurestobedetermined.

appointed General Secretary of PNCR Dawn Hastings-Williams

Long-standing member of the Peoples National Congress Reform, Dawn Hastings-Williams has been appointed General Secretary of the party following the resignation of Geeta Chandan-Edmond months ago.Thisannouncementwas made by PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton during the party's news conference on Thursday

“This opportunity is takentoinformthepeopleof Guyana that Mrs Dawn Hastings-Williams, MP, has been appointed General Secretary of the People's National Congress Reform. Mrs. Hastings-Williams is a long-standing member of our Party who is imminently qualified to serve as General Secretary. We wish Mrs. Hastings-Williams all the best as she performs the functions of the General

Secretary,” Norton said reading from a prepared statement at the news conference.

Norton speaking on her appointment said she has the integrity and a good relationship with the party andwithalltheregions.“She h a s t h e a c a d e m i c qualifications, she has the integrity In my opinion she hasbeenlongstandinginthe party and most importantly, she has a good relationship with all the regions and so in the party and those factors would have determined,” Nortonmentioned.

Hastings-Williams had served in several portfolios u n d e r t h e f o r m e r

APNU+AFC Government from 2015 to 2020.

Chandan-Edmond had submitted her letter of resignation to the party's Leader back in December

(PNCR),

Chandan-Edmond, a former Magistrate, was selected by Norton when he was elected Leader of the Party Norton had said that ChandanE d m o n d , p o s s e s s e d management and good human relations skills that made her suitable to be General Secretary of the PNCR.

New General Secretary of the People's National Congress Reform

Mrs.Dawn Hastings-Williams, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP).

PLAYING HOP-SCOTCH WITH POVERTY

BasedonGrossNational Income per capita (GNI per capita), Guyana is now an upper middle income country But you would not believe this if you reside in Guyana – living standards for the majority of the populationarebelowparand the signs of poverty are everywhere.

As a country graduates up the income ladder, its poverty line shifts upwards. This is why it is being reported that Guyana’s povertyrateisnow48%.The new poverty line relates to thoselivingbelowUS$5per day, as opposed to the old lineofUS$2.15perday So, it is not a case that more people have become poor but rather that the poverty line has been shifted upwards thereby accounting for a 48% poverty rate Using this new poverty line, Guyana’s poverty rate has actuallydeclinedfrom61%.

The new poverty line is an extremely deceptive measure Middle income countries, like Guyana, account for 75% of the world’spopulationofwhich, according to World Bank estimates, 62% live in poverty There is therefore nothing unusual about havinghighlevelsofpoverty (based on a poverty line of US$ 5 per day) in middle incomecountries.

Guyana, however, has always had a high incidence of poverty In 1999, for example, one in every three Guyanese were said to be living below the poverty line, and on in every five were existing in extreme poverty Butthisrepresented a reduction from the 1993 levels which showed a 43% povertyratewith29%ofthe populationlivinginextreme poverty Given the high

incidence of national poverty, past development strategies have always placed emphasis on poverty reduction One of the objectives of the National Development Strategy (NDS) for the period 20012010 was the elimination of poverty But this objective became marginalized under the Jagdeo administration which pursued a neo-liberal agenda which while reducing overall inequality did so at the expense of the poor Despite also identifying that poverty remains highest in rural and hinterlandareas,Jagdeowho is trained in rural developmentstrategyplayed hop-scotch with poverty reduction. Jumping on the internationalbandwagon,he failed to mainstream the NDS in the country’s economic development and instead,atthedictatesofthe IMF and World Bank, developed a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). But like the NDS, thePRSPwasnotintegrated effectively in national economicplans.

The Government then jumped on another international bandwagon; t h e M i l l e n n i u m DevelopmentGoals.Butthis wasmerelyforacademicand window-dressing purposes because the targets outlined were not pursued with any vigour And later the APNU+AFC adopted the Sustainable Development Goals While povertyreduction was prominent in all these plans, their broad scope deflected from a strongerandconcertedfocus onpovertyreduction.

The global pandemic, beginning in 2020, and the resultinginflationcrisishave worsened the plight of the

Dem Boys Seh...

poor in Guyana. You do not need a survey to realise this but surveys conducted by international agencies have pronounced that the present global situation has worsened poverty in Guyana The PPPC recognised the problem of poverty even before the onset of the pandemic However,inwhatpassesfor its Manifesto in 2020, it treated poverty-reduction as a non-issue, making no mention of plans to “alleviate, attenuate or eradicate” poverty But merely pointed to targeted cash transfers to elderly, childrenandthepoor

But the issue of poverty cannotbeignored.Sincethe onset of the pandemic the PPPC has been reminded of the increases in poverty caused by COVID-19, the rise in energy prices and the supply chain problems. As late as one month ago, the I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Development Bank again reminded Governments of the effects on poverty of these developments in the globaleconomy Itpredicted thatinLatinAmericaandthe Caribbeanmoderatepoverty would increase by 1.6% and extreme poverty by 1.8% casting almost 10 million personsintopoverty

Yet the Government of Guyanacontinuestooperate in a bubble, and has downgraded the priority which ought to have been given to poverty-reduction. The highest incidence of extreme of poverty is to be found within Guyana’s indigenouspopulation.

The government has signed a deal for the sale of carbon credits which will bringinbillionsofdollarsto the country but has apportioned a mere 12% to

FREIGHT DROPPING BUT PRICES RISING

De freight prices almost return to dem pre-pandemic level. But de prices in de storesnahdropyet.Dembusinessessehhow dem gat to get rid of dem old stock before demdropprices.

Degovernmentalsostillgatdemeasure in place where dem importers paying duty pun pre-pandemic freight cost. Dem boys wanknowhowdemeasurestillinplaceifde freightratesfalling. Demboyswaitingfuh see wah dem car importers gan do. De government drop de duty pun dem small engine car But yuh can bet yuh bottom dollar some of dem car importers gan still keep dem prices high. Dat is Guyana fuh you:pricesdon’tcomedown;itdoesonlygo upanditdoesgoupfasterdanyuhpaycheck. Dem boys remember de days when yuh

used to have dem shipping magnates walking on dem wharves. One day one of dem decide fuh tek a tour of he shipping operations. Hegodowntodedocksandhe seeayoungmanleaningagainstacontainer, lazingaroundanddoingnothing.De owner walk up to de young man and ask he, “Son, howmuchyuhdoesmakeeveryday?”

De young man reply, “Two thousand dollarsperday.”

De shipping magnate pull out he wallet and give de young man, two thousand dollars.Hetellshimtogetoffthedocksand nevertoreturnagain.Afewminuteslater,de shipping clerk asks de magnate, “By any chancehaveyouseenthepostofficedriver I askedhimtowaithereforme.”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

Guyana’s indigenous communities who are most affectedbyextremepoverty

The 2023 Budget Speech makes only a single referencetopoverty

And none of the measures which are summarised in the Budget speech are framed specifically as poverty reduction measures The adjustmenttotheincometax threshold and the ‘Because

We Care’ cash grants are listed as part of measures to increase disposable incomes. The expansion of the part-time jobs programme and the G$5B setasidearelistedascost-ofliving relief measures. So where are the poverty reduction measures in this year’s Budget? And for that matter where is the poverty reduction strategy of the Government?

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

JUSTICE NAVINDRA SINGH’S LIBEL WRIT AND MY APOLOGY

Justice Navindra Singh’s libel writ against me has come before the courts Justice Singh sued in November 2021 for my column I had written on November 19 2020 titled, “Nocivilizedsocietyshould acceptthislightsentencefor

a horrible murder ”

Presiding judge, Justice Sandra Kurtzious ordered mediation in the case and appointed a mediator As a result of mediation, an apology is to be offered to thejudge.Iherebyofferthat apology to Justice Singh. There was no intention to

defameJusticeSingh.

There was no intention of malice. There was never any intention on my part to put Justice Singh in any improperway

This apology is offered in the light of Justice Singh feeling aggrieved at what was written in the column. Therewasnothoughtonmy part of attacking the integrity of Justice Singh. I repeattheapologytoJustice Singhoncemore.

For the sake of

defending my integrity, I want to set the record straight that if I was requested to apologize in November 2021 by Justice SinghIwouldhavedoneso.

Inmy34yearsinthemedia, I have never refused to apologize. I believe it is the rightanddecentthingtodo. I received a letter from JusticeSingh’slawyerdated October 15, 2021 which s t a t e d ; “ I n t h e circumstances, unless you paydamagestomyclientin

the sum of (redacted) within 15 days of the date hereof, legal proceedings will be instituted against you…for defamation wherein my client will seek the true award of damages in excess of the sum of “My lawyer informed the mediator that theletterdidnotoffermethe opportunity to offer an apology It was not a letter forarequestforanapology

Hadit,thenIwouldhave donesoimmediately Ithank

m y lawyers for their probono work and repeat once more;IhadnomalicewhenI wrotethecolumn.

Iendwitharepetitionof myapology

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Guard accidentally shoots self, teen while clearing gun

A 20-year-old Security guardanda15-year-oldboy are currently patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)afteritwasalleged by the guard that while clearing his firearm, a shot accidentally went off hitting him then the teen thatwasnearby Police had reported on Thursday that the incident occurred around 22:00hrs on Wednesday on Robb Street in the vicinity of the B o u r d a M a r k e t Information reaching the policerevealedthatMohan Mootoo, the security guard wasemployedbyC.Mohan

Security Services just two weeks ago He told Investigatorsthatheisnota Supernumerary Constable andisalsonottrainedtouse afirearm. Hereportedthat Wednesday night he was performing duties at a stall on Robb Street owned by the teen’s older brother At thetime,hewasarmedwith a .9MM Taurus pistol and 10 live matching rounds of ammunition that were issuedtohim. Mootoosaid thathetookoutthefirearm from the waist of his pants to ‘clear it’ when a shot accidentally went off, which hit his left palm, exited and hit the 15-year-

oldboy,whowasatthetime assisting his brother at the stalltosell.

The teen of Newtown, Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) police revealed, was shot in his rightsideabdomen.

At the scene, checks were made for the spent shell, but none was found. The teen and Mootoo were taken to the GPHC where they are receiving medical attention. Theirconditions are listed as stable. While investigations are in progress, police stated that thefirearmandammunition have since been seized and lodged.

FrederickKissoon

Nigerian charged for State House attack

TheNigerianman,Bethel Chimezie, accused of staging an attack at State House last monthwasonThursdaylifted u p t h e G e o rg e t o w n MagistrateCourt'sstepstobe charged with attempted murder and discharging a loadedfirearmwithintent.

Chimezie, 25, a resident of Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was brought to the court around 13:00hrs and he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. He was charged with the attempted murder of a member of the Presidential Guard, Telon Perreira, and for discharging a loaded firearm with intent to harm another member of the Presidential Guard identified asQuacyCummings.

Itisallegedthatataround

07:30hrs on December 15, 2022 Chimezie went to State House and approached Perreirawhowasstationedat the eastern of State House facing Charmichael Street, Georgetown. He allegedly informed thathewasthereto seethePresident.

Perreira reportedly asked him if he had an appointment and he allegedly responded “yes”.Thepresidentialguard ranktoldhimtohaveaseatin the awaiting area of the security room while he made some checks to verify his claim. Chimezie obeyed but reportedly became agitated while waiting and attempted to force his way through the guard hut but Perreira blocked him from entering.

C h i m e z i e a l l e g e d l y responded by pulling out a black and silver knife from

Remanded, Bethel Chimezie

hisshoulderbagandstabbing Perreira.

They ended up in the scuffle and a female rank of the presidential guard who waspresentatthetimepulled out her Service Weapon but Chimezieallegedlydisarmed her Another member of the

Presidential Guard, Quacy Cummings,rushedoverfrom hispostclosertothesouthern gate and discharged three rounds at the accused Chimeziereturnedfireathim and then ran out of from the security room Cummings gave chase and fired another roundhittingChimezieinthe leg The accused was hospitalised and he later underwent a psychiatric evaluation which deemed himfitfortrial.

Chimezie during his court appearance was not required to plead to the indictable charges and was remanded to prison until January 26, 2023.According toreports,Chimeziehasbeen living in Guyana for a number of years and was recently employed by a cleaningcompanyinthecity Prior to the alleged attack on State House, Chimezie did not show up for work for ten days. His ex-coworkers had said that Chimezie did not

d e m o n s t r a t e a n y characteristics that would cause them to think he would commit such an act. “We were surprised seeing this on

thenewsbutheisresponsible for his actions…we never k n e w h e h a d s u c h intentions,” a workmate had said.

Bandits choke-and-rob man on Water Street

Two bandits were on

Thursday caught on CCTV cameras choking a man unconscious along Water Street as they grabbed his haversack and cashfromhispockets.

The attack took place on the pavement located at Muneshwers in the presence of vendors. One of the bandit sporting braids, dressed in a black and grey jersey and a multicolouredtrunksplacedthevictimina vice grip and squeezed as his accomplice dressed in a black jersey, and a black short denim pants searched through his pockets.As the victim passed out the bandit holding him in the vice-grip dropped him on the ground and grabbed his haversack before escaping with his accomplice.

The victim lay still for a few seconds and then began convulsing a s h e q u i c k l y r e g a i n e d consciousness. He managed to make it to his feet and walked away Police arehuntingthecriminals.

The two bandits who choked and robbed a man on Water Street.

Bethel Chimezie being lifted up the court steps

Faulty koker causes major flooding in Charlestown communities

Engineers from the N a t i o n a l Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) are currently working to put systems in place to relieve theintrusionofriverwaterin the Charlestown community due to a faulty sluice at P r i n c e s s S t r e e t , Georgetown.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, inspected the sluice to determine the cause. The Minister noted that after speaking with Engineers on the ground, it was disclosed that the issues faced at the koker were a result of faulty

work by the Contractor Last A u g u s t , S q u a r e Commodities signed a contract for just over $11.6 million with the NDIA for the fabrication and installation of a stainlesssteel door at the Princess Street Sluice. The contract wastenderedandawardedto the company following a public bidding process in keeping with legal stipulations set out by the Government of Guyana through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

MinisterMustaphawhile

expressing disappointment, said situations like these should never occur “We went through a very transparent process with these contracts The company submitted bids and was awarded the contract based on their submission. Today, when we are having very good weather, people arebeingaffectedbecauseof faulty work by the Contractor TheGovernment is now put in a position to create a solution because we have been entrusted with taking care of the welfare of all citizens of the country This is the first time we've

worked with this company and as Minister, I am very dissatisfied. When we took office, we made it clear that we want everyone to be given a fair chance to work with the Government and receive contracts but if you are not experienced or have experienced people working with you, you may find yourselfinasimilarsituation and we do not take these situationslightly,”henoted. He further stated that the NDIA has since been advised to terminate the contract and award an emergency contract to a company with more

Survivor of execution attempts in Guyana killed in French Guiana

Aformer murder accused who survived two execution attempts in Guyana was on Thursday shotdeadinFrenchGuiana.

The dead man identified as Edward Skeete popularly known as 'Pretty Boy' was seen in a cell phone recorded video lying motionless on a grass parapet beside a road andbleedingfromwhatlooks like a gunshot wound to his chest.

A blue scooter was seen close by and a group of women was seen trying to revive him as he lay still Skeete is a resident of Albouystown and has a lengthy criminal rap sheet in Guyana. He was charged with murder twice. He was freed from his second murder charge in 2018 after prosecutors failed to provide enough evidence for a jury to

convicthim.

Skeete first murder charge was in April, 2011. It was alleged that on April 27, 2011, at Crown Dam, Industry, East Coast Demerara, together with another, he killed Bedi Ramjewan and robbed him $2Mcash.Skeetehadtoldthe court that he was employed as a Carpenter and was a fatheroftwo.Hewas

(Continued on page 16)

experience. NDIA's Chief Executive Officer (ag) Dave Hicks and Senior Engineer, Timothy Innis are currently onthegroundmonitoringthe situation.Affected areas will be drained during the next lowtidelaterintheafternoon while works are ongoing to stop the intrusion from the Demerara River Engineers from the NDIA will also be monitoringthestructureona 24-hourbasis.

Meanwhile, in a separate release, the Department of Public Information (DPI) said residents of Werk-enRust, Charlestown and other

areas surrounding the Princess Street Koker are advisedtotakethenecessary precautions as the rising tide has caused some difficulties in the replacement of the Koker door, resulting in notable flooding. Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, led a team from the Ministry's Sea Defence Department to the area, where he gave the assurance that a collaborative effort will see work being conducted to resolve the issue.Hesaid, “We're in the peak of the tide, and they (Continued on page 16)

The team will be working assiduously to alleviate this issue once the tide turns

The faulty sluice at Princess Street

Reportedly Shot Dead in French Guyana, Edward Skeete also known as ‘Pretty Boy’

Edward Skeete lying on a Parapet in French Guyana

Ansa McAL officially adopts Parkside Steel Orchestra

-Donates$1Mtoband'sinitiatives

As part of its plan to fulfill its corporate social responsibility, Ansa McAl Guyana Limited has officiallyadoptedtheParksideSteel Orchestra, one of the nation's popularsteelbands.

The company handed over a $1 millionchequetorepresentativesof the steel orchestra on Thursday rebrandingtheband'theAnsaMcAl ParksideSteelOrchestra'.

At the handing-over ceremony, the Corporate Communication Manager of Ansa McAl Limited, Alleya Hamilton explained that the company has a three-year partnership with the popular steel band. “We will be supporting them throughout the year and the donation of one million dollars is given to them, so that they will be

able to offset all expenses such as purchasing new pans, uniforms, etc,”Hamiltonadded.

She explained that the company's main objectives are to highlight, support, and spotlight talented individuals in the orchestra.Shealsonotedthatitisan initiative that stems from the company's robust corporate social responsibility programme, which focuses on youth development and creating more opportunities for them.

Hamiltonadded,“Itisourvision to showcase this locally and internationally throughout the year, not only during the Mashramani festivities.”

She continued that “All the bands in Guyana are special and

unique in their own way, but this band specifically reached out to us and sought our support and sponsorship, and we like what they brought to the table as well. It is alsobecauseAnsaMcAlisinvolved in giving the youths the muchneededpushtheyrequire.”

Hamilton also thanked the Government for encouraging the private sector to invest in public events. She said that last year,Ansa McAl sponsored the Band-on-the-

BeachCarnival.

She said, “We enjoyed what we saw there and we have now decided to give Parkside a chance ”

Hamiltoncontinued:“Aspartofthe private sector, we are absolutely happy that President Ali has urged us to come on board and invest in thelivesofyoungpeople.”

Managing Director of Ansa McAl(Guyana)TroyCadogan,said the company believes it is the opportune time to showcase its

continued support for the arts and culture in Guyana with the return of the Panorama competition for the Mashramani celebrations The Chairperson of the Parkside Steel Orchestra, Kelisha Edwards said the band is pleased with the support and partnership that have been extended from the Ansa McAl Company She said the donation will be used to restart some of the initiatives of the band which were affectedbytheCovid-19pandemic.

Four GTT customers drive away with new cars

Four GTT customers on Wednesday drove away with the grandprizeofanewToyotaRaize asthecompanyconcludedits“Tis theSeason”Christmaspromotion with a big celebration at its 55 Brickdamlocation.

The winners are: Ackulara ThomasfromLindenandCallace Isaac from Vergenoegen , who both activated a social plan, Sunita Gossia from WerK-EnRust who paid her GPL and DSL bill using mmg+ and Dwayne Thom from Uitvlugt who registeredforFibreservice.

The promotion ran for eight

weeks and ten customers out of several thousand who qualified, were contacted for a grand draw after a preliminary process witnessed by auditors. Ackulara Thomas who was the winner of the first car, said that she has been a GTT customer for over ten years anditwillbethefirsttimesheowns a car “I'm so excited… I'm a motheroffour,I'mselfemployed,I have a small business and I do charitable work as far as Berbice. I have a motorbike but it is the first time I will own a car,”Thomas was

quotedinapressbythecompany Collace Isaac, the winner of a car also, said that he enjoys using GTT's social plans and activated several bundles over the holiday season to enter into the promotion.

“The plan is great and you get a lot ofdataatalowcost,soIlikeitvery much. Iusuallydon'twinanything in promotions so I didn't dream of winning a car”. The customers whowererandomlycalledonstage, were challenged to reach into sealed boxes on a wall until they wonaprize.

Latoya Mc Intosh, from Annandale, ECD, qualified by paying her GTT Fibre , GWI and GPL bill via mmg+ and walked away with a 43 inch television.

“I'm over

I

three

Maharanie Budhu

a

Ester

company

joyed,

have

children and this is an early birthday gift from mommy”. Four other customers also won consolation prizes.

won

bicycle,

Persaud won a 55” television , while Berindra Nauth won a 43” television and Yvonne Kissoon rodeawaywithanelectricbike.

Throughout the promotion many customers also won several other prizes, including mmg+ cash and shopping vouchers The

is now preparing to launch a new promotion for its 32nd Anniversary in a matter of days.

One of the winners, Collace Isaac, is pictured with his new car.

Some of the other winners in the GTT promotion

Winners of the four cars pictured with GTT and BM Soat representatives

Ackulara Thomas, a winner of a new car is pictured with Senior Public Relations Manager, Jasmin Harris, during the grand draw

Fire Fighter, Latoya Mc Intosh, receives her prize from Product Marketing Manager of mmg+, Diana Gittens

Representatives of the Ansa McAl and Parkside Steel Orchestra at the handing-over ceremony

CDB Forecasts Caribbean Economic Growth of 5.7% in 2023

Vice President of the Caribbean Development Bank, Isaac Solomon, on Wednesday said that regional growth of 5.7 % is forecastfor2023.

This is based on the continued revival of tourism arrivals and investments in the energy sector, Solomon said at a news conference of the bank. The performance is, however, subject to some risks associated with Advanced Economies which are on track to register lower growth relative to 2022 “Looking ahead,” he added, “for 2023 we project that,

despite facing multiple challenges, Borrowing Member Countries' (BMCs) economic performance will continue to improve over the m e d i u m - t e r m W h i l e cautiously optimistic about the near-term outlook and recognising the uncertainty regarding the war in Ukraine, it is difficult to estimate growth with a large degree of certainty.”

Examining the economic performance of the Bank's BMCs in 2022, at the CDB's AnnualNewsConferenceon January18,inBarbados,Mr Solomon indicated that

increased economic activity spurred strong regional economic growth that averaged 10 3% largely because of increased energy production in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, higher international oil prices in commodity-exporting countries and economic growth of 4.6% in tourismdependent countries. This performance, he stated, helped buoy increased Government revenues and improvedfiscalpositions.

According to the Bank Executive, the challenges associated with past

ECD bond owner receives insurance settlement following fire

Raj Singh Insurance Brokers on Wednesday handed over a cheque representing a fire claim s e t t l e m e n t t o Z a i d Mohammed,theownerofan East Coast Demerara bond which was gutted by fire last yearNovember

In a press release Raj Singh Insurance Brokers recalled the fire which occurred late in the afternoon of November 28th 2022. The company said Mohammed from ZAID MOHAMMED & SONS

TRADING suffered a multimillion-dollar loss to his bondsituateatLot9Felicity, EastCoastDemerara.

ZAIDMOHAMMED& SONS TRADING is an importer and distributor of quality building materials and supplies. “This unfortunate incident devastated the entire bond building and the inventory withinthebondwhichhadto beeventuallydeclaredatotal loss,”thebrokerstated.

Business Development Manager (ag) of RAJ Singh Insurance Brokers , Loakendra Ramdeo, presents the claim settlement cheque to Mr. Zaid Mohammed at his store in Felicity, East Coast Demerara.

reasonably well

through

broker,

CONSULTANTS INC, with DIAMOND FIRE & GENERAL INSURANCE CO LTD “Losses that involve inventory or stock are usually a little more complexandtime (Continued on page 16)

Cummings Lodge man shot by men on motorcycle

Police are investigating the alleged shooting incident which left a 24-year-old resident of Cummings Lodge nursing a gunshot wound to his chest after he was attackedbytwomenonamotorcycle.

The injured man, Steven Surujbally of Third Street, Cummings Lodge was shot around 20:30hrs onWednesday He reported that on Wednesday night he was walking going home in his street when two men rode uptohimonamotorcycle.

He recalled that as they reached him, they stopped, dismounted the motorcycle, and walked up to him. Surujballi said he suspected the men wanted to harm him and

as a result, he had a scuffle with them and duringthescuffle,thepillionriderpulledout a handgun from his left side pants waist and discharged a round at him, which hit him on hischestandexitedhisrightsideback.

He stated that the suspects then jumped onto the motorcycle, rode away in a southerly direction and escaped. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) personnel, where he is presently being treated.

His condition is listed as stable. Police said that several persons were questioned, butnoarresthasbeenmade.

economic performance and global conditions place the region at a critical juncture, adding that the impact of p r o t r a c t e d s h o c k s compounded the Region's socio-economic difficulties. CDB is lending much needed support to its 19 BMCs through its diverse portfolioofloansandgrants. The Bank, in 2022, disbursed USD 292 5 millionacrosstheregionand approved 15% more grants and loans during that time totaling USD 158.1 million. There are currently over 65 CDB financed projects under implementation regionally Therearefocused on youth, agriculture, water, education, infrastructure, renewable energy, gender, trade,transportation,climate c h a n g e , M S M E development and the creative sector among others.

Beyond CDB's direct financial support to weather the period ahead, the Vice President also shared some recommendations which could be implemented to aid in growth and development

and increase resilience of Caribbean economies and societies This includes supporting comprehensive debt management strategies, p u b l i c f i n a n c i a l management, and promoting access to adequate and affordable financing, promoting gender equality, women's reintegration into the work force and the p r e v e n t i o n o f discrimination, promoting a privatesectorecosystemthat h a s i n n o v a t i o n , diversification, financial inclusion of the most vulnerable, key priority actions in strengthening

governance capacity to d e l i v e r t h r o u g h implementation of crosssectoral policies and programmes, and protecting the poorest as well as revolutionising digital infrastructure and technical p r o f i c i e n c y a n d m a i n s t r e a m i n g environmental sustainability andclimatechange.

T h e B a n k , h e emphasised, is a willing partnerseekingnew avenues and opportunities to fund the region's growth and development. While more capital is required, much moreworkalsoliesahead.

Dr. Balwant Singh's Hospital Announces new Pap smear service

Dr B a l w a n t Singh's Hospital on Thursday announced that it is now providing “Liqui prep- Pap Smears” more formally known as Liquid based cytology- LBC- where samples are collectedvia use ofacytobrush.

“We are also offering HPVco-testsimultaneously We are the first institution in Guyana to offer this modern papsmearanalysistechnique with results in 3 days,” the hospital said in a press release.

A pap smear is a technique whereby a smear (sample slide) is prepared fromcellsthatarebeingshed normallyfromthe“mouthof the womb” (the cervix) These cells are studied for pre-cancerousandcancerous changes in order to aid early detection and subsequent treatmentasnecessary

According to the hospital, the new Liqui prep pap smear has many advantages. “ It is a faster and more efficient method, provides more accurate interpretation,lessobscuring materials such as blood,

mucous, inflammatory cells in smears and the use of residual cell suspension for t e s t i n g f o r h u m a n papillomavirus (HPV) DNA immunohistochemistry is available if needed The results for these tests would beavailablein3days.”

The hospital said too that the incidence of cervical cancer worldwide is second only to breast cancer and accounts for approximately 75% of all recorded cases in the developing countries Since the 1940s the conventional cervical smear technique (collected with a spatula) has been used for screening of cervical cancer but because of high falsenegative rates due to sampling errors, presence of obscuring materials, screening and interpretation errors, in addition to morphologic changes due to radiotherapy in patients with recurrent disease the i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f conventional Pap test results hasbeenextremelydifficult.

Cancer of the cervix is uniqueinafewways.Firstly, the pre-cancerous stage is easily detected if one

undergoes regular Pap smears and secondly, cancer of the cervix has been linked to Human papilloma virus infection(HPV).Thishasled to cancer of the cervix being equated to a sexually transmitteddisease.Thisfact has also led to the development of the HPV vaccine which is also widely known as the “Cervical Cancer vaccine”. Given this fact it is important to note that Liquid prep Pap smears also facilitate a one-step test used to diagnose HPV infection.

It is advised to do PAP testing every three years for women 21- 65 yrs old or every five years if combined withHPVco-test.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month, andweencourageallwomen to educate themselves on prevention and early detection of cancer of the cervix and its pre-cancerous stages. As we have done in many areas in the past, we are happy to pioneer this technique in Guyana with an unbeatable turnaround time (time to get results) of three days.

The Caribbean Development Bank's (CDB) Vice President (Operations), Mr. Isaac Solomon

WANTED

Driver, Salesman & Porters to work in warehouse. Must have experience, attractive salary offered. Call: 6964444.

Driver/ Salesman, Bakers, Pastry Makers, Puri /Roti Makers & Receptionist. Back to Eden Bakery,85 David St, Subryanville. Call: 613-0475/ 613-0385.

One Kitchen Assistant and Delivery Boy needed. Call: 223-5021/ 223-1531.

Taxi Drivers needed at Princess Taxi Service, Ramada Hotel. Call: 265-7075/ 76 or 616-5419, 690-2242.

One experienced Canter Driver and Porter required, 25-45 yrs. Call: 642-9191/ 231-1408 between 8am-1pm.

Wanted: Experienced Supervisor, Cashier, Counter Person , Cooks and Labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts.

Two able-bodied Porters needed to work in grocery store, $4000 per day, six days a week. Call: 223-9677/ 6773406.

Vacancy at People's Choice Kitchen for two night Cooks, Kitchen Assistant and Counter Staff. Call/ WhatsApp: 679-9449.

Driver and Expediter Security required. Call: 2235273/ 223-5274.

Welders and Security required. Call: 687-5814/ 688-0417.

Dump Truck Driver required. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Handyman and Porters required. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Waitress and Bartenders required. Attractive salary offered, Call: 223-5273/ 2235274.

Male & Female needed to work in factory. Apply to RP'S Enterprise Area, "K" Le Ressouvenir E.C.D. Call: 220-2818.

One male able-bodied Clerk required. Call: 231-2029, 6706210.

One Female able-bodied Worker required. Call: 2252313/ 658-8559 or 226-1497.

Urgently need one female Cook to work in a fast food shop in the Interior. Call Miss Johnson: 698-5526.

WANTED

One General Worker, Handyman and Maid required to work at Hilton Hotel. Call: 225-9211.

One live-in elderly female Caretaker for a special needs person. Call: 630-0961 after 5 PM.

Two Goldsmiths required at Percy Nurse, Lot 15 First St, Alexander Village. Contact: 225-8411/ 661-7341.

VACANCY

Vacancy exists for Salesgirl and Porters at Best Buy Food Supplies, Lot 1 ‘E’ Dennis and Middleton Streets C/ville. Apply in person with written application.

Maid required to cook and clean in East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

One General Domestic needed, must know to cook. Apply with written application at Keyfood, McDoom Village next to the Post Office.

FOR SALE

Houses for sale. Location: Tuschen, Providence, Diamond/ Little Diamond and Haslington. Call Pacific Development Inc: 6736210/ 227-8274/ 917771-5202.

Six Black & Tan German Shepherd pups, fully vaccinated. Tel# 650-9998/ 6260953.

CAT 320 excavator buckets, CAT 320 idler, road painting machine.Call: 275-0367/ 6837225.

Ton and a half - Dragline hammer, steel Traylor 16ft, 2ft, 8ft. CAT 215 excavator parts. Call: 275-0367/ 6837225.

Able-bodied Porter/ Salesman needed, must have CXC Maths & English, with neat handwriting. Apply at Keyfood, McDoom Village or Call: 629-7426.

Delivery Clerk, Office Assistant, Sales Clerk & Labourer needed. Apply @ Lens Hardware, Call: 2271511/ 645-1613.

Carpenters, Labourers, Masons & Skilled Men needed, wages $7,000-$10,000 per day & Labourer, 5-6 K per day. Call: 650-1394, 692-7110.

Experienced Kitchen Assistant, Cashier & roti/ puri Cook. Apply at Hack's Restaurant, 5 Commerce Street, GT.

Lathe Operator, Welder & Handyman required. Call: 645-9333/ 220-6078.

Driver required, ages 23-50 yrs. Must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles and must have car and van licence. Call: 645-8443/ 6429823.

VACANCY

Administrative Assistant required. Must have CXC Maths & English along with experience using Quickbooks. Send resume to info@rstruckinggy.com

Hotel Attendant required at Hick's Ville Hotel. Call: 6400673, 231-0951, 227-7714, 223-3448. Email: info@ vegeworld.net

Able-bodied Porter/ Driver, Must have Lorry License and Office Clerk, CXC Maths & English required. Call Telles Steel & Hardware: 231-3265, 226-6771.

Inventory / Data Entry Clerks required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street . Tel: 6092995. Email applications: survival.humanresources@ gmail.com

Western Union CSRs required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Call: 609-2995. Email: survival.humanresources@ gmail.com

Supermarket AM & PM Sales Representative required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Call: 609-2995, Email: survival.humanresources @gmail.com

Experienced Accounts Clerk required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Call: 609-2995, Email: survival.humanresources @gmail.com

Vacancy Exists For two Experienced Dispatcher At Confidential Cabs. Call: 695-1961 /231-5784.

ECD bond owner receives insurance settlement...

From page 15 consuming if the records are destroyed in the fire but in this case it was not.”

The company said it is highly recommended that stock records should always be backed up and kept away from the risk location so that the quantum of the loss can be easily determined if or whenever there is a fire or other material damage loss.

“Less than two months has passed since this fire and we are pleased to announce that the claim was fairly settled by the insurer on January 18, 2023. Mr. Mohammed has already commenced his rebuilding efforts at this location so that his business operations can continue as seamless as possible with minimal disruption,” the statement concluded.

Kaieteur News had reported that the bond was stocked with thinners, sheet rack, ply-board and other hardware materials. Speaking to reporters at the scene of the fire, Businessman Zaid Mohammed had related that

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari hotel located at WBD (Versailles, Vreed-enHoop)- A/C, all amenities and breakfast included, from $63 US. Call: 264-29469.

he was in office when he received a phone call around 16:30hours informing him about the fire at the bond. Mohammed stated that he immediately contacted the fire department who responded to the emergency call. The businessman added that at the time of the fire none of his six employees was at the warehouse. “I don’t know if it’s electrical, but it could be electrical,” Mohammed said.

Faulty koker...

From page 13 have encountered difficulty. In some instances where I have just inspected, the water has already started to come into some people'syards, and even those who are living on the bottom flats could be affected.” He noted that the team had begun to replace the wooden Koker door with a steel one for added strength. This task had been in progress since Saturday last, but difficulties arose with the tide. As a result, the door was unable to stop the onslaught of water from filling the drains.

EDUCATION

“All the Engineers from the Drainage and Irrigation Authority, with support from the Ministry, are here. A solution will be found as soon as the tide changes, I am advised that they will take out the steel door, and they will put back in the old wooden door as a mechanism, until they can get the challenge they have faced rectified.” Meanwhile, he engaged with some residents in an affected community, informing them of the situation and urged them to take the necessary precautions.

From page 13 remanded but later freed in 2015 after a jury returned a unanimous verdict of notguilty. It did not take long for him to wind up in jail again.

FOR RENT

2 and 3 Bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments for rent, short term and long term. Tel:# 682-2585, 6911432.

12 self-contained rooms, 2 bedrooms bottom flat, 8000 sq ft and 900 sq ft for business. Call Ray's Realty: 6279685.

Manufacturing Company is now hiring. No experience needed, attractive compensation and incentives offered, Mon - Fri, 8am -5pm. Call: 226-2621.

Room Attendant and Receptionist needed at 233 South Road Lacytown, ages 2550. Call: 225-0198.

One live-in Housekeeper to work in Providence. Call: 680-3678.

Start a career in the hotel industry! One General Worker needed at Guesthouse in Land Of Canaan. Call: 6680306/ 676-0506.

Driver and able-bodied Handyman/ General Help needed. Must have at least 5 years experience. Email: ateeyyeaali@gmail.com/ mandaitwaru@gmail.com Call:+592-225-9409,+592502-9466.

Servers and Office Manager required. Manager must be willing to organize and coordinate administrative duties. Email applications: ateeyyeaali@gmail.com/ mandaitwaru@gmail.com or Call: +592-225-9409,+592502-9466.

SERVICES

Visa Application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements.

Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

ENTERTAINMENT

Swimming pool, family fun, crystal clear pool, kids and adults sections at Aracari Resort, Call: 264-2946-9.

Payless Variety Store is now hiring Sales Representatives and Porters. Location: 42 Wellington ST, Georgetown. Call: 658-4494.

Inventory/ Housekeeping Clerk required, must be computer literate and have at least 3-4 CXC subjects. Apply @ Star Party Rentals, 21 Craig St, C/Ville GT.

One CRV Honda, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage $3.3M negotiable. Contact:649-0956.

PEN PAL

Indian overseas male seeks female, age 35-40 and must be educated. Call: 602-9975.

That same year he was accused of gunning down Rayon Clementson, 27, a resident of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD), at Turning Point, Tucville, Georgetown. He had turned himself in and was freed in February, 2018. The following year he was under the radar again but for armed robbery. It was unclear if he was convicted but in February 2020 he was before the courts again for resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. He was released on bail and later in August that same year, he survived an execution attempt at a party held at Magic City on Garnette Street Kitty. It was reportedly the second attempt on his life. He was hospitalized in critical condition but had recovered and reportedly fled Guyana sometime after.

CSEC online maths classes are provided by qualified Teacher for January 2024 exams $10,000 monthly. Call: 603-9085

‘GECOM Chair goes it alone’

…unilaterallycreates,makesappointmenttonewtemporarypost

Op p o s i t i o n

Commissioners

have raised concernsoverthecreationof a temporary administrative post by Chairman of the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) Justice Claudette Singh (retired) to carry out the functions of the Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO).

Commissioner Vincent Alexander told the Kaieteur News that the GECOM Chair not only created the temporary Operations Coordinator post to overshadow the DCEO office,buthasalsoselecteda less suitable person to hold the position despite some eight applications sitting in the system for over six months.

Alexander told the newspaperthattheGECOM Chair has no authority to createpositionsortoappoint personstoseniorposts.“She hasdonebothandindoingso while the Commission was kept in the dark from

ByGHKLall

November 9, 2022, to January 10, 2023 ”

Alexander said the temporary position “is approximate to that of the DCEO which they have not filled although there are applicants dating back over six months. So, they filled the temporary position with an applicant for DCEO who is less suitable than other applicants including one whoisalongservingofficer of GECOM,” Alexander explained

He highlighted that GECOMneverhadaposition called the Operations Coordinator He said it was done by the GECOM chair without reference to the Commission

Alexander said that the Commissioners only learnt aboutthenewpostwhenthey happened to see a carbon copytothenewoffice

When questions were asked of the Chairperson regardingthepost,Alexander saidtheywereinformedthat they would receive all documents about the

placement What was received,hecontinued,wasa letter of approval for the OperationsCoordinatorpost and the job description

Alexandersaidthatbasedon the job description, the office’s functions take on that of the DCEO. He said that the Opposition backed Commissioners on more than one occasion reminded of the empty DCEO post in the past and requested the Chairtoactonthematter To that,Alexander claimed that the Chair insisted that she was preoccupied with preparations for the Local Government Elections and would be looking at the matterlater Itwaspuzzling to the Opposition

Commissioners, Alexander said, when they later learnt that the GECOM’s Informational Technology (IT) Manager had been selected for the Operations Coordinatorpost.

This individual had also applied to be the DCEO but lacks the experience to hold the senior position. It is

Chief Elections Officer

(ACEO), with the knowledge and experience of the job should have been engaged.

him being unable to attend meetings in that capacity When asked about the Opposition’sresponsetothe current situation, Alexander said they are uncertain of “recourse since they (GECOM) are seeking to vote retroactively on the matter.”

th

erefore unclear how the IT Manager was selected for a post covering the task of the DCEO when there were more suitably qualified applicants. Alexander reasoned, that GECOM’s current CEO had related the pressure he was under in fulfilling his tasks and had notedtheneedforassistance.

Alexandersaidthatifthe intent was to provide the assistance to the CEO, then the more suitable Assistant

He said reasons of experience and long service to the GECOM were related as to why the currentACEO should hold that post Alexander said the same consideration should have beengivenratherthanhiring a technical staff to act in the administrative position Alexander believes that there was a deliberate attempt by the Chairperson and others to hide the hiring of the technical staff. He explained that there were instanceswhentheactingIT Manager sat in GECOM meetings for the Manager and when he asked the reason for the acting IT Manager sitting in for the Manager, the response was thatthetaskwas“delegated” tohim.

Alexander says he now understands that since then, thetemporarypostwasfilled by the IT Manager, hence

His understanding of the retroactive vote, Alexander said, is that the post is now filledandGECOMwillvote to backdate the holding of the post.Alexander believes however,thatthecreationof the new post is part of a structured move to have a certainpersonfilltheDCEO post.Heopinedthatsincethe ITManagerlacksexperience for the post, the trick is to have him work in the OperationsCoordinatorpost togainparticularknowledge andexperiencethatwillthen increase his changes of securing the DCEO job Alexander described the situation as “contrived” as with other situations where normal procedures were not followed by the GECOM in

Ministry of Education: A source of concern

The Ministry of Education has some problems, could use some refurbishing,asitstrugglestocope. Huge amounts of the national budget have been earmarked for different priorities, and there are these developments that alarm; they trickle from the heights Thingsarenotastheyshouldbe.

The Ministry has been about a programofhostilityandaggression at Teachers. Tone and postures have conveyed what should not be in a sector involving children. There is arrogance, acidity, abrasiveness, and aggression from the Ministry, which has set the stage, the culture, for resolving troublesome issues. When there is this degree of haughtiness and disdain in this field, then what follows follow In compounds, in classroom, in conversation, and working relationships The brawlingculturesaturatesandtakes hold, with some taking matters in theirownhandsintheworstway

My position is unambiguous: no parent has any place in a classroom, especially self-control has fled,their intentions are pugnacious; ruinous to the ambience necessary for learning, grooming, preparing, imbuing, readying for future challenges Anyparentthatstepsawayfromthe line of the headmaster’s or headteacher’s office has already progressed into no man’s land.

Penaltiesmustbeswiftandsevere: charges, fines, possibly suspended jail time, or community service time. There must be willingness, and steeliness, at the Ministry of Education to make examples of those exhibiting indiscipline, rowdiness, and the searing lawlessness now the norm throughout Guyana, from the most prestigiousplacesothelowest. We must deploy what will serve as effectivedeterrentstoinvasionsby enragedparents,whotrampleupon custom, tradition, and what no thoughtful, temperate citizen should ever accept Now, I understand that parents who barge intoschoolsmighthaveunderlying infuriating circumstances prompting. Still, descent into the appalling and vulgar can never be understood, ever condoned; not when the guardians of classroom andyoungareattacked,brutalised. We are either an orderly and respectful society, or we are not. Now,Ireadthatviolentparentsrisk their children being expelled Exaggeration, perhaps, since the new Chief Education Officer’s release on January 11thspoke of “transfer”.

Maybe, expulsion by another name. Wedon’tpunishjuvenilesas adults, even when they maim and kill in heinous fashion. Identities areprotected,theStateandthelaw make provisions for the young, even in highly unpardonable

GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander GHK Lall

situations. Still, I can live with “transfer any learner out of a school” if protocols are violated, parental mayhem ensues Nevertheless, I caution that in civilized societies, children are exempt from the vicissitudes of political and governmental overreach.

Separately,Ihearthateducation isthekeytoourdestiny,theproofof our maturity, sagacity, and commitment to disciplined duty I agree. It must start from the pinnacle of the Ministry of Education. This is what becomes culture,practice,thenorm,withthe top leading the way by example. Some sincerity, a little humility would help, catch on, even be applauded. Not everything has to be politicized, through attitude,

body language, comportment WhentheMinistryofEducationso operates, then disrespect and disregard travel in both directions.

People(parents,children,officials, even teachers) believe that anything goes. On another note, four fires involving schools would have been the kiss of death, the death march out the door. Three structurescompletelydestroyedby fire, and the wing of another one vanquished. Somebody has to be responsible, notwithstanding agreement about accidents, or negligence, or faulty wiring, or surges, or possible accelerants.

The only mitigating condition would be that of deliberate human intervention, with the worst of objectives. Whenissueslikethese keep rearing up their ugly heads, then heads must roll, with no head exempt. Separately,Iwasataloss regarding how a small fire in a science laboratory can repeat itself into a full-blown catastrophe days later at the same facility Now, I readofthissinisterdevelopment

about arson. Who, why, by what instrumentality, to what objectives? Tough justice must prevail.

Last,IpassedbytheoldCentral HighSchoolonSmythStreet,and was taken aback to notice an impressive looking building complete with a proud signboard announcing an office of the MinistryofEducation.

The ministry’s premises may be congested, but to dislocate hundreds of children from any institutionoflearning,(andaGrade Aonetoboot)underthepretenseof no space, to make way for the bureaucracy earns the categorization of not mismanagement at its worst, but calculatedcallousness. With$94.4 billion allocated to the education sectoritispartytime.

That is, the vulgar contractual corruptions,andthepoliticalones.

Considering all this, it is time for some changes at the Ministry of Education. Starthigh,startsooner thanlater

‘Hardback men’ warned: Uncle jailed for raping two underage girls

(TRINIDADEXPRESS)

“DESPITE how girls may seem, grown, hardback men oughttoknowanddobetter.

“Leavethegirlsalone,if not for their sakes, for your own.”

This was the stern warning given by High C o u r t j u d g e L i s a Ramsumair-Hinds to potential offenders and the mansheyesterdaysentenced

for the rape of his 15-yearoldnieceandher12-year-old cousinbackin2014.

The two girls had an argument with a relative while in Laventille and decided to run away. The teenager called her uncle askinghimtostaywithhim.

As part of the sentence, themanistoregisterasasex offender and report as such for five years.As she spoke

about the seriousness and prevalence of the offences during the virtual hearing, the judge said that, in this “littlecountry,”therearetoo many reports of missing teenage girls who are then discovered to be in the presence of full-grown men, andsometimeswomen.

Ramsumair-Hindssaidit isalsolaterfoundthatsexual intercourse took place

between adult men and children.

“Regardless of the folly bound up in the minds of children and young people, in spite of their immature infatuations and their undeveloped awareness of theirownsexuality,however thatmaylookphysicallyand however forward these girls mayseemtosomeofus,itis the grown, hardback men who are expected to know better and to do better,” the judgesaid.

She added that men are not helpless or incapable of sexual restraint if girls appearattheirdoorstep,gate orgap.

She advised that they should, “Drop the girls back home or in a police station. They are not convenient opportunitiesortoysatyour disposal.”

The judge said any girl undertheageof18isachild and she denounced “as a blatant criminality and absolutely despicable” the saying she grew up hearing that“after12islunch.”

Ramsumair-Hinds was speaking during the sentencingofamanwholast weekenteredguiltypleason thechargesofhavingsexual intercourse with two underagegirls.

The name of the man is being withheld by the Express to protect the identitiesofthevictims.The judge noted from the victim impact statements, that they c o n t i n u e t o f a c e psychologicalandemotional effects.Breachoftrust

In passing sentence in both matters, RamsumairHindsconsideredthebreach of trust, that the perpetrator knew the girls ran away and was aware of their vulnerability, that the sexual

intercourse was unprotected thereby exposing the children to further possible harm and disease, the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the need fordeterrence.

Also, in dealing with the offence against the younger girl,thejudgeconsideredthe aggravating factors of her age,thatshewasavirginand that she protested when she felt pain during the act but thatthemancontinued.

The judge noted that, despite it being a despicable act, there were no further indignities.

In relation to the second offence involving the teen, themaximumsentenceis12 years for a first offence and 15 years for a subsequent offence. The starting point given in the case yesterday wasnineyears.

The judge considered that the act lasted for 30 minutes, during which, oral sex was performed on the teenager

The mitigating factors included that there were no further physical injuries to her beyond the hickey marks and no threats to kill or cause her bodily harm or of false imprisonment. As she moved on in the

sentencingprocess,shetook note that the man had no previous convictions and that he cooperated with the policeafterhewasheld.

The one-third discount for his guilty plea was then implemented, leaving a remaining period of ten years and six years respectivelyoneachoffence.

The 2,978 days he had spent in custody as of yesterday, were also deducted. This left him alreadyservingthesixyears in relation to the offence againstthe15-year-oldanda period of one year, ten months and three days remainingonthesentenceas it pertained to the 12-yearold.

The sentences were to runconcurrently Itwasalso ordered that the man registers as a sex offender on the National Sex Offender Register, seven daysafterhisdischargefrom prison.Heisalsotoreportas a sex offender every two months for a period of five years.

His name will also be published on the sex offenders website Before thesentencewaspassed,the man apologised and said it wasamistake.

At least 145 people feared dead after Congo boat sinking

KINSHASA,Congo(AP)—Atleast145 passengersaremissingandfeareddeadaftera motorized boat

with goods and animals sank at night on a river in northwestern Congo, authorities said Thursday

About 55 people survived the disaster, officialssaid.

The boat had been traveling to neighboringRepublicofCongowhenitwent capsized on the Lulonga River late Tuesday nearthetownofBasankusu.

Jean-Pierre Wangela, the President of Civil Society groups in the area, told Journalists that at least 145 people were

missing. He blamed overloading for the boat’s demise, but said that locals have few other options. “There’s no other means of transportcurrentlyinourprovinceandherein theterritoryofBasankusu,”hesaid.

Boatsinkingscausingdozensoffatalities arealltoocommoninremotepartsofCongo, where travel by road is at times impossible. Many watercraft are overloaded with goods and people who don’t know how to swim. Rescue operations are extremely limited in remotepartsofthecountry InOctober,more than 40 people died on the Congo River in Equateur province under simil

circumstances.

Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds

overloaded

Budget increases by 41%, but less than 1% set aside for cost of living relief

- Opposition laments

Despite the fact that this year's budget is 41% larger than the previous one and the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) has over US$1 billion, a mere $5 billion or less than one percent has been set asidefromthe$782billionnational budgetforcostoflivingrelief.

This was highlighted on Thursday at the weekly press conference of the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton During the press briefing, the Economic Adviser attached to the Office of the Opposition Leader, Elson Low noted that despite the yearly increases in the budget, the cost of living relief sum seems to remainminimal.

Low said: “This $5 billion is less than half of a percent of the national budget which is $782 billion and during the biggest cost oflivingcrisisforthepast40years; thegovernmenthasdecidedtogive less than a percent of this budget towards the cost of living mitigation.”

H e c o n t i n u e d “ T h e Government seems to think that spending on public servants is useless but it is the exact opposite. Sowhypublicservants'salariesare notincreasingatthesameorsimilar rate as the budget…and we are not talking about a mere pay increase. We are talking about the economic benefits that come from being able topaypeoplebetterways.”

TheEconomistalsostressedthe factthatthesumisthesameamount as last year when the budget was

muchsmaller

“It is a totally ridiculous figure,”hedeclared,remindingthat Government has at its disposal $60 billion which it received as a result ofthehikeinoilpriceslastyear

“At least, you would think that the Government would put the $60 billion to offset the burden of the cost of living,” the Economics Advisersaid.

Norton echoed similar sentiments,notingthatbudget2023 confirms that the Government is more interested in serving its business cronies than in lifting the quality of life of the Guyanese masses.

The Opposition Leader noted that while the Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, spoke for over six hours; the budget was long but vacuous.

He asserted that “Budget 2023 confirms that the Government is

uncaring,andanti-poor Budget 2023 confirms that the government has no national development plan will not eliminate poverty, will not ensure that families can live comfortable and happy lives, and will not build world-class social services in health, education, public utilities, public safety, justice, and a clean environment.

Budget 2023 confirms that the PPP is incapable of using our vast oil wealth to transform the lives of theGuyanesepeople.”

Norton opined that people should no longer accept a paltry $5 billion towards the cost of living mitigation.

He said, “Old Age Pension, public assistance, and 'Because we care' cash grant increases are shameful at a time when our country'soilindustryisbooming.

The poverty Guyanese endure todayisnotartificial,itisreal.Itisa

product of a government that refuses to even contemplate the harsh realities we see every day

Social support for families could easilybedoubledthisyear

The PPP, however, is only contenttoofferaheartlesspittance. This is even while the real wages and salaries of the people continue todecline.”

The Opposition Leader questioned the measures to transformtheeducationsystem.

He noted that in September of 2022, PresidentAli told the United Nations that education spending would be increased to 20% of the nationalbudget.

Additionally, last year only 13% of the budget went to the Ministry of Education, and this year only 12% will be spent on education.

“Wherearethesalaryincreases for public servants and teachers? Where is the decision to make the

University of Guyana free? Where are the plans to ensure all our schools across all communities and regions have the human, financial, and other resources to deliver qualityeducationtoourstudents?

There are none!” declared Norton.

Norton explained that “budget 2023 failed to speak in terms of quality of life indicators, such as life expectancy, literacy and numeracy levels, infant and maternal mortality rates, and doctors-to-patients ratios, teachers-to-students ratios, crime rates, and access to adequate food and nutrition-with the goal of lifting Guyana f a r b e y o n d its historic underperformance.”

According to the opposition leader,thebudgetismereplatitudes with no specific targets to be achieved in terms of improving the qualityoflifeofourpeople.

Opposition urges citizens to pressure

to deliver Exxon's cost oil audits

Opposition Advisor and Economist, Elson Low, has urged Guyanese to up the pressure on the People's Progressive Party (PPP) Governmentsothattheyreleasethe results of the overdue multi-billion dollarExxonMobilcostoilaudits.

Low, who was part of an Oppositionmediaconferencepanel yesterday, believes that if citizens remain silent on the audits, the documents may never be released. The Economist told the media that citizens must understand that a precedent is being set as to how Guyana handles its oil expenses. “…we are setting in essence, with this first cost oil audit, a precedent. And is it going to be like that from nowonofalltheauditsofallofour cost oil expenses whether it is with Exxon, whether it is with other companies that produce oil in Guyana? Is it all going to be kept secret?Isthishowthiscountry'soil industry is going to be run?” the

Economistquestioned.

Low said that Guyanese must keep in mind that it is over US$700 million, as well as another US$7b that is at stake with the current cost oil audits. Guyana is currently unaware of the truth of Exxon's alleged spending despite the two year timeline that allows for the objectionofillegitimatecostbythe Government since it has long expired. An international audit firm and well as local operators are currently looking at the US$7b expenses, but have already missed twodeadlinesaftertheGovernment setafewmonthsfortheauditstobe completed.

As time goes by and the oil industry expands, Low said that Guyana will have endless audits with various oil companies. He insisted that “We cannot allow a precedent to be set that a Government can conceal these types of audits.” The Economist

said that Guyanese must also demand answers from the Government as to why that are concealing the cost oil audits. He said pressure must be placed on the Government as they “will never releaseanaudit.”

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton,inaddressingtheauditsand access to oil related information said Opposition is prepared to demand answers and documents from the Government, but it is seeking to do more than that. “We are prepared to increase putting pressure on the Government into a position where they recognize that they need to train Guyanese to be able to audit those (cost oil ) accounts.” Norton said that while the use of foreign expertise is welcomed in this regard, “… one has to develop the capacity of Guyanese to be able to audit, to monitor and to do whatever evaluation is needed, to ensure that

we get the most we can in terms of profitfromoildeal.Nortonsaidthe Oppositionisopentoanythingthat will allow the Guyanese people to benefit more from the natural resources,butoilinparticular Norton said that the Opposition believes that the PPP/C

Government does not believe in accountability and transparency and will do everything to keep the audits a secret he said. “The fact that they have not seeking to improve our capacity to do it (audits) suggests to you that they have nefarious motives.” He said that when there aren't monitoring, transparency and accountability mechanisms, “ corruption proliferates and this is a Governmentthatlikescorruption.”

The Parliamentary Opposition remains adamant that the Government is not putting its best foot forward in ensuring Guyana's ability to protect its oil wealth

despite the country racking up billionsofUSdollarsinoilexpense foreveryproject.

Following the recent reading of the 2023 budget, Norton had expressed shock that the Government had set aside no money to up the auditing capacity of local Auditors. “I would have thought that in a Budget like this, the Minister would have been speaking in terms of human resource development, that we haveputresourcestheretoimprove our capacity to audit cost oil. We would have put resources there to be able to monitor what is happening offshore. There is none of that and therefore, you are not increasing our capacity to ensure we get what we deserve in terms of profit oil,” the Opposition Leader had pointed out. The Opposition partyhasinsistedthatGuyanamust assoonaspossiblebeabletocheck itsownoilcostbills.

From left: Economist, Mr. Elson Low, PNCR Chairman Mr. Shurwayne Holder, PNCR Leader Mr. Aubrey C. Norton, PNCR General Secretary Dawn Hastings-Williams, and the PNCR Public Relations Officer, Shaneika Haynes.

ICC Women’s U-19 World Cup…

New Zealand dismantle West Indiesto top Group C

- Twelve teams advance

Yesterday, West Indies Women Rising Stars faced the toughest challenge of the Group stage in the inaugural International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, when they collided with their Group leader, New Zealand.

New Zealand topped Group C with six points from three consecutive wins as the Kiwis recorded a 10-wicket

victory against the Caribbean side. In the other Group C match, Ireland defeated Indonesia by 49 runs to claim their first points of the tournament. This means that NZ, West Indies and Ireland have advanced to the next round.

As the fixtures now states, West Indies will have to play Rwanda and England on Sunday, January 22 and Wednesday, January 25, re-

spectively. The final Group match with the Rising Stars saw NZ win the toss and give the opposition first strike. A formidable bowling attack bundled out West Indies for 68 in 19.2 overs then NZ stormed to 72 without the loss of a wicket to complete the victory.

Number 10 batter Earnisha Fontaine contributed an unbeaten 11 but she

Friday January 20, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

There's an important lesson to learn today, Aries, so don't shy away from the classroom. It's important to control your attitude now or it's likely to control you. It could be that your ego is a bit too inflated

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Consider the romantic relationships in your life right now, Taurus. It's important to remember that regardless of how hot and steamy a partnership is at first,

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today is your day to become a hero, Gemini. You don't have to be dressed in fancy tights and a cape to make an important difference in someone's life.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

There's a great deal of fun to be had today, Cancer. Money isn't always necessary to make this happen, however. In fact, money isn't a great way to keep score.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Remember that the important thing isn't necessarily what you're doing but the people you're with, Leo. There's a great deal of passion in the air today that you can latch onto and put to good use.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) You could learn a tough lesson today, Virgo. More than likely, the harder the message hits you, the more important it was for you to hear. It's important that you accept failure gracefully.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

There's a great deal of fuel to keep your fire raging today, Libra. Powerful situations are apt to come your way in which you're asked to take decisive action. Don't shy away from added responsibility.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Remember that one wrong move today could cause you to have a headache for a good long while, Scorpio. Don't take uncalculated risks. There's dynamism and confidence in the air.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) It's a long road to becoming exactly the person you want to be, Sagittarius. You can't change who you are. Input from every person you know and lessons from every bump in the road.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You should always leave a loved one with loving words, Capricorn. Each time you exit a room, consider that you're never going to enter that room again. Perhaps you'll never see those people again.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Just when you think you have absolutely no energy left, you're able to kick into a higher gear. Push beyond your limits today, Aquarius. You'll find that you can achieve a great deal.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Regardless of how you feel today, Pisces, it's important to own up to your mistakes. Keep in mind that you're responsible for your actions. No matter how much you might want to shrink away,

was the only West Indian to reach double figures as Kate Chandler led the charge for NZ with 3 - 8 from four overs. She was supported by Abigail Hotton (2 – 20), Olivia Anderson (2 – 14), Anna Browning (1 – 8) and Kayley Knight (1 – 6), even though the bowlers leaked 25 extras. Georgia Plimmer (41) and Browning (28) were both left unbeaten as New Zealand crossed the finish line in 7.2 overs. Prior to the match against New Zealand, the Rising Stars were led by two magnificent allround performances by the in-form Zaida James. She ac-

Double-header...

From page 23 January 27 and 29. February 3, 5, and 10 and the finals on February 18. According to the organisers, the concept behind the tournament is to see the rebirth of football on the East Coast of Demerara.

The organisers are grateful for support shown from teams outside of the East Coast area, adding that it demonstrates the collective effort needed for the sustenance and development of football in Guyana.

Veersammy...

From page 24 order batter; Hemraj hitting Tyndall for two consecutive fours through backwardpoint position. In response Imlach batted well to get to his 50. Hemraj also got his half century; hitting an exquisite cover-drive for four runs.

Ashmead Nedd got the break-through for Motie XI ending ‘the 116 runs’ partnership between Imlach and Hemraj, dismissing Imlach for 65 runs (14x4). Hemraj on the other hand was out trying to hit a delivery from Tyndall into Amazonia mall parking lot; only to be caught at longon; he was dismissed for an even 60 runs (10x4), Leon Johnson was last to get out, bowled by Motie with the last ball before the end of the third session. Play resumes today with Kevlon Anderson on 18 runs not out and Aksahya Persaud on 0 not out.

Day 2: (Close of Play) Tevin Imlach XI lead by 177 runs; Tevin Imlach XI 167 for 4 (45.0 overs).

cumulated 107 runs in two innings, which was the third highest on the Most Runs list and also shared second place with ten other players on the Most Wickets list, with five scalps. Her performances made her the only West Indian in the top 15 on both lists. Meanwhile, twelve teams have advanced to the next round following the completion of the Group stage. In Group A, the undefeated Bangladesh won with six points ahead of Australia (4) and Sri Lanka (2) while United States of America found the exit after three consecutive losses. The fates of the teams in Group B were also sealed yesterday as England (6 points) topped the Group

while Pakistan (4) finished second and Rwanda (2) were the third place team. Zimbabwe (0) finished at the bottom of the table after failing to secure a point.

Group D was won by India (6 points) after they romped to three consecutive wins while South Africa (4) and United Arab Emirates (2) did enough to advance. Scotland, the other team in the Group, faced three consecutive defeats which turned their campaign in a different direction.

For the four teams that finished at the bottom of the Groups, they will be playing today once more as USA take on Scotland and Zimbabwe goes up against Indonesia.

Kate Chandler of New Zealand celebrates the wicket of Djenaba Joseph of West Indies. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

West Indies may ‘cease to exist’ warns T20 inquest report

AFP-WestIndiescricket may “cease to exist” unless the issue of its players prioritisingglobalTwenty20 l e a g u e s a h e a d o f international duties is resolved, according to a report commissioned by

CricketWestIndies(CWI).

The report from a threemanpanelmadeupofformer captain and batting great Brian Lara, experienced SouthAfricancoachMickey Arthur and a senior judge Patrick Thompson, was

commissioned after West Indies’shockearlyexitfrom lastyear’sT20WorldCupin Australia.

West Indies have struggled with availability issues for players who featureintheIndianPremier

League and other T20 competitions around the world.

“It is essential that some middle ground is arrived at. Otherwise, West Indies cricketmayceasetoexistas anentity,”saidthereport.

“This group does not indulge in doomsday predictions but no entity, sporting or otherwise, has a viable future if its talent is notharnessedandeffectively managed,”thereportadded.

“It is not in the best interests of West Indies cricket that our best players play in every global league andplayfortheWITeamon anoptionalbasis,”thereport said. The report urged a “frank and honest discussion” about the issue in order to find a solution to what it called an “impasse”. One of the issues blocking better agreement about player schedules and availability is the longstanding conflicts between players and CWI, the report said. “In this group’s view,

there is significant distrust between the players and administration and this distrust is inimical to ensuring that the best 11 players turn out for the WI Team in every match,” the reportsaid.

The report made a series of recommendations for improvingthefunctioningof the West Indies team ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup which will be held in the Caribbean and the United States. But the authors did not back the idea of a separate coach for red ball and white ball teams given the limited amount of Test cricketbeingplayed.

They also suggested that key players for the T20 side should be given more exposure to Test cricket in order to get used to the conditions and standard of opposition.

WestIndieshaveenjoyed success in the T20 format, winning the World Cup in 2012 and 2016 only England have also won the

competitiontwice.

But in Australia, the Caribbean side finished bottom of their group, finishing behind Zimbabwe, IrelandandScotland.

The report said the team were “underprepared” and pointedthefingerattheshort time between the Caribbean Premier League tournament andtheT20WorldCup.

The report said that unlesschangewasmade,the talent pool of Caribbean playersriskedbeingusedby others. “WI cricket does not lack for talent but our small size in comparison with other cricketing nations means that we cannot afford toloseanytalentedplayers.

“Cricket West Indies (CWI) must develop and createclearpathwaysforthe identification, development and management of talent. Otherwise, WI cricket runs theriskofbeingstrip-mined by other professional leagues that can afford to harvest and develop our playersfortheirbenefit.”

Associations continue to laud government on improvement in sports spending in budget

Several National Associations have joined the chorus of heaping praise on government for the increased spending on sports and sports facilities as highlighted in theNationalBudgetforthisyear

“The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) commends the 2023 NationalBudgetpresentedbythedistinguished Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh which includesthelargesteverallocationforthesports sector,” arelease from that body indicated “GASAalso wishes to express appreciation to the National Sports Commission and the MinistryofCulture,YouthandSportsfortheir contributions towards this effort. The 2023 budget allocation emphasises the commitment for development of sports and culture expressed by H.E. Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and by extension the GovernmentofGuyana.

The budget, the largest ever allocated to NSC, paves the way for the government’s continued development and transformation of sportsandculture

The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports andtheNationalSportsCommissioncontinueto betwoofGASA’sstrongestsupporterswhilethe organisationseekstoimprovethedevelopment ofswimminglocally Withthe2023substantial budget allotment GASA is confident efforts will be further enhanced ” “Under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Mr Charles Ramson Jr and his team which includes the DirectorofSportsMr SteveNinvalle,GASA isofthefirmbelieftheallocationwillcreate long-termdevelopmentandsustainabilityfor sportsandcultureinournation.”Meanwhile, the Guyana cycling Federation team said,

they are, “…happy with the budgetary allocation made for sports by the Government, to the tune of 4.3 billion. This federationhasbeenworking‘closelywiththe National Sports Commission, and our associationwishes toconcur,inthisdispatch, candidlyexpressinggratitudeforthefinancial and other assistance rendered, over the last season For the calendar year 2023, the GCF madearequesttothecommissionforsupport/ sponsorshipforthe40-year-oldAnnualyouth and culture 3 Stage Road Race, the “One Guyana’ Road Race, to be held on the Essequibocoast,andforcyclingInfrastructure inGeorgetown

With such a ‘giant budget’, the Guyana CyclingFederationisoptimisticofhavingits’ budgetarydesiressatisfied”AndtheAthletics AssociationofGuyana(AAG)statedtheyare, ‘ pleased with the financial allocation for sports in the Government of Guyana 2023 budget Inouropinion,thisallocationreflects the Government’s commitment to the development of sports in Guyana While we look forward to a direct disbursement to our Associationinsupportofathletestravellingto international competitions and the hosting of meets locally, we also do appreciate the development of new facilities and the procurementofnewequipment TheAAGhas seenmuchprogressinoursportoverthepast few years This can be attributed to the harmonious relationship we share with the DirectorofSports,Mr SteveNinvalleandthe NationalSportsCommission(NSC)

We would like to thank Min. Charles RamsonJnr inparticularforhisstewardship of this sector as we look forward to working with him in the development of athletics in 2023.”

‘Worried’ Djokovic through as second seeds Ruud, Jabeur bow out

M E L B O U R N E , (Reuters)

- Injury-hampered NovakDjokovicmovedinto the third round of the Australian Open yesterday as the path to a 22nd Grand Slamtitleopenedupforhim with the premature exit of secondseedCasperRuud.

Ruud’s second-round exit came a day after Djokovic’s great rival Rafa Nadal,thetopseed,hadbeen evicted after suffering a hip flexor injury that will sideline him for up to two months.

Nine-times Melbourne Park champion Djokovic wasdelayedonlyslightlyby an inspired second set from French qualifier Enzo Couacaud in his 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2 6-0 victory but was troubled by his heavilystrappedleftthigh.

With world number one Carlos Alcaraz absent injured, Djokovic will fear few opponents on the blue courts where he is unbeaten since 2018 but only if his hamstringholdsout.

“Ihavetotakeitday-byday I am worried. I cannot say that I’m not. I have reason to be worried,” said theSerbian.

“My physio and medical team have been doing everything possible so that I can be able to play every match. There’s not much more to talk about. There’s twochoices:leaveitorkeep going. So I’m going to keep going.” Andy Murray, who Djokovic has beaten in four Australian Open finals, remains in the hunt after coming through a late-night epic against Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis, winning4-66-7(4)7-6(5)637-5victoryafterfivehours

and 45 minutes the second longest match in the tournament’shistory

Former world number one Murray, who has defied medicallogictocontinuehis career with a partly metal hip,trailed5-2inthethirdset beforedigginghimselfoutof a hole to mark his 250th Grand Slam match with his 11th victory from a two-set deficit.

The match finished at 4 05am local time, after which the 35-year-old Murray said: “I think now weshouldallgotobed.”

Women’s second seed Ons Jabeur also departed after an error-strewn performance against former French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova, but there were wins for title c o n t e n d e r s A r y n a Sabalenka, Caroline Garcia andBelindaBencic.

Ruud was simply outplayed for all but a few games of his 6-3 7-5 6-7(4) 6-2 loss to 22-year-old Brooksby over nearly four hoursonRodLaverArena.

“Ididn’tfeellikeIplayed particularlybad,”saidRuud. “He just ended up winning many of the longer rallies andhadsortofananswerto allthequestionsthatIasked him.” Brooksby’s win was followed by lucky loser Michael Mmoh stunning German former world number two Alexander Zverev6-7(1)6-46-36-2to makeiteightAmericanmen inthethirdround.

“Ithinkweallpusheach other to really get better, regardless of each guy’s situation,”saidBrooksby

“Ithinkthat’sshownina lotoftheguyshavingstrong resultslately.”

Eighth seed Taylor Fritz was unable to join the American charge as he was upset 6-7(4) 7-6(2) 6-4 67(6)6-2byAustralianAlexei Popyrin, while Danish ninth seed Holger Rune despatched Californian MaximeCressy7-56-46-4.

There was also early American success in the women’s draw when Katie Volynets stunned ninth seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 2-6 6-2 to become the first U.S. qualifier to reach the third round since Lindsay Davenportin1993.

TRICKYTIE

ShelbyRogers,however, wasnomatchforBelarusian Sabalenka, who recovered from a slow start to power pasttheAmerican6-36-1.

French fourth seed Garcia likewise came through a potentially tricky tie against former U.S Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 76(5) 7-5, while Bencic continuedherfineformwith a 7-6(3) 6-3 win over AmericanClaireLiu.

Magda Linette joined fellowPoleandtopseedIga Swiatek in the third round with a 3-6 6-3 6-4 upset of 16th seed Anett Kontaveit, whileCroatianDonnaVekic downed 18th seed Liudmila Samsonova6-36-0.

Jabeur, though, was a shadow of the player who reached the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year, making 50 unforcederrorsinher6-1576-1losstoVondrousova.

A n d r e y R u b l e v continued to carve his way throughthemen’sdrawwith a6-26-46-7(2)6-3winover Emil Ruusuvuori, the thirdset setback coming after a row with the umpire over

Double-header to kick-off East Coast Mash Cup tonight at Golden Grove Ground

The highly anticipated East Coast Mash Cup will kick off this evening at the Golden GroveGround,withadoubleheader

The 16-team tournament, being played using the ‘win or go home’format, will see Victoria Kings taking on Mahaica Determinators from 6:00 pm, followed by a clash between home side Dynamic FC and BuxtonUnitedFootballClub(FC).

Hosted by Golden Grove Dynamic FC, thetournamentwillcarryawinner’spurseof $500,000. Second place team will pocket $250,000, third place $150,000 and fourth place$100,000.

Rosignol United is the lone Berbice side inthetournament,whiletheGuyanaDefence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF)

FC, Fruta Conquerors and Santos are the teamsfromGeorgetown.

Reigning ‘West Side’ Champions, Slingerz FC, will lead the West Demerara pack, which includes Den Amstel FC and PouderoyenFC.

Golden Grove Dynamic FC, Victoria Kings, Paradise FC, Melanie FC, Buxton United, Buxton Stars, Ann’s Grove United, and Mahaica Determinators are the teams hailingfromEastCoastDemerara.

Following tonight’s action, the tournament continues on January 22 with RosignolUnitedbattlingBuxtonStarsat6:00 pm, while Santos FC collide with PouderoyenFC. Matcheswillbeplayedon

(Continuedonpage21)

whether the fifth seed was swearinginRussian.

He will next face Briton DanEvans,whobeatJeremy Chardy 6-4 6-4 6-1 after the Frenchmanalsofelloutwith thechairofficialwhenaball dropped from his pocket duringarally

After two days of severe weather disruptions, Melbourne Park escaped extreme heat or rain yesterday with play continuing well into the earlyhoursofthemorningto get the second round completedonschedule.

Aryna Sabalenka

Veersammy Permaul captures 5-8, Imlach and Hemraj among the runs

Day 2 at Guyana National Stadium (GNS), Providence in the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) 2nd practice match saw ideal conditions for cricket yesterday Motie XI returned to bat with an overnight score of 12-2, and Motie’s side lost two early wickets in the first session

culminating a score of 21910, 10 runs inside the first innings target. Tagenarine Chanderpaul 36 runs, Mavindra Dindyal 43 runs, Anthony Bramble 37 runs were the only batters to get runsfortheirside.

Sachin Singh was impressive at the crease, hitting a few spanking off-

drives to the boundary, he contributing 25 runs in a 47 runs ‘fifth wicket’ partnership with Anthony Bramble.At lunch Motie XI scorewas147-5.

After the break, Singh continued; hitting Anthony Adamsovermid-offposition for 6 runs. Bramble joined the party hitting Clinton

Pestano through the covers for a couple of 4’s. Pestano later got his revenge, dismissing Singh in spectacular manner with a beautiful in-swinging delivery; out LBW for 25 runs,MotieXIfellto174-6.

Permaul delivered anotherexceptionalbowling performance;taking5-8runs

Veersammy Permaul

in the first innings after he was brought back into the attackatthe45thoverofthe day, he immediately dismissedbothBrambleand RonaldoAliMohamedinthe sameover Permaulmadeitdifficult forthetail-enders,capturing Richie Looknauth trying to defend a delivery into the hands of Asksahya Persaud at short-leg. Motie XI were alloutfor219runs.

In return, Nial Smith opened the bowling for Motie XI in the second inningsandafterafewgood deliveries to Matthew Nandu,hewassubsequently

caught ‘fishing for a ball’ outside the off-stump; inviting a thin edge through to the keeper, Imlach XI scorenow1-1.

However, the in-form Tevin Imlach joined Chanderpaul Hemraj at the crease and took the score to 13-1attheendofthesecond session.

After the break they came back with a second innings lead of 20 runs, the pairputonashowforthefew on-lookers in the stands. Sylas Tyndall seemed to be struggling with his run-up butwaspunishedbythetop

(Continuedonpage21)

Ramnarine (92) leads Devonshire Castle Sports Club to victory in ESCL’s competition

Ch a t t e r g o o n

Ramnarine hit an entertaining92to inspire Devonshire Castle Sports Club to a thrilling four-run win over Sunrisers Masters last Sunday when action continued in the Essequibo Softball Cricket League’s(ESCL)T20,over40competition.

Playing at Airy Hall ground, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, the righthanded batsman slammed ten sixes and three fours as DevonshireCastlereacheda challenging 257-6 from the 20-overs. Sunrisers Masters, in response, left at 253-4 whentheoversranout.

Vishwanauth Lall supported the flamboyant Ramnarinewith59.

When Sunrisers Masters batted, Tameshwar Sancharine hit 79 and 67 from Gary Ragnauth as Ramnarine proved his allround capability by picking up two wickets for 35 runs fromthreeovers.

Across at Hibernia ground, Hibernia Strikers suffered a 54-run loss to Queenstown Tigers. Tigers roared to a sufficient 236-7 from the allotment of 20overswhilethehostswereall

outfor182off18overs.

Ryan Inniss led the way for Queenstown Tigers by knocking 69 while a solid contributionof60camefrom Kumar Dass Siddiqi Ramjohn and Chandrika Gobinclaimedthreewickets each,bowlingforStrikers.

Intheirturnatthecrease, Hemant Dalip Lakhan and Andy Ramnarine scored 33 and29respectively.Hemlall Persaud grabbed 4-31 from his maximum four overs.

Sergie Ferguson was also in the wicket-column by snatching 2-24 off three overs. And at Airy Hall venue,defendingchampions Caribbean Cricket Club 2 defeated former champions Invaders Masters by nine wickets Invaders only

mustered 140 all out in the penultimate over while Caribbean Cricket Club 2 surpassedthetargetinthe7th over Former Essequibo Inter-County player Prashad Mahadeo struck an aggressive 73 while ace batsman Patrick Rooplall also showed belligerence by making51notout.

In Invaders’ innings, veteran batsman Ramesh Narinemade36whileRichie Bishop scored 35 as Yaseer Mohammed picked up 2-32 offhisfourovers.

T h e s i x - t e a m competition is slated to continue this weekend with three matches on the Zorg Beach.

Sunrisers Masters will match their skills with Hibernia Strikers while Invaders Masters will come against Devonshire Castle Sports Club and Caribbean Cricket Club 2 will collide withQueenstownTigers.

Notably, for this edition, the tournament is being played in memory of Dave Tajeshwar who was a longtime softball supporter His brother Vo Tajeshwar is still one of the sponsors. The competition is set to climax March12th.

Local football transfer window closes on January 31

Basketball, Football Federations praise $4.3B allocation for Sports in National Budget

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) are hailing the allocation of $4 3B for sports in the country’s proposed $781.9B National Budget, as a monumental step towards the sustainability and development of their respectivedisciplines.

The 2023 National Budget, as presented by Dr Ashni Singh, Senior M i n i s t e r w i t h responsibilities for Finance under the Office of the President, has seen more thana33%increaseinfunds being allocated for the development of sports in Guyanawith$4.3Bthisyear as opposed to the $3.2B in 2022.

and the GABF opportunities to earn revenue through sports tourism and event ticket sales, along with giving national team players the opportunity to represent Guyana at home in a modernizesportsfacility

The GABF believes that with basketball being classified as one of the twelve core sports by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr and the National Sports Commission (NSC) demonstrates the Ministry’s seriousness in partnering with the GABF to develop, growandpromotebasketball and 3x3 basketball in Guyana.

BoysandGirls.

TheGuyanaseniormen’s national team won the last FIBA AmeriCup Caribbean Qualifiers in 2018 in Suriname.

Meanwhile, Wayne Forde, president of the GFF, said the local Government for the ‘Beautiful Game’, stands to salute “the bold leadershipofthePresidentof the Cooperative Republic of GuyanaDr MohamedIrfaan Ali and his Government’s unprecedented and consistent investment in the development of Sports and the Young Men and Women ofthiscountry.”

The transfer window for players registered with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League, nine Regional Associations and the Women’s Football Association (WFA) will close on January31.

In a release, the GFF explained that the windowopenedonJanuary1,givingcoaches attached to 130 clubs an opportunity to bolster their squads at the start of the 2023 season.

The 9 Regional Association Senior Men Leagues, the ongoing Women Development League and the recently concluded One Guyana President’s Cup tournament, provided a national platform for senior male and female players to impress scouts and

Coachesaheadofthetransferwindow Associations and clubs have been reminded that in order to be considered procedurally correct, all transfers must involve and have the full agreement of the former club, the player, the former regional association, the new club, and the new regionalassociation-inthecaseofatransfer fromoneassociationtoanother PlayersattachedtotheGFFEliteLeague clubsandassociationshavetwoweeksleftto decide which club they will represent in the newseason.

The GFF said their 2023 agenda will focusonplayershavingmoreon-fieldtimein localleaguesandtournamentsinpreparation forregionalandinternationalcompetitions.

The sport of basketball will benefit directly through the National Basketball A c a d e m y a n d t h e rehabilitation of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH),Guyana’spremiere indoor facility According to a release from the GABF, the improvement to the CASH will now enable Guyanatobidforthehosting rights for both International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup and AmeriCupQualifiers,which willgivethecountryGuyana

The GABF have b e n e f i t e d v i a t h e implementation of the National Basketball Academy and funding for their senior and junior national basketball and 3x3 basketball teams during 2022.

In 2023, the Guyana senior and junior national teams will have the opportunity to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Caribbean Qualifiers, the F I B A W o m e n ’ s Centrobasket Championship and the FIBA Centrobasket Qualifiers for U15 and U17

Forde further added, “It is very heartening to see Hon Minister Charles Ramson being recognized and rewarded for his outstanding work, which he has undertaken at a breathtakingpaceoverthepasttwo years.

It is therefore entirely fitting that he is granted the resources to fulfil his transformational vision for thegrowthanddevelopment of Culture, Youth and Sports.”

The GFF, Forde said, is committedtodoingtheirpart in the actualization of the Nation’s dreams and aspirations for Sports development.

Chattergoon Ramnarine

GFF president, Wayne Forde

GABF president, Michael Singh

Novak Djokovic reacts during his second round match against France’s Enzo Couacaud. (REUTERS/Carl Recine)

was done by a three-man panel of former captain and batting great Brian Lara, experienced SouthAfrican coach MickeyArthur and a senior judge Patrick Thompson.