Kaieteur News

President Irfaan Ali seen seated next to Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley at the opening of that country's Energy Conference on Monday. ) (Keno George photo

at T&T oil conference with part of Stabroek Block in Venezuela's waters

By Kiana Wilburg and Davina Bagot reporting from Trinidad and Tobago

Ag r a v e b l u n d e r occurred yesterday at Trinidad and Tobago's Energy Conference where an erroneous map on Guyana, produced by Rystad Energy, was usedaspartofapaneldiscussion.

The map depicted a portion of the Stabroek Block overlapping into Venezuela's territorial waters. Thepaneldiscussioncentredonthe role the Southern Caribbean can play in meeting the global demand for natural gas. Wazim Mowla, AssistantDirectoroftheCaribbean Initiative,Atlantic Council, Ronald Adams, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic,MarkLoquan,Headofthe National Gas Company ofTrinidad and Tobago, Antero Alvarado, Managing Director of Gas Energy Latin America, and Bryan Ramsumair, Managing Director of DeNovo Energy, led the conversation. It was moderated by Dr Thackwray Driver, President andCEOoftheEnergyChamber Driver at the start of the

discussions, called for a map to be pulled up to serve as the springboard for their talks on how Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Barbados and other territories may leverage their resources as a united block to meet theworld'senergyneeds.

Kaieteur News' team, which included Publisher Glenn Lall, observed that a portion of the block

was overlapping Venezuela's maritime borders. Efforts were madetobringthistotheattentionof thepanelduringthediscussionsbut to no avail. Lall said it is important that this matter be raised with Organisers as more than 700 individuals were being misled More importantly, he noted that Guyana and Venezuela are before the International Court of Justice where the former has laid out an irrefutable case on the parameters ofitsterritorialsovereignty Hesaid the map being shown or featured in the backdrop of discussions about Trinidad's eagerness to harness Venezuela's gas resources is "distasteful"tosaytheleast.

At the conclusion of the panel discussion,theKaieteurNewsteam informed Driver that the map is incorrect.

He refused to accept that it is, sayingthatitconnectswithanother block in Venezuela to which Kaieteur News strongly objected to He said the Consultant is responsible for the map That company is Rystad Energy, a consultancy group that is well known for providing skewed

-Organisersissueapologyafter PresidentAli'sintervention

discussion that touched on how the nation's gas resources could be utilised.

In response to the issue, the Head of State said he raised the matter with Organisers and was sure to register his disappointment. He said he was given all assurance thatanapologywouldbeissued.

reports on Guyana's oil industry

The matter regarding the erroneous map was also forwarded to President, Dr. Irfaan Ali who was one of the presenters for the opening session of the conference along with Prime Minister, Dr. KeithRowley.

The Head of State was not present for the session on gas resources. In fact, no Guyanese policymaker was part of the panel

Inastatementonthematter,the Organiser of the conference, the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Chamber said it was a regrettable errorandapologizedforsame. The full statement reads as follows: “At the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference 2023 being hosted by the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago, during a panel discussion titled 'The role that the Southern Caribbean can play in meeting the global demand for natural gas,' a map developed by Rystad Energy was shown. This map erroneously showed the Stabroek Block in Guyana overlapping into the Venezuelan border This error is regrettable and the Energy Chamber unreservedly apologizes for any confusion. A new map will be developed and disseminated.”

Local Content Secretariat to review law that describes who is considered a Guyanese National

Director of Guyana's L o c a l C o n t e n t Secretariat (LCS), Dr MartinPertabhasdisclosedthatthe Agency is looking to refine the Local Content Act of 2021, particularly,thattheyareseekingto amend the term which describe 'who is considered a Guyanese National.'

Dr Pertab's comment came after the Government lost a court case to Ramps Logistics late last year

After the Government denied Ramps a Local Content Certificate for not reaching the requirement of being a 51 percent Guyaneseowned Company, Ramps had filed an application at the Demerara High Court challenging the decision. Stemming from the case, the Government was warned about arbitrarinessduetothelackofrules and regulations in the Local ContentAct.

The Director's comment was featured in the Q4 edition of the 2022 Energy Magazine.According to the magazine, Dr Pertab noted that the Act is a living organ and will evolve in tandem with the oil industry

He disclosed that the Secretariat's team started a review of the Act in 2022, based on

experiencesinthefieldduringthe implementation phase, and will continue this analysis into 2023.

“As part of reviews, the Secretariat will relook at the conditions of who is considered a Guyanese national,” the Director disclosed.

The Local Content Act described a Guyanese National as a citizen of Guyana, a Guyanese company as, 'any company incorporated under the Companies Act – which is beneficially owned by Guyanese nationalswhoultimatelyexercise, individually or jointly, voting rights representing at least 51 percent of the total issued shared of the company and that has Guyanese nationals holding at least 75 percent of the executive and senior management positions and at least 90 percent of nonmanagerialandotherpositions…”

It was stated in the magazine that from the Secretariat's perspective of the first phase of implementation, there are areas for continueddevelopment.

As such, the Secretariat is targeting adjustments in the Act, “Particularly its First Schedule to makeroomforimprovementstothe law,”Pertabsaid,addingthat,“The Natural Resources Ministry plans

to establish, too, regulations to guide the newly-improved Act.” “Thisreviewwillserveasanadded layer of protection to guard against those who wish to circumvent the law,”Pertabaffirmed.

Kaieteur News had reported that Chief Justice (AG), Roxane George-Wiltshire warned against arbitrarinessduetothelackofrules and regulations in Guyana's Local ContentActof2021.

She was at the time delivering

her ruling in the Judicial Review matter against the Government of Guyana's refusal to provide Ramps Logistics with a Local Content Certificate.

Justice George-Wiltshire ruled that the Director of the LCS had until noon on Monday, November 14, 2022, to issue a Local Content CertificatetoRampsLogistics.

Ramps Logistics, which is originally from Trinidad and Tobago had registered under Guyana's Companies Act, but was denied a Local Content Certificate as required under the Local Content Act of 2021, for purportedly not being a 'Guyanese company.'

In December 2021, Guyana passed its Local Content

Legislation, which caters to locals getting first preference in the country'soilandgassector

The Local Content Law is intended to regulate the way companies operate in Guyana's oil and gas sector, employ persons, buy services, and the way that they procuregoods.

Under the Act, the Local Content Secretariat (the Secretariat) has been established and functions as the focal point for the monitoring, evaluation, coordination, and reporting of

Local Content in the petroleum operationsofGuyana.

Therefore, the Secretariat's key role is to monitor and evaluate companies' performance with respect to the Guyanese utilization targetsoutlinedintheAct.

However, since its passage, there have been several local content issues that were raised by the local businesses and the private sector

The Chief Justice in her ruling said, “This Act has no rules or regulations and this allows for arbitrariness.”

She explained that from the time the Secretariat realised that they needed certain regulations to better execute the mandate of the Local Content Act, they should have alerted the Attorney General Chambers to get those regulations implemented.

“The Local ContentAct clearly needs regulations so as to prevent arbitrary decision-making,” the ChiefJusticesaid.

Moreover, following the CJ's ruling, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, in a missive had said that the regulations and guidelines to support and strengthen the Legislation are beingdrafted.

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall

President Irfaan Ali

Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr. Martin Pertab

'We will get the best deals for the people'

By: Kiana Wilburg and Davina Bagot (reporting from Trinidad and Tobago)

As Trinidad and Tobago e n t e r s n e w negotiations with oil companies seeking to start up operations in the Twin Island Republic, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Stuart Young has put them on notice that the country will accept nothing less than“thebestdeals.”

The Minister signaled this position at the T&T Energy Conference that opened on MondayattheHyattRegency,Port of Spain, Trinidad. This year, the conference is being held under the theme 'Navigating a Complex EnergyMix'.

Trinidad and Tobago earlier this month announced that 16 bids were received during its public

auction for exploring and developing oil and natural gas at eight onshore blocks. T&T had made it clear last year that it is prepared to reject bids from two of the country's major oil and gas producers as they have failed to meet the country's minimum requirement for accessing its offshoreoilblocks.

An exclusive Reuters report said that the Trinidad Government is set to have discussions with BP Plc BP.L and Shell Plc SHEL.L, the only two companies that took partinitsoilblockauction,butwill be holding back its deep-water assetsiftheoilmajorscannotcome to terms with the basic requirements of the twin island's mostrecentbidround.

Reuters said that Trinidad could reject four of the offshore exploration bids presented by BP Plc BP.L and Shell Plc SHEL.L. It

said that Trinidad and Tobago's deep-water bid round closed in early June with offers received only from a BP-Shell consortium on four of the 17 available blocks. It was noted that the country's Energy Ministry objected to the offers' conditional commitment to drill new wells and what it described as a meager signing bonus.

The consortium's bid proposed to evaluate seismic data before committing to a drilling plan, the reportsaid.

Yesterday, Young told stakeholders at the conference, “The Government is proactive, we are listening and we are ready to work with you with one mandate. TheGovernmentisgoingtogetthe best deal and the best returns for the people of Trinidad and Tobago so when you are coming to the tabletotalktous,justbearthatone

thing in mind, because that's the one non-negotiable. Everything elseisnegotiable.”

In Guyana, Politicians have refused to correct the lopsided Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) the country signed with oil giant, ExxonMobil. That agreement has been described as

oneoftheworstintheentireglobal industry While the People's Progressive Party (PPP) Government agrees that the contract is lopsided, it will not change the deal. It said future contracts will have better terms that ensure more benefit to the country.

The Government of Guyana continues to ignore projects budgeted for by Region Ten's Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and submitted for allocations in the National Budget, Regional Chairman, Deron Adams said.

Adams said that the projects identified by the Council were substituted with others without consultation with the RDC. He described the actions of Central Governmentasalarming.

Adamsexplainedthatmembers of the Council take lots of time and effort to meet with residents via community consultations to have their input. He argued that the budget, which is funded by tax payers' money, should be used for the constituents' needs, especially atthecommunitylevel.

“ThisGovernmentcontinuesto pursueapolicyofnotonlyrefusing to fund projects proposed by the council, but to ignore input from local governance perspective,” a statement by the RDC Chair said noting that this has been the situationsince2020.

The Regional Chairman alluded to projects proposed under itsagricultureprogrammetosecure funding for farmers in several outlying communities in Region 10. He said that the Council saw

first hand the challenges the farmers face, particularly as it relates to the marketing of their crops. Another major project that was submitted for funding but was removed is the continuation of the new Regional Democratic Council Headquarters at Speightland, Mackenzie. The current building, whichisdecadesold,andislocated onRepublicAvenue,waslistedasa fire hazard by the Guyana Fire Service It is currently overcrowded and is structurally faulty

“The ground floor floods every day as a result of plumbing deficiencies and on several occasions the operations here have beenbroughttoahaltandstaffsent home as a result of sewerage backing up and overflowing into

office spaces. The Administration building at Kwakwani is in a similar state of disrepair and begs the question why would any administration that cares for the persons in its direct employ, refuse to allocate resources to make their work environment safe and comfortable,”thereleasesaid.

While the budget for his office operations was increased to $47M, the actual sum to facilitate operations has been reduced by $700,000sincestipendforToshaos and Councillors has been increased.

The Chairman claims that this reduced sum will affect the office's community consultation programmesamongstothers.

“When cost of living increases are factored in, you can see that the RDC is being forced to do less work in Region 10 due to a net reduction in its funding. Fuel, spares and maintenance costs to facilitate our interaction with residents across the 6,555 square miles of this region, from the Berbice River to the upper reaches of the Demerara and the Essequibo Rivercommunitiesaswell.”

The Council calls on the government to ensure the elected armoftheRDCisnotsidelinedand the wishes of the constituents are respected.

Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Stuart Young

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

WANTED: A FEW MORE GUYANESE OF CALIBRE

We must be thankful for small mercies in this country Thoughthereareusuallyfarapart,wearegladtotakethem when we get them. Any sturdy Guyanese presence would count, should be hailed, from other media presences to a Judge or two more, to several Politicians, if such can be foundatall,tocivilsocietycontributorswhospeaktotruth and from the heart about what is really going on in this country

WeneedafewmoreGuyanese,whostandupandserve asexamplesofwhatitistobehonest,principled,wise,and courageous.HighCourtJudgeNareshwarHarnananhasset the bar for Guyanese to follow Theissue is whether other Guyanese have what it takes to follow, to stand up in their own right, and say that they see through the veils and secrecies, the concoctions of Government and foreign companies, as those relate to the exploitation of our opportunities,andourrichnaturalresources.

JudgeHarnanan’spositionisthattherewillbenostayof hispriorjudgementthatGuyana’sEnvironmentalProtection Agency’s (EPA) decision to waive the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Schlumberger’s facility at Houston posed a danger to the community, inclusive of schools, religious houses, and residents. To think that Guyana’s EPA could casually concludethatanEIAisnotneededforafacilitythatwould store hazardous (radioactive) material in a populated area scaresthedaylightoutofus,andshoulddothesameforall Guyanese, regardless of whether they live in Houston or elsewhere. WhatelseistheEPAcapableofoverlooking,or givingafreepass?

If the EPA could turn its face on what would involve radioactive materials, then any horror, any peril, any potentiallylethaldevelopmentthatcomesunderitspurview standsasimilarchanceofablindeyebeingturned. Thank thestarsandwhatevergreatforceisabovethem,thatthereis a Guyanese of the caliber, of the fearlessness, as Judge Harnanan. He is looking out for Guyanese, and that is why thereisnoreceptionforastayofhisrulingagainsttheEPA and,byextensionandresult,Schlumberger,amajorplayerin ExxonMobil’scontinuallyexpandingwebofoperationsand intriguesinGuyana.Nostayfortwomonthsandnostayfor even 28 days for the removal of radioactive material at the HoustonfacilityofSchlumberger,andwiththatweareinfull agreement.

Howisitthatthestorageofradioactivematerialscould bepossibleinHouston,andnowthatithastoberemoved? Of what good, what purpose, is Guyana’s EPA when somethingofthisdangerousnatureoccursunderitswatch? WhyisthattheentireEPAisnotdisbanded,oritspeoplesent packing? WhatiftheRadziksistersandMr RaphaelSingh werenotalertandassertiveandvaliantfortheirrights,their safety, and that of neighbors? Would ExxonMobil and its partnerSchlumbergereverthinkofbuildingsuchafacilityin Houston,Texasandstoringsuchharmfulmaterialsthere? Is thehealthandlifeofpoor,coloredpeopleinthiscountryof lesserimportanceandvaluethanthoseofCaucasiansinthe LoneStarState?

Eveninanoil-crazy,oilpowered,andoilcommittedstate likeTexas,wedonotbelievethatsuchwouldhaveeverbeen allowed to get off the ground. Again, we are glad for the Radziks and Singh, and a Judge Harnanan, standing at the bridge and holding it against all odds. ExxonMobil and Schlumberger are not going to give up, they may even go ‘judgeshopping’inGuyanatopresstheircaseinthehopeof overturningtheexistingrulingofJudgeHarnanan.Asfaras we at this publication are concerned, this matter should be considereddeadandburied. ForSchlumbergertoapplyfora stayinthejudgmentisanindicationofitsinsultingregardfor Guyanese processes, and Guyanese wellbeing. If only Guyana could find more sons and daughters that recognize thebrutalassaultsonourdignityandsafety,andtightentheir beltstodosomethingaboutthose,thenwecouldbemasters ofbothourwealth,andourdestiny

Police crime stats process needs overhauling, citizens still live with chronic fear

DEAREDITOR,

It is meaningless to publishseriouscrimefigures with the intention to create the perception that crime is under control when citizens feel otherwise and there is a perpetualfearofcrimeinthe country The spin doctors in the Guyana Police Force mustdobetter Iwatchedand listenedtothevariousPolice Regional Divisional Commanders reporting on their end of year crime statistics.

They all presented a general decrease of reported serious crimes for 2022 as compared to 2021. There is, however, an increase in certain categories of serious crimes across the various divisions.

TheHeadoftheCriminal Investigation Department announced an 80% clear up rate of murder Charging persons for serious criminal offences is just one step in the criminal justice process. Law Enforcement has a rigorous standard, proof beyond a reasonable doubt. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty No, not guilty as charged.A crimeisconsideredsolvedor cleared up when a person is chargedandconvictedbythe Court.

During 2022 numerous casesincludingmurdersand rapes before the Supreme and Magistrates’ Courts weredismissedduetolackof evidence.

In answer to a question recently put to him by a Journalist about the performanceoftheTopCop, Clifton Hicken, a smiling Minister of Home Affairs posited that under Hicken’s leadership there was a dramatic decrease in serious crimes in 2022 by 20% as comparedto2021.

Consideration must be given to the ‘dark figures of crime,’that is to say, crimes committed but for diverse reasons not reported to the police. The possibility of ‘ghosting,’falsifying patrols logs to ‘make the numbers come out right’ cannot be overlooked. In addition, the police extract their crime figures from their crime book However, many serious crimes are hidden away in their occurrence book and station diary Hence, they are not catered forwhencompilingthestats. Analysing crime stats is nothing new It became popular during the early 1990s when Laurie Lewis was the Commissioner of Police. He identified eleven serious crimes which were analysed on a monthly and yearlybasis.Afteroverthree decades they are the same crimesthatthepresentpolice administration is analysing, despite the fact that crime has evolved over the years. Many serious crimes including trafficking in person, some sexual offencesundertheDomestic

ViolenceAct1996,andother serious crimes in relation to the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (control) Act Chapter 10:10 are not catered for The outdated list of serious crimes should be revised in keepingwithcurrentserious crimetrends.

During this month the police seized several illegal high-powered automatic firearms.Therehavebeenan alarming number of unsolved serious crimes countrywide including at least three execution- style killings and the double murder of Detective

Corporal, Dwayne McPherson, and civilian Kishan Bugburgh at Huntley,Mahaicony Noone waschargedforthemurders. Foremostamongthekillings isonecommittedatLeopold Street, Georgetown in broad daylight where an assailant pumped twelve bullets from an automatic handgun into thebodyofAnthonyCharles called ‘Skiddle,’killing him on the spot. The murderer madenoefforttoconcealhis identity while executing the murder Thepolicearestillto makeanarrestinthismatter despite their ‘Safe City Apparatus’inplace.

DuringtheAnnualPolice Officers’ Conference 2022 the police announced that ‘Safe City’ is slated to replacebootsontheground. Wow! One of the daily newspapersreportedthatasa

matter of concern over the crimesituation,PresidentAli who recently returned from officialdutyinIndiaaskedto be briefed on the execution and crime situation in the country

The police must use a better method of evaluation tomeasurehowwelltheyare performing According to WayneWBennettandKaren M Hess in their book ‘ M a n a g e m e n t a n d Supervision’ in Law Enforcement,lowcrimerate doesnotmeanthatthepolice are efficient and effective.A high arrest rate does not necessarily show that the police are doing a good job. A high ratio of police ranks to citizens does not necessarily mean high quality police performance. Responding quickly to calls for service does not necessarily indicate that the police are efficient and effective. The crime stats producedbythepoliceisjust atabulationofevents.Itdoes not mean that the activities were completed efficiently and effectively, and they do notdescribewhatimpactthe activities had on the various communities.

Rather than looking at crime rates, number of arrests, and response time evaluation should assess whetherornotthepoliceare f u l f i l l i n g t h e i r responsibilities to the communityassetoutin

(Continuedonpage5)

The sensitive issue of firearm licenses and overall safety

DEAREDITOR,

During 1994, President Dr Cheddi Jagan having repeatedly said that the PPP Government does not controlthebureaucracy, and sought to address a very sensitive topic, that of firearmownership.

Dr Jaganafterreviewing the pattern of firearm applications and their subsequent approval concludedthatthereseemed a definite bias in favor of firearm applications made byIndo-Guyanese;sooneis led to conclude that this precedent was set by the formerGovernment.

While in conversation with his close friend Brin Pollard, who lived opposite thethenofficialresidenceof the President on Vlissengen

Road, then President Forbes Burnham was quoted as having said, back in the late 1970s, that he just could not understand the Peter Sellers mentality of the average public servant, who seemed inclined to sell anything and everythingthatcameintohis path.

President Burnham identified licenses, certificates, passports and eventhehousespresentedto s o m e G o v e r n m e n t employeesassalableitems.

Faced with such a dilemma President Jagan said that he had received numerous complaints of Senior Government Officials, Members of International Organizations and former Magistrates and Businesspersons not being

favorably considered for firearmownership.

I know of many former staff of the CARICOM Secretariat, whose applications were denied on thebasisofspuriousexcuses from the Commissioner of Police.

In an attempt to bring a measure of fairness to the system, President Jagan instructed the authorities to approvethependingfirearm applications of 37 persons, most of whom were decidedlyAfro-Guyanese.

Heproceededtoproffera rationalforhisaction.

“He said if a former Regional Official, Senior Government Official or ex memberoftheJointServices could safely operate and secure a firearm for most of

hisprofessionalcareer,orbe responsible for the management of vital resources, as in the case of those who were never in the jointservices,whycan’tthey be responsible for the safe useofafirearm?”

Todayitwouldseemthat a preponderance of legal firearm holders is of IndoGuyanese descent, however, given the degree of accidental injuries sustained by persons, very often the firearm holder themselves, not forgetting murder/ suicide etc. it would appear that the late Dr Cheddi

Jagan’s wisdom has not being applied as a guiding philosophy in this very vital nationalsecurityprocess.

Sincerely, ClairmontFeatherstone

City Officials need to step up and do their duty

DEAREDITOR,

S i n c e t h e

commencement of this year, Ihavelearntviathemediaof a number of events and occurrences in our capital city that leaves much to be desired and to which the Georgetown Municipality seems totally oblivious and unconcerned.

Therewasthefloodingof thePrincesStreetarea(andI note some of our reporters incorrectly referring to it as Princess Street when it is reallyPrincesStreet)duetoa breach at the sluice in the area.ItwasthenthatIlearnt that it is the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and not t h e G e o r g e t o w n Municipality that is now responsibleforkeydrainage works in the city This is a shocking revelation and leaves one to wonder where really is our property rates going and what does our city’s engineers have to do now that they have been

r e l i e v e d o f t h a t responsibility?

Additionally, I observed that it was the Minister of Agriculture who visited the scenetomakeanassessment of the circumstances and to implementmeasurestohave the situation corrected and not the Mayor of Georgetown.Whyisthisso? Then we have had the unrestrained occurrences of violent crimes being perpetuated in the city, such as the incident of the young man who was attacked and shot by suspected bandits at Third Street, Cummings Lodge, and then there was that video in circulation of two men choking and robbing another male on the pavement leaving him lying inaheap.Thequestiontobe asked is where is the City Police?

And to add insult to injury, there was the recent claim by the Mayor of Georgetownthathislifeand thatofhisfamilywereputin

dangerbytheremovalofthe CityPolicethatareguarding oneofhispropertieslocated atPigeonIsland.

This is in spite of him having a retinue of bodyguards and static security stationed at another property of his located at Lamaha Street It is no wonder City Policemen can hardly be seen around the city

Itistimethattheofficials at City Hall step up to the plate and take their responsibilities seriously Insteadofmoaningaboutthe Central Government starving and marginalizing them, they should seek to carry out their statutory duties and responsibilities such as policing the city, maintaining the integrity of the drainage system, managing solid waste, providing public health services among other municipalduties.

Sincerely, JermainJohnson

Corporal punishment: this controversial issue continues to burn

DEAREDITOR,

If anything, being a part of the education system has taught me three things: patience, tolerance and restraint. In the past week, there was a great buzz about corporal punishment in the classroom and the effects of sameandthereactionoftwo parents towards teachers after their children were scolded/beaten.

Today, I take the pen wearingtwocaps:oneinthe capacity of an educator and theotherasaparent,withthe aim of having both worlds understand the actions of each other and hope that situationsofthisnaturecease withintheeducationsystem.

Corporal punishment does not just mean an act of disciplinewithinthelearning institution, it envelopes any physical act of punishment by an authority be it in the home, the school, or any

Police crime stats process needs overhauling...

Frompage4

Section 3 (2) of the Police Act Chapter 16: 01. They must also look at their mission statement It is flawed. I will address it in a subsequent article Most citizens want to live in safe, orderlyneighbourhoods.

According to Sir Robert Peel,oftencalledthe‘Father of Modern Policing’the test ofpoliceeffectivenessisthe absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidenceofpoliceactivityin dealing with these issues. Reduction of fear is a very importantmeasure.

In evaluating the crime situation,apartfromlooking at percentage increase and decreaseincrime,thepolice should ask the following questions:Isitatrend?Isita pattern? Is it a series? Is it a

spree?

Where are the hot spots? Based on the data gathered thepolicecanadoptthe3Ds approach towards crime fighting - Data driven decisions, utilising their technical, human, and conceptualskills in the fight againstcrimeandthefearof crime. There is also the CompStat model of crime fighting that w as successfullyimplementedin the New York Police Department,UnitedStatesof America by Mayor Robert Giuliani and Commissioner ofPoliceWilliamBratton.It is a computer - generated crime statistics performance management system used to reduce crime and to achieve other police department goals.

It rests on four legs:

Accurate and timely intelligence, rapid response, effective tactics, relentless followupandassessment.

Ithasitsnegatives,butis still very instructive In addition, citizens surveys can assess other citizens approval or disapproval of the police performance which is generally reflected in letters of criticism or commendation, support for police programmes, cooperation with incidents being investigated, letters to the editor, public reaction to a single police incident and response to police - initiated surveys.

Community surveys are often a win - win situation. Citizens are better served and the police receive positive feedback. Citizens surveys can also be a key in establishing good communication Citizens surveys might also help set organisational goals and priorities, identify department strengths and weaknesses,identifyareasof improvement and needed training and influence the motivation of employees May God help the Guyana PoliceForce.

Yourssincerely, ClintonConway

setting where one strives to have physical punishment as discipline. For decades theCaribbeanhouseholdhas prided itself in discipline by force, we all can attest to lashes, for wrongdoing and, byextension,anyfigurewith authority was allowed to do same because the narrative that” a community raises a child” was peddled and enforced.Butwhereandhow does this form of discipline stop?

Many have lobbied to have corporal punishment ceased in the educational system the Rights of the Child commission and UNICEFarejustafew

The western Influence has also had great impacton whatdisciplineshouldbebut again to what extent should thisbeenforced?

Teachers like parents are humans and when one’s authority is questioned, especiallyif that“one“isan adult,then theonly form of punishmentthatwouldcome tomindareafewlasheswith

the ruler, or discipline that entails lines or public shaming

I’mnotheretosugarcoat anythingand,asoffensiveat it sounds, the reality is, the authority will lash out Almost every Caribbean or Guyanese parent, I vouch will not argue that a “belt lash, pot spoon, or a few expletives would be the first response to remedy an undisciplined act of the child.

We want our children to havemanners,wewantthem to be disciplined , we inflict our forms of what punishment should be ,but become annoyed when another authority decides to dothesame ordowe?How does the teacher know when to stop? I know that, as mandated,iflashesaretobe administered itmustbedone bytheheadteacher,ordeputy ,orsomeotherseniorteacher, but again to what extent is thisacceptableforaparent?

Doparentsbelievethat (Continuedonpage6)

Accursed is anyone who withholds justice

DEAREDITOR,

The CCJ has ruled that themeninvolvedinthecold, callous and calculated murderofClementineParris (akaRobbSt.granny)could be released from jail after serving20years.According to Kaieteur News dated 18th. January 2023, “ The CCJ recalled the written statements of the brothers whichsetouttheplantokill Fiedtkou-Parris,thepersons who were involved in that plan, how and where the killing was carried out and

by whom and, the events which transpired after the killing including the payment of money to the brothers.”

These men confessed to having been paid to commit the crime, yet our trained sleuths seemingly cannot fathomwhopaidthem?who was the mastermind that conjured up this dastardly act?whyitwasnecessaryto ‘outherlight‘?

These criminals were so ‘poor’thattheycouldaccept paltrypaymenttomurderan

innocent woman, but could be ‘ rich’ enough to afford the best Lawyers to take their case to the Appeal Court and beyond! to the CCJ!INTERESTING!!

Clementine Parris was a widowandamemberofour church.Ifthecourtsofearth fail to give her justice, the courtsofHeavenwon’t!For saystheHolyScriptures(not me!)“Cursedisanyonewho withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” Then all the peopleshallsay,“Amen!”

Deuteronomy 27:19 (NIV).

“Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, setting his nest on high to escape the clutches of ruin! Youhaveplottedtheruinof manypeoples,shamingyour own house and forfeiting your life. The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beamsofthewoodworkwill echo it.” Habakkuk 2: 9-11. The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silentbeforeHim.

Habakkuk 2:9-,11, ,20 (NIV).,,

Yourstruly, ClaudiaHeywood

Corporal punishment: this controversial issue...

Frompage5

teachers just come to work one day and decide that violencetowardsachildwill betheorder?

Doparentseverquestion what has caused the teacher to react in the manner? Do teacherseveraskthemselves were I this child’s parent would I want the same for himorher?Howdowesettle thefeud?

Does a parent believe thatitisacceptabletochoose violence as a response to their child being beaten by theteacher?

Do they think about the repercussions of their actions?Whatiftheirblowis lethal?

Do they understand the psychological effects their responsewouldhaveontheir child, or the record they would set for themselves, or child when another teacher has to deal with the student, or another school has to accepthimorher?

What about the psychological damage caused by losing friends or feeling alienated because of theactionsoftheparent?

I’m not supporting any

formofcorporalpunishment that is so severe that objects arebroken,orskinsacheand bleed.

Neither am I saying that parents are wrong for voicingconcernsaboutwhat happens in the classroom. WhatI’mhighlightingisthe manner in which teachers and parents deal with situations as it regards methods used to discipline thestudent.

Inclosingthehomeisthe first place where a child is exposed to discipline and learning.

The values instilled in him or her would result in both their actions and reactions to situations outside of the home. The Caribbeanhouseholdaswell as the Caribbean parent’s behaviour is influenced by our history- our own upbringing.

The whip is our tool of correction.

However slowly, this culture is dying, the western world and its influence is changing what discipline is and it’s quite okay for parents to get defensive of theirchildwhentheybelieve

heorsheisbeing harmed.

But there are ways to approach this, ways which do not have to result in you losing your respect by storming into an institution todegradeandfighttheonly person who offers care to your child when you’re not there.

A child spends most of their time with the teacher and their peers more than theydointhehousehold,and I do know the personality traits in the classroom are sometimes very different from those exhibited in the home,somovingforwardthe approach of both the parent and teacher towards the ‘delinquent child’ must be different, and so must the Ministry’sstanceoncorporal punishment. Ifwearegoing to abolish it, then so it must be, if we are going to put clauses around who must administer same then delinquent teachers must be held accountable, but at the end of the day, the greatest human resource to any countryistheteacher,andwe needtoletthatsinkin!

Sincerely, AtikaStephens

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

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

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

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

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

DEBT GOING UP, GUYANESE GOING DOWN

Debt is going up by 16%.

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

Guyanese going down daily with more and more giving up.

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

It’s borrow and spend by the PPPGovernment.

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

This way their cronies and cabals can enrich themselves some more.

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

PPProgues and rascals collecting lavishly with projects.

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

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

Guyanese taxpayers bending their backs to pay billions more in debt.

This is not clean governance, this is criminal connivance.

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

Future drilling in Corentyne Block hinges on success of Wei-1 Well - CGX

Canadian oil company, CGX Energy Inc. and its affiliate, Frontera Energy Corporation, on Monday announced that the joint venture has spud the Wei-1 Well in the Corentyne Block, but future drilling at that offshorelocationwillonlybe announced if positive results are recorded from that operation.

TheWei-1Well is located a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2 0 0 kilometersoffshoreGuyana.

In a statement, the joint venture explained, “The Government of Guyana has approved an Appraisal Plan forthenorthernsectionofthe Corentyne block which commenced with the Wei-1 well. Following completion of Wei-1 drilling operations and upon detailed analysis of the results, the Joint Venture mayconsiderfuturewellsper its appraisal program to e v a l u a t e p o s s i b l e development feasibility in the Kawa-1 discovery area and throughout the northern section of the Corentyne block.”

It was keen to noted however that, “Any future drilling is contingent on positive results at Wei-1 and the Joint Venture has no further drilling obligations beyond the Wei-1 well.” The Wei-1wellislocatedsome14 kilometres northwest of the Joint Venture's previous Kawa-1 light oil and condensate discovery and will be drilled in water depth of approximately 1,912 feet (583metres)toananticipated

total depth of 20,500 feet (6,248 metres). It will target Maastrichtian, Campanian and Santonian aged stacked sands within channel and fan complexes in the northern section of the Corentyne block.Thewellisexpectedto take approximately four to five months to reach total depth.

Kaieteur News reported that CGX Energy Inc and Frontera Energy Corporation commenced the drilling operation offshore on January 14. The public was informed of the activities by the Maritime Administration (MARAD),whichinapublic notice also noted that the operationshouldconcludeon June30thisyear Thevessels

OSV Breaux Tide, OSV Aldemir Souza Tide and OSV Saavendra Tide will be incorporated during the activities.

Executive Co-Chairman ofCGX'sBoardofDirectors, ProfessorSureshNarine,said yesterday “The Joint Venture is pleased to announce that it has spud the Wei-1 well offshoreGuyana,andthatthe Government of Guyana has approved the Joint Venture's appraisal program Wei-1 will appraise both the Kawa1discoveryaswellasexplore additional opportunities within the Corentyne block.

The Wei-1 well is on-trend and positioned for success with both Kawa-1 and recent peerdiscoveriesimmediately adjacent to the northern section of the Corentyne block.”

He added that the joint venture is grateful for the Government of Guyana's ongoing support as it works towards spudding Wei-1 inline with the previously agreedterms.

In November last year, the oil company announced the postponement of drilling operations at the Wei-1 Well. At the time, it said the operations would commence no later than January 31, 2023. Under the terms of the Licence for the Corentyne block, the Joint Venture was

Map showing the location of the proposed oil and gas exploration well, Wei-1

previously required to spud Wei-1, the second of two commitment wells on the block, by November 27, 2022.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Frontera, Orlando Cabrales noted, “We are very excited about the potentially transformational opportunity that is now before us on the Corentyneblockinoneofthe most exciting exploration areas in the world and we look forward to safely and successfullydrillingtheWei-

1 well and potentially extending the Joint Venture's recent light oil and condensate discovery at the Kawa-1well."

CGXisaCanadian-based oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration of oil in the Guyana-Suriname Basin and the development of a deepwater port in Berbice, Guyana Frontera Energy Corporation is a Canadian public company involved in t h e e x p l o r a t i o n , development, production,

transportation, storage and sale of oil and natural gas in South America, including related investments in both upstream and midstream facilities.TheCompanyhasa diversified portfolio of assets with interests in 32 exploration and production blocks in Colombia, Ecuador andGuyana,andpipelineand port facilities in Colombia. Frontera is committed to conducting business safely a n d i n a s o c i a l l y, environmentally and ethicallyresponsiblemanner

OP:ED Working towards a food secure region

Food insecurity affected 40 percent o f t h e t o t a l population of Latin America and the Caribbean, higher than the global average of 29.3 percent. This is one of thestarkmessagesthatcanbe found in the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition – Latin America and the Caribbean 2022, a seminal publication recently launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and other UN agencieslastweek.

By Gillian Smith FAO (Representative in Guyana) Dr. Gillian Smith, FAO Representative

It further sheds light on the fact that millions of families in the world lack

access to food. The report highlights how rising international food prices and inflation have affected economicaccesstonutritious food, especially for the poorest.

This is because they spend a higher proportion of their income on food compared to those with more resources, deteriorating food security Additionally, the report concludes that, throughout the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, there is a link between the lack of economic access or affordability of a healthy diet with the levels of poverty, income inequality, and economic growth of the countries, as well as with the levels of hunger and other formsofmalnutrition.

Access to healthy nutrition provides a critical advantage to a productive,

life National development literally depends on it. In 2020, the

report notes, an estimated 42 percent (almost 3.1 billion people!) of the global population could not afford a healthy diet due to the increased cost of dietary components.

In LatinAmerica and the Caribbean, the figure was 22.5 percent (131 million people), representing an increase of 8 million over the 2019figure.

Of concern, the report concludes that the region has the highest cost of a healthy diet compared to the rest of theworld.

The average value was calculated as USD 3.89 per day per person in the region, while the world average is USD3.54.

Initial estimates for Guyana in the report indicate that the average cost of a

healthy diet is approximately USD4.89.

Neighbouring Suriname is noted to have the highest cost in South America, at USD5.74perdayperperson. Like most countries, those of Latin America and the Caribbean have been considerably affected by the global economic slowdown, the climate crisis, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent conflict in Ukraine have had profound effects on agrifoodsystemsandfood.

How can this report help?

Guyana continues to make good on its economic progress, including the welcomed news that in 2022, the agriculture sector saw a 1 2 p e r c e n t g r o w t h ,

healthy

Our educational system should be declared a disaster zone

Each year our national Budget keeps getting larger.Thisisnotpeculiarto PPPC Governments. It has also occurred under the APNU+AFC Government. For example in the Budget speechfor2015,aBudgetof $192.1B was proposed; for 2016 the corresponding figure was G$223.3B; and by2019thishadincreasedto G$291B.

The actual expenditures tend to vary upwards and downwards from these numbers.Butithasbeenthe pattern that each year’s Budget surpasses that of the previousyear

Over the past two years, therehasbeenasteephikein thecountry’soverallBudget with increases average in excessof40%.Butthemere fact that more money is being spent does not automatically translate into reductions of poverty Indeed, as was explained in an earlier column, as a country graduates from low income to middle income status,thepovertylineadjust upwards. The incidence of poverty may therefore increase despite increased expenditures.|

The 2023 Budget has been criticized by the Opposition for not containing measures to attenuate, alleviate or eradicatepoverty Oneofthe arguments countering this

proposition is that the Government is spending more, including on social services such as education andhealth,andthisisbound to have a positive impact on poverty. It is a most ridiculouscounterargument.

The mere increase in spending does not necessarily translate to improvements. Indeed for years now, the annual allocations to the education sector has increased. Yet there has been little improvement in the metrics used to measure students’ performance – passes at the N G S A a n d C S E C examinations.

Half of the students sitting the National Grade SixAssessment(NGSA)and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations have failed to pass these examinations Despite the increasing injections of expenditure intotheeducationsector,the system is producing failures at both the primary-leaving and secondary leaving examinations.

Didyouknowthatatthe N a t i o n a l G r a d e 2 Assessment,only45%ofour students are securing passes in English and only 49% at mathematics?Didyouknow two years onwards, at the Grade 4 level, there tends to be a decline in performance with only 37% passing mathematics? And by the

Dem Boys Seh...

time these students get to Grade 6, half of them will fail the National Grade Six Assessment. And at the CSEC level, only slightly morethanoneineverythree studentswereleavingschool with five or more subjects, including Mathematics and English. No wonder youth employment is high – the education system is failing ouryoungpeople.

Outside of examination passes, a deep-seated crisis exists.TheEducationSector Plan 2021-2025 paints a dismal picture of national education. For example, the majority of our students are not completing their secondary education. Only about 42% of a cohort is completingthefinalgradein primary-tops schools – a primary school with a secondary department up to Grade9.

In the general secondary schools, only half of the studentsofanygivencohort will survive. This in itself should have elicited a declaration of emergency in education.

TheWorldBankhassaid that tertiary education has poor returns in Guyana. It has noted that about half of our university graduates migrate to the United State. Yet, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo insists on free university education at the University of Guyana by 2025, despite the

DE GEE-M-CEE NEED A ROUND OF APPLAUSE

Isverylittlecanbedoneaboutimported inflation. De Government done reduce de taxespungasolineanddatkeepdepriceat depumpstable.

DeGovernmentallowingdemimporter to pay duties pun pre-pandemic freight rates But even though freight rates returning to normalcy, de consumers nah seeingnoreductioninpricesindemarket.

But what is most disconcerting is de price of local fruits, provisions and vegetables. Dem price of dem things sky highandisrighthereinGuyanademthings growing. So why de prices so high? Is exploitationtekkin’placeindecountry

FuhChristmas,deGee-M-Ceecometo depeoplerescue.WereitnotfordeGee-MCee de price of a tray of eggs would have reached $2,000. And nuff people would

have had to do without sponge cake – a traditionalChristmastreat.

But de Gee-M- See took a decision to buy eggs and sell back fuh $1200 per tray Datputaspokeindewheelofnuffofdem unscrupulous vendors wah bin hoping fuh chargeajewelandacrownfuhanegg.

De Gee-M-Cee do a good deed fuh de people.Anditshouldbegivenderesources fuh continue to ensure that people get cheaperfood.

It should start looking at selling other locally produced items such as cooking oil andfruitsandprovisionsandvegetables.It should buy these items amd back at small mark-upsoastodrivedepricedowninde markets.

Otherwisedeadvantagenahandone!

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

government having an impressive programme called the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) which has the potential to ensure universal access to tertiary education and is a much better investment that sinking moniesintofreeeducationat theUniversityofGuyana.

According to the World Bank while students in Guyana receive 12 years of schooling, because of the poor quality of the education, the learning is only equivalent to 6.7 years of education in topperforming education systems. In other words, we are graduating students with

a sub-standard education relative to international standards.

Contributing to this dismal state of affairs is the large number of untrained teachers. A quarter of the teachers in Guyana’s education system are untrained, a fact which has beenacknowledgedbylocal educationalofficials.

The education system in Guyana therefore is in deep crisis Throwing more resources at the sector without proper policies aimed at narrowing the numerous gaps, including thosethatimpactonpoverty, isnotaworkablesolution.

There must an honest

acceptance that education is now a national disaster and no amount of photo-ops is going to fix it. Only sound policieswilldothis.

The education sector needs a revamp. It is crying out for new vision, new thinkingandnewinitiatives. And that, unfortunately, can onlycomeaboutifthereisa complete overall of the leadership within the system.

(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.)

I WILL NEVER END MY MEDIA CAREER WITHOUT COMMENTING ON JULIAN ASSANGE

What a warped personality like Donald TrumpdidtoJulianAssange is sick. Anyone who likes Trump is equally sick. Mr Trump is a threat to global democracy

The sooner Mr Trump sinks deeper in enveloping obscurity, the better for global peace. Mr Trump trumped up charges against Assange and the ruling Conservative Party of the UK participated in prosecutingMr Assange.

Mr Assange secured security materials on US military action in Iraq and Afghanistanthathereleased tosomeofthebiggestglobal newspapers. One was the Guardian of the UK. The other was the New York

Times.

The Trump Government instituted18chargesagainst Mr Assange with possessionofthedocuments butnottheNewYorkTimes which published the very documents.

Most of the items that Assange received was from then, security analyst, ChelseaManning.

Ms Manning was pardoned by President ObamabutTrumpaskedthe UKGovernmenttoextradite Assange. One would have thought that the persecution of Assange would have come to an end with the assumption to power of a manknowntobeoneofthe great liberal politicians in recentyears–JosephBiden.

Mr Biden’s Vice-

President is a Black woman – Kamala Harris - who has uttered not one word about whatTrumpdidtoAssange. Any Black professor of American politics would find it hard to think that President Obama refused to pardon Edward Snowden and that Harris would sanction the American persecution of Assange. It justgoestoshowthatpeople ofcolourmustvoteonissues andnotonrace.

As we mentioned Obama,readersneedtoread a chapter titled, “Manhunt Presidency: Obama, race and the Third World” in a recently published book captioned, “Violence and the Third World in International Relations ” Interestingly,thebookisco-

edited by a Guyanese scholar who is currently an advisor to President Ali, Professor Randolph Persaud.

Thechapteriswrittenby Sankaran Krishna of the University of Hawaii During his presidency, Obama stressed the exceptionality of the Unites States but Krishna showed that there was nothing exceptionalintheruleofthe first Black president of the US.

U n d e r s t a n d i n g Krishna’s brilliant dissecting of Obama’s comprehensionoftheworld, Krishna destroyed any willingness we may have of accepting a legacy for Obama.Ilikehowheputsit and I quote him; “Obama found himself imprisoned –or chose to imprison himself- in narratives that arguably produced yet another white president rather than its first black one” Read Krishna and you will see the true colours of Obama.

Assange languishes in a high security prison while the same Western leaders, including Biden, that have him there, denounce the persecution of journalists in othercountries.

Bidendidjustthatinhis 2020 campaign. This is the inherent problem with

Western powers teaching Third World p e o p l e a b o u t democracy

I believe Western countries are democratic landscapes far superior to what obtains in China, Russia, Cuba, Iran etc. I don’t believe there can ever be a comparison though I think India is far more democratic than Western nations.

Western leaders confuse theThirdWorldbecausethe democratic values they insistallcountriesmusthave are themselves not fully manifest in their own countries.

If journalists must be allowed to do their work why then Assange faces 18 indictments?

If it is wrong for Russia toclaimothernations’lands, whyisitrightforIsraeltodo the same? If it is wrong for Russia to use security concerns to invade Ukraine howcanitberightfortheUS and its Western allies to do the same in Iraq, AfghanistanandYemen?

These are the double standards that bamboozled young people about their understandingofdemocracy who have grown up to see theWestern countries as the embodiment of democracy Foreign workers are cruelly exploited in Qatar and the

Western world was right in denouncing the World Cup beingstagedthere.

But the next World Cup is in the US. How different aretheaccusationsforQatar and the US in hosting the World Cup? One of the world’s great names in football, Englishman, Gary Lineker, said this as a reaction to the US being host:“Itisanextraordinarily racistcountry.”

The entire world read how FIFA head Gianni Infantino reacted to criticism of Western countriesdenouncingQatar He said that instead of handing out moral lessons, the West should be apologising to Third World people for conquest and colonialism.

I would never want to lookbackatmycollectionof thousands of columns without my advocacy for JulianAssangetobefreed.I hopehesoonisandIhopeall voices of all peoples of the worldjoinme.

(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.)

FrederickKissoon

Global Energy Crisis…

Caribbean Region must respond with aggressive pursuit of natural gas potential

- Pres. Ali

By Kiana Wilburg & Davina Bagot (reporting from Trinidad and Tobago)

With the RussiaUkraine war now in its second year and fears of the COVID-19 pandemic yet to dissipate, world leaders have stressed the need for greater efforts to ensure energy and food security. It is with this understanding in mind that President, Dr. Irfaan Ali categorically stated yesterday that nations within theregionmustbeallowedto aggressively explore their gaspotential.

A l i s h a r e d t h i s perspective as part of his presentation at Trinidad and Tobago's Energy Conference 2023 at the Hyatt Hotel held under the theme: 'Navigating a complex energy future'.

Ali said, “The world is in the midst of a global energy crisis,aglobalfoodcrisisand a global climate crisis but at

the center of all of these crises lies energy because energy is the backbone through which everything revolves…Whilst this crisis iscomingatuslikeatsunami we're seeing some strange movement…We have seen an unwillingness to lend to companies related to oil and gas.We have seen the cost of capital increasing for companies related to oil and gas.”

TheHeadofStatealluded thatallofthisishappeningat a time when there are certain interest groups which are telling developing nations to not bring on new oil and gas projectsornottopursuetheir respective exploration agendas.

Ali believes, as he has said numerous times before, that this is an unfair ask. To cementhiscase,hepointedto statistics by the World Energy and Consumption Yearbook for 2021, which states that global energy

consumption rebounded by 5% in 2021 as compared to the4.5%fallin2020.

Ali said the global primary energy consumption for the year 2021 was 176,431 terawatt hours adding that the four main sources of the power consumed were oil at 29%, coal 24%, natural gas 22%, andhydropower6%.

Ali said, “Now, let's have the conversation as to how we first moved away from

Irfaan Ali at the Trinidad and Tobago's Energy Conference, 2023 being held at the Hyatt Hotel

allowed to explore that potential to its fullest aggressively to ensure the energy security of this region.

“Here in Trinidad and Tobago that opportunity exists and that opportunity shouldbeallowedtoblossom for the benefit of the people of this region and the globe,” expressedtheHeadofState.

Ali said the data show that the Latin American and Caribbean region is actually becoming the fastest food insecure region in the world, allduetotheenergycrisis.

coal, the 25%. Why isn't that conversation the priority? If coal is the worst form of energy, how do we transition?

What is needed to make that first and immediate transitionfromcoal,whichis 25%? Where is that conversation?”

It was here that the Guyanese President reinforced his call for every country in the Region, with potential in natural gas, to be

The President further stressed the importance of the Region pursuing its gas potential as he highlighted the suffering that is taking place because of the prevailing energy crisis. He said this has resulted in higher electricity and transportation costs Even consumable goods costs went up Ali said, “It contributed painfully to high inflation As political leaders and policymakers we have to face the reality of an inflationthatisnotasaresult of bad policies or measures. But it's inflation that is imported as a result of global conditions. This has pushed many families into poverty andfoodinsecurity...”

Inlightofthis,hesaidthe region must have a holistic conversation on securing its energy requirements both in demand and supply He said the conference must be a startingpointforthis.

The Head of State also called for there to be an outcome document from the conference which outlines how the region intends to respond to these global trends.

Hesaid,“Thereshouldbe an outcome document that feeds in, that must feed into the global system to tell the globalsystemhowtheregion is thinking, to tell the global system how the investors in energy in the region are viewingthings.”

In closing, the President said it is up to the Region to develop its own thinking and show to the world how it wants to be positioned on the worldstage.

Stolen car found at Yarrowkabra with battery, steering wheel missing

Swift action by the police in Divisional4'B'onMondayledto the recovery of a stolen silver Toyota Premio motorcar that was stolenfromaKuruKuru,LindenSoesdykehighwayresidence.

The car bearing registration number PAC 3417 belongs to Mark Smith of Kuru Kuru Reportsarethatthecarwasstolen sometime between Sunday night and early Monday morning However, the vehicle was subsequently found with its battery, and steering wheel missing.

Roanna Charles, Smith's daughter,toldKaieteurNewsthat thefamilyretiredtobedataround 23:00h on Sunday and at that time, the car was parked in their yard. She said her father woke at around 05:00h to prepare for work and it was then he noticed thatthecarwasmissing.

Efforts to locate the car in the community proved futile forcing the man to make a report to the TimehriPoliceStation.

Luckily, sometime after 13:00hrs on Monday, police found the car abandoned at Red Water Road in the vicinity of the Circuit located in Yarrowkabra. Kaieteur News understands that upon examination, it was discovered that the car's steering wheel and battery had been removed.

No arrests have been made as investigationsareongoing.

Meanwhile,therehasbeenan increaseinthenumberofcartheft incidents in the country over the last two years. Last year, the police was able to curb the number of car thefts on the East Bank of Demerara, resulting in several persons being arrested andremandedtoprison.

KaieteurNewshadinthepast requested statistics from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on the prevalence of car theft but to date,itisyettoreceivesame.This newspaper reported last year that at least two cars are stolen each monthinGuyana.

President

The silver Toyota Premio which was found in Yarrowkabra on Monday after it went missing from Kuru Kuru, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Woman killed, body dumped into canal

The body of 47-year-old Nazaleen Mohammed, a housewife of Belfield Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was on Monday found floating in a canal with several wounds aboutherabdomen.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the suspect is a male Nazaleen had previously shared a relationship with.The Police reported that the woman's body was discovered around 15:00-hours in a canal at Hope Lowlands, ECD, facing upward with wounds to her head, ear, neck and abdomen – with her intestinesprotruding.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the woman was living at Belfield Squatting Area, with her daughter and reputed husband, who is presently at seaonafishingboat.

Nazaleen was last seen

alive about 07:00-hours on Monday, by a neighbour, while she was leaving her home and heading to her brother's residence at Hope Lowlands,ECD.

Reports indicate that around 08:05 hours, the woman's 32-year-old son received a call from his

mothercellularphone.When he answered he reportedly heardamalevoice(whomhe identifiedasthesuspect)and also his mother's voice shouting for her phone –before the call ended. It was stated that after the woman did not return home, the neighbour left in search of her While walking along Hope Lowlands, Railway Embankment, the neighbour came across Nazaleen's motionlessbodyinthecanal. The police were summoned, and the scene was processed andphotographed.

Nazaleen's body was escorted to a funeral home awaiting a Post Mortem Examination (PME) Notably, the police stated that several persons were questioned in the area and from that they were able to gather information. The investigationintothemurder ofNazaleenisongoing.

Vendor remanded for possession of firearm, ammo, drugs

The firearm and ammunition that were found in the car. car

A30-year-oldvendorofPhoenixPark, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was on Monday remanded to prison for the possession of a firearm, ammunition and narcotics.

Thevendor,JoelDouglas,wasarrested lastFridayafterpolicefoundtheitemsina car he was travelling in at Versailles, WBD. He was charged yesterday with the offence of possession of firearm and ammunition without licence and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Douglas appeared at the Vreed-enHoop Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty He pleaded not guilty to the charges that were read to him and was remanded to prison until February14,2023.

Kaieteur News had reported that around 23:45hrs on Friday a Police Sergeant acted on information received stoppedawhiteold-modelRaummotorcar bearing registration number PNN 6297 at theVersaillesPublicRoad.

Police said the 28-year-old driver of the vehicle, who is also a Special Constable of Pouderoyen, WBD, was accompanied by two occupants, Douglas and his 22-year-old girlfriend, a cashier seatedinthebackseatofthecar

The Police Sergeant then informed the

Remanded to prison: Joel Douglas

occupantsthathereceivedinformationthatthey have guns and ammunition in their possession and indicated that a search would be conducted. Thetriodidnotobject.

Reports revealed that on the floor of the vehicle behind the driver seat was one bulky black shoulder bag which, when inspected, had one suspected Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol without a serial number The weapon contained three live matching rounds. Another small plasticbag,whichhadthree9mmroundsinside, wasalsofoundduringthesearch.

Theoccupantshaddeniedanyknowledgeof thefirearmandammunitionfoundandwasthen taken to the Parfaite Harmony Police Station whereaninvestigationwaslaunched.

Man wanted for trafficking in person

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Monday issued a wanted bulletin for Adrian Leon for TraffickinginPerson(TIP).

It was stated that the offence occurred on January 14, 2023. Notably, no last known addresswaslistedforLeon.

The Police are asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Adrian Leon to contact them on 225-6940, 225-8196, 226-7476orthenearestpolicestation.

Wanted, Adrian Leon

Dead, Nazaleen Mohammed (Travis Chase photo)

...suspectidentifiedasherformerpartner

Trini companies ready to plug investments to help Guyana develop oil industry

By Kiana Wilburg and Davina Bagot (reporting from Trinidad and Tobago)

- Chamber President

Christ Church students resume face-to-face learning

Fo llo w in g th e

devastating fire on January 12, 2023 that destroyed their school, students of Christ Church Secondary School on Monday returned to face-toface learning at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) located at Turkeyen, GreaterGeorgetown.

Kaieteur News had reported that following the fire, a meeting was held with the Minister of Education,

subjectsareas.

On January 16, some three days after the fire, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) determined that the Christ Church Secondary School fire was maliciously set by person (s) unknown An investigation has been launched to find those culpable.

In a post on her Facebook page Minister Manickchand had stated, “I repeat each personwhodestroysaschool

recurrence.

“Finally, taking into consideration the time of day that both fires occurred (16:29 p.m. and 17:22 p.m.), coupled with the fact that the secondfirehadseveralpoints of origin (seats), it is the determination of the Guyana Fire Service that the fire was maliciously set by person or persons unknown,” the Fire Servicehadstated.

Meanwhile, the GFS on January 16 shared that an

Priya

lastweek when it was decided that the s t u d e n t s w i l l b e accommodatedatCPCE.

At the meeting very few parents had requested transfers for their children but the majority decided that they would like the children to stay together at one location, as such CPCE was decided on. Kaieteur News understands that the facility has the necessary tools and amenities the students would need for their different

and/or any author of said destructiononcefoundguilty ought to be given life imprisonment. We need to legislateaccordingly.”

The blaze on January 12 was the second fire at the schoolineightdays.Thefirst had erupted in the school's science laboratory and was caused by chemical reaction combustion. Fire fighters had saved the building from burning then and had removed all chemicals from the building to prevent a

electrical inspection was also done at the building and the results have ruled out the possibility that the second fire could have been an electrical one. The findings of GFS have been handed over to police so that the Forcecanassistinfindingthe arsonist (s). Kaieteur News had reported that the massive fire left some 502 students and 39 teachers displaced. This year the Government budgeted some $94.4 billion for the education sector Out

ofthat,asumof$12.4billion has been dedicated towards t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n ,

The fire that destroyed Christ Church Secondary School on January 12.

rehabilitation, extension, and maintenance of educational facilities.The $12.4 billion is

slated to finance the construction of a new buildingfortheschool.

Manickchand

Christ Church Secondary students being accommodated at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Education)

Chairman, T&T Energy Chamber, Jerome Dookie

Guyana now playing 'catch up' to supply oil sector manpower - labour minister

By Zena Henry

The 2023 Budget debates kicked off yesterday with first Government Minister, Joseph Hamilton, providing some statistics on how Guyana is fairing as it seeks to build capacity required for the growing Guyanese economy

HamiltontoldtheGuyana Parliament that the People's Progressive Party (PPP) Government is now playing “catch up” with the oil sector as the former A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition Government failed to prepare the country to servetheoileconomy

To prove his point, Hamilton reported that the average amount of persons trained under the last Government via the Board of Industrial Training was between 1300 to 1500 persons and no where within that number was an attempt made to include hinterland andrIveringareas.

TheMinistersaidthatthe PPP Government came into office in August of 2020 and by the end of that year, they would have trained 2000 persons.

The Minister continued

that in 2021, the Government trained 3,086 persons and in 2022,4500persons.

He communicated that between 2020 to now, the Government trained 7,500 persons under the Board of Industrial Training and the 2023 budget provides for the Government to train an additional7000persons.

Hamilton said that the important apprenticeship programmes which were dead under the previous Government - the PPP administration was able to place173apprenticesin2022 with 151 persons trained at t h e G u y a n a S u g a r Corporation Training Centre under the Board of Industrial Training. At BOSAI, he said that 17 persons were trained asapprentices.

H e s u m m a r i s e d therefore, that “in two and half years, The Board of Industrial Training trained 7500 persons via the programmes we executed, and secondly we made available 173 persons to be trainedinapprenticesinthree differentcompanies.”

The Labour Minister noted that coming out of training, the candidates are tracked and thus far, the Government has been able to successfully track from the

2 0 2 1 t r a i n e e s , 7 1 5 beneficiaries. “I can report Mr.Speakerthat75.1percent of those persons trained is gainfully employed,” the ministersaid.

He added that four percent of those trained however continue to study

T h e a p p r e n t i c e s h i p programme, Minister Hamilton, reported is being expandedasothercompanies are being engaged including thoseintheoilandgassector “We have signed several M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding (MOUs) with companies, we are about to sign an MOU with the aeronautic school in Ogle” Hamilton said that another MOU was just signed with theMinistryofPublicWorks' electrical inspectorate to ensure all citizens trained in thisareaarecertified.

He said the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) has moved from serving just walk-ins to havingajobbank.

He said that as of March of 2022, a job bank was formed to make it easier for peopletoseekemployment.

Some 3300 jobs were sought and 239 employers wereregistered.

About 837 applicants were walk-ins and 146

persons were placed in employmentareas.

T h e M i n i s t r y ' s Occupational Safety and Health Department recorded 32 deaths in 2020, but based onprogramsandpolicies,the Minister said that number decreased by 16 percent, and in2022,by20percent.“Soin two years, we are moving from a place where in 2020, 32 persons lost their lives in the work place and we have moved in 2022 that has decreasedto21.”

As it related to Cooperatives, the Minister said t h a t h i s M i n i s t r y ' s Cooperative Department will be conducting integrity auditsthisyearandsomewill havetodissolveorresolve.

The Minister further reported that some Co-opts have tens and thousands of land unproductive and when checks are made; it is not being controlled by the entities.

Hamilton continued by saying that the Guyana L a n d s a n d S u r v e y Department, the Forestry

Department and other revenant agencies will be asked to provide the information on these Coopts.

H a m i l t o n t o l d Parliament that in 2022, 913 complaints from walk- in employees were made to the Ministry which resolved about 85 percent of complaints and recovered some $40M from employers on behalf of the employees. He said under that last Government employers and unions refused to sit but this has been done under the PPP with the Labour Ministry counter-signing 23 collective labour agreements and 13 consolidations.

The Minister said that t w o s t u d i e s b y t h e International Labour Organisation and a local Consultant was prepared highlighting the deficient of technical capacity to service theoilandgasindustry

It was noted that Guyana would not be in a dismal place if the last Government had did work in building the

labourcapacity “So,wehave to play catch up now because they (former Government) did nothing to deal with the matter.”

It should be highlighted that the Labour Minister did not speak to Collective B a r g a i n i n g b y t h e Government in determining increases for state workers. This matter remains priority formanyLabourUnionswho call on the Government to observe their right to collectivebargaining.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton

WANTED

Driver, Salesman & Porters required to work in warehouse. Must have experience, attractive salary offered. Call: 696-4444.

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

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 needed. 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, 6938462.

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

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

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

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.

Male Porters & females to work in supermarket in the Interior. Females must know to cook. Call: 687-7638/ 6609093.

One hauler truck Driver and licence Excavator Operator needed, must have atleast 3 years experience. Call: 6447088/ 624-7248.

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.

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.

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.

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 25-50 yrs. Call: 225-0198.

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

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

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.

VACANCY

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.

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.

Experienced Kitchen Assistant, Cashiers & Roti/ Puri Cook. Apply @ Hack's Restaurant 5 Commerce St.

One female Cleaner required. Apply at Lens, 136 Sheriff Street C/Ville, Georgetown. Contact: 227-1511/645-1613.

Male Cleaner needed for night job and Maid needed for day. Call: +592-637-6700.

FOR SALE

Houses for sale. Location: Tuschen, Providence, Diamond/ Little Diamond and Haslington. Call Pacific Development Inc: 6736210 /227-8274/ 917-7715202.

Prime property located in Prashad Nagar. Call: 6540200/ 685-3342/ 691-1153.

Mud for sale on the East Coast. Call: 619-0007, 6193153.

Six Black & Tan German Shepherd pups, fully vaccinated. Call: 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.

Nearly 500 dead from cholera in Haiti

Nearly four months after its reappearance in this French speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state, the number of cholera victims has risen to 496 dead.

In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) said the country has already registered 25, 182 suspected cases and 21, 407 hospitalised, 73 new, while 312 of the 496 deaths occurred in health institutions and 184 in the communities.

In a bulletin, the health authorities state that the average age of those infected is 19 years, and the positivity rate is 37.25 per cent.

Most of the suspected cases – 56.60 per cent are men,

and the remaining are women.

The most affected age group is 1 to 4 years old, with 374 confirmed cases out of more than 3,000 suspected cases.

The most affected department is the West, where Portau-Prince is located and where more than one-third of the population lives, with 1, 155 confirmed cases for 16, 408 suspected cases.

Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that the world is suffering unprecedented cholera outbreaks in countries affected by climate disasters and other crises.

As a result, vaccines to prevent this disease have become “extremely scarce.” (CMC)

Working towards a food...

From page 8 contributing to the non-oil sector.

which ultimately ensures inclusive development, leaving no one behind.

EDUCATION

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

ENTERTAINMENT

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

Ensuring that the impact of the global food crisis is minimized, particularly for vulnerable families and small farmers and fishers, requires a multifaceted approach. The measures that Guyana has implemented in response to the food crisis are helping producers (farmers, fishers, and agro-foresters) to maintain and even increase production, as well as take advantage of emerging market opportunities. Other initiatives that deliver food or transfer support (in cash or in-kind) to the most vulnerable groups can buffer them from the most severe effects.

Regionally, CARICOM’s response to agriculture and food security, the 25 percent input substitution by 2025 initiative, is a relevant response. Producing and promoting more but healthier food within the region can also support affordable healthy diets for all and unlock new opportunities for regional food producers.

One year after the Global Food System Summit, which called on all countries to take action to transform food systems, Guyana has highlighted the national and regional progress being made.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

Food and nutrition education will assist families and communities to make healthier choices with limited resources. It is also vital that support continues for programmes that empower people to embrace new skills and income opportunities

SERVICES

FOR RENT

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

ACCOMMODATIONS

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

Visa Application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

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

PEN PAL

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

The important gains are due to commitment and coordination across sectors and between CARICOM countries. FAO’s programme of work will continue to support these efforts to encourage increased trade, build resilience of farmers and fishers against risk, improve productive farming and fishing practices, especially with climatesmart solutions, strengthen policy that promotes affordable healthy diets and open new and inclusive agriculture and food systems opportunities for all. Enhancing the marketing of nutritious foods is strongly encouraged.

These and other actions will improve the affordability of nutritious food and improve the quality of life of the 131 million people in Latin America, and the Caribbean who could not afford a healthy diet. The FAO reinforces our commitment to continue supporting countries to create an environment where healthy, affordable diets are available for all and where food producers can maximize their livelihoods.

Venezuela public sector workers march for better salaries

Re u t e r sHundreds of public sector workers including teachers, nurses and retired police officerstooktothestreetsin Venezuela on Monday to demand better salaries and pensions at a time when the government of President Nicolas Maduro faces growinginflation.

Workers in Venezuela’s educationandhealthsectors have held three peaceful demonstrations in a dozen cities so far this year to demandmoremoney

Venezuela’s minimum wage of 130 bolivars a month-aroundjust$6-was lastadjustedinMarch2022, whenyear-on-yearinflation closed at 305%, according to non-governmental groups that monitor

economic indicators in the absence of official data

The government says that U S sanctions have madeitimpossibletocontrol consumerpricegrowth.

“Hunger doesn’t know fear, when hunger arrives fear disappears,” said teacher Nancy Hernandez, 60, during a march in Barquisimeto, referring to possible clashes with the police.

In Maracaibo, the capital of the oncepowerful oil-rich Zulia state in northwestern Venezuela, protesters m a r c h e d t o t h e governor’soffice “ W h a t w e a r e experiencing is more than abuse,” Zulia reservist policeman Gustavo

Gonzalez, 60, said “We are starving ”

“We’re going to have to close the police hospital because ( ) there isn’t even one bandage We policemen f r o m Z u l i a a r e forgotten, we don’t have shoes or uniforms,” Gonzalezadded

“IneverthoughtIwould reach63inthisway,relying on garbage to eat,” said Humberto Montiel, a pensionerwhousetowork onairportconstruction Montiel must clean patios and collect trash because “when my miserablepensionrunsout,I amstillhungry,”hesaid.

In Valencia, a city in central Venezuela, Jose Francisco Jimenez, the general secretary of the

AssociationofEmployeesof the University of Carabobo, said he and his colleagues

had gathered to demand a dignified salary “With a (monthly) salary of just $10

it’simpossibleforafamilyof four or five people to survive,”Jimenez,56,said.

T&T to hold national consultation on crime

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowleysaysthegovernment willhostanationaldebateon the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago as the number of murders climbed to 36 so far this year, including the killings of threerelativesonSunday

Rowley told reporters that the consultation will take place in early March as he reiterated an appeal for people to help law enforcement agencies deal with the spike in criminality by reporting wrong doing to thepolice.

“You have some responsibility You cannot continue to pretend that you don’tknowwhoisdoingand what is going on and to expect miracle from the policetoknowwhoisdoing, or thinking of doing it and who is hiding firearms…I am asking you to do the nation a favour in the house and get that information to law enforcement,”Rowleysaid.

He said in other countries, citizens play an important role in curbing crime by providing the relevant information to the lawenforcementagencies.

At the start of the New Year, Rowley said that in 2022, the country experienced the relentless assault of the criminal element,resultinginarecord number of murders, facilitated, and bolstered by other alarming incidents of

crime,suchaspersistentgun running, institutional corruptionandfacilitationas well as the ever-present growth of gang activity in manypartsofthecountry

“It is against this background that the Government commits to making2023ayearofpublic review and consequent overhaul and redoubling of our efforts aimed at increased focus on,” he said then.

Meantime, the head of the Northern Division, Senior Superintendent, Kerwin Francis, warned parents that criminal gangs were out to snatch their children as the authorities investigate the murders of three people, including two

brothersonSunday

“Toparents,mothersand fathers, please pay careful attention to the activities of yourchildren.

You must understand that there are individuals whoaredeterminedandwill wrestlecontrolofyourchild whereyouhavefailedtotake therequiredstepsasaparent and indoctrinate them into a life of crime and criminality intheirgangs.

“In those circumstances theirlivesnowbecomeopen season to any gang with whichthegangtheyareinis warring.

Speak to your sons, speaktoyourdaughters,you have a responsibility to preserve their lives and future,” the senior police

officertoldthemedia.

Police said that brothers Andre Singh, 16, and Jamal Hackshaw, 19, as well as their 16-year-cousin, Keron Modoo, were shot dead by unknown gunmen on

Sunday

Francissaidthatthethree men were shot and killed at an unfinished concrete structure at D’ D’Abadie, alongtheeastwestcorridor

He said that three

gunmen had alighted from a vehicle “and began firing shotsinthedirection”ofthe men.

Last year, Trinidad and Tobago recorded 606 murders.(CMC)

Ademonstrator holds a placard that reads “Together for a living salary”, during a march by teachers, health workers, workers’unions members and members of the opposition to demand better salaries, as the government of President Nicolas Maduro faces renewed challenges in its attemptto fight inflation, in Caracas, Venezuela January 23, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley

‘Govt. lacks willingness to do good for the poor’' - Walton-Desir

...says budget 2023 favours the rich, spending miserly on the poor

By Zena Henry

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister, Amanza WaltonDesir on Monday described the allocation of Budget 2023 as catering more to the business sector rather than responding effectively to the c o s t o f l i v i n g a n d developmental needs of citizens.

The Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister during her budget presentation slammed the Government for having the financial ability to bring relief to citizens, while lacking the willingnesstodoso.

T h e M e m b e r o f Parliament (MP) said that the budget gives an idea on how the Government values people as it has “…nothing for the poor and working class in comparison to what is being done for big businesses ” The MP suggested that while

Government boasts of the fastest growing economy, that does not reflect development on the part of citizens. She noted that last year's budget allocated some $ 2 1 8 B f o r c a p i t a l e x p e n d i t u r e a n d Government was warned that even in partnership with the Private Sector that capacity was unavailable to adequately carry out such spending.Andthatisexactly what has happened, WaltonDesir said, judging by the roads being constructed where some look like footpaths and where wider ones are sliding into trenches. She continued that investment in capital projects, like roads, bridges and buildings increased by 600 percent since the Government took office,

while capital expenditure outstripped employment spending by five percent.

The MPcharged that despite receiving about $338B from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) within last two years, Government spending has produced a 12 percent deficit.

The MP related that while the Government has acknowledged that sugar is in a bad place, the

Government continues to commit billions of dollars into the industry with supplementary requests that are usually made during the course of the year WaltonDesir continued that the Finance Minister during his budget speech related government's willingness to “to invest heavily” in young people's development yet committed only $960M for related programmes She said there is still no free education for Guyanese and s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e announcement will come ahead of elections. The MP reminded citizens that the Government would be doing no favours to give free education, but just righting an historical wrong. The Opposition member supported the “Because we care cash grant” and the continued Coalition school feeding programme and the increase in income tax threshold, but insisted that “more is possible because we have more at our disposal.” She argued for Governmenttocomeupwith policies to subside basic f o o d i t e m s , a n d transportation for the vulnerable.

The common thread regarding these issues Walton –Desir said is that

“ the ability of this Government to do more for the people of Guyana is present but their willingness iswoefullyabsent.”Shesaid this could be seen in the way the budget has been portioned and where the allocations are spent. The MP highlighted a few international reports from the World Bank, the Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) which highlighted poverty levels, and malnourished percentages among others. Despite this informationGovernmenthas allocated less than 1 percent of the budget to relief issues, theMPsaid.

Standingasone

S p e a k i n g o n h e r portfolio, Walton- Desir said the Opposition stands resolutely with the Governmentonthecountry's territorial integrity and sovereignty. She has warned also about the “unchecked migration across the country's porous borders” particularly in the Essequibo where settlements are being

established by Venezuelan migrants fleeing hardship back home. She said that Government is unable or unwilling to recognise this existentialthreat.Apartfrom that, she said a clear and comprehensive immigration policy as well as a foreign policy Asitis,Guyaneseare now victims of a carnival of inconsistencies.Shesaidthat Guyana is moving away from long standing positions and has derecognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADRS). The Opposition member opined that the Government has a problem in determining its foreign policy because it is unable to discern its private interests from the state's interest “So, the state's interest is subject to their interest and the deals and kickbacks.”Now,Guyanais seen as “day trader and no one takes us seriously a n y m o r e ” T h e M P submitted that Guyana boasts of being the fasting growing economy but warned that growth does not

reflect development She pointedtoGhanaasaperfect exampleofthatreality

Economicgrowth Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy who spoke after the Opposition MPtold the House that the G o v e r n m e n t w i l l demonstrate how economic growth is benefitting citizens He said as Government MPs give their budget contributions, citizens will hear how consecutive double digits annual growth translate into real term development and how it allowed the Governmenttoabolishsome 200taxes,toreintroduceand rapidly increase school children cash grants, reemploy hundreds of sugar workers, how thousands of house lots are built in every region, remove tax on materials, reduce interest rates and provide stone, cement and steel among others.

“We will demonstrate to Guyanese how economic growth is allowing us to build brand new four land highways…” The Minister further continued by saying, “Because the Opposition Leader is incapable of explaining how growth is d e v e l o p m e n t t h e Government will explain in its budget presentation how those are possible” Minister Mc Coy also took some Opposition Members to task over statements made Nima Flue-Bess, Opposition Member who was the first Speaker of the budget debates had highlighted how basic food items increased significantly using her community of Mocha as reference

Minister McCoy said that during the MP's speech, he sent for basic items such as sugar and oil from Mocha and held up the items to prove that they were not as expensiveassheclaimed.He said to the Shadow Foreign Minister that while Government is yet to free tertiary education, the Opposition when in Government did not remove the tuition fee but rather increasedit.

Flue-Bess had lamented the destruction of homes belonging to Mocha residents at a time when cost of living is high. She said that even with the grants and public assistance sums that Government would have put in the budget, they are inadequate since calculating the over seven percent inflationratewouldshowthe real value of the sums citizens received. The MP added that Government acts as the new “Massa” of the dayasitcontinuouslyfailsto consultwithstakeholders.

Mc Coy has warned the Opposition however that Government must be “prudent”initsmanagement of funds. He said, “it's not just about having money and spending it.” The Minister holdstheportfolioforMedia and Communication, but information was not related forthisarea.

Two mothers drown during outing at Essequibo beach

Two women on Sunday drowned

Dead are, Akesha Tyrell and Kaywattie Lalbachan. The incident which claimed the lives of26-year-oldTryell,amotherof three and 25-year-old Lalbachan, amotherofthree,bothofLaBelle Alliance Essequibo Coast, occurred around 16:40hrs police said.

According to the police, Mekeisha Simone who was with the two mothers on Sunday reported that about 14:30hrs that day she along with the two

women and other family members went to Feather Beach. She recalled they were all in the water bathing and dancing when suddenly the water pulled them out and she grabbed onto some grass and pull herself in along with one of the family members, Ashanti Tyrell who held onto her foot.

However, Lalbachan and Akeysha went down in the water Upon seeing this, they immediately raised an alarm and as such persons who were at the beach that day went to their assistance.ReportsareLalbachan was found five minutes after the

ordeal occurred while Tyrell was foundhalfanhourlater.

Tyrel was admitted as a patient and the other two women were pronounced dead on arrival Their bodies were examined by police and no marks of violence were seen. Their remains are currently at the Suddie Hospital's mortuary awaiting autopsies

Kaieteur News understands that Tyrell was to celebrate her birthday on Monday An investigation into the fatal incidenthasseenbeenlaunched.

Minister with responsibility for Media and Communication, Kwame Mc Coy

Opposition Foreign Affairs Shadow Minister, Amanza Walton-Desir,

Opposition Member of Parliament, Nema Flu-Bess

duringafamilyoutingat Feather Beach, Region Two, EssequiboCoast.

AshantiTyrell,AkeshaTyrell, andLalbachanwererushedtothe Suddie Hospital where Ashanti

Dead, Akesha Tyrell

Dead, Kaywattie Lalbachan

Fourth edition of One Guyana cross-country cycling group ride schedule for January 26-30

The Kaieteur Attack Racing presents their fourth Cycling Group Ride from Guyana to Suriname (at Cayenne Border) under the tag line ‘One Guyana.’ The ride will be a four-stage event, which rolls off from Georgetown, Guyana to Albina, Suriname from January 26-30.

The fourth edition of the One Guyana cycling group ride is expected to be bigger and better than previous years; which aims to prepare local riders for the 2023 Cycling season. Riders leave

from Georgetown, Guyana on the 26th January and journey across to Suriname, concluding at the Cayenne border, Albina, Suriname.

A number of top local and overseas’ riders are slated to be part in this monumental feat. Riders such as; Jamal John, Brighton John, Andre Greene, Paul Choo-wee-nam, Sherwin Sampson and many others as well as two overseas cyclists will be on show at this auspicious event.

Ride is schedule to start January 26 at 6:00am from the Kitty seawalls roundabout.

Riders are advised; to be assembled at the Kitty roundabout at or around 5:30am on the 26th January.

The One Guyana group ride consists of four stages: the first leg will be a 105km169km ride, which commences on the 26 January; riders will leave Georgetown at 6:00am and make way to Rosignol Mahaica. Accommodation will be provided at the Tagmahal Hotel at a cost of $6000, inclusive of Breakfast and dinner.

The second leg rolls off on 27th January at 11:00am from

Tuesday January 24, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

You're certainly in a strange mood today, Aries. True, things have been going smoothly for the past few days but be careful not to be fooled. Pride goes before a fall, as they say.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

It will be as though you're in a new and hopeful world today, Taurus. The people you meet will be cordial and caring, and the future will seem like a bright, attractive place to live.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Because you tend to brood over everything right now, Gemini, a day like this can't be anything but beneficial. It has been difficult for you to find satisfaction within the realm of the known world lately.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

There are days when you feel wonderful without being able to attribute the feeling to any real event. Of course, your rational mind will search for a reason for your happiness.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

The day ahead should be excellent, Leo. For the past several days you've been searching for meaning in life. There have been changes in your chief occupation, new relationships.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) You will probably be perfectly in tune with the day ahead, Virgo. Of course, it's tempting to run away from the reality and hardships of the moment.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Don't try to control what happens today, Libra, because you won't be able to fathom what's going on. How could it be otherwise when collective currents are interfering with your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This kind of strange day doesn't come around often, Scorpio. It will seem as though you no longer know what you want. Do you have a yen to take off for the other side of the globe.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21) Do other countries represent real openings for you? This is a question that you will soon have to answer. This may be true, but it may also be an illusion that gives you a simplistic explanation.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It You're going to think this is a strange period. It isn't, Capricorn. It's just that today won't be like others. Look around and you will see that people are either depressed or trying to keep up a good façade.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Today, Aquarius, you might get the chance to take a trip around the world to visit fabulous palaces and experience a timeless love, and all - get this - totally free! This could be called a sensitivity test.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You will float today, Pisces. You won't talk, you will be sleepy, and your mood won't be the best. OK, perfect! Get back into your novel, take several siestas.

South Drain, Nickerie to Cornoni, this will be a 74km119km ride, and riders will overnight at Totness Palace at a cost of $6000, inclusive of breakfast and dinner.

On the 28th January, the third leg commences at 7:00am, this will be an 85km136km ride from Cornoni to Paramaribo. Accommodation will be extended to three nights at Hotel Savoie at a cost of $12,000 per person.

The fourth and final leg will be a 90km-144km ride that rolls off at 6:00am on 29th January from SEMC Showroom, Paramaribo to Albina, Suriname (at the French Guiana border).

However, requirement for participation are as follows; all riders are expected to be full vaccinated (Covid 19) or have a negative PCR test (within 24hours), riders must also have a valid Passport (valid within six months) and a valid Yellow Fever card. The cost to be part of this fourstage group ride will be a sum of two hundred US dollars (US$200) per person.

The event sponsors are Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Suriname, Ford Auto Suriname, Lucozade Energy, Extra Energy Drink and Professional Key Shop. For further information regarding this cross-country ride, contact the organizers of the event at Professional Key Shop (125 Carmichael Street S/Cburg) or call 698-8845/6213249.

Pegula targets first Grand...

From page 25 quarter-finals in Melbourne for the first time since she became a mother and the 33year-old is out for revenge after she was knocked out by Pegula in 2021.

“She’s an amazing player... She got me here, so I definitely want revenge,” said the Belarusian, who won the title in 2012 and 2013. “She’s a great friend of mine, I absolutely adore her. We have really tough battles every single time. We practice with each other. There’s going to be no surprises, absolutely.” Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan toppled world number one Swiatek and faces another former Grand Slam champion in Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia.

Ostapenko won the French Open in 2017 two days after turning 20, but she has only reached one more Grand Slam semi-final since as she struggled to replicate that form and consistency while she came to terms with the sudden fame. “My life changed a lot (after winning the French Open), so I needed a few years to really get used to what happened because I was really young,”

Ostapenko said after knocking out another American favourite, Coco Gauff. “You became more popular in your country. Everybody is watching you. Of course, it’s great, but I needed some time to get used to it.

“Sometimes I can go a little bit too much, but I’m an emotional person in general. So it’s always hard to find this balance.” In the men’s draw, American Sebastian Korda plays in his first major quarter-final against Karen Khachanov.

Khachanov has already dispatched another American, Frances Tiafoe, before winning 14 games in a row in a three-sets win over Yoshihito Nishioka. Third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas rounds off the night session against the unheralded Czech Jiri Lehecka, who has beaten the odds having never moved past the first round in all four Grand Slams last year. “Deep inside, me and my team, we believe that I have the game and that I am able to produce very good tennis, which can take me to higher places, to a better ranking,” said the 21year-old ranked 71 in the world.

Mandhana and Harmanpreet bludgeon West Indies in dominant win

ESPNcricinfo - A humongous, authoritative partnership followed by a clinical bowling display helped India notch up their second win in the women’s T20 tri-series Smriti MandhanaandHarmanpreet Kauraddedanunbroken115 for the third wicket, both hitting half-centuries in the process, to power India to 167for2.

The Indian bowlers, led

byDeeptiSharma’s2for29, thenrestrictedWestIndiesto 111. Shikha Pandey, playing her first T20I since October 2021, returned economical figures of 0 for 18 off her fourovers.WestIndies’only resistancecameviaa71-run partnership between captain Hayley Matthews and ShemaineCampbelle. West Indies gain early control

Having been asked to

bowlfirst,WestIndiesmade a good first impression

H a v i n g m a d e h e r international debut for B a r b a d o s a t t h e Commonwealth Games last year,ShanikaBruce-player her first match for West Indies-keptopenersYastika Bhatia and Mandhana quiet. She regularly beat Bhatia’s outside edge and only gave away two fours in her two oversinthepowerplay

From the opposite end, Shamilia Connell, who was impressive against South Africa, barely gave away runs,bowlingtendotsinher twoovers.Inall,WestIndies bowled 21 dots in the phase and gave away only 37 - 12 of which came off a single Karishma Ramharack over inwhichBhatiafell.

Mandhana,Harmanpreet changethenarrative

Harmanpreet was returning after missing the opening clash due to illness and found herself in the middle with Mandhana with India devoid of much momentum They were placed at 60 for 2 at the tenover mark with Mandhana on21off20.

Harmanpreet then bookended the 11th over with fours off Matthews to signalachangeofgears.The three overs after drinks saw India plunder 28. They also used the sweep against the legspin of Afy Fletcher and thedelicatedabsagainstleftarmspinnerKaysiaSchultz.

T h i s w a s a f t e r wicketkeeper Rashada Williams dropped a regulation catch of

Harmanpreet - when on 21inright-armseamerShabika Gajnabi’s first over MandhanatookonGajnabi’s next over, striking her for three fours, including one to bring up a 39-ball halfcentury.Itwasthe20thtime she’d passed fifty, the third mostbyaplayerinT20Is.

The pair took 18 off the 18th over bowled by Connell,withMandhanaand Harmanpreet hitting a couple of fours each Harmanpreetalsocompleted a fifty in the final over as India managed to score 50 offthelastfourovers.

Campbelle, Matthews saveWestIndiestheblushes

Deeptistruckonherfirst ball in India’s defence of 167, trapping Britney Cooper lbw with the perfect offspin where the ball beat Cooper on the inside edge before having Williams stumped in her next over Having injured her ankle after the first innings, Matthews slid down the order with West Indiesopening with Cooper and Williams - sending CampbelleandGajnabiinat No.3andNo.4respectively

When Gajnabi was out lbw intheseventhover,thescript seemedquitefamiliar

But Campbelle and Matthews then steadied the shipandchangedgearsafter the tenth over when they were 39 for 3 While Campbelle swept the first ball of the 11th off Devika Vaidya for four, Matthews hit her for three more in the over Both Campbelle and Matthews managed to find theboundariesregularly,but the target was never really within sight. They added 71 for the fourth wicket and it ended when Amanjot Kaur took a stunning catch after running to her left at deep midwicket and diving forward to dismiss Campbellefor47.

Matthews managed to stay unbeaten but West Indies fell short by 56.They will now need to win both their remaining games to stay in contention for the final.

Scores: India 167 for 2 ( M a n d h a n a 7 4 * , Harmanpreet 56*, Bruce 125) beatWest Indies 111 for 4 (Campbelle 47, Matthews 34*,Deepti2-29)by56runs.

Volleyball Federation lauds the budget

The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) applaudsthe2023 budget,presented by the government of Guyana. In a release theynoted,“OurFederationiscomfortedby the fact that Government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, has again allocated resources that allows for federations/associations and athletes to breatheeasier

The $4.3B allocation is obvious fuel for ourelationbutisbackedupbythetrustand support we have received from a dedicated Minister Charles Ramson and the National Sports Commission and the accessibility of himandhisteam.

As we have of an excellent 2022, we anticipate a 2023 that promises even better forthesportssector.”

India struck twice inside the powerplay (Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Big wins for Swan and Friendship in EBFA zone Tiger Rentals U-13 football

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/ Tiger

Rental’s under-13

development programme continuedonSaturdayatthe National Training Center (NTC), Providence, where the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) held matchdaytwooftheirinterassociation leg of this nationwideinitiative.

A total of four matches managed to get underway despite the imminent threat of rain. In the first match

Friendship had an enterprising 9-0 win over SamattaPoint.Inmatchtwo, Timehri A made light work of Agricola Red Triangle witha6-2victory

Swan had the biggest victory of the day and the competition thus far after recording a 11-0 triumph over Timehri B, led by Kevin DeGoias with seven goalswhileMarkoAndrews added a brace to go along with Mario DeSantos’ and Omesh Charles’ single

strikes. Herstelling Raiders bounced back from their heavydefeatontheopening day with a 3-1 win over Diamond in the fourth and finalmatchoftheday

Onmatchdayoneofthe EBFA’s competition, Diamond United beat Agricola Red triangle 4-3 while Timehri A team beat HerstellingRaiders8-0.The GFF/TigerRentalsunder-13 development football programme continues this weekendattheNTC.

Djokovic says pain-free win a boost for Australian Open title hopes hopes

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said playing without pain for the first time at this year’s Australian Open yesterday had given him the belief that his hamstring would hold out in his hunt for a 10thtitleatMelbourneParkand22ndmajor tomatchRafaNadal.

The Serbian fourth seed, who sustained the injury en route to the Adelaide International 1 title earlier this month and has been managing the problem, mowed downAustralianAlexdeMinaur6-26-16-2 to reach the quarter-finals. “A week ago I didn’t really think about the title, I just thought about being in a good enough condition to play the next match. Tonight, the way I played, the way I felt gives me reason to believe I can go all the way,” Djokovic told reporters. “I mean, I always believe I can go all the way in terms of my tennis.Butthewaymylegfeltbeforetonight wasn’tgivingmetoomanyhopes,sotosay, for the entire tournament, to go all the way through.”Djokoviclookedhamperedbythe probleminpreviousmatchesanddescribed Monday’s win over De Minaur as his best matchoftheyearbutheconcededlaterthat it had been tiring to get himself ready for matches.

“We take it day by day We do a lot of things actually It’s been exhausting to be involvedinalotofdifferenttreatmentsand

machines and stuff that we do,” Djokovic told reporters. “At the same time it was necessary in order to get myself in a condition to play So I’m really glad my bodyhasrespondedreallywell.

“TonightIdidn’tfeelanypain.Imoved as well as I have the whole tournament. It means we’re progressing in the right direction.” Djokovic said he would not celebrate too early as he did not know how his body would respond for his next encounter,againstRussianAndreyRublev

He explained that his injury meant certain movement had been affected in his previousmatches.“Particularlytheextreme movements on the court, change of directions and so forth. Maybe people who werewatchingmeplaydon’tmaybegetthat idea.Formeasaplayer,beingonthecourt,I canfeelthedifference,”Djokovicsaid.

“Iguessyouhavetoacceptanddealwith thefactthatyouhaveacertainamountofthe pain,whichisn’tanissueforme.Thebiggest issue was the unpredictability of what the nextquickmovecancause.

“That’s what was my biggest concern because that’s how I got injured actually beforethetournamentstarted.

Sothosequickchangeofdirectionsand movements have been in the first couple of matches tough for me. But tonight, no problematall.”

Herstelling Raiders goal scorers from left: Oswald Frazer, Emanuel Francois and Joshua Aderemi.

Swan goalscorers from left: Marko Andrews, Mario DeSantos, Kevin DeGoias and Omesh Charles.

BCB receives donations from Sunita

Travel Agency and Double R to assist Primary Schools with kiddies gears

“I came here today to accompany a friend to your seminar but I am so impressed with what I saw today that I have to make a contribution to this county

The BCB is doing a remarkable job and your work deserves my support,” those were the words of Owner of Sunita Travel Agency, Mr Ramnarace Seegobin as he handed over two hundred thousand dollarsworthofflannelballs

to the executives of the BerbiceCricketBoardatthe AlbionCricketGround.

S e e g o b i n h a d accompanied his friend Esuan Crandon to a coaching seminar and was so impressed with what he saw that he approached BCB President Hilbert Foster with an offer to assist

The donation is a major boost to the board’s plan to donate kiddies

cricketequipmenttoevery primary school in the county

A total of about seventy schools would benefit from donations of bats and balls to allow them to take part in a historic under11 primary s c h o o l t a p e b a l l tournament

The main objectives of the tournament would be to identify promising players for further

coaching and assist clubs to attract them to their membership.

The BCB is also aiming to renew the passion for the gameattheunder11levelas they strive to make sure that the rich legacy of Berbice cricketiskeptalive.

SunitaTravelAgency is based in New York and is very popular among Guyaneselivingthere.

TheBCBalsoreceiveda contribution from the Double R Business Entity

based at Bath Village, West Berbice.

The entity donation of balls would be handed out to the f o u r t e e n p r i m a r y schools based in Region Five

Managing Director Mr Ramoutar stated that he was delighted to assist the development of cricket in the county as he was very impressed with the current development andprogressbeingmade.

Ramoutar spoke of the importanceofsportsbeing an alternative for youths away from drugs and crime

Double R operates a hardware business and is the distributor of Namilco productsintheregion.

Foster disclosed that the distribution of the cricket equipment would be completed by the first week in February and the tournament would start shortlyafterward

Narayan Ramdhani finishes 1st in ACAC Tournament#2

Men’s Singles, Mixed Doubles

The Alberta Colleges’ Athletics Conference Tournament # 2 kicked off on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), AlbertaCanada.

Narayan Ramdhani representing Kings University,wasthe#1seedinadrawof16, he gained a bye to the Quarter Finals where he defeated Gurmanjot Singh 21-12, 21-8. Inthesemi-finalshedefeatedAnthonyOlson 21-6,21-14andadvancedtothefinalswhere he came out victorious against Sanskar Chopra21-10,21-17.

Healsocameoutontopwhenheteamed up with fellow King’s Eagle Teammate CeciliaWolskiwhereagaintheywereseeded #1.

In the ACAC Tournament # 1 2023 Narayan was also placed 1st in the Men’s Singles Draw and in the last season 2022 Narayan played a good season coming out 1st in the Men’s Singles Championship and wasawardedACACAthleteoftheYearand alsotheAllCanadianAward.

ACACTournament#3willbeheldatthe King’s University, February 03, 2023 Thereafter on February 18-19 the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference (ACAC) Badminton Championships will be held to determine the athletes who will represent ACAC at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association(Nationals)tobeheldinMarch.

Ramnarance Seegobin of Sunita Travel Agency hands over donation to BCB Secretary, Angela Haniff in presence of other executives and Esuan Crandon.

Narayan Ramdhani wins in latest outing in Canada.

B/ballAssociationstohost‘BounceBack’tournamentonFriday atBurnhamCourt

The Basketball associations from Georgetown, Bartica,BerbiceandLinden, on Friday (January 27), will hostaneveningofbasketball attheBurnhamCourt.

Dubbed ‘Basketball Bounce back’ Bartica and BerbicewillcollideinaU21 match-up from 6:00 pm, while Linden and Georgetown will look to reignite their age-old rivalry inthesport.

Rawle Toney, president of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) and Jermaine

Slatter, president of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA), are the organisers oftheevent.

According to Slater, the idea is to highlight that basketballismakingareturn across the associations affiliated with the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation(GABF).

“Usually, you would see associationslikeLindenand Georgetown being in the spotlight,whileothersaren’t being recognised Also, basketballwasdormantfora w h i l e o u t s i d e o f

Pegula targets first Grand Slam semi while Azarenka seeks revenge

Rawle Toney, LABAPresident

Georgetown. Still, now all the associations are ready to return,wethoughtitwasbest to come together to announce a return of the game in the respective affiliates’areas,”Slatersaid.

Meanwhile, Toney said theLABAishappytoplayits part in having a game take centre stage, adding, “We can only grow the game in

Guyanaifweworktogether, andFriday’seventisthestart to a series of collaborative events, geared towards helping basketball develop inGuyana.”

“Ofcourse,wewillfocus on developing the game in our respective areas, but it’s equallyimportanttoarrange regular competition outside of our Sub-Association,”

Toneysaid.

The Berbice Basketball Association’sVicePresident Ojay Joseph said the youths mostly play the game in the AncientCounty

JosephsaidtheBABAis grateful for the opportunity to have their youths showcasetheirtalentagainst their counterparts from

Bartica. Dion Ferrier, Vice President of the Bartica association, welcomes the chancegiventoyouthsfrom theCuyuni/Mazaruniareato playoutsideofRegion7.

Organizerssaidtheyplan on hosting a return leg in Linden,BerbiceandBartica.

Re u t e r s ) -

American third seed Jessica

PegulaisbackinthequarterfinalsoftheAustralianOpen for a third straight year and todayshewilltrytogetover that hurdle for the first time when she faces twice championVictoriaAzarenka.

Pegulaisthehighestseed leftinthewomen’sdrawafter Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur were knocked out in firstweekupsets.

AlthoughPegulasaysshe feels “weird being a favourite”, the 28-year-old alsofeelsconfidentandmore

settled than she has been in thepast.

“I have a great shot here. Throughout the whole tournamentI’vebeenplaying thebestIhavethaninanyof my other Grand Slam quarter-finals. That I think helps,”Pegulasaid.

“I think I feel more experiencecominginhere...I would say I definitely feel veryconfidentgoingintothis quarter-final, that I’m playing the best tennis and I have a very good chance of makingasemi.”

Azarenkaisbackinthe

Ojay Joseph, BABAPresident

Jermaine Slater, GABA President Deon Ferrier, Bartica Basketball Association President

Jessica Pegula from the United States after her fourth round match against Barbora Krejcikova.

(Mike Frey-USATODAY Sports)

Narayan Ramdhani in action in his latest outing in Canada.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his fourth round match againstAustralia’s Alex De Minaur. (REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)

Shemaine Campbelle and Haley Matthews run between the wicket. (Michael Sheehan- Gallo Images(PTY)LTD)

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur added an unbroken 115 off 70. (Gallo Images/Getty Images)