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AIETEUR Venezuela is bound Saturday Edition NEWS to its constitution which speaks to adjusting – Real Admiral its territory via arbitral award Gary Best

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

November 25, 2023 - Vol. 17 No. 46

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 68,301

Chris Ram reveals: Belize charges

7.5% royalty, plus taxes on 5000 barrels per day Guyana to pump 1.2 million per day with 2 % royalty, no taxes Four Guyanese fishermen missing at sea for nine days Mother repays Missing fingers victim for gold chain identified thief snatched by son – court hears

Cop receives 10 stitches to head for parting school boys' fight Opposition calls on Jagdeo to apologise for derogatory remarks about female MP

Govt. wants unity on Venezuela controversy but shuts out Opposition from nationwide activities – Norton

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Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2023

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Chris Ram reveals: Belize charges

7.5% royalty, plus taxes on 5000 barrels per day Guyana to pump 1.2 million per day with 2 % royalty, no taxes F

ollowing his research on Belize and the robust fiscal regime it has in place for its oil resources, Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram is convinced, yet again, that Guyana is poorly served by those responsible for overseeing the Natural Resources Sector.

Ram, in his column appearing in Friday's Stabroek News, disclosed some critical highlights about the approach Belizean authorities have taken to get the most value from the nation's petroleum resources for its people. The columnist revealed that Belize made its first oil discovery in 2005 and currently produces 5000 barrels of oil per day from two oil fields which are operated by Belize Natural Energy (BNE). That company is a subsidiary of a company from The Bahamas, a tax haven with no corporate taxes.

Ram revealed that under

Belizean law, the first charge on oil revenue is a royalty of a minimum of 7.5% for oil and 5% for natural gas. He also noted that the government also gets a total share of petroleum.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, R a m highlighted that the country charges an extra tax when oil prices are high. Critically, the profits made by the oil companies are charged at the rate of 40%, all of which were negotiated under a prediscovery contract.

Ram added, “Compare that with the outlandish fiscal terms Guyana extended to Exxon and (and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited) in a post discovery agreement,” Ram said. In many of his columns, Ram criticised the David Grangerled administration for accepting a mere two percent royalty in the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement for the Stabroek Block where 11 billion barrels of oil resources have

been unlocked.

Currently, Guyana has three oil-producing projects the Liza - Phase One, the Liza - Phase Two and the Payara.

From the first two projects, Guyana is producing about 400,000 barrels of oil.

The Payara Project which only started production on November 14, 2023, is expected to reach 220,000 barrels of oil, taking Guyana's overall production to 620,000 barrels of oil by the first quarter of 2024.

Guyana is expected to reach 1.2 million barrels of oil by 2027 with the same meager two percent royalty and other damning terms.

OTHER TROUBLING DIFFERENCES Apart from the fiscal terms, Ram was keen to bring to his readers' attention, other critical aspects of the regime governing Belize's oil industry.

Ram highlighted for example that oil companies have up to eight years to explore for oil. If a

commercial discovery is made, the company is given 25 years for production. If no oil is found within eight years of exploration, Ram said the contract “self-terminates,” meaning that they have to go.

No ifs, no buts and no Bridging Deed.

When compared to Guyana where the world's largest oil find of the decade has been unlocked, oil companies enjoy a more laxed regime. Ram said companies have up to 10 years for exploration and 30 years for production of any commercial find. Ram also noted that the terms are even more generous when looking at the relinquishment provisions.

“For good measure, our politicians think they have to plead with oil companies to give us back what represents our patrimony, and what the equires them to l a wp.r3 relinquish, anyway,” Ram said.

Guyana's generosity does not end there. Ram notes that

Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram instead of Guyana collecting taxes from the oil companies on the billions they make, Guyana actually pays to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) the taxes payable by the oil companies, out of Guyana's share of profit oil.

The most incredible part of this whole concocted arrangement is that when

Guyana pays the taxes for ExxonMobil and its partners, the GRA issues to the companies a certificate stating that they have paid taxes here. The companies then use that fictitious certificate to fraudulently claim a rebate on their worldwide tax liability in their home country.

Several persons arrested in relation to housing scams Several persons have been arrested in relation to corrupt practices at the Ministry of Housing and Water, subject minister Susan Rodrigues disclosed on Friday.

On her Facebook page, the minister said that staff from her secretariat was implicated in the corruption allegations and on instruction, she has been working along with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to uncover solid evidence against staff members or outsiders who were suspected of conducting illegal transactions.

“Today, their efforts have led to the arrest of several persons. This will no doubt assist the police to further their investigations.

Unfortunately, the reckless and vindictive postings on social media, which prove nothing, have compromised months of tedious investigative work which could have potentially led to more

arrests,” the minister stated.

Minister Rodrigues in her statement said that she is committed to rooting out corruption.

Notwithstanding, she said, that regrettably, members of the public continue to encourage the practice of offering bribes and willingly participate in these illegal transactions and when they lose their money without receiving the “favours” they expected, they take to social media to complain, instead of going to the police.

“There is little or nothing we can do with social media postings that bear no evidence,” she stated while adding that “Naresh Sugrim (one of the persons allegedly implicated) is a patriotic, hardworking, and diligent public servant who did not deserve to be defamed. I have advised him to take private legal action in this regard. It

is my hope that this embarrassment does not discourage him, and other honest public servants, who do not engage in such illegalities.”

The minister highlighted that eliminating corruption from a Ministry that distributes land is a near impossible task, but they can reduce it significantly with help from law-abiding citizens.

“We cannot do it alone. I am therefore imploring the public to desist from participating in bribery.

If you have any information or evidence that can lead to the arrest and conviction of staff members or anyone who claims to have contacts in the Ministry that can assist with land allocation in exchange for money, please report it to the police or come to my office and I will contact the police to facilitate a full investigation,” she explained.

Following the allegations surfacing on social media, the

ministry on Thursday had published a statement encouraging persons to come forward with “solid evidence” involving its staff of corrupt activities.

In light of the allegations, the ministry said it is “committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and service” in the execution of its mandate in the housing sector. The agency said it “take these allegations with utmost seriousness.”

The ministry said it will not condone any form of unethical behaviour or corruption, adding that any of its employees who is “found to be engaging in corrupt transactions will face serious disciplinary action and also the full f o r c e o f t h e l a w, w h e r e appropriate.”

In light of the allegations, the ministry noted too that it has intensified “monitoring of the

activities in the areas highlighted to ensure that all procedures are strictly followed.”

As a reminder, the Housing Ministry said that all applications for house lots are processed directly at agency and its regional offices by authorized employees. “The Ministry does not have any middlemen or external agents who are authorized to conduct business on its behalf,” the agency noted.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters at a press conference that there are “a lot of scams” and many people have been duped.

He said reports of scams should be reported to the police while advising that victims “put it on social media”.

The Vice President said he doesn't have a problem with the latter move, since it will be investigated by the authorities.

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

620,000 barrels a day Guyana is going great guns, as they say, and the power is in its oil production numbers. From 400,000 barrels a day, the Payara field coming on stream increases daily output by 50% to 620,000 barrels. It is almost, but not quite, a barrel of oil per Guyanese per day, definitely one per family. This is a momentous time for both Guyana, at least the US-housed Natural Resources Fund should soon record an annual intake of over US$2B in combined royalties and profits should oil prices hold close to where they have been. At a daily production level of 620,000 barrels, this rich place and its small population should be on top of the world.

Unfortunately, the top of the world is just that: the narrow peak, where only a few in Guyana’s population are living the experience of an oil producer of this magnitude.

The chosen few get to taste and know what it is to be a bona fide oil beneficiary from their national patrimony. In contrast, there are the flat lower levels, the broad, wellpopulated base, which house those whom the richness of the national oil wealth, and its increasing daily production levels, just pass by.

For amid all the stories of soaring production figures, and more on the horizon, there are the tough realities of the Guyanese worker, the Guyanese family, and the Guyanese elderly. Some dollars have come their way before, but it vanishes like a puff of wind that comes and goes as it is felt.

A few more dollars have been announced by Guyana’s President, but even with that added and considered, the majority of Guyanese are still forced to claw by their fingernails to remain on their feet. This is with them living at the most basic of levels, where they cut corners, and are compelled to come up with all types of innovations to keep afloat somehow. The real owners of their nation’s fabulous oil wealth, what the whole world drools over, are still to experience in tangible personal ways what it is to be the richest people on this planet. For most of the Guyanese huddling and hovering close to the poverty line, being the richest is no different from being at the bottom, and without the essentials that make for a comfortable human existence, a dignified one.

At 400,000 barrels of oil produced daily, this should not be the fate of any Guyanese. This should not be when oil prices are where they are. At the new, and much acclaimed, 620,000 barrels of oil a day, Guyana is growing into an oil presence and player of power. Some of that power, that financial power, should be in the hands of all Guyanese, none more than ordinary citizens struggling to see their way. This daily production rate of 620,000 barrels is not the matter of a mere 60,000 barrels a day, but of what pushes Guyana among the top 25 producers of oil. Being around the top 25 global producers of oil is an incredible leap for this country, and it must mean something for all the people of Guyana.

The UN should not be reporting about Guyana leading the region with underweight babies at this time. No international institution, no foreign think tank, should be talking about poverty or malnutrition and Guyana in the same breath. But that is what too many Guyanese continue to struggle with, notwithstanding the bright and brighter oil production numbers here. This is more than leadership incompetence and mismanagement, for what is going on in today’s Guyana is a crime.

Impoverished Guyanese are living with the equivalence of a political crime, an oil crime, a corporate crime, and the worst of financial crimes. Unless there is a change for the better in political visions, then the worst is still to come. There is so much oil, so few people, and yet so little for Guyanese to cheer. Guyana’s President Ali has made his Christmas rounds, and is pleased with himself.

By the middle of December, Christmas would be nothing but part of the imagination for the left behind in Guyana.

This is in a country poised to begin producing 620,000 barrels of oil daily.

Saturday November 25, 2023

Condemnation of attacks on Catherine Hughes by VP Jagdeo DEAR EDITOR, The Institute for Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD) strongly condemns the recent derogatory remarks made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo towards Honourable Catherine A. Hughes, a distinguished member of Parliament. Such offensive language not only undermines the democratic principles of respect and dignity but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination and divisiveness.

Catherine A. Hughes, a dedicated public servant, has tirelessly served her constituents and has made invaluable contributions towards the betterment of our society.

It is both distressing and

unacceptable to witness Vice President Jagdeo s t o o p t o s u c h reprehensible levels, belittling an esteemed Member of Parliament with derogatory comments.

Furthermore, such behaviour sets a detrimental precedent to disrespect our women in society and undermines the spirit of unity and cooperation within our democratic institution.

IFAAD firmly believes that all individuals, regardless of their gender, race, religion, political affiliation, or any other characteristic, should be treated with respect.

Discrimination, in any form, erodes social cohesion and hinders

progress towards an inclusive society.

Vice President Bharrat J a g d e o ’s d e r o g a t o r y remarks, labelling Catherine A. Hughes as a “low life” is an affront to the values we hold dear as a society.

It is disheartening to witness such behaviour from a prominent political figure who should be setting an example for others.

I FA A D c a l l s u p o n Vice President Jagdeo to publicly retract his offensive comments and offer a sincere apology to Catherine A. Hughes.

I FA A D r e m a i n s committed to advocating for equality, justice, and respect for all individuals within our society.

We strongly urge all

political leaders to condemn such discriminatory behaviour and work towards fostering an environment of dignity, understanding, and collaboration.

As an organization dedicated to combating discrimination, the IFAAD extends its full support to Catherine A. Hughes during this challenging time.

We s t a n d f i r m l y against any form of discrimination and will continue to work towards building a society that values and respects the contributions of every citizen.

Sincerely, Pt. Ubraj Narine ViceChairman/Commu nication Officer IFAAD

Enough has been disclosed by the limited audit to justify a full forensic audit of ExxonMobil Guyana accounts DEAR EDITOR, Recently, an audit that encompassed 260,000 transactions, totaling US$7.3 billion, for the Stabroek Block for the period 2018 to 2020 was completed in 4 months.

The size of the audit team appeared to be about 12 people; a fe w members were Guyanese. We assume the Guyanese members had no prior experience in auditing oil & gas transactions.

It is almost impossible for such a team, in that short time period, to verify 260,000 transactions thus they sampled transactions and ignored small transactions.

Where small transactions seem to be anything less than US$1,000.

It appears no materiality, an accounting criterion, was formally defined by the auditing team which raises concerns about the quality of the audit.

What is not clear is what percentage of the 260,000 transactions were sampled and how many fell into the bucket of too small to audit.

We know more than 40% of Guyanese live on US$5.50 per day thus US$1000 is not small to them.

The Oil & Gas Guyana Network (OGGN) thanks the

journalists of Kaieteur News for the provision of a compilation of its articles on the cost-recovery sampling audit of ExxonMobil Guyana, formerly EEPGL, accounts for 2018-2020 (KN 12 November 2023).

It was natural that the audit team, of Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar F i n a n c i a l , Vi t a l i t y Accounting & Consultancy Inc. with Martindale Consulting and SGS, would focus during those four months on the si mpler ‘cake shop’ accounts.

In the series covered

by KN, there is no mention of the ‘big ticket’ engineering items of the offshore expenses, what it takes to explore and extract the oil from ultradeep fields.

OGGN wonders if the audit team had the oil field expertise to check on the validity of ExxonMobil Guyana costings relative to the big items mentioned as costrecoverable in annex C of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement?

The Stabroek PSA and annex C can be found here: https://www.oggn.org/contr acts-2/.

In any case, the big-ticket engineering items do need to be scrutinised with as much

or more care as the gokarting and Zumba lessons have been in the recent costrecovery audits, since the huge ticket values have a potentially great effect on the money flows to Guyana.

Of course, a thorough forensic audit will cost more and take longer, but USD 214 million has already been detected, from the 1999 to 2017 IHS Markit audit, as mis-allocated.

That recent audit shows the risks of not paying timely attention or having requisite technical skills.

Whether the team did or did not have such expertise, for the 2018-2020 audit, clearly the time and money allowed for this sample costrecovery audit was not enough for a thorough investigation.

The findings of this limited-scale audit have easily paid for the cost of the audit.

What the team did uncover is surely enough to justify a full-scale forensic audit of the 2018-2020 accounts of ExxonMobil Guyana.

OGGN urges the G o v e r n m e n t t o commission such an audit immediately and to ins is t on this kind of audit f or a ll s ubs equent years .

The Auditor-General and the Guyana Revenue Authority should be in close contact with the US Security & Exchange Commission and the US Internal Revenue Service to check on transfer pricing and other means by which the ExxonMobil Guyana may be trying to inflate costs and reduce legitimate taxes .

OGGN has advocated for a Gross-Split Model where Guyana receives 55 out of every 100 barrels of oil, see https://www.oggn.org/2023/ 08/26/an-alternative-psamodel-such-as-the-grosssplit-model-eliminatescontested-areas-in-currentcontract/. This would eliminate situations like this one where there is now a need to verify 260,000 transactions worth US$7.3 billion, a complex and costly task that is required to be performed in a short timeframe.

Alfred Bhulai Andre Brandli Janette Bulkan Kenrick Hunte DarshanandKhusial Rueben Khusial John Palmer Joe Persaud Mike Persaud On behalf of OGGN, www.oggn.org/about

Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

The PPP/C has been great for Guyana, the PNC is the worst Dear Editor, The real patriots of our country are those who stood for us in the bad times and in the good.

I am talking about the PPP/C who stood steadfastly with us when times were bad, horrible I would say, and are now standing up for us when times are once again on a good and genuine trajectory. We are not there yet but getting there by the Almighty’s graces.

I make this statement based on my own experiences and those that have been accurately documented in our country’s historical records.

In this regard, I would like us to focus o n t h e Ve n e z u e l a n border issue.

For starters, the Opposition has signaled that they are supporters and patriots of this country - or so it seems but are they really speaking the truth?

Are they really the patriots they claim to be, or are they a bunch of double talkers?

For the most part I think they are a conceited bunch of hypocrites, and this is based on subsequent statements made after the unified house meeting, as well as s tatements they are continuing to peddle in the public domain.

You cannot tell me that the matter is in the International Court of Justice for a final peaceful settlement, yet that party is advocating military approach against Venezuela?

This is the foolishness that obtains when you analyze the substance of their argument.

They advocate that our oil dollars should be better

spent in the channeling of our oil revenues into the building up of the military, rather than the construction of roads and other modern infrastructure.

This very same reasoning was put forward when we were faced with the Surinamese aggression.

The GDF Command at the time told the Jagdeo Administration that we will escort the CGX Rig back to the disputed spot when faced with the Suriname gunboats who raided them out.

The wise Dr. Jagdeo resorted to a more sensible and lasting solution by going to court.

We won that encounter and will do the s a m e n o w w i t h Venezuela.

W e a r e n o w peacefully co-exis ting as neighbours with S uriname, w hich is the w ay neighbours s hould live.

N ow, s hould there be a time w hen things change economically in that country and those Guyanese (thousands of them) l i v i n g t h e r e s h o u ld return home, and to exercise their franchise here, should they be denied the legal right to vote?

And here is the “burning” question coming from the Opposition, that aspect of re-migrants having the right to exercise their voting rights, that is after fulfilling all the legal requirements to vote here? Must we deny them that right?

And the answer is a resounding no! So, the deceitful Opposition having failed in that senseless militarization bid, have now

found umbrage with the people coming from Venezuela, just as they are critically at odds with the VP. In fact, some are even of the bold opinion that Dr. Jagdeo should be incarcerated!

But that is not going to happen, it can’t happen, because the same VP Jagdeo who was central to us settling the Surinamese conflict, will be there to steer us on to getting the Venezuelan issue resolved.

We are not going to be drawn into any armed conflict with Venezuela, our strength is in the law, and we will prevail.

Neither are we going to fall prey to the Opposition’s hysteria, their hype will not distract us from the task ahead of us.

We know what the Opposition’s plight is. Like Maduro, they have a party congress that is long overdue that must be held before the next general election and dire are the hopes of its party leader.

Maduro is no different, he is on the ropes like Norton so any straw that they can clutch at they are hinging their fortunes.

Our border dispute with Venezuela will be settled soon by Jah’s good graces, I rest my case.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

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Hindus gather in Bangkok for World Hindu Conference DEAR EDITOR, Several Guyanese and other Caribbean Hindus, including this writer, are participating at the quadrennial World Hindu Congress being held in Bangkok from November 24 thru 26 at Impact Convention Center, just outside of the sprawling modern city of skyscrapers.

Over two thousand delegates have registered for the three-day conference coming from dozens of countries; delegates come from 61 countries.

In addition to Guyanese, several delegates also come from neighbouring Suriname a n d Trinidad and the Caribbean Hindu diaspora in North America, Holland, France, Australia, New Zealand, and England.

The last global Hindu confabulation was held in 2018 in Chicago where dozens of Guyanese, including this writer, were participants.

Because of Covid, the WHC was delayed from 2022 to now.

World Hindu and Hindi conferences were previously h e l d i n Tr i n i d a d a n d Suriname but not in Guyana as yet.

A regional Hindu conference is in the making for the latter half of 2024 in Guyana.

India, Thailand, and other Southeast Asia nations share common Dharmic and cultural values.

Thailand was chosen f o r t h i s y e a r ’s W H C because the country shares several Hindu practices.

Thailand is a Buddhist nation with a significant number of Hindus and people who also embrace Islam and Christianity.

Buddhists embrace many practices of Hinduism.

The theme of the WHC 2023 is “Dharma, the Abode of Victory”.

Dharma refers to actions and duties to improve life.

Seven parallel thematic sessions are planned “to articulate the values, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Hindus in all its vibrance and glory will constitute this WHC”, say organizers.

The organizers of the WH C s ay it is held “to provide s pace to dis cus s and deliberate upon the opportunities and challenges facing H indus across the world and how to address them valiantly.

It will also focus on areas of strategic importance to Hindus and provide avenues for collaboration among Hindu leaders, activists and thinkers for the Hindu resurgence”.

The conference also provides opportunities for Hindus “to network, exchange ideas, work confidently and model their future course of action”.

Scheduled to address the conference are the Prime Minister of Thailand, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from where the bulk of Caribbean Hindus trace their roots, the head of Hindus in India (Sarsangachalak) Shri Mohan Bhagwat, and other prominent leaders.

Guyanese and other Caribbean nationals are d u e t o m a k e p r e s e n t a t i o n s especially in the areas of education, politics, b u s i n e s s , a n d challenges facing Hindus in the region.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

Kaieteur News

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Saturday November 25, 2023

Some people in Guyana will do anything for money DEAR EDITOR I did not choose to walk the road of activism, it chose me. In fact, I was running

from it and ran straight into it. When one chooses the road of liberation struggle and the fight against

injustice in all its form; when one decides to sacrifice everything to see the greater good triumph in a world of

evil and hypocrisy, the returns can be unfavourable.

One can earn enemies in quarters in which you should be most comfortable and protected.

It is straightforward; we live in a world where the acquisition of material things defines what we are in terms of status. It does not define who we are, and it will never. People will do anything to show the world what they are and what they have become.

Sometimes or most times, we hide behind such so that no one knows the real us; who we are and how empty we are.

The mansion, money, bling, expensive clothes, and luxury vehicles are pull factors that bring superficial respect from those who would like to share in it.

Some have titles they have not earned or do not deserve

but that is lost in translation because the tangibility of material things causes a gravitational pull that results in acts of worship by the empty wanting to be filled.

They will do your bidding.

They will kill for you and even die for you. They will hurt the innocent and vulnerable without any remorse because you say they should.

It is the way of the world from time immemorial, but time has seen such evil fade away never to be remembered while names such as Malcolm, Martin, Rosa, Mother Teresa, and many that walked the scorched, scorned and enlightened path are i m m o r t a l i s e d f o r e v e r.

People, very many of them, would do unspeakable things for material things.

Sometimes, your own family can turn on you.

Sometimes, the most trusted in your midst can become a Peter that will deny you in a split second.

The first lesson as an activist is not to be surprised by anything or anyone.

Remember, you are really and always alone; the same way you entered this world and the same way you will leave it.

You can try to hurt the heart or even the soul; I am assured of who I am in this world.

What I am is of no importance. My mother used to sing a song to me when I was not feeling well. I can still hear her voice, “When the enemy surrounds you like a flood, my lord shall lift up a standard.” I ask him today to lift up a standard.

Sincerely yours, Norman Browne Social and Political Activist

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

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“All of us as one Guyana understand clearly that Essequibo belongs to Guyana; there is no doubt about that…

We have to ensure that we don’t allow statements coming out of Venezuela to drive fear among us. Although we are of the opinion that Venezuela will not act recklessly, we cannot be unprepared.

We have to ensure that we do everything within our own environment to secure our environment,” President Irfaan Ali - November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Saturday Monday November May 02, 25,2022 2023

Govt. wants unity on Venezuela controversy but shuts out Opposition from nationwide activities - Norton Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton on Friday said that the political group is not being adequately involved in the national activities against the heightened claims by Venezuela on Guyana's sovereign territory.

During a joint press conference with the Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, Norton explained that the Opposition had shared its concerns and recommendations on the controversy and was involved in the Court case involving Venezuela before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), however, he believes outside of that there is no involvement of the Opposition.

He said, “As an opposition, we said to government, we want to be united on this issue. We want Venezuela to see us united.”

Nonetheless, Norton explained that only on Thursday, he observed there was a visit to the border by President Irfaan Ali however the Opposition was not involved.

“If you wanted to show a united front, you should have asked the opposition to send a representative or two so when you talk to people in Region One, it is obvious to people, it is not just the government speaking, it is the government and opposition,” the Leader of the Opposition reasoned.

He also shared the view that while the government is formulating a public education programme, the Opposition is not involved in that process either.

Norton pointed out that the Opposition not only has skilled professionals in this area but also has access to such individuals outside of the political group. In

Opposition members during a joint press engagement this regard, he explained, “So we would have thought there would have been the involvement at that level so that when we formulate the policies and the programmes, they would have been policies and programmes agreed to by the government and opposition and again that will be a manifestation of unity on the ground.”

On the other hand, the Leader of the Opposition said a rally is expected to take place in Anna Regina, Region Two with the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo however again the Opposition was not invited. Norton said he was told that the VP was “invited” to the event and was not the organizer.

In the meantime, Norton said, “we are now left to organize in our strong holds to ensure that our strongholds are educated and then I saw an advertisement for Linden in which Minister Edghill was going to be the person, apart from the fact of me not knowing of his foreign policy and skills and competence of the Guyana Venezuela territorial controversy, again I would have thought the government would have want to go out there particularly in one of our strongholds with a united front.

Clearly they seem not to want to do that and that is what I mean.”

Presently, Norton said the

Opposition is involved in the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations, while there have been meetings with the President as well. Beyond that, Norton said he is unaware of any further engagements “much less one that can promote national unity”.

Member of Parliament (MP) Amanza-Walton Desir informed that the Foreign Relations Sectoral Committee has met twice however; the Opposition is not satisfied with the level of cooperation. She explained, “We would have proffered ideas as to what the education programme can look like, we would have also asked to receive some of the promotional material so that we...can play a meaningful role in distributing and promoting this educational material. We have not received those to date.”

She said she is still hopeful that the flyers, videos and other educational material will be sent to the Opposition so it can also play its part in enlightening the nation.

Walton-Desir was keen to point out that the political group has no interest in “unity for optics alone” and expects the government to beef up its attempts to involve the Opposition.

Meanwhile, Ramjattan expressed frustration that MP

Tabitha Sarabo-Halley was expected to speak at a school on the invitation of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the Head Teacher on the border controversy but was prevented.

Similarly, Former Chief-ofStaff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), retired Rear Admiral, Gary Best said he too was uninvited to panel discussion on the border controversy which was scheduled for yesterday.

December 3 Referendum The Opposition and government had taken a united position on the spurious claims by Venezuela on Guyana's Essequibo Region.

That country plans to hold a referendum on December 3, 2023 which among other things, asks Venezuelans to vote on whether support the Geneva Agreement as the only means to settle the controversy.

The Geneva Agreement was reached in 1966 after Venezuela claimed that the arbitral award was null and void. This was after it participated in the exercise to mark the boundaries (a proceed that ended in 1905 and was ratified in its Parliament.) The agreement, while allowing for dialogue and a diplomatic solution, also allowed for the Secretary-General to seek a

final end to the controversy if dialogue failed. Dialogue was carried out over many decades and failed to achieve a solution.

They are being asked if they agree with Venezuela for not recognizing the jurisdiction or the legal right of the Court.

They are being asked to oppose Guyana's use of its maritime space.

Guyana is not asking for provisional measures on this question because the Court has ruled that it cannot entertain matters outside of the Geneva Agreement.

Venezuelans are being asked to agree with the creation of a “Guayana Esequiba”, essentially the territory of Guyana it claims, and grant Venezuelan citizenship and ID cards and then incorporate the territory on the map of Venezuela.

Guyana has rejected the planned referendum and has sought the protection of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Venezuela's expansionist claims.

Additionally, the Government of Guyana announced that it will carry out a series of activities to counter the referendum.

Moreover, government recently made it clear that any aggressive actions by the country will not go unpunished.

CARICOM heads must show united front in support of Guyana amidst Venezuela's aggression

I

t is imperative that the Heads of Government within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) show a united front before Venezuela conducts its December 3 referendum in relation to the border controversy.

This is the position taken by the International Relations Expert, Guyanese Professor Dr. Mark Kirton.

Addressing an auditorium packed with students at the Bishops' High School on Friday, Dr. Kirton called for a meeting of the regional Heads to show its unwavering support for Guyana in the face of Venezuela's increased aggression.

“I reiterate the call for a meeting of CARICOM Heads before the 3rd of December with the sole item on the agenda being the existential threat to Guyana's sovereignty and a pledge for unequivocal and unwavering support for Guyana,” Dr. Kirton said.

Dr. Kirton believes too that there should

be consideration for an enhanced regional security system to serve as part of a broader international strategic deterrence mission. “ We n e e d e n h a n c e d r o b u s t relationships with countries like Brazil and greater alliance with countries not only in this hemisphere but also with the African Union and the BRICS, Russia…We have to go to all of those who have been, in a sense, on the fence and get the unequivocal support from our own brothers and sisters in the region,” Dr. Kirton said likening the situation with Venezuela to that of a class bully.

He said that is the reason for Guyana's Regional Allies to show its support.

Meanwhile, CARICOM has been showing its support for Guyana amidst the ongoing threats by Venezuela by issued written statements.

In its most recent statement, CARICOM reiterated its support for the judicial process to be followed and

expressed hope that Ve n e z u e l a w i l l engage fully in that process before the International Court of Justice ( I C J ) t o determine the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award in relation t h e G u y a n a / Ve n e z u e l a border controversy.

“CARICOM earnestly hopes that Venezuela i not raising the prospect of using force or military means to get its own way in this controversy over territory.

After all, it has been the long-standing position of Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Venezuela that our region must remain a zone of peace,” Dr. Kirton said.

Guyanese Professor, Dr. Mark Kirton

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2023

PAGE 09

On the margins at Christmas The poor are great accumulators. Not necessarily of wealth for if this was the case, they would hardly be classified as being poor.

No, the poor are great accumulators of clutter as will be revealed in the days ahead as so many of the poor within our midst begin their annual house-cleaning.

Great stacks and mountains of clutter will find their way from the homes of the poor into the rubbish heap.

A few years ago, there was so much that the poor had to throw away, that in many areas the garbage overflowed into the streets, and in others, was heaped up in great mounds near alleyways. All these tons of rubbish are removed from the homes of the poor to

make way for new arrivals and to ensure that the homes of the poor are spruced up to create the illusion of wellbeing in time for Christmas.

One of the things that is noteworthy about this time of the year is the preparation between the richer sections and the poor sections of society. As you move around, many of the upperclass boroughs of the country, you find that most of the homes of the rich are already decorated and prepared for the holidays.

For the rich, preparation begins early. The poor will wait for the last minute, and there will be a crunch to get the place ready in time.

If there is any advice that the poor should heed at this time, it is to begin the process of de-cluttering, to

get rid of all the unwanted stuff which has accumulated over the past year in your home, and to create some physical and psychological space, by ridding your homes of unwanted and underused items.

Being poor is no crime.

And no poor person is going to emerge out of poverty by simply adding to his or her collection whatever item comes his or her way without assessing whether there is any use at all for those items.

There are some poor families who simply fill every single available space with some piece of furniture, at times making it impossible to move around or even to utilize that which exists.

No matter how small the

DEM BOYS SEH

Black Friday is nat a Guyanese thing!

S

ome people drive 100 miles on Thursday night fuh go and see what bargains dem gan get in de Black Friday Sale at one of dem big stores in Georgetown. But nuff of dem does complain about not attending some event because de distance is too far.

People line up for hours and nah complain in order fuh wait till de store does open. But put dem in a short line in a Passport Office or de Bank and dem gan write long, long letter to de newspapers complaining about how long dem gat to wait. Dat is how we does roll in Guyana.

Dem boys want tell dem that Black Friday does come after Thanksgiving

and none of dem two things nah part of Guyanese tradition. In Guyana, Burnham teach we dat yuh does line up and ask wah sharing or selling afterwards. In dem old days, yuh does see a line, join it and then ask what going on. Is suh we used to roll.

Long ago, yuh used to gat nuff of dem department stores does gat sale. But these days, yuh does gat fuh ask fuh discount because dem boys nah know de last day dem see a sale advertise.

So dem boys seh Guyanese now getting accustomed to “Sale!” So much so dat some of dem small stores does put up sign mark “Sales!” when dem really mean “Sale”.

It remind dem boys of

de time a husband and his wife are shopping in de supermarket. De husband picks up a case of Budweiser and puts it in their cart.

“What do you think yuh doing?” asks the wife.

“They’re on sale, only $10 for 24 cans” he replies.

“Put them back, we can’t afford them” demands the wife, and they carry on shopping.

A few aisles farther on, the woman picks up a $20 jar of face cream and puts it in t h e b a s k e t . ”What do you think you’re doing?” asks the husband. ”It’s my face cream. It makes me look beautiful,” replies the wife.

Her husband retorts: “So does 24 cans of Budweiser, and it’s half the price.

Talk half. Leff half.

home there must, for example, be a three-piece suite, a wall divider, a cabinet for storing wares and cutlery – some of which will hardly ever be used in the owner’s lifetime – a sewing machine, the symbol of independence, and a dining table. For a family occupying a small space, these things take some skill to fit in the limited space available.

Today, most poor homes have television sets, DVD players, laptops and all the latest gadgetry. So being poor is now just a class symbol; it is no longer about not having. Hire purchase and remittances have conspired to ensure that the poor have everything in their homes that the rich can have, except that the rich have, in accounting terms, more fixed and movable assets.

Yet despite having all the

material possessions that they need, the poor still identify themselves as a disposed group. They feel alienated from political and economic influence and indeed they are. It is not the parties of the poor that the powerful political elite will attend. So it is the banquets of the propertied classes to which they will flock to slap backs and raise glasses in toasts.

Christmas is a time when the propertied classes do well and when the poor try to imitate this wellbeing through illusion such as repainting their homes to give an impression of newness – never mind the wood on which the paint is daubed may be rotten or not even belong to the person doing the painting.

What better way to create this illusion of newness and well-being than

by replacing that old wornout vinyl on the floor. A new sheet of vinyl, especially one that is brightly coloured, is like replacing a floor and this is one of the items that sells like hot cakes at this time of the year. And so, the cycle continues.

By the time next Christmas arrives, the poor would have accumulated a great more clutter and they will empty these and prepare for another house cleaning.

But they would have hardly risen out of their poverty, no matter if they add to their already impressive collection, a washing and/or ice-making machine.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

HARD

TRUTH

HK

BY G

LALL

Saturday Monday November May 25, 02, 2023 2022

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Social media – an animal to be watched and recognized, with healthy distance kept

I

have a healthy regard for social media and its many pluses. There is significant respect for what it makes possible.

There is also guarded circling around because, like a striking snake, it can overpower and devour.

The negatives overtake the many great positives, which says something about the dark side of social media, and it is why I distance myself as far as possible from it.

I manage, notwithstanding the deficit.

My fears are again coming to past, from what is coming to light. At its bottom, social media is about who said what and did what when.

None is spared; almost all on the button.

Press the button, and its world of followers is never more alive. Dumb people mostly. Arrogant people u s u a l l y.

Ly i n g a n d slandering people get a high from it.

A survey was conduced a while back in

Uncle Sam country, and one finding was that over 60 percent of social media contributions was false or slanderous.

Welcome to Guyana, where I believe that it is closer to 80-90 percent.

There is the thrilling and inspiring advantage of anonymity, which means no accountability. At least, that is the story in Guyana. The nation's immaculate Cyber Crimes Unit housed in the even more impressive Guyana Police Force is rendered impotent, irrelevant, and insipid. It knows, but it doesn't know.

It should act, but it is restricted from acting, depending on the identities of the complainant and the perpetrator.

In essence, social media in Guyana is a first-class ticket to denounce first, degrade second, and destroy last. That is, if there is anything left to convert to ashes.

Here leading politicians are vilified. I regret that the

world is this circular, this narrow in this wide open, frontier town. Though some may feel good about what is going on (payback is a bastard), there is no delight on my side in ranking men of the day being dragged deeper into the sewer.

Deeper because they were already there; now there is more to relish.

What Guyanese should discern is how the past returns to infect the present.

Incitements from high places were given to low people to take to social media and blastoff. They did. Now look how things boomeranged. Or, as it is said in Guyana, “waan haan caan clap or duh fuh duh nah obeah”. So there… It was Pontius Pilate, with his back to wall, who famously asked: 'what is truth?' Ah, there are lots of hidden truths in Guyana, but I wish that they don't come out in these ways.

My problem is that when guardians of the law are named and embarrassed,

then whither the reach of the long arm of the law. Yes, there will be determined trekking to the realms of tribunes to make wrongs right, but the toothpaste cannot be put back into the tube. Continuing with the Colgate (or Pepsodent) illustration, social media was a tool and a chance for Guyanese to freshen their breath, to cleanse their language, and to guard against the nips and nags of cavities that can flare into explosive abscesses.

Ouch, indeed!

Especially when there is the constant treatment to an endless barrage of sweets.

Yeah, there is the need for some serious brushing up in this country.

A complete overhaul is definitely called for, in my book. This thing is bad, and Guyana is in a rotted and ramshackle place.

I am standing on the sidelines (several layers back for sanity), and the trickles that come to me are

enough to send on the next plantain or gilbacka boat back to America. No! I am not trying to be Eddie Murphy.

What I am attempting to convey in rock-bottom language, instead, is how the worst instincts and impulses inside are given the freest rein to insult and assault and stuff salt in eye and nose, and who knows where else.

Guyanese used to be a disciplined set of people (Yes sir, No sir, Mr. President, Hon Minister, the Learned Member). Along came social media with vilified and vilifiers going at it toe-to-toe.

Throw in that torrid pace bowling duo of politics and race, and it is Christmas and Thanksgiving daily, usually in that same order. One doesn't have to go to Mongolia's Ulaanbaatar to locate the remnants of the Golden Horde. It is right here with unchained viciousness, and unlimited bloodletting to prove.

Today, it is beyond doubt that most Guyanese have a point to prove, and they include anyone with one phone, or one computer, and one finger along with one brain cell, no matter how fractional that cell.

In leaving, I am pondering whether social media in Guyanese hands is a pandora's box, or the head of the Gorgon. It has turned anyone in its vicinity to stone. Me, I am praying, and it is not for me. Like they say - God bless Guyana. He already did, didn't he? What else do Guyanese want? A damn nanny to teach some sense, and respect for the good things in life? Like social media… Look what it is used for, what has been done to it.

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

Missing fingers identified – court thief hears

By Christal Young Ulrick Edwards, an alleged thief, was on Friday denied bail by Senior Magistrate Leron Daley after the police prosecutor presented evidence that the man's fingerprints were found at the crime scene.

The prosecutor told the court that detectives were able to easily link the fingerprints to Edwards who has missing fingers.

The Albouystown resident is accused of stealing over $5M in cash and items from Shabana & Sons Liquor Mart & General Store at James Street, Albouystown liquor store between August 18 and 19, 2023.

Edwards made his second court appearance virtually at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court Friday morning for a disclosure hearing.The prosecutor disclosed that in addition to the fingerprints found at the crime scene, investigators were able obtain footage - security footage. Edwards was positively identified breaking into the liquor store because of “distinguishing marks seen on his body”.

After listening to the evidence presented, the Magistrate denied Edwards' bail

Alleged thief, Ulrick Edwards application and further remanded him to prison until December 18.

The accused allegedly stole $4.8 million in cash, $1 million worth of GTT and Digicel phone cards, an Xbox valued at $60,000, and two cell phones.

Edwards also allegedly stole $30,000 and $355,000 in cash, identified as property of Earl Khan and Jessica Singh, respectively.

Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

Opposition calls on Jagdeo to apologise for derogatory remarks about female MP T

he political opposition on Friday called on Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to apologise to Alliance For Change's (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Catherine Hughes for derogatory statements he made on Thursday at a press conference.

It is not the first time the Vice President has made derogatory statements about members of the Opposition.

On Thursday, Jagdeo called Hughes a “lowlife”.

He said that there were persons out to get at the People's Progressive Party (PPP), the party he belongs to. Then he said that Hughes, a former government minister under the APNU+AFC coalition government was upset that only three persons attended a public meeting held in the mining town of Linden.

The Vice President said, “…and from someone, a lowlife like Cathy Hughes who used to award contracts

Former Chief of Staff, Gary Best to herself, to her own company in her own ministry.”

On Friday, Leader of the AFC Khemraj Ramjattan said that “We have this nasty attitude of calling senior politicians especially AFC members low lives.”

Ramjattan said that Jagdeo must apologize, calling his actions, “Most reprehensible, most

Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir

ignoble”.

“This guy has gotten to the state of almost insanity now and he cussing everybody and he misquoting, he quoting Venezuela memorials now no shame,” the AFC leader said.

Former Chief of Staff Gary Best joined the call saying “I just want to join with the leader of the AFC in

Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan

calling for an apology from the gentleman who referred to an AFC member of parliament as a 'low life'.

That is reprehensible and should not be allowed to in this country, and there are many agencies that should speak to this issue…”

Member of Parliament Amanza Walton in her contribution stated that, “I want to be very, very clear that this level of misogyny in our politics is unacceptable.

This is a female Member of Parliament that was called a 'low life', my colleague, Mrs. Catherine Hughes… and Bharrat Jagdeo must be made to apologize.”

Taking note of the recent murder and abuse of women in Guyana Walton-Desir said, “For the last three weeks, how many women

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

have we lost to violence?

Women murdered, whether by intimate partners… found raped and battered? So for the Vice President of this country to treat, and to address a member of the National Assembly, a female member of the National Assembly and a former minister in such a manner.

We must understand that this type of attitude at the highest levels of leadership, directly contributes to what we are seeing playing out today in our society. And it must be condemned, the levels of micro aggression women in politics face must be condemned,” the MP said.

Further, Walton-Desir said women are attacked for the way they look, noting that it is because of the types of micro-aggressions that

occur that “people like Bharrat Jagdeo believe that it is comfortable for you to call a female leader of this country a lowlife and so I expect it to be condemned by all.”The MP said that she is expecting “to see the Ethnic Relations Commission, in the same manner that they are hounding Mr. Sherod Duncan, to require the Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to issue an immediate and unequivocal apology to Mrs. Hughes. And I think nothing less would do because you cannot at a time when we need our country to be united by attacking your political opponents in this manner, you cannot at a time when our women are being slaughtered to encourage the disrespect of our female leaders in this country.”

Cop receives 10 stitches to head for parting school boys' fight A policeman is nursing injuries to his head after he was hit in the head by a school boy while trying to part a fight. The law enforcement officer reportedly received 10 stitches to his head on Thursday.

Reports are that as the police attempted to break up the fight between two school boys, one of the boys, a 5th former vented his anger on the police identified as 23year-old Rameshwar Chunilall and lashed him to the head with a piece of wood.

Chunilall, a traffic cop, is attached to the Cove and John Police Station.

Reports are that at around 15:40hrs on Thursday, Chunilall was performing traffic duties at

Injured: Rameshwar Chunilall

Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) when he saw his assailant fighting with another school boy.

Chunilall intervened with the aim of stopping the boys from fighting.

However, his intervention was unwelcomed and he was

struck to the head. The injured Chunilall was taken to the Nabaclis Health Centre where he received stitches for his wound and sent away.

The juvenile is in custody assisting with further investigations.

Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 13

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Saturday November 25, 2023

New US$4.9M College of Medical Sciences for UG Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony on Friday turned the sod for a new US$4.9 million College of Medical Sciences building at the University of Guyana (UG).

According to the Education Ministry, the project is being funded by the World Bank and is being executed by contractor Shandong Hi-Speed Dejian Group Co. Limited. The building is expected to be completed in 15 months.

Upon completion, the modern facility will be equipped with a lecture theatre which will accommodate 200 students and several laboratories such a skills laboratory, an

a n a t o m y l a b o r a t o r y, biochemistry laboratory, histopathology laboratory, hematology laboratory and research laboratory.

Minister Manickchand said that the project is part of the Ministry's efforts to enhance the education sector.

She noted that not only will medical students be accommodated more comfortably, but with the expansion of the college, more eligible students who are interested in pursuing a medical degree will be able to join the programme.

The Minister also mentioned that with this project, it will provide an opportunity to enhance services within hinterland communities as it will allow

more doctors to be trained each year.

Minister Anthony in his remarks stated that the construction of the building is welcomed as his ministry works towards transforming Guyana's health sector. The minister said that with the admission of more students into the College, there will be more medically trained persons entering the healthcare system.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohammed Martin briefly related that the project underwent a lengthy design process and expressed gratitude for the commencement of the project.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand alongside Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony and Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohammed turning the sod for the construction of the building on Friday.

Guyanese artist wins Harris Paints regional competition Man charged for stabbing Corentyne resident to death during fight

A

30-year-old construction worker was on Friday charged for the murder of Ramanand Mingo who was fatally stabbed to death on Sunday at a shop in John's Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice.

Andrew Seegobin of Clifton Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice made his first court appearance at the Reliance Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh where the murder charge was read to him.

Seegobin was represented by Attorney-atLaw Mursaline Bacchus.

He was not required to plead to the charge and was remanded to prison until December 11, 2023.

It was reported that Mingo, who was also a construction worker, was stabbed at around 22:50h on Sunday during an argument with the suspect.

The police had reported that Mingo had left his home on Sunday to play cricket in the area and was later seen imbibing at a supermarket on John's Public Road, when his brother arrived at the said location and took him away. While on their way home, the duo stopped at Metalist Shop, located in the same community. There it was reported to investigators that Mingo had left his brother outside and went into the shop.

Mingo's brother told police that shortly after waiting, he saw Mingo and the suspect arguing inside the shop. The man said upon seeing this, he went inside the business place

Dead: Ramanand Mingo to separate the two when he saw the suspect pull out a knife from his pants waist and stabbed his brother to his chest.

The injured man was picked up by his brother and rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. One stab wound was seen to Mingo's left side chest upon examination.

An investigation was subsequently launched and the suspect was apprehended after fleeing the scene.

G

uyanese artist, Mrs. Naz Ally, has won Harris Paints “Harris Man” competition.

The digital campaign was launched on Facebook for the month of October and attracted over 50 entries mainly from St. Vincent, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, Jamaica and the largest audience of all, accounting for nearly 50% of the entries was in Winner Nazeema Ally is congratulated by Harris Guyana.

Paints Retail ServiceRepresentative Ms. Tehilla The paint company Yaw and Finance Officer Nervanie Persaud said it received “a terrific response” to its call to artists across the Caribbean for persons to re-create the aquamarine called enduring “Harris 'Pleasant Stream In Harris' Man”- brand icon. premium Ultima Plus Satin L u k e T i c k n o r, for her exterior, and Senior Vice President selected Harris Porch & of Sales and Patio in Grey for the Marketing, said that yard.“We are very pleased this was one of Harris at the very high level of Paints' most interest this event s u c c e s s f u l attracted”, declared Mr. competitions in terms “We all need a little colour Ticknor who shared that the of engagement and in our life” submitted by company had reached over that the large take up Naz Ally depicts the Harris 265,000 persons on social among Guyanese Man and wins top prize. media and had more than consumers was a 14,000 post engagements. testament to the He pointed out that there was creativity and still time for customers in resourcefulness the country e Guyana who had missed out is known for – and to xtra mile. The Guyana's love of the Harris lucky winner, Mrs. Ally, took on the contest to take brand, which has been the home 10 gallons of paint for advantage of Harris' Level best-selling premium paint her lovely illustration of the Up promotion, which is in the market for over 30 “Harris Man”, which she offering many lucrative created in pencil and crayon. discount offers running years.

The “Harris Man” brand On hearing the news, she through 30 December, and icon came to life in Barbados said she was quite surprised giving every customer the 50 years ago when the because there were a lot of chance to instantly win one company was founded, and beautiful entries; however, of 50 $20,000 grocery has been a key part of the she was very happy for the vouchers or one of 100 brand's identity, representing prize to help paint up her $5,000 gas vouchers, and the Harris' spirit of putting home for Christmas. Mrs. chance to win the grand prize customers first and going the Ally chose an eye-catching of $500,000.

Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

Message for the Elimination of Violence Against Women OP-ED by Dr. Karen Cummings November 25 has been designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The definition of violence encompasses all of its forms.

It also commences the UNITE Campaign that runs from November 25 to December 10, and its sixteen days of activism.

This year the campaign's theme speaks to the need for policymakers and civil society to Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls with the HashtagNo Excuse.

According to the United Nations, 736 million women and approximately one out of every three women has either been abused physically, verbally, or sexually by an intimate partner at least once in her lifetime. Article 1 of the United Nations Charter defines “Violence against women [as] an act of genderbased violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.”

A Caribbean-US author reported that the home has

become the single most dangerous place for women as the female runs a greater risk of assault, physical injury and murder in her home than in any other setting.

The UN's Sustainable Development Goal #5 tells us that rigorous and stringent efforts should be made to ensure that gender equality is achieved, and all women and girls are empowered. In other words, our women should be empowered, loved, and cared for. Women should have equal opportunities-including equal access to quality education, optimal health, economic resources, employment, leadership positions, and to the owning and controlling of property.

Women must be at the bargaining table and in decision making.

On this Observance of International Elimination of Violence Against Women, recent spates of domestic violence, murders of our women, and underaddressed sexual abuse of our girls make progress seem far off. Fortunately, our culture is shifting. Our loudness at these injustices is proof of that, and it is a sign to work harder to protect our women and girls with more effective interventions. Let

us start in our communities by taking threats made against women seriously, instead of laughing them off as lovers' quarrels, or “passion”. We must continue to support our girls when they name abusers. Let us stop encouraging women to return after “cool down” periods, to partners who beat, and scream at them, or destroy their belongings.

We a l l h a v e t h e obligation to say something when men follow our young girls in school uniforms, or on their way home from the shop. We must stop laughing off our boys making nasty comments, or sharing inappropriate videos of girls who have rejected them.

Institutionally, I call on our protection officers to be more intentional in their approach to cases of interpartner violence—too many of our women report violent partners only to be brutally murdered because of delays, or dismissive police responses.

The clarion call goes out to the pillars of the home, the s c h o o l , t h e church/mandir/mosque to hold our friends, brothers, uncles, leaders, accountable, and for us as women to be stronger allies to each other.

Let us End Violence Against Women NOW!

PAGE 15

PAGE 16

WANTED

VACANCY

LAND FOR SALE

Two Housekeepers needed for hotel and one Nanny preferably from ECD. 223-5273/ 225-0254.

One Maid needed to work 4 days per week, must know to cook. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom with ID and recommendation.

Property on Mon Repos public road, ECD. Call: 623-1615.

Wanted! Male & Female workers for packaging pasta and chowmein on the Back Road (Mandela Ave). Call: 611-7839.

One Handyman needed to work in Peter's Hall. Call: 6748723.

Truck and Canter Driver, ages 30 years & older. Must have atleast 5 years experience. Call: 613-0855 9am-4pm.

One licenced car Driver, ages 40-50 years. Must have atleast 10 years experience.

Call: 613-0855 9am-4pm.

Kitchen Assistant needed at Lucky Dollar Snackette, ages 25-40 years. Preferably from Georgetown. Call: 501-4769.

FOR RENT 4 bedroom furnished house, 6 beds and 2 parking available at Lamaha Gardens, Garnett street. Call: 679-2966.

One experienced Domestic needed to work 3 days per week in Bel-Air Park. Call: 226-2322.

Commerial Property for rent Vreen- en- Hoop & Eccles Industrial Site E.B.D. Contact Persaud real estate: 653-2477.

Handyman needed to work in Campbellville, 1/2 day 5 days.

Call: 621-5140.

3 bedroom house, semi-furnished, wifi & parking available at Onderneeming. Call: 709-5998.

1 bedroom apt in Providence.

Call: 604-6664/ 216-2299.

One bedroom Apt $40,000 monthly, internet, water and light included. Call: 638-8858.

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, sproiler, crashbar, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Contact: 649-0956.

Shop for rent at Stewartville, opposite secondary schoool.

Call: 649-2179.

Commercial building for rent at Zeelugt public road, E.B.E. 4500 SQ FT. Call: 650-0402/ 652-0251.

FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE

Yamaha 300hp HPDI outboard motors for sale. Call: 655-6283/ 673-9593.

L.B.I, Riverside Land Timehri & Parika. Call Persaud real estate: 653-2477.

Empty 20ft containers for sale. Call: 701-6735.

Over 1 Acre of land at Timehri Call Persaud real estate: 6532477.

Commercial land 205ft X 115ft in 6th Street Kase Village Cummings Lodge, ECD. Call: 623-1615.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale at Kuru Kuru Sosedyke Linden High way & Diamond Golden Grove. Contact: 653-2477.

Corner land at Durban Street, Georgetown. Call: 623-1615.

A able-bodied live-in Housekeeper to work in Virgina U.S.A. Between the ages of 30-50. Call: 845-325-8241/ 592-615-5476.

Office Cleaners, Inventory & Bond Clerks and Security Guards needed. Call: 6236383/ 227-1964, Email: nhlhrasst@gmail.com

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

19 acre of road side land at Friendship, East Bank Demerara. Call: 623-1615.

Commercial land located at Robb and Bourda street. Call: 623-1615.

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

Business/ residential PFSGYD$58M, Visa Application, advertisements, graphics design, passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 626-7040.

LEGAL NOTICE 1 Filing Attorney: MS. MICHELLE MATTHIAS GUYANA LEGALAID CLINIC “Maraj Building” 185 Charlotte & King Streets Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel: 225-9238/ 225-9246.

Email: legalaid@networksgy.com 2023-HC-DEM-CIV-FD1210 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION Petition No. FD-1210 Between: (DUNDAS) KEENE JAMAYCE MAGARETTA nee SOLOMON Petitioner/ Applicant -and(DUNDAS) CECIL JULIAN Respondent TO: CECIL JULIAN DUNDAS Last known address Lot 124 Section A Albert Street, No. 79 Village, Corriverton, Berbice Guyana.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 3rd day of August, 2023 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by CECIL JULIAN DUNDAS

LEGAL NOTICE 1

LEGAL NOTICE 2

Petitioner/ Applicant by the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 12th day of October, 2023 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the worldwide web. AND FURTHERTAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHERTAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty- five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 5th day of February, 2024 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Damone Younge via Zoom Meeting ID: 845 1426 6584 and Password: 786445. IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 19th day of October, 2023.

Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 25th day of October, 2023.

LEGAL NOTICE 2 2023-HC-DEM-CIV-FD1501 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION Petition No. FD-1501 Between: (DAVID) RICARDO Petitioner/ Applicant -V(DAVID) DIONNEADECIA nee MC ALLISTER Respondent TO: DIONNE ADECIA nee MCALLISTER Last address unknown TAKE NOTICE that on the 12th day of October, 2023 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by RICARDO DAVID Petitioner/ Applicant by the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 19th day of October, 2023 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the worldwide web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty- five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 5th day of February, 2024 at 10:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Damone Younge via Zoom Meeting ID: 845 1426 6584 and Password: 786445. IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of

LEGAL NOTICE 3 FORM 1: PETITION FOR DIVORCE AND OTHER MATRIMONIAL CAUSES 2023 -HC-DEM-CIV-FD1224 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. PETITION FOR DIVORCE AND OTHER MATRIMONIAL CAUSES BETWEEN:(SEENAMAN) JULIE ANN nee JOSEPH Petitioner -vs(SEENAMAN) BASIL SUKHAI Respondent Petition Number: 1224/23FD To: BASIL SUKHAI SEENAMAN Pursuant to Order of Court dated November 9, 2023, by The Honourable Justice Roxane George, Chief Justice (ag.) Notice is hereby given to BASIL SUKHAI SEENAMAN that Petition Number: FD 1224/ 2023 between JULIE ANN SEENAMAN NEE JOSEPH -v- -BASIL SUKHAI SEENAMAN is refixed for hearing from October 30, 2023 to December 11, 2023 at 3:45 pm before Honourable Justice Roxane George, Chief Justice (ag.).

Dated 9th November, 2023

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2023

PAGE 17

Venezuela is bound to its constitution which speaks to adjusting its territory via arbitral award – Gary Best Venezuela’s Constitution provides for its territory to be adjusted via the 1899 Arbitral Award, former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Rare Admiral Dr. Gary Best said on Friday.

Venezuela has claimed the Esssequibo Region noting that the 1899 Arbitral Award was “null and void”.

Notwithstanding that claim, D r. B e s t a t a p r e s s conference held by the Leader of the Opposition, underscored that Article 10 of Venezuela’s Constitution specifically outlines the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, subject to the Arbitral Award.

The historical context of Venezuela’s claim dates to 1962 when, as British G u i a n a n e a r e d independence, the Spanishspeaking country contested the Essequibo territory, sparking a protracted dispute. In response, Guyana initiated proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2018, seeking resolution.

“Article 10 of the Venezuela Constitution describes the Venezuelan boundary between Guyana and itself and that description of the boundary is subject to arbitral awards that are not nullity. So, Venezuela constitution itself provides for its territory to be

adjusted via an arbitral award which happened in 1899, in 1899 there was an arbitral award and Venezuela constitution article 10, (so) Venezuela is bound by that,” Dr. Best reminded.

According to Chapter I of Venezuela’s Constitution: Te r r i t o r y a n d O t h e r Geographical Spaces Article 10, “The territory and other geographical spaces of the Republic are those which belonged to the CaptaincyGeneral of Venezuela before the political transformation begun on April 19, 1810, as amended by virtue of the treaties and arbitration awards which have not been vitiated with nullity.”

Moreover, the Opposition member said too, “ S e c o n d l y, Ve n e z u e l a comprises of 23 states none of which is Essequibo.”

Concluding, Dr. Best asserted that the ICJ proceedings solely focus on validating the 1899 Arbitral Award, reaffirming the importance of understanding Venezuela’s constitutional commitment to this historical resolution. To this end, he said, “So I think Guyanese needs to understand that Venezuelan own constitution provides for the 1899 Arbitral Award, and it only has 23 states.”

N o t a b l y, t h e Government of Guyana has stressed that the ongoing

Former Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Chief-of-Staff. Rare Admiral Dr. Gary Best border controversy with Venezuela will be resolved peacefully at the ICJ. In the meantime, Guyana is currently awaiting the ruling of the ICJ on its request for provisional measures that would block questions relating to the annexation of the Essequibo territory in the upcoming December 3 referendum by the Venezuelan government.

FA C T S O N T H E B O R D E R CONTROVERSY In the second half of the nineteenth century, a dispute regarding the location of the boundary between

Venezuela and the thenBritish colony of British Guiana arose.

The United States took Venezuela’s side in the dispute, based on its “Monroe Doctrine”, by which it opposed territorial claims by European colonial powers in the Americas.

Tensions rose to such a level that the United States even threatened war against Britain, but diplomacy prevailed.

Facilitated by the United States, in 1897, Venezuela and Great Britain concluded an agreement — the Treaty of Washington — by which

they agreed to submit the dispute regarding the location of the boundary to binding arbitration (“the 1899 Arbitration” or “the Arbitration”) before a tribunal of eminent jurists, including the heads of the judiciary of the United States and Great Britain (“the Arbitrators”, “the Arbitral Tribunal” or “the Tribunal”).

On 3 October 1899, the Arbitral Tribunal delivered its Award, which determined the boundary between Venezuela and British Guiana (“the 1899 Award”). The 1899 Award was the culmination of arbitral proceedings during which the respective territorial claims of Great Britain and Venezuela were addressed at great length and in detail by distinguished legal counsel representing the two States, including through many thousands of pages of written submissions and more than 200 hours of oral hearings before the Arbitral Tribunal.

Under the terms of the Treaty of Washington, Great Britain and Venezuela agreed that they would “consider the result of the proceedings of the Tribunal of Arbitration as a full, perfect, and final settlement” of all matters referred to the Tribunal.

F o r mo r e th an s ix

decades after the 1899 Award was delivered, Venezuela treated the Award as a final settlement of the matter: it consistently recognised, affirmed and relied upon the 1899 Award as “a full, perfect, and final” determination of the boundary with British Guiana. In particular, between 1900 and 1905, Venezuela participated in a joint demarcation of the boundary, in strict adherence to the letter of the 1899 Award, and emphatically refused to countenance even minor technical modifications of the boundary line described in the Award.

Venezuela proceeded to formally ratify the demarcated boundary in its domestic law and thereafter published official maps, which depicted the boundary following the line described in the 1899 Award.

In July 1928, Venezuela concluded a boundary agreement with Brazil that expressly confirmed the trijunction point of the boundaries of British Guiana, Venezuela and Brazil as described in the 1899 Award.

For more than sixty years, Venezuela gave full effect to that Award, and never raised a concern as to its validity and binding legal effects.

Sheriff Specialty Hospital Inc. partners with European Consultancy, Health Access International BV to enhance healthcare in Guyana S

heriff Specialty Hospital Inc. on Friday announced a strategic partnership with Health Access International BV (HAI), a renowned Dutch healthcare consultancy.

This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on November 23, 2023, aims to enhance the healthcare landscape in Guyana, starting with the development of a stateof-the-art hospital in Palmyra, Berbice, the company said in a press release.

The two companies began discussions during

Amon van den Borg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at HAI the just Global

concluded Gateway

Economic Mission attended by 23 European c o m p a n i e s i n Georgetown.

Under this partnership, HAI will bring its extensive expertise in hospital planning to Sheriff’s ambitious project.

This collaboration will include reviewing and enhancing existing plans, designing hospital layout, and sourcing advanced medical equipment, potentially supported by Dutch export financing.

Mr. Ameir Ahmad, Managing Director of Sheriff, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with HAI. Their expertise will

be invaluable in our mission to provide toptier healthcare facilities in Guyana.”

Mr. Amon van den Borg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at HAI, remarked “This collaboration with Sheriff is a significant step towards improving healthcare infrastructure in Guyana.”

The partnership is a testament to Sheriff and HAI’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services and infrastructure in Guyana, ensuring better access to quality medical care for all Guyanese.

Ameir Ahmad, Managing Director of Sheriff

Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Israel releases Palestinian women and children prisoners under Hamas deal Around 150 Palestinian prisoners and 50 civilian captives held in Gaza are to be released over four days under Israel-Hamas deal.

Aljazeera - Israel has released 39 women and children prisoners after Hamas freed 13 civilian captives in exchange under a Qatar-mediated deal that includes a four-day truce in Gaza.

Hundreds of Palestinians had gathered in anticipation on Friday outside the Ofer prison, where Israel had transferred those who were to be released, while others congregated in Palestinian towns.

At 8pm local time (18:00 GMT), two International Committee of the Red Cross buses were seen leaving Ofer. According to the AFP news agency, 28 prisoners were released in the occupied West Bank, and 11 others were brought to East Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club NGO. Marah Bakeer, who was among those released in Jerusalem, says she was informed this morning that

she was going to be leaving prison.

She told Al Jazeera police carried out a DNA test and told her she would not be allowed to celebrate upon being released.

“I’m a little nervous and stunned; I can’t believe I’m out,” she said.

“The years spent in jail were hard,” Bakeer said.

“But I have a strong personality … and faith in God.” Her family’s ongoing support helped her overcome “difficult times” during eight years in detention, she added.

Is four days enough time to provide Palestinians with the humanitarian aid they need?| Inside Story Feride Najeh, who was among the prisoners released in Beitunia, told Al Jazeera that she was “very happy” with the deal.

“We haven’t eaten anything since this morning,” Najeh, who was serving a three-year

sentence, said. “They took us in a violent way and they did not let us take our stuff.”

“I am very happy with this deal. I would like to thank Gazan people for their resistance.”

Thirteen Israeli captives, including dual nationals, have been released under the Israel-Hamas deal.

At least 10 Thai nationals and one Filipino were released under a different framework, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, which mediated the separate deal.

The Red Cross has confirmed the release of the 24 civilian captives in Gaza.

Under the Israel-Hamas deal, a total of 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and 50 civilian captives held by Hamas are to be released over a fourday period that will see a pause in fighting in Gaza.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from outside Ofer prison, said

Released Palestinian prisoner Marah Joudat Moussa Bakeer reacts with a family near her house afterhostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Jerusalem [Reuters/Latifeh Abdellatif] Israeli forces fired volleys of tear gas at the crowds who had gathered.

Among those gathered at the prison, one woman Al Jazeera spoke to said that she had come all the way from Tulkarem, a city near the boundary with Israel in the West.

On the way, she was “stopped at an Israeli

military checkpoint, and heavily interrogated there,” Stratford said, “highlighting the difficulties that Palestinians face in terms of freedom of movement across the occupied territories.”

“Another father of a 17year-old boy … said he was not going to be celebrating the release because so many thousands of people have

been, in his words, ‘martyred’ in the buildup to this deal,” Stratford said, “so again highlighting the mixed emotions here.”

Approximately 8,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli jails, including 3,000 who were detained in the last seven weeks amid increasing Israeli raids across the West Bank.

WHO confirms monkeypox spreads sexually in DR Congo amid outbreak The health agency’s confirmation comes amid a monkeypox outbreak in the DRC and a concerning lack of vaccines in Africa.

Aljazeera - The World Health Organization said it has confirmed sexual transmission of monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time as the country’s experiences its biggest-ever outbreak, a worrying development that African scientists warn could make it more difficult to stop the disease.

In a statement issued late T h u r s d a y, t h e U n i t e d Nations health agency said a resident of Belgium travelled to Congo in March and tested positive for monkeypox, shortly afterwards. WHO said the individual “identified himself as a man who has sexual relations with other men” and that he had gone to several underground clubs for gay and bisexual men.

Among his sexual contacts, five later tested positive for monkeypox,

WHO said.

“This is the first definitive proof of sexual transmission of monkeypox in Africa,” Oyewale Tomori, a Nigerian virologist who sits on several WHO advisory groups, said. “The idea that this kind of transmission could not be happening here has now been debunked.”

Monkeypox, sometimes called mpox, has been endemic in parts of Central and West Africa for decades, where it mostly jumped into humans from infected rodents and caused limited o u t b r e a k s . L a s t y e a r, epidemics triggered mainly by sex among gay and bisexual men in Europe hit more than 100 countries.

WHO declared the outbreak as a global emergency and it has caused about 91,000 cases to date.

The agency noted there

were dozens of “discrete” clubs in Congo where men have sex with other men, including members who travel to other parts of Africa and Europe. The agency described the recent monkeypox outbreak as “unusual” and said it highlighted the risk the disease could spread widely among sexual networks.

WHO added that the monkeypox outbreak this

year in Congo, which has infected more than 12,500 people and killed about 580, also marked the first time the disease has been identified in the capital of Kinshasa and in the conflict-ridden province of South Kivu.

Those figures are roughly double the monkeypox toll in 2020, making it Congo’s biggest-ever outbreak, WHO said.

Virologist Tomori said

that even those figures were likely an underestimate and had implications for the rest of Africa, given the continent’s often patchy disease surveillance.

“What’s happening in Congo is probably happening in other parts of Africa,” he said. “Sexual transmission of monkeypox is likely established here, but [gay] communities are hiding it because of the draconian [anti-LGBTQ+] laws in several countries,” he added.

He warned that driving people at risk for the virus underground would make the disease harder to curb.

The monkeypox virus causes fever, chills, rash, and lesions on the face or genitals. Most people recover within several weeks without requiring hospitalisation.

WHO said the risk of

monkeypox spreading to other countries in Africa and globally “appears to be significant,” adding that there could be “potentially more severe consequences” than the worldwide epidemic last year.

Tomori lamented that while the mpox outbreaks in Europe and North America p r o m p t e d m a s s immunisation campaigns among affected populations, no such plans were being proposed for Africa.

“Despite the thousands of cases in Congo, no vaccines have arrived,” he noted. “We have been saying for years in Africa that monkeypox is a problem,” he said.

“Now that sexual transmission has been confirmed here, this should be a signal to everyone to take it much more seriously.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2023

Four Guyanese fishermen missing at sea for nine days F

our Guyanese fishermen have failed to return home after leaving the coastlands nine days ago to assist another fishing boat stranded at sea with mechanical problems.

Missing are Hazrat Razack called "Denno" of Lot 742 Belle West Canal No.2, West Bank Demerara (WBD), Cyscil Persaud called "Dallas" of Sisters Village, WBD, Vickram Singh, of Longpond, WBD, and Worrin Yipsam called "Powas" of Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The men left on November 16 in a red boat called 'Assiya', and have not been seen or heard from since.

Their loved ones fear the worst since the fishing vessel they had gone to rescue

The four missing fishermen returned to shore this morning. The crew told them that they had not seen the men and were rescued by another fishing vessel.

Relatives have reported them missing and a team of Coast Guards have been dispatched to search for them.

Mother repays victim for gold chain snatched by son

By Christal Young Keino Pluck, an 18-yearo l d m a n , o f Tu c v i l l e Squatting Area, Georgetown was freed of his simple larceny charge on Friday after his mother made a partial payment to the victim of his crime.

The teen appeared virtually at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

On October 25, 2023, Pluck snatched a $200,000 gold chain from Shondel Jones in the Stabroek Market area. The court was told that Jones visited the market to purchase a chain and as she was leaving with her new purchase, Pluck snatched a 16 pennyweight chain from around her neck and ran away.

Pluck admitted to his crime while in police custody.

He told police in his s t a t e m e n t t h a t unemployment drove him to steal the woman's chain.

Pluck reportedly told police that he had applied for a job and was frustrated because he was not hired.

After admitting to his crime, the teen expressed a willingness to repay Jones for the chain. The victim agreed.

However, when it was

Freed: Keino Pluck

time to make the payment, Pluck's mother said she is experiencing financial difficulties and pleaded with the court to accept $99,000 which she had in her possession.

Jones accepted the payment and Pluck was given a second chance at freedom. The teen was released on condition that he attends literacy and skills training at the Board of Industrial Training for the

next three years while being supervised by the Probation and Social Services Department.

Pluck was also ordered to live with his mother in Linden, Region 10 for supervision.

Senior Magistrate Daly also placed him on public assistance, given his economic circumstances and told him, “You've gotten a chance, please go and correct your behaviour.”

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2023

Volodímir Zelenski

Saturday November 25, 2023

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Golden Jaguars icons Kayode Mckinnon and Richard Reynolds take helm as U-20 men’s head coach and goalkeeping coach, respectively

Former Golden Jaguars stars Kayode McKinnon and Richard Reynolds have taken up positions as Head Coach and Goalkeeping Coach, respectively, for the Guyana’s Under-20 Men’s National Team ahead of the upcoming February 2024 Concacaf Championship Qualifiers.

McKinnon and Reynolds’ appointments were finalised recently, with the signing of oneyear contracts set to commence on December 1.

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde emphasised that the federation remains dedicated to tapping into the abilities of former players, as evidenced by the recent selections of McKinnon and Reynolds. “I am happy to see

former players bring a wealth of experience and insight to our national teams. Their dedication and passion for the sport are invaluable, and it’s a testament to our commitment at GFF to harness their talents.”

“The recent appointments of McKinnon and Reynolds signify our ongoing efforts to ensure that the legacy and knowledge of our former stars continue to contribute significantly to the development and success of Guyana’s football future,” Forde said.

McKinnon started his pro journey at Bakewell Topp XX in Guyana’s National Football League, representing his hometown, Linden. In 2002, he debuted for the Guyana Senior Men’s National Team, igniting an illustrious journey. His impact

reverberated through crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in 2006, 2010, and notably in 2014, where his contributions elevated Guyana’s football stature to unprecedented levels.

He also played for Trinidad’s North East Stars, Antigua Barracuda F.C. in the USL Professional League and Tobago United and Caledonia AIA during a stint in Spain, particularly in Las Palmas.

Through twenty-five Golden Jaguars appearances, he’s etched his legacy into the fabric of Guyana’s football history, earning the moniker “the magician.” Today, McKinnon holds a FA level III-A (UEFA A) credential and has been coaching in the United States since 2012.

Friday November 25, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A large weight should lift from your shoulders today, Aries. The air has started to clear, and the winds of communication have started blowing again. Listen closely to the buzz in the air.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The weightiness of the past few days seems to be lifting.

You will find a slight breeze building that will help fuel your fire, Libra. By building a solid foundation, you've created a reliable.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) People may be abrasive today, Taurus, but you will find after careful assessment that they don't mean any harm. More than likely they aren't fully informed.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Now that you have a solid grip on your situation, unexpected things may come along that change the rules again, Scorpio. It may feel like the chair you just got comfortable. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Use gadgets and electronic devices to make life easier today, Sagittarius. Why take the time to chop food by hand when you can use the food processor.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't criticize the situation until you've come up with a better solution, Gemini. Be creative. You can accomplish much if you approach the situation confidently.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your thoughts may have a dreamy quality today, Cancer. You will find that things are less stable than they have been for the past few days. Don't get discouraged by pessimistic people.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The Be careful of the information that comes your way today, Capricorn. People may make unwarranted claims and false accusations. The day has a dreamy, innovative quality to it that asks you to venture out on a limb.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your emotions are soaring, Leo, and you should feel free to indulge in your greatest fantasies. Take a break from reality for a while. Let your inner child play.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Maintain an air of detachment, Aquarius. Feel free to delve into your fantasy world and let your emotions carry you to another realm.

Today is one of those days when you might come up with a new invention.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Reward yourself with two desserts today, Virgo. Take a bubble bath. Share your fantasies with others and express yourself fully. Don't feel like you have to say yes.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may find that things are much lighter than they were the past couple days, Pisces. This is a good time to let your physical body take a rest.

McKinnon’s coaching expertise spans across all levels of soccer/Fútbol, training players in varsity, collegiate, Olympic and professional spheres.

McKinnon said he is enthusiastic to join the Under-20 programme which gives him a chance to create opportunities for aspiring young men.

“I am very excited to be at the helm of the Guyana’s Under-20 Men’s National Team in the country where I was born and raised.

What an opportunity to provide possibilities to the aspiring young men within my country.”

“I look forward to leading this programme into the future and representing Guyana proudly by the institution of Grace. I also want to thank President Wayne Forde and Technical Director Bryan Joseph for their ongoing support and belief in the national programme. It’s an exciting time to be part of the transformation and I cannot wait to get started with the team.”

Former Golden Jaguars captain Reynolds made his national team debut in 2008 after stints with local club Alpha United. Throughout his career, he notched 32 appearances, participating in various national and international tournaments, including World Cup qualifications and Caribbean Football United Championships. Reynolds is also happy to be able to contribute to the nurturing of Guyana’s emerging talents.

“I just want to say thank you to the Guyana Football Federation for this great opportunity to become the Guyana Men’s Under-20 goalkeepers coach. It is such an honour and heartwarming to myself as once a national goalkeeper to have this opportunity to share my knowledge and experience to coach the young Golden Jaguars goalkeepers, the future of Guyana football national team.”

GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph noted that the GFF is thrilled to welcome former players McKinnon and Reynolds as part of the Under-20 programme to provide Guyana’s emerging talents with first hand access to authentic expertise.“Theadditionofthesetwoformer players to the Under-20 programme ensures that these young talents are exposed to individuals with authentic experience. They are ready and prepared to impart their invaluable insights and game knowledge to the young aspirants.”

Kayode has a particular skillset that I believe will prove invaluable to the programme and would supplement the culture of the Senior Mens team. He is a coach with a strong belief in the mental side of the game and is also a solid tactician. I believe he offers much of the qualities we see in the current Senior Men’s Head coach. Joseph explained

that former players are required to either holders of the appropriate coaching licenses or actively pursuing same to be eligible to lead national team programmes.

The group stage qualifiers, spanning from February 23 to March 2, 2024, will unfold across five venues in Central America and the Caribbean. The twentyseven men’s Under-20 teams have been categorised into three groups of five and three groups of four. Guyana is placed in Group B alongside El Salvador, Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname, and

Turks and Caicos Islands.

Following the round-robin matches during February 23 to March 2, 2024, the topranking team from each group will secure a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Men’s U20 Championship, joining the six pre-seeded top-ranked nations.

Forde’s administration remains steadfast in advocating a national team policy centred on utilising the abilities and knowledge of former players, steering the course for a developing programme focused on enhancing football across Guyana.

MVP Sports Pee-Wee Girls,...

From page 25 culminate the quarter finals matchups. However, there will also be clashes between F.E Pollard and One Mile Primary followed by Genesis Academy and St Aloysius Primary.

Beyond merely a competitive arena, the Petra Organisation extends the reach of football through this tournament, fostering inspiring narratives and sporting camaraderie. The teams vie

for a grand prize of $150,000 earmarked for a school project chosen by the winners. Runner-ups to the fourth-placed team will seize $100,000, $75,000, and $50,000, respectively, for similar school projects. Additionally, the top four teams will receive $100,000, $50,000, $50,000, and $50,000 worth of sports gear. Teams securing fourth to eighth place will also be granted $25,000 in sports equipment.

Part 1 Warning Signs...

From page 24 after qualifying for Gold Cup 2019 did the Golden Jaguars slip back to not being in League A already?

By the time the GFF elections happen, the Lady Jaguars will likely qualify for the Women’s Gold Cup playoffs.

So maybe with both teams starting 2024 fresh with League A and Gold Cup football on-field action, off-field similarities should be repli-

cated with a fresh presidential tenure under Franklin Wilson, for the simple reason that 8 years is long enough for any sports leader to run their race then pass the baton.

(Colin Benjamin served as GFF Communications Officer during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

He has also served Cricket West Indies, Canada Soccer & W Connection FC Trinidad)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Saturday November 25, 2023

CWI announces Macron as the new technical partner and official team kit supplier of the West Indies teams West Indies to unveil new-look jersey for CG United ODI Series vs England ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Men’s and Women’s teams will be wearing new team jerseys starting from the upcoming Series against England as part of a new technical partnership between Cricket West Indies (CWI) and leading European sportswear company Macron. The home players will be wearing new One Day International (ODI), T20 International (T20) and training kit apparel across the Series, all featuring the

West Indies iconic maroon that fans in the Caribbean and around the world love and adore.

Macron, as CWI’s new official technical partner and team kit supplier, is an Italian based sports apparel manufacturer which has been supplying equipment and sportwear from grassroots to elite athletes, sports players and teams for over five decades. The new partnership will see Macron supply team playing and training kits for all home and

away Test, ODI and T20I matches and covering all West Indies Men’s and Women’s international teams including ‘A’ Teams, the Academies and age group teams.

The team jerseys feature high performance material that not only support performance but also helps reduce plastic waste and energy consumption. Each jersey is made from a special 100% PET recycled polyester thread that comes from thirteen recycled

bottles and requires less energy in the production of the apparel.

The new partnership also helps CWI’s desired aim to increase sustainability, reduce plastic waste and reduce energy consumption which is important for the future of Caribbean countries.

The new team kit designs will be unveiled in the buildup to the three-match CG United ODI Series, which bowls off at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on 3 December, and the T20I Series which starts on the 12 December at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Macron’s online store will enable fans around the world to purchase the new range playing and training apparel as well as caps, polo shirts and other accessories.

Fans in the Caribbean will initially be able to purchase the new range on match day at the four venues hosting the West Indies vs England Series, either through a click and collect service via CWI’s online channels, or at West Indies merchandise stands in each venue. CWI is also working with regional retail partners to stock the new West Indies Macron range. More details on where and how fans can buy the new West Indies kit will be announced in the coming

days.

CWI Commercial Director, Dominic Warne stated: “CWI is looking forward to a great technical partnership with Macron as a top-quality sports brand suppling technical apparel to sports teams around the world. We believe the new kit will be loved by fans, players and will also help the environment.

The players will enjoy high quality technical apparel to support their highperformance requirements.

We know fans will enjoy the new maroon jersey designs which supporters can purchase at all West Indies matches as well as through Macron’s e-commerce store.

The team jerseys will also make a positive environmental impact using recycled plastic bottles in their production.

We’re looking forward to seeing

lots of maroon in the stands and the streets with fans rallying to see West Indies home for Christmas and with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup coming to the Caribbean and USA in 2024.”

Macron CEO, Gianluca Pavanello said: “Given the h i s t o r y, s u c c e s s a n d international prestige of West Indies Cricket, we can be particularly proud of this partnership. This further confirms the quality and reliability of the teamwear we supply to the growing number of sports federations who choose to wear the Macron Hero on their chest.

We a r e c o m m i t t e d t o designing and producing game sets and technical garments that express the history, symbols and identity of West Indies Cricket.”

Further information will be announced on windiescricket.com and CWI’s social channels using the ‘windiescricket’ handle.

F U L L M AT C H SCHEDULE (with start times) 3 December: 1st CG United ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – 9:30am 6 December: 2nd CG United ODI at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – 1:30pm 9 December: 3rd CG United at Kensington Oval, Barbados – 1:30pm 12 December: 1st T20I at Kensington Oval, Barbados – 6pm 14 December: 2nd T20I at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada – 1:30pm 16 December: 3rd T20I at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada – 1:30pm 19 December: 4th T20I at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad – 4pm 21 December: 5th T20I at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad – 4pm

Kaieteur News

Saturday November 25, 2023

PAGE 23

Argentina and Brazil to meet in Under-17 World Cup quarterfinals. England, U.S. out in 2nd round

France’ Fode Sylla, center, battles for the ball against Senegal’s Yaya Dieme during their FIFA U-17 World Cup round of 16 soccer match at Jakarta International Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

J

A K A R T A , Indonesia (AP) — Argentina and defending champion Brazil will meet in the quarterfinals of the Under-17 World Cup in Indonesia after navigating a second round that saw the England and U.S. teams eliminated from the tournament.

Uzbekistan upset 2017 champion England 2-1 on Wednesday, a day after

Germany advanced 3-2 over the United States.

Germany will open the quarterfinal stage against Spain on Friday before Argentina takes on Brazil.

The quarterfinals today will feature France against Uzbekistan and Mali against Morocco.

Brazil’s title defense got off to a shaky start in a 3-2 loss to Iran, but a 9-0 rout of New Caledonia and a 2-1

win over England earned the 2019 champions a spot in the round of 16.

Brazil then beat Ecuador 3-1 with two goals coming from Estevao and one from Luighi.

A rg e n t i n a t h r a s h e d Venezuela 5-0, a result that was not in doubt after three goals in the first 32 minutes.

After an own-goal, Santiago Lopez and Claudio Echeverri found the target

France’ players celebrate after defeating Senegal in a penalty shootout during their FIFA U-17 World Cup round of 16 soccer match at Jakarta International Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara) before a late double from Agustin Ruberto, who leads the tournament’s scoring rankings with five goals.

E n g l a n d ’s d e m i s e followed a stunning freekick from Lazizbek Mirzaev after Joel Ndala had canceled out an early goal from Amirbek Saidov.

Uzbekistan will be growing in confidence ahead of a knockout game against France, which squeezed past

Senegal 5-3 in a shootout after the game ended 0-0.

A late goal from Bilal Yalcinkaya gave Germany a 3-2 win over the United States on Tuesday.

Spain advanced 2-1 over Japan.

U.S. coach Gonzalo Segares looked for the positives after the narrow loss which followed group stage wins over Burkina Faso and South Korea.

“I’m very proud,” he said.

“A lot of people didn’t think we were going to be even close on the scoreboard (against Germany), and we showed that we can play oneon-one with anyone.”

Mali thrashed two-time champion Mexico 5-0 to move into a showdown with Morocco, which beat Iran 41 on penalties after the game finished 1-1.

Letter to the Sports Editor...

Students’ failure a reflection of the quality of leadership Dear Sports Editor, There is a general acknowledgment that when an overwhelming majority of students fail, it is an undeniable reflection of the quality of leadership the classroom has received.

This simply means that blame is rightly attributed to the teacher or by extension the system that must have failed to convey the correct methods of teaching, making it difficult for the students to perform outstandingly.

Well, as outlined by Football Enthusiast Gregory Smith (a name unfortunately synonymous with an evil deed that was conducted in Guyana’s political history) in a recent attempt to dissuade members of the electorate from voting for the Franklin Wilson-led slate, sought to cast doubt on the administrative acumen of the challenging group in the December 9 Guyana

Football Federation (GFF) Electoral Congress.

Smith, unwittingly or for some inexplicable reason, disastrously exposed the incompetence of the Wayne Forde administration.

Smith spoke of the many shortcomings of members of Wilson’s slate but failed to realise that for the past eight years of Forde’s leadership, not much has been done to enhance the holistic development of the sport locally.

The grounds (playing areas) that he vigorously highlighted are in a similar state presently as described by him when those very members he criticised were in office.

During the period of Wilson’s reign, football discussions were of a positive nature, results were outstanding, competitions were frequent and the whole country was buzzing with

excitement with the progressive path the sport had taken.

The offshoots of all this success for the corporate sector and small businesses were fantastic and the whole nation rallied around the Golden Jaguars.

There was nothing lowkey about the game. It had taken its rightful place at the top of the sports list, relegating even one of the country’s premier sports (cricket) to play catchup.

The sport enjoyed unprecedented coverage across every section of media, while the conversation on every lip was that of the performance of the Golden Jaguars.

There can be no dispute that that era created by the outstanding performances of the Jaguars was the embodiment of national cohesion, everyone was on board.

Could we say the same about this era where a recent outstanding achievement was so subdued that even the most ardent lover of the sport knew little of it?

Forde has relegated the sport to its lowest ebb in terms of visibility and development and had it not been for the mastery of Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz and his Technical s t a ff , o n e c o u l d j u s t wonder where the sport would be. No amount of international scouting could replace the importance of local development and visibility and the absence of these two vital components are the real reasons why the fan experience, grassroots development, and tangible corporate backing are missing.

To c h a r a c t e r i z e Forde’s stewardship as a

failure is going soft on him, there must be some number of adjectives added to truthfully depict his term in office.

His one-man rule is another feature that is being highlighted and criticized by many member associations, providing them with added motivation to inject new life into the administrative branch of the sport. Wilson’s resume is loaded with experience at several levels in administration in the sport.

He has been on committees such as FIFA Development, Concacaf Futsal, and CFU Media & Marketing among others.

He was instrumental in inking the first ever TV Rights deal to expose Guyana on the international stage, exposed several referees and assistants for regional and international

engagements and here again the list goes on.

Any member of the electorate concerned with the current situation in the sport, following a thorough comparison of the two listed contestants for the top post, must conclude that Wilson be given the nod.

To do otherwise would not only be a disservice to the sport, but to all those young ball weavers who envisage a future in the game. Wilson has armed himself with all the necessary tools to stem the decline, the proof of which lies in his own ability to manage at the highest level, but also to align with individuals who possess similar pedigree that will not allow any appearance of non-conformity with the policy to go unrestricted.

Wilson is the way to go voters.

Concerned Football fan.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Saturday November 25, 2023

Part 1 Warning Signs: Addressing the Guyana Football Leadership Malaise

By Colin Benjamin Global football in modern times is a multibillion dollar business.

One can look at FIFA and European football to see the amount of American, Chinese, Middle East and Russian Oligarchs that have tried to buy the FIFA World Cups and own some of the world’s most famous clubs.

Considering football’s extreme popularity and high level of grassroots participation in Guyana, it is 100% clear the Guyana Football Federation is not in a position to maximize the nation’s potential in the world’s most popular sport.

Foundation Leadership failure Having been lucky enough to experience the highest levels of Caribbean and CONCACAF football watching from overseas the red light warning lights of GFF are too glaring to not call it out.

To understand GFF’s current predicament, the

history is important. In 2011, the unsuccessful 22-year tenure of Colin Klass’s GFF presidency ended in ignominy, with a FIFA ban during the cash-for-votes scandal.

Later in January 2013, a two-year-long squabble between the Guyana Football Federation and the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) was s o r t e d b y F I FA a n d CONCACAF. Then the short Christopher Matthias p r e s i d e n c y a n d F I FA Normalization Committee implementation followed.

Modern GFF Wayne Forde’s GFF presidential tenure since 2015 is the longest serving one since the dark days of Klass. Sports administration is judged by on-field success & the objective ones under Forde are: A) Hiring Englishman Michael Johnson as coach leading the men’s team in qualifying for the 2019 Gold Cup B) Hiring Dr. Ivan

Joseph which led to the rejuvenation of diaspora talent in the Women’s programme C) M e n s e c u r i n g Nations league A promotion However, that is a limited amount of tangible accomplishments in a 8-year term and it’s clear the majority of the football fraternity leading up to the upcoming GFF election on December 9 is not pleased with his time in office. If he was he wouldn’t have a challenger in Mr Franklin Wilson. In modern professional sports there is no bigger “crisis communication” point for an organization than your own players losing faith and late payment.

The October 26 letter by players in Kaieteur Sport titled: “Golden Jaguars W a y n e F o r d e Unprofessional” was a robust denigration of another Caribbean sports official.

Change the team and that letter could have been

cricketers calling out Cricket West Indies, Jamaica reggae girls on the JFF or Trinidad Soca Warriors on the TTFA. What clearly promoted this response by players was Forde’s October 23 Kaieteur interview. Addressing the financial constraints of GFF, Forde said it cost the f e d e r a t i o n a n “unprecedented” USD 870,338 to fund both the senior teams.

Men & women’s teams worldwide play simultaneously regularly nothing “unprecedented” about that basic modern football federation dynamic.

The big picture though is I have been hearing these GFF money complaints my entire professional sports media life. Those comments highlight the belief of many who have any involvement in Guyana football that the GFF is missing a major trick by not trying to leave CONCACAF for CONMEBOL like how Australia left OFC for the AFC Confederation.

Objective evidence suggests that financial realities to fund the men & women simultaneously won’t be improved by staying in CONCACAF

under the leadership of Canadian president Victor Montagliani although he has done a lot to advance CFU football more than Caribbean men Jack Warner & Jeff Webb.

Global TV rights deals are the lifeblood of sports what Guyana could gain from home matches in League A or potential 2026 World Cup qualifiers versus Mexico/USA, is unmatched by the possibilities of similar games against Brazil & Argentina.

In CONMEBOL the ladies have a better chance of getting to a World Cup - & although the men’s chances become almost impossible they could be as competitive as Venezuela are today due to regularly playing Brazil & A rg e n t i n a a n d m o n e y derived for TV revenue to aid in grassroots and infrastructure development.

CONMEBOL could still say no - but access them & talk of GFF seeking more Corporate Guyana and government support would subside significantly.

Also following coach Jamal Shabbaz’s stunningly saying he would prefer Guyana to play matches away from home due to the

poor state of Leonora’s stadium after the September 3-2 Nations League win vs the Bahamas - leads to some basic questions.

After seeing Hockey played at the Providence Stadium, why did President Forde say the focus to potentially ask authorities to use the venue solely based on if the men qualified for League A and not during the qualification campaign?

Why were the Lady Jags using Providence in ongoing Gold Cup qualifiers not mentioned?

The Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia has gotten CONCACAF approval, so why isn’t Providence so that the Golden Jaguars & Lady Jags can play at home?

Speaking about the Nations League two things can be true. League A promotion can be applauded, w h i l e e q u a l l y acknowledging in Caribbean football context it has some insignificance with Trinidad & Jamaica beating USA and Canada. Reality is the big prize right now for all CFU teams is the unique chance to play in Copa America next year. So the question is how (Continued on page 21)

Kevin Sinclair’s heroic 80 leads West Indies ‘A’ to dramatic one-wicket victory over South Africa ‘A’ SportsMax - In a thrilling conclusion to their four-day unofficial Test match, Kevin Sinclair played the role of hero as he scored an unbeaten half-century, guiding West Indies A to a nail-biting one-wicket victory over South Africa A in Benoni yesterday.

Facing a challenging situation with the tourists at 104-5, Sinclair showcased immense patience and skill, accumulating 80 crucial runs to secure the win for West Indies A, reaching 224-9 in 80.4 overs.

The day began with West Indies resuming their innings at eight without loss, with Tagenarine Chanderpaul on one and Zachary McCaskie on five.

Unfortunately, McCaskie failed to add to his overnight

score, becoming the first victim of Mihlali Mpongwana, who claimed three wickets in the inning.

Chanderpaul and Kirk McKenzie formed a useful partnership for the second wicket, but it was disrupted when Dane Piedt dismissed McKenzie for 36, leaving the score at 75-2. The West Indies A faced a quick succession of wickets, with Mpongwana dismissing Chanderpaul for 35 and removing Kavem Hodge for 12, bringing the team to 1044.Duanne Olivier and Hardus Viljoen continued the pressure, removing Tevin Imlach and Joshua da Silva, leaving the West Indies A at a precarious 114-6 and in danger of defeat. However, Sinclair, the Player of the Match, stood firm. The

bowling all-rounder, known for his ability to lead lateorder revivals, played a match-winning knock, scoring the majority of the remaining runs. Facing 150 balls, Sinclair hit eight fours and two sixes during his resilient innings.

Jayden Seales contributed 12 runs, and Jair McAllister, coming in with the tourists still 53 runs away from their target, finished not out on seven.

Mpongwana led the South African bowling attack with figures of 3-25, while Viljoen and Piedt took two wickets each in the losing cause. Sinclair’s heroics ensured a memorable victory for West Indies A in a thrilling encounter against South Africa A.

Saturday November 25, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Herstelling Football Club to honour players - Following their recent C/ship hoist at the 2023 EBFA Senior League championship

T

he Herstelling Football Team has made history in the East Bank Senior League Football, marking their legacy with unwavering dedication and hard work. Securing the 2023 Inter-Association Senior Leagues championship title, they seized the fiercely competitive East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Senior League Football crown for the first time, etching an indelible mark in their district—a region traditionally focused on cricket.

This remarkable year has seen the rise of a new club dominating a cricket-centric area, captivating fans with their on-field brilliance and securing a well-deserved EBFA title.

Throughout the season, the Herstelling side showcased an unyielding pursuit of excellence, blending exceptional teamwork, strategic g a m e p l a y, a n d a n unbreakable spirit that propelled them to victory.

The resilient Herstelling Men’s Football team who successfully lifted the 2023 EBFA Senior League title.

Each match, from the inaugural clash to their final encounter, demonstrated not only athletic prowess but also a deep understanding of the game’s intricacies.

This triumph speaks

volumes about the resilience and determination of the team.

Confronting formidable challenges, they pushed their limits and e m b o d i e d t r u e sportsmanship on their path

MVP Sports Pee-Wee Girls U-11 Football Quarterfinals unfolds today - Young Talents set to clash to secure semi finals’ spots The MVP Sports School Girls Under-11 Football Championship, organised by the Petra Organisation, is hitting its stride as it strides into the crucial quarter-final phase at the Ministry of Education (MoE) grounds.

Today’s schedule brims with a flurry of matches, promising an exhilarating day of play. Excitement crackles in the air as we gear up for this pivotal juncture in the tournament.

This event, designed to nurture budding talent and instill the values of sportsmanship, has drawn teams from regions six, five, and one. The competition has been a canvas for these young athletes to showcase their skills and determination. Now, as we approach the climax of this much-anticipated event, the anticipation is palpable for the thrilling clashes ahead.

Out of a pool of 20 teams, eight have emerged triumphantly from the group stages, each harbouring

A glimpse of some of the action on the opening day.

ambitions of hoisting the coveted trophy. These aspiring footballers have exhibited remarkable prowess, teamwork, and resilience throughout the tournament. As we edge closer to the pinnacle, the spotlight intensifies on these young athletes who undoubtedly represent the future stars of women’s football.

The action-packed

quarter-finals commence with Potaro Primary’s swift strikers taking on West Ruimveldt at 12:00 pm.

Following this, St John the Baptiste Primary clashes with Smith Memorial, while defending champions North Georgetown face off against Tucville Primary before an exciting showdown between Marian Academy and Friendship Primary to (Continued on page 19)

to success. The players, coaching staff, and supporters merit commendation for their unshakable belief in the team’s capabilities.

It’s more than a win; it’s a collective endeavor that has brought glory to the Herstelling community.

Expressing heartfelt appreciation for his team’s exceptional performance in the 2023 league, Head Coach Devon Winter emotionally acknowledged, “Thank you, guys, and God, because

achieving this feat may not have been possible without the assistance of our Lord.

A special thanks to our loyal and committed players who played a crucial role in winning the league.”

Winter elaborated on the c h a l l e n g i n g j o u r n e y, emphasizing the values of loyalty, commitment, hope, passion, and integrity that culminated in this championship. Gratitude was extended to the supportive executive members, the influential

President, whose prayers were impactful, and the beloved fans and friends who were integral to this incredible journey.

The club warmly extends an invitation to all its members to a presentation ceremony on Sunday from 1:00 pm at the Agricola Community Centre ground.

This ceremony aims to honour and recognise the players for their stellar performance in the 2023 M e n ’s S e n i o r L e a g u e championship.

Kevin Sinclair receives his Player of the Match for West Indies A in the 1st Test vs South Africa A. (CWI)

Kayode McKinnon

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rt Spo

Golden Jaguars icons Kayode Mckinnon and Richard Reynolds take helm as U-20 men’s head coach and goalkeeping coach, respectively Richard Reynolds

Kevin Sinclair during his Player of the Match performance for West Indies A in the 1st Test vs South Africa A. (CWI)

Kevin Sinclair’s heroic 80 leads West Indies ‘A’ to dramatic one-wicket victory over South Africa ‘A’ Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.