Kaieteur News

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Thursday Edition

AIETEUR

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

November 23, 2023 - Vol. 16 No. 47

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 61,758

healthcare facilities

p. 21

Failure to increase royalty at Stabroek p. 3

Block, Guyana lost out on US$872M this year Woman found dead with knife in throat at Unity, ECD

Oil spill tops 1 million gallons, threatens Gulf of Mexico wildlife p.

17

Murdered accountant: Chooromanie “Anita” Tulsie

p. 16

Four fingers of Woman stabs woman chopped husband off for hitting over rice and plantain husband with ...charged with attempted ‘rolling-pin’ murder, remanded p.

15

p.

12

‘Best incentives in Guyana’ - Pres. Ali tells EU investors p. 8

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 23, 2023

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Failure to increase royalty at Stabroek Block, Guyana lost out on US$872M this year G

uyana has lost o u t o n U S $ 8 7 2 M (GY$181.1B) this year, due to the government's refusal to apply the new 10 percent royalty rate to the Stabroek Block.

Kaieteur News has shown time and again that applying the new royalty rate which is set for new contracts would significantly increase Guyana's annual earnings.

For instance, if the royalty for ExxonMobil's oil projects was 10% instead of the current 2%, Guyana's last quarterly royalty payment could have been US$264M. Instead, it was US$52.8M. Guyana has received all four quarterly royalty payments scheduled for 2023; Exxon and its coventurers paid US$218M (GY$45.5B) to Guyana's Natural Resource Fund (NRF), equating to 2% of the value of annual crude production. Had the royalty rate been 10%, this figure would have been US$1.09B,

signifying a lost opportunity for Guyana to earn an additional US$872M due to the PPP/C administration's reluctance to seek better royalty terms.

Such a significant increase in revenue could immensely benefit Guyana's e c o n o m y, e s p e c i a l l y considering the vast quantities of oil expected from the Stabroek Block in the future.

The government could have leveraged these funds for environmental protection through adaptation and mitigation initiatives. Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has frequently lamented the lack of funds for such purposes due to unfulfilled commitments by developed countries.

The additional US$872M per annum could also cover the repayment of the US$138M loan from China's EXIM Bank for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) renovation, with a surplus of nearly US$734M. The PPP/C

The Prosperity floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel arrived in Guyana I April this year

government incurred this debt, further burdening Guyana financially.

Annually, US$872M could contribute significantly to the country's development.

This sum is sufficient to finance the entire Gas-toEnergy project at Wales, which the government is building. Such financial

independence would even alleviate the need for Guyana take a begging bowl to the US EXIM Bank for US$646M to finance the project.

The royalties paid into the nation's NRF were based on oil production levels of under 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) from two projects.

With the Prosperity floating

production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel now in operation, production is set to rise to 620,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

Exxon's plans indicate an increase to 1.2 million bpd b y 2 0 2 7 . Wi t h e v e r y increase, there is a proportionate increase in losses. Persisting with a 2% royalty rate for exploiting 11

billion barrels of oil equivalent in the Stabroek Block will result in Guyana forfeiting billions in potential earnings over the PSA's lifespan.

The government will be negotiating with ExxonMobil to apply the new model terms to Block S8 - a block in which there is no guarantee oil will be found.

Businessman remanded for gun, ammo possession at GuyExpo A 29-year-old Guyhoc Park businessman was remanded to prison on Wednesday after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate's Court and was charged for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. Quincy Linton of Letter A5, Guyhoc Park, Georgetown appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate's Court before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, where he was charged for possession of illegal firearm and possession of illegal ammunition. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Linton's attorney made an application for bail in a reasonable sum.

Consequently the prosecutor objected to bail due to the n a t u r e o f t h e o ff e n c e

committed. Thereafter, the Acting Chief Magistrate refused bail and the accused was remanded to prison.

The Acting Chief Magistrate mentioned to the court that the matter will be transferred to the High Court before a judge and jury in order for bail to be granted.

The case was then adjourned.

On Saturday last, Kaietuer News was on the ground at GuyExpo at the Sophia Exhibition Complex when a female security officer raised an alarm that a man was moments earlier found in possession of an illegal weapon.Kaieteur News later learnt from the police that the man had entered the venue via its western entrance and handed over a 9MM pistol and 17 matching rounds to police

ranks on duty.

He also gave them a small laminated copy of a firearm licence claiming that he was a legal firearm holder. But the police officers became suspicious after they could not recognize the signature on the document. “…the purported signature on the licence appeared to be not of any senior rank in the division,” p o l i c e s a i d .

The ranks promptly detained and questioned the man but he reportedly gave them conflicting stories as to how he obtained a firearm licence.

Police decided to search his home for the original licence, which he claimed he had but found none. They arrested him and took possession of the weapon and ammunition.

The gun that the suspect had in his possession.

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

ExxonMobil willing to help Guyana’s neighbour prepare ExxonMobil’s Guyana Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alistair Routledge, must be congratulated for coming up with a new scheme almost daily. Acting most likely in harmony with thinking in the company’s Texas High Command, Mr. Routledge has now signaled that there is willingness to help Guyana’s neighbours prepare for an oil spill. Mr. Routledge is so smooth that he was careful enough to remind Trinidadians, Jamaicans, St. Lucians, and the citizens of seven other countries that could be hugely impacted by an oil spill that an oil spill is an “unlikely” event. Those who want to believe that sugarcoated donut named “unlikely” are free to do so, but they should bear in mind the massive BP oil spill from the Deepwater Horizon rig, and the resulting fiery devastations in the Gulf of Mexico and neighbouring environments.

ExxonMobil has not budged in providing Guyana with a full parent company guarantee to cover all expenses should there be an oil spill of damaging proportions. But it is ready to help Guyana’s neighbours prepare for an oil spill. The company is so strong, and its feet so set, that it can get the Government of Guyana to join with it, and fight the Guyanese people over a court ruling calling for that same company guarantee should an oil spill occur. But ExxonMobil is slick enough to publicize its readiness to lend a hand to this country’s neighbours to prepare for an oil spill. Mr. Routledge must have concluded that Guyanese are fools, and that the company and its top brains have all the wisdom in the world.

ExxonMobil’s feet are now held to the flames, and it is called out for what it is, given this latest corporate gimmick.

Prepared to assist neighbours be ready in the event of an oil spill, “unlikely” as the boss reminds everyone, is going about protection on the sly, and on the cheap. When all that assistance and preparatory work are over, Guyana is still the first party that is on the hook should any devastating oil spill happen, unlikely or not. For sure, the company is going to be named in any suits to make whole for damages, but Guyana is exposed, and in no way insulated from whatever comes. This is in terms of the proper protection for its own environment, its peoples, and their way of life. When Guyana is so handicapped relative to itself, then it is illequipped to deal with any spill wreaking havoc on some of its neighbours, maybe all ten of them.

ExxonMobil has a long history of taking care of itself in such situations. The company knows how to work the clock, and how to make the courts work toward the outcomes it desires. At the opposite end of the spectrum stands Guyana, a neophyte in such circumstances, and one not knowing where to start, how to deal with a monstrous spill. The sad reality is that this country usually has its hands full to capacity in dealing with disastrous local residential and commercial developments. It would be financially worse off coping with any oil spill, about which it knows less than the minimum. This is why a parent company guarantee from ExxonMobil is so vital. To have such a binding document in hand is worth its weight in gold, a good fraction of the oil reserves offshore, if there is an oil spill.

ExxonMobil would be tied to Guyana, and arguably be more inclined to slow down its rapid push to expand and expand oil production levels. Because there would be a significant degree of liability, it is likely that there would be some more caution around the offshore facilities, and a lowering of the company’s breathtaking appetite for risk.

Still, there has to be some regard for the way in which ExxonMobil sneaks around with its new gadget about readiness to prepare neighbours should there be a spill. The company would do anything that does not cost it much to avoid doing the right thing. There is only one right thing for ExxonMobil to do when oil spills are the issue, that is to give Guyana the full guarantee that it must have. Stop this cheap babble about helping neighbours prepare.

Thursday November 23, 2023

PNC the worst traitors, up to its old tricks DEAR EDITOR, The Opposition has once again embarked on its treacherous journey to destabilize the duly elected PPP/C Government by any and all means to gain power at any and all cost.

In the beginning, prior to 2015, it was all about corruption, cronyism and marginalization but since 2020, this has included the Exxon oil contract, the use of a ‘fact finding’ mission from the USA to ‘document’ and ‘validate’ the ‘corruption’, ‘ c r o n y i s m ’ a n d ‘marginalization’ suffered

by Afro-Guyanese at the hands of the PPP/C Government, and lately the Venezuela and Guyana border issue to falsely claim that the PPP/C has sold out Guyana to the Venezuelan.

Nothing is farther from the truth since it is the PPP since the early sixties which has categorically denounced this erroneous and despicable claim. But during this time and until now, the PNC used the border controversy to its benefit.

Let’s look at some historical facts. Despite the Protocol of Port of Spain signed between the UK and Venezuela at Geneva in 1966 which placed a moratorium of the border controversy, Venezuela continued to push its claim for all lands west of the Essequibo River by

displaying this on a map.

This was taught in schools a n d t h e Ve n e z u e l a n Newspapers clamored for the return of this land ‘illegally’ occupied by Guyana. Between 1970 and 1980 the PNC Government did little to educate the Guyanese populace, however, it was the PPP despite limited resources which educated Guyanese about the unfounded claim made by Venezuela. In the May 1981 issue of the Caribbean Contact, it was stated that, ‘The opposition PPP of Dr. Cheddi Jagan has done much in the past to expose the ‘spurious nature’ of Venezuela’s territorial claim to Guyana….’ Since that time the PPP maintained as it had done before 1970, that the entire matter could be solved if the Guyana government took the issue to the United Nations Security Council and the World Court. Eventually this was done in 2018.

It must be recalled that despite the PPP boycotting Parliament after the massively fraudulent 1973 Elections, it still gave ‘critical support’ to show its patriotic duty to stand in d e f e n s e o f G u y a n a ’s territorial integrity. The PPP did not use the border controversy to score cheap political points but the PNC did that even until today and

even used it to raise millions using Defense Bonds and denied workers any wage increase. This Defense Bonds fundraiser was meant to ‘purchase’ arms to defend Guyana against Brazil and not Venezuela. Then in his Labor Day speech in 1981 the late Forbes Burnham told workers who were demanding a minimum wage of fourteen dollars a day that, ‘We can discuss the fourteen dollars; we can discuss twenty-one dollars; but right now we have to defend the Essequibo. Let us decide to unite so that we can defend the Essequibo.” He then proceeded to ask the workers to choose “between the fourteen dollars a day and the Essequibo!” Recall that the Coalition attempted to siphon off the $18 million signing bonus and later said that it would have been used as ‘legal fees’ for the border case. The PNC simply cannot change its modus operandi. Today, the PPP/C Government is not resorting to blackmailing workers, but it ensures that everyone is given a fair and equitable share of the pie. The working class is far better off now than ever and this trend will continue as the PPP/C continues to deliver.

It must be submitted that this ‘fact finding mission’ came at the wrong time, came to the wrong people

and came to only give support to the destabilization process which the APNU and AFC are embarked on.

Today, the Afro and Indo Guyanese are striving earnestly to give meaning and life to the ONE GUYANA mission of this Government and this group from the USA should have done their homework on what transpired before and after 1992 and the period on the Coalition’s tenure from 2015 to 2020. Moreover, getting information from staged APNU and AFC interviews will never provide any credible information on the reality of the socio-economic environment as it is. These will simply be fabrications since the racial discrimination, marginalization, cronyism and corruption the Group wanted to investigate was done during the Coalition’s tenure in Government. They are too late.

The APNU and AFC will never succeed in their destabilization propaganda, Guyanese know the truth and they had five years to carefully analyze the lies and deceit, the corruption, the mismanagement of the economy and the pauperization of the Guyanese people.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Guyanese have no will to standup, love leaders too much DEAR EDITOR, Having lived in a halfand-half split village between PNC Afros and PPP Indos, the racism, divisiveness, and unwavering support and alliance for each group’s political party was evident anywhere you looked since lots of the residents of both groups came to the village due to displacement from their original homes during the 1964 riots. Since my village was next to a sugar estate, and a nest for PPP and PNC operatives, union activities and protests were a usual thing, always hearing from GAWU, NAACIE. Nationally, we were always hearing from non-sugar unions like TUC, PSU, GTU, GBWU, etc. Added to the unions we also used to hear from the Christian organizations, churches, GMO, MYO, Jamaats, Jahaats, Dharmic Sabha, and Hindu Councils. We were always hearing from unions and religious organizations in Guyana, some used to stay silent during Burnham’s rule, while others shouted

from the bullhorn, the reverse happened during Jagan’s rule.

Now with oil being produced in Guyana, there is dead silence across the board from all unions and all religious organizations, as they now strangely show feebleness and impotence.

Unlike before, when their mouths used to open whenever the breeze blew goat dung, now their voices have disappeared just like the seafood, fish, and crabs.

C u r r e n t l y, t h e w o r s t feebleness and impotence comes from APNU, they are allowing VP Jagdeo to lambast them every time he speaks without returning the favor. Why doesn’t APNU play the VICE News undercover video and Jagdeo’s oil speeches as opposition and his backtracking speeches now 24/7?APNU should do like Jagdeo, holding up printouts of the Skledon Sugar factory, selling GPC, the AT&T Shares, the Sanata Complex, the Marriot Hotel, the diverting of NIS Funds to build the Berbice bridge,

then giving it away, his jumping jack tactics of managing the oil sector, etc.

If APNU doesn’t understand they should start telling Guyanese how they will make Guyanese benefit from Guyana’s wealth rather than complaining about rigged elections with their feebleness and impotence, then they would lose the next elections guaranteed, since their own supporters are leaving them due to their weakness.

Exxon now gives assurance it will help countries to prepare for oil spills from Guyana.

ExxonMobil should be told with no uncertain terms, that Guyanese require Parent Guarantee Unlimited Liability Insurance for oil spills period.

Exxon believes Guyanese are docile to think assurance is the same as insurance in the oil industry, but Exxon can talk like this since they fully well know they have the feeble and weak Bharrat Jagdeo to endorse their words. I think it’s about time that Guyanese be blamed for what’s bad

happening in this country and not the leaders, any good organization will always try to get rid of its bad employees for progress but not Guyanese. Guyanese continue to elect and employ the same leaders for managing their interests, although proof of their mismanagement failures are everywhere to be seen.

Bharrat Jagdeo, since in government, gave away so much of what the people of Guyana owned to private interests who are mostly foreigners, and Guyanese got nothing from those “transactions”. Now he is giving Exxon everything to complete the complete sweep, he introduced VAT, privatization of water, unnecessary debt accumulation on Guyanese for loans and mortgages of which Guyanese never had before.

Yet for all this, Guyanese voters gave him one of the biggest majorities in Guyana’s elections, so if Guyanese continue to support him, then nothing (Continued on page 06)

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

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A comparison between Venezuela and Egypt: nothing changes when there is no rule of law DEAR EDITOR, What Venezuela is doing according to the declarations made by its Vice President before the International Court of Justice last week, scares the hell out of me, and in fact should scare the citizens of every country on this planet.

What this woman is saying is that every boundary between any two countries established by international agreement or international courts or arbitrations, are invalid, if enough people in any country by referendum, rejects these agreements as to boundaries, even though such agreements or arbitrations were made and agreed hundreds of years before. To work up a people’s expectations as we see the Maduro government doing, is below contempt. No wonder Venezuela with 300 billion barrels of oil is now the poorest country in this entire planet which has not been decimated by war, caused by idiotic and corrupt

governance of its national resources. And it’s a good lesson for Guyana. On 200211-26, I aired a commentary in Guyana in which I said this quote, “Whilst researching my commentary on hydroelectric dams and their effects on the economies of countries, I specifically studied the effects of the Aswan high dam in Egypt and the Venezuelan 16 Hydro dams, but in order to do that I had to research the economies of both of these countries.

Egypt is 387,000 square miles and Venezuela is 352,000 square miles, almost the exactly the same but Egypt has 70 million people and Venezuela only has 24 million people. The arable lands of Egypt are an incredibly low 3 percent because 97 % is desert.

Venezuela amazingly has exactly the same 3% arable land with 96% jungle. 1% has permanent crops. Incidentally, what the hell do they need our Essequibo land for if they can only develop 3% of theirs. So, these two

countries have exactly the same land area available to grow food crops and almost exactly the same total land mass. Actually, Venezuela has much more water than Egypt, 11,600 square miles within their land mass is water, rivers, lakes etc. compared to 2,317 square miles in Egypt.

The GDP per capita of Venezuela was 6100 US per annum; in other words, in Venezuela, the average income per person was 6,100 US dollars per year but Egypt was only 3700 US per person per year. The Venezuelan Exports in 2001 was 29.5 billion US, whilst Egypt was only 7.1 billion. Egypt however has a huge tourist trade. The national budgets for these two countries are exactly the same with revenues of around 21 billion US and expenditures of around 27 billion US the unemployment rate of the two countries were 12 and 14 % also the same. So these two countries have exactly the

Using the border controversy as cover is hogwash DEAR EDITOR, Any leaders/leadership of a main opposition party anywhere in this world that acquiesce to the advice/directive of the ruling government and international players in the oil and gas industry arenot only selfish and uncaring, but are also betrayers of the oppressed people they are tasked with representing.

My party, the PNCR, recently held its General Council. It was pressured to hold that important democratic decision-making process because Congress and elections in the party are long overdue. Everything else was discussed except a timeframe for Congress and elections. A source told me you don’t know “who is who” in the party anymore.

Even those who have an interest in the leadership of the party seem to be adhering to the whispers of

players in the oil and gas industry and that influence seems to stretch across the factions.

Not even Roysdale Forde and Amanza Walton Desir, who are favourites in any leadership contest in the party have the decency or respect for our hundreds of thousands of supporters to say to them anything about the foregoing. Why? The apt excuse that the border controversy takes precedence over anything else is hogwash. We can have Congress and elections and that is most needed right now given the silence, sloth and uncertainties existent in the party at present. My mother used to say that when ‘yuh own flea bite yuh’, you well bit.

I have long realised that my focus is to make the party of Linden Forbes Samson Burnham strong, impenetrable, and ever

ready and to fight for the liberation of the poor. I remain steadfast in those pursuits even when friends turn into enemies.

Sincerely yours, Norman Browne Social and Political Activist

same land mass, exactly the same development of it, exactly the same budgets, but Egypt has 70 million people and Venezuela has 24 million people. This means that the 24 million people are living in a country which has a national budget that is to all intents and purposes identical to Egypt but only have around one third of the population of Egypt. But the Venezuelans export far more, three times more than Egypt.

Now here is what caught my attention, 67% of the Venezuelan people live below the poverty line whilst only 22% in Egypt do. Given all that I have told you so far and if you have followed my amateurish presentation of the facts, I am after all no economist, how can this possibly be?

Ladies and gentlemen, I have studied the governmental systems of both countries and they both have similar governments very much like Guyana, a presidential system which to all intents and purposes controls everything, and so I could not account for this incredible phenomenon of why a rich country like Venezuela has so many of its people living in abject poverty. Unlike

Guyana however Venezuela has a federal system of Government, Egypt has what is called a system of 26 governates which in effect is nearly the same thing. So, all those people who think that federalism in Guyana can changeanything,staytuned.

I am a Catholic; I have always been one and I do not intend to change but Egypt is 98% Sunni Muslim and Venezuela is 98% catholic.

Are the Islamic leaders demanding that the pie be shared equitably in Egypt?

Whilst the corruption in the Venezuelan system of governance would make our boys here look like Mother Mary? After reflecting on the problem for some time and studying the social issues of the two countries, I have come to the conclusion that the stabilizing force in Egypt IS the Muslim faith and the power of the Muslim religious leaders who demand equitable governance and get it.

Venezuela has no such check and balance, so the rich are very, very rich and the poor are very, very poor. So, the point of this comment is this, corruption destroys countries just as effectively as WARS. This is probably true of almost all Latin American states and that is why

most of them are turning to the left, first Venezuela, then Brazil and now Ecuador.

The problem is that even when they do, nothing changes because their system of governance does not change, the Chavezes of this world will not change their system of government, to allow the rule of law to stand supreme and allow the parliament and therefore the people of the nation to have some say in what goes on. The media are to all intents and purposes muzzled and are not allowed access to governmental data so that they can point out the enormous inequity that exists within these countries. So they, like us, have democratic elections to decide who the dictators and their henchmen will be for the next five years and all they do is fill their own pockets during that period. But the common man always ends up with the dirty end of the stick. No matter what promises were made by these leftist leaders who promise to change the huge disparity between the rich and the poor, nothing changes.”

E d i t o r, I h a v e n o t changed one word of what I said in 2002.

Yours truly, Tony Vieira

Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 23, 2023

Taint the messenger, discredit the media Guyanese have no will to standup...

DEAR EDITOR, It seems ludicrous, damming media reports into the scandalous 2019 fuel revelations for Region Five, before the parliamentary oversight body, could be dubbed ‘misleading reporting’ and creating an ‘illusion of a scandal’ (KN November 22), in a snipe

hunt to deflect and detract from the (mis)management of this sordid (read corrupt) scandal from the regional authorities and make scapegoats of the media for its reporting of the matter.

The detractor paints a picture of ‘human error’ for the many issues raised and brought to the fore in AG’s

report of the year under review.

If indeed human error was responsible, why after so many years and only now before the oversight body is this now being discovered?

Surely queries from the AG on this should have been addressed and corrected (Continued on page 22)

From page 04 would motivate him to do the right things for Guyanese.

The mouthpieces, particularly the doctors and financial experts glorifying support for this government as showing progress, should lend me their glasses so I can see what they see since as of now I can’t. What is the amount of wealth and tax concessions given away for the amount of progress made? is it $1,000 for $1? is it $10,000 for $1? $100,000 for $1? 1 million for $1? of wealth and taxes $ per progress $? Why don’t the doctors and financial experts praising the government for progress tell Guyanese the amount of wealth and taxes that were given away for the amount of so-called progress, after all, what do I know. Just like how the large influx of unvetted Venezuelans in the country will cause problems for Guyanese in the future, because the public and social services are inadequate to handle this, the same thing is happening to Guyana’s inadequate public works and water supply due to the i n f l u x o f m a n y l a rg e companies in Guyana, as they are using up the public services and the water supply, mud water is coming

through the pipes for Guyanese because large companies are accessing the water main pipes for their water, yet Guyanese must better pay their water bills on time or face consequences.

Teachers and students came out to protest against late President Desmond Hoyte in a national protest, now they are scurrying to keep classes outside the heat-stifling classrooms and begging for chalk money due to their spinelessness and feebleness of not protesting for the key issues. Guyanese will continue electing the same parties in 2025, even if one loses by a 2/3 majority, the core members of the PPP and APNU will continue to be the decision-makers because Guyanese would not hold their political leaders to account.

Guyanese flee to foreign lands even when the party they give their unconditional love and support for is in power, yet as soon as they land overseas, they get behind a keyboard or keypad, continuing to praise their party while criticizing the other one.

The massive wealth will disappear from Guyana, but the racism and divisiveness will remain, along with the pollution, and then the two

sides will be like bald people fighting over a comb, no wonder bald heads are in style in Guyana.

Guyanese are afraid of the consequences of protesting to save themselves while accepting, the slow death of blackouts, no water, unaffordable food, road carnage, crime, inflation, stifling heat, no future for the next generation, the death traps called public hospitals, no wood or land to cremate or bury the dead etc.

Maybe I will start looking at the Guyanese state of suffering with disdain just like the foreign exploiters and blame the Guyanese for causing their own problems. Now I will look forward to Glenn Lall’s strategy of emancipating Guyanese from their feebleness, spinelessness, cowardness, and impotence as they allow Jumping Jack Jagdeo with his secrecy and mismanagement to jump from his accountabilities and responsibilities of managing the oil sector and placing the sellout of Guyana to Exxon on Vickram Bharrat, The President, The GRA and everybody else except himself.

Yours truly, R. David

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B T LUNT. UNT...B BL Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

Recently this newspaper reported that from the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) submitted by to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a 12well Exploration and Appraisal Drilling Campaign in the Canje Block by ExxonMobil that the oil company signaled that 10 countries in three geographic regions can potentially be impacted by a spill.

In the article, we reported Exxon saying that it is committed to helping countries prepare that can be impacted by an oil spill as a result of its planned oil and gas activities.

ExxonMobil has not budged in providing Guyana with a full parent company guarantee to cover all expenses should there be an oil spill of damaging proportions. But it is ready to help Guyana's neighbours prepare for an oil spill.

The company is so strong, and its feet so set, that it can get the Government of Guyana to join with it, and fight the Guyanese people over a court ruling calling for that same company guarantee should an oil spill occur. But ExxonMobil is slick enough to publicise its readiness to lend a hand to this country's neighbours to prepare for an oil spill.

Mr. Alistair Routledge must have concluded that Guyanese are fools, and that the company and its top brains have all the wisdom in the world.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

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Thursday Monday November May 02,23, 2022 2023

‘Best incentives in Guyana’ - Pres. Ali tells EU investors President Irfaan Ali earlier this week told a visiting European business delegation that Guyana offers the “best incentives” for foreign investors.

During a forum at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on Monday, he specifically highlighted lucrative opportunities in healthcare, tourism, and various sectors, urging European companies to explore and capitalise on these prospects.

President Ali underscored Guyana's potential as the world's premier eco-tourism destination, emphasising the unparalleled incentives for companies to invest in stateof-the-art facilities.

The head-of-state pointed out the unique advantage of Guyana, coupled with substantial government incentives, making it an opportune time for European investors to participate and reap the rewards. “Let me say to companies here, you will be losing the greatest

opportunities to participate in the world best eco-tourism destination if you don't do it today, mark my words, if you don't do it today, it will be too expensive for you to do it three years from now, all the incentives you need…”

Ali continued, “You go to Costa Rica to pay US$5000 per night for glamping, beautiful facility between 2 to US$5000 per night in a Spanish environment. You come to Guyana, you build a facility, the glamping facility, in an English-speaking environment (and), you get the greatest incentives you can ever imagine of for investing here and reap the rewards.”

Addressing the potential for bilateral cooperation, President Ali illustrated the economic benefits of partnerships, especially in healthcare. He outlined scenarios where European hospitals, attracted by incentives, could collaborate with local counterparts to provide specialised services

at significantly reduced costs, fostering long-term cooperation and cost savings for both parties. “ T h a t i s w h y governments are important because if a European hospital comes here and invests with a local hospital in providing a specialised service and that country, which they have invested in based on incentive mechanism can provide a surgery for $10 that costs $50 in Europe, those governments must then be willing to say we are ready to pay the $10 in that contract for the service.

That is what defines bilateral cooperation because the country is saving in its long-term health care rather than paying $50, you're paying $10.”

Furthermore, President Ali shed light on the evolving landscape of healthcare, highlighting the aggressive recruitment of healthcare personnel from the region by European countries. He

emphasised the need to dispel misconceptions.

In conclusion, President Ali welcomed the European delegation, inviting them to capitalize on existing local opportunities and collaborate for mutual growth.

He said, “We are here to tell you in a convincing way that the door for our opportunities is open so that it become your opportunities also, do not believe that you need to do it alone.”

President Ali assured the EU delegation that Guyana's private sector is becoming more sophisticated, presenting immediate opportunities for strategic integration.

“We have been growing our local private sector, our local private sector has been taking up this challenge.

They are becoming far more sophisticated. They're becoming far more focused and strategic in outlook and they present an immediate opportunity for you to upscale on, if I was in your

shoes, I will look at who exists in the market and to see how I can work in upscaling their operations by integrating my operation,” Ali said.

To this end he stated, “If you're looking to do a private hospital, first examine the local private hospitals, see what they're doing and then work to see if you can upscale what they're doing.

To me meet the international standard or standard for which your market opportunities are and that brings a shorter lag time from conceptualization to project outcome and project management as much as we reduce the lag time, we are getting faster to results.”

Notably, Guyana offers

President Irfaan Ali during his address to the EU delegation

incentives to foreigners to encourage investment and economic development.

These include tax holidays, duty-free concessions, and other benefits in sectors like mining and other sectors.

Australian company Troy Resources received $2.5 billion in tax breaks in Guyana from 2016 to May 2018, excluding additional concessions on fuel and machinery. Meanwhile, Chinese firm Zijin Mining Group, which acquired a major gold mining operation in Guyana, benefits from import waivers for itself and subcontractors due to a contract signed in November 2011 with the original owners, Canada-based Guyana Goldfields.

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 23, 2023

PAGE 09

Desperation for likes, followers and comment Social media has evolved from a simple platform connecting people, places, and ideas into a commercialised battleground where individuals deploy desperate measures to boost their online popularity. The pursuit of likes, followers, and the elusive validation of internet fame has driven people to extremes, leading to a toxic environment.

The commercialization of social media has created a vicious cycle where individuals resort to desperate measures to attract attention, and subsequently advertisers. The equation is simple– a critical mass of likes and followers translates into a lucrative market for advertisements.

As a result, people are pushed to go to extreme lengths, sacrificing authenticity and ethical boundaries to feed the insatiable hunger for online validation.

One disturbing trend is the exploitation of children for online popularity. In the race for more likes and followers, some individuals shamelessly put their own children in the spotlight.

This not only violates the privacy and rights of these innocent beings but also raises ethical concerns about the impact of such exposure on their mental and emotional well-being. The online world has become a stage where children are used as props to boost parental popularity, blurring the lines between genuine connection and the quest for digital stardom.

Equally troubling is the rise of inflammatory and offensive content as a means

to attract attention. The competitive nature of social media has led to a disturbing trend where individuals attack, ridicule, and engage in obscene actions to stand out in the crowded digital landscape. Instead of fostering positive interactions, social media becomes a breeding ground for hostility, contributing to the erosion of civil discourse and the spread of toxicity.

An article published in April of this year on Bold News noted that the emergence of a troubling phenomenon among the youth, as the relentless pursuit of social media fame takes a toll on their mental health, values, and overall well-being. Fueled by a desire for validation and attention, young individuals, equipped with a polished physical appearance and easy access to social media, engage in a constant quest for likes, comments, and followers.

The article said that the quantification of popularity through these online metrics has instigated a competitive atmosphere, leading to a myriad of issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and social media addiction. It highlighted that what’s particularly worrisome is the shift away from valuing genuine talent and substance to a singular focus on visibility. Many youths have transformed into virtual influencers, dedicating their lives to self-promotion and amassing followers not for their skills or contributions but solely for the pursuit of online fame. This, it said, has resulted in a fruitless competition where youth

chase an ephemeral sense of celebrity, often without achieving anything substantial in the real world.

The said article went on to make two important observations. The first was that social media platforms have fostered a culture of narcissism among young people. The obsession with seeking constant attention has resulted in a self-centric culture. Second, the pressure to maintain a flawless online image has given rise to a habit of dishonesty, with many young people presenting a false reality on social media. Social media also have contributed to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and low selfesteem among youth.

Mental health issues have become a main worry of social media, especially considering that mentally ill persons may be out there seeking to control, through social media how others think and act. Social media has also become extremely addictive, leading some individuals to spend an alarming amount of time on the medium. The case of an individual spending more than 10 hours a day seeking daily doses of scandal and profanity is emblematic of a broader issue. This addiction not only hampers real-life productivity but also raises concerns about the impact on mental health.

The consequences of the desperate measures to which persons are going to enjoy popularity on social media are far-reaching. They also impact on society.

The erosion of genuine human connection is evident as social media becomes a battleground for attention,

DEM BOYS SEH

We want a referendum too!

V

enezuela calling a referendum on December 3rd. Dem asking dem people whether dem should create a new state called Essequiba and offer registration to de people wah already living deh.

Is not de fuss time dat Venezuela did threaten to register Guyanese citizens a s Ve n e z u e l a n s . I t happened before. But dat time de Venezuelans did not ask dem people permission to register anybody. Was a provocative act!

T h e p l a n n e d referendum has riled up a lot of people in Guyana and

in Venezuela. But before we get carried away, we too in Guyana need a referendum.

Because Guyana faces a threat to its economic sovereignty from de oil companies.

Guyana was once known as Booker’s Guiana.

Dat was when sugar was King. Now a days oil is King. People talking we might soon come Exxon’s Guyana. So leh we hold we own referendum and ask de Guyanese people whether dem think dat we should get a fair deal from de oil companies.

And leh we ask them, whether dem think dat de

oil deal should be renegotiated. Now dat gan make some people get upset. Because if there is one word dat dem nah want to hear is “renegotiation”.

Dat word is to dem what “foreclosure” is to a person in debt and with his house lodged as collateral. But we should also ask de Guyanese people whether dem have confidence in de two Bees that managing de local oil and gas sector.

And if we can’t afford a referendum, leh we invite Bisram to conduct another of his many polls which he claims to do in Guyana!

Talk half. Leff half.

where authenticity takes a backseat to sensationalism.

The online world, which was meant to bring people together, is increasingly poisoning relations, perpetuating a culture of competition rather than collaboration. It is sad to see ordinary women trading insults at each other on social media. The quest for popularity should not come at the expense of basic decency and ethical conduct.

Platforms must take responsibility for the content shared on their sites and implement measures to curb the spread of harmful and

offensive material. Social media should not be used to unfairly target and impugn the reputation of others.

The irony of it all is that the commercial benefits of social media advertising has not necessarily proven superior to the more traditional forms of advertising. Social media engagement has not always corresponded to an increase in sales. Some local companies are now discovering that their investments in social media advertising are not being reflected in increased sales.

Perhaps this realization will

eventually lead to a reduction in the obsession with likes, followers, and comments.

(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.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

LALL

Thursday Monday November May 02, 23,2022 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Exxon-I see a hustler, a scavenger, a trick operator The calendar has flown past Guyanese 19 months come and gone, and cat eat the tongue of the people at Exxon. Only sounds of silence.

Seven oil discoveries said to be 'significant' (they said so, not I), but Mr. Alistair Routledge has barricaded himself in a soundproof room, from which not a single stray echo escapes. Why is Exxon so tightlipped?

Will somebody at Exxon provide Guyanese with the new resource numbers?

What do significant discoveries, seven of them, translate to as it relates to number of barrels of oil equivalents? Could it be that the reason for delay in sharing discovery details with the Guyanese people is because is counting the oil one barrel at a time, and by hand? Surely, Mr. Routledge, those have to mean something, each one of them; and have the potential to do more for the Guyanese people?

Why, Mr. Routledge,

does Exxon insist on keeping all the Thanksgiving cheer to itself, for a second turkey day running? Is Guyana the turkey again?

When a company with the savvy of Exxon finds solace in secrecy, it usually means that something is afoot. I am left with no option but to say mischief. It should be noticed I went from silence to secrecy. No other port is available, except secrecy. I am pained to remind Mr. Routledge that Exxon is an American company, and Americans-legal person or flesh and redblooded ones - do not comport themselves in this barb-wired and clandestine manner.

America is not China, where such corporate standards have a deeper footing.

It is unfortunate that Mr. Routledge should spoil m y f a m i l y ' s Thanksgiving Day when a subject such as this has to be on the table for dissection. I hope that I cause him some

loss of appetite, which is about as piercing as I wish to be on a day like today. Both of us should be jumping up and down for the Dallas Cowboys, and high fiving the foot races to the touchdown line in their tussle a g a i n s t t h e Commanders. Though a New York Giants man, I could still root for a Texas team, despite what Exxon has already inflicted on Guyanese here, and growing fears over what it is plotting with these seven discoveries of significant substance to add to the shafting of locals.

Okay, it is now time to trot out the flamethrower. For them to be described as ' s i g n i f i c a n t ' , M r.

Routledge indicates that those discoveries are not dry holes; for if they were, then why call them by that word, or anything at all? The opposite of dry is likely, and by just how much, Guyanese would like to know. It is likely Dr. Jagdeo may prefer not to

know, so that he can feign his customary ignorance about what he knows.

Whether he does or doesn't matter not a whit to me, because I want to know and Guyanese are no less engaged. So, what is it, sir? Is it so much oil that Exxon would keep its own shareholders in the dark, delay announcement of the good news?

Because it is busy trying to figure out ways about how to blind and deceive Guyanese with their newer and richer reality, as aided by the seven significant discoveries, I must ask the question? Because Exxon is apprehensive that the struggling masses of impoverished Guyanese would demand that the 2016 contract be scrapped in its entirety, and a fresh contract be negotiated from scratch, is my next question? Why is the Government of Guyana so sluggish, so helpless, and so far behind with issues like these? Or is it part of Exxon's

conspiracies to pull the wool over the eyes of Guyanese with these seven significant discoveries? Nothing is straight with this oil.

None looks clean or trustworthy?

Now, all my Thanksgiving warmth has evaporated, as there is no choice but to hoist Exxon (by association and extension, Mr. Routledge) aloft, so that all Guyanese can judge the company and the man for themselves.

When Exxon conceals discovery numbers, what game is it up to, what truths are being buried?

Or massaged and rearranged, through schemes that are to the detriment of this country?

Exxon did come up with some crude schemes, some cheap tricks, to fleece Guyana of its clean and fair of oil revenues, which the limited audit found. If this can be done before the face, what would it not do 120 miles out to sea, where Guyanese don't have a

single idea of if that distance is at the Arctic circle or down under in Australia.

The possible discovery of four or five or ten billion barrels of oil, to lowball the estimates, would certainly change the dynamic of the ExxonGuyanese people relationship. Unless the company shifts from its unbudging position of 'no to renegotiation', then its time as an oil partner could be over. It would now be seen as invader, or scavenger, or exploiter [probably all three simultaneously] in the worst interpretations of those words. Come clean, Mr. Routledge.

Guyanese are waiting to be updated on the new levels of their resource, as discovered, not once but seven times. So, what is it going to be, Mr. Routledge? Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Mr. Routledge!

(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.)

GSA graduates challenged to contribute to diversification, modernisation of agri. sector The gutted house of Sukhwanti Ramnarine

E

ighty-six students who graduated from the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), have been challenged to expand, diversify and modernise Guyana's resilient and competitive agriculture sector.

This call was made by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha during GSA's 58th graduation ceremony, on Monday.

As GSA through the Ministry of Agriculture is committed to supporting the entrepreneurial endeavours of their students, Minister Mustapha told the graduates to be the 'changemakers' in the sector.

Minister Mustapha underlined, “I encourage you to not only see agriculture, as merely working on a farm, but to see agriculture as a profession… that allows you to contribute to the nation's development in areas such as resource development, marketing and distribution, and the adaptation of innovative technology that will boost production.”

Minister Mustapha also noted that the time is right for those who are willing to make the most of the opportunities to advance their academic and (Continued on page 22)

Graduates of the Guyana School of Agriculture

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 23, 2023

GDF, Canadian Armed Forces reaffirm strong partnership

T

he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) says it has reaffirmed its “strong partnership” with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

T h e r e n e w e d commitment “to a longstanding and fruitful partnership marked by excellent relations and shared objectives” came to the fore when the GDF's

Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, along with other key members of the Force's leadership team, warmly welcomed Colonel MarcAntoine Fecteau to Defence Headquarters.

Colonel Fecteau is the recently appointed Canadian Non-Resident Military Attaché to Guyana and Brazil. The GDF said the meeting took place at Defence Headquarters, where Colonel Fecteau paid a courtesy call to discuss the future of bilateral collaboration.

According to the GDF, Colonel Fecteau expressed the Canadian Armed Forces' eagerness to see the already robust relationship with Guyana flourish further.

“He emphasized his commitment to fostering a strong bond, acknowledging Guyana as a valuable ally,” the GDF said. It was noted that during his tenure, Colonel Fecteau aims to contribute to the growth of this strategic partnership between the two nations.

Brigadier Khan in response highlighted the longstanding history of cooperation between the GDF and CAF. Notably, the GDF said Brigadier Khan emphasized the collaborative efforts in training, citing numerous instances where GDF officers have benefited from training opportunities as a result of this partnership.

Brigadier Khan also underscored the importance of such collaborations and expressed confidence in the continuous strengthening of ties.

He also committed to actively contributing to the consolidation and enhancement of this alliance during his tenure as Chief-

Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, right and Colonel Marc-Antoine Fecteau, Canadian Non-Resident Military Attaché to Guyana and Brazil during a meeting at Defence Headquarters.

of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. Guyana and Canada enjoy a close relationship built on more than 50 years of friendship, cooperation and security partnership, the GDF said.

T h e r e n e w e d commitment between the GDF and the CAF comes at a time when Guyana's territorial integrity is under threat by neighbouring Ve n e z u e l a o v e r t h e Essequibo region. Guyana has rejected a planned referendum and has sought the protection of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Venezuela's expansionist

claims.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Government of Guyana announced on Saturday last that it will carry out a series of activities to counter the referendum scheduled for December 3. “On the 3rd for example, we have a series of activities, the third of December that includes sending a strong national unified message from Guyana to those participating in the referendum,” President Irfaan Ali told reporters during a press conference held at the Arthur Chung Conference Center at Liliendaal, Georgetown

Four fingers of woman chopped off for hitting husband with 'rolling pin'

A

farmer on We d n e s d a y chopped off his reputed wife's fingers after she lashed him to the head with a “bellna (rolling pin)”.

Hospitalised with four of her fingers severed is Cherriel Fredericks, a 48year-old woman of Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo. Police have arrested her reputed husband,

Michael McClennon for chopping her. Police said that the woman and the man had a misunderstanding three weeks ago and she moved out and left him.

She was staying at her sister's home when the farmer showed up on We d n e s d a y m o r n i n g begging her to “come home back”. The woman reportedly refused to go and

according to the allegations made, he held on to her hand and attempted to pull her out of the yard. She then lashed him to his head with a rolling pin.

The woman's daughter armed herself with a cutlass ran out to attack the farmer but he reportedly disarmed her and chopped her mother to the left hand.

He threw the cutlass in a nearby trench and tried to run away but neighbours captured him and tied him up.The victim was then rushed to Leonora Cottage Hospital and the suspect was taken to Parika Police Station. Fredericks was later transferred to West Demerara Regional Hospital, where she remains a patient.

Investigations are ongoing.

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

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Barbabdos opposition slams Mottley's 'weak' support for Guyana ...tells Caricom countries to resist attempts by Venezuela to use oil pact as leverage for support

T

he Opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) of Barbados said it is greatly concerned that the leadership of Barbados is failing to support Guyana against Venezuela's move to annex the Essequibo region of Guyana.

This position, the DLP said follows a previous statement by its leader Dr. Ronnie Yearwood which condemned Venezuela's referendum to incorporate Essequibo as part of the territory of Venezuela. Dr. Yearwood also criticised Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley's failure to unequivocally condemn Ve n e z u e l a ' s c l a i m t o Essequibo as wrong, the statement read.

Earlier this month Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton had also strongly criticised a “Caribbean politician” who recently called for Guyana and Venezuela to maintain the region as a zone of peace following the tensions between the two over a referendum on Essequibo that is to be held by Caracas on December 3rd. “I could not believe that. I could not believe that honestly”, he told the National Assembly.

Norton did not name the

President of the Democratic Labour Party, Ronnie Yearwood politician but the remarks were made by Mottley.

Norton said that he could not accept that a Caribbean sister nation would cast Guyana in that type of light.

“Are we to conclude that Guyana has threatened the territorial integrity and sovereignty of any state in the Caribbean? We never did.

Have we issued decrees to take over another state's maritime space? We never did. Have we rejected the decisions of any international tribunal? We never did. It was Venezuela that did”, he told the House.

“And therefore to say that Guyana and Venezuela must ensure a zone of peace is classic 'eyepass' because we

have always maintained that there must be the peaceful resolution of this matter. And it is really disturbing that – I didn't call name – it is really disturbing that a Caribbean nation can say that and implicate Guyana when Guyana basically lacks the means militarily to even conceptualise that approach much less implement it.”

Speaking at a DLP St. Michael Central branch meeting held on 19 N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 3 , D r.

Ye a r w o o d s t a t e d t h a t "Barbados and CARICOM must stand on the right side of history in supporting Guyana's territorial sovereignty." He urged Barbados to follow CARICOM in taking a clear unified position against Venezuela's claims over a significant portion of Guyana's territory. Dr Ye a r w o o d n o t e d t h a t Venezuela's actions not only affect Guyana but also threaten peace and security within the Caribbean region.

D r. Ye a r w o o d condemned the approach of the Barbados Mia Mottleyled administration as hedging its bets and playing both sides, especially given the recent meetings and upcoming agreements the BLP administration has been

seeking to conclude with Guyana and Venezuela.

According to the press release, Dr. Yearwood is mindful of the strength of the diplomatic relationship between Guyana and Barbados. He cited the cooperation between Democratic Labour Party founder and Prime Minister of Barbados Errol Barrow and President of Guyana Forbes Burnham in negotiating the agreement establishing CARICOM. This agreement has set the tone in large measure for the friendly relations that Guyana and Barbados have enjoyed, and the outstanding working relationship with mutual benefits to both sides.

D r. Ye a r w o o d f u r t h e r recalled that many Barbadians have settled in Guyana. He urged CARICOM countries that are signatories to the VenezuelaCaribbean Petrocaribe oil procurement agreement to resist attempts to use the agreement as leverage to gain support for Venezuela.

Dr. Yearwood believes

Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Mottley that supporting CARICOM states when their sovereignty is undermined is inherent to the foreign policy of CARICOM. On this basis, CARICOM should support Guyana's defense of its territory in the case currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Additionally, Dr. Yearwood noted that Barbados and CARICOM have always supported the international rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Therefore, Dr. Yearwood calls for Venezuela to respect the ICJ process and fully comply with interim orders of the ICJ. He also urges Guyana and Venezuela to comply with the final ICJ decision when it is delivered.

Kaieteur News on Monday reported that Mottley and Prime Minister of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves have echoed the support of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for Guyana, even as the country takes steps to have its border controversy with Venezuela addressed at the level of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“CARICOM has issued a very strong statement in support of Guyana. We as individual countries all have echoed those sentiments, the fact that I have said two weeks before at the conference that Venezuela is also a friend, we would like to (Continued on page 20 )

Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 23, 2023

How Latin America can use trade to boost growth ...better infrastructure and logistics can help the region increase trade and growth Latin America and the Caribbean aren't fully harnessing the potential of international trade, an important driver of growth for emerging market economies.

While the region has made some progress on trade openness, it continues to be held back due largely to poor infrastructure, burdensome customs clearance procedures, as well as relatively high tariff and nontariff barriers to trade. One important measure for trade openness, the sum of exports

and imports of goods and services, stands at just 47 percent of gross domestic product. That's about 20 percentage points below the level for other emerging markets around the world.

Trade between countries in the region also lags and has stayed broadly flat at less than 20 percent of Latin America's total trade. That amounts to just half the level of intra-regional trade in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and a third of the level in East Asia. Latin America's participation in global value

chains is also limited. That's because many countries are more focused on exporting raw commodities rather than intermediate or final goods, though Mexico's much more integrated economy is a prominent exception, mainly due to its close ties with the United States.

Latin America would likely enjoy large economic gains by improving important commercial infrastructure, such as transportation and customs, a new study conducted in our latest Regional Economic

Outlook shows. Streamlining customs procedures, fostering public-private partnerships in the logistics industry, and lowering bureaucratic obstacles are examples of policies that can help. Narrowing the infrastructure gap between the region and advanced economies by half, for example, would lower trade costs and result in a 30 percent increase in exports, our latest research shows.

This larger demand for the region's products in turn would boost GDP by as much as 7 percent, which underscores why policymakers should pay greater attention to improving trade-related infrastructure.

Because some countries

may not be able to afford large infrastructure investments, progress requires prioritizing the biggest bottlenecks and attracting more private investment. Against this backdrop, the energy transition is expected to profoundly alter global trade patterns. Latin American countries with large reserves of critical minerals—like Chile, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina—could benefit substantially from rising demand for copper, lithium, magnesium, and other essential inputs for green technologies and decarbonization. With the appropriate policy frameworks, these resources could attract significant investments and may help

develop opportunities for Latin American countries to increase their participation in global value chains.

Finally, nearshoring, where companies relocate parts of their supply chain operations to closer countries for resilience reasons, is also an opportunity for countries across the region to increase trade. Mexico is an example of a country that has been benefitting from more investment in manufacturing due to this trend. Overall, closing infrastructure gaps, further reducing trade barriers, and putting in place policies that make Latin America a more attractive investment destination should be key elements of the region's trade strategy going forward. (IMF)

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Law to be amended to force public servants to give account for their spending at PAC A new law will soon be introduced that will empower the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to go after public officers who would fail to give account for spending the money belonging to the State.

The new law is likely to be brought to the National Assembly in the coming months. This was revealed during a meeting of the PAC on Monday, when the committee met to deal with matters regarding Region Five expenditure for the year 2019. It was pointed out during the hearing that the accounting officer from that period, Ovid Morrison, was not present at the morning session. It was also pointed out that on a number of occasions public officers have refused to, or are unable to, make themselves available for questioning.

As such, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and PAC member Juretha Fernandes reminded the committee of a proposed motion aimed at empowering the PAC to mandate public

A sitting of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament servants to appear before the committee.

Fernandes said: “One of the things I want to remind the PAC is that we had an issue in which we discussed, at length, whether the PAC even had the power to summon anyone to attend.

Because we realised, and I think it was expressed even by our legal minds here at the PAC, Mr. Datadin and so forth, that we do not have that power to summon anyone.”

“Hence, we have a motion being put forward right now, collectively, by the PA C t o t h e N a t i o n a l Assembly, so that we will actually have the law changed so that we will then have the power to summon someone. So, as it is right now, we cannot operate as though the PAC has any power to summon. So, we need to expedite that motion in the National Assembly so we can go down this course.”

Woman stabs husband over rice and plantain ...charged with attempted murder, remanded A thirty-seven-year-old woman from Mahdia, Region Eight was charged on Tuesday for reportedly stabbing her husband to the chest after refusing to cook rice for him.

Making her first court appearance on Tuesday was Amanda Prince of Danju Hill, Mahdia who appeared at the Mahdia Magistrate's Court via Zoom before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce, where the charge of Attempt to Commit Murder was read to her. Prince was not required to plead to the charge and was remanded to prison until December 12, 2023. According to the police, Prince and her husband Ashton Courtman have been living together for the past four years. On Sunday around 22:00hrs, the two were consuming alcohol (brown rum) at their home.

Investigators learnt that Prince's son that night had asked her to fry plantains but Courtman intervened and told his wife that he did not want plantain but rice instead. Police said the

Charged, Amanda Prince

woman reportedly got angry at the man and armed herself with a small bread knife and allegedly stabbed him to his right-side chest, which caused him severe injuries.

On Monday around 10:00hrs, police said Courtman left his house and went to Mahdia District Hospital, where he was seen

and examined by a doctor who admitted him as a patient in a stable condition.

Due to his injuries, he was then medevaced to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for further medical attention.

Subsequently an investigation was launched and Prince was arrested.

Acting Chairperson of the PAC, Ganesh Mahipaul told the committee that the motion would seek to vest the PAC with the authority in the Legislative Evidence Bodies Act, to be able to summon officers.

In the meantime, he said the work of the PAC will not be stymied.

As it relates to Morrison, he said “I am guided that the Parliament Office was informed by the current REO

that she is in communication w i t h M r . O v i d Morrison…Three weeks ago, we were supposed to examine Region Five. And unfortunately, we did not get to examine Region 5.”

Mahipaul explained that in so doing, the Parliament Office dispatched a letter addressed to Mr. Ovid Morrison, to the current REO, for her to dispatch to Morrison. Mahipual lamented “Clearly, there is an

issue in terms of communication, his availability and whether he is in the jurisdiction or not. I am proposing that we move forward with the paragraphs before us and if the need arises where a paragraph or two would require that clarity from the former REO, then we would have to take a decision going forward.”

Morrison did eventually show up at the PAC meeting in the afternoon session.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 23, 2023

Woman found dead with knife in throat at Unity, ECD

T

he lifeless body of a 38-year-old woman was on Wednesday found with her mouth gagged and a knife stuck in her throat at Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police identified her as Chooromanie Tulsie, called 'Anita,' a female accountant of Lot 26, Unity Mahaica, ECD. The woman worked with Camex Restaurants Inc. as an accountant.

He remains were discovered around 08:00hrs in the bottom flat of her home; she was clad in a multi-coloured dress. Police said that a piece of cloth was stuffed down her throat.

Police have canvassed the area for security cameras and have interviewed several persons as they carry out investigations into the woman's gruesome death.

Kaieteur News

understands that the woman was last seen alive around 19:00hrs on Tuesday and it is believed that her fiveyear-old son was at home when she was murdered.

The individual who discovered the woman's remains recalled that they went to pay Tulsie a visit.

The individual called out for her but got no response.

However, as the individual was about leave, the woman's son was seen at a window in the upper flat of the house.

People at the scene immediately broke a doorlock to get to the child and afterwards, they ventured to the bottom flat where Tulsie's lifeless remains were found.

Her employer, Camex Restaurants, in a Facebook post said, she was a valued member of its team.

“Anita (as she is

Attorney, Tameika Clarke

Chief Justice orders police to teach ranks how to deal with attorneys during investigations

A

Murdered accountant: Chooromanie “Anita” Tulsie commonly known) brought so much to our workplace – dedication, enthusiasm, and a positive spirit that touched

everyone around her”, the company said, while noting that her contributions were invaluable.

s part of her ruling in which she found the police liable for the unlawful arrest of attorney Tamieka Clarke, Chief Justice (CJ) Roxane George Wiltshire also handed down orders that the Guyana Police Force must issue to include in its training curriculum for all ranks and officers.

One of the topics to be taught is Articles 39(2) and 139 of the constitution of Guyana, the Human Rights Convention enshrined in the constitution pursuant to Article 154 A and the United Nations Publications Basic Principles on the Roles of Lawyers pursuant to Article 39.The conventions included in Article 154 A are the Conventions On Rights Of The Child, Conventions On Elimination Of All Forms Of

Kevin Hopkinson

Discrimination Against Women, Elimination Of All Forms Of Racial Discrimination, Convention against Torture and other Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Inter American Convention on Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against women. The Police Force was instructed to comply with the order to make the public commitment to train its officers within seven days the order was given. The order of the Chief Justice is dated 17 November, 2023. The CJ had earlier ruled that the Special O rg a n i s e d C r i m e U n i t (SOCU) breached the (Continued on page 20)

Truck driver charged for robbing Indian construction firm of $8M

A 26-year-old truck driver of Amelia's Ward Housing Scheme, Linden, Region 10, was on Wednesday charged with the offence of Robbery Under Arms, contrary to Section 222 (c) of the Criminal Law Offences Act, when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates' Court.

Kevin Hopkinson is accused of robbing Indiabased Ashoka Construction Company of $8 million.

It is alleged that on

Saturday last at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), while being in the company of others and armed with dangerous weapons; Hopkinson robbed Rahul Dhing of $8 million in cash, property of the construction company.

Hopkinson pleaded guilty when he appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool. He was granted $400,000 bail and is scheduled to return to court on January 16, 2024.

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 23, 2023

PAGE 17

Oil spill tops 1 million gallons, threatens Gulf of Mexico wildlife ( Wa s h i n g t o n P o s t ) Skimming vessels are working to contain and recover oil from a spill in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast, which the U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday estimated to be at least 1.1 million gallons.

The spill was discovered Thursday near a 67-mile pipeline operated by the Main Pass Oil Gathering Co., owned by Houstonbased Third Coast Infrastructure, and the Coast Guard said it was still reviewing whether that pipeline was the source of the contamination.

O n F r i d a y, p i l o t s o n reconnaissance flights saw oil moving southwest from Plaquemines Parish. Under the surface, “remotely operated vehicles, deployed Friday morning, continue to survey the pipeline with no findings of a source area at this time,” the Coast Guard said in a Monday statement.

“The vehicles will continue to survey the pipeline if weather conditions permit.”

The spill, officially called the “MPOG11015 incident,” is the latest in an area that has seen some of the worst offshore oil disasters in the nation's history.

In 2010, 130 million gallons of crude poured into the Gulf of Mexico after an explosion at the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. Six years before that, a hurricane toppled a Taylor Energy platform, causing crude to leak from several

A response vessel skims crude oil approximately four miles off South Pass, La., on Nov. 17. (U.S. Coast Guard /Clean Gulf Associates/REUTERS) broken oil wells.

Starting in 2004, the lesserknown Taylor Energy spill continued without notice for nearly six years, and at least 30 million gallons entered the gulf, according to a study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

British Petroleum paid more than $14 billion in fines and damages for the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe. Taylor E n e rg y f o u g h t t h e f e d e r a l government's demands to stop and clean up its spill before finally

agreeing to liquidate its assets and hand over $400 million in a trust last year.

Although the Coast Guard named Main Pass Oil Gathering in its reports about the spill, it stopped short of identifying the company as the responsible party.

Officials at Main Pass, and its owner, Third Coast, did not respond to phone calls and emails Tuesday.

The pipeline was shut down early Thursday morning.

Multiple pipeline operators are in the area of the leak, the

commanding officer for the Guard's New Orleans sector, Capt. Kelly Denning, told the New Orleans Times-Picayune, but the Main Pass pipeline was the suspected source.

Kelly said the company has “done everything that we and the state have asked of them,” according to the report.

Oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico can harm a variety of wildlife.

According to NOAA, the Deepwater Horizon incident contaminated habitat for sea turtles and harmed marine mammals,

birds, fish and invertebrates.

While the latest mishap is smaller, at least one environmental group is fearing th e consequences.

“Ocean wildlife will almost certainly pay a terrible price for this huge pipeline spill, which is less an accident than an entirely predictable consequence of offshore oil operations,” Kristen Monsell, of the Center for Biological Diversity's oceans programme, said in a statement.

Duo remanded for guns, ammo found in barrel

T

wo men were on We d n e s d a y remanded to prison by Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, after being charged with trafficking a large cache of firearm and ammunition in a barrel at the Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC) wharf last Friday.

Andrew Fraser, a 56year-old United States (U.S.) citizen and Fiber Technician of Lot 760 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), and 33year-old Reyon Williams, a driver, of Lot 133 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, both appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts where they were charged with Trafficking of Firearms and Ammunition, contrary to Section 17 (A) (3) of the Firearm Act, Chapter 16:05.

Both men pleaded not

Andrew Fraser (in front) and Reyon Williams (behind) at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday. guilty to the charges.

The attorneys for the accused made an application for bail in a reasonable amount for their clients.

However, the prosecution objected to bail due to the nature and prevalence of the crime committed.

Bail was denied and the duo remanded to prison by the Chief-Magistrate (AG).

The duo is scheduled to return to court on December 6, 2023.

Last Friday, police discovered a large cache of firearms and ammunition in a barrel at the GNIC wharf.

Fraser's name and address were listed as 'sender' on the barrel, which Remanded: Reyon Williams was addressed to Williams'

The guns and ammunition that were discovered in the barrel Guyhoc Park, Georgetown home.

The guns found in the barrel include one G2 Taurus 9mm pistol without serial number; one G3 Taurus 9mm pistol with serial number ADH 549002; one Glock 23 pistol with serial number BVLC 388; one Glock 40 with serial

number BELW 511; one Roebuck Quad lock 9mm pistol without serial number; one Glock 19 with serial number CBFX 596; one G3 Taurus pistol with serial number ADH 547678; one Luger 9mm pistol without serial number and one RF-15 Rifle with serial number 23065794.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

One of the patients along with the medical team

GPHC partners with Northwell Health to conduct six complex hernia surgeries

T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) over the course of the weekend partnered with Northwell Health, New York State's premier healthcare provider and conducted six abdominal wall reconstructive surgeries.

The expert team from Northwell Health consisted of Dr. Gainosuke

Sugiyama, MD; Dr. Sebastian Shterental, MD; and Dr. Samer Sbayi, MD. The GPHC on Tuesday stated that these procedures not only significantly enhanced the quality of life for these individuals but also delved into the intricate causes behind recurring hernias.

GPHC noted that some patients in this collaboration faced recurring

hernias, often tangled in complications from previous surgeries. The hospital went on to explain that complex nature of hernia recurrence revealed key factors: not enough postoperative follow-up and certain habits after surgery, like being overweight, smoking, or having conditions such (Continued on page 23)

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 23, 2023

PAGE 19

Kawal Medical Center, Jofa Products earn GNBS certification T

he Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has certified one new medical laboratory and another agro-processor to its Laboratory and Made in Guyana Certification Programmes, respectively.

O n Tu e s d a y, t h e G N B S certified Dr. Kawal Dalip Medical Centre Laboratory to the National Standard GYS 170:2021 – “General Requirements for the Operation of a Laboratory”. With this certification, there are now 32 clinical and testing laboratories certified by the Bureau.

During the simple presentation ceremony at the laboratory's 71 S a n d y B a b b S t r e e t , K i t t y, Georgetown location, Company Secretary and General Manager, Ms. Jankie Devi expressed her elation with the accomplishment.

She relayed “this is a great accomplishment for us, and we will be looking forward to upgrading the standard as of today; this is indeed a remarkable day for us. We plan to uphold this moment,” GNBS said in a press release.

She thanked the GNBS'

Technical Officers for their assistance in aiding the employees of the laboratory to implement an effective Laboratory Management System. The certificate was presented to Ms. Devi by GNBS Technical Officer, Ms. Rosmarie Liliah in the presence of Head of Certification Services, Mr. Keon Rankin who congratulated the staff for the achievement and urged them to strive for continuous improvement.

Additionally, a plaque was also handed over by GNBS Technical Officer, Mr. Orlando Sturge to L a b o r a t o r y M a n a g e r, M s .

Teshwattie Nauth.

Through its Laboratory Certification Programme, the GNBS ensures the operations of certified Medical and Testing Laboratories conform to the requirements of the national standard. Surveillance audits are conducted during the certification period to ensure continued compliance.

Meanwhile, Jofa Products of Lot 121 Block 'E', South Sophia, Georgetown was certified on Friday, November 17, 2023 to use

The GNBS certified Dr. Kawal Dalip Medical Centre Laboratory to the National Standard GYS 170:2021 the Made in Guyana Standards Mark on its Sweet Pepper Jelly and Hot Pepper Stew.

This Made in Guyana Certification is the 35th and the certificate was presented by the GNBS to Jofa Products at GuyExpo 2023. Proprietress of Jofa Products, Mrs. Fay Gilgious-Greaves received the certificate from the GNBS Executive Director (Ag.), Mr. Al Fraser in the presence of Head of Certification Services, Mr. Keon Rankin and Technical Officer, Ms. Yan Zhu.

Ms. Greaves relayed that she was extremely delighted with her company's achievement. “It was not an easy journey, but I made it and I am very happy and grateful to all of the people who have been with me on this journey; the Small Business Bureau, my husband and especially the Guyana National Bureau of Standards. I trust that this Mark will give my products the necessary push and ensure they stand out”, the Proprietor stated.

Speaking on behalf of the GNBS, Head of Certification

Services, Mr. Keon Rankin noted that he is especially proud to congratulate Jofa Products for its accomplishment. "These are the kind of investments the GNBS always looks forward to. To have products inspected, tested and proven fit for human c o n s u m p t i o n ” , M r. R a n k i n advised. Businesses considering applying for the Made in Guyana Standards Mark can contact the Certification Services Department of the GNBS, which stands ready to offer the requisite guidance.

Caribbean journalists to have access to potable address climate and health water by year-end - Min. Croal issues in five impactful stories

90% of Region Eight residents

Water is essential to life. The importance of this resource is being exemplified across Guyana, with the aim of having 100 percent water coverage.

Providing access to potable water in Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), is essential to achieving that target. With heavy government investments, the projected number of residents with water access in Region Eight is expected to surge to nearly 11,000 by the end of 2023. This figure represents 90 percent of the region's population.

“We are committed to achieving 100 percent potable water access for all residents of Region Eight by 2025,” Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal affirmed, while addressing the N a t i o n a l To s h a o s C o u n c i l outreach held at Kurukabaru in the North Pakaraimas.

In the 2023 programme, approximately 10 communities are set to benefit from new wells or the expansion of existing systems.

Some of these projects are already completed, while work is ongoing for others. Access to potable water for residents of Region Eight has significantly increased over the past three years and continues its upward trajectory.

At the end of 2021, 8,423 individuals in Region Eight, or 68 percent of the population had

a c c e s s t o p o t a b l e w a t e r.

Government's commitment to ensuring universal water access has translated into funding of $240 million in 2022 and over $200 million thus far in 2023.

Among the projects executed included the installation of water supply systems in Kaibarupai, Monkey Mountain, Taruka, Itabac, Kato, and El Paso. The hinterland water sector saw an injection of $2 billion from August 2020 to date.

Thus far, over 40 new wells have been completed, providing service to over 15,000 people for the first time in hinterland and riverain communities. An additional 40 new wells are expected to be completed in 2023 and another 40 in 2024.

Specifically, 14 wells are set for Region One, six in Regions Two, Four, and 10, five in Region Seven, four in Region Eight, and 11 in Region Nine. Overall, 97 percent of Guyana's population has access to clean, potable water.

However, for the hinterland and riverain communities, there is 75 percent coverage.

By the end of 2023, with investments being made, the coverage will increase to 83 percent. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to which Guyana is a signatory. (DPI)

(PAHO/WHO) – After the successful completion of a comprehensive virtual training programme for over fifty journalists in the Caribbean, focused on climate and health reporting, five compelling news features have been published.

The stores highlight critical issues at the intersection of climate change and public health and are available on the Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network's website. The series of trainings were supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) as part of t h e E u r o p e a n Union/CARIFORUM Climate and Health project. The aim was to enhance the skills and knowledge of journalists in the Caribbean region and increase their capacity to report effectively on the pressing challenges posed by climate change to public health.

The journalists were immersed in intensive workshops, interactive sessions, and hands-on exercises led by experts in the fields of climate science and public health communication. The training fostered a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between climate change and health outcomes. Stories published at https://www.cijn.org/series/climat e-and-health-caribbean-

perspectives/ Armed with this knowledge, the journalists embarked on their reporting assignments, delving into local communities, speaking with experts, and uncovering stories that matter. The news stories cover a wide array of topics, including the challenges faced by vulnerable communities including the impact

on children. Each story provides valuable insights into the interrelationship between these vital issues, encouraging public discourse and awareness.

Subregional Programme Director of the PAHO Caribbean Subregional Office, Dean Chambliss, welcomed the collaboration with the MIC to raise the awareness of the journalists who attended the training as well as the stories published. “These multimedia features highlight the effects of climate change for Caribbean peoples, the importance of multi-stakeholder perspectives,

and emphasize creative solutions.

What is also highly commendable is the emphasis on vulnerable populations in Dominica, Guyana, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, including indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, children, and farmers.

The stories go beyond the numbers and the usual talking points often linked to climate change and health to the impact on lives and livelihoods. This included parents who described how recent intense heat was affecting their children at home and at school, the lack of fresh water, how farmers' yields were drastically affected, the impact of more severe weather events on persons with disabilities, and the rise in vector-borne diseases,” Mr. Chambliss said.

"The Media Institute of the Caribbean is committed to nurturing a cadre of journalists who can not only report news but also drive positive change through their stories," said Kiran Maharaj, President of the MIC. "We are immensely grateful for the support from PAHO, which has enabled us to empower journalists to address critical topics such as climate change and health. The stories produced by our participants are not just news; they are catalysts for informed action and awareness."

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

FAO spearheads workshop on early warning systems W

ith the changing weather patterns and risk of disasters, early warning systems and actions to protect the Agriculture Sector remain a priority for Guyana.

With this in mind, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U n i t e d N a t i o n s ( FA O ) i n collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) conducted a two-day workshop on Early Warning Systems and Anticipatory Action for Agriculture last week at the Guyana School of Agriculture in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

The workshop was facilitated

by Dr. Roberto Sandoval, Disaster Risk Management Specialist from FAO and was attended by 31 officers from the MOA and subagencies -Hydrometeorological Service, GLDA, GRDB, NAREI, NDIA, GUYSUCO, and Hope Coconut Industries. In a press release, the FOA said early warning systems are the cornerstone of any anticipatory action system. They enable countries and institutions to monitor and communicate early

signs of a growing hazard and predict when and where shocks will happen. Anticipatory action is increasingly being recognized as an important approach in disaster risk management. By complementing investments in disaster risk reduction and resilience building, it can help to address vulnerability to disaster risks and protect development gains. It can protect livelihoods from the immediate effects of hazards, enhance the effectiveness of assistance, reduce the cost of emergency response, and improve the resilience of vulnerable communities over time.

According to the FAO at the end of the workshop, the 31 participants were able to review early warning systems for Guyana's agricultural sector, develop a crisis timeline, and identify anticipatory actions that can be taken to reduce disaster impact on the livelihoods of farmers and fishers in Guyana.

The knowledge and skills shared will also help to enhance the institutional and technical capacities within the agencies so that they can develop protocols for

Participant from GRDB presenting on seasonality mapping of hazards early warning systems and anticipatory actions.

E a r l y Wa r n i n g a n d Anticipatory Action protocols ensure that we have the resources and tools ready to prepare for disasters before they happen.

They support actions and early warnings to help farmers, and fishers so that they can take precautionary and preventative measures to prepare for any impending disaster. Such actions

Dr. Roberto Sandoval, FAO DRM Specialist interacted with participants during the exercise on seasonality mapping of hazards.

Participant from GLDA presenting on DRM knowledge gaps and interventions needed

will help to limit the impact on their incomes and livelihood by either harvesting crops early, storing seeds, or relocating animals to safer grounds, and fishers can secure their boats and gear to name a few.

This strengthens us as a country working together for a better environment where we can minimize agriculture loss and sustain livelihoods to ensure no one is left behind.

This two-day activity comes under the FAO/MOA project implementation “Building resilience to multiple shocks and stresses in the response and

recovery from COVID-19 impacts in the Caribbean (Grenada, Guyana a n d S t . Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines).”

In Guyana, the project targets livestock farmers with Climateresilient practices and technologies to increase their resilience to future flood events and shocks and enhance the technical and institutional capacities of the Ministry of Agriculture to better mitigate the impacts of flood/drought and manage systemic multi-hazard risks to provide emergency and recovery assistance.

Barbabdos opposition slams... Chief Justice orders police to teach ranks...

From page 11 see the Caribbean remain a zone of peace. In this particular case in our view, Guyana's position has been strong, it has been unwavering and it is before the International Court of Justice, and we'll back them

150 percent with that,” Mottley said at a press conference which she shared with Gonsalves at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados on Saturday. Prime Minister Mottley also expressed hope that the

rhetoric and the noise between Venezuela and Guyana, do not convert the Caribbean region into anything that is not a zone of peace. She continued, “Venezuela is a friend as well and, therefore, we would like to see the Caribbean remain a zone of peace.” “It matters to us that this Caribbean remains a zone of peace… So we are depending on the two countries to keep the temperatures down even if there is not the settled outcome on the dispute that will be traditionally expected, over Guyana's 160,000 square kilometer Essequibo County.”

From page 16 fundamental right of Clarke, who was arrested by police last year for advising her client to remain silent.

Justice George-Wiltshire delivered this ruling on June 12. In her decision, Justice George-Wiltshire declared that Attorney Clarke's “…fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed and protected by Article 139 of the Constitution of Guyana was breached… [by] officers of the Special Organised Crime Unit when the applicant (Clarke) was arrested and detained… for advising [her] client to remain silent when questioned by members of the Guyana Police Force.”

The incident, which sparked widespread condemnation and even protest action by the legal fraternity, occurred on October 28, 2022, at the SOCU Headquarters on Camp Road, Georgetown.At the time, Attorney Clarke had accompanied her client, who was

under investigation by SOCU, to the agency's office where he was asked to sign a statement.

However, the client told investigators that he was advised by his lawyer not to sign anything.

This resulted in one of the SOCU ranks accusing the attorney of preventing her client from giving a statement, and ordered that she be arrested for obstructing an officer in the conduct of his duties. The lawyer had revealed that her cell phone was taken away and she was prevented from leaving.

Attorney Clarke subsequently filed a lawsuit against the State, naming the Attorney General as the respondent. She was seeking more than $300,000 in damages for, among other things, false imprisonment and violations of her constitutional rights.

Pursuant to the decision of the CJ, the police were also ordered to issue an apology to Clarke and in addition to GY$700,000 in compensation.

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 23, 2023

GSA graduates challenged to contribute to diversification,..

From page 10 professional pursuits. “Your graduation, today, is on the cusp of a pivotal junction of the nation’s transformation.

You are part of the generation that will carry on all that we have started,” the agriculture minister said.

The 86 graduates achieved various qualificaWANTED

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Office Clerk and Live-in Domestic worker. Call from Mon- Sat. Call: 223-7500.

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

Farmer/ Labourer, Domestic Worker and Office Assistant needed. Call: 674-8723.

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From page 06 inorder for the final report to be presented. From all accounts, this was ignored by the regional authorities, but now it is justifiable to seek to lay the blame on the messenger for its reporting of the scandal with veiled political overtures.It is unbelievable were many instances of vehicular transactions cited, not in the Region’s inventory, that went undetected. Further, bill

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ment is a crucial aspect of Guyana’s economy, GSA continues to promote and support the training of young men and women interested in agriculture careers. To date, some 4,138 students have graduated from the institution. Director General of the Ministry, Madanlall Ramraj, Chief Executive Officer of

GSA, Gavindra Ramnarain, CEO of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Jagnarine Singh, Former Vice Chairman of GSA, Dr. Steve Surujbally, Training Manager at NAREI, Warren Barlow, and President of GSA Alumni, Kelvin Craig and other officials were also in attendance. (DPI)

Taint the messenger, discredit the media...

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tions including Diploma and Certificate in Agriculture, Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health and Certificate in Forestry and Agro-processing. GSA also celebrated 60 years of providing tertiary education and other services to young men and women.

As agricultural develop-

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dates did not match or correspond to requisition order dates. All this and more is labeled “human error” and an ‘illusion of a scandal’. The labels and descriptions attributed in seeking grace in this matter are feeble and deficient.

The silent, controversial former REO, who did not appear, but suddenly chose to make an appearance at the meeting, and who claimed to have made a perfect handover to his successor, must answer for the ‘human error’. Was

he called upon to account ,or is an attempt being made to shield him from this episode of his less than creditable tenure? Should the matter be referred to law enforcement?

Faithfully yours, Shamshun Mohamed

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Govt. to spend $16M to construct teachers’ quarters at Peter & Paul Primary T

he Ministry of Education is looking to spend approximately $16 million to construct and furnish a teachers’ living quarters at Peter and Paul Primary School in Region One. This is according to the recent opening of tenders at

the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, which revealed that six contractors have submitted bids for the project. The ministry is also looking to construct an IT laboratory at the Calcutta Primary School, a project pegged at $9.4 million.

Construction of Information Technology Lab at Calcutta Primary School.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Ministry of Human Services and Social SecurityKitchen cupboards and civil works at Mahaica Children Home.

Construction of fence at Sophia Care Centre.

Ministry of Education Construction and furnishing of teacher’s living quarters at Peter & Paul Primary School, Region One. Construction of Pavement.

Renovation of lab, walkway and stairs.

Carpentry electrical and plumbing works at Mahaica Children Home.

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Rehabilitation of works at GRA’s Headquarters (replacement of northern-eastern side windows and painting of building).

Construction of roof at GRA Headquarters.

Rehabilitation of girl’s dorms and canteen- Santa Rosa Girls School.

GPHC partners with Northwell Health to conduct six...

Construction of fence at Mahaica Children Home.

From page 18 as diabetes. It noted that these factors played a crucial role in causing hernias to come back, highlighting the urgent need to address them c o m p r e h e n s i v e l y. T h e collaboration intentionally emphasized these causes, stressing the importance of a thorough understanding and a holistic approach to improve patient outcomes. “ B e y o n d i t s transformative impact on

patients, the collaboration facilitated a profound exchange of skills and knowledge.

GPHC resident surgeons actively engaged in these procedures, gaining invaluable insights and refining their techniques under the mentorship of the Northwell team and senior GPHC surgeons. This not only elevated patient care but also fortified the capabilities of local medical

professionals, contributing to a more resilient healthcare system,” GPHC elaborated.

In moving forward, GPHC revealed that both health institutions are committed to exploring further collaboration opportunities, with a specific focus on anesthesia, plastic surgery, and orthopedic surgery.

GPHC emphasized that this ongoing partnership symbolizes a joint

dedication to advancing medical expertise, fostering international cooperation, and, crucially, addressing the root causes of medical challenges.

It shared that the recently collaborated procedures indicates a critical role of international partnerships in addressing complex medical cases and promoting a c o m p r e h e n s i v e understanding of factors leading to recurrence.

Thursday November 23, 2023

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Switzerland moves to ban Hamas, backs Israel’s ‘right to self-defence’ Palestinians evacuate a casualty of an Israeli air strike on a house in Khan Younis, November 22, 2023 [Reuters/Mohammed Salem

(BBC NEWS) The Swiss government has announced it will introduce legislation by the end of February to explicitly ban “Hamas activities or support” for the Palestinian group.

The Federal Council, the executive branch, said on Wednesday that it has decided to draft a law to ban the Palestinian group “considering this to be the most appropriate response to the situation that has prevailed in the Middle East since October 7”.

“The act will provide the federal authorities with the necessary tools to counter any Hamas activities or support for the organisation in Switzerland.” On October 7, Palestinian fighters from the Gaza Strip, which has been run by Hamas since 2007, launched an attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, mostly

civilians, according to the Israeli government.

Hamas and other Palestinian factions also took an estimated 240 Israelis and foreigners into the Gaza Strip as captives.

Since then, Israel has launched a massive air and ground offensive on the beleaguered Strip, killing at least 14,319 people, including more than 5,000 children, local health authorities say. Early on Wednesday, Israel and Hamas agreed on a Qatarmediated deal for a four-day truce in Gaza and the release of 50 captives held in the enclave for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody, with negotiations ongoing on the timing. The sevenmember council is formed by ministers from the four largest parties, and lawmakers in parliament are likely to swing strongly

behind the draft legislation, given the positions of the major parties. The hard-right Swiss People’s Party, the biggest in the country, has been strongly pushing for a ban. On Wednesday, the government called for respect for international humanitarian law and particularly the protection of civilians. It voiced “deep sorrow for the thousands of civilians who have lost their lives in Israel and across the occupied Palestinian territories” and condemned the Hamas attack on October 7 “in the strongest possible terms”. The statement made no mention of Israel’s actions in Gaza but recognised “Israel’s right to ensure its own defence and security”.

“In view of the dramatic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the Federal Council stresses the need to

WHO documents 178 attacks on Gaza healthcare facilities

(AP-CAIRO) — The World Health Organization has documented 178 attacks on healthcare facilities that killed 553 people, including 22 healthcare workers, since the war started on Oct. 7, the agency’s regional director said Wednesday.

Ahmed Al-Mandhari said in an online briefing that about 800 people, including 48 healthcare workers, were injured in the attacks, which damaged 24 hospitals and 32 ambulances.

The war has forced the shutdown of 27 out of 36 hospitals and 47 out of 72 primary health care clinics across Gaza, he said. The facilities stopping providing services mainly because of a lack of fuel and attacks, he said. “Hospitals

must be allowed to replenish the resources they need to continue functioning,” he said. “We cannot keep providing drops of aid in an ocean of needs.”

Meanwhile, the WHO also said that one of its local staff members in Gaza was killed along with her family when a strike hit the home where they were sheltering. It said Dima Abdullatif Mohammed Alhaj, 29, was killed Tuesday along with her husband, their 6-monthold son and her two brothers.

The U.N. health agency said in a statement late Tuesday that over 50 people were reportedly killed in the strike. It was n o t i m m e d i a t e l y possible to confirm the report or to determine who carried out the strike. Israel has launched airstrikes across Gaza in the war triggered by

Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. Palestinian militants have fired rockets at Israel, some of which have f a l l e n s h o r t . D r. R i k P e e p e r k o r n , W H O ’s representative for the Palestinian territories, said Alhaj “was a wonderful person with a radiant smile, cheerful, positive, respectful. She was a true team player.”

Alhaj, who had worked as a patient administrator with WHO since 2019, was among hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled from northern Gaza to shelter in the south. She had left her home in Gaza City and was staying with relatives.

WHO said her death “is another example of the senseless loss in this conflict.”

ensure unimpeded humanitarian access.

Humanitarian pauses are necessary for this purpose,” the statement added. Bern reiterated the need to restore the prospect of a political framework in the region based on a two-state solution.

“This approach is the only viable path towards

ensuring that both the Palestinian and Israeli populations can coexist peacefully, securely and with dignity,” it said. On October 11, the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) suspended millions of dollars in funding to six Palestinian and five Israeli civil society organisations with ongoing international

cooperation partnerships with the Swiss government.

The 11 partner NGOs were subject to “in-depth verification of their compliance with the FDFA’s code of conduct and the antidiscrimination clause in their contracts”. As a result, three of the NGOs saw their contract with the government terminated.

POPE BEGS FOR PEACE AND AN END TO ‘TERRORISM’ VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has met separately with Israeli and Palestinian delegations and begged for peace and an end to what he called terrorism and “passions that are killing everyone.”

In encounters arranged before the Israeli-Hamas hostage deal was announced, Francis met Wednesday with relatives of hostages held in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 raid in southern Israel. And

he met separately with a delegation of Palestinians with relatives in Gaza.

Speaking at the end of his weekly general audience, Francis said he heard from both how much they are suffering and the toll that the war was taking.

In the audience were people holding Palestinian flags and scarves as well as small posters showing apparent bodies in a ditch and the word “Genocide” written underneath.

Francis said: “Here we’ve gone beyond war.

This isn’t war, this is terrorism. Please, let us go forward for peace.

Pray for peace, pray a lot for peace.” He also asked for God to help both Israeli and Palestinian people “resolve problems and not go forward with passions that are killing everyone in the end.”

Francis has spoken out repeatedly for an end to the war.

Thursday November 23, 2023

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 23, 2023

Volodímir Zelenski

Thursday November 23, 2023

Letter to the Sports Editor...

Silly season has started Dear Sports Editor, First, congratulations go out to Guyana’s Golden Jaguars for their excellent performance in qualifying to League A in the CONCACAF Nations League.

The Jags ascendancy to League A is a shining light and much appreciated for the sport which has not enjoyed a great deal of positive newsfor quite some time.

It briefly managed to overshadow the recent “no comment” response attributed to Chairman of the Electoral Committee Marcel Bobb, whose remark signaled the start of what is commonly referred to as the silly season.

Bobb was responding to

a question posed by a section of the media inquiring whether the process to determine the eligibility of voters for the upcoming December 9 Electoral Congress has started.

One would think that to eliminate any assumption of distrust it would better serve the incumbent to disclose all criteria relating to eligibility procedures, in a timely manner.

As far back as can be remembered, the two major sports in Guyana (football and cricket) have traditionally provided onlookers with such comedy and ire it seems hard to believe that the respective jobs are voluntary.

The volunteer ascription is what all the eventual winners say following victory, but the silliness that occurs before Election Day makes it difficult to understand helpfulness.

How could aspirants for the top job endure the level of resentment thrown at them, all in the name of volunteerism, at the expense of their family, friends, and even their careers?

The two individuals vying for the top post incumbent Wayne Forde and challenger Franklin Wilson have contrasting styles of management.

The former tends to be intractable in his decisions,

Thursday November 23, 2023 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Are you an artist, writer, or musician, Aries? If so, your work may take on a more symbolic or impressionistic tone. Today you're probably more interested in conveying feelings and impressions than details.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Innovative art forms might seem especially appealing today, Taurus. Stay out of gallery shops unless you're prepared to take home a carload of merchandise.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Do you believe in ghosts?

Some strange phone calls, emails, or other communications may come your way today, Gemini. One may come from someone who thinks you're someone else.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) An unexpected sum of money could come your way today, Cancer. It probably won't be large, but it will be welcome nonetheless.

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Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Are all of your friends into astrology, divine science, or spiritual matters, Libra? It might seem like most of them are today, anyway. You may have many new friends in those fields.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A love partner may host a social event or meeting of some kind, Scorpio. It might be interesting to get acquainted with friends of your mate you haven't yet met.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Are you contemplating a trip, Sagittarius, perhaps to a place you've always dreamed of visiting? If you're in doubt as to whether or not you can do it.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The Material values may pale beside spiritual ones today, Capricorn. You might consider giving up the rat race and retreating to the wilderness.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Have you been exercising too rigorously lately, Leo? If so, you might feel some little aches and pains. Stay off your feet for most of the day.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A current or potential romantic partner might seem like the most perfect, wonderful person in the world to you, Aquarius. Your romantic nature could get the better of you today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) You may feel indecisive today, Virgo, especially in the morning. Other people's actions may confuse you.

Don't worry. Concentrate on your projects and goals.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might not be able to concentrate on your work today, Pisces. Your head may be in the clouds and your eye for detail could fail you somewhat.

not too keen on consensus, while the latter is more accommodating and open to compromise.

At a time when the sport is suffering from poor visibility, spectator absence, and lack of on-field competitions, it is easy to predict who rightthinking members of the electorate will elect.

Forde was afforded eight years to increase the fortunes of the sport, but instead, all witnessed a rapid decline in the game’s visibility, the struggle to pay players continued, the disappearance of structured competitions in nearly all the member associations, and most disappointingly the lack of development at the grassroots level.

The failings in these critical components of the game are unpardonable and the electorate must agree that he was given ample time and resources to correct the flaws.

Instead, he became so absorbed in self-promotion that every other facet of the sport’s development finished a distant second.

On the other hand, Wilson, a former President of the GFF, has demonstrated the ability to administer for all, his tenure, which came suddenly and amid one of the biggest scandals in world football history, was littered with positive results and a quick perusal of that period will testify to this.

He is more receptive to listening to stakeholders and governs by being inclusive and fair.

It is therefore pellucid, that any elector genuinely interested in garnering the respect of its leader and concerned with the state of the game and its participants here, should not hesitate to give Wilson the nod.

Football Enthusiast

GBA makes history with team to World Junior’s Boxing Tournament in Armenia

Here Vancooten (centre) is flanked

by Sampson (right) and Coach Daniels.

The Guyana Boxing Association has created history when the body sent a team to the World Junior’s Boxing Tournament, being held in Yerevan, Armenia.

The team comprise of Caribbean junior champions Tiquan Sampson and Akeela Vancooten.

Veteran coach Lennox

Daniels is leading the team.

The participation of the trio marks the first time that Guyana has been represented at the premiere nursery tournament, which is being run by the International Boxing Association (IBA).

In photo, Vancooten (centre) is flanked by Sampson (right) and Coach Daniels.

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Guyana wins silver in Inter Guiana Chess competition in Suriname Girls Chess team at the end of IGG Chess championship.

The Inter Guiana Chess Competition in Paramaribo, Suriname wrapped up with Guyana securing the silver medal after a spirited faceoff against Suriname. The Guyanese team, led by Ricardo Narine, Kyle Couchman, Alexander Zhang, and Nicholas Zhang, showcased commendable performances throughout.

In their initial game against Suriname, despite an impressive strategic display by Kyle Couchman, the team faced setbacks leading to Suriname’s victory. Ricardo Narine’s dominance secured a win against Suriname and a draw against French Guiana.

Alexander Zhang displayed significant growth, securing a draw in one match and a dominant win in another, while Nicholas Zhang faced a tough loss to Suriname.

Suriname claimed victory in Round 2 with a 2.5-1.5 score, while Guyana triumphed over French Guiana with a 3.5-0.5 score.

Suriname clinched gold, Guyana claimed silver, and French Guiana took home the bronze in the tournament.

The Guyanese female team, featuring Aniyah Couchman, Italy Ton-Chung, Aditi Joshi, and Maliha Rajkumar, impressed with their performance in the double round-robin against Suriname. Despite challenges, Italy Ton-Chung fought valiantly but experienced player Victoria Kaslan secured wins. Aditi Joshi showcased brilliance with a win and a subsequent loss due to miscalculations.

Aniyah Couchman displayed dominance in one match but faced setbacks in another, ultimately losing due to a strategic error.

Maliha Rajkumar stood out with two impressive victories, reflecting the determination and spirit of Guyanese chess.

FM Anthony Drayton’s coaching played a pivotal role in the team’s success, fostering

collaboration and preparation among the players. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) commends the players’

talent and hopes for more such competitions to boost their confidence and skills.

Acknowledgments were

extended to Coach Anthony Drayton, Preya Rajkumar, and Joshi, along with gratitude towards the National Sports

Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport for organizing the successful event.

Mexico saves itself from free fall, and saves CONCACAF, with a stirring Nations League comeback Yahoo Sports - Mexico was falling, out of the CONCACAF Nations League, far away from the regional throne it once held, when nine promised minutes of stoppage time elapsed.

It was down 2-1 to Honduras in a two-leg quarterfinal inching toward an infuriating conclusion Tuesday night at Estadio Azteca. It was falling further than ever before in the modern era, already on its third coach in 12 months, now threatening to miss out on the 2024 Copa América.

And that’s when Edson Álvarez appeared.

He swooped in to score a 101st-minute goal and save Mexico.

Almost an hour later, El Tri won an absurd penalty shootout.

And CONCACAF executives surely celebrated along with the tens of thousands of Mexicans who braved rain and 100-plus minutes of dread to witness a stirring victory.

Luis Chávez had halved Honduras’ aggregate lead with a late-first-half free

Mexico’s Edson Alvarez celebrates scoring his side’s 2nd goal against Honduras during a Concacaf Nation League quarterfinal second leg soccer match at Azteca stadium in Mexico City, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

kick that brought the Azteca to life. But excitement gradually became groans and disbelief as the hosts missed chance after secondhalf chance, some of them seemingly unmissable.

Julián Quiñones slid a simple shot wide, then fluffed an 88th-minute attempt on the doorstep.

With each successive chance squandered, Mexico crept dangerously close to the brink of calamity. And it

crept toward an unsettling realization: that no coach, no tactic, no single player can slow the program’s decline.

But then, in the 11th of nine added minutes, Álvarez — one of the squad’s last remaining elite players — forced extra time.

After more Mexican pressure, and more nearmisses, the match went to penalties — where it took another almost unbelievable turn.

Mexico took a lead, via Santi Giménez and the fingertips of Luis Malagón.

It held that lead through three rounds, and then, in the fourth, up stepped César Huerta.

Huerta missed — but Honduran keeper Edrick Menjivar had tiptoed off the goal-line, granting Huerta a retake.

Huerta missed again — but again, Menjivar had strayed off his line to make

the save.

On the third attempt, Huerta scored, barely. Andy Najar missed for Honduras.

Mexico won, qualified for the 2024 Copa América, and made a lot of people hoping to sell tickets and merchandise and sponsorships at the 2024 Nations League finals in Arlington, Texas, very happy.

El Tri are CONCACAF’s biggest draw, wherever they go, but especially in America. They regularly sell out NFL stadiums coast-tocoast and Chicago-toHouston. They’re the only North American international soccer team capable of packing AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Without them, the 2023 Nations League final, contested in Las Vegas by the U.S. and Canada, was halfempty.

So, there were many sinking spirits as Honduras held its lead, and as the Nations League crept dangerously close to a final four of Honduras, Jamaica, Panama and the U.S.

Naturally, then, there were also conspiracy theories when the fourth official announced nine minutes of stoppage time, and as the head referee added a 10th and 11th on Tuesday night. They’ll play as long as Mexico needs to score, fans moaned. And sure enough, score Mexico did.

But no, there was no fix, surely no order from CONCACAF executives.

Honduras had taken to the so-called dark arts, wasting time whenever it could. The extra two minutes are easy fodder for criticism; but they were completely legitimate.

Menjivar, the Honduran keeper, had been down injured from the 91:15 mark until 93:10.

And when video review annulled his two saves in the shootout? He was, legitimately, a half-step off his line both times.

This was no premeditated outcome, no scheme to get Mexico to J e r r y Wo r l d a n d C o p a América. It was simply magic, magic that only fútbol can deliver.

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GMMF awaits D’Anjou’s triumphant return to the Octagon - A Testament to Dedication and Perseverance

T

he Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMF) is delighted to announce the eagerly awaited return of Corwin D’Anjou to the octagon, a momentous occasion that symbolizes the culmination of unwavering effort and dedication to his craft.

D ’ A n j o u ’s j o u r n e y, marked by resilience and perseverance, resonates with the timeless wisdom encapsulated in the famous Vince Lombardi quote, “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” As D’Anjou prepares for this amateur fight title, it transcends mere competition, evolving into a canvas upon which he paints the vivid hues of his rigorous training regimen and unyielding spirit.

Echoing the philosophy of Bruce Lee, D’Anjou’s preparation mirrors the commitment to mastering his craft, refining techniques, and honing skills to perfection, reminiscent of Lee’s famous words, “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” As the countdown to

GMMF Pan American fighter Corwin D’Anjou putting in some work in the octagon. the fight ensues, our expectations are rooted in the consistency of his effort and the resilience he has exhibited throughout his journey.

In the context of Guyana’s emerging fight scene, international

competition stands as a vital crucible for the development of fighters like D’Anjou.

Serving as the national team captain and junior coach, D’Anjou’s leadership led his compatriots to four bronze medals in the Pan American Games, symbolizing not

only his prowess as a fighter but also his role as a leader.

International exposure becomes the conduit through which fighters from regions with fledgling scenes, such as Guyana, can showcase their skills on a broader canvas. D’Anjou, as one of

G u y a n a ’s f i r s t w o r l d ranking athletes under the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation, carries the hopes and aspirations of a nation eager to make its mark on the international stage.

His success isn’t just personal; it’s a beacon illuminating the potential of fighters from regions yet to carve their niche in the world of mixed martial arts.

As D’Anjou steps onto the global platform, we anticipate not only his stellar performance but also the ripple effect it could have on the burgeoning fight scene in Guyana.

CEO Michael Singh of F ig h t C en tr al G u y an a wholeheartedly commends Corwin D’Anjou, lauding not only his dedication and hard work but also his unwavering commitment to excellence in the realm of athletics. Singh expresses profound admiration for the athlete’s relentless efforts and underlines the significance of Corwin’s upcoming fight, noting that it serves as a pivotal milestone in his quest for both regional and international championships.

Singh goes on to elaborate on the immense

importance of each victory i n C o r w i n ’s j o u r n e y, describing them as stepping stones propelling the athlete closer to the coveted titles he tirelessly strives for.

The CEO emphasizes the strategic focus and meticulous skill honing that Corwin has invested in during training, showcasing a clear determination to achieve nothing less than victory in the upcoming battle.

In addition, Michael Singh extends his acknowledgment beyond the athlete’s individual efforts, recognizing the pivotal role played by Corwin’s family, especially his supportive wife.

Singh highlights the delicate balance maintained by the athlete, attributing a portion of his success to the unwavering support and understanding within his family circle.

Overall, CEO Michael Singh’s comments not only commend Corwin D’Anjou’s athletic prowess but also underscore the broader context of dedication, strategic pursuit, and the crucial support system that contributes to the athlete’s journey to the top.

“My name is Jamaal, not Jesus” - Shabazz …Golden Jaguars Head Coach calls on Government, Corporate Guyana for support

By Rawle Toney Amidst the triumphant roar of the Golden Jaguars, now elevated to the prestigious League A of the Concacaf Nations League, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz is sounding the rallying cry for increased support from both the Government and corporate entities in Guyana.

Guyana ascended from League B after a dazzling display in Group D, perched at the summit with an unbeaten streak of five matches and a flawless record.

The crowning moment of their promotion unfolded in a spectacular 6-0 trouncing of Antigua and Barbuda in the Dominican Republic on a Tuesday evening, adding the final stroke to their promotion masterpiece.

The victory, coupled with earlier wins including a

5-1 domination of Antigua and Barbuda, back-to-back 3-1 victories against Puerto Rico, and a nail-biting 3-2 result against The Bahamas at home, solidified Guyana’s unblemished performance in the Nations League.

Speaking exclusively with Kaieteur News y e s t e r d a y, S h a b a z z acknowledged the improved support from President Irfaan Ali’s administration since his return for a fourth stint in September 2021.

H o w e v e r , h e emphasised that the transition to League A alters the game’s dynamics, necessitating a deeper collaboration to meet the team’s evolving needs.

“As Technicians in football, we know our wants and needs. If the Government and Corporate Guyana allow us to outline

our needs and work with us to achieve our objective, inshallah, we will succeed.

Our football still lacks the infrastructure and resources to make us really competitive,” Shabazz firmly stated.

Known for his candid remarks, Shabazz clarified, “My name is Jamaal it is not Jesus and we cannot turn water into wine.

As a national coach, I have a clear vision of where we want to take the football, but that journey does not include us walking on water,” He believes that the funding from FIFA isn’t sufficient for Guyana to be competitive and only good enough for the Golden Jaguars to participate, “If we want Guyana to compete the steps need solid backing of Government and corporate Guyana.”

“We acknowledge that

we must improve as a staff and players and be very ambitious in our pursuit of our goals.

However, we must warn that the success of our job is dependent on the kind of support we get from our administration. There are no shortcuts to the process,” Shabazz said.

Looking ahead, Shabazz is hoping that Guyana can be a mainstay in League A, telling Kaieteur News, “We told the players today there needs to be a serious introspection of our Strengths and areas to improve on. Our main goal is to stay up in League A because 90% of the teams get demoted after one season.”

As Guyana, Nicaragua, Guadeloupe and French Guiana take the place of eliminated teams Curacao, Haiti, El Salvador, and Grenada, Shabazz urges a

serious commitment to achieving their goals.

Acknowledging the team’s remarkable five-forfive record this season, Shabazz reminisced about the previous edition where they fell short, winning just three of six matches, while picking up a draw and two humiliating six-goal defeats to Haiti.

“I am very proud of the players and the staff and by extension the GFF Secretariat.

This squad has come a long way when you compare where we were this time last year,” Shabazz said.

He admitted, “We now have a style of play that the players have bought into and a talented bunch with strong leadership and tremendous belief.”

Shabazz’s squad is a fusion of the best available talents in the diaspora and

local stars, but for years, a debate raged on amongst football pundits in Guyana about the identity of Golden Jaguars.

H o w e v e r, S h a b a z z believes that the current crop has “eliminated all local and foreign divisions to become one Guyana team.

An acceptance of the greatness of God in our lives makes us fearless in the pursuit of our mission to become a top football nation in Concacaf.”

The Golden Jaguars, Shabazz said, under his stewardship, are not just chasing victories on the field; they’re carving out a legacy that transcends borders and divisions.

The Golden Jaguars will wrap up its Nations League campaign against The Bahamas at a date to be a n n o u n c e d b y CONCACAF.

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Thursday November 23, 2023

GFF draws battle line for Elite League promotion …tournament to kick off December 10

By Rawle Toney The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has unleashed the drama with its exhilarating draw for the Elite League playoff tournament.

Last night, the GFF Training Centre played host

to the spectacle, bringing together league champions from various member associations, and setting the scene for a clash of football titans.

Representatives from Buxton Stars (East Coast Demerara Football

Association), Dartmouth (Essequibo/Pomeroon F o o tb all A s s o ciatio n ) , Herstelling Raiders (East Bank Demerara Football Association), Monnederlust (Berbice Football Association), Slingerz FC (West Demerara Football

Captains from the nine teams involved in the GFF Elite League promotion tournament.

Association), Tabatinga (Rupununi Football Association), and Winners Connection (Upper Demerara Football Association) converged for the draw that could reshape the football landscape.

The stakes are high, as the playoff will not only determine promotions but also decide the fates of teams facing relegation, all in anticipation of the upcoming Elite League Season Six, set to kick off its grand spectacle in February 2024.

Post-draw revelations unveiled the intriguing groupings, where Group A emerges as a battlefield featuring Buxton Stars FC, Beacons FC (Bartica), and Monnederlust.

Group B promises intense showdowns with Tabatinga, Herstelling Raiders, and Beacon FC (Georgetown), while Group C, the group of champions,

assembles the inaugural Elite League winners Slingerz FC, alongside Dartmouth and Winners Connection.

The tournament fires up on December 10 and the opening clashes are nothing short of riveting: Buxton Stars FC squares off against Beacons FC (Bartica), Ta b a t i n g a t a k e s o n Herstelling Raiders, and Slingerz FC embarks on a journey to Cinderella County to face Dartmouth.

The road to supremacy is paved with challenges, and only the top teams from each group, along with the best second-place team, will progress to the semifinals.

The winner of the finals will claim a direct ticket to the coveted GFF Elite League.

Meanwhile, the losing finalist gets a shot at redemption against Victoria Kings for a chance to stand

shoulder-to-shoulder with the country’s elite clubs.

Troy Peters, the GFF’s Competition Director, said the plan is to play on Saturdays at Eve Leary, Rosignol Ground, Bartica Community Center, Buxton Ground, Wisburg Secondary School Ground, Tuschen Ground, Anna Regina Multilateral Ground, and Wadapna Ground.

The climax on January 6 promises not just glory but also a sweet bonus, as the GFF pledges a generous preparation grant of $1M to the clubs making the leap to the Elite League.

However, Peters reminded everyone that this grand opportunity hinges on meeting the GFF/Concacaf Club Licensing prerequisites, underscoring the federation’s commitment to elevating the standard of Guyanese football to new heights.

Dwayne Bravo puzzled over brother’s non-selection for England ODIs; “What’s the criteria for West Indies team selection?”

SportsMax - Former West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo issued some scathing criticism towards lead selector for the West Indies Men’s Team, the hon. Desmond Haynes, as well as white ball head coach, Daren Sammy, after his younger brother Darren was overlooked for the upcoming three-match home series against England.

Darren Bravo, 34, recently led the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force to the CG United Super50 Cup title and finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 416 runs in eight innings at an average of 83.20 with one hundred and three fifties.

His production proved to be not enough in the eyes of the selectors, however, as

they opted to go with younger players who they have invested in with an eye on the 2027 World Cup, according to Haynes in a press conference on Monday. “SMH!!! When will the BS stop?!” I’m not surprised with my brother’s nonselection, but with the recent changes in WI cricket management, I held onto a bit of hope for the better,” Bravo said in a statement on Instagram on Monday.

“This is NOT acceptable, and I just can’t make sense of it!

So here are my burning questions: What’s the criteria for West Indies team selection?

Surely, it can’t be solely based on performance?” he added. The former all-rounder then went into the

aforementioned stats that Darren bravo put together in the Super50 Cup before asking more questions.

“I usually stay away from these discussions but the mistreatment, disrespect, and dishonesty towards players over the years demand a voice. When will it stop?

When will this BS actually stop?” He then directed his ire toward Haynes, Sammy, and newly appointed director of cricket Miles Bascombe. “ To M r. D e s m o n d Haynes, your statement didn’t surprise me. It feels like another former player singing for his supper. I hoped for trust in the system with figures like you, Sammy, and the new director of cricket, but the system

Dwayne Bravo (left) issued some scathing criticism over the non-selection of his younger brother Darren. failed again,” he said.

Bravo ended by offering encouragement to his brother and congratulating some of the new and returning members of the

squad. “To my brother, this too shall pass. Keep your head up, stay focused and trust in the Almighty. And, as always, I extend my best wishes to the team and

s e l e c t e d p l a y e r s . I t ’s refreshing to see (Kjorn) O t t l e y, ( S h e r f a n e ) Rutherford and (Shane) Dowrich back in the mix.

Good luck guys,” he ended.

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Brazil vs. Argentina: Historic World Cup qualifier is overshadowed by violence and chaos at the Maracanã stadium CNN - Brazil suffered its first ever home World Cup qualifying defeat on Tuesday, as Argentina earned a 1-0 win on a night of violence and chaos at the iconic Maracanã stadium.

Defender Nicolas Otamendi’s towering header on 63 minutes secured a historic three points for Argentina and condemned Brazil to a third straight qualifying defeat for the first time in the Seleção’s history.

However, the match was overshadowed by violence in the stands which delayed the start of the World Cup qualifier.

After fighting broke out between the two sets of fans – which were seated together at one end of the stadium – during the national anthems, Brazilian police moved in to quell the violence but their heavy-handed approach with the Argentine supporters incensed Lionel Messi and the rest of the national team.

The Inter Miami forward first led his teammates over to the stand where the fighting was taking place and pleaded with both the police and Argentina fans – some of who were seen throwing ripped out seats at the security officials – for

Emi Martinez attempts to restrain a police officer. (Ricardo Moraes/Reuters) calm. Some pictures show crying children in the stands, with one woman carrying a child in her arms as she tries to clamber over the seats and away from the violence.

In one remarkable m o m e n t , A s t o n Vi l l a goalkeeper Emi Martinez climbed up onto the stand and pulled the arm of a police officer to try and prevent him from using his baton on an Argentina fan.

Messi then led the team off the pitch and back into the changing rooms where they stayed for 10 minutes.

The match eventually kicked off 30 minutes late.

In a statement published

to its website, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said mixed fans is “standard” in matches organized by FIFA – soccer’s world governing body – and South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL. “This is not a model invented or imposed by the CBF,” the statement added.

The CBF said 1,050 private security guards and 700 military police officers “worked to secure the match.”

“Therefore, the CBF reaffirms that the action, security and operation plan for the match were strictly

followed, as approved by the RJ Military Police and other authorities.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday there is “absolutely no place for violence” in football.

“Such events, as seen during the World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracanã stadium, have no place in our sport or society,” he said in a statement.

“Without exception, all players, fans, staff and officials have to be safe and secure to enjoy and play football, and I call on all the relevant authorities to ensure that this is respected at all

levels.”

Brazil’s state military police said in a statement that its officers were “involved in a scuffle among fans,” adding that eight people were arrested, including a woman for allegedly racially abusing a Maracanã worker.

CONMEBOL and the Argentine football federation didn’t immediately respond to CNN’s for comment.

“The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things, once again,” Messi told reporters after the match, per Reuters.

“Obviously, at the beginning it was bad because we saw how they were beating people.

“You think about the family, the people who are there, who don’t know what’s going on and we are more concerned about that than playing a match. At that point the match was secondary.

“After that, winning this game like this I think is one of the most important wins that this group has achieved.

It is something very nice to be able to win here in Brazil, after how strong they have been at home throughout their history.”

In a further unexpected twist at the very end of the night, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni placed doubt over his position as the national team head coach.

“I need to think a lot about what I’m going to do,” Scaolini told reporters. “It’s not goodbye or anything else, but I need to think because the bar is very high.

It’s complicated to continue.

“It’s difficult to keep winning and these guys make it difficult. It’s time to think this time, I will tell the president, I will tell the players. This team needs a coach who has all the energy possible.”

The win keeps Argentina top of World Cup qualifying, while Brazil is now languishing in sixth place and is now without a win in four matches under interim head coach Fernando Diniz, who recently led Fluminense to Copa Libertadores glory.

There are 18 rounds in South America’s World Cup qualifying system, with the top six teams progressing to the 2026 event while the seventh-placed country will go into the FIFA play-off tournament, which will involve six countries from other continents.

LeBron James becomes the first NBA player to score 39,000 points as LA Lakers clinch In-Season Tournament knockout spot CNN - Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James reached yet another milestone in his legendary career on Tuesday night as he became the first player in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) to score 39,000 career points.

During the first quarter of the Lakers’ 131-99 home win against the Utah Jazz, James knocked down a three-pointer in the first quarter to make scoring history at the Crypto.com Arena.

James previously broke the all-time mark of 38,387 – held by fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – in February this year and is now in uncharted territory.

According to the NBA, his current scoring pace suggests that he is on track to reach 40,000 points later this season.

“I got congratulated by my teammates and coaches, (but) I haven’t had an opportunity to really wrap my head around what that means,” James said after the game, per the NBA. “There’s been so many great players that came across this league since the beginning of time, and so many great scorers. To be able to accomplish something that’s the first of anything, I think that’s always pretty cool. It’s a wild moment, that’s for sure.”

With the very same bucket, the ‘King’ also notched another landmark achievement.

James made his 2,291st three-pointer, moving him past Vince Carter and up to seventh in the all-time list.

The 21-year veteran scored two more threes on the night and posted 17

points, seven rebounds and nine assists as the Lakers ran out comfortable winners in their final Group Play game of the NBA’s new In-Season Tournament.

Having gone 4-0 in West Group A, the Purple and Gold have sealed a spot in the knockout round of the tournament.

A collection of greatness Given the ever increasing history that the 38-year-old continues to make, it is perhaps serendipitous that it will all now be documented in one place.

LeBron James’ Home Court, a museum dedicated to James and his milestones, will open in the Ohio native’s hometown of Akron on November 25th.

According to the NBA, the museum will be a “multimedia experience” and feature items and

exhibitions from his childhood, his high school basketball days and his NBA career.

The items on show include the famous allwhite suit James wore on NBA Draft day in 2003 and an original backboard and rim from S t . Vi n c e n t – S t . M a r y High School, where he became arguably the most anticipated prospect in the history of the sport.

“My dream was always to put Akron on the map, so to have a place in my hometown that allows me to share my journey with my fans from all over the world means a lot to me,” James said.

“I’ve been known to hang on to a lot of things over the years, and I always knew there would be a time and place to bring them out.”

James acknowledges cheers from the crowd after scoring his 39,000th career point.

(Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Thursday November 23, 2023

Guyana, French Guiana confirm promotion to League A with handsome victories in League B action SportsMax - French Guiana and Guyana will contest League A in the next Concacaf Nations League edition, as both secured promotion at the end of League B action on Tuesday.

French Guiana vs.

Bermuda French Guiana defeated Bermuda 3-0, at the PierreAliker Stadium in Fort-deFrance, Martinique, to secure top spot in Group C. Marvin Golitin, in goal for French Guiana, intercepted a free kick service in the 17th minute to deter any positive momentum from the visitors.

French Guiana’s Albert Ajaiso struck inside the box in the 29th on a second opportunity from a longrange hit by Zedan Charlec.

Arnold Abelinti had a hit from outside the box in 45+1 but was just wide of the mark.

Loic Baal added the second in the 49th, with a header at the right post.

Abelinti was influential in keeping the play alive prior to the cross in from left field.

Joel Sarrucco added a third in the 90+4 after heading in a contested ball inside the box.

St Vincent and the Grenadines vs. Belize St Vincent and the Grenadines were 3-0 winners over Belize at the Kirani James Athletics

French Guiana players celebrate. (Concacaf)

Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada.

The win saw St Vincent and the Grenadines taking second spot on nine points, one behind French Guiana, while Belize, ended third on eight points.

Diel Spring opened the scoring in the third minute after connecting with a back pass from Oalex Anderson.

NAnderson was denied by the left post in the 24th, as S t Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines pushed for the second goal. Cornelius Stewart was also denied by the woodwork on his free kick attempt which came off the crossbar, in the 61st minute. Stewart was denied by the right post in the 70th and Deshawon Nembhard followed the play with a clearance to deny the ball

crossing the line.

Kyle Edwards found the back of the net in the 84th, with a chipped ball from midfield to put Vincy Heat 20 up.

Oryan Velox sealed the result in the 85th with a hit inside the box, as the host moved out of the relegation spot and secured their stay in League B. Guyana vs. Antigua and Barbuda Guyana registered a fifth-consecutive win to confirm their spot as Group D winners when they defeated Antigua and Barbuda, 6-0, at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Kelsey Benjamin opened the scoring in the seventh minute by connecting with a

pass across the box from Liam Gordon.

Benjamin went from goal scorer to provider in the 36th with a pass from right field to find an incoming Omari Glasgow inside the box.

Nathan Moriah-Welsh struck from behind the halfway line in the 45th, as Guyana took a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.

Osaze de Rosario added his name to the scoresheet in the 67th by cutting inside and striking a curling shot to the far-right corner of the net.

Leo Lovell added his own in the 90th, with a crossing ball from Gordon, who earned his second assist of the night.

Deon Moore capped off a buildup in the 90+3 to secure the largest margin of victory

for Guyana in this campaign, as the Golden Jaguars secured their move to League A. Puerto Rico vs. Bahamas Puerto Rico took a 6-1 win over the Bahamas at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon.

The win pushed them to 12 points, as they finished second behind Guyana, with Antigua and Barbuda and Bahamas on four and one point respectively.

Ricardo Rivera put the home side in the lead in the second minute after he finished from deep inside the box. Rivera struck again from inside the box in the sixth on a second attempt after initially being denied

by Charles Tillett.

And Rivera completed the hat-trick in the 19th, with a header in front of goal after he met a cross from Noeh Hernandez.

Darren Rios added a fourth in the 39th after winning an aerial ball and proceeding to beat the defenders.

Marcel Joseph cut the deficit to 4-1 in the 53rd, off a free kick opportunity that Joel Serrano was unable to keep out of his goal.

Gerald Diaz struck from outside the box in the 74th, with a right-footed strike just at the edge of the penalty arc, before Wilfredo Rivera converted from the penalty

spot in the 77th for Puerto Rico’s best margin of victory during the group stage.

Nicaragua vs.

Dominican Republic Nicaragua concluded its campaign with a scoreless draw against the Dominican Republic at the National Football Stadium in Managua.

They finished tops in Group B on 16 points, six points ahead of Dominican Republic.

Oscar Acevedo tested goalkeeper Miguel Lloyd in the very first minute with a strike from outside the box.

N i c a r a g u a ’s L u i s Coronel entered in the 31st due to an injury to Matias Moldskred. Coronel had a chance towards goal, but it was headed away by the defender Brian Lopez.

Riki Alba had the best chance of the first half for the Dominican Republic in the 34th but was unable to get it on frame.

Juan Pineda nearly put the visitors in front in the 51st, but the sides remined deadlocked.

Acevedo had another good look on goal in the 74th, as Nicaragua continued its pursuit of a sixth straight victory.

Dorny Romero was denied the late heroics in the 90+7, as Miguel Rodriguez made the clutch block to maintain the clean sheet.

Chanderpaul, Hodge hit fifties as West Indies “A” lead South Africa “A” by 24 runs at stumps on day two of unofficial four-day “Test” in Benoni SportsMax - Fifties from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Kavem Hodge helped the West Indies “A” build a small 24run lead over South Africa “A” at stumps yesterday’s day two of their first unofficial four-day “Test” match at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

The West Indians made 314-9 declared from 93.2 overs after starting day two 4 6 - 0 w i t h Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul on 28 and Zachary McCaskie on 17.

The pair put on a further 20 runs before McCaskie was the first man to fall for 31 in the 17th over.

Kirk McKenzie then came and went quickly for a duck bringing Kavem Hodge to the crease to partner

Chanderpaul.

The pair put on an excellent 110-run third wicket partnership before Chanderpaul fell for a top score of 78 off 150 balls in the 54th over.

Chanderpaul’s knock included 12 fours. Vicecaptain Tevin Imlach was next to go for 16 to leave the West Indies 196-4 in the 60th over.

Hodge was then joined by captain Joshua Da Silva and the pair added 17 before Hodge was the fifth man to fall, going for a well-played 73 off 151 balls including nine fours.

Da Silva (20), Kevin Sinclair (39) and Akeem Jordan (40) then all added crucial contributions as the innings eventually ended

Kavem Hodge

Tagenarine Chanderpau with the tourists leading by 27 runs. The South African bowling was led by Tshepo Moreki with 3-56 from 19 overs while Dane Piedt took 2-60 from 23.2 overs and Hardus Viljoen took 2-91

from 21 overs.

South Africa “A” were 30 off three overs at stumps.

Full scores: South Africa “A” 287-9 dec. off 78.5 overs (Keegan Petersen 59, Tony De Zorzi

55, Clyde Fortuin 53, David Bedingham 47, Jayden Seales 3-23, Akeem Jordan 3-61, Kevin Sinclair 2-64) & 3-0 off 3 overs.

West Indies “A” 314-9 dec. off 93.2 overs

(Tagenarine Chanderpaul 78, Kavem Hodge 73, Akeem Jordan 40, Kevin Sinclair 39, Zachary M c C a s k i e 3 1 , Ts h e p o Moreki 3-56, Dane Piedt 260, Hardus Viljoen 2-91).

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 23, 2023

PAGE 33

Road 2 Recovery International Volleyball Tournament…

Local Female Volleyball team prepares to defend turf

A

head of the upcoming “ R o a d 2 Recovery International” volleyball tournament, the Guyanese ladies are keen on making a statement, when the tournament tips off from November 24-26, at the National Gymnasium.

Guyana will be defending their turf from the likes of; Trinidad, French Guiana, Suriname, and Brazil gather to vie for victory and following weeks of preparation, they should easily represent the Golden Arrow Head with much success. The squad, representing Guyana with pride, boasts a lineup of skilled women and with a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, Guyana is poised to make a significant impact during the tournament.

This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes, coaches, and support staff. We look forward to competing at our

best and showcasing the spirit of sportsmanship that defines our nation.

The “Road 2 Recovery International” tournament will spike off at 4:00 PM on November 24th at the National Gymnasium promising thrilling matches, camaraderie, and an opportunity for the participating teams.

Fans are encouraged to come out in full support, both in person and virtually, as the nation rallies behind its exceptional female athletes.

The tournament is not only a showcase of athletic prowess but also a celebration of unity and friendship among nations.

G u y a n a Wo m e n ’s Volleyball team - Odile Broomes, Mercedes Matheson, Kim Chan Bagot, Irie Cadugan, Hannah Hicks, Alianna Charles, Iambie Jones, Abigail Humphrey, Kimberly Sam, Shamari Cyprus and Victoria Wong.

- Tourney tips off November 24th at National Gymnasium

Guyana’s Women Volleyball team will be keen on defending their turf come this weekend.

ICC bans trans-female players from International Women’s cricket (ESPNcricinfo) Danielle McGahey, who became the first transgender player to feature in international cricket earlier this year, will no longer be able to participate in w o m e n ’s i n t e r n a t i o n a l games following a key change to the ICC’s gender eligibility regulations.

Under the new rules, approved by the ICC board on Tuesday, any player who has transitioned from male to female and has been through any form of male puberty will not be allowed to participate in w omen’s international cricket, regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment t h e y m a y h a v e undertaken.

McGahey, a 29-year-old batter, is originally from Australia but moved to Canada in 2020 and underwent a male-to-female medical transition in 2021.

In September 2023, she appeared for Canada in the Women’s T20 Americas Qualifier, the pathway tournament to the 2024 T20 World Cup.

East Bank versus the Rest Street Football C/ship heats up - Day two continues with 8 exhilarating matches

Danielle Mcgahey, transgender women cricketer barred from future Women’s International tournament. (ESPNcricinfo) McGahey had fulfilled the gender eligibility criteria, which was in place then, for male-to-female transition to play international cricket. She has played six T20Is so far, scoring 118 runs at an average of 19.66 and a strike rate of 95.93.

The ICC finalised the new policy following a ninemonth consultation process with the sport’s stakeholders) . “It is based on the following principles (in order of priority), protection of the integrity of the women’s game, safety, fairness and inclusion,” the board stated in a release.

ICC CEO Geoff

Allardice added: “Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players.”

For now, the review, which was led by the ICC medical advisory committee chaired by Dr Peter Harcourt, relates to gender eligibility for international women’s cricket only.

“The gender eligibility at domestic level is a matter for each individual Member board, which may be impacted by local legislation,” the ICC said.

“The regulations will be reviewed within two years.”

The adrenaline-fueled action of street football returned to the Mocha Community Centre’s Tarmac on Friday, igniting the fervor of the East Bank Versus the Rest Street Football competition’s second night extravaganza.

The opening night set the pace with a whirlwind of thrilling matches. A total of 12 goals thundered into the net, showcasing the prowess of these teams. Kevin Griffith emerged as the standout, clinching a sensational hat-trick that powered Broad Street to a resounding victory. Their triumph saw them topple Team Cruel with a commanding 4-2 lead.

However, the battles weren’t one-sided.

Taliban secured a narrow but pivotal 1-0 win against Ballers Empire, while Sparta Boss engaged in a steady skirmish with Xtra Mature, ultimately emerging triumphant with a score of 3-1. Agricola delivered a powerful performance, shooting past Family football team to secure another victory on the opening day. Yet, amidst the heated clashes, the night also witnessed intense stalemates, with four goalless draws ensnaring the attention of the fans. Bent Street, Red Force, Touches, Stabroek Ballers, Lock Ah Scene, 5-O, Unruly Ent, and Back Circle found themselves locked in battles of skill and strategy.

As anticipation mounts for the upcoming matches, day two tomorrow, Friday, promises an even more electrifying spectacle. A lineup of eight matches is set to captivate the audience, starting with Unruly Ent taking on

Broad Street’s top goal-getter Kevin Griffith

Red Force at 7:30 pm. Touches and Xtra Mature are poised for a clash, followed by Family squaring off against Team Cruel at 8:30 pm. Stabroek Ballers prepare to meet Sparta Boss, while Ballers Empire faces 5-O. Gold is Money will fiercely challenge Agricola, while Bent Street and Back Circle engage in their own showdown, followed by Lock Ah Scene and Taliban locking horns.

Organised by Ballerz Entertainment, the tournament’s intensity is set to crescendo as it progresses. The action continues on December 2nd with the final preliminary round matches, paving the way for the muchanticipated quarter-finals stage on December 9th.

Stephen Duke-McKenna and Omari Glasgow are part of Coach Shabazz young core group.

“My name is Jamaal, not Jesus” - Shabazz

Golden Jaguars head coach - Jamaal Shabazz

…Golden Jaguars Head Coach calls on Government, Corporate Guyana for support S

s port

Guyana’s Boys team consisting of Ricardo Narine, Kyle Couchman, Alexander Zhang, and Nicholas Zhang shared photo after their participation at the 2023 IGG Chess championship.

Guyana wins silver in Inter Guiana Chess competition in Suriname Chanderpaul, Hodge hit fifties as West Indies “A” lead South Africa “A” by 24 runs at stumps on day two of unofficial four-day “Test” in Benoni 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.