Guyana Times - Friday, December 15, 2023

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 5584

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

Caricom/CELAC/Brazil-brokered meeting

Guyana, Venezuela agree “not to threaten or use force against one another” Page 3

WHAT'S INSIDE: 2016 pirate attack

5 men handed death sentence for “merciless slaughter” of 4 fishermen P8

Berbice man arrested after threatening to kill his children’s P10 mother

…controversies will be resolved in accordance with international law …good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, unity of Latin America and the Caribbean 6.5% pay hike for public servants

Govt taking balanced approach to salary increases to sustain them – Jagdeo Page 7

Fallen heroes Beaton,Page 11 28.9MW generators arrive, Shahoud, Welcome & Khan to be laid to rest today Govt “pressing hard” for

Education P16 Ministry invites applications for 2024 COL online courses Man to do P7 community service for theft of solar lights

GPL power woes

quick installation – VP

Page 10

Jagdeo P14 disappointed with nonadvancement on carbon markets at COP28 …says forests are not museum pieces, countries should benefit from preservation efforts

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Caricom/CELAC/Brazil-brokered meeting

Friday, December 15 – 04:0005:30h and Saturday, December 16 – 04:00-05:30h.

Guyana, Venezuela agree “not to threaten or use force against one another”

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, December 15 – 05:50h-07:20h and Saturday, December 16 – 06:30-08:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine is expected during the day, with clear to cloudy skies and thundery showers at night.

Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 06:00h and 18:11h reaching a maximum height of 2.50 metres and 2.70 metres.

Low Tide: 11:44h reaching a minimum height of 0.70 metre.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

LOTTERY NUMBERS M

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FREE TICKET THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

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06 15 LUCKY 3

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PAY DAY

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

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$77.00/barrel

+0.52

Rough Rice London Sugar

$307.98 /ton $632.30 /ton

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USD Per Ounce $2036.20 $2027.30 0.00

$2037.20 $2047.20 0.00%

…controversies will be resolved in accordance with international law …good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, unity of Latin America and the Caribbean

By Devina Samaroo in St Vincent and the Grenadines

S

taying true to his commitment to the Guyanese people, President Dr Irfaan Ali, during talks with his Venezuelan counterpart, did not waver on his position that the border controversy case shall be settled by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in keeping with the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

He succeeded in coming to several agreements with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has, in recent times, intensified threats against Guyana in the furtherance of his regime's baseless claim that the Essequibo region belongs to that Spanishspeaking nation.

After more than eight hours of engagements on Thursday at the Argyle International Airport in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Presidents Ali and Maduro have agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstance, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

In a joint declaration, the Heads of these two States also agreed that any controversy between the two States would be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.

The two countries have also committed to the pursuance of good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean.

It was also agreed that both States would refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy.

The joint declaration states: “The two States will cooperate to avoid incidents on the ground conducive to tension between them. In the event of such an incident, the two States will immediately communicate with one another, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), and the President of Brazil to contain, reverse and prevent its recurrence.”

Importantly, it was “noted” in the joint declaration that “Guyana’s assertion that it is committed to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border con-

President Dr Irfaan Ali shares a handshake with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at the meeting on Thursday

troversy noted Venezuela’s assertion of its lack of consent and lack of recognition of the International Court of Justice and its jurisdiction in the border controversy.”

Further it was also agreed that the States will continue dialogue on any other pending matters of mutual importance to the two countries, and will immediately establish a joint commission of the Foreign Ministers and technical persons from the two States to address matters as mutually agreed.

This joint commission will submit an update to the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela within three months.

Additionally, both States have agreed to meet again in Brazil within the next three months, or at another agreed time, “to consider any matter with implications for the territory in dispute, including the above-mentioned update of the joint commission.”

The announcement of the historic "Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela" was made to a crammed room of journalists from around the world, including a Guyanese delegation comprising State and private media, who had been in the host country since Wednesday, covering the latest developments in this matter.

Stakeholders of this historic event included Chair of CARICOM, Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica; Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley; Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley; Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Michell; Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre; Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Davis; Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Terrence Drew; Special Adviser and Personal Envoy of H.E. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Celso

Amorim, among other high ranking officials.

Attending as observers on behalf of Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, were Chef de Cabinet of the Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Earle Courtenay Rattray, and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Miroslav Jenca. In addition, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, Alvaro Leyva Durán, and Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Honduras, Gerardo Torres Zelaya, in his capacity as CELAC Troika, also participated.

Zone of peace

There were several rounds of meetings, the first being a dialogue between Guyana's delegation and representatives of the Caribbean Community (Caricom). During that discussion, President Ali said he made a presentation reiterating the Government’s fundamental position in accepting the invitation to participate in the engagement, i.e. that the border controversy with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is not up for discussion, negotiation, or deliberation.

“The priority is peace, and that every threat of force or the use of force must be denounced, and that every party must take responsibility,” President Ali told a brief news conference before the face-to-face meeting with the Venezuelan president.

TURN TO PAGE 5

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

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Not merely an optimistic hope

G

uyana becoming a developed country is not merely an optimistic hope, but a doable and achievable reality, because Government’s facilitation of investments can propel this nation into First World status.

Before the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration assumed the primary executive office in the land in October of 1992, Guyana was rated on international developmental indices as being on par with Haiti. Graphed during the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration as the least developed nation in the world, with a crippling debt burden, Guyana’s development under the astute leadership provided by successive PPP/C Presidents has been rapid.

After a relatively short time span of approximately two decades, Guyana has been recognised by the world as a middle-income developing country, and described by the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines as “The only shining star in the Caribbean”.

The popular prognosis heralded great things for this nation, because the focus of the PPP/C Administrations – then and now – is to make Guyana a modern and developed country; and Guyana had indeed been inexorably moving from a middle-income developing country to becoming, in the not-too-distant future, a developed country.

However, for the country to achieve such a status, it has to be a joint effort by all stakeholders working in conjunction and cooperation with Government. There have been, in the past, multiple successful partnerships between the Government, Private Sector and other stakeholders working together to create of Guyana a modern society.

The transformation of the national socio-economic landscape has not been easy, because there are elements of negativity who are intent on stymieing every developmental initiative.

Regrettably, this progressive developmental paradigm took a relentless and rapid retrogression – in every sector – with the advent of another PNC-led Government in 2015.

Post-2015 elections, a relentless reversal of Guyana’s developmental trajectory under the coalition Government administration brought this country to an almost bankrupt state, with a debt burden of billions of dollars.

One of the worst disincentives to private investment in Guyana is the high energy costs, which send overheads skyrocketing, especially in the manufacturing sector; and the PPP/C Government had attempted to address this problem through hydropower, but had reached the usual developmental roadblocks from the PNC-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition, which used every armament in their arsenal to shoot down the hydropower project.

It is a proven fact that not having cheap energy is one of the most prohibitive factors that have impeded Guyana’s manufacturing sector from surging.

However, despite the setback with the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, President Irfaan Ali has said that he is determined that the pursuit of alternative energy will be prioritised, so that Government can provide cheap energy for the development of a strong industrial manufacturing sector and a strong processing sector. With a progressing agricultural sector that can easily develop an agro-industrial complex, Guyana is once again climbing global developmental graphs.

During the last Budget debates, various Government Members of Parliament (MPs) outlined future transformative plans geared to making the dream of taking Guyana from a middle-income developing country to a developed country, and one could only hope that the joint Opposition would allow good sense and patriotism to prevail over self-centred agendas, to work along on these visionary plans and projects that would benefit all Guyanese and create of this country, not only “the only shining star of the Caribbean”, but the shining star of the world.

The Joint Declaration of Argyle for dialogue and peace between Guyana and Venezuela

O

n Thursday, December 14, 2023, in Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and His Excellency Nicolas Maduro, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela held discussions on matters consequential to the territory in dispute between their two countries.

These discussions were facilitated by the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Pro-Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Dr. The Honourable Ralph E. Gonsalves, and the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit. Prime Ministers Gonsalves and Skerrit, together with H.E. Mr. Celso Amorim, Special Adviser and Personal Envoy of H.E. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, acted as principal Interlocutors.

Also present were Honourable Prime Ministers of the Caribbean Community, namely: the Honourable Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas; the

Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; the Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; the Honourable Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia; Honourable Terrence Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Attending as Observers on behalf of His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations were Their Excellencies Earle Courtenay Rattray, Chef de Cabinet of the Office of the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, and Miroslav Jenca, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.

In addition, His Excellency Alvaro Leyva Durán, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia and Mr. Gerardo Torres Zelaya, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Honduras, in his capacity as CELAC Troika, also participated.

All parties attending the meeting at Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines reiterated their commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean remaining a Zone of Peace.

Guyana and Venezuela declared as follows: 1. Agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

2. Agreed that any controversies between the two States will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.

3. Committed to the pursuance of good neighborliness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean.

4. Noted Guyana’s assertion that it is committed to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border controversy. Noted Venezuela’s assertion of its lack of consent and lack of recognition of the International Court of Justice and its jurisdiction in the border controversy.

5. Agreed to continue dialogue on any other pending matters of mutual importance to the two countries.

6. Agreed that both States will refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them. The two States will cooperate to avoid incidents on the ground conducive to tension between them. In the event of such an incident the two States will immediately communicate with one another, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), and the President of Brazil to contain, reverse and prevent its recurrence.

7. Agreed to establish immediately a joint commission of the Foreign Ministers and technical persons from the two States to address matters

as mutually agreed. An update from this joint commission will be submitted to the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela within three months.

8. Both States agreed that Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves, the Pro-Tempore President of CELAC, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the incumbent CARICOM Chairman, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil will remain seized of the matter as Interlocutors and the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres as Observer, with the ongoing concurrence of Presidents Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro. For the avoidance of doubt, Prime Minister Gonsalves' role will continue even after Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ceases to be the Pro-Tempore President of CELAC, within the framework of the CELAC Troika plus one; and Prime Minister Skerrit’s role will continue as a member of the CARICOM Bureau.

9. Both States agreed to meet again in Brazil, within the next three months, or at another agreed time, to consider any matter with implications for the territory in dispute, including the above-mentioned update of the joint commission.

10. We express our appreciation to Prime Ministers Gonsalves and Skerrit, to President Lula and his Personal Envoy Celso Amorim, to all other CARICOM Prime Ministers present, to the officials of the CARICOM Secretariat, to the CELAC Troika and to the Head of the CELAC PTP Secretariat in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Dr. Douglas Slater, for their respective roles in making this meeting a success.

11. We express our appreciation to the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for their kind facilitation and hospitality at this meeting.

Dated this 14th day of December, 2023.

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

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News

Guyana, Venezuela agree “not to threaten or use force...

“We made it very clear that Guyana is not the aggressor, Guyana is not seeking war, but Guyana deserves the right to work with all of our partners to ensure the defence of our country,” he added.

Even before agreeing on the joint declaration, both parties on Thursday committed to ensuring the region remains a zone of peace.

Rounds of meeting

The second phase was a similar meeting between Caricom and the Venezuelan team, which included Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.

The third phase was the first round of face-to-face talks between Presidents Ali and Maduro, wherein the two leaders shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

During these initial talks, each side had an opportunity to present its respective positions, wherein they both agreed that the region must remain a zone of peace.

President Ali, in updating a news conference after that third phase of engagements had concluded, revealed some of the positions he reaffirmed during his discourse with Maduro. Among these are that Guyana has all right to exercise its sovereignty within its territorial space; to approve of and facilitate any development, any investment, partnership, training, collaboration, and cooperation; the issuing of any licence, and the granting of any concession within its territorial and sovereign space.

After updating the press, President Ali returned to the discussion table, where the talks continued for several hours. It was not until almost 20:30hrs that PM Gonsalves, et al emerged to address the room full of journalists, where the declaration was read in English and Spanish. No questions were allowed to be asked.

Presidents Ali and Maduro were not present during that closing press conference.

President Ali, however, in a social media post, has since thanked Guyana’s technical team, inclusive of all state actors, lawyers, expert national, regional and international diplomats

Journalists from around the region and world at the press conference on Thursday evening

who supported Guyana with their expertise on Thursday’s endeavour.

“I also extend my gratitude to the leaders of CARICOM, CELAC, Brazil, Representatives of the UN Secretary General, the Prime Minister and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines for hosting us,” Ali posted on his social media page.

President Ali is accompanied by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Foreign Minister Hugh Todd, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, among other senior officials.

tains that the border with Guyana, a former colony of The Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK), was fraudulently imposed by the British, which it has denounced as a “land grabber”. Guyana, on the other hand, maintains that the line was determined on October 3, 1899 by an arbitration panel (Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899).

The Anglo-Venezuelan Arbitral Tribunal met in Paris, France, and on October 3, 1899 — 122 years ago — gave its award defining the border between Venezuela and then-British

Guiana.

After abiding by the 1899 Arbitral Award for over half a century, Venezuela in 1962 claimed that the Essequibo area of Guyana belonged inside its borders. The debate heated up after ExxonMobil found oil in Guyana in 2015, and has intensified in recent months, with Venezuela holding a referendum on December 3 in which it was voted to purportedly annex the Essequibo; however, the country’s Opposition has since reported that 89 per cent of eligible voters did not vote.

Nevertheless, following the referendum, Maduro claimed that, among other things, he would now authorise oil exploration in Guyana’s Essequibo River.

Maduro also claimed that he has announced the activation of a human and social care plan for the population of Guyana’s Essequibo that includes censuses and identity cards.

He also claimed to have announced the creation of the “High Commission for the Defense for Guyana’s Essequibo region”; and the creation of the Comprehensive Defense Zone for Guyana’s territory.

The Venezuelan President also announced that in addition to oil, he would be issuing licences for mining and other activities to be conducted in Guyana’s Essequibo county.

The Maduro regime has been untruthfully claiming that Venezuela demonstrated that the award issued in 1899 by the Paris Arbitration Court was “null and void”, and that the controversy under the Geneva Agreement must be amicably resolved in a manner that is acceptable to both parties, while ignoring that such discussions had failed for over 30 years, and that the Geneva Agreement provided for the Secretary General of the United Nations to choose another path for the settlement of the controversy, if not settled by discussion between the two countries.

FROM PAGE 3

Maduro also ignores the fact that the Secretary General, in accordance with the Agreement, on January 30, 2018 had advised both Venezuela and Guyana that “having carefully analysed the developments in the good offices process during the course of 2017” and “significant progress not having been made toward arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy”, he had “chosen the International Court of Justice as the means now to be used for its solution”.

Within the framework of the 1966 Geneva Agreement between the two countries, the Secretary General conducted Good Offices processes from 1990 to 2017 to find a solution to the border controversy. On January 30, 2018, Secretary General António Guterres, following a careful analysis of developments in 2017, chose the ICJ as the means to be used for the solution of the controversy.

As a consequence, Guyana, on March 29, 2018, filed its application to the World Court.

In the substantive case, Guyana seeks, among other things, to obtain from the ICJ a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then-British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding; and a declaration that Essequibo belongs to Guyana.

Maturity, wisdom & patience

Earlier, before the arrival of the two South American Presidents, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, urged both leaders to exercise maturity, wisdom, patience and calm during their engagements.

These talks were brokered by St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves in his role as President Pro Tempore of CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), CARICOM and Brazil.

Heading into the talks, President Ali had made it clear that the matter of the border controversy is not up for discussion, as it is being adjudicated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Venezuela main-

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:05 13:35 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 23:00 23:30 00:00

(Sign on) Inspiration Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stop Suffering Guy's Grocery Games Grand Designs Paternity Court Divorce Court News Break Movie - A World Record Christmas (2023) Wheel of Fortune The Santa Clauses S2 E3 The Tom and Jerry Show S3 E11 Indian Soaps Anthony Persaud – Season Greetings Sydney to the Max S2 E18 Austin & Ally S4 E1 The Young & The Restless CNN The Evening News Stop Suffering Stand-up Comedy Friday Night Smackdown Ballers S3 E9 Kim's Convenience S5 E7 Sign off

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

MATH QUESTIONS

By Valerie Rodway

With humble hearts and heads bowed down In thanks for each new day of toil We kneel before Thine altar, Lord The children of Guyana’s soil.

Great is the task that Thou hast given: Thy will to show, Thy truth to find: To teach ourselves that we are one In thy great Universal mind.

You’ll need:

Wire Cutters 28” Christmas Wreath 12” Lantern Battery Operated Candle with Timer 2 bunches Poinsettia Flowers Mirror Paper Double-sided Tape Black Wire

Instructions

Cut a piece of mirror paper 3.75” x 6.5”. Apply a few pieces of double-sided tape to the back and affix it inside the back of the lantern.

Pop in a battery-operated candle.

Remove any unwanted flowers, bows, or other embellishments.

Find the hanging ring on your wreath. This is the top centre. Shove your lantern into the wreath, seating the bottom on the inside edge of the wreath.

Cut 14” of strong black wire. Run the wire through the ring. Now push it in through the front of the wreath and out through the back. Run the wire through the hanging ring. Tightly twist the wire to close up. Repeat 2 more times. Trim the excess wire and push the ends into the wreath to prevent any scratches or cuts when handling.

Take small to medium-sized poinsettia artificial flowers and cut the

But not in vain we’ll strive to build A new Guyana great and free; A land of glory and of hope, A land of love and unity.

O children of Guyana, rise, Rise up and sing with happy tears: stems to about 6”. Shove the stems through the wreath so that they come out the back. Bend the stem over to lock the flower in place with no need for adhesives. (dreamalittlebigger.com)

And bless the land that gave you birth, And vow to serve her through the years.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

6.5% pay hike for public servants…

Govt taking balanced approach to salary increases to sustain them – Jagdeo I

n light of criticisms that the recent 6.5 per cent salary increase for Public Servants is paltry, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has argued that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has carefully thought out its approach towards recurring expenses, in order to sustain them in the future.

Last week, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh announced an across-theboard 6.5 per cent pay rise for all Public Servants.

Retroactive to January 2023, this increase will benefit over 54,000 Public Servants, teachers, members of the Disciplined Services, holders of constitutional offices, and Government pensioners; and place an additional $7.5 billion in disposal income annually in the hands of these employees.

Government also announced a one-month taxfree bonus for the morethan 12,000 members of the Disciplined Services, placing another $1.5 billion in disposable income in their hands.

However, commentaries from various quarters, including from the Opposition, have criticized this year’s pay hike, which is less than the eight per cent paid out in 2022 and the seven per cent paid out in 2021.

During a press conference on Thursday, Vice President Jagdeo pointed out that Government is focused on sustainably running the country, and will not spend excessively without thinking about the future. He noted that any salary increase that is not grounded in an analysis of the country’s economy, the state of its finances, and does not take account of the future revenue stream will be conjecture, and will not be sustainable.

“(Salary increases are) carefully thought out. We want to make sure that we can sustain it in the long run. We want our people to continue to benefit…

We can’t just spend everything on recurrent expenditure (like salary increases) and can’t sustain it. It is a balanced approach, and that’s how we approach these matters. And it’s the only way you can sustainably run a country; not by (wanton spending) with no thought behind it. And every expenditure we make has a clear thought behind it,” he contended.

According to the Vice President, people are focusing on the fact that Guyana is now an oil-producing nation, and how much money it is earning from that sector; but they fail to recognise all the other initiatives that Government is undertaking, such as increasing the grants to school children by some $10.5 billion this year alone, and another $14.5 billion for increases to old age pensions.

These, he outlined, are annualised and recurrent expenses, like salary increases, that need to be sustained in the future as well.

The Vice President highlighted the certainties regarding the future of fossil fuel, noting that if global demand plummets to a point where it is not sustainable to continue production, then it will be difficult for Guyana to sustain these recurring expenses, as has been happening in neighbouring countries in the region.

“That’s why I’m saying you have to plan for the future too… Anybody who tells you otherwise will doom this country… People don’t look at all of these things,” he said.

“When you increase salaries, it’s recurrent. You have to pay for this year, last year, the year before

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

increases etc, because that’s part of your salary. So, they only look at 6.5 per cent of $200 billion (earned from oil and gas) but what about last year’s increases. When you look at the growth of the wage bill, it’s (more than) $20 billion over the past couple of years,” the Vice President posited.

In addition to these recurring expenses, Jagdeo noted that Government is making massive investments on developmental projects and initiatives in the country that would not only benefit Public Servants, but all Guyanese in other sectors.

“When you run a country, you have to take care of your Public Servants, they’re your people to help you administer the country; but you have a duty to all the people of the country too, who are not Public Servants; who work; who contribute to national wealth; who pay taxes. They also have to benefit from the treasury… You can’t get them to benefit by paying higher wages, because they are not working with [in the Public Sector],” he explained.

Since taking office in August 2020, public employees have received sala-

ry increases from the PPP Government of seven per cent in 2021, eight per cent

in 2022, and now 6.5 per cent in 2023, for a total of 21.5 per cent over the last three years.

Additionally, the Government raised the income tax threshold from $65,000 to $75,000 in 2022, and then to $85,000 in 2023. It also reinstated the one-month tax-free bonus that was given to members of the Disciplined Services at the end of the year.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has only last month announced salary increases, incentives and allowances for teachers, a $25,000 onetime bonus for all public employees and pensioners, and a one-off $35,000 cash bonus for persons with disabilities (PWDs), all to be paid in December.

Approximately 67,000 public employees will gain from this one-time bonus, including teachers, employees of semi-autonomous agencies, and members of the Disciplined Services. A total of 19,000 PWDs stand to benefit, and a total of 72,000 pensioners will benefit.

“These one-off bonus payments will benefit almost 160,000 persons, and increase their disposable income by over $4.1 billion,” the Head of State had said.

These cash bonuses were introduced to help offset the rising cost of living, and the $5 billion cost-ofliving fund included in the 2023 National Budget is what is being used to pay for them. (G8)

Man to do community service for theft of solar lights

R

ackesh Arjune appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday, and pleaded guilty to a charge of simple larceny.

The charge detailed that, on November 23, he stole two solar lights worth $18,000, the property of Merundoi Incorporated of Lot 109 "E" Barrack Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

According to the Police prosecutor, when a Merundoi worker arrived at work that day, the two solar lights were discovered missing. Accordingly, the staff member reviewed the CCTV footage and noticed Arjune removing the lights. Following Police investigation, Arjune was arrested and charged.

Since Arjune had never previously broken the law, the Chief Magistrate ordered him to complete community service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from December 15, 2023 to February 21, 2024.

Rackesh Arjune

The required community service must be completed between 09:00h and noon; and disregard of the court's directive would result in Arjune spending three weeks in jail.

(G1)

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2016 piracy attack…

5 men handed death sentence for “merciless slaughter” of 4 fishermen

That meeting…

W Justice Sandil Kissoon

The four fishermen who were murdered during the piracy attack

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ustice Sandil Kissoon, presiding in the Berbice High Court on Thursday, has sentenced to death all five perpetrators of a piracy attack that occurred in the Atlantic Ocean off the Corentyne Coast on May 27/28 in 2016, and left four fishermen dead.

Describing the collective actions of the convicts as a "merciless slaughter", he has sentenced these pirates to suffer death in a manner prescribed by the law.

The convicted men: Leon Sammy, Ganesh Naidoo, Ramesh Singh, Ramchand Latchman, and Stephon Leacock, admitted to killing 43-year-old Dhanpaul Ramphal, also known as "Sunil"; 26-yearold Munish Churman, also known as "Boyo"; 61-year-old Dochan Sukra, also known as "Butcher"; and 45-yearold Hemchand Sookdeo, nicknamed "Dread," a father of four, when they entered a guilty plea to four counts of murder last month.

Latchman was the master-

mind behind the attack.

In his sentencing remarks, Justice Kissoon described the deaths of the fishermen as a "horrific crime, and an atrocity of utter and complete savagery". He said that on May 27 and 28, 2016, the five defendants had gone

on a murderous rampage of piracy, hijacking and robbery; and he made it clear that the sentence to be imposed on the criminals cannot be lessened by their youthful age, past clean criminal records, or their prospects of rehabilitation, despite their

The five convicted killers at their court appearance on Thursday

attorneys pleading with him to temper justice with mercy.

Also alluding to the serious nature of the offence and the prevalence of piracy, especially in the East BerbiceCorentyne region, Justice Kissoon ruled that each of the five murderers must be executed in accordance with the penalty outlined in Section 7 of the Hijacking and Piracy Act. This Act states: “Any person who murders a person on board a vessel that is under attack while committing an offence of armed robbery, piracy or hijacking is liable on conviction on indictment to suffer death.”

Addressing the group of confessed murderers seated in the prisoner’s dock, Justice Kissoon declared: "Each of you is hereby sentenced to suffer death in a manner prescribed by law on each count in the indictment."

Seepersaud Persaud was the captain of Rosana 664, the fishing vessel that came under attack off the Corentyne Coast by men armed with cutlasses and pieces of wood on May 27, 2016. Persaud had been hurled overboard in the attack, but he made it through the ordeal alive after he was rescued by a passing fishing vessel.

Hours after the attack, Sookdeo’s body was discovered entangled in seines with a chop wound to the back of his skull. However, the three other crew members: Churman, Sukra and Ramphal, are still unaccounted for, and are thought to have perished, having been tied to an anchor and tossed overboard.

The pirates had taken their victims’ fuel, a horsepower engine and other equipment, and their daily catch.

The day after that attack, May 28, 2016, Police visited the #65 Village foreshore on the Corentyne in response to information they had received, and they observed a boat that matched the description of the vessel used during the attack. On board, the Police found the five confessed killers.

In October, Ramchand Latchman and another man were each sentenced to life imprisonment, with the possibility of being paroled after 30 years, for the murder of their fellow prison inmate.

Justice Kissoon imposed the punishment on these two following guilty verdicts from the jury. (G1)

…in St Vincent

hen Columbus baptised the island of Hairouna as “St Vincent” back in the day, maybe he knew why the patron saint of Portuguese wine-makers would be appropriate for the tourists who flock to its beaches today. The vino helps to drive away worries and cares, no?? Now, the island’s PM, Ralph Gonzalves, comes off as a fella who takes his wine seriously – maybe because he’s of Portuguese ancestry?? But your Eyewitness doesn’t think much - if any – vino flowed during yesterday’s meeting between Pres Ali and Mad Maduro.

After all, the meeting was about the war Mad Maduro has unleashed on our country, and while your Eyewitness has been stressing the need for communication even during wartime, that communication shouldn’t be distorted by spirits!! Lives hang on the words that’ll flow!! You, dear reader, will know much more about what actually went down in St Vincent than yours truly right now: the meeting hasn’t even begun as he pecks away on this piece.

Your Eyewitness had noted that after Brazil’s Lula had dropped out and sent an emissary in his place, Mia Mottley had stepped up to the crease. Now she’ll be joined by a couple of UN Reps, and other Caricom Leaders, like Keith Rowley etc. But your Eyewitness wonders why a rep from Britain also didn’t show up. Weren’t they made a permanent part of the “stakeholders” as per the Geneva Agreement – which both Guyana and Venezuela agree applies to the controversy?? Or are they afraid they might raise Mad Maduro’s ire because of his “imperialist” rants??

The irony, of course, is that Mad Maduro’s now seeking to degut the independence Britain gave us, and impose a new imperialism!!

But your Eyewitness – who’s been scouring the newsfeeds to get an inkling of what’s going on -- was told that Mad Maduro’s security detail’s plane had “ESSEQUIBO” emblazoned across its fuselage. Now, if that ain’t provocation, what is? He was also pretty disturbed by a report by the St Vincent Times after the two presidents landed: “On Maduro’s arrival, Gonsalves engaged in a conversation with him, and allowed the Venezuelan President to have a brief news conference on the tarmac for a duration of over 4 minutes.

“Upon Ali’s arrival, he was not shown the same courtesy, as Gonsalves swiftly escorted him to the conference room.” All of these aren’t good portents for any breakthrough from Mad Maduro’s bellicosity!

Your Eyewitness also noticed that Mad Maduro walked along with his fireball VP, Delcy Rodrigues – the same one who pretty much gave the World Court the finger when she told them she doesn’t recognize the jurisdiction THEY agreed they had over the controversy!!

Shouldn’t Ali have walked with his VP Jagdeo, who also isn’t shy with gestures? …in Dubai What with the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza by Israelis; - it ain’t war when one side has such an advantage!

– the ongoing war in Ukraine; and Mad Maduro’s defiance of the entire rule-based world order to unilaterally annex our Essequibo, your Eyewitness should be forgiven for not following with COP28 in Dubai - as he ought’ve been doing. After all – and your Eyewitness accepts the science – if we don’t do something about global warming during the hottest year on record, when will we??

Well, looks like there has been progress with a unanimous agreement: for the first time ever, over 200 countries agreed on the need to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems” - and this be done "in a just, orderly and equitable manner”. While some see this as the rich countries being willing to move away from coal, oil and gas quicker, your Eyewitness remains a sceptic!

No country is compelled to take action, and no timescale is specified!! So, what’s left?? Good faith?? Ha!! …end game While Mad Maduro’s single minded about taking over Essequibo – with Putin and Russia arming him to the teeth with billions in advanced weapons – Caricom keeps talking about a “zone of peace”!! This is Mad Maduro’s language to keep the US out!!

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPL power woes

28.9MW generators arrive, Govt “pressing hard” for quick installation – VP significant boost to the overall power supply on the coast.

The generators being offloaded on Wednesday evening at the wharf

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ower disruptions woes are expected to be reduced, as the Guyana Power and Light’s highly anticipated generators have arrived in the country on Wednesday evening.

Indications are that, within the coming days, the units will be installed with emphasis on urgency. The new generators are expected to contribute a significant 28.9 megawatts to the national grid.

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, has informed that the new sets were transported by the MV Skystar, which moored at the Muneshwers Wharf. The 76 containers with engines, totalling 28.9MW, along with radiators, fuel and lube oil separa-

tors, have been offloaded. The generators were to be transported immediately to the substation at Columbia, where they will be connected to the grid over the coming days.

“This follows the PPP/C Government’s investment of US$27M to boost the generation capacity of GPL,” Indar has indicated.

To address the increasing demand for power, Government has made a substantial investment of US$27 million in procuring the generator sets from Apan Energy Service. These sets are expected to contribute an additional 28.9 megawatts to the grid. Once fully operational, the reliable power output is projected to reach around 203 megawatts, providing a

Investments Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said Government is ‘pressing hard’ to have the generators installed as soon as possible. While this will provide relief in the interim, he hinted that the administration might have to inject more resources as demand grows, until the gas-to-energy project is realized.

“We made a significant investment because we wanted to ensure that there is more power in the country, and we may have to invest even more before the gas-to-energy project comes on stream, but that will solve all of this definitively,” the VP told media operatives at his weekly press conference.

The demand for power has been growing exponentially as new developments unfold, and this will definitely continue in the new year, when the Guyana Power and Light projects that demand will be at 236 megawatts.

When Government entered office in 2020, the demand was 120 megawatts. This grew to 136 megawatts in 2021, then 156 megawatts by 2022, and then peaked to 184 megawatts in 2023. This year’s peak was recorded when all industrial customers were on the grid.

Power usage peaked this year after many self-generating consumers migrated to the public grid in a bid to capitalise on the lower power costs – an advantage of Government subsidies to keep the cost of living stable.

Currently, there are 557 consumers who are capable of self-generating, otherwise classified as ‘Class D’. These would consume about 30 percent of total power generated for the entire grid. They have since been removed from the grid at peak hours in order to cater to the needs of common households.

In taking them off the grid, Minister Indar relayed, it has helped to reduce blackouts.

GPL has about 224,000

customers in total, with a current demand of 172 megawatts.

With a capacity of about 167 megawatts, thousands of customers still face disruptions.

It has been reported that with rapid expansion of the housing programme, new infrastructural projects and the overall expansion of the economy, a higher output of electricity remains critical. These interim arrangements are being made by Government until the 300-megawatt gas-to-energy plant comes on stream in 2025. When that project comes on stream, Guyana could save between US$150 million and US$200 million in foreign currency that would have otherwise covered the country’s fuel

import bill.

The scope of Guyana’s gas-to-energy project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.

It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara. (G12)

Berbice man arrested after threatening to kill his children’s mother

The gun found at the home of Lewis Cort

Arrested: Lewis Cort

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wift response by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Wednesday has led to the arrest of 34-year-old Lewis Cort, who had threatened to kill the mother of his children.

Cort, a driver of Line Path, Skeldon, Corriverton in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), had sent the woman a photograph of a gun and had made threats on her life. As a result, Police ranks in Berbice acted on information received and went to the Region Six Regional Office, where they contacted Cort and invited him to the Central Police Station.

Reports are that Cort was

interviewed by a sergeant about the firearm in the photograph, and Cort said he had the firearm at home, and that a friend had given it to him before going to Suriname.

As a result, Police ranks went to Cort’s home, where they found a handgun along with five .32 rounds of ammunition. Cort remains in custody, and is assisting with the investigation. (G12)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fallen heroes Beaton, Shahoud, Welcome & Khan to be laid to rest today

Lieutenant Colonel Retired Brigadier Colonel Michael Shahoud, Sean Welcome Gary Beaton Commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion

Sergeant Jason Khan

he remaining four Guyana Defence Force (GDF) servicemen who perished in the horrific helicopter crash last week will be laid to rest today.

The proceedings for Brigadier Gary Beaton will commence at the Promenade Gardens at 12:00h, and last until 13:45h, before the cortege leaves for the Le Repentir Cemetery at 14:00h.

Colonel Michael Shahoud will be laid to rest after a private service at the

Top, Cuyuni River on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of Brigadier (ret) Gary Beaton, Lieutenant

T

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Brickdam at 07:00h. The cortege will then depart for the Memorial Gardens Crematorium and Funeral Home for last rites.

For Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, a service at the Promenade Gardens from 09:00h to 11:00 will be followed by final goodbyes at the Le Repentir Cemetery at 12:00h.

And proceedings for Warrant Officer Class Two Jason Khan will commence at 13:00h at the Burnham

Court, at 14:00h at the Promenade Gardens, and at 16:00h at the Memorial Gardens Crematorium and Funeral Home.

The funeral service for the late Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles was held on Wednesday. It saw an outpouring of tributes from Government officials, fellow servicemen, family members and friends.

The GDF Bell 412 helicopter crashed about nine miles southeast of “Blake Slater’s” airstrip, Ekereku

Colonel Michael Shahoud, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, and Sergeant Jason Khan.

At about 11:20h on December 6, an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal was received, but because of rough terrain and adverse weather, the search and rescue team was only able to reach the site on Thursday at about 14:30h.

Only two soldiers survived the crash – Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford – and they were both treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

In the presence of President Irfaan Ali and other senior officials at the Eugene F Correia International Airport on Friday, the caskets containing the bodies of the servicemen were taken from a GDF Skyvan by their comrades and transported to awaiting hearses.

Brigadier Beaton was the project engineer; Colonel Shahoud, an attorney-at-law, was Commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion;

Lt Col Charles was the pilot; Lieutenant Colonel Welcome was Commanding Officer of the Reserve Battalion; and Staff Sergeant Khan was from the 31 Special Forces Squadron.

In honour of the five ranks who died in the helicopter crash, the newly completed Eccles to Diamond four-lane road on the East Bank of Demerara has been named the Heroes Highway.

At the Diamond roundabout is a giant anteater which, according to President Ali, represents strength, resilience and courage – qualities that were imbued in all the victims of the crash.

“This highway is dedicated to the life, work, memories of our five great servicemen. We honour them with this highway… This highway was appropriately named the Heroes Highway.

For all the men and women we lose in the line of duty henceforth, their names will accompany the path of this highway. We will not forget them,” the Head of State shared during the commissioning. (G12)

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Scenes from Caricom/CELA

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 202

between President Dr Irfaan Ali and V

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AC/Brazil-brokered meeting

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Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jagdeo disappointed with nonBIT aims to meet advancement on carbon markets at COP28 …says forests are not museum piece, countries should benefit from preservation efforts

Co-chairs of negotiations on carbon trading rules at the recently concluded COP28 in Dubai (Photo: Flickr/Cop28/Kiara Worth)

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ice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed disappointment over the failure of talks on advancing carbon trading mechanisms at the recently concluded COP28 in Dubai.

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement sets out the principles for carbon markets.

Article 6.2 caters for bilateral or multilateral emissions trading agreements between countries, while Article 6.4 outlines the creation of a global carbon market overseen by a United Nations (UN) entity.

It was expected that countries would further develop rules to govern these markets at COP28.

Following days of intense discussions, however, countries failed to agree on the key principles to trade carbon offsets bilaterally. The marathon negotiations collapsed after two opposing sides, one pushing for carbon markets to be available as soon as possible with virtually no restrictions, and the other pushing for integrity and transparency to be upheld, failed to come to a consensus. This failure to advance Article 6 now leaves discussions to resume at the next UN climate summit.

Vice President Jagdeo underscored that while Guyana will not be affected, this delay will have major setbacks for forested countries that were hoping to

broker new deals under the much-anticipated global UNsanctioned market.

“We’re disappointed that Article 6, which dealt with carbon markets, did not make any advancement…

We thought that advancing the carbon markets will create greater incentives for countries that are forested, to ensure that they can raise money through the market mechanism to outcompete alternate use, and therefore preserve their forest without taking away their forest as a development tool in the arsenal of these countries, because people live in the forest, they earn from the forest. The forests are not museum pieces for anybody in the northern part of our world, and we had a setback on that,” the VP contended.

Jagdeo, who during his presidency was labelled as one of the “Heroes of the Environment” in 2008, and given the “Champion of the Earth” award in 2010, was crucial in crafting Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), and was the driving force behind the country’s historic carbon credits deal with Norway.

In 2009, Guyana signed a historic forest protection accord with Norway which saw the heavily forested South American nation receiving payments for sustaining its rainforests to absorb global carbon emissions. Guyana

earned some US$220 million from this five-year deal.

According to Jagdeo, Guyana has been pushing for a market-based mechanism to aid forested countries since 2007. However, he noted that the Global North was unprepared to put up the money at the time, hence Guyana embarked on its own path through its LCDS to sell its forest carbon to Norway.

That agreement came to an end in 2015 with failure by the previous Coalition Government to have it renewed.

Nevertheless, when the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration returned to office in 2020, it expanded the LCDS and sought certification of some 33.7 million carbon credits from the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) on December 1, 2022.

The Guyana Government subsequently signed a historic multi-year agreement for the sale of its certified carbon credits to United States energy major Hess Corporation to the tune of US$750 million.

The 33.7 million credits being sold to Hess Corp is just 30 per cent of the carbon sink contained in Guyana’s vast forest cover. The country’s more than 18 million hectares of forests are estimated to store approximately 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The remaining 70 per cent of Guyana’s carbon credit will be put on the market for future sale agreements.

According to VP Jagdeo, Guyana lucked out with this Hess deal, and will not be majorly affected by the COP28 delays, but the same cannot be said for other forested countries that were banking on the successful outcome of those discussions.

“Because of the non-movement in Article 6, those countries -- unfortunately, a lot of very good countries that have good policies in Africa surrounding the forests, who have preserved their forests -- they will not get that financing at magnitude like we got; because we struck out on our own, but they are working within the framework of the UN system, and unfortunately, [the failed talks] would delay these countries getting the resources which they should get because they perform a service [with]

their forest to the global community.

“And so, we’re very, very disappointed that this would not happen, not so much from our perspective, because we’ll continue doing our work in the voluntary markets. That’s what we’ve done, but right now you have no compliance market… But I’m very sad because you have some really great practices in a lot of countries, particularly in Africa… and they deserve to get the payments now, but they will not get it because of what happened there [at COP28],” Jagdeo stressed.

There are two categories of carbon offset markets in which carbon credits are traded: the voluntary carbon market, and the compliance carbon market. In the voluntary carbon offset market, organisations or countries in Guyana’s case create carbon credits by lowering their own greenhouse gas emissions and sell to other organisations or countries that have high emission levels.

With the compliance market, however, there are certain caps on emission levels set by governments and other regulators as a means of achieving carbon reduction targets. This market is also known as the cap-andtrade, and similarly allows organisations that emit less to sell to high emitters; but this is driven by legal mandate.

labour force needs in 2024 I

n an effort to improve the skill set of persons, to enable them to participate in Guyana’s rapid transformation, and to simultaneously meet the demand for skilled workers on the labour market, Government will be expanding the work programme of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) for 2024.

According to subject Minister Joseph Hamilton, the Labour Ministry is currently formulating a plan to add an innovative component to the training being administered by BIT aside from the courses currently being offered, which include electrical installation, solar photovoltaic, building construction, heavy duty operation, welding and fabrication, motor vehicle servicing and repairs, and Joinery, among others.

This aspect of BIT’s 2024 work plan would equip participants with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), mechanical and technical skills needed to build machinery and repair spare parts for various equipment.

Minister Hamilton has said the goal is to create job opportunities for Guyanese in the service delivery sector, while ensuring more locals gain employable skills

in 2024.

“Our submission for budgetary allocation takes into consideration increase and improvement of facility, or people to be trained, expanding further into areas that we might not have touched in a holistic way; and, of course, continue and develop collaboration with other partners,” the Minister said, adding that the build-out of new training facilities across the country would complement the initiative.

The new facilities include those in New Amsterdam and Corriverton in Region Six; Bartica in Region Seven; and Lethem and North Rupununi in Region Nine.

Structures in these areas, along with the facility at Unity, Mahaica, Region Four, are about thirty percent complete, with completion deadlines set for March, 2024.

The facility at Unity would play a pivotal role in licensing and accrediting skilled persons who work in various sectors in construction and mining but are not certified.

Hamilton has said that work is ongoing to finalise the accreditation criteria for the programme, and several investment partners are being engaged to support the initiative.

CANU finds ganja during operations at Better Hope, Plaisance

A

The cannabis discovered during the operations

gents of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Thursday unearthed quantities of cannabis during operations conducted at Better Hope and at Plaisance, two separate locations on the East Coast of Demerara.

A release from CANU said officers conducted operations at known

drug blocks in the villages of Better Hope and Plaisance, ECD, during which several Ziplock bags each containing a quantity of cannabis were discovered. The narcotic was taken to CANU Headquarters, where it was weighed and amounted to 332 grammes.

At time of the discovery, no one was at either

of the two locations; however, investigations are underway to determine ownership of the narcotic.

CANU has said it continues to work tirelessly to eradicate illicit drugs from communities, recognising that dangerous and addictive substances like marijuana can have a negative impact on the future of our youths.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Continue striving for excellence – Hamilton tells 163 graduates from GITC O

ne hundred sixtythree persons are now more adequately equipped to seek employment after they graduated from Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) on Wednesday.

The graduation ceremony, which was held at the National Cultural Centre, saw the graduands receiving certification in Data Operations, Electrical Installation, FurnitureMaking, Metalwork Engineering, Motor Vehicle Repairs, Plumbing, Welding and Fabrication, and Masonry.

During his feature address Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, encouraged the graduating class to continue striving for excellence in all their future endeavor, noting that the transformation of the nation is in their hands.

2023 work programme

The graduating class along with Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton and official Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC)

The skills that the graduates now possess, he said, are currently needed in the construction, manufacturing, civil engineering, mechanical, oil and gas, and hostility industries, given

the demand for skill persons compared to the labour shortage in these markets.

Emphasising the importance of respecting skilled crafts alongside executive professions, Minister

Patterson takes Govt to court over being accidentally blacklisted by Police

Opposition MP David Patterson

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pposition Member of Parliament David Patterson, a Minister in the former APNU/AFC Government, has sued the current Government of Guyana for violating his constitutional right to freedom of movement.

Through his lawyer Nigel Hughes, Patterson (applicant) on Tuesday filed with the Demerara High Court a State of Claim (SoC) in which he has named Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, as the sole respondent, and he is requesting for the breach damages exceeding $100,000.

Hughes had, on October 10, sent a letter to the Attorney General, seeking $25 million as compensation for his client. In that letter, Hughes had told Nandlall that failure to respond within five days of receipt would lead to the filing of constitutional proceedings.

After clearing immigration and customs at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on September 26, Patterson was prevented from boarding an aircraft

to go to Washington, DC, to attend a meeting with the US Black Congressional Caucus. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had apologized to Patterson after that incident, and had explained that his name had been accidentally added to this nation's no-fly list after he had been charged for indecent exposure.

Patterson had been charged and placed before the courts for a series of offences, including exposure of his genitals, using obscene language, and provoking a breach of the peace, after he had allegedly been caught urinating in public in Seaforth Street, Section A, Campbellville, Georgetown on July 16. He had been placed on $70,000 bail during his arraignment.

Patterson has deposed in his lawsuit that, during his arraignment on the charges, the magistrate had given him permission to enter and exit Guyana while the charges are pending. He has said that even after his attorney had warned the immigration officer that denying him permission to leave the country would violate his fundamental rights as stated in Article 148 of the Constitution, he had still been barred from boarding the aircraft.

“The applicant was unable to attend and deliver the presentation to the Congressional Caucus at Capitol Hill in his capacity as a member of the National Assembly on matters of concern to the citizens of Guyana. The applicant was forced to incur the expense of returning to Georgetown, paying a penalty for lost travel and accommodation

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC

expenses,” the lawsuit stated.

As per the Statement of Claim, the Chief Immigration Officer has acknowledged that there was no legitimate reason to stop the applicant from leaving Guyana.

Patterson has said that he experienced loss, shame, and embarrassment as a result of the occurrence. In addition to damages, he is asking the High Court to award him costs and any other orders the court deems just.

Patterson’s case will come up for hearing before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC, on February 1, 2024.

The Police Force (GPF) had promised to conduct a “full probe” as to why Patterson’s name had not been earlier removed from the list, and had said that the GPF has Standard Operating Procedures to deal with such issues.

The Alliance For Change (AFC), of which Patterson is an Executive member, had issued a statement in which it condemned the blockage of the politician from flying.

Hamilton urged the students to believe in themselves despite their social standing or economic background.

“Don't let anyone look down upon you, don’t let anyone suggest to you because they are more literate than you, they are worthy than you. What takes you through this world to success is confidence. When no believe in you, you have to believe in yourself,” he emphasised.

Further, Hamilton encouraged the graduating class to not to cease their training at this point, but to strive for further advancement beyond the fundamental level of their training.

“Try to be one of a kind, different that people must be astonish at the work you can do into this society… you must be telling yourself even in your dream tonight

that I have to be successfully I have to make it, there’s too many opportunities, there’s too many opportunities in this land for you not to succeed.”

The 163 GITC graduates now joins the 4,444 individuals, who graduated from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) earlier this year.

BIT certified 187 individuals in Region One, 646 in Region Two, 320 in Region Three, 1,224 in Region Four, 254 in Region Five, 697 in Region Six, 265 in Region Seven, 118 in Region Eight, 190 in Region Nine, and 543 in Region Ten. Hamilton said the programme demonstrates the Labour Ministry's and the Government's commitment to ensure that persons, particularly youths, have both skills and employability.

The sum of $488.5 million dollars in budgetary provision was made available this year to the Ministry of Labour, trained approximately 7,890 locals and expand the work of The Board of Industrial Training (BIT).

To date, over 11, 000 persons have trained by BIT and fifty-six of that number is women.

BIT has been successful in empowering women to step out of their comfort zones and become certified and employed in male-dominated areas.

Back in September, Hamilton had disclosed that government’s focus is on encouraging women to become involved in ‘hard skills’, which means that there is more inclusion in programmes such as heavyduty equipment operation, and welding and fabrication.

He stressed the importance of enhancing their knowledge while uplifting their livelihoods to earn an income through these training programmes, especially within the context of the growing demand for labour.

He had explained that this is important because the prolific oil and gas sector has attracted many foreign companies to Guyana, all of which require highly skilled persons to work. He said that the government is continuing its pursuit in ensuring Guyanese secure these jobs.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Education Ministry invites applications for 2024 COL online courses

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he Education Ministry (MoE), in partnership with the Skills for Work programme of the Commonwealth of Learning, is currently inviting applications for free online courses via Coursera, Grow with

Management. Another 4,000 courses are available through Coursera, and they include Advertising and Media, Tourism, Digitization, Business Development, Entrepreneurship and Office Skills. Grow with Google

first is through hybrid models that apply open and distance learning techniques that help women, girls, youth, people with disabilities, entrepreneurs, and the unemployed at the community level to acquire relevant

Guyanese in alignment with priority needs of the labour market. During the pandemic, Guyana entered into a partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning and Coursera, and in less than 6 months had realised more than 43,305 certificates issued to 9,473 Guyanese, making Guyana a leading

country as it relates to registrants and graduates.

The MoE had, at that time, announced free access to 4000 certified online courses following a partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning.

Courses were offered

by Ivy League universities and other reputable in-

stitutions in areas of study such as Arts, Business, Computer Science, Health, and Engineering on the online platform Coursera.

Persons interested in embracing this self-development opportunity can register at: https://education.gov.gy/ onlinelearning/.

Grove man remanded over break-in at house

Google or Udemy.

In announcing the registration, the MoE shared, “Commonwealth of Learning (COL) has partnered with Google, Coursera and Udemy to offer the Skills for Work Initiative to enable youth and adults in Commonwealth nations to access high quality skill development courses provided through the world’s leading e-learning platforms, such as Coursera and Udemy.”

The 5,500 programmes offered under Udemy include Health Science, Web Development, Microsoft Excel, Digital Marketing, Leadership and Stress

programmes include five specialized areas in ICT: IT Automation with Python, Data Analytics, IT Support, UX Design, and IT Project Management.

This Skills for Work project is aimed at increasing the chances of employment both at the local level and abroad, and is thus well placed to improve livelihood opportunities among Guyanese. An important facet of the Skills for Work initiative is aimed at closing the skills gap for in-demand and high-demand jobs in Commonwealth Member States.

Skills for Work takes a two-pronged approach. The

essential skills and access in-country mentorship support.

The second approach features various partnership models, and enhances ODL capabilities of both TVET institutions and other non-governmental organizations involved in skills development.

As a result, they are able to share and adapt open educational resources; develop capacity in blended teaching/ learning practices; scale up outreach efforts; and respond to market needs.

Over the course of four years, the MoE and CoL have collaborated and facilitated training for over 4,800

D

aniel Singh of Third Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara a was on Thursday arraigned before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts to answer a charge of break and enter and larceny, committed on December 9 on the dwelling house of 66-year-old Prettipaul Singh of Grove Housing Scheme, EBD. The 21-year-old defendant denied the charge, and was remanded to prison after he was refused bail. He is expected to make his next court appearance on January 17.

Daniel Singh

HR Officer granted $100,000 bail on larceny charge

K

hadidja Ba, a 26-year-old Human Resource Officer and resident of Crown and Oronoque Streets in Queenstown, Georgetown, was on Thursday arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts on a charge of larceny committed on a dwelling house at Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.

Ba is alleged to have stolen US$4,440 (equivalent to Gy$932,400) and Gy$200,000 from the home of 40-year-old Christine Camber De Forrester.

Ba has pleaded not guilty to the allegation, and has been placed on bail in the sum of $150,000. The matter has been adjourned to January 15, 2024, when Ba will appear before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman. (G1)

Larceny accused Khadidja Ba

Bartender to stand trial for rape of a child

R

andolph Williams, called Travis, a 27-year-old bartender of Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast, was on Wednesday committed by Anna Regina Magistrate Esther Sam to stand trial for rape of a child under 16, contrary to Section 10 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act. Williams is accused of committing the crime on May 21, 2023, and all statements and documents have been tendered and marked as exhibits during Wednesday’s hearing.

Magistrate Sam has ruled that, based on the statements and exhibits tendered, there is sufficient evidence for the accused to be committed to stand trial. Williams is therefore expected to face a judge and jury at the

Accused rapist Randolph Williams

next practicable sitting of the Essequibo Criminal Assizes. In the meantime, he is out on $150,000 bail.(G1)

NEWS

17

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GRPA, NAPS host World AIDS Day walk, candlelight vigil A

s the world observed International Human Rights Day on Sunday, December 10, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), and Regional Health Services of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) hosted a World AIDS Day walk and candlelight vigil that brought together diverse communities in a powerful display of solidarity and commitment.

The event, which drew participation from various walks of life, commenced at the Aracari Resort and concluded at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling. The walk, symbolic of the collective journey towards a world free from the impact of HIV/AIDS, saw dozens actively participating, emphasizing the theme "Let Communities Lead."

This year's World AIDS Day activities sought to highlight the crucial role commu-

nities play in the fight against HIV/AIDS. According to a release from GRPA, in his remarks, Programme Manager of NAPS, Dr Tariq Jagnarine, spoke passionately about the importance of accessible healthcare services and the pivotal role of NAPS in driving national efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, including engag-

ing men and boys in promoting HIV self-testing at home.

UN Resident Coordinator Yesim Oruc referred to the International Human Rights Day speech made by the UN Secretary-General in which he highlighted the need for a human rights-based approach to address the stigma and discrimination associat-

ed with HIV, and emphasised the right to health for all.

Meanwhile, the Consultant for Disease Elimination at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Dr Desmond Nicholson, underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in

achieving the 95-95-95 targets, calling for 95% of all people living with HIV to know their HIV status, 95% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy to have viral suppression by 2030.

The candlelight vigil held at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling provided a solemn moment for reflection, remembrance, and solidarity. Participants lit candles to honour those affected by HIV/AIDS and to signify hope for a future free from the burden of this global epidemic.

Economic activity in Latin America and the Caribbean continues to exhibit low-growth trajectory –

T

he United Nations regional organisation, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on Thursday released the Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2023, its last annual report this year.

In the report, it indicated that the region would stay on a path of low growth, which meant job creation will decelerate and informality and gender gaps would persist, among other effects.

According to the report – which was presented at a press conference led by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs – Latin America and the Caribbean will grow 2.2 per cent on average in 2023 and 1.9 per cent in 2024, which points to a deceleration in regional growth from the levels seen in 2022.

Although all the subregions will have lower growth in 2023 than they did in 2022, the report emphasises the heterogeneity among countries in the region. South America is seen growing by 1.5 per cent (versus 3.8 per cent in 2022); the group made up of Central America and Mexico by 3.5 per cent (4.1 per cent in 2022); and the Caribbean (without including Guyana) is forecast to grow 3.4 per cent (6.4 per cent in 2022).

In 2024, it is expected that the region will maintain this

from the 5.4 per cent recorded in 2022. This lower rate of job creation is seen continuing in 2024, when the number of employed persons is projected to grow by 1.0 per cent.

To escape the low-growth trap, “it is necessary to escalate productive development policies with a focus on strategic, dynamic sectors, carry forward policies to promote public and private investment, and adjust the financing framework to enhance resource moECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs

dynamic of low growth and all the subregions will grow less than in 2023: South America is seen expanding by 1.4 per cent; Central America and Mexico by 2.7 per cent; and the Caribbean by 2.6 per cent (without including Guyana).

These projections reflect, in part, low dynamism in economic growth and global trade, which translates into a limited impetus from the global economy. Although inflation has declined, the interest rates of the main developed economies have not, which means that financing costs have remained at high levels throughout the year and they are expected to stay that way in coming years.

Furthermore, this low growth is also attributable to the limited domestic space for fiscal and monetary policy faced by the region’s countries.

In this regard, it is empha-

sised that while public debt levels have declined, they remain high, and this – coupled with the increase in financing costs – restricts fiscal space. In the monetary arena, inflation continues to decline in the region, but monetary policy still has a restrictive bias, due to the effects that rate cuts could have on capital flows and the exchange rate, given that high interest rates are still in effect in developed countries.

In 2023, it is forecast that average inflation in the region will finish the year at 3.8 per cent, far below the 8.2 per cent recorded in 2022. In 2024, that decline will continue, with the average regional inflation rate estimated at 3.2 per cent, according to the report.

ECLAC estimates that the number of employed persons will have grown 1.4 per cent in 2023, which points to a four percentage point drop

bilisation,” Salazar-Xirinachs emphasised.

In its Preliminary Overview 2023, ECLAC calls for complementing productive development policies with macro and financial policies that would allow for proper management of the financial and foreign-exchange risks faced by the region, and would stimulate domestic resource mobilisation to expand fiscal space and increase investment and productivity. Likewise,

policies are needed that would enable greater inclusion and reduction of the significant inequalities that characterise the region, among them gender inequalities. Furthermore, ECLAC indicates that reforms to the international financial and tax architecture are needed to accompany the region’s countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, by directing resource mobilisation towards the region.

British teen missing for 6 years found in France

A

17-year-old British boy missing for six years has been found in France.

Alex Batty is at a young person's centre in Toulouse and could be back in the UK within hours, the prosecutors' office in the city told the BBC. Alex used a motorist's phone to message his grandmother in the UK, saying "I love you, I want to come home".

He had been missing since 2017, but was found on Wednesday morning by the motorist who spotted him walking through rain near Toulouse.

The boy disappeared after going on holiday with his mother and grandfather in

Spain.

The pair, who do not have parental guardianship of Alex, have not been located, but remain wanted in connection with his disappearance.

A Police source earlier told BBC News the boy had been taken to a Police Station by the concerned motorist who had spotted him on a road in the foothills of the Pyrenees early on Wednesday morning.

The motorist, delivery driver Fabien Accidini, saw Alex walking along a road in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"He explained that he had been walking for four days, that he set off from

a place in the mountains, though he didn't say where," Accidini said.

"I typed his name into the internet and saw that he was being looked for," he said.

Accidini told local media Alex's plan had been to find a big city with an embassy to find assistance. Instead, Accidini contacted French authorities for help.

Alex used Accidini's Facebook account to contact his grandmother back in the UK. He wrote: "Hello Grandma, it's me Alex. I'm in France Toulouse. I really hope that you receive this message. I love you, I want to come home." (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Brazilian Congress Milei's mission improbable overturns Lula veto on limit for Argentina has to Indigenous land claims investors daring to dream

G

B

razil's Congress on Thursday overturned a presidential veto that had struck down the core of a bill to limit Indigenous land claims, setting up a likely clash at the Supreme Court.

Indigenous groups had supported President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's veto, while the bill had the backing of the powerful farm lobby.

In a joint session of both chambers, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to annul Lula's veto of a policy limiting claims to ancestral lands where Indigenous people lived in 1988.

The issue is expected to be decided by the Supreme Court, which ruled in September that the deadline was unconstitutional.

Lula created the first Ministry of Indigenous Peoples when he took office in January and has vowed to recognise pending land claims. In October, he vetoed the core of the bill, a move seen as a major victory for the country's 1.6 million Indigenous people. Many of them have struggled to defend land rights threatened by the advance of Brazil's ag-

Brazilian Kayapo Indigenous people sit in front of the Brazilian Supreme Court during a session to discuss the so-called legal thesis of 'Marco Temporal' (Temporal Milestone) in Brasilia, Brazil, September 20, 2023 (Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino file photo)

ricultural frontier into the Amazon region.

The number of land conflicts has increased as Brazil's farm sector has boomed in recent decades into a global powerhouse.

Indigenous communities across the country claim land that farmers have settled and developed, in some cases for decades.

The core of the bill that

Lula had vetoed sought to establish in law a cut-off date for new reservations on lands where Indigenous people did not live on October 5, 1988, when Brazil's Constitution was enacted.

Brazil's congressional farm caucus argued that greater legal security would curtail often deadly land conflicts.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Doctors Without Borders shutters Haiti emergency clinic after attack on ambulance

M

edecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) is temporarily shuttering an emergency clinic in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, the medical charity said on Thursday, after armed men stopped an ambulance, forcibly removed a severely-wounded patient, beat him, and then shot him dead.

The aid group not disclose the patient's identity.

Escalating violence from armed gangs in the Caribbean nation has forced many aid groups to cut operations due to lack of safety for staff and patients, as well as dwindling budgets due to underfunded campaigns.

MSF had already announced the closure of a hospital earlier this year. The limited reach of aid groups, including for victims of mass sexual violence, increasingly leaves healthcare in the hands of small, cashstrapped local organisations.

"We need a minimum of safety to carry out our medical mission," MSF's Haiti mission head, Benoit Vasseur, said in a statement.

"MSF is one of the very few international organisations delivering medical care in the capital," he added. "We can't accept that our ambulances are attacked, and our patients are beaten and killed."

Wars between increasingly powerful and heavi-

ly-armed gangs controlling most of Haiti's capital have forced close to 200,000 people from their homes, with many reporting homes burned down, arbitrary murders, kidnappings and gang rapes.

The United Nations in

October ratified sending an international force of troops volunteered by member nations to support national police. Meanwhile, many UN and aid agencies have warned of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

etting Argentina's economy firing again might look like mission impossible, yet some long-suffering investors are daring to dream its new President can deliver where others have failed.

Javier Milei is putting South America's second biggest economy and serial debt defaulter into shock therapy, kicking off by halving the value of the peso and slashing its spending.

And in an indication of how investor sentiment has turned since Milei burst on the scene, Argentina's bonds have surged by around 25 per cent in the last week and 40 per cent since he won the presiden-

cy.

Milei's plans were cheered too by the International Monetary Fund, whose US$44 billion loan programme has kept Argentina from implosion, as "bold initial actions" after recent "setbacks".

The IMF has pledged to work "expeditiously" to get Argentina back on track, which will be music to the ears of Milei, with the country due to pay the fund nearly US$2 billion in January.

Jeff Grills, head of emerging markets debt at Aegon Asset Management said the new Government has taken "all the right steps" so far and was making all the necessary noises.

Combined with tax changes, export measures and capital controls, Milei's aim is to begin rebuilding Argentina's depleted foreign exchange reserves so it can pay its bills.

These include the US$13.7 billion it owes on international bonds between now and mid-2025, the first US$1.54 billion of which falls due next month.

"This is not a political choice, this is a necessary choice," said Riccardo Grassi, Head of Risk Management at hedge fund Mangart Advisors, which was involved in Argentina's last restructuring in 2020 and holds its bonds.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexican President directly appoints new Supreme Court Judge

M

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday named Lenia Batres as a new Supreme Court Judge, after the lawmakers refused to approve one of his earlier candidates for the job.

Batres, who will join the high court immediately, has worked for the Mexico City Government in its urban development, housing and public space agencies.

The capital's Government is run by officials from Lopez Obrador's leftist MORENA party, and Batres is the sister of Mexico City Mayor Marti Batres.

Lopez Obrador, in the final year of his term as President, has repeatedly sparred with the court, which he has criticised as corrupt and opposed to his agenda.

Last month, the President offered Senators three possible nominees to fill the vacancy on the court, but the upper chamber of Congress did not approve any of them, which would have required support from a two-thirds majority.

Early on Thursday morning, Lopez Obrador's nominees for the post also failed to win the necessary support in the Senate, which enabled

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

him to select his own judge.

Batres, the latest addition to the 11-member tribunal, will serve a 15-year term.(Excerpt from Reuters)

Antigua and Barbuda announces triple Peru again cuts interest wins in 2024 Caribbean Travel Awards rate as inflation eases

T

he Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has achieved top scores this year, winning Caribbean Journal’s Caribbean Travel Award for Caribbean Tourist Board of the Year based on its stellar performance in 2023.

The Caribbean Journal’s Caribbean Travel Awards celebrates the people and places contributing to the Caribbean’s astonishing success — and ensuring that it continues, from the region’s best hotels to its top tourism executives to the islands setting themselves apart in fields like food, romance, sustainability and innovation, as selected by Caribbean Journal’s editorial team, leading experts on Caribbean travel and tourism.

Antigua and Barbuda’s winning streak continued as the destination received additional accolades for Wedding Destination of the Year and Culinary Destination of the Year, in

P

Antigua and Barbuda’s winning streak continues

the awards announced by Caribbean Journal.

Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, Charles Fernandez, called the wins, “a demonstration of the strong performance of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and the tourism industry teams during the year”.

“Brand Antigua and Barbuda has a clear vision that has been devel-

oped based on the inputs and feedback of our tourism stakeholders across various sectors. Through partnership and collaboration, we continue to elevate our tourism offerings and experiences showcasing our talents and the uniqueness of Antigua and Barbuda. To be recognised by our peers in the region is an honour, and I am tremendously proud of the work of our teams.”

(Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

eru's central bank on Thursday cut its interest rate by 25 basis points to 6.75 per cent, in line with expectations and as the speed of price increases in the Andean nation comes under control amid a recession.

The monetary authority signalled in a statement that the rate cut did not necessarily imply more would follow.

The central bank's fourth-consecutive cut comes as Peru's annual inflation rate slowed to 3.64 per cent in November, nearing the upper end of the bank's target range of one per cent to three per cent.

"Annual inflation is projected to reach the target range within the next few months," the central bank said.

Annual core inflation, which strips out some volatile items such as food and

energy, is projected to come within target by the end of 2023, the bank added.

"This would be explained by the moderation of international price effects on several items, the reversal of supply shocks in the agricultural sector and the expectation of reduced inflation," the monetary authority said.

"However, there are risks associated with climatic factors coming mainly from the El Niño weather phenomenon."

Peru, the world's number copper producer, has been battling a technical recession this year on the adverse impacts of El Niño, lower private investment and lingering effects from social conflicts sparked late last year.

The Government has since announced a slew of measures meant to kickstart the economy. (Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

19

Around the World

grants Ukraine membership talks in midst OILNEWS OIL NEWS EU of war, bypassing Hungarian objections

E Oil rises 3% on IEA demand upgrade, weaker dollar

O

il prices rose three per cent on Thursday, extending the previous session's gains, boosted by a weaker dollar and as the International Energy Agency (IEA) lifted its oil demand forecast for next year.

Brent futures settled US$2.35 higher, or 3.2 per cent, at US$76.61 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed US$2.11, or three per cent, to US$71.58.

The market has turned around after dropping to hit its lowest in nearly six months during Wednesday's session.

World oil consumption will rise by 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024, the IEA said in a monthly report, up 130,000 bpd from its previous forecast, citing an improvement in the outlook for the US and lower oil prices.

The 2024 estimate is less than half the forecast of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Prices also got a boost as the dollar weakened after the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday signalled lower borrowing costs for 2024.

The dollar fell to a four-month low on Thursday after the US central bank indicated interest rate hikes have likely ended and lower borrowing costs are coming in 2024.

"Obviously the mood for oil has changed dramatically.

One of the major catalysts for shaking volatility out of market was the Federal Reserve," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.

Lower interest rates reduce consumer borrowing costs, which can boost economic growth and demand for oil. A weaker dollar makes oil less expensive for foreign purchasers.

The European Central Bank, meanwhile, pushed back against bets on imminent cuts to interest rates on Thursday by reaffirming that borrowing costs would remain at record highs despite lower inflation expectations.

Oil investors will usher in 2024 with gnawing concerns about slowing economic growth and oversupply, while simmering tensions in the Middle East could spark price volatility.

Benchmark Brent has averaged around US$80 a barrel this year. A Reuters survey of 30 forecasts from economists and analysts sees Brent crude averaging US$84.43 a barrel in 2024.

(Reuters)

uropean Union leaders made a historic decision on Thursday to open membership talks with Ukraine, bypassing objections from Hungary to give Kyiv a major political boost as its war against Russia's invasion grinds on.

Although membership would likely be many years away, the decision at a summit in Brussels takes Ukraine a step closer to its long-term strategic goal of anchoring itself in the West and liberating itself from Moscow's orbit.

The move came at a critical time for Ukraine, after its counter-offensive against Russian forces has failed to make major gains and with US President Joe Biden so far unable to get a US$60 billion aid package for Kyiv through the US Congress.

The EU took the deci-

sion in a highly-unorthodox fashion: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who cultivates close ties with Moscow, agreed to leave the room while his peers from the EU's 26 other members agreed the move.

"This is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens," declared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

"I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day ...

History is made by those who don't get tired of fighting for freedom."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz played a key role in getting Orban to leave the room to clear the way for a decision, diplomats and officials said. Scholz said the decision was "a strong sign of support" for Ukraine.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel pose for a picture during a European Union summit, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 3, 2023 (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters file photo)

The leaders also agreed to accession talks with another former Soviet republic, Moldova, and to grant another, Georgia, the status of membership candidate.

US shifts tone, but says 7 arrested in Germany, Israel support steadfast Denmark, the Netherlands

U

S President Joe Biden says he wants Israel to be ‘focused on how to save civilian lives’ after adviser Jake Sullivan’s meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu focused on shift from “high-intensity” phase of conflict in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Palestinian telecommunications firms say services were cut in Gaza once again, as Israel attacks locations across the enclave. Gaza’s Government media office

says a communications blackout means it will be even more difficult to reach the dead and injured.

Israel concluded a daylong raid in Jenin, killing at least 11 civilians. However, Israeli forces are conducting other overnight raids across the West Bank. At least 18,787 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel stands at 1,147.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

over suspected terrorism plots

Chief Police Inspector and operational chief of PET, Flemming Drejer and Senior Police Inspector and head of emergency services in Copenhagen Police, Peter Dahl hold a press briefing on coordinated Police action, at the Police station in Copenhagen, Thursday, December 14, 2023. PET and a number of the country's Police circles early Thursday morning made arrests in a coordinated action (Ritzau Scanpix/Martin Sylvest via Reuters)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andre Braugher died of lung cancer S

Andre Braugher was known for his roles in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Homicide”

B

rooklyn Nine-Nine star Andre Braugher died of lung cancer Two-time Emmy Awardwinning actor Andre Braugher died of lung cancer after being diagnosed with the disease several months ago, his publicist has confirmed to the BBC. The 61-year-old died on Monday.

Braugher was best known for his roles as Captain Ray Holt in “Brooklyn NineNine” and Detective Frank Pembleton on “Homicide: Life on the Street”.

He won an Emmy for his role in “Homicide” in 1998 and another in 2006 for his

work in the crime thriller “Thief”.

Braugher also received four Emmy nominations for his role in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which ran for eight seasons, in addition to Golden Globe nominations for his role in Thief and in ABC's series Gideon's Crossing.

Most recently, he starred opposite Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan in the biographical drama She Said, which documents the story of the investigative journalists who broke the Harvey Weinstein story.

His Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-star, Terry Crews, paid

"It is clear that these countries belong to the European family," Scholz said on social media platform X. (Excerpt from Reuters)

tribute to Braugher's "irreplaceable talent" earlier this week.

"I'm honoured to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared eight glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent," Crews posted on Instagram.

"You showed me what a life well lived looks like."

Born in Chicago, Braugher graduated from

Stanford University before attending The Juilliard School for drama in New York.

Braugher told The New York Times Magazine in 2014 that he had "stopped drinking alcohol and smoking years ago".

He is survived by his wife, actress Ami Brabson, whom he met on the set of Homicide, and his three sons.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

even people, including four suspected Hamas members, were arrested in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands on suspicion of planning attacks on Jewish institutions in Europe, authorities in the three countries said on Thursday.

The arrests were made as Israel pressed on with its operation to destroy Hamas in the Gaza Strip, a war that was touched off by a cross-border October 7 assault on Israeli towns by militants of the Palestinian Islamist movement.

Three of the suspects

Turkish MP dies after suffering heart attack in Parliament

A

n Opposition Turkish lawmaker died on Thursday, two days after suffering a heart attack and collapsing in front of Parliament as he finished a speech criticising the Government's policy toward Israel.

Hasan Bitmez, 54, a Member of Parliament from the Opposition Felicity (Saadet) Party, died in Ankara City Hospital, Health Minister Fahrettin

Koca told reporters in televised remarks.

A graduate of Cairo's Al Azhar University, Bitmez was the chairman of the Centre for Islamic Union Research and had previously worked for Islamic Non-Governmental Organisations, his Parliament biography shows.

He was married and a father of one.

Parliament's official

broadcast showed Bitmez collapsing to the floor after having been standing at the podium before the general assembly on Tuesday.

He had been criticising President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party (AKP) over Turkey's ongoing trade with Israel despite the war in Gaza, and despite the Government's sharp rhetorical criticism of Israel's military bombardment. (Reuters)

were detained in Berlin and another was detained in the Netherlands, all four longstanding members of Hamas with close links to the leadership of Hamas' military branch, German Prosecutors said in a statement.

A Hamas official denied those held were connected to the group.

Three people arrested in Denmark would be charged under the terrorism clause of the criminal code and put in front of a Judge for preliminary questioning, police said. It was not clear if there was a link between the arrests in Denmark and those in Germany and the Netherlands.

Dutch national Nazih R was arrested by Police in Rotterdam, while Lebanonborn Abdelhamid Al A and Ibrahim El-R, as well as Egyptian national Mohamed B, were arrested in the German capital, German Prosecutors said.

Abdelhamid Al A had been assigned by Hamas leaders in Lebanon with finding sources for weapons, Prosecutors said. The weapons were due to be taken to Berlin and kept ready for potential terrorist attacks against Jewish institutions, prosecutors said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

DAILY HOROSCOPES Learn from your mistakes. Take a reserved approach to sensitive situations.

Direct your energy wisely and map out your plan before you head out to shop or attend festivities.

(March 21-April 19) Say no to temptation. Put a budget together and make a plan to prevent a costly emotional, financial or physical setback. Don't get carried away by the hustle and bustle.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20) Take good care of your possessions, money and secrets. Nurture important relationships, and distance yourself from people you cannot trust. Use your imagination to solve a problem.

(May 21-June 20) Play to win. Explore the possibilities and plant yourself where the action is. Use your knowledge, experience and skills to outmaneuver anyone who challenges you or tries to compete with you.

PEANUTS

(June 21-July 22) Challenge yourself. Work-related festivities will allow you to make some valuable connections. Show compassion and loyalty, and someone will see your potential. Update your image.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Don't let emotions interfere with business. You may not agree with what transpires in the workplace, but a positive attitude will help you gracefully deal with the situation.

CALVIN AND HOBBES (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Don't get stuck in someone else's dream. Focus on you happiness and engage in events and pursuits that bring you closer to your destination of choice.

It's your time to shine!

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Speak from the heart. Transparency will lead to stability at home and in meaningful relationships. Discuss your feelings and intentions; you'll get good feedback.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) A miscalculation will leave you wondering what to do next. Look at your alternatives, and you'll discover how to use your skills to compensate for any setbacks.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Take advantage of a financial opportunity. You can smooth your way forward using ingenuity and common sense. Protect what you have worked so hard to accomplish.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Follow your heart and put your energy where it will do the most good. Don't feel slighted if someone takes a different path. It's OK to go your separate ways and connect at a later date.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Don't jump to conclusions or pick fights. Be grateful and willing to help others. Be the one to calm the waters and offer peace and love to those you encounter. Your attitude will open doors.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

Williams makes history in Windies vs England T20I

Umpire Jacqueline Williams

J

acqueline Williams became the first female umpire from the West

Indies to stand in a men’s T20 International featuring two Full Member teams.

The 47-year-old Williams stood in the middle during the second T20I between

West Indies and England at the Grenada National Stadium on Thursday.

She was joined on field by experienced Umpire Gregory Brathwaite, while Leslie Reifer Jr acted in the capacity of the television umpire. The fourth umpire for the match was Patrick Gustard with Sir Richie Richardson, the former West Indies captain, as the Match Referee.

“It is like a dream come true. It’s a good feeling to be the first, but I hope I won’t be the last,” Williams told CWI Media. “I’m truly honored to be given this amazing opportunity, and I want to make sure I give my best when I take the field on Thursday. It is obvious that, from what I have done so far in my career, this would be a testimony to my work,” she added.

6 of Messi’s 2022 World Green suspended indefinitely Cup shirts sell for £6.1M after Nurkic clash

S

ix of Lionel Messi's shirts worn during the 2022 World Cup sold for a combined £6.1 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York.

stage, last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of a single tournament.

He played in all seven of Argentina's 2022 World Cup matches, but only two of

The NBA said it had taken into account Draymond Green's history of "unsportsmanlike acts" when issuing him an indefinite ban

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Lionel Messi scored two goals and converted from the spot during the penalty shootout as Argentina beat France in the 2022 World Cup final

Messi captained Argentina to victory at the tournament with his country beating France on penalties in the final.

The six jerseys were from the first half of the final, semi-final, quarter-final, last-16 tie and two group games.

The record for a gameworn football shirt is Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' jersey, which sold for £7.1 million in 2022.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, became the first player in World Cup history to score in the group

the three shirts Messi wore during the group stage will be auctioned, after Heart of Midlothian's Australia international Cammy Devlin swapped shirts with the former Barcelona forward during the tournament.

Sotheby's said: "A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to Unicas Project, led by Sant Joan de Deu Barcelona Children's Hospital with the support of the Leo Messi Foundation, to meet the needs of children suffering from rare diseases." (BBC Sport)

olden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been suspended indefinitely after striking Phoenix Suns player Jusuf Nurkic in the face.

Green was ejected for a third time this season in the Warriors' 119-116 defeat.

The NBA said it had given him a rare open-ended ban because of his "repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts".

The league said the 33-year-old would be "required to meet certain league and team conditions" before he is allowed to return to play.

An indefinite suspension is an almost unheard-of sanction by the NBA, which more commonly issues bans for a fixed number of games.

Referees ruled Green's swinging arm into the face of Nurkic in the third quarter as a flagrant foul 2 – defined as "unnecessary and excessive contact" – which leads to an automatic ejection.

The four-time NBA champion later apologised to Nurkic, saying he had accidentally struck the Bosnian

after swinging his arm to try to win a foul call, believing he had been illegally held back.

However, the Suns player remained unhappy, saying: "What's going on with him? I don't know. Personally, I feel like that brother needs help."

The incident is the latest in a long line of disciplinary incidents involving Green.

He was given a five-game ban for putting Minnesota Timberwolves centre Rudy Gobert in a headlock on November 14.

The forward was also ejected for two technical fouls against the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier in November, and was suspended during the playoffs in April after stamping on the Sacramento Kings player Domantas Sabonis.

He was also famously suspended for game five of the 2016 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers for a low blow against LeBron James.

The Warriors (10-13) are 11th in the Western Conference and were scheduled to play the Clippers in Los Angeles on Thursday.

(BBC Sport)

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Bucks' Antetokounmpo scores franchiserecord 64 in win

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a franchise-record 64 points

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i a n n i s Antetokounmpo poured in a franchise-record 64 points on Wednesday in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 140-126 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Antetokounmpo surpassed the team record of 57 points set by Michael Redd in 2006 in a loss to the Utah Jazz. The previous career high for the Milwaukee superstar was 55 points in a victory over the Washington Wizards on January 3.

He was 20 of 28 from the field in this one, 24 of 32 on free throws and had 14 rebounds.

Damian Lillard added 21 points and Bobby Portis had 13 for the Bucks, who lost to the Pacers in the semifinals of the In-Season Tournament on Thursday.

Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner each scored 22 points for Indiana, which had won four in a row, excluding a loss to the Lakers in the championship game of the tournament on Saturday.

Antetokounmpo was tackled by Aaron Nesmith on a play underneath with 10:10 left, setting off a brief exchange involving several players. Nesmith was called for a flagrant-1, and Nesmith and Portis were assessed technical fouls.

Embiid, 76ers deal Pistons 21st straight loss

Joel Embiid scored 30 of his 41 points in the first half as the Philadelphia 76ers sent the Detroit Pistons to their 21st straight loss, 129111 on Wednesday to open a home-and-home series.

The Pistons, who haven’t won since October 28, matched the longest losing streak in franchise history, set at the end of the 1979-80 season and the start of 198081. It is the

sixth-longest single-season losing streak in NBA history.

Only the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2013-14 76ers (26 in a row), along with the 199596 Vancouver Grizzlies, the 1997-98 Denver Nuggets and the 2010-11 Charlotte Bobcats (23 straight) have lost more consecutive games in a season.

Philadelphia hold the overall mark of 28, set at the end of 2014-15 and start of 2015-16.

Bojan Bogdanovic led Detroit with a season-high 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting.

Former Piston Tobias Harris had 21 points and Kelly Oubre Jr added 17 for the 76ers, winners of four straight.

Davis, Lakers hold off Wembanyama, Spurs

Anthony Davis scored 37 points and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame Victor Wembanyama’s big night in a 122-119 victory, extending the Spurs’ franchise-record losing streak to 18.

Davis rolled his left ankle in the opening seconds, but refused to exit and went on to shoot 10 for 15 from the field and score 24 points in the first half.

Taurean Prince had 17 points and Austin Reaves added 15 to help the Lakers win for the fifth time in six games despite missing LeBron James, who sat out the first of two straight games in San Antonio because of a left calf injury.

Wembanyama had 30 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks, but the Spurs have remained winless since November 2. He became the first rookie with 30 points, 10 boards and six blocks in a game since Spurs superstar Tim Duncan in 1998. (Sportsmax)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

Providence undergoes 2nd inspection for T20 World Cup

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igh-level officials from Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier this week graced the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) for another inspection of the venue that is set to play host to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The first such inspection was hosted back in April. Representing the ICC was Senior Manager of Operations, Tulsa Woodham while the tournament’s Head of Operations, KJ Singh was also on hand to share about the inspection.

While explaining some of the areas that the inspection team has focused on this visit, Singh related that while the Stadium meet some requirements, more needs to be done to compensate for the advances in technology since its construction in 2007.

Singh divulged, “Today we’re looking at aspects of hospitality, ticketing, media and broadcast, and broad-

as he revealed that Guyana has met a lot of the requirements for operational spaces.

Nonetheless, he reported that they were progressing well, ahead of next year’s June 4-30 World Cup. “So far, we’re progressing well. We’re looking forward to fully operationalising this Stadium for the event next year,” Singh said.

The Head of Operations went on to share what the next batch of inspectors would be focusing on when they get to Guyana, with those procedures set to wrap up by April 2024.

“There are multiple people coming down in phases.

The next phase would be pitch and outfield consultant Andy Atkinson from the ICC, he’ll be coming down to do a curators work-

ICC Senior Manager of Operations Tulsa Woodham (right) and Head of Operations, KJ Singh cast is bringing a big contingent with them. These stadiums were built in 2007 with a particular world event, it’s almost a decade and a half that has progressed. In addition to that, as Tulsa mentioned, we hosted the 2010

World Cup in the Caribbean, the operational overlay is much less than now.”

“The advances of technology and innovation in the game right now ranges from spider cams to digital operations and I remember last

year when we hosted this; in 2019, we had about five digital operations staff. This year, it’s going to be 20. So, if we keep adding on those spaces, it’ll be a major requirement for the stadium to find them,” Singh said,

Elite League Promotional Playoff…

Member Association teams ready to battle for spot in Season Six

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Representatives of the nine teams that will begin their quest for Elite League promotion this Sunday

uyana Football Federation (GFF) Competition Director Troy Peters on Thursday confirmed that all preparations for the December 17 kick-off of the GFF Elite League Promotional Playoff are now in place and the nine successful teams from the Member Associations' Leagues are geared up to compete fiercely for a position in the prestigious Elite League Season Six in 2024.

The playoff marks the culmination of the vibrant 2023 GFF football season that showcased club competitions throughout Guyana.

A mere two days before the kick-off, Peters and his team are in the midst of thorough double-checks to ensure the success of the playoff.

“The GFF-Elite League Promotional Playoff will showcase many of the top players and hidden talent as the nine teams vie for a spot in Season 6 of the Elite League 2024,” Peters shared, adding that the competition will be a “treat for football lovers for the festive season so we encourage the fans to come out and support their favourite teams.

“The Federation is extremely pleased to have these nine association champions go

head to head in the 2023 Elite League Promotional Playoff.”

The competition promises to be intense as the stakes are high for participating clubs – Beacons (Bartica Football Association); Beacon (Georgetown Football Association); Buxton Stars (East Coast Demerara Football Association); Dominators (Essequibo/ Pomeroon Football Association); Herstelling Raiders (East Bank Demerara Football Association), Monedderlust (Berbice Football Association); Slingerz (West Demerara Football Association); Tabatinga (Rupununi Football Association), and Winners Connection (Upper Demerara Football Association).

On the opening day, three clashes, decided from the November 22 draw, are poised to set the tone. At 02:00h (2 pm) in Anna Regina, Slingerz FC will confront Dominators FC. Following this, Buxton Stars FC will take on Bartica's Beacons FC at 17:00h (5 pm) at Eve Leary, with the evening culminating with Tabatinga FC meeting Herstelling Raiders FC at 19:00h (7 pm), also at Eve Leary in Georgetown.

Between June and November, the GFF's nine Member Associations hosted senior leagues with support from the Members Financial Assistance Programme (MFAP).

The teams were divided into three groups of three and competed in a round-robin format where each team faced off against the others in their group. The group champions and the top-performing second-place teams from these groups progressed to the knockout stage.

For the semi-finals, matchups were randomly drawn from a pot containing the names of the group winners and the most successful second-place team, heightening the thrill and anticipation.

The Elite League remains the cornerstone of GFF President Wayne Forde's commitment to club football, offering players a pathway not only to secure a spot on the Golden Jaguars, but also to explore opportunities beyond Guyana.

Matches are set to take place at various venues, including Eve Leary, Rosignol Ground, Bartica Community Centre, Buxton Ground, Wisburg Secondary School Ground, Tuschen Ground, Anna Regina Multi School Ground, and Wadapna Ground.

The tournament concludes on January 1, 2024 with a thrilling final showdown to determine the club that will earn promotion to Elite League Season Six.

The schedule for Sunday’s kick-off

shop in January and then right after that, it would be David Moska from the ICC and his team, coming down to deal with security, operations and planning,” Singh informed.

He went on to reveal, “We have been meeting with Caricom Impacts and also CARPHA on safety and medical. So, all of that now, pulling that together, just to devise the regional plan, national plan and then event plan and having that seamlessly merge together to ensure we have a safe and successful tournament.”

Findings and suggestions will be compiled into a report and handed over to the Local Organising Committee and the Government of Guyana to ensure Providence’s readiness for the global showpiece.

GOAPC set to run off 2 year-end events T he Georgetown Office Assistants Promotion Committee (GOAPC) will be hosting two events with the end-of-the-year All Ministries/Government Agencies bat your own tape ball,11-a-side, 6-over knockout cricket competition set for Sunday, December 17, 2023, and the endof-year Christmas F e e l i n g s Schoolboys tape ball cricket competition to roll off on Saturday, December 16, 2023 with both events slated for the National Cultural Centre tarmac.

The End-ofyear Christmas F e e l i n g s Schoolboys tape ball cricket competition would see participation from top school teams from the East Coast, East Bank, West Demerara, Berbice, Georgetown, and Linden – Hope Secondary, LBI, Westminster Secondary, Friendship Secondary, Tutorial High, New Central High, Bishops’ High, St Stanislaus College, Zeeburg Secondary, Leonora Secondary, Mahaicony Secondary, President’s College and Queen’s College, with stakes being the “Sports Ambassador” James Lewis trophy along with medals for the winners and a trophy for the runner-up , with other prizes for outstanding performances, Some of the teams registered to participate in the end-of-the-year All Ministries/Government Agencies bat-your-owntape-ball, 11-a-side, 6-over knockout cricket competition include the Presidential Security; the

defending champions the Ministry of Education; the Ministries of Home Affairs, Public Works, Human Services, Foreign Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Legal Affairs, Agriculture, Amerindian Affairs, Health, Housing and Water, and Culture, Youth and Sport; Parliament Office; Guyana Prison Service; Guyana Fire Service; Guyana Water Inc; Forestry; NDIA and Maritime Administration.

The stakes for this competition consist of The Minister of Home Affairs trophy along with medals for the winner and a trophy for the runner-up team.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

23

King, Powell turn on the power as West Indies surge to 2-0 lead B

randon King and Rovman Powell produced the power surge that England's renowned white-ball hitters could not come close to replicating, as West Indies surged to a 2-0 series lead with a victory in Grenada that was significantly more emphatic than the final 10run margin would have you believe.

Such a result did not seem on the cards when a collapse of 4 for 11 in 16 balls left West Indies rocking at 54 for 4 in the ninth over of the match, at which point England's twin-spin attack of Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed were in complete command of the contest.

And yet, West Indies turned the tables in startling fashion, first through a brace of half-centuries from Powell, who belted 30 runs off Sam Curran's second and final over, and King, whose superb unbeaten 82 from 52 included three sixes and four fours off the last 12 balls of Rehan's day.

And then, with a stiff but attainable 177 to defend, West Indies served up a spin stranglehold of their own, as the left-armers Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie put a lock on the contest for eight consecutive overs from the Pavilion End. They produced the combined figures of 3 for 33, and though Curran showed gumption to top-score with 50 from 32 balls after his chastening bowling display, a requirement of 28 off the final over proved way beyond Rehan and Moeen Ali.

Dot and bash in powerplay

King, Powell serve the smackdown

Brandon King launches another six in his forceful innings

point when the game was already lost.

For the first half of their bowling effort, how-

e v e r , England appeared to have mitigated for that threat.

Three of West Indies' sixes duly came in the powerplay, but then, so too did 18 dotballs, or half of their allocation, as the recalled Moeen burgled a three-run opening over before Chris Woakes' crafty use of the cutter

after winning the toss, safe in the knowledge that a stiff chase was on the cards. The fact is, their eventual target was not near- ly as stiff as he might have bar-

gained for, yet England were still a distant second-best.

Rash and Rehan rip the top order

Master and apprentice, heir apparent and all that… from the moment he bowled England to the Under-19 World Cup final two years ago, there was never much doubt that Rehan would eventually take over the mantle of England's at-

Sam Curran scored his maiden T20I fifty

West Indies owed their victory in the opening T20 International to a familiar trait, with their pain-train of batters out-thumping England by 14 sixes to six.

Today was a similar story – 13 versus eight in the final analysis, including Rehan's penultimate-ball slap over

Unwittingly or otherwise, Rehan's change of ends marked the start of West Indies' charge. His first ball was too full and got the treatment as King climbed handsomely through the line. A fumble from Woakes at long-on then gave way to a beastly slog-sweep for King's fourth six, and a 33ball half-century, whereupon Powell unleashed a muscular thrash off Tymal Mills to bring up the hundred inside the 14th over.

Rashid returned to restore some short-term order. His fourth and final over yielded a trio of singles, for the outstanding figures of 2 for 11, but Powell was only just getting started. Curran's fragile form has been a concern for some months now, and now he found himself fully exposed by the most expensive over of his career.

It started, as these things sometimes do, with a hint of misfortune, as Powell's under-edge eluded both his stumps and Buttler's dive.

gave him the final say in an engaging duel with Kyle Mayers.

With memories of the record-breaking 46-six OneDay International (ODI) on this same ground in 2019, Jos Buttler had had no compunction about bowling first

er, and was launched brutally down the ground. In between whiles, he tried to hide the ball and was done for a brace of wides.

The fourth of Powell's sixes brought up his 27-ball fifty, and he might have made it five in the over had Brook at long-on not intercepted with a brilliant full-stretch dive. But his departure did not exactly slow West Indies' onslaught. King was waiting for Rehan's return, and made it 48 in two overs with three fours and a mighty slog over deep midwicket, as the rookie retreated with 1 for 47, his most bruised figures of the tour so far.

At least Mills had the experience to restore a degree of order. He'd been quietly effective across the first two overs and utilised his startling range of pace-on and -off deliveries to limit King and Andre Russell to an exchange of four singles in his third. Russell, inevitably, connected with two sixes before the innings was done, including a remarkable leaping uppercut off long-off, but Mills struck

tack-leading legspinner across formats.

What was less obvious, however, was that there would be a period, in Rehan's international infancy and at the tail-end of Rashid's magnificent career, that the pair would dove-

tail as a twin-spin force to be envied. And to judge by their thrilling post-powerplay surge, that time might just be now, notwithstanding the gulf that eventually emerged between their eventual figures.

After entering the attack for the seventh over, Rashid was first to strike, just three balls into his spell, as Nicholas Pooran was flummoxed by a diet of loopy googlies and surrendered with a loose hack to long-on.

Rehan then went one better – his second delivery burst through the defences of the in-form Shai Hope, dipping and ripping into off stump to dispatch him for 1 from 3.

Not to be outdone, Rashid took the baton back in his very next over, confounding Shimron Hetmyer with a wonderful double-whammy – a huge air-ball firstup that plopped on a middle-and-leg line, followed by a flatter flipper outside off next-up that Hetmyer could only prod uneasily to Moeen at slip.

By the time their fiveover alliance was done, West Indies were listing at 68 for 4 after 11, with King's forceful thump through the line off Rehan being their only boundary in 31 balls. That, inevitably, was about to change.

Gudakesh Motie claimed miserly figures of 1 for 9

But thereafter it was carnage. Twice Curran took the pace off, twice he was butchered high over the ropes. Twice he aimed full-

back with a pinpoint slower ball before making two in two to wrap up the 20 overs, as Jason Holder holed out to cow corner. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD West Indies (20 ovs maximum) BATTING R Brandon King not out 82 Kyle Mayers c Curran b Woakes 17 Nicholas Pooran † c Woakes b Rashid 5 Shai Hope b Rehan Ahmed 1 Shimron Hetmyer c Ali b Rashid 2 Rovman Powell (c) c Brook b Curran 50 Andre Russell b Mills 14 Jason Holder c Livingstone b Mills 0 Extras (lb 1, w 4) 5 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.80) 176/7 Did not bat: Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph Fall of wickets: 1-43 (Kyle Mayers, 5.4 ov), 2-48 (Nicholas Pooran, 6.3 ov), 3-51 (Shai Hope, 7.2 ov), 4-54 (Shimron Hetmyer, 8.2 ov), 5-134 (Rovman Powell, 15.6 ov), 6-176 (Andre Russell, 19.5 ov), 7-176 (Jason Holder, 19.6 ov)

England (T: 177 runs from 20 ovs) BATTING R Phil Salt c Powell b Joseph 25 Jos Buttler (c)† c Mayers b Hosein 5 Will Jacks c Holder b Joseph 24 Sam Curran c Hosein b Joseph 50 Liam Livingstone c Powell b Motie 17 Harry Brook c Joseph b Hosein 5 Moeen Ali not out 22 Chris Woakes c Hetmyer b Holder 2 Rehan Ahmed not out 10 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 4) 6 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.30) 166/7 Yet to bat: Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Jos Buttler, 2.2 ov), 2-55 (Phil Salt, 7.4 ov), 3-65 (Will Jacks, 9.3 ov), 4-97 (Liam Livingstone, 12.2 ov), 5-108 (Harry Brook, 14.3 ov), 6-134 (Sam Curran, 17.1 ov)

BOWLING Moeen Ali Chris Woakes Sam Curran Adil Rashid Rehan Ahmed Tymal Mills

BOWLING Akeal Hosein Jason Holder Andre Russell Gudakesh Motie Alzarri Joseph

O-M-R-W 2-0-15-0 4-0-34-1 2-0-38-1 4-0-11-2 4-0-47-1 4-0-30-2

O-M-R-W 4-0-24-2 4-0-27-1 4-0-66-0 4-0-9- 1 4-0-39-3

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

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Providence undergoes second inspection for T20 World Cup Pg 22

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