Guyana Times - Monday, December 4, 2023

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 5573

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

Pres Ali urges Venezuela to show maturity & responsibility

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana needs P9 more than goodwill, declarations to preserve forests – VP Jagdeo tells climate summit ...identifies 4-point model that would secure climate financing

Father of 5 P16 accused of robbery released on $200,000 bail

Page 3

Thousands of Guyanese turn up at the Guyana National Stadium for the ‘Night of Patriotic Reflection"

– warns Venezuela that the world is looking at it

Venezuela forges ahead with referendum in defiance of world, ICJ – allegations arise of Maduro Govt bullying citizens to go out and vote amid low turnout See story on page 7

Man dies after P26 vehicle turns turtle along Corentyne roadway

Miner accused of breaking into store gets $400,000 bail

Antiguan PM Pedestrian killed affirms support by unlicensed for Guyana’s female driver – motorcyclist territorial integrity at Soesdyke dies at Melanie Guyana remains on high alert Sod turned for $200M shade amid Venezuela’s house facility in Reg 2 aggression – Page 11

Page 11

P16

Venezuela border controversy

P5

See story on page 2

– expected to rake in millions from cash crops

Pres Ali tells BBC

2 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sod turned for $200M shade house facility in Reg 2 – expected to rake in millions from cash crops

President Ali addressing the gathering on Sunday

I

n a defining moment for Guyana’s agriculture Landscape in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday turned the sod for a $200 million shade house facility to bolster food security in the region.

The spanking new facility, which is slated to be completed by February 2024, was launched in the compound of the Guyana School of Agriculture’s (GSA) compound.

During his address, President Ali drew a poignant comparison between Venezuela's unrestrained actions and Guyana's unwavering focus on rallying Essequibo's populace towards self-sustainability in food production.

Highlighting Essequibo's pivotal role, Ali underscored its profound significance as not only a bastion of natural resources but also the primary hub for Guyana's food production. His address resonated with the notion that Essequibo is the veritable breadbasket of the nation, contributing substantially to Guyana's food consumption.

“Essequibo is not only rich in natural resources but the home for an important deliverable for the people of Guyana and that is the production of food. Essequibo produces a lot of the food that we eat here in Guyana.

So, as we continue to face this challenge, we make it through the development of Essequibo, the development

of Guyana and it will continue. Even today as Venezuela seek to have a referendum, we are sending this very strong signal that we are building our Essequibo stronger, better, more sustainable, and resilient.”

Ali's speech exuded determination amidst adversity, affirming Guyana's dedication to bolstering Essequibo's resilience and sustainability in the face of external challenges. His elation at welcoming young enthusiasts to the expansive land clearance for the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme epitomised his fervent belief in the programme's potential impact.

The Agriculture and Innovation

The area earmarked for the $200 million shade house

Entrepreneurship Programme, designed for innovation, sustainability, and resilience, aims to engage over two hundred young minds in high-tech agriculture, agro-processing, and high-value crop production, envisioned to transform Region Two into an integrated food and agriculture business centre.

Emphasising the broader societal imperative, President Ali urged communities not to falter in their pursuit of nation-building.

He assured the populace of the soundness and security of investments, rallying

Guyanese to embrace the challenge of advancing the country's development trajectory.

The hydrophobic shade house mirrors the one in Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara and represents an initial investment exceeding two hundred million dollars.

President Ali outlined the facility's focus on high-value crops such as lettuce, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, eschallot, kale, and pak-choy, destined not just for Essequibo's market but for broader hospitality industry expansion.

He added, “Let us not

ning, encompassing diverse sections for vegetables, nurseries, intercropping, and tertiary development, President Ali illustrated the potential production impact of the project.

It is proposed that a staggering 40,000 pounds of lettuce will be produced per year, generating approximately $100 million in revenue; and 3000 pounds of bell pepper with an estimated revenue nearing $4.8 million. There is also the anticipation of three annual tomato harvests, reaching close to 12,000 pounds, potentially yielding around $5.5 million. Additionally,

A section of the young people at the launch on Sunday

slow the movement of investing…have no fear with our investment because we are working to ensure that our investment is secure.

Today in this first phase of this project we are launching the hydroponic shade house in Region Two that is modern just like the one in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. This investment that will involve young people is an investment of over two hundred million dollars and we are going to focus on some high-value crops that are critically needed in our economy as it continues to grow and diversify so this initial facility will be almost an acre in size (the hydroponics facility) will see us focusing on crops like lettuce of every variety including the ones that import because the aim is to replace our import.”

With meticulous plan-

expectations also extend to 18,000 pounds of celery, foreseeing revenue surpassing $5 million, 18,000 pounds of eschallot, 17,000 pounds of kale, and an impressive 378,000 heads of pak-choy.

Beyond financial prospects, this venture promises substantial employment opportunities for over 200 residents in the initial phase and a commitment to train an additional 200 young people as agro-tech entrepreneurs, amplifying Essequibo's self-reliance and sustainability.

President Ali concluded on a note of resilience, invoking the virtues of honesty, truth, dignity, and honour, and extended a call for unity, peace, and prosperity not just for Guyana but also for Venezuela. (Raywattie Deonarine)

NEWS

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, Dec 4 – 22:00h – 23:30h and Tuesday, Dec 5 – 22:30h – 00:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Pres Ali urges Venezuela to show maturity & responsibility – warns Venezuela that the world is looking at it

Monday, Dec 4 – 09:45h – 11:15h and Tuesday, Dec 5 – 11:00h – 12:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine and thundery showers during the day. Expect clear skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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President Dr Irfaan Ali

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali, back in the country after representing Guyana at COP28, has urged Venezuela, which is under intense international scrutiny amid its border controversy with Guyana, to do the right thing and behave like a responsible state.

The President made this call on Sunday, the same day Venezuelans go to the polls for a controversial referendum that the Nicolas Maduro regime has been using to get a mandate from the people to, among other things, annex Guyana’s Essequibo territory.

President Ali urged Venezuelans, particularly those in leadership positions, to avoid inflammatory language that can inflame tension between the two countries, at a time when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) itself has ruled that Venezuela must take no action to enforce its dubious and illegal claim on the Essequibo region.

Lauding Guyanese for the patriotism and unity they have shown so far and urging them to take these traits forward into the future, President Ali also had some strong words for Venezuela. He urged the Spanish-speaking country to demonstrate maturity and responsibility.

“I am not going to get into the internal politics of Venezuela and their policy-making. But I want to advise Venezuela that this is an opportunity for them to show maturity. An opportunity for them to show responsibility. And we call upon them once more to join us in demonstrating maturity and responsibility in allowing the rule of law to work and to determine the outcome of this controversy.”

“I want to speak directly to the Venezuelan people. We are your neighbours.

And we are taught to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Long after this controversy, we will live together as neighbours. You have to determine within yourselves, whether you want to be part of a system that runs afoul of international law based on all the feedback internationally, based on the support we’re getting internationally,” Ali said.

“I want to speak directly to the Venezuelan people.

We are your neighbours. And we are taught to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Long after this controversy, we will live together as neighbours. You have to determine within yourselves, whether you want to be part of a system that runs afoul of international law based on all the feedback internationally, based on the support we’re getting internationally,” President Irfaan Ali. President Ali noted that over the next few hours, days and weeks ahead, the vigilance of the Guyana Government will be enhanced. However, he also assured Guyanese that they have nothing to fear.

According to the President, they are working around the clock to ensure that the borders remain intact.

Meanwhile, the President emphasised that the international support and coverage Guyana has been getting when it comes to the border controversy is a direct result of the work the Government has been doing to carry forward Guyana’s situation to the world and update the country’s international partners.

After years of failed good offices process via the United Nations (UN), Guyana is seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, as well as legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of the coun-

try’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

The Venezuelan National Electoral Council had published a list of five questions that it plans to put before the Venezuelan people in a referendum set for December 3, 2023. The referendum will seek the Venezuelan people’s approval to, among other things, annex Essequibo and create a Venezuelan state. It also seeks the citizens’ approval for Venezuela to grant citizenship and identity cards to residents of Essequibo.

The World Court’s order barring Venezuela from taking any action to seize Essequibo while the Court makes its decision about the validity of the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award was welcomed, the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Organisation of American States (OAS) announced on Friday.

Altogether, they have urged Venezuela to respect the ruling.

Caricom stated that Venezuela must not take any action to challenge, disrupt or interfere with “Guyana’s longstanding control and administration of the Essequibo region, which constitutes more than twothirds of Guyana’s land territory until the Court has issued its final judgement on which State enjoys sovereignty over that territory.”

According to the regional body, the order “reinforces the fundamental principle of international law, enshrined in the United Nations (UN) and OAS Charters, that every State has the duty to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others. The order makes clear that holding a national referendum does not exempt a State from its obligation to comply with this duty.”

Venezuela cannot by a referendum, or otherwise, violate international law and disregard the order of the world’s highest Court, Caricom emphasised in a statement.

TURN TO PAGE 8

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

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Let us pray for peace

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tarting on Friday, December 1, three days of national prayer were observed in Guyana in the face of Venezuela’s aggression and its referendum on Sunday to purportedly annex Essequibo, despite the International Court of Justice ordering it not to take any action that would alter Guyana’s control over our territory.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro led the way in casting votes at the referendum on Sunday. The National Electoral Council of Venezuela has reported that over 20 million were expected to vote at 28,000 polling stations across Venezuela. The process commenced at 6:00h and ended at 18:00h, with the results slated to be released early this morning.

While millions cast their ballots in the referendum, the event was overshadowed by the disapproval of the regional and international community.

It would be easy to dislike Venezuela, who believes erroneously we are the enemy. After all, it is claiming twothirds of our country – based on the surmising of one of its lawyers at the 1899 border arbitration, who had not the intestinal fortitude to publicise his conjecture when he or the other parties involved were alive, and not a shred of evidence have been found since to support this calumny, either in the British archives or the Venezuelan archives – and specially-appointed experts of both nations have looked.

But we are called to overlook offences and forgive those who trespass against us (quite literally in this case).

Venezuela’s sabre-rattling on our western border has driven inter-country military tensions in our corner of South America to levels unprecedented this century.

While much wider further afield, in a world beset by conflict, the need for prayers for peace and sanity to prevail is evident, with the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars dragging us ever closer to the brink of war on a scale not seen since World War II. We are instructed in Romans (12:14, 17,21): ”Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse . . . Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven,” Matthew 5:43-48 instructs.

“He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

So, let us pray for peace, for understanding, for wisdom to enter our hearts and guide our actions, Guyanese and Venezuelans alike, and all our fellow Terrans.

Outrage over Venezuela’s unmitigated gall must be tempered by our duty to continue to help its citizens who have migrated here and our love for our South American brethren. Yes, we have been wronged in many ways by our larger, more powerful neighbour, but we must not give in to hate and contempt. Let love prevail (with the firm understanding Essequibo is ours).

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

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Venezuela border controversy

Guyana remains on high alert amid Venezuela’s aggression – Pres Ali tells BBC

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali during an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Radio on Sunday reiterated that while Guyana has intensely focused on diplomacy and the maintenance of peace regarding the border controversy, the country remains on high alert.

He was at the time addressing the referendum imposed by Venezuela to annex Essequibo, which forms 2/3 of Guyana with a population of just over 120,000 people.

The Spanish-speaking nation went ahead with its referendum on Sunday despite calls from several international organisations and more importantly, the ruling of the World Court.

“The rhetoric out of Venezuela and the behaviour and attitude of the President and Vice President necessitates serious concerns, and we cannot be caught wanting. As the President of Guyana, we have to take everything that the President and the military say very seriously, and their rhetoric has not been an encouraging one,” the Guyanese leader asserted.

Further, the President emphasised that Venezuela’s referendum seeks to threaten Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Venezuelan Government, in its continued claims to Guyana’s territory, moved forward with its referendum, where it posed questions to the Venezuelan people, seeking approval for several measures to validate its claim.

These actions seek to cre-

like power on the planet”, that statement added.

“Nothing and no one will prevent the Venezuelan people from expressing themselves freely on December 3 on their own internal and extremely important issue, such as territorial integrity. On December 3, the Venezuelan people will go out to exercise their vote, for the first time in history, to defend their territorial integrity, and will ratify that our rights over Guayana Esequiba are inalienable and unquestionable,” the statement has detailed.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

ate conflict, and President Ali noted that the Guyanese Government has urged Venezuela to abide by international law and allow the issue to be settled through legal means.

He assured that the Government will spare no effort to protect Guyana’s territory and its people.

“We have been mobilising around the globe. And I must say that the international community has supported Guyana tremendously, and has issued very strong statements; the Commonwealth, Caricom, the OAS, France, the UK (United Kingdom), Canada, the US Government. So, with our partners, we’re not taking this lightly, whilst, at the same time, we are monitoring the situation,” President Ali affirmed.

Even in light of the ruling issued by the ICJ, the Venezuelan Government, in a statement on Friday, reiterated that it does not recognise the jurisdiction of the ICJ to settle the territo-

rial controversy surrounding Guayana Esequiba, especially given the existence of the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

“Nothing in international law allowed the Court to interfere in the internal affairs of Venezuela, nor to attempt to prohibit or modify a sovereign act organised within the framework of its participatory political system, and based on its Constitution,” the Venezuelan Government has declared in its statement.

“Likewise, with this decision, it has been demonstrated that Guyana is not a victim, it has no titles over the disputed territory; it is a de facto occupier, and has repeatedly violated the Geneva Agreement and international legality by unilaterally granting concessions in the land territory and the waters pending to be delimited, as well as facilitating its territory for the military deployment in our Region of the main war-

Long-running border controversy

Venezuela maintains that the border with Guyana, a former colony of The Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK), was fraudulently imposed by the British. Guyana, on the other hand, maintains that the line was conclusively determined on October 3, 1899 — 124 years ago — by an arbitration panel (Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899).

The Anglo-Venezuelan Arbitral Tribunal met in Paris, France, and on October 3, 1899, gave its “full and final” award defining the border between Venezuela and the then British Guiana. Venezuela accepted the Award and signed on to it. This border was demarcated jointly by Venezuela and the colonial power Britain in 1907.

However, on February 14, 1962, Venezuela informed the Secretary General of the United Nations that it considered there to be a “dispute” between itself and the UK

NTC stands firm in support of Guyana's sovereignty

T

he National Toshaos Council (NTC) of Guyana, representing the collective voice of the Indigenous peoples of this nation, vehemently supports Guyana's steadfast position against the controversial referendum.

The National Toshaos Council stands firmly behind the historical and legal foundation upon which Guyana's territorial integrity is built. Guyana has consistently maintained that the border with Venezuela was legally and internationally settled in 1899 by a tribunal of arbitration.

This longstanding agreement has been recognised and respected by nations worldwide. The Essequibo region, home to Indigenous communities from time immemorial, has been an

integral part of Guyana's rich cultural tapestry.

The NTC, as the authoritative body representing the Indigenous peoples of Guyana, urges all Indigenous communities to unite in the face of this challenge and to remain vigilant. The Essequibo region holds deep historical and cultural significance for our people, and any attempt to alter its status through force or manipulation must be met with resolute opposition.

We must stand together as one, united in our commitment to defend our ancestral lands and preserve the rights and heritage of our Indigenous communities. The Essequibo region has been our home since time immemorial, and we will not allow external forces to

undermine the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our beloved Guyana.

The NTC calls upon Venezuela to respect the rule of international law and the principles of justice that underpin the 1899 agreement. Furthermore, the NTC urges diplomatic channels to prevail, emphasising the importance of dialogue and peaceful resolution to any disputes concerning borders.

In closing, the National Toshaos Council reiterates its unwavering support for the Government of Guyana in its efforts to protect the nation's territorial integrity and calls upon all Indigenous peoples to stand united against any threat to the Essequibo region.

National Toshaos Council of Guyana

“concerning the demarcation of the frontier between Venezuela and British Guiana”.

The Government of the UK, for its part, asserted on November 13, 1962, that “the western boundary of British Guiana with Venezuela (had been) finally settled by the award which the arbitral tribunal (had) announced on 3 October 1899”, and that it did not “agree that there (could) be any dispute over the question settled by the award”.

After various attempts to resolve the matter had failed, the representatives of the UK, Venezuela, and British Guiana signed the Geneva Agreement on February 17, 1966. Over Venezuela’s signature, the

Agreement refers to the “controversy” raised by Venezuela.

On Feb 17, 1966, just before attaining independence, Guyana became a party to the Geneva Agreement. Attempts were made in the ensuing decades to resolve the dispute through different means of settlement outlined in the Geneva Agreement.

Finally, after no agreement had been reached, as per the procedure adumbrated in the Agreement, Guyana, in January 2018, passed the controversy over to the UN Secretary General to choose a dispute mechanism as outlined by Article 33 of the UN Charter. He chose the ICJ as the means to resolve the controversy legally.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:05 14:35 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

Test Questions

Song by W Hawley-Bryant

Born in the land of the mighty Roraima, Land of great rivers and far stretching sea; So like the mountain, the sea and the river Great, wide and deep in our lives would we be; Chorus: Onward, upward, may we ever go Day by day in strength and beauty grow, Till at length we each of us may show, What Guyana’s sons and daughters can be.

Born in the land of Kaieteur’s shining splendour Land of the palm tree, the croton and fern, We would possess all the virtues and graces, We all the glory of goodness would learn.

Born in the land where men sought El Dorado, Land of the Diamond and bright shining gold, We would build up by our faith, love and labour, God’s golden city which never grows old.

Materials

a compass, an individually wrapped piece of candy

Method

In a large outdoor area, the piece of candy is placed on the ground. Standing where the candy lies, set your compass

at 360º, face north, and walk for 50 paces following that bearing.

Next, set your compass for 120º, face that bearing and take another 50 paces. Finally, set your compass for 240º, face that bearing, and again take 50 paces. When you’re done, if you’re five feet from the piece of candy, you can pick it

up, put it in your pocket, or eat it.

– Note: ideally, the candy will be placed on grass or other terrain so you can’t spot it until you’re finished the last leg of the triangle.

– Variation: You choose your own bearings, adding 120º to the first and second as you go

Thus to the land which to us God has given May our young lives bring a gift rich and rare, Thus, as we grow, may the worth of Guyana Shine with a glory beyond all compare.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuela forges ahead with referendum in defiance of world, ICJ – allegations arise of Maduro Govt bullying citizens to go out and vote amid low turnout U

nder the watchful eyes of the world, Venezuela on Sunday went ahead with its planned referendum containing all five questions as is, including a question asking its citizens for approval to annex Essequibo and ultimately create a Venezuelan state. Essequibo forms almost 2/3 of Guyana’s territory.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro led the way in casting votes at the elections on Sunday. The National Electoral Council of Venezuela has reported that over 20 million were expected to vote at 28,000 polling stations across Venezuela.

The process commenced at 6:00h and ended at 18:00h, with the results slated to be released early Monday morning.

ABC News reported that lines of about 30 people could be seen at some of them, while at others, voters did not have to wait at all to cast their ballots. That contrasts with other electoral processes when hundreds of people gathered outside voting centers from the start.

However, while millions cast their ballots in the referendum, the event is overshadowed not only by the disapproval of the regional and international community but by opposition to the referendum within Venezuela itself.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a former Deputy in the Venezuelan National Assembly, is one such critic of the referendum. Machado, who is widely tipped to defeat Maduro in next year’s presidential elections once the process is a free and fair one, has been vocal in her opposition to the referendum, which she has said will do more harm than good.

In a recent interview with a Miami-based online publication, Machado had denounced the Maduro regime’s referendum as irresponsible and urged them to focus on preparing a proper defence for its case before the ICJ, where the border controversy awaits a final and binding settlement.

The mother of a 14-year-old boy, Rebecca Mora, claimed her son was kidnapped by the State due to the referendum

“I'm not going to speculate what they're looking for. What I can tell you is that this does not help the defence of Essequibo and the territorial integrity of Venezuela. On the contrary, once again, the regime's irresponsible actions are putting Venezuela's sovereignty at risk in a territory that is strategic and that belongs to Venezuela,” Machado had said.

“We cannot do anything that at this moment would harm our position in the International Court of Justice, whose process is underway. So, what we must all focus on is that the best jurists, expert specialists in this matter, put themselves at the service of the country and not in a propaganda action that will harm us even more,” the politician further told the publication.

Machado is not the only one speaking out. Videos have been circulating online of Venezuelans urging persons not to be brainwashed by the referendum. There have been reports of Government employees and school children in Venezuela being forced to vote in the referendum.

In fact, in one video a school teacher can be seen standing on a stage warning that students are being deceived and manipulated with the referen-

dum in high schools. In another video, a woman who identified herself as Rebeca Mora accused the Maduro regime of kidnapping her 14-year-old son.

In the video, she claimed that her son is being pressured into voting in the referendum and is being threatened with repeating a school year. Further, it is alleged that these tactics are being used throughout Venezuela to get millions of people to go out and vote.

“They grabbed and kidnapped my son, he told him that he had to vote for cash because he was a child of 14 years… in order to vote, that is not done. I want to have information,” the visibly frustrated woman said in her video stream, which went viral.

Last month, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council had published a list of five questions that it planned to put before the Venezuelan people in the December 3, 2023 referendum. The referendum sought the Venezuelan people’s approval to, among other things, annex Essequibo and create a Venezuelan state. It also sought the citizens’ approval for Venezuela to grant citizenship and identity cards to residents of Essequibo.

Over the past few weeks,

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as he cast his ballot in the referendum

Guyana has been informing regional and international partners of Venezuela’s referendum, which has been criticised by the United States, Caricom, and the Organisation of American States (OAS), as well as several other nations in the Region, including Brazil.

On Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling barring Venezuela from taking any action emanating from the referendum, to seize Essequibo while the Court makes its decision about the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award.

After years of failed good offices process via the United Nations (UN), Guyana is seeking a final and binding judgement from the ICJ to reinforce

that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, as well as legal affirmation that Guyana’s

Essequibo region, which contains much of the country’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Amit Singh’s murder case

Prosecutor requesting Paper Committal for accused, hoping to make full disclosure by Jan 19, 2024

I

n the case of Yogeendra Sukhdeo, 24, of 20th Avenue, Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who is accused of killing his business partner Amit Singh, Special Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat hopes to fully disclose all statements and exhibits by January 19, 2024.

In addition, she has requested that a Paper Committal be done, which is to reduce the period taken for Preliminary Inquiries (PI). In a Paper Committal, the presiding Magistrate may admit statements, documents, writings and other articles tendered to the court in the absence of the witness and with the agreement of the defence.

Further, once that Magistrate is of the view that the evidence so tendered presents an adequate case, he/she may commit the accused person for trial. If the evidence does not constitute a prima facie case, the accused can be discharged.

Sukhdeo was initially arraigned for 21-year-old Singh’s murder on October 31 before Chief Magistrate (ag) Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, who had remanded him to prison.

When the case was called last week, Prosecutor Rahamat told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had given her the case file.

Dead: Amit Singh

The lawyer said that after revisiting the file, she noticed that the results from blood samples that were sent for analysis had not yet been returned. As such, she requested more time to make a full disclosure.

According to Ramahat, Sukhdeo’s Attorney-at-Law Gordon Gilhuys, a former Magistrate “has indicated to the court that he will wait until he gets the statements to indicate whether he wants to proceed with the Paper Committal or regular Preliminary Inquiry (PI).”

Meanwhile, during an interview with this publication, the Special Prosecutor addressed reports of Sukhdeo's applying for bail. Although she is not aware of the murder accused filing any bail application, she stated that the "high-

er courts will have to deal with it" if he does make one.

“Bail is not usually granted for murder unless there are extenuating and extraneous circumstances that would make it an extraordinary case to have discretion exercised in that manner,” Rahamat explained.

Singh’s cause of death was listed as blunt trauma to the head, face, and neck topped with multiple fractures and broncho aspiration of blood.

Singh and Sukhdeo were reportedly close friends and on the day in question, October 24, Sukhdeo picked him up from his Campbellville, Georgetown home in a black Toyota Allion motor car.

Sukhdeo reportedly changed the registration plates with the aim of not leaving a trace behind.

Nevertheless, as time elapsed and the young man did not return home, the Police were contacted.

Based on intelligence gathered, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters arrested Sukhdeo, who took them to the house at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, where the young man’s body was found wrapped in a sheet.

He reportedly told investigators that he would normally finalise the purchase of raw gold for Singh. But the Police

Murder accused: Yogeendra Sukhdeo

have confirmed that the victim was lured to the house under the pretext that a group of men had gold for sale when in fact, it was an orchestrated plan to rob the young man.

At the house at La Penitence, which Sukhdeo took care of, there was reportedly a misunderstanding during which Singh was beaten to death. Sukhdeo reportedly panicked, wrapped the body in a sheet, and left the premises. After reportedly confessing to the crime, Sukhdeo took the Police to his Diamond home where a total of $7.7 million was recovered.

According to the charge against Sukhdeo, he killed Singh during a robbery. The death penalty is the highest punishment that can be imposed by the law for murder.

Pres Ali urges Venezuela to...

Also showing support to Guyana, the Commonwealth said it noted with “deep concern” that the planned referendum on December 3 in Venezuela will challenge the ICJ’s jurisdiction, propose a formal annexation of the Essequibo territory, give Venezuelan citizenship, and national identity cards to nationals of Guyana in the region under dispute, potentially be a license to violate the territorial integrity of Guyana and constitute aggravation of the dispute which the December 1 decision of the ICJ discourages.

The Commonwealth reiterated its collective faith in due process, respect for national territorial sovereignty, international law, global order, peace and security, and cordial international relations in the Caribbean and the Latin American region.

Further, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro in response to the ruling via X, formerly Twitter, wrote: “We consider [the] ICJ decision as fundamental in requesting Venezuela to refrain

from all provocative, warmongering, and illegal actions that encroach on the

established boundaries of Guyana’s territory.”

He too reminded that

FROM PAGE 3

the Court’s ruling is binding and must be respected by the Venezuelan regime.

Exposing… …Mad Maduro’s weakness A

s your Eyewitness has been predicting, Mad Maduro thumbed his nose at the ICJ – and most of the free world – to go ahead with the referendum that “approves” him annexing our Essequibo!! He’s already shown he’s mad as a hatter to interpret the ICJ’s ruling as a “victory” for him – just because the ICJ didn’t explicitly mention “referendum” in their judgement!! Jeez, which part of “don’t take any action that would aggravate the status quo” he doesn’t get?? What action was protested to the court by Guyana?? Not his dumb-a55 referendum??

Did he think the Court meant only if he INVADES, that’s a prohibited action?? So, doesn’t that interpretation defeat the whole point of the ICJ’s ruling, since that would mean “WAR BREAK” – where boat dun gaan ah watah?? So is he gonna also have to slaughter a certain number of Guyanese before he breaks International Law?? Listen – as far as your Eyewitness is concerned, Maduro didn’t only follow Burnham’s example in implementing hare-brained socialist policies that ruined his economy – and the intended poor beneficiaries lost corn and husk.

He's following Burnham’s example of talking fat – “backto-back; belly to belly. A doan give a damn; Ah done dead a’ready!!” But like all bullies, he’s also a coward who caves in when faced with pressure from someone bigger than him!! Just like Burnham caved in to Kissinger’s suggestion that he stop the Cuban troop-planes from in-transiting in Guyana to Angola. Yet Burnham wanted to be the hero of Southern Africa’s freedom struggle!! Maduro’s just like those “fowl cocks” who jump up and down – squawking all the while – but does absolutely nothing in the end!!

Let’s take the referendum itself – which is designed just to get the starving Venezuelan masses to vote and then tell the world they support HIM!! Didn’t he have a dry run last week?? Didn’t he also beat the bushes to have folks turn out then?? So, how come he didn’t release any figures?? He was just playing dead to see who’d come out to his funeral!

Your Eyewitness understands turnout was sooo low, he promptly let on he’d give all those who can prove they voted 170 Bolivars!! The only fly in that ointment is there’s nothing in the shops to buy!!

Your Eyewitness predicts the turnout is still gonna be very low!! But we know what Mad Maduro’s gonna do, right?? Here again – like Burnham claimed there was a 97% turnout in his 1978 referendum when international observers said 12%! – he’ll announce a massive approval.

As if he thinks the rest of the world is also mad!!

Listen, folks…Maduro ain’t going nowhere. The Yanks gotta yank him through free and fair elections!! Free Venezuela!!

…our foes As your Eyewitness always emphasises – ad nauseam, to some!! – countries should have no permanent friends nor permanent enemies: just permanent interests. And – as far as preserving the sanctity of our Essequibo Border – there’s no greater interest than doing whatever it takes to repel the Venezuelan claim. By any means necessary!!

Now there were some murmurs when Mia and Rowley made nice with Venezuela. But even though they’ve got their interests – eventually, they called out Mad Maduro!!

But what about China and Russia – who also got some skin in the game?? For China – which our Government took some flak for going ahead with their B&I Initiative – but which is close to Maduro – we haven’t heard a squeak!! For Russia, we can read between the lines in their Tass report which parroted the Venezuelan line that the referendum is to resolve the “territorial dispute through direct peace negotiations with Guyana, as is stipulated in the 1966 Geneva Agreement”!!

So the ICJ process isn’t from the Geneva Agreement?? …discrimination “investigators” Ex-Georgia State Rep, Sister Dee Dawkins-Haigler – with a team of other southern State Reps – visited three weeks ago to investigate claims of discrimination – and worse – emanating from that “Washington Conference”? Have they reported findings to the US Administration as promised?

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

9 Guyana needs more than goodwill, declarations to preserve forests – VP Jagdeo tells climate summit NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

...identifies 4-point model that would secure climate financing

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo, while addressing a COP28 panel discussion, made it clear that countries like Guyana need more than goodwill and declarations to preserve their forests, laying out the necessary conditions for achieving net zero through avoided deforestation.

On Saturday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo shared a stage with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the COP28 conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) during a panel discussion.

The panel discussion focused on reversing deforestation, which would contribute to a 30 per cent reduction of emissions and achieving net zero. In his presentation, Jagdeo spoke of Guyana’s efforts to certify its forests. He also stressed the conditions necessary to avoid

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

deforestation.

“We believe in Guyana that the only way in the long term, that we’d be able to preserve our forests, is to have a model that has several elements.

We believe there are four important elements to the model that we launched in 2008 and we recently updated.”

“First of all, forests

have to be integrated into a national development strategy. Secondly, the solution has to be a jurisdictional scale solution.

Thirdly, Indigenous people and those who live in the forest have to be part of the solution. Then we believe that you have to have strong forest legislation and robust enforcement of that legislation,”

the Vice President explained.

But the most important element of all, according to Jagdeo, is financing.

Jagdeo made it clear that developing countries with large forests need more than goodwill and declarations, to contribute to net-zero solutions. This would echo calls President Dr Irfaan Ali has made, for the developed world to play a bigger role in financing the climate change fight.

“The next element, which is the critical one, is that you have to identify a revenue stream to outcompete alternate use of the forest… without these key elements, we believe that forests cannot be preserved in the long term, either through philanthropy or just goodwill or declarations,” Jagdeo said.

Guyana signed a contract with Hess Corporation in December 2022 which will see the nation earning US$750

million within a tenyear period. While 85 per cent is being invested in multi-community and national priorities, 15 per cent ($4.7 billion) is allocated towards Amerindian development.

To date, several villages have had their plans approved and have already begun implementing their projects. Some villages will use the grants to develop their tourism and agriculture sectors while others are using the money to fund projects that empower women.

The 33.7 million credits 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 forest are estimated to store approximately 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

In the meantime, the remaining 70 per cent of Guyana’s carbon credits are currently attracting

interest from several markets, and Vice President Jagdeo had previously said that the Government is now exploring these opportunities.

A carbon credit is a tradable permit or certificate that allows the holder of the credit the right to emit a stated tonnage of carbon dioxide or an equivalent of another greenhouse gas. Countries and companies that exceed their permitted limits can purchase carbon credits from nations that have low emissions such as Guyana.

The deal with Hess came on the heels of Guyana being the first country to receive a certification of more than 33 million carbon credits by the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) on December 1, 2022. Jagdeo has said that Guyana has the potential to earn over US$2.5 billion over 10 years from the country’s carbon credits.

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Guyanese unite to show their patriotism

NEWS

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Guyana is prepared, there’s nothing to fear – Pres Ali tells Muslim community – as CIOG hosts National Day of Prayers A

s Guyanese turned out in their numbers against Venezuela’s referendum which seeks to annex Essequibo and create a Venezuelan state, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Irfaan Ali joined the Muslim community in a day of public awareness and prayers.

The National Day of Prayers was organised by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), which saw scores of people from the Muslim community turning up at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) on Sunday.

During his address to the gathering, President Ali reiterated Guyana’s position, which is to resolve the border controversy amicably, noting that Guyana’s role in this challenging time is to create a new benchmark and framework in which conflict can be managed.

On the other hand, the President reiterated that no stone will be left unturned if Venezuela tries to annex the region unlawfully and forcibly.

He noted that Guyana has benefitted from robust training through its defence partnerships with the United States and other partners, and if the border controversy path to resolve is redirected into violence, Guyana’s Disciplined Services are prepared to defend and protect the nation.

“We stand on the right

President Ali addressing the gathering at MYO on Sunday

side of democracy, we stand on the right side of the rule of law, we stand on the right side of principle, we stand on the right side of honour, we have nothing to fear… our objective is peace, our objective is bringing our people together in this Region, but make no mistake, make no mistake, there’s another song, don’t catch us wanting, you won’t catching us wanting in lack of preparedness,” he added.

President Ali said the actions of Nicolas Maduro’s Government pose a grave threat to the sanctity of international law, regional stability and humanity, including to Venezuelans.

Due to this, he urged Guyanese to have empathy, love, courage and compassion for Venezuelan migrants here.

“The actions in Venezuela are bringing more injustice to the people of Venezuela. We have to show them more empa-

thy when their own leaders are not showing them empathy… I assure you as President of Guyana, as Commander in Chief, I take these responsibilities seriously, these responsibilities form the core around the principle through which we manage this challenge towards a path of peace, hope and dignity,” he said.

approached the ICJ and on Friday, the World Court barred Venezuela from taking any action to challenge Guyana’s sovereignty over Essequibo, but in a subsequent release issued by the Venezuelan Government, it stated that the referendum would proceed as planned.

Venezuela referendum

Guyana stands in solidarity

Last month, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council published a list of five questions that it planned to put before its people in a referendum. One such was the Venezuelan people’s approval to, among other things, annex Essequibo and create a Venezuelan state. It also sought the citizens’ approval for Venezuela to grant citizenship and identity cards to residents of Essequibo.

However, Guyana had

A few young people in the gathering showing their support for Essequibo and Guyana as a whole

Following Venezuela’s signals to not resolve

the border controversy case at the level of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the opposition political parties, civil society, private sector organisations and the general public joined the Government in support of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which finalised the demarcations for the Guyana/ Venezuela border some 124 years ago.

This demonstration of unity was displayed during public engagements, sensitisation sessions, business gatherings and via social media. On Sunday, citizens showed up in their numbers joining hands to demonstrate unity.

According to the Head of State, “Venezuela has awakened the fearless Guyanese spirit to the depth of its core”.

Antiguan PM affirms support for Guyana’s territorial integrity

Pedestrian killed by unlicensed female driver at Soesdyke – motorcyclist dies at Melanie

A

52-year-old man was on Saturday evening killed following an accident at First Hill, Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The dead man has been identified as Vishnudat Ramilan, also known as “Sanko” of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Police stated that on the day in question at about 18:25h, a motor car bearing registration number PMM 2014, which was at the time being driven by a 27-year-old unlicensed woman, was heading east along the northern side of the highway.

While proceeding along her journey, she reportedly observed a male in the centre of the roadway and

Dead: Vishnudat Ramilan

in an attempt to avoid him, she swerved but the rightside wing mirror collided with him.

This, however, resulted in the pedestrian falling onto the roadway and into the path of another motor car, PJJ 807, that was travelling at a fast rate.

Ramilan reportedly sustained injuries to his head and body. From reports received, he died on the spot. The EMT team was summoned to the scene. They picked up the injured man and took him to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead.

Both drivers involved in the accident were arrested and are currently assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist also lost his life in an accident at Melanie on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) on Saturday evening. Up to late Sunday evening, the details about the accident were not immediately available.

P

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Gaston Browne

rime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne on Sunday affirmed his and his country’s support for Guyana’s territorial integrity in light of the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela.

Browne reaffirmed his position following an online article that was published by “Antigua News” which caught the attention of his Government.

“The attention of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has been brought to a story published on

December 3rd, in an internet news portal called, “Antigua News”, which attributed certain remarks to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, regarding Guyana and Venezuela,” a release stated.

As such, the Prime Minister affirms categorically that his position, and that of his Government, aligns fully with the public statement of Caricom issued on December 1, which recognises the territorial integrity of Guyana and supports the process at the International Court of

Justice (ICJ) as the legal and peaceful means of dealing with this matter.

The Prime Minister said that his Government rejects aggression of any kind, and insists that the Caribbean Region must remain a zone of peace in the interest of the well-being and prosperity of the Region’s people.

The Prime Minister added that, as recently as Saturday, he spoke with the Presidents of Brazil and Cuba asking them to urge President Maduro to respect the decision of the ICJ.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Father of 5 accused Miner accused of breaking of robbery released into store gets $400,000 bail on $200,000 bail

A

t his appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts on Friday, a Hogg Street, Albouystown, Georgetown miner, who had been initially remanded to prison for allegedly breaking into a store and stealing items valued over $5M, was granted $400,000 bail.

Akeem Marshall, a 28-year-old father of one, was charged with three counts of break and enter and larceny when he appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weever in October. Then, he had no legal representative.

He is accused of breaking into Shabana & Sons

L

ast week, a father of five, who is facing robbery charges, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts and was granted bail. Golder miner Kirth Smith, 45, was granted $200,000 bail last Monday

by Magistrate Rhondell Weever.

The Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD) man, who also listed a second address as D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, is accused of robbing Onessa Thorne on October 16, 2023, at Water Street, Georgetown, of a black purse worth $10,000 containing $1 million cash.

On October 23, he was first arraigned for the crime and was placed on remand.

At Smith’s court appearance last Monday, the Police prosecutor maintained her previous objections to the robbery accused being released on bail. Her objections were based on the seriousness of the crime and the severe punishment it carries.

The prosecutor had disclosed that Smith bought goods with the stolen money, some of which were found at the Crane address that he listed. The prosecutor went on to state that after the Police were unable to locate Smith at the Georgetown address, they found him at the

On bail: Akeem Marshall

and Digicel phone cards, an Xbox worth $60,000, and two cell phones worth $40,000 in total.

Marshall, who is cur-

Robbery accused Kirth Smith escorted by a Police rank

Crane address.

Smith’s attorney, Donavon Rangiah, informed the court during a bail application that his client is the only provider for his family and has no past criminal history. The attorney stated that his client was prepared to follow any terms imposed on bail.

The defence lawyer informed the presiding Magistrate that his client would periodically visit his reputed wife at the WCD address. The lawyer argued that the prosecutor has not

submitted a “scintilla” of evidence to prove that his client is a flight risk or that he will abscond his trial.

Magistrate Weever in the end stated that she was inclined to grant the accused his pre-trial release, with the condition that he turn in his passport to the Clerk of Court of the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts and report every two weeks to the Brickdam Police Station starting on December 8. December 13 is Smith’s next court date.

Georgetown Magistrates' Courts

Liquor Mart & General Store between August 18 and 19 in Albouystown, Georgetown, and stealing $4,765,000 in cash, $1 million worth of GTT

rently being represented

by Attorney Patrice Henry, has refuted the accusations.

During the October proceedings, Marshall's release

on bail was opposed by the Police prosecutor, who brought up the seriousness of the crime and the amount of money at stake.

Additionally, the prosecution disclosed that Marshall's fingerprints were discovered at the location of the crime and that there is security footage that shows him carrying out the act.

Before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday, Attorney Henry responded to the prosecutor's objections by saying that his client has no prior convictions and is not a flight risk.

The attorney also informed the court that his client was prepared to follow any terms imposed on bail. In the end, Magistrate Daly declared that she was inclined to grant the accused bail, under the condition that he regularly report to the Brickdam Police Station's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) while the matter is heard and determined.

The defendant was instructed to return to court on January 15, 2024.

Marshall has previously been accused of armed robbery. According to sources, the charges against him were dropped because the Police did not hold a proper identification parade.

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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26 NEWS

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Parents call for removal of dorm mother at Corriverton facility C

iting several concerns regarding her conduct, residents of two Amerindian communities, Orealla and Siparuta, are calling for the removal of the mother of the dormitory at the Corriverton facility.

Orealla is situated 50 miles up the Corentyne River and its sister village Siparuta is a further 10 miles up.

There is no secondary school in the communities and as such, after writing the National Grade Assessment, those

She said the students’ conversations are being recorded. Devair also claimed that the students were not receiving proper meals and were not being properly supervised in using the internet service during study time.

“Sometimes the dorm father did not even have the password to use the internet and that was an issue and several issues we have had back then two years ago. All of the females left the dormitory and they had to find accommodation with relatives and different per-

The dorms at Corriverton

children are awarded secondary schools along the Corentyne coast, which would require them to live at the Corriverton dormitory.

The facility is being managed by Ann Dick but after numerous complaints about her being ineffective in running the facility, parents are calling for her removal.

Orealla/Siparuta Councillor with responsibility for education, Angela Devair explained that the issue lies with both the male and female dormitories.

Guyana Times was told that the dorm mother’s husband would sometimes enter the rooms of the female students, making them uncomfortable.

“And then the problems got worse, whereby children were victimised and we interviewed a few of those students and at that time about two years ago it had more to do with the females where these children had to leave their doors open and instead of the dorm mother being the one to check on them at nights, sometimes they say it was the husband doing it.”

sons in Corriverton.”

When contacted, Dick confirmed that there are currently 14 students staying at the facility. Meanwhile, since 2022, three dorm fathers have resigned, saying that they cannot function un-

Dorm mother Ann Dick

der the current conditions.

Currently, there is no father at the facility.

Thesius Henry served in that capacity from January to September this year. He said in January, students were having very poor grades, with some only being able to attain 17 per cent of total marks and none of the boys being able to attain 50 per cent.

According to Henry, he was forced to report the actions of the dorm mother’s husband to the Orealla Village Council and the Regional Executive Officer subsequently asked the dorm mother not to have her husband there. This, Henry said, created animosity against him.

“I resigned for many reasons. One is that as a former teacher, father, and who wants to raise the academic standards and performance of the children, I realised that I could not do it at the dorms because the dorm mother was not cooperating with me to raise the standards and get better results.”

He said the performances of the children were so poor when he arrived at the facility that some of them could only attain an overall percentage of 17.

“None of the boys

Man dies after vehicle turns turtle along Corentyne roadway

reached fifty per cent; that was bad. I saw that as a problem so I tried to tackle the problem. However, the dorm mother had her husband there and he was telling me how I should do my job.

Nevertheless, Dick denied the allegations that students do not have the freedom to speak with their parents in privacy on the telephone. However, she admitted that she was asked not to have her husband at the facility for children.

“Most of the girls’ percentage is above 20 but one and two of them are be-

Orealla Village Council Councillor with responsibility for Education, Angela Devair

low,” Dick said when asked about the performances of the students at the dormitory but explained that she could not speak for the boys at the facility.

The dorm mother dismissed the claims being made by the residents and insisted that she was running the dormitory according to standards.

Meanwhile, she admitted that she was instructed not to have her husband at the facility, noting that the decision was taken after residents of the two Amerindian communities

GPA extends support to children of late policewoman Annette Abel

I

n a display of compassion, members of the Guyana Police Association (GPA) offered financial assistance to the family of the late Woman Police Constable Annette Abel, who was killed after a drunken driver breached the traffic lights at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The Association at a simple gathering at their office, handed over a monetary donation to Abel’s

Abel’s two children receiving the donation from the GPA

O

ne man is now dead and several others are injured after the vehicle in which they were travelling reportedly turned turtle along the No 19 Public Road, Corentyne Berbice.

While information about the accident remains sketchy, Guyana Times understands that the accident reportedly occurred sometime after 18:00h on Sunday. The dead man has been identified as 21-yearold Marvin Ishmile.

Based on reports received, the now dead man and friends had visited No 63 Beach and were heading home when the accident

Dead: Woman Police Constable Annette Abel

Dead: Marvin Ishmile

occurred. More details in Tuesday’s edition.

of Orealla and Siparuta did not want him here. “He still comes around like if I cook, he would come for his food,” she told this publication.

Dick said when her husband used to be sleeping at the facility he did not go into the girls’ private rooms.

“That is not true, I do my work,” she added.

Meanwhile, during a visit to the community earlier this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that a secondary school will soon be built in Orealla.

(Andrew Carmichael)

two children, Abigail and Ezekiel.

The unfortunate accident occurred on November 16 when Constable Annette Abel tragically lost her life in the line of duty. The 53-year-old officer, attached to the Traffic Department at Beterverwagting Police

Station, East Coast Demerara, was part of a roadblock exercise when a drunk driver crashed into her and fellow officers.

The driver, 44-year-old Fitzroy Aulder of Front Road, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was above the legal alcohol limit and collided with the officers

conducting the roadblock.

The impact resulted in severe injuries to Inspector Castello and another individual, Chris Allen, while Constable Abel lost her life at the scene.

Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) responded promptly, pronouncing Abel dead and rushing the injured to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Aulder and his passengers, who also sustained injuries, were taken into custody for further investigation.

The driver was later charged and remanded to prison for the accident.

He appeared at Vigilance Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and was not required to plea to the indictable charge. He was then remanded to prison until December 15, 2023.

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

27

Around the World

Israeli bombing of Gaza intensifies, OILNEWS OIL NEWS clashes reported near southern city OPEC+ may have played its final card with voluntary crude cuts

T

he additional crude output cuts by OPEC+ should do two things, and neither of them are likely to please the group of oil exporters.

Firstly, the reduction of about 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) for early next year should put to rest the idea that global demand growth for crude is strong.

Secondly, it should beg the question as to if this is effectively OPEC+'s last roll of dice, and whether the group can actually cut any more if the price of oil continues to soften.

OPEC+, which consists of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, met on Thursday to discuss supply policy, having delayed the meeting from Nov 26 in an apparent attempt to reach agreement.

What the group did agree was total production curbs of 2.2 million bpd from eight members, a figure that includes an extension of the existing voluntary Saudi and Russian cuts of 1.3 million bpd.

The market reaction to the OPEC+ statement was subdued, with benchmark Brent crude futures giving up their earlier gains to end at US$82.85 a barrel on Thursday, down slightly from the previous close of US$83.10.

The price action most likely reflects the market view that the OPEC+ action is probably not enough to tighten the global supplydemand balance in the first quarter sufficiently to spark a rally.

It also may show a certain degree of scepticism of the voluntary nature of the additional production cuts, which raises questions as to whether they will actually be delivered.

The broader picture for the crude oil market is whether OPEC+ is doing enough to maintain prices above US$80 a barrel, which is likely to be the minimum preferred price for the bulk of the group's members.

The extension of Saudi Arabia's voluntary 1 million bpd output cut, in place since July, and of Russia's 300,000 bpd reduction, and the additional 900,000 bpd for other members brings the total cuts pledged by OPEC+ to about 5 million bpd.

This level of production curtailment does very little to support the bullish case for global demand growth this year, which OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are still forecasting.

It's also important to work out what is the most important determinant of oil prices in the longer term, outside of short-term moves based around news headlines.

Is it demand forecasts, stated or targeted production levels, or the actual volumes of crude oil moving around the world.

The price of crude is set by the seaborne market, and therefore largely ignores the impact of crude produced and consumed domestically, or even oil transported over borders by pipelines.

The volume of seaborne crude imports has grown so far in 2023, with data from commodity consultants Kpler showing that in the first 11 months of the year a total of 41.96 million bpd of seaborne crude was imported.

This is up 1.86 million bpd from the figure of 40.10 million bpd for 2022, according to Kpler.

While seaborne movements aren't the only component of demand growth, they are arguably the major determining factor in the setting of the global price.

The seaborne market is showing solid growth, but probably not enough to offset the increase in supply from non-OPEC+ producers, such as the United States, Brazil and Guyana.

It's also worth noting that much of the optimism in the demand forecasts by OPEC and the IEA is centred around Asia, in particular China, the world's biggest importer, and India, the third-largest.

China's crude imports were 11.36 million bpd in the first 10 months of the year, up 1.21 million bpd from the level for 2022 as a whole.

India saw arrivals of 4.62 million bpd in the first 10 months of the year, according to LSEG data, up 462,000 bpd on the 4.14 million bpd for 2022.

However, while the two Asian heavyweights show reasonable growth in imports, weakness in the rest of Asia means the world's top-importing region shows little growth overall.

Asia's crude imports in the first 10 months of the year were 26.93 million bpd, according to LSEG data, up 1.34 million bpd on the 25.59 million bpd recorded for the whole of 2022.

Overall, the picture that emerges is that demand growth is likely to disappoint forecasts, and non-OPEC+ supply is meeting most of the growth in seaborne demand.

It's therefore not that surprising that OPEC+ is trying to tighten supply further for the start of 2024.

But their evident struggles to reach a new deal, and the voluntary nature of that agreement, raise questions as to how much more the group can do. (Reuters)

I

sraeli forces bombed wide areas of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing and wounding dozens of Palestinians, as civilians in the besieged territory sought shelter in an ever-shrinking area of the south.

The Hamas Palestinian militant group said its fighters clashed with Israeli troops about 2 km (1 mile) from the southern city of Khan Younis.

Residents, many of whom had moved there to flee earlier attacks, said they could hear tank fire and feared a new Israeli ground offensive was building.

The Israeli military earlier ordered people to evacuate some areas in and near the city, but made no announcement of any new southern ground assault.

Fuelling fears the conflict could spread to destabilise the region, Yemen's Iran-allied Houthi movement said it attacked two Israeli ships in the Red Sea with an armed drone and a missile on Sunday, in a move to stand with the Palestinians.

The Pentagon also said it was aware of reports of an attack on an American warship, the USS Carney, without going into detail.

There was no independent confirmation from Israel or the US of the attacks or what damage they caused, if any.

The Jabalia refugee camp in the north of Hamas-ruled Gaza was among the sites reported hit from the air. A Gazan Health Ministry spokesperson said several people

A Palestinian boy is assisted following an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, December 3, 2023

were killed by an Israeli air strike.

Footage obtained by Reuters showed a boy covered in grey dust, sitting weeping amid crumbled cement and rubble from col-

lapsed buildings.

"My father was martyred," he cried in a hoarse voice. A girl in a pink sweatshirt, also coated with dust, stood between piles of rubble. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukraine says 2 killed, seven injured as Russia shells Kherson

U

krainian officials said two people were killed and seven injured during Russian shelling of the southern region of Kherson that hit a multi-storey residential building in the centre of Kherson city, struck an elderly man in his garage, and damaged two medical facilities on Sunday.

Russian troops abandoned Kherson and the

western bank of the Dnipro River late last year, but now regularly shell those areas from positions on the eastern bank.

Roman Mrochko, head of Kherson city's military administration, said shelling killed two people and injured seven in an area in and around Kherson city.

The Kherson military administration said on the Telegram messaging app

that shelling of the village of Sadove east of Kherson city killed a 78-year-old man in a private garage, adding, "He died on the spot from the explosive injury."

Regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said the Kherson city shelling killed an elderly woman at a bus stop beside a highrise building. He said three women aged 35, 42 and 52 and two men aged 28 and 46 suffered light to moderate injuries.

Mrochko posted a video of a multi-storey building with shattered windows, in-

ternal damage and debris on the ground. He shared a blurred image of the woman who was killed. Wearing a mauve coat, she lay on the ground in fetal position, back to the camera, two shopping bags strewn beside her.

The video included brief interviews with women inside the damaged apartments. "There was a very strong explosion," one woman said, weeping as she surveyed damage to a bedroom.

"It roared. I never heard anything like this in my life." (Excerpt from Reuters)

Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Philippine bombing Paris attack near Eiffel Tower leaves German I tourist dead and 2 hurt

slamic State militants claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing at a Catholic Mass in the Philippines on Sunday that killed at least four people and injured 50 others.

The attack was carried out in a university gymnasium in Marawi, a city in the south of the country besieged by Islamist militants for five months in 2017.

The Islamic State group, which wields influence in the country's south, said on Telegram its members had detonated the bomb.

Earlier on Sunday, before Islamic State's claim, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr condemned "the senseless and most heinous acts perpetrated by foreign terrorists". Police and the military strengthened security in the country's south and around the capital Manila.

In Rome, Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims during his Sunday address, and, in a separate written message, appealed to "Christ the prince of peace (to) grant to all the strength to turn from violence and overcome every evil with good".

Law enforcement operations to bring to justice the perpetrators of the "terrorist activity" will "continue unabated", Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told a press conference.

The blast in Marawi, capital of Lanao del Sur province, followed a series of military operations against local pro-Islamic State groups in the southern Philippines, the military chief said.

One on Sunday in Lanao del Sur led to the killing of a leader of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute group.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

A

German tourist died and two other people, including a British citizen, were hurt after an attack by a man armed with a knife and hammer near the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Saturday, in what President Emmanuel Macron described as "a terrorist attack".

Police quickly arrested the 26-year-old man, a French national, after subduing him with a Taser stun gun, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told reporters on Saturday.

The suspect had in 2016 been sentenced to four years in prison for planning another attack, and had been on the French security services' watch list, the Minister said, adding

that he was also known for having psychiatric disorders.

The man attacked a tourist couple on Saturday evening with a knife on the Quai de Grenelle, a few feet from the Eiffel Tower, mortally wounding the German national.

He was then chased by Police and attacked two other people with a hammer, including the Briton, before being arrested.

The suspect had shouted out "Allahu akbar" (God is Greatest) and told Police he was upset because "so many Muslims are dying in Afghanistan and in Palestine" and was also upset about the Gaza situation, Darmanin said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

28

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Stick to the facts. Pay attention to the projects that bring the highest returns. Refuse to let your emotions stand between you and what you are trying to achieve. Keep a rational outlook.

(March 21-April 19) Focus on what’s important to you.

Adding to your skills or knowledge, or applying for a new position could lead to big changes. Put your best foot forward, and don’t look back.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20) Refuse to let your emotions take the reins. Be a good listener and assess situations carefully before you respond.

Anger will lead to setbacks. Take the path that leads to positive results.

(May 21-June 20) Do what moves you emotionally, spiritually or mentally, and it will give you hope for a brighter future. Open your mind, update your skills and set new guidelines to help you get ahead.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Take control and do what’s necessary. Refuse to let anyone interfere with your plans. Stick to a budget you can afford. Do something physical that eases stress and builds confidence.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Observe and listen. Don’t feel pressured to follow the crowd. Take the path that feels comfortable, and let your intelligence decide what’s best. It’s up to you to make your dreams come true.

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

Don’t wait for someone else to do things for you. Take the initiative and go after what you want. An aggressive approach to educating yourself will give you confidence and control.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Address financial issues before they escalate. Ask for expert advice. An overdue change will offer an opportunity to improve your life. Nurture meaningful relationships and do what’s best.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Don’t start something you cannot finish. Look at the extent of a job or situation before you start. Compromise may be necessary. A little charm will work wonders when dealing with others.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Pay attention to where your money goes. Put a budget in place before you do your festive shopping. Don’t be tricked into committing to something unnecessary.

LAST PUBLISHED WORD -- REPINES

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Do your best to get along. Keeping the peace will have better results than will making a scene. Common sense and kindness will help you get things done on time. Put your energy where it counts.

Don’t get angry -- get moving. It’s what you accomplish that counts. Pay attention to detail, take advantage of opportunities and put your money to good use. A festive gesture will win points.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

29

Stabroek Eagles, UG Trojans, and Pacesetters bag wins T he inaugural One Guyana Basketball Tournament, continued on Saturday, December 2 at the National Gymnasium with three games, in which Stabroek Eagles, UG Trojans, and Pacesetters respectively secured wins.

UG Trojans managed to restrict the Pepsi Sonics from advancing from the group as the Trojans had a commanding lead in the first quarter against Leonora D-UP Rising Stars with the scoreline reading 18-4.

The Trojans continued to dominate the game in the second quarter, scoring 12 points to elevate their score to 30 while limiting the Stars to 10 points for a total of 14 points.

In the next quarter, the Stars managed to put up a fight, but the Trojans’ defence was tough, limiting them to seven points for 21

The Stabroek Eagles

points in total. The Trojans seemed to slow down offensively, scoring 10 points for a total of 40.

They secured their second victory in the final, scoring 24 points in the final quarter for an overall score of 64 points while the Stars continued to put up a fight, scoring 12 points for their overall total of 33.

The Stabroek Eagles an-

UG Trojans

nihilated the Lamaha Park/ Springs Pepsi Sonics despite the latter, in the first quarter of the game, scoring 15 points while their opponents failed to get into double digits as they were limited to seven points.

The second quarter was beneficial for the Eagles, deemed tournament favourites, who scored 17 points while their opponents failed

to put the ball through the net consistently – scoring 14 points.

The third quarter was also dominated by the Eagles, who put the ball through the net for 17 points, while the Sonics scored 15 points.

The Eagles secured the win in the final quarter, by scoring 22 points, for a total of 66 at the end of the game

while the Sonics scored nine points for a total of 50..

The final game was an upset as the Pacesetters cemented their spot in the next round of the league, handing Plaisance Guardians a defeat despite Guardians starting the game by showcasing their skills to go up 16-14 in the first quarter.

The Pacesetters did not give up the fight and kept

their composure to crown a terrific comeback, scoring 15 points to increase their score to 29 while Guardians were limited to 12 points for a score of 28 at the end of the second quarter.

The Guardians again showed their strength, scoring 14 points in the face of tight defence to increase their overall score to 42 points at the end of the third quarter while the Pacesetters scored 10 points to increase their score to 39 points.

The Pacesetters managed to send the game into overtime scoring 13 points to level the scores at 52 points. The Guardians were limited to four points.

With the game in overtime, the Pacesetters showcased their shooting skills, swishing the ball for eight points for a final score of 60 points while the Guardians fumbled, scoring five points for a final score of 57.

Ice-cool Arshdeep clinches thriller as India finish series 4-1

S

pinners Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel relished a turning surface in Bengaluru before left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh bowled a superb final over as India edged Australia to clinch a 4-1 victory in the T20I series.

Australia's chase of 161 was a see-saw on a surface at Chinnaswamy Stadium playing against type with rain a constant threat. The match was on a knife's edge with Australia needing ten runs off the final over after a late surge from Captain Matthew Wade.

Arshdeep bowled a short delivery on the first ball that flew past Wade, who was livid that it was not called a wide.

After another dot delivery, Wade fell on the third ball as Arshdeep iced the game with clutch bowling to seal India's tense victory.

After being sent in to bat, India recovered from 46 for 3, with Shreyas Iyer top-scoring with 53 from 37 balls.

The fifth and final match was effectively a dead rubber, but continued the T20 World Cup preparations for

Nathan Ellis for a six in the last over to complete a welltimed innings in a bounceback after making just eight runs in his series debut at Raipur.

SCOREBOARD India (20 ovs maximum) Yashasvi Jaiswal c Ellis b Behrendorff 21 Ruturaj Gaikwad c Behrendorff b Dwarshuis 10 Shreyas Iyer b Ellis 53 Suryakumar Yadav (c) c McDermott b Dwarshuis 5 Rinku Singh c David b Sangha 6 Jitesh Sharma † c Short b Hardie 24 Axar Patel c Hardie b Behrendorff 31 Ravi Bishnoi run out (Philippe/†Wade) 2 Arshdeep Singh not out 2 Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 3) 6 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.00) 160/8 Did not bat: Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3.6 ov), 2-33 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 4.3 ov), 3-46 (Suryakumar Yadav, 6.5 ov), 4-55 (Rinku Singh, 9.1 ov), 5-97 (Jitesh Sharma, 13.1 ov), 6-143 (Axar Patel, 18.4 ov), 7-156 (Shreyas Iyer, 19.3 ov), 8-160 (Ravi Bishnoi, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Aaron Hardie 4-0-21-1 Jason Behrendorff 4-0-38-2 Ben Dwarshuis 4-0-30-2 Nathan Ellis 4-0-42-1 Tanveer Sangha 4-0-26-1

Australia (T: 161 runs from 20 ovs) Travis Head b Ravi Bishnoi 28 Josh Philippe b Mukesh Kumar 4 Ben McDermott c Singh b Arshdeep Singh 54 Aaron Hardie c Iyer b Ravi Bishnoi 6 Tim David c Avesh Khan b Patel 17 Matthew Short c Gaikwad b Mukesh Kumar 16 Matthew Wade (c)† c Iyer b Arshdeep Singh 22 Ben Dwarshuis b Mukesh Kumar 0 Nathan Ellis not out 4 Jason Behrendorff not out 2 Extras (w 1) 1 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.70) 154/8 Did not bat: Tanveer Sangha Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Josh Philippe, 2.3 ov), 2-47 (Travis Head, 4.5 ov), 3-55 (Aaron Hardie, 6.6 ov), 4-102 (Tim David, 13.2 ov), 5-116 (Ben McDermott, 14.6 ov), 6-129 (Matthew Short, 16.3 ov), 7-129 (Ben Dwarshuis, 16.4 ov), 8-151 (Matthew Wade, 19.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Arshdeep Singh 4-0-40-2 Avesh Khan 4-0-39-0 Mukesh Kumar 4-0-32-3 Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-29-2 Axar Patel 4-0-14-1

Newbies Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma hold the series trophy aloft

both teams. It also ended Australia's tour of India highlighted by their triumph at the World Cup. Bishnoi and Axar again star Australia started strongly in reply with opener Travis Head intent on finishing his unforgettable tour of India.

He smashed three straight boundaries off Arshdeep to start the innings as he powered Australia to 40 for 1 after four overs.

It forced India Captain Suryakumar Yadav to bring on Bishnoi in the fifth over, and he responded by knocking over Head's off bail. Azar, who was unstoppable in Raipur, came into the attack as the spin duo made it tough for Australia.

Bishnoi picked up Aaron Hardie before Axar claimed his only wicket when he dismissed Tim David in the 14th over. The spinners were done, but quick Mukesh Kumar

claimed Ben McDermott and Ben Dwarshuis with consecutive deliveries in a game-changing 17th over.

Wade threatened to lift Australia to a consolation victory before Arshdeep proved his composure under pressure by landing a slew of yorkers in a brilliant final over.

McDermott puts hand up Australia have made constant changes throughout this series to give exhausted players a break, but to also test out fringe players with an eye towards next year's T20 World Cup. McDermott has been a beneficiary after flying to India in a late call-up for the final two games. He made just 19 in Raipur, but batted superbly in a tough situation to notch up his highest T20 International score of 54 from 33 balls.

He top-edged a towering six early in his innings be-

fore playing Bishnoi and Axar calmly in the middle overs. He could not guide Australia over the line, but it's a tonic for him after enduring a tough Big Bash League (BBL) campaign last season.

McDermott has had little success in T20Is, but issued a reminder of his big-hitting abilities.

Iyer rescues stuttering India batting Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India another quick start, but once again failed to make it out of the powerplay.

His dismissal on the last ball of the fourth over triggered a top-order collapse, leaving Iyer to rebuild the innings.

He was watchful given the situation, and scored only 12 off 15 balls before launching Dwarshuis for six over midoff. Iyer found his rhythm and enjoyed support from Axar in a 46-run sixth-wicket partnership.

Iyer smashed seamer

Sangha finishes on a high Legspinner Tanveer Sangha can feel justifiably weary having been part of Australia's white-ball tour of South Africa starting in late August ahead of the World Cup. Sangha then spent the entire World Cup on the sidelines before finally getting his opportunity and playing every game in this T20I series.

It was a baptism of fire on flat surfaces and against a rampaging India batting line-up intent on taking him down.

Sangha entered the game with figures of 4 for 153 from 16 overs, but he bowled superbly during a three-over spell in the middle overs.

He came into the attack at an opportune time after Suryakumar's wicket and with India stuttering at 46 for 3. Sangha immediately produced drift and spin on a helpful surface to force Rinku Singh into mistiming to midon.

Such was his wicket-taking threat that Sangha was armed with a slip fielder and he was unlucky not to add a second wicket when Jason Behrendorff dropped Jitesh Sharma at deep backward square.

Sangha, who turned 22 earlier in the series, has a habit of bowling one or two bad deliveries an over, but he was mostly accurate to finish with an impressive 1 for 26 off four overs. (ESPNcricinfo)

30

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CWI high performance unit, GCB/GHE in high-level meeting R

ecently, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) High Performance Unit (HP) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Harpy Eagles Franchise (GHE) held an historic meeting when the CWI HP Unit visited Guyana from Sunday, November 26 to Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

The CWI HP Unit included Enoch Lewis, a CWI Director and Chairman of the CWI Cricket Committee; Graeme West, the HP Manager; Miles Bascome, the newly-appointed Director of Cricket; and Chris Brabazon, Head of coaching education.

Brabazon brings four years’ experience as a Coach Development Manager in Western Australia, having worked at every level of the Cricket Australia (CA) coaching development pathway, which ranges from the grassroots to the international level.

Brabazon, who boasts a Post Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, has over 12 years’ experience working in the realm of cricket, with his last four years spent with CWI. Outside of coaching and talent development, the Aussie excels in cricket management and accounting.

West, the former Middlesex County acade-

A scene from the recent CWI visit

my director who also served as the Middlesex Cricket Board’s development officer, has been active in his role for 12 years. He also guided the WI Under-19s to their historic International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup title win, back in 2016.

In a welcoming meeting held on Monday, at the GCB Office prior to visits to different facilities, GCB President Bissoondyal Singh thanked the HP Unit for this initiative.

Singh also highlighted the Government of Guyana’s plan to have a national academy as soon as the indoor facility at the Guyana National Stadium is completed. He further stated the

vision of Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali which includes the Mackenzie stadium in Linden, the Anna Regina stadium, and the Palmyra stadium.

Those aforementioned stadiums will boast state-ofthe-art features that further add to the honing and development of Guyana’s cricket sector.

The Berbice stadium, when done, will seat a whopping 10,000 spectators, adding to the ranks of venues like the famous National Stadium at Providence.

When completed, it will be arguably one of the best facilities in the country and possibly the Caribbean, with its multi-purpose features

adding to the country’s stake as it relates to social and cultural activities being hosted at the venue.

President Ali, during the launch in March earlier this year, outlined the importance of cricket and sports in general, across the spread of Guyana, making the new addition of cricket grounds in Linden and Anna Regina, coupled with the state-ofthe-art stadiums, a groundbreaking time for Guyana’s cricket future.

The HP Unit’s visit to Guyana constitutes part of a development plan where the committee is scheduled to visit each franchise

to meet with the Territorial Board (TB) and/or franchise to overlook training sessions, visit training facilities used regularly as well as meet with GCB President Bissoondyal Singh and the GCB’s Operations Unit to discuss CWI’s and GCB’s development plans for the next two-five years.

The CWI delegation then visited the facilities that are used regularly by the GHE players accompanied by GCB President Singh and other officials from the GCB including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Claude Raphael; Chairman of the Senior

Selection Panel, Ramnaresh Sarwan; Cricket Operations Manager Anthony D’Andrade; Head Coach Ryan Hercules; Assistant Coach Garvin Nedd; physiotherapist Angelica Holder and Strength & Conditioning Coach Jaryl Moore.

The Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, the Guyana National Stadium, Fitness53 Gym and the LBI Hostel were the facilities that were inspected.

The GCB’s CEO thanked the CWI team for visiting and welcomed this face-toface meeting, which, hopefully, would now be held more often.

DCB/SVC/Precision Service Centre Inter-Association T20 Blast commencing soon

MVP Sports Girls U11 tournament…

Marian, St John the T Baptist book final spots

A snapshot from the pre-tournament ceremony

A

new champion will be crowned in the Petraorganised MVP Sports Under- 11 Girls football tournament, after the defending champions were ousted from contention in a thrilling pair of semifinals on Saturday afternoon.

The first school to book passage to next Saturday’s anticipated final was St John the Baptist Primary out of Region Seven, as they defeated West Ruimveldt Primary 2-0.

After a quiet first half on both sides, Captain Shemia Hing found the back of the net in the 27th minute to give St John the Baptist a 1-0 lead. Then, Neisa Lewis added to their tally in the 31st minute for the 2-0 victory.

The score line was the same in the second semi-final, as Marian Academy unceremoniously ended North Georgetown Primary’s title defence.

Again, the first-half proceedings were uneventful, but in the second, things heated up.

The first real opportunity was a penalty that went the way of Marian Academy, but the shot was missed.

However, Captain Skylar De Nobrega made no mistake in the 25th minute when a handled ball presented them

Marian Academy stopped defending champions North Georgetown in their tracks

with another opportunity to take the lead, 1-0.

Ten minutes later, it was De Nobrega who took a shot across the goal from the top of the box that was fumbled by the North Georgetown keeper which made its way into the box.

While St John the Baptist and Marian Academy will contest the final, North Georgetown and West Ruimveldt will face off in the third- place playoff.

Meanwhile, placement games also happening on Saturday saw Potaro Primary defeating Smith’s Memorial 2-0. Nazeema Lewis found the back of the net for Potaro in the 18th minute, while an own goal

in the very first minute of the game accounted for their two.

Next, a Wolette Griffith hat-trick in the 2nd, 10th and 18th minutes ensured Tucville Primary would get the better of Friendship Primary 3-1.

Queen-Nefer-Tarie Elias netted Friendship’s consolation goal in the 39th minute.

Later on, One Mile Primary edged Genesis Primary 1-0. Faith Higgins was the lone goal-scorer of the game, finding the back of the net in the 35th minute.

The tournament’s grand conclusion is set for this Saturday, December 9 at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

he Demerara Cricket Board-Sawh Voltcom Construction Inc (SVC)Precision Service Centre Inc Inter-Association Senior T20 Blast is set to commence on Saturday, December 9, 2023, with two first-round matches fixed for the famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda.

SVC was established in the USA several years ago and has brought its enormous experience to Guyana in the field of construction (residential, commercial and medical).

Precision Service Centre Inc is located at Lot Y, Area B Good Hope Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The Service Centre provides quality and modern technology in auto repairs and is equipped with the latest diagnostics tools.

The company also provides 24-hour tow truck services, steam cleaning, complete servicing, engine and transmission repairs. Contact can be made by telephone numbers 506-5632/701-6530 or email sales@precisionservcenter.com.

The $2 million tournament will be played on a round-robin basis and will involve all five Associations of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) – Georgetown Panthers, East Coast Canje Pheasants, East Bank Eagles, Upper Demerara Scorpions and West Demerara Jaguars. The team with the most points after the preliminary rounds will

play the fourth-placed team, and the second- and thirdplaced teams will clash in the semi-finals, with the winners battling in the grand final. Preceding the final is a third-place play-off between the two losing semi-finalists.

The semi-finals and final day event will be livestreamed.

All the teams will be attired in coloured clothing, with cash incentives, trophies, and medals up for grabs.

Each Association is required to select two Under-19 players who are eligible to represent Guyana next year in the Regional Under-19 tournaments, with at least one of them to play in every game. Players must represent the area they reside in, with the exception of Upper Demerara which will be allowed guest players drawn from the standby players of the other Associations.

At a simple but significant pre-tournament ceremony held recently, company accountant Marissa Jaikaran expressed excitement and pleasure to be part of this historic tournament. She also said that her company was pleased to give back to the youths in Guyana and wished every team well. In response, DCB President Bissoondyal Singh thanked the sponsors for coming on board and promised a well-run tournament with the best possible media coverage. Board Executives Vicky Bharosay, Treasurer

Davteerth Anandjit, Secretary Anil Beharry, and the Marketing Manager and representatives of the Associations also made brief remarks. The teams will be announced at a later date.

Game one kicks off at 09:00h followed by game two at 13:00h next Saturday at the GCC Ground, Bourda. Large turnouts are anticipated at all the venues.

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31 Hope's unbeaten 109 piles more misery on England S MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

o much for a white-ball reboot. Three weeks after their disastrous World Cup campaign came to an end, England suffered defeat to West Indies in the first One-Day International (ODI) in Antigua, trumped by four wickets thanks to a magnificent 109 not out from Shai Hope.

That they reached their target of 326 with seven balls to spare was down to Romario Shepherd's 48 from just 28 deliveries, coming at a time when the hosts looked to be circling the drain. West Indies were 213 for 5 in the 39th over,

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ately clearing the boundary for the seventh and final time to send the crowd wild.

Sam Curran was on the receiving end, not just of those final strikes, but brutal treatment throughout the final stretch, leaving him nursing 0 for 98 from 9.5 overs – the worst ODI figures for an Englishman.

Earlier on, his 38 had boosted England to 325 all out, with Harry Brook's 71 the standout in an innings littered with unconverted starts.

At the halfway stage, England's total – the highest achieved at the Sir

West Indies celebrate two quick wickets

Alick Athanaze made a bright start in West Indies' run chase

seemingly having wasted an unbeaten opening stand of 104 between Alick Athanaze and Brandon King. Shepherd, having overturned an lbw decision against him with just three runs to his name, breathed life into the chase with his powerful cameo.

By the time he departed lbw to Gus Atkinson, the equation was a more palatable 24 from 17. Hope, who had found his six-hitting touch as Shepherd's understudy in their 89-run stand (from just 51 balls), finished the match with three sixes in four balls, all to the leg side. The second took him to a 16th ODI century from 82 deliveries, before immedi-

Vivian Richards Stadium – looked to have them comfortably out in front. But the hosts now possess that record by a single run, having clinched it in emphatic fashion.

Not for the first time in the last three months, Jos Buttler cut a forlorn figure, and registered another failure with the bat when dismissed for three. Having called correctly at the toss, his decision to bat first looked vindicated, particularly as Phil Salt and Will Jacks raced to 77 for no loss after 8.2 overs.

By then, Hope had turned to Gudakesh Motie with the dual purpose of slowing the pace of the ball

SCOREBOARD England (50 ovs maximum) Phil Salt c Carty b Motie 45 Will Jacks c †Hope b Joseph 26 Zak Crawley run out (Athanaze/†Hope) 48 Ben Duckett b Cariah 20 Harry Brook c Joseph b Shepherd 71 Jos Buttler (c)† c Athanaze b Motie 3 Liam Livingstone lbw b Shepherd 17 Sam Curran run out (Joseph/Cariah) 38 Brydon Carse not out 31 Rehan Ahmed c & b Thomas 12 Gus Atkinson c sub (RL Chase) b Thomas 4 Extras (lb 1, w 9) 10 TOTAL 50 Ov (RR: 6.50) 325 Fall of wickets: 1-77 (Phil Salt, 8.2 ov), 2-77 (Will Jacks, 9.2 ov), 3-110 (Ben Duckett, 15.4 ov), 4-181 (Zak Crawley, 29.3 ov), 5-191 (Jos Buttler, 33.3 ov), 6-232 (Liam Livingstone, 38.5 ov), 7-239 (Harry Brook, 40.6 ov), 8-305 (Sam Curran, 47.3 ov), 9-321 (Rehan Ahmed, 49.3 ov), 10325 (Gus Atkinson, 49.6 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W Alzarri Joseph 10-0-65-1 Romario Shepherd 10-0-77- 2

Gudakesh Motie Oshane Thomas Yannic Cariah

and rate of scoring. It did not take long for both to come to pass, and it was the start of what would turn out to be a big day for the West Indies Captain. He would go on to pass 5000 ODI runs in just his 114th innings, equalling Sir Vivian Richards' record as the fastest West Indian to the figure, with the man himself in situ at the ground bearing his name.

Motie, a left-arm orthodox spinner, removed Salt in his second over, albeit with a short, wide delivery that should have been hit anywhere but the hands of Keacy Carty at cover. Seven deliveries (and no runs) later, Alzarri Joseph, who had changed ends for Motie's introduction, produced a delivery with extra bounce and seam to remove Jacks for 26, caught behind by Hope, making it 77 for 2.

After Ben Duckett had inadvertently paddled legspinner Yannic Cariah into his leg stump, Zak Crawley and Brook managed 71 between them, taking the score to 181 for 4 midway through the 30th over.

Their stand of 71 should have ended earlier; Crawley

streak since the start of the World Cup of just 141 runs across 10 innings, the impetus looked to be draining from the innings.

Brook, with the help of Liam Livingstone, ensured that was not the case as the pair exchanged four sixes between them. The first from Brook ended a 33-

Harry Brook notched a half-century

ball wait for a boundary, as Shepherd was pulled high over deep midwicket, taking England beyond 200. A single off the next delivery moved the Yorkshireman to 50 from 58 for a third half-century in the format.

He began the next over

10-0-49-2 10-0-57-2 10-0-76-1

West Indies (T: 326 runs from 50 ovs) Alick Athanaze lbw b Rehan Ahmed 66 Brandon King b Livingstone 35 Keacy Carty lbw b Carse 16 Shai Hope (c)† not out 109 Shimron Hetmyer c Carse b Atkinson 32 Sherfane Rutherford c Brook b Rehan Ahmed 6 Romario Shepherd lbw b Atkinson 48 Alzarri Joseph not out 2 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 8) 12 TOTAL 48.5 Ov (RR: 6.67) 326/6 Did not bat: Yannic Cariah, Gudakesh Motie, Oshane Thomas Fall of wickets: 1-104 (Alick Athanaze, 17.3 ov), 2-106 (Brandon King, 18.4 ov), 3-144 (Keacy Carty, 29.1 ov), 4-200 (Shimron Hetmyer, 37.5 ov), 5-213 (Sherfane Rutherford, 38.4 ov), 6-302 (Romario Shepherd, 47.1 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W Sam Curran 9.5-0-98-0 Gus Atkinson 10-0-62-2 Brydon Carse 9-0-73-1 Rehan Ahmed 10-1-40-2 Liam Livingstone 10-0-50-1

Romario Shepherd flashes hard through the off side

was dropped appallingly on 30 by Motie after skying an unconvincing slog-sweep off Cariah, before edging the leggie between keeper and slip on 33.

Brook's late call of "no" when Crawley then dropped and ran into the covers saw him run out by Athanaze.

And when Buttler gloved a reverse sweep to first slip to give Motie his second dismissal, continuing a grim

the 232 they had in the 39th over. And though Brook walked off after failing to force Shepherd's slower ball beyond the reach of Joseph at mid-off – moments after Athanaze had almost pulled off a spectacular catch at backward point to remove him on 70 – a reinforced tail was able to provide the nec-

from Cariah with a powerful slap-sweep behind square leg to clear the fence once more. Livingstone finished the over with back-toback sixes to ensure 23 was ransacked from the 38th.

Livingstone's demise – lbw to a grubber from Shepherd – was as good an indicator as any of the changing nature of this surface and suggested the tourists were in good shape with

essary final flourish.

Curran and Brydon Carse set about a blitz of 66 from 38 to lift the score beyond 300, to eventually set West Indies 326 for victory in the first of this threematch series.

If the late flourish looked to have lifted England comfortably above par, the start from Athanaze and King showed just how necessary it had been, as they got the chase up and running with 104 for the first wicket.

Athanaze's hooked six off Curran in a first over that went for 11 signalled his intent at least, finishing the powerplay with his second – another hook, this time off Atkinson – as West Indies reached 55 for no loss after 10 overs.

The languid left-hander had 41 of them at the time, eventually making it through to a second ODI half-century with an imperious cut off Carse at the start of the 15th over. That was the first of three boundaries in four balls – pulled in front of square, then another threaded behind point as the Durham quick struggled for the right length.

But just as in the first innings, spin wrestled back control for the fielding side.

Rehan Ahmed trapped a sweeping Athanaze lbw

from around the wicket, then Livingstone bowled King seven deliveries later.

By the time Carty's stodgy 16 off 39 was brought to an end by a scuttler from Carse (lbw) at the start of the 30th over, the required run rate had ticked to 8.70.

Hope was in his usual accumulation mode, and as Shimron Hetmyer came and went for 32, and Sherfane Rutherford's debut ODI knock lasted three deliveries, including a first-ball six and a second-ball DRS reprieve for lbw, before he was caught at deep square leg, giving Rehan his second wicket for impressive figures of 2 for 40, West Indies were up against it.

Hope, who had fetched Rehan straight down the ground amid the Rutherford drama to move to a 40th fifty-plus score from 51 deliveries, was always going to need a helping hand, and there was no guarantee it would come from Shepherd.

The best of the 29-year-old's batting has primarily come on the franchise circuit, with just one international half-century in 35 whiteball innings.

Perhaps fuelled by his reprieve after being given lbw on the field to a Curran slower delivery, he puffed his chest out and showed clear method in his malice. After seeing out Rehan's final over, and with Livingstone already through his 10 overs with 1 for 50, a diet of seamers awaited on the back nine, with 101 to get. Using the pace on the ball, he and Hope picked their targets.

Carse was taken for 11 in the 42nd, then Curran for 19 in the 43rd, with two slower balls heaved down the ground and over midwicket.

Curran was then taken for 15 in the 45th, this time Hope punishing a slower ball to the wind-assisted leg side, before he sent Carse the same way as the 47th went for 17. Atkinson held his own to go full and straight and pin Shepherd, but the damage had been done.

With 19 needed from 12, Hope took the opportunity to end the match sooner rather than later. Curran, clearly struggling, served up a full toss that was devoured for 93 metres over wide long-on, then followed a dot with an equally juicy length ball dispatched into the stands. Once Hope's subdued century celebrations were done, he blitzed a short ball back towards the same stand to really get the party started.

For England, there is yet more wound-licking to be done. Though this XI featured just six players who were on deck for the dismal World Cup campaign, the manner of this defeat feels on a par with some of those out in India. Worst of all, it has been inflicted by a team who were not even good enough to get there in the first place. (ESPNcricinfo)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023

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

Chase’s Academic Foundation, after a comprehensive 5-0 drubbing of Santa Rosa Secondary on Sunday night, were crowned champions of the NEW GPC INC-sponsored Limacol Schools’ Football League. After amassing 19 points in the seven-round tournament, the team were presented with their championship trophy by NEW GPC Marketing Manager Elizabeth Ram. More details on Sunday’s games will be published in tomorrow’s edition of Guyana Times

Pg 31

piles more misery GCB/GHE in on England high-level meeting Pg 30

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