Guyana Times - Monday, January 8, 2023

New pre-feasibility study to be conducted for P11 wastewater treatment plant in GT – Min Croal

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

Issue No. 5605

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

Sod turned for new US$161M state-of-the-art hospital in New Amsterdam See story and photos on pages 3,12&13

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

EBD contractor dies after P16 allegedly hitting head in fall

– to start providing world-class service to citizens in 3 years

ANUG names P15 Althia King as new Joinder List parliamentarian – to replace Dr Asha Kissoon

An artistic impression of the US$161 million state-of-the-art hospital in New Amsterdam

NRF savings expected to increase to 36.5% of GDP by 2028 – IMF ...urges Guyana to adopt comprehensive fiscal policy framework Page 15

Govt working to Nabaclis man help bring down stabbed to cost of sand in death during argument over Reg 6 – Pres Ali ...to engage stakeholders cellular phone in coming weeks 11 homeless as fires ravage 4 houses in 1 day – 1 car also burnt in separate incident at Leonora Page 10

Page 7

Page 2

100 pairs of scissors among items confiscated at Providence P10 Stadium

3 busted with ganja hidden in bucket P10 at Yarrowkabra – another nabbed at roadblock in Reg 7

Demerara P8 January Assizes get underway tomorrow with 259 cases to be heard

2 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

11 homeless as fires ravage 4 houses in 1 day – 1 car also burnt in separate incident at Leonora

T

The owner of the car looks at his burnt vehicle

he Fire Service is noting a spike in fires across the

over the past week, with five of them occurring on Saturday.

that at about 02:00h on Saturday, two water tenders and one ambulance

The house at Providence after the fire on Saturday

and Alberttown Fire Stations responded to a building on fire at C Field Sophia Reserve, Greater Georgetown.

The structure involved was a one-flat wooden building under construction, owned and occupied by 21-year-old Isaiah Thomas. As a result of the fire, the building and its contents were destroyed, leaving Thomas homeless.

The fire was maliciously set. country after responding to several incidents

The Service

Guyana Fire (GFS) reported

Then at about 12:50h, fire tenders from the Eccles Fire Station responded to a house on fire at Lot 66 Remus Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

There, a two-storey wooden and concrete building owned by 45-year-old Howard Samuels and occupied by 36-year-old Tenefa Samuels and her two family members was engulfed in flames. The building and its contents were de-

ers observed a two-storey wooden and concrete building with an adjoining flat engulfed in flames.

The building was owned by 80-year-old Florence Ramsaroop and occupied by 28-year-old Seth Persaud.

The building was completely destroyed. The fire prevention officers are currently investigating to determine the cause of the fire.

Finally, at 23:55h, ten-

along with their crews from the Central, Campbellville,

The car’s engine that was destroyed as a result of the fire

Further, on the same day, at 09:20h, a water tender and crew from the Leonora Fire Station responded to a car on fire at Concrete Street, Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD). Upon arriving at the scene, they observed a black Nissan motor car bearing registration number PJJ 5730, owned by 56-year-old Lloyd Persaud and driven by 24-year-old Brandon Persaud, on fire.

The fire reportedly started after a ruptured fuel line came into contact with hot engine components, which ignited and spread to the entire bonnet.

stroyed thus leaving all of the occupants homeless.

In this case, the cause of the fire was given as an overloaded electrical circuit which resulted in arcing and sparking and the subsequent ignition of nearby combustible materials.

Two houses near the burning building sustained damages due to the radiated heat.

In addition, at about 14:20h, also on Saturday, firefighters from the Eccles Fire Station responded to a fire at Lot 16 New Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Upon arrival, firefight-

ders and crews from the Alberttown and Central Fire Stations responded to a fire at Lot 262 South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Upon arriving at the scene, they noticed a two-storey wooden and concrete building, owned by 42-year-old Vanessa Lewis and occupied by five others was engulfed. The cause of the fire was given as an overloaded electrical circuit.

The Fire Service is imploring all citizens to be vigilant and to practice fire safety and prevention to avoid any possible fire emergencies.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, Jan 8 – 02:00h – 03:30h and Tuesday, Jan 9 – 03:00h – 04:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Jan 8 – 13:55h – 15:25h and Tuesday, Jan 9 – 14:45h – 16:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 14:05h reaching a maximum height of 2.43 metres.

Low Tide: 07:36h and 20:12h reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metre and 0.73 metre.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

LOTTERY NUMBERS M

03

04 10

14

16 19

15

FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

19 20 23

08 12 LUCKY 3

7

6

4

9

Afternoon Draw

0

8

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03

06

10 14

02

17 18 20

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SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024

07 09 12 14 16 1

13

03 12 17 20 21

2

7 Afternoon Draw

FP Afternoon Draw

0

5 Evening Draw

3X Evening Draw

955

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$78.80/barrel

+0.05

Rough Rice London Sugar

$316.44/ton $607.60/ton

+1.53 0.00

Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask Low/High Change

USD Per Ounce $2044.70 $2044.70 -0.60

$2045.70 $2045.70 -0.03

Sod turned for new US$161M state-ofthe-art hospital in New Amsterdam – to start providing world-class service to citizens in 3 years

By Andrew Carmichael

T

he ground has been broken for a new state-ofthe-art hospital in New Amsterdam, which is expected to cost US$161 million. The new hospital is expected to be completed in three years, after which it is expected to provide world-class service to Guyanese.

The project is being funded by the European Union (EU) and will be constructed as a four-storey complex in the compound of the current National Psychiatric Hospital.

Speaking at the event on Sunday, President Dr Irfaan Ali stated that the hospital will be a level-five medical facility.

“Similarly, like a five-star hotel, a level five hospital is the premiere healthcare institution; it offers the best of the best – the highest level of service,” he explained.

The new facility, the Head of state said, will not be a stand-alone one, explaining that the new hospital is expected to be the hub of healthcare providers in Region Six, (East Berbice-Corentyne).

“In this hospital, we will have all the specialists and they will all be connected through telemedicine to every other facility in this region whether in Baracara, Black Bush Polder, or Mara.

Wherever you are, those health centres and hospitals will be connected to this hospital and this hospital will be connected through the National Hospital in Georgetown through telemedicine. The National Hospital will be connected to Mount Sinai and other major hospitals around the world through telemedicine. What we want to create is something called parity of service,” President Ali explained.

He noted that with technology, all will be done, adding that patients’ records will also become digitalised.

“The more we use technology, we are removing a human bias that can kill a system. So, what we are doing is creating and establishing the framework for the system in our country to work,” he added.

However, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony pointed out the aim of establishing the facility is to ensure that Region Six has a level five hospital.

“The previous PPP/C Government would have invested in building a National Ophthalmology Hospital, and that hospital was used to serve every single citizen in this country who needed eye care. When we came back in 2020, not a single operating microscope was working and eventually that hospital was closed. We had many health facilities in this region where there were no places for people to wait and a whole host of other problems and one of the first things that we did when we came back into office was to set aside $100M and fix every single health centre in this

President Dr Irfaan Ali and other officials at the sod-turning exercise on Sunday

region that needed fixing,” Minister Anthony explained.

He further stated that the National Ophthalmology Hospital is now working again.

Ophthalmologists, he said, have been making trips to interior locations and shortlisting persons for cataract surgeries and then taking them to the National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant to have those surgeries done.

Meanwhile, apart from the hospital being built in New Amsterdam, Dr Anthony noted that another is currently being constructed in the Upper Corentyne area closer to Skeldon.

“The foundation is already in and by the end of this year that hospital would be functional. We are planning to have a 24-hour accident and emergency service, we want to have outpatient services, we want to make sure that we have a complete set of imaging – we want the people there if they need it to be able to have access to CT scans. in addition, it would have 75 inpatient beds with two oper-

ating theatres and one minor theatre. We will also put a surgical team there to make sure that we can do surgeries for the first time in that community.”

Dr Anthony pointed out that the infrastructure at the Port Mourant Hospital has also been improved to be able to better serve that community.

Speaking about the current state of the New Amsterdam Hospital, the Health Minister said work is in progress to improve the services being offered at that institution.

Speaking of the new hospital, Dr Anthony said it will have five operating theatres, one of which will be for cardiac surgeries.

“The equipment that we are putting in here will be world-class. We will be putting in a CT scan that will be more updated and would be one of the latest machines that is currently on the market. This hospital would be the second public facility where we will have an MRI machine – the first one being at the Maternal and Child Health

Facility at Ogle.”

According to the Health Minister, the new hospital will offer an extended range of services.

“Apart from cardiac surgeries and some of the top surgeries we want to make this a centre where we will be able to do transplants,” Minister Anthony said.

Further, there will also be two other buildings in the compound of the new hospital – one designated for training.

“So, we will have a two-storey building specially dedicated for teaching on this campus and the second building we will have a modern psychiatric facility where patients who need acute care would be able to get that type of care,” the Minister pointed out.

The Austria company VAMED will construct the new facility.

Project Director Walter Puhringer pointed out that the final design is currently being worked on. This, he said will detail the functionality of the facility. According to Puhringer, the project has a three-year timeline.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

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Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Why peace breaks down

W

hile there’s a reason for every war and a war for every reason, there are only so many logical ways that the incentives for peace can break down. There are five main reasons it happens and each eliminates the incentives for compromise in a distinct way.

1. Unchecked interests: Autocrats and oligarchs can ignore many of the costs of war, because the soldiers and citizens who pay them cannot hold their leaders to account. They are quick to use violence, because others pay much of the price. Democratic societies are vulnerable to unchecked interests as well, such as a president who hopes to boost popularity ahead of an election, military leaders who see opportunity in a conflict, or extremist splinter factions who want to spoil the peace. Dictators are the most extreme and dangerous of the lot, because they are accountable to the fewest people and bear the least costs.

2. Intangible incentives: Sometimes violence can deliver value, such as glory, renown, or justice. Any ideological rewards might offset the costs of war, spurring sides to fight instead of bargain. Consider status. A desire for glory and dominance has driven kings of the past and tyrants of the present to warfare.

Our natural condition is conflict and competition, but most of the time this jostling is not violent. Enemies prefer to loathe in peace.

Unaccountable leaders are not the problem if the populace shares nationalistic and ideological goals. When they do, the leader is faithfully representing the group’s ideals by going to war. Most commonly, however, rulers and their cabals seek personal and national glory.

Another example of intangible incentives is the value societies place on certain pieces of land. There are times when a territory is hallowed. In those cases, many fight because the idea of compromising over a sacred space or ethnic homeland is unfathomable.

3. Misperceptions: A third way rivals get the costs and benefits of war wrong is when they form and hold mistaken views, even when evidence piles up to the contrary. In this scenario, decision-makers do not stop acting strategically, but rather strategise from a set of delusional and biased beliefs.

Other times we misperceive ourselves, overestimating chances of victory or underestimating the costs of a fight.

Sometimes we owe this overconfidence to psychological biases.

Other times it arises from an institutional problem that insulates decision-makers from bad news.

4. Uncertainty: Misperceptions are important, but generally speaking, people attribute too much influence to mistakes, and too little to uncertainty. Granted, war is so ruinous that both sides ought to invest enormous time and energy in discerning their rival’s strength and resolve. And they do – this is the function of diplomacy and intelligence. Moreover, no nation wants to be mistaken as weak. To avoid attack, most rivals signal their true strength through military exercises, missile tests, and (if necessary) skirmishes.

More importantly, it is hard to trust any signal from a rival.

While no nation wants to be underestimated, everyone would like to be overestimated. In war, enemies do not know the other’s strength or resolve. They may be bluffing. The optimal approach is to play what is called a mixed strategy: occasionally you ought to fold; occasionally you ought to call (risking war). Each time is a gamble. If uncertainty explains why wars break out, it also helps to explain why the average war is so brief—typically counted in weeks rather than years. Once the uncertainty dissipates, each side prefers to bargain rather than fight.

5. Commitment problems: Commitment problems comprise the fifth and final strategic dilemma – one that lies behind many of history’s longest wars. Commitment problems arise whenever one side believes its opponent has an incentive to renege on a peace deal –to use some future advantage to attack. Knowing this, a deal unravels before it can even begin. A classic example is the preventative war, where one side expects its adversary to become more powerful in the future and renegotiate the deal in their favour. One side capitalises on its ability to strike while still strong.

(Adapted from “Why we fight: the Roots of War and the Paths to Peace” by Chris Blattman)

This Mike Gonsalves photo shows the Pakaraima Mountain Range in the background along the trail leading to the Amerindian settlement of Karasabai in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

PM Mia Mottley’s Cabinet reshuffling Dear Editor, Today brings us to the end of the Christmas season and the Prime Minister of Barbados has once again reshuffled her Cabinet.

Sadly, the Prime Minister failed to address the real problem of an incompetent, bloated and expensive Cabinet that continues to burden taxpayers. This is at a time when Bajans are struggling to make ends meet and the cost of living continues to rise.

Many Bajans are in disbelief that the Prime Minister has increased the Cabinet again with this reshuffle while Bajans worry about how to feed their children today and get them ready for school on Monday. This is another pointless exercise of musical chairs that shows her utter disregard and disrespect for taxpayers' money.

Barbadians are being asked to continue to pay Davidson Ishmael. He did

not last two years as the Minister with full responsibility for Technology and Innovation. Now, he has been moved to the Ministry of Health as a junior Minister in a serious Ministry that has tremendous issues. People have to wait days in the corridors of the QEH before they are admitted to the hospital.

As we are all aware, Dr Sonia Browne, a medical professional, has resigned from her post as a Minister of State in the Ministry of Health. Dr Browne tried to meet the challenges but clearly, it was beyond her.

Additionally, where is the silent and absent Minister of Health, Jerome Walcott, who still seems to be very active in Foreign Affairs, despite not being the Minister? His absence comes at a time when the QEH is in complete disarray and Barbados is now on a travel advisory for a dengue outbreak, during

the height of our tourist season.

Truthfully, Kay McConney who is also missing in action, should have been part of the reshuffle. Every month the Ministry of Education and the Minister is involved in controversy. We will not forget the IADB survey and the assault on the girls of Springer Memorial.

Kay McConney continues to destroy the education system of Barbados. Now, the Prime Minister has moved Sandra Husbands in a questionable attempt to provide help to an inept Minister.

Barbadians are tired of paying for incompetence and we must call the judgement of the Prime Minister's into question.

The bad cards that the Prime Minister has drawn with these incapable Ministers, account for the impulsive decisions of this Cabinet reshuffle.

The Cabinet reshuffle is a white elephant. It is apparent, however, that this press conference was to simply shield a weak Deputy Prime Minister who is battling allegations of corruption. The issue that remains unanswered is the cheque paid to this Minister by a company that has contracts within her Ministry.

This is despite the current Government's assertions while in Opposition that they would bring integrity to public life. This Government passed an Integrity in Public Life law that is still not useable. Is there a reason why the law has not been proclaimed?

Hopefully, while we wait, no more Ministers will receive cheques from people who have contracts with their Ministries. Bajans deserve better.

Kind regards, Stefan Newton

The Harvard President's forced resignation: whose side are some on?

Dear Editor, The fallout from comments at a congressional hearing on antisemitism on US campuses, which did not find favour with some and led to an unrelenting campaign, in particular against the former president of the Ivy League Harvard University, and her subsequent resignation, seals that racism is truly alive

and kicking in that country, which prides itself as the model of the free world.

While the plagiarism accusations, which Dr Gay acknowledge, cannot be overlooked or condoned, the campaign to oust the former president by a particular donor, whose wife is also accused of plagiarism, speaks volumes and gives strength to 'money talks, bull S…

walks'.

Against this backdrop, it would be interesting to know whose side, those who daily cry racism and discrimination in other parts, like the contingent from the south, which descended here some weeks ago on an investigative mission, are on?

Were they part of Rev Al Sharpton's protest action in Pershing Square, for the

president, forced to resign?

Have they and others organised any marches, rallies and protest action, as was similarly done on what they perceived as racism and discrimination here, for an intellectual and professional black woman?

Just wondering!

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

The election fraud trial can now proceed expeditiously Dear Editor, The much talked about election fraud case is soon to begin, and the infamous rigging crew are about to be tried. There is no stopping us now, the people would like those persons who belligerently tried to steal, the word I prefer to use is "thief," an entire country by fraudulently converting our votes to their benefit, summarily tried and sentenced for that dastardly act.

Now that the brazen election petition has been

thrown out, it makes the way clear for the court to proceed with the trial. I guess those charged held out hopes that the frivolous and vexatious election petition case would have been upheld by a generally compromised Court of Appeal, however, there was a turn of events in this case, as good sense prevailed and a decision based on purely legal principles was upheld and not the disgraceful political decisions of previous years. It shows that our court sys-

tem has been emancipated and elevated.

This trial is a simple one, which in simplistic terms, ought to be dealt with tactfully and expeditiously. Questions such as; 1. Where are the SoPs for Region 4, and why weren't these figures used in the declaration?

2. What was the reason behind Enrique Livan's disappearance from the verification process, only later to be found sneakily in a room falsifying figures on his computer?

3. Where did Mingo get his figures from?

4. Where did Lowenfield get his figures from?

5. Whose signatures are on the certificate of declaration? Were these persons employees of GECOM? Greater still, isn't the signature to be affixed to the final declaration the sole duty of the Elections Commission Chairwoman?

These, and other pertinent questions should engage the attention of the

court, and from which definitive answers must be given. The point I am making is that never again should this foolishness of rigging raise its ugly head, ever! Within 72 hours a fair, transparent and honest result must be declared to this nation, Guyana must join the worldwide league of nations where democracy must be heard and felt throughout the length and breadth of this country.

That being said, I must reiterate the point that

this wicked device of the PNC was not carried out against the PPP/C, far from it, what it tried to achieve was to make a fool out of a rational thinking electorate, something that the people of this country do not take lightly. In this regard, we demand a speedy trial with the commensurate punishment administered to the miscreants. Long live a free and united Guyanese society!

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Enhancing the agriculture sector Dear Editor, With the new year just a few days in, it would be remiss of me not to wish everyone a prosperous and productive 2024.

This is a critical phase for Government officials to pick up from where they left off in 2023 to continue along its developmental agenda path.

The Ministry of Agriculture will be looking also to continue to provide its impeccable service to Guyanese and more so, Region Six where I was born and bred. I particularly look forward to the massive works set to be executed by the National Drainage & Irrigation Authority where works on Hope-like canals will start. Farmers over the years have endured enormous losses whether it is due to improper irrigation or excessive flooding caused by heavy rainfall. The last massive flooding was even worse with farmers still trying to “catch their level”.

The Ministry of Agriculture, notably, has been working with farmers around the clock to provide solutions and will deserve

all the support they can get from supporters and the opposition who only seek to hunt for all the faults they can find.

Recently it was reported in the news that works on these Hope-like canals will commence by February but work on the embankment for these structures will start within two weeks.

Now with these initiatives, farmers will feel relieved when it comes to having proper irrigation and ultimately aiding in the release of excess water from the water conservancy into the Atlantic Ocean during extended periods of rainfall.

Touching a bit on the East Demerara Water Conservancy (Hope Canal) to highlight how important the project was when it was conceptualised and how important it remains today, this multi-million-dollar investment is one of Guyana’s largest drainage projects and was constructed following the 2005 major flooding that tore through agriculture and residential areas.

Since its construction, there have been no reports

of major flooding and overtopping of the conservancy embankments but of course, it attracted criticism from the then useless and unproductive Opposition, have they ever supported a major project embarked on by the PPP? I will let the public answer that!

It must be noted that after the construction of the 8-door sluice structure, residents and farmers had praised the initiative over the years while noting that it had spared them from the heavy flood-

ing they had experienced before its construction and so with the implementation of structures similar to that in Regions 5 & 6 I am certain the benefits will be enormous and the praises will be just as loud despite the empty opinions of criticisms of the Opposition.

To date, I cannot find a major project spearheaded by the former Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, but the APNU/AFC finds the time to trash-talk projects executed under the Ministry of Agriculture led

by Hon Zulfikar Mustapha.

Minister Mustapha is taking a proactive approach when it comes to dealing with matters that could become key issues in the future and the people of Region Six continue to look

forward to his visionary leadership and providing innovative ways of enhancing the agriculture sector.

Sincerely, Fawaz Harry

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time 06:30 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 07:30 Cartoons 08:00 Stop Suffering 08:30 Stay Woke 09:00 Guy's Grocery Games 10:00 Grand Designs 11:00 Paternity Court 11:30 Divorce Court 12:00 News Break 12:05 Indian Movie - Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) 14:35 The Tom and Jerry Show S3 E18 15:00 Indian Soaps 16:00 Sydney to the Max S3 E10 16:30 Austin & Ally S4 E14 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 CNN 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Love & Laughter 21:00 The Resident S4 E13 22:00 The 100 S6 E13 23:00 Queen of the South S1 E6 00:00 Sign off

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MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

Foundation ◄

Page

ESTIMATING PRODUCTS To estimate products, begin by rounding. Then multiply the two rounded numbers.

Example: Estimate 62 x 48 Step 1: Round 62 downward to 60 and round 48 upward to 50.

Step 2: Multiply 60 x 50 When multiplying tow numbers that both end in zero, start by ignoring the final zeros. To multiply 70 x 50, just multiply 6 x 5 = 30.

After you have done that, restore all the zeros that you ignored to the right side of the product. 60 x 50 = 3000.

Webs

By Elly Niland

The sap sucking ended Leaves without trees set out

Remember: When you round both numbers downward, you know your estimate is less than the actual

Drifted about seeking shape.

product. If you round both numbers upward, your estimate will be more than the actual product.

In no rush, seeking branches

Exercises 1) 8 x 15

2) 5 x 7

3) 17 x 9

4)

4 x1

5) 13 x 11

HYDROPHOBIC SAND Learn how to make magic sand called hydrophobic sand in this fun and easy science experiment.

Materials:

Coloured sand Water-repellent fabric protector Disposable plate or container Plastic spoon Fan Clear plastic cup Water

Instructions:

Pour a thin layer of coloured sand in the disposable plate or container.

Spray water-repellent fabric protector on the coloured sand until the sand becomes moist.

Use a plastic spoon to mix the coloured sand.

Apply another coat of water-repellent fabric protector.

Place the sand in front of a fan to dry.

Use the plastic spoon to stir the sand every few hours until completely dry.

Once your hydrophobic sand is dry, fill the clear plastic cup with water.

Place a spoonful of your DIY hydrophobic sand into the water and observe.

Once you are finished with your DIY hydrophobic sand, pour off the water and save your sand to enjoy again at a

Possessed nothing, not even weight.

Wrapped only in sable skins of identity

later time.

How it works:

The water-repellent fabric protector coats the grains of sand and causes them to adhere together underwater. This creates a pocket of air around the sand that keeps it from getting wet.

Make this a science project:

Try coating other fine grained substances? Try testing your hydrophobic sand in liquids other than water. Use different brands of water-repellent fabric coating to create different batches of DIY hydrophobic sand and observe any differences. (sciencefun.org)

Unfocused, spinning like dry tamarinds Through the disintegrating kingdom.

They blew across seas, as before To be grounded in webs of triangles Or circles that spread.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt working to help bring down cost of sand in Reg 6 – Pres Ali ...to engage stakeholders in coming weeks A ggregates such as stone and sand are important parts of Guyana’s construction boom, but when the prices for any of these commodities are hiked, it severely disrupts the supply chain. Such is the case currently with the sand price, and according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, the Government is working to address this.

The President made these comments during the sod-turning for the New Amsterdam General Hospital at the National Psychiatric Hospital site in Region Six, on Sunday.

While the President was optimistic of the timely start of the project, he also acknowledged that the price of aggregates such as sand, is an issue.

“One of the hindrances

that we have in this region, and I want to address it very early, is the availability and price for sand. And we’re not a Government that ducks and run, you know. This is a Government that confronts every challenge and brings a solution to it,” the President said.

“We recognise the challenge that the pace of development is so intense in this

President Dr Irfaan Ali

region, that no one would have estimated the growth of construction and the pace of development in this region.

And as a result, the demand is outstripping the supply.

And then we have some of the suppliers, who believe

this is the time to cash in.”

According to him, the Government will have to step in by bringing together all the stakeholders in the region in a “perfect union” that would seek to address what are the root causes of the price increase and eradicate “artificial escalations” in prices.

“The perfect union is for

all the stakeholders in the region to recognise where we’re going now and to contribute in their own small way, to remove artificial escalation. And artificial escalation is where you escalate just because of demand. And work on normalising the cost and all the components required for development.”

According to the President, in the next three weeks, the Government will meet with key stakeholders including the private sector and, specifically, suppliers of sand, to iron out a way of bringing down costs… possibly even deploying the Government’s assets to normalise the situation in Region Six. “Where this balance is required, the Government must play a part. And that is why, within the next three/four weeks, we’re going to work on specific mechanisms, just like we did for stone. When we came into Government, there was a global shortage. Stone went to $15,000 per tonne.”

“The idea is how do we

The production of aggregates has increased… but so has the demand

address this problem. And just as stone went to $15,000 per tonne, the Government intervened and brought up the scale. Because when we start to procure and scale, now we’re able to bring stone down to $10,000 per tonne, in some cases $9500 per tonne. And we have to do this for sand in this region.”

Since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) return to office, the construction boom has also led to a greater demand for aggregates. This has prompted the Government to make efforts to ensure there are adequate supplies.

For 2020, just about 650,000 tonnes of materials were produced. The next year, the Government announced it was working with

the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to up production of construction aggregates to over one million tonnes. The production rate for quarriable substances had been much lower than the demand in previous years.

President Ali had also revealed last year that as many as 20 companies are vying to establish concrete plants, as the demand grew with the PPP/C Government’s housing drive and ambitious construction goals. And in 2021, the 1 million mark was surpassed when over 1.65 million tonnes of aggregates were recorded.

In 2022, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the massive road proj-

ects for the public sector in 2023 would require a whopping six million tonnes of aggregates. For this, he had shared that Government was exploring various options to keep the construction sector going. Neighbouring countries such as Suriname and Trinidad were also unable to fulfil these needs.

The production of aggregates has since risen dramatically, however, with the last Bank of Guyana halfyear report revealing that in the first half of 2023, over 4.2 million tonnes in construction aggregates (sand and stone) were declared.

While sand declarations recorded a 52.6 per cent increase, crushed stone also recorded a 71.7 per cent increase.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Essequibo Coast businessman remanded for possession of illegal gun, ammo New developments…

A …in development

contractor from the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was remanded to prison until Friday, January 12, 2024, for the illegal possession of a firearm and a quantity of ammunition.

It is alleged that when he was reported for alleged domestic violence, an illegal firearm and a large amount of ammunition were discovered at his home.

When 44-year-old Pooran Manman appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court, he faced charges for the ille-

Remanded: Pooran Manman

gal possession of firearm and ammunition without a licence. This accused pleaded not guilty to both allegations.

It is alleged that on

December 26, 2023, he had a 9mm pistol, 21 12-gauge cartridges, and 269 .32 live ammunition at Track “A” Abram Zuil. Bail was refused and he was remanded to prison.

According to reports, Manman, also known as Rocky, was arrested at Abram Zuil, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Acting on information related to threats and domestic violence, Police visited Manman’s residence and during a search of his bedroom, they discovered an unlicensed 9mm pistol, a .32 pistol, and a cache of

ammunition that included 269 rounds of .32 calibre ammunition; 21 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition, and more.

While Manman allegedly claimed ownership of a licence for the .32 pistol, the 9mm pistol was unlicensed, leading to his arrest. He reportedly claimed that the 9mm pistol was purchased from someone who is now deceased.

Manman, along with the confiscated firearms and ammunition, was subsequently taken to the Anna Regina Police Station.

Charges were later filed against him.

Demerara January Assizes get underway tomorrow with 259 cases to be heard T

he Demerara January 2024 Criminal Assizes are scheduled to begin tomorrow, according to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

In contrast, 30 matters were concluded in the Demerara October Assizes, which concluded last month.

In its end-of-year press statement, the DPP’s office said the Demerara October Criminal Assizes commenced on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, with a total of 277 cases listed to be heard by Justices Navindra Singh, Jo-Ann Barlow, and Simone Morris-Ramlall.

However, only 30 matters were disposed of. Of these matters, 18 were presented at the Demerara High Court; 12 were for the offence of murder and six were for sexual offences. The remaining 12 matters were nolle prosequi by the DPP. Of the matters presented in the High Court, there were three convictions, five formal verdicts of not guilty, eight not guilty verdicts by jury, six guilty pleas, and a hung jury. A total of 23 accused persons appeared in these trials.

Before Justice Barlow, State Counsel Nafeeza Baig, Joy Willaims, Praneeta Seeraj, and Padma Dubraj prosecuted six matters for the offence of murder. ln one of these cases for which three accused persons were indicted together, the trial Judge upheld no-case submissions and directed the jury to return formal verdicts of not guilty. ln another matter with two

accused, the jury found one accused not guilty while the trial Judge upheld a no-case submission for his co-accused.

In another two cases, both accused persons pleaded guilty; one pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 25 years, while the other pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and will be sentenced tomorrow.

In two other cases, one accused was found unanimously guilty by jury verdict and he would be sentenced tomorrow; the other accused was acquitted by jury verdict.

In Justice Singh’s court, State Counsel Marissa Edwards, Mikel Puran, Abiola Lowe, and Simran Gajraj completed six sexual offences matters.

In two separate cases, the accused were found unanimously guilty by the jury and were each sentenced to life imprisonment.

One of them will become eligible for parole after serving 15 years while the other was sentenced without parole. ln the other four matters, the accused were all acquitted by jury verdicts.

Six cases for the offence of murder were prosecuted before Justice Morris-Ramlall

by State Counsel Caressa Henry, Rbina Christmas, Delon Fraser and Madana Rampersaud. ln one of these, the accused was found not guilty by jury verdict. ln another matter for which two accused persons were indicted together, the number one pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment with time deducted for time spent on remand.

The jury found his co-accused not guilty of murder and manslaughter. ln another case, two accused persons were indicted together and both pleaded guilty.

They were each sentenced respectively to 13 years and 14 years’ imprisonment.

ln one other, the trial Judge upheld a no-case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. ln one of the other two matters, the jury returned hung and the accused was further remanded to prison to await a new trial. The other accused pleaded guilty to the offence of murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison after deductions for time spent on remand.

Of the 12 matters listed prosequi by the DPP, three were for the offence of attempt to murder in which the complainants submitted written statements that they did not wish to proceed with their matter. In one of the murder cases, the main prosecution witness was ill and unable to testify, while in the other murder case, the accused passed away.

The seven other matters were for sexual offences in which the complainants submitted written statements that they did not wish to proceed with the evidence.

O

ne of the good things that came out of your Eyewitness’s growing-up days under Burnham and Jagan was that while in short pants, he learnt about the critical difference between “growth” and “development”. “Growth” referred to what was happening to the economy as a whole – and was measured in an increase or decrease in the GDP or GNP. Yes, Dear Reader, a decrease can also be called growth – “negative growth”!! And “development”?? That spoke about what was happening in the lives of “we the people” – especially the “small man” in PNC lingo. Or the “working class” – dubbed the “proletariat” by the comrades – in PPP’s. No one complained that women weren’t mentioned – they fell under the category “man” – no pun intended!!

Development meant that the “small man” was going to be made into the “real man” (PNC) or the “working class” would end up as the owners of industry and would be living high off the hog –- as the owners did (PPP). It was accepted the economy still had to grow – but the profits from everything would end up in the pockets of the small man. We learnt there could be growth without development. Like when (in the words of Cheddi) those “British bastards” hived off all the sugar profits to England!! – but no development without growth!!

Your Eyewitness remembers swaggering around like an insufferable little snot, thinking how “enlightened” he was with all these words!!

But he soon discovered that all it was was – words!!

Burnham threw out the British and Canadian (bauxite) bastards and “we the people” now owned 80 per cent of the “commanding heights of the economy”. But did that change anything in the lives of the “small man” or the “working class”?? It certainly did – but not in the way he’d been promised. Rather than living better, he was plunged into sufferation since the local fellas Burnham appointed to run the economy just ran everything into the ground!

The small man now became the “hungry, homeless and naked” man!!

And your youthful Eyewitness learnt a valuable lesson: the owners of industry who ran their businesses successfully also performed “labour”. And should be well compensated since without their know-how there’d be no industry!! And this brings you now wide-awake (not woke!!) Eyewitness to our present circumstances where oil gives us the chance to have BOTH growth and development!! Sure, the oil belongs to “we the people”; sure we should be living higher off the hog – but let’s remember what happened under Burnham.

And in case you say, Dear Reader, that wasn’t oil; remember the same thing happened over in Venezuela when Chavez decided to get a bigger slice of the oil profits –- and the foreign companies just left!! …in world order With all the outrages that Mad Maduro’s been committing against us, we should appreciate that for a small nation like ours, life can be “nasty, short and brutish”.

Like Hobbes concluded over 400 years ago about man in his “state of nature”. And yes…back then “man” didn’t include “woman” – but was subsumed under him since she was made from his rib! Anyhow, Hobbes suggested that man should create governments – Leviathans – to which they should give up their rights and for which the governments would protect them through laws.

Well, following all the wars fought AFTER man formed governments by nation-states, you’d think they’d follow Hobbes’ suggestion at another level and form a “government of governments”. They’d give up some rights for the mega-govt to keep the peace among nations. And that’s exactly why the United Nations was formed after WWII – when about 80 million were killed.

Excepting the victors gamed the system to place them above the controls!

So Guyanese, we’re on our own!!

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

NEWS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

100 Reg 5 farmers received land leases in 2023 – Agri Minister ...D&I work done to prepare over 28,000 acres for agriculture in region

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has continued its policy of expanding land ownership in predominantly agricultural areas, with 100 farmers in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) receiving land leases last year.

Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha recently revealed that the leases were distributed in the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary (MMA) area, administered by the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA).

The Minister also made reference to the hundreds of farmers’ leases the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) terminated during its time in office… leases which the then PPP/C opposition had to take that Government to court for.

“During the period 2015 to 2020, a number of farmers leases were revoked by the former Administration.

And like that, we had distributed, in 2022, 128 leases to farmers in the MMA scheme.”

“And this year, we have

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

distributed 100 to farmers.

So farmers now are getting leases for their land, which they can use as collaterals to the banks to get loans and increase their production,” Mustapha said.

Meanwhile, the Minister spoke of the Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) work the Government has embarked on in the region.

Additionally, the Minister noted that construction has already started on replicas of the Hope Canal in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) and that Region Five would get five such structures.

“In Region Five also we have done D&I work to benefit 28,500 acres of land for agriculture purposes,

15,000 acres of this is new land in the Herstelling/ Berbice area,” Minister Mustapha said.

“We’ll have a number of these structures; mega structures being built across Regions Five and Six. And a number of other support structures, things as pump stations, sluices, and so on, will be built. Approximately three in Region Six and five in Region Five.”

Last year, Mustapha announced that to reduce the need for local farmers to sublet lands at exorbitant prices, the Agriculture Ministry was working on making another 10,000 acres of land in the MMA scheme available

A rice field in the MMA-ADA

to farmers.

“We’re working on development [of] 10,000 more acres of land, where we will be doing new D&I work and dams’ construction… [For] the second crop of 2023, we can take the amount of acreage to up about 105,000 acres at the end of the year.”

“There are a lot of applications pending there for lands at MMA and these lands will be given to those persons but we will have to ensure strict measures

are put in place to prevent subletting,” Mustapha had said.

Under the laws governing the leasing of State lands, no person leasing land from the Government is allowed to sublet to a third party unless written permission is sought and granted to the lessee, by the State, for this to take place.

However, there had been complaints last year that leased landholders who were residing over-

seas have been subletting lands in the MMA scheme to local farmers and imposing high rental prices – as much as $30,000 per acre.

This is way above the low $3500 per acres for both land rental and draining and irrigation costs that the PPP/C Administration had set after taking office in 2020. That $3500 is also a reduction from the $15,000 fee the former APNU/AFC Government had imposed after taking office in 2015. (G-3)

10 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 busted with ganja hidden in bucket at Yarrowkabra – another nabbed at roadblock in Reg 7

F

our persons including a female were arrested with a quantity of ganja during separate Police operations at Yarrowkabra along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and at No 70Km Checkpoint in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on Friday.

At Yarrowkabra, Police conducted a raid on the home of a 22-year-old female during which they found a bucket containing 365 grams of cannabis. At the time of the operation, two men were also in the house - a 21-year-old and a 23-year-old, both labourers.

However, a bucket with several ziplock bags and one black bag containing cannabis was found in the

The ganja found in the miner’s haversack at the roadblock

kitchen area of the flat wooden house.

The woman along with the two men were arrested and taken to Timehri Police Station where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 365 grams.

They are expected to make their court appearance this week.

Meanwhile, over in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), a 35-year-old miner of Moruca, NWD, was nabbed at a roadblock

The ganja found hidden in a bucket at Yarrowkabra

exercise at the No 70KM Checkpoint, Region Seven, with 83.3 grams of marijuana which was concealed in a haversack he was car-

rying.

The cannabis was hidden in two Pringles cans.

The suspect was arrested and has since admitted

ownership of the narcotic, stating that he bought it at Charity for his personal use. He too will make his court appearance shortly.

Nabaclis man stabbed to 100 pairs of scissors death during argument among items confiscated over cellular phone

at Providence Stadium

A

misunderstanding over a cellular phone on Saturday evening at Haslington New Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD) has led to the death of a labourer.

The dead man has been identified as Otis Andy Haimchand, 29, of Lot 183 Nabaclis, ECD. Police stated that Haimchand and the suspect, a 36-year-old miner of the said village, were engaged in a heated argument after the victim destroyed the suspect’s phone. The duo was parted and they went their separate ways.

However, at about 21:00h, the two men met again at Haslington, where another altercation erupted that quickly escalated into a scuffle.

The now dead man reportedly attempted to leave the scene but instead, he was followed by

O Dead: Otis Andy Haimchand

the suspect, who dealt him one stab to the upper left side chest with a knife that he was carrying.

Haimchand reportedly fell to the ground after which the suspect fled the scene. The Police were contacted and upon arriving at the scene, they observed a stab wound to the chest area near the victim’s heart.

The injured young man was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect.

The ganja and joints found on patrons

ne hundred pairs of scissors along with 2000 cigarette lighters, 50 small transparent ziplock bags with marijuana, 50 joints (ganja) and 15 weapons were confiscated on Saturday evening at the Guyana National Stadium (GNS), Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The items were found on patrons who were at-

searched thus leading to the discovery of the items.

In addition, the Police added that several persons were arrested and are expected to be charged with possession of narcotics. The event, which was hosted by a popular entertainment group, is an annual affair but the group ensures that security is paramount.

These thorough search-

The scissors and other weapons confiscated

tending the Flash Back Party. Police stated that about 10,000 persons were

es were implemented two years ago after chaos erupted at the National Park

during the "Baderation" Concert. Gunshots were fired while dancehall artiste Skeng was performing.

Videos circulated on social media depicting the firing of gunshots during the artiste's performance, causing minor injuries from thrown glass bottles in the crowd. The Banks DIH bar at the event was also reportedly robbed, and one person was arrested for illegal possession of a gun.

In response to the incident, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken met with event promoters, ordering heightened security for future events.

Days after the concert, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn announced a ban on "artistes like Skeng" from performing at public events in Guyana. This decision followed public opinions suggesting that the artist may have influenced violent behaviour among partygoers at the concert.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New pre-feasibility study to be conducted for wastewater treatment plant in GT – Min Croal A

new pre-feasibility study will soon be undertaken on the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Georgetown, according to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal.

This initiative is part of the Guyana Government’s strategic plan to modernise the country’s sewage and wastewater infrastructure.

Last week, Minister Croal told reporters at the Ministry’s closing press conference for 2023 that his Ministry will be focusing on this new treatment plant as part of its 2024 work plan.

A study for the wastewater treatment plant had already been conducted in the past, but according to the Housing and Water Minister, this needs to be updated.

“We’re now going to be embarking on an updated pre-feasibility study. We had one but obviously, the population increased and the demographics [changed] and new infrastructure is in place. We are going to be embarking on an updated pre-feasibility study for the implementation of, first, our pilot wastewater treatment plant for here in Georgetown,” Croal indicated.

The Minister had first announced plans for the construction of the treatment plant to address the country’s wastewater management back in October 2023 at the opening of the 32nd Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference and Exhibition which was held in Georgetown.

During his remarks, Croal pointed out that wastewater management is often overlooked, yet it is a crucial aspect of environmental responsibility.

According to the Minister, inefficient wastewater treatment can harm both the environment and public health.

“We must invest in modern, eco-friendly, wastewater treatment facilities to reduce pollution, safeguard the aquatic ecosystems and recycle water where possible,” he had stated.

In Guyana, the Georgetown sewage water system is one of four sewage systems in the country and the largest, serving over 9000 connected households.

This system represents 22.8

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

per cent of the capital city’s population and 3.6 per cent of the national population.

In recent years, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has made significant advancements in sanitation and infrastructure across various villages and hinterland regions.

Guyana is benefitting from the CReW+ Project, aimed at enhancing water quality and sanitation through innovative solutions and financing mechanisms. One focus is upgrading the sewage network and building a biodigester in Kwakwani, benefitting 2500 residents and improving wastewater management.

Back in 2021, GWI announced the piloting of a wastewater treatment plant at the Tucville sewer station.

The project will allow the company, which operates and maintains the Georgetown and Tucville sewage systems, to assess the suitability and removal efficiency of the selected treatment processes. These treatment processes are eco-friendly and allow for water, nutrient, and energy recovery.

Minister Croal explained last week that the establishment of this wastewater treatment plant coupled with all the other initiatives undertaken by the Guyana Government are “geared to the reduction of poverty, unemployment [and] remove inequality.”

Over the past three years, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has expended over $26 billion in the water sector and while these are aimed at achieving 90 per cent access to treated water by 2025 nationally, it also places Guyana on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6,

that is, ensure access to water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Among the investments made is the construction of seven new treatment plants that are underway, another five that are being tendered for as well as the upgrading of existing plants and new filter systems.

Moreover, the Government has completed seven new wells since 2020 to the tune of $7 million.

Additionally, 14 other wells are being drilled on the coastland – another $1.4 billion investment. Over the next year and a half, 24 other new wells are on the cards for the coastland.

These interventions, along with other interventions including in the hinterland, will see Guyana achieving 90 per cent access to treated water by 2025.

Currently, this figure is at 55 per cent, a mere 3 per cent growth over the past three years under PPP/C Administration.

But the Housing and Water Minister pointed out that the real progress by his Government will be seen in the first half of this year through major upgrades to the water system.

“So that’s why I asked for patience by our residents, villagers and homeowners because we have already set on stream, the investment that is required to bring the level of satisfactory service that we all desire,” Croal posited during last week’s press conference.

Meanwhile, the Government’s investment in the water sector has provided access to more than 35,000 citizens across the country within the last three years. Access to potable water currently stands at 97.3 per cent.

Additionally, more than 435 households

A depiction of a wastewater treatment plant

along the coast benefited last year from firsttime access in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four

(Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

With regards to the hin-

terland, access to potable water supply moved from 75 per cent at the end of 2022 to 82 per cent at the end of 2023, with the construction of over 60 new wells. (G-8)

12

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

Scenes from Sunday's sod construction of the New Am

4 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

13

d-turning exercise for the msterdam Regional Hospital

Photos compliments of DPI

14 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Reg 5 Traffic Officer urges passenger involvement to combat speeding

T

raffic Officer for Division Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Inspector Shawn Massay called on passengers of public transportation, especially minibuses, to intervene when the drivers are speeding along the roadway.

Massay made this call during a recent episode of “Police and You,” where he emphasised that a collective approach is needed to address road safety.

“If you are a passenger or an occupant in a vehicle, and you realise that the driver is driving recklessly, it is your responsibility also to tell the driver to reduce his speed…”, the Inspector added.

This call to action from Massay follows Traffic Chief,

Division Number 5 Traffic Officer, Inspector Shawn Massay

Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh’s recent proposal to increase fines for speeding and failure to wear seat belts.

Singh advocated for increases from $7500 to $25,000 for speeding and

from $7500 to $35,000 for failure to wear seat belts.

The proposal, already submitted, awaits approval, with Singh emphasising the pivotal role of law enforcement in reducing road accidents.

While Singh acknowledged the need for heightened Police visibility, Inspector Massay’s insights shed light on the behavioural aspects contributing to road safety challenges. Massay urged drivers to break the culture of late departure,

which often is the reason for road accidents.

Massay’s call for passenger involvement resonates with Singh’s broader strategy to tackle road safety issues.

The Traffic Chief outlined plans for the acquisition of 120 new speed

guns and emphasised the urgency of calibrating existing equipment.

Additionally, Singh proposed a realignment of Police shifts based on statistics from problematic areas to ensure a more visible and effective Police presence.

Equal health care for prisoners a State responsibility – Prison Director

I

n a firm declaration on Friday, Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot emphasised that the provision of healthcare for inmates is the State’s responsibility.

Elliot underscored that prisoners deserve the same standards of healthcare available in the community, and they should have access to the necessary services free of charge without discrimination based on their status.

The Director made this

Some of the healthcare workers attached to the various prisons

statement during a meeting with medical staff from

various prison locations at the Prison Headquarters,

Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot addressing the healthcare workers

aligning with the service’s strategic plan to provide holistic healthcare services for prisoners.

“Health personnel, particularly physicians, charged with the medical

detained,” Elliot told the healthcare workers.

Highlighting the importance of proper healthcare, especially considering that the majority of inmates will return to society with-

care of prisoners and detainees must provide them with the protection of their physical and mental health and treatment of disease of the same quality and standard as is afforded to those who are not imprisoned or

in a few years, Elliot emphasised that preserving their physical function is a priority.

This, in turn, enables ex-inmates to reintegrate into society, embark on productive activities, and

avoid becoming a burden to all.

Moreover, the Prison Director shared insights into the ongoing transformation of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), which extends beyond the construction of new correctional facilities.

He emphasised a fundamental shift in the approach to how inmates are managed and treated.

During the meeting, Elliot also addressed improvements in working conditions, noting that they hold significant promise for staff members.

This comes in conjunction with the ongoing massive infrastructure development within the Guyana Prison Service. The development signals a comprehensive effort to ensure the well-being of both inmates and the dedicated staff working within the prison system.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NRF savings expected to increase to 36.5% of GDP by 2028 – IMF ...urges Guyana to adopt comprehensive fiscal policy framework

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) is projecting that Guyana’s savings in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) will increase to 36.5 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2028, a fact that creates fiscal space for the Government to continue its public spending strategy. At the end of 2021, Guyana’s GDP stood at US$8.044 billion.

According to the IMF in its recent Article IV consultation report, Guyana is at a critical juncture when it comes to its economy and a comprehensive fiscal policy will be important for navigating the current situation and ensuring oil wealth is managed effectively and equitably.

The report further notes that long-term fiscal and debt sustainability, something the Government has cited when it comes to how it is spending Guyana’s oil wealth, cannot be ignored… especially since oil is not an infinite resource.

“Moreover, savings accumulated in the Natural Resource Fund, consistent with a zero overall fiscal balance by 2028 and thereafter, are projected to rise substantially (around 36.5 per cent of GDP by 2028).”

“Nevertheless, favour-

able debt dynamics indicate that issues of overheating, absorptive and institutional capacity constraints, and inflationary and real exchange rate pressures are likely to be more pressing policy challenges over the near- and medium-term,” the IMF said.

It was explained that these considerations, together with the limitations of the current fiscal policies and examples from other oil-rich countries, prompted the IMF to recommend a comprehensive fiscal policy framework be implemented.

They further urged that this policy be based on a medium-term fiscal framework (MTFF), an updated Public Financial Management (PFM) and public investment management frameworks…

all combined with the Government pursuing a policy of zero overall fiscal balance by 2028.

According to the IMF, a zero overall fiscal balance should be pursued after a period of higher public spending to meet current human capital and physical infrastructure needs. In fact, Guyana is currently on a trajectory of increased public spending.

“The authorities are encouraged to carry out an in-depth analysis, by an independent consultant, of existing absorptive and institutional capacity constraints on scaling up of public spending; this could be a crucial input in the setting of expenditure limits in the context of the MTFF,” the report states.

According to the Economic Commission

for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Guyana’s public sector spending has more than doubled in recent times, with programmes such as hospitals, schools and road infrastructure benefitting from Guyana’s injection of oil money to accelerate capital expenditure to benefit ordinary Guyanese.

In its 2023 “Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean” report, ECLAC noted that across the Region, capital expenditures are expected to remain stable around their previous year’s level, while in Guyana, the Government has been accelerating its expenditure on public investment programmes.

“In Guyana, expenditure on the public investment programme more than doubled, driven by the construction of hospitals, schools, housing, roads and agricultural infrastructure. It should be kept in mind that the execution of capital expenditures tends to be concentrated in the last quarter, so the figures for the first half of the year do not necessarily indicate the level of spending that will be achieved by the year-end,” ECLAC further said.

While public spending has doubled, there have been some criticisms about the Government’s increases to public servants… even though an across-theboard 6.5 per cent pay rise was granted for all public servants in December last.

This increase is expected to benefit over 54,000 public servants, teachers, members of the Disciplined Services, holders of constitutional offices, and Government pensioners; and place an additional $7.5 billion in disposal income annually in the hands of these employees.

Recently, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had noted that people are focusing on the fact that Guyana is now an oil-producing nation, and how much money it is earning from that sector; but they

have failed to recognise all the other initiatives that the Government is undertaking, such as increasing the grants to school children by some $10.5 billion this year alone, and another $14.5 billion for increases to old age pensions.

These, he outlined, are annualised and recurrent expenses, like salary increases, that need to be sustained in the future as well. The Vice President had highlighted the certainties regarding the future of fossil fuel, noting that if global demand plummets to a point where it is not sustainable to continue production, then it will be difficult for Guyana to sustain these recurring expenses, as has been happening in neighbouring countries in the Region.

(G-3)

ANUG names Althia King as new Joinder List parliamentarian – to replace Dr Asha Kissoon

I

n keeping with the Joinder List agreement, A New and United Guyana (ANUG) has identified its representative to take up a seat in the National Assembly for the remainder of the 12th Parliament.

ANUG along with the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The New Movement (TNM) had entered into a Joinder party arrangement during the March 2020 Elections, which saw them winning a single seat in the 65-seat National Assembly. Both LJP and TNM have already served their term in the National Assembly.

In a recent statement, ANUG named Althia King as its elected Member of Parliament (MP).

According to the party, King was born in Georgetown and spent her formative years residing in Monkey Mountain Village, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) before relocating to Georgetown to attend Stella Maris Primary School.

She received her secondary education at St Rose’s High School, graduating in 2007.

After a compact study in Sales and Marketing with the American Management Association, King pur-

sued studies in General Psychology acquiring a Diploma from the American University of Peace Studies with a distinction. She is also proficient in Portuguese, acquiring certification in Portuguese from the Embassy of Brazil in 2012.

The party said King is determined to make her contribution to psychological methodology and counselling for her Guyanese people, regardless of their economic or social status.

“Experiencing the past and current political roller coaster rides between the two Guyanese Ethno-centric political parties, that pre-eminently dominate Guyana’s political landscape, Ms King resolutely advocates the continued need for a viable third political party to break the winner-take-all stranglehold of the two-party system, and to create a system of transparency and accountability.

She has demonstrated her commitment by proactively leading from the front,” ANUG stated.

Being an active ANUG member since 2019, King participated in the run-up to the 2020 General Elections as well as in the recount process.

According to the politi-

ANUG Executive Althia King to take up parliamentarian post in National Assembly

cal party, “She has served on the Executive Board of A New and United Guyana for four consecutive years, engaging in humanitarian projects for youths, outreaches, and other activities across various regions in Guyana. She is people-centric and result-oriented, being equally effective working autonomously in a leadership position or as part of a group effort."

King will be replacing Dr Asha Kissoon, the leader of TNM, in the National Assembly. <<<Guyana Times>>> understands that the transition has already started and Dr Kissoon has even tendered her resignation as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

However, her resignation will take effect from

Dr Asha Kissoon being sworn in as a Member of Parliament

February 2024.

The TNM Leader was sworn in as a Member of Parliament in April 2023 and was subsequently elected Deputy Speaker. She replaced LJP Leader Lenox Shuman, who served as both Opposition MP and Deputy Speaker for over two years.

At the March 2020 elections, the number of votes secured by the three joinder parties was: 2657 by LJP – the most votes secured; while ANUG and TNM obtained 2313 and 244 votes respectively.

Based on the joinder

agreement, each party would occupy the shared seat for a specific period. The stipulated duration of the terms by each party are two years, six months, and 20 days for the LJP; while ANUG would serve for two years five months, and TNM for 80 days. The three parties had previously committed to acting as a broker between the Government and the main Opposition.

Now that ANUG has identified its representative to take up the MP position, the Joinder Parties – as a collective – will have to

write the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to formally request that King’s name be extracted from the list of candidates so that she can replace Dr Kissoon as a parliamentarian.

The process for replacing an MP involves the National Assembly writing to the head of the party list to whom the seat belongs, once its occupant has submitted a formal resignation. The head of the list is tasked with informing GECOM which party candidate name to extract and submit to the National Assembly.

16 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Scotiabank moves to appeal ruling that it “negligently misdirected” $28M W

ith the justification that it was the victim of a “miscarriage of justice,” Scotiabank (Guyana) has filed a motion for special leave to appeal with the Court of Appeal to overturn the Full Court's ruling from last month that it had “negligently misdirected” $28 million meant for an early mortgage repayment.

Core Investments Incorporated paid the sum to Scotiabank, intending to repay a mortgage early, but that payment was “negligently misdirected” by the financial institution, according to a judgement by the Full Court of Demerara, dated December 1, 2023.

The ruling, delivered by Justices Priya SewnarineBeharry and Navindra Singh, essentially reverses the February 15, 2023 ruling rendered by Justice Damone Younge.

“The applicant (Scotiabank) suffered a miscarriage of justice because the Full Court imposed lia-

bility on the applicant more than $30,000,000 including costs, by disposing of the appeal before it on a cause of action which was neither raised by the proposed respondent (Core Investments) in the High Court or Full Court, on which there was no evidence led by either party and on which there were no arguments led by either party,” said the bank in its motion.

The bank also argued that there had been an injustice since Justice Younge's decision was overturned by the Full Court, citing no mistakes on her part regarding the parties' privity of contract that placed obligations on the applicant.

Scotiabank further argued that the Full Court erred when it held the bank liable for negligence without holding a trial on the matter which cannot be supported by affidavit evidence and without Core Investments Incorporated ever bringing up the matter in either court.

The bank contended, among other things, that the appeal raises significant issues regarding the law of evidence regarding bankers' practices and appellate

Dead: Justin Teixeira

practice and procedure, particularly regarding the appellate court’s authority to make decisions unilaterally on matters not brought up or contested by parties and for which they were not given a chance to reply.

Full Court’s decision

At the centre of the court case is a property owned by Justin Teixeira, who – according to reports – died by suicide in April 2022, after

ingesting a poisonous compound: sodium cyanide.

This publication has access to court documents that show that on March 28, 2022, Core Investments (the Appellant), located at Lot 241 Baramita Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown, agreed with Teixeira to purchase his property. That property, located along the East Bank of Demerara, was priced at $58M, and at the time of the signing of the agreement, $47M was to be paid upfront.

At the time of signing of the agreement, the Bank of Nova Scotia (the Respondent) held a mortgage over the property. As a result, the agreement stipulated that the $47M must be paid in the following ways: $28M to Scotiabank by way of a Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited manager’s cheque to liquidate the mortgage; and $19M to the vendor, Teixeira.

The court file states that Core Investments properly acquired the manager’s cheque for $28M from Republic Bank, made payable to the “Bank of Nova Scotia”, and delivered it to Teixeira at the time of the signing of the

agreement.

The documents further state that, after the agreement was signed, Teixeira put the cheque into Scotiabank’s “Express Deposit Box” the very next day, but the bank later deposited the check into Teixeira’s account.

According to the judgement, on April 8, 2022, Teixeira purchased a manager’s cheque for the sum of $50M, payable to a relative, and made other withdrawals, leaving $169,133 in his account. The $28M contained in the cheque was never applied to the mortgage, and as a result, the property remained encumbered to the bank.

On November 28, 2022, Core Investments applied with the High Court, requesting, among other things, that Scotiabank return the $28M to it in restitution. The company contended that the bank could not have legitimately placed the $28M into Teixeira’s account, because the cheque was not payable to him.

However, Scotiabank claimed Teixeira had given orders to pay the manager’s cheque because of wording written on the reverse of the cheque, specifically “payee account number 312983.”

Additionally, the bank argued that it was not privy to the agreement, and, as a result, was not bound by its provisions, because it was not a party to the deal.

In its ruling, the Full Court said it does not believe the words “payee account number 312983” that were allegedly on the back of the cheque were written by Teixeira.

The Judges said a detailed inspection of the cheque revealed that the words were precisely lined up with the bank’s twisted stamp that appears right below those words. They emphasised how unlikely it was that those words, which were allegedly penned before the stamp was positioned there, would have coincidentally aligned with the stamp, or that the words and the stamp would have been aligned.

The bank’s argument that the wording on the back of the cheque was Teixeira’s instructions was dismissed by the court as absurd.

The Judges went on to point out that, in addition to the language being in no way directive, it is a matter of fact and law that Teixeira was unable to give instructions regarding the manager’s cheque because he was not the payee listed on it. The court ruled that the bank, whether Bank of Nova Scotia or Scotiabank, should have known that the money was meant to be credited to them.

The Full Court held that “the only logical and judicious action” that the Respondent should have taken was to reject the cheque and return it to the drawer, Republic Bank, because it was extremely evident that it maintained no account in the name of the

Bank of Nova Scotia.

“If this is indeed the manner in which this financial institution conducts its business, this is indeed worrying, and ought to be inquired into by the Bank of Guyana. The Respondent has failed to establish any legal or factual basis that justifies it depositing the manager’s cheque into (Teixeira’s) account,” said the Judges.

In the circumstances, it concluded that the bank “negligently misdirected the payment of the manager’s cheque, thereby causing loss to the Appellant.”

Consequently, the Full Court ordered that the monies due under the loan held

by Scotiabank be calculated up to March 29, 2022, and that the sum of $28M be credited toward such sum.

Further, it was ordered that should this sum be more

than the sum owing on the mortgage, then such excess monies shall be paid to the company.

Should the sum owed under the mortgage be more than $28M, the Court has ordered, Core Investments would have to pay such excess to Scotiabank.

Additionally, the Full Court declared, “The mortgage is deemed to have been settled and repaid as per the forgoing orders. It is further ordered that when the mortgage is repaid as aforementioned, the Respondent shall forthwith cancel the said mortgage.”

The Appellant was awarded damages of $1M for negligence, and court costs in the sum of $1M against the financial institution. These sums had to be paid by the bank to Core Investment on or before January 3, 2024.

EBD contractor dies after allegedly hitting head in fall F orty-seven-yearold Junior Clifton Thompson, a contractor from Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), succumbed after reportedly hitting his head during a fall at a house at Buxton Sideline Dam, East Coast Demerara.

A post-mortem examination conducted on the man’s body by Dr Nehaul Singh gave the cause of death as subdural haemorrhage due to blunt trauma to the head, potentially stemming from a fall.

However, Police stated that Thompson’s lifeless body was found by the Police after receiving an anonymous call around 23:00h on Wednesday evening.

Upon reaching the scene, law enforcement officers discovered Thompson's body lying on the lower veranda of a two-storey concrete building at Buxton Sideline Dam,

Dead contractor: Junior Clifton Thompson

ECD. Upon inspection of the body, Police found a laceration on the back of his head with blood. His head, at the time, was swollen. Also, during the inspection, a condom was found on his penis.

However, a 33-year-old

resident of Buxton Sideline Dam told detectives that at about 22:45h on the evening in question, he observed Thompson walking in the said yard with a female and a child.

The man related that as Thompson was attempting to open or close a door, he reportedly fell backwards, thus sustaining injuries to his head on the edge of the veranda.

The eyewitness related that he rushed to Thompson’s assistance while the female went to get a vest to wrap the wound. The injured man was subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Police have since confirmed that Thompson had keys to the premises he was trying to enter. The house was reportedly under construction.

NEWS

17

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

24-hour water supply imminent for Diamond – GWI Head

A

fter months of work, the new well at Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) is now back in operation, and according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Shaik Baksh, the community will soon be benefitting from 24hour water supply.

The new well at Sixth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, was drilled in July last year and work has been ongoing since to restore service to the community.

It was previously reported that the community will get 24-hour service with the new well but when operations commenced late last month, there was only full water supply in the mornings and evenings.

According to GWI’s Operations Director, Sunildatt Barran, the service currently runs from 04:00h to 12:00h daily and then the pressure drops until 17:00h when it increases and runs until 22:00h.

Baksh told Guyana

GWI Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh had tested the water in December 2023 before the new Diamond well was operationalised

Times that the water supply in the Diamond Housing Scheme will eventually re-

turn to 24 hours.

“We have plans right now [to return water supply

to 24 hours in Diamond].

We have another well that is being completed at Covent Garden; it should be finished this month and then the pressure will be 24 hours,” the CEO stated.

He explained that at the Diamond well, the break in service supply is to allow for the refilling of the tanks and backwashing, etc. However, he noted that the new well at Covent Garden, EBD, will add to the pressure and enhance the water supply for surrounding communities including Diamond.

“So, 24-hour service is imminent,” the GWI Head assured.

A new well had to be drilled in Diamond following the collapse of the old well that served the community in May 2023, causing hardship to residents in that community as well as in Peter’s Hall, Prospect, and some sections of Grove.

Despite the efforts of GWI engineers to revive the old well, it proved unsuccessful. They experienced

some challenges due to unusual clay formation which collapsed at various points.

The new well was drilled

by GWI's in-house team.

The well was dug to a depth of 800 feet and is expected to provide a water supply of approximately 220 cubic feet per minute.

The Government of Guyana has allocated significant funds to improve water access and quality on the East Bank of Demerara and throughout the country. In addition to Diamond, a new well has been completed in Eccles, EBD, which will benefit residents in that community and extend to Providence, EBD. Furthermore, the treatment plant in Eccles is being upgraded with two additional filters, and plans are underway to lay transmission lines that will provide treated water to residents, including those in new housing areas. These improvements are estimated to cost $800 million.

In Covent Garden, drilling for a new well is current-

ly in progress and is expected to be completed later this month. Additionally, work is scheduled for August to upgrade the treatment plant with two more filters, increasing its capacity to produce treated water.

The treatment plant in Grove is also undergoing an upgrade, which includes the installation of two additional filters. There are also plans to establish a new well in the community.

The Government has approved a $1.3 billion project to install transmission lines from Grove to Eccles, to bolster the supply of treated water. Baksh hopes that within one month, contractors will be able to mobilise the necessary materials and manpower to commence this project.

An investment of over $5 billion is being made to improve the water supply and the quality of treated water in all the housing areas on the East Bank of Demerara.

Similar improvements will be carried out on the East Coast of Demerara.

HEALTH TIPS

HEALTHY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Whole foods - including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish - contain a plethora of nutrients that your body needs to function at an optimal level. Research shows that following a whole-foods-based diet may significantly reduce heart disease risk factors, body weight, and blood sugar levels; as well as decrease your risk of certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine

A

new year often signifies a fresh start for many people. For some, this means setting health goals: such as losing weight, following a healthier diet, and starting an exercise routine. However, the health and wellness resolutions chosen are often highly restrictive and unsustainable, leading most people to break their resolutions within a few weeks.

This is why many people make the same resolutions year after year.

To break that cycle, it’s important to make resolutions that can not only improve health, but also be followed for life. Here are some New Year’s resolutions that are possible to keep.

1: Eat more whole foods One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to improve overall health is to eat more whole foods.

2: Sit less, move more Whether it’s due to having a sedentary job or to simply being inactive, many people sit more than they should. Sitting too much can have negative effects on health. It may be linked to an increased risk of overall mortality.

If you’re at a desk job that requires long periods of sitting, resolve to go for a 15-minute walk at lunch, or to get up and walk for 5 minutes every hour.

3: Cut back on sweetened beverages Cutting back on sweetened beverages is a smart idea, considering that sugary drinks are linked to an increased risk of obesity, fatty liver, heart disease, insulin resistance, and cavities in both children and adults.

4: Get more quality sleep Sleep is an essential part of overall health, and sleep deprivation can lead

to serious consequences.

For instance, lack of sleep may increase your risk of weight gain, heart disease, and depression. There are many reasons why people don’t get enough sleep, so it’s important to focus on a daily schedule and lifestyle to determine the best ways to improve sleep quantity and quality.

5: Find a physical activity that is enjoyable Every New Year, people purchase expensive memberships to gyms, workout studios, and online fitness programmes in hopes of shedding excess body fat in the year to come.

Though most people start strong, the majority don’t make their new routine into a lasting habit. For example, taking a half-hour

walk, jog, or bike ride before work; swimming; and going to the gym after work are simple and sustainable exercise resolutions.

6: Take more ‘me time’ and practise self-care Taking time for yourself is not selfish; it’s imperative for optimal health and well-being. This is especially true for those in caretaker roles, such as parents and healthcare workers. Selfcare doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. It can simply mean attending your favourite weekly yoga class, preparing a healthy meal for yourself, going for a walk in nature, or getting an extra hour of sleep.

7: Eat more home-cooked meals Research shows that people who cook more meals at

home have better diet quality and less body fat than people who eat more meals on the go. A study of 11,396 adults found that those who ate 5 or more home-cooked meals per week were 28% less likely to be overweight, compared with those who ate fewer than 3 homecooked meals per week.

8: Spend more time outdoors Spending more time outdoors can improve health by relieving stress, elevating mood, and even lowering blood pressure. Making a New Year’s resolution to spend more time outside every day is a sustainable and healthy goal that can benefit almost everyone.

9: Limit screen time Many people depend on their phones and comput-

ers for work and entertainment. Spending too much time on electronic devices — particularly on social media — has been linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness in some. Setting a resolution to cut back on the time you spend scrolling through social media, watching TV, or playing computer games may help boost your mood and enhance productivity.

10: Try meditation Meditation is an evidence-based way to promote mental wellbeing. It may be particularly helpful for people who have anxiety or depression. Trying out this practice is a perfect New Year’s resolution, because there are many ways to meditate, and it’s easy to find books, podcasts and apps.

11: Rely less on convenience foods Many people rely on convenience foods such as packaged chips, cookies, frozen dinners, and fast food for a quick meal or snack. Though these items may be tasty and readily available, they can have detrimental effects on your health if eaten too often. For example, frequent fast-food intake is associated with poor overall diet quality, obesity, and an increased risk of numerous conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.

HAPPY 2024!

18

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Mexican authorities investigate Lula declares 3 days of massacre after rival criminal national mourning for Brazil football great Zagallo groups clash in remote desert

M

B

razilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has declared three days of national mourning for four-time World Cup-winning football legend Mario Zagallo, a day after his death at age 92.

Zagallo, who played alongside Pele in Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 World Cupwinning teams and later won the trophy as a coach, died on Friday of multiple organ failure, said the Barra D’Or Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, where he had been treated for a series of health problems in recent months.

Lula led a flood of tributes to the man known as the “Old Wolf”, who coached Brazil’s 1970 World Cupwinning side starring Pele – considered by many the greatest team in history – and served as Assistant Coach when the “Selecao” repeated the feat in 1994.

“He was one of the great-

Former Brazilian player Mario Zagallo won the World Cup in 1958 and 1962, and then coached Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning side starring Pele [File: Hassan Ammar/AP]

est football players and coaches of all time,” Lula said in a statement.

“Courageous, passionate… [he] leaves a lesson of love, dedication and the will to overcome for our country – and for world football.”

Messages also poured in from around the football world.

“Zagallo’s influence on

football, and Brazilian football in particular, is supreme,” said FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Infantino called the diminutive left winger a “tactical genius”, underlining his role in four of football powerhouse Brazil’s five World Cup titles – more than anyone in history.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

exican authorities in the violence-plagued southwestern state of Guerrero said they were investigating a gruesome massacre that took place in a part of a remote desert where two rival criminal groups have been fighting for control.

Police investigators had found five burned bodies stacked onto a burned vehicle when they arrived in Buenavista de los Hurtado on Friday, the state attorney general said in a statement shared late on Saturday.

Citing footage shared by alleged members of the Familia Michoacana on social media and interviews with unnamed sources in the area, local media reported that 30 persons had died after a drone attack.

C

leaders of Los Curva, the countries said.

Hader Cuero is wanted by the United States on drug trafficking charges.

Colombia is considered the world's leading producer of cocaine, an illegal business that finances leftist guerrilla groups and criminal gangs.

"This operation stops the shipment of five tons of cocaine per month," said the deputy director of the Colombian National Police, General Nicolas Zapata, at a joint press conference streamed online on Sunday.

The national director of anti-drug investigations of the Ecuadorean Police, General William Villarroel, added that the organisation used speed boats and Mexico-flagged vessels to transport the drugs to Mexico on maritime routes.

Los Curva worked with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel and cartels in Europe's Balkan region, the Police said.

Last year, six Colombians and 22 Ecuadoreans were captured as part of the Police operation.

(Reuters)

Barbados Government to limit access to special passport

T

he Barbados Government will be taking steps to tighten the categories of people who can access and hold diplomatic passports.

This was disclosed by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley Saturday during her address to the nation.

“The other matter of some contention relates to the use of diplomatic passport by someone who has been charged.

“This matter of diplomatic passport, regrettably, was changed in 2017 and it has been brought to my attention that the broadening of the categories of those who can assume and hold diplomatic passports was done by

the previous Government in 2017,” Mottley said.

The issue drew public attention last week when the daughter of Member of Parliament Neil Rowe was charged with a crime while being the holder of a diplomatic passport.

The diplomatic passport of Tonneil Neshan Rashida Rowe, 21, was seized by the court as part of her bail condition on drug smuggling and money laundering charges.

Mottley made it clear that with regard to the family of those conducting business on behalf of Barbados, her administration intended to limit access to diplomatic passports to the physically

and mentally dependent as well as minors.

“I have asked the Minister of Home Affairs under whose jurisdiction the matter of diplomatic passport falls, to bring the changes to Cabinet to tighten it where it properly should be.

“My sister, if she were to live with me, should not be able to get a diplomatic passport as a big hardback woman and therefore, we need to be able to ensure that only those adults who are dependent physically and mentally will be able to do so and of course those who are minors,” she stressed. (CLM) (Nation News)

dependently verify the video, but several local media later published widely-shared videos showing what appeared to be the same pickup and burned bodies.

Mexican authorities in the statement said they were aware of a "confrontation between the criminal groups of Familia Michoacana and Los Tlacos, which have a running dispute for control of the area".

Police investigators in the area found no evidence of other crimes, the statement said, adding that villagers had declined to give DNA samples that would allow for the identification of the remains and advance investigations.

Reuters was unable to get comment from villagers.

(Reuters)

Trinidad: Integrity Commission boss’ controversial term comes to an end

Colombia, Ecuador bust drug ring A exporting 5 tons of cocaine per month olombia and Ecuador broke up a criminal organisation responsible for sending up to five tons of cocaine per month to the United States and Europe and captured the Colombian brothers in charge, the two countries said on Sunday.

Colombian Police said the Los Curva criminal organisation generated more than US$2 billion a year in profits from the trade.

A year-long Police operation culminated on Saturday with the capture of Colombian brothers Hader and Dairon Cuero,

In the footage shot in the desert, heavily armed men dressed in military clothing were shown piling bodies – some naked, their clothes scattered around the ground – on the hood and the rear of a red pickup riddled with bullet holes.

Some of the men appeared to have limbs cut off and at least one had a head missing.

A severed head is shown being arranged atop the human pile by one man while another, holding the camera and filming the pickup from all sides, says in heavy Mexican swear words to "send more".

Since being posted on Friday night, the video racked up 3.1 million views on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Reuters was unable to in-

s his term comes to an end this Thursday, Chairman of the Integrity Commission (IC), Professor Rajendra Ramlogan says the decision to investigate Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley three times did not come from him.

That rationale for investigations, Ramlogan said, lies with the investigators employed by the IC. “And I must further add that investigations are not conducted by the Commission. This is the purview of the Investigations Unit which is solely responsible for conducting investigations that are then submitted to the Commission with recommendations.

‘The Commission reviews all submissions in the context of being the final authority for determining the end result of an investigation. Thus, the productivity is solely due to the diligence and work ethic of

our investigators,” he told the Sunday Guardian last week.

The IC did three separate investigations into Dr Rowley’s Inez Gate property in Tobago and in all three investigations, he was cleared.

Ramlogan noted that the IC did not use external investigators to conduct its three investigations into Dr Rowley but utilised inhouse investigators, with its budgetary allocation, to do the work.

“During my tenure, we have not spent a cent on any investigations. We have done all using 100 per cent internal resources. All costs are part of our internal and approved budgetary allocation,” he said.

“Between 2018 to 2020, 18 investigations were closed to be contrasted with 104 for the period 20212023. This is in the context of a slight increase in the internal budget for investi-

gations,” he said.

For the period January 2018 to December 2020, the investigations unit had a budget of $2,649,793.

For the period January 2021 to December 2023, its budget was increased to $3,124,517.

Last week, Ramlogan drew the ire of Dr Rowley after the IC issued a press statement raising concerns about the reduced budget for the institution and indicating it had accepted free legal work to initiate legal proceedings.

Dr Rowley issued a statement which said, “I permit myself to posit that maybe the issue is far too many ill-advised and politically motivated investigations have been embarked upon by the Integrity Commission and more circumspect investigations need to be conducted in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Act.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

FAA order grounds two US aircraft in Jamaica

A

t least two United Airlines aircraft were grounded in Jamaica on Saturday after the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered US airlines to stop using some Boeing 737 Max 9 planes until they are inspected.

This came less than a day after one of those planes lost a chunk of its body in mid-air "with an extremely loud pop", terrifying passengers before the jet safely returned to ground.

Late Saturday, Jamaica Observer sources confirmed that a United Airlines flight which arrived in the island had

been grounded. Another flight, which was scheduled to land Saturday night, was also grounded.

Flights scheduled from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay to Newark and Denver in the US were cancelled, awaiting clearance for the two United aircraft.

According to the sources, United was to determine if it would ferry a crew to Jamaica to check the two aircraft or if it would take the planes back to the US without passengers.

The people who were scheduled to leave the island on Saturday on two United Airlines flights

were accommodated at hotels at the airline's expense and they were expected to be airlifted out Sunday on emergency flights.

The FAA's order was expected to affect about 171 planes worldwide.

Up to late Saturday the FAA was yet to publicly discuss the incident on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 which passengers described as an unnerving experience during the 20 minutes of the flight, which was destined for Ontario, California, but returned to Portland International Airport in Oregon on Friday night.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observe)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

19

Around The World

At least 9 Palestinians, two Israelis OILNEWS OIL NEWS killed in West Bank violence OPEC December oil output rises before new cuts, Angola exit – Reuters survey

O

PEC oil output rose in December, a Reuters survey found on Friday, as increases in Iraq, Angola and Nigeria offset ongoing cuts by Saudi Arabia and other members of the wider OPEC+ alliance in support of the market.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries pumped 27.88 million barrels per day (bpd) last month, up 70,000 bpd from November, according to the survey that tracks a wide array of shipping, flows and production data.

Output is down more than 1 million bpd from the same month a year ago.

The boost comes ahead of further OPEC+ cuts in 2024 and Angola's exit from OPEC, which are set to lower January output and market share. OPEC's market share has already been falling due to output restraint and the departure of some members.

In December, the biggest increases of 60,000 bpd came from Iraq and Angola, which both boosted exports, the survey found. Nigeria also shipped more crude abroad without, as yet, beginning oil products output at its new Dangote refinery.

Angola's increase was seen by two sources in the survey as a one-off and likely not sustainable into January, while Iraq still has a sizeable amount of production offline because of the ongoing halt in its northern crude exports via Turkey.

Among those showing lower output, Saudi Arabia trimmed production slightly below 9 million bpd, the survey found, as the top exporter extended a voluntary 1 million bpd output cut to provide extra support for the market.

Iran lowered exports in December, the survey found, with Iranian production falling slightly from a five-year high reached in November. Iran posted one of OPEC's biggest output increases in 2023 despite US sanctions still being in place.

OPEC's output is still undershooting the targeted amount by almost 600,000 bpd, largely because Angola and Nigeria lack the capacity to pump at current targeted levels.

Angola's exit from the group and a new Nigerian quota for 2024 should bring actual output closer to the target level.

The Reuters survey, which aims to track supply to the market, is based on shipping data provided by external sources, Refinitiv Eikon flows data, information from companies that track flows such as Petro-Logistics and Kpler and information provided by sources at oil companies, OPEC and consultants.

(Reuters)

A

t least nine Palestinians and two Israelis have been killed in violence across the occupied West Bank.

At least seven Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Sunday.

The strike targeted a gathering of citizens, the Ministry said. Four brothers were among the dead, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Israeli Police said an officer was killed when her “vehicle… was hit by an explosive device” during a raid in Jenin, adding that three other officers were wounded.

In a separate incident, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian girl in a car

at checkpoint in the occupied West Bank when they opened fire on another car suspected of a ramming attack, Israeli emergency services said.

Four-year-old Ruqaya Ahmed Odeh Jahaleen was killed when Israeli forces opened fire at the Beit Iksa checkpoint north west of Jerusalem, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

Israeli forces said a van driver swerved into officers at a checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah, prompting them to open fire.

“As a result of shooting at the terrorists, a girl who was in another vehicle at the checkpoint was hurt,” Israeli forces said.

It was not immediately clear if there were other casualties in the incident.

Earlier, a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli

N

Kim Yo Jong, one of the most powerful members of Kim Jong Un’s Government, said in a statement carried by state news agency KCNA that the safety catch on the trigger of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) had already been slipped.

“As already declared, the KPA will launch an immediate military strike if the enemy makes even a slight provocation,” Kim said.

Although South Korea held its own fire drills in the sea on Friday in response to the artillery shells, Yonhap reported there was no plan to do so after Saturday’s events.

The drills on both sides of the border on Friday sparked warnings for residents of South Korean border islands to seek cover in bomb shelters, although

army fire in Abwein village north of Ramallah, said the Health Ministry.

Elsewhere in the Ramallah area, an Israeli civilian was shot dead, according to the army, which said forces were searching for the assailant.

Violence in the West Bank has surged to levels unseen in nearly two decades since October 7, when Israel launched an assault on Gaza after Hamas fighters from the territory attacked southern Israel.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Russia launches 28 drones, three missiles at Ukraine, Ukraine's air force says

R

ussia launched 28 attack drones and three cruise missiles at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine's air force said on Sunday, adding that its air defence systems destroyed 21 of the drones.

The air force said on its Telegram messaging channel that Russia targeted mainly the south and east of Ukraine, and did not say what happened to the three cruise missiles.

"The enemy is shifting the focus of attack to the frontline territories - Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions were attacked by drones,"

Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat told national television.

Reuters could not independently verify the report.

There was no immediate comment from Russia.

Dnipropetrovsk regional authorities said on Telegram that 12 people were injured in a drone attack in Dnipro city.

They also said an educational institution and its dormitory, two multi-apartment buildings and one administrative building were damaged.

Ihnat said drones were predominantly destroyed

North Korea threatens Seoul as tension builds over military drills

orth Korea has threatened an immediate military strike against South Korea in response to any “provocation”.

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister and key ally of leader Kim Jong Un, made the threat on Sunday, as Pyongyang reportedly fired artillery shells near its border with South Korea for the third day in a row.

The remarks follow South Korean military reports that said the North had fired more than 60 artillery rounds on Saturday near their disputed maritime border.

A similar volley of more than 200 rounds was reported the previous day. North Korea fired more than 90 rounds on Sunday, according to the South.

A woman, centre, mourns after her four children were killed in what Palestinian authorities said was an Israeli air raid, at a morgue in Jenin [Raneen Sawafta/Reuters]

This undated picture released by North Korea's official news agency KCNA on December 19, 2023 shows the test launch of a Hwasongpho-18 intercontinental ballistic missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea

there were no reports of shells crossing the maritime border.

In her statement on Sunday, Kim denied the artillery shell firings on Saturday and said the North had detonated explosives as

a deception tactic.

South Korea’s military rejected Kim’s statement as low-level psychological warfare, urging North Korea to cease military activity that raises tension near the border. (Excerpt from Reuters)

by mobile teams, saving "scarce" air defence missiles.

He said Ukrainian forces used some missiles to repel two recent major Russian attacks and "processes are under way to continue to

provide Ukraine with the number of missiles needed to repel air attacks".

Russia deployed almost 300 missiles and more than 200 drones in attacks in the last days of 2023 and the first days of 2024. (Reuters)

Fire leaves nearly 7000 Rohingya homeless in Bangladesh camp

A

fire swept through a Rohingya refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh in the early hours of Sunday, destroying about 800 shelters and rendering thousands homeless, officials said.

Fire service officials and Rohingya volunteers brought the blaze under control around three hours after it hit Camp 5 in Cox's Bazar, a border district with Myanmar, shortly before 1 am (1900 GMT).

Apart from homes, several other facilities like learning centres were also gutted, Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner in Cox's Bazar, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman said, adding that there were no casualties.

UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, said nearly 7000 have been made homeless by the blaze and around 120 facilities, including mosques and healthcare centres were damaged.

"We have made all arrangements... they are being given food and temporary shelters," said Mohammad

Shamsud Douza, the deputy Bangladesh Government official in charge of refugees.

Nearly a million members of the Muslim minority from Myanmar live in crammed, bamboo-and-plastic camps in Bangladesh's border district of Cox's Bazar, most of them having fled a military crackdown in 2017.

"The cause of the fire currently remains unknown, and we are assured by the Government authorities that an investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out," UNHCR said.

Fires often break out in the crowded camps with its makeshift structures.

A massive blaze in March 2021 killed at least 15 refugees and destroyed more than 10,000 homes.

Last year about 12,000 were left homeless after nearly 2800 shelters and more than 90 facilities including hospitals and learning centres were destroyed in a fire. An investigating panel set up by the panel called it a "planned act of sabotage". (Reuters)

20

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Avoid taking a physical, emotional or financial risk. Aim to add stability to your life and avoid stress due to uncertainty and misinformation. Positive change is possible.

(March 21-April 19) Keep your money, possessions and ideas safe. Someone will be eager to mislead you. Look for opportunities; a positive turn will develop. It's up to you to take the first step.

PICKLES (April 20-May 20)

Be careful; someone will be eager to lead you astray or take advantage of you. Keep personal information to yourself, and be observant when dealing with partners or people who talk big.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Don't give away too much information or embellish situations. You should stick to the truth and use your insight and intuition to make your dream a reality. Call on those you know you can count on.

Use physical, emotional and intellectual tactics to give an all-around vision of the possibilities. Don't fall short because you let someone interfere with your plans. Take charge.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Put things you can't change on hold and get back to practical matters. Pick up a skill. Get involved in events and activities that will broaden your awareness and help you see what's possible.

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

Keep an eye on expenditures.

Money will fall through your fingers if you aren't paying attention. Don't let anger ruin your day or a close relationship. Romance is favored.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

It's time to shake things up. Consider what stabilizes you and start to build the infrastructure to house the transformation you want to make. Don't rely on others; make opportunities happen.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Be happy and live life your way.

Refuse to let anyone limit or control you.

Do your research and choose what's best for you. A career change looks promising. Get what you want in writing.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Find ways to improve household efficiency. Lowering your overhead will help you regain the control you require to balance your life. The more hands-on you are, the more money you will save.

LAST PUBLISHED WORD -- ENCHASE

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take a moment to reflect and reconnect with kindred spirits. An attitude adjustment will offer a realistic alternative. Refuse to be tempted by the actions of others.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Check out roadblocks before you begin your journey. Educate yourself and physically prepare for your next venture. The time and effort you put in will ward off unnecessary setbacks.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

21

Kohli and Rohit return to India's T20I squad for Afghanistan series R

ohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have returned to India's T20 International squad after an absence of more than a year from the format for the three-match series against Afghanistan, India's last T20I series before the T20 World Cup in June.

Rohit has been named Captain of the squad while those who led the side in his absence, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, are injured and unavailable for selection.

Rohit and Kohli have not played T20Is since India's semi-final defeat to England in the T20 World Cup in November 2022, choosing to prioritise Test cricket and One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in the lead-up to the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup in 2023. Their selection now, which comes after India's Chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar flew to South Africa during the New Year's Test in Cape Town, means that both players are back in India's plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA. India have mostly been led by Hardik in T20Is since the 2022 T20 World Cup, and Suryakumar stood in as

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in line to be at the forefront of another World Cup campaign for India

Captain after Hardik injured his ankle during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Suryakumar led India in the five-match T20I series at home against Australia and the three T20Is in South Africa in December, but has also been ruled out for a couple of months because of an ankle injury he picked up in South Africa. Both Hardik and Suryakumar are expected to return for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in March.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has not been picked as he continues to nurse a finger injury that

he picked up in South Africa last month. There is no place for KL Rahul in the 15-member squad, while Ishan Kishan has opted out, citing the need for a break to help him refocus on his game. Kishan also missed the two-Test series in South Africa for the same reason.

Wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, who was part of the T20I series against both Australia and South Africa recently, retained his spot and Sanju Samson, who has not been in India's T20I plans since touring Ireland with a

second-string squad in August last year, comes in as his backup. Samson struck his maiden international century during the ODI leg of the South Africa tour last month.

Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube also gets another crack in T20Is following an impressive IPL 2023 where he was Chennai Super Kings'

spin-hitter in the middle overs. Dube was most recently part of India's second-string squad that clinched the Asian Games gold in Hangzhou in October last year. From there, he went into the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy and produced some useful cameos for Mumbai batting down the order. His role with the ball, though, was minimal.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been rested keeping in mind their workloads ahead of the upcoming five-Test series at home against England. Also missing are Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja, who was Vice Captain during the South Africa T20Is that India drew 1-1. Jadeja missed the first Test against South Africa because of a neck spasm.

Deepak Chahar, who was named for the South Africa T20Is, but did not take part owing to a personal emergency, misses out altogether, with the selectors continuing with Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar.

Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav,

Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi form the spin attack.

Kuldeep, who picked a fivefor in his most recent T20I in South Africa, picked up three wickets for Uttar Pradesh in the first-round Ranji Trophy fixture against Kerala.

Following the three T20Is against Afghanistan on January 11, 14 and 17, India host England from January 25 to March 11, after which the players will disperse to join their respective IPL teams for the 2024 season, which will conclude only a couple of weeks before the T20 World Cup begins on June 1.

India's T20I squad for series versus Afghanistan Rohit Sharma (captain); Shubman Gill; Yashasvi Jaiswal; Virat Kohli; Tilak Varma; Rinku Singh; Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper); Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper); Shivam Dube; Washington Sundar; Axar Patel; Ravi Bishnoi; Kuldeep Yadav; Arshdeep Singh; Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Eve granted contract extension to lead Soca Warriors until 2025

Tatum scores 38 to lift Celtics, A end Pacers' win streak

J

ayson Tatum poured in 38 points with a season-high eight 3-pointers and Jaylen Brown added 31 points to help the Boston Celtics snap the Indiana Pacers’ six-game winning streak, 118-101 on Saturday.

Tatum, who also had 13 rebounds and six assists, combined with Brown for 27 of Boston’s 46 baskets on a night they never trailed.

Bennedict Mathurin scored 20 points and Tyrese Haliburton had 17 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. Indiana were held to a season-low point total and lost the rebounding battle, 7042.

The Pacers were within 84-81 entering the fourth quarter, but the Celtics went up 100-85 on Tatum’s 3-pointer with 7:30 remaining.

Celtics centre Kristaps Porzingis played only six minutes owing to an eye laceration.

Rockets survive Antetokounmpo’s 48 points Alperen Sengun had 21 points and the Houston

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum

Rockets overcame 48 points and 17 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks, 112-108.

Antetokounmpo shot 16 of 25 from the field for his seventh straight double-double but teammate Damian Lillard shot 5 of 16, including 1 for 8 from long range, and missed a season-high three free throws on 10 attempts.

Jalen Green scored 16 points and Fred VanVleet added 14 with seven assists for Houston, which has won three of four following a threegame skid.

Randle leads Knicks over Wizards Julius Randle scored 39 points and Jalen Brunson had 33 as the New York Knicks won their fourth straight game, 121-105 over the Washington Wizards.

Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed 19 rebounds as New York showed no let-up following an impressive 128-92 rout of the 76ers a night earlier.

Kyle Kuzma had 27 points and Deni Avdija added 23 for Washington, which have lost four in a row and seven of eight. (Sportsmax)

fter initially being given a contract to lead Trinidad and Tobago's senior men’s team into the Copa America play-off battle against Canada in March, Angus Eve was granted an extension, and will now remain at the helm until 2025.

Eve's extension, which was recently announced by the country's Football Association, will be for the duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification campaign.

The tactician's initial extension from September 2023 to March 2024, resulted from a fairly-successful 2023 campaign in which he guided the Soca Warriors to League A promotion in the Concacaf Nations League. Beyond that, Eve also saw the team to a memorable 2-1 victory over the United States in Nations League second-leg quarterfinals action, which followed their second-place finish in the group stage, where Trinidad and Tobago toppled Curaçao, El Salvador and Guatemala.

With his contract worries now out of the way, Eve's immediate focus will be on their assignment against Canada on March 23, as victory against another North American powerhouse, would see the twin-island republic into the CONMEBOL Copa

Angus Eve

America later this year.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue to serve the country in a positive manner," Eve declared.

"Hopefully, we can develop and harness the young talent that we have, to give ourselves the best opportunity to qualify for another World Cup," he added.

Normalisation Committee Chairman Robert Hadad explained how they came by the decision.

"A few months ago, Angus was given an extension as we believed he was the right individual to take us into League A and what he, his staff and the players have been able to achieve is commendable.

"The Normalisation Committee’s tenure is winding down and we have been consistent with a cautious

approach to the negotiation of contractual agreements with staff beyond our time (tenure). We met with Angus, explained our position, and discussed plans for the future. Angus has led the team extremely well and we believe that we have been able to (now) settle on a new agreement that is a winwin, in the best interest of the Association and Angus," Hadad shared.

“It was critical that any agreement allowed for each party to be protected and so that the Association has little to no risk of making missteps as in the past, which resulted in significant unpaid debts to Coaches, team members and suppliers. We are excited for the future as we head into a World Cup qualification year,” he added. (Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

GGA continues aggressive development of golf T he Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) reiterated its commitment to the partnership agreement signed in 2022 with the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) and Nexgen Golf Academy for an innovative programme that will eventually allow all of their 4000+ Teacher Trainees access to learn how to play and teach golf.

The “Train the Trainers” project, which was initiated by the GGA/ Nexgen Golf Academy with Nicholas Fraser, Head of the Education Ministry’s Allied Arts Unit in January 2021, has seen the development of golf in secondary schools across eight regions resulting in certified PE trainers and equipment being provided by the Golf Association for learners across the country.

The CPCE programme, which commences immediately, will enhance

GGA President Aleem Hussain and CPCE Vice Principal (Registrar) Kevaun Sears along with PE teachers who received equipment and training at CPCE

the institution’s Physical Education course whilst allowing all student teachers access to learning the sport. The partnership between the GGA, Nexgen

Golf and CPCE is expected to equip physical education majors with the competencies necessary to teach the sport upon return to their respective school districts.

Pollard to lead MI Cape Town, Pooran captains MI Emirates for SA20, ILT20

“With golf being an elective on the physical education syllabus for CSEC, and the expectation that thousands of learners, through the MoE Priority Programme Initiative, will join the hundreds of students who choose golf as their PE elective, we see it necessary that teachers are trained in the sport,” said CPCE Vice Principal (Registrar) Kevaun Sears.

"We applaud and commend Mr [Aleem] Hussain and his team on the astounding progress and dedication to making the sport accessible to all Guyanese, especially in such a short period!"

“I have been involved with the CSEC PE golf

examinations since 2022 and I attended the last “Train the Trainers” programme at the Nexgen Golf Academy. The exclusive teaching system developed

by Mr Hussain is easy to implement as evidenced by the results from CSEC in 2022-23 where we achieved 100 per cent pass rate with over 90 per cent at Grade I,” said Mr Stanley, CPCE Sports Coordinator.

GGA President Aleem Hussain has been the driving force for golf since 2018 as a Coach, Trainer, Golf Course Designer and the sports’ most passionate advocate. He sees this as quite possibly the most impactful step in development of the sport, “in conjunction with thousands of learners being exposed to the sport through Minister Manickchand's mandated Priority Programme, we are training student teachers so we will now have the means to reach every learner in the nation! I am confident that Guyana will dominate on the world stage based on the sheer number of persons who will be playing golf by end of 2025.”

Hussain revolutionised the game when he designed and built the Westside Golf Course in Vreed-en-Hoop, West Demerara, a scaled full-length golf course that only required eight acres of land. Similar courses are planned for Regions Two, Five and Six in 2024

Trim, Johnson make switch to GDF women’s team Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard

F

ormer West Indies Captain Kieron Pollard will lead MI Cape Town's hunt for glory in the second edition of South Africa's Premier Twenty20 League, SA20, while in his absence from the International League (ILT20), compatriot Nicholas Pooran will lead MI Emirates.

Pollard's appointment at MI Cape Town comes as Rashid Khan, who led the team last season, has been ruled out of the upcoming season, as he continues to recover from back surgery.

The ace leg spinner was named in the Afghanistan squad on January 6 for their three-match T20 International (T20I) series in India, but is unlikely to play, according to a statement from Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). Khan also missed Afghanistan's most recent T20I series in the United Arab Emirates

and the Big Bash League (BBL).

As such, the powerfully built Pollard has not only been drafted to make his debut in the SA20 but will lead from the front given his experience as a five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion, a twotime Champions League (CLT20) champion, and a Major League (MLC) champion, across the Mumbai Indians franchises.

The explosive middle-order batsman was also retained by MI Emirates for the upcoming ILT20 campaign, but with its dates clashing with the SA20's, Pooran has been given the reins of MI Emirates captaincy. It remains to be seen whether Pollard will join MI Emirates for the last leg of the ILT20 in the UAE. Pollard was recently in action for New York Strikers in the Abu Dhabi

T10 league, where his side lost the final to Deccan Gladiators.

Pooran, who also plays with Pollard at Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), recently declined his West Indies central contract to become a free agent.

The left-hand batsman, who is also a former West Indies white-ball Captain, was unveiled as Durban's Super Giants' wildcard pick in September 2023, and is likely to play three matches in the SA20 before linking up with MI Emirates for the second season of the ILT20.

The one-month SA20 will run from January 10 to February 10, and the ILT20 from January 19 to February 17. The two leagues will also clash with New Zealand's Super Smash and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

(Sportsmax)

and these will be lighted to allow for night play under cool conditions and after-hours programmes for children.

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Sandra Johnson displays her GDF jersey

M

aking use of the Footballers’ Transfer Window period, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club officially signed two new members to the women’s arm of their Club: Jalade Trim and Sandra Johnson, both formerly of the Fruta Conquerors FC. Trim and Johnson were pivotal forces in the Conquerors line-up along with Shanic Thornhill, who is now part of the Guyana Police Force FC as they

managed to finish third in the Guyana Football FederationGuyana National Women’s Football Association (GNWFA) Women’s Super-16 Festival in 2021.

Trim and Johnson have made a name for themselves as they are keen in the national team, in representing Guyana at the youth stage in the CONCACAF Women’s U17 and at the senior level in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup Qualifiers in which Trim secured two goals.

Caption: Evin Lewis and Rashid Khan were teammates at St Kitts & Nevis Patriots last season

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MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

23

Nandu, Adams to lead GHE practice teams from Tuesday A

nthony Adams and Matthew Nandu will lead respective XIs when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) commences preparations for this year's Regional 4-Day tournament with a pair of warm-up games set to bowl off from January 9-12 and January 16-19.

Team B, led by the young batting star Nandu, feature a number of high-profile players such as Kemol Savory, Shamar Yearwood, Nial Smith, Veerasammy Permaul and other top Guyana senior/junior players.

Over on Team A, the veteran left-arm spinner Adams will lead his troops, as players the calibre of Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Quentin Sampson,

Junior Sinclair

Kevlon Anderson

Veerasammy Permaul

Ronsford Beaton

Akshaya Persaud, Zeynul Ramsammy and others will feature in a star-studded battle.

Game 1 bowls off on Tuesday, January 9 at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda.

The two sides will engage in competition from next week. The Regional 4-Day tournament bowls off early next month (February); with defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles looking to mirror/top last sea-

son’s performance.

Anthony Adams’ XI (Team A) – Anthony Adams (Captain); Sachin Singh;

Rampertab Ramnauth; Kevlon Anderson; Akshaya Persaud; Zachary Jodah; Zeynul Ramsammy; Joshua

BCB/Ricky and Son's Business Enterprise U11 tournament…

Persaud; Aryan Persaud; Junior Sinclair; Quentin Sampson; Rivaldo Phillips; Sylus Tyndall; Malcom Hubbard; Adrian Hetmyer; Bruce Vincent and Clinton Pestano.

Matthew Nandu’s XI (Team B) – Matthew Nandu (Captain); Raymon Perez; Shamar Yearwood; Kemol Savory; Richie Looknauth; Brandon Jaikaran; Jonathan Rampersaud; Jonathan Van Lange; Gulcharran Chulai; Veerasammy Permaul; Nial Smith; Thaddeus Lovell; Ronsford Beaton; Ashmead Nedd; Ronald Alimohamed; Ushadeva Balgobin and Steven Sankar.

Williams, Hope, Matthews among top sports personalities celebrated at Barbados’ NSC Awards

RHT Poonai Pharmacy defeat Cotton Tree by 5 wickets to reach the final …to clash with Albion

R

ose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy defeated Cotton Tree Cricket Club by five wickets to advance to the final of the historic Ricky and Son’s Business Enterprise Under-11 cricket tournament.

Playing at the beautiful Chesney Cricket Ground, the Poonai Pharmacy team recovered from a shaky 34 for 5 in the fifth over to win with more than eight overs remaining. The tournament is the first of its kind to be organised at that level by the county board and forms a part of a well-organised developmental programme. The BCB plans to organise an Under-9 tournament in 2024 to go along with the Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21 and Under-23 competitions.

Cotton Tree Cricket Club won the toss and elected to take first strike.

They lost opener Ricardo Laurie for one when pacer Justin Lachigadu took a return catch at 7 for one in the second over. Apart from Trandit Dhani, who top-scored with 17 inclusive of two boundaries, no other batsman reached double figures.

Austin Bridgelal (0); Fayad Gaffur (8); Afridi Khan (5); Sandeep Singh (3); and Afraz Gaffur all fell cheaply. Fadeen Khaliem (2) and Richie Laurie (1) were unbeaten when the 20 overs expired. Lachigadu took

From left: Sada Williams, Shai Hope, and Hayley Matthews

W

Justin Hicks

2 for 9 from four impressive overs while Jayden Ganpat claimed 3 for 16 with his left-arm spin.

Dharvesh Narine (1 for 21) and Khemraj Bharrat (1 for 17) were the other wicket-takers.

Needing to score 91 from 20 overs to reach the final, Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy were ultra- aggressive and found themselves in trouble at 34 for 5 in the fifth over. Lachigadu (6); Jermaine Bobb (3); Vinesh Singh (5) and Dharvesh Narine (4) all fell cheaply while Khemraj

Bharrat seemed unlucky to be given caught behind for 3. From 34 for 5, a solid sixth-wicket partnership between Akeem Fraser and Justin Hicks took the team home to victory. Fraser ended on 20 not out with a single boundary while Hicks was unbeaten on 25.

Bowling for Cotton Tree, Fayad Gaffur took 2 for 21 and Richie Laurie 2 for 19 from 2 overs.

The final is to be held on a date and at a venue to be decided by the competition committee of the Berbice Cricket Board.

est Indies Captains Shai Hope and Hayley Matthews, as well as star athlete Sada Williams, were among the highlights, as the National Sports Council recognised a number of Barbados’s standout athletes from a range of disciplines at the 39th staging of its awards ceremony on Friday.

The event staged at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex was flocked by the country’s finest, who were rightly celebrated for their dedication to achieving sporting excellence.

Williams, who enjoyed a stellar year capped by her bronze medal performance in the 400m at the World Athletic Championships in Budapest, received the much-deserved nod for the coveted Minister’s Award and the National Sports Personality Award for 2023.

Matthews and Hope stood out in their respective categories, winning that award in the senior division. Claiming the school awards were St Gabriel’s School and Harrison College, while Esther Maynard was

honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her committed service in the athletic community.

Diminutive golfer Ashton O’Kola topped his peers in the Junior Outstanding Sportsperson category, as chess phenom Hannah Wilson won the honours on the female side.

The Wesley Worrell Award was presented to table tennis player Chad Doughty. Signia Finance and the Barbados Bottling Company received the Sponsors Award for their continued support, while well-known sports journalist Kenmore Bynoe secured the Media Award.

In the Team Award category, the Barbados Women’s Squash team reigned supreme. Emerging Athlete awardees were Desean Boyce in athletics and rising tennis star Hannah Chambers.

Kofi Hinds received the Alvin Burgess Award for Sports Administrator, recognising his excellent work in the hockey arena, and the Coach-of-the-Year award went to Jesse King in athletics.

Youth Awards were dis-

tributed to Rejada Hinds, Scott Galbraith, Shakobi Gittens, Sarama James, Zachary Maynard, Laila McIntyre, and Chaz ReiferBelle. Special awards were given to Paul Bernstein, Dorian Best, Michelle Elliot, Roberta Foster, and Akeem Rudder.

Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Minister Charles Griffith, in his remarks, called for greater support from the Private Sector.

“From the time I took up this role as Minister of Sports, I have been asking the Private Sector to come on board, because it is impossible for Government to fund all of the programmes that we think are necessary to move our athletes to the next level,” Griffiths said.

“The onus is on us to ensure that every single playing field on this island is active with youngsters engaging in sporting disciplines and we have started the process of lighting all of those playing fields across the island. It is an ongoing project, but we expect to see the finishing line at some point in time,” he added. (Sportsmax)

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

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

Pg 23

GHE practice teams from Tuesday

make continues aggressive switch to GDF development of golf women’s team Pg 22

Pg 22

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