Guyana Times - Saturday, December 30, 2023

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

Issue No. 5597

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

Regional development, peace & security are top priorities as President Ali set to take up Chairmanship of Caricom – highlights need for greater participation from Page Private Sector, Labour, Civil Society to build CSME 3

President Dr Irfaan Ali along with other Heads of Government at the 45th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government which was held in Trinidad and Tobago (File Photo)

Corentyne River Bridge

Procurement process completed, joint team reviewing evaluation report – Min Edghill

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P17 GuySuCo surpasses annual production target of 60,000 tonnes in 2023 – signals 28% increase from 2022 production output

P14 Chinese supermarket gutted, several other buildings destroyed after fire erupts at Puruni Landing

Black box from crashed GDF helicopter P12 sent to US to retrieve data – Min Edghill 16 companies bid to digitise MoH’s record P11 system

See story on page 7

Imported ganja worth $12.5M, uncustomed alcohol seized Page during joint 12 operation at CWC

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

Guyana recruits Cuban nurses to fill Rasville man P $3.7M massive shortage granted bail on armed at health facilities robbery charges Page 15

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– to train 4,000 nurses in 4 years

Fire that killed Linden nurse, 2 nieces was maliciously set – GFS

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Brothers freed after murder P2 charge against them discharged

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire that killed Linden nurse, 2 nieces was maliciously set – GFS

Dead: (L-R): Zella Lawrence, Ronika Lawrence and Angelique Lawrence

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n investigation into the devastating fire that took the lives of 30-year-old Zella Lawrence, 16-year-old Angelique Lawrence, and 8-year-old Ronika Lawrence has revealed that the blaze was intentionally set by uniden-

tified individuals.

The fire, which occurred at Lot 2692 in Central Amelia's Ward, Linden, ignited around 02:05h on December 25. Firefighters from the Linden Fire Station swiftly responded, managing to contain the flames to

the building's bottom floor.

Despite their efforts, a single sofa set was destroyed, and significant damage was inflicted on four metres of ceiling and a substantial amount of clothing.

Tragically, by the time

The house in Linden that was destroyed by fire

the fire was extinguished, it was discovered that all occupants of the two-storey

building had lost their lives.

Autopsies conducted on the nurse and her two niec-

es' bodies after the incident found that they died from smoke inhalation.

However, on Friday, the Fire Service announced that after a thorough investigation, it was concluded that the fire was a result of a malicious act. The Fire Service extends heartfelt condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased.

Authorities are urging anyone with information related to this heinous crime to come forward and assist in the apprehension of those responsible.

Brothers freed after murder charge against them discharged

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"Guana" Sand Landing on December 18, 2022, at about 5:00h.

A 24-year-old miner discovered him dead at around 11:00h that day as he was making his way from his work site to their campground. The individual stated that he saw the motionless body of a man on the ground while walking along the Arimu trail.

An alarm was raised and the Bartica Police Station was contacted.

Ambrose's registered firearm, a.32 pistol, was missing, along with a quantity of cash and raw gold.

Freed: Rondell Layne (left) and Mario Moses

ondell Layne and Mario Moses, the brothers charged with the murder of Ricky Oswald Ambrose, a 40-year-old mining surveyor and ranger from South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, were acquitted on Wednesday after the murder charge against them was discharged.

Following the conclusion of the prosecution's case at the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), Magistrate Christel Lambert ruled that insufficient evidence was provided to support the charge against the siblings.

The siblings' purported caution statements to the Police detectives, according to Magistrate Lambert,

Dead: Ricky Oswald Ambrose

Magistrate Christel Lambert

were not given voluntarily and freely.

In light of her findings, Magistrate Lambert decided that the caution statements were not acceptable and as such ruled that

there was no evidence of an eyewitness or a murder weapon to implicate the brothers.

Without these specific pieces of evidence, the prosecution lacked any oth-

er proof to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Magistrate thereupon discharged the charge of murder against Layne and Moses and commanded their immediate release from jail.

The brothers from Good Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD), were represented by Attorneyat-Law Yuborn Allicock.

They were first charged with the man’s murder in December of last year.

At the time of his death, Ambrose was employed as a ranger with Alphonso Mining in the Cuyuni River in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). Based on the given details, Ambrose drove his ATV, CK 3965, from Arimu Landing to

Wanted man nabbed during Police operation at Stabroek Market

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wenty-five-year-old Kevon Ridley, who was wanted for questioning in relation to a string of armed robberies in Georgetown, was arrested in the vicinity of Stabroek Market during a recent Police operation.

He was also wanted for questioning for his alleged involvement in discharging a loaded firearm on December 23, 2023, at Lime Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

During the operation,

conducted under the “clock”, Ridley, also known as “Arthur” from Albouystown, Georgetown, was subjected to a thorough search during which a quantity of cannabis was found in his possession.

Upon being informed of the allegations, Ridley was cautioned and taken to the Brickdam Police Station, where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 18 grams.

Ridley remains in custody pending charges.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, Dec 30 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Sunday, Dec 31 – 08:00h – 09:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, Dec 30 – 06:35h – 08:05h and Sunday, Dec 31 – 07:10h – 08:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be thundery showers during the day.

Expect partly cloudy skies and light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 06:23h and 18:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.39 metres and 2.5 metres.

Low Tide: 12:08h reaching a minimum height of 0.83 metre.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

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FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

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DRAW DE LINE

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PAY DAY

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2023

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Crude Oil

$77.04/barrel

-0.14

Rough Rice London Sugar

$315.95/ton $593.90/ton

+0.56 -4.58

Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask Low/High Change

Change %

USD Per Ounce $2061.22 $2058.20 -5.51

$2063.71 $2074.73 -0.27

Regional development, peace & security are top priorities as Pres Ali set to take up Chairmanship of Caricom – highlights need for greater participation from Private Sector, Labour, Civil Society to build CSME

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head of assuming the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in the new year, President Dr Irfaan Ali has highlighted some of the key areas that he will be focusing on while heading the regional body.

In a New Year Message published by the Caricom Secretariat on Friday, the incoming Caricom Chairman noted that 2023 was a period of reflection as the regional body marked the 50th Anniversary of the integration movement.

According to President Ali, they will continue to advance these ideals with the requisite undertakings which will allow Caricom nationals to exercise their right to free movement within the Community and to bring the regional capital market into being.

“We will also work on ensuring greater participation of all sectors of our Community, including the private sector, labour organisations and civil society, in building our Caricom Single Market and Economy. We will identify new avenues for targeted partnerships, especially with our young people, to encourage innovative approaches and renewed energy for sustained economic development and convergence,” the Guyanese Head of State added.

According to Ali, the objective is to improve the lives of citizens in the Region, through purposeful and sustained cooperation, by delivering high-quality health services, a more relevant system of education for young people, secure and amenable living environments, new jobs and a financial climate that is conducive to investments.

President Ali further noted that this New Year brings renewed possibilities to continue targeted programmes to advance Caricom’s strategic priorities to pursue the Region’s development goals and strive for peace and prosperity across the Region.

“Regional security is an increasingly critical matter. We live in a world where peace is challenged from one corner of the universe to the next. We ended 2023, however, with Caricom’s robust role in assuring the rule of international peace and security in our corner of the world and ensuring that Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole remained a Zone of Peace. We shall continue 2024 with this respect for international law.

We all remain committed to peacefully and by legal means resolving border controversies.”

In maintaining that the Caribbean must remain a Zone of Peace, President Ali noted that Caricom has resolved to effectively address crime and violence in the Region, including combatting the illegal weapons trade through its “War on Guns” campaign. He added that

Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali will assume the Chairmanship of Caricom in January

they will leave no stone unturned in efforts to return its Member State, Haiti, to peace and stability.

“Our Region must remain a Zone of Peace,” he insisted.

Meanwhile, President Ali also noted that ensuring the Region’s food and nutrition security continues to be at the forefront of Caricom’s endeavours. Despite adverse challenges, including climate change, Caricom Member States have made steady progress towards achieving the “25% by 2025” target to reduce the Region’s food im-

port bill by the year 2025.

“We will build on these achievements, including advancing our regional agenda for energy services that are available, reliable, affordable and sustainable - to support expected innovations in the agricultural sector. Crucial to this initiative is the need to improve regional transportation and this will remain as one of our top priorities,” he asserted.

Turning his attention to climate change, President Ali said Caricom will continue its advocacy for early and fair operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, agreed at COP28. He added they also continue their insistence on the fulfilment of the commitments made by major emitters to be converted to actions to reduce emissions that lead to climate change with its deleterious impact on vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Low-lying Coastal Developing States, such as Caricom Member States.

“We all know that SIDS does not contribute in any meaningful way to climate change, but we carry the heaviest burden of the impact: from more and stronger trop-

ical cyclones to increasingly scarce and saline groundwater, to disappearing coastal lands, to degrading marine eco-systems, to stress on agriculture and other sectors.

This is why our call for fair access to affordable financing to address the impact of climate change must and will continue,” he argued.

Nevertheless, as he embarks on his chairmanship journey, President Ali said he is heartened by the tangible evidence of what collective action and determination have already achieved in the Caribbean.

“I remain confident that the ongoing and new initiatives being implemented will help to ensure that Caricom is truly “A Community for All” …Let us approach this New Year with optimism, and a strengthened desire to pursue our shared objectives of unity and prosperity,” he posited.

As part of Chairing the Conference of Heads of Government for the period January 1 to June 30, 2024, Guyana will be hosting the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference in February 2024 and continue the Community’s activities to mark Caricom’s 50th Anniversary. (G-8)

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

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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

Environmental regulations & tobacco companies

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nvironmental regulations in Spain have stipulated that tobacco companies would now be charged with cleaning up cigarette butts off the streets and beaches.

In January of this year, the regulations were enforced after, according to a BBC report, millions of butts are thrown away each year - releasing toxic plastic waste which can take decades to break down.

This position by Spain shows that the country is taking a tough stance against smoking and the adverse impact cigarette waste is having on the environment.

A report by the Catalan Rezero Foundation called cigarette waste the "most abundant waste" on the beaches of the western Mediterranean, pointing out that existing measures to tackle it - such as awareness campaigns and portable beach ashtrays - had been insufficient.

The new rules make manufacturers responsible for collecting discarded butts as well as transporting them for waste treatment, the BBC reported.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had reported that more than 40 million young people aged 13-15 have already started to use tobacco. This, by any measure, is quite alarming, and one can only imagine the kind of impact this would have on our young people if urgent action is not taken to discourage such actions.

The WHO had, for some time now, embarked on a global campaign to highlight the strategic, aggressive and well-resourced tactics employed by the tobacco industry to target youths, and to debunk the myths the tobacco industry creates.

The campaign seeks to provide young people with the knowledge required to easily detect industry manipulation from product design to marketing campaigns and equip them with the tools to rebuff such tactics, thereby empowering young people to stand up against them.

The WHO described this effort as a counter-marketing campaign, as it would reinforce work in assisting countries to implement effective policy interventions to reduce the demand for tobacco.

Here, in Guyana, Chronic Diseases Coordinator Dr Kavita Singh had, in the past, lamented the fact that the tobacco industry is capitalising on new trends in targeting young persons. She had noted that it was during this point in time that big tobacco was using strategic marketing techniques to try to get young people to experiment with the new and emerging novel products, like the e-cigarettes and the heated tobacco products.

While there is a myth that these products are safe, they are equally as harmful as the smoke of an actual cigarette. According to WHO, smoking e-cigarettes and hookah pipes marketed as safer alternatives to conventional cigarettes is harmful, addictive, and increases the risk of developing heart and lung diseases.

Of note is that these products have the same tobacco, which has cancer-causing agents among other deadly emissions. The WHO notes that most of the countless flavours on offer such as bubble-gum and candy are there to attract youngsters, who at least double their chances of smoking cigarettes later in life.

It should be stated that tobacco is responsible for over seven million deaths per year worldwide. This includes approximately 900,000 persons who die from diseases related to exposure to tobacco smoke. Over 40 per cent of all tobacco-related deaths are from lung diseases, like cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and tuberculosis.

Guyana s tobacco control law, enacted in 2017, follows several of the Articles of the WHO Convention, and mandates the adoption and implementation of a series of tobacco control policies, which make it one of the most complete tobacco control laws. These include: 100 per cent smoke-free environments in all indoor public spaces, indoor work spaces, public transportation, and specified outdoor spaces, to protect people from exposure to tobacco smoke; a ban on all forms of advertising and promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products; health warnings featured on 60 per cent of tobacco product packaging, including images. It also includes a ban on the sale of tobacco products to and by minors, prohibition on vending machines sales, and a ban on the manufacture and sale of toys and candies, and any other goods in the form of tobacco products.

There is no strict enforcement of the measures enacted in the local 2017 control law, and more so no provision like that of Spain to have companies pay for the damage they are causing to the environment.

Having the necessary legislation in place is a good starting point, but the challenges relate to monitoring and compliance. Stricter enforcement of the legislation has still not yet been addressed.

A Nenets child in Russia urges his mother to make the reindeer sleigh go faster. The image was published in a story in the October 2017 issue about the Indigenous reindeer herders dealing with climate change and natural gas mining

PNC’s dictatorship has been replaced with democracy since 1992 Dear Editor, In a letter to one of the daily newspapers, veteran Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis accuses the PPPC Government of “pushing [Guyana] to a full-fledged dictatorship.” Only recently (July 2020), Mr. Lewis had given prominence to a self-imputed virtue of dictatorship: by asserting that ex-President David Granger had the power to cancel the 2020 elections. “Lincoln Lewis has publicly called on David Granger to cancel the General and Regional Elections held on 2 March 2020.”

(GSA:7/29/2020).

GECOM Commissioner Mr. Sase Gunraj noted: “Lewis is attempting to mislead and confuse the public by advocating positions that have no basis in law, and by arrogating power unto Granger which he does not have (7/29/2020).”

To express concern about a “full-fledged movement” of the PPPC Government now towards dictatorship is duplicitous and opportunistic.

Here is Mr. Lewis’s statement in July 2020: “I call on President David Granger not to allow history to record him as it did Nero. You have the power vested in your office to correct this public hijacking of Guyana’s elections, this confounded brazen highway robbery, this piracy, and these buccaneering politics unleashed on Guyana. … … If GECOM cannot declare an election on credible votes or declarations never challenged or deemed invalid in a court of law, then Mr. President, it behooves you to cancel these elections. You have the power, you have the right to so do…

Mr. President, for the good of Guyana, her laws, and people, cancel these elections.”

(July 28, 2020).

Imputing ex-President Granger with absolute power and urging him to cancel a legally conducted election (thus negating the sovereignty of the people), is an unconditional embrace of dictatorship.

Notwithstanding, let us assume that Mr. Lewis has made a U-turn on the exercise of Presidential power, has he been able to produce any credible evidence to support his claim of a fledging dictatorship under the existing PPPC governance? Absolutely NOT! He could have been guided

by Guyana’s history to make constructive comparisons, but has instead chosen another path.

There has been a flourishing period of dictatorship during the PNC rule between 1968 and 1992.

Several books have attested to this dictatorship. Here are some of the features of dictatorship that expressed themselves during the PNC rule covering the period 19681992. There was a maximum leader, Mr. LFS Burnham, who proclaimed party paramountcy, which allowed the PNC to rise above all state agencies. There were restrictions on newsprint, freedom of press, and denial of individuals’ rights. Jobs were only for people who had PNC party cards.

The distribution of basic food items was controlled by the PNC party’s KSI (Knowledge Sharing Institute). The importation of goods was controlled by the External Trade Bureau (ETB), and the scarcity of food items led to the imposition of price controls and uncontrollable smuggling. A command-and-control economy was set in motion, in

which the PNC party controlled 80% of the economy and functioned in a Police/ military state. These measures have forced thousands of Guyanese, including the highly skilled and talented, to flee the country. The lack of freedom was pervasive: everyone had to watch over their shoulders. Dr Cheddi Jagan noted in 1992: "People could now breathe freely, and don’t have to watch over their shoulders anymore.”

None of these austere and autocratic measures exists under the current PPPC administration. Mr. Lewis skillfully avoids reporting these unique features of the PNC, and cites instead some disparate matters that fall under the Government’s dayto-day management. These include the dismissals of public servants; the prosecution of two anti-PPPC activists, Mr. Mark Benschop and Mr. Rickford Burke, whom Mr. Lewis venerates. He accuses the PPPC General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo of an association with death squads, and labelled Guyana a narco-state under the previous PPPC term in office.

The merits and demerits of these allegations have been successfully addressed several times before, so there is no need to reproduce them here.

Mr. Lewis must be reminded of the nefarious activities of the PNC-aligned 'House of Israel' thug group, which terrorized citizens and political parties opposed to PNC. What about the link between PNC operatives and the X13 Plan, and the ensuing mayhem? And must we forget that the unprecedented reign of terror in 1964 was halted only when a PNC activist, Immanuel Fairbairn, was captured by the Police

on August 9, 1964 with a huge cache of ammunition in a Georgetown hotel? What about the assassination of eminent scholar Dr Walter Rodney, Jesuit Priest Father Darke, politician Vincent Teekah and others during the PNC dictatorship?

How would Mr. Lewis describe the Opposition PNCR party’s draping of the coffin of a notorious criminal with the Guyana flag? Was that an act of defiance? Or was the deceased deemed a freedom fighter? If so, what is their perception of freedom? Is it the capturing of state power by either insurrection or revolution? Is history on their side concerning the conduct of elections?

Mr. Lewis and associates want Guyana to be governed by an alternative non-elected and self-appointed system drawn from civil society groups. Why do they not want the Guyanese people to choose their Government at regular free and fair elections? They have historically supported insurrection to change a Government, and are inclined to discard the ballot boxes.

Now Opposition elements argue vociferously for executive power sharing.

Have they determined that APNU could not win any forthcoming election, despite no ethnic group having a demographic advantage anymore since 1980? Raising fears and invoking racism would not solve any problem. These would exacerbate them.

Guyana is fast becoming a marketplace of free ideas, and those with superior ones will triumph.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

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News

25 more telemedicine sites to be established in 2024 – Min Anthony T

wenty-five additional communities in the hinterland and rural areas will benefit from the implementation of the telemedicine programme in their health facilities, signalling the Government’s aggressive push to ensure quality, efficient health services are delivered to all.

This was revealed by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony at the Ministry’s year-end press conference held at Brickdam, Georgetown on Friday.

Telemedicine is a twoway, real-time interactive communication between a patient and healthcare provider at differ-

ent sites. It is supported by audio and video equipment and integrated medical devices that empower clinicians to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients remotely and is beneficial in Guyana’s case.

“Next year, we have identified at least another 25 areas; it might be more because we’re working on some streams of funding that might allow us to do more sites,” Dr Anthony disclosed.

The telemedicine programme was officially launched in 2022 with four Amerindian communities in Region Nine piloting the programme. It was later expanded to 25 communi-

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony during his year-end press briefing on Friday

ties in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 with an allocation of $1.8 billion in the Ministry’s $84.5 billion budget in 2023.

“This has been helping us to reach every remote community and the equipment that we have and the training that we have been giving to the healthcare workers would include them being able to set up the equipment to do ECGs and to also do ultrasound,” the Health Minister further highlighted.

Each telemedicine site will be equipped with the requisite technological devices, which provide Community Health Workers (CHWs) sta-

tioned in the respective villages with 24-hour access to specialists from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

These include a digital stethoscope, pulse oximeter, infrared thermometer, blood pressure monitor, mobile ultrasound, and exam cameras among other technological devices that will be used in the delivery of this service.

The implementation of the telemedicine programme forms part of President Ali-led Administration’s efforts towards improving Guyana’s healthcare system into a world-class system.

We ought to maintain that focus Dear Editor, Only a few people in this world are truly greedy. Most would be content with being able to live in harmony with their neighbours, enjoying a life free of financial worries. The motivation of the greedy is ultimately founded upon denying or taking from others what is their rightful due.

The Venezuelan people are not greedy. The upper classes want to live the 21st Century life they had become accustomed to before Chavez, while the masses long for the social largesse they enjoyed during the Chavez years; although the upper classes would not have minded that too much if things had settled there.

The oil price crash came! The exodus from Venezuela to anywhere else, since around 2014, is estimated to number about 7 million persons.

After elections in 2018, the previously unelected Maduro was recognized in the region only by Cuba. Those who have fled to Guyana generally hate Maduro, and have no interest in his annexation talk.

Most seek a life in which they can be assured of eating one meal each day – a luxury for millions living in Venezuela – and be assured also of the prospect of building a future in a peaceful and progressive country.

Today the public approval rating of the Venezuelan leader stands at an uninspiring 29%. The Argyle Declaration has relieved Guyana of the threat of imminent invasion. While Maduro might have been

just sabre-rattling, we have no way to be sure about that. Taking possession of 60,000 square miles of jungle and mountains would be a monumental logistical adventure, with several big challenges over and above legal factors and the support of Guyana’s allies.

The Declaration has given Maduro enough to save face after all his bellicose talk, since he must surely know that he has the chance to save Venezuela now, rather than allow the rot to accelerate with a vengeance, risking his own future if the US is given good excuse to deal militarily with his army.

Venezuela recently strengthened its already strong trade ties with China, had some oil sanctions lifted by the USA, and also recently signed an LNG production deal with the Trinidad & Tobago Government and Shell. Maduro would be incredibly irrational to want to throw that all away now.

“Now” is very much the operative word, for while everyone in Guyana and the wider region can now breathe a sigh of relief, Venezuelans have been taught from primary school that “Esequiba” was taken from Venezuela by an imperialist conspiracy against their then young nation at the end of the 19th century.

Legal tribunals often return wholly unexpected judgements; but, in all real likelihood, the ICJ would rule in Guyana’s favour. Venezuela does not recognize the jurisdiction of the World Court, and is likely to renew its claim, regardless of the President at the helm, if or

when it is thought expedient to do so – and likely for a domestic popularity purpose!

We need to be prepared for such an eventuality, and must be unified to be in any position to be so prepared.

It is the combination of financial limitations and, more importantly, paranoia attributable to lack of unity that accounts for the dire state of the Guyana Defence Force’s inadequacy. Guyana started out as a new State in 1966 with little in the way of resources to build a large, well-equipped army.

Our leadership at the time recognized the Venezuelan threat, and sought to ensure that we had a force that would present a meaningful deterrent, considering always that, population-wise, Venezuela is around 30:1 vis-à-vis Guyana. A relatively strong army also equated to jobs for otherwise unemployed mainly AfroGuyanese youths, which was naturally considered a good thing at the time. IndoGuyanese youths generally preferred to gravitate to their family businesses, get into entrepreneurial activities on their own account, or continue cutting sugar cane.

After the PPP took the reins of Government in 1992, the GDF was not prioritized in any significant way, resulting in the acute diminution of the army’s capabilities. The capacity of the GDF needs to be massively upgraded if we should ever want to be capable of protecting our vast and valuable natural resources without depending upon the active help of oth-

er countries. With adequate capability, all we would ever need would be the weight of international law and opinion. We won’t need a standing army of 160,000 to deter (ours is purely a Defence Force) a potentially hostile standing army of 160,000 given our geographical position in relation to Venezuela and our fraternal relations with big brother Brazil.

A standing army of 30,000, with a special corps trained by the SAS or US Special Forces, would pose a real deterrent, backed up by 2 squadrons of fighter jets and 50 armoured vehicles in the South Rupununi, to pull our own weight instead of leaving it all up to the Brazilians, and as many AI drones as we can realistically afford. This will cost a lot of money, and will also depend upon quite a lot of unity!

Because of historical factors dating back to the colonial era, a 30,000 strong army, given current recruitment methods, is likely to be disproportionately represented by Afro-Guyanese.

This would be significantly less so in the immediate future, given the high levels of technical skills required by a modern army, which would thus attract a wider cross-section of young Guyanese – particularly so if salaries for skilled personnel were to be scaled with salaries offered in commerce and industry.

The factor that would ensure this desired cross-section would be a unified population which identifies and thinks as Guyanese – not as Afro-Guyanese or Indo-

Guyanese or Amerindians!

Our brothers and sisters of the other three Guyanese heritages have no historical reason to think of themselves in Guyana as anyone other than Guyanese, since their numbers are relatively small.

The $1.2B supplemental for the GDF, representing 5% of $24B recently approved by Parliament, is a start. We ought to aim

at 5% at least out of every annual budget with immediate effect. For this to be initiated by the incumbent Government would require a leap of faith.

Fortunately, Maduro has caused us to focus on being unified. We ought to maintain that focus.

Happy 2024!

Yours truly, Ronald Bostwick

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

02:30 04:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:30 13:30 15:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 22:00 00:30

Movie - Scheme Queens (2023) Movie - No Hard Feelings (2023) Inspiration Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stop Suffering Movie - Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! (2023) Indian Movie - Adipurush (2023) Movie - Bratz (2007) Movie - Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New (2023) Payless Power Hour Evangelistic Hour Hepzibah The Evening News Movie - The Mummy (2017) Movie - Leave the World Behind (2023) Movie - The Exorcists (2023)

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

Page Foundation 6 Ways to Teach Kids the Value of Money

By Pamela Myers, BSEd

I

t’s never too early to teach your children about the value of money, including how to save, so that when they reach adulthood, they’ll be able to spend wisely.

Children must cultivate respect for money even at a young age.

Learning the principles of responsible money management will help give kids more opportunities for advancement when they’re older.

Following are six tips to teach your children the value of money: 1. Expand on the basics of math Once your children start school and learn math basics, educate them about money and provide some practice. Play money games at home, or download them to your computer, mobile phone, or tablet. Identify different coins, count them together and teach your child how to make change.

This way, your child will learn how to use cash when that time comes.

2. Get your child a piggy bank This simple action will teach your children the importance of saving and instil a sense of responsibility towards handling money. Encourage your kids to collect a certain amount in a particular time frame or suggest they save coins of a specific denomination.

Turn it into a game to keep it fun

and exciting. On a chosen date, open the piggy banks and count the savings. To encourage

your children to save more, create a visual record, such as a chart, to teach them the basics of

simple record keeping, and they can watch it grow.

3. Familiarise your kids with the bank Take your children to the bank and open custodial savings accounts in their names. Let them talk to the teller and conduct their business themselves with your support as needed. Make sure they understand the terms and conditions and suggest they commit to depositing regular amounts weekly or monthly. For more convenient banking, nearly all accounts are now accessible online. Having a bank account of their own will give

your child a feeling of achievement, which could motivate them to save more. As

a further incentive, you may choose to match their savings.

4. Encourage your children to plan how to spend their savings Planning for future spending motivates your kids to achieve their savings goals. It reminds them that they can buy whatever they want with enough money.

Allow your children to dream big, and encourage them to save more to achieve their goals more quickly.

5. Allow your kids to shop for themselves Give your children their allowances when you go shopping. You can then observe their attitudes towards spending money. Let

them spend some of it, be silly, and make their own choices. Part of the fun of having money is spending it.

If your kids want to spend more than their allowance, encourage them only to spend what they have and advise them to be more frugal and patient. Don’t loan money against the allowance they will receive. Our boss doesn’t give a paycheck advance; kids need to learn this too.

Educate your kids on sensible spending and explain the priorities when shopping.

Also, remind them that at the end of the day, the most important thing is that they can buy what they want because they were able to save money.

A quick tip about providing allowances: Give your child an age-appropriate allowance. For our children, they get half of their age in allowance. So, on their birthday, they always get a 50-cent raise.

We provide chores during the summer and expect them to help when needed during the school year.

Set some rules for earning the allowance and an amount for your children.

6. Pay in cash Credit cards are a great temptation to spend money you don’t have, then pay more for the privilege later. Show your kids that the best way to buy items is with the money in their pockets. Try to keep it real at all times – handing over cash is the best way to learn how to use money responsibly.

The best way to teach your kids the value of money and the importance of saving is to lead by example while allowing them some responsibility. Give your children an allowance for the things they might want to buy, and encourage them to save in various ways. Familiarise them with simple record keeping and the way savings accounts work. Leave the credit cards at home when you shop with the kids. These simple but effective steps will help your children learn how to manage money responsibly and prepare them for adulthood. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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ELLEN DORY CHUM JACQUES BUBBLES

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7

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Corentyne River bridge

Procurement process completed, joint team reviewing evaluation report – Min Edghill P

rogress on the much-anticipated Corentyne River bridge is advancing, with the Joint Evaluation report that was signed by both Guyana and Suriname being reviewed by a team of Ministers from the two neighbouring countries.

This was revealed by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during his Ministry’s end-of-year press briefing on Friday.

He noted that the commencement of the works will be announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali and his Surinamese counterpart, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, after receiving the report from a joint team.

“The procurement process of the Corentyne River bridge has been completed. The signed Joint Evaluations of both countries are before a team – the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the two Ministers of Finance and the two Ministers of Public Works.

And once that evaluation report would have been agreed and the way forward declared by that joint team, the two Presidents will then announce the start of the work on the Corentyne River bridge,” Edghill said.

In October 2023, two companies, the Dutch engineering company, Ballast Nedam and Chinese-

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

owned China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) submitted proposals to build the bridge over the Corentyne River to link Guyana and Suriname.

Minister Edghill would not say whether or not a contractor was selected but subsequently told <<<Guyana Times>>> that the evaluation report contains details about this.

“The evaluation report has spoken to that…

It would not be the proper thing to say at this time since it’s before that inter-governmental team…

We will determine the way forward with all of the other implications that go along with the building of the bridge,” the Public Works Minister stated.

Back in June,

Surinamese Public Works Minister, Dr Riad Nurmohamed visited Guyana to discuss the designs, financial aspects, and legal framework between Suriname and Guyana in the context of the tendering procedure.

The bridge will be built according to the DesignBuild-Finance-OperateMaintain model (DBFOM).

This means that whichever company is contracted to build the bridge will be responsible for its design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance.

It will also be constructed via a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The bridge is one of the first agreements between President Irfaan Ali

Curfew for Sophia youth accused of Christmas Day attempted robbery

John Christian

A

city Magistrate on Friday set a curfew and granted bail to a young man who was charged with trying to rob a Sophia, Greater

Georgetown resident on Christmas Day. Senior Magistrate Dylon Bess ordered 21-year-old John Christian of B Field Sophia, Greater

Georgetown, under curfew and on $50,000 bail. It is alleged that on December 25, 2023, while in the company of others and armed with a steel rod, he attempted to rob Delton Amsterdam.

The crime was committed around 12:20h, according to the court prosecutor.

Without legal representation, Christian denied the charge made against him.

The Police prosecutor, Christopher Morris, requested a substantial bail amount but did not oppose bail.

Christian was granted bail subject to two conditions - he has to report at the Alberttown Police Station once a month and refrain from leaving his house after 19:00h until the hearing and determination of the matter.

He is expected to return to court on February 9, 2024.

and Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, with both Heads previously underscoring the critical role the bridge across the Corentyne River would play in advancing cooperation, creating more opportunities for development for both countries.

Back in May of 2022, a US$2 million contract was signed in Paramaribo for several preliminary studies and research to be conducted on the Corentyne bridge by WSP Caribbean.

The Expressions of Interest (EoIs) were also simultaneously launched.

In June this year, WSP Caribbean presented the design of the Corentyne

ahead of the final report, which will detail other aspects of their study such as cost of the bridge, traffic projections, design of the road, financial and economic evaluation and environmental assessment, among other key elements.

This information would have helped the pre-qualified bidders to prepare and submit their proposals.

Six international companies – five Chinese firms and one Dutch company from The Netherlands – had submitted bids for the construction of the Corentyne River bridge. The bids were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board

will see major infrastructural development such as hotels, recreational parks, entertainment spots, tourist attractions, malls, and farmers’ markets.

Running from Moleson Creek to Long Island, the bridge will be a low-level structure, approximately one kilometre long; with a 2200-metre (2.2 km) road across Long Island and a high bridge, spanning 2100 metres (2.1 km) thereafter.

At the high end of the bridge, which will facilitate marine traffic, it will cater for 40,000 to 45,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage) capacity featuring a vertical (height) clearance of 43 metres and a horizonal (width)

The proposed two-section, two-lane design for the Corentyne River Bridge

River bridge to Ministers Edghill and Nurmohamed of a two-section structure that is connected via an island (Long Island) to link Guyana and Suriname. The design also features a twolane bridge with accommodation for a third lane in case of an emergency.

It was noted that this presentation by the WSP technical team was made

(NPTAB) in Georgetown back in August 2023.

The high-span Corentyne River bridge will run approximately 3.1 kilometres, connecting Moleson Creek in Guyana to South Drain in Suriname with a landing on Long Island in the Corentyne River, where a commercial hub and tourist destination will be established. That free zone

clearance of about 100 metres.

Upon completion, the bridge will not only link the two neighbouring countries but also open up access to greater economic opportunities beyond them into French Guyana, and through the road network being developed into Brazil, and eventually further into South America. (G-8)

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rasville man granted $3.7M bail on armed robbery charges

Winston Williams

D

illon English, a 26-year-old father of three, was left stunned after Senior Magistrate Dylon Bess imposed a $3.7 million bail on him for two separate charges of armed robbery.

English, of Rasville in Georgetown, had the indictable charges of robbery under arms read to him on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that on December 20, 2023, in the vicinity of Independence Boulevard and Cooper Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, he robbed Rudolph Yarde of two gold rings valued at $240,000, a gold band valued at $300,000, and $167,000 in cash, while he was with another person and while carrying a gun.

Further, it is alleged that on November 29, in Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, he robbed Qi Li Lin of $8 million in cash, while he was carrying a firearm and was in the company of another person.

Dillon English was not required to enter a plea to either charge.

Defence Attorney Clyde Forde, in making an application for bail on behalf of English, told the court that his client is not a flight risk, and that he is prepared to comply with any terms placed on bail.

While addressing Magistrate Bess, English admitted that he had been convicted of robbery under arms in 2020, and had been sentenced to serve three years in prison. In this regard, the presiding magistrate commended him for being honest with the court.

This publication understands that English has a

Julian Smartt

series of matters of a similar nature pending before the courts.

Police prosecutor Christopher Morris objected to English being released on bail by pointing out the gravity of the crime, the use of a gun in the robberies, and the previous jail sentence English had

the prosecution, Magistrate Bess declared himself inclined to grant English bail, but in a substantial amount and subject to the requirement that the defendant report to the Ruimveldt Police Station every Friday.

For the first and second counts, English was placed

Robbery accused Dillon English

served for a related offence.

Moreover, the prosecutor related that when a Police rank had attempted to arrest English, he not only resisted arrest, but had attempted to relieve that rank of his firearm.

Attorney Clyde Forde told the court that English had been shot in the leg during an altercation with the Police, but Prosecutor Morris did not give any details in this regard.

Although acknowledging the concerns raised by

on $700,000 bail and $3 million bail respectively.

February 9, 2024, is his next court date.

Police Constables Julian Smartt and Winston Williams, who had faced bribery charges concerning Qi Li Lin at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts earlier in December, were each instructed to post bail in the sum of $500,000.

They were required to lodge their passports with the Clerk of the Court, and are also required to

periodically report to the Brickdam Police Station.

It is alleged that on November 29, at the Prashad Nagar Police Outpost, while being agents of the Government, they attempted to obtain $150,000 from Qi Li Lin as inducement from the said Qi Li Lin to forgo prosecution for the following offences: restriction on use of handheld device while driving; uninsured motor vehicle; and unlicensed motor vehicle; an act relating to their principal duty. It is further alleged that on the same day, Constable Williams obtained $30,000 from Qi Li Lin as inducement from the said Qi Li Lin to forgo prosecution for the above-stated offences – an act in relation to his principal duty.

Both Smartt and Williams have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Constable Smartt, 30, of Guyhoc, Georgetown, and 25-year-old Constable Williams, of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), have both been interdicted from duty.

Police Headquarters had reported that after receiving a report of an alleged $8 million robbery committed on Qi Li Lin, a thorough probe carried out resulted in the arrest of Constable Smartt and Constable Williams.

The Police have said that evidence has revealed that these Police Constables had both conspired with the principal offenders to rob the virtual complainant of his property. Police have said they are on the hunt for the principal offenders.

“Detectives have evidence showing Constable Smartt taking the suspects to the crime scene. After the robbery was committed, Smartt and Williams (both of whom were on motorcycles and in uniform) were seen escorting the suspects to an area known as Rasville [in Georgetown],” a statement from the Police Headquarters had said.

The Policemen had initially faced charges related to the heist, but the accusations made against them have been dropped.

An attorney representing one of the Policemen had told this publication that the Police were forced to withdraw the charges due to a lack of supporting evidence. He had reasoned that the Police could file the charge only if they had managed to track down the two masterminds.

Sussing out… …Mad Maduro

M

ad Maduro can’t fool your Eyewitness one bit. His socialist cant may seduce Ralph Gonzalves and even Mia Mottley – but actions speak louder than words any day!! And Mad Maduro’s actions demonstrate that the only ideology he follows is the ideology of holding on to power for his own aggrandizement – by any means necessary!! And your Eyewitness suspects no Guyanese who lived through the Burnham years would be fooled.

Didn’t we hear all day about the “small man being the real man” - but if a small man dared be caught with a (banned) can of sardines, he was thrown in the clinker!! Yet Burnham sent for – and received – a can of (banned) condensed milk on his deathbed!!

And that’s why your Eyewitness never believed that Mad Maduro held “peace” as any kinda ideal he followed.

How come he’s never impressed long-time Brazilian socialist Lula – who’s more experienced with Venezuelan politics?

The moment Lula heard that Mad Maduro had “annexed” Essequibo, he moved troops to Brazil’s Venezuelan border!!

He knew that Mad Maduro was capable of being foolish enough to cross Brazilian territory to get to our Rupununi region of Essequibo!! And where did Mad Maduro get all those spunks to back up his bluster?? Well, for one, he’s been armed to the teeth by Russia with some of the most advanced military hardware!! So what if thousands of young Venezuelans in the military would die?? That’s just collateral damage to satisfy Mad Maduro’s ambitions!!

Take his bluster about the “American Imperialists”.

So how come he’s jumping through all sorts of hoops to convince American oil majors to drill for oil – which would be exported to the US!! Isn’t he then supporting that which he condemns?? Bloody hypocrite – yet some fall for it!! Or not?? Maybe Ralph and Mia were persuaded more by oil from Venezuela than the socialist buzz words?? Not all who shout “Comrade! Comrade!” care about the poor and powerless!! And Mad Maduro certainly doesn’t give a fig (banana?) about the Venezuelan poor – much less foreign ones. His Petrocaribe debt write-off to Ralph was just to silence him. The mouth is muzzled by the hand that feeds it!!

So, we come to Mad Maduro’s latest flare-up: his ridiculous reaction to the visit of the British patrol ship HMS Trent to Guyana. He deployed 5682 soldiers; 3 ocean patrol vessels; 7 missile boats; 12 Sukhoi planes AND amphibious vehicles!! Now, the Trent had already been scheduled to visit Barbados – so how come Mad Maduro didn’t send one of his patrol vessels into the “Caribbean Zone of Peace”??

The bully just wants to intimidate us before the Mixed Commission meets!! Notice he deployed just enough troops to pip our GDF?? …the innocent It’s said that the “way to hell is paved with good intentions”. And with Mad Maduro spewing fire and brimstone out west, some good-intentioned Guyanese seem determined to have us stoke Purgatory’s fires!! Take the suggestion by a Guyanese businessman that the last oil block auction wasn’t well-thought-out strategically. And we oughta invite the Government-owned Venezuelan oil company – PDVSA – to partner with us on one block!!

Now, momentarily ignoring the elephant in that room – letting the cat into the henhouse! – can we talk about PDVSA?? Wasn’t it created after the Venezies nationalized oil production? But allocated the majority of profits to the foreign majors who had the money and technology to deploy?? Then along came Chavez, who decided that contract was too lopsided; and unilaterally altered it sending Exxon and Conoco Phillips to the door. And since then, PDVSA has been unable to produce 1Mbd much less the old 3Mbd!! And we want to partner with THEM??

But really, we need Venezuela to actually own a piece of Guyana?? …the Brits After more than a century under British rule, we know they just love their protocols. So, what’s this about former HC Greg Quin replacing present HC Jane Miller “temporarily”?? The Foreign Office is rewriting the rules??

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

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

9

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM set to commence Claims and Objections exercise on Jan 2 – data will produce an Official List of Electors

T

he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) will commence a Claims and Objections exercise on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, regarding entries on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE), to produce an Official List of Electors.

In this regard, the PLE has been posted at prominent locations in all the Registration Divisions/ Sub-Divisions, at all the GECOM Permanent Registration Offices countrywide and on the Commission’s website at https://gecom.org.gy/public/home/lists.

During this exercise, any person who has attained the age of 18 years and older by December 31, 2023, and is a Guyanese

citizen by birth, descent, naturalisation or registration, or is a citizen from a

Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more, can make a Claim

to entry on the Official List of Electors (OLE) on or before January 15, 2024, providing that he/she is not listed in the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE).

Persons desirous of making a Claim to be included in the OLE are required to visit the GECOM Registration Office responsible for their area of residence with the required source document(s) such as original Birth Certificate, valid Passport, Adoption Certificate, Form F or Naturalization Certificate/ Certificate of Registration, to be registered for inclusion.

Existing registrants are also advised to check the PLE posted at prominent locations in their respective Registration Divisions/Sub-Divisions, at the Registration Offices, or on GECOM’s website at https://gecom.org.gy/public/home/resource_hub/ cno2024-1 to verify the existence/accuracy of their registration information in the PLE. Persons who need to update their registration records eg change or correction to their names and occupation, or to apply for a transfer if they have changed their addresses since they were registered, are advised that they can apply for such transactions during this exercise.

The relevant source documents such as an original Marriage Certificate, Deed Poll with Birth Certificate, or a new Birth Certificate reflecting the changes must be presented in the case of an application for a change or correction.

Objections against the inclusion of names in the PLE can be tendered to the Registration Officer responsible for the respective area from January 2, 2024.

Objections can be made by an elector who is listed in the same list in which the person being objected

to is listed. Objections can also be made by accredited scrutineers of political parties provided that any such scrutineer has monitoring responsibility for the registration area in which the person being objected to is listed.

The relevant original document(s) such as an original Death Certificate must be presented at the time of the hearing of objections to support the basis upon which the objection is made.

The Commission is urging all eligible electors to use this opportunity to get registered for inclusion in the OLE and for existing registrants to check the PLE to ensure that their particulars as stated in the PLE are accurate. Persons are also encouraged to object to the inclusion of the name of any person who they believe does not meet the eligibility criteria to be on the list.

Registration transactions will be facilitated Monday – Friday from 8:00h – 18:00h and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00h – 14:00h. For more information and details on the location of the respective offices, persons can visit GECOM’s website at www.gecom.org.gy or call 225-0277-9/223-9653.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt effectively managing HIV, diabetes, among other diseases – Health Minister – 9000 persons living with HIV – over 21,000 malaria cases recorded for 2023 – 66,000 being treated for diabetes

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he Government, through the Health Ministry, is effectively managing the different diseases and conditions being recorded throughout the country, via its menu of policies to address each respectively.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Friday updated the management and outcomes of several diseases at his year-end press conference.

There, he related that Guyana has recorded 21,729 cases of malaria this year, with close association of the mosquito-borne disease and gold mining activities.

It was shared that over 100,000 malaria tests were conducted, for which the Ministry will be employing strategies to reduce these figures in 2024.

“We have found that there is a very close association between malaria and gold mining. We have been working closely with the gold miners to make sure that we can reduce the cases, especially in the camp…

We think by using this strategy, we will see a significant drop in the cases,” Dr Anthony outlined.

Additionally, the sector witnessed a spike in dengue cases but this has reduced dramatically. From 27,000 tests processed, 7859 cases surfaced with 1182 hospitalisations.

Diabetes In terms of diabetes, the International Diabetic Federation has counted some 66,000 persons who are receiving treatment for the disease.

While this is being verified by the Health Ministry, Dr Anthony emphasised that this is a “major problem” in Guyana.

“We have updated the diabetes guidelines and we have done this in partnership with Mount Sinai, where we’re looking at better ways of diagnosing people. We have also looked at pre-diabetes, and persons who have risk factors, and if they don’t mitigate these risk factors. We want to help people to delay the

onset of diabetes,” he outlined.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to complications.

Apart from new guidelines, HBA1C testing has been rolled out at 46 medical facilities, along with the establishment of the comprehensive Diabetic Clinic at Lusignan, ECD. In 2023, 150 children were also diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Cancers With the upgrade of the Cancer Registry, data collection and accurate information are now at the disposal of the Ministry.

In 2023, breast cancer remains at the top of the list in the country, with 161 cases detected, or 17 per cent.

“This is something we have to work more on in terms of reducing this burden. One way of doing that is we have to encourage persons to get screened and get screened early.

Our approach to this is getting people to come out and do mammograms,” the

Minister added.

The Ministry is also sourcing mammogram machines for the New Amsterdam, Linden and West Demerara Regional Hospitals.

Cervical cancer comes in second at 102 cases or 11 per cent, followed by prostate cancer at 107 cases or 11 per cent. Cervical cancer can be effectively prevented through HPV vaccination.

Meanwhile, statistics show that 9000 persons are living with HIV in Guyana, of which 238 are new cases. Some 6558 individuals are on treatment. The Ministry now has capacity to conduct viral load testing to determine whether the treatment is leading to viral suppression.

Elimination There are five infectious diseases which the Health Ministry has placed focus on for elimination by 2030. Amid campaigns and a mass drug administration, filaria cases are only endemic in two areas in the

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony at Friday’s press conference

country, and the Ministry is confident is that elimination status will be achieved.

In the case of leprosy, 30 cases were recorded and prophylaxis has been offered to persons who have been in contact with infected individuals.

Meanwhile, only two cases of leishmaniasis were reported in 2023, and no case of Chagas.

These diseases are referred to by the World Health Organisation as neglected infections, owing to little attention paid over the years.

The Government Minister outlined, “One of the commitments we have made is that we want to see several infectious diseases

eliminated from Guyana.

In the past, we have worked on getting control of diseases but we’re now working on eliminating diseases…Of the 20 diseases that the WHO has identified, we have five of them and we want to make sure that we eliminate them before 2030.”

The health sector has recorded other positive outcomes throughout 2023.

For example, Guyana is the first country in the Caribbean to kickstart a programme for Hepatitis C. By 2030, the Ministry is aiming to control the prevalence of Tuberculosis. This year, 337 cases were recorded – a decline from 498 in 2019. (Rupa Seenaraine)

16 companies bid to digitise MoH’s record system

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he Health Ministry moves one step closer to revolutionising the sector into a digital one, as 16 companies have submitted bids for its highly-anticipated Electronic Health Record System.

On Friday, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony told media operatives that evaluators are currently analysing the proposals to finalise one candidate.

He divulged, “We have gone out to tender to have a comprehensive Electronic Health Record System and we have had 16 companies that bid to provide a solution to us. We have evaluators going through these bids and hopefully, they will narrow it down so that we can have one company we’re working with.”

This system will pave the way for a seamless and centralised healthcare database, ensuring that every individual seeking medical treatment in the public sector will have their medical records securely stored in one place.

“The new electronic health record that we will do, any person that will come into the system, you will get a unique identifier.

That number basically fol-

hospitals.

The Minister had previously explained that the mobile appointment system would be a game-changer for healthcare in Guyana.

He said it would empower citizens to take control of their health, enabling them to make appointments conveniently and efficiently.

As part of this digital healthcare transformation, each patient will receive a smart card. This smart card will serve as a secure access key, allowing healthcare professionals to retrieve the

lows you through your entire life. Any hospital that you go to, once you present it, we will be able to pull out your records. It doesn’t matter if you were seen in Region One or Nine or wherever. Once you give them access, they will be able to pull up your record,” Dr Anthony explained.

The information available to the health worker will include the patient’s medical history, diagnostics, and medications prescribed among other critical information to allow greater efficiency in the system.

“The idea is that we

want everyone to have an app on their phone so when you’re going to see the doctor, instead of going and waiting for a couple of hours, we want you to make the appointment and they give you a time. In a reasonable time, you’re able to see the doctor.”

Next year, the Ministry is aiming to set up a Digital Health Department.

In a significant move to safeguard patient data, a Data Protection Bill was presented in Parliament in July. The Bill aims to uphold the confidentiality of medical records generat-

ed through the Electronic Health Record System.

Any unauthorised breach of patient information will be met with severe consequences, including financial penalties amounting to millions of dollars.

Further, in a bid to enhance accessibility and reduce waiting times, the Health Ministry plans to launch a mobile appointment system. Patients will be able to schedule appointments with doctors and healthcare facilities using their smartphones, eliminating the need for physical visits or long queues at

patient’s medical history effortlessly, resulting in more accurate diagnoses and tailored treatment plans.

The initiative underscores the collective effort to improve the overall health and well-being of all Guyanese citizens.

It was reported that close to US$9 million is being invested to move this system forward, with a recent arrangement with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) lending to the funding of the first phase of the project.

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Black box from crashed GDF helicopter sent to US to retrieve data – Min Edghill

The victims of the crash are Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton; Sergeant Jason Khan; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, and Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome

P

ublic Works Minister Juan Edghill has disclosed that the black box from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter which crashed earlier this month in Region Seven and claimed the lives of five servicemen, has been extracted and taken to the United States to retrieve critical data.

During a press conference on Friday, Edghill disclosed an accident and incident investigator was appointed to probe the incident.

According to the Minister, last week, approval was granted for the investigator to travel to the US to deliver the black box to the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) for the retrieval of data to aid the ongoing investigation in ascertaining what transpired in the December 6 crash.

Edghill also dismissed reports that the military chopper was transporting

an engine for a miner at the time of the accident. The GDF previously said that the helicopter was transporting senior army officials on a Command Mission to Guyana’s borders, where troops are stationed.

The victims of the crash are Brigadier (Ret’d) Gary Beaton; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, and Sergeant Jason Khan.

Two soldiers survived the crash: Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford.

One day ago, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Field, told <<Guyana Times>> that efforts are continuing to provide greater understanding into the circumstances of the tragic incident. He added that once the investigation has been wrapped up, findings would

be presented to the relevant authorities.

Since the incident, there have been talks regarding the extraction of wreckage from the crash site.

However, this has not been done as yet. The helicopter

suffered significant damage, particularly in the fuselage, with only a few pieces remaining.

On December 6, the Bell 412 helicopter, with registration 8R-AYA, left GDF Headquarters at Camp

Ayanganna at 09:24h, and travelled 144 miles to Olive Creek, where it arrived at 10:27h. After refuelling, the helicopter departed at 10:58h for a 58-mile journey to Arau.

Contact was lost with the aircraft, and an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) alert was received at about 11:19h.

The GDF had said the chopper was on a command trip to Arau, Macapa, and Eteringbang, as part of Guyana’s response to an “imminent threat to our territory”. The specified helicopter possesses an unladen weight of 3207kg, an internal payload capacity of 2190kg, a maximum total weight of 5398kg, and a cargo hook capability of 2041kg.

The Bell 412 Epi helicopter also had a system designed to warn the pilot of obstacles ahead, enabling them to take evasive measures. However, it has been

disclosed by the GDF that only the aircraft’s black box holds the potential to offer insights into this capability.

Lieutenant Andio Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Jackson were finally extracted from the crash site after two days and multiple thwarted attempts by the search and rescue team to rescue them. Adverse weather conditions in the mountains of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) where the crashed occurred, had posed a multitude of challenges for the survivors to be rescued.

Brigadier Beaton was the project engineer; Colonel Shahoud, an attorney-at-law, was Commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion; Lt Col Charles was the pilot; Lieutenant Colonel Welcome was the Commanding Officer of the Reserve Battalion; and Staff Sergeant Khan was from the 31 Special Forces Squadron.

Imported ganja worth $12.5M, uncustomed alcohol seized during joint operation at CWC

A

n operation jointly conducted by the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has led to the seizure of a quantity of imported cannabis and uncustomed alcohol at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne Berbice on Friday.

Based on reports received, on the day in ques-

The uncustomed alcohol that was confiscated

tion, agents from both entities were searching for a location in the Crabwood Creek area when they discovered several parcels of cannabis and several cases of uncustomed alcohol.

The narcotic and the uncustomed alcohol were escorted to the GRA location for processing, where the narcotic tested positive as imported cannabis, also called “creepy weed”, and weighed 22kg (48.5lbs) with a street value of $12.5 million. At the time of the seizure, no arrest was made.

These joint operations are conducted throughout the country to prevent the trafficking of narcotics and smuggling of contraband goods.

The creepy weed that was seized

NEWS

13

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GFS tests newly-acquired firefighting equipment

The Fire Boat Protector 8

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he Guyana Fire Service (GFS) on Friday held a practical exercise to demonstrate the use of newly-procured firefighting equipment that was purchased by the Government through the Home Affairs Ministry in 2023.

The demonstration took place on Water Street in Georgetown and showcased the GFS’s ability to tackle fires in high-rise buildings and other related incidents with Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, Chief Fire Officer (Ag), Gregory Wickham, and senior ranks of the agency observing.

The purpose of the exercise was to test the capabilities of the Fire Boat Protector 8 and the Bronto Skylift Hydraulic Platform along with other firefighting equipment, when accessing water from the river to fight structural fires in the city.

The exercise was also aimed at testing and ensuring the effectiveness of firefighters in the event of a major fire in a commercial area.

The exercise saw a total

form, one hose layer, and two water tenders that conveyed water from the river at the Transport and Harbours Wharf to Water Street, Georgetown, covering approximately 0.75 ki-

He expressed satisfaction with the exercise, noting that it was a commendable proactive approach, which he expects to see more of in 2024.

The Minister said the

Minister Benn along with CFO Wickam and others

lometres.

An ambulance and emergency medical technicians were also on standby at the scene in the event of an emergency.

In his remarks, Minister Benn said he wants the

Government will continue to support the Fire Service, as he revealed that another fire boat, a new skylift, and three or four appliances will be procured to boost firefighting capabilities.

Meanwhile, Fire Chief

The Bronto Skylift hydraulic platform

of 51 personnel including 14 officers, three sub-officers, three section leaders, five leading firefighters, and 26 firefighters, making use of specialised equipment that included one fire boat, one hydraulic plat-

Fire Service to up their role in firefighting, particularly by elevating themselves to a high level of readiness and awareness in particular situations, such as the simulation that was conducted on Friday.

Wickham said he was also satisfied with the outcome of the exercise, which was aimed at showcasing the equipment and their use, as well as testing and ensuring they are in working order in preparation for

Some of the firefighters during the exercise

any eventuality.

The readiness exercise showcased the Fire Service’s commitment to ensuring swift and effective responses to emergencies. The drill simulated a multi-faceted scenario, incorporating elements like structural fires and rescue operations.

Firefighters demonstrated seamless coordination by utilising advanced equipment and applying strategic tactics. The exercise not only validated the

Service’s existing protocols but also revealed areas for refinement.

Communication channels were put to the test, emphasising the importance of clear and efficient information flow during crises.

Overall, this readiness exercise stands as a testament to the Guyana Fire Service’s dedication to constant improvement, ensuring that they are wellequipped to safeguard the country in any unforeseen

circumstances.

The Government plans to purchase more firefighting equipment for the Fire Service in 2024 as part of its focus on fire prevention and safety. These include the acquisition of a new fireboat, a new skylift and three or four more road units.

In Budget 2023, an allocation of $489 million was made to further augment the equipment stock of the Fire Service, an increase from $400 million in 2022.

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Chinese supermarket gutted, More single parents to several other buildings destroyed benefit from the “cut rose” after fire erupts at Puruni Landing project – Min Mustapha

The fire that destroyed the buildings in Region 7 (Photos: Xever Sutton)

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Chinese general store was completely gutted and several other buildings destroyed following a fire at Puruni Landing, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) on Friday.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in a statement noted that the fire resulted in a significant outbreak impacting seven buildings and causing severe damage to some structures.

“Immediate response measures have been implemented, with both Police and Fire Prevention Officers actively involved in containing and managing the situation.”

However, based on initial reports, the fire originated in a generator room adjacent to a Chinese supermarket and subsequently spread to nearby structures.

“Current efforts are focused on bringing the situa-

sure the safety and well-being of the area and those affected.”

The Chinese general

tion under control. Regular updates will be provided as the situation evolves. The Ministry of Home Affairs is diligently overseeing the incident, collaborating with relevant authorities to en-

but also deeply impacts the day-to-day lives of the residents.

Only a few days ago, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn disclosed alarming statistics regard-

ing fire incidents in 2023. He said out of 807 fires for the year, 510 were building fires.

As such, he made a re-

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store, a cornerstone of the local economy, provided a range of goods essential to the community, from daily necessities to equipment vital for mining activities.

According to residents, the loss is not only economic

quest at the sitting of the National Assembly for $24 million in supplementary funding for fuel and lubricants for the Fire Service.

He emphasised the pressing need for additional resources due to a surge in fires.

Discussing recent acquisitions, Minister Benn revealed strategic investments, including two excavators, a new firefighting unit at the airport, a specialised ladder for rescue operations, and various smaller vehicles.

These additions aim to enhance the GFS’s capabilities and response efficiency.

In the 2023 budget, the GFS was allocated $545 million to advance critical facility works, with an additional $489 million earmarked for procuring firefighting equipment. This included water bowsers, tenders, and the installation of 148 fire hydrants, reinforcing the commitment to bolstering the firefighting infrastructure.

West Ruimveldt man gets bail on armed robbery charge

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wenty-one-year-old Samuel Archibald of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, charged with armed robbery.

While armed with a knife and in the company of others on December 27, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, he is accused of robbing Devindra Jaikissoon of a Samsung A21 and $110,000 in cash. The items belong to

Roses being cultivated at NAREI

Jeetendra Jaikissoon.

Archibald had no lawyer and he pleaded not guilty.

While addressing the court, Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris did not object to this accused being granted his pre-trial liberty. He, however, requested that bail be set at a substantial sum.

Bail was granted to Archibald in the sum of $140,000 by Senior Magistrate Dylon Bess. His next court date is February 9, 2024.

Robbery accused Samuel Archibald

s the Government continues to roll out a slew of programmes aimed at enhancing the livelihood of citizens, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has reiterated that more single parents and women, nationwide, are set to benefit from the expansion of the lucrative “Cut Rose” project.

This undertaking was conceptualised to create employment and generate income for single parents.

“I am looking forward to when this is established enough, we can move it to different parts of the regions, too…so that other single parents can get the same kind of opportunities in this project. What is more effective is that we have a lot of single parents who are purchasing these roses and they are making a profit for their livelihoods from this project. I am encouraging more of them to ensure that they

Roses in one of the shade houses

engage our officers there…

So that we can make the roses cheap to them for them to make a profit.”

Roses in Georgetown at established flower shops, he added, are being sold for $1000 to about $2000.

“And we are selling a rose when we give to a single parent for about $300.

So, you can see the amount of profit they can make. So, that is a success and we are trying to expand it.”

The Minister also noted that flowers that were used at the Night of Reflection

event for the fallen soldiers were produced from this project.

It raked in some $4 million in the first half of this year, with over 12,000 roses being harvested from the shade houses at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Mon Repos.

The “Cut Rose” initiative is expected to provide job and training opportunities for single parents in particular, while simultaneously reducing rose imports by 30 per cent by the end of 2023.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana recruits Cuban nurses to fill massive shortage at health facilities – to train 4,000 nurses in 4 years

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uyana has turned to the Cuban Government to assist with the shortage of nurses to fill capacities in the health system, as the Health Ministry mobilises to train thousands in the upcoming years.

The country has been faced with trained nurses leaving the system, and a majority migrating overseas in exchange for better opportunities. In some cases, recruiters have actively scooped up these healthcare professionals to work in their respective countries.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Friday disclosed that in the interim, the Cuban Government has lent assistance. These workers will undergo a three-month language programme, to effectively communicate with patients here.

“We do have a shortage and we have to work to mitigate that shortage. You can’t get a nurse overnight so we

have to train people. We have embarked on that; that will take some while before we actually get them, so we started.”

He added, “In the interim, we are searching around to recruit nurses and bring them into the system. In the programme that we have with Cuba, in the past, we weren’t bringing a lot of nurses. We were bringing more doctors but now we have asked the Cuban Government for nurses.”

While some of these healthcare workers have already arrived during 2023, at least 200 more are expected next year.

Locally, some 1100 persons are undergoing a hybrid nursing programme, which will be completed in three years. The aim is to train 1000 nurses annually, accompanied by another 1000 nursing assistants within that timeframe.

“We want to train at least 1000 every year for the next four years. Once we can

do that, we will have enough nurses for the system that we’re designing. There is no way out of this except training people and bringing them into the system…

We will continue doing that until we fill whatever needs we have.”

An audit was conducted into the functions of nurses in the country, where it was found that many were conducting non-clinical duties. Efforts have been taken to separate these functions, where the trained workers focus on clinical functions and others are hired to address an institution’s non-clinical needs.

Going forward, the Ministry is also working on staffing structures for the new hospitals which are under construction and will come on stream by 2024.

“I think that will help to mitigate some of the immediate needs that we have,” he outlined.

This week, it was reported that the Georgetown

Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is facing a shortage of 600 nurses to meet its full complement, which represents a deficit of 55 per cent.

Currently, 896 nurses are employed at the hospital, and of that number, 86 were hired this year. In addition, 146 nurses have resigned this year, and according to the Director of Nursing Services, Dr Leslyn Holder, this number continues to increase.

The Government had

raised the monthly wages of nurses, among other healthcare workers, to increase retention.

Last year, nurse aides had their current minimum salary adjusted upwards from $80,892 to $100,000.

This represented an additional 23.6 per cent increase in the minimum salary paid to each worker.

Nursing assistants also had their minimum salary adjusted upwards from $88,525 to $115,000. This represented an addition-

al 29.9 per cent increase on the current minimum salary paid to a nursing assistant.

Midwives’ salaries moved up from $96,974 to $169,438, representing an additional 74.7 per cent increase on their previous salary.

Staff nurses had their minimum salary adjusted upwards from $111,628 to $169,438 – a 51.8 per cent increase. Staff nurses/midwives’ salaries moved from $127,963 to $195,000, a 52.4 per cent increase. (G-12)

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Minister Sukhai urges hinterland residents to be more involved in agriculture, tourism A

merindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai urged residents living in the hinterland regions to get seriously involved in the agriculture and tourism industries – two main sectors that the Government is working to develop.

Sukhai was at the time speaking to residents of Aishalton Village in Deep South Rupununi, during her recent visit to Region

Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

As it pertains to agriculture, she stated that among the many diverse careers, having a profession in agriculture such as a farmer, should be one of the top priorities for persons who wish not to be enlisted in traditional deskbased jobs.

“Agriculture is not painful. It is rewarding and it should be a business.

Other countries are adopting an agro-business approach to agriculture and that is what young people, especially those in the hinterland should be looking at,” the Minister stressed.

She expressed that President Dr Irfaan Ali has been incorporating several modern agricultural techniques to ensure maximum crops are reaped easily.

One of those techniques, she said, has been the in-

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai during her recent visit to Region Nine

troduction of shade houses.

Positing that this technique has been reaping major success, the Minister said that the President’s

school dormitories so that these institutions can also help to contribute to Guyana’s growing agriculture sector.

the hinterland regions to be a part of this plan. We are setting the foundation for you as well and we are creating the environment for that agricultural development,” the Amerindian Affairs Minister explained.

Moreover, speaking about tourism, the Minister stated that the Government has been working extensively on expanding tourism, especially eco-tourism and other nature-based tourism in the hinterland regions.

“There are several tourism packages that you can look to develop now such as agro-tourism, sporting and fishing tourism among others. The initiative of implementing nature tourism applies to our young people and our villages within

The modern shade houses that are being used in the agriculture sector

initiative has caught the eye of Caribbean countries. Due to this, these countries will also be implementing the said strat-

“Guyana has the potential to feed the world and His Excellency has recognised that, our Government has rec-

the hinterland,” Minister Sukhai stated.

As such, he urged the residents in the farstretched regions to take

An Indigenous village shop constructed to foster tourism in Region Nine

egy into their agricultural production.

Additionally, this technique, she noted, will soon become compulsory in all

ognised that. And so, we are moving to be one of the strongest food-producing countries in the world…So, we need you people from

advantage of Guyana’s forest and the Amerindian people to seriously divulge their culture so that it could be promoted.

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GuySuCo surpasses annual production target of 60,000 tonnes in 2023 – signals 28% increase from 2022 production output

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he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) on Friday stated that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has accomplished a noteworthy milestone by exceeding its yearly sugar output target of 60,000 tonnes.

The Union described this as a “remarkable achievement” for the sugar company that has faced challenges in meeting its production target for a while now.

“The production achievement in 2023 represents a noteworthy improvement of nearly 28% over the output recorded in 2022. This is a demonstration that the investments made in the industry are yielding tangible returns,” a statement from GAWU noted.

For GuySuCo and the many sugar workers, GAWU reiterated that this milestone highlights the industry's prospects while highlighting that the potential that such progress represents was denied during the former APNU/AFC coalition Administration.

“This Administration neglected to provide the industry with the necessary capital inputs to foster improved production and productivity, which the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) perceived as an intentional effort to suffocate the industry into extinction.”

According to GAWU, it is widely known that the coalition sent some 7000 sugar workers home, causing thousands of others to lose their jobs in other sectors of

the economy.

The successful attainment of the production target is a testament to the unwavering dedication and commitment of the sugar workers towards the industry, the Union added.

It said GuySuCo has

been able to reap the benefits of an improved incentive regime that resulted from negotiations between the Union and the Corporation.

This new scheme has improved workers’ take-home pay and productivity.”

Moreover, the Union said

been vocal about the tireless efforts exerted by the workforce, which has been instrumental in meeting the production target.

“The workers have been showing up in large numbers during this crop season, surpassing the weekly production targets week after week. This accomplishment sheds light on the crucial role of having an adequate supply of harvestable canes to encourage and motivate the workers to put in their best effort and receive a justifiable wage for their hard work.”

The statement further added, “We have accomplished several significant achievements at the bargaining table throughout the year. As we near the end of 2023, sugar workers have

the discussions between GAWU and GuySuCo have led to the implementation of improved measures to enhance Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).

GAWU assured that it will continue its efforts to discuss work and pay for the Field Superintendent category of employees who recently became members of the Union.

Achievements

As 2023 draws to a close, GAWU said it is necessary to take stock of its achievements during the year and look ahead to the future.

As a longstanding trade union, it posited, “Our organisation has remained committed to advancing our members’ rights and promoting their protection and

respect in the workplace. We recognise that those gains were not achieved without facing various obstacles and challenges.”

It, however, said that it will remain steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a better future for the workers under its umbrella. “We take pride in our accomplishments in 2023 and are committed to implementing practical measures to achieve further gains in 2024 and beyond.”

At the national level, GAWU stated that “We are confident in our country's bright prospects despite the challenges posed by those with their designs and motivations. We are highly impressed by the significant economic growth and development our country has experienced since 2020 and are confident that it will remain impressive well into this decade.”

“Our economy has become more diversified, and our country’s productive capacity has expanded, leading to significant expansion.

We are highly optimistic about the potential of our nascent oil and gas sector, which we expect to grow even more. Numerous new and established sectors have also made impressive strides and contributed to our economic outcomes.”

The Union said, too, that it has recognised efforts aimed at advancing and consolidating our traditional economic sectors and that, overall, these developments indicate an assured and “sound future for our nation, and we are confident that the end appears bright and promising.”

It continued, “As we witness the growth of our econ-

omy, we must not overlook the social issues that are of great concern to us. We urge an adjustment of the national minimum wage, a matter raised by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali himself.

We firmly believe equalising the national and public sector minimum wage should be an immediate priority.”

“We acknowledge that the well-being of individuals and communities is not solely dependent on improved pay. Other factors such as access to quality healthcare, affordable education, social protection, safe and peaceful communities, dependable infrastructure, and adequate protection with respect in the workplace are equally important.

We are pleased to note that the Government is actively working towards improving these areas, and we fully support their efforts.”

Improving access to these necessities can break down barriers and ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to lead a productive, safe, and fulfilling life, GAWU emphasised.

It noted, too, that “As move toward the future, it is essential to build a solid foundation to create a resilient society capable of withstanding any challenges.”

The focus of the sugar industry has now shifted towards the production estimates for the year 2024, said GAWU. However, it said there has been no official announcement by GuySuCo. It further said that the recent second crop of 2023 benefited from favourable weather conditions, which allowed the industry to make the most of mechanical tillage and replanting.

The Union reasoned that a proper crop husbandry approach could lead to a bountiful second crop in the coming year and contribute towards higher production levels.

Border controversy

GAWU also took the opportunity to express a sense of apprehension about the conflict with Venezuela surrounding the Essequibo region, which has recently resurfaced.

“We are deeply disappointed by the actions of our former comrades and friends in Venezuela, who have long claimed to uphold good neighbourly relations.

It is important to note that Venezuela, under previous leadership, had relegated the border dispute to a lesser priority, viewing it as an imperialist ploy to instigate disharmony between our nations and peoples.”

“We firmly maintain that Venezuela should adhere to the Geneva Agreement and the decision of the United Nations Secretary-General and articulate its position before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has been deemed the forum to bring finality to this issue.”

Saluting the men and women who defend Guyana’s borders, the Union said, “Their commitment to protecting us all deserves our profound respect and admiration. We also pay tribute to our fallen heroes and think of their families at this time. The Guyanese people will never forget their courage, and their efforts will continue to inspire us all. Now is the time for unity and patriotism.”

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Drugmakers set to raise In Gaza, rows of white shrouds symbolise mounting civilian deaths US prices on at least "M 500 drugs in January

Illustration photo shows various medicine pills in their original packaging in Brussels, Belgium August 9, 2019

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rugmakers including Pfizer, Sanofi and Takeda Pharmaceutical plan to raise prices in the United States on more than 500 drugs in early January, according to data analysed by healthcare research firm 3 Axis Advisors.

Excluding different doses and formulations, more than 140 brands of drugs will have their prices raised next month, the data showed.

The expected price hikes come as the pharmaceutical industry gears up for the Biden Administration to publish significantly discounted prices for 10 highcost drugs in September, and continues to contend with higher inflation and manufacturing costs.

Under President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Government's Medicare health programme can negotiate prices direct-

ly for some drugs starting in 2026.

Worries are also growing about fresh disruption to supply chains from a prolonged Middle East conflict, with shippers forced to halt or reroute traffic from the Red Sea, the world's main East-West trade route.

Three companies including GlaxoSmithKline, which last week said it would cut prices on some asthma, herpes and anti-epileptic drugs for 2024, are also expected to lower prices on at least 15 drugs in January, according to the data.

The cuts come after several companies have already announced price decreases for insulins earlier this year, in an effort to avoid penalties that could have been imposed under 2021's American Rescue Plan Act if they had kept prices high.

Under the law, drug companies are required to rebate

the Medicaid programme if price increases on medicines outpace inflation - and beginning in January 2024 those rebates could even be larger than the actual net cost of the drug.

"Every major former blockbuster insulin is going to get thrown under the tires of this policy," 3 Axis president Antonio Ciaccia said.

Truist analyst Robyn Karnauskas said in a note that Eli Lilly planned to lower the prices of its Humalog and Humulin insulins by 75.8% and 70% respectively on Dec 30, and to raise the price of its popular diabetes drug Mounjaro by 4.5% on Jan 1. These changes were not included in 3 Axis' data.

The changes are on list prices, which do not include rebates to pharmacy benefit managers and other discounts.

Drugmakers have largely kept increases at 10% or below - an industry practice followed by many big players since they came under fire for too many price hikes in the middle of the last decade.

In 2023, drugmakers raised prices on 1425 drugs, down from 2022, when they raised prices on 1460 drugs, according to data published by 46brooklyn.

While drugmakers have pared back their price increases for established drugs, prices for newly launched drugs have hit record levels. (Excerpt from Reuters)

y life, my eyes, my soul," a husband writes on the white shroud wrapped around his wife after the war devastating Gaza took her life.

A bereaved son writes "my mother and everything" on the burial cloth covering his mother, another of the more than 21,000 Palestinians killed in the Israel-Hamas confrontation.

Over the past 12 weeks the piece of white cloth has become a symbol of civilian deaths wrought by Israel as it retaliates for Hamas killing 1200 people and taking 240 hostages in its Oct 7 cross-border raid, the deadliest day in Israel's history.

While the besieged Palestinian territory faces severe shortages of food, water and medicine, the white coverings used to wrap dead Palestinians have remained in abundant supply.

Not all the shrouds bear loving words. Such is the war's chaos, some of the dead cannot immediately be identified.

In such cases, the shrouds bear the words "unknown male" or "unknown female", and before burial pictures are taken and the date and place of the strike documented so individuals can be identified by relatives later.

If the conflict escalates, the supply of the white coverings donated by Arab gov-

Mohammed Abu Mussa, a volunteer at Keratan society which prepares dead bodies for burial, covers the dead body of a Palestinian killed in an Israeli strike with a white shroud, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at a hospital in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, December 28, 2023

ernments and charities is expected to keep pace with demand. But there are difficulties brought on by the sheer number of the dead, and sometimes there are gaps in the local availability of the shrouds.

"The challenges we face are too much, there is shortage in the knives and the scissors that we need to prepare the shrouds and cut them," said Mohammed Abu Mussa, a volunteer at Keratan society, which prepares dead bodies for burial.

"As you know, there is a blockade and there are no materials in the Gaza Strip, so we find difficulties getting knives, scissors, and cotton,” he said, adding that so many people are dying that some-

China appoints Dong Jun as new Defence Minister

Françoise Bettencourt Meyer: L'Oréal heiress 1st woman to amass US$100bn fortune

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'Oréal heiress Françoise Bettencourt Meyers has become the first woman to amass a US$100bn (£78.5bn; €90.1bn) fortune, according to a ranking of the richest people in the world.

The French beauty empire founded by her grandfather is on track for its best stock market performance in decades.

L'Oréal shares rose to a record high in Paris on Thursday.

The firm has seen its sales rebound after the pandemic, when people under lockdown used less makeup.

The net worth of Bettencourt Meyers, aged 70, crossed US$100bn on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, making her the 12th richest person in the world.

She is still a distance away from French counter-

part Bernard Arnault, who was second on the list with a net worth of US$179bn.

Arnault is the founder of LVMH, the world's biggest luxury group, which owns a portfolio of high-end brands including Fendi and Louis Vuitton.

Bettencourt Meyers is the vice-chairperson of the company's board. She and her family are the single biggest shareholders of L'Oréal with a stake of around 35%.

She became the reigning heiress of L'Oréal after her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, died in 2017.

Liliane, who was regularly named France's richest person, had maintained close ties with French leaders and embraced the media limelight.

During her later years, she was embroiled in a public fight with Françoise, her only child, who had accused

a photographer and socialite of taking advantage of her mother's mental frailty.

"My daughter could have waited patiently for my death instead of doing all she can to precipitate it," she said in a TV interview.

In 2011, a French court ruled that Liliane had a form of dementia, and awarded Françoise control over her wealth and income. Another family member was tasked to look after Liliane's health and physical well-being.

Bettencourt Meyers is said to favour privacy over attending social events frequented by many of the world's wealthy.

She is known to play the piano for several hours a day and has written two books - a five-volume study of the Bible and a genealogy of the Greek gods. (Excerpt from BBC News)

times donated shrouds are not enough and he has to wrap four of five people in one shroud.

Marwan Al-Hams, director of Abu Yousef Al Najjar hospital, said the prevalence of the shrouds signifies Gaza's suffering.

“The big number of the martyrs made the white shroud a symbol for this war and it became parallel to the Palestine flag in its influence and the knowledge of the world about the significance of our cause," he said.

The white covering goes back to a narration by the Prophet Muhammed, who encouraged his followers to wear white clothes and also wrap the dead in white.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Dong's appointment comes after military personnel from China and the US held their first high-level talks by phone in more than a year last week

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hina has named Dong Jun as its new Defence Minister, two months after his predecessor was officially sacked.

Dong, a former navy commander, takes over from Li Shangfu - who was last seen in public in August.

Dong's appointment was announced by China's top legislators at a Standing Committee meeting of the National People's Congress in Beijing on Friday.

The move follows a slew of dismissals of top military officials from the country's top posts earlier this year.

As well as Li, it included the removal of Qin Gang

as Foreign Minister in July.

No reasons were given for Li or Qin's dismissals. Both had been in their posts for only seven months respectively.

Further sackings took place this week too, with nine senior military officials removed from the Standing Committee on Friday, Reuters reported, citing state media outlet Xinhua.

Three executives at stateowned missile defence firms were also removed from Beijing's top political advisory body earlier this week, according to state media.

Some analysts say this could indicate that a possible wider purge has taken

place, targeting senior military leaders.

Dong, 62, was made commander of the navy in August 2021. His previous roles included serving as deputy commander of the Chinese military's Southern Theatre Command. Its area of operations includes the South China Sea - a disputed area, over large parts of which China claims sovereignty.

Dong's appointment comes after military personnel from China and the US held their first high-level talks by phone in more than a year last week.

Relations between the two nations soured in 2022 after the then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan.

Taiwan is self-ruled, but China sees it as a breakaway province that will eventually unite with it.

In recent months, there has been a rapprochement between China and the US, with Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting his counterpart Joe Biden in California in November and agreeing to resume military communications. The two had not spoken for more than a year. (BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

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Regional

Argentina pulls out of J/ca: Police warn against gun plans to join BRICS bloc salutes to ring in new year T A

rgentina's new President, Javier Milei, has withdrawn the country from its planned entry into the expanding BRICS club of nations.

In a letter to the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Milei said decisions taken by the preceding Government had been revised.

The BRICS countries are often seen as a counterweight to the Western-led world.

Argentina had been among a much-vaunted new tranche of six countries poised to join the grouping next month.

It would have been admitted to the BRICS club on January 1, alongside Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Its change of heart comes after Milei, a populist right-wing outsider, won a surprise election victory in November with radical pledges to overhaul the South American nation's

Milei said his foreign policy "differs in many ways from that of the previous Government"

ailing economy.

He succeeded left-wing Peronist Alberto Fernández, whose views were more aligned with those of the bloc's existing members.

Milei said in his letter that his Government's foreign policy "differs in many ways from that of the previous government".

He added that although he did not consider it "appropriate" for Argentina to become a full BRICS member, he was still committed to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly with the aim of increasing trade and

investment flows.

Although the BRICS alliance is often portrayed as promoting a more multipolar world, it is economically dominated by China, which accounts for more than 70% of the bloc's combined GDP. Argentina's bid for membership under Fernández had the support of Beijing, but Milei has strongly criticised China.

On the campaign trail, he described the Chinese Government as assassins and said he would not work with communists. (Excerpt from BBC News)

T&T: US Embassy issues security alert after St Augustine quadruple murder

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&T: US Embassy issues security alert after St Augustine quadruple murder The United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has issued an alert to its citizens amid a recent spike in crime in this country.

In the alert dated December 28, 2023, the Embassy identifies the location of concern as St Augustine, Trinidad.

“Exercise caution as there is potential for increased crime,” the alert

said.

The US Embassy said criminal activity often occurs in crowded public locations such as markets, shopping malls, airports, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, transportation hubs, schools, and other areas.

“Due to recent increased gang activity in St. Augustine, U.S. Citizens are advised to exercise extreme caution in the St. Augustine areas of Trincity Mall, Trincity, Grand Bazaar, and Valsayn areas into the new year,” it said.

The Embassy advises US citizens to exercise vigilance or avoid areas with heightened criminal activity, review their personal security plans, be aware of their surroundings, and to monitor local media for updates.

A US Embassy spokesperson told Guardian Media: "The message is a time and location specific alert sent to U.S. citizens in Trinidad and Tobago. It is not an update to the travel advisory."

(Trinidad Guardian)

Nicaragua arrests 2 high-ranking Catholic priests with close ties to cardinal

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icaraguan Police detained on Thursday two senior Catholic priests who are close to the country's top church leader, a person with knowledge of the matter said, raising to at least six the number of clergymen detained this week.

The source, who declined to be named for fear of arrest, said the two priests were detained for publicly praying for jailed Bishop Rolando Alvarez, the most prominent critic of President Daniel Ortega.

Local media outlet Confidencial named the priests as Carlos Aviles and Hector Treminio, and noted that their arrest brings to at least six the number

of priests detained over the past week, adding that two of the clerics had already been released.

The Government's press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Over the past few years, Ortega's Government has targeted members of the Catholic church, a crackdown officials have in the past said was needed to punish treasonous behaviour or other alleged crimes.

Aviles is the second-highest ranking cleric in the Archdiocese of Managua, led by Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, while Treminio is its treasurer.

Alvarez, the bishop of

Matagalpa, forcefully criticised the Government's deadly response to mass protests that broke out in 2018, and was convicted of treason and sentenced to a 26-year prison term earlier this year.

Last week, Police arrested Bishop Isidro Mora of the Siuna diocese, making him the second bishop to be detained after Alvarez's detention in 2022.

Many of the latest clergymen detained were arrested because they publicly offered prayers for Alvarez, according to the source and local media, but the Government has not issued any statements explaining the priests' alleged crimes.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

he Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is appealing to licensed firearm holders to desist from the illegal and dangerous practice of gun salutes to ring in the New Year.

Under Section 51(2) of the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction, and Regulations) Act 2022, the penalty for engaging in gun salutes is a fine of up to $3 million or imprisonment for up to three years.

Head of the JCF Corporate Communications Unit, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay, told a recent JIS Think Tank that in addition to being a criminal of-

fence to discharge a weapon within 40 yards of a gathering and a public thoroughfare, the act could cost people their lives.

"In the midst of alcohol consumption and irresponsible behaviour, people lose their lives because of an action that should never happen. So, we are putting it out there very early, if you think of doing that, think twice, not just from a standpoint that you can be arrested, but from the standpoint that you will be charged for murder," she said.

SSP Lindsay further urged firearm holders to be responsible in the handling, storage and use of

their weapons when attending social events, or New Year's Eve celebrations this weekend.

She said the JCF has noted instances in which firearm holders inappropriately store their weapons in their vehicles when attending 'weapon-free' events.

"I want to say to persons to desist from doing that.

Do not leave your firearms in your vehicles. There are some event promoters who will arrange with security companies to safeguard those weapons, but make prior arrangements. Leave your weapons at home in your safe. It is better to do that," she urged. (Jamaica Observer)

US, Mexico agree to strengthen efforts to curb record migration

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exican and US officials have agreed to work together more closely to tackle record migration at their shared border, the countries' Governments said in a joint statement on Thursday, a day after high-level talks on stemming record numbers.

Following a visit to Mexico by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the countries said they would seek to strengthen a sponsorship initiative for Venezuelan, Cuban, Nicaraguan and Haitian migrants and look to tackle the root causes of migration.

The delegations, who are set to meet again in Washington next month, also discussed regularising the situation of beneficiaries of the US Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme - the so-called Dreamers who were brought into the country illegally as children and long-time undocumented Hispanic migrants living in the United States.

The talks came after the US temporarily shuttered

Migrants gather near the border wall after crossing the Rio Bravo with the intention of turning themselves in to the US Border Patrol agents to request asylum, during a day of low temperatures, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, December 28, 2023

some border crossings to redeploy agents toward enforcement, sparking a trade slowdown and criticism by Republicans of the Biden Administration's border policies. Immigration and the border are expected to be top issues in the US 2024 elections, where President Joe Biden, a Democrat, is running for a second term.

Earlier Thursday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the two parties had agreed to keep border crossings open after the temporary

closures.

Lopez Obrador said Wednesday's meetings with the US delegation were "direct," and he praised the Biden Administration's relationship with Mexico.

More than half a million migrants this year crossed the dangerous Darien Gap jungle connecting South America with Central America – double last year's record – with many fleeing crime, poverty and conflict to seek better prospects in the United States. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil's formal job creation falls short of expectations in November

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razil created a net 130,097 formal jobs in November, fewer than expected, Labour Ministry figures showed on Thursday.

Economists polled by Reuters projected 142,841 jobs to be created in the month.

Year-to-date, job creation totalled 1.9 million net positions, according to the Labour Ministry, which had previously anticipated a potential increase to 2 million by the end of 2023.

In a press conference, the acting Labour Minister, Francisco Macena, acknowledged that December is typically marked by a net decline in jobs due to the termination of temporary workers hired for the holiday season.

He said the Ministry would continue monitoring the final data balance for the year.

In November, only two out of the five activity groups surveyed by the Government reported net gains. Those two were ser-

vices and retail. There were declines in industry, construction and farming.

The average monthly salary for newly established positions decreased from 2031 reais in October to 2022 reais (US$416.14).

Meanwhile, the overall count of formally registered workers in Brazil has now climbed to 44.4 million. This figure excludes around 40 million undocumented workers who are not engaged in formal employment contracts.

(Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

20

Around The World

Russia's biggest air attack of war OILNEWS OIL NEWS kills 31 in Ukraine, officials say Oil prices set to end year 10% lower, as demand concerns snap winning streak

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rude futures rose slightly on Friday in thin activity on the last trading day of the year.

Both benchmarks are set to end 2023 about 10% lower after two years of gains as geopolitical concerns and oil production cuts drove wild fluctuations in prices.

Brent futures rose 12 cents to US$77.27 a barrel at 2:22 pm (1922 GMT) on Friday. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 16 cents to US$71.93 a barrel.

Oil prices fell sharply on Thursday as some shipping companies said they would resume movements through the Red Sea, easing supply concerns. Major firms had stopped using Red Sea routes after Yemen's Houthi militant group began targeting vessels.

However, some crude oil and refined product tankers are still opting for the longer route around Africa to avoid potential conflicts in the region.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to support prices. On Friday, Israel intensified its attacks in southern Gaza.

"We are going to see continued volatility as we go into 2024 with the geopolitical events and the fear that the conflict could spread throughout the region," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates.

Data released on Friday by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) that showed strong oil demand in October also offered some support to prices, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Total US oil demand rose 3.4% in October versus the prior year, the report said.

US crude oil output fell slightly in October to 13.248 million barrels per day, after it set monthly records in August and September.

Energy firms this week added oil and natural gas rigs for the first time in three weeks, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in a report on Friday, indicating output could rise in the future.

For the year, however, the rig count was down by 157 after gaining by 193 in 2022 and 235 in 2021.

Both Brent and WTI are on track for their lowest year-end levels since 2020, when the pandemic battered demand and sent prices nose-diving.

Production cuts by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, or OPEC+, have proved insufficient to prop up prices, with the benchmarks down nearly 20% from the year's highs.

OPEC+ is currently cutting output by around 6 million barrels per day, representing about 6% of global supply.

OPEC is facing weakening demand for its crude in the first half of 2024 just as its global market share declines to the lowest level since the pandemic on output cuts and Angola's exit from the group.

A Reuters survey of 34 economists and analysts forecast Brent crude would average US$82.56 in 2024, down from November's US$84.43 consensus, as they predicted weak global growth would cap demand, while geopolitical tensions could provide support. (Reuters)

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ussia unleashed its biggest air attack of the war on Ukraine on Friday, killing 31 civilians, wounding more than 160 others and hitting cities and infrastructure across the country, officials said.

NATO member Poland said a Russian missile appeared to have flown into its airspace for some 40 km before returning to Ukraine under three minutes later. There was no immediate comment from Moscow and NATO said it remained "vigilant".

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said the vast endof-year air assault showed there should be "no talk of a truce" with the Kremlin at a time when uncertainty hangs over the future of

Smoke rises over a residential building after a Russian missile and drone strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, December 29

Western support for Kyiv.

"Today, millions of Ukrainians awoke to the loud sound of explosions. I wish those sounds of explosions in Ukraine could be heard all around the world,"

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said, urging allies to keep sending long-term aid.

In the capital Kyiv at least nine people were killed and 30 confirmed wounded after a warehouse, residen-

Fireworks' ban in China South Africa files sparks fiery debate genocide case against ahead of Lunar New Year Israel at World Court

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outh Africa asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday for an urgent order declaring that Israel was in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in its crackdown against the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

The ICJ, sometimes known as the World Court, is the United Nations venue for resolving disputes between states. Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a reaction the suit was "baseless."

South Africa's filing alleged Israel was violating its obligations under the treaty, drafted in the wake of the Holocaust, which makes it a crime to attempt to destroy a people in whole or in part.

It asked the court to issue provisional, or shortterm, measures ordering Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza, which it said were "necessary in this case to protect against fur-

ther, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people".

No date has been set for a hearing.

While the ICJ in The Hague is considered the UN's highest court, its rulings are sometimes ignored.

In March 2022 the court ordered Russia to immediately halt its military campaign in Ukraine.

War began on Oct 7 when militants of the Islamist group Hamas killed 1200 people in a cross-border attack and seized 240 hostages by Israel's count. Israel responded with an assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza, killing more than 21,000 people, Palestinian health officials say.

In a first response to South Africa's suit, Israel's Foreign Ministry blamed Hamas for the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by using them as human shields and stealing humanitarian aid from them, accusations Hamas denies.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

People watch a rehearsal of a fireworks display near the National Stadium ahead of the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, China June 25, 2021

Chinese lawmakers on Friday weighed in on a fiery online debate on whether fireworks should be used to ring in the Lunar New Year in February, saying a total ban on pyrotechnics in the country credited with inventing them would be hard to implement.

In an unusually frank response, lawmakers said air pollution prevention laws and fire safety regulations have led to "differences in understanding" of the ban on fireworks, which was never absolute.

In 2017, official data showed 444 cities had banned fireworks. Since then, some cities have scaled back curbs, allowing fireworks at certain times

France, Germany, UK and US condemn Iran's increase in uranium enrichment

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rance, Germany, Britain and the United States on Thursday condemned an increase by Iran in the production rate of highly enriched uranium of up to 60% purity, close to the level used for nuclear weapons fuel.

In a joint statement, the allies made no mention of any consequences Iran could face for the production hike

but called for its reversal and said they remained "committed to a diplomatic solution" of the feud over Tehran's nuclear programme.

"The production of high-enriched uranium by Iran has no credible civilian justification," the statement said. "These decisions ... represent reckless behaviour in a tense regional context."

Since the start of Israel's

tial buildings and another uninhabited property were hit, officials said.

The air force said it shot down 87 cruise missiles and 27 drones out of a total of 158 aerial "targets" fired by Russia. Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said it was the "most massive air attack of this war" and involved 18 strategic bombers.

Army chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said critical infrastructure and industrial and military facilities had been targeted.

Ukraine has been warning for weeks that Russia could be stockpiling missiles to launch major air attacks on the energy system like it did last winter.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

offensive against Gaza's ruling Hamas militants, Iranbacked proxies have increased their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and on US troops in Iraq and Syria, sharply increasing tensions in the region.

Israel launched its operation in response to Hamas' Oct 7 rampage into Israel.

The UN nuclear watchdog, the International

Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a report on Tuesday that Iran had reversed a months-long slowdown in the production rate of highly enriched uranium up to 60% purity.

"We condemn this action, which adds to the unabated escalation of Iran’s nuclear program," the joint statement said.

Iran on Wednesday dis-

missed the IAEA report as "nothing new" and said it was running its programme "according to the rules."

Tehran already has enough uranium of 60% purity, if enriched to 90%, to make three nuclear bombs, according to the IAEA's theoretical definition.

Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons. (Excerpt from Reuters)

of the year and at designated venues.

This month, however, many counties rolled out notices prohibiting fireworks, rekindling discussion on the ban.

According to folklore, the earliest fireworks were invented 2000 years ago to drive away the "nian", a mythical beast that preyed on people and livestock on the eve of the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival.

Since then, fireworks have been used to celebrate other occasions: this January, after three years of COVID-19 curbs were lifted, some people defied bans - and authorities and set off firecrackers.

But some Chinese said the firework bans were necessary to protect the environment.

"It should be regulated due to pollution and safety (fire) hazards," a Weibo user said.

In an online poll by the official Beijing Youth Daily this week, however, over 80% of respondents expressed support for fireworks during the Spring Festival, the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar.

Some also said the ban was ironic after the United Nations last week adopted the Spring Festival as an official holiday, a move cheered

by Chinese officials. (Excerpt from Reuters)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

21

AUSTRALIA IN TOUGH 79-RUN VICTORY OVER PAKISTAN – Awesome Cummins takes 10 to inspire result

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aptain Pat Cummins produced an irresistible spell late on day four to crush Pakistan's audacious chase of 317, as Australia claimed a 79-run victory in the Boxing Day Test to clinch the series 2-0.

The topsy-turvy contest appeared set for a tense final day finish when Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman combined for an enterprising 57-run partnership. They moved Pakistan to 219 for 5, needing 98 runs for a remarkable series-levelling victory, as the match appeared to be heading towards a knife's edge by stumps.

However, 10 minutes before the scheduled close of play, Rizwan attempted to sway out of the way of a short delivery from Cummins, and dropped his wrists as the ball flew past.

Cummins appealed vigor-

Pakistan did present a sterner challenge than many had expected. Facing a tough 40-minute period before lunch, Pakistan had started poorly, when Shafique was dismissed for 4 by Starc.

In a frenetic passage before the interval, Masood successfully overturned an lbw decision after lunging forward to offspinner Nathan Lyon, and opener Imam-ul-Haq survived a dropped return catch from Starc.

Imam didn't score until his 18th delivery, but tried to bat more proactive-

The Australians celebrating another scalp

ously in a belief that the ball had touched Rizwan's wrist band, and he was proven correct on DRS. Rizwan was incensed that the de-

cision was overturned, as Cummins celebrated his 250th Test wicket. Shortly after, Cummins had Aamer Jamal caught and bowled.

Cummins took the extra 30 minutes in a bid for victory, and dismissed Shaheen Shah Afridi to claim his 10th wicket of the match. He became just the second Australian captain, after Allan Border, to take such a haul in Test cricket. It capped another heroic performance from Cummins, who had, late on day two, turned the match

lapse, Pakistan would also rue conceding 52 extras in Australia's first innings, and a dropped catch on day three from Abdullah Shafique at first slip when Mitchell Marsh was on 20.

He went on to make 96 to help Australia set a daunting total of 317.

Pakistan did bat boldly, with captain Shan Masood making an aggressive half-century and Babar hitting 41.

Pakistan's unlikely hopes were raised when Masood and Babar com-

Cameron Green is all applause for Pat Cummins's 10-wicket haul

SCOREBOARD Australia 2nd Innings Usman Khawaja c †Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Shah Afridi 0 David Warner b Mir Hamza 6 Marnus Labuschagne c †Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Shah Afridi 4 Steven Smith c Agha Salman b Shaheen Shah Afridi 50 Travis Head b Mir Hamza 0 Mitchell Marsh c Agha Salman b Mir Hamza 96 Alex Carey †lbw b Mir Hamza 53 Mitchell Starc c Babar Azam b Shaheen Shah Afridi 9 Pat Cummins (c) c †Mohammad Rizwan b Aamer Jamal 16 Nathan Lyon b Aamer Jamal 11 Josh Hazlewood not out 1 Extras (b 1, lb 10, w 5) 16 TOTAL 84.1 Ov (RR: 3.11) 262 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Usman Khawaja, 0.2 ov), 2-6 (Marnus Labuschagne, 2.6 ov), 3-16 (David Warner, 5.1 ov), 4-16 (Travis Head, 5.2 ov), 5-169 (Mitchell Marsh, 49.5 ov), 6-187 (Steven Smith, 62.3 ov), 7-209 (Mitchell Starc, 68.5 ov), 8-237 (Pat Cummins, 76.3 ov), 9-249 (Nathan Lyon, 78.6 ov), 10-262 (Alex Carey, 84.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Shaheen Shah Afridi 27-4-76-4 Mir Hamza 18.1-6-32-4 Hasan Ali 17-2-53-0 Aamer Jamal 16-2-74-2 Agha Salman 6-1-16-0

who had handled Cummins far better before tea, and used his feet to attack Lyon. But Babar was helpless against a brilliant delivery from Hazlewood that nipped back and rattled into the stumps much like Cummins's magical ball late on day two.

After dismissing Babar for the seventh time in Test cricket, the normally mild-natured Hazlewood celebrated enthusiastically with a leap in the air as Australia smelt blood.

Hazlewood continued his brilliant spell by bowling with pinpoint accuracy

Pakistan 2nd Innings (T: 317 runs) Abdullah Shafique c Khawaja b Starc 4 Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Cummins 12 Shan Masood (c) c Smith b Cummins 60 Babar Azam b Hazlewood 41 Saud Shakeel c †Carey b Starc 24 Mohammad Rizwan † c †Carey b Cummins 35 Agha Salman c Marsh b Starc 50 Aamer Jamal c & b Cummins 0 Shaheen Shah Afridi c Labuschagne b Cummins 0 Hasan Ali not out 0 Mir Hamza c Smith b Starc 0 Extras (b 1, lb 6, nb 1, w 3) 11 TOTAL 67.2 Ov (RR: 3.51) 237 Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Abdullah Shafique, 4.1 ov), 2-49 (Imam-ulHaq, 14.3 ov), 3-110 (Shan Masood, 26.3 ov), 4-146 (Babar Azam, 40.1 ov), 5-162 (Saud Shakeel, 45.6 ov), 6-219 (Mohammad Rizwan, 60.4 ov), 7-219 (Aamer Jamal, 62.6 ov), 8-237 (Shaheen Shah Afridi, 66.4 ov), 9-237 (Agha Salman, 67.1 ov), 10-237 (Mir Hamza, 67.2 ov) • BOWLING O-M-R-W Mitchell Starc 13.2-1-55-4 Josh Hazlewood 15-7-34-1 Nathan Lyon 19-1-84-0 Pat Cummins 18-2-49-5 Mitchell Marsh 2-0-8-0

Shan Masood again played with good intent

on its head with a spectacular spell that included a gem of a delivery to clean bowl Babar Azam.

Mitchell Starc then claimed Salman and Mir Hamza in consecutive deliveries, as Pakistan lost 5 for 18 to slump to their 16th straight defeat in Australia.

The disappointment was bitter for Pakistan, who batted with dare and had shown plenty of fight throughout this Test match.

Apart from their late col-

bined for a 61-run partnership, after coming together at 49 for 2. But they both fell either side of tea as the pressure fell onto Rizwan, who won back his position into the team over Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Having made an attractive 42 in the first innings, Rizwan further justified his selection, until Cummins prevailed on an MCG surface which offered seam movement and variable bounce throughout.

Mitchell Starc celebrating the winning wicket

ly after lunch. However, his struggles reared when Cummins bowled around the wicket, trapping him lbw in a decision upheld by DRS. Babar readied himself to renew his battle with Cummins, but faced a thorough examination initially from quick Josh Hazlewood, who had a loud shout for lbw as Australia unsuccessfully reviewed.

There was much anticipation over how Babar would confront Cummins, having fallen to him in two consecutive innings. He again had a tough time against Cummins, and was comprehensively beaten by consecutive deliveries on a perfect length. Nevertheless, he survived, and started to find his rhythm alongside Masood, who motored to his half-century in 57 balls, with his father and brother watching in the terraces.

Masood initially played Lyon mostly along the ground, before charging down the track for a boundary through the on-side. It was a similar tactic Masood used during his half-century in the first innings, before he holed out.

Cummins again provided the breakthrough when Masood edged to Steven Smith, who took a sharp catch low down at second slip.

Pakistan's hopes seemingly rested with Babar,

to dry up the scoring, and Saud Shakeel's frustrations boiled over when he nicked one in attempting an extravagant cut shot off a short Starc delivery.

There appeared the possibility that Pakistan could crumble quickly much like in Perth, but Rizwan and Salman were defiant and unfurled cavalier strokes to fluster Australia. Rizwan got off the mark with a slog sweep for six, then drove Starc exquisitely through the covers. Salman was hit in the helmet by a short delivery from Starc, and required medical attention.

He preferred facing Lyon, and hammered him for consecutive boundaries.

Rizwan overcame a torrid period late in the day, when he edged Hazlewood through a vacant third slip and survived a couple of tough chances in a Lyon over. But Cummins stepped up in another late twist, and Australia were left feeling also grateful for their lower-order wagging earlier in the day.

Resuming at 187 for 6, with a lead of 241, Australia added valuable runs with under-pressure Alex Carey scoring a half-century. He was the last batter dismissed, as Australia were eventually bowled out for 264 and finished with a lead that they defended with aplomb despite several scares. (ESPNCricinfo)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

Nikola Jokic registers Kathmandu Court convicts Sandeep Lamichhane of another triple-double sexual offence – ‘Phenomenal’ Haliburton dishes out 20 assists

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ikola Jokic has registered another triple-double as the Denver Nuggets earned their sixth successive win on Thursday, and Tyrese Haliburton has joined him in enjoying a big statistical night for the Indiana Pacers.

Jokic had 26 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in less than three quarters, as the Nuggets recorded a 142105 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, who were without the injured Ja Morant.

It was Jokic's 11th triple-double of the season; and he also shot 11-of-11 from the field, and made all three of his free throws before exiting the game near the end of the third period.

Jokic now sits fourth in the NBA all-time charts for triple-doubles, with 116: behind Russell Westbrook (198), Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138).

Denver coach Michael Malone, however, says the Serbian is uninterested in individual accolades, and is more concerned with ensuring the Nuggets continue their push at the top of the Western Conference.

"I don't know how many MVPs you could say this about, but Nikola doesn't care about how many shots he's getting," Malone told The Denver Post.

"He was 11-for-11 tonight. He doesn't care about that. If Jamal [Murray] has got it going, he's clapping for Jamal. He takes more joy

Nikola Jokic starred in the Nuggets’ 6th straight win

in his team-mates' success than his own; and that's the true definition of being selfless. He lives it every day."

Jokic himself said: "It's a miss-and-make game. Of course, sometimes you miss, sometimes you make. Today I made all my shots. There's not going to be a lot of those nights."

He was not the only player to enjoy a memorable outing on Thursday. Pacers’ guard Tyrese Haliburton has scored 21 points and adding a career-high 20 assists in a 120-104 win over the Chicago Bulls.

Having led by as many as 25 points, the Pacers found themselves 93-90 down in the fourth quarter, before Haliburton took over and hit back-to-back three-pointers to put his team ahead. The 23-year-old then scored or assisted on Indiana's next

16 points, as they improved to 16-14 with their second straight win.

Haliburton also avoided committing a single turnover, making him just the second player in league history to record 20 points and 20 assists without a miscue, after Chris Paul in 2016.

However, he insisted that his eye-catching figures were made possible only by his team-mates.

He said: "I've done a terrible job taking care of the ball lately, so it was good to see zero turnovers again.

You don't get 20 assists without guys making shots."

Center Myles Turner heaped praise on Haliburton for his performance. He said: "That's what he's been doing pretty much since he's been here. It's been phenomenal to watch, phenomenal to be a part of." (Sportmax)

IOC President Bach confident Paris Olympics would unite world in peaceful competition

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single-judge bench of the Kathmandu District Court has convicted Sandeep Lamichhane of a sexual offence, following hearings that started on Sunday, the Kathmandu Post has reported.

However, ESPNcricinfo has not been able to independently verify the information.

The court has, however, concluded that the victim was not a minor at the time of the incident, as had been reported earlier. The next hearing on the matter will determine Lamichhane's sentence.

Lamichhane is currently out on bail.

On Friday, the day of his conviction, Lamichhane had led PARSA Club XI to a win over Nepal Army Club in a Nepal Pro Club Championship match in Birgunj.

In early September last year, Lamichhane, then the Nepal captain, was suspended by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) after an arrest warrant had been issued against him in Kathmandu over the matter. It followed the news that a complaint against Lamichhane had been lodged in a Kathmandu police

Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane

station.

At the time, Lamichhane was in the West Indies with Jamaica Tallawahs, taking part in CPL 2022. The club announced that Lamichhane would be leaving the tournament with immediate effect.

Upon landing at the airport in Kathmandu in early October, he had been taken into custody.

Shortly before being arrested, Lamichhane had written on Facebook that he would "fully cooperate in all stages of the investigation, and will fight a legal battle to prove my innocence". He had called it a "conspiracy and wrongful allegation".

He returned to the Nepal side in February this year

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homas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is confident that next year's Olympic Games in Paris would not only be a success, but would, more importantly, serve to unite the world in peaceful competition.

"With the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Paris 2024, only months away, the athletes, the fans, the entire Olympic community, all of us, are looking forward to a new era of Olympic Games: younger, more inclusive, more urban, more sustainable," Bach said in his New Year's message. "It is inspiring to see everyone in the Olympic Movement making this new era of Olympic Games a reality. Therefore, we can look forward with great confidence to the Olympic Games, Paris 2024, as a symbol of global unity and peace," he added.

Earlier this month, the IOC announced its decision to have a limited number of Russian and Belarusian athletes compete in Paris as

- amid protests from rights groups at home - for a Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series at home against Namibia and Scotland, where no player from the opposition teams shook his hand at any stage.

Subsequently, he was not considered for Nepal's squad for the Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in Dubai in early 2023, but joined the team later as an injury replacement.

He has continued to turn out for Nepal since, including at the ODI World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe and the ODI Asia Cup. (ESPNCricinfo)

ENTERTAINMENT Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid are currently top of La Liga on goal difference

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Thomas Bach

neutrals, under "strict eligibility conditions." The decision applies to athletes who do not support the war in Ukraine, while removing the option of a blanket ban due to the invasion.

"We are longing for the Olympic Games, Paris 2024, to unite the entire world in peaceful competition," Bach said. "People are exhausted and tired of the antagonism, hostility and hatred they encounter in all areas of their lives," he opined.

The former Olympic fencer also pointed out that the Games would be the first with full gender parity.

"Our expectations of these Olympic Games are shared by billions of people. In these difficult times we live in, people all over the world are exhausted and tired of the antagonism, hostility and hatred they face in all areas of their lives," Bach noted.

"Deep in our hearts, we all long for something that unites us; something that unites us despite our differences. Something to give us hope. Something that inspires us to solve problems peacefully. Something that brings out the best in us," he stated. (Sportsmax)

eal Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has signed with the club a new deal which would run until June 2026.

The 64-year-old Italian was appointed at the Bernabeu for a second time in 2021 on an initial three-year deal. He was linked with taking over as Brazil's manager earlier this year, but said he wanted to remain at the club.

Ancelotti has won 10 titles as Real boss, including two Champions Leagues most recently in his first season back at the club in 202122.

He has also lifted one La Liga title, two Copas del Rey, two Club World Cups, two European Super Cups, and the Spanish Super Cup once.

Ancelotti previously managed Real between 2013 and

2015; his departure came a year after he had won the Champions League. He returned for a second spell in charge, replacing Zinedine Zidane after leaving Premier League club Everton in June 2021.

Ancelotti is the only coach to have won four European Cups, and is also the first to have won all five major European leagues in Italy, England, France, Germany and Spain.

Last season, Real won the Copa del Rey, but finished runners-up to Barcelona in the Spanish top flight, and went out in the semi-finals of the Champions League. This season, they lead La Liga after 18 matches, and remain in all their European and domestic cup competitions.

(BBC Sport)

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

23

Golden Jaguars retain 157th place after last FIFA ranking of 2023 G

uyana’s senior men’s national football team, the Golden Jaguars, are currently ranked 157th in the world, following the release of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) December rankings.

The Golden Jaguars currently have 1018.14 points, and have not moved since the last ranking in November, when they had moved up three places from

160. The move to 157th, however, signals a 14- place move since November 2022, when the Jaguars were ranked 171st in the world.

Guyana now sit immediately behind Singapore, who are 156th-placed with 1020.5 points; and are immediately above Afghanistan, who are in 158th place with 1017.68 points.

Despite a see-saw start to the year, and despite end-

ing their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign in the preliminary stage, the Golden Jaguars have bounced back to finish strong, with 5 consecutive victories in as many matches in the CONCACAF Nations League window; and have also sealed a spot in League A. In the Gold Cup, Guyana defeated Grenada 5-3 on penalty kicks after the scoreline had read 1-1 at the end of regulation

Guyana Badminton Assn concludes three-day camp

T

he Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) have concluded their three-day camp for persons aged 5-25 at the National Gymnasium, and some of Guyana’s raw talent in the sport have been discovered.

The camp, conducted by senior national player Narayan Ramdhani, was held from 13:00h to 16:00h daily, and had attracted over 40 participants, who have been enlightened on the fundamentals of this racquet sport. The GBA have said this camp was part of efforts to expand the base of the sport, adding new and upcoming talents to its burgeoning nursery.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, national play-

Senior national player Narayan Ramdhani

er and coach Narayan Ramdhani emphasized the importance of the camp to the development of the local badminton fraternity when he said, “It has been good so

far; it's a fundamental camp, and they are learning the basics. We have from ages 5 to 25, but most of these kids are from the academy we started with the Ministry, so most of them are from Queen’s College and Bishops’, and it’s been very good. And we have some from Marian as well and the Yonex Badminton (Club), so we have from all levels. We got some kids that are really good and now learning, so it's everything doing in this camp.”

Importantly, he expounded on the need for stakeholders to be more engaged in the sport by contrasting the lack of local facilities to what obtains internationally.

“One Guyana” Kings and Queens of the Sand…

action resumes tonight

A

ction in the “One Guyana” Kings and Queens of the Sand beach football competition continues tonight: Saturday, December 30, 2023, at the PPPC Linden office compound, with games scheduled for both male and female categories.

This tournament, which commenced on December 8 under the organization and coordination of Aubrey “Shanghai” Major and Collin “BL” Aaron, is being played in a round-robin/knockout format with 24 male and 8 female teams participating.

The Kings segment has been divided into eight groups of three teams, with two teams qualifying for the knockout phase; while the Queens segment has the teams playing each other with the aim of copping a top-four spot and thus qualifying for the

Shaka Lewis will be in action with the Gorillas team tonight

semi-finals.

In the Kings competition on Saturday, the quarterfinal stage will be contested with Pro Ballers and DC Ballers in the first match-up, set for 19:30hrs.

Gorillas and YMCA will go head-to-head next at 20:20hrs, while LA Ballers and Presidential would do battle from 21:10hrs.

At 22:00hrs, the final game of the night will see High Flyers and Platinum locking horns with intention to advance to the next round.

Proceedings will begin on Saturday night with a Queen contest featuring Hururu and Rockstone.

It is set to kick- off at 19:00hrs.

After tonight’s gameday, the tournament will continue for both categories on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, with the semifinals and the grand finals to crown the King and Queen of the Sand being set for play on Saturday, January 6, 2024.

This tournament is the initiative of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who has a vision of “ONE GUYANA” bringing Guyanese of all ethnicities together as one, using sports as a vehicle to help in achieving this objective.

The Golden Jaguars remain ranked at 157th in FIFA

time. They missed out on Group stage play after falling to Guadeloupe 2-0 in the qualifier match. While they missed out on a win against Ethiopia (2-0) in an international friendly in August, they gained valuable experience.

The Jaguars proved unbeatable from September onwards.

They defeated Puerto Rico twice (3-1, 3-1), Antigua and Barbuda twice (5-1, 6-0), and the Bahamas once (3-2) to seal their League A promotion.

Among CONCACAF countries, Guyana are ranked 18th, with the USA leading the charge for

the Region with a 1st in CONCACAF and 12th Overall.

Jamaica is the highest-ranked Caribbean country, however, being 6th in CONCACAF and 55th in the World.

The likes of Haiti, ranked 89th with 1262.5 points; Trinidad and Tobago, ranked 96th with 1228.05 points; Antigua and Barbuda, ranked 142nd with 1072.66 points; St. Kitts and Nevis, ranked 147th

with 1057.05 points; and neighbouring Suriname, with a 143rd ranking and 1071.85 points, all sit above Guyana on the FIFA charts.

Likely because of their back-to-back losses to Guyana, Puerto Rico have moved down one place on the list, and are now ranked 160th with 1007.19 points. World Cup 2022 Champions Argentina currently lead the Overall rankings with 1855.2 points.

Holding blasts ICC for hypocrisy in barring Usman Khawaja's stance

W

est Indian cricket and broadcasting icon Michael Holding has blasted the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) decision to charge Australian opener Usman Khawaja for wearing a black armband during the Perth Test against Pakistan.

Khawaja has been told by the ICC to keep his humanitarian appeal for the people of Palestine away from the cricket field.

Khawaja was officially warned for wearing a black armband during the first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth. He wanted to sport a black dove on his shoe and bat in the Boxing Day Test, but that was rejected by the ICC. Holding has said he is not “surprised” by the ICC’s stance of “hypocrisy”.

“The ICC regulations say (regarding) messaging, ‘approval shall not be granted for messages which

Michael Holding

relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes,” Holding explained. “So how the f*** people were allowed to take a knee for BLM (Black Lives Matter), and stumps were covered with LGBTQ colours?”

Holding questioned while speaking to The Weekend Australian.

Holding argues that the ICC have not made their stance clear. “If it would have been some other organisation with a consistent track record, I would have been surprised; but

not the ICC," he declared.

The fast-bowling legend has accused the ICC of being a “hypocrite” and of again showing that “they lack spine as a governing body”.

Like Holding, other observers believe that by banning Khawaja's move, as well as his subsequent request to adorn his bat with the peace symbol of a dove holding an olive branch, the ICC have inadvertently boosted his message, while revealing their own hypocrisy. (Sportsmax)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2023

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

Pg 23

retain 157th place after last FIFA ranking of 2023 Pg 23

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