Guyana Times - Saturday, January 14, 2023

President Dr Irfaan Ali was on Friday gifted a model of the ‘Made in India' Hindustan-228 (VT-KNR) aircraft during his visit to the

Quay wall installation begins on Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base facility

The Vreed-en-Hoop Shore base Inc

(VEHSI) has started installing the quay wall structure on its artificial island in the Demerara River. The first set of sheet piles that were installed will assist to retain and stabilise the structure.

So far, the construction remains on schedule as additional pieces of equipment were taken to the site for the

compaction phase. There is a permanent construction presence with work being executed on a 24-hour basis.

This new island is part of the reclaimed land that will be transformed into the estimated 44-acre mega-project to create the shore base facility for ExxonMobil and forms part of Port Vreed-enHoop.

However, the dredger, MV Galileo Galilei, will con-

tinue the process of adding reclaimed material for the creation of the artificial island on which the new terminal will be constructed.

Phase one of the project is meant to be the special purpose vehicle to serve as a SURF (Subsea Umbilicals, Riser and Flowlines) Shorebase for Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) projects.

To date, the deepening, widening and dredging of the access channel as well as the removal of wreckage were completed. A total of 30km at a 9m depth was dredged starting from the shore base at Vreed-enHoop.

Previously, the Channel had a 5m depth at the lowest tide compared to 9m now. Further, the width of the channel was dredged to a whopping 100m which will now accommodate two vessels – one coming out and one going in.

This phase has been hailed a success by the project managers and the upgraded channel has been handed over to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD)

Nevertheless, the project managers have warned that the site remains an active construction zone and landing on the island is prohibited. As such, the public is urged to remain clear of the construction zone and to adhere to the previously issued notices.

According to the project

directors, the support and encouragement given by the Government of Guyana have been reassuring and augur well for additional investment and the future of Guyana. The project is expected to become operational in 2023, with the second phase set to commence in 2024.

In April 2022, ExxonMobil Guyana and Vreed-en-Hoop Shore base Incorporated (VEHSI) signed a 20-year agreement for shore base services to be provided at the port of Vreed-en-Hoop facility to support the US oil giant’s operations offshore Guyana. The sod was subsequently turned in June on the US$300 million facility.

VEHSI is a joint venture between a fully-owned Guyanese consortium – NRG Holdings Incorporated, and Jan De Nul Group, the Belgiumbased company undertaking the project that specialises in offshore, marine, civil, environment, and project development.

Works ongoing on the artificial island

The sheet piles being driven around the structure for reinforcement

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, Jan 14 – 10:00 –11:30h and 22:00 – 23:30h and Sunday, Jan 15 – 10:30h –12:00h and 23:00 – 00:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Jan 14 – 08:50h – 10:20h and Sunday, Jan 15 – 09:55h – 11:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be sunshine and light cloud during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 09:22h and 21:51h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.31 metres.

Low Tide: 15:21h reaching a minimum height of 0.88 metre.

Guyana to set aside 200 acres of land for production of millet

MoU to be inked for assistance in local coconut, rice, sugar and dairy sectors

ket globally.

Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in India is working in mission mode to increase millet production and consumption in collaboration with other Central Ministries, all State Governments, and other stakeholder organisations.

In light of the United Nations declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millet (IYOM), President Dr Irfaan has offered some 200 acres of land in Guyana to be used for the cultivation and production of millets with the assistance of experts from India.

This was announced by the Guyanese Head of State during a meeting with India’s Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, in New Delhi on Thursday.

President Ali asked the Indian Minister to send a team of experts to set up a millet farm in Guyana. Consequently, he reassured that the Guyana Government will extend all help needed in the production and promotion of millet in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC).

Further, the Guyanese leader also requested the presence of India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at the upcoming Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) in February 2023 to present India’s vision on agriculture and food security. He noted that even a virtual address by PM Modi to the regional leaders will go a long way in promoting and popularising millets in the Caribbean.

The Guyanese President, who currently heads Caricom’s Sub-Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, has also invited Minister Tomar to visit Guyana as the Chief Guest at Caricom’s Agri Forum set for August this year. His keynote speech would focus on agriculture as a whole but millets in particular.

Minister Tomar, in his remarks during the meeting, said that the International Year of Millets 2023 will provide an opportunity to increase global production, efficient processing, and better use of crop rotation and promote millets as a major component of the food bas-

According to Minister Tomar, millets provide an alternative food system in times of increasing demand for vegetarian foods as it contributes to a balanced diet as well as a safe environment. He described millet as the gift of nature to mankind, adding that the goal is to have the grain take pride of place in every eating plate around the globe.

It was Prime Minister Modi who lobbied the UN to declare the year 2023 as the International Year of Millet.

The first crops of millets were cultivated in Asia and Africa, later spreading as an important food source for advanced civilisations around the world. With these two continents considered as the production and consumption centres for millet crops, the major producers of the grain are India, Niger, Sudan, and Nigeria.

President Dr Irfaan Ali meeting with India’s Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, in New Delhi on Thursday

India is one of the major producers of millet

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Underperforming contractors

For years now there have been calls for the Government –present and past – to re-examine and implement effective measures to keep contractors accountable, in order that contractors who are consistently delinquent could face the requisite level of debarment.

Finally, we see this Government taking a strong stance against contractors who were awarded Government contracts for months, and, although given advance payments, have not started projects.

The position taken by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill when he terminated the contract of N&S Contracting Services - which was awarded its contract in early 2022 and collected $22 million in mobilisation advance to construct one kilometre of road along El Dorado Road, Moleson Creek – is commendable.

To quote the Minister: “This has been more than seven months. There is no visible sign of any work being executed…the monies are available, the project has rolled over, and we will get the road delivered to the people…we’re not going to be in the mode of any contractor doing work when he feels like it. When contractors bid, even if they have another job, they have to show that they have the equipment, personnel, and financial wherewithal to execute that contract separately and apart from anything else they are doing…I will make sure that whoever is on the list to bid for this new work is a performing contractor that would have shown that they have the capacity to deliver.”

Time and time again, Edghill has been quoted in the media warning contractors about their delinquency in completing contracts, to the detriment of Guyanese. Some time ago, when there was a signing-off of some 199 contracts valued at almost $14 billion, the Finance Minister had called for a “close eye” to be kept on contractors. The warning by Dr Ashni Singh came even as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration was still uncovering some of the inherited governmental infrastructure that one of his colleague Ministers refers to as a “rotting and… decayed” system. Additionally, the cautionary notice by Singh, that he would be visiting some of these sites “personally”, is laudable.

Over the years, and especially under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration between 2015 and 2020, the quality of work that was carried out by some contractors engaged in public infrastructure projects was unbelievable, and most of those works cost the treasury millions of dollars. All around the country, one can point to numerous examples of substandard work, for which contractors were paid huge sums. In fact, in some cases, they were even overpaid.

As this publication has said, time and time again, in many cases, very little action was taken by the then APNU/AFC Administration against those errant contractors for not meeting their contractual obligations, resulting in them walking scot-free. In fact, some persons would even be shocked to learn that these same persons who have done poor work or left work uncompleted were awarded additional contracts.

Year after year, the Auditor General would highlight numerous examples of substandard or incomplete work in construction projects across the country – whether they be schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, etc.

The Auditor General, on more than one occasion, pointed to instances where projects were uncompleted or left abandoned, even though contractors were already paid huge sums to do a proper job. Many had asked what actions were being taken against these contractors to recoup those sums of money, or what sort of systems had been put in place to ensure those contracting firms were debarred from bidding for future projects.

While taxpayers had previously used different forums to complain, the relevant agencies had a duty to ensure that public monies were well spent and properly accounted for.

Prior to APNU/AFC demitting office, the then Public Infrastructure Ministry, which is now the Public Works Ministry, had said it was in the process of establishing a database that would keep a record of the number of projects awarded to local contractors, and their performance in respect to each. It would also be helpful if procuring entities keep proper records of the performance of companies in regard to projects awarded. This could be used as an effective measure to better inform the process for selecting competent contractors to handle Government projects.

One had hoped that the relevant mechanisms would have been put in place with the aim of ensuring those lapses are corrected. A contractor found to have a record of producing poor and incomplete work cannot, and should not, be awarded additional contracts. Such strict enforcement is needed to curb the unacceptable trend of substandard work.

President Irfaan and Jaishankar’s engagement would bear fruits

Dear Editor, India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, is among the followed and most respected Foreign Ministers globally. He is vociferous in his advocacy of India’s interests. He is treated like a rock star in India in the field of foreign affairs and in his defense of India’s position in various international issues. The Indian public and the diaspora, including Indian- Guyanese New Yorkers, love his strong nationalist stance on matters pertaining to India.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali appeared to have struck the right chord with Dr. Jaishankar, in their public appearances at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Indore, as pertains to bolstering relations between the two countries. Dr. Jaishankar, President Irfaan, and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokie appeared in public for several functions before and during the PBD, and they seemingly got along quite well, as per reports in the media.

At an open-air cultural concert, Drs. Jaishankar and Ali were seen constantly interacting in the front seat, directly in front of the large stage where the cultural troupes performed. They chit-chatted quite a bit. It showed they had developed a friendly rapport while commenting on, and cheering, the performances of the cultural artistes.

It is not known whether this was the first encounter between Jaishankar and Ali; they could have met at Commonwealth, UN, and Climate summits and the 2018 gatherings of PIO Parliamentarians in Delhi.

Jaishankar has never visited Guyana or the Caribbean, but he is no stranger to Guyanese. He would have known about the history of Indian presence in Guyana and the Caribbean, having studied political science and international relations, earning a PhD. While serving as India’s Ambassador to Washington, between 2014 and 2015, he met Guyanese in New York at Diwali celebrations, and when Modi visited New York in the fall of 2014.

When he served as Foreign Secretary between 2015-18, he interacted with Ravi Dev and me in Delhi at a function (a summit of leading diaspora specialists) organised by MEA in August 2016 to dis-

cuss strategies to engage the 32 million strong Indian Diaspora.

Minister Sushma Swaraj, a mentor of Jaishankar, and the person he replaced as MEA after she opted not to seek a second term in that office in 2019, chaired the 2016 proceedings. Swaraj, the line minister for the diaspora, was very engaging in the discussion on diaspora relations.

Jaishankar and then UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin spoke at the event, and offered wise counsel on engagements with the diaspora. Akbaruddin engaged Guyanese at several functions hosted in NY by the Indian Consulate, where there would be a large Guyanese presence. Following the parley on diaspora affairs, Dev and I had a separate extensive chat with Jaishankar and India’s Ambassador to the UN, Syed Akbaruddin, on India’s foreign policy towards Guyana and the Caribbean.

Akbaruddin, like Jaishankar, was a strong supporter of diaspora policy, and of strengthening ties with the Caribbean. The duo endorsed Swaraj’s engagement with experts in each territory of the Indian Diaspora. Akbaruddin was more talkative than Jaishankar, who appeared more reserved and businesslike than his UN pal. Akbaruddin was very productive, informed, accomplished, and gifted in his oratory — the kind of diplomat a country craves. Both left a strong impression of their masterful skills in diplomacy.

In his conversations with Dev and me, Jaishankar remarked about his meetings with Guyanese and other Caribbean people. The two diplomats and Swaraj (a politician) were extremely skilled in diplomacy, among the best I had encountered among the many politicians I met globally in my travels. Swaraj fondly recalled her meetings with President Donald Ramotar. Jaishankar and Akbaruddin were very sharp and eloquent in their comments on the way forward for India to strengthen ties with the diaspora at the summit of experts.

They were among the most learned diplomats I met, though they were not au fait on the large presence of Indian Caribbeans in several countries, including in the Caribbean territories.

himself in his presentation at the diaspora engagement, and it was not surprising that he was chosen to succeed Swaraj. Akbaruddin remained at the UN, where he continued to shine in pushing India’s agenda; he demonstrated that he was among the best Ambassadors of his country.

Jaishankar

After the diaspora summit, the discussion on the Caribbean diaspora resumed with Akbaruddin at the Delhi Airport Air India Executive Lounge and on the flight to JFK. Akbaruddin was flying back to New York, from whence he had come to Delhi for the Diaspora summit.

We (Dev, Jaishankar and I) would meet again at a luncheon in Bangalore in January 2017 at the PBD. Prime Minister Modi hosted lunch for a selective group of us, who were invited to share our views on diaspora affairs. The event allowed us to further our conversation with policymakers in the Caribbean and India.

Akbaruddin was also there in Bangalore, though he was reserved this time around. Both would be forced into retirement as diplomats before the first term of Modi. He joined the faculty as a guest lecturer at a university in Singapore as an international relations expert. I was fortunate to visit Singapore at the time, and had the opportunity to listen to him. Though soft-spoken, he was strong in his views about national interests, and how nations should conduct their foreign policy. He was an excellent speaker, very scholarly, and knowledgeable on foreign affairs. Shortly thereafter, when the BJP won re-election, Jaishankar was invited by PM Modi to join the cabinet, succeeding Swaraj who declined a second term in the position.

Since May 2019, Jaishankar has become a seasoned politician and outstanding diplomat, Minister of Foreign Affairs. That was clearly demonstrated in remarks uttered in public twice in welcoming delegates at PBD and the visiting Presidents and at other functions held at Indore. The delegates and the public chased after Jaishankar for pix. They also mobbed Irfaan and Santokie for pix.

made a mark for

President Dr Irfaan Ali is warmly welcomed upon his arrival at India’s state-owned aerospace and defence company — Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — in Kanpur on Friday

Drama in the middle of the Demerara River

Dear Editor, In the “River of Death” crossing “The Lonely River”, “Fear is the Key” lingered in tension as anything but a “Golden Rendezvous” became an early morning drama in the middle of the Demerara River. Passengers bid “Goodbye Region 3” (not California) leaving their loved ones as they risked their lives on a rainy day to cross over a watery bed, encountering an adventure “Where Heroes Dare” (not Eagles). It is a juicy story traumatised with all the scenic ingredients to capture the necessary elements factored into writing another of Alistair McLean’s script for his usual pulsating suspense book.

Friday the 13th brings the salivated urge, not for food, but an insatiable appetite for trauma in Guyana. A day that is robbed in unthinkable speculation was not robbed of any tense ambiance. The imagination did not go wild, but a reality played out on the high seas without overlooking an act of passengers’ lives being at stake, including workers, shoppers, and school children.

Was the eerie mood set on the day before, when four cows were bulldozed on Thursday morning before 7AM at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, to prepare a haunting foundation for what followed the following morning within the same time frame? Of

course, this failed to make the news, perhaps because the religious significance of cows, as adumbrated in certain cultural opinions, is not readily shared (appreciated) by all.

Then, again, who wants to pay attention to the lives of some insignificant cows? Or, this type of news is not newsworthy (oil), maybe downplayed because it occurred in the country area? In Kitty (City) it would have made a difference. How skeptical can one become when faced with the components of a suspicious mind? To add fuel to fire, did the mysterious burning of Christ Church Secondary School in Georgetown on that late Thursday afternoon contribute to staging an anticipated event to satisfy superstition? No wonder heavy winds and rain aggravated the environment to provoke the setting of abnormal occurrences simultaneously.

Without any exaggeration, was it a coincidence that there was confusion and chaos as vehicles attempted to cross the Demerara River Bridge on Friday the 13th? Or, this frustration of exasperation provided an addition to the chain of successful events to crown the devil in disguise in uncanny eventualities? As parents run berserk, was the air contaminated with evil for them to unleash uncalled attacks on innocent teachers this week? Tuesday night’s motorcycle accident

President Irfaan and...

Guyanese at the eventin fact, all of the delegates interviewed - spoke glowingly of Jaishankar. IndianGuyanese in the diaspora also admire Jaishankar. Everyone this writer interviewed in India about Jaishankar spoke positively of him. He has represented India with an excellent approval rating, perhaps the highest rating of all public figures. In India, almost everyone admired him.

Foreign Ministers and world leaders have taken note of Jaishankar’s words on matters pertaining to Ukraine, climate change, and COVID-19, among other global issues. He does not mince words when it comes to India’s self-interests and championing developing countries (The South).

Ravi Dev and I had the good fortune of engaging Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Delhi some years ago. He was a Foreign Secretary at the time, and he created quite an impression in our

FROM PAGE 4

minds, causing us to seek him out for an extensive discussion. He is a remarkable, polished, well-spoken, skillfully adept, well-rounded diplomat; he came across as sharp and serious about his job. He is among the best diplomats I met from India.

Guyana’s diplomats should emulate him. Guyana should send its diplomats for training at the same school as Jaishankar.

At PBD, there appeared to be smooth, productive interaction between Irfaan and Jaishankar. It is hoped that their relationship will bear fruits for Guyana and the Caribbean – in economic development; strategic defense partnership; cooperation in several areas, including energy; and strengthening relations with Guyana. It is hoped that Jaishankar will visit India this year; an invitation was extended to him and to the PM.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

in Wakenaam, Essequibo, resulting in death adds another reason for discomfort, and does not allay the stage for a sinister plot.

Not to make Norton feel left out, why we don’t add his Floridian letter of no-confidence to the trail of uncanny occurrences to go on trial for spectral qualification?

Bizarre it may seem; this reality check makes Guyana a place where what’s possible is done, and what’s impossible will be done. Have no fear, there will be a new overpass to bridge the troubled Demerara River, materialising under the PPP/C governance, unlike that of the former administration. The question of the safety and security of passengers plying the riverine route daily once again makes its appearance to stymie any complacency of efficient services provided by the boat operators.

No wonder the President had to floor any price increase over the holidays. What is alarming is that the relevant authorities are sleeping on the job, and are unconcerned in an uncaring way. Imagine, after scores of years, now a shed is being built at the

Vreed-en-Hoop end to shelter passengers from the rain! Someone finally woke up? Those slippery steps endanger people’s lives! Boats bumping and rubbing against each other, especially when bobbing and weaving, can create serious accidents. Many of the life jackets are in poor condition, and some are unworthy! Many of the clips are broken. Who is checking? How often are the boats inspected?

Friday the 13th, one boat left the Vreed-en-Hoop wharf filled to capacity and started an unforgettable journey to Georgetown. In the middle of the river, the engine cut off. The driver attempted to start the other engine, without any luck. Both engines conked out, and failed to restart.

The boat began to drift while twisting and turning dangerously in the choppy water. The waves were not exactly friendly in the water, certainly not placid with a swift-moving current. The driver was agitated and shouted for his attendant. Passengers became alarmed as the boat began to rock and sway from one side to the other while dipping, up and down in the water. The

driver failed to sound any alarm or caution passengers to stay calm as some stood up instead of remaining seated. Neither of the operators made any call for help on their phones. No distress signal was exercised, not the honking of any wailing horn or shooting off of any flare!

Luckily, passengers did not hit the panic button, probably because the gravity of the situation did not sink in during the few minutes when this frightening moment took shape. No one began to shout or cry, but certainly, there was the unthinkable thought in the head and the fear perceived in the eyes.

Fortunately, an empty boat was making its way westward, and suspected all was not right. The boat pulled up close, not alongside but with the bows kissing each other and the operator encouraged the passengers to board that boat in the “MIDDLE OF THE RIVER!” Can you imagine that? While looking down into the murky water, young and not-soyoung made the transition with the boats rocking and the ever threat of falling into the river present with each step! All thirty-five

lives thankfully were saved by this inappropriate rescue operation.

The river authorities never came on the scene, either a Pilot boat to oversee the mid-river transshipment or any management to receive the passengers at Georgetown. It will not be surprising if this incident remains undocumented, is not reported, or is dismissed as “who cares?” Just another day in the lives of Guyanese in Guyana. Will there be an investigation? Is this type of operation approved? Why wasn’t the boat not towed to the shore? How come both engines stopped working? How often are boat engines serviced and inspected? Are boats checked for leakages and damages?

One mid-week morning last year, there was a passenger boat submerged at Vreed-en-Hoop! A barrage of questions needs to be asked and answered. Who will take the initiative to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort come first? This is a happy ending, but it could have ended disastrously!

respectfully, Jai Lall

Yours

Page Foundation

Question 1:

n this fun and easy science experiment for kids, we are going to explore static electricity and use it to make water move and appear to bend.Materials: Plastic hair comb Faucet with running water

Instructions: Run the plastic comb through your hair several times.

Next, hold the comb near a small running stream of water from a sink faucet.

Observe what happens to the stream of water.

Note: The lower the humidity, the better this experiment will work.

How it works: As the plastic comb mo-

ves through hair, it builds up a negative charge. Things that have a negative charge attract things that have a positive charge. The two hydrogen atoms of water have a positive charge. Owing to the liquid nature of water, the hydrogen atoms are able to move freely and are able to attract or “bend” and move toward the negatively

charged plastic hair comb.

Make this a science project: Try different liquids. Are you able to negatively charge other items like a balloon, piece of PVC pipe, piece of Styrofoam, etc. Test to see if different temperatures of water behave differently. (sciencefun.org)

The king had been married before, and by his first wife he had seven children, six boys and one girl. He loved them more than anything else in the world.

Fearing that the stepmother might not treat them well, even do them harm, he took them to a secluded castle which stood in the middle of a forest. It was so well hidden, and the way was so difficult to find, that he himself would not have found it, if a wise woman had not given him a ball of magic yarn. Whenever he threw it down in front of him, it would unwind itself and show him the way.

However, the king went out to his dear children so of-

ten that the queen took notice of his absence. She was curious and wanted to know what he was doing out there all alone in the woods. She gave a large sum of money to his servants, and they revealed the secret to her. They also told her about the ball of yarn which could point out the way all by itself.

She did not rest until she discovered where the king kept the ball of yarn. Then she made some little shirts of white silk. Having learned the art of witchcraft from her mother, she sewed a magic charm into each one of them. Then one day when the king had ridden out hunting, she took the

little shirts and went into the woods. The ball of yarn showed her the way.

The children, seeing that someone was approaching from afar, thought that their dear father was coming to them. Full of joy, they ran to meet him. Then she threw one of the shirts over each of them, and when the shirts touched their bodies they were transformed into swans, and they flew away over the woods.

The queen went home very pleased, believing that she had gotten rid of her stepchildren. However, the girl had not run out with her brothers, and the queen knew nothing about her.

By The BroThers Grimm CONTINUED FROM FRIDAY TO BE CONTINUED

Guyana, India investment agencies sign pact to forge business cooperation

As the delegation led by President Dr Irfaan Ali continues to create investment buzz in India, the national promotion agencies of the two countries – the Guyana Office for Investments (GOInvest) and Invest India have agreed to build cooperation with each other.

This was done through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday at the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi, India. It took place on the sidelines of an engagement during which President Ali and his delegation were engaging with members of the Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

The MoU was signed by GO-Invest Chief Executive Officer, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, and Managing Director and CEO of Invest India, Deepak Bagla.

The agreement forms part of a mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral investment relations between the two agencies, facilitate foreign direct investment, and create a framework to promote the exchange of experience and relevant information.

It is anticipated that this agreement will boost existing business ties between

Guyana and India as well as further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

“Guyana Invest is pleased to partner with Invest India, the leading investment agency in the world. Prior to this MoU, we have been collaborating on areas of capacity building and technical assistance. With this agreement in place, we look forward to strengthening our ties as we forge mutual investment opportunities between our two nations,” Dr Ramsaroop stated.

Meanwhile, his Indian

counterpart, Bagla, also stated that “Invest India is looking forward to collaborating with Guyana Invest to promote mutual investment and sourcing opportunities between the two nations. With this MoU, we hope to strengthen our bilateral economic relations with Guyana”.

The MoU will further look at building business ties between the two nations and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

GO-Invest is Guyana’s investment platform and is based on a democratic

Government, transparency and accountability, and the belief in family, faith, and freedom. The public and private sector leaders work together in an extended vision that assures measurable objectives are successful.

Invest India is the official investment promotion and facilitation agency of the Government of India, mandated to facilitate investments in the country. It is the first stop for potential global investors in the country. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world which has not

only sustained the global downturn of 2008-09 but is also slated to grow at consistently higher rates during the next few decades.

Thursday’s signing was witnessed by President Ali alongside the Indian Minister of State at the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, and the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa.

Additionally, members of the Guyana delegation, which included both Cabinet and private sector officials, who accompanied the Head of State for his seven-day State Visit to India, were also at the signing.

At the time, they were attending a business meeting hosted by the Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

In his remarks, President Ali said both India and Guyana are working to ensure that the two nations are strategically positioned to cooperate in a deeper and stronger way while building a framework through which the private sector can be encouraged to invest.

He noted that both countries are ready for investment, and coordination of policies, plans, and programmes to simplify the process and make it easi-

Guyana to set aside 200 acres of land for...

Due to the low glycaemic index (GI) being gluten-free, it helps in a slower release of glucose over a longer period of time thus reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus. Millets are rich sources of minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. It also contains appreciable amounts of dietary fibre and vitamins such as folic acid, vitamin B6, beta-carotene, and niacin. The availability of high amounts of lecithin is useful for strengthening the nervous system. Therefore, regular consumption of millets can help to overcome malnutrition.

Assistance from India

Meanwhile, during Thursday’s meeting, President Ali and Minister Tomar also discussed various issues related to technical and skilled manpower cooperation with Guyana in agriculture.

In fact, Guyana is seeking to benefit from Indian technology and skilled manpower in the field of agriculture and agro-processing industries to become the fulcrum of the agriculture eco-system in the Caribbean.

Recognising the achievements made by India in the field of agriculture, the Head of State outlined that Guyana benefits from arable lands, fresh water, and the right climatic conditions for agriculture. However,

he noted its productivity is challenged by the lack of technology and human resource capacity. Discussions also centred around improving the efficiencies of GuySuCo’s operations.

The Guyanese leader further acknowledged the advancements made by India and its emergence as a global power in terms of skilled human resources, advanced technologies, and major policy decision matters.

He also sought advanced irrigation techniques and irrigation pumps from India to assist with flood prevention efforts here. On this note, President Ali added that India can help Guyana to set up climate-resistant and higher yield seed production of important crops like sugarcane and coconut, among others.

Further, the Head of State indicated that Guyana is ready to facilitate joint venture mechanisms for the dairy sector to India and Guyana’s private sector for exporting dairy products to the United States and other neighbouring countries and earning millions of dollars of Forex.

He added too that even the local horticulture sector offers huge opportunities and Indian expertise in the area can be tapped for a win-win for both countries.

Following discussions, it was agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be executed in one month,

in which the Government of India has agreed to offer technological support and human resource skills and capacity building in four areas, namely, coconut, rice, sugar, and dairy.

Minister Tomar underlined that there is a huge potential for cooperation in the agriculture and agro-processing industry between India and Guyana. He said India, which has one of the largest research & development systems in agriculture in the world, will be happy to share its expertise and experience in developing the agricultural and allied sectors in Guyana.

As regards, the request for assistance made by the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute of Guyana (NAREI) for developing and strengthening the coconut sector and for coconut germplasm from India, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research under his Ministry will support the country in these endeavours.

The Indian Minister told President Ali that food and agriculture are closely linked with climate change and India attaches high importance to the issue of climate change and global warming. As such, he pointed out that India is particularly conscious of the vulnerability of low-lying states as also Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean to the effects of climate change and

assured that India stands behind such nations in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Minister Tomar further informed that India has launched the national innovations in climate resilient agriculture project, which

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aims at enhancing farmers’ resilience through implementation of climate-smart agricultural practices and development of climate resilient varieties of various crops. He added too that India is also promoting large scale organic farming and

er for the two private sectors to invest and take part in the economic activities of Guyana and India.

On the other hand, the Indian Minister of State said that the growing collaboration between the two nations over the years has been marked by the strengthening of bilateral relations on several fronts.

According to Dr Singh, India attaches high importance to the close and cordial relations with Guyana and is now looking forward to further diversifying and strengthening these ties.

Arvind Varchaswi, who chairs the IndiaLatin America Council and co-chairs the AYUSH Committee of FICCI, also expressed excitement to invest in wellness tourism in Guyana as well as create capacity-building and skills development in this particular sector.

Meanwhile, High Commissioner Srinivasa highlighted at the engagement that there are a lot of opportunities for both Guyana and India to benefit from by increasing investments in potential sectors.

As such, he noted that it is time to retrospect, evaluate and relook at the economic ties.

natural farming through various programmes at the national level to make agriculture sustainable, and offered all technical support to Guyana in promotion of natural farming to ward off the ills of chemical farm practices.

GO-Invest CEO Dr Peter Ramsaroop and Invest India CEO Deepak Bagla signing the cooperation MoU on Thursday in New Delhi

Laluni man arraigned for murder of local DJ

Twenty-year-old Dwayne Thomas was on Friday arraigned for the murder of Brian Pittam, popularly known as “DJ Viper”, who was chopped to death at Laluni on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway on Sunday evening

The suspect had reportedly confessed to chopping Pittam to death in self-defence. The suspect’s brother, Andy Thomas, who was also involved in the incident, remains on the run.

It was reported that the DJ was chopped to death while trying to protect his father-in-law from three men at Laluni on the SoesdykeLinden Highway.

Initial reports stated that Pittam and his fatherin-law, 51-year-old Kumar Bacchus, were at Laluni, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, when they were attacked by three men at about 21:00h on Sunday.

The trio dealt Pittam several chops to the head, almost severing it from his body. The men then turned their attention to Bacchus, who sustained a wound to

his left wrist.

Further investigation revealed that Bacchus was imbibing at a shop when the three suspects confronted him and dealt him a lash on his face.

Pittam, who was also there, intervened and was dealt several chops about his body. The trio then rode off on their motorcycles.

Pittam was picked up by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police stated that Pittam’s left thumb, index finger and middle fingers were severed. His left wrist was also partially severed and a deep chop wound was seen to the back

of the neck. Guyana Times understands that Thomas - one of the main suspectswas handed over to the Police by his sister but refuted the Police report on the incident.

Thomas reportedly claimed he and others were doing stunts on their motorcycles when the dirt splashed on Bacchus’ car. At that point, Bacchus confronted the young men and Thomas reportedly agreed to wash the car.

This resulted in an argument and Bacchus allegedly slapped Thomas, which led to his friends getting involved. In retaliation, Thomas reportedly told his sister that he picked up a bottle and threw it at Bacchus after which he jumped on his motorcycle and went home.

Upon reaching home, Thomas realised that he had left his friend at the party and went back to collect him. It was this time; he was attacked by a cutlass and wood-wielding mob. Thomas claimed that he was attacked and chopped first and he retaliated.

Driver with Cacique’s Crowns on car charged

Living up...

…or not - to reputation

Poor Aubrey Norton. Yeah, your Eyewitness is talking about the Leader of the Opposition (LOO). Old people advise, “Be careful what you wish for”, and Norton’s short stint as the Opposition Leader is an object lesson illustrating the truth of that aphorism. Right after their breakup in 1970, the Beatles released one of their most poignant and heartbreaking songs ever: “A long and winding road”. By then their personal relations had been shattered - a far cry from the heady days when they’d clawed themselves out of the grime of Liverpool through their music.

YSM teenager Aubrey Norton might’ve been then marching in Burnham’s Mass Games during the Republic Celebrations, but, surely, he would’ve heard the soulful lyrics over the radio. McCartney had Ray Charles in mind when he wrote the song, and you can tell!! So, ever since Hoyte kicked Norton as General Secretary out of the PNC back in 1998 – with the cruel taunt that he, Norton, was his “creature”, the lad from Linden must’ve thought McCartney was channelling his tortured mind. “Many times, I’ve been alone/And many times I’ve cried/Any way you’ll never know/The many ways I’ve tried. And still, they lead me back/To the long winding road/You left me standing here/A long time ago/ Don’t leave me waiting here/ Lead me to your door.”

Norton, of course, would’ve had the PNC as his object of longing – and his “sin” was wanting a leadership change after Hoyte had lost two elections!! He never gave up on the PNC, though; and when Hoyte called out his base into the streets with his “slow fyaah, mo’ fyaah” strategy, Norton was there in the blaze of the sun and the heat of the night, massing the troops. But as far as leadership was concerned, in the years that followed, it seemed he’d remain the bridesmaid and never become the bride. He just couldn’t move up the leadership ranks! At the time, with him and Corbin having the same pugnacious claim to fame, that wasn’t surprising!!

He had been stymied in the Georgetown PNC elections by Volda in 2009, then by Granger in 2011 for national leadership – all because he didn’t have a PNC godfather. But the long and winding road seemed to have come to an end at the end of 2021 – after a wide swathe of the membership and leadership concluded that Granger was too “soft”, and elected him LOO. But here it is, only a year later, a PNC group from Florida, led by Larry London - of Durban Park Stadium fame – has filed a “no-confidence motion” against him!!

Ronson Winston Harding of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, the driver of white Toyota Avensis motor car PNN 9845, has been arrested and charged by Police for displaying the Cacique’s Crown of Honour on his vehicle.

Police ranks reportedly arrested Harding on Thursday, January 12, in Region Three [Essequibo Islands-West Demerara] and his vehicle has been impounded at the Leonora Police Station. Police say Harding’s vehicle was pulled over after two

Cacique’s Crowns were observed at the front of the vehicle and two at the rear (flanking the number plate).

Harding has been processed by the Police for breach of the prescribed condition of fitness, and his vehicle has been lodged to be examined by the Licensing and Certifying Officer. He has been placed on cash bail, and is due to appear in court soon.

The Cacique’s Crown of Honour (C.C.H.) is the second-highest award in the Order of Service of Guyana. It is limited to fifty citizens

of Guyana. It may be awarded to any citizen of Guyana who has “rendered service of exceptionally high quality beyond the normal call”.

This award is also given posthumously for duty in the Public Service, social and voluntary services, industry or trade unions, or in any other area of public service; or for achieving excellence of national or international standing and recognition in the arts, professions, sciences or sport, or in any other area of activity.

It may also be awarded to institutions, organi-

sations, corporations, or a group of people who have made substantial contributions to the national economy, for achievements of a significant advance resulting in increased efficiency, for applying technology to production or development process in the industry, or other significant achievements and contributions to national development.

In the 1970s the former President awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour to ten citizens, and two citizens every year, after that, as long as the vacancy exists.

Why?? Well, frankly, because he insists he should try acting more like an Opposition Leader than an uncouth street tough who refuses to shake hands with his political rival!!

…to

the wild men’s agenda

So, what is it Norton’s detractors want him to do?? Well, basically, that he should be in the streets leading the PNC’s masses to storm the PPP’s Government barricades!!! He shouldn’t be in Parliament to do what oppositions in democracies are supposed to do: show the populace his party can do better for the country than the incumbent, and win the next election. Nah…that’s too tame!! He should be brucking up the place like Hoyte did with his slow fyaah, mo fyah rage!!

Never mind that neither Hoyte nor his successor could take power through that route, and had to do a complete volte face and become a kinder, gentler PNC by discarding even its name with a Bible-thumping (or church-kneedropping leader!! Right now, he’s being told that he should’ve thrown his body in front of the excavator (not bulldozer)) at Mocha.

And then marched on to the city, picking up his supporters like lemmings along the East Bank!!!

…to

expired strategies

The question for Norton is whether present PNC supporters will follow the storm-the-bastions strategy, that’s never delivered progress to them, or opt for giving democracy a chance.

Mocha voted 28 to 7 for the latter!!

The car that was impounded for having the Cacique’s Crown

Dead: Brian Pittam, aka “DJ Viper”

Fraudulent actions can lead up to 6 months’ imprisonment – GRA warns

Amid continuous instances of fraudulent actions, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has once again warned members of the public against the falsification of documents or attempts at colluding with anyone, including its officers, to defraud the entity in the course of completing a transaction.

The Authority has reminded that persons guilty of such unlawful actions are liable on summary conviction to fines and up to six months’ imprisonment, depending on the nature and severity of the offence.

The Authority also indicated that employees are not authorised to collect monies from taxpayers for any transaction or offer to complete transactions in exchange for gifts.

With respect to obtaining provisional driver’s licences, GRA reiterated that applicants must first receive the original pass letter from the Traffic Certifying Officer of the Guyana Police

Force. Any other source or means used to acquire this document is fraudulent.

Further, taxpayers must make all payments at the cashier sections and obtain an official GRA receipt as proof of payment. Cashiers are located at GRA’s headquarters, all Integrated Regional Tax Offices (IRTOs), and the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) building.

Moreover, GRA has repeatedly published alternative payment options available through online banking services at Republic Bank, Demerara Bank, Bank of Baroda and GBTI; Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) and Bill Express.

Persons who suspect that they are the victims of fraud should request the name and employee ID of the person representing the Authority and report the matter (anonymously) to GRA’s Special Investigation Unit’s (SIU) hotline 2255051 or via email to siu@ gra.gov.gy.

Only last week, an employee of the GRA was arrested for selling fake documentation to a labourer of Bush Lot, Essequibo Coast, Region Two.

It was reported in a section of the media that the 28-year-old employee, who worked at the Authority’s Administrative Department, sold a bogus driver’s examination pass paper – a document needed to apply for a driver’s licence at GRA – to the labourer.

However, when the labourer arrived at GRA’s headquarters on Camp Street on December 20, 2022, to apply for the licence and submitted the fake document, an alarm was raised by GRA employees on duty.

The man was then detained for questioning. During that process, he told investigators that he had purchased the document from a GRA staff for $100,000, believing that it was a genuine one.

Detectives from the

Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Eve Leary were informed and

the GRA employee was arrested last Wednesday. The staff later admitted

to selling the document to the Essequibo resident but only for $50,000.

Govt terminates contract for El Dorado Road Project over ‘poor performance’

The Government has terminated the contract that was awarded to N & S Contracting Services for construction of the El Dorado Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

The contract was awarded in early 2022, and the contractor was given a $22 million mobilisation ad-

vance to construct one kilometre of road continuing along El Dorado Road, Moleson Creek.

However, Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill visited the area on Friday only to find that no work has been completed on the road, even after a letter of poor performance was is-

sued to the contractor. As such, Minister Edghill has instructed that the contract be immediately terminated, while reiterating Government’s zero-tolerance policy for underperformance by contractors on developmental projects.

“This has been more than seven months. There is no

visible sign of any work being executed,” the Minister said. Moreover, he has requested that the Tender Board be notified to remove the contractor from the system to avoid a repeat of the issue.

“We will get contractors engaged. The monies are available, the project has rolled over, and we will get the road delivered to the people. We’re not going to be in a mode of any contractor doing work when he feels like it. When contractors bid, even if they have another job, they have to show that they have the equipment, personnel, and financial wherewithal to execute that contract separate and apart from anything else they are doing,” Minister Edghill has said.

Extending a charge to the new contractors bidding for the project, the Public Works Minister has made it clear that there will be no

hesitation to terminate the contract in instances of poor performance or underperformance.

“I will make sure that whoever is on the list to bid for this new work is a performing contractor that would have shown that they

have the capacity to deliver”, he added.

Upon completion, the $100 million road from Moleson Creek to El Dorado, Corentyne, Berbice would have increased access to quarries in Orealla, Corentyne River.

GuySuCo warns of fake Demerara Gold sugar in circulation

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Friday reported that fake Demerara Gold packaged sugar is in circulation, and is on the shelves of some supermarkets.

The packaging, GuySuCo noted, has a slight variation to the genuine Demerara Gold packaging. It is mimicking almost the same design at the front and back and bears GuySuCo’s local

address, telephone number and email address.

The package also claims to be “A Product of Guyana”.

“GuySuCo cannot guarantee the quality of the content, and as such, GuySuCo will not be held liable if the use of this item causes health or other complications,” the sugar company stated in a release to the media.

As a consequence, resellers of the product are

asked to be vigilant when purchasing sugar from third parties and if unsure, reach out to GuySuCo’s Marketing Department on the listed numbers on its website.

“This discovery was made earlier this week, and the matter is currently under investigation. Genuine Demerara Gold sugar is currently available for wholesale at GuySuCo at $5800 per bale (40lbs),” GuySuCo added.

Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill engaging residents

Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill at the site

The incomplete road

GMSA signs MoU with engine cooling systems’ manufacturer in India

– as GCCI inks another with FICCI to promote bilateral trade, investment

As the local private sector seeks to capitalise on opportunities for collaboration with Indian stakeholders, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a manufacturing plant to produce engine cooling systems in Guyana.

The agreement was signed on Thursday upon the close of the Global Investors Summit in New Delhi, India, by GMSA President Rafeek Khan and Director of NBR Cooling Systems Pvt Ltd (NBR) Aarif Hussain. Also present at the signing were GMSA Board Members, Rosh Khan and Shyam Nokta.

The Investment Summit has precipitated pronounced interest in the expansion of Indian private investment in Guyana for various industries.

NBR directors have been in the radiator business for the last 20 years and their company is a well-established manufacturer of a wide array of engine radiators, radiator cores intercoolers and condensers, and engine coolant.

The company is renowned for its high quality and standards and serves several industries such as automotive, generator, and boring machines. With an aim to expand its business operations and grow from being the second largest market player in cooling systems in India, NBR selected Guyana to execute the same vision globally.

As part of the MoU, the GMSA will identify and engage Guyanese companies or form consortiums to establish a manufacturing/assembly plant in the engine cooling (automotive) sector. The company will leverage NBR’s technological advancement, full range of high-quality raw materials and components, market resources, and access to international compliance codes and practices.

During the initial stages of establishment, NBR committed to injecting an approximate sum of US$1 million.

The framework for the business will incorporate: the transfer of skills and technologies of manufacturing and assembling radiator condensers and charge air coolers from India to

Guyana; manufacturing and production of radiator condenser and charge air coolers made from aluminium, copper, and brass; assembling and exporting various radiator condensers and charge air coolers made from aluminium, copper, and brass to all the countries in Latin America, and the United States of America; importing all the machinery and raw material required for manufacturing of radiator condenser and charge air cooler made from aluminium, copper and brass.

According to GMSA’s Rafeek Khan, “This collaboration will perhaps introduce a new industry or strengthen the automotive cooling sector in Guyana and the Caribbean Region.

I anticipate we would see this value-added automotive component company establishing a factory this year.

The company currently produces approximately 1200 radiators per day.”

Hussain from NBR also commented that, “This MoU marks a landmark collaboration and will provide new growth avenues for NBR in the South American Region.

Since incorporating NBR, the company has attained

Quay wall installation begins...

such remarkable progress and is now pleased to expand its international manufacturing plan in collaboration with GMSA”.

Meanwhile, officials from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) also inked an MoU with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Thursday to foster cooperation and understanding to promote bilateral trade and investment as well as business relations between India and Guyana.

The MoU was signed by GCCI’s Councillor, Dr Rosh Khan, acting on behalf of the Council of the Chamber, and Deputy Secretary of FICCI, Manish Singhal, on the sidelines of a business forum held by Invest India at the Oberoi Hotel.

Under the MoU, interested companies in both coun-

tries will be able to develop and diversify their commercial exchanges and economic cooperation. Also stipulated in the MoU is that all parties involved will identify opportunities to promote trade and economic alliance.

In the anticipated collaboration, information and publications from both countries will be exchanged regularly regarding foreign trade, production, and export (for both countries). The parties will discuss the possibilities of cooperation regarding the products and services of both organisations, as well as the organisation of fairs/exhibitions and the exchange of commercial, industrial, and other trade sector delegations in India and Guyana.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry is a non-governmental trade association

and advocacy group based in India and the voice of India’s business industry. The signing of this MoU builds on the existing bilateral commercial relation which exists between Guyana and India.

The GCCI will continue to act as a catalyst for private sector growth and enhanced trade relations for Guyana.

Also present at that signing were the Chairman of Guyana’s Private Sector Commission (PSC) Paul Cheong; Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer at GOInvest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, and other officials from GCCI.

These private sector representatives are part of a delegation led by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who is conducting an official visit to India. The delegation comprises Government officials and other members of Guyana’s private sector.

The consortium includes Hadi’s World Inc, owned by businessmen Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed; Nicholas Boyer and Eddie Boyer of National Hardware Guyana Limited; and Andron Alphonso of

ZRN Investments Inc. NRG holds a majority stake of 85 per cent in VEHSI, while the remaining 15 per cent is owned by Jan De Nul –the company that will construct the facility.

At the signing in

FROM PAGE 2

April 2022, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge stated that this shore base facility would allow the company to do more construction-related works, such as fabrication, right here in Guyana to support its offshore operations.

He explained that Exxon has already invested in the Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) which has enabled them to bring the supply chain for drilling operations and production operations into Guyana almost completely out of Trinidad.

The multi-million port, when completed, will feature an offshore terminal; fabrication, umbilical and spooling yards; a dry dock facility; a wharf and berths, and administrative buildings, among other facilities spanning 65 hectares.

Members of NRG on-site during the installation of the sheet piles

Signatories: GCCI Councillor Dr Rosh Khan and Deputy Secretary of FICCI Manish Singhal after signing the MoU

GMSA President Rafeek Khan with NBR Director Aarif Hussain at the company’s office in India

City Hall restoration

Contractors encountering more damages than anticipated – Minister

As the restoration of the iconic City Hall building continues, contractors have been encountering more damages than they had initially anticipated, according to Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall.

Speaking exclusively with this publication earlier this week, the Minister said notwithstanding these challenges, the works are still on track for June 2023 completion.

“When they start removing different panels and

components, that is when they start seeing much more damage than we had anticipated,” Dharamlall explained.

“Restoration is quite a delicate, at the same time, tedious exercise. I last met with the contractors about three weeks ago and they indicated that they are still on schedule to complete the restoration. But I believe that the restoration is more important, getting it done properly is more important, than a time overrun of a few months, so I’m not really worried about the restoration, in the sense that it might go beyond time.”

“I’m happy that the contractors have indicated to us that they are on schedule. It is a painstaking process, but I believe we have to be pa-

tient with it. It is going to be restored…to its former glory and I think that is what is important,” Dharamlall remarked.

Reminding that the City Hall restoration project is a commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali, the Local Government Minister further disclosed that an additional $216 million has been pumped into the exercise.

“President Ali has been committed to that from the first day he became President and every year he has been allocating money or making sure that resources are put to the restoration of City Hall,” Dharamlall outlined.

In 2021, $780 million was signed and awarded to Fidis Guyana Incorporated to exe-

cute the project. Works were scheduled to start in October 2021 with an expected completion time of 18 months.

The Local Government Minister previously shared that the restoration of the building is part of a greater development plan for the country.

“The restoration of City Hall should not be seen as something by itself, but is part of the greater whole, in terms of how we are pursuing development in the country… It is quite an extensive and expansive exercise that His Excellency is pursuing and we hope that it will rebound to the benefit of the citizens of Georgetown,” Dharamlall had expressed.

The City Hall building is more than 100 years old.

HJ’s Kerwin Bollers chosen as panellist at IMC in Jamaica

Director at Hits and Jams, Kerwin Bollers will join some of the biggest names in the music industry at the Island Music Conference (IMC) in Jamaica next month as a panellist.

IMC is an annual event curated with content geared at Caribbean growth in the international music indus try and helping partici pants navigate and over come challenges.

It also aids in the conver gence of artistes, managers, producers, label executives, publishers, distributors, and other key players in the industry.

This year, the conference, which is slated for February 8-12 will be held under the theme “Cari Culture”, and is said to be panel-driven, with leading

music executives and practitioners explaining and giving tips and insights into key topics of post-pandemic strategy and innovation.

iHeart’s Tom Poleman, YouTube’s Tuma Bassa,

300E’s Nolan Baynes, Amazon’s Madeline Nelson, Triller’s Monique Blake, Pandora’s Diego Hierera, Audiomack’s Tanya Lawson, BBC 1Xtra’s Seani B and Bizzle Osikoya, are among the global A-listers confirmed to participate as panellists.

During the event, Bollers’ presentation will focus on “Changing Content for a Changing World”. The IMC team has expressed its confidence in the wealth of knowledge the local industry icon possesses, and is certain that he will be a valuable addition with “important lessons to share, inspire, and support the development of Jamaica’s emerging talent and industry professionals.”

Bollers said that he is overwhelmed to have been chosen to be a part of such a prestigious event and is looking forward to not only sharing but also gaining from the other representatives.

“A lot of big names and well accomplished music executives will be there to share their knowledge on the music industry, and I intend to go there, take in all of it, learn more about the industry and return to share it with colleagues here in Guyana. I believe this is a great opportunity and will be a memorable experience overall.”

IMC was founded by Dr Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, Sharon Burke and Judith Bodley, and was endorsed by Jamaica’s Culture Ministry.

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday visited India’s State-owned aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in Kanpur, India.

During the visit, President Ali was given a presentation on the company’s capacity and capabilities. He was also given a guided tour of the company’s aircraft manufacturing facilities and invited to plant a tree to mark the occasion of his visit.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd; Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud; and other Government officials and members of the local Private Sector were also at the meeting

30 moderate-income allottees identify lands

of the Ministry and CH&PA.

One of the allottees, Phillip Khan, stated that he has been renting for several years now, and having his own land now puts him in a position to provide better shelter for his family.

“I am proud about the land that I got because I go through so many tribulations in life,” Khan related. He added, “I planning to build a house on it because I fed up paying rent and being insulted”.

Another landowner, Wynton Daniels, shared, “I can finally say I’m at ease. This is mine [and] this is something that I will be able to pass on to my generations”. Daniels ecstatically

reported that he will begin construction as soon as possible.

At the end of 2022, the Housing and Water Ministry reported that it has distributed more than its targeted 10,000 house lots for the year. With a plan of allocating 50,000 house lots in its five-year term in office, this translates to 10,000 per year.

Minister Croal shared that Government has already surpassed its annual target. “To date, we have allocated more than 10,000 in this calendar year. By the time we’re finished on December 31, we are hoping to end the year with a total allocation of 20,500.”

Since Government took

Atotal of 30 moderate-income allottees were able to identify their lands at Cummings Lodge Housing Development with guidance from the Surveys Unit of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

This is in keeping with a recent commitment by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, to ensure that those allocated lands at the scheme can have access to their lands and commence construction of their homes, as infrastructure works move ahead.

The excited landowners and their families stated that they were satisfied with the lands and the work

office in 2020, the Ministry has started the process of establishing about 16 new housing areas across Regions Three, Four, Five, and Six. For just the East Coast, where seven of these schemes are being developed, some $10 billion has already been expended for the first phase of infrastructural works.

Nevertheless, he contended, “Government has ensured that the commitments we have made to reduce the backlog in application for house lots are kept. To do this, we introduced more home construction to meet the demands of citizens and despite these key interventions, more needs to

be done to improve the lives of our citizens.”

Apart from housing, strides are made to enhance the overall living conditions of persons across the region. Within the next 12 months, an estimated $13 billion will be invested in Region Four to provide a reliable water supply, expected to benefit 300,000 citizens.

Some 179 contracts are to be signed to the value of $5.9 billion for the upgrade of 257 roads, amounting 113,000 metres across Region Four in areas such as Eccles, Farm, Covent Garden, Herstelling, Prospect, Good Hope, Lusignan, Diamond, Non Pareil, Perseverance among others.

Reg 2 launches Mashramani celebrations 2023

The 2023 Mashramani

celebrations were officially launched in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) on Friday amidst lively cultural presentations and performances by residents.

A colourful mini carnival-like parade in the Township of Anna Regina formed a spectacular showdown to the official launch of Mashramani – the celebration after hard work.

This year’s theme, commemorating the people of Guyana, “Mixing and Mashing as One Guyana” was also revealed. The 20day calendar of events will feature various competitions including costume, calypso, and dance.

Scores of regional officials and residents gathered at the market tarmac where they were treated to the rich cultural show to usher Guyana’s 53rd

Republic Anniversary.

Delivering remarks, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva emphasised that “Mashramani is the Mixing and Mashing of One Guyana”, as she noted at every sector in Region Two has greatly transformed and it is time for the people to come together and celebrate the success.

However, since the celebrations in the past were

affected by the global pandemic, De Silva called for the activity to be an annual one because it is one of the most popular festivals in Guyana.

“We need to celebrate together as One Guyana and we are developing and need to celebrate our achievement because so far our region is at the top for cleanliness and order.”

Meanwhile, the audience was entertained by skilful dances by dance groups such as the Mainstay Dance Troupe, Swarswattie Dance Academy along with dramatic poetry and calypsos performed by students.

Surveys Unit of the Central Housing and Planning Authority assisting in the location of lands

New land owner Wynton Daniels

An elated Khan and his wife

Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva

A section of the gathering

Members of the Mainstay Dance Troupe performing at the launch

The Health Ministry on Friday reported that two more per sons who tested positive for COVID-19 have succumbed, thus taking the death toll to 1293.

Two men, a 70-yearold from Region Three and a 79-year-old from Region Two, died on January 10 and 12, respectively.

In addition, 30 new cas es were detected in the past 24 hours. This now takes the confirmed cases to 72,638. To date, 33,267 males and 39,371 females have contracted the virus. There are 10 persons in institutional isolation, 336 in home isolation, and zero in institutional quarantine.

The total number of recoveries to date is 70,996.

Presently, 349 cases are under surveillance but it is still considered an underestimate of the actual case count. It follows a breakdown of 14 cases in Region One; 37 in Region Two; 32 in Region Three; 151 in Region Four; four in Region Five; 16 in Region Six; 55 in Region Seven, one in Region Eight; eight in Region Nine and 33 in Region 10.

However, only 13 are hospitalised. Eight persons are at the Infectious Diseases Hospital with three in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“COVID, right now, a lot of people would present as if

the parent visited the school after discovering that the palm of her 9-year-old son’s hand had a piece of wood in it due to being beaten by a teacher with a ruler.

According to the angry mother, her son was beaten on Tuesday and Wednesday for talking in the classroom, but it was only Wednesday afternoon that she discovered he had a wood splinter in his hand.

She explained that she learnt that her son’s class teacher was not feeling well and as a result, a substitute teacher took over the class.

One day after a parent attacked and beat a teacher attached to St Angela’s Primary School, the parent, Latoya, took to social media to clarify her side of the story.

During a Facebook live with a social media commentator, it was revealed that

While addressing the issue, the mother clarified that she peacefully visited the school in an attempt to resolve the matter. After being frustrated due to waiting hours for the teacher’s arrival, she decided to leave but just as she was about to do so, the teacher walked into the school compound but did not greet her with any respect.

“I went to St Angela’s

they have the flu so a lot of the symptoms would mimic flu. I think there are people who would have symptoms of the flu or fever and think it is the flu. What we want to advise people to do, even if you have flu-like symptoms, is to take the COVID test,” Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony advised.

Meanwhile, he added that authorities are keeping a close watch on the XBB.1.5 subvariant of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) – which has been sweeping across several countries.

From samples sent for genomic sequencing, the results determined the subvariants in circulation. But these are no longer dominant in places like the United States.

Now, the focus for local authorities has shifted to the XBB.1.5 strain, which has manifested in increased hospitalisation and fatalities in some countries.

The Health Minister shared during Friday’s COVID-19 update that stringent monitoring is taking place to prepare facilities and resources to handle higher hospitalisation rates and outcomes, should it be detected here.

The Omicron XBB.1.5 variant is a sub-lineage of XBB, which is a recombinant of two BA.2 sub-lineages. From October 2022

to January 2023, 5,288 sequences of the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant have been reported from 38 countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. It added that this new subvariant might contribute to a higher case incidence.

“Right now, I think most people are concerned about the XBB.1.5. As of last week, WHO said that variant is in 29 countries. It’s something we’re monitoring because the presentation tends to be a little different. In combination with RSV and influenza, we’re seeing a lot more hospitalisation in some countries…If we’re seeing more people being hospitalised, we would want to make sure that we have our facilities to cater for such hospitalisation,” the Minister shared.

Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, tiredness, diarrhoea, pains, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. The more serious symptoms are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain, and loss of speech or movement.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.

Primary School, not with the intention to physically assault or abuse, verbally in no way, any teacher. That was not my intention! As I was about to head out the gate, in came a teacher. The cleaner that was sitting with me…was like ‘look the teacher coming’… and the teacher look at me, screw up she face and one long suck teeth,” she explained.

“My actions are not right,” she admitted.

However, she pleaded that “At the time that a mother is hurting and pleading and you know, looking for some sort of justification, how can you provoke a mother like that?”

She further enlightened that after she was faced with such disrespect, she reacted in the moment and snatched the teacher’s wig off. “After she sucked her teeth…and what’s not, I…grabbed her wig,” she told viewers.

Subsequent to that incident, the woman shared that she was asked to leave the

compound, and she complied.

Shortly after the teacher left for the Head Mistress’s office, Latoya heard disrespectful comments being shouted, which were directed to her by the teacher.

“By the time I reach through the gate, all I hear is “I gon see you pon the road and I gon buss your…head” and she went off… “she gon see me on the road,” “yuh black mongol,” so with that I turned around and I was furious…that’s when you guys saw the video of me barging into the compound,” she explained.

“My thing is, you wronged my child. As a parent…I came to you humble. Be humble enough to apologise and say…I’m sorry for what happened, give me an explanation as to what happened. Don’t try to say that oh, you are right and I am wrong,” the mother added.

Guyana Times understands that the Police have charged the mother and she is expected to appear in court soon.

GNRSC, GPF to work at reducing fatal accidents by 50% this year

As the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) continues to promote road safety and encourage responsible driving, it was announced that the body is aiming to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities by 50 per cent this year.

In a recent episode of Police and You, officials of the Road Safety Council and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) discussed their collaboration to reduce road accidents.

Deputy Commissioner of Operations (ag) Ravindradat Budhram during the discussion, said that for 2023, the Road Safety Council and the Guyana Police Force will be establishing councils in all regions to help educate the public on road safety.

The council in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) will be established today while the others will be established soon. Budhram said the Police Force has made note of the alarming figures as it relates to road accidents, and is working to arrest this issue.

“These will be addressed… we have noted also the number of vehicles that are coming into our country, and the number of schemes… there is a need for traffic enforcement, there is a need for education throughout our schools, there is a need to educate our pedestrians…”, he said.

To cope with the high influx of vehicles in Guyana, the government has begun working to improve the in-

frastructure of the roads to ensure that road users travel safely and at a speed that is consistent with what is necessary to grow the economy and the country.

The Guyana Government has also increased the National Road Safety Council’s financial resources from $3 million to more than $11 million to help reduce road accidents.

Traffic Chief Dennis Stephens during his address at the forum said after doing an evaluation of their performance last year, his ranks realised that they have recorded a 6 per cent increase in fatalities compared to 2021.

As such, he said they are working assiduously with

CCSS teachers to engage displaced students online

the Road Safety Council to reach their target of a 50 per cent reduction for the year 2023.

“…we were able to remain at the 99 per cent …one of the most important things that we would have observed is that as it relates to children, we would have recorded a 100 per cent rate as it relates to children... “, he explained.

For the first time in over 16 years, Guyana has recorded a 30 per cent decline in fatal accidents, with less than one hundred road fatalities in 2021.

Based on current traffic statistics (January 1 to November 26, 2022), there are four main causes of road accidents in Guyana:

speeding, driving under the influence (DUI), driver inattentiveness, and pedestrians crossing the path of approaching vehicles.

For the past 10 years, from 2012 to 2021, according to the latest count, the year that experienced the least fatalities is 2021, with a total of 99. Concurrently, the year with the lowest number of traffic accidents was 2021 with a total of 87.

In Guyana, speeding contributed to approximately 64 per cent of road fatalities for the 2022 period. Also, driving while intoxicated is another contributing factor to fatalities on the roads. From January 1 to November 26, five people were killed in alcohol-related crashes on

Guyana’s road.

Of the total fatalities in 2022, data from Traffic Headquarters revealed that the month with the highest number of fatalities was September (with 17 per cent). It was also noted that the vehicle mostly involved in fatal collisions are private cars (41 per cent), followed by motor lorries (21 per cent) for 2022.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Guyana National Road Safety Council, Earl Lambert, said the council is hoping to get everyone involved in reducing accident figures this year. He said the plan is to have organisations, especially schools, involved, which he is confident will be a success.

Motorcyclist dies after crashing bike into container at Wales

The Education Ministry is committed to ensuring the students, teachers and ancillary staff of the Christ Church Secondary School are adequately accommodated in the shortest possible time following Thursday’s devastating fire.

Subject Minister, Priya Manickchand and senior officers of the Ministry on Friday met with the teachers at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) where discussions were had on the way forward.

Minister Manickchand stated that the List A school has performed well over the years and commended the teachers for their dedication to raising the standard of the school.

She further said that the

decisions taken will have to be guided by what is in the best interests in the students enrolled. Manickchand expressed that the ideal preference would be to house all the students in one location.

During the meeting, various options were explored for the placement of students and teachers, however, there were no definite decisions made by the end of the meeting.

As such, the Ministry will have to meet with the parents and students to discuss the matter further. It was noted that the school’s enrolment records, which were saved as softcopies, will guide the process forward.

In the meantime, teachers were asked to engage their students online until a decision can be made.

The officers present in-

cluded the Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain, Deputy Chief Education Officer – Administration, Fazia Baksh, Deputy Chief Education Officer – Development, Volika Jaikishun, Assistant Chief Education Officer –Secondary, Tiffany Harvey, Principal Education Officer, Emmanuel Bridgewater, Director of the School Boards Secretariat, Deonarine Hardat and other education officers.

Also present at the meeting was the Guyana Teachers’ Union President, Mark Lyte.

The Christ Church Secondary School was completely destroyed by fire of an unknown origin which has left millions in damage and over 500 children displaced.

Amotorcyclist is the latest road fatality for the year after he reportedly crashed into a container at Wales Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Dead is 23-year-old Romano Ramdeen of Patentia, WBD. Police stated that the accident occurred at about 23:00h. At the time, the now dead man was riding a motorcycle, CK 1359.

Based on reports received, Ramdeen was proceeding along the Wales Public Road at a fast rate of speed when he reportedly lost control of the motorcycle and slammed into the container, which was stationary on the western grass parapet.

As a result of the collision, Ramdeen sustained several injuries about his head and body. He was picked up by public-spirited persons in an unconscious state and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body is presently at Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination. Earlier in the week, 16-year-old Mohamed Ameer Khan of Belle Plaine, Wakenaam Island, was killed while another is critically injured after the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a tractor and trailer.

The accident occurred along the Friendship Public Road in Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The injured man was identified as 21-year-old Vikash Singh of Hubu, Parika, East Bank Essequibo. It was reported that the motorcycle was travelling at a fast rate of speed, and allegedly became uncontrollable.

It subsequently collided frontally with the right-side rear wheel of the trailer, and resulted in Khan and his pillion rider being pitched into a trench on the northern side of the road.

Dead: Romano Ramdeen

Dead: Mohamed Ameer Khan

Deputy Commissioner of Operations (ag), Ravindradat Budhram Traffic Chief Dennis Stephens

Guyana National Road Safety Council Chairman, Earl Lambert

Teachers and staff of the Christ Church Secondary School

CANU nabs duo with $37M in ganja

and Bulah London, 41, of Eccles Housing Scheme, EBD, were arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters. The narcotics were weighed in their presence, and amounted to 123.85kg, which has a street value of approximately Gy$37 million.

Thomas appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to trafficking in narcotics. He was remanded to prison, and will make his next court appearance on March 14, 2023.

Earlier in the month, CANU had reported seizing a whopping $1.1 billion worth of narcotics, which

Two persons have been arrested by agents of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) with approximately $37 million worth of cannabis in their possession.

Based on information received, CANU officers conducting an operation in the vicinity of Mandela Avenue, Georgetown on Wednesday,

January 11, intercepted a motor vehicle with one occupant.

“A subsequent search of the motor vehicle revealed several parcels of suspected cannabis,” CANU has said in a release.

Further investigations led to the suspect being escorted to a premises at Eccles Housing Scheme,

East Bank Demerara, where a search conducted on the property in the presence of the suspect and the owner unearthed several parcels containing ganja which were concealed in plastic barrels.

Subsequently, Sean Thomas, also called ‘Yankee’, 43, of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown,

amounted to 3,403 kilograms, for 2022.

By type, the seized narcotics comprised 121.31kg of cocaine; 3280.25kg of ganja; 818.7 grams of ecstasy; 302.6 grams of methamphetamine, and 1kg of cannabis seeds.

According to statistics provided by CANU, these seizures were made

in Regions Four, Six, Nine, Three, and Ten, with Region Four accounting for the largest seizure of narcotics.

In Region Four, 104.49kg of cocaine, 410.12kg of cannabis, 302.6g of methamphetamine, 366g of ecstasy, and 1kg of cannabis seeds were confiscated.

In Region Six, 50g of cocaine, 2845.52kg of cannabis, and 452.7g of ecstasy were seized; while in Region Nine, 22g of cocaine and 4.81 kg of cannabis were seized. 16.74kg of cocaine and 118g of cannabis were seized in Region Three, while 19.67kg of cannabis

were confiscated in Region 10.

With respect to cases and convictions, CANU reported that, for 2022, from the 115 cases that were made out for narco-trafficking, 42 convictions were secured. This also showed an increase from 2021, when 75 cases were made out and 24 convictions were secured.

Of the 115 cases made out in 2022, 80 were for possession of cannabis, 29 were for possession of cocaine, four were for possession of ecstasy, and two were for possession of methamphetamine.

Trio busted with ganja, gun during Police operation at Crane

Three persons including a woman, her lover, and her daughter were arrested on Friday following the discovery of a quantity of ganja and a firearm at their Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD) home.

Police stated that on the day in question at about 05:00h, ranks from Police Regional Division 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), acting on information received went to the home of Andrea Lake, a 55-year-old housewife of Crane Housing Scheme, WCD, in search of drugs, guns, and ammunition.

Consequently, a search

was carried out in the presence of her 29-yearold daughter, Toniyanna Skeete, and her 55-year-old boyfriend, Deon Gherow. During the search, nothing illegal was found in the home.

However, a search was carried out in the yard during which Police observed a portion of “disturbed soil”. A rank proceeded to dig the area and a red metal tin was unearthed.

Upon opening the tin, a black plastic bag containing a black .38 revolver without a serial number was found.

Another search was conducted under the front con-

crete bridge which leads to the premises and there again, a black plastic bag was found, this time it contained a quantity of ganja.

The three suspects were told of the offence committed and were escorted to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station with the suspected firearm and cannabis, which weighed and amounted to 523 grams.

The suspects were placed in custody pending further investigations and charges.

Only two days ago, ranks from the Vreed-enHoop Police Station, acting on information received,

went to Swan Street in the Pouderoyen Squatting Area, West Bank Demerara, and arrested two persons who had a quantity of cocaine and marijuana in their possession.

Police have said that upon arrival at the address in question, ranks conducted a search of the occupants thereof – a 59-yearold domestic worker and a 33-year-old taxi driver – but found nothing incriminating on their persons. A further search was conducted on the premises in their presence, and Police stumbled upon a black string tied to a board

in the kitchen area.

It led to a beam under the house, and when ranks pulled at the said string, two bulky transparent plastic bags were discovered attached to the string. One of those bags contained a quantity of a whitish, rocklike substance suspected to be cocaine, while the other bag contained several brown paper parcels containing cannabis.

The two occupants of the home were told of the offence committed, and under caution, the female responded: “I selling da cocaine and weed because I sickly and I

can’t work,” while the male said: “We hustling, and don’t do crime.”

The ranks carried out another search on the male, and found $14,080 in the right-side pocket of his pants, while a brown handbag that was on the female’s bed was found to contain $589,020.

The suspects were arrested and escorted to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, where the suspected cocaine was weighed and amounted to 73 grams, while the suspected cannabis amounted to two grams.

The firearm that was found at the Crane Housing Scheme home

The narcotics found in the barrels

The two suspects

The barrels in which the ganja was hidden

Regional

Thousands march in Peru capital demanding President step down

Thousands took to the streets of Peru’s capital Lima on Thursday in a peaceful protest against the new Government and President, after weeks of bloody clashes triggered by the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo left at least 42 dead.

“Why are you turning your back on the people, there are so many deaths, for God’s sake, stop this massacre,” said protester Olga Espejo, calling on President Dina Boluarte, previously Castillo’s Vice President, to resign.

“Ms Boluarte, they are using you,” she said.

Protesters shouted “Dina asesina!” (Dina is a murderer) as they carried cardboard coffins, photos of the victims and anti-government slogans down the streets of Lima in the capital’s first mass protest since New Year.

The march, organised by trade unions and leftist groups, took place without incident. The clashes that started in early December mark Peru’s worst outbreak of violence in more than 20 years.

While Thursday’s protest was underway, Labour Minister Eduardo Garcia announced his resignation

on Twitter, saying the country needs an apology for the deaths and urged the Government to recognise that “mistakes have been made that must be corrected.”

Garcia said the situation could not wait until April 2024, when elections have been proposed, two years earlier than required.

The crisis has touched tourist hub Cusco, which again closed its airport on Thursday, and the country’s key mining sector, which saw a large copper mine struck by attackers and a tin mine shuttered in solidarity for the dead. (Excerpt from Reuters)

J/ca: More than 80 arrested, charged under new Firearms Act so far, says PM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the new Firearms Act is already affecting the psyche of offenders and has resulted in the arrest and charge of more than 80 people for various firearm offences since the law came into effect in November last year.

“It is already having an impact on the minds of the criminals and that is how we have to operate to change the behaviour of those who are not necessarily hardened but who are drawn into a life of crime because of circumstances. We have to increase the penalties so that they consider carefully, the decisions they make,” he said.

The Prime Minister, who was speaking at the inaugural staging of a security seminar by the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA) at AC Kingston Hotel in St Andrew on Thursday, noted that a large number of those nabbed are in the 15 to 30 age group.

Citing the harsher gun control measures under

the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act, which stipulates penalties ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment, Holness implored this cohort, “Don’t throw away your life, throw away the gun.”

“I believe that this new Act, which sets a minimum 15 years before consideration for parole for simple possession, will shape behaviour. I believe those peo-

ple who are in the business of producing violence will have to reconsider their use of fatal violence,” the Prime Minister said.

Holness, however, expressed his disappointment that the legislation was not moved along fast enough, noting that “if we could have moved it faster, maybe it would’ve had an earlier impact”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Canada imposes new sanctions on 2 ‘Haitian elites’

illicit activities.

Martelly, the former President, was among six Haitian officials sanctioned by Canada in November on accusations that they “participated in gross and systematic human rights violations in Haiti and engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, and stability of Haiti”.

Canada has imposed new sanctions against two “Haitian elites” accused of enabling criminal gangs, the latest measure in an international campaign to stem a surge of deadly violence in the Caribbean nation.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Friday that it was sanctioning former Member of Parliament Arnel Belizaire and businessman Charles Saint-Remy, an associate of former Haitian President Michel Martelly.

“Canada has reason to

believe these individuals are using their status as high-profile elites in Haiti to protect and enable the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs, including through drug trafficking and other acts of corruption,” the department said in a statement.

Canada and its allies, most notably the United States, have issued a barrage of sanctions against Haitian politicians, former officials and others in recent weeks in an effort to crack down on criminal gangs and

In recent months, Haitians have faced a surge in gang attacks and kidnappings as insecurity skyrocketed in the aftermath of the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise in the capital of Port-auPrince.

The country also experienced petrol and electricity shortages linked to a gang blockade on a critical fuel terminal in Port-au-Prince late last year.

Meanwhile, months of political deadlock deepened this week as the last elected officials in Haiti saw their Senate terms expire. The last parliamentary elections were held in 2017, with future elections yet to be scheduled. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Agroup representing minority shareholders on Friday filed a complaint with Brazil’s securities regulator against Americanas SA after the retailer uncovered “accounting inconsistencies” totalling 20 billion reais (US$3.89 billion).

The Abradin association said it was denouncing Americanas for what it called a “multi-billion fraud,” while also asking regulator CVM to investigate the retailer’s auditor, PwC.

Shares in Americanas plummeted more than 75 per cent on Thursday, wiping out 8.4 billion reais in market value after the company’s chief executive Sergio Rial resigned, citing the discovery of incon-

sistencies.

“Calling it ‘inconsistencies’ is nothing more than an attempt to use a euphemism for a multi-billion fraud that not only destroyed the assets of shareholders but also undermined the credibility of Brazil’s capital markets,” Abradin said in a document seen by Reuters.

Shares in the company were up 19 per cent on Friday.

Americanas did not immediately respond to requests for comment. PwC declined to comment.

CVM had already announced three probes into the retailer. The company, meanwhile, formed an independent committee to investigate.

Directors at the retail-

er sold around 215 million reais (US$42.15 million) in Americanas shares between July and September, according to regulatory filings. Controlling shareholders and members of the board did not sell relevant share volumes.

On Aug 19, Americanas announced Rial would replace former CEO Miguel Gutierrez after almost 30 years at Americanas in a securities filing.

Rial, in a meeting with investors on Thursday, attributed the inconsistencies to differences in accounting for the financial cost of bank loans and debt with suppliers. Accountants, however, are still trying to figure out details. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba´s Central Bank on Friday lashed out against a “vulture fund” seeking to cash in on unpaid Government debt lingering from the era of former leader Fidel Castro, calling illegitimate its claims against the Communist-run island in a London court.

CRF I Ltd, an investor in defaulted Cuban sovereign debt since 2009, filed the case in Britain’s High Court after Havana refused a debt relief offer made by CRF and some other bond holders back in 2018.

Such firms, described as “vulture funds” by the

Cuban Central Bank, typically purchase distressed or defaulted debt then sue in international courts to get paid in full.

Cuba’s Central Bank (BNC) said in a statement on Friday it does not recognise CRF as a creditor.

“CRF is not a creditor of the BNC or of Cuba and never has been,” the Central Bank superintendent said.

CRF could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday.

The firm claims Cuba owes it 72 million euros in debt in proceedings currently under way in the London

court, according to the Central Bank statement.

The case will be closely watched by Cuba’s creditors, some of whom have struggled to recoup loans as the country wrestles with a dire economic crisis made worse by the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions put in place by former US President Donald Trump.

Other Latin American nations, most notably Argentina, have fought prolonged court and political battles for years to settle with so-called vulture funds.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Argentina’s annual inflation hit its highest rate in more than 30 years last month as prices almost doubled versus a year ago, official data released on Thursday showed, further eroding consumers’ dwindling purchasing power.

In December, consumer prices jumped 5.1 per cent month-on-month, according to national statistics agency INDEC, while inflation in the 12 months through December reached 94.8 per cent in the South American country’s ailing economy.

The annual rate marks the fastest clip of rising prices in more than three de-

cades, or since 1991, according to INDEC.

Argentina is battling one of the highest inflation rates in the world as soaring prices hamper growth and force shopkeepers to constantly update price tags.

“The money isn’t enough, the salaries aren’t enough, inflation keeps rising and we already started the year with increases in bus fares, clothing, food,” said Griselda Melle, a self-employed worker, as she shopped.

In a recent interview, Economy Minister Sergio Massa projected December inflation would not exceed 5 per cent, adding that monthly increases should edge

down to around 3 per cent by April.

Fruit and vegetable prices showed an upward trend during December, while the cost of meat slowed, said Lucio Garay Mendez, economist at consultancy EcoGo. While many economists expect monthly inflation to remain in line with December’s uptick, factors outside the country’s economic slump or government-set price caps continue to pose elevated risks.

Isaias Marini, an economist at consultancy Econviews, pointed to scarce hard currency as one such factor. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Sanctions come days after Canada sent armoured vehicles to Haiti to help bolster the Haitian National Police in their fight against armed gangs [Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters]

Prime Minister Andrew Holness

Cuba says “vulture fund” seeking €72M never a creditor, as UK court begins proceedings

Argentina’s inflation rate at 95%, highest since 1991 Minority shareholders denounce Brazil’s Americanas for ‘multi-billion fraud’

Oil posts biggest weekly gain since October on China hopes, dollar slump

Oil prices settled more than a dollar a barrel higher on Friday, notching their biggest weekly gains since October, as the US dollar dropped to a seven-month low and more indicators pointed toward growing demand from top oil importer China.

Brent crude futures settled at US$85.28 a barrel, up by US$1.25, or 1.5 per cent. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose for the seventh-straight session to settle at US$79.86 a barrel, up by US$1.47, or 1.9 per cent.

Brent gained 8.6 per cent this week, while WTI rose by 8.4 per cent, recouping most of the previous week’s losses.

The US dollar index for the first time in 2-1/2 years, feeding hopes the Federal Reserve would slow its rate hikes.

A weaker greenback tends to boost demand for oil, making it cheaper for buyers holding other currencies.

Recent Chinese crude purchases and a pick-up in road traffic in the country are also fuelling hopes of a demand recovery in the world’s second-largest economy following the reopening of its borders and easing of COVID-19 curbs after protests last year.

“Everyone is looking at Chinese mobility indicators and they point upward, indicating recovering oil demand and supporting prices,” said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

“Next thing to watch is if this translates also into higher Chinese crude imports and if energy agencies (IEA, OPEC) revise upwards their (first quarter) demand estimates,” Staunovo said.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, including Russia, will meet in February to assess market conditions, and there is some concern that the group could cut oil output again to lift prices after recent declines.

“We have the seven-day winning streak under our belt... but we are still nowhere near where we were the last time OPEC+ folks cut production,” Mizuho analyst Robert Yawger said.

OPEC+ had announced a 2-million-barrel-per-day cut to production in October as global oil prices fell under US$90 a barrel. (Reuters)

Living under China’s stringent COVID-19 restrictions for the past three years had caused Zhang Qi enough stress and uncertainty to consider not having babies in the country.

When China abruptly dismantled its “zero COVID” regime last month to let the virus spread freely, the balance tilted to a definite “No”, the Shanghai-based e-commerce executive said.

Stories about mothers and babies not being able to see doctors as medical facilities were overwhelmed by COVID infections were the final straw for Zhang.

“I heard that giving birth at a public hospital is just horrific. I really wouldn’t consider having a baby,” the 31-yearold said.

A glimpse of the scars caused by the pandemic to China’s already bleak demographic outlook may come to light when it reports its offi-

cial 2022 population data on Jan 17.

Some demographers expect China’s population in 2022 to post its first drop since the Great Famine in 1961, a profound shift with far-reaching implications for the global economy and world order.

New births for 2022 are set to fall to record lows, dropping below 10 million from last year’s 10.6 million babies - which were already 11.5 per cent lower than in 2020.

“With this historical turn, China has entered a long and irreversible process of population decline, the first time in China and the world’s history,” said Wang Feng, professor of Sociology at University of California.

“In less than 80 years China’s population size could be reduced by 45 per cent. It will be a China unrecognisable by the world then.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Around the World

Soledar: Russia claims victory in battle for Ukraine salt mine town

Russia’s military says it has captured the Ukrainian salt-mine town of Soledar after a long battle, calling it an “important” step for its offensive.

The victory would allow Russian troops to push on to the nearby city of Bakhmut, and cut off the Ukrainian forces there, a spokesman said.

This was a very confident and ambitious statement from Moscow.

But Ukrainian officials

said the fight for Soledar was still going on and accused Russia of “information noise”.

The battle for Soledar has been one of the bloodiest of the war.

The town is relatively small, with a pre-war population of just 10,000, and its strategic significance is debatable. But if it is confirmed that Russian forces have seized control of it, then there will likely be a big sigh of relief in the Kremlin.

Barely any walls in Soledar remain standing, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said this week. Describing almost apocalyptic scenes, he spoke of the nearby terrain as scarred by missile strikes and littered with Russian corpses.

The US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War said while it was likely that Russian forces had captured Soledar, it did not believe they would then

be able to go on to encircle Bakhmut.

Nevertheless, if it becomes clear that Russia has taken it, then that will be seen in Moscow as progress - even a victory.

That is exactly what President Vladimir Putin needs as Russia has failed to capture a single town in Ukraine since July 2022. Since then, Moscow’s forces have suffered a whole series of embarrassing defeats.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

9 dead, more casualties expected after tornadoes rip through US Southeast

At least nine people died in tornadoes that destroyed homes and knocked out power to tens of thousands in the US Southeast, local officials said on Friday, and the death toll in hard-hit central Alabama was expected to rise.

The storms on Thursday stretched from Mississippi to Georgia. At least five tornadoes touched down in central Alabama, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jessica Laws. One of those twisters potentially tracked about 150 miles (241 km) from southwest Selma, Alabama, to the Georgia-Alabama state line, she said.

County coroner Buster Barber told Reuters the number of casualties would rise.

“We are finding more bodies as we speak,” he said in a phone interview. “We’ve got search teams out in the area.”

In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp confirmed two people had died in Thursday’s storms. A 5-year-old child was killed after a tree fell on a car, leaving an adult passenger in critical condition as they were driving home, Butts County Coroner Lacey Prue said.

A state employee also was killed while responding to the storm, Kemp said.

Images from the severe storms showed widespread damage in Selma, a pivotal site of the US civil rights movement. A tornado tore off rooftops and hurled debris. Multiple businesses

and homes were destroyed, and trees were ripped from their roots.

Nearly 20,000 customers were without power in Alabama on Friday, according to PowerOutage.us. The storm also led to power outages in neighbouring states of Mississippi and Georgia.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Lithuanian gas pipeline hit by large explosion

Alarge blast has hit a gas pipeline in the Pasvalys region of northern Lithuania, near the Latvian border.

Images broadcast by local media showed flames illuminating the night sky, but officials say there have been no injuries caused by the explosion.

Latvia’s Defence Minster Artis Pabriks wrote on Twitter that the cause of the

incident would be investigated, but said sabotage could not be ruled out.

But the pipeline’s operator said it did not believe the blast was suspicious.

“According to the initial assessment, we do not see any malign cause, but the investigation will cover all possible options,” Amber Grid chief executive Nemunas Biknius told reporters. “We do not see the signs of any potential im-

pact from outside.”

Biknius said the pipelinewhich was built in 1978 - had undergone some recent maintenance work, and that officials would try to establish whether that had contributed to the blast.

“All reasons will be investigated and clarified in the coming days,” Biknius said.

He added that the gas supply to the pipeline had been cut off and that he ex-

pected the fire to subside in the coming hours. Amber Grid added that the blast had taken place “away from any residential buildings”.

The pipeline consists of two parallel system, and Amber Grid said the explosion occurred in one of them. The other was undamaged.

Consumers in the area are being supplied by an alternate pipeline. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Lisa

Marie

Presley, singer and daughter of Elvis, dies aged 54

Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis, has died at the age of 54, her mother has said.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us,” Priscilla Presley said.

Lisa Marie, also a singer, was rushed to hospital earlier on Thursday. US media said she suffered cardiac arrest.

“She was the most passionate, strong and loving woman

I have ever known,” Priscilla said in a statement.

“We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss.”

Her mother gave no details about the possible cause of death.

TMZ reported that the star was found unresponsive in her bedroom on Thursday morning. Her former husband Danny Keough, who also lives at the property, arrived and performed CPR, the site said.

Tributes soon poured in

from fans and friends around the world.

Born in 1968, Lisa Marie

followed in her father’s footsteps and forged a career in music. The star released three albums, with her 2003 debut studio album selling hundreds of thousands of copies and receiving generally positive reviews.

The star was also wellknown for a series of high-profile marriages to pop legend Michael Jackson, actor Nicolas Cage and musicians Keough and Michael Lockwood. (Excerpt from BBC News)

An aerial view shows damage after a tornado ripped through Selma, Alabama, US January 12, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media

China set for historic demographic turn, accelerated by COVID traumas

Lisa Marie Presley

Ang Ran and her 2-year-old son Tang Ziang look out from their home in Beijing, China, November 8, 2022

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Don’t commit to something that isn’t a good fit. Concentrate on doing your own thing. A change based around your preferences will help build confidence. Let go of what is no longer working for you.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

Move forward with trepidation when someone asks for help. Get the lowdown to avoid being associated with something that conflicts with your beliefs or long-term plans. Gather information.

You have the upper hand; don’t waste it contemplating your future. Fine-tune a skill you can use to increase your awareness and make a difference in your community.

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

Confusion will occur if you do too much for too many. Take a step back and consider how you can be most effective. Unexpected monetary gain will allow you to purchase something enriching.

You’ve got charisma and the momentum to excite a crowd and deliver what you promise. Refuse to let a challenger steal your spotlight. Be aggressive and speak your mind.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

You’ll discover something that influences how you live. Join forces with like-minded people and broaden your awareness and circle of friends. Mix business with pleasure.

Focus on how you look and feel, and you’ll stop worrying about what others do or say. Pay attention to lowering overhead and saving money for something important to you.

Take a delay as a sign to focus on something that’s entertaining and sparks your imagination. A unique plan could pan out very well, so don’t hesitate to put it together.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Step into the spotlight and make an energetic plea to others to pitch in and help a cause that concerns you. Your passion for making a difference will be infectious. A proposal looks promising.

Put everything in place and rest easy. A lifestyle that offers plenty of opportunities to exercise your mind, body and soul will elevate your confidence.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

A steady pace forward will get you exactly where you want to go. Make domestic changes that will suit your budget and encourage you to find an additional source of income. Use your imagination.

Watch your step. Don’t be fooled by what you see or hear. Find out what’s entailed before saying yes to something you’ve never done. Work quietly behind the scenes until you’re ready for the limelight.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

ARCHIE PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

DILBERT

Man City footballer Benjamin Mendy found not guilty of rape, sexual assault

Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Jurors could not reach verdicts on one count of rape and one of attempted rape, following a six-month trial at Chester Crown Court.

The prosecution sought a retrial on those counts, and it has been scheduled for 26 June.

Louis Saha Matturie, 41, was also found not guilty of three counts of rape. Jurors failed to reach verdicts on three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against him.

Mr Mendy and his friend Mr Matturie had been accused of raping women

at the player's home in Prestbury, Cheshire, and at a Manchester flat.

Prosecutors told the jury Mr Mendy was a "predator" who turned the pursuit of women for sex into a game.

But jurors were also told by defence lawyers that while the trial - involving

money, sex and celebrityhad "all the makings of a good drama", it came with a significant "plot twist"that the accused were innocent.

Mr Mendy covered his face with both hands as the jury foreman repeated "not guilty" to the six counts, which related to four young

women or teenagers. The unanimous verdicts were delivered on Wednesday by the seven men and four women on the jury, one juror having been discharged earlier for medical reasons.

The verdicts could not be reported until jurors concluded considering the remaining two counts, after they were given a majority direction by Judge Steven Everett, meaning he would accept a 10-1 majority on any verdict. But after 14 days of deliberation, jurors could not reach verdicts on Mr Mendy's alleged attempted rape of a woman, 29, in 2018 and the alleged rape of another woman, 24, in October 2020.

Judge Everett discharged the jury on Friday, ending the trial. Both men had been on trial since 10 August, accused by 13 women of multiple sexual offences.

Lockdown-busting parties were held both at Mr Mendy's home and an apartment he rented on Chapel Street near Manchester city centre, the court heard.

“Absolute hell”

He was first arrested in November 2020, and was suspended by his club in August 2021, after he was charged with rape. The prosecution has sought a retrial on the two counts on which the jury had failed to

reach a verdict.

Matthew Conway, prosecuting, said: "The prosecution has made a decision. We have made a decision today, which is to proceed on these counts in two separate trials, and we seek today a provisional case management."

A statement from Manchester City said: "Given there are open matters related to this case, the club is not in a position to comment further at this time."

The allegations and trial had been "absolute hell" for Mr Mendy, the court heard, with his life in football "over", as he would "never escape" the accusations. (BBC Sport)

Rashid Khan threatens to pull out of the Big Bash League

Manchester United owners confirm interest in Women's IPL -over Australia’s refusal to play Afghanistan

since the BCCI launched the WIPL franchise ITT recently, it has created a lot of buzz in the Indian and overseas markets. Over 20 parties, including most of the existing IPL franchises and those who have missed out on buying an IPL side in 2021, are believed to have taken the ITT, and there could be serious jostling among the bidders.

The owners of the Manchester United team, who had tried their hand for an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, have confirmed interest in the Women's IPL.

In conversation with Cricbuzz on the sidelines of ILT20 in Dubai, where they own the Desert Vipers team, a representative for the owners said the Avaram Glazer is seriously looking at the WIPL.

"Having bought into the ILT20, it is natural for us to look into other cricket opportunities around the world, including Women's IPL," Phil Oliver, the CEO of Desert Vipers, told this website on Friday January 13. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as first reported by Cricbuzz, will conduct the auction

for the WIPL franchises on January 25.

Oliver has, however, refused to reveal if the Invitation To Tender (ITT) document had been bought, a prerequisite for purchasing a side. "I can't reveal the details of how far we are in that process, but I am happy to say that we are looking into all opportunities, including the WIPL. The India market is of interest to us. A lot of Indian cricket fans will be watching this tournament, and will see what the Desert Vipers will bring to that. If anything, we want to bring an exciting brand of cricket to the Indian fans, just as to our fans all around the world," Oliver said.

The ITT will be available for purchase till January 21. It is understood that

The Glazer family were one of the bidders for the two new IPL teams which eventually went to Sanjiv Goenka (Lucknow Super Giants) and CVC Capital (Gujarat Titans). Avram Glazer, represented by Lancer Capital, had placed bids worth Rs 4125.65 crores for the Ahmedabad team and Rs 4023.99 crores for the Lucknow team.

Oliver strove to differentiate the involvement of Manchester United and Avaram Glazer in the involvement in cricket. "Just to draw the initial distinction, it was not Manchester United which was looking at an IPL team. The distinction is important. Avaram Glazer of Lancer Capital bid for an IPL team when it expanded last year. That company has bought a franchise in ILT20, Desert Viper, and Manchester United is not represented here," he clarified. (cricbuzz)

Rashid Khan is “strongly considering” his future in the Big Bash League, after Cricket Australia (CA) announced the national team’s withdrawal from a planned ODI Series against Afghanistan.

Australia had been scheduled to take on Afghanistan in a three-game ODI Series in the United Arab Emirates in March, as part of the ICC Super League. However, CA confirmed its decision to pull out of the series on Thursday, stating it was due to the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.

The Taliban came into power in Afghanistan in 2021 following NATO’s chaotic withdrawal from the country.

The decision for Australia to opt out of the series came after consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Australian Government, with CA saying in a statement: “This decision follows the recent announcement by the Taliban of fur ther restrictions on women and girls’ education and em ployment opportunities and their ability to access parks and gyms.”

Afghanistan T20I captain Rashid posted a response on Twitter that read: “Cricket! The only hope for the country. Keep politics out of it,” including a state ment outlining his disappointment, before question ing whether Australia’s concerns should also lead to him withdrawing from the Big Bash League, where he plays for Adelaide Strikers.

“I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March,” he wrote. “I take great pride in representing my country, and we have made great progress on the world stage. This decision from CA sets us back in that journey. If playing vs Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia, then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncom fortable with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will be strongly consider ing my future in that competition.”

The Afghanistan Cricket Board also issued a strong statement, saying it was “extremely dis appointed and saddened by the pathetic statement of Cricket Australia”, and adding it would “write to the International Cricket Council about the issue.”

Benjamin Mendy was accused of luring women to his home and sexually assaulting them

Avaram Glazer has confirmed its interest in the WIPL [File Photo

Guyanese UFC fighter Carlston Harris to fight in Las Vegas next month

Welterweights

Carlston Harris and Ramiz Brahimaj will face off at UFC Vegas 69 on February 18 in Las Vegas.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the booking confirmed the news to MMA Fighting. The official bout order for the winter card has not yet been made official, but a bantamweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera serves as the main event.

Making his fourth appearance in the octagon, Harris is attempting to bounce back from his first UFC loss, a first-round

knockout at the hands of surging contender Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC Vegas 47. That setback had snapped a two-fight UFC winning streak (and five overall, when regional wins are included) for the 35-year-old Guyana native.

Brahimaj approaches the bout on the opposite side of the competitive coin with a recent win under his belt, a first-round submission of Michael Gillmore at UFC Vegas 49. That put him back on the right foot, after a decision loss to vet Court McGee in his prior outing. Overall, Brahimaj stands at 2-2 in the octagon. (MMA)

Guyana Volleyball Federation’s AGM set for January 21

Powell stars as Dubai Capitals start ILT20 campaign with thumping win

Captain Rovman

Powell compiled a quick-fire 29-ball 48, and took two wickets to help Dubai Capitals register a comfortable 73-run victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the inaugural match of the International League T20 in Dubai.

Knight Riders could muster only 114/9 in pursuit of 188.

They needed a quick start, but lost both Colin Ingram and Brandon King inside the Powerplay. However, despite losing a couple of wickets upfront, Paul Stirling (54 runs) played a volley of shots and strung together a stand of 40 with Zawar Farid, who

contributed only nine runs.

Farid then fell to Powell in the 10th over, the all-rounder also taking the prized scalp of Stirling in the 12th over when the opener lofted one to Joe Root at long-on. Once Stirling was dismissed, Knight Riders suffered a collapse, losing their next five wickets for just 21 runs.

Incidentally, other than Stirling, Andre Russell was the only batter in the side to cross the double-digit mark.

Earlier, Robin Uthappa had set the platform for Capitals' competitive total with a brisk 43. Powell, batting at #4, built on that platform and finished with three fours and three six-

es. Root and Sikandar Raza also made useful 20s.

On the other hand, Ravi Rampaul and Ali Khan each took two wickets.

All inclusive Honeymoon, Weekend and Overnight packages available.

The Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) will be convening its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday January 21, 2023 in the Board room of the National Racquet Centre at Woolford Avenue in Georgetown.

The AGM is expected to commence at 14:00hrs, and among activities scheduled for that day are the general elections to identify the new executives to run the GVF.

Members of both the Berbice and Demerara branches of the Guyana Volleyball Federation are expected to be in attendance.

According to the GVF, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the GVF, will be embarking on development of the male and female academies and sponsorship for beach and indoors for both male and female volleyball players.

Additionally, plans will be explored to ensure the enhancement of officiating and coaching in the GVF.

The current executives are Levi Nedd: President; Rodney Fredricks: Vice President; Kimesha Wallace: Secretary; Daniel Harricharran: Treasurer; and Errol Fingall: Technical Director.

Swimming Pool Family Fun & Picnic – Crystal Clear Pool. Kids and Adult Sections. Very Safe. Aracari Resort: West Bank Demerara (Versailles, Vreed-en-Hoop) – Every Weekend. DJ Music. Groups and Excursions welcome – Phone: 264-2946-9.

VACANCY

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The AGM of the GVF is set for January 21 at the National Racquet Centre

Anderson, Nandu and Persaud must grab opportunities

– players must adapt in practice matches, says Coach Ryan Hercules

By Brandon Corlette

Guyana Harpy Eagles will play their first match of the 2023 Cricket West Indies Championships against defending champions Barbados Pride from February 1 in Antigua. Shimron Hetmyer, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd will be absent from the squad, and the younger players will have to step up and grab those opportunities.

In a recent interview with Guyana Harpy Eagles Head Coach Ryan Hercules, a call was made for young players in the set-up to grab those opportunities and cement their places in the team.

"It is a good opportunity for young players. Guys who have been around the set-up for quite some time, I think this is the perfect time for them to take this opportunity to cement their places in the team. We know we will lose some players, and we accept that. I think it is a perfect time for guys the

likes of (Matthew) Nandu, (Kevlon) Anderson and (Akshaya) Persaud, who have been around the setup for quite some time. They must take this opportunity to cement their places as a permanent member in the team," Hercules said.

Nandu is a West Indies Under-19 top order left-handed batsman, while Anderson is a former West Indies U-19 batsman and current West Indies Academy player. Persaud, a left-handed batsman, has been in and around the Guyana set-up, having

Munisar wants West Indies U19 Women to show best performance

…as World Cup bowls off tomorrow

Team before self… West Indies Women’s U19 captain Ashmini Munisar has given an insight into her goals for the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 World Cup.

“I can’t explain the exact feeling, but the word ‘overwhelming’ comes to mind, of the emotions that I felt when I got the selection call to the West Indies Women’s U19 team.” Those were the words of captain Ashmini Munisar of the WI U19 team.

A very humble and focused young lady from Guyana, Ashmini got her start playing cricket after her neighbour who played for Guyana’s U19 boys’ team began including her to “take a knock” in their yard. Ashmini credits him with introducing her early to the technical aspect of the game, thereby setting her early on the road to becoming knowledgeable and understanding of the game.

Ashmini wasn’t expecting to be appointed captain of the team. She has said, “I honestly wasn’t expecting it, but I guess the selectors saw the ability and leadership qualities I had when they selected me for the role. When I met up with the rest of my teammates and I got to know them better, we all gelled well, and everything fell into place.”

A very analytical personality in setting goals for herself, she says this is one of the things that keep her motivated to be a successful cricketer. “I set goals and work towards them, but the biggest motivational factor for me is my family and coaches. Knowing the amount of sacrifices and efforts they have put into me, I just want to make them proud,” she has said.

This diminutive teenager from Berbice, who says she loves friedrice, is hoping to make it to the West Indies

Women’s Senior Team in the future, but she is heeding the advice of one of her coaches back home in Guyana, whom she says has told her to “focus on the task at hand with playing and captaining the U19 squad”, to get the best out of her players and lead the team as far as possible into the final rounds of the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup, “and everything else will fall into place.”

Ashmini says the team has adapted very quickly to the time difference and conditions in South Africa.

“We adapted better than we did during our last tour to India. The pitches here have much more bounce and are quicker than what we’re accustomed to. I want to use my skills as one of the main bowlers to put my team in a position to win. We want to perform as best as we can, and our focus is to finish in the top two in our group, and then refocus on the knockout stages.”

The West Indies Women’s Rising Stars under the leadership of Ashmini have their sights set on shaking up the competition and jetting back to the Caribbean with the title. A title that would add to the list of World Cup championships. (CWI)

WEST INDIES WOMEN UNDER 19s RISING STARS SQUAD

Ashmini Munisar (captain), Asabi Callendar, Jahzara Claxton, Naijanni Cumberbatch, Earnisha Fontaine, Jannillea Glasgow, Realanna Grimmond, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, K D Jazz Mitchell, Shalini Samaroo, Shunelle Sawh, Lena Scott, Abini St Jean

GROUPS

Group A: Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, USA

Group B: England, Pakistan, Rwanda, Zimbabwe

Group C: Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand, West Indies

Group D: India, Scotland, South Africa, UAE

WEST INDIES MATCH SCHEDULE

January 15: vs Ireland at NW University, Potchefstroom – 4am Eastern Caribbean/3am Jamaica

January 17: vs Indonesia at NW University, Potchefstroom – 7:45am Eastern Caribbean/ 6:45am Jamaica

January 19: vs New Zealand, JB

Marks Oval, Potchefstroom – 7:45am Eastern Caribbean/ 6:45am Jamaica

played five first-class matches and scoring 52 runs, at an average of 7.42.

The Harpy Eagles will play their first four-day practice match from today, Saturday January 14, at Providence, weather permitting; and Hercules notes that it would be a test of adaptability.

"Most of the guys have been away from four-day cricket for a while, so adaptability is important. The surface at (Providence) will not be the best because of the weather patterns (in Guyana). So, it is just for us to see how the guys can adapt to the different conditions and make the best of whatever is offered to us, once we get to play cricket. Constructive batting, scor-

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES

West Indies Championship 2023 (for Headley-Weekes Trophy)

1 to 4 February: 1st round in Grenada and Antigua

8 to 11 February: 2nd round in Grenada and Antigua.

15 to 18 March: 3rd round in Trinidad

22 to 25 March: 4th round in Trinidad

29 March to 1 April: 5th round in Trinidad

Full fixtures to be announced soon.

Headley-Weekes Tri-Series (to be played at CCG)

19 to 22 April: Team Headley vs West Indies Academy

26 to 29 April: Team Weekes vs West Indies Academy

3 to 6 May: Team Weekes vs Team Headley

what we can control. I trust the players will be professional and adapt to the conditions and situations, and we hope that will take us through those first two rounds. Hopefully, after the break, we get some more practice in for the final three rounds," the Essequibian Hercules has explained.

ing runs, and batting in partnerships (are expected).

“It is just (about) getting them back out in the middle, get at least one game in before we leave to go on tour," Hercules added.

"We can only control

Hetmyer and Rutherford are both in the UAE, playing in the ILT20, while Shepherd and Paul are in South Africa playing in the SAT20. And Tagenarine Chanderpaul is expected to tour Zimbabwe and South Africa with the West Indies Test team.

A spinner in the Guyana Harpy Eagles team may also be unavailable to play in Antigua, owing to a possible selection in the West Indies Test team.

NaiJanni Cumberbatch poised to be trailblazer in West Indies Women’s cricket

At 15 years old, the technical skills of NaiJanni Cumberbatch have already attracted attention of the selectors of the West Indies Women’s Team. Hailing from the Cricket Capital of the Caribbean, Barbados, Nai, as she’s fondly called by teammates, got started early, thanks to her brother who included her in throwdowns, wherein they would have both catching and bowling sessions in their yard at home.

“It felt great to get called up in the train ing squad, and then the World Cup team, because quite a few of my counterparts weren’t that fortunate. So, this is like a dream come true. Being able to travel around the world, seeing and ex periencing new cul tures and places, is something I was al ways interested in; so, I am loving my time right now,” NaiJanni has said.

NaiJanni was a member of the Barbados team that competed and successfully defended their CG United Super50 Cup, and she says it is an experience that has helped her upon selection to the West Indies Women’s Rising Stars Team.

It comes as no surprise that West Indies Women’s senior captain Hayley Matthews is NaiJanni’s role model. Both ladies

share a similar start to their international careers, being selected into a West Indies Women’s team at the age of 15. Hayley is also NaiJanni’s captain on the Barbados team, so she has been able to draw on Hayley’s international experience to develop her own game.

Nai’s immediate cricketing goal is to score her maiden half-century, and then get to the magical triple figures, something she is hoping to achieve during the World Cup.

Guyana Harpy Eagles Head Coach Ryan Hercules

Matthew Nandu