Guyana Times - Saturday, January 6, 2024

Meeting of Caricom Heads discusses situation in Haiti P1 7

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

Issue No. 5603

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

US$35M contract signed for modern four-lane Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge See story on page 3

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Body of Basdeo Panday lies in honour at Red House P18

– not a “stand-alone infrastructure” – Pres Ali

Silica City: Construction of houses to start this year – Min P11 Croal

250 allottees identify lands at Non Pareil, Enterprise P17 President Dr Irfaan Ali is joined by Members of Parliament (MPs) and other officials including Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Guo Haiyan, for the sod-turning exercise on Friday

Guyana/T&T/Barbados company set up for – says will open up regional ferry service – Pres. Ali massive opportunities

Page 7

As power demand increases, Govt has to start planning Page projects beyond 9 gas-to-energy – VP Jagdeo

Venezuelan Page 2 national perishes after fire razes Plantain Walk house

Parika man arraigned for beating reputed wife to death

Page 14

Reg 6 records drop in road accidents for 2023 – Traffic Officer P10 - outlines plan for safer roads in 2024

East La Penitence man wanted forP10 murder of ‘friend’

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuelan national perishes after fire razes Plantain Walk house

Dead: Richard José

V

enezuelan national Richard José has perished after a fire of unknown origin ravaged the top flat of a building at Plantain Walk, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

That building, according to reports, had been owned by 68-year-old Bernadette Gordon, and she had been occupying same along with 27-year-old Canaan Bacchus.

The Guyana Fire Service has said it received a distress call just after 3:31h on Friday, and firefighters from the La Grange Fire Station, along with a water tender and a water carrier, were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, they observed the two-storey building on fire, with the upper flat fully engulfed in flames.

The firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the first floor, and to minimize threats to nearby buildings.

As a result of the fire, the first floor of the building was destroyed; and the 47-year-old Richard José, a carpenter, perished therein.

Two houses - Lot G

11/3 and Lot H 11 Plantain Walk, Pouderoyen, WBD were also damaged by heat radiating from the building on fire.

This resulted in several windows on both houses being destroyed, and a section of the southern external wooden wall on the first floor of the second building being slightly damaged.

Further, the rear lights of motorcar PYY 3553 were destroyed by the radiated heat.

Fire prevention officers continue to investigate the deadly fire, to determine the cause of the blaze.

Owner of the property, Bernadette Gordon, only recently returned from abroad to oversee repairs to the house. She told reporters that she noticed her house was on fire while she was going to use the wash-

Sections of the house after the fire

ly tried to evacuate. At the time, she noted, José had planned to stay overnight

The house that was destroyed by the blaze on Friday

room, and she immediate-

to complete carpentry work

on the property.

Efforts to rescue the man proved futile, as the intense heat and smoke hindered those efforts.

Eyewitnesses said desperate attempts had been made to rescue José, and he became trapped due to a mixture of air and power which created a vacuum.

While the cause of the fire remains unknown, Gordon told reporters about a recent legal dispute within her family. She said she had obtained a restraining order against her sister, who had allegedly threatened to burn down her property. She said tensions had escalated at an annual year-end event over disagreements about the three houses in the compound.

A few days ago, 43-yearold Tookant Deokharan, a teacher attached to the Berbice Islamic School, perished after a fire destroyed two houses at Managers’

Quarters, Port Mourant, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Deokarran’s charred remains were discovered at about midnight, close to a

difficulty walking because of an injury to his right knee, had spent the day at a cousin’s home, where he had had lunch and had taken a nap before leaving to

The damaged rear lights of the motor car

door amid debris at the Lot 24 Managers’ Compound, Port Mourant house. He had reportedly lived alone in the one-storey building which was owned by an overseas-based Guyanese.

Deokarran, who had had

go and provide home tutoring to two 13-year-olds at Fyrish Village. He had last been seen alive at about 17:00h on Tuesday. That fire had reportedly started at about 22:00h.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, Jan 6 – 00:00h – 01:30h and Sunday, Jan 7 – 01:00h – 02:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

US$35M contract signed for modern four-lane Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge – not a “stand-alone infrastructure” – Pres Ali

Saturday, Jan 6 – 12:15h – 13:45h and Sunday, Jan 7 – 13:10h – 14:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be thundery showers and sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 12:11h reaching a maximum

height of 2.27 metres

Low Tide: 18:18h reaching a minimum height

of 0.93 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2024

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

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08 17

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FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024 DAILY MILLIONS

03 04

15 24 25

LUCKY 3

9

5

0

6

Afternoon Draw

8

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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16 17 21

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SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024

01 03 05 09 14 1

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3 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

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5 Evening Draw

FP Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$78.76/barrel

+1.51

Rough Rice London Sugar

$316.44/ton $607.60/ton

+1.53 +0.08

Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask Low/High Change

USD Per Ounce $2045.30 $2045.30 +1.70

$2046.30 $2046.30 +0.08

President Dr Irfaan Ali

T

he Guyana Government has signed a contract to the tune of US$35 million for the construction of a new four-lane bridge at Wismar in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) – a facility that will serve as a critical link in the road network that is being built out with the aim of making Guyana a transport and logistic hub in the Region.

On Friday morning, President Dr Irfaan Ali witnessed the inking of the agreement and participated in the sod-turning ceremony for the new structure across the Demerara River at Wismar in the mining town of Linden.

During his remarks, the Head of State highlighted the important role this new bridge will play for the country.

“This bridge is not a standalone infrastructure… This bridge is linked to the 45 bridges that we’re doing along the Linden-Lethem Highway that would create immense opportunities in positioning Region 10 as an engineering and mechanical hub, and a transport and logistics hub not only for mining for also for the trade that would exist between Brazil and Guyana, and Caricom (Caribbean Community),” the President noted.

Currently, the Government

President Dr Irfaan Ali and other officials witnessing the signing of the US$35 million contract for the new Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge

is embarking on a series of infrastructure projects that will create a road network from the Corentyne in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to improve access to Northern Brazil.

Some of these major projects include the Corentyne River Bridge that will link Guyana and Suriname; upgrades to existing roads and the creation of new highways in Berbice as well as on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and the Linden to Lethem Road project which is currently being done in phases.

Meanwhile, the Head of State further noted that this new bridge is also a significant link in Region 10, which is undergoing massive development due to the investments made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government over the past three years. He added it will play an even greater role as the economy of the region, especially Linden, continues to grow due to enhanced activities.

“The number of times vehicles traversed this bridge

was 768,000 in 2020. Today, we have more than 1.5 million crossings – almost doubling the crossings from 2020 to now. What is the reason for that? It is because something is happening, something positive is happening. Positive change is taking place. Investment is creating wealth. Wealth is creating opportunity. Opportunity is creating improvement.

Improvement is creating prosperity,” Ali posited.

The new MacKenzie/ Wismar Bridge will be built by China Railway and Construction – the same company that is constructing the new US$260 million bridge across the Demerara River.

The contract, which was signed on Friday by Permanent Secretary of the Public Works Ministry Vladim Persaud and Managing Director of China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co Ltd, Dong Sheng Li, has a two-year timeline for the completion of the structure.

This four-lane bridge will be a pre-cast structure running 220 metres long and will include vital safety features such as lighting and signs. It

will boast a maximum horizontal clearance of 32 metres and a vertical clearance of 11.5 metres.

The new bridge will land some distance away from the original single-lane bridge built by the Demerara Bauxite Company from 1965 to 1967.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill disclosed that this new bridge was initially a US$30 million two-lane designed structure. But now, a four-lane bridge will be built at almost the same cost, that is, US$35 million.

“The previous Government proposed for the building of a two-lane bridge across the Wismar area. Today, we are building a four-lane bridge…

We are building a four-lane bridge not just to say that we did better than the previous Government – that’s not on our agenda. The reason why we are building a four-lane is that the PPP/C Administration, led

by President Ali has grown the economy, has expanded our possibilities and the demand has now moved from beyond a two-lane to a four-lane bridge,” Edghill stated.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

Views

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

Corporate responsibility

E

very business seeks to maximise its profit, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) would seem to contradict this logic by taking away some of the company’s resources.

At its heart, Corporate Social Responsibility is about an organisation taking responsibility for the impacts of its decisions and activities on all aspects of society, the community, and the environment. Corporate Social Responsibility is more than just donating money; it’s about contributing to the health and welfare of society, and about operating transparently and ethically. More importantly, this way of operating should be embedded in the business, rather than as an afterthought.

What many may not know is that Corporate Social Responsibility also helps to build a good corporate reputation.

In other words, companies agree to do more for society than simply creating jobs and paying wages and taxes with the expectation of some reward, such as a good reputation or a competitive advantage in the local market.

Corporate philanthropy can serve to promote solidarity in a society where different groups agree on what is ethical and beneficial, according to the researchers. In societies built on this consensus model, CSR can smooth out the effects of economic inequality, and corporations voluntarily support public benefit projects to achieve this goal.

It can be understood that CSR helps in building a reputation as a responsible business and as a good citizen.

Keeping social responsibility at front of mind encourages businesses to act ethically and to consider the social and environmental impacts of their activities. In doing so, organisations can avoid or mitigate detrimental impacts of their business in the community. In some cases, organisations will find ways to make changes in their services or value chain that actually delivers benefits for the community, where they once didn’t.

In addition, CSR supports public value outcomes; put simply, public value is about the value that an organisation contributes to society. A sound, robust corporate social responsibility framework and organisational mindset can genuinely help organisations deliver public value outcomes by focusing on how their services can make a difference in the community.

This might happen indirectly, where an organisation’s services enable others to contribute to the community; or directly, through the organisation’s own activities, such as volunteerism and philanthropy.

Late last year, a businessman rebuilt a house for a family who was left homeless after fire had devastated their home.

This is commendable.

Another benefit of a strong corporate social responsibility framework is building and maintaining trust between the company and clients. It can strengthen ties, build alliances, and foster strong working relationships with both existing and new clients. One way this can be achieved is by offering pro-bono or similar services, where a company can partner with not-forprofit organisations to support their public value outcomes where funds or resources may be limited.

In turn, this helps deliver public value outcomes that may not have been delivered otherwise. Studies have shown that a robust corporate social responsibility framework can also help a company become more attractive to potential future employees, who are looking for workplaces with socially responsible practices, community-mindedness, and sound ethics.

The era of the social enterprises is upon us. More so now than ever before, the most successful, respected, and desirable businesses exist to do much more than make money; they exist to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.

Study after study has shown that socially responsible businesses (aka social enterprises) not only provide sustainable business models, but also have improved marketing, employee recruitment, employee satisfaction, legal treatment, customer loyalty, brand perception, and richer partnerships.

The questions that many local businesses need to consider are: Can corporate social responsibility help your organisation?

Do you see the benefits of CSR?

The body of the late Basdeo Panday is in the Rotunda area of the Red House, where it was Laid in Honour on Friday following a military procession. His funeral is set for Tuesday, January 9, 2024 (Photo by Office of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago)

GECOM’s claims and objections exercise must be taken seriously!

Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is conducting another nationwide claims and objections exercise. This undertaking is consistent with the institution’s compliance with the electoral legal framework, and is important to enabling GECOM to produce an updated Official List of Electors and be at an all-time readiness for holding free and fair elections.

The claims and objections process is a vital verification follow-up to addressing queries made about the recently concluded continuous registration exercise that enabled GECOM to produce a proper Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). One therefore should note the conduct of related activities being done within a framework of transparency, informed by the presence of interested stakeholders represented by witnesses to affirm responses to reported areas of doubt.

GECOM must be commended for producing a PLE which was verified by political party scrutineers who worked during the continuous registration national exercise. There is rich and valuable precedence in the use of the legally enshrined continuous registration foundation.

Section 6(1) of the National Registration Act Cap. 19.08

states: “It shall be lawful for the Commission by order from time to time to appoint a date concerning which persons to whom the order applies shall be registered, a day on which the registration of such persons upon their application therefor under the order shall begin and a day on which such registration shall end.”

The Elections Commission has used the Official List of Electors from the 2001 General and Regional Elections as the base to commence continuing registration. Since then, our country has been using the accepted process to update the Register of Registrants and prepare the appropriate voters’ list. Presently, all the political parties have the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) for scrutiny. Further, GECOM posted copies of the PLE at prominent locations in all the registration divisions and sub-divisions, at all the GECOM Permanent Registration Offices countrywide, as well as on the Commission’s website (https://gecom.org. gy/public/home/lists.

During this essential exercise, any person who has attained the age of 18 years and older by December 31, 2023, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, naturalization or registration, or is a citizen from a Commonwealth

country living in Guyana for one year or more, can claim entry on the Official List of Electors (OLE) on or before January 15, 2024, provided that he/she is not listed in the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). The relevant source documents, such as original birth certificate, valid passport, adoption certificate, Form F, or Naturalization Certificate of Registration must support all claims. Persons can take the opportunity to verify their particulars on the List.

In the case of Objections, the person making the objection must produce the relevant original documents, such as a death certificate.

The Commission is urging all eligible electors to use this opportunity to get registered for inclusion in the OLE, and for existing registrants to carefully check the PLE to ensure that their particulars as stated in the PLE are accurate. GECOM is also doing continuous registration and taking care of category B registrants, who are attaining the age of 14 years as at July 31st. This will enable GECOM to be fully prepared for the next National and Regional Elections.

Because of the PPP/C Government’s massive housing drive and development across the country, many persons are now living in a new local govern-

ment constituency that is different from where they were first registered. It is appropriate and necessary for these persons to present their Identification Cards to the officials at the GECOM Office covering their area of residence, in support of their application to be transferred to the constituency where they now reside. This should also make it easier to vote on polling day.

Transfers will be facilitated during this continuous period, provided that applicants have the information regarding where they were registered and where they voted in the previous elections. Transfers are recommended, as they also allow people the opportunity to play a real role in the development of their immediate communities at the Municipal, Neighbourhood Development, and Village Council levels.

Free and fair elections are a must in Guyana, particularly given our experiences with the PNC political Opposition, who have historically continuously advanced less-than-favourable electoral practices.

Their penchant for using situational convenience to create party advantages is characteristic, and one that the nation must guard against.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

5

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

2 young Guyanese women command attention during week 1 of 2024

J

anuary 1, 2024 marked the 74th anniversary of one of the Commonwealth’s most successful political parties, the People’s Progressive Party.

This note is not about the remarkable history of the PPP, but it is noteworthy to reflect on two of the many credentials of the PPP: it has always -- continuously for 74 years, aggressively throughout its history -- promoted women and youth in leadership. It would be difficult to find another political party in the Commonwealth or the world that can match the PPP’s record on empowering youth and women.

In the same week that the PPP celebrated its 74th anniversary -- during the very first week of 2024, it is no accident, it is not coincident -- two distinguished young women commanded attention, both locally and internationally.

Guyanese, no matter what their political affiliation, no matter what their religion or race, had to feel pride when Carolyn Rodrigues took the stage at the UN and hoisted Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead, our flag, as Guyana took its place for a two-year term in the Security Council on January 2nd, 2024.

Only 15 countries sit in the Security Council. Five countries - the US, the UK, France, China and Russia - are permanent members of the council; 10 other countries, like Guyana, are temporary members, serving two-year terms.

The other countries besides Guyana, that serve temporarily, are Algeria, Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Switzerland. Note that nine CARICOM countries have never served in the

Security Council in the 70 years since the Security Council has been in operation. While Guyanese feel pride that our country is one of a small handful of developing countries sitting in the Council, it could not have escaped any of us that a young Guyanese Indigenous woman took her place in a Council dominated by old men.

Guyanese women must have felt enormous pride, but so must all Guyanese, men and women.

This is the latest in a long list of accomplishments for Carolyn Rodrigues. In 2001, she was appointed as Minister of Amerindian Affairs when she was barely 25, being among the youngest ministers and MPs in our history as a country. She was the first Amerindian woman to be a minister.

Distinguishing herself and piloting the Amerindian Act in Parliament, she was promoted to be the first-ever Amerindian and first-ever woman to be a Minister of Foreign Affairs.

For a period between 2015 and 2020, she served at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, before returning to be Guyana’s UN Representative, being the first woman, other than a short stint by Janet Jagan, to hold that post. Carolyn makes us all proud, as she is one of the most respected UN ambassadors in New York at this time.

On the same day, January 2, 2024, that Ambassador Rodrigues took her place in the Security Council, President Irfaan Ali announced the appointment of Sonia Parag as the new Senior Minister of Local Government and Regional Development.

The Honourable Sonia Parag became the first-ever woman to be appoint-

GECOM’s claims...

Hence it is imperative that the many pending court cases, such as Keith Lowenfield, former CEO, who is before the courts for forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office, must be concluded. Roxanne Myers, former DCEO, who is charged with two counts of misconduct in public office and is on three hundred thousand dollars’ bail, must be concluded. While Clairmont Mingo is charged and is on six hundred thousand dollars’ bail, along with Volda Lawerence, Carol Joseph, Denise BobCummings, Michelle Miller, Shefern February and Enrique Livan. They are all

FROM PAGE 4

before the courts, and these matters must be concluded as early as possible.

It is amazing how the APNU/AFC was able to use the court to perpetuate themselves in office after the passing of the NoConfidence Motion, and more seriously, how the APNU/AFC was able to use the courts to keep their knees on this nation's neck for five long months.

Guyana must have nothing further to do with rigged elections. All the culprits must pay for their unpardonable sins.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

ed as a Minister of Local Government and Regional Development.

The Honourable Sonia Parag is a relative newcomer to politics, having joined the PPP’s 2020 election campaign team. After the swearing-in of President Irfaan Ali on August 2, 2020, she was appointed as a young Minister of Public Service.

As Minister of Public Service, Minister Parag was entrusted by President Ali to deliver on the PPP’s manifesto promise of 20,000 scholarships for Guyanese by 2025. With still two years to go, she has already nearly accomplished this goal.

Like all the PPP Ministers, Minister Parag has criss-crossed Guyana, meeting people in all ten regions of our country.

Sonia Parag has rapidly become a role model for girls and women in our country.

Clearly, Carolyn Rodrigues and Sonia Parag, in the very first week of 2024, underlined the continued elevation of women’s leadership in Guyana. The accomplishments of these two young Guyanese women, further solidified in the first week of 2024, continue to underline two of the many incredible PPP credentials.

Both of these distinguished Guyanese are youthful and

women. Since the formation of the PPP 74 years ago, women such as Janet Jagan and Jessie Burnham played leadership roles.

The PPP has been in the lead in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth promoting women’s rights and equality, rejecting the notion that youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and promoting the notion that youth must play leadership roles now. Since its formation in 1950, the PPP has always had youth playing leadership roles.

Cheddi Jagan was in his twenties when he became an MP, and was barely 30 when he became the first leader of the PPP. He was not yet 35 when he became Premier, even if his premiership lasted for just 133 days before the British used its military might to depose and lock him up.

Ashton Chase was just a little older than 20 when he became the youngest-ever minister in the Commonwealth. Carolyn Rodrigues, like Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo, was barely 25 when she became a senior minister in Government. There is no disputing the PPP’s credential of empowering youth.

In the present PPP Government, the President is a youthful PPP member, Dr. Irfaan Ali. There are several other youth-

ful members of the cabinet. Among these youthful members are women such as Priya Manickchand, Sonia Parag, Susan Rodrigues, Vindiya Persaud and Oneidge Walrond.

But Carolyn Rodrigues taking the seat at the Security Council on behalf of Guyana during week one of 2024 and Sonia Parag taking up the Ministerial leadership role in Local Government and Regional Development remind us all that the PPP has an incomparable record when it comes to women’s equality and empowerment.

We must not forget that a woman has served as a Prime Minister and as a President in Guyana with a PPP Government. It was also the PPP that put forward a woman, Elizabeth Harper, as a Prime Minister Candidate during the 2015 election campaign. It was the first time that a party had placed a woman as its PM candidate in an election.

It would be remiss on our part in this context not to note the presence in the cabinet of a veteran woman, Gail Teixeira, the Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs.

She served as a young woman when she was appointed as Minister of Health in October 1992. Thirtytwo years later, she is still serving as a Minister. She also served previously as a Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, and as a Minister of Home Affairs.

There is no denying that the PPP stands way above most political parties in the Commonwealth when it comes to the empowerment of youth and women. The first week of 2024, through the accomplishments of Carolyn Rodrigues and Sonia Parag, reminds us all that the PPP has stood firm to two aspects of its mission, first articulated 74 years ago: that women and youth are to be empowered.

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time 06:30 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Stop Suffering 09:00 Movie - Trolls Band Together (2023) 10:30 Indian Movie - Sultan (2016) 13:30 Movie - The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993) 15:30 Movie - Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance (2018) 17:00 Payless Power Hour 18:00 Evangelistic Hour 18:30 Hepzibah 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Movie - 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost (2023) 21:30 Stand-up Comedy 22:00 Movie - The Family Plan (2023) 00:00 Sign off

6

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

Foundation ◄

Page

WHOLE NUMBERS Multiplying

When you multiply whole numbers, start by lining up the numbers correctly. It is easy to line the numbers up if you are multiplying by a 1-digit number.

Example:

Remember : Always multiply the entire top number by just one bottom digit at a time. Use a different line for the product of each bottom digit.

Exercises

Line up 485 x 5 this way

1. Which number is a multiple of 4 and 6?

485

(A) 6

x 5

(B) 12

2425

(C) 13

x 50

5. 75

(D) 18

Multiply the 5 in the first line by the 5 in the second line. 5 x 5 = 25. You cannot write 25 in the ones place, so you do just what you did when adding. You write the 5 and save the 2 for the tens place. Keep that 2 in mind. Go back to the first line, and move one digit to the left to multiply 8 x 5, which is equal to 40. Then you are ready to add that 2. You get 40 + 2 = 42. Write the 2 in the tens place and set the 4 aside. Now go back to the first line again, and move one more digit to the left. Multiply 4 x 5 = 20.

But remember the 4 you set aside. So 20 + 4 = 24. The product, or answer to this multiplication problem, is 2425.

When you are multiplying a number by a 2-digit or 3-digit number, you have to be careful to line up the place values correctly.

4. 50

6. 5

(A) 0.012

x 10

(B) 0.12 5) 14

(D) 120

x9

3. 28

6) 250

x 10

x125

Supplies • Water source — faucet and sink or

a gallon jug of water and a way to refill it • Basin for catching water • Disposable plastic plates or aluminium pie plates • Bamboo skewers and/or dowel rods • Scissors • Glue and/or staples, paperclips, thumbtacks, tape • Pencil and paper • Protractor • Thread • Small weight (optional) Let's get started!

Step 1. Cut a circle out of the pie plate bottom. Then punch or cut a hole in the centre roughly the size of the do-

Unpacked They’ll stretch Out. Clinically

(C) 1.2

BUILD A WATER WHEEL Harnessing the energy of running water can help humans with a variety of tasks.

A water wheel is a large wheel that turns when water is poured over it. The wheel spins to produce energy. Watch https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzuhRhedIM4 to use a homemade waterwheel in action.

Engineer a water wheel, which converts the energy of water into power. Ask yourself: How do water wheels work?

What parts do they have and what does each part do? Why do people build water wheels? Where do people build them?

By Elly Niland

x 2

3. Which number will correctly fill the box below?

12 ÷ 1000 =

BIRDS OF PARADISE 2

wel rod. Use a marker to divide the tin as shown in the image where the dotted lines represent fold lines and solid lines represent cut lines.Step 2. Cut along the cut lines. Then fold the triangular pieces along dotted lines to form a fan shape.

Step 3. Tape onto the centre of the dowel rod.

Step 4. Pour water over your water wheel and watch it turn! To see hydropower in action, tie thread to the base of the water wheel on the rod. Tie to the other end of the thread a small weight. The turning of the water wheel will move the weight up.

(Adapted from startwithabook.org and greenkidcrafts.com)

Dead when cut.

Eyes blind, Heavy with money, Lines of lips aloof, The merchants Wait at the mouth Of the Tagus.

Bright birds in flight.

A yellow and orange fleet From Sintra sailed away in a purple canoe-like Structure. Females, with stiff blue tongues, leaves Like small bananas—thick, glossy, green.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana/T&T/Barbados company set up for regional ferry service – Pres Ali – says will open up massive opportunities

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday announced that Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago have agreed to the establishment of a joint company that would lead to the introduction of a regional ferry service – a move that will bring tremendous opportunities for trade and people movement within the southern Caribbean.

“Yesterday (Thursday), Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Barbados have formed a joint company that would work to the introduction of a ferry system for passenger and cargo between Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Barbados. That would open up massive opportunities,” the Head of State disclosed at an event in Linden on Friday morning.

Back in May 2022, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago embarked on the setting up of a ferry service between the two countries to transport people and cargo.

During a joint press conference between President Ali and Trinidad’s Prime Minister, Keith Rowley, in Georgetown, the two nations had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in several areas.

“As we speak to you now, we are already exploring the possibility of having a cargo plus ferry facility as an experiment between Guyana and Trinidad moving people and goods and services… We cannot address any issues unless we create a platform, the vehicle that will allow us to do that and this MoU does that,” the Guyanese President had

stated.

Meanwhile, regional leaders have long recognised that affordable intra-regional travel remains one of the major bugbears to the trade and movement of skilled labour within the Caribbean.

Consequently, they have been working on a regional ferry network.

In 2022, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) approached the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for funding to establish this intra-regional ferry service. At the time, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) was tasked with ironing out a proposed roadmap study for a fast ferry service with an initial focus on trade between Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and Barbados.

According to a communiqué at the end of the 43rd Regular Meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government held in July 2022 in Suriname, it was noted that this initiative falls into the myriad of measures agreed to by the Region’s leaders, to advance the reduction of the Caribbean’s food-import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

During that Caricom meeting, the Heads of State were updated on the advanced discussions with the UAE for both a traditional ferry and fast ferry service for the Region.

The meeting saw the agreement for the establishment of a working group to provide oversight of the project, which will include representatives from the govern-

ments of Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the Caricom Secretariat, Caricom Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), and the CDB. However, a subsequent document prepared by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has identified four potential routes for an intra-regional ferry service.

Guyana was only named in one of those proposed routes.

Titled, “Proposal for the implementation of a ferry service through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the Eastern Caribbean Region”, the ECLAC document proposed Trinidad as the centre of what was described as an envisaged well-connected regional port transportation system.

The ECLAC paper proposed: Route 1 – Colombia, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, T&T; Route 2 – Guyana, Suriname and T&T; Route 3 – Puerto Rico, Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe and Saint Lucia; and Route 4 – Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada and T&T. Route 2 with Guyana was named as the most viable option by the Associate Economic Affairs Officer of ECLAC’s Infrastructure Services Unit in the International Trade and Integration Division, Diogo Aita, who prepared the proposal.

The document highlighted the challenges of air travel limitations and high costs associated with air travel in

President Dr Irfaan Ali

the Region. It also underscored the need for investments in port infrastructure

Prime Minister of T&T, Dr Keith Rowley

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley

and connectivity services especially in anticipation of increased cargo movement

among member countries as Caricom pushes its 25 by 2025 agenda. (G-8)

US$35M contract signed ...

The current single-lane Wismar Bridge will be replaced by a modern four-lane structure that will be constructed over the next two years

Back in June 2023, Guyana signed a historic US$150 million loan with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to finance several transformational infrastructural projects in the country including the construction of

the four-lane Wismar bridge.

The agreement included a US$50 million loan for the long-awaited four-lane Wismar Bridge.

At the signing last year, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sultan Abdulrahman

FROM PAGE 3

Al-Marshad said this new bridge will have several benefits ranging from reducing traffic jams and enhancing road safety to economic opportunities. He pointed out that the bridge will also link to the existing road network on both sides of the Demerara River, ensuring easier access to nearby public facilities such as Mackenzie Hospital, and other Government facilities.

Several high-level officials including Ministers Deodat Indar and Susan Rodrigues, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Guo Haiyan, Opposition Members of Parliament, and Regional Chairman Deron Adams were also at Friday’s contract signing ceremony in Linden. (Vahnu Manickchand)

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Diamond man gets $900K bail on fraud charges

F

ifty-nine-year-old Norbert Bailey, a father of three from Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), faced six charges in connection to a loan and vehicle scam when he appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

Police stated that between November 14, 2023, and December 8, 2023, at Georgetown, he received $796,000 from six persons by falsely pretending he was in a position to grant them cash loans and purchase a car for them when he was not in a position to do so.

Bailey, who had no legal representation, was not required to plea to the indictable charges.

Facts revealed that he convinced people he could get them a loan and as such collected $120,000 from Onicka Nedd; $120,000 from Kevin June; $85,000 from George Springer; $100,000 from Anandy Blair, and $150,000 from Jacklyn Blair.

Apart from that, he collected $221,000 from Oliver Latchmie under the pretence that he could buy a motor car for him.

Given the gravity of the accusations and the fact that he still had charges pending in Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for comparable offences, Police Prosecutor Christopher Morris was

Charged: Norbert Bailey

strongly opposed to the defendant being freed on bail.

The prosecutor stated that additional charges will be brought against Bailey because the Police are now looking into similar claims against him.

Bailey was a flight risk, Morris told the court, and the Police could not locate him at the address he provided them

with during their inquiry.

Morris submitted that Bailey should not be granted bail as a result. Magistrate Bess stated that the accused was charged with an offence for which he is eligible for bail, but acknowledged the objections raised by the prosecutor.

Ultimately, the presiding Magistrate granted the defendant $150,000 bail on each of the six accusations, subject to the requirement that he report to the Brickdam Police Station every Monday and turn in his passport to the Court Clerk pending the outcome of the proceedings.

Bailey has to post $900,000 bail and his next court date is February 9. Similar charges were filed against Bailey and his employer, Clayton Allen, in 2022. These matters are still engaging the courts.

Allen, 63, the owner of Micro Business Developers and Consultancy Company, has appeared in court on multiple occasions to answer to fraud-related allegations.

In 2018, Allen, a resident of South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was found guilty of getting six motor cars from an auto dealership by forging a $26.3 million manager’s check.

As a result, he was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Leopold Street man jailed for larceny, escaping from Police lock-ups

– tells Magistrate, “Me ain’t know about all them things; I know about some”

D

espite his cries for mercy, a 36-year-old father of one who acknowledged stealing items over the Christmas holidays and escaping from the Police lock-ups was slapped with a 15-month prison sentence.

Kumar Saul, also called “Barber,” of Leopold Street, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday and pleaded guilty to the charges.

Police stated that between December 22 and 27, he stole $50,000 in cash, a cooler, a tarpaulin, and a quantity of beverages—all totalling $93,000. The items belonged to Sherwin Long.

After admitting guilt,

Jailed: Kumar Saul

Saul expressed, “Me ain’t know about all them things.

I know about some. I am guilty of taking some. I only collect the cooler and the table.”

Additionally, he acknowledged that on

Tuesday, January 2, 2024, he had escaped from the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts Police lock-ups.

“They [the Police] bring me and left me down and I walk out the court yard.

Me ain’t run away like how them seh me run away.

They know me. I is the man who is clean up the court,” an unrepresented Saul told Magistrate Bess during the hearing.

Reports are that the virtual complainant locked up his stall, which is near the Georgetown Public Hospital, on December 22, 2023, and left for his home.

When he returned on December 27, 2023, he saw that the items stated in the charge were missing, and he reported this to

the Police, according to the prosecution. An eyewitness reportedly told Long that Saul had removed the tarpaulin and cooler.

Saul begged the Magistrate to spare him from jail time at his court appearance, claiming the need to look after his young son. The mother had abandoned the child, he claimed.

When deciding on an appropriate sentence for Saul, the court took into consideration his early guilty plea and relatively young age.

For the larceny, Saul was sentenced to nine months in prison as well as six months for breaking out of Police custody. His total sentence is 15 months. He previously served time in prison for theft.

Running down…

W

…the map

ell, seems we got an answer from PM Ralph – he does like using first names, with his “Nicolas, Irfaan, and Bharrat etc. so your Eyewitness might as well get into the informal mode!! - of St Vincent as to why he was skinning his teeth with some Venezuelans and his Foreign Minister while holding a map of Venezuela that gratuitously included our Essequibo!! He said it was due to an “innocent inadvertence on my part”!! He was attending a function in Dec 2022 at the Venezuelan Embassy in his country; he was asked to take a pic in front of a bust of Simon Bolivar, and – lo and behold – a member of the Venezuelan Embassy staff plunked the papier mâché provocative flag in front of him!!

But it’s not that simple, is it, Ralphie boy?? (Let’s get really familiar now!!) Since he admitted he found out about the damning pic BEFORE the expose last week, surely he knew about the implications for his fellow member of Caricom, Guyana – not to mention his friends “Irfaan and Bharrat”!! Shouldn’t he have protested – with a note verbale – to the Venezuelan Government about their embassy sucker punching him like this - to make it appear he was going along with Venezuela’s ownership of our Essequibo?? Or, at least, couldn’t he have communicated to his friend “Nicolas” about the temerity of his diplomat??

As your Eyewitness pointed out yesterday, by Dec 2022, Mad Maduro had already taken his war to take over Essequibo to new and dangerous heights. As early as March 2022, Caricom HoGs had announced they were backing us in the Venezuelan Border controversy - and were supportive of the ICJ making the final decision on the matter!! We know Ralphie didn’t attend that meet… but was he unaware of Caricom’s position - which hadn’t changed even when he was chairing the group in 2020??

But then, it was AFTER he got that sharp pain in his abdomen in APRIL 2022, and he was asked not to go to Cuba, where he usually did his medicals - but to rush to Venezuela because of INSISTENCE “from the highest level” in Caracas!! Yep…from Nico himself, as he smirked!!

He returned with more than his abdominal pain fixed – as your Eyewitness pointed out yesterday, Mad Maduro also wrote off St Vincent’s US$79M PetroCaribe oil debt and sent Ralphie free urea and asphalt!! Now, your Eyewitness has no fundamental problem with Ralphie, if he sees St Vincent’s interests being satisfied by Mad Maduro!! But we Guyanese gotta also be as hardnosed as he is, and insist that he condemns the Venezuelan subterfuge that he said was played on him.

Or else, we can’t see him as an impartial broker. …elections 2025 It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to learn from the PPP GS that General Elections have been scheduled for Nov 2025. After all, with the PNC holding out with their rigging manoeuvres for five months till Aug 2020, that’s just about the constitutionally due date for elections. Some had been speculating that the PPP might’ve called a snap election earlier – but there’s absolutely no percentage in that. With them going flat out with the infrastructural transformation to set the stage for “sustainable development” – as explained by Pressie – it’s to their advantage to complete as many of those projects as possible before Guyanese troop into the polls.

Just one of them – the New Bridge across the Demerara River, with its ancillary highways – will be completed by then, and will garner them at least one seat more!! It’s not only PPP’s traditional supporters who won’t have to confront the daily nightmare that’s the DHB crossing right now!!

So, what’s the PNC gonna do about the coming electoral Tsunami?? Riot?? …oil support The Indian Cabinet just approved the MOU they’d signed with our Government on their involvement in all aspects of our oil industry. This is positive, since it signals India isn’t afraid of Mad Maduro’s bluster against our oil investors!!

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

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

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

As power demand increases, Govt has to start planning projects beyond gas-to-energy – VP Jagdeo

D

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

riven by massive development all across the country, the power demand continues to increase exponentially, and the Government will now have to start planning for future projects.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has predicted that even the 300 megawatts projected to come on stream by early next year through the gas-to-energy project, will not be enough to meet the power demands of a growing nation and its people.

This year alone, the electricity demand is projected to peak at 236 megawatts; however, Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc can generate approximately 180 megawatts of power.

In 2020, the power demand was around 120 megawatts and this grew to 136 megawatts in 2021; 156 megawatts in 2022; and then peaked at 184 megawatts in 2023. Last year’s peak was recorded

when all industrial customers were on the grid.

And with electricity costs slated to be significantly reduced in the coming years, there will be a significant surge in the demand for power in the near future, Jagdeo outlined.

“Even if we get the Amaila Falls and the 300 megawatts and solar and some wind, we probably have to have another 300 megawatts start planning [now]…because the way the power demand is growing, it’s in an exponential way. We’d have 12 new hotels, they’d all use about 2-3 megawatts of power, some massive new investments in many parts of the country, we believe that once you cut the price of power by 2025 by 50 per cent, you’re going to see an explosion in usage…,” the Vice President explained, noting that more households will then install air conditioning units.

In this regard,

he asserted that the Government will have to now start planning a new project, beyond the current initiatives being pursued. “…but that will be not implemented now but put it in the planning equation,” Jagdeo reasoned.

In Budget 2023, the gas-to-energy project received a $43.3 billion allocation. This allocation is in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the startup of the transformational project, which includes the construction of an integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and the 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, WBD. The NGL and 300 MW power plant components of the gas-to-shore project are meanwhile expected to cost US$759.8 million and will be financed through sources that include budgets and loan financing.

The scope of the project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil. It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from <<<Liza Destiny>>> and <<<Liza Unity>>> floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore.

Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximate-

GPL sub-station at Garden of Eden, EBD

ly 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara. The pipeline would be 12 inches wide, and is expected to transport per day some 50 million standard cubic feet (mscfpd) of dry gas to the NGL plant, but it can push as much as 120 mscfpd.

The pipeline’s route onshore would follow the same path as the fibre optic cables, and will terminate at Hermitage, part of the

Wales Development Zone (WDZ) which will house the Gas-to-Shore Project.

A sum of US$55 million per annum will be paid to ExxonMobil in amortisation costs for the pipelines to be installed in the gas-to-energy project, which will allow Guyana to, in turn, save and earn ten times that amount.

Gas-to-Energy Project Head Winston Brassington had explained that the

$55 million to be paid to ExxonMobil annually would allow the oil major to recover the US$1 billion spent on the pipelines.

Guyana has meanwhile been receiving assistance from international sources including Qatar, when it comes to the formulation of a plan to utilise and monetise the gas supply it will get when the gas-to-energy project comes online.

(Devina Samaroo)

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Reg 6 records drop in road accidents for 2023 – Traffic Officer – outlines plan for safer roads in 2024

I

n a recent interview on an episode of ‘Police and You’, Assistant Superintendent Charles Hooke, the Traffic Officer for Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), had said there has been a 29 per cent decrease in accidents in the region for 2023, when compared to the year 2022. He noted that the number of fatal accidents had declined from 19 in 2022 to 16 as at December 2023.

Looking ahead to 2024, Hooke emphasized the continued commitment of the Region Six Traffic Department to improving road safety through strategic plans. He referred to plans to enhance educational efforts by conducting lectures for motorists and increasing outreaches to schools.

Enforcement exercises would also be focused on, in order to ensure a safer driving environment, Hooke has said.

“We are going to ensure that we put our best foot forward… we will be working with our strategic plan; and, come next year, we will improve…”

Region Six, and, as such, has expressed the need to intensify efforts to curb this dangerous behaviour.

Nevertheless, he is pleading with drivers to prioritise road safety.

“We still see a lot of people drinking and driving… however, our posture as it relates to our campaign to curb that situation (is that)

we will continue that campaign”, he said.

Hooke's dedication to enhancing road safety, and his strategic plans for the future signal a positive direction for Region Six, fostering hope for further improvements in the coming year.

Only two months ago, Police in Region Six had initiated a rigorous warrant

drive in response to a concerning increase in traffic violations. The warrant drive is aimed at apprehending individuals evading the legal consequences of traffic infractions. In 2023, there had been a staggering rise in traffic violations: 12949 cases. In 2022, there were just 4763 cases. Hooke highlighted that a significant number

of offenders were avoiding legal penalties by either failing to attend court, or neglecting to pay fines.

Hooke is urging individuals to adhere to speed limits, avoid distractions, and refrain from driving under the influence. He has emphasised that responsible driving is key to ensuring the safety of all residents.

East La Penitence man wanted for murder of ‘friend’ Region Six Traffic Officer, Assistant Superintendent Charles Hooke

Acknowledging the unique challenges that Region Six faces, such as ongoing road construction and the frequent presence of animals on the roadways, he has urged drivers to exercise caution, slow down, and remain vigilant to prevent tragic accidents.

“Slow down! Just slow down and drive, and look out for these things on the road”, Hooke has urged.

He noted that drinking-and-driving continues to pose a challenge in

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday issued a wanted bulletin for 28-yearold Carlton Bourne, also known as Akeem Bourne, of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown. He is wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of Chavis Akeeme Mark Wilson.

Wilson, of East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, Georgetown, was shot and killed last Saturday during a dispute with this suspect over money and an iPhone.

Police have reported that, at East Ruimveldt,

Dead: Chavis Akeeme Mark Wilson

Georgetown, between 08:30h and 09:00h on the day in question, the suspect and Wilson, who was his 'friend,' had had a confrontation allegedly stemming from the suspect seeking repayment of a loan from Wilson.

A resident recounted that the altercation quickly escalated, with the suspect dragging Wilson from one section of the East Ruimveldt Squatting Dam to another, and throwing him into a trench before discharging a round in his direction.

After the shooting, the suspect initially walked away, only to return when Wilson attempted to exit the trench with assistance from another resident.

Despite onlookers dissuading further violence, the suspect callously uttered a final remark before fleeing the scene.

This suspect is reportedly no stranger to the law, having recently been released on bail after facing charges related to rob-

Wanted: Carlton Bourne, also known as Akeem Bourne

bery-under-arms offences in the Albouystown area.

Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of Carlton Bourne, also known as Akeem Bourne, is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 2266978, 225-8196, 227-1611, 225-2317, 638-8440, or at the nearest Police station.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Silica City: Construction of houses to start this year – Min Croal W

orks are advancing on the Government’s highly-touted Silica City Project along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway with the construction of houses slated to commence this year.

This was announced during the Housing Ministry’s closing press conference for 2023 by subject Minister Collin Croal.

“We have completed with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the survey for over 3100 acres of land and this part of the first phase. Also, as part of the first phase, now we’ll see the advancement or the movement of the construction of the first 100 houses or more, but we’re starting with that.

The land preparation is completed,” he noted.

The Housing Minister noted that they have also completed the Expression of Interest (EoIs) stage and they are now in the process of reviewing the contractors who have expressed an interest in constructing these houses.

Silica City is Guyana’s first smart urban centre located along the SoesdykeLinden Highway. The first phase of the project will see an initial 400 young professional homes being constructed. It was previously reported that the Housing Ministry has al-

The Dar Group design of an innovation village for Silica City, Guyana’s first smart urban centre located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway ready begun shortlisting persons for these homes.

In February last year, a $2.1 billion contract was inked to develop Silica City. It is envisioned that over the next two decades, this new city along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway will grow to hold more than 12,500 households.

The new secondary city is intended to be one of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s climate change mitigation strategies.

It will initially cater to just over 3000 households in the first five years but 3800 acres of land has been earmarked for the new city, and designs for the first phase of the project will begin this year.

The city will be a smart one, powered by renewable energy and developed with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development

Land preparation works are completed to facilitate the commencement of construction on the Young Professional homes at the residential section of Silica City Goals (SDGs).

Silica City is a development the last PPP/C Government had initiated talks on before leaving office in 2015, but which was never continued under the succeeding A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government.

Consequently, in his first year in office in 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali had revealed that the Government had begun discussions to advance Silica City on the Linden-

Soesdyke Highway that would be connected to the new four-lane bypass road.

This project was a brainchild of Ali during his tenure as Housing Minister in 2013.

It was then announced in November 2023 that Guyana is working with the University of Miami to develop a masterplan for Silica City. At the time, President Ali had met with a visiting team from the university and local stakeholders to discuss that masterplan for the project and areas of academic de-

velopment for Guyana.

Minister Croal told reporters at Wednesday’s press conference that the masterplan will be comprehensive and will cover the entire 12,000 acres area earmarked for this project.

“So, work is ongoing in terms of [advancing] the Silica City. But physically, you have seen land clearance last year and you’ll now see construction happening as part of this year’s programme,” the Housing Minister stated.

TURN TO PAGE 16

12

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 202

President Dr Irfaan Ali during his vis contract signing for the new US$35 milli

(Photos

24 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

13

sit to Linden on Friday for the historic ion four-lane Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge

s by DPI)

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

DPP encourages JHC inmates to Parika man arraigned for take advantage of educational beating reputed wife to death opportunities offered Background to the charge

I

n a significant development, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, paid a visit to the Juvenile Holding Centre (JHC), Brickdam, Georgetown, on Thursday. The purpose of the visit was to gain a firsthand understanding of the facility and to interact with the juveniles currently under its care.

Accompanied by her team, Ali-Hack was guided through the facility by the Director of the Juvenile Justice Department, Joan Ann Edghill-Stuart.

During the tour, the DPP received detailed briefings on the education-

Murder accused Gurudeen Lalaram

A

The DPP during her visit to the Juvenile Holding Centre

al programmes available to the juveniles and received updates on the various of-

fences and cases awaiting trial.

TURN TO PAGE 16

39-year-old mason who allegedly killed his common-law wife on New Year’s Eve 2023 has been arraigned for the capital offence of murder.

Gurudeen Lalaram of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) appeared on Thursday before Leonora Magistrate Zamilla AllySeepaul to answer a charge accusing him of murdering 25-year-old Parika vendor Parbattie Amanda Persaud.

He was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge, and has been remanded to prison until his next court appearance, on February 2, 2024.

Parbattie Amanda Persaud was mercilessly beaten by the accused, Gurudeen Lalaram, with a piece of wood on the morning of December 31, 2023.

According to information received, Persaud and Lalaram had, for the past six years, shared a common law relationship that produced a three-year-old daughter. During that relationship, Persaud had reportedly been constantly abused by her partner, but she had never reported the matter to the Police.

About three weeks before the brutal murder, the couple had had a misunderstanding that turned physical, and it resulted in the woman moving out of the home with her child.

On the day of the assault, at about 05:30h, Persaud was walking along the Parika Access Road, heading towards the market when she was confronted by Lalaram, who was riding an electric scooter. A heated argument ensued between the couple, during which the man disembarked the scooter, picked up a piece of wood, and dealt the woman one lash to her head, resulting in her falling to the ground.

With his anger not yet appeased, he stood over the woman and dealt her sev-

Dead: Parbattie Amanda Persaud

eral blows to her face, after which he dropped the wood and made good his escape on the scooter. According to reports, he stopped a short distance away from the scene and hid in a clump of bushes.

The entire ordeal was recorded on a mobile phone by a resident in the area.

The Police were summoned, and Lalaram was arrested and taken to the Parika Police Station, along with the suspected murder weapon.

Meanwhile, the injured woman, who was alternating between consciousness and unconsciousness, was picked up and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where she succumbed while receiving medical attention.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Minibus driver sues State for $35M for alleged misidentification, wrongful imprisonment

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is being sued by an East Coast Demerara (ECD) minibus operator for alleged violations of fundamental rights, including unlawful arrest, detention and imprisonment, for more than $35 million in damages.

The claimant, Richard Rodney, is represented by the law firm, Dexter Todd and Associates.

The legal firm said in a press release that Rodney was misidentified and wrongfully detained by Police as they mistook him for another man for whom an arrest warrant had been issued.

The firm said that Rodney was stopped by the Police at a roadblock near Sugrim Singh Road on October 4, 2023, while operating a minibus as public transportation along the ECD highway.

A Police rank then urged Rodney to "get out of the vehicle" before taking him to an Inspector of Police and informing the higher rank that Rodney had an outstanding arrest warrant, according to the statement.

It said a court case concerning monies owed for a battery at the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court was the subject of that warrant.

“Mr. Rodney was taken to the Sparendaam Police

Station by the said Police officer who went into a room and brought out an arrest warrant for damage to property in which the defendant on that warrant was sentenced to six months in prison by the Magistrate.”

“Mr. Rodney indicated to the officer that he was not that person; neither did he live at the address stated on the warrant. He further showed the officer his driver’s license and indicated that they should do a proper investigation to know who they were looking for as that person was not him.

Unfortunately, Mr. Rodney’s pleas fell on deaf ears as the Police officer indicated that it was Mr. Rodney who was sentenced, that he didn’t care to hear about anything else, and that Mr. Rodney must spend six months in jail for the matter,” the statement added.

According to the statement, Rodney was later arrested and later that evening taken to the Cove and John Police Station where he was placed in the lockups.

The next morning, the statement said, Rodney’s hands and feet were shackled and he was subsequently taken to the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court where the issue of the battery was settled. It said that he was again taken to the

Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd

Richard Rodney

Sparendaam Police Station where he was again shackled.

The law firm said that their client told the Station Sergeant there that they had the wrong person but she refused to listen and even told him that he should serve his time and let his family fight his case after that. The Police further refused to call the complainant to verify if they had indeed arrested the right person, said the statement.

“Mr. Rodney was then taken to the Lusignan Prison where he was admitted as an inmate of the prison to serve a sentence of six months. Mr. Rodney told his story to multiple officers, including senior Prison Officer Mr. Charles, who did some investigation of his own and unearthed that indeed Mr.

Rodney was who he said he was and not the person the “Police should have arrested.”

The attorneys claim that at approximately 7:00 pm on Friday, October 6, 2023, their client was taken by the Police from the prison to the Brickdam Police Station, where they forced him to make a statement.

After being handcuffed once more, they said he was sub-

sequently placed in the station's lock-ups.

“On Saturday, October 7, 2023, he was taken to the CID office at the Brickdam Police Station then to the Lusignan Prison then to the Brickdam Police Station again, and thereafter back to the Lusignan Prison with the correct person.”

The statement noted that Rodney was transported by the Police to the

Mon Repos Public Road, ECD, at around 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 7, 2023, after which he was released from jail.

The law firm emphasised that “a mere phone call to the virtual complainant in the matter or verification of the information provided

by Mr. Rodney would have been sufficient to prove that he was not the person who was sentenced to prison by the court.”

The lawyers said that it was not until the Prison Service got involved that the truth of the story was unearthed and the Police realised they had imprisoned the wrong person.

The statement read, "A traumatized Mr. Rodney” filed the lawsuit on Wednesday at the Demerara High Court, seeking compensation over $35 million for his unlawful arrest, detention, and imprisonment without any proper investigation or logical cause.

(Feona Morrison)

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$56B expended solely on miscellaneous roads in 2023 – Min Edghill I

mproving community roads in and around Guyana is part of the Government’s overall vision of enhancing connectivity and promoting economic development.

As such, the Government through the Public Works Ministry has expended some $56 billion in upgrading community roads through its miscellaneous and urban road projects.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said “This shows the growth” of the Ministry, emphasising its success.

“Miscellaneous roads are larger than the entire Ministry budget in 2019.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill While the entire budget as of 2019 was $38 billion, this year miscellaneous roads alone was $56 billion,” the Minister said.

He made the revelation during the Ministry’s end-

DPP encourages inmates...

FROM PAGE 14

Ali-Hack addressed the juveniles thus encouraging them to take full advantage of the educational opportunities provided within the holding centre.

She highlighted the positive impact such pursuits could have on their lives upon leaving the facility.

Stressing the importance of maintaining good hygiene and avoiding narcotics, the DPP also cautioned against attempting escape.

The collaborative efforts between the DPP and the Juvenile Holding Centre, which falls under the Home Affairs Ministry, underscore a commitment to the

rehabilitation and well-being of juveniles throughout Guyana.

Only two months ago, the Ministry moved to reconstruct the Juvenile Holding Centre.

At the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office in November, it was revealed that the Ministry had estimated that some $283 million would execute the works on the new facility.

A total of 17 contractors have signalled their expression of interest to complete the work.

of-year press conference Friday last.

So far, the Ministry has rehabilitated 349.3 kilometres of road. Of this amount, 798 were executed in rigid pavement concrete while 483 were rehabilitated in flexible pavement.

Flexible pavement consists of a surface layer of asphalt concrete, several lower layers of appropriate quality aggregate, and the subgrade beneath. The layers enable the pavement to “bend”, reducing damage and the need for repairs over time.

Additionally, the Ministry upgraded 9.9 kilometres of urban roads.

Some 58 were completed in rigid pavement concrete while eight were done in flexible pavement.

The Minister highlighted that a total of 359.2 ki-

A miscellaneous road done last year lometres of roads were com- Minister reiterated the pleted which saw 854 roads Government’s commitment being upgraded to rigid of actively rehabilitate depavement concrete and 491 plorable community roads to flexible pavement roads. for improved accessibiliMeanwhile, the ty for all Guyanese. It also

forms part of the PPP/C Administration’s 2020 to 2025 manifesto commitment of enhancing infrastructure throughout the country.

Tuschen man busted with ganja gets 3 months’ community service

T

wenty-nine-year-old Lestroy Archibald of Tuschen Old Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), who was arrested with 21.4 grams of ganja at Mango Landing in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) was sentenced to three months of community service.

The mason by profession appeared at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court before

Sentenced to community service: Lestroy Archibald

The ganja that was found in the haversack

Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce, where he pleaded guilty with an explanation.

Reports are that two

ranks were performing stop-and-search duty at the Mango Landing Police Outpost on Wednesday

when they intercepted Route 72 minibus BXX 5372, being driven by a 63-year-old man.

The four passengers and their personal belongings were searched, and one transparent plastic bag was found hidden among some clothing in a haversack belonging to Archibald.

A closer inspection of the plastic bag unearthed a quantity of cannabis.

The 29-year-old was taken to the Mahdia Police Station, where the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 21.4 grams.

Silica City: Construction of ...

However, even as they push ahead with Phase One of Silica City, which also includes the development of apartment buildings, malls, condominiums, restaurants, and other amenities, the Government has been encouraging investors to fund the mega project.

Back in September 2022, it was disclosed that the Government was in talks with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the development of the innovation village within Silica City.

Also, that same month, Saudi Arabian-based Dar Consultants had made a presentation on the village.

During the Dar Group presentation at State House in Georgetown, the company officials explained what the innovation village concept within Silica City will accomplish. For one, it will connect start-ups and business incubators to established companies, maximising their opportunities.

According to the group, the innovation village will

Housing Minister Collin Croal

be a geographic area, located within Silica City, where digital and innovative leading-edge anchor institutions and companies cluster and connect with start-ups, business incubators, and accelerators.

It will be physically compact, transit-accessible, technically-wired and will offer a mixed use of housing, office and retail spaces.

Meanwhile, in November 2022, a South Korean company – Yeachon Architect and Urban Planners – also pitched a seven-year plan for the development of Silica

FROM PAGE 11

City.

According to their proposals via a video presentation, the city will be carbon-free, complete with housing, energy, transportation, healthcare, education and recreational facilities.

Mention was made of smart farms, a hypermarket, and a commercial centre. They are proposing that the city could be completed by 2030.

Other Korean and US companies meanwhile made video presentations; on what value they could provide to the development of the city.

(G-8)

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Meeting of Caricom Heads discusses situation in Haiti T

he Seventh Meeting of the Caribbean Community Lead Heads of Government on Haiti was held on Friday under the chairmanship of His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and Chairman of Caricom, to consider the situation in Haiti and determine further action in support of a Haitian-led solution to the crisis in that sister Caricom country.

Heads received a briefing from the Caricom Eminent Persons Group and acknowledged the important efforts being made to facilitate a political consensus among stakeholders in Haiti.

They also took account of the status of preparations for the Multinational Security Support (MSS)

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the Seventh Meeting of the Caribbean Community Lead Heads of Government on Friday

Mission. Heads acknowledged the role of Jamaica in coordinating the efforts of the Community in this regard, as well as the critical

contributions of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

Heads remained gravely concerned over the deteriorating security and human-

itarian situation in Haiti as the political and security crises persist with the horrendous impacts of this situation on the most vulnera-

ble in Haiti.

They noted that increasing violence had resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and forced hundreds of

thousands to flee from their homes.

The Heads called on all stakeholders in Haiti to exert every effort to urgently arrive at a political resolution and the implementation of a transitional roadmap towards stability, the facilitation of humanitarian support, the holding of credible elections, the restoration of political and institutional legitimacy, and long-term development for the Haitian people.

The Community remains committed to working with the people and all stakeholders in Haiti towards durable peace and sustainable development. Caricom looks forward to strengthened collaboration and coordination of efforts with the friends of Haiti and the wider international community in support of Haiti.

250 allottees identify lands at Non Pareil, Enterprise A

pproximately 250 allottees in Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD) were able to identify their lots and now have access to commence construction of their homes.

Water Minister Collin Croal conducted a series of visits and on-site meetings with contractors responsible for the infrastructure development works that are ongoing in several schemes along the East Coast

thousands of citizens are eagerly awaiting access to their lands which was promised to them by the end of 2023.

Nevertheless, during his year-end press briefing, he related that 7128 house lots were

The area where the house lots were distributed

Surveyors from the agency's Planning and Settlement Department working with allottees

Surveyors from the agency's Planning and Settlement Department led 200 people who had been assigned lots on a lot identification exercise earlier this week.

Another 50 people who had been assigned home properties in Enterprise, ECD, were also guided through a similar process.

Infrastructure construction is now underway in several projects along Demerara's East Coast, totalling $12 billion, to ensure that allottees have full access to their property.

Plantation Hope, Plantation Enterprise, Non Pareil, Good Hope, Lusignan Phases 1 & 2, Two Friends, Success, and Le Ressouvenir are all undergoing development works, and upon completion, around 5000 families will be able to go on to the next stage of homeownership.

In November, Housing and

of Demerara.

The schemes visited include Plantation Hope, Plantation Enterprise and Non Pareil, Good Hope, Lusignan Phases 1 & 2, Two Friends, Success, and Le Ressouvenir.

Having had a first-hand look and being able to in-

Berbice) and 192 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Apart from residential lands, the Housing Ministry also allocated 181 plots of land for commercial/industrial use

28,368 residential lots through the “Dream Realised” initiative; 659 commercial and industrial lots as well as 1445 regularised lots.

Meanwhile, Minister with-

allocated in Region Four and according to Minister Croal, the majority of these were distributed along the East Coast corridor.

Last year, in total, some 8578 residential plots were allocated across Guyana. Some 1079 house lots were distribut-

Some of the allottees making their way to identity their lots

A happy family after identifying their lot

spect the ongoing works, Croal called on the contractors to be mindful of their deadline, as

ed in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 125 in Region Five (Mahaica-

as well as regularised 860, taking the total land distribution last year to 9612 lots. This, according to Minister Croal, is 32 per cent of the total allocations by the PPP/C Government since taking office.

Over the past three years, some 30,468 plots of land were allocated. These include

in the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, disclosed that over the last three years, there has been a consistent 40 per cent allocation of house lots exclusively to women. This number peaked last year at 43 per cent.

Low, moderate, and middle-income earners accounted

for 90 per cent of the total allocations.

“That is in keeping with the objective of the housing programme, that is to ensure that affordable housing is provided to all Guyanese,” Rodrigues stated.

Minister Croal further highlighted that youth were significant beneficiaries, with individuals aged 35 years and under receiving 15,119 house lots. This constitutes 53.3 per cent of all allottees since 2020.

The senior Housing Minister went on to note that there were 70,000 pending applications in the system when the current Administration took office in 2020. He noted that while this figure has been reduced over the past three years, the backlog continues to build with new applications. In fact, under the PPP/C Government, there are 13,000 new applications in the system.

Currently, as it stands, there are 80,000-plus applications in the system but only 63,032 are active. He explained that the Ministry does not remove the dormant applications from the system.

18

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Body of Basdeo Panday lies J/ca: Doc urges more use of technology in medicine in honour at Red House

M

edical Association of Jamaica President Dr Leslie Meade is encouraging Jamaica to embrace and improve technological advancements as means to enhance the country's healthcare system.

Presenting at a virtual speakers' meeting hosted by the Lions Club of Kingston on Wednesday, Dr Meade highlighted the current state of Jamaica's healthcare, emphasising the potential for significant improvement in quality through the introduction of telemedicine and the possible introduction of artificial intelligence.

The body of Former PM of Trinidad lies in State

T

he final goodbyes began on Friday for former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Basdeo Panday.

Panday’s body was transported through the streets of Port-of-Spain to the Red House, where it laid in state for public viewing.

This will be one of two viewings before the funeral in San Fernando next Tuesday.

The plans were confirmed by the Communication Ministry, following arrangements with Panday’s family.

Panday, the country’s fifth Prime Minister, was airlifted to Florida on December 12 for medical treatment. In his lifetime, he had several cardiac related issues. He died on Monday evening at a Jacksonville hospital.

On Wednesday, the Ministry also confirmed that his funeral will be held at 8:30 am next Tuesday at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), San Fernando.

It will be followed later in the day by a cremation at the Shore of Peace, Mosquito Creek. Before that, the body of the former Prime Minister will lay in State for public viewing at two locations in North (Friday at the Red House) and South (at SAPA on Monday).

Friday’s viewing at the Red House was held from 10h to 17:30h.

It was transported to the Parliament under military escort. The procession began at 8.45h from Broadway, Port-of-Spain, then on to Independence Square south, proceeding west to Abercromby Street and north to the Red House.

However, the viewing at SAPA on Monday will be from 9:00h to 17:30h.

President, PM, Opposition to pay respects

Panday’s family, wife Oma and daughters Mickela, Nicola, and Vastala, will be

at the Red House viewing on Friday, it is understood.

They are expected to travel from South Trinidad Friday morning in convoy with the Dass Funeral Home hearse bearing Panday’s body.

Panday’s eldest daughter Niala (with his first wife, who passed away) is expected to arrive in the country from overseas by Sunday.

Also among those ex-

mer Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who died in 2016, was lain in State at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), as the Red House was under renovation then.

Big screens for funeral venue

Condolence books are open at the Parliament, municipal corporations around Trinidad and at the Tobago

One of scores of persons who signed the book of condolences on Friday (Office of the Parliament photos)

pected to pay their respects at the Red House today on Friday are President Christine Kangaloo, as well as Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Government Ministers.

The Red House location of the Parliament had been the seat of Panday’s UNC Government over its term of 1995 to 2001.

Panday was last at the Red House in September 2023 for the ceremonial opening of the fourth session of the Parliament. Seated in the VIP section with his daughter Mickela, he had been greeted by members of both the PNM Government and Opposition UNC. Friday’s event was the first time a former Prime Minister’s body will lay in State at the Red House since the building reopened in 2020 after extensive renovation.

The body of T&T’s first Prime Minister, the late Dr Eric Williams, was placed at the Red House for public viewing in 1981 when he died. The body of for-

House of Assembly in Tobago.

Condolence books opened on Friday at Red House and on Monday at the Opposition Leader’s office, Charles Street, Portof-Spain, at the UNC’s headquarters at Mulchan Seuchan Road, Chaguanas, and at UNC’s North Regional office on the Eastern Main Road.

Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne, who signed the book at the Parliament, said, “All arrangements are being made in extremely close consultations with Mr Panday’s family and with their wishes.”

Browne also met with members of the family and their pundit to finalise arrangements. He said for Tuesday’s funeral, there will be big screens inside and outside of the SAPA venue for as many people as possible to be accommodated. Panday’s cremation is the only one scheduled for the Shore of Peace on that day. (Guardian Media)

"Telemedicine has been shown elsewhere to increase the treatment and management of non-communicable diseases, and this can be done as well in Jamaica...I think this will ensure that we can reach a larger number of people, particularly patients in the rural areas where doctors are not always readily available in the health centres to treat these patients," he said.

He added that there needs to be more minimal invasive surgeries within the public healthcare system as this would help to limit wait time at hospitals through reducing recovery time for patients.

"Many times you would have heard that beds are short so patients cannot be admitted. So if you are able to get patients in, have their surgery and out the same day or sometimes the following the day that will open up more bed spaces and it also would limit the number of nurses we need to care for these patients while they are in hospital," Meade argued.

He urged increased investments in treatment services, highlighting the negative effects of inadequate access to essential machinery for patients in the public sector. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

El Salvador says murders fell 70% in 2023 as it cracked down on gangs

T

he number of homicides in El Salvador dropped nearly 70% during 2023, the Central American country's security authorities said on Wednesday, crediting a prolonged state of emergency declared by the Government of President Nayib Bukele to fight crime gangs.

Justice and Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro said 154 murders were committed last year, down from 495 the year before.

That implies a homicide rate of 2.4 per every 100,000 people, which Villatoro said was the lowest in the Americas apart from Canada.

More than 1000 people

were killed in El Salvador in 2021 and 2020, and over 2000 in 2019, according to official data.

Bukele's crackdown has been broadly popular with Salvadorans weary of years of gang violence, extortion and drug dealing.

But human rights groups have said the crackdown has included abuses such as torture, deaths in custody and arbitrary detentions.

The state of emergency declared in early 2022 allows Police to swiftly arrest and jail suspected gang members, while suspending their right to a lawyer and court approval of preliminary detention.

Since it went into effect,

security forces have arrested nearly 75,000 suspected gang members and released 7000, according to official data.

Human rights groups have reported 190 deaths and over 5000 abuses related to the crackdown.

The Central American University's (UCA) Observatory of Human Rights have in the past criticised official data, saying violent deaths are "highly underreported" and Government figures "not truthful."

The data does not include suspected gang members who become casualties of confrontations with security officials, nor people who die in state custody. (Reuters)

Argentina Government talks peso debt risk with banks as repayments loom

A

rgentina's Economy Minister Luis Caputo discussed with representatives of banks the country's economic programme, including liability management, but no official debt swap proposals have been made, a Ministry source told Reuters on Friday.

A second banking source with knowledge of the Thursday evening meeting said the Government spoke "of its intention" of swapping local debt maturing in 2024 for notes maturing in 2025 and through

2027, in a peso amount that could reach the equivalent of US$71 billion. The source said no specific amounts were discussed for the debt management.

"There wasn't and isn't a concrete proposal. The economic programme was presented and there was an exchange of ideas regarding liability management," the Ministry source said.

Earlier on Friday, Bloomberg News reported on the debt swap, saying the Government could issue new peso bonds in February to swap for the 2024 matur-

ities.

A third banking source said the recently appointed Argentine Government has been exploring several options to clear their shortterm external liabilities. "It is part of the economic adjustment along with negotiations with the IMF and passage of important reforms," the source said.

Argentina and the International Monetary Fund were due to begin meetings on Friday to discuss a delayed review of their US$44 billion programme. (Reuters)

Barbados: Digital ID coming this year

T

he anticipated introduction of Barbados’ digital Identification (ID) will be rolled out this year, said Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Davidson Ishmael.

Additionally, he said all systems were a go for January 31 deadline when the old identification cards would no longer be valid and only the new Trident

ID cards would be recognised.

Ishmael said the new Barbados Trident ID that was introduced last year was Phase one of the overall modernisation effort for Government systems.

Phase two, he added, would be the introduction of the digital ID, noting that his Ministry was currently putting in the mechanisms to facilitate this new feature.

“We are working assiduously to get the digital ID delivered within the course of this year. There are a lot of things to be put in place relative to this. There is the technology, the processes and more importantly the people that are all part of the moving parts that we need to settle down before I can give a more specific date,” Ishmael said.

(Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

19

Around The World

For civilians or Hamas? 'Dual use' OILNEWS OIL NEWS issue complicates Gaza aid efforts Oil prices rise on Middle East tensions

O

il prices rose on Friday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a week-long sweep through the Middle East in an attempt to contain regional tensions stoked by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Brent crude futures settled up US$1.17, or 1.51%, at US$78.76 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures finished up US$1.62, or 2.24%, at US$73.81.

Both benchmarks are on track to end the first week of the year higher, rebounding from losses on Thursday triggered by hefty increases in US gasoline and distillate stocks.

"With the tensions in the Middle East, the geopolitical trading premium has to get pushed higher," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC. "It's hard for traders to fight the headlines."

Shipping giant Maersk said it will divert all vessels away from the Red Sea for the foreseeable future, warning customers of disruptions.

A US Government report showing employment grew in December would be supportive of demand in the coming year, Kilduff said.

US employers hired more workers than expected in December while raising wages at a solid clip, prompting financial markets to dial back expectations that the Federal Reserve would start cutting interest rates in March.

Non-farm payrolls increased by 216,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast payrolls rising by 170,000 jobs. The economy added 2.7 million jobs in 2023, down sharply from the 4.8 million positions created in 2022.

"Strong employment should point to strong demand for fuel," Kilduff said.

The latest Fed meeting on Thursday gave a growing sense that inflation is under control and raised concern about the risks that an "overly restrictive" monetary policy may hold for the economy.

Bank of America on Friday said it was taking a defensive stance towards oil stocks because of the long-term price forecast for oil.

It said it expects the US$70-US$90 a barrel Brent trading range in place since OPEC+ intervened to hold, adding that "a permanently backward oil curve steepened by spare capacity" is a headwind for sector value.

Oilfield services company Baker Hughes said the count of active drilling rigs - oil and natural gas rigs combined - fell by one last week to 621 for the third decline in four weeks.

Crude oil drilling rigs were up by one at 501 while natural gas drilling rigs fell by two to 118. (Reuters)

W

ater purifiers, medical supplies and tent poles are among items Israel has blocked from entering Gaza on aid trucks, according to an Egyptian Red Crescent document seen by Reuters and sources in Gaza, but Israel denied blocking any such items.

Under a policy that long pre-dates the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel and ensuing war in Gaza, Israel inspects trucks bound for the Palestinian enclave to stop any items it considers to have potential "dual use" civilian or military.

But the issue of which items do or don't get through has become more urgent and contested as the war has unfolded. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza's population and caused acute shortages of food, water, medicines and other basic necessities.

The Egyptian Red Crescent document, which dates back to mid-December, says 1200 water purifiers, 100 oxygen cylinders, one oxygen generator, 1000 solar-powered items, 24 power generators and 418 medical supplies had been blocked since the war started.

COGAT, an Israeli Defence Ministry agency that coordinates aid deliveries with the United Nations and humanitarian groups, said this was not true.

"We are not refusing anything that is underneath four headlines: food, water, medical supplies and shelters. All of those are entering every day," said Colonel Elad Goren of COGAT during a news briefing on Friday.

COGAT said 11,220 tonnes of medical supplies, including X-ray machines,

Palestinian children queue as they wait to collect drinking water, amid shortages of drinking water, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip January 4, 2024

CT machines and oxygen generators for hospitals had entered Gaza, as well as filters for use in a water desalination plant and mobile desalination filters.

But hospital doctors in Gaza said equipment such as oxygen cylinders

Russia fires North Korean missiles at Ukraine for 1st time – Kyiv official

R

ussia has hit Ukraine with missiles supplied by North Korea for the first time during its invasion, a senior Kyiv official said on Friday, corroborating an earlier assertion by the US White House.

The statement on social media platform X came after the governor of the northeastern region of Kharkiv said that his region had been struck by missiles fired

by Russia that were not Russian-made.

"There is no longer any disguise ... as part of its outright genocidal war, the Russian Federation for the first time struck at the territory of Ukraine with mis-

siles received from ... North Korea," the senior Kyiv official, Mykhailo Podolyak, said.

He did not provide evidence for the missiles being North Korean. In its statement on Thursday, Washington cited declassified intelligence. "(Russia) is attacking Ukrainians with missiles received from a state where citizens are tortured in concentration camps for having an unregistered radio, talking to a tourist, watching TV shows," Podolyak said.

Earlier on Friday, the Kharkiv regional governor said missiles produced out-

side Russia had been fired into the province at the end of December and the beginning of January.

A Reuters video operator filmed the aftermath of a Russian air strike on the regional capital of Kharkiv on Jan 2, in which a missile landed close to the city cen-

T

crew on board, including 15 Indians, had been evacuated and a warship was helping to restore power so the vessel can resume its voyage.

The vessel was destined for Khalifa bin Salman in Bahrain, according to British maritime security firm Ambrey. It was not immediately clear what it was carrying.

"The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the Indian Navy, marine patrol aircraft, of interception by an Indian Naval warship," the navy said in a statement.

The Indian Navy has increased its surveillance of the Arabian Sea after re-

A bird flies past the newly built INS Chennai, India’s third indigenously designed guided missile destroyer, ahead of its commissioning into the Navy in Mumbai, India November 18, 2016

cent attacks in the region.

The hijacking and attempted hijacking of commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea resumed in December after a six-year lull. Experts be-

lieve pirates have been encouraged by US-led anti-piracy naval forces diverting their attention to the neighbouring Red Sea to thwart attacks there by Houthi rebels. (Excerpt from Reuters)

tre, leaving behind a deep crater and missile debris.

Shown the Reuters footage for review, Joost Oliemans, a Dutch researcher and expert on North Korea's military, said the missile remnants looked like they were from North Korea.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Desert swallows livelihoods as climate shocks continue in northeast Nigeria

India Navy rescues bulk carrier crew I after Arabian Sea hijack attempt

he Indian Navy on Friday rescued the crew of a merchant vessel after its attempted hijack in the Arabian Sea and said it had not found any pirates on board.

An Indian Navy warship intercepted the Liberianflagged MV Lila Norfolk bulk carrier less than a day after it received a report that the vessel had been hijacked about 460 nautical miles off Somalia.

About five to six armed people boarded the vessel on Thursday, according to a report received by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, which said the ship's crew had gathered in the ship's citadel.

The navy said all 21

and x-ray machines were not getting through, even though they were desperately needed. They attributed the problem to Israeli inspections, without specifying how they knew that. (Excerpt from Reuters)

n a remote corner of Nigeria’s northeastern state of Yobe, lie communities surrounded by vast sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see.

In recent years, the desert has been coming closer to these communities, a development that continues to affect the lives of people there.

Toshia town in Yunusari local government area, close to the border with Niger, is one such community. Rides to the town involve old, crowded fourwheel drive vehicles, with passengers squeezed into every available space – including the rooftop, bouncing around as the vehicle navigates the soft sand.

Besides creating a challenging commute, the desert has also significantly affected the living conditions.

Others have also incurred heavy losses as the environmental crisis continues to deplete dozens of farms and trigger food

shortages in those areas.

As many as 10 farms belonging to the village head Maigari Isa Bukar, his brothers, and his father were lost to the encroaching desert.

And like his father, Bukar was also displaced from his home.

Al Jazeera spoke to other residents who said the sands have also buried more than 20 houses in recent years. Consequently, land has become scarce to the point that people are now returning to rebuild in areas that were abandoned.

Twenty years ago, Bukar said, his farm produced about 20 to 30 bags of beans, millet, groundnut, and sorghum. But presently, he has been unable to get up to a single bag because farming conditions have deteriorated.

“Life has become more difficult for us because there is no food and we are hungry, nowhere to farm,” he told Al Jazeera. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Think matters through and act accordingly. You must recognize what isn’t working for you anymore. Don’t give anyone the chance to interfere with your plans. Nothing is out of reach if you give it your all.

Lead the way, and you’ll find victory.

Don’t hesitate to implement change and push for what you want. Do your own thing and pay your way. Taking control will pay off and ease stress.

PICKLES (April 20-May 20)

Take nothing for granted, and don’t believe everything you hear. Rely on yourself and your instincts to get what you want. Put your heart on the line when dealing with relationships.

(May 21-June 20) Don’t fear doing things differently.

You’ll be surprised by how many people will be impressed by your creativity.

Don’t limit what you can do or stop short of what you deserve.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Too much of anything will result in overload and trouble. Take a moment to reinvent yourself and your plans, and you will find a refined and cost-efficient way to get ahead.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Say less and do more. Keeping the peace at home will allow you the freedom to get things done your way. A change of scenery will modify your plans to fit your circumstances.

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

Reach out to people involved in something that interests you, and it will help you visualize what to expect. Don’t disrupt your situation at home before you know your next move.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Plan a fun event with friends or relatives. The suggestions you receive will offer plenty of insight that can encourage a lifestyle change. Take the road that leads to contentment.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Look at every angle and protect what you have worked hard to achieve. Refuse to let anyone step in and take charge or have access to your plans. Focus on maintaining your privacy.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Time spent organizing your space will pay off. Let your uniqueness lead the way, and use your skills to advance.

Efficiency will be crucial to getting things done on time.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take a moment to collect your thoughts. You’ll gain insight if you examine the reactions of others. Consider your choices and put your thoughts, time and effort into getting ahead.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Call on people you can count on for sound advice, and the input you receive will encourage you to take care of matters yourself. You’ll reap much higher rewards if you don’t rely on others.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

21

Guyana to battle Suriname all-star team in intl b/ball tourney T

he Guyana senior men’s bask e t b a l l team departed local shores on 4th January to compete in an international goodwill tournament in Paramaribo, Suriname today.

The team consists of 12 players and four technical officials. The players are Shelroy Thomas, Harold Adams, Orlan Glasgow, Dominic Vincente, Nikkoloi Smith, Travis Belgrave, Stanton Rose Jr.,

Shane Webster, O’Quacey Short, Zion Grey, Domair Gladstone, and Yannick Tappin. The officials are coaching staffers Adrian Hooper and Marlon Rodrigues, and management staffers Jermaine Slater and Warren Wilson.

The Guyana Team will take the floor today (Saturday 6th) at 20:45hrs

at the Ismay van Wilgen Sporthal when they come up against an all-star team comprising players from the Suriname Basketball 2023 season. French Guiana will battle the Champions of Suriname’s Basketball season, Koi Carper.

Organizers of the tournament promise an exciting showcase of talent and sportsmanship as teams from various nations are brought together to compete at the highest level. There are plans to make this tournament an annual event.

The Guyana Team would do battle today

Cedella Marley demits role as Global Ambassador for Jamaica’s women's football …Ricketts saddened at development

C

edella Marley has resigned from her role as Global Ambassador for Jamaica’s women's football team, effective immediately.

Highly regarded by the players as ‘the Reggae Girlz fairy godmother,’ Marley made the announcement via a release on Thursday, in which she pointed to the current state of affairs involving the senior Reggae Girlz World Cup representatives and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) as reasons behind her departure.

Her decision comes after 10 years of partnering with the country's governing football body to raise funds for the Reggae Girlz as they qualified for consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup tourneys in 2019 and 2023.

"I must express my disappointment and growing concern with the turn things have taken in recent months.

After the World Cup, I was under the impression that we all were committed to working together to build on that success. However, the ever-widening rift between the JFF and the team is very alarming. Numerous overtures to each of you, to voice my concern and try to assist with a resolution, continue to be met with noncommittal generic response," a part of her statement read.

Marley said she believes the federation is “neither receptive nor interested" in her "current manner of support.”

She explained that after sharing a mutual vision with Captain Horace Burrell, she joined the team with an understanding that she would

bring “help and support.”

She further expressed that since coming to that understanding, the Bob and Rita Marley Foundations, alongside a host of partners, have invested some US$2.7 million into the growth and development of the country's women’s football team since 2014.

“We have worked diligently with the federation to build a solid women’s programme. The results of this work speak for themselves, as the Reggae Girlz have gone on to literally make history – not once, not twice, but repeatedly,” she noted.

Despite her resignation, Marley declared, she would continue to support the Reggae Girlz’ journey via the Football is Freedom initiative.

JFF Vice-President Raymond Anderson, who will challenge incumbent Michael Ricketts for the presidency next week, believes Marley's resignation speaks clearly to the inability of the current leadership to be trusted.

"This resignation casts a long shadow of mistrust over the current JFF administration. It is now clear that there has been a deliberate effort to discredit our twotime World Cup-qualifying Reggae Girlz. This squad, a beacon of hope and pride for our nation, has been let down. In just three months, the JFF has managed to undo what took Cedella Marley and everyone involved a decade to build," a release from Anderson's Real Solid Action (RSA) team stated.

Michael Ricketts

"I utterly condemn the manner in which the Reggae Girlz and Ambassador Marley have been treated.

The lack of communication, unfulfilled promises, and disregard shown are inexcusable. To see such disregard for the team, the handling of coach Lorne Donaldson, and the dismantling of their structure after ascending to the Round of 16 in the World Cup is not only a betrayal of trust, but a tragic misstep," it added.

Ricketts reacts Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts has said he is saddened that both Cedella Marley and the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation have opted to cut ties with the country's women's programme.

After Marley resigned from her role as Global Ambassador for Jamaica’s women’s football programme, the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation followed suit and announced its dis-

Cedella Marley sharing a photo opportunity with Jamaica's Reggae Girlz

continuation of funding support to the JFF and the national women’s programme.

A statement signed by the Foundation’s General Counsel Lecia-Gaye Taylor, and released on Thursday, said the decision was not made lightly, given their “long and meaningful” partnership with the JFF over the years.

While Marley pointed to the current state of affairs involving the senior Reggae Girlz World Cup representatives and the JFF as reasons behind her departure, the Bob and Rita Marley Foundation said its move was to reassess its priorities.

“We have been privileged to witness the growth and development of women’s football in Jamaica, and we are proud of the achievements and progress that have been made during our collaboration. However, as circumstances change and our foundations evolve, we must reassess our priorities and the impact of our fund-

ing on various causes and organizations. In light of our revised focus and funding priorities, we have come to the conclusion that we can no longer continue our financial support of the JFF programme,” the statement read.

Like Marley, the Foundation expressed its commitment to the empowerment of girls and the development of women’s football in Jamaica; and, as such, will continue its support under the Football is Freedom initiative.

Both Marley and the Foundation have been instrumental benefactors to the country’s governing football body over the years, and their absence have started to raise questions about how the JFF would fill that huge gap in its coffers, a fact Ricketts is very much aware of.

“I am saddened by the unfortunate decision of Miss Marley to cut ties with the women's programme at this

time. This is even more so as we are of the view that we had made significant progress in the discussions, and are just awaiting the World Cup players to come back to us and advise of their availability.

“We must thank Miss Marley and the Bob Marley Foundation for all the support that they have given over time. We want to assure her that the gains that have been made will be concretised as we move into the future,” Ricketts said in a release.

“We are happy that she [Marley] will continue to lend support to local women's football through the "Football is Freedom" initiative, and are eager to offer any support that might be requested. The JFF no doubt will always welcome the contribution of Miss Marley as we continue to develop women's football and provide a path for the young girls in Jamaica,” he ended.

(Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

Promotional Playoffs final shifted to Sunday …Women’s Division 1 final also to be contested

I

nstead of this evening, the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) Elite League Promotional Playoff final will now be hosted tomorrow, Sunday, January 7, with a men’s and women’s doubleheader on the cards.

The GFF made this revelation on Friday in announcing that the high-stakes final clash between West Demerara Football Association’s Slingerz and Berbice FA’s Monedderlust has been rescheduled to January 7 at the Ministry of Education (MOE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.

Fans are in for a thrilling doubleheader, with the inaugural Women’s League Division One final match featuring a clash between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the

A look at what is in store for the Women’s League Division 1 final

Guyana Police Force (GPF) slated as the opening event on Sunday at 17:00hrs.

This will be followed by the eagerly anticipated show-

down between Slingerz and Monedderlust at 19:00hrs, with the winner securing an automatic spot in the upcoming Elite League Season Six, set to

kick off in February, along with a million-dollar preparation grant.

According to the GFF, the change in venue and date is the result of a scheduling conflict at the Eve Leary Sports Ground in Kingston, Georgetown.

GFF Competitions Director Troy Peters is urging fans to show their support by attending Sunday’s matches.

“This will be another weekend of intense competition from four incredibly talented teams. I invite fans to join us on Sunday, showing support for their teams and players in what promises to be an electrifying afternoon,” he said.

The action-packed GFF Elite League Promotional Playoff kicked off on December 17 with nine triumphant teams from the Member Associations'

Leagues battling fiercely for a prized entry into the esteemed Elite League Season Six. Participating clubs are Beacons (Bartica Football Association), Beacon (Georgetown Football Association), Buxton Stars (East Coast Demerara Football Association), Dominators (Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association), Herstelling Raiders (East Bank Demerara Football Association), Monnederlust (Berbice Football Association), Slingerz (West Demerara Football Association), Tabatinga (Rupununi Football Association), and Winners Connection (Upper Demerara Football Association).

Meanwhile, the Women’s League Division One, which was launched on October 14,

featured seven top-tier female clubs: Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Fruta Conquerors, Potaro Strikers, Pakuri Jaguars, and Santos.

The league champion will claim a cash prize of $200,000, while the second-place team will be awarded $100,000. The third-place finisher will receive $75,000, while the fourth and fifth places will be presented with $50,000 and $25,000 respectively.

The tournament featured a blend of current and former national players, as well as emerging talents. Much like the Elite League, it served as a pathway for players to catch the eye of scouts looking for talent to bolster both senior and national teams.

RHTY&SC teams launch 2024 calendar of activities with 725 activities planned CLASSIFIED ADS …After a successful 2023

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T

he cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, last Tuesday launched their 2024 calendar of activities by donating to the Therapy Unit of the Port Mourant Public Hospital.

The teams: Rose Hall Poonai Pharmacy Under-11 and Under- 13, Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro female, and NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Under-23 and First Division, handed over a donation to the management of the Therapy Unit, headed by Yonette Yaw. The donation included office chair, clock, and cleaning materials along with other things, and is the first of 725 activities that the management of the club has planned for the year.

Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, has said the Port Mourant Public Hospital is very special to the club because of the care it provides club members.

Foster, who attends the therapy unit of the hospital as he recovers from serious illness, pledged the club’s continued assistance, and said he is very impressed with the professionalism of the staff in dealing with patients.

He said the Therapy Unit has already benefited from several donations made by the cricket teams, including physical exercise equipment, food hampers, office furniture, sanitary materials, and stationery, among other needed items.

Under its Tribute to Medical Workers programme, the teams also honoured outstanding staff at the public hospital.

Ms Yaw has expressed thanks to the cricket teams for their kindness, and has wished them success on the cricket field.

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, which was founded in 1990 by Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Youth Club, has produced over 130 players for Berbice, Guyana, and West Indies cricket teams, while it has won over 100 cricket tournaments at all levels.

Additionally, it won three national tournaments, the first Guyana Cricket Board Club of the Year award, and is the only youth and sports club in

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Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under-15 team Members of the RHTY&SC, led by under-19 captain Matthew Pottaya, handed over a donation to the Port Mourant Therapy Unit

Guyana to ever receive a national award from the Government of Guyana.

Foster, who recently demitted the presidency of the Berbice Cricket Board after six successful years, disclosed that the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club was able to successfully complete a total of 717 activities under the sub headings of sports coaching, education, charity, awards, community development, youth development, social and religious.

Originally, 750 activities had been planned, but several problems, including Foster’s five-month illness, affected the hosting of several activities between February and May. The club produced a total of 15 national players at all levels.

Under-15 are Sohil Mohammed and Ramzan Kubir; Under-19 are Jonathan Rampersaud and Jeremy Sandia; Under-17 are Matthew Pottaya; Under-13 is Tameshwar Deonandan and Raphael McKenzie; female senior players are Shemaine Campbell, Sabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Plaffiana Milllington; and senior Amazon Warriors Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Anderson and Clinton Pestano.

Thirty-one of its members also represented the county during 2023. Jonathan Rampersaud, Jeremy Sandia and Matthew Pottaya were all outstanding with the ball for Guyana at the junior level during 2023.

The following members played for the West Indies senior team, CWI Cricket Academy, or A teams: Kevin Sinclair, Shemaine Campbell, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair.

Campbelle was appointed vice- captain of the female team, while Kevin Sinclair is currently on tour in Australia with the Test team.

Among the numerous programme hosted by the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club in 2023 were: tributes to heroes, tributes to law enforcement officers, tribute to postal workers, tribute to town council workers, GBTI say no to drugs inter-secondary school cricket tournament, Republic Bank Grade 6 Summer Camp, Bakewell/ Busta Cricket Academy, Basil Butcher Trust Fund, Youth Information Booklet, Region Six Sports Award, Say No to drugs campaign, clean-up campaign, Walter Nero Tribute to Fathers; Jessica Sandia’s Tribute to MotherS, Christmas concert, feeding the poor, Dolphin Award of Excellence, educational scholarship, tribute to medical workers, evening of music, medical outreach, clinic annual youth magazine, single parent assistant fund, the fire victims and a back-to-school assistance programme.

Additionally, the cricket teams have hosted a massive Christmas outreach programme which included the popular

Christmas Village in the compound of the Rose Hall Primary School from the 21st to the 24th of December.

Other projects undertaken as part of the Christmas outreach were: distribution of hundreds of food hampers, concert, special packages for senior citizens, toy distribution, and Christmas breakfast for the elderly.

The teams also undertook major repair to the internal fence of the area ‘H’ ground, and constructed a concrete pathway with the assistance of Panthera Solutions. The club also provide assistance to several of its members with a wide array of items, including bicycles, uniforms, educational material, cricket gears, food hampers and educational grants.

The cricket section of the club was also able to obtain a batting cage, bowling machine, and a pitch cover with the assistance of the Berbice Cricket Board.

Foster stated that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club’s success was based on its hard work, dedication of its large membership, and support it has received from its donors.

Senior members of the club are Assistant Secretary Jonathan Rampersaud, Robbie Kissoonlall, Keith Hicks, Tyrone Pottaya, Ryan Kissoonlall, Ryan Algu, Stephanie Ramdas, Shemaine Campbelle, Marian Samaroo, Uma Matadin, Matthew Pottaya and Winston Smith.

The club would like to express gratitude to all the

persons who offered support during the year, including David Armogan, Zamal Hussain, Nigel Dharamlall, Faisal Jaffarally, Dave Budhu, Natasha Griffith, and Rion Peters. Special thanks are also extended to senior Government officials, especially Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Ministers Dr Ashni Singh, Joseph Hamilton, Colin Croal, Vikram Bharrat; and Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.

The list of major donors, including Poonai Pharmacy, Farfan and Mendes Limited, Panthera Solutions Inc, Bakewell, DDL Pepsi, Metro Office Supplies, National Milling Company (NAMILCO), Republic Bank, Busta, Ansa McAl, Guyana Breweries, Banks DIH Limited, Sterling Products, Sentinel Security, Dr. Puran Singh, Modern Optical Services, John Fernandes, Caribbean Containers Inc, DeSinco Trading, Go-Invest, John Lewis Styles, HA Snacks, the Gift Center, Canadian Surplus, KSM Inc, Fitness Express, Beacon Café, Ming’s Products & Services, Kings Jewellery World, Ricks and Sari Limited, Shimron/Nirvani Hetmyer, Andrew Art, Star Rental, VNet Communication, GNNL, DTV 8, Sheikh Mohammed, Nand Persaud Limited, Guyana Medical, P + P Insurance Brokers, AH&L Kissoon Limited, Lens Crafters, C. Chitramani, Bounty Farm Limited, Toucan Industries, among others.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

23

Guyana to host 6 matches, including semifinal 1 …As fixtures revealed for ‘historic’ Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

T

he fixtures for the ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have been revealed. The event is to be co-hosted by the West Indies USA from June 1 to 29, 2024, and fans can register their interest for tickets here.

The pinnacle ICC men’s T20 event will see a record 20 teams divided into four groups

Barbados against Scotland; and 2022 finalists, Pakistan, will get their challenge going on Thursday 6 June, when they play the USA in Dallas.

In the plethora of blockbuster matchups scheduled in the group stage, fans can look forward to Sri Lanka taking on South Africa in New York on Monday 3 June, while England will go up

tour packages are now open.

ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice, has said: “The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 marks an exciting expansion of our sport, with more teams than ever before set to compete in this event.

It’s going to be an incredible spectacle, bringing together 20 international teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia, East-Asia Pacific and Europe.

The release of the fixtures is made even more exciting for fans as we enter a new frontier, with the USA hosting a major ICC event for the first time. With 16 matches being played across three venues in the USA, it allows us to make a statement in the world’s biggest sports market.

“It will also be great to have an ICC event back in the West Indies, which has such a rich history of the game. It has hosted World Cups with great success in the past, and this tournament will certainly provide a boost to the game there, especially with the final

West Indies will begin their 3rd T20 World Cup title hunt in Guyana

as we expect the demand to be high.”

The Chair of T20 World Cup Incorporated, the entity established in the USA to deliver the event, Peter Hutton, has said: “The USA is already one of cricket’s biggest audiences for ICC events, and

bringing the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to New York City, Dallas and Florida is a massive opportunity to exponentially grow the sport.

We’ve got three fantastic venues to host matches, and we strongly encourage fans in the USA and around

CWI CEO, Johnny Grave

competing across 55 games for the right to be crowned ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Champions 2024, including co-hosts the West Indies and the USA, together with the other qualifiers: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, England, India, Ireland, Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Uganda.

The 20 teams have been divided into four groups of five, with the top two teams progressing to the Super Eights: Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada and the USA Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland and Oman Group C: New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua, New Guinea Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Nepal.

The event commences with the two co-hosts starting their campaigns on the first two days of June. The USA will take on Canada in the tournament opener at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas on Saturday 1 June, while the West Indies will kickstart their campaign against Papua New Guinea at the Guyana National Stadium on Sunday 2 June.

One of cricket’s biggest rivalries will take place in one of the world’s most iconic cities, with New York to host India and Pakistan on Sunday, 9 June. The fixture will be played in a cutting-edge 34,000-seat modular stadium just 30 miles east of downtown Manhattan in Nassau County, New York.

Eight matches will be played at the venue.

Defending champions England will begin their title defence on Tuesday 4 June in

against archrivals Australia in Barbados on Saturday 8 June. Another highly anticipated fixture will see the West Indies taking on New Zealand on Wednesday 12 June at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.

First-time Qualifiers Uganda will play their first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup fixture in Guyana against Afghanistan on Monday, 3 June. Nepal, who qualified for the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2014, will open their campaign against Sri Lanka in one of four matches to be played at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.

Upon completion of the group stage, the top two teams from each of the four groups will move into the Super Eight stage of the competition. Teams seeded first and second in their groups in the first round will retain that seeding in the Super Eight, provided they qualify. Super Eight matches are scheduled to be played in popular Caribbean tourist destinations Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The two top teams from each group in the Super Eight will progress to the semi-finals, which will be held in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 June respectively. The final will be held at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday 29 June.

Public tickets will go on sale via a ballot, and fans can now register their interest here. Registering now would ensure fans receive ticket news first, to help secure their seat at the World Cup. Outside of the ballot, fans can guarantee match tickets through the official travel programme, ICC Travel & Tours, wherein fans would be able to purchase official ticket – inclusive of travel packages.

Registrations for travel and

The Fixtures for the T20 Men’s World Cup

being played in Barbados.”

CWI Chief Executive, Johnny Grave, has said: “The announcement of the match schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 marks a significant milestone in our preparations for this year’s tournament. We know that teams, fans and cricket enthusiasts worldwide have been eagerly awaiting this announcement, and now that it is available, it provides a roadmap for the thrilling journey that lies ahead. In addition to the match fixtures, the announcement also highlights the host countries and iconic venues that will set the stage for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. “Each host country and city will bring its own unique flavour to the tournament, and fans from every corner of the globe can expect an exciting blend of T20 cricketing entertainment, local culture, and warm hospitality. From classic rivalries to history making upsets and continental showdowns, fans can start looking forward to an action-packed month of games at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next June, and we encourage everyone to get tickets as soon as they go on sale,

the world to start planning to secure their tickets for what will be a unique cricket spectacle featuring the best players in the world.”

Vijay Srinivasan, co-Founder of Major League Cricket, has said: “Major League Cricket is delighted to host the marquee opening match for the biggest-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the premier MLC venue, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in North Texas. We know that cricket fans from across the country will be out in force on June 1 as the United States hosts Canada in the curtain-raiser for the tournament. The match will mark a new chapter in a rivalry dating back longer than any other in international cricket, all the way to 1844.

“In addition, we can’t wait to welcome fans from Pakistan, the Netherlands, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to the Lone Star State for a further three matches at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, where many of the stars of Major League Cricket will be playing for their countries.”

Man Utd trying to finalise Sancho’s return to Dortmund

M

anchester United are trying to finalise the terms of Jadon Sancho's loan move back to Borussia Dortmund.

BBC Sport understands an agreement has been reached between the two clubs that would allow Sancho to rejoin his old club for the rest of the season. However, there are contractual and financial issues around the deal that still require tidying up.

The 23-year-old winger completed a £73m move to Old Trafford from Dortmund in July 2021. However, he has not played for United since 26 August, after falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, and has been training away from the first team since September.

The relationship between Sancho and Ten Hag hit the rocks after the England international was omitted from the squad for September's defeat at Arsenal, with the

Sancho scored 50 goals in 137 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, before joining Manchester United in 2021

Dutchman stating it was due to his performance in training.

Sancho rejected those claims, and said on social media that he was being made a scapegoat. He later refused to apologise for his comments, and that led to his exile.

Since joining United, Sancho has struggled for consistent form - he has scored nine league goals and provided just six assists in his 58 ap-

pearances.

Dortmund, who sit fifth in the Bundesliga, are keen for Sancho to join them on their current mid-season training camp in Marbella. The club will play friendly fixtures against AZ Alkmaar on 6 January and Standard Liege on 9 January, before returning to Germany and resuming their league campaign at Darmstadt on 13 January.

(BBC Sport)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2024

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

Pg 23

6 matches, including semifinal 1 …As fixtures revealed for ‘historic’ Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Pg 21

Promotional Playoffs final shifted to Sunday Suriname all-star team Pg 22

…Women’s Division 1 final also to be contested

in intl b/ball tourney

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