Guyana Times - Sunday, January 14, 2024.pdf

The famous Chicken Fried Rice of Guyana P Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 5611 guyanatimesgy.com

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THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

Value creation of US$30M GAICO port enormous – Pres Ali See story on page 3

PRICE $140 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

“I does just do a fine thing” – man caught with drugs tells cops P17

NA Town Council intensifies operation to tackle illegal vending P19

Pedestrian dies in 3-vehicle accident in P7 WCB smash-up First Son Zayd Ali, assisted by First Lady Arya Ali, cutting the ceremonial ribbon to commission the US$30M GAICO facility on Saturday at Nismes, West Bank Demerara. Also in photo are President Dr Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and his wife, Mrs Mignon Bowen-Phillips; CEO of GAICO, Komal Singh; Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, members of the diplomatic corps, and cabinet ministers, officials and Singh’s family members (DPI photo)

Constitutional Reform Commission

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Driver escapes as cops uncover 49lbs of ganja in motorcar P15

Stakeholder bodies given 1 month to submit nominees for appointment – AG Boat loaded with US$16M DDL Dairy Farm to produce milk by 204lbs of ganja found …annual target set February 2025 at 5 million litres at Crabwood Creek Page 12

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Govt to launch RFP today for development of gas resources

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P20 UG Tain Campus to offer more courses, cater for students from remote regions

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Jan 14 – 06:30h – 08:00h and Monday, Jan 15 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Jan 14 – 06:25h – 07:55h and Monday, Jan 15 – 07:05h – 08:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 06:41h and 18:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.64 metres and 2.74 metres.

Low Tide: 12:30h reaching a minimum height of 0.58 metre.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 2024

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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Value creation of US$30M GAICO port enormous – Pres Ali …says Govt “fleshing out” local marine industry

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AICO Construction & General Services Inc. on Saturday commissioned its US$30 million marine facility at Nismes, West Bank Demerara, and according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, the value creation of this project is enormous.

This newly built facility comprises a wharf, dry dock, and laydown and storage yard.

The port facility, which is located on the west bank of the Demerara River, will be used as an offloading site for all the equipment and materials that are being brought in for the construction of Government’s model Gas-to-Energy Project, which will feature a 300-megawatt power plant and an integrated natural gas liquids (NGL) plant at Wales, WBD. Delivering the feature address at Saturday’s commissioning, the Head of State pointed out that this project has created immense opportunities for not only business development in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), but also the enhancement of local capacity as well.

“So, the value creation that Komal [Singh, Chief Executive Officer of GAICO] has made here is enormous. Because if you hear the number of young people who are trained here; the number of truck operators, mechanics; let me frankly say that if we did not have this development, our pace of development in Region Three would be curtailed by 25 per cent at least; because we did not have an offloading facility for sand and for all the pipes for the Gas-to-Energy project,” he noted.

President Ali noted that this facility is part of a host of developments that are taking place along the Demerara River, and those developments would not only bolster the Region Three economy, but Guyana’s infrastructural landscape as well.

“In this region, and along the Demerara River, what you are seeing is the creation of value…this accelerated value did not come by accident; this accelerated value was supported by the investment that the Government is making, the investment by the private sector, and the policy-making matrix that exists,” he said.

Marine economy However, as Guyana continues to see unprecedented infrastructural development, the Guyanese Leader underscored the need for the country to build out a marine economy that could further push economic growth.

“We are fleshing out the marine economy and what the marine economy would look like. The marine economy is critically linked to the national gas strategy, to the oil and gas strategy, and to every other aspect of development that is taking place. Whilst we build out the agro-industrial and manufacturing hub, it is the marine economy, through transport and logistics, that must support the advancement, development, and competitiveness of these industries,” Ali posited.

GAICO CEO Komal Singh According to the Head of State, a local marine economy would require the improvement and efficiency of the Demerara River in supporting the development that is taking place.

This, he noted, is where extensive dredging would be needed.

“So, the manufacturing, industrial development, and the transport and logistics hub require of us now to rethink our maritime strategy: the use of our rivers, the functionality of our rivers, the economic value of our rivers versus investment that is required to maximize the potential of our rivers.

We have studies going on now in relation to coming up with a model that will have sustainable dredging inherent in that model -- so we can bring in bigger ships, we can take out bigger ships,” the President asserted.

He went on to say all these investments are linked to the “value creation chain” being built out across Guyana by his government.

“The Government’s job is to create opportunities and that enabling environment. It is the job of the private sector to use those opportunities to build prosperity in the society,” the Guyanese Leader noted.

In fact, GAICO CEO Komal Singh spoke of the opportunity that the Ali-led Administration has created for the realization of this marine facility, which was conceptualised since 2013 and should have been completed in 2019, but was stalled un-

President Dr Irfaan Ali

A section of the gathering at the commissioning of GAICO’s US$30 million marine facility at Nismes, West Bank Demerara on Saturday evening der the previous Coalition regime. The project was approved by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government in December 2020.

“It could have been done a lot faster, but we got some delay…We're still not late. While, if we had started earlier, we would’ve been able to achieve a lot more, but we’re still able to achieve quite a bit as of today,” Singh noted.

The marine facility was built with over two million cubic feet of materials consisting of clay, sand, loam and crushed stones. One unique aspect of the facility is the clay that was used in the construction of the facility.

“When we do dredging on this side of the [Demerara] River, we used to bring that dredged material and place that on the land to dry out for a six-to-eight-months’ period,

and then we keep reclaiming as we keep going forward. And it was the dedication and the support of our employees and our team…because it wasn't easy to bring back materials onshore and dry it, but we did it and we did it successfully; and today we were able to reclaim six acres of land over the last 10 years,” the GAICO CEO explained.

Saturday’s commissioning ceremony for GAICO’s US$30 million marine facility was attended by First Lady Arya Ali; Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and his wife, Mrs Mignon BowenPhillips; Ministers of Public Works, Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar; along with other Cabinet Ministers, senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Private Sector Commission.

(G8)

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

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

Heed MLK’s Message

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n Monday, the US will observe “Martin Luther King Day”, the birthday of the great fighter for equality of treatment and opportunity for Americans of African descent. This year’s commemoration will be especially significant, coming as it does at a time of re-evaluating the progress in race relations that was thought to have ensued in the wake of Dr King’s life’s work. What is clear, however, is that privilege and power always seek to defend themselves against the incursions of those that would insist on the inalienable right of all human beings to live in dignity, which is impossible in the face of gross inequalities.

Power and privilege would constantly find ways to reinscribe their insidious relations of domination and submission in the institutions of society. So it behooves those seeking a just world and the “good life” to always be vigilant and ready to struggle. When MLK was a college student, he was already deeply troubled by the unequal treatment meted out to African-Americans by the power structure, controlled by White America. Determined to do something about this injustice, he was struck by the message of non-violent struggle, or “satyagraha”, utilised by Mahatma Gandhi in his fight in India against the British, between 1915-1948.

“Satya” means “truth” and “graha” means “force”, and it proposes an active “truth-force” that is deployed against the forces of oppression. “Nonviolent resistance does resist,” Dr King wrote. “It is not a method of stagnant passivity. While the nonviolent resister is passive, in the sense that he is not physically aggressive towards his opponent, his mind and emotions are always active, constantly seeking to persuade his opponent that he is wrong. The method is passive physically, but strongly active spiritually. It is not passive non-resistance to evil; it is active nonviolent resistance to evil.”

It is of more than passing interest that Gandhi invented satyagraha in South Africa, where he spent twenty years until he returned to India in 1915. In South Africa, he was assailed by the institutionalised racism that manifested itself most egregiously in segregation between the races in transportation and housing. As an Indian professional – he was a lawyer by profession – the South African authorities treated him identically to the indentured Indians who had been brought to work on the sugar plantations and coal mines. His “wakeup call” came when he was kicked off a train to make way for a white South African, even though he had purchased a firstclass ticket.

Dr King and African-Americans such as Rosa Parks confronted an analogous situation in the American South.

While it might not be explicitly acknowledged, most modern struggles against inequality take their inspiration from the example of Dr King, and by extension Mahatma Gandhi.

Satyagraha contraposes its methodology to the way of violence that is still the dominant reaction to those that defend privilege and power. Satyagraha is very sensitive to means and ends.

“Nonviolence does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win friendship and understanding,” King said.

“The nonviolent resister must often express his protest through non-cooperation or boycotts, but he realises that these are not ends themselves; they are merely means to awaken a sense of moral shame in the opponent… The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community, while the aftermath of violence is tragic bitterness.”

Dr King summarised his methodology of non-violent resistance in six steps. One begins by becoming thoroughly informed about the injustice, and then educating others about it. Teaching is through action, rather than words, and in this way, one transforms oneself. Negotiations are then opened up with opponents using win-win scenarios, and only if unsuccessful, direct action such as sit-ins, marches, petitions etc are launched.

Finally, as Mandela demonstrated in South Africa, one attempts to reconcile with one’s opponents, since, ultimately, we have to live together and build our nation together.

Restorative Justice can heal many wounds.

Reclamation project in Dakoura, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), where an initial phase of 11 acres of trees has been planted to date. This project has employed almost 100 individuals, and will continue in 2024 and beyond, in keeping with our Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. On Saturday, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and a team of senior staff from that Ministry, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Forestry Commission visited the project (Natural Resources Ministry photo)

Falsehoods being peddled about health sector

Dear Editor, There was a letter in the January 13 issue of a publication -- written by a Leyland Roopnarine -- that was highly critical of me. It is revealing that Roopnarine had nothing to say about what I had written on free speech; since, I assume, he could not disagree with what I had to say. But he was angry that I wrote in defence of Bharrat Jagdeo.

First and foremost, Bharrat Jagdeo does not need me or anyone to defend him, or to polish his considerable stature in Guyana, the diaspora, or globally. In this regard, I would not respond to any name-calling that the anti-Jagdeo usual suspects apply to me. In any case, name-calling is not my forte, and I usually leave it to those who need that approach, instead of dealing with facts. I have better things to do working every single day in the various communities of the country of my birth, which I love so very much.

When they need me, many of the usual suspects know where to find me. They usually find me in one of the communities working; and I am always respectful and always offer my help -- something none can dispute. As promised, I will deal only with the falsehoods Roopnarine referred to.

He wanted to know what happened with the specialty hospital money which the PPP Government mobilized when I was Minister to

build the specialty hospital.

Actually, he is asking the wrong person. Mostly, the persons that he needs to direct that question to are his friends in the former David Granger-led APNU/AFC Government, which include Ramjattan, Nagamootoo, Jordon, Volda Lawrence, George Norton and Karen Cummings.

In 2010, on a trip to India, President Bharrat Jagdeo had requested me to prepare a concept note for a specialty hospital. It was agreed that the Indian EXIM Bank would fund the project at a cost of US$54M. It took a while to finalize the agreement; and with various budget cuts and rejections in the Parliament when the APNU/ AFC used its one-seat majority to sabotage the project and the development agenda, a contract was not signed with Surendra until 2013, at a time when I was then the Minister of Agriculture.

In 2014, clearing of the land just east of where MovieTowne is presently located and site preparation began. The funds for site preparation in 2014 were from the regular budget.

In 2015, APNU/AFC became responsible for the project. In fact, APNU/AFC terminated the contract and abandoned the project. A different use of the EXIM Bank’s funds was then negotiated, focusing on primary health care.

To this day, we cannot determine how APNU/AFC used those funds, because

there is no visible evidence of improvement or building of any health centre; there was no improvement in any of the various district or regional hospitals that occurred between 2015 and 2020. No specific project was developed that targeted the EXIM Bank Fund. Most of the work started by APNU/ AFC in the health sector was incomplete in 2020, and most could not be completed for the purpose construction started. Almost $300M was expended to build a maternity wing at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

In August 2020, the building was a shell, with windows, doors, floors still to be completed. The operating room area needed total redesigning and new construction, because each of the rooms had pillars spreading across the middle of the room, leaving no place to fit functional operating room tables.

In Suddie, the APNU/ AFC started building a $45M OR suite that was never designed for an operating room. It was incomplete and leaking badly. On January 12, 2024, Minister Anthony commissioned a new NICU in that space. In August 2020, after spending more than $1.5B, and after commissioning the former Ocean View Hotel as a new Infectious Disease Hospital for COVID-19 twice, we discovered an unfinished building: with major sewer problems, no beds, no equipment, no oxygen, and incomplete

electrical work.

This is the kind of disarray that APNU/AFC foisted on our people, which should make all of us angry. Those who defend the 2015 to 2020 record in health are callous, and have no interest in the welfare of our people.

In October 2020, President Irfaan Ali agreed that the EXIM Bank money would be added to funds which would go toward building new hospitals to replace West Demerara, Suddie and Bartica hospitals. To our great chagrin, we discovered that the APNU/AFC Government had squandered most of the money, with just US$15M remaining. This money is what is being supplemented to build the new Bartica Hospital, the design of which has been completed, with construction starting before June 2024.

I encourage Leyland to take some time and asked his friends in APNU/AFC to account for how they expended almost US$40M. I left the Ministry of Health in December 2011.

Even the PNC/APNU/AFC conceded that my leadership was transformative, stating openly that “one must give Jack his jacket”. We gained national, regional and global recognition for the work we did in health.

Everything Roopnarine stated was false. Far from being in disarray, the health sector was being transformed, resembling nothing we had before.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

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

Deceitful and misleading Dear Editor, The article published on Friday, 12 January 2024 with a large photographic image of Figueira, with what to my mind was the most deceitful and misleading headline, “Figueira admits Norton’s performance assessment correct; pledges support for Nima FlueBest”, was crafted with the dubious aim of inducing alarm and confusion, to stir up interest and to mislead the population.

The only truth in that piece -- with my profound and intentional use of sardonic and sarcastic responses to the questions asked by the author, who skilfully manipulated my words in an un-journalistic style of writing to convey a very false and grossly inaccurate narrative -- was my intended efforts and commitment to work with, and help, my colleague MP Mrs Nima Flue-Bess.

I was caught off-guard in Chabrol’s scheming tactics. I’ve come to learn in

hindsight that he is a close associate of Mr Norton, and no doubt seized the opportunity presented by the trending nature of the Shadow Cabinet debacle and negative backlash Norton is receiving from the support base on the ground, the diaspora, and countless others on multiple social media platforms to give credence to this party leader’s baseless, witless, inept and daft analysis of my performance, and decisions on his pre-budget pre-elections political moves. To play with words is an art that was surely on display in that colourful and deceptive Demerara Waves piece, which was misrepresentative of the actual truth.

Editor, I put the following to you to reinforce my point: 1. A woman without her man is nothing.

2. A woman, without her man is nothing.

3. A woman, without her, man is nothing.

The play of the identical words connotes three different ideas. My truthful ideas were intentionally not captured in that piece.

Editor, I do understand, and can appreciate that, in some instances, newspapers and social media platforms do use sensational headlines to grab the attention of readers and entice them to buy or read their publications. In today’s competitive media landscape, attention is a valuable commodity, and sensational headlines are a way for newspapers and other media entities to stand out from the crowd.

Additionally, sensational headlines can generate buzz on social media and attract clicks to online articles and shares, which can drive traffic and increase advertising and sales revenues.

However, some journalistic ethics is expected; and it is in this regard that I specifically wish to express umbrage at this news en-

Falsehoods being peddled...

The statement that the sector was suffering from major medicine and medical supplies’ shortage is appropriate for 2015 to 2020, when his friends were in charge. At the beginning of 2012, the sector was providing reliable supplies to all health facilities between 95% and 100%. From an essential medicine list with about 140 medicines in 2000, the essential medicine list bulged to almost 1,000, with no developing countries matching our list.

Cancer medicines, antiretrovirals for HIV, hepatitis, heart disease, medicines were all being provided for free. From a time when Guyana could not guarantee people a simple HB test result, Guyana was providing at GPHC and all regional labs diagnostic testing that included all the regular tests that doctors requested.

In 2020, none of this was any longer true.

Shortages had returned, with reliability at only 35%. In Augst 2020, we were forced to dispose of $11B of expired medicines, and estimated that about $50B of medicines and other supplies had accumulated over the five-year period. This is the legacy of Leyland’s friends.

The number of surgeries increased. In fact, from the cataract backlog which was about 20,000 in 2001, Guyana eliminated the total backlog, and by 2006

we were searching for patients to help for free cataracts in Suriname and the Caribbean.

We also introduced, for the first time, modern cataract surgery such as phaco-emulsification and laser surgery. Surgery for glaucoma was introduced for the first time in Guyana.

Laparoscopy, which is a minimally invasive surgery technique, moving away from large incisions (cuts), was introduced also before 2006. Today, about 30% of our surgeries are using laparoscopy at GPHC, New Amsterdam and Linden. Open heart surgery at GPHC was introduced in 2006. Dialysis was introduced in 2005.

Radiotherapy, CT and MRI were brought in between 2002 and 2004 via a public/private partnership.

New training programmes were developed.

Guyana had no post-graduate training programme when I became Minister of Health. The first post-graduate programme was in general surgery, together with McMaster University and with support from several top US universities. Today, Guyana offers training in 18 different specialties for doctors and five for nurses. More than 300 specialist doctors, children of fishermen, cane cutters, farmers, miners, children coming from all ten regions, are our specialists. We have our own cardiologists, our own neu-

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rosurgeons, our own hip and joint specialists, our own burns care doctors.

We have become the transplant center for Caricom using totally Guyanese staff. These represent only a short list of our accomplishments.

The results speak for themselves. In 2001, life expectancy was 64. In 2011, it had reached 69, almost touching the elusive 70.

Maternal mortality, which was over 200/100,000 in 2000, had fallen to 80/100,000 by 2008. Child mortality, which was about 48/1,000 in 2000, had fallen to 27. HIV overall rate which had reached 3% of the adult population and 8% among pregnant women had dropped to less than 1% overall, including among pregnant women; and mother-to-child transmission had almost disappeared. From more than 120,000 cases of malaria, by 2010, we were recording less than 10,000.

From between 170 to 200 suicide deaths, we were between 140 and 170 by 2010. Incidentally, in 2023 it was 129.

There is a long story to tell, but I will resist the temptation. It does not bother me what names the usual suspects apply to me, but I do hope, as an intelligent person, people like Leyland Roopnarine are better informed.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

tity’s deliberate and misleading headline and play of words with the sole aim of invoking a certain response and feeling in the public domain. Hence my deliberate and sarcastic assertion “Mr. Norton was right” could not be further from the truth.

Editor, I can assure you that with such a headline and wordplay, some of his intended purposes were achieved: to cause confusion, accusations, speculations, and much gossip; because most who rush to

judge and made the wrong conclusion didn’t take time to read what was posited in the true positions of my articulations. It is a sign of maturity when one can read not only what are on the lines, but what are between the lines.

I will continue to speak truth to power for the betterment of our country and its people, once things are not done the right and correct way. I will resolutely continue to offer ideas I believe can bring about positive change or spark

the conversations that would lead to change and engender national unity and development for all Guyanese, despite knowing that some may not agree with me at times; and that is okay, in a democratic and civilised society, that is welcome.

Neither unscrupulous actors with malicious and wicked intentions, nor interlopers wielding the pen of ‘semantic tyranny’ would deter me.

Yours truly, Jermaine Figueira, MP

Justice delayed is justice denied Dear Editor, After three long years, the cases against the persons who were charged in relation to fraud at the March 2020 elections are yet to be heard in our courts. In one loud voice, Guyanese must call on the Chancellor of the Judiciary to please intervene and let the “Elections Fraud Cases” be herd expeditiously.

Former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, his former deputy, Roxanne Myers; along with Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo and the PNC’s Volda Lawrence, are before the courts for electoral fraud. Further, GECOM clerks Denise Babb-Cummings, Michelle Miller, Sheffern February, Enrique Livan and Opposition member Carol Smith-Joseph were all charged in 2020 for roles they played in an attempt to rig the 2020 National and Regional Elections in favour of the APNU/AFC. The procrastination and continuous delaying of these trials must stop.

The whimsical and ridiculous reasons given to avoid these trials are utterly unacceptable. We, as Guyanese, must never forget how the same Judiciary hauled the eminent Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Council Anil Nandlall, Winston Brassington, and many others in chains before the courts. There was no case against these prominent ‘political’ persons, who were dragged disgracefully through the courts.

Thank God that justice prevailed, and they are all free today.

Our democracy is on trial. Guyana’s history of ‘rigged’ elections must come to an end. Of great concern is the mysterious disappearance of the documentation of the forty-seven boxes of votes. This is a serious matter because the’ rigger’ instructed those ‘Presiding’ Officers not to

place the documents in the boxes. The public must be informed of the elements of the concocted plot. The CEO-proposed candidate for RO in Region #4 was vigorously opposed, hence Clairmont Mingo was catapulted from Region Five to Region Four as RO. Let this nation ask in one voice, “Where are the hidden Statements of Poll?” Where did Mingo and Lowenfield obtain their figures from in respect to Region Four votes that they were using before the recount. Let those who kept their knees on our nation’s neck for five long months be brought to justice.

The numerous court cases concerning the ‘rigging’ of the 2020 National and Regional Elections must

lead to an end to rigging of elections in this country.

Those who are found guilty must be held accountable, with substantial penalties being imposed. The strong call of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC, on our Chancellor is indeed most necessary, and must lead to the completion of these cases.

However, it should be noted that there were some individuals who were intimidated into cooperating under duress. Our certain-tobe-returned President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, will have the choice to pardon those victims in the interest of our “One Guyana”. Long live our democracy!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

06:00 (Sign on) Jewanram Rel. Hour 07:00 Cartoons 08:00 Shekinah Ministry 08:30 Evening News (RB) 09:30 Anthony’s Old Is Gold 10:30 Cartoons 11:00 Prem’s Electrical Religious Program 11:30 Blippi Educational 12:00 Movie - Treasure Planet (2002) 13:30 Movie - Love Happens (2009) 15:30 Forged in fire 16:30 Payless Power Hour 17:30 The Healing Touch 18:00 Maths is Fun 18:30 Week-in-Review 19:00 Lucifer S5 E15 20:00 Arrow S5 E15 21:00 Riverdale S5 E13 22:00 Movie - Knight and Day (2010) 00:00 Sign off

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Final considerations in adopting/acquiring a pet

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et us look today at some other actions that would help you to make an intelligent choice of pet from an animal shelter, or from a friend, or from a reliable breeder. I would suggest that you avoid making a rash and immediate decision. You may even put your choice on hold, and go back on another day.

It is helpful to see a dog on more than one occasion. Of course, you have to recognise that another person may be prepared to take the pet immediately. I would propose that you negotiate with the administrator of the shelter for a 24-hour “hold”.

The second time you visit, you may wish to bring a close friend, your spouse, and your children. I would strongly encourage that all your family members be engaged in the process of selecting your pet. You may even ask your veterinarian to accompany you. He/she can be of assistance, especially if this is your first dog, or if you have had bad experiences with selecting the right dog in the past. A recommended caregiver with valuable experience on rearing of pets can also provide for guidance relative to one’s choice of pet.

Use your head as well as your heart. Although your initial emotions and reactions to a dog are a good starting point in your selection process, please do not let these feelings be your only guide. Your new dog will be a part of your family for years to come, so base your decision on your objective observations

of the dog’s physical and behavioural exhibitions, as well as whether it may be a source of allergic reactions to you or your family members.

This is especially (but not only) true of cats.

If you did not find your ideal pet on your first visit to a shelter, do not give up!

Several repeat visits may be necessary to find the pet which is compatible with you,

your family, and other pets that you may have in your home.

A quick thought directed at young people looking for a pet: Consider volunteering at the GSPCA Shelter, or

any other bona fide shelter.

Dedicating some of your time to a shelter, especially during holidays, is a wonderful and gratifying experience. Once you have handled a wide

variety of dogs/cats, you would have a much better idea as to which species/ breed of animal best suits your needs. Eventually, one would steal your heart and fit perfectly into your household.

All of the points documented are important, and should be heeded. You want the trip from the shelter to your home to be one-way. It is terrible for the pet, and for your family, if the animal has to be returned to the shelter.

Serious shelters would want to assess your reactions to the potential adoptee even before you take the animal home.

They may even request that you allow

a prerequisite to ensure that you receive the pet of your choice.

Finally, and in a nutshell, the central issue in adoption is whether a new owner can provide a loving, safe, secure and permanent home for

the people of the new home would take good care of the pet for the rest of its life.

Please ensure that the shelter is informed of any decision to rehome the pet you adopted.

In concluding on the ‘Adoption’ theme, we would like to again refer to concerns that shelters in other countries have experienced, which might migrate to Guyana.

One such issue has to do with superstition. For example, beliefs that black cats, say, are harbingers of bad luck. Well, such myths are just that – nonsensical legends, with no truth to the stories.

In the USA, it has been reported, some shelters have introduced policies halting or limiting the adoption of black cats immediately prior to Halloween, for fear that the

the pet. Shelters obviously prefer to give the animal to a household which would afford the pet the necessary tender loving care. We call the new home a forever home. Inherent in that name is the tacit agreement by the individual/family that the welfare of an animal taken from the shelter would be their responsibility for the rest of that animal’s life.

If perchance the adopter can no longer keep the animal, the pet should be returned to the shelter from whence it came.

It would, of course, be of greater benefit to all concerned if the adopter, for whatever reason unable to keep the animal, finds a nurturing and happy home for the pet, making sure that

animals could be used in some evil exercise involving torture of the black cat.

Also, shelters in Germany have been reported to ban the adoption of pets as Christmas gifts, in an attempt to reduce unwanted animals being dumped after the holidays.

Prospective adopters are requested to return in January.

Equally unacceptable is the adoption of cute, fluffy female dogs, which are then turned into “puppy factories” by uncaring owners who breed them relentlessly without adequate care, until the mother dog dies of exhaustion.

It is therefore incumbent on serious shelters to assess the adopter and monitor the wellbeing of the adoptee in its new home.

no money (payment) is involved. You may make a donation to the shelter, but it is neither compulsory nor is it

adequately trained members of their staff to visit and assess the condition of the new home that would be accommodating the potential ward. Of course,

7 Every single Guyanese will benefit from Budget 2024 – Dr Ashni Singh NEWS

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S

enior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh will deliver the eagerly-awaited Budget 2024 to the National Assembly on Monday.

As President Irfaan Ali visited the Finance Ministry on Saturday to interact with those behind the numbers, the Minister shared that this year’s fiscal plans were designed in the context of continuing Government’s policy framework set out since it entered office in 2020.

In sustaining its policies, there is something for every Guyanese and every sector. He assured that there will be opportunities for ‘personal upliftment’.

He gave a sneak peak, “Our fiscal plans for 2024 will be situated within the context of the ongoing implementation of the policy framework that we had laid out in the first instance in our 2020 manifesto. What you will hear on Monday is a wide range of interventions in every single sector, all of which are ultimately aimed at improving the lives across every single category of the population.”

Dr Singh underscored that the PPP/C Government is serious in ensuring that its policy objectives are met and there is continuity, budget after budget.

“We pride ourselves on the clarity of our policy objectives and our policy continuity. We don’t make policies in a haphazard manner. We are careful and meticulous and methodical in setting up our policy framework and we are very open and consul-

President Irfaan Ali and Minister Ashni Singh engaging the team behind Budget 2024

tative…Once that policy framework is set out and articulated, we are consistent in its implementation.”

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said this week that the Administration is continuing within the lines of no new taxes for 2024.

He added that Budget 2024 is expected to fund new economic infrastructure to increase productive capacity, support for industries, social infrastructure, significant support for vulnerable groups, expansion of job creation among other measures.

It was highlighted that Government has been fulfilling the needs and requests of the people, and supporting initiatives that will enhance the lives of citizens. While the PPP has allowed its manifesto to limit the scope of its initiatives, Jagdeo informed that over 90 per cent of their promises were fulfilled, with others in the process of being realised.

Government had said the National Budget would strike a balance between

addressing the pressing needs and irritants of today, while simultaneously investing in the future. A primary focus was placed on policies designed to increase the disposable in-

come and general quality of life for Guyanese.

Last year, the National Assembly approved the whopping $781.9 billion 2023 Budget – the first to be financed in part by reve-

nues earned from Guyana’s historic carbon credit sale agreement and the largest ever in Guyana’s history.

Among the measures the PPP/C Government has taken since coming to power, was setting aside $5 billion in budget 2022 to ease the rising cost of living on Guyanese and reversing over 200 taxes and fees imposed by former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

Other policies include reducing the excise tax on fuel from 50 per cent in 2021 to 10 per cent in 2022. The excise tax was ultimately removed in March 2022.

The Government also distributed a $25,000 COVID cash grant to every household, $1.7 billion to 220 Amerindian com-

munities and $1.3 billion to severed sugar workers, bumped old-age pension up from $20,500 to $33,000 between 2020 and 2023, restored water and electricity subsidies to pensioners and provided over $200 million electricity credit to vulnerable households.

Additional measures include increasing the income tax threshold from $65,000 to $85,000, increasing and extending the “Because We Care” cash grant, increasing public assistance, providing billions in assistance to farmers, among other measures.

For 2023, the PPP/C Government provided a 6.5 per cent increase across the board for public servants. Healthcare workers were also given an increase in salary. (G12)

Pedestrian dies in 3-vehicle accident in WCB smash-up

O

ne person is now dead after a speeding car attempted to undertake another vehicle that had slowed down to allow animals to cross the road, thus causing a collision.

Reports are that this resulted in the car crashing into two others and a 59-year-old pedestrian, killing him on the spot.

Dead is Dale Douglas called “Bora” of Number 28 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).

The accident occurred at about 14:30h along the Number 29 Village, WCB Public Road.

According to the Police, motor car PAD 9006, which was being driven by a 42-year-old man of La Union Public Road, West Coast Demerara, was proceeding east along the northern side of the Number 29 Village Public Road,

Dead: Dale Douglas, called “Bora”

and motor car PJJ 8599, being driven by a 55-year-old man of Number 3 Village, WCB, was behind, going in the same direction at a fast rate of

speed.

Police said the driver of PAD 9006 slowed down to allow a cow to cross the road and at the said time, PJJ 8599 undertook the vehicle and collided with the front left side portion, causing the driver to lose control and end up on the southern side of the road and collide into the pedestrian. After hitting Douglas, the car further collided into motor lorry GMM 5634, which was parked on the said southern side.

The vehicle then came to a halt.

As a result of the collision, Douglas fell onto the grass parapet. He was picked up and taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Breathalyser tests were conducted on both drivers and both returned readings of zero. Both drivers were placed into custody pending further investigations. (G4)

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Govt to launch RFP today for development of gas resources T Oblivious to… he Guyana Government is expected to invite companies to submit their pro-

posals on how best the country can develop and monetise its natural gas resources.

I

President Dr Irfaan Ali

This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday evening at the commissioning of GAICO's Marine Facility at Nimes, West Bank Demerara.

According to the Head of State, the Request For Proposals (RFP) will be launched today with the aim of fast-tracking the development of the country’s natural gas resources, which are estimated at over 17 trillion cubic feet of gas.

“We're going out with an RFP tomorrow to have proposals coming into our country to look at how we're going to utilize our gas to stimulate wealth and create opportunities in positioning Guyana as an important capital in the energy security matrix of the region… So, tomorrow we’ll launch that,” President Ali has said.

Back in October, Government had released the draft National Gas Monetization Strategy to the public for their feedback. The aim was to simultaneously work on finalising the strategy while getting comments from the public, thus saving on time.

Last week, the President said Government was in process of integrating the comments received into the final strategy in preparation for this week’s RPF launch.

Government has already made it clear that its goal is to find the best option going forward to monetize its gas resources.

Economic opportunity

The monetisation of Guyana’s gas reserves has been described by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo as the next wave of economic opportunity for Guyana. He had pointed out that now is the time for Guyana to move swiftly in developing this resource, which has a small window

as the world transitions from fossil fuel.

“This is the appropriate time to develop the gas resources, given what is happening globally. There may still be a window, given this enhanced global demand and the recognition that gas will have to be a transitional fuel…So, giving that, we have to move swiftly on this matter,” Jagdeo had stated during a press conference last November.

Consequently, he disclosed that Government would have to engage ExxonMobil, which, along with its partners Hess Corporation and CNOOC Limited, is producing oil in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where at least two commercial gas fields have been found.

According to Jagdeo, Government is not pleased with the pace at which the development of gas is moving, and is looking at another partner.

“Moving swiftly means getting ExxonMobil at the table [and] getting maybe another partner who will trying to develop this industry and who wants to push it faster than Exxon.

We’re not pleased with the pace at which they want to approach the development of the gas assets. I think they’re more interested in oil, and so my personal assessment is that they’re not treating our desire to monetize the gas assets with the same sense of urgency as they are with moving the projects to produce more oil,” he had stated.

According to the Vice President, after the finalisation of the gas strategy, Government would likely nudge the gas development process along, and bringing in another partner would help to underwrite some of the expenses and the risks associated with monetizing the gas. TURN TO PAGE 16

…the suffering they created

n the old days, folks had “outside” latrines, where they’d dump their “doo-doo”. But after a couple minutes of holding their noses, they’d ‘throw-back”, and even read the newspapers! Maybe that’s why latrines are also called “out-houses”?!

Your Eyewitness was reminded about this phenomenon as he observed the nonchalance of the PNC-led Opposition in gearing up for the 2025 elections while ignoring the destruction they dumped on the ordinary folks of this country. We can start with the tragedy dumped on the entire West Bank of Demerara in general, and Wales in particular.

Their then Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, was honest enough – or was he too squeamish? – to stand the stench to go among the sugar folks whose lives he’d destroyed. But surely, the whiffs from the putrefying dreams they caused by closing the single largest employment entity must’ve reached their air-conditioned offices in Georgetown? Yet today they’re inventing all sorts of reasons why the gas-toshore project – which the PPP created to revive the area – ain’t “feasible”!!

Your Eyewitness is reminded of the poem “Dreams Deferred” by Harlem poet Langston Hughes: “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up/ Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore—/ And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over—/ like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags/ like a heavy load. Or does it explode?”

This was just about the same time MLK discovered Gandhi’s work on “Satyagraha”, or Civil Disobedience, and honed it into a peaceful, potent weapon to launch the Civil Rights struggle for oppressed Africans. But, a decade later, the sore DID explode, when a fella named Malcolm X decided King’s method was too uncertain. With the slogan, “Burn baby, burn!”, almost every major American city went up in flames. And they got attention!

Well, the PPP ousted the PNC coalition at the polls within three years of the Wales’ closure, and immediately came up with the master plan for the development of Wales. They prevented the folks – who, as sugar workers, struggled to have 3 meals a day, and were now not even getting a single meal– from creating a Malcolm X explosion!!

And it wasn’t just Wales, but all the other sugar estates they shuttered, especially Rose Hall, Canje - where there were no immediate alternative employment opportunities - like those available in Georgetown and the East Bank to folks from Wales. The PPP Government moved some of the workers to Albion and gave cash grants to the others. The PPP also prevented a conflagration there.

So, when Nov 2025 rolls around, the PNC and their motley crew of opportunists shouldn’t be surprised when they get dumped like the waste they are!! …Amaila’s virtues Another egregious dumping on the dreams of Guyanese by the PNC-led Opposition was their spiteful derailment of the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project (AFHEP). The endemic “blackouts” of Burnham’s PNC had driven everyone to the edge of madness - but had gradually been whittled down by the PPP. Even though some big businesses had to deploy their own expensive generators to get a reliable supply of electricity, which AFHEP could’ve solved.

But the PNC, in Opposition, destroyed AFHEP’s viability with their opposition to the project - using a number of specious excuses. And we fast-forward to the present. All of their objections – and then some – were addressed by an independent Norwegian consulting firm, which concluded AFHEP was the most viable option for Guyana. And yet, in Government, they not only balked, but deliberately misstated the findings and recommendations of the consultancy!

Well, the PPP came back and immediately announced that AFHEP’s on the cards once again – to not only help with the anticipated electricity shortfall – but have us fulfil our “green goals”!!

Take that, PNC!! …genocide Talking about “holding one’s nose”, what could be a more fitting description of those countries that are refusing to support South Africa’s case to the ICJ: that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza??

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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Constitutional Reform Commission

Stakeholder bodies given 1 Maduro preparing month to submit nominees for war for appointment – AG I

have consistently maintained that Maduro will not relinquish Venezuela’s claim over Essequibo because he is “gambling for resurrection”, since “he done dead a’ready”.

Venezuelans’ entrenched nationalistic belief that they were robbed by Britain of their Ravi Dev Essequibo “birthright” remains a low-hanging fruit for him to exploit to maintain a modicum of legitimacy for his autocratic rule. As such, no one should have been surprised at his hysterical reaction to Britain’s decision to send a patrol boat of Georgetown after the Argyle Declaration of Dec 29. He denounced Britain as a “decadent, rotten ex-empire”, and warned them “not to mess” with Venezuelans, who are “warriors”. He then launched a “Military Joint Action General Domingo Sifontes” exercise that deployed 5682 soldiers; 3 ocean patrol vessels; 7 missile boats; 12 Sukhoi fighter jets and amphibious vehicles in manoeuvres to counter the HMS Trent’s 30 sailors. The operation’s name signals that Maduro’s sabre-rattling is not an idiosyncratic twitch, but his exploitation of historical forces that shape Venezuela’s national psyche.

Their 1810-1823 War of Independence from Spain coincided with Britain’s assuming control over the Dutch colonies of Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice. Based on Dutch activities during the previous century, they considered that the border extended to the Orinoco, and also included the basin of the Cuyuni River. It is ironic that it was Venezuela that invoked the Monroe Doctrine in the 1890s by hiring an ex-American Consul to lobby the US Government to intervene on their behalf against British “imperial designs” in America’s hemisphere.

The US’ first enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine, against which Venezuela now protests so vehemently, led to the border dispute with Britain being settled by the award of the USgenerated Arbitration Panel in 1899, which Venezuela rejected in 1962.

The contretemps goes back to the Dutch colonization of Essequibo in the early 17th century, when -- as one scholar pointed out -- one could only speak about “borderlands”, rather than “borders”. The Dutch influence extended to the Orinoco, where they struck alliances with several local Amerindian tribes. They also established a Post on the upper Cuyuni River to trade with Amerindians as early as 1680 in the Pariacot savannah, in what is now Venezuela. Conversely, the Spanish never established any post in what is now our Essequibo region, which they claim. The Cuyuni was used by runaway slaves from Dutch Essequibo plantations to seek refuge at posts established by several Spanish Monastic Orders. Control of the forested territory was attenuated and contested by both the Dutch and Spanish empires. In 1894, after gold was discovered in the upper Cuyuni basin, British miners moved in, and a group of British policemen occupied a Venezuelan fort on the river bank. However, a General Domingo Antonio Sifontes, who had laid claim to the area earlier in the year, expelled the British settlers from the area and took the policemen prisoners. This is the same General Sifontes whose name and memory Maduro invoked in last December’s euphonious military bluster against HMS Trent. The part of Bolivar state adjoining today’s Guyana is also named Sifontes.

But Maduro did not stop his historical war-invocation with the naming of the military show of force. On Jan 6th, 2024, as that operation ended, he raised the national anti-British, anti-Guyana patriotic fervor to new heights when he had the remains of Gen Sifontes exhumed in Tumeremo and transported in a military caravan to the Military Academy in Caracas. The remains were then taken to the National Pantheon in Caracas, where Sifontes was installed on the 9th January as a National Hero, alongside others like Simon Bolivar. In case anyone missed the point, Maduro tweeted, “We will offer the biggest military and popular honors to General Sifontes. We hold the standard of bravery with which he led the Battle of Cuyuní and drove away the English who occupied our territory.”

These actions should remind us that Maduro is assiduously cultivating Venezuela’s deep historical grievance over Essequibo, and reminding his military that they also have to expel the Guyanese successors of the British from Essequibo, which he insists is theirs. Maduro is therefore being very disingenuous when he accuses Guyana of not adhering to the spirit of the Argyle Declaration. He will continue to wage total war against us psychologically, economically, diplomatically, ideologically, and ultimately militarily.

He will not go quietly into the night following any “free and fair” elections, as some hope. We must prepare our necessary asymmetrical response.

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

E

fforts are moving along to have the much-anticipated Constitutional Reform Commission established after the Guyana Government recently invited the various civil society bodies to make submissions of their nominees to be appointed.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, made this revelation during an interview with Guyana Times on Saturday. He explained that the letters were sent last week.

“Letters have been dispatched to the relevant persons and/or organisations, inviting their nominees to be appointed by His Excellency, the President, to the Constitutional Reform Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Constitutional Reform Commission Act,” Nandlall told this publication.

According to the Attorney General, these bodies were given one month to submit their nominees for appointment to the long-awaited commission.

Constitutional reform was promised in the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) manifesto in 2020, where it was further outlined that consultation with the populace and important stakeholders; and a broad-based Constitutional Reform Commission would drive the process.

The way was paved for the establishment of the Constitutional Reform Commission and the commencement of the reform process following the passage of the Constitutional Reform Commission Bill in the National Assembly in November 2022. Back in August of 2022, the Government presented the Constitutional Reform Commission Bill 2022 in the National Assembly.

That Bill seeks the establishment of a 20-member Constitutional Reform Commission to review the country’s supreme laws.

The 20-member commission will be drawn from political parties (five from the ruling party and four from the main Opposition and one from the ANUG), while 10 will be drawn from religious groupings, the private sector, the Guyana Bar Association, the National Toshaos Council, the labour movement, women’s organi-

Attorney General & Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

sations as well as nominees representing farmers and youths.

Consultation process

Back in August last year, AG Nandlall had pointed out that, “It’s not going to be a politically dominated commission. It’s going to be half politicians and half civil society. The work of the commission will be driven by public consultation.”

The Legal Affairs Minister had stated that once the commission is in place, a comprehensive consultation process will begin with citizens on critical laws that needed to be reformed.

There had been concerns

over the delays in setting up the commission, which Government had committed to have in place before the end of 2023. However, Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira, told reporters at a press conference last week that the delays in setting up the Commission had to do with Government’s attention being focused on Venezuela’s aggression towards Guyana.

“It was just overtaken by time… The Venezuela border issue really consumed an enormous amount of time for the Government, for the Attorney General, for the lawyers and also consumed a lot of angst by

the community… These are not easy things to justify in terms of how governments work but in fact, this is what does happen,” the Governance Minister noted.

Nevertheless, Teixeira reassured that, “I know both the Attorney General and the President are committed to setting it up as soon as possible, and I will work with both of them in whatever way possible to bring it about.”

According to the provisions of the CRC Bill, the commission will review the Constitution to provide for the current and future rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of the Guyanese people. It is mandated for that purpose to receive, consider, and evaluate submissions for the alteration of the Constitution, and report its recommendations to the Standing Committee for transmission to the National Assembly.

Last year, Government had earmarked the sum of $150 million in the 2023 National Budget for constitutional reform activities slated to be carried out.

(G8)

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US$16M DDL Dairy Farm to produce milk by February 2025 …annual target set at 5 million litres T he first state-of-theart dairy farm for the Caribbean, a US$16 million investment

by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), is on course to produce milk by February next year.

In February 2023, DDL subsidiary Tropical Orchard Product Company Limited (TOPCO) and the LR Group of Israel had signed an agreement that paved the way for the setting up of Demerara Dairies Inc (DDI) in Guyana.

A tour of its operations at Moblissa along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway on Friday gave an insight on the scope of works completed thus far, and how automation and technology will revolutionise the dairy industry in Guyana.

Director of Technical Services, Sharon Sue-Hang disclosed, “We’re expecting this project to be completed and having milk by February of 2025. We want

DDL Group Chairman, Komal Samaroo

to strengthen the dairy production in Guyana and Caricom with high-quality milk and replace the current importation which amounts to about US$34 million.

Apart from infrastructural works, acquisition of equipment, and transportation logistics are ongoing to interface smoothly with

the existing TOPCO operations.

It is projected that five million litres of milk will be produced per annum.

Preparation ongoing to establish the dairy farm

stock such as grass, corn and legumes.

“Each cow will produce

The cows will be fed in accordance with nutritional standards set out for

the thrust of food security, a decision was taken in 2018 to establish a modern

the industry to yield high outputs of milk. Once the milking aspect has been completed at the farm, it will be transported in refrigerated tanks to the DDL Diamond plant, which has a capacity to package about 18,000 litres of milk per day.

DDL Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Komal Samaroo relayed that keeping with

processing and Tetra Pak facility to not just process fruit, but pasteurise and process milk. This came at a price tag of $4 billion.

Producing milk by reconstituting imported powder milk commenced two years ago and it was the first stage of a process to establish a trusted brand, which will later be supported by the farm.

An artist’s impression of the Dairy Farm

The company has already acquired 250 acres of land from the 500-acre target, for which operations will span over 900 animals in Phase One of the project.

A portion of the land would be used for growing feed

10,000 litres of milk per year and the system that we have is to milk the cows three times a day. The milking system will be automatic and then we will have an advanced management system to monitor all the production, all the practices. We will detect any health issues when the cow is in heat and things like that,” Sue-Hang detailed.

TURN TO PAGE 15

NEWS

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Boat loaded with 204lbs of ganja found at Crabwood Creek

S

ome 204 pounds of marijuana was found in a boat at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The bust was made by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a joint operation with the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Thursday.

Reports are that during the operation, the officers observed two men loading bulky parcels into the boat and upon noticing the presence of the law enforcement officials, the individuals attempted to flee the scene.

A subsequent search of the boat revealed several bulky parcels of suspected cannabis.

The suspect, of Crabwood Creek, who was previously arrested by CANU on August 11, 2023, was arrested and escorted to CANU’s Headquarters along with the parcels. The narcotic tested positive for cannabis and weighed approximately 204 lbs. (92.6kg).

Investigations are ongoing.

This boat with the narcotic was found at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice

However, one of the suspects was apprehended by

the officers while the other escaped.

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Driver escapes as cops uncover US$16M DDL Dairy...

49lbs of ganja in motor car

FROM PAGE 12

The drugs found in the car on Saturday morning

P

olice on patrol duties on Saturday morning acting on a “tipoff,” made a large drug bust at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Reports are that around 07:30h, ranks conducted a roadblock exercise at Providence, East Bank Demerara, in the vicinity of Lambada Sports Bar af-

ter the information received stated that a Toyota Axio motor car, PAF 7021, was transporting narcotics, and was proceeding north on the East Bank Demerara Public Road.

As the car approached the roadblock, Police said the driver stopped about 50 feet away from the Police ranks, exited the vehi-

cle and ran south of the Providence Public Road.

The ranks then proceeded to search the car and found three large bulky transparent plastic bags marked “SP”, containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis in the trunk of the car.

Further searches were carried out and several documents including the insurance in favour of one Brian Houston, one orange and white jersey, two emp-

ty Guinness bottles and one XL energy drink were found.

The cannabis and the motor car were escorted to the Golden Grove Police Station and when weighed the drugs amounted to 22.235kg.

A Samsung cell phone, fitness revenue licence, and insurance in favour of Houston were all lodged.

Efforts are presently being made to have the suspect arrested, Police said.

“Around the world where food security is an important thing, milk is a highly subsidised commodity…

Guyana has been importing all its milk. We import about US$35 million a year in milk – a lot of it, powdered milk. As we were setting up our TOPCO packaging operation, we spent a lot of time thinking through the competitiveness of what we were doing. We wanted to, while we build a brand and create a market, to work on that backward integration and do it in a competitive way.”

Meanwhile, Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar admitted that the global hunger crisis places significant emphasis on the dire need of ensuring food security as he lauded this project.

Indar acknowledged, “We had an industry back in the day that used to produce some amount of milk but how it is being done now

by DDL and the LR Group is a total different technology. And I am happy to see

that technology transfer.”

Employment

Once operationalised, approximately 70 direct jobs will be created from this facility and 150 indirect jobs. This number will grow as the project expands.

Debra Cornelius-Todd, a resident of Moblissa, shared their woes of unemployment in the community for some time, creating a domino effect of school dropouts and poverty. With such a project, she is hopeful that the community can benefit from meaningful opportunities.

The elderly woman told the media, “I am grateful and happy that this project has come to Moblissa…We only have a few Government workers in here and that’s what people need. They need jobs. We had a lot of children dropping out because of jobs. Their parents didn’t have jobs and couldn’t maintain them. So, I am happy that the community is getting an opportunity like this.” (G12)

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Govt to launch RFP today for development ...

FROM PAGE 8

“[We will] go out to RFP to see other partners who might be willing to work with us and Exxon to monetize the gas. It has to be tripartite because we own 50 per cent of the gas and Exxon owns 50 per cent. But if you don’t have a development [plan], then you can’t get any of the gas out…” he said.

“We know how much gas we have out there. We know where they are. It’s now getting a partner to move on it, make sure we capitalise on this window of opportunity, and then we will go through an internal process of seeing, with of course the partners, what yields the maximum value-added to the country’s benefit. It is liquified natural gas; is it an onshore facility, which we

have one coming onstream; is it just having a vessel out there liquifying the gas and shipping it directly; is the using it for fertilizer; should we use the gas to generate a lot of power and try to supply Brazil? Should we use it to generate power and process bauxite? That’s what we’re hoping this strategy will do: bring up all the potential ideas that we can use it for,” VP Jagdeo had posited.

Natural gas onshore

In the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, some 17 trillion cubic feet of gas have been found, with the Pluma and Haimara wells being proven gas fields.

Government is planning to pipeline the natural gas onshore for its

Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project at Wales, West Bank Demerara, where an Integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and a

300-megawatt power plant will be built.

With Guyana seeking to develop the infrastructure to transport and store gas, a pertinent question will be capital costs. According to the Draft Gas Strategy, the Government will be seeking to attract private funding for the gas infrastructure.

It was pointed out that gas transmission pipelines usually require Government investment in the early stages. When it comes to domes-

tic gas and power projects, the strategy pointed out that initial Government investment is particularly done in countries with minimal existing gas infrastructure.

The strategy notes, however, that once the sector is more developed and private companies have the capacity, the Government’s direct participation in these projects may be reduced, and the projects themselves privatised.

“Infrastructure invest-

ments such as gas transmission pipelines and gas distribution systems typically require initial Government investment, particularly in countries with minimal existing infrastructure. When the sector and regulations are more developed, private companies can build and operate whole integrated systems, at which point the Government’s participation may be reduced to regulation and the collection of taxes and fees. As projects for which Government has provided the initial investment near the point of becoming economically self-sustaining, there is then the opportunity for the Government to divest the project through privatization,” the document states.

One benefit of this, according to the strategy, is for the State to avoid the risks and debts, as well as diversify the investment in the sector. It was noted that private investment is necessary, considering Stabroek Block operators ExxonMobil and its partners, as they produce oil from the floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels.

NEWS

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Moblissa residents signal need “I does just do a fine thing” – for electricity, water, better roads man caught with drugs tells cops

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lectricity and potable water for residents of Moblissa on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is a dream which many have been waiting on for years, and would change their current reality for the better.

These needs were called for during an interview with the media on Friday, where some persons from the community outlined pressing necessities.

For Roxanne Smart, electricity is a major factor for many. While she has solar panels, many cannot afford such an investment. As such, she called for Government’s assistance.

Smart shared, “Most of the persons here are using solar. If they can give us solar, we would be happy for that.

Personally, I had to buy my own to get electricity. Some persons batteries not working and some cannot afford it. If the Government can look into that matter, we would be grateful for it.”

While there is an existing well, only a few benefit, due to the scattered nature of houses

Debra Cornelius-Todd

Roxanne Smart

and vast open lands.

Debra Cornelius-Todd, another resident of Moblissa, called for their respective land titles, potable water and better roads. She explained that due to the current condition of the road network, residents pay hefty fares to taxi operators.

“We, the residents here, need our own land title. We need drinking water and a proper road. Right now, residents are facing it with the roads. With the taxi drivers, we have to pay $4000 and $5000 just because the bricks on the roads are destroying car tires,” Todd highlighted.

A school bus was giv-

en to the community by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, she added, but said this was apparently relocated to another area. Since then, the students have found it difficult to traverse to school and are often late.

“One day I was heading to Triumph. It was after 09:00h and school children of Moblissa was on the road.

Buses pass and leave them right there. It was so sad. We need the bus back now for the children’s sake and pensioners.”

Moblissa is a farming and agricultural community that is home to a few hundred persons. (G12)

The marijuana that was found

P

olice on patrol in Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, nabbed a man with marijuana after he ran into a yard when he saw law enforcement officers.

Reports are that at about 19:45h, ranks from Regional Division Three were conducting a vehicular patrol in Bagotville, but as the Police

patrol vehicle approached “Famo” shop, a Rastafarian man, upon seeing the Police vehicle, started to run to the back of the yard.

According to Police, ranks gave chase and caught up with the man, who had a haversack on his back. A search of the bag revealed several ziplock bags, which

together had 69.3 grams of marijuana.

Police said that during cautioning, the 23-year-old suspect said, “I does just do a fine thing.”

The Vauxhal, Canal Number One Polder man was escorted to La Grange Police Station and remains in custody pending charges.

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UG to increase special education research

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he University of Guyana (UG) plans to ramp up its Special Ed research efforts this year, in an effort to provide better care to children living with mental disabilities.

Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin has said that the initiative will play a crucial role in ensuring children with special needs are catered for while efforts are still ongoing to address the mental health practitioner shortage in Guyana.

The research will be conducted at the University’s Centre for Excellence in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning, which was commissioned in 2022.

Staff at the facility cur-

rently cater for over 102 young learners, 26 of whom require additional education needs.

According to MohamedMartin, the teachers there monitor the behavioural habits of children living with learning disabilities, such as autism and dyslexia, and record them as a part of research.

The information is then vetted by mental health specialists to be incorporated into teaching programmes being offered by the UG in collaboration with the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

She explained that a total of two reports are filed monthly, however, this number will increase this year, as efforts are ongoing to bet-

ter equip teachers in training, with the skills need to provide proper care to children with special needs.

“That school was just internationally certified by a Canadian international

agency…but it’s also a research centre so a lot of the work on early childhood is coming out of that centre and they’re published…on what they’re learning about autism in our context, the

treatment of autism, other kinds of dyslexia, other kinds of learning disabilities among small children. And of course, they are working very closely with Cyril Potter because we train our Special Ed teachers in some regard in that school,” MohamedMartin explained.

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) reported in 2014 that Guyana’s healthcare system is short of approximately 700 to 900 mental health practitioners.

Vice Chancellor Mohamed-Martin said UG has produced over 300 psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers through its College for Behavioural Sciences and Research, over the years to address the

shortage.

However, she noted that a large number of UG graduates are conducting private practice, given that Guyana lacks the necessary facilities for them to work in the public sector.

While this issue is being addressed by the Ministry of Health, Mohamed-Martin said UG will continue to play its part in ensuring more equipped persons enter the field.

“You have to have people to debrief, recording, confidentiality, you have to have look after these people after you diagnose you know, all kinds of things…we’re doing the training, they’re doing the systems part.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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NA Town Council intensifies operation to tackle illegal vending

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he New Amsterdam Town Council has intensified its campaign to remove persons who have been illegally vending along the road shoulders of the main roads within the township.

The Council has been carrying out its operations in the evening.

Foreman of the Engineering Department of New Amsterdam Town Council, Charles Johnson had told the media last year that several notices were sent to persons who had structures illegally placed on the road shoulders. He added that despite the notices and warnings, the vendors failed to take the appropriate action.

On Friday the removal campaign commenced shortly before midnight with the targeted area being in the vicinity of the municipal market.

On Saturday, the results were welcomed by many vehicle operators, some of whom operate hire cars and had been finding it difficult to stop to let off passengers in the vicinity of the market. Some have also been charged with obstructing traffic when they stopped in the area, this newspaper was told.

On Friday, the campaign continued along Strand, where even established businesses were not spared.

In a gazetted order dated January 18, 2014, municipalities are given the authority to remove all structures that can be determined illegal from the

Workers removing illegal vending structures

road shoulders. The order, in part, says, “The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development is hereby notifying all the Regional Democratic Councils, the municipalities, and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils that in respect of public roads and highways, no verbal or written permission should be given by any RDC or municipal or NDC official to anyone to occupy any reserve or roadside parapet or to erect structures thereon for any purpose whatsoever. The sole authority for

so doing is the Minister of Public Works, applications must be in writing and the Minister's decision is final.”

The Local Government Ministry had also stated that it was brought to the attention of Central Government, that there are persons who, without lawful authority or permission, are engaged in the occupation of Government and/ or State reserves, erecting structures on the said reserves, covering over drains and in general, unlawfully encroaching on and occupying and encumbering public

property.

These unlawful activities inhibit the movement of machinery to clear essential drainage canals and frustrate the development of roads and highways.

They also pose a traffic hazard. Roadside stalls, shops, shacks, edifices, and other structures erected thereon impede drainage and prevent essential maintenance and development of highways.

Some perpetrators explained that they were ‘permitted’ by officials of a Town Council or a Neighbourhood Democratic Council but those officials categorically deny having given any such permission.

The persons also have had difficulty producing alleged written permits.

Meanwhile, the Town

Council had said once the structures or other encumbrances are removed, some will be destroyed.

The campaign will run until March of this year.

According to the Foreman of the Engineering Department, they will have a special team doing dai-

ly checks and inspections to ensure that persons do not have structures in places they are not supposed to and during the times that are not allotted.

The municipality is allowing persons to vend after 16:30h when the municipal market closes. (G4)

UG to increase special...

FROM PAGE 18

You know, getting the facilities ready and so on,” Mohamed-Martin stated.

Centre for Excellence The Centre for Excellence in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning is funded by the Government and the Caribbean Development Bank, through the Basic Needs Trust Fund Guyana.

The $161 million facility is equipped with all the amenities needed by learners and early childhood practitioners and caregivers. The building was also designed to accommodate differently-abled learners.

At the launching ceremony, Education Minister

Priya Manickchand in her remarks, said that Guyana has the highest nursery enrolment rate in the Commonwealth, as such, the investment is fitting since Guyana and the Caribbean can learn from practices which will be implemented.

In this regard, she posited that the centre will not only contribute to the best start to life, it will also facilitate and foster a holistic, inclusive approach to improving early childhood development, as well as enhance the knowledge and competencies of early childhood development practitioners, researchers, parents and other caregivers.

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UG Tain Campus to offer more courses, cater for students from remote regions T

he University of Guyana is working assiduously to add new diverse programmes to its Tain Campus in Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin said the institution’s aim to centralise the campus to serve Guyanese in the region as well as remote areas in Regions Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

She noted that this will be done in phases, starting with the launch of a Marine Institute, that will benefit the local agriculture and oil and gas sectors.

This new institute will allow students at the Tain Campus to specialise in Marine Biology, River Systems, Marine Economy and Porting, among others.

As a result, students will be engaged in environmental studies, gain immense technical knowledge and gather data that is based on experiments.

“It’s going to be a full campus and we have to put things there that are really organic to the environment, so just like how people travel to Georgetown to study,

there, you really have those students who we think are underserved in Regions Eight and Nine because it’s difficult. They have to come to Georgetown, that’s going to be easier for them,” Mohamed-Martin added.

The University of Guyana was established in April 1963 and began its operations on October 1 of the same year at Queen’s College compound. This was prior to moving to the Turkeyen Campus in 1970.

The University of Guyana expanded in 2000 with the addition of the Berbice Campus at Tain, Corentyne.

The facility aimed to pave the way for numerous Berbicians to ac-

University graduands

they have to travel to Tain to study certain things,” Mohamed-Martin stated.

The Vice Chancellor explained that the investments being poured into the Tain Campus follows suit with Government’s developmental plans for the region.

This includes its plan to develop a $90 million aquaculture farm in the region to ramp up the production of brackish water fish and shrimp, build-out of road networks, construction of a 10,000-seat stadium at Palmyra and a level five re-

gional hospital, among others.

“We’re not only thinking of what is there, we’re thinking of how the Tain Campus and how Berbice is situated. The President has spoken about the Golden corridor so, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil…one of the things that was very significant about that is that what Suriname university doesn’t have is requiring from us,” the Vice Chancellor explained.

“Outside of the golden corridor where Berbice is

Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin

the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences (FEES). As the University

The University of Guyana Tain Campus in Berbice

situated, you have Orealla, you have Region Eight, Region Nine. Once they start to open up that road that is being talked about to come through the back

quire a tertiary education in the county.

In October 2016, as part of a broader re-organisation, SEES was transformed into

advanced, the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation was created in the year 2017.

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I

t does not matter which part of the world a Guyanese is, from the moment they find out that a fellow Guyanese is going to visit their area, their first request is “bring a fry rice fuh me nah”. Without even thinking twice, one knows exactly what type of fried rice they are craving, since it is something distinctly associated with us Guyanese. Nowhere in the world, not even in China, can you find the perfect chicken fried rice as you would in Guyana. It is something we are etern a l l y grateful for something we get to call our own. When the Chinese arrived here in then British Guiana on January 12, 1853 on board the “Glentanner”, they brought with them, like those before them, their culture and cuisine, signalling the extension of Guyana as a diverse nation with a melting pot of different cultures.

They brought their unique

ents or is it just the way it is prepared? We will never know since the recipe is a safely guarded secret by the Chinese community.

I have had the opportunity to have Chinese food from several places within the Caribbean region and it is true that none tasted like the one I get from Bright Star Restaurant at Vreeden-Hoop on the West Coast of Demerara. Over the years, the influence of Chinese cuisine continues to bridge the cultural divide in society between the Chinese and other ethnic groups.

The way our Chinese prepare their fried rice is a secret one would nev-

er know and while many have come close to figuring out the recipe and methods, it is something they are yet to achieve. For me, I am always excited to walk into the restaurant and watch in amazement as they prepare my order. From the time they splash the wok with water to clean it, followed by the oil and veggies, I am intrigued. It always baffles me, since I am not sure whether they steam the rice before they fry it with the veggies, but that is a secret I and most Guyanese as a matter of fact would never know. But my bet is, it is steamed. Chinese fried rice is a part of our Guyanese culture. It is part of our diverse identity as a people. So grab a ‘cokes’ and some fried rice and have a hearty meal.

Republished From January 12, 2020

customs and food, but had to adapt to the harsh realities of then British Guiana. The late Anthony Bourdain once said: “Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go,” and that is something that is very applicable in Guyanese society and particularly with the Chinese culinary influence. It does not matter where you are in Guyana, one thing is certain: most of us Guyanese crave a chicken fried rice from our favourite Chinese restaurant. It is one of the most requested items from Guyana by Guyanese living overseas. A friend who works at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport once told me that on an average day they would see over one hundred parcels of Chinese fried rice frozen, wrapped in various types of packaging, stuffed away in suitcases with destina-

tions all across the world.

But what is it that makes the Guyanese Chinese fried rice different from the rest of the world’s? Is it the fresh ingredi-

guyanatimesgy.com

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JANUARY 12, 2020

Sunday Times Magazine 11

Recipes

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Republished From January 12, 2020

FEATURE

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WHY A GREEN REVOLUTION? Dear readers, As we step into a new year, leaving the festive season behind, the management and staff of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) welcome you to 2024 with warm wishes and a vision for a prosperous and environmentally conscious year ahead. We hope that the last twelve months spent with us were not only rewarding, but also deepened your commitment to nature and environmental protection.

Now, let us delve into the realm of Green Resolutions, exploring the transformative power of individual commitments for environmental wellbeing.

“Why a Green Resolution?” you may ask. The planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, and the call for action extends beyond governments and corporations, it starts with each of us.

Adopting sustainable lifestyles allows us to directly contribute to preserving biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and responsibly managing our natural resources. These small individual commitments, whether it's reducing waste, consuming responsibly, or embracing renewable energy, collectively create a significant impact.

Our choices matter. Whether it's reducing single-use plastics, conserving energy, opting for sustainable transportation, or supporting local and eco-friendly businesses, these choices collectively create a positive change, reducing waste and preserving precious resources.

As we embark on this journey, here are a few Green Resolutions to keep in mind for 2024: 1. Encourage long-term commitment to sustainable living The EPA practices sustainability in celebrating special occasions, fostering a continuous effort and dedication towards embracing ecofriendly choices. It's about adopting a mindset that values the planet's wellbeing in every decision we make.

2. Save water Embrace water conservation practices as a top resolution for a sustainable lifestyle. Fix leaks promptly and reduce the cost of your water bill.

3. Turn off/unplug Switch off electronic devices when not in use, to save electricity and reduce the risk of fire hazards.

4. Say yes to recycling Say goodbye to single-use plastics, and embrace reusable alternatives like water bottles, shopping bags, and straws.

5. Grow your own garden Connecting with nature through gardening promotes selfsufficiency and contributes to biodiversity, healthier soil, and air quality.

6. Volunteer If you can't support financially, volunteering is a meaningful initiative. Join efforts to restore habitats, participate in signature events like the World Environmental Day Green Walk, and advocate for sustainable practices. Volunteering brings like-minded individuals together, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. It's an opportunity to connect with passionate individuals who inspire and support one another on the journey towards sustainability.

Every individual has the power to make a difference. Let us lead by example, embracing sustainable resolutions and celebrating the progress we make. Together, we can shape a world that thrives on harmony with nature, social equity, and a sustainable way of life. The time for action is now!

Let's inspire, ignite change, and pave the way for a truly sustainable future. Happy New Year, and here's to a year of positive environmental impact!

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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

U

nlike the art of temporary painter Wu Guanzhong ancient Egypt, (b. 1919) are a case in point, bringIndia, and ing a vision of classical beauty to Babylon, that of China the eye of the modern viewer. has developed without interruption from antiqSculpture uity up to the present.

“Sculpture is the forerunner of Chinese art is richly diall art.” This saying truly describes verse and highly the Chinese sculptural arts. Jade comprehensive, encarvings of people, pottery figucompassing all forms and rines of young women, and sculpstyles. Entering the treatures and carvings of animals apsure house of Chinese art peared in is the start of a marvel- The Monument to the People’s Heroes in Beijing’s Tiananmen China as early as the Neolithic lous journey through cal- Square Age (c. 12,000-2000 BC). As China ligraphy, painting, sculpflourished and became more powerture, architecture, music, ful, the spirit of its magnificent culdance, drama, film, crafts ture directly invigorated the sculpand folk arts. tural arts. The mighty underground terracotta army of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221Painting 207 BC), as well as the massive and majestic Buddhist Traditionally, Chinese painting uses brushes to apply sculptures of the Yungang and Longmen grottoes, ink wash and pigment to thin silk or have all served to bring China’s extraordinary sculppaper, which is then mounted on scrolls. This form of tural tradition to the eyes of the world. Discovered in painting attaches the highest importance 1973, the terracotta army of Qin Shihuang, the first Qin to fluidity and expressiveness of line, and is deeply in- emperor, bears witness to the extraordinary level of earfluenced by calligraphy. This ly Chinese sculpture. The army includes of a wide variety is because both art of soldiers, no two forms utilize essenalike, all with hightially the same tools ly realistic carved as well as similar faces and unique brushstrokes. expressions. These Traditionally, figures must have Chinese artists use been created by a minimal lines to porlarge number of tray their subjects. artisans, otherwise Representing form is the figures cannot merely the basis for display such richly revealing essence. varied technique.

Even today, students The statues of traditional Chinese found in China’s Terracotta army of Qin Shihuang painting practise grottoes and tembrushstrokes as part of ples represent the their training. epitome of traditional Chinese sculpture. These sculpAlthough early Chinese painting was primarily reli- tures often feature beautifully carved clothing, and skillgiously oriented, it was imbued with fully portray the form and dynamism of their subjects. real-life atmosphere and generally used people as its subject material. Starting in the 7th century AD, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), Chinese painting started to be influenced by philosophical thinking. Advocating harmony between Humanity and Nature, the new school of paining called for breaking the bonds of concrete imagery, and rather using symbolic themes to represent the interior world. As a result, subject matter gradually changed from religious figures to natural scenery, including “mountain and water” landscape painting and “bird and flower” genres.

Along with this change in thematic content, an increasing number of artists emerged who were outstanding in both painting and calligraphy. The brushwork inscriptions that started to appear on paintings at this time were an expression of the merging of the two art forms.

These inscriptions described the theme of the painting using highly poetic language and beautiful calligraphy to deepen the appeal of the work.

Classical Chinese artists believed that paintings should not be limited by the actual colour of their subject matter. For instance, bamboo could be portrayed using only black ink. As a result, the use of colour decreased and painting solely with ink became increasingly prevalent. Ink wash painting made full use of the tinting and bleeding effects that could be achieved with brush, ink and water, transcending the limitations of realistic colour and offering artists greater creative freedom.

Following the Tang-Song period (612-1276 AD), “mountain and water” landscape became one of the primary genres of Chinese painting. Unlike Western painting, traditional Chinese painting does not employ a single focal point. Rather, most Chinese landscapes utilize a shifting perspective to portray a continuous sweep of con- Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion nected views, such as mountains and rivers or a long city street. These paintings, mounted on long horizontal or Chinese carvings of Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of vertical scrolls, allow the viewer to appreciate panoramic mercy and compassion, with her exquisitely draped robes, vistas that cannot be seen from a single perspective. kind and loving gaze, and quality of sanctity and serene Contemporary Chinese painting, influenced by the beauty, rival Raphael’s paintings of the Sistine Madonna. ideas and techniques of Western art, gave rise to reThe concepts and techniques of Chinese sculpture conforms in traditional Chinese painting and brought a new tinued to develop during the 20th century. The Monument infusion of vitality to the genre. The works of artist Xu to the People’s Heroes in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square is Beihong (1895-1953 AD) are representative of this trend. one of the representative works of modern Chinese sculpThe emergence of new schools of realists painting, deep- ture. The monument consists of ten engraved panels, each ly imbued with the spirit of popular life, also exerted a of which represents a certain historical event. Each enstrong influence on traditional Chinese painting. As these graving can stand on its own, while taken as a whole, they transformations occurred, Chinese artists drew from the offer a comprehensive depiction of China’s revolutionary combined spirits of Chinese and Western art to create new history. styles of oil painting that preserve the unique features of Republished from January 12, 2020 traditional Chinese art. The delicate waterscapes of con-

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Sunday Times Magazine 7

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indsor Forest is a small village on the West Coast of Demerara and it is also the first village the Chinese indentured immigrants settled it. Today, the village is predominantly occupied by Indo-Guyanese with very little trace of its Chinese heritage.

However there is a monument in the compound of the Windsor Forest Primary School that is dedicated to the Chinese immigrants. Windsor Forest is also the home of Guyana’s First President, Arthur Chung.

Photographer Dexter Ceres recently visited the village and took these photos.

The Chinese Commemoration Monument

The Windsor Forest Primary School

One of the many kokers in the in village

One of the many Chinese Restaurant in Windsor Forest

One of the Churches

Republished from January 12, 2020

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Roman aristocrat unearthed in ancient cemetery that could show Britain's shift to Anglo-Saxon society

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ewly revealed human remains could offer a rare glimpse into life in Britain through the decline of the Roman Empire and the establishment of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

Experts have hailed the 1,600-year-old cemetery that was unearthed near the city of Leeds, about 200 miles north of London, as a "oncein-a-lifetime" find that bridges the gap between the ancient and medieval periods.

Among the remains of more than 60 men, women and children was what is thought to be a late-Roman aristocratic woman, Leeds City Council said in a statement Monday.

The woman was found inside an ancient lead coffin at the archaeological dig near the Leeds suburb of Garforth.

The site could also indicate early Christian and Saxon burial rituals, officials said, and marks a major crossroads in a little-understood period in which the Roman Empire began its gradual decline and eventual collapse in the West, as Germanic tribes migrated from mainland Europe.

England derives its name from one of the main groups that arrived from the fifth century onward from modern-day Denmark and Germany: Angles, Saxons and Jutes.

"It is every archaeologist’s dream to work on a 'once in a lifetime' site, and supervising these excavations is definitely a career-high for me," Kylie Buxton, on-site supervisor for the excavations, said in a news release.

"There is always a chance of finding burials, but to have discovered a cemetery of such significance, at such a time of transition, was quite unbelievable."

Carbon dating is underway to establish the precise

The skeletal remains of two bodies found at a burial site in Leeds, England, in spring 2022 (West Yorkshire Joint Services / Leeds City Council)

The discovery near Garforth in the north of England revealed the remains of more than 60 men, women and children who lived in the area more than 1,000 years ago (West Yorkshire Joint Services / Leeds City Council)

timing of the burials, as well as chemical testing, which it is hoped will shed light on the dietary habits and ancestry.

The site was discovered in spring 2022 but no announcement was made until now in an attempt to preserve the site while tests take place.

The exact location of the site has not been revealed, but the remains of late-Roman and Anglo-Saxon buildings have been found nearby.

"This has the potential to be a find of massive significance for what we understand about the development of ancient Britain and Yorkshire," said David Hunter, principal archaeologist with West Yorkshire Joint Services.

"The presence of two communities using the same burial site is highly unusual and whether their use of this graveyard overlapped or not will determine just how significant the find is."

Once analysis has taken place, plans are in place to display the lead coffin at Leeds City Museum in an exhibition on death customs

across the world.

Saxons tended to bury their dead with items of special importance such as knives and pottery. The most famous Anglo-Saxon burial site, Sutton Hoo — thought to be a burial ship to honor the seventh-century king Rædwald — contained a fabulous collection of jeweled helmets and weapons.

Claudius, the fourth Roman emperor, began the invasion of Britain in 43 A.D., supposedly using an army of up to 20,000 men and even armored elephants.

By the dawn of the first century, Rome had established its power across southern Britain and all the way up to the contested northern area later marked out by a huge wall built by the emperor Hadrian.

That control abruptly ended in 409-10 A.D. as Rome's military might faded away, with the empire distracted by pressure from invading barbarians in Italy and Gaul.

The empire would survive

another 1,000 years from its eastern power base of Constantinople, but it could only limp on in the West

for decades. Roman aristocrats fled Britain as villas and towns crumbled into disrepair, burying what they couldn't carry with them.

Leeds is thought to have been the center of the mysterious Celtic kingdom of Elmet, one of several entities established after the collapse of Roman control but before the dominance of

Anglo-Saxon kingdoms or the coming of the Vikings in the eighth century.

Experts will investigate whether the newly found graves offer more evidence of how the people of Elmet lived alongside Saxon neighbors, at a time when England was rapidly leaving behind its pagan traditions and converting to Christianity. (NBC)

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Regional

Dozens, including children, Violence in Ecuador affects killed in Colombia landslide whole world, President tells BBC

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A

t least 33 people have been killed in a landslide brought on by heavy rains in northwestern Colombia, officials have said.

“I deeply regret the death of 33 people in this tragedy, mostly children, according to preliminary reports from the territory,” Vice President Francia Marquez wrote on the social media platform X on Saturday.

“At this time, search and rescue actions continue for the people who remain trapped,” she said.

The mudslide, which happened on Friday afternoon, covered a roadway that connects the cities of Quibdo and Medellin in the Pacific province of Choco, authorities said.

Dozens were also injured on a busy highway, and some people were missing after mud engulfed several cars on the road.

A specialised rescue group from the Colombian Police rescued survivors and retrieved bodies on Saturday.

Authorities in Medellin

A specialised rescue group from the Colombian Police carrying the body of a deceased person during an operation to rescue survivors of a landslide caused by heavy rains in Choco, Colombia

said that, as of early Saturday, 17 bodies had been transported there and that forensic examiners had identified three of them, the AFP news agency reported.

No names were released.

With several road closures, rescue crews and firefighters struggled to reach the hardest-hit area.

“Since last night, we have been working hand-inhand with emergency and relief organisations on the Quibdo-Medellin road,” the

Police said. “We deployed all our capabilities to rescue and help those affected.”

About 50 soldiers also arrived to assist, and images released by the army showed mud-covered men struggling through swampy terrain.

The landslide in Choco, which lies on the Pacific Ocean and is home to a vast tropical forest, followed more than 24 hours of intense rain. (Excerpt from Reuters)

cuadorean President Daniel Noboa has told the BBC the gang violence which dramatically exploded this week in his country is a problem for the whole world.

Ecuador’s youngest ever President has only been in the job since November, but he is now faced with the country’s biggest crisis in its modern history.

Days of unrest saw two gang leaders escape from jail, prison guards held hostage, and explosive devices set off in a number of cities across the country.

Then, a day after Noboa declared a state of emergency, armed men burst into the studios of TC television in Guayaquil, threatening staff with guns live on air.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC during his first visit to Guayaquil since the violence, the President acknowledged that the task ahead in restoring peace to the country was

Daniel Noboa has ruled out negotiating with the criminal gangs who have taken about 180 prison officers hostage

daunting.

“I didn’t sign up for this thinking it was going to be easy,” he says on the waterfront of the conflicted port city.

“We can’t continue with this game that these terrorist groups are trying to establish.”

Now, he insists, changes are under way. Since the violence unfolded, he has declared the Andean nation to be in an “internal armed conflict” with the powerful drug gangs which control the co-

caine smuggling trade.

He has ordered his military to “neutralise” 22 armed groups which he redefined as terrorist organisations.

And Washington is offering its help. A delegation of US law enforcement, military and diplomatic personnel is due to arrive in Ecuador in the coming weeks. His critics see US interventionism at play but President Noboa applauds the move. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Protest at Chile’s lithium salt flats ends with promise of Boric visit

Scientists assert ‘alien P mummies’ in Peru are really dolls made from earthly bones

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pair of “alien mummies” that mysteriously turned up at the airport in Peru’s capital last October have entirely Earthly origins, according to a scientific analysis revealed on Friday.

The two small specimens were described as humanoid dolls by experts at a press conference in Lima, and likely fashioned from both human and animal parts.

A separate three-fingered hand believed to be from Peru’s Nazca region was also analysed, with experts ruling out any connection to alien life.

“They’re not extraterrestrials. They’re dolls made from animal bones from this planet joined together with

modern synthetic glue,” said Flavio Estrada, an archaeologist with Peru’s Institute for Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences.

“It’s totally a made-up story,” Estrada added.

The two figurines turned up in the Lima airport offices of courier DHL in a cardboard box, and were made to look like mummified bodies dressed in traditional Andean attire. Some media outlets subsequently speculated about possible alien origin.

Last September, two tiny mummified bodies with elongated heads and hands with three fingers were featured at a Mexican congressional hearing, generating widespread media cover-

age. Mexican journalist and UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan claimed those bodies were about 1000 years old and recovered from Peru in 2017, but not related to any known species.

Most experts later dismissed them as a fraud, possibly mutilated ancient human mummies combined with animal parts, but certainly from Earth.

At the Lima press conference on Friday, which was organised by Peru’s Culture Ministry, experts did not say that the dolls found in the DHL office were related to the bodies presented in Mexico, and they stressed that the remains in Mexico are also not extraterrestrial.

(Reuters)

rotesters agreed to end demonstrations that had blocked access to the Atacama salt flat in Chile, the world’s largest lithium deposit, with the promise of a visit by President Gabriel Boric.

Indigenous groups had for days blocked public roads that lead to mining operations in the south of the salt flat, where domestic producer SQM and US firm Albemarle extract the metal, preventing workers, supplies and lithium from entering or leaving.

The demonstrations were sparked by an agreement signed last month between SQM and state-run copper firm Codelco, which Indigenous leaders said sidelined local communities despite a recent Government promise of a dialogue table to discuss lithium mining in the Atacama.

The Atacama Indigenous

H

they have another month or two to go,” Dr Phillips said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the last reported case of leprosy in Barbados was in 2022.

The announcement that one leprosy patient was being treated came in response to a request by Barbados Today to outline the country’s status concerning the disease after St Lucia reported 11 new

cases of the debilitating illness, representing a 120 per cent increase from 2020 to 2023.

Health authorities in Barbados have already drafted a national plan for the elimination of leprosy from the island.

The rare disfiguring disease that was once the scourge of life in Barbados 100 years ago, required sufferers to be isolated in a purpose-built leper colony.

(CMC)

Council said in a statement shared on the social media platform X on Friday that protesters would end the occupation over the coming hours after the Mining Ministry promised Boric would come to the area. No timing was given for the visit.

The protest underscored a serious challenge to a plan

by Chile, the No 2 lithium producer, to impose more

state control over the metal needed for batteries used to power the world’s growing electric vehicle fleet.

“The President of Chile must know the Atacama salt flat before specifying... the policy,” the council’s statement said.

Albemarle said earlier its operations continued as normal during the protest while SQM did not respond to a request for comment. (Reuters)

Mexican President to put lofty reforms on agenda ahead of election

One case of leprosy confirmed in Barbados, residents told not to panic M

ealth officials in Barbados have assured the public that there is no need to panic following the confirmation of a case of leprosy on the island.

Speaking with Barbados Today, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Arthur Phillips said the case is being treated.

“Right now, we have one case that is being treated, and they are coming to the end of their treatment, and

A roadblock is set up to block access to the Atacama salt flat, one of the world’s largest lithium deposits, near Peine, Chile, January 10, 2024.

exico’s President will propose a package of constitutional reforms early next month, he said on Friday, including measures to overhaul the Judiciary, elections and pensions, four months before voters head to the polls.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s term ends in September. By law, Mexican Presidents can only serve one six-year term.

The leftist Lopez Obrador and his allies do not have the two-thirds super majority in Congress needed to change the Constitution, but analysts speculate the reforms could

still shape the political debate ahead of the June vote.

Since winning a landslide election in 2018 on an anti-establishment message, Lopez Obrador has moved to centralise executive power while reorganising Government functions he considers corrupt or too costly, including the top court and electoral authorities - efforts that have at times been stymied by Judges and lawmakers.

The President hopes his reform proposals can help set the stage for his successor’s Government, arguing on Friday that they can help “facilitate the transformation

process” he launched.

Polls currently favour Claudia Sheinbaum, the former Mayor of Mexico City who promises continuity with Lopez Obrador’s agenda if elected President.

Lopez Obrador did not offer details on the reform package on Friday, but earlier this week said the pension reform aims to ensure workers receive the same pay when they retire as when they were working.

Eurasia Group said the pension proposal would likely cause “a massive drag on public finances” if passed. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

27

Around the World

Israel pushes ahead, with Gaza OILNEWS OIL NEWS offensive approaching 100 days of war More drilling slowdowns for US oil, gas industry

T

he total number of active drilling rigs for oil and gas in the United States fell again this week, according to new data that Baker Hughes published on Friday.

The total rig count fell by 2 to 619 this week, compared to 775 rigs this same time last year.

The number of oil rigs fell by 2 this week, settling at 499--down by 124 compared to this time last year. The number of gas rigs fell by 1 this week to 117, a loss of 33 active gas rigs from this time last year. Miscellaneous rigs hit 3 rigs after rising by 1.

Meanwhile, US crude oil production stayed at an average of 13.2 million bpd in the week ending January 5—a 1 million bpd increase from the same week in 2022.

Primary Vision’s Frac Spread Count, an estimate of the number of crews completing wells that are unfinished, continued to fall this week. Completion crews fell by 4 in the week to January 5 to 236.

This follows a string of weekly decreases in completion activity that dipped by 38 over the previous three weeks. after falling by 13 in the week prior. The frac spread count is now at its lowest level since December 31, 2021.

The Permian saw a decline of 2 rigs, while the Eagle Ford saw a 2-rig gain. Rigs also fell in the Cana Woodford, DJ-Niobrara, and Marcellus basins.

Oil prices began the day trading up. At 11:58 am ET on Friday, the WTI benchmark was trading up US$1.04 (+1.44%) on the day at US$73.06 as escalations in the Red Sea spark supply fears. While up on the day, that price level is just a US$0.40 increase from last week at this time.

The Brent benchmark was trading up US$1.14 (+1.47%) at US$78.55, an increase of roughly US$0.55 per barrel from a week ago. (Oilprice.com)

I

srael kept up bombardments in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, vowing to press ahead with its offensive to destroy the Islamist movement Hamas as the war approaches the 100-day mark with no end in sight.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not be deterred by a case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where it is fighting accusations that the campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide.

"No one will stop us not The Hague, not the Axis of Evil, no one," he told a news conference, referring to Hamas and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and Houthi militias which have offered their support.

More than three months

after the Oct 7 attack on Israel which triggered the war, more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed and Gaza is a wasteland of rubble, with all but a handful of its 2.3 million population squeezed into a tiny corner at the southern end of the enclave.

In the southern city of Rafah, an Israeli air strike on a house sheltering two displaced families killed 10 people, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

Holding up a photo of a dead girl with a piece of bread in her hand, Bassem Arafeh, a relative, said the families in Rafah had been eating dinner when the house was struck on Friday night.

"This child died while she was hungry, while she was eating a piece of bread

A man kissing the body of a Palestinian child killed in an Israeli strike amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at Abu Yousef al-Najjar hospital in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, January 13, 2024

with nothing on it, where is the International Criminal Court to see how the children die?" Arafeh said.

"Where are the Muslims ... and the world leaders?"

Israel says it targets

Ukraine attacked overnight by 40 Russian missiles, drones, air force says

U

kraine suffered a large Russian missile attack in the early hours of Saturday, while its air defences were able to down a far lower proportion of them than usual.

According to Ukraine's air force, Russia launched 37 missiles and three drones. Eight missiles were downed, it said in a statement on social media.

The air force's spokesperson said earlier this week that Ukraine was now suffering from a deficit of air defence missiles. It

was not immediately clear whether this or any other factor was the reason for the low hit rate.

Most of the types of missiles used overnight were extremely fast-moving ballistic types, the air force said. These are far harder to shoot down.

"It should be noted that more than 20 of all the listed (weapons) which were not included in the number of the downed, did not reach their targets as a result of active countermeasures by electronic warfare," the statement said.

There were no details on the targets of the strike.

Air defences shot down Russian missiles in at least five regions across Ukraine, according to local officials from those provinces.

The large south-eastern city of Dnipro was struck, the local governor said, also without providing detail as to what was hit.

Police in the northern

A

may have struck the window, for example a bird, a large hailstone, it's not unheard of".

"You might occasionally get a stress fracture too, from wear and tear," he added, "but that's very rare".

There were 59 passengers and six crew members on board. Alternative flights were arranged for the passengers.

This is the second incident involving a Boeing 737 model aircraft in as many weeks.

However, the ANA flight was not one of Boeing's 737 MAX 9 airplanes, but an earlier version which was "by no means old", Strickland said.

All Boeing 737-9 aircraft have been grounded by the US aviation regulator the FAA after an Alaska Airlines plane suffered a blowout that saw a cabin panel fall off a new plane in midair, leaving a gaping hole in the side of its fuselage last week. (Excerpt from BBC News)

A

t least 10 people have died and six are missing after an accident at a coal mine in central China, according to the local emergency management agency and state media.

In a statement on Saturday, the agency said it would continue rescue operations at the mine in the city of Pingdingshan and conduct citywide safety checks.

A total of 425 people were working underground when the accident took place, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Pingdingshan’s emergency management bureau said the accident occurred at about 2:55pm (06:55 GMT) on Friday due to a coal and gas outburst at the mine owned by China’s Pingdingshan Tianan Coal Mining company.

The emergency agency said it was investigating the cause of the accident.

A safety inspection

campaign in coal-rich Pingdingshan, in Henan province, could disrupt coal production there and strain coal supplies.

Last November, coal prices in China jumped after the country’s Cabinet promised to ramp up safety checks as deaths from accidents in the top coal-producing region Shanxi rose sharply.

Those in charge of the mine have been taken into custody, Xinhua reported, but did not say how many people were being held.

Mining safety in China has improved in recent decades, as has media coverage of major incidents, many of which were once overlooked.

However, accidents are still common in an industry with a poor safety record and where regulations are not necessarily enforced.

In 2022, 245 people died in 168 accidents, according to official figures. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

region of Chernihiv posted a picture of a large crater made by a downed missile.

"As a result of being hit by the debris of an enemy missile, several private homes and non-residential buildings were damaged, one building was practically destroyed," the police wrote. No people were hurt but a dog was killed, Police said. (Reuters)

US does not support Taiwan independence, Biden says

Cockpit window crack forces ANA Boeing flight At least 10 killed in China mining accident U in Japan to turn back domestic All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight in Japan has returned to its departure airport after a crack was reported on the cockpit window during the flight.

The crack appeared in the outermost of the four layers of window surrounding the cockpit.

There were no injuries to anyone on board.

ANA flight NH1182 was flying from the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido to Toyama, on Japan's main island, Honshu.

The plane, a Boeing 737, landed back at Sapporo's New Chitose airport at around 12:10 local time (3:10 GMT).

A spokesperson for ANA, Japan's largest carrier, said that the crack had been found as the flight passed over Hakodate.

Aviation expert John Strickland said the cause of the crack was still unknown.

"These things do sometimes happen, something

militants and does all it can to minimise harm to non-combatants as it wages urban warfare against Hamas in the densely populated Palestinian enclave.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

S President Joe Biden said on Saturday the United States does not support the independence of Taiwan, after Taiwanese voters rebuffed China and gave the ruling party a third presidential term.

Earlier in the day, the Taiwanese ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te came to power, strongly rejecting Chinese pressure to spurn him, and pledged both to stand up to Beijing and seek talks.

"We do not support independence..." Biden said, when asked for reaction to Saturday's elections.

Hours ahead of the polls opening, Washington had warned "it would be unacceptable" for "any" country to interfere in the election.

Taiwan, a neighbouring island China claims as its own, has been a democratic success story since holding its first direct presidential

election in 1996, the culmination of decades of struggle against authoritarian rule and martial law.

The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties with the island.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai Ching-te on his victory and said the United States "is committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability, and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure." He said the US looks forward to working with Lai and leaders of all parties in Taiwan to advance their "longstanding unofficial relationship, consistent with the US one China policy."

The Biden administration has feared that the election, transition and new administration would escalate conflict with Beijing.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

28

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

ARIES

Self-improvement will lead

(March 21- to a healthier lifestyle. Don’t April 19) be afraid to walk away from disruptive people or to reassess your situation and formulate a plan to improve your life.

Be open to suggestions, and TAURUS you’ll find an exciting alter(April 20native to make your responsiMay 20) bilities more effortless and affordable. A trip, reunion or educational pursuit will change your direction.

Be careful whom you trust.

GEMINI Not everyone will be upfront.

(MAY 21Pay more attention to how June 20) you feel and what you can do to increase awareness about something that concerns you.

Don’t count on others.

Keep life simple. Focus on CANCER (June 21- activities and people who bring July 22) you joy, and use your imagination to create a lifestyle that soothes your soul. Your contribution will boost your profile.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Pickles VIRGO

Don’t jeopardize your health or heart. Focus on making positive changes, gathering facts and honestly assessing situations. It’s time to expand your circle of friends.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Take your time, be observant and refuse to let anyone pressure you into something that doesn’t fit your game plan. Don’t waste time arguing. Find the path to your happy place.

SCORPIO

It’s up to you to find what makes you feel passionate.

Look over your options and prepare to make a move. The changes you implement will draw interest from worthwhile contributors.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Peanuts

Slow down, enjoy the moment and count your cash before you decide to spend money or go into debt. It’s time to pay more attention to your health and well-being and to forgo trying to impress others.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don’t buy into someone SAGITTARIUS else’s dream. Your happiness (Nov. 23is your responsibility. Be true Dec. 21) to yourself and everything else will fall into place.

Calvin and Hobbes

Put your energy to work CAPRICORN for you. Reach out to people (Dec. 22of interest; the information Jan. 19) you gather will broaden your outlook and encourage you to make positive changes to how you live and work.

AQUARIUS Pay attention to how you present yourself. Take time (Jan. 20to update your image or learn Feb. 19) a valuable new skill. Donate your time or talents to promoting something you enjoy doing.

PISCES A direct conversation will (Feb. 20- help you eliminate questionMar. 20) able offers. Get the facts, consider the risks and put a thorough plan in place. You have more going for you than you realize.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

29

Afghanistan tour to India 2024: T20I Series, game 2 of 3…

Afghanistan ready their spinners - as Kohli returns to T20I cricket

R

ohit Sharma's T20I return with the bat was unspectacular; both Virat Kohli (personal reasons) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (groin injury) were unavailable for the Mohali T20I, but India still eased past Afghanistan.

For Afghanistan, Rashid Khan has been ruled out of the entire three-match series, but they can still be a dangerous T20 team on their day. Six players in the XI that played on Thursday have IPL contracts, and almost all their players feature in franchise T20 - and T10 - leagues around the world.

Kohli is set to return for the second T20I in Indore India's second last before the T20 World Cup gets underway in the USA and the West Indies in June. He hasn't scored freely against spin in T20 cricket - he has the second-lowest strike rate against spin among batters who have played at least 50 innings in the IPL in the past five seasons; so, this will be a good test for him against Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi.

There is also considerable interest in whether Rohit can dominate T20I powerplays like he did the ODI powerplays at the World Cup last

year.

The inclusion of Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar has given India six bowling options, and stretches their batting down to #8.

Dube was dropped for the T20I series in South Africa, and had previously warmed the bench during the home

have some problems at the top. They tried to fit two anchors in their top four - captain Ibrahim Zadran right at the top and debutant Rahmat Shah at #4 - but the approach didn't work.

That Afghanistan eventually reached 158 for 5 was down to the middle-order muscle of

Will Virat Kohli open the India batting, or slot in at #3?

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the leader of Afghanistan's attack in the absence of Rashid Khan

T20Is against Australia, but could make a serious case to be picked in India's T20 World Cup squad as Hardik Pandya's back-up, especially if he has a strong IPL season.

Afghanistan bat deeper than India, with Mujeeb 2.0 and Naveen-ul-Haq carded at #9 and 10, but they

Nabi and Najibullah Zadran.

Unless they post a bigger total, it's hard to see them challenge India.

In the spotlight: Jitesh Sharma and Azmatullah Omarzai Jitesh Sharma is among the most explosive finishers in the IPL. He's brought that

power to T20Is as well, having a strike rate of over 150 after six innings. His cameos against Australia and more recently against Afghanistan at his IPL home ground in Mohali have seen him edge ahead as India's first-choice keeper-batter for now in T20Is. He has also been sharp behind the stumps against both pace and spin.

Azmatullah Omarzai poses a dual threat to India with his big-hitting and ability to swing the ball. In the first T20I, Omarzai showed glimpses of his skills with the bat at #3, but Afghanistan need more from him, and he's capable of that. If there's

some early swing on offer at the Holkar Stadium, there's a case for Afghanistan to pair Omarzai up with Fazalhaq Farooqi in the powerplay and hold Mujeeb back for the middle and death overs.

Team news: Zazai for Rahmat?

Kohli will return for the Indore T20I. If Jaiswal is fit, he will replace Shubman Gill at the top. Wristspinner Ravi Bishnoi, who leaked 35 runs in three overs in the first T20I, could make way for Kuldeep Yadav. At some point in the series, India might also be tempted to test out Avesh Khan in place of a quick or a spinner.

India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal/Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shivam Dube, 5 Rinku Singh, 6 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 7 Axar Patel, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav/Ravi Bishnoi, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Mukesh Kumar/Avesh Khan If Hazratullah Zazai is fit and available, Afghanistan could bring him into the XI in place of Rahmat, who is more of an ODI-style batter.

Afghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Hazratullah Zazai/ Rahmat Shah, 3 Ibrahim Zadran (capt), 4 Azmatullah Omarzai, 5 Mohammad Nabi, 6 Najibullah Zadran, 7 Karim Janat, 8 Gulbadin Naib, 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi Pitch and conditions: Indore is full of runs. A flat, bash-through-the-line Indore pitch, fast outfield and short boundaries are ingredients for a high-scoring T20I. The last T20I at the venue, in October 2022, produced an aggregate of 405 runs, with South Africa's Rilee Rossouw cracking a 48-ball hundred. A clear, warm day is welcome news for players who struggled with the cold in Mohali.

(ESPNCricinfo)

Oscar Bobb scores late winner for Man City at Newcastle O scar Bobb scored a stoppage-time winner as Manchester City moved within two points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League with victory over Newcastle in a breathless encounter at St James's Park.

The Norwegian, 20, latched on to a superb lofted pass from fellow substitute Kevin de Bruyne, and showed superb footwork to take the ball pass Martin Dubravka and tap into the empty net. It rounded off a brilliant game that saw both sides dominate periods, but City controlled the second half and showed the fight and quality to seal what could be a huge win, come the end of the season.

While Bobb enjoyed his first Premier League goal, the success was sparked by De Bruyne. Just four minutes and 35 seconds after he came off the bench, the Belgian found space in between the home defence and midfield before sweeping a finish into the far corner.

Bernardo Silva had put the Premier League champions ahead in the 26th minute, meeting Kyle Walker's

Kevin de Bruyne's goal was his first of the season

right-wing cross with an audacious backheel, before two goals in three minutes put Newcastle in charge. First, Alexander Isak collected a sweeping Bruno Guimaraes pass before curling past City's reserve keeper Stefan Ortega - who had replaced the injured Ederson - and into the top corner for his fourth goal in four games.

Then Anthony Gordon was released down the left, and he took advantage of Walker backing off to spectacularly curl into the bottom corner and send the home fans into

raptures.

City had only lost once in 72 Premier League games when taking the lead, and that was under serious threat until their talisman De Bruyne continued his comeback from injury with a top-class strike and a wonderful assist for Bobb. Boss Pep Guardiola and the entire City squad, including substitutes, celebrated emphatically at the full-time whistle as the reigning champions savoured a third successive league win and sixth in all competitions.

De Bruyne delivers after defensive problems For large parts of this season, City have been far from the level that saw them win the Treble last season, especially defensively. Those issues reared their head again, and will lead to questions about the summer recruitment, with some poor defending for both Newcastle goals.

This was also another game where they missed a host of chances, including Julian Alvarez screwing a golden chance over the bar from eight yards when they were behind.

In De Bruyne though, they have one of the best playmakers in the world; or, arguably, the best. He drifted effortlessly into space for his crucial 74th-minute equalizer, and his perfectly-placed low finish was a reminder of his game-changing talent.

The 32-year-old's last league appearance was in August at Burnley, after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.

And De Bruyne still had time to make another big impact in the first minute of added time, one befitting of the game, with his pass be-

hind Kieran Trippier for Bobb simply exquisite. The forward had drifted in from the left wing, and showed superb close control before slotting home to continue his own impressive campaign.

As they edged ominously closer to leaders Liverpool, the Blues will now feel they are in a position to go on one of their famous title-winning runs. Their next five league games are against bottom-half sides, with four at home and where they were unbeaten in 2023.

It remains to be seen if goalkeeper Ederson will be available for those games, after he was forced off in the eighth minute following a collision with City full-back Walker and Sean Longstaff, which saw Newcastle having a goal disallowed for offside.

Newcastle show fight, but struggles continue. The result will hurt Newcastle, with Eddie Howe's side now losing seven of their past 10 Premier League games, which is the same as in their 44 games before that run started.

However, there were encouraging signs throughout an enthralling encounter.

Defensively, despite con-

ceding three goals, they were resolute, putting bodies on the line on numerous occasions as City poured forward with attack after attack.

Guimaraes did brilliantly to deny Phil Foden and Rodri in one dangerous attack, while Fabian Schar also blocked an Alvarez effort.

Their goals were fast and incisive, and what we have grown accustomed to seeing from their attack under Howe.

Swedish striker Isak was also foiled by Ortega in a oneon-one opportunity shortly before half-time. If converted, that may have put the game beyond City's reach.

Ultimately, as was the case in defeats at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and Liverpool in the Premier League at the turn of the year, Howe lacked quality options off the bench to affect the outcome, and made one change against City.

It has made life tough for Newcastle this season, and having lost successive home games for the first time under the former Bournemouth boss, they are in 10th place and 11 points off a Champions League spot. (BBC Sport)

30

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

“WE FELT WE HAD Da Silva grateful for TO WIN” CLASSIFIED ADS time in the middle – Thompson leads Warriors’ ahead of Australia Tests comeback to beat Bulls …Hopes to improve on rough 2022 tour Down Under K W VACANCY

est Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva is thankful for some time in the middle, as he aims to produce a better performance than he did when the West Indies toured Australia from November-December 2022.

During those two Tests, Da Silva had scores of zero and 12 in Perth and 23 and 15 in Adelaide.

“Just trying to use the experience that I got last year. Didn’t do too great, so I just want to do better than I did and get some runs on the board and keep well.

Once I’m doing well, hopefully the team is doing well, and everybody chips in,” he said in an interview after day two of the West Indies’ three-day warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide.

Da Silva, who opened the batting in the second innings after batting seventh in the first, was unbeaten on 55, while Kavem Hodge, who got 52 in the first innings, was on 44; but DaSilva went on to hit 105 in 158 deliveries.

lay Thompson felt the Golden State Warriors "had to win", as they produced an impressive second-half comeback to defeat the Chicago Bulls. The Warriors rallied for a 140-131 win at United Center, erasing a 13-point halftime deficit with a strong turnaround.

Thompson scored 30 points, and there were 27 from Stephen Curry, al-

“It was nice to get some time in the middle, of course.

Kraigg (Brathwaite) just asked me if I would like to (go to) the top and just have some time in the middle, and luckily, I took advantage of it and was able to get some time out there,” Da Silva said.

Of the 15 men in the West Indies Test squad, Da Silva is one of only four, alongside Kemar Roach, Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Alzarri Joseph, to have

played at least 10 Test matches. In fact, the first Test, set to start on Tuesday in Adelaide, will be Da Silva’s 25th.

He said he enjoys being a source of information for the new members of the squad.

“It’s nice to be somebody they can ask questions about Test cricket. I’m still learning from them as well.

Always good learning on the job, and nice to lend my expertise as well,” he said.

(Sportsmax)

I

Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw and Usain Bolt

things matter the most,” she revealed.

The towering striker has been a goalscoring machine ever since she joined Manchester City in 2021.

Last season, she scored 20 goals in 22 WSL games, 31 across all competitions, and in the process became the first Jamaican to be nominated for the Ballon D’or award.

For this year, the 26-yearold is aiming to fire Gareth Taylor's side to a first WSL title since 2016. Manchester City are currently second on the WSL table, three points behind leaders Chelsea.

“I think for me the sky’s the limit. I think there’s a lot more room to improve, especially when I watch back my videos. It’s about keeping my head down, working hard on

the pitch, building good relationships with my teammates, and just keep pushing on," Shaw declared.

After enjoying a winter break, Shaw and her City teammates will return to action on Sunday, when they take on Durham in the fourth round of the FA Cup. They will resume their WSL title charge with a home clash against Liverpool next weekend.

“We just have to keep pushing, keep improving, just focus on what we can control, and we’ll see. It’s about being consistent, as we’ve had some really good results but let ourselves down in other games. Now we’re in a good place, it’s about just keeping the confidence high within the group,” Shaw noted. (Sportsmax)

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Joshua DaSilva struck a century in the warm-up match

Shaw credits Bolt's advice, hard work for current scoring form f there is one thing about Jamaican international and Manchester City striker Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, it is the fact that she is never shy to give credit where it is due, especially when it comes to her career success.

So, it comes as no surprise that Shaw has now hailed compatriot, retired sprint legend Usain Bolt, whose advice she said has inspired her current vein of form in front of goal.

Shaw, who currently leads the Women's Super League (WSL) Golden Boot race with nine goals in as many games, and was named the Player of the Month for December, explained how the world's fastest man and many-time World and Olympic champion has helped her this season.

“He [Bolt] has always been supportive. We speak about my progress, and we have a good relationship.

When he’s in town, he lets me know, and we will link up,” Shaw said in a recent interview with Manchester Evening News.

“In certain aspects, when I’m struggling, whether that means strength work, I’ll reach out to him. We had a really good conversation in March, and he told me some things I could work on where I could get an edge over defenders and stuff like that. It's just the little things, and he always says the little

ed Thompson. "We are not the Warriors without him.

Hopefully, within these next couple of games, maybe Memphis or Utah would be great. I think he makes the biggest impact defensively."

The Bulls fell to 18-22 despite a game-high 39 points from DeMar DeRozan, while Zach LaVine and Coby White scored 25 points each.

"They did a great job

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though 15 of those points came in the fourth quarter, as he overcame a slow start.

Golden State improved to 18-20 after Thompson drained seven 3-pointers, with Curry hitting six from deep. The Warriors dominated the third quarter 4820, and led by 15 entering the fourth, after Chicago had raced ahead in the first half, when they scored a season-high 72 points. It was a key win, with further road games against the Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz up next for the Warriors.

"This was a game we felt we had to win, especially with the upcoming road trip," Thompson said, as per NBC Sports Bay Area. "When our spirit is right, things tend to go our way. Those last two games, we just felt like they were anomalies of the season.

We have been fighting so hard, with so many close battles lost. We were not discouraged. We know that it is a long season with ebbs and flows. Even though we got beat probably a combined 100 [points], we responded."

Curry finished with just 8 of 24 from the field, but did have nine assists, while Jonathan Kuminga added 24 points from the bench as Golden State won despite being without Moses Moody, Chris Paul, Gary Payton II and Draymond Green, who is working on his conditioning after his recent suspension.

"I can't wait until Draymond is back," add-

adjusting, coming out and changing up the game plan," DeRozan said about Warriors' turnaround. "You can never count them out, no matter how big a lead we have."

The Warriors are 12th in the Western Conference as they fight to reach the playoff positions in the standings.

"It is nice to win a game like that, where I know individually I can shoot the ball better, but we won a game collectively," Curry said.

"We have a standard that we want to live up to for ourselves. We are not going to win every game, but you just want to play better, and I think we did that."

Coach Steve Kerr was impressed with the response after the Warriors were booed in the big home losses against the Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans this week. He said: "The whole group, the whole team, was just committed to 'Let's go out and win'. I'm very proud of them. They have taken a lot of heat; we have all taken a lot of heat this past week. Deservedly so. But this is what you do as a pro. A lot of these guys are champions. You have got to respond, and they did.

"We got off track emotionally and spiritually the last couple of games. Our fans could feel it. We got booed for the first time since I've been here, 10 years. And as I said, both nights we deserved it because our energy and our competitive spirit were not there. We found that again." (Sportsmax)

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31 Horse racing legislation to be tabled this year – Ramson GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

F

ollowing up on a promise made prior to the staging of the Guyana Cup 2022, legislation to regulate the sport of horse racing is expected to come to fruition in 2024.

Sport Minister Charles Ramson jr. made this disclosure during his year- end press conference on Friday morning at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) at Liliendaal. He noted that the draft is completed, and will be tabled in Parliament in a matter of months. “…and also significantly from a policy standpoint, we were able to conclude the drafting of the horse racing legislation, which will be

Sport Minister Charles Ramson jr

tabled in Parliament in the first quarter or the first half of this year, so that the legislation will be passed this year,” the Sport Minister announced on Friday.

Ramson revealed the amount of work that went into completing the draft, which he described as painstaking. “We have done, on the legislation alone, in

terms of actual sessions with stakeholders, we’ve probably done maybe 14 meetings, where we went through, provision by provision, legislation in other countries, full comparative analysis, what will work for us; and it was a painstaking process,” he related.

“It’s not one of the things you can speak about a lot, because not a lot of people are going to say, ‘Oh, you can see how much effort goes into that type of work’, but it’s a lot of painstaking kind of work. But my background, you know, that actually

Ramson expresses displeasure with teams playing T20 World Cup games in Guyana

S

port Minister Charles Ramson jr., while being content with the number of matches allocated to Guyana for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s T20 World Cup in June, is dissatisfied with the quality of matches scheduled for Guyana as those pertain to the teams involved.

The World Cup will bowl off on Saturday, June 1, with a clash between USA and Canada in Dallas, Texas, and Guyana will host the first game in the Caribbean on June 2, which involves the West Indies coming up against Papua New Guinea at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Thereafter, Guyana will host four other Group C matches, featuring West

the affirmative, assuring, “Absolutely! So, I don’t want to say the main part, but an important part is betting. So, we couldn’t ignore that part, and it’s an important area for many countries to gain revenue too.”

According to the Sport Minister, the aim is to have the bill passed by time of the Guyana Cup, set for

August 11th. However, he maintained that it would be dependent on Parliament’s timelines.

“Yes! So, we’re looking to lay this in the first quarter, based on our Parliamentary sessions, because you know budget is going to be finished in the first week or so of February. Depending on when the sessions come and how soon cabinet can do this, I’d say the first half of 2024, and that should give us enough time to pass it before the next Guyana Cup,” Ramson Jr. shared.

He went on to add, “Well, don’t hold me on the timeline, because we still got a Parliamentary factor there; but we’re hoping to get it in there before then.

That’s our aim.”

Back in 2022, at the draw for the then 14th edition of the Guyana Cup horse race meeting, Ramson jr. had expressed his intention to have in place legislation to govern the sport, in an effort to modernize the sport and bring it up to international standards.

DCC commends Imlach on West Indies ODI call-up

The recently released Men’s T20 World Cup fixtures

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. is flanked by MCYS Permanent Secretary Melissa Tucker and Assistant Directors of Sport Franklin Wilson and Melissa Dow-Richardson

Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and Uganda. This aspect is what perturbs the Sport Minister, who expressed his displeasure at his recent year-end press conference held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal, ECD. “It’s not the number of matches that I’m not satisfied with; I’m not satisfied with the teams, based on the Groups that were assigned to Guyana,” Ramson jr. clarified.

helped in this situation,” he explained.

Given that betting is a major part of the sport, Ramson Jr. was asked whether the legislation would cater to this aspect, and he replied in

He went on to explain, “When the Government looks to get for the country an international tournament like this, you want the big- ticket games coming to the country; and even if you don’t get all of the big- ticket games, you still want at least a few, so that persons from all around the world will look at that and say, ‘I want to go and see those games’. Outside of the locals, we’re going to be excited for cricket; international cricket, regardless.”

Continuing to express his frustration, the Sport Minister shared, “But when you examine who West Indies are playing, or where the big names like the Indias, the Pakistans, the Australias et cetera, where they are playing, a lot of the games for India and Pakistan went to United States of America.

So, now we have to compete with, on the market share for cricket, we’re now competing with the US. “So, it’s not just about the number of games. We

knew in advance what were the likely outcomes if we were to succeed on the number of games that we would get,” he reiterated.

As such, the Minister voiced his hopes that the ICC would pay keener attention to how the allocation of matches can impact smaller territories among host countries.

Ramson Jr. opined, “I think ICC has to be cognizant of the fact that we are small territories, that these types of events make a big impact to the country in many ways, some quantifiable, some non- quantifiable. So, the type of games that are assigned to smaller types of territories are very important for them.”

Following the opening game at Providence, Afghanistan will battle Uganda on June 3; Papua New Guinea comes up against Uganda on June 5; New Zealand and Afghanistan go head-to-head on June 7, while West Indies go into action on June 8.

In addition, Guyana will play host to the first semifinal games of this year’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for June 26th. The Word Cup will conclude on June 30th.

Tevin Imlach

A

fter travelling reserve on the Test squad when India visited in July 2023, and in the next Test series for West Indies, Tevin Imlach has earned a maiden call-up for the tour to Australia, being one of seven uncapped players and one of five players from Guyana in the squad.

When Cricket West Indies announced the OneDay International squad, Imlach was named as one of two players who got their maiden call-up.

In a release to the media on Saturday, Imlach’s boyhood club, the iconic Demerara Cricket Club, commended the wicketkeeper-batsman for his accom-

plishment and elevation to the senior West Indies setup.

“Continue to be a testament to the rewards of hard work and certainly a role model to other young players that success comes when one is disciplined and inputs the long hours in training”, the club stated.

Should Imlach debut in either format, he would join an exemplary list of players from the ‘Home of the Legends’ who have played international cricket.

The 27-year-old Imlach, who captained the Guyana Harpy Eagles at the recent Super50, has played 17 First-Class and 24 List-A matches.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14, 2024

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

Pg 31

to be tabled this year – Ramson Pg 31

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