The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, December 19 – 19:30h20:30h and Friday, December 20 – 20:30h- 22:00h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Thursday, December 19 –07:15h- 08:45h and Friday, December 20 – 08:00h- 09:30h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunny conditions in the early-morning hours followed by thundery to light rain showers are expected during the day. Light to thundery showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 3.58 metres.
High Tide: 06:59h and 19:12h reaching maximum heights of 2.35 metres and 2.45 metres.
Low Tide: 12:44h reaching a minimum height of 0.88 metre.
Pres
Ali
exposes Opposition’s
“egotistical arrogance” on NRF …says Opposition’s criticism based on discrediting PPP/C, not the truth
The parliamenta-
ry Opposition’s recent advocacy on issues such as the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) has been slammed by President Dr Irfaan Ali as based on nothing more than discrediting the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) while ignoring inconvenient truths.
During a broadcast on Wednesday, the Head of State branded the Opposition as exhibiting egotistical arrogance and wilful ignorance. For instance, the Opposition led by the Alliance For Change (AFC) has been questioning the Government’s handling of the NRF and raising questions over its transparency.
According to President Ali, however, it was the Opposition who first passed a deficient NRF Act that, among other things, did not require the Government to disclose when oil funds came in. These were things that the PPP/C Government fixed in the NRF Act of 2021, notwithstanding Opposition efforts to block its passing.
“There was no requirement in that Act to publish deposits into the fund. Can you imagine that? None of us would have known about the deposits in that fund. Remember the $18 million bonus? Yes, that was what they were contemplating. To hide from the public the deposits into the Fund. So, that Act had weak governance and non-existent transparency.
“In the new Act, all deposits were not only required to be published in the official gazette, but also tabled in the National Assembly. And further, no expense can be met without prior approval. So, whereas in their illegitimate passing they removed the role of the Parliament, today the Parliament reviews every expenditure. The Parliament approves every expenditure,” he said.
To make matters worse, Ali noted that the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change
(APNU/AFC) passed the fund at a time when they had fallen to a No Confidence Motion (NCM) and, constitutionally, should have resigned.
“Through convenience of conscience, I want to remind them and the population, of who these persons are. What they embody. What they support. Of who are the characters. In every movie, every script, there are characters.
“Some fictional, some real. But I would like to examine the real characters that have somehow found their voice of convenience, that is not based in truth or facts or law or reality. It is based on a convenience of conscience, aimed at one thing. Discrediting this government,” the Head of State added.
Businessman Terrence Campbell, the Opposition’s representative on the NRF Investment Committee, has been critical about the fund’s management. However, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed Campbell’s criticism as politically motivated.
“He says he’s an independent voice, but let’s examine how independent he is. He was the Opposition PNC’s nominee to the investment committee. Is that independence? This is another pretence; people who are intensely political trying to gain some sort of acceptance and credibility by portraying themselves as erudite and independent,” Jagdeo had said.
As of this year, as much as 60 per cent of all of Guyana’s revenue from the oil and gas sector has been saved in the NRF. Recently, the Vice President had recently confirmed that less than half of Guyana’s oil revenue so far has been spent.
As of September, US$3.2 billion ($665 billion) remained in the NRF. This year, the NRF received inflows from six oil lifts from the Liza Unity, Liza Destiny and Prosperity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, four of those lifts occurring in the third quarter.
The funds in the NRF have their origins in the oilrich Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where US oil major ExxonMobil and its partners – Hess Corporation and CNOOC – are producing light sweet crude using the Liza Destiny, Liza
Unity, and more recently, the Prosperity In 2022, for the first time, Guyana used oil funds to finance a national budget. In fact, in 2022, the Government withdrew a total of $126 billion (US$607.6 million) in three tranches from the NRF, which went towards financing Guyana’s national development plans. In 2023, US$1.002 billion was withdrawn to finance national development priorities. The last of eight withdrawals for last year was made on December 27, 2023, from the NRF to the Consolidated Fund, to the tune of US$152.1 million (equivalent to $31.6 billion). In October 2024, the Government made a withdrawal of $62.3 billion (US$300 million) from the NRF, marking the fourth tranche of the $329.8 billion in withdrawals approved by Parliament for 2024. (G3)
Air Canada’s expansion plan is set to transform travel for passengers commuting between Canada and Guyana.
With its strategic focus on introducing new destinations, including a direct Toronto-to-Georgetown route, the airline’s growth initiative promises to provide tangible benefits to Guyanese passengers, businesses, and the diaspora.
Travelling between Canada and Guyana has historically been a costly and time-consuming endeavour. For decades, passengers have endured high airfare costs and sometimes inconvenient layovers. The introduction of Air Canada’s direct service to Guyana, operated by its subsidiary Air Canada Rouge using the modern Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, is poised to address these challenges. This direct link would save travellers precious time and money, making it a more accessible route for families, businesspeople, and tourists alike. For the Guyanese diaspora in Canada, this route is more than just a convenience; it is a bridge to Guyana. Moreover, the route provides an opportunity for Canadians who are curious about Guyana’s rich natural and cultural heritage to explore this country’s increasing tourism potential. The timing of Air Canada’s entry into the Guyana market could not be better. Guyana’s growing oil industry and rapid economic growth have placed it on the global map as a hotspot for investment and development. The direct route from Toronto — a major international hub — to Georgetown would create new avenues for business travel, enhancing accessibility for investors seeking opportunities in Guyana’s energy, mining, and infrastructure sectors. Additionally, the enhanced connectivity would benefit local businesses by reducing logistical barriers. Exporters of Guyanese products, such as fresh produce, seafood, and artisanal goods, would have improved access to Canadian markets, ensuring faster delivery times and fresher products. This development supports bilateral trade and strengthens economic ties between the two nations. Historically, airfares for the Canada-Guyana route have been among the most expensive in the region. Air Canada’s entry brings muchneeded competition to the market, likely driving down ticket prices and offering travellers more options. For the first time, affordable and efficient travel between the two countries could become the norm, benefitting frequent flyers and occasional travellers alike. The airline’s choice of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 — a fuel-efficient and passenger-friendly aircraft — is another factor that would contribute to cost savings. Its operational efficiency allows this airline to maintain competitive ticket prices while still ensuring profitability. Guyanese travellers can expect a highquality flying experience at a more reasonable cost. Air Canada’s reliance on its major hubs in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver is a cornerstone of its expansion strategy. Toronto, designated as its global hub, would serve as a vital gateway for Guyanese passengers to connect seamlessly to destinations across North America, Europe, and Asia. For example, a passenger travelling from Georgetown to London or Hong Kong can now do so with minimal layovers, saving both time and effort. Conversely, Canadian tourists and businesspeople would find it easier to explore Guyana and the wider Caribbean region. With its vast rainforest, stunning waterfalls, and rich cultural heritage, Guyana is well-positioned to attract eco-tourists and adventure seekers. Increased tourist arrivals would inject much-needed revenue into the local economy and create jobs in the hospitality, transportation, and service industries. Air Canada’s plan to add over a dozen international destinations is part of a broader vision to achieve CAD 30 billion in annual revenue by 2030. The inclusion of Georgetown in this strategy underscores Guyana’s growing importance as a travel and business destination. The airline’s focus on expanding capacity —supported by its acquisition of new aircraft like the Airbus A220, Boeing 78710, and A321neo XLR — signals a commitment to meeting increasing demand while maintaining sustainability. Guyana is not the only Latin American destination benefitting from Air Canada’s growth. Other routes, including Lima, El Salvador, and several cities in Brazil, indicate a strong regional focus. However, Guyana’s inclusion is particularly significant, as it marks a direct acknowledgment of the country’s economic ascendance and its role in connecting the Caribbean and South America to Canada. By providing affordable, direct flights, the airline is opening doors for families, businesses, and tourists alike, while nurturing closer ties between Canada and Guyana. For a country experiencing rapid economic transformation, this connectivity is an essential component of its growth story.
Path of diversifying sources of energy
Dear Editor,
When a country experiences years of power outages, there are solutions and strategies to mitigate and improve the situation. From my experience, the most important of them all remains the ability to urgently diversify away from the current situation. You cannot do the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome.
Concerning the current situation regarding power outages, the Government of Guyana (GoG) is on the right path, as it seeks to diversify the sources of energy. This would enable the GoG, in service to the people, to rely on multiple energy sources, rather than continuing with the fragmented status quo.
Additionally, investing in modernizing and reinforcing the power grid to improve its reliability and resilience is key. There are no shortcuts to these investments. Mind you, if one were to read the National Development Strategy crafted in 1994, one would realize that the GoG always had documented solutions on this matter,
but to implement them required an upfront cost which usually ran into billions of dollars.Fortunately for us as a nation, we are now better placed to conduct the required investments necessary to achieve the desired outcome. But these things take time.
When former President Bharrat Jagdeo was advocating for the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, Guyana was still under an IMF Program, and therefore, to secure any additional loans at that time to advance the process required a sign-off in Washington DC. No so today! While Guyana has approached the EXIM Bank of the United States for funding to advance the 300MW Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project, we must not be confused about our ability to complete this project, loan or no loan. Guyana is very capable of funding the 300MW GtE Project with or without a loan.
Those who think they can write adversarial letters to the EXIM Bank and create a blockage are out of touch and unaware of our abilities as a nation today,
and our current standing in the world. They certainly need to upgrade and reboot their narrative.
There are 134GW of gasfired power plants that are actively being constructed worldwide; which, for context, is only marginally smaller than the national grid of Brazil. When that is added to what was built over the last 5 years, more than 300GW of gas-fired power will be added to the global system over 2020-2030. Why should Guyana not benefit from such a project, like many other nations? The evidence does not add up, and it reinforces the position that the GoG is patently in order as it continues to push forward on this GtE Project. The risk has to be taken now to complete this project, because the future economic benefits to the nation far outweigh the current financial cost and all associated risks. We can never develop an effective manufacturing sector or an efficient agri-processing industry without low-cost and reliable electricity. These strategic build-outs are crucial armour to combat the Dutch
Disease. While reading an article in one of the national dailies, I noticed a school of thought that believes the United States Export-Import (US EXIM) Bank should be warned about its intention to approve Guyana’s application for a loan to support the GTE Project. For the record, while I respect the right of the owner of that school of thought to make their statement in the national newspapers, I humbly beg to differ on this point, since, on this question, there is no room for emotions. The empirical evidence at this time proves that lowcost and reliable energy is a necessity for Guyana as it seeks to transform itself.
The project that is closest to the point of completion to mitigate our current electricity challenge and transform the systems in how we, as a people, service our energy needs remains the GTE Project. Therefore, come what may, it must be launched.
Sincerely, Sasenarine
Singh
President Dr Irfaan Ali visited the Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc (VEHSI) on the Demerara River on Wednesday, and was updated on the development of the project. He was accompanied by ExxonMobil (Guyana) President Alistair Routledge and other officials
Indian Immigrant Repatriation Fund had $300K in 1968
Dear Editor,
A query was posed on the amount in the Indian Immigrant Repatriation Fund (IIRF) when it was expropriated in 1971 to build the National Cultural Center (NCC). This fund was created for the repatriation of Indians and their Guyana-born children back to India, as per a contracted agreement made between the indentured Indians and the plantation owners. Only a small number of Indians accessed the fund to return to India. The rest of the money remained in the fund, and grew over the period from indentureship till it was seized by the Government in 1971.
Dwarka Nath, historian and civil servant for the colonial Government and thru the 1960s, in his book History of Indians in Guyana, wrote that the fund had $280,000 in 1966.
Pandit Rampersaud Tiwari, who was Cabinet Secretary for the PPP and early PNC governments (1950s thru the 1970s), wrote in a paper published in a book (Indian Guyanese Words and Phrases) in Toronto (authored by Harry Hergash) that in 1968, the fund stood at $300,000.
So, the fund increased by $20,000 in less than two years.
Rampersaud Tiwari wrote that, in 1969, after the rigging of the 1968 elections, Burnham decided to seize the fund to build a “National Cultural Center” (NCC). Various machinations were used, including manipulating the Maha Sabha, to acquire the fund. There was strong opposition, including initially by Maha Sabha and other Indian organizations (Hindu and Islamic), Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the PPP, for use of the fund for an NCC. The views of leaders of Indian organizations, Dr. Jagan and the PPP were ignored, and some of their leaders (Balwant Singh, Yacoob Ali, etc.) were victimized; they lost their government jobs.
Construction of the NCC did not begin until 1971. So, the fund would have grown by at least another $40,000. At the time, as penned by someone, the fund was not mere “seed money”, or could merely cover only “5% to 10%” of the construction cost of the NCC that was built by the original Nabi and Sons. The fund was sufficient for construction of the NCC.
For the record, in 1966,
the Guyana dollar was trading at approximately $1.60 for US$1, and slightly higher in later 1960s. The sum of G$300,000 would, in American dollars, be around US$183,000. The sum of $340,000 (in 1971) would have been in excess of US$200,000, enough for a massive structure at that time.
What is not certain is whether the fund was in Guyana dollars. The fund was created in British Sterling Pounds. It is not clear if the currency quoted by Dwarka Nath and Pandit Rampersaud Tiwari was in Sterling or Guyana dollars. Regardless of the currency, assuming it was Guyana dollars, it was a massive sum. Engineers and construction companies consulted said it could have built the NCC with funds left over. The value of properties constructed in 1972 would be at least forty times in today’s value.
The Government had no business expropriating or confiscating or using agents (under its control) to acquire the fund.
Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips responds to Mark Archer
Dear Editor, I write in response to Mr. Mark Archer’s letter published in the Stabroek News (December 18, 2024), in which he attempts to discredit the remarks of Lieutenant Colonel Earl Edghill, Aide de Camp (ADC) to His Excellency President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
Mr. Archer’s letter amounts to nothing more than a rhetorical ambush, and more so an exercise in firing speculative shots in the dark while grossly misinterpreting the ADC’s role and launching unwarranted attacks based on flawed reasoning and deliberate misrepresentation.
Lieutenant Colonel Edghill’s statement was not, as Mr. Archer alleges, a political declaration, but was rather a precise, factual account, which in military parlance would be termed an after-action review, meticulously outlining the efforts undertaken to bring relief to the Warrau people who were shamelessly misled and exploited for political gain by the APNU+AFC.
This intervention was
Dr Jerry Jailall hasn’t done his homework
Dear Editor, Dr Jailall was kind enough to join the discussion on our education system, and has suggested that “Guyana should probably be benchmarking its educational system to high achievers such as Singapore, not Caricom”. He has also called the common entrance exams/NGSA “the root of educational evil, as it is a colonial relic, kept alive by people who seem to be mentally lazy to reform that useless system”.
Usually, in order to obtain a doctorate, one must also do immense levels of research. Unfortunately, Dr. Jailall did not overcome the mental laziness that he has accused others of when he proceeded to discredit the common entrance exams as “the root of educational evil”. If Dr. Jailall had taken the time to look at the educational system in Singapore, he would have seen that they have the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), which is “an annual national examination that is taken by candidates at the end of their final year of primary school in Singapore”. (Reference: Singapore Examination & Assessment Board).
The PSLE is fundamentally similar to that of the NGSA, in that it evaluates the level at which students are at in order to provide options for further education.
My impression is that Dr Jailall is considering an
educational system that is similar to the US, where students attend the schools based on their location. The US ran into problems which Guyana does not have. Dr. Jailall stated that Guyana has “one system for the gifted and more affluent, and another inferior system for the rest”. It is important to remember that students of all socioeconomic classes are placed in a school based on their performance in the NGSA. There is no homogeneous class system in place. This is the beauty of Guyana’s education system. It doesn’t matter where you live or how much wealth you have. A student’s placement in a school is determined by their ability. In the US grade system, schools are usually better where the affluent live, due to the taxes collected from the area. To overcome the socioeconomic homogeneity of the student body, the school system in the U.S had to bus students into different areas. This also aided in increasing racial diversity, due to the high correlation between race and wealth.
What Dr. Jailall has overlooked are the benefits of the NGSA and the investment strategy undertaken by Guyana over the years. Guyana had limited resources, and many developmental needs. The Government focused on providing access to education to everyone, and due to the limited resources, the Government also en-
sured that our top students were given the best opportunities possible with the little money available. A top student could come from any corner of the country, thus the use of the NGSA/common entrance exam to ensure that, independent of their socioeconomic status, a top student could access the best education available.
Fortunately, our nation has gained additional wealth that now allows for further investment in all schools across the country. This would ensure that the late bloomers and those who were unable to access the best facilities due to a
few marks at the NGSA are also able to access a wellequipped educational facility.
I hope this helps clarify any inconsistencies in Dr. Jailall’s understanding, and helps provide some clues as to what Singapore, which still pursues O-Levels, is doing. It is important to remember to show humility in one’s actions and words, especially when the mental laziness and cluelessness that you have accused others of may sit within yourself.
Regards, Jamil Changlee
a reflection of the ethos of service and accountability which underscores the principles of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and its officers.
Mr. Archer, in an astonishing display of intellectual indolence, accuses Lt. Col. Edghill of violating longstanding ethics, yet his argument reveals a glaring ignorance of the ADC’s duties and responsibilities.
The GDF remains resolutely apolitical, and Lt. Col. Edghill’s remarks reflected neither allegiance to a political entity nor a breach of military tradition, but were instead a candid exposition of the hypocrisy and dereliction of duty by those who abandoned the Warraus after manufacturing a spectacle for their personal and political benefit.
What Mr. Archer has engaged in here is nothing short of diversionary tactics. It is a poorly orchestrated smokescreen to obscure the stark failures of the APNU+AFC and their hollow rhetoric, which evaporated as soon as the cameras turned away. His baseless accusations are an ill-conceived attempt to politicise the issue while deflecting from the opposition’s historical neglect of vulnerable communities.
One would expect better from Mr. Archer, given his familiarity with military traditions; but instead, he opts to fish in the dark, blindly grasping for any excuse to undermine the cred-
ibility of a decorated officer whose only “offence” was to deliver a truthful account of the Government’s actions. Ironically, it is Mr. Archer’s reckless and unfounded claims that risk tarnishing the very institution he purports to defend.
The Government of Guyana’s commitment to the Warrau people is not performative, nor is it contingent on the presence of cameras or the whims of political expediency. It is an expression of our unshakeable philosophy of inclusive governance, where no community, no matter how remote or marginalised, is left behind.
This administration’s interventions are tangible, deliberate, and enduring, unlike the fleeting theatrics of the opposition.
It is unfortunate that Mr. Archer would choose to descend into the realm of baseless conjecture and petty criticisms, instead of contributing to meaningful discourse. His missteps only serve to highlight the absence of substance in the opposition’s agenda, which seems more intent on sowing division than on addressing the real issues facing our nation.
Sincerely, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, MSM Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Page Foundation
Line segments and rays
A line segment is a specific part of a line. It ends at two identified points.
A line segment is named by its two end points. Segment AB = Segment BA. AB = BA
A ray is a part of a line that extends from a specific point in only one direction. The specific point of a ray is called a vertex or an endpoint. However, to identify a ray, you must use one other letter along the line’s path.
Ray RS does not equal Ray SR, because the first point named in a ray shows the vertex, and Ray SR goes in the opposite direction of Ray RS.
Exercises: Solve
1) For the figure below, call the point of intersection of the diagonals O. List all the line segments in the figure.
2) Name two rays from the image below.
3) For the figure below, count how many line segments there are. Do not include line segments that contain another point. For example, the line segment CF contains the point G.
Consultation, feedback critical to Budget 2025 preparation – Finance Minister
As the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government continues preparations for its fifth national budget in the new year, engagements with stakeholder groups and civil society bodies are ongoing.
This is according to the Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh. Already, the Finance Ministry has received budget submissions from various Government agencies and held consultations with various stakeholders as part of the 2025 budget cycle.
Dr Singh told Guyana Times that these engagements play a major role in drafting out the 2025 Budget.
“That’s an approach that we’ve constantly and always embraced as a government and as a party. And so that generates – that ongoing engagement with stakeholder groups and with the public at large – a lot of valuable information and feedback that serves as input into the budget process in terms of relative priorities – what people
consider to be important to their well-being. What their concerns are, what they would like to see us do more of, what they would perhaps like to see us do less of or to do differently,” he noted.
According to Dr Singh, the Government is constantly accumulating that feedback, and consolidating and processing it to determine how it would inform budgetary priorities going forward.
“And so, we’ve been doing that on an ongoing basis… We’re not the kind of government that will have a “budget consultation” for the purpose of a photo opportunity. We’re the kind of government that has ongoing consultations with every stakeholder group. And so, that itself never ends. There isn’t a single engagement that we would call a budget consultation. So, we’ve had numerous rounds of engagements with various stakeholder groups…
“So, the engagement with stakeholder groups and with the public at large continues. We continue to receive valuable information which we will incorporate and we are
The National Association of Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) said that it would be serving a one-month ultimatum to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc after salary negotiations broke down.
The union explained that it had submitted a proposal to GPL with regard to increases in wages and salaries and other benefits for employees and the first meeting between the two sides was held on September 27.
From Friday, December 13, 2024, to Wednesday, December 18, 2024, there has been no official response from GPL regarding workers' demands, prompting NAACIE’s Executive and members to take decisive ac-
tion.
In light of public servants, including teachers and sugar workers, receiving a 10 per cent across-theboard salary increase for this year, NAACIE is calling on GPL to comply with the salary increase pronouncement made by President Dr Irfaan Ali.
NAACIE pointed out that its agreement with GPL covers a three per cent Annual Automatic In-Scale Increment intended to avoid de-bunching which is paid in January every year based on conditions. Additionally, it has an annual performance incentive which is a oneoff payment as well as an across-the-board increase.
But at a meeting on December 13, NAACIE said GPL offered a seven per cent all-inclusive increase
incorporating in our preparations for Budget 2025,” Dr Singh posited.
Without disclosing any insights as to what Budget 2025 will have for citizens, the finance minister assured that it will continue the PPP/C Administration’s commitment to improving the lives of all Guyanese and creating opportunities for citizens to thrive.
“In the People’s Progressive Party Government, you will not have major shocks and major surprises because we outline
Salary
which would include the annual performance incentive and the three per cent Annual Automatic In-Scale Increment, which was already paid in January 2024.
As such, NAACIE said its representatives were left in total shock and rejected the offer. NAACIE said it demanded the 10 per cent across-the-board increase as was announced.
However, NAACIE said GPL indicated that it could not agree to that, and the meeting concluded.
In a statement on Tuesday, the union said to date, there has been no further communication from GPL and as such, it has been instructed by its members to serve the power company a one-month ultimatum.
Meanwhile, in his last public interaction with media operatives, NAACIE General Secretary Dawchan Nagasar shared that the three per cent increase GPL provided earlier in the year as part of the Annual Automatic In-Scale Increment was not across the board, and, therefore, many workers were left without that increase.
“The GPL is claiming that there is a three per cent automatic increment that was paid in January. That is an in-scale movement. That has nothing to do with a crisis reward. The President also announced in-scale movements for public sec-
what we will do in our term in office in our manifesto and our successive budgets implemented that manifesto. And so, from a policy predictability standpoint, one almost knows in advance what we will be doing,” he stated.
The Finance Minister further explained that during this process, they examine the manifesto to determine what promises they have delivered on, what remains to be fulfilled and what areas outside of the manifesto the government can implement.
“So, a lot of work has al-
negotiations
tors. That has nothing to do with a crisis reward.”
He added: “Our understanding is that the Government will provide the money for the 10 per cent. So even if they have other reasons, the point is the Government is giving you the money to pay the 10 per cent.”
In this regard, the General Secretary noted that workers were not willing to compromise and accept the seven per cent pay hike. He noted that the union would take the necessary actions to ensure that workers receive a 10 per cent pay increase just like all other public servants.
ready been done and a lot of work is being done right now to get us to a point where we would’ve completed Budget 2025 and be ready to present it to the Parliament. So, this is a very intense period for us in the Ministry of Finance…”
“I am looking forward to us completing this work and bringing the budget to Parliament so that we can get on with the business of implementing the budget and delivering and continuing to deliver good-quality public service to the people of Guyana and continue to deliver the things that matter to the people of Guyana to improve the quality of life that they enjoy,” Minister Singh noted.
The 2024 Budget, which amounted to $1.146 trillion, set out a comprehensive plan for improving the livelihoods of Guyanese citizens. Budget 2025 is expected to be presented early in the new year and will give effect to many of the measures President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced in October that would help with the cost of living. One of the key measures announced
was a one-time cash grant of $200,000 for every household, which subsequently became a one-time cash grant of $100,000 for every adult Guyanese.
In addition to removing the residency requirement for receipt of the cash grant, the Government also extended the age eligibility. Initially, that cutoff age was set at January 2024. But now, Guyanese who are 18 years and older by January 2025 are qualified to receive the one-off payment.
Another significant measure was the President’s announcement of the Government’s plans to raise the public sector minimum wage to $100,000 per month by the end of 2025. According to Ali, this will be added to the increases for public servants that the PPP/C Administration has rolled out since 2020 including the special adjustments to the salaries of certain categories of teachers, public healthcare workers and members of the Disciplined Forces. Those measures had benefited over 18,000 public sector employees.
“They are not going to back down and accept the seven per cent. They are demanding that they get the 10 per cent and they will go all lengths out to do it. Whatever action we need to take after this, the workers will do that.”
“When we break from here, then we will decide the next move forward. But in the meantime, we would like the authorities, which is the Government, the President, the Vice President, to intervene and ensure that we get the 10 per cent that they offered to the people of Guyana,” he said at the time. (G1)
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh
NAACIE General Secretary, Dawchan Nagasar
Toshao murder GPF to approach High Court for extension to further detain suspect
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is likely to approach the High Court to secure an extension to further detain 24-yearold Noah Beaton, the security guard who confessed to brutally stabbing to death Toshao Ridley Joseph.
The move comes as the mandatory 72-hour detention period nears expiration. This was according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who added that the extension was necessary since the post-mortem on Joseph’s body is set for Friday.
He noted that once the autopsy was done, detectives would forge ahead to institute charges against Beaton.
The 37-year-old Indigenous leader from Tasserene Village, Middle Mazaruni, Region Seven
(Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was found dead in his hotel room on Monday morning with 19 wounds on his body.
Hours after the discovery, the suspect surrendered at
the Brickdam Police Station and confessed to the crime. He claimed that on the night of the crime, the Toshao allegedly failed to apologise to him for years of sexual
abuse.
According to investigators, the abuse reportedly began when Beaton was a primary school student under Joseph’s supervision. It was reported that the now-dead man checked into the Signature Inn Hotel in Queenstown, Georgetown, on Sunday evening and was last seen alive at 00:50h on Monday in the company of another man.
Hotel staff discovered his body later that morning in a pool of blood, with multiple stab wounds to his face, neck, and chest. There were bloodstains on the walkway and a puncture hole in the room’s door.
Surveillance footage confirmed that a man matching Beaton’s description left the hotel shortly after 02:00h.
Eccles businessman gets $250,000 bail on $20M fraud charge
Businessman Irshad Ramzan of Public Road Eccles, East Bank Demerara was on Wednesday arraigned in the Georgetown court of acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty on a charge of obtaining money by false pretence. The charge alleges that the 51-year-old Ramzan defrauded Churuman Harnandan of $30 million in an incident that occurred on February 5 at Croal Street in Stabroek, Georgetown.
Former magistrate K A Juman -Yassin, in his capac-
ity as a private prosecutor, informed the court that both parties had signed an agreement in which Harnandan had provided the money for Ramzan to secure a barge for him, but Ramzan had converted the money to his own use and benefit.
He said Ramzan had falsely promised to repay the sum in three instalments, but had failed to do so.
Moreover, he highlighted that Ramzan has had a prior conviction for a similar offence, for which he had served a seven-year prison sentence.
However, Attorney-at-
law Konyo Sandiford-Holder, representing Ramzan, argued that the charge against her client had been improperly drafted. She claimed that the charge failed to clearly outline the alleged offence, and suggested that the case had been improperly converted from a civil matter into a criminal one.
Further, in applying for bail for her client, she emphasised that her client is a father of two, is the sole provider for his family, and operates Progressive Initiative Logistics Company.
Moreover, she assured
Digging up… …Jonestown
Aprivate tour operator came up with the idea of marketing Jonestown as a tourist destination; and boy, has she spawned a spirited debate in and out of the chatterati class! They’re the ones who insist on enlightening us with their opinions in the letters’ pages every morning, as we blearily start our day. Now, did you notice you didn’t have to ask, “Which Jonestown?” in your Eyewitness opening line above? That’s right – Jonestown’s known by one and all - both inside and outside Guyana. Especially outside. Not even being credited with the world-famous “Demerara Brown Sugar” had many heard of Guyana, before Jim Jones served up that spiked Cool Aid that killed 909 of his followers - including himself. Another five –US Congressman Leo Ryan, NBC correspondent Don Harris, NBC soundman Bob Brown, newspaper photographer Greg Robinson, and Temple defector Patty Parks – were shot to death at the Port Kaituma airstrip. Then four – Sharon Amos and her children: Liane Harris, Christa Amos and Martin Amos – died at the “Peoples Temple” house in Lamaha Gardens in Georgetown. The total number who died in that tragedy was 918!! That’s the largest ever recorded mass suicide - pushing that of the ancient Jews after the Roman siege at Masada. Mourned for millennia, that’s now described as being “only 28” killed!!
the court that the sum would be repaid before the trial commences, and argued that Ramzan poses no flight risk, as he has had no previous antecedents.
After considering the submissions from both sides, Magistrate McGusty placed Ramzan on $250,000 bail and scheduled the next court hearing for January 22, 2025.
GPF clerk charged with defrauding credit union
A30-year-old clerk attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Credit Union appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday to answer multiple fraud charges.
Melissa O’Brian, of Paradise Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is accused of falsifying accounts and forging documents with the intent to defraud the GPF Credit Union.
Three charges were read to O’Brian when she appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty. Police stated that on June 13, 2024, at the GPF Credit Union, while employed as a clerk, she falsified a passbook belonging to Collin O’Brian, reflecting a fabricated special savings balance of $110,000.
The second charge alleges that between January 12 and April 9, 2024, O’Brian falsified a passbook belonging to France Garlinton, recording three cash payments to the GPF that were never made.
Lastly, on June 13, 2024, it is alleged that O’Brian forged a withdrawal voucher in Collin O’Brian’s name with the intent to defraud. O’Brian pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Those who’re against the idea of Jonestown being a tourist spot basically think it’s too ghoulish, and only revive the negative coverage we received back then. And this would dull our newfound lustre as the “fastest growing economy in the world”!
Now, your Eyewitness can understand this view – but doesn’t think it should kill the proposal. Jonestown’s part of our past – even though some insist it was an “American thing”. That might be so – but the gruesome act was committed HERE, and this might be the time for us to deal with it on our terms now that our oil money has given us a voice.
As far as your Eyewitness is concerned, several aspects of the sordid episode must be clarified - with the main one being the relationship between the settlement founded by Jim Jones and the PNC of Burnham. The latter had massively rigged the 1973 elections, and was governing Guyana as a dictator when permission was given. Burnham dubbed himself a “revolutionary socialist” just as Jim Jones had dubbed himself, which was the basis of their relationship. Another was the Peoples Temple’s use of financial and sexual bribes to PNC officials to circumvent the laws of our land.
Lastly, there’s a need to clear up what happened after the mass suicide, when only PNC officials were allowed to enter the compound. Allegedly millions in jewellery and cash were removed.
THAT’s ghoulish!!
…racist charges
Race, of course, permeates and pervades all interactions in Guyana. The question is: How’re we gonna deal with it? One present instance is that of a prominent African Guyanese businessman – who’d asserted very publicly and trenchantly that commercial banks in Guyana are discriminating against Afro-Guyanese - forcing them to pay interest rates significantly higher when compared to other ethnicities. This became a rallying cry for the Opposition, and the businessman was hosted on several of their platforms and was appointed as their rep on the NRF.
Recently, he snarkily claimed VP Jagdeo was a “Jack of all trades and master of none”, and that he “has a genetic predisposition to eating his cake and having it.” The VP retorted that the latter assertion smacked of a racial smear against Indian Guyanese, of which he’s a member – and with whom his party has long been associated.
The businessman has now turned this assertion as “racially provocative”, and has lodged a complaint with the ERC!! Maybe Jagdeo should cross-file a charge??!!
…land sores
Proposed changes in the compulsory acquisition of land by the state are being pilloried by the Opposition, that its operations would most adversely affect African Guyanese “ancestral lands”. Since, aside from Amerindians’, all lands have been purchased, how come only the latter’s “ancestral”?
Murder suspect Noah Beaton Toshao Ridley Joseph
CANU intercepted over $5B in narcotics for 2024
The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) has intercepted over $3 billion in narcotics for 2024, compared to just over $1.2 billion in 2023.
Statistics seen by Guyana Times have shown that a total of 5094 kilograms of cocaine have so far been intercepted in 2024, and that has a street value of $5.094 billion. In 2023, CANU had seized some 75 kilograms of this illegal drug.
In relation to cannabis, a total of 1598.8 kilograms have so far been seized, while 0.056 kilograms of methamphetamine have also been intercepted. The
combined value of the seizures of these two drugs is approximately $500 million. CANU has said that if these drugs had reached their intended destinations, the value would have been tripled.
In addition, CANU has confiscated 23 weapons and 290 rounds of ammunition during various operations conducted throughout the country. These include two shotguns, 10 pistols, three submachine guns, and eight rifles. The ammunition seized varied in calibre, with the most being 112 rounds of 9mm, followed by 45 rounds of 7.62mm.
For 2023, CANU had
Excavator operator hacked to death at Omai Backdam
– Police issue wanted bulletin for Brazilian
Thirty-one-year-old Brian Marco, also known as “Toney” or “Regular Boy”, an excavator operator from Kwebanna Road, Moruca, North West District (NWD), was on Monday brutally hacked to death at Omai Backdam, Essequibo River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Based on reports received, the now dead man and the suspect, Antonio Silva De Oliveira,52, a Brazilian national, were employed by Chunilall Babulall at Omai Backdam.
Marco and De Oliveira, known as “Brazo”, worked night shifts operating separate excavators in the same pit. Police stated that on Sunday evening while working, the two men had a misunderstanding during which the victim allegedly assaulted the suspect.
The following day, at approximately 15:00h, the nowdead man was reportedly resting in a hammock in front of a shop while another worker was also sleeping nearby.
It was then that De Oliveira attacked the victim with a cutlass and dealt him several blows. Two other workers managed to disarm the suspect, but fled the scene after they too were as-
saulted.
The injured man was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was pronounced dead on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Police on Wednesday issued a wanted bulletin for De Oliveira, whose last known addresses were given as Lot 75 Church Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.
The Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect to contact them on 227-1149, 225-8196, 2271611, 268-2328, 225-6978, 333-3876 or at the nearest Police Station.
GPF Clerk charged with ...
During the hearing, Attorney-at-Law Leslyn Noble represented O’Brian and made a bail application.
Noble highlighted her client’s previously unblemished record in the GPF and emphasized that O’Brian is a mother of three, including a one-year-old child. She further noted that O’Brian cooperated fully with investigators and voluntarily attended court.
Director
seized eight weapons and 1511 rounds of ammunition.
Earlier in the year, CANU Director James Singh told the media that CANU is making significant strides in combatting illegal drugs, and this has resulted in the drug trade being dented both locally and internationally.
According to Singh, measures being implemented are making it more difficult
for narcotics to be transported.
“What we’re doing here in Guyana is making an impact (on) the drug trade… The fact that we have seized a lot more drugs destined for overseas, be it marijuana and cocaine in different regions of the country, is an indication that the systems we have in place are working. Especially (so), the partnerships that we have with local law enforcement agencies here in Guyana (are) making a difference,” Singh had stated.
He said further that CANU had assisted in operations conducted overseas that had led to the confiscation of narcotics being transported from Latin America and the Caribbean region.
“This is a demonstration that our role in the narcotics fight — not just here in Guyana, but internationally — is making a significant impact,” he has emphasised.
The CANU head has attributed the unit’s success to support provided by the Home Affairs
Ministry, and by extension the Government, as well as through partnerships with local and international law enforcement agencies.
In 2023, CANU cleared approximately 1363.28 kilograms of narcotics, consisting of cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and hashish totalling $461.5 million in value.
Cannabis was the most confiscated drug, accounting for 94 per cent of the total narcotics seized for the year.
Approximately 73 separate seizures had been done, amounting to 1,287.88 kilograms. There were 18 seizures of cocaine, amounting to 75.17 kilogrammes; three seizures of ecstasy, totalling 0.124 kilograms; and one seizure of hashish, amounting to 0.102 kilogram.
The seized cannabis was valued at $386.3 million, while the cocaine was valued at $475.1 million.
PAGE 8
After considering arguments from both sides, Magistrate McGusty granted bail at $50,000 per charge, totaling $150,000. As part of her bail conditions, O’Brian is required to lodge her passport and report to the GPF’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) on the last Friday of each month.
The matter has been adjourned to January 22, 2025.
The prosecution, however, objected to bail, citing the gravity and prevalence of such offences.
of CANU, James Singh
Wanted: Antonio Silva De Oliveira
Exxon’s deepwater developments in Guyana most successful in the world – Routledge
…as company celebrates 5 years since start-up of oil production
Today marks five years since ExxonMobil (Guyana) started producing oil via the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, with the company noting that within this time span, its deep-water developments in Guyana have become the most successful in the world.
On Wednesday, ExxonMobil (Guyana) President Alistair Routledge spoke of how much the company’s commitment to Guyana has only grown with the pas-
sage of time. According to Routledge, the growth of the partnership is self-evident.
"We’re focused on capacity building, local content development, and environmental stewardship to ensure the benefits of Guyana’s oiland-gas production reach every corner of the country,” Routledge said.
“We’re grateful for the strong collaboration with our co-venturers, Hess and CNOOC, and with the Government of Guyana – all of whom have played crucial
roles in responsibly developing Guyana’s natural resources.”
According to Exxon, its deep-water operations have wound up being one of the most successful in the world, with three complex offshore mega-projects having been launched on schedule in five years. At the same time, plans are being advanced for five additional projects by the end of the decade. According to Routledge, the future is bright for this partnership.
The Liza Destiny was the first operational FPSO in Guyana’s history
ExxonMobil (Guyana) President Alistair Routledge
Persons living with disabilities in Aishalton to benefit from skills training
Persons living with disabilities in Aishalton, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are set to benefit from transformative skills training programmes spearheaded by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry.
The announcement was made on Monday by subject minister Dr Vindhya Persaud during an outreach to the community. In reaffirming the government’s commitment to improv-
ing the lives of the vulnerable population, Minister Persaud announced plans to equip persons living with disabilities with the skills needed to become entrepreneurs.
This will see several persons being trained in garment construction and sustainable farming in 2025.
“Like anyone, persons with disabilities would like to own their own business, they will want to learn something and we’ve set up
the framework to do that.
I have given the commitment that from the end of February 2025 going into March, we will bring two training programmes here for persons with disabilities. The sustainable farming and garment construction at no cost and what we will do is leave the sewing machines here,” the Minister said.
According to Dr Persaud, knowledgeable persons from Aishalton will
be tasked with spearheading the initiative, which is a significant step towards improving social services and empowering vulnerable groups in the hinterland regions of Guyana.
“We are looking for teachers right here to teach these programmes so that you will have ongoing training for persons with disabilities. Now this training is open to both men and women so this is something I would [urge] everyone who is interested to contact your
Toshao and make sure that you sign up for these programmes,” Dr Persaud said.
She also urged residents to utilise programmes under the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN), designed to empower women financially and foster entrepreneurial growth.
She explained that training will soon be administered to individuals in the area of child and elderly care, following plans being mulled to build a daycare
facility.
“I have given the commitment that if he (Toshao) can get the list of names to me as soon as he can, within a few days you can start the online classes in elder care and child care. The requirement is nothing, just your ID card… Something I would like to see happen here is the setting up of a day, night and early childhood centre. So, when you set up your daycare, don’t just stop there,” she added.
GPS records significant decrease in recidivism for 2024 – attributes decline to rehabilitative programmes
The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) recorded a remarkable reduction in recidivism rates for 2024, signalling a positive trend in the rehabilitation of offenders within the country’s correctional system.
Director of the GPS, Nicklon Elliot explained that the Service’s concerted efforts in providing technical and vocational skills training, alongside behavioural modification and social services programmes, have contributed significantly to this achievement.
The Prison directorate team highlighted the importance of rehabilitative programmes in preparing prisoners for life beyond incarceration, emphasising
their role in reducing recidivism rates.
Upon sharing the statistics with the managerial team on Monday, the Head of the Service’s Strategic Department, Rae-Dawn Corbin stated, “Our rehabilitative programmes and the tireless work of officers and supporting staff are meeting their intended purpose of preparing prisoners with life skills that will allow them to better reintegrate into society.”
The success of Guyana’s efforts in reducing recidivism is particularly noteworthy when compared to global averages. Guyana’s recidivism rate of 14 per cent (tabulated against the current prison population) stands in stark
contrast to averages reported by the Inter-American Development Bank for Australia, the United States of America, the Caribbean, and Latin America which stand at over 25 per cent.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts and strategic developments within the Prison Service, Elliot attributed the successes to a multi-pronged approach led by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, with the support for the Criminal Justice System Programme along with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) through their social crime prevention and education programme.
Coupled with the efforts of the other Ministries, private partnering facilitators, the community, and critical family support.
He emphasised the commitment of the GPS to address rehabilitation efforts comprehensively, both within prison walls and in promoting reintegration into society. The GPS is committed to upskilling inmates and enhancing the capacity of its staff through training initiatives.
In 2024, over 800 inmates benefited from training opportunities provided by internal and external trainers.
Increased collaborations
Meanwhile, the Prison Service has made significant strides in strengthening its collaborative efforts with key stakeholders throughout 2024.
Through the proactive networking of several stakeholders, the Service has fostered valuable relationships with leading institutions and individuals in the field of corrections.
Key collaborations include knowledge exchange with renowned figures such as Dr Julie Jailall, an education expert; Todd Ishee, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Corrections and Robert Greene, Director of the American Corrections Association.
The Prison Service has
also strengthened ties with international organisations like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) and the Association of Caribbean Heads of Corrections and Prison Services.
Furthermore, the Service has deepened its collaboration with local institutions, including the University of Guyana; the Board of Industrial Training (BIT); the Ministry of Education; the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET); the Ministry of Tourism; the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA); the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC).
These partnerships are crucial for enhancing rehabilitation programmes, providing staff and thereby inmates with marketable skills and facilitating successful reintegration into society.
“These strategic collaborations are critical to the continued success of the Guyana Prison Service,” said Minister Benn.
Prisons Director Elliot added that the growth of these collaborations and the planned projects promise to bear much fruit in the coming years which he surely was looking forward to.
Meanwhile, Strategic Department Head Corbin also noted that “by working together with esteemed institutions and expert individuals, we can leverage best practices, access valuable resources, and enhance our capacity to provide effective and humane correctional services” .
She added that the opportunities for collaborating were far from exhausted, and the Prison Administration welcomed private and public individuals and entities to join in on making a fulfilling impact in the lives of the men and women in the care of the GPS.
These collaborations will play a vital role in supporting the Prison Service's vision of advancing national development and contributing to a more effective and just criminal justice system.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud addressing residents of Aishalton on Monday
Minister Persaud and her team during the outreach
Lusignan Prison
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot
Division #3 records 5.9% decline in crime, 36.1% decline in traffic accidents
– Detective Corporal named Region’s "Best Cop"
Regional Police Division #3
(Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) has thus far recorded a 5.9 per cent decline in crime and a 36.1 per cent reduction in traffic accidents for 2024.
This has been revealed by the Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Siwnarine, on Tuesday during the division’s 2024 Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, held at the Leonora Technical Institute.
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, who was present at the event, commended the division for the work done to reduce serious crimes and traffic accidents, and reiterated that the Force’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2026 is built on six pillars - Operations, Partnership, Developing Our People, Infrastructure, Performance, Professionalism, and Accountability.
Speaking on infrastructural development expected to take place in Region 3, Hicken disclosed that all stations in the division are already about 99 per cent upgraded in order to be made more modern and conducive to members of the public and the ranks who will occupy them.
“Importantly, the stations are so designed to accommodate members of the public, to accommodate the police; but, more importantly, it is conducive for you to work beyond the normal means. [but] While the buildings are there, you have a responsibility to ensure (they are) well kept,” he said.
The Commissioner has urged the officers and ranks to qualify themselves academically, as he said this is the direction that the Force is headed.
“Get yourself a piece of paper [get yourself qual-
ified). The organisation you’re in is more professional than before,” he advised.
Expounding on the role of partnership, the Commissioner emphasised the importance of this pillar of the Force’s Strategic Plan, and urged the junior ranks to focus heavily on building partnerships with the communities they serve.
“Partnership is one (strategy) we’re not going to get rid of. As I look around here, I look at the soldiers and I’m smiling, because I’m always happy to have the soldiers around us. But more importantly, I’m seeing civilians and I’m seeing children…and that is a partnership,” he said.
Acknowledging the efforts of the ranks in the Region and the reduction in crime and accidents, Commissioner Hicken reminded them that while they are performing well, there is always room for improvement.
“You’re working hard, but you’re not working hard enough. You are doing bet-
Exxon’s deepwater developments...
“Working alongside our co-venturers and the Government, we are doing our part to foster a brighter future for all Guyanese.
ExxonMobil Guyana proudly celebrates this fiveyear milestone as a shared achievement, and we look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with the people of Guyana,” Routledge said
The company also touted its strong collaboration with Guyana’s public and private sectors, which has been driving country’s transformative growth. It was pointed out that as many as 1,700 local Guyanese businesses are involved in the supply chain.
“ExxonMobil Guyana is dedicated to enhancing local capacity, and Guyanese businesses and workers play critical roles in its operations. More than 6,000 Guyanese are currently employed in good-paying industry jobs, and ExxonMobil Guyana and its suppliers have invested more than GY $2 trillion to procure goods and services from more than 1,700 local Guyanese businesses,” the company said.
Exxon, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is the operator of the Stabroek Block and holds 45 per cent interest in the Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
The Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two and Payara projects, which are producing overall more than 600,000 barrels of oil per day, account for the three floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels operating in Guyana’s offshore Stabroek Block.
ExxonMobil has been present in Guyana since 1999 and initiated exploration activities in 2008. According to the provisions of the 2016 PSA signed under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, 75 per cent of gross revenue goes to cost oil while Guyana gets a total of 14.5 per cent from the
FROM PAGE 11
remaining revenue and royalty and Exxon gets 10.5 per cent.
Under the new conditions of the model PSA that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has implemented, the cost recovery ceiling has been lowered from 75 per cent to 65 per cent.
This is in addition to including terms for all future PSAs to feature the retention of the 50-50 profit-sharing after cost recovery; the increase of the royalty from a mere two per cent to a fixed rate of 10 per cent and the imposition of a 10 per cent corporate tax. Additionally, Guyana stands to benefit from as high as US$20 million signature bonuses for the deep-water blocks and US$10 million for the shallow-water blocks based on the model PSA.
The model PSA is being applied to future oil contracts, which will likely be signed once the Government reaches agreements with the companies that were successful at Guyana’s inaugural oil block auction last year. (G3)
ter, but there is always room for improvement,” he asserted.
“And so, I’m sending a message now to ASP Grant and the Traffic Officer: next year, by the first quarter, the stats must change. It has to change. You cannot – cannot - have an entire region in terms of partnership and you’re still getting crimes. It means the partnership is not working, and you need to put that as a priority,” Commissioner Hicken sternly warned.
Further, he urged the gathering of senior and junior members of the Force to continue doing their work and they will be recognised.
“Do your work, and you are going to be promoted. I’m saying that to say this: Everybody cannot be promoted at the same time, but work and you’re going to be recognized,” the Commissioner pointed out.
To further show his appreciation and bring Christmas joy to the ranks of the Division, Commissioner Hicken announced a $400,000 cash incentive for the Region.
As part of Tuesday’s ceremony, several hardworking and dedicated ranks have been recognised and awarded with trophies and cash incentives.
Among the awardees were Detective Corporal Yannick Henry, who copped the Region’s ‘Best
Cop’ award, and Regional Traffic Officer Assistant Superintendent Maniram Jagnanan, who received the Region’s ‘Runner-up Best Cop’ award. Also in attendance at the ceremony were the Director of the GPF Academy, Woman Superintendent Sonia Herbert; Deputy Commander of Region Three, Superintendent Kevin Das; along with regional partners and other key stakeholders.
Runner-up Best Cop, Assistant Superintendent Maniram Jagnanan
Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Siwnarine
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken
First Lady gifts WCD family $15M home for Christmas
First Lady Arya Ali on Wednesday handed over the keys to a brand-new home to the Reddy family of MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast
signed to accommodate Lisa and her four sons – aged 2, 7, 11, and 13 – as well as her 63-year-old mother Daisy Reddy, who has a speech and hearing impediment. It is
Demerara (WCD).
Just one week before Christmas, the family, headed by 39-year-old single mother and sole breadwinner Lisa Reddy, entered their furnished three-bedroom home valued at $15.3 million.
The occasion has marked a significant milestone in the journey toward stability and self-sufficiency for a family which has faced tremendous challenges.
The home has been de-
furnished with a sofa, television, stove, fridge, dining table and chairs, and beds.
Sadly, the matriarch of the family, 94-year-old Lucille Reddy, passed away in September just before the house was completed. This loss has been deeply felt by the family, as the matriarch had been a guiding force in the family’s hope for a better future.
“This home represents so much more than just four walls. It’s the fulfilment of a
dream that has been passed down through generations,” the First Lady said shortly after handing over the keys to the house.
“I am incredibly proud to be a part of this journey, and to support this family as they begin a new chapter in their lives. I hope this home provides them not only shelter, but also the hope and security they need to continue building a brighter future.”
The First Lady has also said this project is part of a larger effort by her office and the Government of Guyana to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) and women, particularly those in vulnerable situations.
In addition to the new home, the First Lady has pledged $500,000 to the family to acquire a poultry farm which would supplement their monthly income and support the educational aspirations of the four young boys.
As sole provider for her family, Lisa has worked tirelessly to care for her children and her mother, despite challenges and limited resources.
“This is a dream come true for our family. I want to thank God and our First
Lady who made this possible. She was here yesterday, putting up curtains, cleaning and sweeping. She is more than a First Lady to us. She has a kind heart. Words cannot explain how I feel right now,” a tearful Lisa related.
She added that her sons have told her this is a “baton” handed to their family, and it is their duty to ensure they pay it forward by being a blessing to another family.
This is the third house
handed over to a family by the Office of the First Lady in as many years. In 2022, a $12.2 million house was handed over to a family of six siblings, and in 2023 a $13.6 million house was handed over to a family of four whose sole breadwinner was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The First Lady’s work has been focused heavily on economic empowerment of women and vulnerable groups like PWDs. For this year alone, 100 women have
received technical and skills training through her office: 40 women from the hinterland received maritime and offshore training; 45 women from Region Two received training in cosmetology; and 15 women were trained in various disciplines at the Carnegie School of Home Economics. Additionally, three single-parent mothers have received $1.5 million in grants this year to fund start-up projects.
Digicel, MMG partner to offer seamless top-up experience
In a new partnership aimed at enhancing customer convenience, Digicel Guyana on Wednesday announced that its top-up is now available through Mobile Money Guyana (MMG).
This collaboration between the telecommunications and financial services companies marks a significant step in improving the ease of mobile recharges for Digicel customers across the country.
Digicel customers are now able to top-up their phones anytime, anywhere, directly through the MMG platform. This service elimi-
nates the need to visit physical locations for top-ups, and ensures quick and reliable transactions from the comfort of customers’ homes, workplaces, or while on the go.
“We are excited to offer Digicel customers the ability to recharge their phones through MMG, adding yet another layer of convenience to our platform. This partnership with Digicel underscores our commitment to making everyday transactions faster and easier for all Guyanese, while fostering financial inclusion across the country,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MMG, Mark Singh, has said.
The addition of Digicel top-ups to the MMG platform is part of both companies’ broader vision to leverage technology to simplify services and improve access to mobile and financial services. This initiative also aligns with MMG’s mission of providing a digital payment solution that reaches every corner of Guyana, while making everyday life more convenient for its customers.
Digicel CEO Deonarine Gopaul has said, “By integrating with MMG, we’re responding to our customers’ needs for a fast and efficient way to stay connected. This partnership aligns with our digital transforma-
tion journey, and reinforces our commitment to providing innovative solutions that enhance the customer experience in Guyana. We understand that our customers lead busy lives, and being able to top-up their phones through an app they already use and trust makes perfect sense.”
To top-up via MMG, customers can log in to their MMG account using the app, select the Digicel topup option, and complete the transaction in just a few steps. This service also allows users to top-up for others, making it convenient for family and friends.
The house that was handed over to the family on Wednesday
The kitchen
First Lady Arya Ali and her son posing with Lisa and her family
Digicel CEO Deonarine Gopaul
MMG CEO Mark Singh
GTU President, 2nd VP suspended by Union’s General Council
…after criticisms by Coretta McDonald over teachers’ pay increase agreement
Months after being criticised by Opposition-linked elements in the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) for helping to arrange pay increases for teachers, GTU President Mark Lyte and Second Vice President Julian Cambridge have now found themselves suspended from the Union they did so much to help.
Based on reports, the decision to suspend the two GTU leaders was made during a meeting of the Union’s General Council and it reportedly stemmed from the agreement the GTU signed with the Government earlier this year, to bring about an end to teachers striking.
While Guyana Times’ efforts to contact Lyte were
futile, he was quoted in the Demerara Waves online news agency as linking the decision to suspend them to the signing of this very agreement. He noted that
the very General Council that decided they should sign the agreement was the one that suspended them on Tuesday. He had also described it as “all concocted”.
On August 21, 2024, after months of negotiations, the Education Ministry and the GTU reached an agreement regarding salary increases and other benefits for educators over the next three years.
Following the signing of the multi-year agreement, GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald had publicly criticised the GTU President and Second Vice President, accusing them and other Union officers of consorting with the Government and misleading the Union’s General Council into believing the deal was
more favourable than it was.
She had told the media at the time that Lyte’s decision to sign the deal despite requests for more time was disrespectful and dismissive of the Council’s role –something which the GTU President had even then rubbished.
“Absolute rubbish! Absolute rubbish! How would you be in consort with the Government, take them to the court, fight them tooth and nail all these months
and be in consort with government? That’s absolute nonsense!” Lyte had told Demerara Waves Online.
Subsequently, during his weekly press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had rebuked blatant attempts by the People’s National Congress (PNC)led Opposition to sabotage the deal inked between the two parties. In fact, he had reiterated his earlier position that GTU’s General Secretary, who happens
to be an A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, was politically motivated to thwart the negotiations.
“APNU confirmed that they didn’t want an agreement forward. They wanted the industrial unrest and the bad blood to continue, because they felt it would serve politically. They don’t care about teachers… So, they confirmed that Coretta McDonald is the conduit to sabotage the agreement,” Jagdeo had posited.
Under the new agreement, teachers will see their salaries rise by 27 per cent by 2026, given that the educators receive a 10 per cent increase for this year, 8 per cent for 2025, and 9 per cent for 2026.
Notably, there is also an adjustable clause in the agreement, which stipulates that if a higher percentage increase is announced for the general public service, teachers will also benefit from the difference.
Earlier this year, teachers across the country had gone on strike for more than 70 days, demanding salary increases and benefits. The strike ended on June 21, with the GTU and the Education Ministry agreeing to facilitate talks on the multiyear agreement. (G3)
GTU President Mark Lyte (right) after he signed the agreement in August
GTU General Secretary and APNU MP Coretta McDonald
BritCham to expand membership, push for policies to enhance ease of doing business
– as new Board of Directors appointed
The British Chamber of Commerce in Guyana (BritCham Guyana) has announced that a new board of directors has been appointed, coinciding with its push to achieve several strategic objectives, including the expansion of its membership and its mandate for ease of doing business.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, BritCham Guyana explained that, following elections last week, the new board members, who “bring a wealth of expertise from diverse industries”, have been elected. They include Chief Operating Officer of Insurance Brokers Guyana Ltd, Adrian Barrow; Rocky Hanoman - Manager, Strategy and Transactions, Ernst & Young Services Inc; Anand Harrilall - Head, Strategy and Sustainability, Farfan & Mendes Ltd; and Robert Hiscock - Head of Mobile Operations, Enet.
Also appointed were Faizal Khan – Chief Executive Officer, Guysons; Timothy Miller, OBECountry Director Guyana, Control Risks Guyana Services Inc; Liam O’Toole - COO, Nations Inc; Richard Stanton - Deputy CEO, One Communications; Claire Antell-Thorne - Director, Wilderness Explorers Company Ltd.
“The new board mem-
bers bring a wealth of expertise from diverse industries, reflecting BritCham’s dedication to fostering economic growth and collaboration. Together, this distinguished team will lead BritCham Guyana in its mission to support businesses by providing networking opportunities, market insights, and advocacy,” BritCham has explained.
“Their combined expertise will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of BritCham Guyana, ensuring it continues to deliver value to its members and stakeholders,” the chamber further explained.
Among the board’s priorities that were listed are expanding membership to include a broader range of industries; hosting key events to facilitate dialogue
and partnerships between Guyanese and UK businesses; advocating for policies that enhance the ease of doing business, and promoting sustainable economic development.
“BritCham Guyana remains committed to fostering an environment where businesses can thrive, leveraging the strengths of both Guyana and the UK to unlock new opportunities. The newly appointed board is scheduled to meet in January 2025, where the roles of Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary will be formalized,” the chamber has added.
The British Chamber of Commerce was launched in Guyana only days after British Airways made its inaugural flight to Guyana, and months after visa restrictions were removed for
Air Canada to launch direct flights to Guyana in 2025
Air Canada is set to launch direct flights between Guyana and Canada in 2025.
The airline has already presented its expansion plan, targeting over a dozen new international destinations in the coming years, and has said in a release that the growth would be driven by the addition of four aircraft models to its fleet - Airbus A220, Boeing 787-10, Boeing 737 MAX, and especially the A321neo XLR.
The Canadian airline aims to strengthen its operations through its three main hubs: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, to reach CAD$30 billion in annual revenue and improve profitability by 2030. According to the company, the strategy includes revenue growth of between 7% and 8% annually, supported by an increase in capacity (ASMs) of between 5% and 6% annually.
Having diversified its market across the three hubs, Air Canada has established Toronto as its global hub; Montreal as its leading hub in transatlantic routes, and Vancouver specializing in transpacific connections.
The airline’s capacity is distributed as 21 per cent for domestic routes, 34 per cent for the Atlantic, 16 per cent for the Pacific, and 10 per
cent for Latin America and Caribbean markets.
As part of its growth plan, Latin America is a key focus within the expansion strategy with eight new destinations.
Among its priorities are Lima, Peru and Guyana, with non-stop flights between Toronto and Georgetown/ Cheddi Jagan International Airport aiming to capitalize on the region’s economic boom.
The airline also plans to enter El Salvador (SAL), currently connected to Canada through its commercial partners Air Transat and Avianca.
After entering Monterrey (MTY) as a seasonal route, the airline has set its sights on Guadalajara (GDL), Mexico’s second-largest city, which it aims to service with the A220-300. Through its Rouge subsidi-
ary, it plans to add Acapulco (ACA) to its network, joining its other seven vacation destinations in Mexico: Cancun, Cozumel, Huatulco, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, San José del Cabo, and Tulum.
A new vacation destination on its network would be Cartagena (CTG,) Colombia, which in recent weeks has progressed on the project for a new airport that would increase the number of arrivals to the city on the Caribbean coast.
Further, Air Canada plans to launch two new destinations in Brazil, including resuming flights to Rio de Janeiro/ Galeao (GIG), which it operated until 2016, and entering Fortaleza (FOR) in northeastern Brazil. Both routes will focus on meeting the demand of Canadian tourists in the South American country.
Guyanese visitors to the UK.
It was revealed at the time that the Chamber has close to 30 member companies, with some 50 verbal commitments.
It was also revealed that BritCham Guyana would be launched in London, England, and Aberdeen, Scotland.
The Chamber acts as a support for other Chambers of Commerce that exist in the countries in which it operates. British and Guyanese companies have also been encouraged to
sign up as members with BritCham Guyana in order to enjoy the full benefits of its support in exploring and accessing each market.
The independent, non-profit Chamber serves as a leading promoter and enabler of trade and investment between the UK and Guyana, one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. BritCham Guyana will also work closely with the British High Commission in Georgetown and UK Government departments to support their advocacy work
$410.2M Pirara
in Guyana. Guyana is the UK’s largest trading partner in the Caribbean. In fact, total trade in goods and services between the UK and Guyana has reached an impressive £1.6 billion in the four quarters leading up to the end of 2023. According to reports from its Department of Business and Trade, a substantial increase of 312.5 per cent, or £1.2 billion, in current prices has been recorded, compared to the same period in 2022.
Bridge completed
The Pirara Bridge, which forms part of the transformative Kurupukari-to- Lethem project, having long been awaited, has been completed, and is set to enhance travel for thousands of commuters heading to Lethem and beyond.
Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill made the announcement during an engagement in the Amerindian village of Nappi on Monday.
“The Pirara Bridge is now completed, traffic is flowing,” Minister Edghill said, signalling the present state of the bridge.
He added that while the bridge is operational, ancillary works like site cleanup, shaping of hills, and riverbank fortification are ongoing.
The bridge is among 32 concrete bridges constructed along the KurupukariLethem corridor. It was completed well ahead of its December target time.
The bridge, built by Vals Construction to international standards, forms part of a broader project to modernise critical links across Guyana’s hinterland. The initiative aligns with the Government’s vision to advance hinterland development under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed
Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C Administration.
Communities that would benefit from the installation of the concrete bridges in-
the wider South American market. The bridge is also links to the 13 major bridges on the Linden-to-Mabura Road. Together, these proj-
Gunip Landing, Point Ranch, Hunt Oil, and Pirata.
The corridor also supports travel to the border town of Lethem, a hub for commerce and tourism that links Guyana to Brazil and
ects reduce travel time; improve access to services; and open opportunities for trade, agriculture, and tourism. This development reaffirms the Government’s efforts to ensure no region is left behind, even as Guyana advances its national infrastructure agenda.
(CWI) and Caribbean CAGE have signed a historic long-term strategic alliance and contract to generate significant recurring revenue for cricket and cricket development in the Caribbean.
The long-term agreement, signed by the President of Cricket West Indies, Dr. Kishore Shallow, and the Co-Founder and Chairman of the CAGE Companies, Robert B. Washington, has been endorsed by eight CARICOM governments, and would also ensure increased tax revenues for these participating governments.
Commenting on the unprecedented deal, President Shallow expressed, “This partnership is the culmination of extensive dialogue and strategic planning to secure the future of West Indies Cricket. We have been deliberate in our approach, engaging stakeholders at
various levels, including with the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on Cricket, to ensure the broadest consultation on such a pivotal agreement.”
He further added, “The resources generated through this collaboration will not only empower the development of our men’s and women’s teams, but also
strengthen the cricketing ecosystem across the region. It reflects our shared commitment to rebuilding West Indies Cricket as a global powerhouse and a unifying force for the Caribbean.”
Caribbean CAGE is the largest route operator of video lottery and video gaming terminals and licensed sports betting in the
Caribbean. It has recently launched sports betting operations in Puerto Rico.
Co-Founder and Majority Shareholder of Caribbean CAGE LLC, Mr. Robert L. Johnson, stated, “CAGE is elated to be a part of an arrangement that goes way beyond the development of a game. This agreement will go a long way to
positively altering the lives of the people of the region, creating greater socio-economic opportunities for all citizens through the game of cricket, which has long been recognized as the region’s metaphor for development. Cricket has brought great glory and recognition to the people of the region, but by so doing, it has also created a platform for positive development that this pact fortifies. But more importantly, the CARICOM countries in which we operate will also benefit financially from legalized gaming revenue that will increase their ability to support additional educational, sporting, and cultural activities for their citizens.”
The Caribbean CAGE Chief Executive Officer, Bob Washington, who has worked in the region for the past forty (40) years with various Caribbean governments, sporting organizations, and private sector
India tour of Australia 2024/25: Test 3 of 5…
Rain has had the last word at the Gabba, as was widely expected, but only after Australia and India had conjured up the most intriguing of “What ifs?” in the 22 overs that were possible on the fifth day of the third Border-Gavaskar Test match.
After taking the final India wicket four overs into the day's play, and securing a 185-run first-innings lead, Australia made one final push for victory, going hard at India's bowling and losing quick wickets in the process; and declaring at 89 for 7 after 18 helter-skelter third-innings overs. That left India with a
target of 275 to get in theoretically 54 overs. Only 2.1 were possible, as bad light drove the players off the field before rain returned to signal an early finish.
Australia's brief innings on day five gave a glimpse of all the possible rain-free finishes this match could have had. There was pronounced seam movement and uneven bounce, and Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj ripped out five wickets in the space of 11 overs. But some of the wickets also came from Australia's intent to score quickly. They promoted Mitchell Marsh to No. 4, batted Travis Head above Steven Smith, and
kept going for their shots. The runs came at a fair rate too, with the pace of the pitch allowing Head, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins to rattle off a combined 59 off 49 balls.
Given all the help for the new ball, Australia could have envisioned bowling India out. Given the scope for run-scoring, and the fact that Australia were without one of their three fast bowlers, India could have imagined making a bid for victory if they had managed to see off the early overs relatively unscathed.
As it happened, the draw may have been the best result for the series going forward, with two Tests to go
and the teams locked 1-1 on Boxing Day.
Australia's declaration harked back to the 1950 Test on this same ground, when England declared at 68 for 7 and then Australia at 32 for 7, as both teams tried to make the best of a sticky pitch after a spell of rain. Such events
commercial entities, also expressed his “satisfaction with the agreement” and spoke of the “confidence he had in the groundbreaking deal.” CEO Washington also stated that “West Indies Cricket, through this tripartite agreement and understanding, would go a long way to once again ruling the cricketing world.”
He concluded by stating, “The novel deal and technological first in Sports Betting and iGaming for the region will aid and assist the region in eliminating the large grey market and unlicensed operators who take bets and pay prizes in the Caribbean Community without paying taxes or gaming licence fees to the governments of the Caribbean Community.”
The agreement takes effect from April 1, 2025, and, based on projections, could be the single largest commercial agreement signed by Cricket West Indies.
are exceedingly rare in the days of covered pitches, but something not too dissimilar happened on this day with Australia declaring at 89 for 7.
One man who may have been a touch displeased at that point was Bumrah. He had just come back for a new spell, and dismissed Cummins with a clever slower ball. It was his ninth wicket of the match, and he was so close to bagging his first tenfor, one of the few feats he has yet to achieve in his remarkable career. (ESPNCricinfo)
CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow and CAGE Companies C-Founder Robert B. Washington signed the agreement
(c),
Alex Carey clips a shot through the on side
Bad light forced players off for the final time in the game
Mohammed Siraj jubilated after dismissing Steven Smith
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024
Bangladesh have defended their modest score of 129 to clinch the T20I series with a 2-0 lead, beating West Indies by 27 runs in the second game at the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent. It was Bangladesh's lowest total winning a game while batting first against West Indies. A combined effort from their quicks and spinners took advantage of a pitch that offered a lot to the bowlers throughout the game.
Bangladesh were stretched to their total by Shamim Hossain's late blast. He hit an unbeaten 35 off 17 balls. The bowlers responded superbly thereafter, with Taskin Ahmed taking three wickets, while Mahedi Hasan, Rishad
got beaten by pace and underedged to wicketkeeper Litton Das.
Mahedi, who took career-
of Hasan Mamhud. When Tanzim Hasan had Romario Shepherd glove to slip off a short ball, West
caught behind for his second consecutive duck in the series. This one was wider, but Fletcher
best figures of 4 for 13 in the first T20I, then got into the act. He trapped Johnson Charles lbw in the fourth over, as the hosts slipped to 28 for 3. In his next over, Mahedi got Nicholas Pooran caught at slip, where Soumya Sarkar didn't have to move as Pooran's probe at a length ball took the outer edge and went to
Bangladesh might have felt Rovman Powell was a major threat after his exploits in the first match, when he nearly took the hosts over the line.
Powell, however, fell cheaply this time, when Mehidy Hasan Miraz took a diving catch in front of point off the bowling
Indies were 42 for 6, and there was almost no coming back from there. Roston Chase was their only remaining specialist batter after that. He batted conservatively until the 16th over, when he slammed Mahmud for consecutive sixes.
Akeal Hosein, who gave Chase good support at the other end, also hit Rishad for a straight six, but the asking rate was still nearly 12 an over in the death overs.
The three sixes gave West Indies some hope, but Rishad fought back in the same over to remove Chase, who missed a big slog. Rishad removed Gudakesh Motie with the next ball when the left-hander holed out to long-off.
Alzarri Joseph then handed a return catch to Tanzim in the following over, before Hosein clipped a slower delivery from Taskin straight to backward point, as Bangladesh started their celebrations.
West Indies boss the powerplay
The assistance the spinners received from the pitch was evident from the start. Hosein removed Litton again early in the Bangladesh innings, this time getting him stumped for 3. Litton's dismal form continued, while Hosein continued his powerplay dominance.
Chase followed up with Tanzid Hasan's wicket, hitting his off stump with a ripper of a delivery. Mehidy and Soumya got Bangladesh out of that mire by batting sensibly till the ninth over. That's when Soumya was run out when he responded to a Mehidy call for a single
to short third. Mehidy fell for 26 in the next over, hitting Joseph to deep square leg after striking three fours and a six in his 25-ball stay.
Motie then got into the Bangladesh middle order, cleaning up both Rishad and Mahedi by the 15th over. Jaker Ali tried to resurrect the innings somewhat with his 20ball 21, but when he fell in the 17th over with the score on 88 for 7, there were chances that the visitors could be bowled out for under 100.
McCoy, hitting him over fine leg and midwicket. He ensured Bangladesh finished on a score just above 120, which was considered to be par for the course, given the type of pitch. (ESPNCricinfo)
Bangladesh have sealed the T20I series with a game in hand
Mehidy Hasan Miraz carried Bangladesh's middle order
Roston Chase tried to keep it together for West Indies
Gudakesh Motie bagged two scalps
Mahedi Hasan is confident he has got his man
KFC Goodwill International Tournament…
Clarendon, Chase, St Benedict’s keep records clean
The second round of the Group Stage in the ongoing KFC International Goodwill tournament was an entertaining one, with goals galore being witnessed at the Queen’s College and Ministry of Education grounds.
While defending champions Clarendon College exhibited their authority, and the likes of Chase’s Academic Foundation of Guyana and St. Benedict’s College of Trinidad and Tobago announced themselves as worthy challengers, the real entertainment on the day
came from a thrilling 4-4 draw between Annai Secondary of Region 9 and Speyside High of Tobago.
If there was any indication that it would be an exciting day of football, the 4-4 draw gave a peek into what was to come.
Speyside’s Samuel Solomon opened the scoring in just the 2nd minute, while Micha Walton and Dariel Thomas extended the lead with goals in the 27th and 33rd respectively.
Annai, however, reduced the deficit before the first half expired, with Guy Moses and
Hanan Williams finding the back of the net in the 36th and 44th.
After a 3-2 score at the half, Oswen Rotti brought Annai level with Speyside, while Sudesh Persaud put the Guyanese outfit ahead in the 83rd. Heartbreakingly, Annai conceded a 90th minute strike off the boots of Ajani Stewart, resulting in the draw.
Then a team effort from St. Benedict’s College saw them getting the better of Suriname’s Henry Hassankhan Community School 6-0 in the
National Schools Championships…
The Georgetown leg of the CNOOC Petroleum/ Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)/ Ministry of Education (MoE) National Schools Table Tennis tournament engulfed the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, featuring over 300 players who were registered and attended the launch of this edition.
The Georgetown leg was coordinated under the guidance of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) level two coach and General Secretary of the GTTA, Linden Johnson; and Leona Kyte, ITTF level one coach and ITTF national umpire.
During the opening ceremony, Manager of the CNOOC Regional Office Mr. Anand Gohlil, and Senior Advisor on Government Relations, Bayney Karran, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited were on hand to serve off the competition. Gohlil indicated to the students and teachers present, “CNOOC is very pleased to collaborate with the various stakeholders in bringing these key championships to fruition, and the benefit of you, the student athletes of all the participating schools across Guyana. We are happy to see the large turnout. CNOOC, as a key investor in the Oil and Petroleum industry in Guyana, as part of its CSR mandate, recognizes the value of contributing, giving back, and developing the talents and capacities of young Guyanese. This is manifested in this activity and the many projects we support and continue to support. Sports play a key role in our development in terms of keeping us healthy, fit, and leading a more productive life. I charge you, the players, to have fun competing for your schools. Give of your best, and may the best team and players win.”
On the other hand, Bayney Karran outlined the value of sport to the holistic development of the student. He outlined that CNOOC
Results of CNOOC Petroleum/ GTTA/MoE National Schools
A Watson/J Billingy def A Robinson/S Damon 3-0 (11-4,11-9,11-4)
Petroleum was truly pleased to partner with, and support, this event.
“CNOOC Petroleum is truly pleased to sponsor this competition. It is geared towards providing a nationwide platform for student athletes to develop their talents, learn lifelong learned skills while representing their schools, competing against other schools, making new friends, inculcating good value systems, camaraderie, play, and give of your best,” Karran shared.
The competition took on an exciting course when matches continued on Thursday last at the Mandela Avenue venue, when play in the Boys 19 Years and Under group matches commenced.
In this category, St. Roses High coached by ITTF level one coach Gavin Lowe created
a buzz when they defeated St Joseph High by a 3-0 margin in what can be deemed an upset in the competition, given that St. Joseph High fielded national Junior player Travis Lyken.
Christ Church Secondary ‘A’ secured two wins in their group stage matches when they defeated Christ Church ‘B’ and St Roses High ‘B’. Then Bladen Hall turned back the challenge of Good Hope Secondary by A 3-2 margin in another keenly contested match.
In the Girls 19 Years and Under matches National Edition, St. Stanislaus College, led by national players Jasmine Billingy and Akira Watson, fended off the challenge of Good Hope’s Shackey Damon and Angel Robinson to become winners of the Region 4 Girls 19 Years and Under category.
following game. After Adam Pierre broke the ice in the 3rd minute, Lyshaun Morris (5th), Elijah David (21st), Ackeem James (26th), Cam’ron Burke (40th) and Kylon Cayenne (79th) all found the back of the net in that order to pull off the win.
Defending champions Clarendon College made a statement with an 11-0 drubbing of Dolphin Secondary. Dolphin Secondary, who missed out on the services of several of their senior players, had to employ their junior ranks, but there was no mercy shown by the opposition.
Nicoloy Forbes led the charge for Clarendon, netting a whopping 7 goals in the 15th,
The third and final round of the group stage is scheduled to be contested this afternoon. The
continue on Friday, December 20th, where the top two teams from each group contest the semifinals.
With the Round-of-16 spots on the line, the Round-of-32 of the inaugural Kashif & Shanghai/One Guyana National Futsal Championship got off to an exhilarating start on Tuesday night at the National Gymnasium.
The first team to book its spot in the next round, and with it qualified for the February 2025 Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Futsal Championships, was Unstoppable; on the back of a nerve-racking 3-2 win over Albouystown ‘A’.
Goals were tough to come by in the first half, as both teams were solid in defense. This deadlock was finally broken in the 11th minute when Unstoppable’s Leondra Arthur found the back of the net.
Almost immediately, however, Albouystown drew level with a goal off the boot of Timothy Thomas in the 12th.
Kioyse Robertson restored the advantage for Unstoppable on the stroke of half time, the 15th minute.
There was another semi goal drought in the opening minutes of the second half, and it was not until the 24th minute that Alex July drew Albouystown level again at 2-2.
The script unfolded again like before, with Unstoppable once again taking back the lead in the 27th minute through an Osric Barrow strike, but this time around, Albouystown were not able to respond, and fell short as Unstoppable notched their second win to advance.
The night’s second clash proved to be an easy passage to the next round for North East, as they ravaged Buxton 9-2. It was the East Coast side that drew first blood in the 4th minute, compliments of a Stephen Dolphin goal.
Thereafter, though, it was all North East, firing in their
nine goals in the first and second period of play, led by Lennor Cort with a helmettrick (10th, 12th, 22nd, 26th).
Tyreese Dennis tucked in a hattrick (15th, 17th, 18th), and one each came from Calvin Moore (9th) and Rishaun Ritch in the 24th minute.
Buxton scored their second on the stroke of full time, thanks to Clevon Barnwell (30th).
Bent Street ‘B’ kept a clean sheet against Alexander Village, whom they trounced 4-0. Shane Jones led with three goals, which were scored in the 1st, 15th, and 17th minutes.
Tyler Lyle netted the other in the 6th minute.
Next up was Sparta Boss mirroring a national team, but they encountered a scare from the determined Festival City team. Celebrating his signing to the first team of MLS side Chicago Fire, Omari Glasgow opened the scoring for Sparta in the 2nd minute, but Festival City responded in like manner one minute later through Colwin Best.
Curtez Kellman, with backto-back goals in the 4th and 5th minutes, brought Sparta back into the game, and Jermain ‘Panky’ Junor added the first of his brace in the 6th minute, as Sparta raced to a 4-1 lead.
Jerome Permaul pulled another back for Festival City in the 9th minute, but the threegoal cushion was restored for Sparta by Junor on the stroke of half time.
Goals in the 20th and 22nd minutes from Akeen Jaikarran and Tavel December drew Festival City closer to Sparta, but that was the end of their spark for the game. Kellman closed out proceedings with his third of the match, in the 27th minute, to see Sparta safely through to the next round.
The night’s final clash saw Stabroek Ballers making light work of Team Family from Mocha 8-3. Doubles from
Dorwin George (12th, 28th), and Marcus Tudor (14th, 30th) led Stabroek Ballers, and one each was scored by Shamar Welch (1st), Deon Alfred (16th), Gerry Burnette (23rd) and Dwayne James (25th).
Team Family got a brace from Teon Jones (29th, 30th) and a single from Chris Macey in the 27th minute. Action will continue tonight when five more teams will make it through to the Round-of-16. Timehri Hustlers will face Kitty Hustlers to start proceedings at 19:30h. Espanyol will then take centre stage when they come up against Laing Avenue at 20:15hrs.
Stabroek ‘B’ will then oppose Show Stoppers at 21:00hrs, Bent Street face Spaniard at 21:45hrs, and the night capper is between Back Circle ‘A’ and Vryheid’s Lust at 22:30hrs.
Each of the 16 teams advancing would receive full uniforms. This inaugural Kashif & Shanghai/One Guyana National Futsal Championship is powered by the Government of Guyana; Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Ansa McAl Distribution Inc., Forrester’s Concrete, Jai Signs and Designs, HJTV, Star Party Rental, Bakewell, Superbet, Dinar’s Trading, Trophy Stall, Tiger Rental, Colors Boutique, Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain, and SQ Apparel.
KFC Goodwill action will
Bryan Wharton netted four goals for Chase’s Academy
