Guyana Times - Thursday, February 22, 2024

NEW GPC INC co-hosts CME to highlight emerging research on HIV care P13

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

Issue No. 5650

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Guyana ready to partner with St Lucia to drive its housing industry – Pres Ali Page 3

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

US Govt donates vital COVID-19 treatment to P16 Guyana

Investors needed for Kurupukari Bridge, drydock-facilities, rest stops in P5 Guyana – Edghill GPL says suppliers not involved in T&T oil spill P17

…as over US$140M in trade recorded between 2 countries in last decade

Venezuela's Maduro conveys “great respect” …as new Guyanese Ambassador for President Ali pledges to strengthen bilateral relations Page 10

Corentyne P17 labourer stabbed to death during row over cellphone

Jagdeo hints Hamilton Green’s call to rig elections “Interpret their at potential silence as investment GTT launches concurrence” – Brava service for another following AG on Opposition’s energy project US$200M …says AFHP, solar energy remain on agenda for energy mix lack of condemnation in upgrades over past decade Finance Minister invites int’l banks to Guyana, as opportunities for investments expand Page 2

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…customers can now top up using GBTI Online

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Hamilton Green’s call to rig elections…

“Interpret their silence as concurrence” – AG on Opposition’s lack of condemnation “I

nterpret their silence as concurrence”, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has urged amid the lack of condemnation from the Peoples National Congress (PNC), the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the Alliance For Change (AFC) over remarks made by Hamilton Green in support of rigged elections.

Green, a former PNC General Secretary and a former Prime Minister under the Forbes Burnham Administration, suggested last Friday that election rigging be used to remove the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration from office.

Green was addressing persons gathered for the LFS Burnham Foundation’s 2024 Annual Commemorative Symposium – an event organised to commemorate the 101st birth anniversary of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, former PNC leader and President of Guyana, whose legacy is largely attributed to his dictatorship-style leadership and blatant rigging of several elections.

Hamilton Green

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

Heart of democracy

During his programme “Issues in the News”, Nandlall contended that the statements made by Green must be condemned in the strongest manner. He argued that the remarks “strike at the rule of law, they strike at the heart of democracy, they strike at the soul of our constitution, and at the soul of constitutional rule, they strike at the root of rule of law.

“It is no coincidence that Hamilton Green is saying that at Burnham’s commemorative birth anniversary and

at a function arranged by the Burnham Foundation, because the history of this country records Forbes Burnham, along with sidekicks and sycophants like Hamilton Green and many others…rigged the 1968 elections, the 1973 elections, the 1978 referendum, the 1980 elections, and the 1985 elections. Burnham had died by ’85, but Desmond Hoyte, his successor, continued with the rigging. The history of this country also recorded that when Desmond Hoyte acceded to democratic reforms, after the intervention of the Carter Centre and

after years and years of agitation by Guyanese and the Peoples Progressive Party and many other political parties, Hamilton Green opposed those reforms, and eventually opposed Desmond Hoyte as the leader of the PNC. “Hamilton Green is on public record saying that Hoyte has given away the government by agreeing to those democratic reforms,” the AG reminded, while also pointing to the events that unfolded during the 2020 elections.

Among other things, Green expressed, “…It was Burnham’s wisdom which got him into office in 1964.

I was General Secretary at

the critical time. And if, as I told one of the groups I met [Friday] morning, if they say he rigged elections, I say we should keep rigging to save us from these devils, these bastards, these demons that we have.”

Nandlall contended, “Up to now, not a single member of the PNC has condemned these sentiments by Hamilton Green”. “The PNC, the APNU, and the AFC, they seem quite comfortable with these statements, so no one has come out yet to condemn what Hamilton Green has said. I am asking you to interpret their silence as concurrence.”

Reminding that it

was the very APNU/AFC Government that passed an Act in March 2017 to allow Green to benefit from a massive pension, the Attorney General asked: “Why should Guyanese use their hardearned money to pay him a pension that he is not entitled to?

“They passed a special Act in March 2017, the Prime Minister Hamilton Green Pension Act, to give him a special pension. You know why they had to pass an Act? Because he was not entitled to it,” he said.

The AG has since asserted that, “an Act of Parliament can be repealed by an Act of Parliament. Why should this Act not be repealed for these kinds of statements that can lead to the destruction of Guyana and its people…?”

He revealed that through this Act, Green is benefitting from taxpayers’ dollars in the amount of over $1.5 million plus other benefits per month, as per the pension plan. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has since condemned Green’s statements as reckless and appalling. (G11)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, February 22 – 03:30h-05:00h and Friday, February 23 – 04:30h-06:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, February 22 – 15:05h-16:35h and Friday, February 23 – 15:50h-17:20h .

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions are expected throughout the day.

Clear to partly cloudy skies are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 14:59h reaching a maximum height of 2.27 metres.

Low Tide: 08:32h and 21:04h reaching minimum heights of 1.09 metres and 0.90 metre.

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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Guyana ready to partner with St Lucia to drive its housing industry – Pres Ali

…as over US$140M in trade recorded between these 2 countries in last decade

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali, current Chairman of the Caribbean Community(Caricom), addressed the St Lucia Parliament on Wednesday -St Lucia’s 45th Independence anniversary -- and called for the region to unite in tackling systemic regional disparities.

President Ali, who arrived on the island as a special guest on Wednesday, used the occasion to urge St Lucia and the region to work together to address systemic regional challenges.

“We have to face the same difficulties that those not part of the region don’t face. If you look at the time it takes to open a bank account in the US versus the time it takes to open a bank account in the region, it’s chalk to cheese. And then we speak about how there’s no disparity in the system. There’s systemic disparity in the system!” he contended.

“The only way we can address systemic disparities is if, as a region, we stand up against systemic disparities. Slavery was defeated because we came together as a community, as a people, as regions together, and fought the system of slavery.

We have to fight the system of inequality,” President Ali said.

Trade

The President also made a pitch for increased partnerships between the Private Sector of Guyana and its St. Lucia counterpart. This could see the two countries tackling regional hurdles to food production, and even working together on the housing market, which he noted has huge export potential.

As it is, trade between Guyana and St. Lucia has been recorded at over US$140 million in the last decade.

“In the last 10 years, if you look at our trade numbers, Guyana would have exported commodities to the tune of US$71 million to St Lucia. Interestingly, St Lucia would have exported to Guyana products at a cost of US$79 million,” President Ali stated.

Housing

Although St Lucia’s exports to Guyana have exceeded those of Guyana to St Lucia, President Ali is confident that Guyana can earn more from St Lucia, in a more contracted period than 10 years, by catering to the country’s housing market.

“If you look at your existing housing market, and let us say conservatively you

President Dr Irfaan Ali arriving in St Lucia on Wednesday

have a deficit in the housing market of 2500 homes; in the next three to five years -that’s the immediate or medium-term need -- and you use a conservative figure of US$30,000 for a low-income home, that is what we’re building: prefab homes in Guyana,” President Ali explained.

“You’re looking at an export potential of US$75 million in the immediate and medium term from Guyana to St. Lucia. That export potential in this one area alone is more than the combined export in the last 10 years.

And these are the opportunities, the real opportunities, that exist in expanding the relationship and trade between Guyana and St. Lucia,” he explained.

President Ali noted the importance of exploring how to use these opportunities to build wealth and inte-

grate Guyana’s manufacturing with housing solutions in St. Lucia. This, according to Ali, is where the importance of policy makers creating an enabling environment becomes most pertinent.

Even as Guyana looks to expand housing solutions beyond its borders, there is an

ambitious and aggressive housing drive locally. On the promise to distribute 50,000 house lots in five years, the Government is on track to fulfill that commitment, as more than 30,000 families have been allocated house lots to date.

TURN TO PAGE 5

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

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

Dialogue and cultural diversity

A

ccording to the United Nations, three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension. Given this reality, bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development.

Every year, UNESCO celebrates World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. That day provides all nations and all peoples with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the values of cultural diversity, and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted on 20 October 2005.

These point specifically to the support of sustainable systems of governance for culture; achieving a balanced flow of cultural goods and services, and increase mobility of artists and cultural professionals; integration of culture in sustainable development frameworks; and the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only in respect of economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life.

This is captured in the seven culture conventions which provide a solid basis for the promotion of cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development. At the same time, acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity – in particular through innovative use of media and information and communications technologies (ICTs) – are conducive to dialogue among civilizations and cultures, respect and mutual understanding.

Governments in plural societies, much like Guyana, have been making strides in keeping with the goals of the UNESCO Convention. Brazil, for example, has initiated a move to unite against religious intolerance. Launched in January 2017, the report ‘Religious Intolerance in Brazil’ will be used to monitor and tackle discrimination. “Worldwide, there is a growing wave of intolerance and restrictions imposed on the exercise of the right to freedom of religion or belief,” said the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmed Shaheed.

In her message to mark the occasion, Audrey Azoulay, DirectorGeneral of UNESCO, emphasised the need to protect the different forms of cultural expression –languages, arts, crafts, lifestyles – especially those of minority peoples, so that they are not swept away by the movement of standardisation that accompanies globalisation. These, she said, are essential elements for defining individual and collective identities, and, as such, their protection falls under the respect for human dignity, and invites Governments and citizens to go beyond the acknowledgement of diversity and to recognize the benefits of cultural pluralism, regarded as an ethical and political principle of equal respect for cultural identities and traditions.

“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides, and my windows to be stuffed. I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible.” With this imagery, Mahatma Gandhi was suggesting that culture is not a heritage set in stone, but one that is living and breathing, open to influences and dialogue, allowing us to adapt more peacefully to the changes in the world,” she stated.

Placing culture at the heart of development policy constitutes an essential investment in the world’s future, and a precondition to successful globalization processes that take into account the principles of cultural diversity. Development is inseparable from culture. In this regard, the major challenge is to convince political decision-makers and local, national and international social actors to integrate the principles of cultural diversity and the values of cultural pluralism into all public policies, mechanisms and practices, particularly through public/private partnerships.

The aim is, on the one hand, to incorporate culture into all development policies, be they related to education, science, communication, health, environment, or cultural tourism; and, on the other hand, to support the development of the cultural sector through creative industries. By contributing in this way to poverty alleviation, culture offers important benefits in terms of social cohesion.

Each county, including Guyana, must accept that equitable exchange and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based on mutual understanding and respect and the equal dignity of all cultures, is the essential prerequisite for constructing cohesion, reconciliation among peoples, and peace among nations.

guyanatimesgy.com

Scenes from the Children's Costume and Float Parade in Essequibo Coast

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

5

News

Investors needed for Kurupukari Bridge, drydock facilities, rest stops in Guyana – Edghill …says “possibilities keep climbing”

T

he Guyana Government continues to woo investors with the abundance of opportunities available in Guyana especially in building out the country’s infrastructure.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Wednesday outlined some of these areas during a panel discussion on “Investing in Guyana: Growing Opportunities” at the international Energy Conference that is being held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

He noted that as the country built out a corridor to connect with its surrounding neighbours to improve trade and ground transportation, the Lindento-Lethem Road Project would play a major role as part of that connectivity.

Works are presenting ongoing at the Lindento-Mabura section of that roadway – a US$190 million project that includes the construction of 45 bridges. However, Edghill disclosed that another critical component of that superhighway to Brazil is a bridge at the Kurupukari Crossing, which is along the trail to Lethem.

Consequently, the Minister invited potential investors to explore this opportunity for a public-private-partnership.

“On the road to Brazil, we are building 45 bridges, but there is still yet a major structure to make that road a 24-hour road.

That’s at Kurupukari – it’s a 600-metre bridge.

There is a possibility there for an engagement for private-public partnership,” Edghill said.

Currently, a pontoon is used to take vehicles across the Essequibo River into Kurupukari – a settlement along the river.

With this river transportation system, a journey to Lethem usually takes 12 to 14 hours. But the Public Works Minister posited that this could significantly be reduced with a bridge at the Kurupukari Crossing.

“Investments can come and make that 24-hour [crossing with the bridge].

People pay to cross on the pontoons, there may be some discussions on it being a toll bridge. A great possibility exists there,” the Public Works Minister noted.

Corridor of connectivity

Meanwhile, as Guyana builds out a ‘corridor of connectivity’ as a direct link to Brazil, Suriname and even French Guiana, another opportunity for investment along the Linden-Lethem Road has been identified.

Edghill told potential investors at the Energy Conference that once the Linden-to-Lethem Highway is completed and vehicles start traversing it, rest stops will be needed.

“Once we’re going to have trucking of commodities on that corridor, there is need for investors to start talking to GO-Invest and [its Head] Dr [Peter] Ramsaroop about rest stations for truckers, motels along the way, heavy-duty equipment services.

Once you have trucks coming in, they will need to be serviced, tyres need to be fixed… So, the possibilities keep climbing,” he noted.

The Linden-Mabura roadway is being upgraded into a two-lane all-weather, asphaltic road from sand and dirt. The road will be approximately 121 kilometres long and 7.2 metres wide, with a threeyear timeline for works to be completed.

The project is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) via a US$112 million loan, a grant to the tune of £50 million (US$66 million) from the United Kingdom Government under its Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (CIPF), and an input of US$12 million from the Guyana Government.

The Linden-to-Mabura road will feature a cycle and pedestrian lane measuring two metres wide,

along with 10 bus stops outfitted with ramps for persons with disabilities.

Additionally, a number of bridges and culverts along the way will be replaced, and some 123 lights will be installed.

Moreover, the Guyana Government is in the process of securing financing to further upgrade the road from Mabura to Lethem.

According to the Public Works Minister, Government’s national plan entails putting in place all of the infrastructure to connect people and places, provide goods while having a continual corridor of connectivity between Guyana and its neighbours.

Dry-dock facilities

However, these plans to enhance the country’s infrastructure comes on the cusp of the burgeoning oil and gas sector.

Consequently, there are works being undertaken to similarly modernise sectors directly linked to the petroleum industry.

These include the maritime sector, where tremendous works have already been undertaken to modernise the outdated legislative and regulatory framework. Minister Edghill noted that there was an abundance of opportunities available for investments in the maritime sector such as in dry-docking facilities.

“In the maritime sector, there are lots of opportunities because we have to deal with vessels. And one of the major investment opportunities that exist right now is dry-docking. Every vessel must go into dry dock at a particular time and I think we have very limited dry-docking capabilities, and that is an opportunity that we need to see expand more and there is a framework for that,” the Minister stated.

He noted that if the current rapid demand for dry-docking continues that Guyana would have to outsource this service. This, he added, could be addressed

A truck at the Kurupukari Crossing

with investments in more dry-docking facilities here.

“Everything that should be done here would either have to go to Trinidad or somewhere else to get it done. But we could get dry-docking done right here. There is enough water, there is enough facilities [to be developed and] private-public-partnership partners could definitely come into [play here],” he stated.

In addition to this, the Public Works Minister also pointed to the massive investment potential that lies along the Demerara River, where there are untapped prime waterfront properties.

Currently, the Guyana Government is constructing a new US$260 million high-span bridge across the Demerara Rive which is being built 55 metres above water level.

According to Edghill, this means that all the prime waterfront properties south of the current Demerara Harbour Bridge on both sides of the river are available for development through partnerships.

“We have a number of local persons who might already own lands, but they

Guyana ready to partner with...

FROM PAGE 3

Importantly, the Ministry of Housing and Water is constructing houses for low-income families as well as for young professionals. Together with subsidies for steel and cement and low interest rates for mortgages, the housing sector has catapulted many into tremendous prosperity.

Technological platform

President Ali has posited that the region must

come together on a common technological platform in order to accelerate regional integration. He has also emphasized his goal for Guyana's healthcare system to be able to support the region. According to the President, the intention is to fulfill the region's healthcare needs at a fraction of the cost paid for it outside of the region.

“We, in Guyana today, we’re building a healthcare

system that we want to be world class. But this system is not built (just) for Guyana. We’ve said it before: the prosperity that Guyana is seeing today must be the prosperity that the entire region enjoys.

So, we’re going to build a healthcare system that can support the regional healthcare system,” President Ali has posited.

“How is it that we ensure the integration of your

healthcare system with our healthcare system? As I speak to you now, we’re working on a programme that allows telemedicine to be operable in the hinterland of Guyana, linked to the best hospitals and also linked to India, the US; major hospitals out of India and the US,” the President said, adding that there is an opportunity for St. Lucia to also become involved in this programme. (G3)

might not have all that it takes to get to the next level of development that is required. Joint ventures, private-public partnerships for the development facilities that would support agriculture, that would support tourism, support oil and gas is available,” he stated.

The Public Works Minister also pointed potential investors to opportunities that would become available upon the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge that will link Guyana and Suriname.

The high-span bridge will run approximately 3.1 kilometres, connecting Moleson Creek in Guyana to South Drain in Suriname with a landing on Long Island in the Corentyne River, where a

commercial hub and tourist destination will be established. That duty-free zone will see major infrastructural development such as hotels, recreational parks, entertainment spots, tourist attractions, malls, and farmers’ markets.

Edghill said investors should rush to take advantage of the opportunities that will come in that duty-free commercial zone.

“The discussion is going on about how we can get that island developed as a fun park, hotels, water sports, and we’re thinking about putting in duty-free zones on both sides. I think you should start rushing down to the east and start looking at that, because that’s a major opportunity for private-public partnerships,” the Minister stated. (G8)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:30 10:00 11:30 12:00 12:05 13:35 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30 00:00

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Foundation ◄

Page

Order of operations There are rules for which computations you do first, second, third and so on. Order of operations is the set of rules that tells you what steps to follow when doing a computation. The order of operations is BODMAS. These letters stand for: Brackets (first) Orders ( that is: Powers – also called indices and exponents – and square roots, etc) Division and Multiplication (rank equally and go left to right) Addition and Subtraction (rank equally and go left to right)

Remember

You can remember BODMAS best if you make up a phase to guide your memory. Here is one that may help: Brown Oranges Don’t Make Awesome Smoothies.

Note: the only strange name is "Orders". "Exponents" is used in Canada,

and so you might prefer "BEDMAS". There is also "Indices" which makes it "BIDMAS". In the US. they say "Parentheses" instead of Brackets, so it is "PEMDAS".

The string is becoming shorter!

Now you have: 20 – 3 x 4 + 2 – 1 = ?

Step 4: Solve multiplication problems: 3 x 4

= 12 Again, the problem is starting to look even Example: 20 – 3 x 4 + 8 ÷ 22 – ( 3 – 2) = ? simpler: 20 – 12 + 2 – 1 = ?

We need to solve this problem using the order of operations.

Step 5: Add and subtract as you move along Step 1: Solve the parts that are inside brackets: ( 3 – 2) = 1. from left to right.

Now you have this: 20 – 3 x 4 + 8 ÷ 22 – 1 = ?

Step 2: Solve the parts that have orders (in this case exponents or indices in First, 20 – 12 = 8. Then 8 + 2 = 10. Then 10 – 1 = 9. standard notation: 22 = 4.

Do not group the additions separately from the So now you have this: 20 – 3 x 4 + 8 ÷ 4 – 1 = ? subtractions, unless they are in brackets! As 20 Step 3: Solve division problems: 8 ÷ 4 = 2 – 12 + 2 – 1 is not equal to 20 – ( 12 + 2) – 1 .

Exercises: Convert to scientific notation (round to six decimal places to the right of the decimal) 1) 4 – (3 – 2) + 6 x 5 2) ( 4 x 3)3 x 3 – 1 + 3 3) (2 + 1)4 x 6 – 5 + 9/25 4) 5 – 7 + 3 x 8 – 6 5) 88 – 3 x 2/3 – 102 6) 876 – (102 – 33) + 1 7) ( 3 + 4 + 6)2 – 1 8) 5 x (12-8) – (43 +27) 9) ( 6 – 7) + 44 10) 6 – 8 + 5 x 3 – 4

by AJ Seymour

Ignorant, Illegitimate, Hungry sometimes, Living in tenement yards Dying in burial societies The people is a lumbering giant That holds history in his hand.

The efficient engineers dam the conservancies Design the canals and the sluices The chemists extract their sugar to the ton.

The millers service the padi into rice And the heavy lorries and unpunctual ships Bring ground provisions from the farms.

But always the people is a hero, a vast army Making the raw material for skill and machines to work upon.

They frequent the cinemas Throng the races and the dance halls Pocket small wages with a sweating brow And ragged clothes; But it is their ignorant, illegitimate hands That shape history.

They grow the cane and the rice and the ground provisions They dig the gold and the diamonds and the bauxite They cut the forests and build the bridges and the roads and the wall to keep out the sea.

To be continued

WORD SEARCH

7 Jagdeo hints at potential investment for another energy project NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…says AFHP, solar energy remain on agenda for energy mix

O

n day three of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2024, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed during a panel discussion that the Government was looking at the potential for another project that would supplement the 300 megawatts of power coming onstream from the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project.

He was at the time participating in a panel discussion moderated by Carlos Pascual, the Senior Vice President for Global Energy and International Affairs, S&P Global Commodity Insights. According to the Vice President, the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) remains an important component of the energy mix.

“Hydro has always been a very important issue for us. We tried developing the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. It got caught up in politics in the past. It’s a great project. We retendered.

Chinese company won the bid.

“We went out on a BOOT (Build Own Operate Transfer) arrangement. And then they tried to change it to become an EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction) contract, so we had to take it back, because they won the bid on a different basis. And they tried to change the basis on which they won the bid,” he explained.

However, Jagdeo noted that they were currently in possession of new Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for the Amaila Falls project. Added to that, the Vice

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo (right) during the panel discussion with S&P Global’s Carlos Pascual

President hinted at the possibility of another project, besides the AFHP and solar, that could supplement the estimated 300 MW of energy the GtE project will provide.

“We just retendered that.

We have some Expressions of Interest that just came in. So that will be part of our energy mix. The gas project, possibly another project to supplement the 300 megawatts, the hydropower and solar. We believe that all of them would allow us to reduce our emissions significantly and still meet the needs of the country – the industrial needs as well as the consumer needs,” the VP said.

Demand steadily rising

The importance of Guyana growing its capacity for cheap, reliable energy has never been more apparent than now. As it is now, the demand for electricity has been steadily rising. This year

alone, the electricity demand is projected to peak at 236 megawatts; however, GPL can generate approximately 180 megawatts of power.

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

With electricity costs slated to be significantly reduced in the coming years, there will be a significant surge in the demand for power in the near future, Vice President Jagdeo had previously outlined.

The cost for energy has long been cited as not only a major bugbear for residential customers, but a hindrance to the commercial customers and the manufacturing sector. Only recently, the Georgetown Chamber

of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) held a press conference where its noted the massive industrialisation and growth of the manufacturing sector that cheaper power would usher in.

The GtE Project will see the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek

Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil. It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from <<<Liza Destiny>>> and <<<Liza Unity>>> Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore.

Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) Plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD). In last year’s national budget, the project received a $43.3 billion allocation, in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the start-up of the transformational project, for construction of the NGL Plant and the 300MW Combined Cycle Power Plant at Wales.

This year, a whopping $80 billion was budgeted to advance this project and its associated infrastructure, including transmission

and distribution upgrades to offtake the power. As of January, the marine offloading facility has been completed, and 26km of onshore pipelines have been installed.

Once completed, the project will allow Guyanese to benefit from a 50 per cent reduction in electricity costs.

Meanwhile, the 165MW AFHP was the flagship initiative of the Bharrat Jagdeo-crafted Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). According to the reissued Request for Proposals (RFP), the project, under the BOOT model, will integrate and expand GPL’s national grid capacity to include Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

So far, the names of four companies have been in the public domain for having submitted proposals. They are Rialma SA (Grupo Rialma) from Brazil, Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc, China International Water & Elec Corp, and a group made up of OEC, GE Vernova and Australia’s Worley. (G3)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GTT launches Brava service following US$200M in upgrades over past decade …customers can now top up using GBTI Online …more new products to be rolled out soon

G

TT on Wednesday launched its Brava service, following US$200 million worth of investments over the past decade on upgrades that will now see the company extending its regional footprint and rolling out a suite of new services for Guyanese companies.

The launch of the Brava service took place on day three of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2024.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Conor McGowan Smyth explained that the company has spent in excess of US$200 million in upgrading its systems, leading up to this launch.

“So, very simply, what Brava is: it’s a next-generation solutions provider.

So, over the last 10 years, we’ve spent over US$200 million on fibre investments and investments in our mobile network. And what Brava represents is the evolution of that and the services we want to provide over the top of that network,” the executive said.

“We have our Connect and our synergy service, Brava Connect is a suite of services that will be delivered over a fibre network and mobile network, that allow you very simple tools that enable your business.

What our synergy portfolio is, it allows things like virtual meetings, email, unified collaboration services and now, as the business landscape evolves here in Guyana, we have Brava Stronghold and Brava Cloud.”

He further explained that cyber security and cloud solutions were also offered, tailored for Guyanese customers. He described Brava as a ded-

Pan tap…

Y

From left: Brava Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Conor McGowan Smyth, Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo CEO Kurt Baboolall and GTT Deputy CEO Richard Stanton

icated business arm with regional backing, and went on to describe some of the services that would be launched.

“You’re going to see lots of new products being launched over the next five years. Starting on March 1, we’re launching a new Internet service security product. So, it’s just really exciting times. And I’m just excited over where this evolution is going to take us,” he added.

Meanwhile, GTT Deputy CEO Richard Stanton told those gathered of the company’s regional push. He explained that it had the capabilities to provide services throughout the Caribbean and the Americas.

“A lot of the customers we have, have a regional presence. Up to last year, they were dealing with my colleagues in Bermuda, my colleagues in Cayman.

What we’ve done now is

built a business where you only need to speak to one set of people.

“So, if you’ve got a pan-Caribbean or pan-American business now, there’s a company that can do everything for you. All in one place. So, that’s what we’ve done.

Our customers told us last year, they found it confusing. They wanted us to make it simpler for them.

So, that is what Brava is.”

Only last week, the telecoms giant had announced an increase in Fibre speed, ranging from 33 to 100 per cent faster for all customers, and at no additional cost. This announcement was made by GTT Commercial Director of Home Solutions and Fixed Networks, George Scott, during a press conference.

Scott declared that, with immediate effect, customers with home Internet of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps speeds would experience a

100 per cent increase; and those with the 200 Mbps would receive 50 per cent more speed, while customers within the 40 Mbps bracket would receive a 33 per cent speed upgrade.

GTT was the first network to introduce Fibre to Guyana with a promise of ensuring 75 per cent of homes was covered by the end of 2025. A massive extension project commenced, and as of today, two in every three homes have access to high-speed Fibre networks.

GTT/GBTI

Meanwhile, it was announced that GTT customers could now top up their prepaid accounts (phones) using GBTI Online.

According to GBTI, the top up can be conveniently done through the Quick Top-Up feature on the GO banking app and online platform.

“Once you have a GBTI bank account, you can top up your prepaid account or pay your postpaid bill by logging in to the GO banking website https://www. gbti.online.com. From the Menu, select Payment, Card and Bill Payments, "quick Top-Up", then select GBTI GTT Top Up, entering your phone number and the amount you wish to top up or pay.”

It was explained that bill payment, credit card payments and transfers can now be easily done through GBTI’s GO banking platform. The GBTI GO banking app is accessible for corporate and retail users and can be downloaded from the Google and Apple stores. (G3)

…and the PNC

our Eyewitness continues with the Green Declaration issued by old PNC thug Hamilton Green at the Burnham Foundation’s commemoration of their FOUNDER LEADER’s 101th birth anniversary. We’ve discussed his encouragement of elections rigging - which was perfected

by Burnham as a means of getting and keeping power over the country. ‘Follow the leader!!’ he exclaimed. Then we opened up on the other prong of Burnham’s strategy on achieving that goal, which is what politics is all about: the use of violence to create fear in the PPP and force them to concede to PNC demands!!

Today, we turn to the perspective on which the above anti-democratic strategies rests: according to the Green Declaration, African Guyanese have a superior right to rule Guyana over all other groups. “The history of this country suggests that the only people who deserve to be ‘pan tap’ are those whose ancestors suffered for centuries without a cent. We welcomed the indentured people, gave them an education, and Burnham sought to unite the people; but based on the demographics, the new Indians were a larger group. They didn’t want that.”

Imagine that!! But we shouldn’t be surprised, should we?? We’ve seen those PNC rigging and violence strategies deployed since the 1960s against the PPP and its supporters.

One gotta be very dense to have them escape our notice!!

But the justification takes the cake!! Sure, slavery was a most heinous institution; perhaps the MOST heinous institution concocted by man. But to use it now as justification to prevent all other groups from not only never having power of their lives, but for the descendants of those enslaved Africans to permanently rule over them, is almost as revolting!!

The irony is that the rigging and the violence against the PPP allowed the PNC under Burnham to rule for twentyeight long years, during which African Guyanese were “pan tap”!! But where did it get them? For instance, Burnham nationalized 80% of the economy, and had African Guyanese run the corporations; he increased the size of the armed forces by ten times its original size; and, of course, in politics, the PNC became “paramount” over the state. But that simply proved that to rule by such methods inevitably ended up creating dictatorships – in which every group suffers as “things fall apart”!

The present leaders of the PNC must now declare where they stand on the “Green Declaration”. Those who were present have been studiously silent. This will not do. We saw some of them participating in the rigging of 2020 and all with the notable exception of ONE - supporting it!!

For the 2025 elections, candidates must be asked to renounce rigging, violence and “Pan Tapism”. …with teachers The teachers’ strike is going on quite strongly – but with the inevitable cracks showing up as the reality of not being paid by the Government to strike kicks in!! Now, as an old teacher back in the day, your Eyewitness is quite sympathetic to their desire to get as much as they can as fast as they can. It’s no use asking them to “bear strain”… that’s not how average people think. So, your Eyewitness understands some teachers have now adopted a new tactic – a “Teacher Standout”.

In this manoeuvre, the teachers show up in school and stand in front of their classes – but don’t teach!! Parents are understandably upset, because they’re not sending their little darlings to school to sit around twiddling their thumbs; or, worse yet, get into trouble, since they know idle minds are the Devil’s workshop!!

But your Eyewitness is pretty sure the Government isn’t gonna be paying teachers to twiddle THEIR thumbs!!

He expects them to monitor matters, and take appropriate action against the standouts!! …with Trump Facing at least 91 various and sundry charges – not to mention being fined US$350M on only ONE of them - Trump has declared himself “an expert in law”!! Maybe on “legal fraud”??

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

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

NEWS

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Finance Minister invites int’l banks to Guyana, as opportunities for investments expand S

peaking on the third day of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo being hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh declared that transformation is taking place in every sector of the economy, and Guyana is the premier destination for investments worldwide.

According to him, numerous projects are unfolding across Guyana as the country positions itself to become a regional powerhouse; and he called on regional and international banks to open branches in Guyana because stakeholders have, in Guyana, a strong performer over the long term, and, in particular, a Government with a demonstrably sustained track record of responsible fiscal management.

In outlining Government’s current investment priorities, Dr Singh noted that the administration’s aim is to build for the future, and expand the non-oil sectors to reduce the country’s reliance on its oil and gas industry.

Positing that the Private Sector has been responsive to these investment priorities, he noted that access to financing remains a challenge.

“Many of our domestic banks are relatively small, and have still relative-

Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh addressing the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo

ly modest balance sheets…

They have been responding (to the financing needs), but there is a limit beyond which they are challenged to respond…So, there is an opportunity for international banks to do business in Guyana,” Finance Minister Dr Singh disclosed.

Foreign banking interest isn’t non-existent in Guyana, according to Dr. Singh.

Multilateral financing institutions like the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are among those supporting projects in Guyana. IDB Invest, which works with the region’s Private Sector, is an example of a foreign bank helping to fund Private Sector-led projects in Guyana, he explained.

Dr. Singh has said there

are other opportunities for both regional and international banks to come to Guyana and support the Private Sector, particularly where there are clearly “bankable” projects.

“Guyana could easily and obviously be considered to be the regional hub for whatever investments you might be considering, whatever commercial or business operations you might be considering to locate in Guyana…

In many cases, some of these companies have contracts with Exxon or with Exxon Tier-One contractors, so there are very bankable prospects,” Dr. Singh explained.

Bank of America and Citibank

In September 2023, President Dr Irfaan Ali had

said that Guyana had engagements with at least two major United States-based commercial banks on expanding their services here.

Those two banks are Bank of America and Citibank.

“We are developing our [financial] market; our market will become more sophisticated in the future: the financial services will be much more robust, and the financial services will be extended; so, these major financial institutions are all coming.

We had not only meetings with the Bank of America, but we had a lot of ongoing meetings with Citibank and other banks across the globe,” the President had said during a press conference held at State House.

A few days prior to that comment, President Ali, Senior Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat had met with representatives from the Bank of America who were in Guyana on an exploratory mission.

The visiting delegation had included the Managing Director – Global Energy Corporate Banking, Donald Ward Rickertsen; Managing Director – Head of Global

Export Agency Finance, Patrick William Gang, and Director – Regional Corporate Banking, Diego Armando Torres-Luna.

Asked about that meeting, the Head of State had told this publication he had indicated to the Bank of America officials that his government is looking to have another commercial bank of international standing operating in Guyana.

Severed ties

Back in 2016, under the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Administration, the Bank of America had severed ties with financial institutions in the Caribbean, including Guyana, over money laundering concerns.

In a notice at the time, Bank of America had informed that it was severing its corresponding relationship with “indigenous banks” in Guyana. However, President Ali had said this matter had not been raised during his engagements with the USbased bank officials.

“Not one second [was spent] on it. They were totally enthusiastic about Guyana, and they were

gung-ho on Guyana. They were telling us about all the prospects they’re seeing, and how viable [those are]. And that has been the story of all the investors and all those who are coming,” Ali had said.

Bank of America, one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serves individuals, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, and governments with a full range of banking, investment management, and other financial and risk management products and services. The bank was founded in San Francisco, California in 1923. It is the second-largest banking institution in the United States, after JPMorgan Chase, and the second-largest bank in the world by market capitalisation.

Citibank is the consumer division of financial services multinational Citigroup.

Citibank was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, and later became the First National City Bank of New York. Citibank provides credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, commercial loans, and lines of credit.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuela’s Maduro conveys “great respect” for President Ali …as new Guyanese Ambassador pledges to strengthen bilateral relations A

mid tension over the border controversy, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stated that he has “great respect” for his Guyanese counterpart, President Dr Irfaan Ali. He made this declaration earlier this week when he formally accredited Dr Richard Van West-Charles as Guyana’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Ambassador Van WestCharles presented his credentials to President Maduro during a ceremony held at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas on Tuesday.

“President Maduro requested Ambassador Van West-Charles to convey a message of high regard to President Ali, stating his great respect for the President and the people of Guyana,” a statement from the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry in Georgetown detailed.

M e a n w h i l e , Ambassador Van WestCharles conveyed greetings from President Ali and the people of Guyana to the Venezuelan leader. The

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro with Guyana’s Ambassador to Caracas, Dr Richard Van West-Charles

Guyanese envoy also expressed his commitment to working towards advancing the relations between Guyana and Venezuela.

The presentation of credentials signifies the commitment of Guyana and Venezuela to uphold diplomatic norms and pursue avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Van WestCharles was accompanied by his spouse, Vivienne Roxane Van West-Charles, Counsellor Robin Motayne, and Political Attaché at

the Embassy of Guyana in Caracas, Ganga Persaud.

Earlier this month, the Guyanese Ambassador presented his Letters of Credence to Minister for People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Yvan Gil. Dr Van West-Charles and the Venezuelan Minister had engaged in cordial discussions during which the Guyanese affirmed the imperative of peace and cooperation as guiding principles for the relations between Guyana and Venezuela.

Dr Van West-Charles, a former Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the leading party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Opposition, was selected by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government as Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela in September 2023.

He is son-in-law of the late Guyanese President Forbes Burnham, who was also the founding leader of the PNC. Just two years ago, he was vying for the leadership of the PNC, but lost to Aubrey Norton.

Dr Van West-Charles had also served as Head of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) under the former APNU/ AFC Administration.

Inclusive

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd had told Guyana Times last September that Government’s selection of Dr Van West-Charles demonstrated the PPP/C Administration’s commitment to “inclusive governance”.

Guyana’s last Ambassador to Caracas was Cheryl Miles, who had been appointed as Guyana’s Head of Mission in Venezuela back in 2016, and was removed from the post in December 2019.

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Guyana is Carlos Amador Perez Silva, whose letters of credence were accepted by President Ali in April 2022.

Dr Van West-Charles’ accreditation in Caracas comes on the heels of heightened tensions between Guyana and Venezuela.

The Spanish-speaking country continues to lay claim to more than twothirds of Guyana’s landmass, the Essequibo, and a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which almost 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past eight years, and in which oil production activities are ongoing.

In 2018, Guyana moved to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after exhausting all means of negotiation with Venezuela, including the good office process. Guyana is seeking a final and binding ruling on the October 3, 1899 Arbitral Award to settle the border controversy.

Venezuela had challenged Guyana’s move to settle the matter, but the ICJ ruled in December 2020 that it has jurisdiction to entertain the application. Having rejected both of Venezuela’s preliminary objections, the ICJ has set April 8, 2024 as the time limit for the filing of a Counter-Memorial by Venezuela.

However, tensions between Guyana and Venezuela have been simmering since then and escalated recently when the Maduro Government held a referendum on December 3, 2023 with the aim of annexing Guyana’s Essequibo region.

Following the referendum, President Maduro subsequently announced

a series of actions including, among other things, issuing identification cards to Guyanese living in Essequibo and issuing licences for mining and other activities in Guyana’s Essequibo County.

Given Venezuela’s threatening posture, a Caricom/CELAC/ Brazil-brokered historic meeting was held on December 14, 2023 between Presidents Ali and Maduro in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and was geared towards maintaining peace in the Region.

The two South American leaders came to several agreements, including that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, would not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstance, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

Even as Guyana reaffirms its commitment to the judicial process before the World Court, it was also agreed that a Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers and Technicians of Guyana and Venezuela would be established and meet on behalf of the two Presidents in Brazil to continue peace dialogue.

That first meeting of the Joint Commission of Foreign Ministers and Technicians was held on January 25 in Brasilia.

Guyana’s delegation was led by Foreign Affairs Minister Todd, who described the meeting as a “good start” to creating a better future of good neighbourliness for the next generation. (G8)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana eyeing Caribbean market to supply 200 tonnes of refined sugar – Mustapha F

ollowing the recent announcement of plans to construct a sugar refinery at the closed Enmore Estate, the Guyana Government is looking to take advantage of the market within the Caribbean to supply refined sugar.

This was disclosed

by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during a panel discussion on “Investing in Guyana: Growing Opportunities” at the international Energy Conference that is being held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

During his presentation, Mustapha noted that Government was moving to mechanise the agriculture industry in order to increase production and productivity. He added that one of the areas where efforts were moving apace towards mechanisation was the sugar industry from field to factory.

This, according to the Minister, will see the sector moving from the traditional way of producing bulk sugar to now packaged and refined sugar.

“I’m hoping that we can have a big investment this

year where we’ll have a sugar refinery built here in Guyana that we could [use to] refine our sugar.

Right in the Caribbean, we have the opportunity to supply the Caribbean with over 200 tonnes of refined sugar,” Mustapha stated.

Earlier this month, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that the Enmore Sugar Estate, one of several estates that were closed down and abandoned by the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, would be reconstructed into a sugar refinery within the next two years.

The Head of State had disclosed that an investor would fund the project. He subsequently revealed that

Government was in the final stages of getting an investor for the refinery.

Additionally, the Guyanese Leader had noted that 150 workers were being trained to specifically work in the refinery once it was constructed.

President Ali had, some time ago, disclosed that the Enmore estate would be developed into an industrial zone and a state-ofthe-art machine shop and pipe yard. However, those plans have been changed following the investor indicating interest in development of the estate.

As a result, this sugar refinery has become another project under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government aimed at revitalising the

sugar industry.

With Guyana’s brown sugar production now projected to again increase to 100,000 tonnes annually from this year, the Head of State explained, the Enmore facility would be able to refine up to 180,000 metric tonnes annually.

“We are investing in the (Guyana Sugar Corporation) because it is going to be made profitable…we have an investor, who is in the final stage of the investment decision, soon to convert the Enmore Sugar Estate, that is now scrapped, into a sugar refinery to refine the brown sugar there,” the Head of State said.

Further, President Ali disclosed that the facility would provide opportunities for “hundreds of upskilled jobs”.

“Hundreds of upskill jobs will be created there, more opportunities for transport and logistics again to fuel that refinery. So, all of these things that I am telling you about here is one of the cards to unload itself in two years’ time,” President Ali announced.

A refinery is different

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

from a sugar mill, in that the latter crushes the cane stalks, squeezes the juice from the plant, and facilitates crystallisation of the

juice so it turns into raw sugar; whereas a refinery converts that raw sugar into food grade white sugar. (G8)

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEW GPC INC co-hosts CME to highlight emerging research on HIV care

N

EW GPC INC has partnered with Midway Specialty Care Centre to host an event aimed at highlighting emerging research with regard to HIV medicine, care and treatment.

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) session was hosted at the Pegasus Corporate Suites on Tuesday evening.

Presentations were made by Dr Moti Ramgopal and Dr Joel Gallant on HIV and long-term treatment success.

Exhibition prior to the CME

A section of the gathering at the CME on Tuesday

In photo: Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; Dr Moti Ramgopal; former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy; Dr Joel Gallant; NEW GPC General Manager Ravie Ramcharitar; Dr Hector Bolivar; Dr Shanti Singh and NEW GPC Medical and Diagnostics Division Manager, Dr Umadevi Bux

The forum aligns with the Government’s estab-

lished agenda to continue to provide adequate services to persons living with the

virus.

The event was also addressed by Health Minister,

medical field, noting that research such as theirs is why Guyana was able to ad-

Dr Frank Anthony, who lauded the renowned physicians for their work in the

vance its HIV programme.

According to Dr Anthony, Guyana has made

significant progress towards eliminating HIV as a public health concern.

“It has been a long period and I think when we look back, we can see where we came from and the transformation that would have happened in HIV medicine and care. We would like to eliminate HIV as a public health concern by 2030 and we’re following the broad trajectory of the WHO [World Health Organisation] and UNAIDS and others,” Dr

Anthony said.

He added that while the Health Ministry was able to implement a robust HIV programme, efforts were still ongoing to get more people to access care and treatment.

“We’re working on elimination of mother-to-child transmission; hopefully, by next year, we can achieve that. We have introduced PREP and not just for couples, but to make sure that persons who are at risk

can have access to it. We have introduced self-testing, so there are a whole host of changes that would have happened with our programme,” the Health Minister added.

Among some of the issues raised during the discussion are the need to have fair and barrier-free access to HIV therapy, freedom from stigma and discrimination, and clinical monitoring systems. (Trichell Sobers)

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Dr Irfaan Ali is in St Lucia to attend the Caribbean island's 45th Independence Anniversary celebrations today. On Wednesday, he delivered a speech at the St Lucia Parliament. He is also expected to interact with the Private Sector on the island. Ali also met with the Governor General of Saint Lucia, Errol Charles, on Wednesday. The Head of State is a special guest of Prime Minister of St Lucia, Philip J Pierre (Office of the President photos)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt expanding energy access in hinterland communities …to purchase 10,000 more solar systems

I

n a bid to minimise the country’s carbon footprint while addressing energy disparity, Government will be procuring 10,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) home systems for use by hinterland households this year.

This announcement was made by Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips on the third day of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, being hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

While it was not disclosed how many families would benefit from this batch of solar PV systems, PM Phillips noted that the project, formally known as the “30,000 solar home systems project”,

Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips addressing the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo

arrive in Guyana, they would be transported and subsequent installed in villages in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon -Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-

tive offices, Police stations, resulting in us bridging the energy divide through the use of renewables…,” he explained.

“It is important to understand that Guyana is ready

The audience at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo

was designed to balance the energy gap between urban and rural areas while simultaneously propelling the nation towards sustainable, eco-friendly power sources.

PM Phillips has also informed that when the systems

West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

“The hinterland of Guyana now (has) electrical power through solar technology: where the schools have power; the health centres have power; the administra-

to forge steadily forward as a leader on sustainable development, and these are the initiatives that are contributing to this goal,” the Prime Minister has said.

During his remarks, the Prime Minister also issued a call for global leaders to mo-

AI-generated image of solar panels on a house

bilise themselves and raise awareness on the universal transition to clean energy.

He posited that clean energy is pivotal to Guyana’s energy transformation and long-term sustainability goals, hence the Guyana Government is will to work along with the world in order to achieve the goal of transitioning to renewable sources of energy.

Government has, so far, adopted robust policies, cost effective technologies and energy efficient solutions to provide the Guyanese populace with equitable and affordable access to clean energy.

“Guyana is mindful of its international commitments, including, as I mentioned before, the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development

Goals. As a new oil producing country, we recognize the opportunity before us to demonstrate balanced, sustainable development that caters to the needs of our citizens,” PM Phillips said.

Energy Sector Budget

A total of $95.7 billion has been allocated in 2024 for the energy sector. Of that sum, $1.3 billion will go towards energy expansion and diversification. The 2024 budgetary allocation for the energy sector builds on the 2023 allocation of $59.3 billion. In this regard, the sum of $80 billion dollars is budgeted separately to advance the flagship 300MW Gasto-Energy project; however, no money has been provided for the 165MW Amaila Falls

Hydropower Project (AFHP), given that four firms have submitted pre-qualification documentation, and these are currently being evaluated. Nevertheless, work on the mini-hydropower facilities in Kumu and Moco-Moco will move forward with $1.3 billion from this year’s budget.

Additionally, $4.8 billion has been provided to finance several solar power projects across the country. Further, to improve reliability by reducing the voltage drop and network losses, as well as provide access to electricity to over 475 new households, $180 million has been budgeted to upgrade the primary distribution networks at Ituni, Kumaka and Kwakwani.

(Trichell Sobers)

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Development of natural resources…

United front needed to protect region from ‘outside voices’ – T&T Energy Minister T

he Energy Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Stuart Young, is lobbying for countries within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to collaborate and carve their own destiny amid attempts by developed countries to influence the region’s decision-making.

Speaking at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo on Tuesday, the Trinidadian Minister sought to highlight the pressure being put on Caricom countries by developed economies of the Global North to manage natural resources while keeping climate change in mind.

Ironically, he added, those same nations have developed their wealth by using their own resources and those of developing nations who are now in the exploration phase.

Young directed, “My message is about us taking control of our own destiny. We are sophisticated enough, intelligent enough, and it is time we have confidence enough to really direct

Energy and Technology Minister of Newfoundland and Labrador, Andrew Parsons

our decision-making. Let us be a little cautious, as we go forward, to the outside voices and pressures that so often want to influence our decision-making in these very important decisions that have decades and decades of outcome.”

Part of the collaboration, Young added, would allow for sharing of information and experiences to strengthen the region’s position to

operate in the dynamic and sophisticated world of energy.

Now heavily behind this approach, he said, “It is all about respect and fairness of relationships. I offer that to Guyana and Suriname in our collaborative approach.

I am convinced that if we work together, we change the dynamic; and it becomes a similar platform that others must come to us to nego-

tiate for.”

The Energy Minister spoke about fairness, equity, and responsibleness to manage resources, adding that Governments of Caricom are prepared to work together for the benefit of future generations.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine-Russia war have already demonstrated unfavourable outcomes for the region, and any future crisis would reflect similar reactions.

Young declared, “Let us work together and learn from our experiences; and let us have a unified voice as we go forward, to ensure that we protect our region.

If there is another crisis, the outcome and reaction will be no different than COVID and the UkraineRussia war. We are the ones who own the resources, and our people are the ones who own the resources. We are in a position to take the types of decisions that future generations will benefit from.

There’s enough of the pie for

Energy Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Stuart Young

everyone.”

The Energy and Technology Minister of Newfoundland and Labrador, Andrew Parsons, who is also participating in the confab, has committed support for building-out of the local petroleum industry by declaring in his virtual presentation, “Newfoundland and Labrador have diverse expertise that we’re eager to share. This includes devel-

oping infrastructure for offshore oil development; supply chain development; forging agreements with major industry players; ensuring the safety of workers, and training the workers of tomorrow…

“Through the GuyanaCanada Chamber of Commerce, we have already seen a flourishing of partnerships, joint ventures, and business success for both of our jurisdictions.” (G12)

US Govt donates vital COVID-19 treatment to Guyana

T

he United States Government donated to Guyana 1000 doses of Paxlovid, which is a drug used to treat COVID-19.

In a statement on Wednesday, the US Embassy in Georgetown said that the medication complements a separate donation of 354,660 Pfizer vaccine doses.

Vaccination, it stated, continues to be the first line of defence against COVID-19.

“The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other US Government agencies, has worked closely with Guyana throughout the duration of the pandemic to protect pub-

lic health and strengthen the response to COVID-19.

These resources have helped Guyana with community engagement, infection prevention and control, and laboratory systems,” the statement read.

Speaking at the handover of the doses to the Health Ministry, Deputy Chief of Mission Adrienne Galanek reiterated the

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony receiving the COVID-19 medication from Deputy Chief of Mission Adrienne Galanek on Wednesday

US’s commitment to the people of Guyana in fighting this disease and commended the Government

“Over the past two decades, the United States has provided more than $140 billion in global

of Guyana for its continued strong COVID-19 response.

health assistance. We are the world’s largest contributor to the international

response to COVID-19. As President Biden has made clear, the United States will work as a partner to address global challenges,” Galanek said.

Paxlovid, the Embassy’s statement said, is an antiviral medicine that works by stopping the virus that causes COVID-19 from growing and spreading in the body. It is used to treat early COVID-19 infection and helps to prevent more severe symptoms.

Paxlovid is not prevention against COVID-19, but rather a treatment for individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Corentyne labourer stabbed to death during row over cellphone A Corentyne labourer was on Tuesday evening stabbed to death during a row over a cellphone.

The incident occurred at Number 53 Village, Corentyne and resulted in the death of 31-year-old Colane Toney, a labourer.

Toney was stabbed several times, including once to the chest about 23:30h.

Reports are that the suspect is a 24-year-old taxi driver of Number 51 Village, who is known as “Suga”.

Toney’s mother, Clair Hope explained that the two men got involved in an argument over a cellphone earlier in the night.

According to Hope, her son had sold the taxi driv-

Dead: 31-year-old Colane Toney

er the phone for $20,000, but was not paid immediately.

On Tuesday, Toney demanded payment.

“He ask the boy for his money, the cellphone was $20,000 and the boy just

give him $5000 and he tell the boy that he could keep the phone and keep the money, because he don’t want that. Like they got into an argument and he left and go home,” Hope explained.

Shortly after, the argument resumed and escalated, and Toney was attacked with a knife.

“Probably like he get cut on his hand when he go to bar. He get three stabs on his hand and one in his chest,” the grieving mother explained.

According to the woman, when she arrived on the scene, her son begged her to take him to the hospital.

“He tell me ‘Take me to the hospital. I love you,

Grieving mother Clair Hope

my mother, and I want you to look at my children and tell me brother that I love him and he must watch my children’. After he stab him, the boy’s words were ‘Ah gon tek you and make

sacrifice’. People gathered and his words to them were, ‘Who next? Who want to come to get sacrificed?’ and nobody didn’t go to his rescue until the boy left and then people run to his

rescue,” the mother said.

The injured man was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital and arrived there in a critical state.

According to his mother, arrangements were being made to have him transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, but he died before leaving for that hospital.

The woman is calling for justice, adding that her son had a wife and three children aged three, five and seven.

Toney worked as a labourer on a farm owned by a former Guyana Elections Commission Chief Elections Officer.

Police are on the hunt for the suspect as the investigation continues. (G4)

GPL says suppliers not involved in T&T oil spill …local businessman denies ownership of transporting boat T

he Guyana Power and Light (GPL) on Wednesday said that its suppliers were not involved in the Trinidad and Tobago oil spill.

In a statement on Wednesday, GPL said that it was aware of the recent oil spill that occurred off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, and joined with the rest of Guyana in expressing its concern regarding the environmental implications and impact on the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

According to GPL, it had tendered for the supply and delivery of Heavy Fuel Oil in June 2023, via national competitive bidding. Six bids were received and the tender was awarded on October 24, 2023, to Staatsolie MaatSchappij Suriname NV (the first ranked

bidder). An additional award for the supply and delivery of HFO was awarded to the joint venture Rapid Results Inc and Osher International Holdings LLC (the second ranked bidder) to augment GPL’s increasing consumption of HFO and supply requirements.

GPL said that the terms of both contracts require the suppliers to deliver the fuel to GPL’s ports along the Demerara River. Title, ownership, and risk of loss for the fuel passes from the suppliers

to GPL at the discharge port.

GPL has not received any notification from any of its contracted fuel suppliers that they have encountered difficulties with their vessel(s) resulting in the loss of cargo.

“GPL, therefore, wishes to unequivocally state that the company is not related to this unfortunate incident,” the power company.

Businessman denies

Meanwhile, local businessman Mohamed Qualander in a

Escapee Keon Webster recaptured at Stabroek Market

K

eon Webster, one of the two men who escaped from Police custody while being booked into the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was recaptured on Wednesday at the Stabroek Market, Georgetown.

The 31-year-old was recaptured by a rank from Brickdam Police Station about 11:50h on Wednesday.

He is in Police custody pending charges.

Meanwhile, the other man, Kareem Douglas, who dashed to freedom with Webster, is still on the run.

Webster, who is a bus driver, was charged for simple larceny while Douglas, a taxi driver, was also charged for simple larceny.

According to Police about 15:00h on Monday, two ranks from the Brickdam Police Station left the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, escort-

Recaptured: Keon Webster

ing three remand prisoners in a Guyana Police Force (GPF) motor vehicle.

On arrival at the Lusignan Prison, the driver reversed the vehicle to the entrance of the reception gate and he, along with the other rank, exited the vehicle and opened the door. Police said that Webster and Douglas, who were previously handcuffed to each other, jumped out of the prison van and began running north towards the public road.

Still on the run: Kareem Douglas

Webster had the handcuff hanging on his left hand, Police said. The Police ranks, along with the prison officers, gave chase and the two prisoners ran west through the prison farm before splitting up and running in different directions.

Only last week, Akeem Wong, called “Bin Laden”, a convict serving a 15-year sentence for rape, escaped from the Mazaruni Prison in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

statement on Wednesday said that he has noted with great concern a Facebook post under the page name of “The Real PPP” which made the claim that a vessel carrying fuel that capsized off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago belongs to “Mohamed Qualander aka Arafat.”

“I wish to state that I

have never owned any fuel boat, and I have never been involved in the trading of fuel in Guyana or anywhere else in the world and that I have absolutely no knowledge of or relationship with the vessel mentioned in the Facebook post. As a result of this post, I have received calls from friends, family

members and business partners, both local and international, who have expressed concern and dismay at the article and its insinuations,” the businessman said.

He said that the Facebook post has been reported to the Cyber Crimes Unit of the Guyana Police Force.

18

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Brazil pushes UN Ecuadorean Government proposes overhaul at meeting of US$214M hike in security spending G20 ministers in Rio T he Government of Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa has proposed raising security spending by US$214 million in 2024, as it deploys the military to help fight violence blamed on drug trafficking gangs, and could raise ValueAdded Tax to 15 per cent from April.

Noboa declared gangs to be terrorist groups last month after the latest

surge of violence, when dozens of prison guards were taken hostage and gunmen invaded a television station during a live broadcast.

Security spending would reach US$3.52 billion under the budget proposal described in a statement published late on Tuesday by the Economy Ministry, up from US$3.3 billion last year.

The budget, which to-

tals US$35.5 billion and includes a fiscal deficit of US$4.8 billion, must be approved by lawmakers.

Noboa, who took office in November 2023, has so far enjoyed better relations with the often fractious legislature than his predecessor, but lawmakers initially rejected his attempt this month to raise Value-Added Tax to 15 per cent to fund security.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Anti-drug crusader or cartel secret weapon? Former Honduras President's trial kicks off

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attended the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting at Marina da Gloria, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 21, 2024 (Reuters/ Ricardo Moraes photo)

B

razil opened a conference of Foreign Ministers from the G20 group of nations on Wednesday by blaming the United Nations and other multinational bodies for failing to stop mounting wars and conflicts that are killing innocent people.

Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira called for "profound reform" of global governance as Brazil's top priority for its presidency this year of the group of the world's largest economies.

"Multilateral institutions are not adequately equipped to deal with current challenges, as demonstrated by the Security Council's unacceptable paralysis in relation to ongoing conflicts," Vieira said at the opening of a twoday meeting to prepare the agenda for the G20 annual summit in November.

"This state of inaction re-

sults in the loss of innocent lives," he said.

Ministers from the G20 nations, including the United States and Russia, began a free discussion of current world tensions and ways to improve multilateral organisations — a priority set by Brazilian President Luiz Ignácio Lula da Silva, along with curbing climate change and reducing poverty.

But with continued fighting between Russia and Ukraine and Israel's invasion of Gaza, diplomats are not optimistic that proposals to upgrade global governance will advance easily within the G20.

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken met with Lula in Brasilia on his way to the Rio meeting and expressed US support for Brazil's agenda to make global governance more

effective, spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

The top US diplomat discussed Israel's war in Gaza with Lula, amid a diplomatic spat after the Brazilian leader likened Israel's war to the Nazi genocide during World War Two. Brazil does not accept a world in which differences are resolved through the use of military force, Vieira said.

"A very significant portion of the world has made a choice for peace and does not accept being involved in conflicts driven by other nations," he said.

Brazil's quest for wider representation in an expanded UN Security Council reflecting a changing world was backed by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, despite the difficulty in obtaining consensus. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A

New York jury on Wednesday heard clashing descriptions of former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez as his US drugs trial opened, with Prosecutors saying traffickers fuelled his rise to power and the defence countering that witnesses were framing him as revenge for his crackdown on cartels.

Despite his tough public stance on drugs and cooperation with the United States while in office from 2014 to 2022, Hernandez, 55, was actually working "hand in hand" with traffickers who paid him millions of dollars in bribes to help send tonnes of cocaine to the US, Prosecutor David Robles said.

"Behind the scenes he made sure that drug traffickers who remained loyal to him were protected," Robles said at the trial in Manhattan federal court.

"He abused the power of his country – the military, the Police, the justice system – to protect and support those traffickers."

Hernandez has plead-

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez sits with his lawyers in front of US District Judge Kevin Castel as he appears on drug trafficking charges at the start of his trial in a courthouse in New York, US, February 20, 2024 in this courtroom sketch (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg)

ed not guilty. In his opening statement, defence lawyer Renato Stabile urged jurors to discount testimony from convicted criminals who were seeking revenge for Hernandez's anti-drug policies, which included laws to seize traffickers' assets and extradite them to the US. "It's Mr Hernandez who signed into law all those things that put them out of

business," Stabile said.

He said Prosecutors' cooperating witnesses were also hoping to lower their own prison sentences.

"Putting murderers and drug dealers on the witness stand who have cut deals and having them point the finger at Mr Hernandez is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt," Stabile said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The letter, bearing the Prime Minister’s signature, is dated February 15 – the day before Thomas’ appointment by the Governor General.

In the letter, Browne advises Pringle of his choice and closes by thanking him for having consulted on Thomas’ appointment, which he presumes meets with the Opposition Leader’s approval.

Not only was there absolutely no consultation, Pringle says, but an investigation revealed that the backdated letter was delivered to the Parliament Building on February 19, between 15:30h and 16:00h by Chief of Staff Lionel “Max” Hurst.

Pringle reiterates that he was not consulted, but, had he been consulted, as legally required, he would not have supported the selection of Thomas due to the Attorney’s links to now-defunct crypto exchange FTX, among other reasons.

Thomas was previously named as a Director in the company which was incorporated in Antigua.

FTX, once the world’s third-largest crypto exchange valued at US$32 billion, became bankrupt after it was unable to clear a shortfall of US$8 billion. It was discovered that the company was using depositors’ money to fund other businesses. (Antigua Observer)

Jamaica: No hidden agenda in travel advisory, says US Government official Antigua: Pringle accuses PM of deception over Arthur Thomas appointment A senior American Government official is assuring Jamaicans that there is no ulterior motive in Washington’s recent travel advisory against the island that triggered concern in the tourism sector and left many people fuming.

Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, who is on a working visit to the island, gave the assurance in an interview with the Jamaica Observer at the US Embassy in Kingston on Tuesday afternoon.

“I can assure you, having worked in this very consulate myself, having begun my career here, there’s no hidden agenda when it comes to protecting American citizens, and ultimately, what I’ve seen first-hand in my

ry issued on January 23 advised Americans to reconsider travel to Jamaica due to crime and medical services.

It said that US Government personnel, under Chief of Mission security responsibility, are prohibited from travelling to many areas due to increased risk.

Undersecretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya

visits today is a mutual vocation between the US and Jamaica for advancing the safety and the welfare of all our citizens, and we’re really proud to support that through our partnerships to support civilian security,” Undersecretary Zeya said.

The level three adviso-

“Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common.

Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts,” the advisory said.

It also said that the police often did not respond effectively to serious criminal incidents and when arrests were made, cases were infrequently prosecuted to a conclusive sentence.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

L

eader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle has hit out at Prime Minister Gaston Browne for releasing what he dubs a “sham consultation” letter intended to deceive the people about his appointment of Arthur Thomas as Chairman of the Electoral Commission.

Pringle said Browne had failed to consult with the Opposition Leader, as required by law, ahead of Thomas being sworn into the role on Friday.

“But, miraculously,” Pringle said in a statement Tuesday night, “on Tuesday morning, February 20, the Daily Observer was able to publish a letter that implies there was consultation”.

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

19

Regional

Israel intensifies strikes on Gaza’s OILNEWS OIL NEWS Rafah, killing large family in home Oil prices rise as Fed officials indicate interest rates likely peaked

C

rude oil futures rose Wednesday as Federal Reserve officials indicated that interest rates have likely reached their peak.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) contract for April gained 87 cents, or 1.13 per cent, to settle at US$77.91 a barrel.

April Brent futures added 69 cents, or 0.84 per cent, to settle at US$83.03 a barrel.

Fed officials agreed during the central bank’s January meeting that interest rates have likely peaked, according to minutes from the proceeding released Wednesday. The officials also generally agreed that rates should not be cut until they had more confidence inflation was under control.

The market has pushed back its expectations on when the Fed will reduce rates as inflation remains stubborn in the US, with a first cut now generally expected in June rather than in March or May. Lower interest rates typically stimulate economic growth, which fuels crude oil demand.

US crude and the global benchmark declined more than one per cent on Tuesday as traders took profits after the oil market rallied last week as the Middle East once again appeared on the brink of wider conflict.

“Oil prices took yesterday as day of correction which was inspired by a lack of any further conflict news from the world’s clash points as markets had to settle on what was bothering the macro world,” John Evans, an analyst at oil broker PVM, wrote in a note Wednesday.

Tensions continued to simmer in the Middle East this week after Israel launched airstrikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi militants struck another cargo vessel Monday and as Iran now blames Israel for explosions that hit a natural gas pipeline in the Islamic Republic on February 14.

White House Middle East envoy Brett McGurk was heading to Cairo on Wednesday to continue talks on a temporary Gaza ceasefire in exchange for Hamas releasing hostages. The Biden Administration wants a ceasefire in place before the start of Ramadan, which begins March 10 after sunset.

The US has warned Israel against a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah without a credible plan in place to protect civilians there. Israeli war Cabinet member Benny Gantz vowed Sunday that Israel will push into Rafah if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages by Ramadan. (CNBC)

I

srael intensified its bombardment of Rafah in Gaza’s south and over a dozen members of one family were killed in an air strike, residents said, as the ruined Palestinian enclave’s Health Ministry announced 29,313 deaths in the war so far.

In Jerusalem, Israeli war Cabinet member Benny Gantz cited “promising early signs of progress” on a new deal to release hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza amid talks conducted by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to secure a pause in the war.

The Israeli army said it had stepped up operations in Khan Younis, a city just north of Rafah. It made no mention of attacks on Rafah itself in its daily summary of events in Gaza

Smoke rises over Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from Israel, February 21, 2024 (Reuters/Susana Vera photo)

ally the United States, over fears for civilian lives.

Rafah residents reached by text message reported several Israeli air strikes and large explosions in the city, as well as naval boats

opening fire on beachfront areas.

Israel says Hamas militants use civilian buildings as cover, something the Islamist group denies.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US presidential candidate Haley sides with court ruling that embryos are babies

R

epublican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said on Wednesday that she believed frozen embryos created through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) were babies, endorsing a controversial ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court.

That state’s high court said that frozen embryos in test tubes should be considered children, rattling doctors and patients in reproductive medicine as well as raising legal questions, US media reported after Friday’s decision.

Haley, in an interview with NBC News, sided with

Australian Bishop Christopher Saunders charged with rape

A

ustralian Bishop Christopher Saunders has been charged with rape and a string of historical sex offences – some against children.

The 74-year-old was arrested in Broome on Wednesday, after parallel investigations ordered by Western Australian Police and the Pope.

Saunders, who has denied allegations in the past, was refused bail and will face court on 19 charges today.

He is one of the most senior Catholics to face charges of this nature.

The offences he is alleged to have committed include two counts of rape, 14 counts of unlawful and indecent assault, and three counts of indecently dealing with a child as a person in authority.

First ordained in 1976, Saunders has spent most of his career in the remote Kimberley region in the nation’s north-west corner, and was appointed Bishop of

and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

About 1.5 million persons are estimated to be crammed into Rafah, on the southernmost fringe of the enclave close to the border with Egypt, most of them having fled their homes further north to escape Israel’s military onslaught.

The flow of aid entering Gaza from Egypt has almost dried up in the past two weeks, and a collapse in security has made it increasingly difficult to distribute the food that does get through, according to United Nations data and officials.

Israel has said it is preparing for a ground assault on Rafah, despite mounting international opposition, including from staunch

Republican presidential candidate and former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, making remarks during a campaign visit ahead of the Republican presidential primary election, in North Augusta, South Carolina, US, February 21, 2024 (Reuters/Alyssa Pointer photo)

the Alabama court.

“Embryos, to me, are babies,” Haley said. “When you talk about an embryo, you are talking about, to me, that’s a life. And so I do see where that’s coming from when they talk about that.”

The former South Carolina Governor said she had her son after using artificial insemination, a different procedure which does not involve embryos in a lab.

Haley is the last major 2024 Republican presidential challenger to front-

runner Donald Trump. The two will face off a third time on Saturday in her home state of South Carolina, with Haley again trailing in opinion polls, but refusing to drop out.

Trump has not publicly mentioned the Alabama ruling. A representative for his campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The ruling was greeted by widespread shock in Alabama, which has one of the nation’s strictest abortion laws, according to news reports, with patients confused about whether to proceed with IVF and others wondering whether to move their embryos.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham paused in-vitro fertilization after the state supreme court ruling, due to fear of prosecution and lawsuits, a hospital representative said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukraine outnumbered, outgunned, ground down by relentless Russia Christopher Saunders voluntarily stood down as Bishop of Broome in 2020

Broome in 1996.

For years, he has faced dual investigations over allegations of sexual abuse made by several Aboriginal men from communities in his parish.

The accusations were first aired in 2020, but the initial Police investigation that followed was closed without charge.

He voluntarily stood down as the Bishop of Broome in 2020, but remains an emeritus bishop.

However, after a historic inquiry was ordered by the Pope – and its 200-page report

subsequently leaked to media last year – Police began a new investigation.

Only a handful of Vos Estis Lux Mundi inquiries have been undertaken around the world. Meaning “You Are the Light of the World” in Latin, Vos Estis investigations are commissioned by the pontiff and were introduced in 2019 to combat sexual abuse and take action against Bishops and other high-ranking officials in the Catholic Church.

Only the Pope can appoint or defrock a bishop. (BBC News)

A

s the Ukraine war enters its third year, the infantry of 59th Brigade are confronting a bleak reality: they’re running out of soldiers and ammunition to resist their Russian invaders.

One platoon commander who goes by his call sign “Tygr” estimated that just 60-70 per cent of the several thousand men in the brigade at the start of the conflict were still serving. The rest had been killed, wounded, or signed off for reasons such as old age or illness.

Heavy casualties at the hands of Russian forces have been compounded by

dreadful conditions on the eastern front, with frozen soil turning into thick mud in unseasonably warm temperatures, playing havoc with soldiers’ health.

“The weather is rain, snow, rain, snow. People get ill with simple flu or angina as a result. They’re out of action for some time, and there is nobody to replace them,” said a company commander in the brigade with the call sign “Limuzyn”. “The most immediate problem in every unit is lack of people.”

On the cusp of the second anniversary of its February 24 invasion, Vladimir Putin’s Russia is

in the ascendancy in a conflict that combines attritional trench combat reminiscent of World War One with high-tech drone warfare that’s sending tens of thousands of machines into the skies above.

Moscow has made small gains in recent months and claimed a major victory at the weekend when it took control of Avdiivka in the hotly-contested eastern Donetsk region. A spokesperson for 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, one of the units that tried to hold the town, said the defenders were outnumbered seven to one. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Attend to business. Personal improvements that boost confidence and encourage you to stretch your mind are favored. Get out there and get things done.

(March 21-April 19) Establish what’s important to you and release yourself from unnecessary baggage. It’s time to fine-tune your plans and speed up the process of getting what you want.

PICKLES (April 20-May 20)

Apply what you learn to your everyday routine. A positive domestic change will occur if you look at what’s available through institutional programs and courses.

(May 21-June 20) Discovery is your ticket forward. Ask an expert, attend seminars or reunite with someone you trust to give you good advice. Don’t be afraid to veer off in a new direction or try something new.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Take responsibility for your actions, but don’t promise what you cannot deliver. Pay attention to who you are, what you believe in and how you can improve your life, look and reputation.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Put your effort into something concrete and bring about valuable changes. Build your future on a platform that allows you to continue to learn and expand.

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

Get out, take part and make your presence felt. Step up to the mic and follow through with determination. Be the one to make a difference instead of sitting on the sideline.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Let your creative imagination take the lead, and you’ll develop a way to adapt your living space to suit your lifestyle. Don’t let what someone says taint your decisions.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Listen, but question what you’re being told. Confirm information before you act on it. A joint venture will be trickier than anticipated. Consider investing more time and money in yourself.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take the initiative to improve. A workable space will inspire you to achieve more. You don’t have to spend money to improve, but you do have to use your ingenuity to set up a worthwhile routine.

Following someone else will cost you emotionally and financially. Invest time and money in updating your look, adopting a healthy lifestyle and upgrading your qualifications.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Pay attention to where your money goes. Don’t fall behind or neglect to update documents. Take a proactive approach to health, financial and contractual matters.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

21

Trinidadian jockey projects growth in Guyana’s horse-racing industry T rinidadian jockey Rico Hernandez is projecting significant growth in Guyana’s horse-racing industry.

Hernandez will take the saddle for Jagdeo Racing Stables at Sunday’s (February 25) Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Horse Racing Committee’s Mashramani Meet.

The experienced Hernandez also noted that

the horses are comfortable as preparation intensifies for Sunday’s Mashramani meet.

“The horses are com-

fortable. They did some work, and they came back comfortable. That is the most important thing. We are hoping for a good day’s race on Sunday,” he said.

“The experience is very good racing in Trinidad. I won a lot of stakes’ races, and I can’t compare them to Guyana, but what I can say is the races (are) developing here a lot, and in the coming years, it will establish to a better racing industry,” Hernandez said.

“You have to go out there and come back safe. It is a risk; but, as I say, we are professional jockeys, and we take our jobs seriously,” the experienced Trinidadian jockey noted.

The Rising Sun Turf Club is the venue for this Mashramani Horse Race Meet on Sunday February 25, which is being staged by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee.

Initially, eight races were on the cards, but the hard-working organizers

Jockey Rico Hernandez

and promoters added one more race to the day’s activities, thus nine races are set to be run on Sunday. Some G$10 million will be up for grabs, the feature event will

ECCB/Double V Auto Sales/ Navin Construction 100-ball Competition continues this weekend

Aaron Beharry and Ariel Tilku

T

he LBI Cricket Club has marched into the semifinal of the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB)/ Double V Auto Sales/ Navin Construction 100-ball Competition, thanks to outstanding performances from Aaron Beharry and Ariel Tilku, both former youth inter-county players.

In a must-win game played against Golden Grove last Sunday at Fairfield, Mahaicony, ECD, LBI won the toss and took first strike, galloping to 167 runs for the loss of 3 wick-

ets. Beharry had two partnerships, of 46 and 31, with Emron Mohamed and Richard Dowlatram respectively, for the first and second wicket.

Mohamed was eventually bowled by Orin Gardner for 16, and Dowlatram was stumped off the bowling of Kellon Stephens for 13.

Nizam Khan came and went for a quick 13, before Tilku joined the well set Beharry, and together they put on an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 59.

Beharry’s 75 not out in-

be open to all imported and locally bred horses, and will be run over a distance of 1,600m. The top horse of the feature event will bag G$2 million.

Additionally, the provisional programme includes the West Indian-bred fouryear-old and West Indianbred three-year-old horses running over a distance of 1,600m, and the three-yearold Guyana-bred non-winners of two races running over a distance of 1,400m.

All the top horses, locally and imported, and jockeys from near and far are expected to ignite the Rising Sun Turf Club at this Mashramani event.

cluded 2 sixes and 8 fours, while Tilku ended the game on 19 not out.

Chasing a challenging total of 168 for victory, Golden Grove lost wickets regularly, and eventually ended with 104 for 6 off their allotted 100 balls. Skipper Lennox Andrews fought a lone battle, smacking 73 runs that included 4 sixes and 5 fours.

Tilku produced bowling figures of 2 for 29 off his 20 balls.

The semifinals are set for this coming weekend.

Nathon Hackett cops Best ...

Males

66kg Men’s SubJnr Raw 1st:- Matthew Watinou, Squat 142.5kg, Benchpress 90.0kg, Deadlift 192.5kg, Total 425.0kg 2nd:- Omar Satar, Squat 157.5kg, Benchpress 100.0kg, Deadlift 162.5kg, Total 420.0kg 3rd:- Samir Abrahim, Squat 157.5kg, Benchpress 95.0kg, Deadlift 145.0kg, Total 397.5kg 53kg Men’s Junior Raw 1st:- Nicholas Teju, Squat 145.0kg, Benchpress 75.0kg, Deadlift 182.5kg, Total 402.5kg 59kg Men’s Junior Raw 1st:Denesh Manbodh, Squat 130.0kg, Benchpress 80.0kg, Deadlift 145.0kg, Total 355.0kg 2nd:- Omari Kewley, Squat 117.5kg, Benchpress 65.0kg, Deadlift 145.0kg, Total 327.5kg 74kg Men’s Junior Raw 1st:Meshach Alexander, Squat 147.5kg, Benchpress 90.0kg, Deadlift 197.5kg, Total 435.0kg 83kg Men’s Junior Raw 1st:Irshaad Ali, Squat 157.5kg, Benchpress 95.0kg, Deadlift 170.0kg, Total 422.5kg 2nd:- Justin Persaud, Squat 120.0kg, Benchpress 77.5kg, Deadlift 155.0kg, Total 352.5kg 93kg Men’s Junior Raw 1st:Omali Vancooten, Squat

212.5kg, Benchpress 125.0kg, Deadlift 237.5kg, Total 575.0kg 2nd:- Nathon Hackett, Squat 197.5kg, Benchpress 107.5kg, Deadlift 257.5kg, Total 562.5kg 3rd:- Oslen Batson, Squat 200.0kg, Benchpress 120.0kg, Deadlift 220.0kg, Total 540.0kg 59kg Men’s Open Raw 1st:- Denesh Manbodh, Squat 130.0kg, Benchpress 80.0kg, Deadlift 145.0kg, Total 355.0kg 2nd:- Omari Kewley, Squat 117.5kg, Benchpress 65.0kg, Deadlift 145.0kg, Total 327.5kg 66kg Men’s Open Raw 1st:Matthew Watinou, Squat 142.5kg, Benchpress 90.0kg, Deadlift 192.5kg, Total 425.0kg 2nd:- Omar Satar, Squat 157.5kg, Benchpress 100.0kg, Deadlift 162.5kg, Total 420.0kg 3rd:- Samir Abrahim, Squat 157.5kg, Benchpress 95.0kg, Deadlift 145.0kg, Total 397.5kg 83kg Men’s Open Raw 1st:- Kieron Abrigo, Squat 170.0kg, Benchpress 105.0kg, Deadlift 205.0kg, Total 480.0kg 2nd:- Irshaad Ali, Squat 157.5kg, Benchpress 95.0kg, Deadlift 170.0kg, Total 422.5kg 3rd:- Justin Persaud, Squat 120.0kg, Benchpress 77.5kg, Deadlift 155.0kg, Total 352.5kg 93kg Men’s Open Raw

FROM PAGE 22

1st:Omali Vancooten, Squat 212.5kg, Benchpress 125.0kg, Deadlift 237.5kg, Total 575.0kg 2nd:- Nathon Hackett, Squat 197.5kg, Benchpress 107.5kg, Deadlift 257.5kg, Total 562.5kg 3rd:- Oslen Batson, Squat 200.0kg, Benchpress 120.0kg, Deadlift 220.0kg, Total 540.0kg 83kg Men’s Sub-Jnr Equipped 1st:- Romeo Hunter, Squat 280.0kg, Benchpress 182.5kg, Deadlift 237.5kg, Total 700.0kg 83kg Men’s Master 4 Raw 1st:- Norman Brady, Squat 67.5kg, Benchpress 70.0kg, Deadlift 110.0kg, Total 247.5kg

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22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

GTTA Mashramani tournament concludes J

onathan Van Lange, Jasmine Billingy, Kristain Sahadeo, Colin Wong, Malachi Moore, Kayden Meusa, Samara Sukhai, Aaron Hopkinson, Rainia Belfield, Davanand Boodhoo and Jody-Ann Blake emerged victorious in their respective categories after the National Sports Commission (NSC)/Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Mashramani Table Tennis Tournament was played at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue over the last two weekends.

In the men’s singles finals, Van Lange defeated Elishaba Johnson 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7, 7-11 and 11-4 (4-2).

In the semifinals Van Lange defeated Hickerson 11-3, 1113, 11-3, 11-3, 11-9 (4-1); and Johnson defeated Niran Bissu 7-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9 and 11-9 (4-1). Some 32 players had registered.

In the “B” Class open, 28 players participated, and Sahadeo defeated Colin Wong 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 7-11 and 11-3 (3-2). Joint 3rd places went to Thuraia Thomas, who lost to Wong (1-3) and Levi Percival, who lost to Sahadeo (0-3) In the Women’s singles

Scenes from the GTTA Mashramani tournament

round robin playoff, Jasmine Billingy finished first with 4 wins; second place went to Thuraia Thomas with 3 wins and 1 loss; Samara Sukha took third place with 2 wins and 2 losses; fourth place went to Seona Barker with 1 win and 3 losses; and Akira Watson finished with no wins and 4 losses.

In the 19-and-under girls’ finals, Billingy defeated Akira Watson 11-8, 11-9, 114, while joint 3rd places went

to Samara Sukhai and Seona Barker.

In the 19-and-under boys’ finals, Colin Wong defeated Kristain Sahadeo 11-8, 1113, 6-11, 14-12 and 11-9 (32). Joint third place went to Uman Percival, who lost to Sahadeo; and Malachi Moore, who lost to Wong.

In the 15-and-under boys’ results, Malachi Moore defeated Kayden Meusa in the Finals 11-5, 11-6, and 11-5, while joint 3rd place went to

Aaron Hopkinson and Travis Lyken.

In the 15-and-under girls’ results, Jasmine Billingy defeated Seona Barker in the finals 12-10, 11-6 and 11-3 (30), and joint third place went to Samara Sukhai, who lost to Barker; and Akira Watson, who lost to Billingy.

In the 13-and-under girls’ round robin finals, Samara Sukhai came out on top, Shackecy Daman finished second, and Rainia Belfield fin-

ished at the bottom of the table.

In the 13-year boys’ finals, Kayden Meusa defeated Rainsford Belfield 11-7, 8-11, 11-5 and 11-9, while third place went jointly to Aaron Hopkinson and Edgan Bulkan.

In the 11-years-and-under boys’ round robin play-off, Aaron Hopkinson came out on top with 3 wins, second place went to Cristiano Jacobis, Ethan John Bulkan finished third, and fourth place went to Jared Aderemi.

In the 11-years-and-under girls’ round robin finals, Reinia Belfield finished on top with 3 wins, second place went to Fabianna John, third place

went to Ava Hall, and Arwen Skye Cox finished fourth.

In the 9-years-and-under girls’ round robin finals, Reinia Belfield finished on top with 3 wins, second went to Fabianna John, third place went to Arwen Skye Cox, and Ava Hall finished fourth.

In the Novices Open, Davanand Boodhoo defeated Josiah Dyall in the final, and joint third place went to Timothy Bagot and Simeon Singh.

In the “C”CLASS OPEN finals, Jody-Ann Blake defeated Kayden Meusa 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, and 11-6 (3-1); joint place went to Walter Marcus, who lost to Blake, and Krishna Deolall who lost to Meusa.

GAPLF Novices/Juniors National Championships…

Nathon Hackett cops “Best Overall Lifter” in two categories …As Hunter, Brady smash 4 records; Teju 3

T

he Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) got its 2024 season off to a smashing start last Sunday at the Saint Stanislaus College Auditorium with the hosting of its Novices/Juniors National Championships.

Competing in the 93kg class, Nathon Hackett emerged as the Best Overall Lifter in both the Junior Raw and Men’s Open Raw divisions.

Going 9 for 9 with all his lifts, and smashing a total of four (4) records on the day was Guyana’s most decorated SubJunior lifter Romeo Hunter (83kg), the lone Equipped lifter on the day.

And powering his way to four new records was 73-yearold Norman Brady, the lone competitor in the 83kg Men’s Master 4 Raw division.

Nicholas Teju, who won the 53kg Men’s Junior Raw gold medal, was also in record-breaking mood, and accounted for three new records.

Three female lifters graced the competition with their presence, and each did herself proud. Mariah Bacchus won the 69kg Women’s Junior Raw, and copped the silver medal in the 69kg Open competition; Kendra Singh won the 57kg Women’s Open Raw; and Ronessa McAdam won the 69kg Women’s Open Raw. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport,17-year-old Romeo Hunter, reigning 2023 World Sub-Junior squat gold medalist, said he was very gratified with his performance on the

day.

“I am very satisfied with my performance today, since I was successful in all nine of my lifts, and I am continuously making improvements to my total, most of all. I am the only sub-junior to ever squat over 600 pounds and bench press over 400 pounds in Guyana,” he said.

“I know that I still have a lot of work to do, as the year ahead for me will be busy; so, I have to put in the hard work to make myself and my country even more proud.”

Hunter’s new records are as follows: Squat 280kg (617.3lbs), Benchpress182.5kg (402.3lbs), Deadlift 237.5kg (523.6lbs), Total 700kg (1540lbs).

Norman Brady’s records are as follows: Squat 67.5kg (148.8lbs), Benchpress 70kg

(154.3lbs), Deadlift 110kg (242.5lbs), Total 247.5kg (545.6lbs).

Nicholas Teju set the following news records: Squat 145kg (319.6lbs), Deadlift 182.5kg (402.3lbs), Total 402.5kg (887.3lbs).

Meanwhile, the GAPLF is expressing gratitude to Fitness Express, E Master Corporation, and the Trophy Stall for their support in making the season-opening event of the Federation a huge success.

The Federation is also

Nathon Hackett receiving his prizes from Carlos Peterson-Griffith

52.5kg, Deadlift Total 287.5kg

115.0kg, Open

Raw 1st:- Ronessa Mc Adam, Squat 112.5kg, Benchpress 50.0kg, Deadlift 150.0kg,

Raw 1st:- Kendra Singh, Squat 92.5kg, Benchpress 40.0kg, Deadlift 102.5kg, Total 235.0kg

Total 312.5kg 2nd:- Mariah Bacchus, Squat 120.0kg, Benchpress 52.5kg, Deadlift 115.0kg, Total 287.5kg

57kg

Women’s

Ronessa Mc Adam receiving a Fitness Express hamper from Carlos Peterson-Griffith

extending thanks to all the fans who came out and supported the event, which was also attended by Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ PettersonGriffith, who has just returned from his debut at Sheffield24, where he broke the 93kg Squat World Record and held it for 15 minutes.

Following is the list of top performers in each weight class.

Females

Romer Hunter powering his way to a new Benchpress record of 182.5kg (402.3lbs) in the 83kg Men’s Sb-Jr EQ Class.

69kg Women’s Junior Raw 1st:- Mariah Bacchus, Squat 120.0kg, Benchpress

Nicholas Teju

69kg

Women’s

Open

TURN TO PAGE 21

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

West Indies 4-Day Championships…

23

Sinclair puts GHE back in the game – after batting collapse

SCOREBOARD Guyana Harpy Eagles 175 BATTING R T Chanderpaul LHB c AWJ Auguste b AR Nedd 14 M Nandu LHB c JEZ Johnson b J Layne 28 TA Imlach RHB c C Bowen-Tuckett b JM James 24 KA Anderson RHB c MNA Joseph b JM James 13 RP Perez RHB c C Bowen-Tuckett b JM James 6 K Savory LHB b K Pittman 9 K Sinclair RHB b J Layne 24 RJ Ali Mohamed RHB not out 30 V Permaul RHB b JA Bishop 11 G Motie LHB c R Worrell b JA Bishop 7 I Thorne RHB c MNA Joseph b JM James 0 Extras – 9 b: 0 lb: 6 wd: 3 nb: 0 Total 175 all out (54.3 overs) BOWLING J Layne

Joshua James was partially responsible for the Harpy Eagles’ undoing

A

four-wicket haul from Kevin Sinclair late in the afternoon has salvaged what would’ve otherwise been a disappointing day at the office for the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) as they began Round Three of the West Indies 4-Day Championships.

Opposing the West Indies Academy at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, the Harpy Eagles won the toss and opted to bat first; and were routed for 175 in 54.3 overs.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

was first to go: for 14 from 46 balls; after which Matthew Nandu and Tevin Imlach seemingly struck up a steady partnership. It was, however, short-lived, as Nandu fell for 28 from 66 deliveries.

Eventually, the highest score on the Guyanese roster came off the bat of Ronaldo Alimohamed, who remained unbeaten on 30. The next best scores came from Tevin Imlach and Kevin Sinclair, who both added 24 runs to the score.

Birthday boy Joshua James had a day to remem-

Kevin Sinclair scythed through the West Indies Academy’s top order in picking up four wickets ber in taking 4-43 from 13.3 overs to ruffle the feathers of the Harpy Eagles. Joshua Bishop claimed 2-31 from 12 overs, while Johann Layne took another 2 wickets for 27 runs from 12 overs. Ashmead Nedd and Kevin Pittman were responsible for the remaining wickets.

As the Academy began

their chase late in the afternoon, Sinclair returned the favour in reducing the young

O-M-R-W 12.0-5-27-2

team to 38-4 in 13 overs.

He first had Mbeki Joseph caught by Gudakesh Motie for 11 runs from 18 balls, then he cleaned up Ackeem Auguste for one, while Teddy Bishop and Jordan Johnson each departed for 2 runs as Sinclair returned figures of 4-8 in 5 overs.

However, Rashawn Worrell and Joshua Bishop put on a 58-run partnership

JM James K Pittman AR Nedd JA Bishop

13.3-4-43-4 9.0-1-46-1 8.0-0-22-1 12.0-3-31-2

West Indies Academy 96/4 BATTING R R Worrell LHB not out 34 MNA Joseph RHB c G Motie b K Sinclair 11 AWJ Auguste LHB b K Sinclair 1 TJ Bishop RHB c K Savory b K Sinclair 2 JEZ Johnson LHB c RJ Ali Mohamed b K Sinclair 2 JA Bishop RHB not out 33 Extras – 13 b: 8 lb: 1 wd: 2 nb: 2 Total 96/4 (26.0 overs) BOWLING I Thorne RJ Ali Mohamed K Sinclair G Motie V Permaul SPIN

O-M-R-W 6.0-0-20-0 5.0-1-19-0 9.0-2-32-4 5.0-0-13-0 1.0-0-3-0

to lift the Academy team to 96-4 by close of play.

In pursuing the fifth wicket, Sinclair ended the day with 4-32 from 9 overs, while the economical Motie conceded only 13 runs in 15 overs.

When Day 2 resumes today, Worrell will continue on 34 from 75 deliveries, while Bishop is resuming the day on 33 from 41 balls.

AAG names 23-member team for CARIFTA Games

Second edition of GBA Developmental Championships on next week T he Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) is staging the second edition of its Developmental Championships on February 28–29 at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

The event, which serves as part of the GBA’s monthly developmental protocol, is expected to feature representation from the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Forgotten Youth Foundation, and Rose Hall Town Jammers.

Notable categories to be featured are schoolboys, juniors, youths, women, and the elite. The tournament is also expected to feature international flavour in the form of a Surinamese contingent, while participation from other nations and territories is also being explored by the association. The programme would be supervised by Terrence Poole, the GBA technical director.

Steve Ninvalle, GBA President, has said, “While the birthing of this initiative was due to the cancellation of the Terrence Ali National Open, which was unfortunate and due to events beyond our control, the programme has evolved into a creature of its own,

T

GBA President Steve Ninvalle

and has become of intrinsic value to the established and structured developmental apparatus that is employed by the association.”

Ninvalle explained, “This event serves as the foundation or mark for our local activities, and will aid in our attempt to surpass the developmental cycle of the previous year, which was of historic proportions.

As an entity, our emphasis is fixated and focused on our nursery, which, from an evidentiary standpoint, has afforded us the human capital

to dominate the Englishspeaking Caribbean. And while we understand the importance of the sport’s sustenance, this event, which was initially conceptualised for senior persuasion, has evolved and advanced to incorporate every aspect of our boxing fraternity.

This type and level of benefit are unquestionable, and we, at the GBA, will continue to strive to create projects, programmes and procedures that complement the existing developmental structures.”

he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has named a 23-member team to represent the Golden Arrowhead at this year’s CARIFTA Games, the premier regional event for youth athletes in the Caribbean, to be held in Grenada from March 30th to April 1st.

Keith Campbell, VicePresident and Records and Registration Committee Chairperson, disclosed how the Association arrived at that number. He said that Guyana’s team was decided after a series of trials hosted over the past few weeks. The team is as follows: 2023 Golden Girl on the track, Tianna Springer; Athaleyah Hinckson, Charissa December, Esther McKinnon, Attoya Harvey, Akilla Blucher, Nerissa McPherson, Keneta Fraser, Nalicia Glen, Marissa Thomas, Jaheel Cornette, Javon Roberts, Malachi Austin, Rodell Green, Jamal Sullivan, Robert Marcus, Danielson Gill, Deul Europe, Skylar Charles, Kaidon Persaud, Ezekiel Millington,

Ryan Joseph and Nathaniel Samaroo. The team would be accompanied by coaches Wayne Pantlitz and Trishel Thompson, Physiotherapist Akeem Stewart and Manager Thelson Williams.

Campbell has high expectations of the athletes,

and he cited the athletes’ stellar track records in 2023 while extending gratitude to several governing entities.

At last year’s Game, Guyana’s contingent returned with eight medals: three gold, two silver and three bronze.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

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

West Indies 4-Day Championships…

– after batting collapse Pg 23

AAG names 23-member team for CARIFTA Games Pg 23

Pg 22

Nathon Hackett cops “Best Overall Lifter” in two categories …As Hunter, Brady smash 4 records; Teju 3

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