Guyana Times - Thursday, January 23, 2025

PSC, FITUG back GECOM’s decision to shelve biometric voting for 2025 polls

Region 2 businessman jailed in absentia for assaulting cop GPF strengthened with 89 new recruits, enhanced foreign language skills

Mayor reverses decision to terminate City Engineer

Guyana’s 1st school for autistic learners in design phase – Education Minister No bail for Venezuelans charged with

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Thursday, January 23 – No retraction and Friday, January 24 – 00:15h-01:45h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, January 23 –11:25h-12:55h and Friday, January 24 – 12:35h-14:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light showers are expected throughout the day and at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly

PSC, FITUG back GECOM’s decision to shelve biometric voting for 2025 polls

…express confidence in robustness of current voter verification system

oth the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) have backed the decision by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to shelve the idea of using biometrics for the 2025 General and Regional Elections.

In the case of the PSC, which has been integrally involved in elections as an Accredited Observer and stakeholder, it made it clear that GECOM’s decisions must, at all times, comply with the Constitution of Guyana and ensure that no qualified voters are disenfranchised.

And having reviewed the views of GECOM Commissioners for and against biometrics, the PSC threw its support behind the decision not to use biometrics this year – a decision attributed to GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

“The Private Sector Commission is in support of the position taken by the Chair of GECOM. The Private Sector Commission wishes to point out that there is no constitutional nor legal requirement for the introduction of biometric fingerprinting identification at the place of poll. The Private Sector Commission wishes to point out that biometric fingerprinting is presently only legally required at the time of registration, because it is unnecessary,” the PSC said.

“This process is conducted with representatives from each political party present to verify voter identity and, on completion of the process, the scanned manual fingerprints are transformed into digital images and stored in a secured database, which is subsequently checked internationally for crossmatching to ensure against duplication.”

Further, the Commission emphasised that GECOM already has stringent systems in place to ensure voting on Election Day is secure and fair. For instance, photos and bio data for each voter is used at every polling station before each vote is cast. As such, the PSC ex-

pressed its confidence in the current biometric system already being used.

“It is impossible at each polling place for anyone to vote more than once, or for one individual to cast a vote on behalf of another, as each polling station is staffed by officials from the various contesting political parties, as well as with both local and international observers, who are present to ensure the accuracy and transparency of the voting process.

“At the close of polling, the votes are then transparently counted in front of each party official and then signed and certified by each party official. Each party official is equipped with a folio showing the picture and bio data of each voter for that polling station. If there is any doubt, the process is stopped, a verification process is conducted and only when everyone is satisfied, then the voting is allowed to continue,” the PSC further pointed out.

FITUG

While not as detailed as the PSC, FITUG put forward its own reasoning for why Justice Singh made the right call by shelving the idea of biometrics that was being agitated for by the Opposition.

“At the outset, we wish to state that we fully support the position taken by the Commission. With elections constitutionally due later this year, Guyana can ill afford any issue that can serve to obstruct or delay such an important pillar of our democracy from being executed in an effective and seamless manner,” FITUG explained.

“The most notable implication of the introduction of biometrics in the manner proposed is the requirement for citizens to present themselves to have their fingerprints captured digitally. The sheer magnitude of this undertaking, coupled with the associated tasks of procurement of equipment, training and nationwide rollout of the process creates undue uncertainty at such a critical time.”

The Union went on to

urge GECOM to engage in its constitutional responsibilities, with the aim to effectively prepare the Commission for whenever the General and Regional Elections, constitutionally due this year, are called. It was revealed recently that Justice Singh, in a ruling at the Commission, rejected the proposal for biometric voting systems to be implemented for the upcoming elections. In reaching her decision, she had highlighted that such a largescale undertaking is impractical in the short time before elections are expected to be held.

GECOM, currently, has its hands full with its Claims and Objections exercise, with January 25, 2025, set as the day by which all forms of claims, objections, applications and decisions will be sent by the registration officers to the Commissioner of Registration.

Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud will then begin hearing and determining appeals the very next day. Additionally, any changes to the preliminary list of electors will be made by February 2, 2025. (G3)

The Guyana Elections Commission

PSC Chairman Komal Singh FITUG President Carvil Duncan

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Guyana's collaboration for a sustainable future

The Government has taken a monumental step toward achieving sustainable urban development by forging a collaboration with

The King’s Foundation and Qatar Foundation’s Earthna Center for a sustainable future. This partnership is not just an endorsement of President Irfaan Ali’s ambitious Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, but is a bold stride towards positioning Guyana as a global leader in sustainable development and climate action.

At the heart of this initiative lies the construction of a signature building in Georgetown. This project will embody the core of sustainability by integrating Guyanese materials, techniques, and local expertise with international innovations. It will stand as an example of modernity shaped by cultural and environmental heritage; a living example of how traditional knowledge can guide the path toward sustainable urbanization.

Beyond its immediate significance, this building is poised to become a global model for locally-led, sustainable construction practices. The insights derived from this endeavour will be shared internationally, fostering a knowledge exchange network that benefits countries like Qatar and others grappling with similar urban and environmental challenges.

This partnership is a practical realisation of the LCDS 2030’s priority of Sustainable Cities and Towns. It is a testament to President Ali’s visionary leadership, which aims to ensure that economic growth aligns seamlessly with environmental stewardship. The collaboration’s origins, stemming from discussions initiated during President Ali’s visit to Scotland in October 2024, underscore Guyana’s proactive approach to engaging global stakeholders in achieving its development goals.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sonia Parag aptly summarised the importance of this initiative during the announcement at Dumfries House in Scotland. She noted that this partnership builds upon the successes of earlier phases of the LCDS, pushing the boundaries of sustainable innovation while honouring Guyana’s traditions. Parag’s emphasis on balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship encapsulates the ethos driving this initiative.

The project also reflects the shared vision of its international collaborators. His Majesty King Charles III’s endorsement highlights the role of traditional knowledge in addressing critical global challenges, including urbanisation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Chief Executive of The King’s Foundation, Kristina Murrin, CBE, emphasised this during the event, underscoring the significance of preserving and integrating traditional practices into modern development strategies. Similarly, Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani of Qatar Foundation reiterated the value of turning traditional knowledge into actionable resources for sustainable development.

This initiative extends its impact beyond Guyana’s borders. Projects in India, Sierra Leone and Tanzania exemplify the global ambition of this collaboration, showcasing how shared experiences and collective knowledge can drive sustainable urbanization on an international scale.

During the Scotland event, dignitaries from these nations engaged in discussions that underscored the universal importance of integrating traditional knowledge into sustainable urban planning.

Guyana’s partnership with The King’s Foundation and Earthna Center reflects its unwavering commitment to global sustainability. This collaboration is not merely about constructing a building; it is about constructing a legacy. It aims to inspire nations worldwide to adopt a balanced approach that respects both economic imperatives and environmental realities.

This initiative reinforces Guyana’s reputation as a pioneer in climate action. By effectively leveraging its natural resources and traditional knowledge, Guyana is setting an example for the world. It is proving that sustainable development is not a lofty ideal, but a tangible reality achievable through thoughtful planning, innovative partnerships, and visionary leadership.

The presence of international dignitaries such as Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada and First Lady Fatima Maada, Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland, Tanzania’s High Commissioner Mbelwa Brighton Kairuki, and Indian sustainability advocate Manvendra Singh Shekhawat highlights the global significance of this partnership. Their participation underscores the collective resolve to tackle pressing global challenges through shared expertise and collaborative solutions.

As Guyana moves forward with this initiative, it is essential for all stakeholders — governmental, private, and civil — to unite in supporting this vision. The lessons learned and the successes achieved through this collaboration would ripple far beyond Georgetown, influencing global urban planning practices and sustainability strategies. It is a powerful reminder that by honouring our heritage and leveraging international expertise, we can build a future that is not only prosperous, but also sustainable.

The Government deserves commendation for this approach to sustainable urban development. This partnership with The King’s Foundation and the Earthna Center is a plan for how nations can collaborate to address the dual imperatives of economic growth and environmental protection.

The Caribbean’s Education System: What do declining pass rates reveal?

By LiLia Burunciuc WorLd Bank’s director for the cariBBean

When students across the Caribbean received their Caribbean Examinations Council results last summer, a concerning picture emerged: only 4.9 percent of students — close to 200,000 students for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams —passed five or more subjects, including Mathematics and English. Particularly alarming is the low success rate in Mathematics, with just 36 percent of students passing that subject in 2024.

Parents and educators are expressing frustration over low pass rates: "The cumulative effects of years of poor educational outcomes are deeply concerning, especially given the well-established links between education and negative societal impacts such as crime,” said PaulaAnne Moore, spokesperson for the Group of Concerned Parents in Barbados and the Caribbean Coalition for Exam Redress, as reported by Barbados Today.

This raises important questions about the root causes of the educational challenges in the Caribbean, and what steps can be taken to address them.

Data concerns: A lack of comparability

One of the biggest challenges in understanding the quality of education in the Caribbean is the lack of globally comparable data.

Unlike other regions, the Caribbean does not consistently participate in international benchmarking assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Highstakes regional exams implemented by the Caribbean Examinations Council provide some insights into learning outcomes, but not all stu-

dents take these exams, and some students prepare for them outside of school, given the exams’ importance for students’ education trajectories. As such, these assessments do not provide globally comparable snapshots of education system performance, as PISA and similar assessments do.

When the region engages in benchmarking exercises, the results highlight significant gaps. In the 2015 PISA assessment, of 79 countries, Trinidad and Tobago ranked 53rd in reading, 59th in Math, and 52nd in Science. Jamaica ranked 61st in reading, 62nd in Math, and 59th in Science in 2022. These rankings are around the average for Latin American countries; however, Latin America’s top performers lag 3 to 5 years behind the OECD average, with students in the Caribbean being much further behind.

A foundational learning crisis

The data point to a larger systemic problem: a crisis in foundational learning in the Caribbean. Foundational learning involves basic literacy, numeracy, and transferable skills, which are the building blocks for a life of learning. In many Caribbean countries, students leave primary school without mastering these skills, which hampers their ability to succeed in secondary education and beyond.

The implications of this crisis are far-reaching. Without a strong foundation in basic skills, students are unable to acquire higher-order competencies that are required for more complex critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity —skills that are essential in today’s knowledge-based economy. This has a direct impact on economic growth and development, as a poorly educated workforce is less productive, less innovative, and less able to compete in a globalized world.

Inequality in access to quality education

Adding to the challenge is the persistent issue of inequality in access to quality education. Many students attend schools that are under-resourced and face challenges such as overcrowding, underqualified or demotivated teachers, and often significant levels of violence.

In Guyana, the shortage of available spaces forced secondary students to be accommodated in primary schools — referred to as primary top departments —significantly hindering the learning experience.

This inequality perpetuates cycles of poverty and limits social mobility. Those who attend elite schools are more likely to perform well in national exams, gain access to tertiary education, and secure well-paying jobs. In contrast, the majority struggle to pass exams, limiting their opportunities for advancement.

What needs to be done

Governments across the Caribbean are already prioritizing education; implementing reforms to improve access, enhancing teaching quality, and upgrading school infrastructure. However, achieving better outcomes would require a paradigm shift in Caribbean education systems, including enhanced alignment with the global agenda for transforming education. Efforts should be directed towards addressing inequality and ensuring a minimum level of quality for all students; a stronger emphasis on foundational learning; increasing resilience and adaptability of education systems; strengthening digital education, including improving data collection and education management information systems; and finding solutions to retain talent within the region.

Partnerships are also critical, and regional entities such as the Caribbean Community

and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission have a strong role to play.

The World Bank is actively supporting these efforts, including by gathering evidence for building consensus on the strengths and challenges of Caribbean education systems and by providing evidence-based recommendations for reform.

For example, Education Public Expenditure Reviews completed in Jamaica and Belize, and ongoing in Barbados, provide a comprehensive analysis of the efficiency and equity of education spending, benchmarking the country’s performance against regional and global standards.

The Public Expenditure Review in Jamaica laid the analytical groundwork for the Jamaica Education Project. The project, launched in 2023, is helping Jamaica improve teaching methods, upgrade secondary school facilities — including the construction of a new school to accommodate 2,400 students from underserved communities — and enhance education management information systems for better decision-making.

In Guyana, the World Bank is supporting the expansion of access to quality secondary education and enhancing technical and vocational training to meet labour market needs. With the Bank’s support, Guyana now has three new secondary schools equipped with stateof-the-art technology. The recently completed Good Hope and Westminster Secondary schools have added 1,800 new spaces for students, ensuring better access to quality education.

Caribbean countries can make significant strides in improving the quality of education, ensuring Caribbean children have the future they deserve – one filled with opportunities and bright prospects.

Camels equipped with robot jockeys raced during an event organized by the Qatar Camel Racing Organizing Committee in AlShahaniya, about 40km west of Doha (AFP)

GAWU welcomes budgetary support to the sugar industry

Dear Editor, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is pleased to express its support for Budget 2025, presented under the theme “A secure, prosperous, and sustainable Guyana.” We believe this Budget is thoughtfully designed, with policies and programmes that have the potential for substantial positive impact.

We commend the multiple interventions specifically aimed at benefitting the working class. Our Union is optimistic that these initiatives, in conjunction with previously implemented measures, would effectively address and help close the gaps within our society.

As a key stakeholder in

the sugar industry, we acknowledge the Budget's allocation of $13.3 billion to the sector. This ongoing investment by the Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali Administration is instrumental in revitalising the industry and addressing the challenges left by prior mismanagement. While some gaps still need to be addressed, the Government’s support is strategically focused, and has the potential to unlock significant growth in the sector.

The Budget outlines a strategic approach to land conversion that supports mechanised operations, an essential step in enhancing productivity. This initiative aligns with our Union’s earlier proposals to optimise labour

resources and reduce work efforts. Although our suggestions were not adopted during the tenure of the previous administration, it is encouraging to see that the current direction acknowledges the potential benefits of such measures. We look forward to collaborating on concrete plans that further develop the industry and maximise its capabilities.

We note investments in improving packaging capacity, a focus that the Union advanced during the previous administration. Directconsumption packaged sugars are in high demand, as they yield superior market prices and present a key opportunity for increasing revenue. Unfortunately, the former

Administration’s decision to close the industry’s largest packaging plant at Enmore reversed progress. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we address this setback headon in order to revitalise the industry and ensure that it harnesses its full potential for growth and success.

Our union strongly notes that the criticism aimed at the industry’s support largely stems from the same anti-sugar advocates we have encountered time and time again. Their divisive rhetoric is unsurprising; it is a predictable tactic designed to provoke and manipulate public opinion. These sentiments reveal a shallow analysis and an anti-people, partisan mindset.

President Irfaan Ali ar-

ticulated perfectly when he emphasised that the industry must not be viewed solely through financial lenses; we must consider the broader socio-economic implications.

Many analysts and commentators emerging from their ivory towers have willfully ignored these crucial factors. Even worse, they have twisted their arguments to fit their narratives when it suited them. This behaviour speaks volumes about their principles and values, which frankly appear to be nonexistent.

Support for the sugar industry is not an isolated case in Guyana; it is a common practice seen worldwide. The criticism voiced by certain factions fails to hold up un-

der scrutiny. We recognise these unfounded claims for what they are — an attempt at cheap, petty politics, driven by a clear intention to deceive and misinform the public. The GAWU is steadfast in its commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to rejuvenate the sugar industry and bring about transformative change. We acknowledge that various challenges demand focused attention and action. United in our efforts, and with the proper support, we can guide the industry through these challenging times and emerge stronger.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

Budget 2025: A blueprint for regional development, economic growth

Dear Editor,

The President of the Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc), Halim Khan, has lauded the 2025 National Budget, themed "A Secure, Prosperous, and Sustainable Guyana," for its transformative vision and comprehensive approach to fostering economic growth and social equity.

Khan has highlighted the leadership and vision of President Dr Irfaan Ali in emphasizing the Government’s unwavering commitment to regional development, and has noted that the significant allocations for infrastructure, education and small business support directly address the needs of the private sector and local communities.

“The Government has demonstrated a clear understanding of the needs of the private sector and the communities we serve,” Khan has stated. “Investments in roads, bridges, and energy diversification will not only enhance

connectivity, but also stimulate commerce and create jobs.”

The budget’s focus on transformational infrastructure projects, including energy expansion and transportation development, is set to benefit Region Three significantly. Khan remarked, “The planned advancements in transportation infrastructure, such as new highways and bridges, will reduce logistical barriers, enabling businesses in Region Three to access markets more efficiently. Moreover, the Gasto-Energy project’s potential to lower electricity costs can spur industrial growth and attract new investments.”

Khan has praised the Government’s initiatives to support small businesses, including by expanded access to credit and by capacity-building programmes for entrepreneurs; and has highlighted establishment of the Local Content App as a particularly innovative step.

“This initiative is a game-changer. By integrating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into high-growth sectors, the Government is ensuring that the benefits of our economic transformation are widely distributed,” he said.

With over $52 billion allocated to education, Khan acknowledged the critical role of skills training and scholarships in empowering the workforce. “The Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) has already transformed thousands of lives, and this continued investment will prepare our youth for emerging opportunities in sectors like technology and oil and gas,” he noted.

As an advocate for sustainable development, Khan has applauded the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and its focus on climate adaptation projects.

“Region Three has a vested interest in climate resilience,

and initiatives like drainage systems and renewable energy projects are essential for safeguarding our communities and businesses from climate impacts,” he explained.

The manufacturing sector is poised for growth, thanks to investments in energy, infrastructure, and industrial facilities. “The expansion of electricity infrastructure, including the Gas-to-Energy project, will address the longstanding issue of unreliable power supply. Reliable and affordable energy is crucial for the growth of manufacturing, which can now expand into more value-added production,” Khan has said.

He also noted the potential for tourism growth through investments in sustainable tourism infrastructure and marketing. “The focus on developing eco-tourism and improving access to key tourist sites will position Region Three as a premier destination,” he has said.

PSC commends Govt on transformative 2025 National Budget

Dear Editor,

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana applauds the Government of Guyana for presenting a forward-thinking and impactful 2025 National Budget under the theme “A Secure, Prosperous, and Sustainable Guyana.” The policies outlined by the Honorable Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, reflect a clear commitment to fostering inclusive growth, reducing inequality, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

The budget, with a total expenditure of $1.382 trillion, is a testament to the Government’s dedication to ensuring that the benefits of Guyana’s unprecedented economic growth are shared equitably among all citizens.

With the economy achieving remarkable expansion in 2024, including a 43.6% in-

crease in GDP and robust growth in non-oil sectors, the PSC is heartened by the targeted measures to sustain this momentum.

The Commission recognizes the profound impact of the Government’s fiscal reforms on the lives of Guyanese people. The significant increase in the personal income tax threshold from $100,000 to $130,000 monthly, coupled with a reduction in the first tax band from 28% to 25%, would increase disposable incomes for families and stimulate domestic spending. Similarly, the introduction of non-taxable thresholds for overtime earnings and secondary employment incomes underscores the Government’s understanding of the realities faced by the workforce.

For the business community, the removal of VAT on critical inputs, such as agricultural machinery and backup generators, is a welcome initiative. These measures not

only reduce operating costs for key industries, but align with efforts to diversify the economy and strengthen nonoil sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing.

Furthermore, accelerated depreciation provisions for poultry farmers’ investments demonstrate a proactive approach to supporting food security and boosting the agro-processing sector.

Social measures such as the increase in old-age pension, public assistance, and the Because We Care grant reflect the Government’s deep commitment to improving the standard of living for vulnerable groups. These initiatives, coupled with the abolition of bridge tolls, would alleviate financial burdens on families while promoting greater mobility and economic participation.

The PSC is encouraged by the Government’s efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability, address inflation, and

invest in resilient infrastructure -- measures which are critical to fostering a strong and sustainable economy.

Continuation of measures to contain freight costs reflects a pragmatic approach to shielding businesses and consumers from external shocks, thereby ensuring economic resilience.

Budget 2025 would enable continuous private sector growth; empower businesses to drive innovation; create jobs; and build a strong, sustainable economy that benefits all stakeholders.

The PSC looks forward to working collaboratively with policymakers to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives, and to advocate for further policies that enhance Guyana’s economic competitiveness and social well-being.

Sincerely,

Private Sector Commission

Khan has underscored the importance of the budget’s investments in the agriculture sector. “With improved drainage and irrigation, farmers will be better equipped to handle unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change. Additionally, the focus on agro-processing will open new markets for our products and increase value-added opportunities,” he explained.

He further commended the Government’s emphasis on research and development, particularly in high-yield and climate-resilient crop varieties. “Budget 2025 ensures that the agricultural sector remains competitive and sustainable,” he added.

Khan is emphasizing the need for collaboration between the private sector and

Government in order to ensure successful implementation of the budget.

“This budget reflects a vision of inclusivity and progress. As stakeholders, it is our responsibility to work together to achieve these goals and build a Guyana where prosperity is shared by all,” he said.

To maximize opportunities presented by Budget 2025, the Region Three Private Sector Inc. plans to host a series of forums to engage local businesses and residents. Khan remains optimistic that, with strategic implementation, the budget would lay the foundation for a thriving and sustainable future.

Sincerely, Region Three Private Sector Inc (R3PSInc)

Page Foundation

1) Which two numbers will complete the sequence below?

(A) 13 and 41 (B) 15 and 35

(C) 16 and 40 (D) 20 and 50

2) The figures below are made up of identical squares. How many identical squares would be in figure 5?

(A) 13 and 41 (B) 15 and 35

(C) 16 and 40 (D) 20 and 50

3) Which of the following number sentences is correct?

(A) 6+7=6x7

(B) 6x7=7x 6

(C) 7+6=7-6 (D) 7-6=6-7

4) Which of the following pairs of sets is equal?

By Anonymous

White sheep, white sheep, On a blue hill, When the wind stops, You all stand still. When the wind blows, You walk away slow.

White sheep, white sheep, Where do you go?

5) Which of the following describes an empty set?

(A) (Even numbers from 1 to 5)

(B) {Months of the year with 31 days }

(C) (Countries beginning with the letter B) (D) (Days of the week beginning with the let ter Z)

WORD

Mayor reverses decision to terminate City Engineer

In a turn of events, Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore has overturned a decision to terminate City Engineer Abdul Rasheed Kellman following a robust legal challenge and council evaluation.

This development comes after Kellman, who has served the council for approximately 22 years, successfully contested allegations that he had abandoned and/or forfeited his duties.

The controversy began when Acting City Engineer Kenson Boston asserted that Kellman was absent from his duties. Town Clerk Candace Nelson cited a seven-day absence, but Kellman’s legal team argued that his duties often required him to work in the field, “a standard practice for engineers”.

At this week’s Statutory Meeting of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), held at the Kitty Market, Kellman’s defence was bolstered by Councillor Patricia Chase Green, who pointed to a significant

flaw in the Council’s operational structure and absence of superiors.

In her contribution to the case, Green questioned Boston’s punctuality similar to his questioning of Kellman, given that fact that City Engineer Boston acknowledged in his explanation to the Council that Kellman’s absence was brought to his attention by Town Clerk Nelson and not through his own observation.

“There’s no standard procedure of reporting to work in the mornings… If you come in here tomorrow morning or any given morning to check the officers, you won’t find them at the desk.

“I’m being frank, you had a senior officer come in front the committee to say to the committee that he ain’t see a man from the 9th of December to whenever. Was he really absent? He could check in, go to the office, do whatever he has to do and step out back, because there’s no reporting system,” Green said.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Council resolved not to terminate Kellman, but instead to issue a formal warning.

In his deliberation on the final decision, Mayor Mentore emphasised the need for procedural changes to prevent similar issues in the future.

“The recommendation and decision of the Council would be not to terminate Mr Kellman; however, in addition to that we will write him a warning letter speaking to his conduct and the way he performs and how he reports to his head or superior,” the Mayor said.

This lack of a formal mechanism for monitoring attendance and work activity has come under scrutiny, with calls for immediate reforms.

Mentore also tasked the Human Resources Department and Committee with developing a monitoring system for all staff and officers.

“Based on the suggestion made by many, I heard

Councillor Alfonso [DeArmas-Archbold] as it relates to, we must have some sort of monitoring mechanism in place and I want us to defer to the Human Resources as well as the Human Resources Committee to come up with a monitoring measure as well as a new procedure. Not only for ordinary staff but for all officers of this council, so in the future if we have an instance like this, we could be able to not only give the man a slap on the wrist, but we’ll be able to have enough information and evidence available to us to be able to deal with the perpetrator,” he added.

Councillors also stressed the need for a comprehensive performance audit, highlighting concerns over accountability and efficiency within the Council.

In fact, the incident has sparked broader conversations within the Council about the internal operations, highlighting the urgent need for structural reforms. As the Council moves forward, the implementation of a monitoring mechanism and a focus on accountability are expected to prevent future disputes and ensure a higher standard of governance. (G1)

Man arrested after discovery of ganja at Stabroek Market

A46-year-old man was arrested late Tuesday evening after a Police raid at Stabroek Market led to the discovery of suspected cannabis.

The narcotics bust, conducted by Police, resulted in the confiscation of 371 grams of the illegal substance.

The suspect was seen carrying a black backpack when he attempted to flee the scene.

However, officers were

able to intercept him before he could escape, and upon searching his bag, the officers found the illicit drug.

In a brief statement to Police, the man reportedly pleaded, “Man officer, see with me, nah.”

Despite his plea, he was immediately arrested and taken into custody for questioning.

The suspect is currently being held as investigations into the matter continue.

Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore

City Engineer Abdul Rasheed Kellman

The ganja that was found in the man’s possession

No bail for Venezuelans charged with attempted murder of cop

CMc

on Wednesday denied bail to four Venezuelan nationals who are charged with the attempted murder of a Police Officer.

Victoria La Cruz, Gabriel Campose, Lilbeth Valasquez, and Jesus Herrea were charged following an incident on November 23, 2024, at Stabroek Market, Georgetown where Police Constable Nathaniel Giddings was brutally stabbed while attempting to intervene in a brawl between two women.

Reports indicate that during the altercation, one of the women attacked Giddings with a broken bottle and a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds to his body and neck.

Two male suspects allegedly joined in the attack, which eyewitnesses described as chaotic.

The injured officer fired warning shots into the air before being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

During the incident, two suspects also sustained injuries and required medical attention.

Police later arrested six individuals, including the four charged Venezuelan nationals, and investigations revealed that the suspects had reportedly turned on each other during the melee.

In an effort to secure their pre-trial release, the lawyer for the accused argued for bail, presenting a witness, Bibi Khan, who claimed to have known La Cruz and the others for over five years.

Khan stated that she lived at 201 Third Street, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and that La Cruz and her alleged accomplices lived on Fourth

The prosecution countered that this testimony was inadequate to guarantee the accused would attend future court hearings.

The Magistrate noted that during a prior hearing, only two of the accused had appeared virtually, though it was not specified which two.

She ruled that the objections raised by the prosecution, including concerns about the defendants’ flight risk, were valid, and bail was denied.

The matter was adjourned to February 19, 2025, to allow the Police time to complete the case file, review Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, and seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

While the four defendants were charged, it was revealed in November last year that one of the initial six suspects, 28-year-old Luis La Cruz had died while in Police

custody on November 29, 2024.

He reportedly succumbed to a gunshot wound to the abdomen, which he sustained during the altercation at Stabroek Market.

His death has raised questions, as he was allegedly removed from the hospital while injured and placed in Police lock-ups.

The Police have yet to provide further details on his death.

Family members of Luis La Cruz have since denied his involvement in the attack, suggesting he was caught up in the chaos.

Police have not yet issued a statement addressing the allegations, or provided clarification on his role in the incident.

The other accused –Victoria La Cruz, Campose, Valasquez, and Herrea – are expected to return to court next month, as investigations continue.

Child shooting victim showing slow signs of recovery

…mother

updates Magistrate on his condition

Six-year-old Jeremiah Gustave, the young boy whose life was forever altered by a gunshot wound to the head, was back in hospital on New Year’s Day for another surgery.

He was discharged 10 days later, and described as showing little and slow signs of recovery.

The child’s mother, Keisha Gustave, revealed her son’s most recent ordeal during a court hearing on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty, in allowing Gustave to speak during the hearing, asked for an update on Jeremiah’s condition.

Gustave revealed that her son had to be readmitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital on New Year’s Day for emergency surgery, to address complications from an earlier medical procedure.

She said that her son had recently undergone sur-

gery for the installation of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, a device that drains excess fluid from the brain.

The shunt had begun to protrude, making the most recent procedure urgently

necessary.

The hearing before the acting Chief Magistrate, concerned Odel Garnette, accused of the July 2024 shooting that has left Jeremiah clinging to life.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Gustave described her son’s fragile condition: “The VP shunt helps to stop the fluid from building up in his brain, but after the surgery, it’s still been slow. He’s starting to make small movements with his toes and head, but still can’t speak. His eyes are open and he is aware that we are around, but he can’t speak and he stiffs his legs when you try to lift him. But I have to try and be strong for him. I can’t give up now,” she disclosed.

The jockeying…

…for Numero Uno

If it’s one thing the AFC’s known for – apart from a proclivity towards “ego politics” - it is a brutal honesty about the status of coalition talks with the PNC!! The ego politics is expected, since it was founded by folks who felt they shoulda been leading the PPP and PNC – and walked out when they were passed over!! But that also foreshadowed the said leaders mimicking Burnham and fighting to be top dog!!

On the honesty bit - who can forget leader Ramjattan (out of the PPP) predicting that, in any coalition with the PNC for the 2015 elections, the AFC would be “Dead Meat”!! Man…did he ever know what he was talking about!! The stench still hasn’t dissipated with the tenth anniversary of the coalition coming up this Valentine’s Day!! And maybe that’s why the present talks about another hitching up for this year’s end elections has been described by the present AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes, as being on “life support”!!

This means, however, that Hughes is a tad more optimistic than Ramjattan, since being on “life support” still offers hope that life might be fanned beyond the flicker now displayed.

But taking heed of what played out on the first go-round, Hughes has signed on to a two-stage MOU. This starts out to determine whether the two parties can even work together!! And beyond?? That’s not even being considered right now!! So, if you wanna see “keeping one’s options open” in action, it’s playing out before our eyes!!

Interestingly, in considering a closer relationship with the PNC, Hughes raised the same concern PPP’s Jagdeo had identified for years and years when pressed to “share power” in coalition with the PNC – TRUST!! Jagdeo would’ve arrived at his mistrust from six decades of betrayals of the PNC; and since the AFC’s experience is just 5 years, it means the PNC has definitely NOT changed its stripes!! Now, this coalition had been touted since last year’s Emancipation Day celebrations in Buxton, when one geriatric party announced there was gonna be a three-way leadership contest!! Your Eyewitness wonders where that “party” is now – when even two of them can’t get it going, and three’s always a crowd!!

As usual, beneath all the posturings, the issue is about ego – who’s gonna be the leader?? Hughes says there’s gotta be some “scientific mechanism” to identify that person, but Norton counters that, as the LARGEST party boss by far, HE should be the leader!! Now, since all Guyanese parties – especially the Opposition ones – are talking about DEMOCRACY being the criterion for governing, shouldn’t that also be the criterion for choosing any joint Opposition Leader??

With the PNC constituting a majority over the AFC, isn’t Norton the winner?!!

…in the States

Now, we were always advised – nay, TUTORED FOR CENTURIES – that when it comes to democracy, we should follow the UK and the US as our models!! It was rough on them to carry the White Man’s burden – which they manfully did, and are still doing for our sake. So, in case you’re confused a bit about all the dramatic changes Trump’s making to the status quo, then it means “the things are a changin’” - and they know best how to handle them. We should take notice, and follow suit on those changes without fearing being hauled on the carpet – and even suffer regime change!! For instance, Trump’s gonna be getting rid of thousands and thousands of Government bureaucrats – equivalent to our civil service – because it’ll now be the norm that these workers should be TOTALLY supportive of the new policies of the new government!! None of that 19th century British “impartial” bureaucracy!!

No matter what the PPP thinks, they’d better fall in line!! Or else!!

…for Govt $

While Trump has announced a “drill baby drill” policy in energy, the Govt doesn’t have to spend any money to implement that for “Big Oil”.

It’s a sign of the changin’ times that he’ll spend US$500 billion on AI infrastructure!!

hief Magistrate (ag) Faith

Gusty

Street, a block away.

Lilbeth Valasquez and Victoria La Cruz

Gabriel Campose and Jesus Herrea

Injured: Jeremiah Gustave

Odel Garnette

Quality, consistency of public service to be monitored – Pres Ali to senior officials

…puts regional officials on notice

Following a meeting with regional health and education officers and other senior officials, including Cabinet members, President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that a quality assurance body would be set up in every region, and with help from civil society, that body would monitor the quality of public services being provided.

he disclosed.

“So, the Minister of Health has been asked, for example, to ensure that by the end of this month, every region would have the demand chart for the entire year; and then the region is expected to have that demand chart further decentralized at the district level, so that there’s no gap or lag time,” the Head of State added.

four months and more behind on contracts to a 05:30h meeting where he had delivered a harsh reality check to those responsible for numerous stalled or overdue projects.

During his engagement with those present, the Guyanese leader had expressed frustration at the alarming state of delays across the country. However,

During recent community visits, President Ali was greeted not only with the success stories, but also with stories of the challenges encountered in the delivery of Government services. In the wake of those visits, regional health and education officers, as well as other senior officials, were called in for a meeting with the Head of State.

In a broadcast following that meeting, President Ali announced that a quality assurance body would be implemented in every region, with help from civil society. Those bodies, according to the Head of State, would help to ensure that regions are up to the task of delivering quality services to the people.

“We’re going to implement a Government quality assurance body in every region. That would include members of civil society that would help us ensure the quality and consistency of service is delivered,” he said.

President Ali also noted that, with respect to medical supplies, work would very shortly be done to not only decentralise the delivery of these supplies, but to also improve monitoring and reconciliation in this regard.

“Very soon, we will decentralise the delivery of medical supplies in the regions themselves; so that, in the regions, they would have their entire year’s supply, and through an electronic platform, the daily use will be managed and reconciled,”

President Ali also noted that this can aid in accountability, since the stock of drugs can be monitored on a daily basis in order to ensure supplies are always replenished. According to Ali, central government is making all the necessary investments, and drug shortages should not be an issue.

Tuesday’s meeting was reminiscent of the stern, no-nonsense, early-morning meeting President Ali had called at State House last November, during which he had sent a clear message to delinquent contractors and complacent Government officials, and had warned them that delays and mismanagement of public projects would no longer be tolerated.

The President had summoned Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Engineers, Consultants, technical staff and contractors who were

to the president’s dismay, numerous key officials and contractors has either been absent or were late to the meeting — a telling sign of the lackadaisical attitude that had spawned inefficiencies.

At the meeting, over eleven contracts were flagged by the Education Ministry for delayed completion. However, only one contractor showed up at the meeting to provide clarity on why his company was lagging behind.

In subsequent comments, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had described the meeting as the President exhibiting “tough love”. At one of his press conferences, the Vice President had defended the President’s approach, noting that the Government believed in the capability of its Ministers, but must give “tough love” when required. Only last week, the

People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government presented a $1.382 trillion budget for 2025, marking the second budget in Guyana’s history when the trillion-dollar mark was crossed. That budget contains a wave of measures aimed at not only

moving the economy forward, but bringing direct benefits to Guyanese.

And President Ali had made it clear recently that the 2025 budget would focus more heavily on community investments. He noted that in this budget, there would be more “focus on further strengthening of communities, empowering communities, giving communities more resources, making more resources available at a community level so that we can fix those little issues.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali making a point during the meeting. Also in photo (from left) are Health

Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sonia Parag, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Senior officials who attended the meeting

PNC-AFC coalition unlikely as Nigel Hughes admits struggle over leadership

…all signs point to PNCR insisting on Norton being presidential candidate

Alliance For Change

(AFC) Leader Nigel

Hughes has admitted that his party’s accord with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is on life support, as the smaller party remains wary of past mistakes and the fact that a suitable mechanism must be employed to choose between him and his APNU counterpart, Aubrey Norton, to decide who will be the presidential candidate.

Reports had emerged on Tuesday that the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)-led APNU and AFC had reached an accord for further discussions towards coalescing. This is despite the fact that all evidence pointed to PNC insisting on its leader being the presidential candidate.

During a press conference on Tuesday evening, Hughes admitted that there was indeed an agreement and that the content of this accord includes an agreement for the two parties to hold talks to decide whether to contest the upcoming General and Regional Elections as a coalition or independently – a decision they have agreed will be made by March 31.

“We have been authorised by our executives to enter into discussion with other parties. We believe

that with some parties, it is better to have documented the parameters of our engagement, just so that we are all on the same page. However, there’s no change in our commitment to enter into these elections on our own, if necessary,” Hughes said.

“The agreement was structured in two phases. The first phase would be an exploratory phase where we examine whether or not it is possible for us to collaborate in the national interest and present a joint team or a single team to contest the next elections. The second phase is dependent on whether or not we had a successful conclusion to the first phase,” he added.

While Hughes was reluctant to expound in much

detail on what was necessary to revive the agreement from its current life support status, he did make reference to his and Norton’s contrasting leadership styles.

“The AFC’s position tonight is that there have been developments which caused us to pause. Now anything that is on life support, the fact that it is on life support, I think, holds out that there is always hope and promise that we will move from that position to one that is positive, but, of course, there is an equal possibility of a movement in a less-than-favourable direction.”

“There has to be a mechanism for identifying – assuming that it gets out of life support and gets back on its feet – there has to be mechanisms and a process

for identifying the leadership. For us, that process has to be driven by scientific means: polls and other criteria.”

After the news broke of this accord, Guyana Times had reached out to a senior official in the PNCR, who had confirmed that the two parties have been in discussions and that representatives did meet. The source had indicated that in case the two parties do join forces to contest the upcoming elections, the PNCR will be insistent on Norton leading the coalition slate as its consensus presidential candidate.

“We have met and we will put a statement with regards to what was discussed… we did have talks. Each party has their own presidential candidate, as elected by their own party. But if we have an agreement, we’ll have to (determine) who will be the coalition’s presidential and prime ministerial candidate. As far as the PNCR goes, (Norton) is our presidential candidate and that’s who we’ll be pushing on our end,” the source explained.

There had been discussions in the public domain over who would be the presidential candidate if AFC were to reunite with its old coalition partner, APNU,

since Opposition and PNCR Leader Norton was designated as their presidential candidate since last year.

Following his election as leader, Norton had said that PNCR was considering contesting the 2025 General and Regional Elections independently. And while he had indicated that he would be willing to step aside as the party’s presidential candidate for someone who may have more electability, he had made it clear that any new presidential candidate must be someone from within the PNCR. It was announced a few days ago that Hughes had been designated as the presidential candidate of the AFC, after the party concluded the first meeting

of its National Executive Committee (NEC) for the year.

APNU, whose largest member is the PNCR, had coalesced with the AFC in 2015 for the elections that year. The two parties had also jointly contested the 2020 elections. However, the AFC formally broke its coalition with APNU back in December 2022. The revised Cummingsburg Accord, a political agreement between the two organisations, had provided for this separation. At the time, former AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had indicated that the two political organisations would do their political work separately, but would work in Parliament jointly. (G3)

1st national soil sampling survey begins in over 30 years

The first national soil survey in over 30 years is being conducted and the exercise is part of efforts to strengthen the achievement of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) national reporting to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and improve the lives and livelihoods of farmers. This exercise, which will be complemented by the handover of laboratory

equipment to support soil testing in the country, will aim to collect 319 samples in the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. As a result, the country will be able to test over 10 parameters of soil fertility including soil nutrients and soil carbon.

Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) Lakeram Singh explained, “Adequate soil carbon and soil fertility data were recognised as a major barri-

er faced by each of the participating countries under this project, and the region in general. This initiative is expected to support the Government and its technical agencies with the implementation of a practical and sustainable LDN Strategy together with achieving its food security goals.”

While the results from the survey are intended to be analysed and fed into updating soil maps of Guyana, Commissioner of the

Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Enrique Monize is hopeful that the exercise will “contribute towards updated information on our soil resources across the country, which was last comprehensively obtained during the 1950s-1960s”.

According to the Commissioner, “The soil information derived could benefit policy and decision making in terms of opening of new areas for agriculture and can lend to initiatives aimed at achieving and maintaining food security such as the Caricom 25 by 2025 initiative.”

David Fredericks, Senior Scientist at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), confirmed that the Standard Methods of Soil Surveys at the 0 to 30 cm depths at the predetermined GPS locations were completed as part of the survey including in the Protected Areas.

The survey is led by Dr Gaius Eudoxie, Deputy Dean at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. He said, “Data and information on the soils of Guyana are important to the conservation of the diversity of natural resources and sustain-

Soil samples collected in the field

able development. Soils sit at the centre of our triple environment crisis and is important particular for SIDS [Small Island Developing States].”

Eudoxie is supported by 32 surveyors, divided into eight four-member teams with the expectation that the exercise will wrap up on March 21,2025.

The National Soil Sampling Survey is being funded to the tune of $15.5 million.

The survey, which commenced on January 13, is being done in collabora-

tion PISLM, NAREI and GLSC , with support from the University of the West Indies. It is being done as part of Phase 1 of the Caribbean SIDS multi-country soil management initiative for integrated landscape restoration and sustainable food systems, which is known as CSIDSSOILCARE. It is a flagship project on soils funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and executed by PISLM with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, as the implementing agency.

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton

AFC Leader Nigel Hughes

Team members from UWI, NAREI and GLSC as they conduct the National Soil Survey

Road upgrades, electricity, water improvements underway at Upper East Bank Berbice

After being promised that the upgrade of the Upper East Bank Berbice road in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) would have been completed sometime back, work is finally moving apace now.

Not only is work on the road taking place at a fast pace, but the residents are also seeing evidence which suggest that they would very soon be receiving electricity.

It has been more than one year since residents were promised that the remaining road network along the Upper East Bank Berbice, Region Six, would be completed shortly. In October 2023, during a visit to the Upper East Bank Berbice, President Dr Irfaan Ali had expressed his disappointment with the pace at which the East Bank Berbice main

access road was being done by the Ministry of Public Works. This was after the Head of State had released $100 million in December 2021 for work on the Upper East Bank Berbice main access road, which at that time had been in a deplorable state for a number of years.

When President Ali last visited the community, in October 2023, residents were promised that the remaining road network would have been completed within the shortest possible time. Last month, after residents met with regional officials and threatened to take their concerns to the President, they were informed that contracts were awarded to three contractors. Work commenced a few days after that meeting.

On Wednesday, Region Six Chairman David

Armogan inspected ongoing works which would see the existing road being upgraded to an asphaltic surface.

“About three kilometres of roadway is being done presently by three contractors. One of the contractors, I understand, have not started as yet, but two are at the stage where the road is being paved. This will go a long way in assisting the people in the East Bank in terms of easier travel,” Armogan pointed out.

However, while road work is ongoing, poles are also being planted along the EBB roadway. In December, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during a community engagement in Berbice, announced that efforts are now underway for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to focus its next major

project on providing electricity to residents of Mara.

“Lots of development is taking place on the East Bank. Currently, poles are being run from Light Town right on to the Mara area, because the Government is bent on bringing electricity to the area before the end of the year. That will go a far way in assisting the residents,” Armogan, who earlier on Wednesday met with residents at Mara and surrounding communities, said.

The meeting provided an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and receive updates on ongoing development projects. Armogan addressed key issues, including support for land clearing, the status of the electricity project, and progress on road infrastructure in the area.

Residents also ex-

pressed gratitude for the continued investments in East Bank Berbice communities, noting the significant improvements these initiatives will bring to their livelihoods and overall quality of life.

Meanwhile, residents have reported improvements to the water woes they have faced for several months. They are now receiving water from the new well, but they expressed concern over the quality of the water. The Regional Chairman has said he would be contacting the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) seeking to have them address the issue of heavy iron content in the water being supplied.

“I will ask GWI if they can put in some filters to alleviate that problem for the people at Mara,” he said.

Asked about the im-

pact the development taking place along the East Bank Berbice will have on the lives of residents of Mara and surrounding communities, Armogan said it is expected that the East Bank Berbice corridor would become a busy thoroughfare within a short period.

“Once the road is completed, more people will go there. Lots of people have land there, and the Government is also clearing lands for people. They are clearing five acres for any individual who wants land cleared for farming purposes. Once that is completed, then people would come back in the East Bank (corridor).”

During the mid and late 70s, the East Bank Berbice was known for its citrus, vegetable, root crops and milk production. (G4)

Foulis couple dies days apart after gas explosion

Afamily at Foulis, East Coast Demerara, has been struck twice with loss in just three days, as 58-year-old Manu Sukhu succumbed to the injuries he sustained in a gas cylinder explosion that also claimed the life of his common-law partner Basmattie Ganpat.

Sukhu passed away at approximately 17:45h on Wednesday, after his condition deteriorated dramatically following his partner’s death just days earlier. His passing marks a second loss for the family, as his partner died on Sunday, after battling severe burns for two weeks.

The explosion, which occurred at the couple’s home at Lot 194, Fifth Street, Foulis, on January 4, left both victims with catastrophic injuries. Ganpat, who suffered burns to 80% of her body, was immediately rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where she fought for her life for the next two weeks. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, 55-year-old Ganpat passed away on Sunday morning.

Her partner Sukhu also sustained life-threatening burns, with 68% of his

body having been affected by the explosion. Initially, it seemed as though he was recovering, but after hearing the news of his partner’s death on Tuesday, his condition worsened rapidly.

According to reports from the couple’s family, the doctors had delayed informing Sukhu of Ganpat’s passing, hoping that the news would not worsen his condition, but by Monday, his health had deteriorated to the point that it was deemed necessary to tell him.

Sandyha Goolram, the daughter of Ganpat, spoke to reporters on Wednesday

as she offered insight into the heartbreaking ordeal.

“It’s like we’ve been living in a nightmare for two weeks now,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “On Sunday, we lost my mom, and we were barely processing that when he passed away. It is hard.”

Goolram recounted how her mother’s condition had taken a drastic turn on Friday when her body had begun shutting down, and had become unresponsive by Saturday. “They told him on Tuesday that she died, and as soon as he found out, his condition took a turn for the worse. They had to plug him up to oxygen and machines, but it didn’t help. He didn’t recover. He died today [Wednesday],” Goolram said.

“After they saw he was getting down, they said they needed to tell him she died, so that he would know just in case he passed away too,” Goolram disclosed.

The explosion, which completely destroyed the couple’s home, allegedly involved a Massy Ltd. gas cylinder. Initial reports suggest that a stove knob may have been left on, allowing gas to leak and ignite. Massy

Gas Products has insisted that their cylinders undergo thorough testing, and that the explosion was not due to a defect in the cylinder, and the company has pointed to potential issues with fittings or regulators.

Sukhu and Ganpat had only recently completed renovations on their home, and their family had hoped to start a new chapter. The explosion, which destroyed the house, left the couple severely injured, and now

their family is left to pick up the pieces.

The post mortem results on Ganpat have revealed that she died as a result of burn-related wounds. Investigators have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the explosion, though experts believe a fault in the gas fittings or regulators could be to blame.

Massy Gas Products has expressed condolences for the family’s loss but maintains that their products meet stringent safety standards.

The public’s concern over gas safety has grown since this tragic incident, adding fuel to the ongoing debates surrounding the safety of gas cylinders. The incident is now one of several similar explosions reported in recent months, raising concerns about whether enough is being done to prevent such disasters.

“I don’t know what to do. It’s like I want to jump, scream, bawl and cry all at once, because this is hard. We have so much to do, and it is like I don’t know where to start from. This shocked me, and it is hard because it is not just one, it’s two,” Goolram has said. (G9)

Work ongoing on the Upper East Bank Berbice road

Dead: Manu Sukhu

Manu Sukhu and Basmattie Ganpat in happier times

Guyana’s 1st school for autistic learners in design phase – Education Minister

Education Minister Priya Manickchand has highlighted that that Ministry is currently designing the country’s first school which would cater specifically to autistic learners.

The Education Minister made this highlight on Wednesday during the launch of new teaching programmes at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). One of the programmes which were launched is centred on Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

In this regard, the Minister noted that the Education Ministry has made significant strides over the years in improving the learning experience for children living with disabilities. In fact, the Minister revealed that the Ministry is currently working to build Guyana’s first school for children with autism.

“We just turned the sod for our first deaf school in the country. We’re designing right now an autism school

right now as we speak. As you may know, these cannot just be buildings, they have peculiar features that we have to get expert advice for,” she explained.

Moreover, as it relates to testing and diagnostics, the Minister revealed that the Cuban Government had promised to fund a diagnostic and treatment facility for SEND students. However, the Minister noted that these plans did not come into fruition. Nevertheless,

the Minister highlighted that the Ministry would be working to establish this facility before the end of the year.

“And right here on this campus was established a diagnostic and treatment facility for SEND students. And that was supposed to be, and my commitment is before the end of the year it will be. That was supposed to be a centre for the Caribbean, donated to us by the Government and peo-

Man jailed for break and enter, theft

A19-year-old construction worker, Ram Singh, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of break and enter and larceny.

The incident occurred on January 18, when Singh unlawfully entered the home of Asad Ayube and stole a Movado watch valued at US$1000,

along with $2.5 million in Guyanese currency.

Singh, who resides at Little Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, was arrested Monday.

He was subsequently charged on Wednesday, under Section 229(a) of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01, for his involvement in the crime.

Appearing before Principal Magistrate Dylon

Bess at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts, Singh was formally read the charge.

Initially, he was not required to enter a plea, but under the Administration of Justice Act (AJA), he later pleaded guilty.

Following his guilty plea, the court sentenced Singh to four years and six months in prison.

Multiple drivers fined for traffic offences

Several individuals appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Shivani Lalaram on Wednesday to answer various traffic-related offences, among which were faulty loading, dangerous driving, and careless driving. Fines imposed on them ranged from $20,000 to $45,000, with the possibility of imprisonment for those unable to pay.

When Courtney Johnson, a truck driver of Lot 18 Atlantic Ville, East Coast Demerara, pleaded guilty to the charge of faulty packing of load, which occurred on January 17, 2025 along the Mandelato-Eccles Interlink, Magistrate Lalaram imposed a fine of $25,000; or five weeks’ imprisonment

as an alternative.

Errol Rose, a 64-yearold truck driver of 82 Dowding Street, Kitty, also faced a charge of faulty packing of load. His offence occurred on January 11 at Eping Avenue in Georgetown. He pleaded guilty to the charge, and was fined $30,000, with an alternative of six weeks’ imprisonment.

Yohance Crockwell of La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara pleaded guilty to driving up alongside a stationary vehicle on January 20 at Saffon Street in Georgetown and was fined $20,000 with an alternative of four weeks’ imprisonment.

Joshua Ramlall of Lot 24 Springlands Housing Scheme in Corriverton, Berbice pleaded guilty to

dangerous driving following an incident that occurred on October 14, 2024 at the intersection of Lime and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown and was fined $45,000 with an alternative of nine weeks’ imprisonment.

Kester Peters of Lot 1283 Spurwing Drive in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown pleaded guilty to careless driving on Nelson Mandela Avenue in Georgetown on September 13, 2024 and was fined $30,000 with an alternative of six weeks’ imprisonment.

As authorities continue to enforce stricter traffic regulations across the country, these fines reflect the ongoing efforts to uphold road safety standards and deter reckless driving behaviours.

ple of Cuba, and that never rolled out into a Caribbean facility,” she explained.

Reaffirming the commitment to improving the education delivery for children living with disabilities, Minister Manickchand has said, “So now we have an Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Special Education Needs, and a Senior Education Officer, and that wasn’t by accident. that’s telling you the direction we’re taking this in. This is special enough for us to pay atten-

tion in a way that has never had attention before.”

In 2023, the SEND Department launched its screening and intervention programme which led to the training of over 1500 nursery year-two teachers in learner screening. Additionally, 10 out of 11 educational districts now have dedicated SEND officers.

Another major aspect of the sector was the introduction of the Associate Degree in Special Education Needs and Disabilities at the Cyril Potter College of Education.

Meanwhile, just last week the sod was turned for a new school to cater for children with hearing disabilities, the country’s first dedicated school for the deaf. This new facility, which would be constructed within the Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) area, represents an investment of over $194 million. The state-of-the-art facility would cater to 30 learners who are deaf, providing a nurturing environment that celebrates and supports deaf culture.

Region 2 businessman jailed in absentia for assaulting cop

Airam Bissessar, a businessman from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was sentenced to one month in prison on Tuesday after being found guilty of assaulting a police officer.

The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Tameika Clarke at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

The incident occurred on January 2, 2025, at the Lima Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast, where Bissessar reportedly assaulted Police Corporal Hakim Atkins, a member of the Anti-Crime Patrol attached to the Divisional Headquarters at Anna Regina.

Bissessar was charged under Section 28(b) of the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act, Chapter 8:02,

for assaulting a peace officer.

When the matter was called on Tuesday, Bissessar was not present in court. Reports indicate that his absence was due to a serious illness.

Despite this, the trial proceeded in his absence, and an ex parte judgment was delivered.

Magistrate Clarke found Bissessar guilty of the charge and sentenced him to one month imprisonment. He was subsequently arrested and taken into custody to serve his sentence. While in custody, it was noted that Bissessar still requires medical attention, which is reportedly being provided to him.

Child shooting victim...

Jeremiah, a student at Smith’s Memorial Primary School, remains out of the classroom and is undergoing physical therapy to aid his recovery.

Experts have noted that therapy will be crucial in helping him regain motor skills and potentially rebuild neural pathways impacted by the gunshot injury.

For his mother, however, the process has been gruelling and financially draining.

“You have to take taxis everywhere with him, and everything adds up – whether it’s therapy sessions, medical supplies, or just moving around. It’s very costly,” she disclosed.

She added that her efforts to secure financial as-

sistance have so far been unsuccessful.

Next Wednesday will mark a bittersweet occasion, according to Gustave, since it will be Jeremiah’s seventh birthday.

“It’s hard seeing him like this, especially now that it will be his birthday, but I’m just thankful he’s still alive,” she said, fighting back tears.

The shooting occurred on July 9, 2024, when Jeremiah was sitting at his mother’s food stall on Charles Street, Charlestown.

An altercation nearby escalated, and gunfire erupted, with one of the bullets striking Jeremiah in the head.

He was rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital, where he underwent life-saving surgery and has

since endured multiple procedures.

Initially, two men were charged in connection with the shooting: Garnette, also known as “Crab”, and Marlon Wilburg, known as “Mice Man”.

However, in October 2024, the case against Wilburg was unexpectedly withdrawn after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) issued a directive. No explanation was provided, and Wilburg was released.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the court was told that surveillance footage of the incident would be presented at the next hearing, which is scheduled for January 24. Garnette, charged with attempted murder, remains in Police custody.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

Jailed: Airam Bissessar

CPCE launches 4 new teaching programmes

…Education Ministry working to transform college into internationally-recognised institution

The Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Wednesday expanded its list of teaching programmes with an additional four courses being added to its catalogue.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, in highlighting that the Education Ministry’s goal is to transform CPCE into an internationally recognized intuition, has said, “So, today gives me great pleasure to commission these four new programmes… From the time we started to now, we have moved them steps forward towards perfection… So today, as we launch these new programmes at CPCE, I say this is the beginning. We have our eyes set on CPCE becoming an international teacher training college, and that is what we are working towards.”

One of the programmes launched is the Health and Family Life Education

equipping teachers with specialized strategies to improve reading, writing, and comprehension skills, particularly for students in the undisturbed and rural areas. By focusing on foundational literacy, this programme aims to reduce learning disparities and promote lifelong learning.

The Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) programme, geared to respond to the urgent need for educators who can sup-

ucators who are equipped to meet the demands of our modern classrooms.

Also speaking at the launch event, CPCE Director Dr. Julie Jailall highlighted that these new programmes are tailored to address the learning needs of children across the country.

“Today’s launch is historic. I’d like to emphasize that the ultimate beneficiaries of the four programmes are the students in our schools. We are training teachers here

(HFLE) course, which focuses on equipping teachers with skills needed to deliver holistic education that nurtures students’ physical, emotional, and social well-being.

The Literacy Education programme has been launched to address literacy challenges in Guyana by

port students with diverse learning needs by providing teachers with specialized training in exclusive education practices, has also been launched. As has the General Teacher Education (GTE) Programme, which fast-tracks the preparation of highly skilled ed-

today in four programmes that are very, very critical to bridge the gap…they are not purely academic, they are more student-related, like I said, and you know what? These programmes are the strategies for achieving the goals in our Education Strategic Plan,” she noted.

CPCE Vice Principal for Curriculum, Nicola TyndallPantlitz, highlighted that the new programmes reaffirm the CPCE commitment to improving education delivery for learners in Guyana.

“These initiatives mark a pivotal step in transforming teacher training and education nationwide. By focusing on health, literacy studies, inclusivity in education, and professional development, CPCE is preparing educators to inspire, empower, and lead the next generation. As stated in the education sector plan, teacher training is central to the transformation of the education system, and by extension our nation,” she said.

Over the decades, the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) has experienced many transformations, including in programme structure and curriculum offering. CPCE

offers professional teacher training at the Turkeyen pre-service and at eighteen (18) in-service satellite centres. Training is offered via online mode, blended, and face-to-face modes.

CPCE offers a wide variety of courses and programmes for every level of teaching, including early childhood programmes for both pre-service and in-service students, the primary programme, and the secondary academic and pre-vocational programmes.

In total, there are four programmes for the Associate Degree in Education (ADE), along with a Trained Teacher Certificate (TTC) Programme for in-service teachers who are not eligible for the ADE Programme.

This year, for the first time in education history, CPCE students received diplomas and degrees in Special Education Needs.

M&CC proposes partnership with Central Govt, private sector to transform Promenade Gardens

The Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) are seeking to collaborate with the Central Government and private sector stakeholders to revitalise the Promenade Gardens and transform it into a historic site that honours the nation’s leaders and legacy. Transformation envisioned includes creating historical exhibits, memorials dedicated to national leaders, and public amenities that invite citizens and visitors to engage with

Guyana’s rich history.

At this week’s statutory meeting of the M&CC, held at the Kitty Market, Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore emphasised the importance of creating a space that not only preserves the cultural and historical significance of the Gardens, but also celebrates the contributions of past and present national presidents. “I had some kind of conversation with the President, who spoke to me on Promenade Gardens. I told him…we should look at

that and he should put some money into that as well, so that we could have a garden that recognizes all the presidents and so on and so forth”, Mentore disclosed.

“The place itself could be like a grand place for people to go walk. A museum of the arts and culture and so on and so forth. And then you could also have other events. You could have a parking in there, a whole host of things,” the mayor disclosed.

Located in the heart of Georgetown, the Promenade

Gardens are one of Guyana’s most cherished landmarks. Established in 1851, the Gardens were originally part of a parade ground for British colonial troops. Over time, the space was transformed into a public park offering a tranquil retreat for residents and visitors alike.

Known for its lush greenery and vibrant flora, the Gardens feature meticulously maintained pathways, ornamental trees, and a variety of tropical plants, making it a haven of biodiversity.

It also houses historical monuments and landmarks, including the iconic bandstand and the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, symbolizing peace and resilience.

According to Mayor Mentore, the garden’s rich legacy is intertwined with the growth of Georgetown and the nation itself, making it an ideal site for a project that celebrates Guyana’s leaders and preserves its heritage for future generations.

On this point, he disclosed that the proposal calls for a comprehensive approach to redevelopment, and highlighted that the need is for a cohesive vision

that is impactful.

“I think we should look at it. Take into consideration what we did before concerning that spot, and then see how we could work with private sector people as

well as His Excellency and others on this issue, and see what money from his budget that he could put into that so that we could have something in place,” Mentore articulated.

Students at the launching event

CPCE Director Dr Julie Jailall

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

A monument to Mahatma Gandhi can be found on the grounds of the gardens

Guyana’s Promenade Gardens

GPF strengthened with 89 new recruits, enhanced foreign language skills

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has boosted its strength with the addition of 89 new officers, while also improving its foreign language proficiency.

aspiring Police Officers completed various facets of policing. They were required to complete several modules, achieving a minimum pass mark of 70 per cent.

The recruits underwent eight months of intense training at the Police Academy in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and at Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

On Wednesday, a graduation ceremony for new recruits from Courses 20 'G', 42 'B', 43 'B', and the Spanish Language Courses (One-Year and Advanced) was hosted at the Officers' Training Centre at Eve Leary.

The GPF, in a release,

sic contemporary policing, modern-day best practices; an in-depth examination of the Police Standing Orders; Police Act, Chapter 16:01, and the Police Disciplinary Act, Chapter 17:01. In module 3, the ranks were exposed firsthand to court proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and also witnessed several autopsies at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Mortuary. Module 4 dealt with the theoretical and practical aspects of traffic and crime. Other courses, such as anger management, English Language, domestic violence, human rights, and communication, among others, were done. The Force's Strategic Plan 2022-2026 also received significant attention.

The ranks were also involved in community projects, donating sports gear to the youths in various communities and other acts of giving back to the community.

Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, in delivering the feature address, congratulated the ranks for their courage and overall achievement throughout their stint at the Academy. The Commissioner stressed to the new ranks the need for professionalism and accountability. He charged the ranks to engage with the communities and to be friendly. He reiterated that community-oriented policing has proven to be effective in crime reduction. Hicken

said that throughout their tenure at the Academy, the

The training included an introduction to policing; ba-

couraged the parents and the community to support and engage the ranks. He also urged the parents to be vigilant in helping the Force hold the young policemen accountable for upholding the oath they took.

The Commissioner expressed his support to the ranks, saying, "I just want to say I believe in you; the senior officers in front of you believe in you; your parents believe in you."

Additionally, 12 ranks were awarded for their outstanding performances, copping the Best Student, Runner-up Best Student and

the Most Improved Student among other awards.

The Best Student award went to Constable 26624 Tacoordeen, who gained an overall pass mark of 97 per cent. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Commissioner (Administration) Ravindradat Budhram; Deputy Commissioner (Law Enforcement) Wendell Blanhum; Second in Command (Administration) Woman Superintendent Angela Fraser; Director of the Police Force Academy, Woman Superintendent Sonia Herbert, other senior and junior officers, parents, and other invitees.

Motorcycle stolen by armed bandits

encouraged the ranks to be part of the communities they serve; he posited, "To make a difference, what you can do for us is: if somebody is wrong, tell them they are wrong."

"If someone is doing the right thing, embrace them."

The Commissioner alluded to his own experiences as a young Police Officer and offered recommendations on some activities that create an atmosphere for a friendlier approach to policing.

The Top Cop urged the ranks to maintain transparency and ethical conduct that aligned with Police Standing Orders and the laws. He alluded to the Force’s strategic plan and its six pillars, focusing on infrastructure and partnership. The Commissioner also en-

Police in Georgetown, Regional Division

4’A’, are investigating a robbery that took place Tuesday evening, where a 40-year-old Bent Street, Georgetown resident had his motorcycle reportedly stolen by armed bandits.

The victim, whose name has been withheld, reported the incident to the police, stating that his Novi 110 motorcycle, valued at $150,000, was taken from him during the robbery.

The attack occurred around 18:40h on Wellington Street, Georgetown, when two unidentified men on an XR motorcycle, whose particulars are yet unknown, approached the victim.

According to the victim, while riding his motorcycle south along Wellington Street on his way home, the

suspects pulled up alongside him and blocked his path.

It was at that point that the pillion rider dismounted from the XR motorcycle and brandished a firearm, demanding that the victim hand over his motorcycle.

Fearing for his life, the victim complied, and the suspects made off with his motorcycle. The robbery was immediately reported to the police, and an investigation is ongoing.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward, as they continue to search for the suspects involved in this armed robbery.

Top Cop Clifton Hickens

Some of the new recruits

Govt partners with UK, Qatar to advance LCDS

– landmark building project with King’s Foundation, Qatar Foundation to showcase sustainable urban development

The Government of Guyana, in collaboration with The King’s Foundation and Qatar Foundation’s Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future, has unveiled plans to construct a landmark sustainable building in Georgetown, marking a significant step towards advancing the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

This ambitious project, a symbol of Guyana’s commitment to sustainable urban development, is set to integrate Guyanese materials, local craftsmanship, and traditional building techniques with international expertise.

According to a release from the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, the structure will not only serve as a model of sustainable architecture, but also demonstrate how cultural and environmental heritage can inform modern construction practices, offering a blueprint for future urban development in Guyana.

Additionally, it was noted that the building, designed to reflect Guyana's environmental values while showcasing cutting-edge sustainable practices, will serve

as a testament to the successful blending of traditional and modern methods.

“Guyana’s partnership with The King’s Foundation and the Earthna Centre is another practical step towards making the next phase of Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy as successful as the first…As we expand the scope of the LCDS to include sustainable urban development, this collaboration offers an invaluable opportunity to advance innovative solutions that honour our traditions while shaping a better future for all,” Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sonia Parag told the gathering at an event in Dumfries House in Scotland to mark the announcement.

The groundbreaking project will serve as a model for sustainable cities and towns, not just in Guyana, but across the globe. By sharing insights and lessons learned, the partnership aims to foster a network of knowledge exchange between countries facing similar challenges, including Qatar.

This two-year collaboration

is not only an essential part of Guyana’s vision for sustainable urban growth, but it also highlights the growing international commitment to addressing climate change and fostering resilience.

Vice Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qatar Foundation, Sheikha Hind bint

Hamad Al Thani echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of turning traditional knowledge into a living resource for sustainable development.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in advancing President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision of sustainable urban development under the LCDS 2030, further solidifying Guyana’s reputation as a global leader in sustainable development and climate action.

The project is expected to inspire other nations, including India, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania, to adopt similar sustainable urban development practices.

Govt not defying court on GTU dues – AG

Attorney General and Legal Affairs

Minister Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, has made it clear that the Government has not violated the High Court order regarding the deduction and remittance of membership dues to the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU).

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) news release, the Legal Affairs

Minister said two letters were dispatched to GTU President Mark Lyte, requesting a list of the union’s membership so that the dues can be deducted and remitted.

The first letter was issued March 14 by the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, requesting the verified and certified documentation of the union’s membership.

On March 19, Lyte reportedly stated that the Union was not required to

submit any information about its members before deductions ceased, and that the Government should use teacher data already in its possession to comply with the order.

Speaking during his weekly programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday, AG Nandlall explained that the Government sought to ensure the dues were only deducted from union members, especially taking into account new members and those who may have left.

He stressed that the Government was looking to ensure strict compliance with the order handed out by Justice Sandil Kissoon.

“That order speaks to members of the Guyana Teachers’ Union…Not all teachers are members of the Guyana Teachers’ Union,” he explained.

A second letter was sent to the GTU President and according to the AG, there was no response.

Government could be justifiably accused of violating a court order when it requested the necessary information on two occasions to comply with that very order.

“How do you want us to comply with the order? How do you want the Government to comply? Deducting wrongly from people’s salaries and then the Government will be liable? Our government doesn’t operate in that reckless environment,” the AG emphasised.

DPI reported that the comments follow Tuesday’s Court of Appeal denial of the Government’s request for a stay of execution of Justice Kissoon’s High Court order to continue deducting membership dues for the GTU.

The AG called the contention that Government is violating the court order baseless, unfounded and malicious.

He questioned how the

“How can we deduct union dues from all teachers when the Judge says you must deduct it only from members of the Union?” he questioned. “The GTU is only entitled to union dues from its members. If we take dues from persons who are not members of the Union, they can sue us because we would be taking their property,” Minister Nandlall stated.

The Appellate Court decision upholds the High Court ruling by Justice Kissoon that mandated the Government to continue deducting and remitting membership dues to the GTU.

Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory determined that the circumstances did not warrant a stay.

The Legal Affairs Minister reminded viewers that this decision contradicts a 2000 Court of Appeal ruling in the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) case. In that case, the court, including Justice Gregory as a member, ruled against the GPSU’s challenge to the Government’s termination of dues deductions, finding no legal obligation for the Government to perform this service for unions.

The AG believes that the Government’s actions in the GTU case are consistent with the established precedent set in the GPSU case and that Justice Gregory should have adhered to this precedent in her current ruling.

The Government’s appeal of this High Court ruling is still pending. In the interim, an application was made for a stay of execution, essentially requesting a temporary halt to the enforcement of the order.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC (DPI photo)

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sonia Parag recently represented Guyana at a function hosted at Dumfries House in Scotland to mark the announcement

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2025

Budget 2025 tailored to empower Amerindian youth, provide economic support – Min Sukhai

Amerindian Affairs

Minister Pauline Sukhai has commended the $1.382 billion fiscal framework for 2025 and said it will continue the development of Amerindian communities.

Speaking during Tuesday’s episode of the “Budget in Focus”

aired on the National Communications Network (NCN), she noted that the money will fund many transformative initiatives, including economic ventures, youth and women empowerment, as well as improvements to the welfare and education of these villages.

The Budget also contains

$7.2 billion earmarked for Amerindian development, excluding revenues from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 Carbon Credit programme.

The Minister noted that youth development was a cornerstone of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government and

Works progress for Bartica water treatment plant

Works are progressing on the water treatment plant at Five Miles in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), to ensure residents have access to improved services.

A Department of Public Information (DPI) news release reported that during a site visit Saturday, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal revealed that the project was being undertaken for over $500 million.

He was assured by the contractor that the project would be completed by the end of June.

When completed, the facility will provide treated water to residents of the Five Miles Housing Scheme and surrounding areas, addressing longstanding water supply challenges.

According to the DPI, the Minister noted that the Government had developed a strategic plan to resolve water-related issues that focused

on several challenges.

“The challenge has always been to get the water to the area…We came up with a solution to drill a well and provide treated water… In Central Bartica, they have an independent system where they are getting treated water,” Minister Croal explained.

Over the years, the Government has made substantial investments in the water sector to increase its coverage in the region.

Minister Croal was joined by Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Hinterland Services Director Ramchand Jailal; Prime Minister Representative for Region Seven, Ewrin Ward; Regional Executive Officer Kerwin Ward and Bartica Mayor Anthony Murray, the release added.

this was reflected by the move to reinstate the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP).

Skill and capacity building are key to this programme, with over 1000 Community Service

Officers (CSOs) trained in fields like tourism, hospitality, small engine repair and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), among others.

In a Department of Public Information (DPI) release, the Minister explained that

At Davos, Guterres slams backsliding on climate

The world’s political and business elite present in Davos on Wednesday faced an uncompromising address from United Nations Chief António Guterres as he rounded on a lack of multilateral collaboration in an “increasingly rudderless world” at risk from two existential dangers: climate change and unregulated Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Guterres was speaking at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, the exclusive event held high in the Swiss Alps where senior politicians, Heads of State and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of some of the world’s biggest and most influential companies rub shoulders.

The UN Secretary General took aim at the theme of this year’s meeting, “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”, maintaining that there has been scant proof of either collaboration or intelligence and plenty of evidence that many of the world’s problems are worsening, from conflicts to inequality and assaults on human rights.

Nuclear war is no longer the only existential threat to humanity, he said, pointing to the climate crisis and the “ungoverned expansion” of AI.

Likening fossil fuel ad-

the programme itself did not only cater for the training, but also prepared young people to take up leadership.

“Because young people are recognised as those who will be taking the lead today, tomorrow, and into the future,” she explained.

Communities will also benefit from major infrastructural projects, including roads, bridges, solar farms, hydropower projects, schools, health centres, and hospitals.

Minister Sukhai highlighted also that the Ministry would support small-scale infrastructure projects, such as guest houses, multi-purpose buildings, and other works.

Additionally, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry will work to ensure more lands are protected through the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project, the release noted.

commitments

diction to Frankenstein’s monster – “sparing nothing and no one” – the Secretary General noted the irony that 13 of the world’s biggest ports for oil supertankers are set to be overwhelmed by rising sea levels, a consequence of rising temperatures and sea ice melt, caused overwhelmingly by burning coal, crude oil, and natural gas.

A number of financial institutions and industries are backtracking on climate commitments, noted Guterres.

A move that is, he said, “short-sighted, and paradoxically, it is selfish and also

self-defeating. You are on the wrong side of history. You are on the wrong side of science. And you are on the wrong side of consumers who are looking for more sustainability, not less.”

Looking ahead to the UN Climate Conference (COP30) in Brazil at the end of the year, the UN Chief reminded world leaders that they must keep their promise to produce new, economy-wide national climate action plans well before the event.

Developing countries need a “surge in finance" for climate action, he declared, urging not just Governments but all businesses and financial institutions to create robust and accountable transition plans.

The next existential threat, AI, is a double-edged sword, Guterres continued, as it is already revolutionising learning, diagnosing illnesses, helping farmers to increase their yields and improving the targeting of aid.

But it comes with profound risks if it is left ungoverned: it can disrupt economies, undermine trust in institutions and deepen inequalities, the Secretary General warned.

The Global Digital Compact – part of the Pact for the Future adopted by UN Member States last September – offers a “roadmap to harness the immense potential of digital technology and close digital divides” with a shared vision of AI serving humanity, not the other way around.

The Secretary General concluded his remarks with a return to the theme of this year’s Davos event, appealing to the global community to face these existential challenges head on and work as one.

(News.un.org)

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai (DPI photo)

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

Trump steps up immigration crackdown, warns city, state officials against interference

President Donald Trump's administration has directed U.S. prosecutors to criminally probe local officials who resist immigration enforcement efforts, intensifying a sweeping crackdown that Trump launched the day he took office.

In a memo seen by Reuters, Trump's acting deputy attorney general, Emil Bove, told Justice Department staff that state and local authorities must cooperate with the immigration crackdown and federal prosecutors "shall investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution."

The Justice Department could also challenge laws that complicate the effort, Bove wrote.

The policy was issued as the new Republican administration prepared to step up policing of illegal immigration in cities with significant migrant populations, setting up potential confrontations with local officials in so-called sanctuary cities such as New York and Chicago that limit cooperation with such efforts.

The new memo underscored how Trump's Justice Department may try to back his immigration agenda by expanding threats of criminal charges beyond immigrants or those who employ them to city and state officials. It is the latest in a series of executive actions Trump has taken

to curb illegal immigration, his top priority.

During Trump's first 2017-2021 term in office, many Democratic officials refused to cooperate with his enforcement efforts, and some vowed to defy him again.

"We know that we don't have to participate in immigration enforcement activities," Democratic California Attorney General Rob Bonta said on CNN.

But resistance in the party is not monolithic this time. In the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday 46 Democrats -- one-fifth of their number

-- joined 217 Republicans to pass legislation that would require immigrants who are in the country illegally to be held for deportation if they are accused of theft. The bill was named for Laken Riley, a Georgia woman who was killed by an illegal immigrant who had a prior record of shoplifting.

It has already passed the Senate with Democratic support and now heads to Trump's desk to be signed into law.

"The American people want us to do something about the border and I think we’d be hard-pressed to not say that we have to deport

criminals," Representative Tom Suozzi, a moderate Democrat who voted for the bill, told Reuters.

Troops to border Trump has issued a broad ban on asylum and taken steps to restrict citizenship for children born on American soil. A U.S. official said on Wednesday the military would dispatch 1,000 additional active-duty troops to the MexicoU.S. border on Trump's orders.

The administration has rescinded guidance from his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden that had limited immigration arrests near

schools, churches and other sensitive places. Trump has also expanded immigration officers' power to deport migrants who cannot prove they have been in the U.S. for longer than two years.

Trump has separately taken aim at federal diversity programs, ordering agencies to put officials overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion programs on leave by Wednesday and to shut down DEI offices by the end of the month.

The swift actions signal Trump's intention to fulfill many of his culture-war campaign promises by pushing the limits of executive power even further than he did during his first term.

Americans are sharply divided on Trump's plans for mass deportations. A new Reuters/Ipsos survey showed 39% agreed that "illegal immigrants should be arrested and put in detention camps while awaiting deportation hearings," while 42% disagreed and the rest were unsure.

Some 46% of respondents said they approved of how Trump was handling immigration policy, while 39% disapproved. Most respondents who backed mass arrests identified as Republicans, while most who did not were Democrats.

The poll, which surveyed adults nationwide on Jan. 20-21, found 58% of respondents agreed that

the U.S. should "dramatically reduce the number of migrants allowed to claim asylum at the border," while 22% disagreed.

Targeting sanctuary cities

State and local officials who resist or obstruct immigration enforcement could be charged under federal laws against defrauding the U.S. or harboring immigrants who are in the U.S. unlawfully, according to the Justice Department memo.

Prosecutors who opt not to file criminal charges will need to explain their reasoning to superiors, the memo said.

The department this week also reassigned close to 20 career officials, transferring some to a new unit aimed at stopping sanctuary cities from resisting Trump's immigration plans, two sources said.

Of the estimated 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally or with temporary status in 2022, about 44% lived in states with "sanctuary" laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. That figure does not include those in sanctuary cities and counties in places without a statewide law, such as New Mexico.

In Mexico, authorities have begun constructing giant tent shelters in the city of Ciudad Juarez to prepare for a possible influx of deported Mexicans. (Reuters)

Asylum seekers arrive at the B and M Brownsville-Matamoros International Bridge, to attend their appointment with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), on the day of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in Matamoros, Mexico January 20, 2025 (REUTERS/Daniel Becerril Purchase Licensing Rights)

Regional Colombia scrambles to cope as refugees flee deadly battles between rebel groups

Authorities in the Colombian border city of Cúcuta are scrambling to cope with an influx of internal refugees, as thousands of civilians flee an outbreak of fighting between rival rebel factions.

Buses, trailers and dump trucks packed with disoriented mothers and children have been streaming into the border city since Friday when the bloody conflict began engulfing north-eastern Colombia.

“We have received [displaced families’] when violence has flared up in the region before but nowhere near this level. We are talking 15,000 people arriving in the city in just four days. This is historic for Cúcuta, but sadly even for the country,” said the city’s mayor, Jorge Acevedo.

At least 80 people have been killed and 32,000 displaced as the ELN, the world’s oldest active guerrilla group, seeks to purge one

of Colombia’s largest cocaine hubs of rival factions.

Rights groups say civilians are being targeted by the ELN and the 33rd Front, a band of dissident rebels who have refused to disarm in a 2016 peace process. Fighters have gone door to door seeking sympathisers of rival factions, said Iris Marín Ortiz, Colombia’s ombudsman.

The warring groups are

launching “indiscriminate attacks on combatants and civilians who are accused of collaborating with one group or the other simply because they are family members or people close to them”, Ortiz said.

Meanwhile, at least 20 people have been killed in fighting between warring drug trafficking factions in the jungle region of Guaviare. (The Guardian)

Refugees stuck in T&T: Venezuelans in limbo as Trump changes US migrant policy

On his first day back as US president, on January 20, Donald Trump signed an executive order which temporarily suspends all foreign assistance programmes for 90 days.

This order includes the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), leaving thousands of refugees who had been hoping to resettle there in limbo, including hundreds currently living in TT.

The suspension will take effect on January 27, directly affecting the resettlement programme, which was implemented during the Joe Biden administration and

facilitated the safe transfer of refugees with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Most of these refugees are Venezuelan, Cuban and Haitian.

The resettlement programme had been a key tool to streamline the processing of refugees, reduce the risks associated with irregular migration, and ensure applicants’ safety in transit.

In his executive order, Trump justified the suspension by saying the programme had generated “record levels of migration”

and the US lacks the capacity to absorb such a high flow without compromising the security of and resources and assimilation capacity for refugees.

The measure includes a comprehensive review of the programme and conditions its resumption on a report, to be submitted within 90 days by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State.

During his first term, in 2017, Trump had also cancelled these refugee programmes. Biden reactivated them on arriving in the White House in 2020. (T&T Newsday)

Mexico builds temporary shelters to prepare for mass deportations from US

Mexican authorities have begun constructing giant tent shelters in the city of Ciudad Juarez to prepare for a possible influx of Mexicans deported under U.S. President Donald Trump’s promised mass deportations.

The temporary shelters in Ciudad Juarez will have the capacity to house thousands of people and should be ready in a matter of days, said municipal official Enrique Licon.

“It’s unprecedented,” Licon said on Tuesday af-

ternoon, as workers unloaded long metal bracings from tractor trailers parked in the large empty lot yards from the Rio Grande, which separates the city from El Paso, Texas. The tents in Ciudad Juarez are part of the Mexican government’s plan to ready shelters and reception centers in nine cities across northern Mexico. Authorities at the site will provide deported Mexicans with food, temporary housing, medical care, and assistance in obtaining identity documents, ac -

cording to a government document outlining the strategy, called “Mexico embraces you.”

The government is also planning to have a fleet of buses ready to transport Mexicans from the reception centers back to their hometowns.

Trump has vowed to carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, which would remove millions of immigrants. An operation of that scale, however, would likely take years and be hugely costly.

(Reuters)

Belizean soldier charged with murder of colleague

A32-year-old Belizean lance corporal has been charged with the murder of another member of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) following a shooting at the Crique Sarco Conservation Post in Toledo, the country’s southernmost district Sunday night.

Alfredo Robinson Junior has been charged with the murder of Private Clive Baizar.

Reports are that several Belizean soldiers were on duty when an altercation escalated to violence between Baizar and Robinson, after which several shots were fired.

Baizar succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds,

while another patrol member, Brandon Guzman, sustained two gunshot wounds and is currently in stable condition.

Robinson is expected

to be arraigned later this week.

Meanwhile, BDF commandant, Brigadier General Azariel Loria says the accused is known to be quiet in nature and that after the incident, he appeared to be in shock.

“The character or the behaviour of Robinson, from what I got to understand after talking to the men on the ground and the commanding officer out there, is that he is reserved in nature.

“He is reserved, he often is secluded, he likes to seclude himself. And he is affectionately called Viejo — Viejo meaning old man because of the way he acts,” he added. (CMC)

Brazil fires consumed wilderness area larger than Italy in 2024 – report

After enduring its worst drought on record in 2024, Brazil closed the year with another alarming milestone: between January and December, 30.86m hectares of wilderness burned –an area larger than Italy.

The figure published in a new report is 79% higher than in 2023 and the largest recorded by Fire Monitor since its launch in 2019 by MapBiomas, an initiative by NGOs, universities and technology companies that monitors Brazil’s biomes.

The data could pose an embarrassment as Brazil prepares to host Cop30 in Belém, the capital of the Amazonian state of Pará, in November.

Not only was the state the

hardest hit by the fires, accounting for 24% of the total burned area, but the Amazon was also the most affected of Brazil’s six biomes, at 58%.

The area scorched in the Amazon in 2024 exceeds the total burned across the country in 2023.

“It was an absurd increase,” said Ane Alencar, coordinator of MapBiomas, adding that, for the first time, forest areas were the most affected, surpassing grasslands and pastures.

“Once a forest is hit by fire, it takes years and years to recover … If there’s another drought and that forest isn’t protected, it will burn again,” she said.

researchers believe severe drought between 2023

and 2024 – the worst since the government began keeping records in 1950 – exacerbated by El Niño was a decisive factor in the wildfire surge.

“But that’s just one part of the equation. The other involves human activity,” said Alencar, pointing primarily to the agricultural sector, which often uses fire to clear pastures, as well as deforestation, which has been drastically reduced under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s third term, but still hasn’t been eradicated.

“There were also cases where fires si1mply started in the middle of a forest, which suggests possible criminal activity,” the researcher said. (The Guardian)

Nearly 2,000 Haitians detained for illegally entering Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic military said nearly 2,000 Haitians have been detained for illegally entering the country following operations conducted in several communities last weekend.

According to a statement issued by the army, 1,936 Haitians were intercepted by motorised patrols while travelling on foot through various border communities.

The statement by the army said that during these operations, nine nationals from the Dominican Republic were arrested for transporting Haitian nationals on vehicles ranging from a motorcycle to a minibus. Earlier this month, the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) said it had returned more than a quarter million Haitians to their country last year, insisting that their removals from the

Dominican Republic were carried out in compliance with human rights and international agreements. According to the DGM, a total of 276,215

were either deported or repatriated after they were found to be in an irregular migratory situation in the Dominican Republic. (CMC)

People displaced by the fighting arrive to seek shelter at the football stadium in Cúcuta on the Colombian border (Photograph: Fernando Vergara)

Dead: Private Clive Baizar, who was shot and killed (Photo: CMC)

Haitians

Haitian citizens crossing the border between Anse-à-Pitres in Haiti and Pedernales in the Dominican Republic on June 20, 2024 (Photo: AFP)

API reports unexpected crude oil inventory build

TBereaved Gazans dig out bodies from city ruins, give them graves

Guns may have fallen silent in Gaza, but for Mahmoud Abu Dalfa, the agony is not over. He is desperately searching for the bodies of his wife and five children trapped under the rubble of his house since the early months of the war.

he American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated that crude oil inventories in the United increased by one million barrels for the week ending January 17. Analysts surveyed by Reuters had expected the API to report a draw of around 1.6 million barrels.

For the week prior, the API reported a draw of 2.6-millionbarrel in US crude oil inventories in the midst of build season, while product inventories saw a hefty build for multiple weeks in a row.

In 2024, crude oil inventories dropped by more than 12 million barrels, according to the API’s inventory data, with the downward trend continuing beyond the new year.

Earlier this week, the Department of Energy (DoE) reported that crude oil inventories in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) rose by 0.3 million barrels as of January 17. SPR inventories are now at 394.6 million barrels, a figure that is still 239 million less than the inventory when President Joe Biden took office.

At 16:52h ET, Brent crude was trading down US$0.38 (-0.48 per cent) on the day at US$78.91. The US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was also trading down on the day by US$0.45 (-0.59 per cent) at US$75.73 – more than US$2 per barrel under last week’s level.

Gasoline inventories rose this week by 3.2 million barrels after last week’s large 5.39-million-barrel increase. As of last week, gasoline inventories are slightly below the five-year average for this time of year, according to the latest EIA data.

Distillate inventories rose by 1.9 million barrels, which follows last week’s large 4.88-million-barrel increase. Distillate inventories were about four per cent below the five-year average as of the week ending January 10, the latest EIA data shows.

Cushing inventories – the benchmark crude stored and traded at the key delivery point for US futures contracts in Cushing, Oklahoma – rose by 500,000 barrels, according to API data, after rising by 573,000 barrels in the previous week. (Oilprice.com)

Trump threatens Russia, others with tariffs if Ukraine deal not reached

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would add new tariffs to his sanctions threat against Russia if the country does not make a deal to end its war in Ukraine, and added that these could also be applied to "other participating countries".

In a post on Truth Social, Trump modified comments he made on Tuesday that he would likely impose sanctions against Russia if President Vladimir Putin refused to

negotiate an end to the nearly three-year conflict.

"If we don't make a 'deal,' and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries," Trump said.

Trump's post did not identify the countries that he considered participants in the conflict, or how he defined participation.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Abu Dalfa's wife and children were among 35 of his extended family who were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit the building in Gaza City's Shejaia suburb in December 2023, he said. As bombs continued to fall, only three bodies were retrieved.

"My children are still under the rubble. I am trying to get them out... The civil defence came, they tried, but the destruction makes it difficult. We don't have the equipment here to extract martyrs.

hours of death in Muslim and Arab communities, and failure to retrieve bodies and ensure dignified burials is agonising for bereaved families.

"I hope I can bring them out and make them a grave. That's all I want from this entire world. I don’t want them to build me a house or give me anything else. All I want is a grave for them – to get them out and make them a grave," said Abu Dalfa.

We need excavators and a lot of technical tools," Abu Dalfa told Reuters.

"My wife was killed along with all my five chil -

dren – three daughters and two sons. I had triplets," he said. Burials are usually carried out within a few

The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service and medical staff have recovered around 200 bodies since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect on Sunday, halting a 15-month conflict that has killed more than 47,000 Gazans. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Thousands evacuated as new fastgrowing fire ignites near Los Angeles

Anew fast-moving wildfire has erupted in Los Angeles County, prompting thousands to evacuate a region already reeling from the most destructive fires in its history.

The Hughes fire ignited about 45 miles northwest of the city of Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon, near

Castaic Lake in a mountainous area that borders several residential areas and schools.

The out-of-control blaze has grown to more than 8000 acres in several hours fuelled by winds and dry brush that is acting as fuel. No homes or businesses have been damaged, but about 19,000 res-

Iran tries to calm nuclear concerns as UN warns on enrichment

Iran delivered a conciliatory message to Western leaders in Davos on Wednesday, with a top official denying it wants nuclear weapons and offering talks about opportunities, days after its arch adversary Donald Trump's return to the White House.

However, the comments by Iran's Vice-President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif coincided with a warning by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog that Tehran is "pressing the gas pedal" in

enriching uranium to near weapons-grade.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi has called for diplomacy between Iran and Trump, who in his first term, pulled the US out of a nuclear deal that had imposed strict limits on Iran's atomic activities.

Asked how crucial the dialogue between Tehran and Trump is right now, Grossi replied in Davos: "Absolutely indispensable." (Excerpt from Reuters)

idents have been forced to flee and Interstate 5 – the primary highway running along the US West Coast from Mexico to Canada – is closed.

The new fire is burning north of the two mammoth blazes – which are still burning – that destroyed multiple neighbourhoods in the Los Angeles area earlier this month.

Two other fires have ignited farther south near San Diego and Oceanside, officials said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Over a million people flee to South Sudan as Sudan conflict grinds on: UN

More than one million people have fled the war in Sudan to seek refuge in neighbouring South Sudan, according to the United Nations.

In its latest update on one of the world’s worst displacement crises, the UN issued new data on Tuesday showing that more than 770,000 people have fled through the Joda crossing on South Sudan’s northern border with Sudan in the last 21 months.

Tens of thousands more have crossed the border at other points, bringing the total to have fled to South Sudan since the war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces

(RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) erupted in April 2023 to more than a million, according to the statement issued by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

“The arrival of over a million people into South Sudan is a stark and sobering statistic and truly shows the increasing scale of this crisis,” the UNHCR’s Sanaa Abdalla Omer said. Most crossing the border are South Sudanese nationals who had previously fled from civil war in the world’s newest country, the statement noted. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Orange flames lined the mountains as aircraft dropped water and flame retardant

Internally displaced women wait at the food distribution centre in Bentiu, South Sudan [File: AFP]

Palestinian man Atef Jundiya searches for the graves and bodies of his father, brother, and brother-in-law at Shejaia cemetery, which was flattened by Israeli tanks and bulldozers during the war, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, January 20, 2025 (Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas photo)

Pay attention, be the one to make a difference and speak on behalf of the vulnerable. Choose peace, truth and practical solutions over anger, force and temporary fixes. Physical activity will ease stress.

You’ll discover your potential if you update your skills. Take an opportunity to make your life and relationships better. A positive attitude will put you in the running for something that could change your life.

Exaggeration and misinformation will thwart your plans. Refrain from letting disappointment set in. Explore the possibilities and turn your dream into a reality. A change of scenery will spark your imagination.

Spend time doing something you enjoy. Take care of paperwork issues. You’ll be surprised by the interest you receive from potential clients. Stop dreaming and start doing.

Search for innovative ways to excel and expand your interests and skills. Revisit old ideas and apply new information to them. Attend events that connect you to people who have something to contribute to your plans.

A diversion will be a wake-up call. Take the path that excites you and pour your energy into inspirational projects. Helping someone or something you care about will raise awareness and give you peace of mind.

You need a nudge or confrontation to push you in a new direction. Seek out alternatives that better align with your emotional, spiritual and financial needs. It’s time to shift your focus.

Take time for what truly matters. Participate in events that allow you to share your vision and connect with like-minded people. An emotional meeting will change how you move forward with your plans.

Ease your way into whatever you do. Caution and observation will help you ward off scammers or situations that can pose a risk to your health and well-being. Protect your assets and decrease your liabilities.

Keep the momentum flowing. Play to win, and you won’t be disappointed. It’s up to you to take advantage of whatever comes your way. Don’t hesitate to step into the limelight.

Channel your energy into getting what you want out of life. Say yes, try new things, meet interesting people and expand your awareness while creating opportunities. It’s up to you to take charge.

Live and learn. What you discover or experience today will shape how you move forward. Network and participate in functions that interest you. Someone you encounter will offer a valuable perspective.

ARCHIE

England tour of India 2025: T20I Series, Game 1 of 5…

Abhishek, Varun lead India's demolition of England

India brutally cast aside England in the first T20I at Eden Gardens, as Abhishek Sharma's 79 from just 34 deliveries munched a meagre target of 133 with 43 balls to spare.

Abhishek's third fifty-plus score in the format capped off an accomplished all-round performance from the hosts. A combination of Arshdeep Singh's 2 for 17 up top and Varun Chakravarthy's 3 for 23 through the middle dismissed the tourists for 132, scuppering their attempts to mark Brendon McCullum's first match in charge with the attacking verve he craves.

But for Jos Buttler's 68 - his 26th T20I fifty - things

By the time Buttler departed in the 17th over, he had provided 68 out of the 109 on the board, with Harry Brook the only batter to reach double figures before Jofra Archer pitched in with 12 from No.9.

Brook's 17 was part of a stand of 48 with Buttler, the vice-captain and captain setting about a rebuild that was ended by Varun's googlies.

The 33-year-old bowled Brook and Liam Livingstone in the space of three deliveries to turn that back to rubble. His third was Buttler, holing out to deep square leg.

Whatever little jeopardy there was in the chase, it was restricted to just the fifth over, when Archer re-

could have been worse. The 34-year-old's evening had begun by losing a crucial toss to Suryakumar Yadav. With the 7pm start in Kolkata, moisture was in the air throughout, and dew a factor as early as the first innings. Both captains wanted to bowl, and only one got the chance.

Arshdeep made the best of those early conditions, removing openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett in his first 11 deliveries. Those dismissals took the left-arm seamer to 97 in T20Is, leapfrogging Yuzvendra Chahal as India's top wicket-taker in the format.

moved both. Sanju Samson - who had done the early running - and Surayakumar for a duck in four deliveries. Archer, who bowled his four overs on the bounce having opened the innings, was comfortably the pick of England's bowlers with 2 for 21. By contrast, Gus Atkinson was taken apart for 38 runs across his two overs, with his first blitzed for 22 by Samson.

The onus was then on Abhishek, who was put down by Adil Rashid on 29 off 16. The left-hander would bring up his half-century just four balls later.

Though Rashid would eventually get his man,

India had all but established a 1-0 lead in this five-match series. A top-edged four from Tilak Varma off Mark Wood's bouncer off the penultimate ball of the 13th over confirmed it.

Arshdeep Singh sets the tone

Before England were choked through the middle by a three-pronged spin attack, they were clipped up top by the lone full-time quick. Since debuting in 2022, Arshdeep Singh has been a new-ball banker for India's shortest format. Consistently devastating and devastatingly consistent.

It was fitting that on the night he became India's

on those extra notches in the wicket column, he seemed happy enough with his work, having opened the door for his spinners.

Familiar failings

There is no shame in falling foul of India's spinners in any format, least of all when they are operating at home. But there was a haunting familiarity about England's failure at Eden Gardensand it has nothing to do with what happened here in that final in 2016.

Eight years on from that heartbreak, England were roughed up in 2024's semi-final in Guyana, as Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja combined to take 6 for 58 from 11 overs. Only Axar remained this time around, but the results were about the same - 12 overs of web-spinning prising out five for the concession of just 67.

It is easy to say the likes of Brook, Livingstone and Jacob Bethell should have taken cues from Buttler, particularly his ability to pick length. But Buttler's vast IPL experience and superior ability makes that hard to replicate. Credit belongs to the bowlers, particularly Varun. Despite the grass on the surface, the wristspinner was unperturbed. His IPL nous came to the fore at a ground where he has taken 24 wickets at 22.20 from 16 appearances.

A holding pattern of de-

leading T20I wicket-taker, he reinforced his credentials as one of the format's leading seamers in an opening three-over spell of 2 for 10. Movement away and up off a good length did for Salt, who could only sky a leading edge, was followed by nip the other way that left the left-handed Duckett for a similar demise.

Of those initial 18 deliveries, a remarkable 12 were dots which saw him get the better of Buttler and Brook without reward. On another day, their feelers outside off stump may have resulted in edges, bringing more joy Arshdeep's way. But rather than bemoan missing out

liveries just short of a length kept the ball out of hitting arcs, and he was not pre-occupied with spinning the ball past the edge - even though he beat the insides of Brook's and Livingstone's. "Bowling side spin, I cannot beat batsmen with sidespin. The only way I can beat batsmen with bounce," said Varun while nursing a deserved Playerof-the-Match award. Perhaps most galling for England is he rated his display a humble "seven out of 10".

India's cleaner hands

Bethell's drop of Abhishek did not matter, charging in from deep midwicket, track-

ing the ball all the way only to see it spill through his hands as he dived forwards.

A ball later, Abhishek was caught at long off. An over later, India had confirmed their win. But the sight of one of England's best fielders fall short in that moment highlighted the gap between the two fielding efforts on Wednesday evening.

It would have been one hell of a take, but still not the best of the night. That honour belonged to Nitish Kumar Reddy, who pulled off a tougher version of Bethell's effort, sprinting in at a greater rate of knots and intercepting the ball so close to the ground that the umpires asked for a second look. Buttler, whose charge was halted by that brilliance, had already made it back to the dugout when the television umpire finally gave it the allclear.

Despite playing no part with bat or ball, Reddy got plenty of airtime, taking a simpler catch to remove Jamie Overton and scurrying about the deep on a one-man mission to restrict England's boundary count. That endeavour was matched by those in the ring, with Rinku Singh setting the tone when he claimed a leading edge off Duckett that required him to sprint back from cover with one eye over his shoulder. Of course, Bethell's drop was not even the worst off Abhishek. Rashid's was a far simpler caught and bowled chance. The legspinner was duly punished when the left-hander blitzed three boundaries - the last two sixes over midwicket, then straight down the groundoff the remainder of his over. England's heads dropped - a nod to the nourishing effect of taking your catches.

Varun Chakravarthy's three-wicket haul dented England

Abhishek Sharma smashed a 20-ball fifty

Jos Buttler turned up the tempo for England

Arshdeep Singh produced a double-strike with the new ball

Boodhoo, Chung top 2024 National Indoor Recurve Open tourney

Archery Guyana, over the last weekend, hosted the 2024 National Indoor Recurve Open at the Cyril Potter College of Education Auditorium, Turkeyen Campus, East Coast Demerara (ECD), where the likes of Roshini Boodhoo and Lucas Chung shot their way to Gold.

The high- ly anticipat event brought gether chers from across the nation to compete in an at mosphere charged with ex citement, camaraderie, and high-per formance standards.

practitioner with a passion for sports therapy, was onsite to deliver tailored treatments that enhanced athlete performance and reduced injury risks.

This initiative, now a hallmark of Archery Nationals, was made possible through the invaluable collaboration of Vanessa Wickham, the National Sports Clinic, and Dr. Ariane Mangar from the

Continuing its trailblazing efforts, Archery Guyana ensured the presence of a professional physiotherapist to provide vital support to athletes. Physiotherapist Stowell Barry, a skilled

Archery Guyana once again raised the bar by streaming the competition live and utilising the globally recognised IANSEO software for real-time scoring. This ensured immediate up-

dates for athletes, coaches, and fans, adding to the electrifying atmosphere of the event.

The competition delivered riveting performances and showcased the talent and resilience of the participants:

In the Women’s category, Roshini Boodhoo delivered a commanding performance to claim the gold medal, with Karin Toppin earning silver in a spirited showing by the female archers.

In the men’s category, the bronze medal match captivated spectators as Jeewanram Persaud faced off against the 2024 Barebow gold medallist. In a tightly contested battle, Jeewanram emerged victorious, solidifying his place on the podium.

The gold medal match between veteran archer Sean Duncan and newcomer Lucas Chung was the highlight of the event. Chung, competing in his first national competition, held his nerve to tie with Duncan in regulation rounds. The tension peaked as the match went to a one-arrow shoot-off, where Chung’s precision secured him the gold medal.

Official results:

Men’s Competition: Gold: Lucas Chung Silver: Sean Duncan Bronze: Jeewanram

Persaud

Women’s Competition: Gold: Roshini Boodhoo Silver: Karin Toppin

According to Archery Guyana, the energy at the Cyril Potter College of Education Auditorium was electric, with spectators cheer ing enthusiastically for every shot. The camaraderie among athletes, officials, and fans created an unforgettable experience. Director of Shooting Ryan McKinnon’s leadership and the dedication of competition officials, includ-

ing Chairperson of Judges Robert Singh and Judges Saeed Karim and Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, ensured the event’s success. At the presentation ceremony, Director of Shooting Ryan McKinnon delivered closing remarks, while President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon expressed profound gratitude to key stakeholders, including Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA)

Bangladesh level ODI series with 60-run win

Bangladesh Women secured a dominant 60-run win over West Indies Women in the second One-Day International at Warner Park in St. Kitts on Tuesday to tie the threematch series at 1-1.

The hosts restricted Bangladesh to 184 all out from 48.5 overs after Hayley Matthews won the toss.

Captain Nigar Sultana led the way for the Bangladeshis with 68 off 120 balls including five fours as Karishma Ramharack

and Aaliyah Alleyne led the West Indian bowling with 4-33 and 3-24 from 10 overs and 5.5 overs, respectively.

Looking to follow up a dominant chase in the first game on Sunday, the West Indians faltered mightily this time around, being dismissed for 124 in only 35 overs.

Shemaine Campbelle led the way with 28 with Cherry Ann Fraser (18*), Hayley Matthews (16), Aaliyah Alleyne (15) and Karishma Ramharack (13)

being the only other batters to get to double figures.

Bangladesh were excellent with the ball as a whole with Nahida Akter leading the way with 3-31 from her 10 overs.

Fahima Khatun (2-17 from five overs), Rabeya Khan (2-19 from eight overs) and Marufa Akter (235 from eight overs) were also very good in support.

The series decider will take place at the same venue on Friday.

Bangladesh Women (50 ovs maximum)

Fargana Hoque c Mangru

b Dottin 18

Zaida James 3-0-13-0

West Indies Women (T:185 runs from 50 ovs)

President Godfrey Munroe and Executive Committee, Guyana Beverages Inc’s Samuel Arjoon, the National Sports Clinic’s Vanessa Wickham, Ministry of Health’s Dr. Ariane Mangar, Physiotherapist Stowell Barry and Members of the media.

Special thanks were also extended to Principal Noella Joseph and Alque Stanley for the use of the Cyril Potter College Auditorium, a venue that contributed significantly to the event’s success.

Looking ahead, Archery Guyana was excited to announce the upcoming Youth Open, scheduled for February 8-9, 2025 at the National Gymnasium. This event invites all youth archers to participate and continue developing their skills in this dynamic and inclusive sport.

Murshida Khatun c Mangru

b Alleyne 12

Sharmin Akhter lbw

b Fletcher 11

Nigar Sultana (c)† c Ramharack

b Alleyne 68

Sobhana Mostary c Glasgow

b Ramharack 23

Fahima Khatun lbw

b Ramharack 4

Shorna Akter

b Ramharack 21

Rabeya Khan c Matthews

b Ramharack 1

Nahida Akter c Matthews

b Fraser 9

Marufa Akter not out 1

Fariha Trisna

b Alleyne 0

Extras (lb 1, w 15) 16

Total 48.5 Ov (RR: 3.76) 184

Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Murshida Khatun, 9.2 ov), 2-35 (Fargana Hoque, 10.3 ov), 3-56 (Sharmin Akhter, 16.1 ov), 4-107 (Sobhana Mostary, 27.1 ov), 5-120 (Fahima Khatun, 31.6 ov), 6-158 (Shorna Akter, 41.2 ov), 7-166 (Rabeya Khan, 43.4 ov), 8-180 (Nahida Akter, 47.2 ov), 9-184 (Nigar Sultana, 48.4 ov), 10-184 (Fariha Trisna, 48.5 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Deandra Dottin 6-1-8-1

Cherry-Ann Fraser 4-0-25-1

Aaliyah Alleyne 5.5-0-24-3

Afy Fletcher 10-1-36-1

Hayley Matthews 10-0-44-0

Karishma Ramharack 10-0-33-4

Hayley Matthews (c) c Rabeya Khan

b Nahida Akter 16

Qiana Joseph c †Nigar Sultana

b Marufa Akter 6

Shemaine Campbelle † b Nahida Akter 28

Deandra Dottin c †Nigar Sultana

b Marufa Akter 2

Jannillea Glasgow c Fahima Khatun

b Rabeya Khan 7

Aaliyah Alleyne st †Nigar Sultana

b Fahima Khatun 15

Mandy Mangru lbw

b Nahida Akter 6

Zaida James run out (Nahida Akter) 1

Afy Fletcher lbw

b Fahima Khatun 7

Cherry-Ann Fraser not out 18

Karishma Ramharack lbw

b Rabeya Khan 13

Extras (b 4, w 1) 5

Total 35 Ov (RR: 3.54) 124

Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Qiana Joseph, 2.6 ov), 2-39 (Hayley Matthews, 8.1 ov), 3-44 (Deandra Dottin, 9.4 ov), 4-64 (Jannillea Glasgow, 15.5 ov), 5-64 (Shemaine Campbelle, 16.2 ov), 6-70 (Mandy Mangru, 16.5 ov), 7-72 (Zaida James, 18.3 ov), 8-85 (Afy Fletcher, 24.1 ov), 9-108 (Aaliyah Alleyne, 30.2 ov), 10-124 (Karishma Ramharack, 34.6 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Marufa Akter 8-0-35-2

Fariha Trisna

Bangladesh celebrating their 60-run win

Women’s Gold medallist Roshini Boodhoo alongside silver medallist Karin Tappin

The Winner’s row for the Men’s competition; Gold medallist Lucas Chung (C) flanked on his right by Silver Medallist Sean Duncan and on his left by Bronze Medallist Jeewanram Persaud

A look at the participants and officials at the 2024 Senior Recurve Open

Slingerz players excited about Shabazz possibility

Players at Slingerz Football Club are buzzing with excitement over the possibility of Jamaal Shabazz signing for the club, and sever al of the club’s key players have eagerly vented their anticipation that the deal would happen.

Slingerz mid fielder Curtez Kellman explained, “It’s a great feeling to have the opportunity to reconnect with Coach Shabazz. It’s just what we need at Slingerz heading into a new season. I think he will drive the players to achieve their personal and team goals.”

Kellman has had an outstanding Elite League season last year, and has become a fixture as a starter on the Guyana national team. Reflecting on his time under Shabazz in the national team, Kellman said, “Working with Coach Shabazz helped me to be more versatile and open

to playing more than one position”.

Lovell, who won a house lot as MVP of the ‘One Guyana’ President’s Cup in 2023 as mainly an attacking midfielder, has echoed similar sentiments. Shabazz had converted him into a wingback for the Golden Jaguars, and he also has become a fixture on the Guyana national team, the Golden Jags.

Speaking about how he has been transformed as a player, Lovell stated, “Coach Shabazz played a pivotal role in me becoming a more versatile player. He even sent me to do medical tests to detect certain deficiencies in my energy levels.

His attention to those details improved both my energy levels and understanding of the game.”

Slingerz FC skipper and goalkeeper, Akel Clarke, feels that acquisition of Shabazz is ideal for the club’s vision.

“Coach Shabazz is about the holistic development of the player on and off the field. He wants to know what you eat, what you want to achieve in life, he insists on us becoming more responsible young men, he connects well with the players; yet, he is very demanding and insists on discipline and commitment,” stated Clarke. “Even while I am playing now, he is pushing me to seek my coaching licence and encourages me to think about life after football.”

The veteran goalkeeper also felt the presence of Shabazz would be beneficial to the entire league, and not just Slingerz. “His knowledge and experience will also help build the league into something far better than it is currently, since he is never afraid (to give) his views on how to improve Guyana’s football.”

GFF Boss commends Government’s unprecedented investment in sports development

Like so many other Association leaders around the country, President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, on Wednesday shared a missive voicing his appreciation for the Government of Guyana’s investment in the sport sector; recently highlighted by the revelation of Sport’s largest Budgetary allocation ever, $8B.

Forde’s statement reads, “On behalf of the entire football fraternity, I extend heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, on their unwavering commitment and remarkable leadership in advancing sports in Guyana.

We commend President Ali for his clarity of vision regarding the transformative power of sports in uniting our diverse peoples and communities. His Excellency’s steadfast dedication to fostering national cohesion through sports is truly inspiring and has set a strong foundation for a brighter future.

“Furthermore, we wish to acknowledge and congratulate His Excellency

for the steady and unprecedent ed investment in sports across the nation. This commitment is already yield ing encouraging signs of success, as evidenced by the marked im provements in vari ous sport ing disci plines. The ongoing progress stands as a testament to the intended return on these strategic investments, bringing renewed hope and opportunities to athletes and communities alike.

“While the development of physical sporting infrastructure across Guyana remains a work in progress, the numerous projects currently underway clearly indicate that we are moving in the right direction. The tireless efforts being put into enhancing facilities nationwide reflect a long-term vision that will undoubtedly benefit generations to come.

“The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is proud

For the third consecutive year, Saints Hockey Club (SHC) has travelled to the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago to compete in the Ventures Hockey Club’s international indoor tournament, staged this year from January 9-12, 2025.

Having competed for the first time on foreign soil in 2024, the SHC Women’s team, which included six teenagers, showed remarkable improvement this year. They lost their first match to TT Police Service 1-3; although they had dominated the second half, they were unable to convert their opportunities. They bounced back in their next match to put away

UWI Lions 3-0, but their most notable performance was against the tournament’s eventual winners, Paragon, in their final group match.

Playing phenomenal, fastpaced hockey against a side littered with senior na tional players, Saints Women lost by the nar rowest of margins, 1-2 St. Stanislaus College fourth former Makaylah Poole was SHC’s outstand ing performer, scoring four of her team’s five goals. Saints Men were, how-

ever, the talk of the tournament, having topped their group on goal difference with wins against UWI Lions 7-0, Fatima 4-1, and TT Defence Force 4-1 Their only group stage loss came at the hands of Malvern: 0-1.

The Saints Men then defeated TT Police Service 4-3 in the semifinal to set up a rematch with TT Defence Force (TTDF) in the final. Things seemed to be going the way of their first match in the early exchanges, with the SHC

formative agenda.

mitted to playing our part through struction of the National

Training Centre (NTC) and the Blue Water Shipping Stadium, alongside various community projects planned for this year. These initiatives align with our shared vision of creating a dynamic and inclusive sporting environment that fosters excellence and growth.

“Once again, congratulations to President Ali and Minister Ramson on their extraordinary leadership and dedication to the advancement of sports in Guyana. We look forward to continued collaboration in building a stronger, more united sporting community and countryStronger Together.”

Saints Hockey Club shines in Trinidad

defence standing firm against the high energy attacks of TTDF.

The difference this time was that the SHC counter attacks and penalty corners they created were smothered by the TTDF goalkeeper. The first half ended 0-0. SHC had numerous goal-scoring opportunities in the second half, but time and time again the TTDF goalkeeper was up to the challenge.

Near the end of the second half, a bit of individual brilliance by the TTDF forward Caleb Guiseppi slipped the ball under the SHC ad-

vancing goalkeeper to take a 1-0 lead, which they held till the end.

SHC’s Baraka Garnett was the club’s top scorer with 5 goals, and Oshazay Savory received ‘the best defender’ award of the tournament.

In an invited comment, head coach of SHC, Robert Fernandes, said, “I thought the women showed remarkable improvement compared to last year. They were competitive in every match despite being the youngest team here. All credit goes to their coach Tivesarid Garnett, who is proving to be one of the most outstanding young coaches in Guyana.

“The boys displayed exceptional discipline in defence, and it reflected in the stats. Aside from the semifinal match, they conceded less than a goal a match throughout the tournament. With that type of defence, they’ll be competitive in every match, as they showed. I was disappointed that we didn’t convert our opportunities in the final, because we did create enough to win. We will have to regroup and work on our finishing for next year, but all in all, both teams showed improvement over last year’s performance.”

GFF President, Wayne Forde

Curtez Kellman (left) Slingerz FC Goal keeper, Akel Clarke (right) Leo Lovell(centre)

Yedede Uzzi (Manager), Alexcia Elias, Kezia Chinian, Tekeisha DeLeon, Solana CrumEwing, Sarah Harry, Sueann Fraser, Africo Blackman, Kazaquah Uzzi, Charlyn Elliot, Tivesarid Garnett (Coach). Kneeling - Hadassah Fraser & Makaylah Poole

Yedede Uzzi (Manager), Oshazay Savory, Tahrea Garnett, Baraka Garnett, Jabari Lovell, Raoul Whittaker, Troy Hodge, Tivesarid Garnett, Shomere Garnett, Shakeem Fausette, Javid Hussain & Robert Fernandes (Coach)

Lake Mainstay Goldstar is the newest addition to the GFF’s Elite League, set to compete in this year’s 7th edition of the tournament after coming out on the winning side of a thrilling 1-0 encounter earlier this week in the Elite League Qualifier final.

Following the massive victory for the Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon Football Associationbased club, <<Guyana Times Sport>> was able to catch up with former player turned stand-in Coach of the team, Jermaine Ralph, who led the team to victory.

Speaking on their unique coaching situation, Ralph shared how he got into the job. “It’s because of the move for me. By coming to town, being exposed to different teams, learning different things from other coaches. So, the little that I know, I share it with them; we try however best we can put it into practice, and come out with whatever little that we learn and put our best foot forward,” the stand-in coach related to this publication.

Ralph’s strategies worked out in the end, as he highlighted that their early game-winning goal was a part of the game plan. He explained, “Well, that was the main objective: that we come on, work, and press to get the goals. If we could get the first goal, then we keep pressing. Then we realised that it wasn’t continuous, I tell them fellas, ‘Let we just step back and defend it. We got to defend.’ And it was clear to see in the game the other team kept pressing, so we had to give it we all and defend.

“It was really strenuous on them, cause you could see they tired; their legs were giving up, but it was the determination,” he added.

Quizzed about their entry into the Elite league, where they will meet the best clubs in the country, Ralph detailed some aspects that the team would need to improve.

“Condition! When it comes to fitness and the tactical idea of the game: how to maintain a shape and how to work together as a team, keep more consistency and play more of a possessive.

The more you keep possession of the ball is the more you can get chances,” he pointed out.

“So, there’s a lot of work to be done, and the guys are willing to do it,” he declared.

In spite of the coaching situation and needed improvements however, Ralph is confident that Lake Mainstay Goldstar can hold their own. And he has revealed that they have a point to prove.

The Coach asserted, “We came out to prove something. We came out to prove that Essequibo is not just a joke, cause, as people say, Essequibo doesn’t have a competition; but we proved it here tonight. And coming into the Elite League, we know it is a challenge, but we’re still here to

give it the best; and as long as they’re people out here to give the support, we believe we can go further.

“Why not? If another team do it, we can do it also. The possibility exists. They already told us that we wouldn’t have reached this far, and we’re here. So, as long we can do it now and we put our best foot forward, pray about whatever we endeavour, it can happen,” Ralph said on being able to retain their place in the League at the end of season seven. Lake Mainstay Goldstar defeated Mahaica Determinators 1-0 in the Elite League Qualifiers final on Sunday last.

GBA lauds $8B Sport Budget for 2025

On the heels of Sport’s largest Budget being presented last Friday, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) was among the first groups of local sports associations to have commended the Government for this historic allotment of approximately $8B towards the development of the sports sector.

The announced was made by Senior Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, while presenting the $1.382 trillion 2025 National Budget.

The sum, which is a 73.9% or $3.4B increase on the previous allocation of $4.6B, would afford continued develop ment of sport’s ecosystem under the administration of the Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.

“This significant investment shows Government's strong com mitment to the expansion and ad vancement of sports in our coun try, and we think it will have a significant and favourable effect on boxing's and athletes' futures in general.

With this budget increase, the GBA has the wonderful opportunity to reach more communities, grow our pro grammes, and make even more investments

in our athletes' growth. In addition to helping our boxers perform better on the national and international scene, we think that this dedication will benefit our country as a whole.

“In the end, sports can teach resilience, discipline, and teamwork — qualities that carry over from the ring into every part of life.

“Essentially, the Government is promoting a more vibrant and healthy society by bolstering the sporting ecosystem. This shows a profound appreciation for the role that sport plays in our society, and will help the boxing community tremendously, enabling us to achieve greater things.

“The GBA is dedicated to collaborating with the Government to guarantee that these resources are distributed efficiently; and we want to emphasise our steadfast commitment to fostering and improving the abilities of our boxers and establishing an atmosphere in which they can flourish.

“The value of sports is demonstrated by this budget increase, which we think is a huge step forward for our nation's sporting future.”