Guyana Times - Thursday, January 25, 2024

US$5.3M initiative, CAPA to support regional P7 farmers, build food security

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 5622

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

Guyana to boost cherry, coconut & turmeric production with USAID regional funding …UG signs MoU for research, technical collab with IESC See story on page 3

Budget Debate 2024

Opposition MP taken to hospital after slurred, incoherent speech

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All regions P12 participating in Vision 25 by 2025 …Agri Minister tells Opposition following allegations of neglecting hinterland regions

"I took the phone” – teen admits to seawall robbery P13

P17

"Pooh Bear" P8 found guilty of murdering brother

Businessmen facing rape P11 charges released on $800,000 bail CCTV footage from the Arthur Chung Conference Centre shows female APNU/AFC parliamentarian, Dr Karen Cummings allegedly attempted to get physical with Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Budget Day 2024

APNU/AFC suffering Today’s meeting trafficker from “intellectual Ganja jailed for 2 years, “very important bankruptcy” – Teixeira fined $50,985 step” in implementing blasts Opposition for Joint Declaration of not getting Argyle – Pres Ali “the big picture” Private Sector boosts GPF with 13 motorcycles 3-year-old among 2 for mobile patrol killed after car crashes into concrete piles …4 injured Guyana, Venezuela Foreign Ministers meeting

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana, Venezuela Foreign Ministers meeting

Today’s meeting “very important step” in implementing Joint Declaration of Argyle – Pres Ali

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has described today's meeting between Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, and his Venezuelan counterpart as a critical step toward implementing the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace, which the two South American neighbours signed in December 2023.

This will be the joint commission's inaugural meeting, as the Declaration intended, and it will take place in Brasilia, Brazil. In an effort to reduce tensions over a long-running border controversy over Guyana’s Essequibo region, President Ali and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro met at the Argyle International Airport in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in December 2023.

Those discussions were facilitated by the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Pro-Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit.

Two-thirds of Guyana's land is made up of the resource-rich Essequibo coun-

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd

ty, which is claimed by Venezuela. Following their meeting, Venezuela and Guyana issued the 11-point declaration that included a promise to refrain from using military force, to work together to prevent border incidents, and to continue dialogue to resolve unresolved issues.

Important step

"The meeting is a very important step in fulfilling what we agreed on in St Vincent and the Grenadines, and that was the establishment of this commission to look at all the consequential matters, to develop an agenda so that the conversation between the

two countries can continue and setting the stage for the meetings between the two Presidents," stated President Ali on Wednesday during an interview at his official residence, State House.

Guyana has acted swiftly to uphold the Agreement, according to the Head of State.

President Ali noted that the meeting today would continue discussions between Guyana and Venezuela on extremely important issues and that "it adds to the stability and peaceful environment".

Most importantly, he said, “It gives us [Guyana and Venezuela] the opportunity to outline an agenda with items that both sides will want to speak on.”

The Guyanese leader stated that trade, climate, energy, security, and initiatives to increase trade and strengthen neighbourly relations are among the subjects up for discussion.

The meeting will be attended by the Foreign Ministers and technical persons of both countries, and its main aim will be addressing matters, “as mutually agreed”.

The Guyana delegation will be led by Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Hilton Todd; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud; Permanent Secretary Ambassador

Elisabeth Harper; Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Richard Van West-Charles; Director of the Frontiers Department, Donnette Streete; and Chargé d’Affaires of the Guyana Embassy in Brazil, Vernon Robinson.

Guyana remains fully committed to the principles of the Argyle Declaration, in particular the maintenance of peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Border controversy

Venezuela maintains that the border with Guyana, a former colony of the United Kingdom (UK), was fraudulently imposed by the British.

Guyana, on the other hand, maintains that the line was conclusively determined on October 3, 1899 — 124 years ago — by an arbitration panel (Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899) This border was demarcated jointly by Venezuela and Britain in 1907.

However, on February 14, 1962, Venezuela informed the United Nations Secretary General that it considered there to be a “dispute” between itself and the UK “concerning the demarcation of the frontier between Venezuela and British Guiana”.

After various attempts to resolve the matter had failed,

President Dr Irfaan Ali and President Nicolás Maduro shake hands during talks in St Vincent and the Grenadines in December 2023

the representatives of the UK, Venezuela, and British Guiana signed the Geneva Agreement on February 17, 1966.

On February 17, 1966, just before attaining independence, Guyana became a party to the Geneva Agreement.

Attempts were made in the ensuing decades to resolve the controversy through different means of settlement outlined in the Geneva Agreement.

Finally, after no agreement had been reached, as per the procedure adumbrated in the Agreement, Guyana, in January 2018, asked the United Nations Secretary General to choose a mechanism to settle the controversy.

He chose the International

Court of Justice (ICJ) as the means to resolve the controversy legally.

In the substantive case of 2018, Guyana, among other things, seeks to obtain from the ICJ a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding; and a declaration that Essequibo belongs to Guyana. In the major case, however, a final ruling might not be made for years.

Through orders issued last month, the ICJ has prohibited Venezuela from challenging Guyana's sovereignty over Essequibo until a final ruling in the case is made. (G1)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 25 – 04:00h-05:30h and Friday, January 26 – 04:00h-05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, January 25 – 16:05h-17:35h and Friday, January 26 – 05:00h-06:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions are expected during the day, with cloudy skies and thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 16:31h reaching a maximum height of 2.51 metres.

Low Tide: 10:05h and 22:33h reaching minimum heights of 0.86 metre and 0.70 metre.

Guyana to boost cherry, coconut & turmeric production with USAID regional funding …UG signs MoU for research, technical collab with IESC

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uyanese farmers are set to benefit from specialised technical assistance to expand production of cherry, coconut and turmeric crops in the country under a $5.3 million Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA) initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

CAPA is a three-year programme that is focused on enhancing food security in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean by increasing fruit and vegetable productivity, building the capacity of buyers and input suppliers to strengthen relationships with farmers, and improving farm-level extension systems.

with finding solutions to food and nutrition security problems in Guyana and other nations in the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

IFANS is currently being headed by Professor Leonard O’Garro of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

He told Guyana Times that the Institute developed the turmeric project having recognised the market value the commodity holds, and invited CAPA to partner on developing the spice. “it’s a project which originates from the Institute for Food and Nutrition Security, but CAPA has come onboard as a collaborator and they are partnering with us in specific areas.

So, for example, in areas of demonstration plots, they

CAPA Programme Director Sandiford Edwards and UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin signing the MoU to collaborate on expanding turmeric production in Guyana and other Caricom countries

will provide funding assistance and personnel to assist us in setting up several demonstration plots in Guyana so that farmers can understand the best conditions for growing turmeric,

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Guyana to expand turmeric, cherry and coconut production under the US$5.3 million USAIDfunded Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA) initiative (Agriculture Ministry photo)

The USAID-funded CAPA, which was launched on Wednesday by the USbased Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC), will be rolled out in several countries across the Caribbean including Guyana, where the focus will be on cherry, coconut and turmeric production.

Under this initiative, the University of Guyana (UG) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IESC to working with experts to improve the turmeric value chain in Guyana as well as other regional nations. The pact was inked by CAPA Programme Director Sandiford Edwards and UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin.

Professor Martin explained the university would be leading the research aspect of this project through its Institute for Food and Nutrition Security (IFANS). This facility was set up in September 2022 to assist

and with market and with training,” said the IFANS Director.

Turmeric, cherry and coconut

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot said the MoU between UG and CAPA would lead to policy recommendations and would also help to mobilise much-needed additional technical and financial resources in the Caribbean region.

“US$5.3 million is a great start, but it will not help us to get where we want to be, so having this MoU is really going to be helpful in that regard. The MoU will allow CAPA and UG to work together to improve the turmeric value chain in three of the beneficiary countries – Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname,” she posited.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

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

Parenting

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali made an interesting statement last week when he received the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the Mahdia dormitory fire in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) which left 20 children dead.

Families, he added, also have a significant role in moulding children, pointing out that they “sometimes contribute significantly to the problems we have. So, all of this we have to address in a holistic way”.

At the time, the Head of State was speaking about the pressing need for systematic intervention in addressing the behavioural conduct of youths in schools.

According to the Handbook of Parenting and Child Development Across the Lifespan, “The quality of parenting children receive during childhood and adolescence plays a major role in influencing their developmental competence and ultimately their life course trajectories. The parent-child relationship has a pervasive impact on children, and affects many different areas of development, including language and communication, executive function and self-regulation, sibling and peer relationships, academic attainment, and mental and physical health.”

Parenting now, as in the past, is demanding, sometimes difficult work with many challenges; and now that family life has undergone many changes in the modern world, many parents are juggling new challenges with limited success.

Fractured families result in a fractured society.

Since society as a whole comprises family units, the more fracture these suffer, the more frayed the societal fabric becomes. The greatest threat to modern society is engendered by the rise in single parenthood. Single parenthood precipitates many ills in families and societies, and is most often caused by delinquent fathers who shirk their responsibilities to their families. Worldwide, single mothers are forced to assume the roles of both parents.

Lack of a male role model and an authority figure in their lives – which only a caring, responsible father can provide – has been irrefutably proven by statistics to often cause children to fall prey to societal predators, even criminals. Young girls, in their bid to seek out an equivalent father figure, often fall victims to paedophiles, with related problems such as dropping out of school, child pregnancies, abusive relations, etcetera, with a recurrent nightmarish continuum of self-destructive behaviour. Similarly, boys who grow up in fatherless homes are often lured into anti-social, even criminal, behaviours.

“There’s a growing realisation that the increase in fatherlessness constitutes a clear and present danger, not only to the children, but to the long-term health and success of our society,” said David Blankenhorn, President of the Institute for American Values, a New York-based organisation concerned with family issues.

Men have been engaged in a massive migration away from their children for centuries. Statistics worldwide indicate that divorce rates are nearly tripling, and outof-wedlock birth rates more than quadrupled since 1960.

Demographers say the typical male spends a smaller portion of his adult life living with his children than ever before.

For families to succeed, men, and women, must be given all assistance possible to fulfil their parental roles.

Given that the parent-child relationship and the cultural and community context combine to influence the quality of parenting children, to receive support to strengthen these two factors will improve outcomes for children.

As the Handbook of Parenting and Child Development Across the Lifespan notes, “Parenting support that is delivered at a whole of community level and is attuned to the broader ecological context of modern parenting is needed to promote competent parenting and to reduce the adverse effects of poor parenting on children.

Policy-based investments in evidence-based parenting programmes have great potential to enhance life course outcomes for both children and parents that can have major economic benefits to the entire community.”

Maya Gabeira of Brazil is riding a wave during the Nazare Big Wave Challenge surfing tournament at Praia do Norte, or North Beach, in Nazare, Portugal (VOA photo)

Hooray for Barbie and Oppenheimer.

And the Oscar for truly denying reality goes to … Hollywood!

By Marina Hyde

“I

call it the ‘holy slap’ now,” purred Jada Pinkett Smith of her husband’s decision to lamp Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars two years ago, “because so many positive things came after it.”

God love ’em and everything, but aren’t celebrities incredible? There really is nothing – no incident too blatantly ghastly and embarrassing – that cannot be folded into some kind of aspirational narrative of personal growth. Just as Gwyneth Paltrow’s “conscious uncoupling” offered an opportunity for Her Vajesty to get gorgeously divorced in a way normies could never, so Jada would have you believe that public assault lies on the other side of the glass against which the likes of us can only press our envious snotty noses.

But look, the Oscar nominations are out today! The whole pageant is about to crank up once more, though the obvious sadness is that Will Smith was formally banned from the ceremony for 10 years, meaning attenders at the 10 March event will have to sit through approximately 27 hours of it, miserably safe in the knowledge that no outbreak of “holy” low-level violence could occur.

Then again, it’s always possible someone else could step up. In 1944, Billy Wilder felt (quite rightly) that his movie Double Indemnity had been robbed of best picture

by Leo McCarey’s Going My Way, so he stuck his

foot out in the aisle as the rival director was going up to the stage to collect it. I’m trying to imagine the modern equivalent – maybe The Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer taking down Oppenheimer’s Christopher Nolan?

Obviously: would watch.

But I fear my constitution might not be up to the sheer weight of international think pieces that would follow the equivalent of McCarey’s faceplant were it to occur in 2024.

Perhaps the next best option for confecting eyeball-drawing drama would be to up the number of Oscar statuettes coated in that invisible special substance that makes the person presented with it say incredibly embarrassing things. You know the stuff – Oscars are like those padron peppers. Every now and then you get a hot one.

Fortunately, some Oscar-related amusements are in ready supply.

Indeed, there have been a number of reports over the past few weeks suggesting that high-end fashion has simply run out. As in, A-list dressers have got to the end of haute couture.

Much as people “completed Netflix” during the special circumstances of the pandemic, it seems that the sheer full-spectrum, multi-theatre war of this awards season – coming after the drought caused by the screen actors’ and screenwriters’ strikes last year – means that there is an ACUTE red-carpet gown shortage. In a world absolutely beset by problems, sometimes we all need to just cackle at those

so rarefied that they would be mortified to be described as anything as infra dig as “first world”. Let’s take a look at this crisis situation. “The showrooms have been wiped out,” one stylist breathed to The Hollywood Reporter.

I can’t help feeling that the positively feverish pitch of this year’s awards season thus far stands in ironic counterpoint to the commercial realities buffeting the movie industry. This has certainly happened in the infinitely more glamorous arena of British newspaper journalism. The more journalism has been under threat, the more it has been riven by cuts, the more it has lost out to big tech … the more awards ceremonies seem to have sprung up. There are now several of them every year, each claiming at some point to be “the Oscars of British journalism”. And perhaps they are, now that the Oscars isn’t even the Oscars as it used to be.

Please don’t get me wrong, as I’m one of the weirdos who’s seen all the best picture nominations, but we do have to accept that we live in an age where blockbusters of the past such as The Deer Hunter or Rain Man would now be niche features getting utterly whipped at the box office by franchises or movies based on video games or toys. This is an industry in which “Lena Dunham’s Polly Pocket movie” and “Daniel Kaluuya’s Barney the Dinosaur movie” are actual forthcoming projects that are actually happening. A

couple of years ago, wouldbe awards contenders contained no fewer than three love letters to cinema by three previously Oscarwinning directors (Steven Spielberg, Sam Mendes and Damien Chazelle), whose total combined US domestic gross was about one-38th of Avatar: The Way of Water. It was about a 23rd of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (not one that troubled the Academy).

In some ways, then, 2024 is a curate’s egg. This year finds the industry torn between the modern novelty of there being best picture nominations for movies that lots and lots of people have actually seen – Barbie and Oppenheimer – and the knowledge that this is not about to be replicated in the immediate outlook. Theatrical chains expect 2024 North American box office to be 11% down on 2023 figures, while even TV viewership for ceremonies such as the Golden Globes is miles below what it used to be. The Oscars always used to claim its telecast was watched by a billion people, but seems to have quietly retired this claim in recent years. Last year, 18.8 million US viewers tuned in. The division of blame between studios, tech companies and even audiences is a matter of continuing debate. But a holy slap has been delivered to cinema, and even a business built on pretending increasingly no longer avoids acknowledging it.

(The Guardian) (Marina Hyde is a Guardian columnist)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

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

Throwing money at UG Unauthorised bus fare increase problem is not solution

Dear Editor, Would money transform the University of Guyana (UG) into a “world-class institution?” That is the question that must be answered as the 2024 Budget debates roll on. To date, I have not seen for UG an articulated vision that gives credence to the premise that money is the issue.

The administration of UG has used increases, but the physical plant has failed to improve basic washroom facilities. Lecture theatres remain the same; lectures are conducted by and large online, as are tutorials. I will avoid in-depth discussion of the quality of education being delivered; suffice to say it is more akin to ‘schooling’ than the advancement of knowledge and the development of high cognitive skills, which a university is expected to facilitate. One would be hard pressed to see differences in the output of a year-one or year-three law student in

the law programme, other than the course subject.

UG Campus ‘life’ continues to struggle. The sports teams have failed to fire a spirit of community, and the various student societies have become beacons for divisiveness. The UG Law Society is the perfect example, with nine executive members being all of one ethnicity. It is an important society, but is crafted with no awareness of the need for diversity and the different points of view required to shape a society. cricket teams are picked in villages with more sensitivity of Guyana’s ethnic diversity and need for inclusivity.

The UG Law Society composition has drawn no comment from the UG administration, or any attempt at mentorship/ correction/ guidance; it is symptomatic of a self-centered administration, blind to its responsibilities in creating future leaders of our society.

Recently, former Mayor

Ubraj Narine wrote in support of the UG administration, and it begs the question of how Ubraj became a student, given his lack of requisite CXC passes. Two grade threes do not a university student make, any explanation from the UG administration would be welcome.

Editor, there is no doubt that there will be ever-increasing allocations of ‘money’ to UG; $3.1B in ’21, $3.5B in ’22, $3.7B in ’23, and $4.1B in ’24. A billion dollars more in three short years, with no noticeable corresponding improvement in the quality of education or the physical plant.

Unless the current UG administration can present an articulated vision, accompanied by a comprehensive and actionable plan that shows how UG would transition from ‘schooling’ to ‘university education’, then ‘more money’ should be accompanied by new management.

There should be a worldwide search for qualified administrators, because if this group is the best we have, then our best is simply not good enough. A change in legislation is also in order for us to put in place a governing board that takes the UG motto to heart. “To discover, generate, disseminate, and apply knowledge of the highest standard for the service of the community, the nation, and of all mankind within an atmosphere of academic freedom that allows for free and critical enquiry.”

Currently, one would struggle to make a connection between the goals espoused in the motto and the reality on UG’s campus.

Throwing money at the UG problem is not the solution; that solution begins with acknowledgment of the issues, and those issues are solved with vision.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

Guyana to boost cherry, coconut & turmeric...

Currently, Region One (Barima-Waini) has been identified as Guyana’s spice capital with some 100 acres of turmeric presently under cultivation along with an even larger crop of ginger.

Following consultations with local stakeholder agencies like the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI); the local Private Sector and farmers, IESC subsequently identified turmeric, cherry and coconut as the three target commodities for support under the CAPA initiative.

According to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, these three target commodities identified for development in Guyana have significant growth potential and as such, Government has been investing in creating an enabling environment to increase their productivity here.

With regard to cherry, Mustapha noted that efforts have already begun locally to expand Guyana’s production capacity to meet the high-demand market. In fact, IESC has commenced stakeholder consultations with NAREI, a major processor, along with some small processors as well, and a number of cherry farmers in the Laluni area on the LindenSoesdyke Highway.

“There is a strong demand for cherries especially for use in the fruit juice industry and assisting smallholder farmers to increase production will help to meet this need.

Cherry is among the preferred fruit juices demanded. Information from a major processor suggests that the demand for cherry averages one million pound per annum. Presently, we are supplying less than 50 per cent of that. So, there is a lot of work we have to do among the cherry farmers to expand cultivation,” the Agriculture Minister stressed.

Cherry industry

Mustapha, who is also heading the Caricom Ministerial Taskforce on Food Security, believes that the Region could work closely with USAID to further develop the cherry industry and take advantage of these opportunities.

Similarly with cherry, there is also huge market opportunities for coconuts.

The Minister noted that the Guyana Government has established coconut nurseries in strategic locations across the country as part of its expansion efforts. In the last three years, nurseries have been built in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Nine with plans to do the same in Regions Eight and

10.

“We have seen in the increase in coconut production to about 40,000 seedlings in 2023 and there was an expansion of 6500 acres of coconut from 2020 to 2023. We have also started to import the Brazilian Green Dwarf coconut – a high-yielding nut – and we’re helping farmers to get that nut so that we can increase yields. We have seen that the coconut has been one of the lucrative crops around the world and over 500 farmers in Guyana have been engaged in this programme to expand coconut production,” Minister Mustapha said.

Local coconut farmer and exporter Rajkumar Outar of Rayo Trades Inc – one of the businesses that will benefit from the US$5.3 million regional CAPA initiative – noted that the market demand

Dear Editor, This letter is to inform the relevant authorities (Traffic Chief; Guyana Police Force; Ministry of Public Works; Consumer Affairs Bureau, and any other) of the unauthorised but widespread increase in fares of the #44 minibuses working the GeorgetownAnnandale/ Strathspey route. As a regular passenger on this route, I have recently noted multiple drivers charging passengers an extra $60 a drop, raising the cost of the ride to/ from Georgetown to $200 (up from $140). While this may not seem like a large increase to some, and while others may want to cite the increased cost of living, it is important to note that many Guyanese continue to struggle to make ends meet, and have not seen any significant rise in their earnings. As such, any cost increase of a necessary item, such as transportation, means those persons having to reduce or forego in some other area.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it is the principle of the matter that

irks me more. The fact is that these bus drivers have just decided among themselves to ignore the rule of law and impose their own will on a hapless public.

We, minibus passengers, are already at the mercy of these unsavory characters; who drive recklessly, blast lewd music, and overcrowd their buses daily with few to no sanctions. The fact that they can just declare “$200 is it now”, and get away with this breach of the rule of law is a sad indictment of the state of affairs in Guyana today.

I’m leaving out for now the fact that these drivers regularly increase their fares for rush/evening and weekend hours, and bully/ curse/threaten/evict passengers like me who dare to speak up and challenge their arrogance. I will also leave out the fact that I have often witnessed Police in uniform riding in these buses while numerous traffic codes are being violated, and remaining silent.

Sincerely, Name withheld

FROM PAGE 3

was high for coconut. For example, he pointed out that Guyana is currently unable to meet the demand for coconut in the Dominican Republic.

“Guyana should continue to increase its cultivation of this blessed fruit.

A coconut palm may take years to come to productivity and cultivating now definitely is not too early.

The dynamics are changing, the demands are growing and the benefits far too many for this one-of-a-kind crop not to be given its due recognition… Coconut is the magic fruit – one which offers huge benefits to humankind. Its consumption each grows and Guyana has a unique opportunity to be counted as one of the major suppliers in this hemisphere and make it a country brand. Let’s do it,” the businessman declared.

(G8)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:30 10:00 11:30 12:00 12:05 13:35 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30 00:00

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Dividing fractions by whole numbers

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To divide a fraction by a whole number, multiply the denominator of the fra THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

◄

Page Foundation Power Up Maths

Set in box 20

Example: Divide: 32 ÷ 8

Step 1: Keep the original numerator

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Soof thethe ÷fraction 8 =denominator To divide a fraction by a whole number, multiply the denominator by the whole 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 whole To divide a fraction by a whole number, multiply the denominator of the fraction by the Set in box vide a fraction by a whole number, multiply the denominator of the fraction by the whole number.

number. the denominator Set in box mber, multiply of the fraction by the whole number.

Set in box 20 n box Example: Divide: ÷ 8 20 ÷ 8 20 Exercises: Multiply Example: Divide: 32 Exercises: Multiply Example: Divide: 32 ÷ 8 32 20 ple: Divide: 32 ÷ 8 3 1) 3 ÷ 3 Step 1: Keep the original numerator Step 1: Keep the original numerator Step 1: Keep the original numerator 1: Keep the original numerator 10 Step 2: Multiply the denominator of thenumber. fraction or ÷ by 10 the whole number.

2) the denominator of the fraction by the whole Step 2: Multiply Step 2: Multiply the denominator of the fraction 4 by the whole number.

2: Multiply the denominator of the fraction by the whole number. x 8denominator. = 256. This is the new denominator. or of the fraction by 32 the x 8 whole = 256.number.

This is the32new 32 xdenominator.

8 = 256. This is the new denominator.

32 x 8 = 256. This is the new 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 1 ew denominator. 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 So 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 ÷ 8 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 3) ÷ 2 So ÷ 8 = 𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 3 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 ÷ 8 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 So 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 ÷8= 𝟑𝟑

THE GIFTS OF THE FAIRY GODMOTHER

𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑

Exercises: Multiply cises: Multiply 3

÷ 10

÷2

8

÷ 4

3 1) ÷ 3 3

Exercises: Multiply

6

4) 8 ÷ 8

3

1) 3 ÷ 3 Exercises: Multiply

10 2) 4 ÷ 103 3

A

𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐

1) ÷ 3 2)

10

5) 16 ÷ 4

SILLY PUTTY INVESTIGATION

1 3) lthough ÷ 2 not inventing in 3

the strictest sense, this activity is a wonderful way to reinforce the scientific process and strategies for 1 problem-solving as students 6 experiment with silly putty 4) ÷ 8 8 3 recipes.

÷2

Materials White school glue Liquid laundry starch (one432 oz bottle or smaller) 5) Measuring ÷ 4 spoons 6 of 16 different sizes to share 8 Cups and stirrers Food colouring (optional)

4) ÷ 8

How Silly Putty was invented In the 1940s during WWII, the United States

4

4

2) 4 ÷ 10

10 ÷ 10 1 4 3) ÷ 2

3)

by Frank A. Collymore

5) 16 ÷ 4

3 Government needed more rubber for airplane tyres, soldiers’ boots and other uses. Unfortunately, there was not enough natural rubber6 (the kind that 4) 8 ÷from 8 the rubber comes tree) available, so someone needed to invent a synthetic (or human-made) rubber.

Silicon was a substance found 4in sand that was 5) ÷to 4be appropriate believed 16 for making this synthetic rubber. Since there is a lot of sand (and therefore silicon) available, the Government asked several large companies to have their engineers try to make a rubber substitute.

Experimenting One day James Wright, an engineer at General Electric, was doing tests with silicon oil. He tried adding a chemical called boric acid and came up with a useless gooey substance that bounced, so he had to start over!

Five years later, in 1949, a man named Peter Hodgson thought of an idea for this useless goo. Through his own experimenting, he thought this goo would make a great toy. So he borrowed US$147, encased the goo in plastic “eggs” and called it “Silly Putty”. It was first sold to adults and then several

years later to children.

Through many adults and children playing with (and testing!) Silly Putty over the years, it has come to have a variety of uses. Can you name any? Maybe you could create a new use for Silly Putty.

Do you think you could make a Silly Putty through your own testing. Sure you can! Just like Peter Hodgson, we have the basic ingredients needed and have played with this substance before, most likely. Now all we need to do is conduct some tests with the ingredients.

Experiment using the glue and starch.(Startwithabook. org)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US$5.3M initiative, CAPA to support regional farmers, build food security …to complement Caricom’s 25 by 25 efforts

A

s part of the regional food security agenda, the United Stated Agency for Development (USAID) has plugged US$5.3 million into an agricultural programme – Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA) – to support farmers and increase investments to enhance efficiency and reliability in growing and accessing food.

CAPA is a three-year initiative that focuses on helping farmers to increase fruit and vegetable productivity; build relationships between buyers, suppliers, and farmers; and improve farm-level extension systems. The programme will use an integrated value chain approach to facilitate the adoption of on-farm technologies such as shade houses and climate smart practices to increase yields, strengthen farm to market logistics, and support value addition and practical storage solutions to maintain shelf life.

Countries that will benefit from this initiative include Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, and Guyana, where the programme headquarters is set up.

During the launch of CAPA at the University of Guyana Campus on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, this initiative is necessary given the region’s vulnerability to climate change.

He noted it will also push the Caribbean Community (CARICOM’s) aggressive food security agenda – Vision 25 by 25.

“This Activity serves a particular useful purpose at a critical time by enhancing the knowledge, skills and access of small-scale farm-

(L-R) IESC Associate Vice President Adam Keatts, coconut farmer and exporter Rajkumar Outar, US Ambassador Nicole Theriot, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, Caricom Assistant SecretaryGeneral Joseph Cox, Vice Chancellor of UG Dr Paloma Mohamed Martin, and USAID’s Regional Representative Mervyn Farroe at Wednesday’s launch of CAPA

ers to agriculture inputs and technology to promote improved agriculture practices and technology including climate smart agriculture.”

“The Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity will complement our efforts and provide much needed support throughout the entire value chain and in the process, augment Guyana’s, and indeed the region’s, effort at sustainability, diversifying the sector, commercializing the sector and in significantly contributing towards meeting the regional goal of reducing food imports by 25 per cent in 2025,” Minister Mustapha stated.

The USAID-funded CAPA is one of the initiatives by the US Government coming out of the 9th Summit of the Americas and is a major pillar of the USCaribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC2030).

Food insecurity chal-

lenges According to US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, CAPA will address the food insecurity challenges facing the Caribbean region that have been exacerbated by the fallout from the RussiaUkraine war, the ongoing climate crisis, rising food prices, and the disruption to supply chains.

The US diplomat affirmed the significance of CAPA in supporting improved smallholder access to markets and integration into value chains, as well as providing agritech and climate smart technology opportunities with small and medium agribusinesses and farmers.

“CAPA is going address these challenges by promoting sustainable agricultural practices; increasing farmer knowledge via improved extension capacity; formalizing smallholder market access by holding medium, small and micro inner price capacities, and improving

the region’s access to locally produced food. And in that way, it actually meshes quite beautifully with the 25 by 25 programme of CARICOM,” Ambassador Theriot posited.

Meanwhile, USAID’s Regional Representative – Eastern and Southern Caribbean Mission, Mervyn Farroe, said the agency is working with Caribbean partners to mitigate the challenges affecting food production. He added that a key part of unlocking the full potential of the region’s agricultural sector is private sector partnership.

“CAPA will be addressing several challenges aimed

at strengthening the supply chain for target fruits and vegetables. The Activity will have a significant focus on private sector engagement including strengthening the capacity of micro-small and medium enterprises in the agricultural sector and creating critical linkages, and access to markets in the region. Many of our smallholder farmers will benefit from access to world-class technical assistance, linkages with financial institutions and critical markets where there is the requisite demand.

“CAPA is about helping to ensure food security over the long term. This initiative will stimulate investments to increase efficiency and reliability in growing and accessing food so that farmers can better nourish families, communities, and nations,” Farroe stated.

The US$5.3 million CAPA programme is one of several initiatives supported by USAID in the Caribbean.

CAPA is being rolled out by US-based Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The activity includes three interconnected objectives to achieve tangible positive impact for smallholder farmers, enterprises, and consumers across the region. These are: in-

crease smallholder market-led production of fruits and vegetables; improve domestic and regional market linkages for smallholder farmers; and strengthen public/private sector extension skills, capacity and systems to transfer best practices to smallholder farmers.

CAPA will also provide virtual capacity building and knowledge sharing events for stakeholders throughout the Eastern and Southern Caribbean region.

According to Associate Vice President and Practice Lead, Agriculture-led Growth – IESC, Adam Keatts, explained that the CAPA initiative has outlined a list of commodities as part of the target value chain that will be developed by each beneficiary country.

In Guyana, the focus will be on cherry, turmeric and coconut production. In St Vincent and the Grenadines will have banana and plantain, dasheen and sweet potato, and fresh vegetables.

Suriname will have banana and plantain, turmeric and passion fruit. In Dominica, they will focus on cassava, dasheen and sweet potato, and passion fruit.

“As you can see, there’s a little bit of overlap between countries and so there is opportunities for us to share lessons across countries where those opportunities present themselves,” Keatts stated. (G8)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

"Pooh Bear” found guilty of murdering brother

Convicted murderer Wensley Williams

W

ensley Williams, also known as "Pooh Bear", 43, was found guilty on Wednesday of the capital offence of murder in connection with his younger brother's passing.

But the jury concluded that he was "insane" when he murdered his sibling.

Before Demerara High Court Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Williams, who once resided at Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD), had been on trial for the May 2020 killing of Cleveland Hodge.

The Judge has postponed the convict’s sen-

Murdered: Cleveland Hodge

tencing hearing until February 29, 2024, when she will hear psychiatric and other social impact reports on him.

Williams is being held on remand in the interim.

Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd and Candaice Adams represented Williams, and the case was prosecuted

by State Counsel Caressa Henry, Joy Williams, and Padma Dubraj.

The verdict was returned in accordance with Section 177 of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act which states: “If any accused person appears, either before or on arraignment, to be in-

sane, the court may order a jury to be empanelled to try the sanity of the person, and the jury shall thereupon, after hearing evidence for that purpose, find whether he is or is not insane and unfit to take his trial; but a verdict under this section shall not affect the trial of any person so found to be insane for the offence for which he was indicted, if he subsequently becomes of sound mind.”

Hodge, 39, also known as “Bruk Up”, a gold miner of Grove Squatting Area, EBD, was stabbed by his brother on May 21, 2020, at Old Road, Craig, EBD, and he died the next day.

The case facts detailed that on May 21, 2020, around 15:10h, Hodge observed that Williams had a knife in his possession. He then approached the mentally challenged Williams with the intention of taking the weapon away from him to prevent him from harming himself.

However, as he went closer, Williams slashed him once to his right elbow, then to his left elbow as he used his hands to protect himself. Williams then further slashed his sibling to

Meeting…

N

Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry

his left shoulder and under his right arm. Publicspirited citizens came to Hodge’s assistance, and he was taken to the Diamond Hospital, where he was admitted, treated for his injuries, and sent away from the institution around 19:00h the very day.

However, while at home, Hodge complained of feeling unwell owing to the injuries. He was again rushed to the Diamond Hospital, where he was re-admitted, and then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he subsequently died around 13:39h on May 22, 2020.

…for what?

ow, your Eyewitness understands that governments mightn’t be in a position to let their citizens have the complete scoop when it comes to dealing with foreign states. But he’s real confused about what’s on the agenda of the “Joint Commission of the Foreign Ministers and Technical Persons” of our Mudland and Venezuela’s when they meet in Brasilia today. The said meeting was agreed to pursuant to the Argyle Declaration signed by our Pressie and Venezuela’s Mad Maduro, and was supposed to address matters “as mutually agreed”.

As far as the Declaration is concerned, the matters “mutually agreed” were basically to agree to disagree!!

We maintained that Venezuela’s Border Controversy about the 1899 Arbitral Award will be decided by the ICJ – which court the Venezuelans reject as not having jurisdiction to make any such determination!! The Venezies, on the other hand, have annexed our entire Essequibo region west of the river, and have given the offshore oil companies three months to vamoose!! In the meantime, the Governor appointed by Mad Maduro over the Essequibo is supposed to be receiving bids for drilling!!

From where your Eyewitness sits – here in Demerara listening to the Opposition’s wannabe leaders undermining Aubrey in the Budget debates – it looks like a classic case of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object!! Now, from the word go, the Venezies - even before Mad Maduro - never wanted any court to decide matters: for the simple reason they haven’t been able to come up with a single legal reason why their outlandish claim can stand!! As such, they’ve always insisted on these bilateral “negotiations”, where they figure they can literally throw their (military) weight around to bully us into making concessions!!

So, your Eyewitness returns to the agenda today in Brasilia. Surely, the two teams won’t be trying to stare each other down, or engage in arm wrestling? Or is it once again to be set by default by one of the interlocutors – Ralphie Boy of St Vincent, or the host Lula?? The danger, of course, is those interlocutors have their own countries’ interests that will always trump ours. And while Lula’s a whale compared to the minnow Ralphie, Mad Maduro can always make Lula an offer he can’t refuse - from the 300 billion barrels of oil he can swill around!! He’ll be killing two birds with that stone, since he’ll pre-empt the US’ decade-long frenzied attempts to control that oil!!

Anyhow, back to our delegation’s remit. Since there’s nothing Mad Maduro can possibly offer us - such as even withdrawing his “annexation”, which, to begin with, is illegal, according to international law – and since our Pressie has declared that we’re simply waiting on the ICJ, some firm handshakes all around is about the most that should be offered!! …of (annexing) minds Russia’s been Venezuela’s strongest ally in South America since Chavez decided he was a born-again communist who’d have the working class and peasants – his parents were peasants – take over Venezuela’s wealth. After a couple of failed coups, he was elected on this populist line, and set about moulding his nation in his vision in 1999. Up to then, the US was backing the government; this meant taking on the US along with the old ruling strata. And Russia loved it, since in addition to Cuba tweaking Uncle Sam’s beard; they now had an oil-rich Venezuela!!

From what we can now see, the friendship didn’t just include purchasing billions of dollars of Russian-made weapons, but also adopting Russia’s strategy of waging hybrid warfare in the grey zone. In this case, using all sorts of tactics to intimidate neighbours, and eventually finding “reasons” for expropriating them.

It is not by coincidence that Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 was followed by Mad Maduro’s revanchist programme for Essequibo!! …stumbler Your Eyewitness was intrigued to see the US’ 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade training our GDF personnel. They’ll “advise and assess the operations of the GDF training corps and engineer battalion, maintenance, and warehouse operations.” A military base definitely in the offing!

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

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

9

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

11 Businessmen facing rape charges released on $800,000 bail NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T

wo Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) businessmen faced charges of rape on Wednesday.

Rohan Narine, 52, of Cullen Public Road, Essequibo Coast, faced charges of rape under Section 3(3) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03. The alleged offence was committed against a female from the Essequibo Coast, Region

Charged: Rohan Narine

Two. During the court proceedings before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court, the charge was read to Narine. Despite objections from the Prosecutor, he was released on $300,000 bail. The case has been adjourned to February 7.

In a separate case heard also at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s

Charged: Haimchand Takram

Court, Haimchand Takram, a 60-year-old businessman residing at La Belle Alliance, who was accused of having sexual activity with a child family member, was committed to stand trial in the High Court.

It is alleged that between September 1, 2022, and September 30, 2022, at La Belle Alliance, Essequibo Coast, he had sexual activity with a child family member.

The offence is contrary to Section 16 (3a) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03.

During the court proceedings, Magistrate Sam ruled that there was enough evidence to proceed to trial.

Takram has been committed to stand trial at the next practicable session at the Suddie Supreme Criminal Court.

Bail was granted in the sum of $500,000. (G9)

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

All regions participating in Vision 25 by 2025 …Agri Minister tells Opposition following allegations of neglecting hinterland regions

T

he Government has already expended billions on the agriculture sector and would continue to invest in all regions across the country.

This statement was made by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during the third day of the 2024 Budget debate in response to an earlier presentation by Opposition parliamentarian with shadow responsibility for the agriculture sector, Vinceroy Jordan.

Both parliamentarians clashed over hefty investments for the agriculture sector, given that $97.6 billion was set aside in this year’s budget for the advancement of the sector.

During his remarks to the National Assembly, Jordan claimed that the monies spent on the sector did not necessarily benefit a majority of farmers across the country.

In this regard, he asserted that agricultural production continued to be focused on the coast and was not expanded into more rural and hinterland regions.

“Who do they think they will continue to fool for long time done short like left…

Mr Speaker, like the hon-

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

ourable leader of the opposition, Mr Aubrey Compton Norton, I share the views and visions that the peoples of Region number one, two, seven, eight, nine and 10 must be given the opportunity to develop their potential in agriculture to feed those regions and play also, Sir, an integral role in placing Guyana not only as the bread basket of the Caribbean, Sir, but also the South American nation that will feed the nations of the world,” Jordan stated.

Revitalised and developed

However, Mustapha debunked this claim, noting that many industries were revitalised and would be fur-

ther developed in 2024.

On this point, he revealed that Region One (BarimaWaini) was transformed into the central area for spices while villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are now producing their own rice and the construction of a new agro-processing facility in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) is aiding in the manufacturing of products.

Aside from expanded production along the coast, Mustapha said the Government has already invested in expanded agricultural production in other regions.

“The young people of our country today they are not being told to go and do plantain chip, cook-up rice, and dog food and pepper sauce. Young people today are involved in agriculture…the hydroponics project that we’ll start in Regions Two, Five and 10 will see over 300 young people on each project being involved.

We are not telling them; we have a policy that Guyana becomes food secure,” the Agriculture Minister stated.

Jordan noted that under the coalition Government

Opposition parliamentarian Vinceroy Jordan

from 2015 to 2020, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) received approximately $4 billion in budget-

ary provision to support the industry’s profitability.

He lamented that in three years, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has invested more than $30 billion in the industry, but significant gains have not been seen.

“Mr Speaker, we will continue to question the poor management and gross incompetence of this government when it comes to GuySuCo after knowing for a fact, Sir, what the VP Jagdeo did at Skeldon with that failure of a project, Mr Speaker,”

Jordan stated.

In response, Mustapha rejected the comments, reminding those gathered at the National Assembly that the coalition Government “closed estates and left thousands of people unemployed”.

And a result, PPP/C, upon its return to office in 2020, was “forced to spend large sums” to reopen estates, so that production could recommence.

“The sugar industry as I said we will continue to revitalise and recapitalise, because when we took over in 2020, when we went to these estates, we inherited damaged punts, damaged factories, and

al efficiency.

In the 2022 and the 2023 Budgets, GuySuCo received $6 billion and $4 billion in the national budgets, respectively, and this was supported by supplementary funding in both years.

Additionally, of the $97.6 billion budgeted for the agricultural sector, $1.3 billion would be expended by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to support increased production and productivity in the rice industry.

In terms of other crops, cultivation of corn, soya bean, citrus, spices, coconuts, high-value crops such as broccoli, cauliflowers, bell pep-

fields were abandoned… today the sugar industry is once again becoming vibrant, we are seeing growth in the sugar industry, last year we have seen a 28 per cent growth in the industry…. And last year it will grow another 66 per cent to ensure that we make 100 tonnes of sugar,” Minister Mustapha said.

pers, romaine lettuce, and carrots will expand.

In 2023, 40,000 seedlings were produced and 13,000 high-yielding coconut seed nuts were imported to improve coconut productivity across the country, with 1274 additional acres of coconuts cultivated and 297 farmers benefiting from training.

In 2024, Government will continue to accelerate coconut production by investing in 39,000 high-yielding seed nuts targeting 500 additional farmers

Budget 2024

This year, $6 billion has been allocated to GuySuCo to help the corporation to bolster its production and operation-

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3-year-old among 2 killed after car crashes into concrete piles …4 injured

Dead: Bhagat Singh

A

three-year-old and a 50-year-old man lost their lives in a devastating accident at the intersection of the Heroes Highway and the Diamond Main Access Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead are Elliana Persaud, a three-year-old toddler, and 50-year-old Bhagat Singh of Providence Housing Scheme, EBD. Singh tragically lost his teenage son in a similar incident just five months ago.

The fatal incident occurred about 18:10h on Tuesday, as motor car PAD 6435, with six occupants, ran into concrete piles on the side of the Diamond Main Access Road.

Dead: Elliana Persaud

The other occupants of the vehicle were 21-yearold Daniel Gomes, along with 23-year-old Britney Hendricks, Tresha Singh, and one-year-old Emily

Persaud, all residents of Providence Housing Scheme.

According to the Police, Gomes was allegedly speeding along the eastern carriageway of Heroes Highway, and he missed a crucial diversion marked by lawfully-placed reflectors and road markings. These indicators were intended to guide vehicles into a westward turn onto Diamond Main Access Road, which Gomes failed to execute as specified.

Police said that public-spirited persons rescued the occupants of the vehicle. However, three-year-old Elliana succumbed to her injuries during medical treatment at Diamond Hospital.

Singh was pronounced dead at the hospital. The remaining two occupants were admitted for observation.

The survivors are currently hospitalised, with

"I took the phone” – teen admits to seawall robbery

Justin Ollivierre

U

nrepresented by legal counsel, Justin Ollivierre of Lot 62 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara made an appearance on Wednesday before Chief Magistrate (ag) Sherdel IsaacsMarcus in that Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and admitted that, on January 22, he robbed John Satnarine of a $30,000 Samsung cell phone in an incident that occurred along the Georgetown Seawall.

He also admitted that this act of robbery was committed while he was in the company of others and was armed with a knife.

When given the opportunity to speak to the court, the 19-year-old Ollivierre told the magistrate, "I took the phone.” He, however, denied threatening the victim with a knife.

According to the Police prosecutor, at about 12:30h on Monday, Ollivierre, who was carrying a knife, and two other men approached Satnarine as he was waiting for transportation near the Kitty roundabout.

They demanded that he hand over his possessions, and when he refused, a confrontation ensued between him and the robbers, who eventually stole

his phone and hurt him in the process before fleeing on foot.

Ollivierre was caught

by Police after the victim raised an alarm, and a knife was found in his pants waist while Satnarine's cell phone was found in his pocket.

Satnarine was taken to the hospital for treatment after the incident.

Ollivierre will be sentenced on February 14, after the court has heard a probation report. In the meantime, he has been remanded to prison.

Ollivierre has also been charged with carrying out another robbery at the Georgetown Seawall on Monday.

He is accused of robbing Rawle Fiedtkou of a $30,000 Samsung phone and $15,000 cash while he was with other people and was carrying a knife.

He entered a not-guilty plea to this allegation, and has been remanded to prison after bail was denied.

(G1)

The scene of the accident

Hendricks at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in Critical Bay, and Gomes admitted as a patient.

Bhagat Singh lost his 17-year-old son Devanand Singh just five months ago in a road accident at Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara. In that accident, Devanand Singh lost control of the vehicle he was driving, leading to the deaths of three other teens.

Along with Devanand Singh, 19-year-old Daniel Terbeni, 18-year-old Divyanie Narine, and 19-year-old Amiesha Yasoda Jaikaran also died in that accident.

Police had reported that the young man was report-

edly speeding and as a result, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the rear of a parked lorry.

After hitting the lorry, the vehicle then crashed into a concrete fence. Two of the occupants were pronounced

dead at the scene, whilst the driver (Devanand) and another occupant were taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in an unconscious state, where they died while receiving medical attention. (G9)

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Private Sector boosts GPF with 13 motorcycles for mobile patrol T

he Private Sector in Guyana has joined forces with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to reinforce the GPF’s commitment to combatting crime.

At a simple ceremony on Wednesday, the Police Force received a donation of 13 motorcycles from various Private Sector entities across the country, among which were Innovations America, J's Supermarket, Two Brothers Service Station/ Shioil, Jaigobin Hotel, and R. Kissoon Contracting Service.

Deputy Commissioner 'Administration,' Calvin Brutus, in accepting the motorcycles on behalf of the GPF, expressed gratitude for the much-needed boost to the Force's anti-crime

The motorcycles that were gifted to the GPF by the Private Sector (GPF photo)

Essequibo Coast man jailed for breaching protection order

K

evindra Jadgeo of Perth Public Road on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by Anna Regina Magistrate Esther Sam after he had appeared before her to face a charge of breaching a protection order issued by the court.

That order had been issued against the 32-yearold Jagdeo at the petition of his 52-year-old mother Seromani Jagdeo, a resident of Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast, and the court heard that

he breached the order on January 19.

When Magistrate Sam conducted Jagdeo’s trial on Tuesday, two witnesses testified, and Jadgeo, in presenting his defence, provided sworn testimony and was subjected to cross-examination by the prosecutor. Following the proceedings, Magistrate Sam found Jadgeo guilty of breaching the protection order.

The charge was laid under Section 32 (b) of the Domestic Violence Act, chapter 11:09.

Jailed: Kevindra Jadgeo

capabilities, and emphasised the significance of the donation in enhancing the Force's ability to maintain safety in challenging-to-reach communities.

He also highlighted the crucial role the donation would play in complementing the Force’s four-wheel vehicles, especially in areas where accessibility is a concern. “…they (partners in the Private Sector) share the same goal as we in making sure that communities that we live in are safe for everyone to transact their personal life… These cycles will go a long way in assisting us in being mobile…”, he is quoted as saying in a release from the GPF. Deputy Commissioner 'Operations,' Ravindradat Budhram, during his address, assured that the motorcycles would undergo proper registration and regular maintenance by the Force.

According to the release, both Budhram and Brutus extended their heartfelt thanks to the business owners and representatives for their timely and invaluable contribution, and affirmed

that the motorcycles would play a pivotal role in fulfilling the Force's mandate of Service and Protection.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo Alphonso, representing Innovations America, expressed that the intention behind the initiative is to support the Force in its crime-fighting endeavours, ultimately working towards making Guyana a safer country for all its citizens.

Alphonso has urged other businesses to follow suit and actively participate in creating a better and more secure environment for everyone.

Traffic Officer, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh; Officer in Charge of the Tactical Services Unit, Superintendent Brian Lowenfield; and Chairman of the Police Association, Inspector Sohan Ramdat; along with other ranks, were present at the handing over.

Ganja trafficker jailed for 2 years, fined $50,985 R ondel Stephen, who in December 2023 has been charged with the offence of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking but had denied the charge, on Tuesday admitted that he was guilty as charged when he made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Esther Sam in the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Stephen, a 41-year-old farmer and resident of Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), had been apprehended on December 9, 2023 at Mainstay village on the

Jailed: Rondel Stephen

Essequibo Coast with 33.99 grams of cannabis, and had been granted bail in the sum of $100,000 after appearing before Magistrate Esther Sam on December 13, 2023.

However, during the virtual court session on Tuesday, Stephen expressed his desire to change his plea to guilty, and Magistrate Sam accepted the plea and jailed him for two years. He has also been fined $50,985.

The charge was laid under Section 5 (1) (a) (i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (Control) Act, chapter 10:10.

(G9)

Essequibo Coast miner nabbed with ganja A

41-year-old miner of Onderneeming Sandpit, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was arrested at about 13:00h on Wednesday after being caught with ganja.

According to Police, ranks on a mobile patrol in the community received information about the drugs and proceeded to the miner’s residence; but upon seeing the cops, the man hastily retreated to the rear of his house carrying a sizable black bag. Acting swiftly, the officers pursued and apprehended him inside a toilet.

The black bag was searched, and leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis

The ganja that was found in the miner’s possession at Onderneeming Sandpit

were found therein.

Upon being arrested, the man told Police, "A Rasta man gave me (the cannabis) to keep." He was taken to the

Suddie Police Station, where the marijuana was weighed and amounted to 474 grams.

He remains in custody, pending charges.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC disregarded welfare of citizens – “kept their feet on the necks of public servants” – Min Parag

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here was never a holistic plan for the welfare of public servants under the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)/ Alliance For Change (AFC) coalition Government during their tenure in office, which spans 2015 to 2020.

This was the sentiment of newly appointed Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, the former Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, during her presentation on the National Budget Debates.

Responding to several allegations made by multiple Opposition Parliamentarians, Parag disclosed that public servants benefitted little to nothing from the coalition Government when compared to the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration’s three years in office. To support this argument, the Local Government Minister revealed that APNU+AFC trained 4931 public servants in various disciplines during its tenure, while PPP/C trained 4997 in three years. And she Noted that this number would double in 2024.

Parag pointed out that the APNU+AFC Government had expended $700.4 million in budgetary provisions for the Public Service Ministry in 2015; $1 billion in 2016; $1.

2 billion in 2017; $1.6 billion in 2018, and $1.9 billion in 2019, while the incumbent Government had expended $9.58 million in

2020; $2 billion in 2021; $3.8 billion in 2022 and 2023 respectively for scholarships.

She explained that PPP/C doubled its spending for human capital development when compared to the coalition because its priority is to improve the livelihood of all Guyanese, despite their race, economic status and social standing.

“You had your feet on the necks of public servants…in addition to that, what you also did was to tax the very same money that you claimed that you gave them this huge salary increase…You also taxed everything, so you gave with one hand and snatched with the other.

There was never a holistic plan for the welfare of public servants,” Parag stated.

Further, Parag pointed out that some 21,442 Guyanese have benefitted from Guyana Online Academy for Learning (GOAL) scholarships since 2021, including two members of the Opposition.

She explained that the Government had also rejuvenated the ministry’s personnel workshop, which provided the opportunity for public servants from various Government agencies to contribute to the improvement of public service across the country.

Budget 2024

The $1.146 trillion 2024 Budget was presented in the National Assembly on January 15 by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh.

has been increased from $35,000 to $43,075.

A total of $7 billion has been also allocated for measures, to be determined after consultations with stakeholders, aimed at containing the impact of price increases.

Boost non-oil sectors

Local Government Minister Sonia Parag

The estimate represents a 46.6 per cent increase in spending, and is the largest fiscal package in Guyana’s history. Among the menu of measures to address the rising cost of living in the budget is raising the income tax threshold from $85,000 to $100,000, allowing thousands of persons to pay less taxes or no taxes at all. Some 13,000 persons will no longer be paying taxes as a result of this measure.

Additionally, an increase in Old Age Pension from $33,000 to $36,000 will take effect from this month of January and provide $2.7 billion in additional disposable income to pensioners; and public assistance has been increased from $16,000 monthly to $19,000. This move, the Head of State said, is expected to provide about $1.2 billion in additional disposable income to thousands of persons.

For the first time also, other measures to support vulnerable groups have

been announced. A $3000 voucher for eye test will be provided to over 205,000 school children and 76,000 pensioners. This new support should cost about $840 million. For those who require spectacles, a $15,000 voucher will be provided.

Further, the Government will provide an $8000 voucher to women aged from 21 to 65 to help meet the cost of cervical cancer testing.

The Finance Minister also announced that the minimum National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pension has been increased from $35,000 monthly to $43,075. Over 27,000 persons are expected to benefit from this increase.

The survivor’s pension, which is payable to the dependents of a deceased insured person, has also been increased from $17,500 to $21,537; and an invalidity pension, paid to an insured person who is incapable of working other than as a result of employment injury,

Government’s primary goal in 2024 is to boost the non-oil sectors while ensuring that Guyanese have access to disposable income.

Moreover, the sum of $10 billion has been allocated in the 2024 National Budget to continue the Government’s part-time job programme. However, major focus will be placed on ensuring beneficiaries acquire further skills and qualifications in order to help satisfy the skills gap in the labour market and ultimately transition them to full-time employment.

In 2023, over 15,000 persons from the 10 administrative regions of Guyana were employed through this programme. The sum of $6 billion in disposable income was poured into these households, and in 2024, this programme will continue and be expanded.

Small business

Meanwhile, $450 million has been allocated for replenishment of the Small Business Development Fund, and $331 million allocated for the Small Business Bureau. Some 100 loans would also be targeted for disbursement, and 1362 grants will be is-

sued in 2024. These sums of money would support initiatives to grow small and micro businesses and promote entrepreneurship.

Government will this year provide incentives to banking institutions to make available loans above $5 million to small business owners, and a framework will be implemented to make access to funds easier for business owners, while ensuring that interest rates remain low.

Another $3.3 billion has been allocated this year to commence industrial development in Wales, Region Three, and advance similar works in Regions Two and 10.

Government is this year moving ahead with establishment of business incubators, and will be providing extensive training to 2800 business owners in five key sectors: apiculture, farming, livestock farming, poultry rearing, and micro-enterprise.

The Electronic Single Window for business transactions will come on stream this year with $600 million budgeted for that project; a National Quality Infrastructure Laboratory will move ahead with $1.25 billion budgeted for that project, and $500 million is budgeted to support the continued construction of the Food and Drug Department laboratory.

These measures will position small businesses to take advantage of the opportunities that abound.

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali departs for Ghana …to receive Global Africa Leadership Award P resident Dr Irfaan Ali will be honoured for his strong and transformational leadership during an official visit to Accra, Ghana, on Friday.

The Head of State departed Guyana on Wednesday and will return to Georgetown on Monday.

President Ali will be conferred with the prestigious Global Africa Leadership Award for his “strong and transformational leadership” since

taking office in August 2020.

The honour also recognises President Ali’s commitment to building “One Guyana” by emphasising the need for unity, inclusivity, and shared prosperity, and his strong and principled leadership during the period of heightened tension owing to the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

During his official visit, the President is also expected to deliver the

President Dr Irfaan Ali

keynote address at the Presidential Dialogues session and participate in panel discussions at the Africa Prosperity Dialogues Summit of Heads of State and Business Leaders.

In a letter dated January 9, African Prosperity Network (APN) Executive Chairman, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko noted that the award’s significance, particularly in light of Guyana’s remarkable achievement as the world’s fastest-growing econo-

my and its commitment to principles of equity and probity.

The ceremony is scheduled for January 26, coinciding with the Africa Prosperity Champions Awards and Presidential Gala Dinner, hosted by the President of Ghana in Accra.

This event is part of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2024, a platform dedicated to discussions on Africa’s prosperity and growth.

New Amsterdam gets $3.7M compactor truck ...litterbugs to be prosecuted

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he Municipality of New Amsterdam has commissioned a $3.7 million compactor truck.

The truck is the second such piece of equipment acquired by the town in less than a year, as it works aggressively to improve garbage collection in the city.

Mayor Wainwright McIntosh said on Wednesday that the truck will greatly assist with the collection of solid waste in the township as solid waste is everybody’s business.

As a result of this, the Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam has seen it fit to invest in a compactor truck.

“We will continue to improve our services here at the Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam,” the mayor said during a brief commis-

The new compactor truck

sioning ceremony.

In April 2023, the municipality had commissioned a compactor truck and McIntosh who was

then the acting Mayor said it would assist the municipality to address the growing solid waste problem. At that time, he had promised

to continue to invest in this area.

The town had been without a compactor truck for some time, and a dump

truck was being used to remove solid waste from dwelling homes and the business sector, before the arrival of the truck in April last year.

The first truck had cost $2.5M and a third has already been purchased.

Stop dumping Meanwhile, the mayor is calling on citizens to stop the indiscriminate dumping of garbage around the town.

“On my way to this commissioning, I saw from a car a set of bottles and plastic bags being thrown out of the window. Across at Jubilee Drive we would have conducted a clean-up exercise there going back through Jubilee Drive I am disheartened looking at the response; it is all back to square one.”

However, some resi-

dents said the municipality has not been removing solid waste from their residences in a timely manner and some have admitted to utilising sections of the road shoulder as a garbage heap.

However, the mayor said it is time for persons to change their attitudes and if not the Council will no longer take lightly to persons littering.

“It is time that we will be moving in that direction where persons will be prosecuted for dumping illegally. The team from the health department is going beyond their regular call of duty to ensure that we have better control in terms of solid waste management and all that we are asking for is citizens to collaborate with us,” the mayor added. (G4)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Budget Debate 2024

Opposition MP taken to hospital after slurred, incoherent speech S

peaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir had to temporarily suspend the parliamentary budget debate on Wednesday after Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Geeta Chandan-Edmond was incoherent and slurred her speech during her presentation.

Recognising that Chandan-Edmond was appeared to be acting strangely, Nadir proposed a break, but the MP said “no” to his proposition. However, the Speaker went ahead and suspended Parliament and sent for the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTS) at the

Opposition parliamentarian Geeta Chandan-Edmond during her presentation on Wednesday

Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. She was one of the speakers in the afternoon session of the debate.

The Opposition MP was then transported to a city medical facility. The incident occurred just before 17:00h on Wednesday.

When contacted, Nadir told Guyana Times that Parliament has “urgent business to attend to” and he was unaware when the proceedings would continue.

However, about an hour later, the budget debate recommenced.

Meanwhile, in a statement immediately after the

incident, the Office of the Leader of the Opposition said that it “wishes to advise that during the Budget Debate on January 24th, 2024, when our MP Geeta Chandan-Edmond approached the podium to make her contribution, there were notable signs of slurred speech and physical tremors. The Emergency Medical Technician stationed at the National Assembly was called in and recommended that she be immediately transferred to the Accident and Emergency unit. We will update the public on her condition. Our thoughts are with her.”

The $1.146 trillion budget was presented

by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on January 15 themed “Staying the Course, Building Prosperity for All”.

Financed again by zero new taxes, this national budget is 46 per cent larger than last year’s 741.9 billion. It is built on continuing the rollout of initiatives to improve the lives of Guyanese and, most importantly, increase the ‘generational household wealth’ across the country.

Day four of the 2024 Budget presentations will continue today at 10:00h at Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

APNU/AFC suffering from “intellectual bankruptcy” – Teixeira

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inister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, has blasted the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition for their failed leadership while in Government, and now in Opposition. She is contending that its leaders are suffering from intellectual bankruptcy, and are unable to see the big picture of Guyana’s development.

“I’ve been through a lot of the budgets in this house.

I think I’ve reached 34 budgets so far, and since 2012, the APNU Opposition has become more and more irresponsible and reckless, and lacking in substance during these debates. There is no difference even when they were in Government, unfortunately,” she declared.

“Mr Speaker, we dare say that the listening public has been subjected to the vitriol of the APNU/ AFC MPs (Members of Parliament), who appeared to be living and natured in a bubble of intellectual opportunism and naysay, and may I say, in some cases sheer intellectual bankruptcy.”

The minister made this remark on Wednesday during her contributions to the ongoing parliamentary debates on the $1.146 trillion Budget 2024, which was presented to the National Assembly last week under the theme: Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All. According to Teixeria, during their period in office, the Coalition Administration had no vision and no roadmap to move Guyana and its people forward. She pointed out that it was not a case where they were starved of funds, since the previous

imagine our Guyana reaching such heights, and instead adamantly refused to be part of this vision and transformation process; but instead, they would try to undermine this process.

Shortsightedly, they don’t want Guyana to be transformed into a developed nation under the PPP/C,” the minister emphasised.

She expressed that Guyanese always feel a sense of pride, dignity and hope upon hearing the administration’s yearly fiscal Minister of parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government had left money in public coffers in 2015.

“This is the height of incompetence and reckless and irresponsible leadership… They gave salary increases to the Public Servants and took it back with 200 taxes; took out $200,000 out of the pockets of each family of this country in each year that they were in office.

“They scrapped the cash grant programme [for school children]…”

“They spent over $1.4 trillion between 2015 and 2020, and there is nothing substantial to show for it.

My conclusions are that the APNU/AFC and their mother party – the PNC (People’s National Congress) – have never gone through any catharsis so as to find their ideological and programmatical vision for Guyana.

They have fed their supporters a diet, for over 50 years, of victimology, racial division, fear, and fiction and untruths… They continue on this path, and they’re convinced that they’re right. They will end up in the dustbin of political parties.”

The Governance Minister pointed out that Guyanese are eager for de-

velopment. “People want to move forward. They don’t want to be dragged into the uninhabitable cauldron of toxicity. They want to get on with their lives; with a house, land, a car, [and] their kids are able to get a good education.”

On this note, Minister Teixeira said the PPP/ Civic Government has chosen a ‘pro-poor’ and ‘no one left behind’ path for national development that will not only see the lives of Guyanese enhanced, but also the physical transformation of the country. She posited that the PNC-led Opposition lacks such a vision.

“I’ve heard, in this house these last three days, ‘Why you building this physical infrastructure?’ ‘Why you spending so much on this?’

It is looking at things in an analytical mind, in a silo mind, and not understanding the big ‘pitcha’. You don’t get the big ‘pitcha’; you just don’t!”

The minister went on to blast the opposition for what she deemed as being “anti-development,” especially when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is at the helm of Government.

“I have wondered why the APNU+AFC couldn’t

plans, noting that the substantial allocations for the health, education, and infrastructural sectors are all aimed at impacting the nation positively.

“The 2024 budget, [themed] ‘Staying the Course; Building Prosperity for All’, is visionary and speaks to a future that brings hope, pride, and dignity for all of us Guyanese.”

In budget 2024, more than $300 million has been budgeted for the continuation of work by the Ministry

of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance. Through this ministry’s allocation, $100 million is budgeted for the advancement of works in the Integrity Commission, an important constitutional body.

The budget debates continue throughout the week, after which the National Assembly would be dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider the estimates proposed under each ministry and agency.

(G8)

Opposition destroyed the socioeconomic fabric of Guyana - McCoy

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inister within the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, told the National Assembly on Wednesday evening that the PPP/C Government brought back the livelihood of Guyanese, which had been destroyed during the APNU/ AFC reign from 2015 to 2020.

Contributing to the ongoing 2024 budget debates, Minister McCoy explained that the Opposition continues to boast of its unfulfilling promises.

“For the duration of this debate…they jumped high…, claiming to be representing the constituencies; when in fact these same self-righteous masqueraders were the ones who placed and moved more than 200 taxes around the people’s necks, took away the people’s grants, took away the electricity subsidies from our pensioners, took water subsidy… The APNU+AFC Government took away the livelihoods of small minors,” McCoy is quoted in a DPI report as saying.

The minister stated that the APNU/AFC’s lack of vision and creativity is what has it in the Opposition benches.

Minister McCoy said bud-

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy

get 2024 will shatter ceilings in the most beneficial and impactful way.

“Budget 2024 has shattered every conceivable ceiling Guyana has ever been constrained by since our Independence, with provisions for the exponential growth of every sector and measures that create an enabling environment for our young people to emerge boldly, and for their various social statuses to begin thriving,” the Public Affairs Minister expressed.

He noted that with the many allocations listed for the various sectors, the PPP\C Government has restored the dignity of the citizens.

According to the DPI re-

port, he said the process of transformation is not easy.

However, the administration is certainly making strides and seeing that the progress is working for the development of people.

“This budget is a budget for all the people of Guyana.

If you go through this budget, every person in our country has something to benefit from; something to enhance their lives; something worthwhile to their families…

Something for everyone,” the Minister stated.

He said Government would continue to engage stakeholders across the country in order to review the policies and programmes and to address pressing issues.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Climate change drives Argentine unions raise Amazon rainforest’s record challenge to Milei with drought, study finds major strike, protest

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limate change is the main culprit for a record drought in the Amazon rainforest that has drained rivers, killed endangered dolphins and upended life for millions of people in the region, according to a study released on Wednesday.

Global warming made the drought 30 times more likely, drove extreme high temperatures and contributed to lower rainfall, according to the analysis by World Weather Attribution, an international group of scientists. The study focused on June to November last year.

The drought that hit all nine Amazon rainforest countries – including Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru – is expected to worsen in 2024 after the rainy season begins to recede in May, scientists told Reuters last year.

The protection of the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, is considered vital to curbing climate change because of the vast amounts of greenhouse gas that its trees absorb. The drought reduced river levels in parts of the region to their lowest points on re-

A boy walks on a dry area of the Igarape do Taruma stream which flows into the Rio Negro river, as the water level at a major river port in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest hit its lowest point in at least 121 years in Manaus, Brazil, October 16, 2023 (Reuters/Bruno Kelly file photo)

cord.

“We should be really worried with the health of the Amazon forest,” said Regina Rodrigues, a study co-author and researcher at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil.

Researchers have said the drought could worsen forest fires, which when coupled with climate change and deforestation could push the Amazon more quickly toward a point of no return after which the biome dries out and ceases

to be lush rainforest.

The periodic warming in the Eastern Pacific Ocean known as El Niño also contributed to the decline in rainfall, although not to higher temperatures, the study found.

While the region has faced at least three other intense droughts in the past 20 years, this drought’s scope was unprecedented and affected the entire Amazon basin, Rodrigues said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuelan Opposition denounces ‘intimidation’ attempts

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e n e z u e l a n Opposition Leader María Corina Machado has denounced what she says are attempts by the Government to intimidate her and her supporters.

She said two campaign coordinators had been “abducted” and party offices had been vandalised.

The incidents come just months after the Government agreed to a deal laying the groundwork for free and fair elections to be held in 2024.

Machado said Tuesday’s incidents violated that deal.

Under the agreement, which was reached in Barbados in October last year, the Government of President Nicolás Maduro committed to allowing international observers to monitor the presidential poll, which is scheduled for a yet-to-be-determined date in the second half of 2024.

The 2018 election, which saw President Maduro win

rgentina’s largest union started a 12-hour strike on Wednesday with tens of thousands of workers demonstrating in the heart of Buenos Aires against tough economic austerity measures and reforms by new libertarian President Javier Milei.

The action, hitting sectors from transport to banks, is the biggest show of opposition to Milei’s plans for spending cuts and privatisation since he took office last month, pledging to fix an economy reeling from 211 per cent inflation and crippling debt.

The strike was coordi-

a second term in office, was widely dismissed as neither free nor fair.

As part of the Barbados deal, his Government also promised to guarantee that all candidates would be able to freely and safely move throughout the country.

In return, the United States, which backed the Barbados talks, eased some of the sanctions it had imposed on Venezuela’s oil sector.

However, just three months after the agreement was struck, tension

between the Opposition and the Government is again on the rise.

Maduro told backers that he would “continue governing this country with the support of the Venezuelan people” On Monday, Venezuela’s Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, a close ally of President Maduro, announced that 32 persons had been arrested for allegedly plotting to assassinate the President and Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

port, banks, hospitals and public services, Milei’s Government vowed to stick to its reform plans.

Local airlines said they had been forced to cancel hundreds of flights.

The CGT had already used the courts to temporarily suspend some measures relating to labour in Milei’s decree.

The omnibus bill was approved by a committee, in the lower chamber of deputies early on Wednesday, one of many steps as it works its way through a divided Congress. It faces opposition from the powerful Peronist Opposition bloc.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

THA appoints committee to set up Tobago Development Bank

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he Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has appointed a six-member technical oversight committee to develop the framework for the establishment of a Tobago Development Bank.

The bank, once established, will create an environment in which financing is readily available for investors and developers in Tobago, THA chief technical adviser Anslem Richards said on Wednesday.

He said the committee, headed by Carlos Hazel, technical adviser in the Division

THA chief financial adviser Anslem Richards

of Finance, Trade and the Economy, has been meeting

Colombian Inspector General suspends Foreign Minister for 3 months

C María Corina Machado urged her followers to unite in the face of intimidation

nated by the powerful umbrella union the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) and comes amid major scrutiny of Milei’s two major reform pushes: an “omnibus” bill going through Congress and a “mega-decree” deregulating the economy.

“The first cut this government is making is to the workers,” Pablo Moyano, leader of the powerful truckers union, said at the main union event in downtown Buenos Aires. “Their labour reform aims to take away workers’ rights.”

But even as the strikes, which started at noon local time, took a toll on trans-

olombia’s Inspector General on Wednesday suspended Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva from his role for three months over possible irregularities in the tender process for producing passports in the Andean country.

Leyva last year declared the bidding process void after just one company, Thomas Greg & Sons – which was already producing Colombian passports – tendered an offer.

The Government took emergency steps to ensure passports were produced, allowing Thomas Greg & Sons to continue printing them, while authorities prepared for a new tender round.

The possible offences include declaring the bidding process void and declaring the process urgent, without grounds to do so, the statement said. “The minister

could have overstepped his duties.”

Colombia’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

President Gustavo Petro told an audience in Cauca province the suspension was a strategy to stop his Government.

“It’s going to cost us, they’re going to suspend Ministers here and there – we’ve lived it already,” Petro said, referring to his time as Mayor of Colombia’s capital Bogota.

Thomas Greg & Sons filed a lawsuit against Colombia’s government last year, seeking 117 billion pesos (US$29.7 million) for the suspension of bidding for the passport contract.

The company declined to comment.

(US$1 = 3934.62 Colombian pesos) (Reuters)

for the past seven months to devise strategies to ensure that Tobagonians desirous of establishing their own businesses, have access to working capital.

Richards and three other officials from the Division of Finance appeared virtually before the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Local Authorities, Service Commissions and Statutory Authorities, including the THA. The JSC, chaired by independent Senator Sunity Maharaj, also examined the operations of the Divisions of Community Development, Youth Development and Sport, and Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development.

Richards raised the issue of the Tobago Development Bank in response to a question from JSC member Laurence Hislop, who wanted to know about the strategies that were being implemented by the THA to create a more entrepreneurial-based economy.

Close to 70 per cent of Tobago’s working population are directly or indirectly employed by the THA. (Trinidad Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

19

Around The World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil edges up 1% on big US crude withdrawal, China stimulus

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il prices edged up about one per cent on Wednesday on a bigger-than-expected US crude storage withdrawal, a slump in US crude output, Chinese economic stimulus, geopolitical tensions, and a weaker dollar.

Brent crude futures rose 49 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to settle at US$80.04 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude ended 72 cents, or 1.0 per cent, at US$75.09.

China’s central bank will cut the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves from February 5, a move expected to shore up a fragile economic recovery.

US crude stockpiles tumbled by 9.2 million barrels last week, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said, more than quadruple the 2.2 million-barrel draw analysts forecast in a Reuters poll.

“It’s a weather report all-around ... Nobody was driving (last week). One big number is domestic production was down, and Bakken production took a big hit,” said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho bank.

US crude output fell from a record-tying 13.3 million barrels per day (bpd) two weeks ago to a five-month low of 12.3 bpd last week after oil wells froze during an Arctic freeze.

North Dakota officials have said it could take a month for oil output in the state, which includes the Bakken shale field and is the third biggest oil-producing state, to recover after last week’s extreme weather cut production by more than half.

Geopolitical tensions remained in focus the day after a coalition of 24 nations led by the US and Britain conducted new strikes against Houthi fighters in Yemen who have been attacking global trade.

The US said Iran-backed Houthis have mounted 26 attacks since late November on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, which was used by about 12 per cent of global oil trade before the attacks.

The US also carried out strikes against Iran-linked militia in Iraq on Tuesday, after an attack on an Iraqi air base wounded US forces.

“Geopolitical risk and the threat of delays and disruption are causing some alarm, but that’s not being particularly reflected in the price at this stage,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst, UK & EMEA, at data and analytics firm OANDA. Elsewhere, tank shells hit a U.N. training centre sheltering tens of thousands of displaced people in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, killing at least nine people and wounding 75, as Israeli forces advanced there.

The US dollar, meanwhile, fell to a one-week low against a basket of other currencies. Analysts at energy advisory Ritterbusch and Associates said the weaker dollar was lending some “bullish momentum” to oil prices.

A weaker dollar makes crude cheaper for buyers using other currencies. (Reuters)

Israel denies attack on UN refuge in Gaza that drew rebuke from Washington

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he United Nations said on Wednesday that Israeli tanks struck a huge UN compound in Gaza sheltering displaced Palestinians, causing “mass casualties”, but Israel denied its forces were responsible and suggested Hamas may have launched the shelling.

The attack, which the UN said hit a vocational training centre housing 30,000 displaced persons in Khan Younis, southern Gaza’s main city, prompted rare outright condemnation from the United States.

“Mass casualties have taken place, some buildings are ablaze and there are reports of deaths. Many people are trying to flee the scene, but unable to do so,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Palestinian Territory James McGoldrick said.

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and the emotions of our society.”

The Russian Defence Ministry said six Russian crew members and three Russian soldiers had been on the Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane shot down near the Russian city of Belgorod near the Ukrainian border.

After a long pause, the Ukrainian military said it would continue to destroy Russian military transport aircraft it believed were carrying missiles with which to strike Ukraine.

It said it had noticed more Russian military transport aircraft landing in Belgorod, something it

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a mosque, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, January 24, 2024 (Reuters/Fadi Shana photo)

tected, and the protected nature of UN facilities must be respected, and humanitarian workers must be protected so that they can continue

providing civilians with the life-saving humanitarian assistance that they need,” Patel said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Houthis order US, British Saudi Arabia to get nationals to leave Yemen 1st alcohol shop in

more than 70 years

Mourners perform prayers in front of coffins of Houthi fighters killed in recent US-led strikes on Houthi targets, during their funeral in Sanaa, Yemen, January 17, 2024 (Reuters/Khaled Abdullah file photo)

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emen’s Houthi authorities have ordered US and British staff of the United Nations and Sanaabased humanitarian organisations to leave the country within a month, a document and a Houthi official said on Wednesday.

The decision follows strikes by the United States and Britain, with support from other nations, against military targets of the Iranaligned group, which has been launching attacks on

Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 65 of its own PoWs by shooting down plane

ussia accused Ukraine on Wednesday of deliberately shooting down a Russian military transport plane carrying 65 captured Ukrainian soldiers to a prisoner exchange in what it called a barbaric act of terrorism that had killed a total of 74 persons.

Ukraine called for full clarification of the circumstances of the incident and did not directly confirm it had shot down the plane.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his evening address, said: “It is clear that the Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, the feelings of their loved ones,

Thomas White, director of Gaza affairs for the UN agency UNRWA, said two tank rounds hit one of the centre’s buildings where some 800 displaced persons were sheltering. At least nine persons were killed and 75 wounded. The agency’s head Philippe Lazzarini said the death toll was probably higher.

“The compound is a clearly marked UN facility and its coordinates were shared with Israeli authorities as we do for all our facilities.

Once again a blatant disregard of basic rules of war,” Lazzarini said.

In Washington, US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said: “We deplore today’s attack on the UN’s Khan Younis training centre.”

“Civilians must be pro-

linked to Russian missile strikes on Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities.

Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk accused Russia of trying to undermine international support for Ukraine.

“Ukraine has the right to defend itself and destroy the means of the aggressors’ aerial attack,” he said.

The Russian Defence Ministry said the exchange was to have taken place on Wednesday afternoon at the Kolotilovka border checkpoint and Ukraine knew a transport plane carrying captured Ukrainian soldiers was expected at the Belgorod airfield. (Excerpt from Reuters)

commercial ships in the Red Sea that it says are linked to Israel.

The US Government last week also returned the Houthis to a list of terrorist groups as Washington tries to stem attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis have said their attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians as Israel bombards Gaza.

“The ministry ... would like to stress that you must inform officials and workers with US and British citizenships to prepare to leave the country within 30 days,” said a letter sent by the Houthi Foreign Ministry to the UN’s acting humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Peter Hawkins.

The letter also ordered foreign organisations to not hire American and British citizens for Yemen’s operations.

Houthi top negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam confirmed the letter’s authenticity to Reuters.

The office of Hawkins, who is himself a British national, did not respond to a request for comment.

The US Embassy said in a statement it was aware of reports about the letter, but “cannot speak on behalf of the UN or humanitarian organisations in Yemen as to what they may have received from Houthi ‘authorities’”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A bartender mixes a non-alcoholic cocktail at a pop-up bar in Riyadh. But the real stuff could soon be heading to the Saudi capital.

S

audi Arabia has said it will open a shop in Riyadh selling alcohol to a select band of non-Muslim expats, the first to open in more than 70 years.

The clientele will be limited to diplomatic staff, who have for years imported booze in sealed official packages known as diplomatic pouches.

Saudi officials said the shop would counter “the illicit trade of alcohol”.

Prohibition has been law since 1952, after one of King Abdulaziz’s sons drunkenly shot dead a British diplomat.

The new store will be located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter west of the city centre, according to a document seen by the AFP and Reuters news agencies.

A source familiar with the plans told Reuters the shop was expected to open within weeks. There will be limitations, however: Thirsty envoys would need to register beforehand and receive clearance by the Government No one under 21 will be allowed in the store and “proper attire is required”

at all times inside Drinkers will not be able to send a proxy, such as a driver Monthly limitations would be enforced, the statement said.

However – according to the document seen by AFP – these will not be particularly stringent.

Patrons will be limited to 240 “points” of alcohol per month. One litre of spirits will be worth six points, one litre of wine three points and one litre of beer one point.

There are also no suggestions that the clientele will be widened to “ordinary” foreigners in the kingdom without diplomatic privileges, who officially have no access to alcohol.

While alcohol will become part of Riyadh life, drinkers would be wise to be mindful of where they drink and how they behave afterwards.

Under current Saudi law, penalties for consumption or possession of alcohol can include fines, jail time, public flogging and deportation for unauthorised foreigners.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

20

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Don’t give in to pressure. Consider what’s best for you. Distance yourself from anyone trying to manipulate you.

Put yourself first and recognize what is beneficial to your objective.

(March 21-April 19) Expand your awareness, skills and strategies. Please don’t be shy when it comes to your feelings. Don’t waste time; find out where you stand. Go directly to the source for answers.

PICKLES (April 20-May 20)

Get together with people who have common interests. Conversations that offer inside information will be eye-opening. Don’t count on anyone who has let you down in the past.

(May 21-June 20) Use your skills appropriately, but don’t take on tasks you aren’t equipped to handle. Call on an expert when necessary, and you’ll form a rapport with someone you can work alongside.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Determine where your plans will lead you before you begin. Taking on too much will put you in debt and affect your reputation. Put your energy into a sure thing and promise only what’s feasible.

Consider making your space more appealing. Discuss your plans, and you’ll drum up valuable help. A trip, reunion or learning expedition will help you put your skills to good use.

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

Acknowledge the changes around you. Let your actions speak for you, and you’ll avoid a verbal clash. Don’t put your health at risk. Deal only with people you know and trust.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Make the first move. Show confidence and tolerance. Use your ingenuity to overcome setbacks or interference.

Listen attentively, and you will pick up valuable information.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Put more emphasis on personal money matters, medical issues and contracts. Update paperwork and put a financial plan in place. Protect yourself against theft. Consider a minimalist lifestyle.

Take a moment to sort out your thoughts when dealing with partnerships. Refuse to let your emotions lead to you to overreact. Focus on self-improvement, positive interactions and happiness.

Be a diligent observer, and you’ll dodge making a costly mistake. Don’t buy into someone else’s dream. Set high standards and refuse to let your emotions interfere with your decision-making process.

A situation will escalate if you don’t think ahead. Take pride in how you look.

Put time and effort into exercise and marketing yourself for success. A professional opportunity will arise.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

21

Matthews declared ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023 I

n the realm of women’s cricket, the year 2023 had witnessed a parade of spectacular performances and breathtaking moments, with one player standing out prominently in the T20 International format – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews.

Her outstanding consistency with both bat and ball has earned her the esteemed title of ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023, a well-deserved accolade for a player of her calibre.

The year unfolded as a saga of dominance for Matthews, marked by phenomenal performances that went beyond mere statistics.

Her impact on turning games around, and rising to the occasion when her team needed her most, defined a remarkable year.

Matthews’s batting prowess in 2023 showcased her technical brilliance and mental fortitude. She accumu-

lated an historic 700 runs at a striking rate of 132.32, and became the first woman player to reach this figure in a single calendar year.

The highlight of her innings was a staggering 132 runs in the hisHayley Matthews toric 213run chase a g a i n s t Australia in the t h e second T20I at the North innings and acceleratSydney Oval, preceded by ing as needed. an unbeaten 99 in the first Equally impressive in her match. In the third T20I, she bowling, Matthews, with her added 79 more to her tally, right-arm off-spin deliveramassing 310 runs in the se- ies featuring flight and turn, ries. perplexed top-order batters Employing a blend of tra- from various teams, and she ditional and innovative shots, claimed 19 wickets with an she proved to be one of the economy rate of 6.84. most formidable batters in Beyond being a personthe T20I circuit, anchoring al achievement, Matthews’s

recognition as the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023 is a significant boost for West Indies wom-

en’s cricket. It underscores the talent and potential within the team and the region, and serves as inspiration for aspiring young players in the

Caribbean islands.

Expressing her gratitude for being so recognised, Matthews has said, “It’s nice to see all the hard work paying off. It’s been a long two or three years to get to this point, it’s been really nice to have a good time with the bat and the ball in the last year to help the team as best as I can. I am very grateful for this award, and it’s something that, growing up, I saw my role models achieving; so, to win one myself definitely means a lot.”

As Hayley Matthews continues her journey in international cricket, her focus remains on securing more victories and accolades.

With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and other international fixtures on the horizon this year, Matthews is undoubtedly poised to continue her impressive form and lead West Indies Women to greater heights. (Sportsmax)

England Tour to India 2024: First Test, January 25-29…

Sony Corporation ink three-year sponsorship deal with World Athletics England spinner Bashir granted visa for India

W

orld Athletics and Sony Corporation (Sony) on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, announced a new three-year agreement that would see Sony sponsor World Athletics Series events from 2024 to 2026.

As part of the sponsorship, Sony would support all World Athletics Series events, starting from the World Athletics Indoor Championships, Glasgow 24, in March. The agreement would also include the World Athletics Championships, Tokyo 25, to be held in Tokyo, Japan in September 2025.

Sony Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, and is responsible for the entertainment, technology & services (ET&S) business. With the vision to “continue to deliver Kando and Anshin* to people and societies across the world through the pursuit of technology and new challenges”, Sony Corporation supports the Sony Group with technology to create the entertainment of the future, together with creators.

Both parties came to this agreement based on a mutual understanding of each other’s philosophy. Sony aims to work with creators and leverage the power of technology to generate emotion-filled experiences for sports fans across the globe, and capture them on film and in photographs.

Sony would further en-

E

World Athletics and Sony have entered into a 3-year deal

hance emotion from athletes’ awe-inspiring achievements captured by content creators, including photographers, and deliver them to the world through cutting-edge technologies like the Alpha™ mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and versatile interchangeable lens, including G Master™, system cameras, and broadcast solutions.

In addition, Hawk-Eye Innovations, which has a proven track record of providing services for international events in a variety of sports, will contribute to fair competition management through its officiating services.

“We are entering an exciting few years for our sport, and I can think of no better partner than Sony to help us capture the excitement, the thrill, and the breathtaking performances our sport promises to bring,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. “As the No.1 Olympic sport, the eyes of the

world will be squarely focused on athletics this year as our athletes compete across our five World Athletics Series events, plus Paris. We look forward to the outstanding photographs Sony will capture at our events to immortalise these many moments in our sport’s history.”

Hiroki Totoki, President, COO and CFO of Sony Group Corporation, said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with World Athletics to sponsor their World Athletics Series events, which are known as the world’s top competitions in athletics.

“Based on our purpose: to ‘fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology’, Sony will contribute to the development of sports by leveraging technology to enhance the emotion generated by sports, and deliver it to sports fans around the world.” (Sportsmax)

ngland spinner Shoaib Bashir has been granted an Indian visa, and could be back with the squad by the weekend.

The 20-year-old, who is of Pakistani heritage, was initially left in Abu Dhabi when England travelled from their training camp to Hyderabad on Sunday. On Tuesday it emerged that he had returned to the UK, and the issuing of the visa was confirmed on Wednesday.

“We’re glad the situation has now been resolved,” said the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“Shoaib Bashir has now received his visa, and is due to travel to join up with the team in India this weekend.”

A spokesperson for the Indian Foreign Office said: “The visa has been issued by London. There are rules and regulations governing the issuance of an Indian visa. The same were being applied in this case.”

Somerset off-spinner Bashir will miss the first Test against India, which begins on Thursday, January 25.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday, England captain Ben Stokes said there was “never a chance” England would boycott the opening match of the five-Test series in support of Bashir. He admitted he had floated the idea

Shoaib Bashir has played only six first-class matches

of a boycott among the team, but said it was “tongue in cheek”.

“As a leader, as a captain, when one of your team-mates is affected by something like that, you do get a bit emotional,” Stokes said. “I’m devastated for him.”

The uncapped Bashir, born in Surrey, was a surprise call-up to the England squad for this tour, having played only six first-class matches.

There are long-running political tensions between India and Pakistan, and he is not the first cricketer of Pakistani origin to struggle to gain access to India.

Australia opener Usman Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan, had his arrival for a Test tour last year delayed, while the entire Pakistan squad for last year’s World Cup in India had faced similar delays.

BBC Test Match Special

Commentator Aatif Nawaz, whose family are from Pakistan, had also faced delays in receiving a visa for the World Cup, and ultimately did not travel to the tournament.

Bashir’s fellow England spinner Rehan Ahmed is also of Pakistani origin, but has a visa from last year, as he acted as reserve for the World Cup squad.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Government expects British citizens to be treated fairly by India.

“I can’t speak to the specifics of this case. But more broadly, we have previously raised issues of this kind with the High Commission. We have been clear that we expect India to treat British citizens fairly at all times in its visa processes,” the spokesperson has said. (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

ICC Under-19 World Cup…

Andrew produces another ‘jewel’, as Windies secure five-wicket win …Thorne bags 4-wicket haul J

ewel Andrew is continuing his rich vein of form at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, as he posted another unbeaten knock in a five-wicket beating of Scotland, which gifted West Indies their first win of the tournament. The match was played at Senwes Park in South Africa on Wednesday.

After blasting a 96-ball 130 in a losing cause against the hosts in the West Indies’ opening fixture, Andrew again displayed confidence and poise in his unbeaten 64 off 60 balls, which ensured West Indies success-

The two came together with the regional side

Jewel Andrew backed up his World Cup century with another half-century

Windies duo of Nathan Edward and Jewel Andrew walking off after securing the win

Guyana’s Isai Thorne appealing during his 4-wicket haul

fully chase down Scotland’s 205.

Andrew’s knock included eight boundaries, as he starred in an unbroken 95run sixth-wicket stand with Nathan Edward, who capitalised on a promotion up the order by posting a patient 27 off 55.

and that allowed Andrew to play with some degree

in a spot of bother at 1115. This, as Adrian Weir (seven), Captain Stephan Pascal (26), Joshua Dorne (11), Jordan Johnson (24) and Mavendra Dindyal(29) again all failed to make a lasting impression.

Fortunately, Edwards patiently occupied one end,

of freedom against the Scottish seamers.

“It was a great knock, and I must say thanks everyone to come out and support us. They (Scottish seamers) are quick, but I like the challenge; so it was just all about learning, improving and ticking the boxes that the coaches have for us,” Andrew said in a postgame television interview.

Earlier, Pascal’s decision to insert Scotland proved right. Apart from Jamie Dunk, who made an 87-ball 57, and Adi Hedge (32) and Alec Price (31), the opponents offered very little resistance with the bat, as they found Isai Thorne in particular too hot to handle.

Thorne, a right-arm medium fast, bagged a career-best 4-46 from nine overs, with Nathan Sealy’s

2-38 being the next best figures. The win, which was also West Indies’ fourth

over Scotland at this level, saw them to second in Group B on two points, be-

SCOREBOARD Scotland Under-19s (50 ovs maximum) BATTING R Jamie Dunk c Pascal b Smith 57 Adi Hegde lbw b Sealy 32 Alec Price b Thorne 31 Owen Gould (c)† c †Andrew b Thorne 5 Uzair Ahmad b Thorne 7 Bahadar Esakhiel c Sealy b N Edward 19 Ibrahim Faisal c T Edward b Sealy 7 Ruaridh McIntyre b Thorne 17 Logan Briggs not out 2 Nikhil Koteeswaran run out (Dorne/†Andrew) 2 Extras (lb 2, w 24) 26 TOTAL 50 Ov (RR: 4.10) 205/9 Did not bat: Qasim Khan Fall of wickets: 1-89 (Adi Hegde, 21.6 ov), 2-119 (Jamie Dunk, 29.6 ov), 3-145 (Alec Price, 37.2 ov), 4-146 (Owen Gould, 37.6 ov), 5-157 (Uzair Ahmad, 39.6 ov), 6-171 (Ibrahim Faisal, 43.6 ov), 7-196 (Bahadar Esakhiel, 48.2 ov), 8-201 (Ruaridh McIntyre, 49.1 ov), 9-205 (Nikhil Koteeswaran, 49.6 ov) BOWLING Nathan Edward Isai Thorne Raneico Smith Tarrique Edward Nathan Sealy Joshua Dorne

O-M-R-W 8-0-26-1 9-0-46-4 8-0-23-1 10-0-46-0 10-1-38-2 5-0-24-0

West Indies Under-19s (T: 206 runs from 50 ovs) BATTING R Adrian Weir c Hegde b McIntyre 7 Stephan Pascal (c) c Dunk b Briggs 26 Joshua Dorne c Bahadar Esakhiel b Ibrahim Faisal 11 Jordan Johnson c Hegde b Qasim Khan 24 Mavendra Dindyal b Hegde 29 Jewel Andrew † not out 64 Nathan Edward not out 27 Extras (b 4, lb 1, w 13) 18 TOTAL 35.1 Ov (RR: 5.85) 206/5 Did not bat: Nathan Sealy, Tarrique Edward, Isai Thorne, Raneico Smith Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Adrian Weir, 4.1 ov), 2-41 (Stephan Pascal, 7.3 ov), 3-45 (Joshua Dorne, 8.2 ov), 4-90 (Mavendra Dindyal, 13.5 ov), 5-111 (Jordan Johnson, 16.4 ov) BOWLING Ruaridh McIntyre Qasim Khan Logan Briggs Ibrahim Faisal Adi Hegde Nikhil Koteeswaran Uzair Ahmad

O-M-R-W 4-1-21-1 10-1-43-1 5-1-38-1 4-0-41-1 7-0-21-1 1.1-0-13-0 4-0-24-0

Rising Sun horse meet called off – due to insufficient entries

T

he second meet of the 2024 horse-racing season, which was scheduled to be run off on Sunday, January 28 at the Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC), has been cancelled because an insufficient number of horses has entered.

Promoter Fazal Habibulla has said, “I have to apologise to owners, trainers, and sponsors for the cancellation of Sunday’s seven-race card because of insufficient entries. RSTC had extended the entry date from Sunday 21st January to yesterday, but the extension failed to gain the required result. As such, we were forced to cancel the card.”

Habibulla explained, “This card was written based on requests, and condemnation that

promoters are not writing sufficient races for the Guyana-bred horses. RSTC

hind England, who are on four points. (Sportsmax)

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Horse racing action for this weekend has been cancelled due to the insufficient number of horses entered

decided to listen to the horsemen’s cry, and wrote races to facilitate them. For example, RSTC wrote a race for threeyear-old Guyana-bred horses (zero entry), a race for four-year-old Guyana-bred (four horses were entered), a K-Class race for Guyana-bred horses (four horses). While the feature race

only attracted four runners, the West Indian-bred fouryear-old only attracted three runners.”

Habibulla continued, “It will be unfair to patrons to stage a four-race card and charge any fees to enter. So, in the best interest of all, RSTC took the decision to cancel the day’s card. May I also point out (that) this card was advertised very early this month? Would you believe we had to extend the entry date to encourage trainers to enter their horses? This will stop; we are heading towards a regulated industry and we have to get ready. There will not be any late entry or entry

on the day of racing anymore, so promoters will be doing their part to get all horsemen ready. Therefore, late entry and delayed entry will be history moving ahead.

“I have to thank owners, trainers, and most of all the new sponsors, who made it possible for RSTC to raise the purses in the lower-class races. Yet this was not taken advantage off by horsemen. So, as a promoter, you will be very disappointed, not because I have already lost money with the cancellation of the race card. To me, they have lost more than me, as the same persons who have been ‘swearing’ that we

only writing races for the big owners have failed to answer to their cry. Races are written for them and they have not entered their horses. These are the challenges we encounter. As the saying goes: damned if you do and damned if you don’t. It will take time, but everybody will be on the same page, as promoters intend to enforce their entry date times”, Habibulla predicted.

The next race day will be on Sunday, February 25, at the RSTC at Rising Sun, West Coast Berbice, and entries will close on February 21, 2024, four days before the race day.

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23 to host senior developmental Doubles squash court on GBA championship tomorrow course for completion W C GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

ommencing last January, some $65M has been plunged into the construction of a doubles squash court at the National Racquet Center on Woolford Avenue in a first for Guyana.

Doubles courts are larger than regular squash courts, and are a necessity if a country is aspiring to host major international squash events.

In a recent update from Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., it has been revealed that the building for the court has been completed, and internal fittings have already been purchased.

“We completed the building also, for the squash court. We made the investment earlier in the year, last year, late 2022 going into 2023, to build the doubles court, and we also purchased the internal fittings for the courts themselves.

That’s already in the country,” the Sport Minister had shared during a press conference.

In explaining the impor-

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr

tance of the court, Ramson Jr. revealed what the acquisition of such a resource can do for Guyana and the squash locally when he remarked, “What will that do? This will make Guyana the premier option when it comes to hosting international squash tournaments.

In fact, this is the only public facility, I’m advised, for squash anywhere in the Caribbean.

“So it makes Guyana now a premier destination for hosting international

Squash,” he added.

In another update during the Budget debates on Tuesday, the Sport Minister divulged to the National Assembly that the persons responsible for installing the doubles court, and thus completing the facility, have arrived in Guyana and commenced their work on the new facility.

The doubles court will complement a singles court at the same facility, and those at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street.

ith Guyana set to participate in several Olympic qualifiers ahead of the 2024 Paris Games, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will stage a senior developmental championship on Friday at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue. It serves as part of the preparatory process.

Official weight-in for the event, expected to feature representation from the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, the Forgotten Youth Foundation and Rose Hall Town Jammers, will take place at the same location tomorrow.

The tournament is also expected to feature international flavour in the form of four Surinamese pugilists.

Participation from Trinidad and Tobago is also being explored by the GBA. Terrence Poole, Technical Director of the GBA, said, “This is an important event because it will provide valuable minutes in the ring for several of the elite boxers who have impending Olympic qualifiers and have not been competitively active. The event essential-

GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole, MS

ly caters to the elite boxers that have not been competing; and it’s also necessary because we didn’t get to run off the national open last year, and that was initially pencilled for this weekend.”

According to Poole, “We will not get the full complement of representatives from several gyms because of issues I would prefer not to disclose at this time. Some of our largest gyms are not inclined to field teams, and after a meeting with all coaches and the GBA President, a decision was made. That’s why we opted against doing the Terrence Ali National Open and decided to host a developmental event.”

Meanwhile, Steve Ninvalle, GBA President, said, “While the decision to suspend the staging of the Terrence Ali National Open is unfortunate, the silver lining is the staging of another developmental programme that adds to the structured and systematic apparatus that is employed by the association in the advancement of its pugilists.”

Ninvalle explained, “This event serves as the start of our calendar of activities and initiatives, and in a similar vein to the previous year. 2024 is programmed to mirror and exceed the expectations and objectives set forth by our administration.

“As an association, our emphasis will always remain on our nursery, which has provided us with the resources and human capital to dominate the Englishspeaking Caribbean. That is where the sustenance of boxing unquestionably occurs.

“However, our seniors are of great interest and importance, as it provides a window into what can be achieved at the international stage when that transitional phase occurs from the junior realms.”

Pelicans score record RHT Poonai Pharmacy claims 153 points against jazz historic title after defeating Albion T BCB/Ricky Moore and Sons U11 tournament…

he Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy under-11 cricket team, under the inspirational leadership of Darvish Narain, created history in Berbice cricket when they won the first ever under-11 cricket tournament, sponsored by Ricky Moore and Sons enterprise.

The match was played at the Chesney cricket ground, and Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy was spearheaded by a brilliant all-round performance from Akeem Fraser. The two teams have played each other twice before in the said tournament, and Albion had won both matches.

Rose Hall Town won the toss in extremely hot conditions and elected to bat first. They lost opener Julian Hicks, bowled by Gajnabi for one in the 1st over of the final.

The other opener, Dilchan La Cruz, and skipper Darvish Narain added 20 for the 2nd wicket before La Cruz was run out for 10.

The highly talented Akeem Fraser batted with maturity beyond his age, and ended unbeaten on 35 with four boundaries, as the Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy ended their innings on 130 for 6 off their allotted 20 overs.

Skipper Narain supported with 16, while extras contributed a healthy 56 runs.

Wides bowled in the first 15 overs resulted in two runs for the batting side, while the ball is not bowled back.

Albion’s best bowler was their captain Shahid Gajnabi, who

The Pelicans sit fifth in the Western Conference with a record of 26-18 this season Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy Under-11 team

took three for 18 from his four overs of pace.

Needing to score 131 of their allotted 20 overs, Albion were giving a solid start of 31 by openers Nicholas Madramootoo and Daniel Johnson, before Madramootoo was caught off the bowling of left-arm spinner Khemraj Bharrat for 3.

Johnson was also dismissed for 11, to leave Albion at 38 for two in the 6th over.

Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy’s confidence was lifted when the dangerous Shahid Gajnabi, younger brother of West Indies player Shabeka Gajnabi, was caught off the bowling of his opposite number, Dharvish Narain, for 12.

Albion slumped to 61 for 6 in the 11th over, before Royston Crandon Junior and Ganesh Shivdyal added 30 crucial runs for the 7th wicket to bring Albion back into contention. Ganesh was run

out for 10 when the score was at 91 for seven, and Albion were eventually bowed out

the two wickets he took.

Chairman of the BCB Cricket Competition

'Man of the finals' Akeem Fraser

for 120 of 18.4 overs.

Akeem Fraser took the final wicket to spark celebration by the Rose Hall Town team and their supporters.

Bowling for the Champions, Khemraj Bharrat took 3 for 15, Darvish Narain took 2 for 17, Akeem Fraser took 2 for 6, and Joshua Dhanraj took 2 for 11. Fraser was named “man of the final” for his crucial innings of 35 not out and

Committee, Leslie Salomon, hailed the success of the tournament, which unearthed several exciting talents for the future.

Solomon also expressed thanks to Ricky Moore for his sponsorship of the under-11 tournament. He said the BCB was also looking to host an under-9 tournament in 2024 as part of its overall developmental programme.

T

he New Orleans Pelicans have scored a franchise-record points total in their 153124 victory over the Utah Jazz.

CJ McCollum registered 33 points, as Herbert Jones Jr scored 22 points and Brandon Ingram added 18.

The Pelicans’ previous points record was set in a 149-129 victory over the Sacramento Kings in 2018.

Elsewhere, Jalen Williams scored with two seconds remaining to give Oklahoma City Thunder a 111-109 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Shai GilgeousAlexander led Thunder with 33 points and 10 assists, and his side sit top of the Western Conference with a 30-13 record this season. However, ESPN has reported that the Trail Blazers are filing an appeal against the result, for not

being granted a timeout before a decisive turnover with 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

It was Portland’s sixth loss in eight games, and they managed just 43 points in the second half.

Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard scored 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists - his second career triple double - in the Los Angeles Clippers’ 127-116 victory over city rivals the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers were without LeBron James through an ankle injury, and are 8-14 since winning the NBA in-season tournament in early December, while the Clippers move to 28-14 with a three-match win streak.

Nikola Jokic scored 31 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to register his 13th triple-double of the season as the Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 114109. (BBC Sport)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024

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

Pg 23

GBA to host senior developmental championship tomorrow Pg 23

as Windies secure five-wicket win Pg 22

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