Guyana Times - Thursday, October 19, 2023.pdf

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 5527

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

Guyana informs Caricom, int'l community of Venezuelan military activities near border ...remains on guard as Venezuela claims it's "curbing illegal mining" Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt to sue P delinquent 13 contractors over delayed works – AG

Police probing shooting at Kitty bar P14

GRA standing by US$214.4M cost Teacher being investigated for assaulting student oil figures – Commissioner General over socks colour …rules out reopening of process or changing position P10

Page 13

Caricom-Canada Summit

Regional leaders pushing for increased trade, investment opportunities Page Page 9 9

$8.8B in contracts signed for 287 roads in Berbice …96% awarded to new contractors

P14

Lorry skids into Potaro River after brakes failure

…Strategic Partnership launched

Berbice businessman killed during robbery Page 12

Page 12

P15

Fuel shortage hits Region 6, Corentyne most affected

New Demerara Bridge

Govt negotiating “appropriate” compensation to acquire 40 private properties P7

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, October 19 – 04:00h-05:30h and Friday, October 20 – 04:00h-05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, October 19 – 06:45h-08:15h and Friday, October 20 – 07:25h-08:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers are expected for most of the day with sunshine in the late afternoon hours.

Clear to partly cloudy skies are expected at night.

Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius Winds: East North-Easterly to South SouthEasterly between 0.89 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 07:11h and 19:11h reaching maximum heights of 2.47 metres and 2.56 metres.

Low Tide: 12:45h reaching a minimum height of 0.81 metre.

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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Guyana informs Caricom, int'l community of Venezuelan military activities near border ...remains on guard as Venezuela claims it's "curbing illegal mining"

T

he reports on social media of increased Venezuelan military activity at Guyana’s borders are being attributed by Venezuela to their efforts to curb illegal mining.

Nevertheless, the development has been reported by Guyana to its international and regional partners.

In a statement, it was explained by the Government that it has been taking careful note of the various reports of increased Venezuelan military activity close to Guyana’s borders.

The reports have suggested that Venezuelan military have been conducting exercises at Eteringbang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and have been on the move with pieces of their equipment.

Reaffirming that every report is taken seriously and that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has been reviewing these reports, the Government explained that they reached out to the Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Pérez Silva, to demand an explanation.

“To this end, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation requested today an explanation of the Venezuelan Ambassador, who claimed that the mobilization of troops was geared towards curbing illegal mining operations,” the Government said in its statement.

Notwithstanding Venezuela’s explanation, however, the Government made it clear that Venezuela’s increased military activities close to the border have been reported to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Heads of Government and other international partners.

For its part, the parliamentary Opposition, through shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs Amanza WaltonDesir, has issued a call on Foreign Minister Hugh Todd to convene an urgent meeting of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Foreign Relations, so that members could be briefed on the development.

Last month, Venezuela had issued a communique that threatened Guyana and protested against Guyana’s efforts to auction its oil blocks, even though all the blocks are in Guyana’s sovereign territory.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali had issued a stern response in a video broadcast, also announcing that he has since updated not only the Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir, but also Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, on the Guyana vs Venezuela controversy, as well as the support Guyana has gotten from the international community.

In a social media post, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had respond-

ed to President Ali and accused Guyana of jeopardizing peace in the region, despite the Spanish-speaking country initiating the controversy.

The Venezuelan President had also proposed to President Ali that the two sides meet, with the CARICOM as a mediator, to return to the Geneva Agreement of 1966 that affirmed the 1899 Arbitral Award.

However, Guyana currently has a case against Venezuela before the International Court of Justice (ICJ)… a case the Spanishspeaking country has been seeking to block, including by using spurious arguments such as claiming that the 1899 Arbitral Award is void due.

The ICJ has already ruled, however, that it has the jurisdiction to hear the case.

Guyana’s legal team is headed by Co-Agent and Counsel Sir Shridath Ramphal, and includes a member of the Bars of the United States Supreme Court and the District of Columbia, Paul S Reichler; and Professor Emeritus of the University Paris Nanterre, former Chairman of the International Law Commission and member of the Institute de Droit International, Alain Pellet.

United Nations SecretaryGeneral António Guterres, in January 2018, decided that the case should be settled by the ICJ, after exercising

One of Venezuela’s boats being transported

the powers vested in him to decide how the controversy should be settled by the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom.

He resorted to judicial settlement after the good offices process between Guyana and Venezuela failed. Within the framework of the 1966 Geneva Agreement between the two countries, the Secretary-General conducted good offices from 1990 to 2017 to find a solution to the border controversy.

Among other things, Guyana is asking the ICJ to adjudge and declare that the 1899 Award is valid and binding upon Guyana and Venezuela, that Venezuela is internationally responsible for violations of Guyana’s sovereignty and sovereign rights, and for compensation for all injuries suffered by Guyana as a consequence.

Guyana has meanwhile received consistent support from the international community against Venezuela’s intimidation tactics. Support has come from the United States (US), CARICOM, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Commonwealth.

After the Venezuelan National Assembly decided last month to hold a referendum on the border controversy, the OAS had harsh words for the planned Venezuelan resolution. The OAS had noted that the referendum would be illegal under the terms of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, affirming the 1899 Arbitral Award confirming Essequibo as part of Guyana.

CARICOM had also expressed grave concern at the recent development in the Venezuelan National Assembly.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

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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

UNITE!

G

uyana will observe International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women next month. Every year, this day serves as a global advocacy effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women. This year’s theme is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls”. According to UN Women, this campaign calls on citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to create a world free from violence towards women. This year's campaign, it states, also calls on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.

It is no secret that women worldwide, including those in Guyana, continue to face unacceptable levels of violence in various forms. World Health Organization has estimated that nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner.

Over the years, we have seen countless stories reported in the media of some form of gender-based violence, with women especially being at the receiving end of the beatings; and, in some cases, even ending up dead. Even though the Government and other stakeholders have been engaged in various efforts to bring the situation under control, it seems as if the violence is far from over.

Between 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has further contributed to increased risks of violence, particularly domestic violence, against women. The UN pointed to reports from countries around the world which suggest that restrictions in movement, and social isolation coupled with increased social and economic pressures are leading to an increase in violence in the home.

With effect from 25 November to 10 December, during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Guyana joined the WHO and other partners in raising awareness about the global need to prevent and respond to violence against women, and provide support to survivors.

However, not many women admit to being victims of violence.

According to the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, “Domestic violence remains a taboo, shuttered behind closed doors and only emerging as bloody faces, bruised limbs, broken spirits and dead bodies. Fear of societal judgement, insecurities about children and finances, family pressure and manipulation keep this a hushed conversation, or results in an overwhelming silence”.

As pointed out previously by the Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, “Violence against women is a heinous crime and a pervasive breach of human rights. Yet, it continues to be one of the longest, hardest challenges to the world, and involves psyches, attitudes, poverty, cultures, emotional manipulation, substance abuse and lack of education”.

We had previously called for urgent action to be taken by the Government and other partners to end violence against women. We are pleased that some steps are being taken in this regard. For example, the 914 Emergency Hotline which links survivors to agencies, advocacy programmes, referral pathways, microenterprise industries, and public-private skills employment database matching all offer immediate help to extricate women from violent situations.

According to the Ministry, the 24-Hour Hotline Operators will offer support and referral to victims and survivors, family, friends and professionals via an integration of the services available at both the Domestic Violence Unit and the Childcare and Protection Agency.

It was also revealed that social workers were trained through the Survivors Advocacy Programme to offer emotional support and crisis counselling to victims of domestic and sexual violence, and act on the victim’s behalf when necessary. These are all good initiatives.

Added to these, the EQUAL Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) CAD $2.25 million project, which seeks to safeguard women and girls against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by empowering them to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, was launched.

This particular programme will target vulnerable women and girls in our hinterland regions - Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, in addition to women and girls who are Venezuelan migrants.

We support the minister when she said at the launching that: “I believe this initiative, another partnership which sees international and local partners coming together to address the key issue of sexual and reproductive health and rights, could not have been timelier. I say this because it is concentrated in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, where we do acknowledge, as a Government, we need to amplify the efforts that have been made.”

We reiterate the call by the minister again that better can and must be done.

Police ranks at Lethem Police Station in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are seen interacting with pupils of the Arapaima Nursery School on Wednesday. The ranks spoke to the children about several road safety and traffic-related topics (Guyana Police Force photos)

APNU/PNC/AFC trying to create, sustain a false narrative Dear Editor, The combined Opposition, APNU/ PNC/AFC, is trying very hard to create and sustain a false narrative that the PPP Government doesn’t have credibility by trying to “prostitute” the case of the cost-oil audit.

But what are the facts? The facts are to the contrary. Let’s compare and contrast the two governments in this regard, starting with the APNU/AFC’s tenure in office during the period 2015-2020.

APNU/AFC credibility fact check

i.

They made a number of campaign promises, all of which they failed to deliver. Some of the notable promises worthy of highlighting are: • That they will not destroy the sugar industry, that they will invite technical experts from Brazil or India with core competences in sugar technology to help with turnaround plan for sugar, sugar factories rehabilitation programme, etc.

• That they will increase the income tax threshold to $100k • That they will support an economy driven by private sector • Good governance, etc.

• Claimed the treasury was empty etc., etc.

What actually happened?

They failed to deliver on 90% of their promises, and instead did the inverse: i.

The income tax threshold was never increased to $100k; instead, they introduced over 200 new taxes and fees, thereby significantly increasing the cost of doing business, and increasing the taxpayers’ burden…an additional $60 billion in tax revenues was earned owing to this. VAT was placed on electricity, water, private education, and a long list of items that never attracted VAT previously. ii.

Instead of bringing in experts from Brazil or India, a COI was set up, headed by Dr. Clive Thomas, which cost the taxpayers $50 million to diagnose GuySuCo. The findings did not recommend the closure of any estate, yet APNU Government went ahead, disregarded its own advice, and close the estates, effectively severing over 7,000 jobs in the industry; which had a knock-on effect that impacted another 40,000 households indirectly, and cost the economy over $40 billion annually. iii. The private sector became their enemy. Lack of engagement with the pri-

vate sector, unfriendly policies to the private sector were vigorously pursued, despite the opposition of the private sector to such policies that were detrimental to growth and development of the private sector. iv. Claimed the treasury was empty, but they actually inherited $81 billion in liquid cash in the Bank (Bank of Guyana gov’t deposits + commercial banks deposits). v.

Claimed that there were billions in procurement fraud, but never found any such evidence, despite spending millions of dollars on Chris Ram and Anand Goolsarran to conduct “forensic audits”.

Waste of taxpayers’ money. vi. Received a signing bonus of US$18 million, violated the financial laws by not reporting same to the National Assembly, and when uncovered, they denied receiving any such bonus on multiple occasions. vii. The former President is cited for multiple constitutional breaches, such as the unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chair in the night. viii. Violated the constitution by not holding elections when it was constitutionally due, following the successful passage of the NCM in December 2018. ix. Transparently attempted to rig the elections on national television and in the view of the world at large, but denied such egregious act. x.

Continue to peddle false narratives to their support base. xi. The former Finance Minister perpetrated the most breaches and blatant violation of the country's financial laws more than any other Finance Minister. In fact, I couldn’t find any evidence, via the annual reports, that evidenced the scale and extent of financial breaches by any other Finance Minister. According to the annual reports, the former minister is culpable for the misappropriation of $200 billion. xii. The APNU/AFC Government never accepts responsibility for any wrongdoing or genuine mistakes/shortcomings. An executive member of the PNC, while in Government, under the influence of alcohol, hit down and killed a prominent cyclist.

Never took responsibility, and he was never disciplined. Other PNC members were the subject of other inappropriate behaviour as public officials, never took responsibility or condemned such behaviour…

The PPP Government on the other hand: i.

Restored financial integrity in public finance,

ii.

Reversed all the draconian taxes and fees, iii. Restored democracy iv. Fulfilled all of its manifesto promises so far (still have 2 years remaining) v.

Turn around the economy in record time, vi. Inherited a bankrupt treasury, the government deposit accounts at the Bank of Guyana were $92 billion on an overdraft balance (which was a violation of the FMAA). vii. One of its ministers was the subject of PNC engineered controversy, who was bold enough to resign from his position, and the govt also took a stance…the PNC never did such a thing. viii. In relation to the audit, the Govt position has been consistent throughout: they’ve taken responsibility, there is no controversy… they’ve maintained the audit is a technical matter and the technical people need to deal with it. There is absolutely no controversy. ix. The PNC never acknowledged corruption, and took a stance to take action on corruption within Government systems.

The PPP has done that (reference to the VP press conference last week). x.

The PNC also never worked with any PPP executives when they were in government in 2015-2020…the PPP has recruited two top PNC executives in Government, who remains PNC executives. xi. The PPP always acknowledges its limitations in Government, the challenges etc., and how it intends to deal with those… the PNC never did such a thing. xii. The PPP has never lied/denied anything. They’ve subjected themselves to the highest degree of scrutiny, be it to the public, the media, or the Opposition.

Anybody ever saw former President Granger or any former Minister take impromptu questions from the media, and make decisions on the spot in outreaches?

Never.

So, the APNU/PNC/AFC has absolutely no moral authority to speak on credibility.

They have none. They cannot be compared to the incumbent Government.

The PPP Government has proven that it has the highest level of credibility and accountability. Just look at how they dealt with controversial matters and contrast that with the APNU/AFC/PNC. Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

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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

Peace and humanitarian action

Dear Editor, The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) joins millions across the world in watching with great anxiety the steadily deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip as conflict between Israel and Palestine once again breaks out.

We are deeply worried by the thousands of people on all sides who have been affected by the recent escalation of tensions and violence.

The human toll and suffering resulting from this longstanding conflict has reached alarming levels, touching the conscience of the world’s people, and raising a collective voice in calling for peace and humanitarian action.

The Federation upholds the values of justice, human rights and peace. FITUG, being mindful of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, recognises the significant impact that it has had on innocent civilians, including workers and their families.

The reports and images of civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of vital infrastructure are deep-

ly troubling, emphasising the urgent need for a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict.

It is critical to acknowledge that the prolonged conflict has caused long-lasting damage to the region and its inhabitants, requiring immediate attention and action from all parties involved.

FITUG stands in solidarity with all those affected by the conflict, and urges all parties to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful solution that ensures the safety and well-being of all individuals in the region.

FITUG maintains that the best way to achieve a fair and long-lasting solution to the conflict is through genuine dialogue, diplomatic initiatives, and upholding the rights and dignity of all those involved in the region.

We urge the international community, consisting of governments, organisations and individuals, to intensify their efforts to help establish a ceasefire, and participate in constructive negotiations that lead to a comprehensive and sustainable resolution, taking into account previ-

ous agreements and accords reached.

In light of the ongoing conflict, FITUG strongly encourages the global community to prioritise the pressing humanitarian needs of the affected population. It is imperative to provide urgent medical assistance, treatment for injuries and illnesses, and access to medical facilities. In addition to this, humanitarian aid such as food, water, shelter, and sanitation facilities are crucial to address the basic needs of the displaced persons and the affected communities.

The conflict has caused immense suffering, and the provision of resources and support for displaced persons is essential to alleviate their immediate distress. It is crucial to ensure that the affected population receives the necessary care, support, and protection to rebuild their lives and recover from the impact of the conflict.

FITUG calls upon the international community to join hands and work together to provide the much-needed assistance and support to those affected by the conflict.

In light of the current situation, FITUG would like to reiterate the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

We urge all parties involved to prioritise the safety and well-being of civilians, and take necessary measures to de-escalate the tensions. As we express our solidarity, we emphasize the importance of collective efforts to establish a pathway towards lasting peace, justice, and stability in the region.

FITUG calls upon our Government, civil society, and fellow Guyanese citizens to come together and advocate for peace, humanitarian aid, and a just resolution to the conflict. It is crucial that we stand united in our pursuit of a world wherein peace prevails over conflict, and the rights and dignity of all people are respected.

Let us work towards a future wherein the people of Israel and Palestine can coexist in harmony and prosperity.

Sincerely, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana

Not a blade of grass Dear Editor, There’s been quite a bit of hysteria recently about thousands of Venezuelan troops, armoured vehicles and pontoons on the border near Eteringbang.

People make comments about “them Spanish” coming over after completing an age-mandatory military draft and having been taught since school that the ‘true’ map of Venezuela, already 352,144 square miles, comprises an area of an additional 28,000 square miles that includes land to that country’s east.

The general sentiment is that the arriving Venezuelans pose a potential threat from the inside – and an excuse in years to come for an invasion to “reclaim” historically owned lands largely settled by Venezuelan nationals. I have met and seen many of them at work in the interior, and found them to be diligent workers – but that’s how immigrants are!

Guyanese who moved abroad in search of a better life have acquired an excellent work ethic reputation.

The comments of the people raise important points that can be instructive, rather than just topical material for a ‘lil gyaffe – mainly about Spanish women and the obvious disparity of capability between the Venezuelan army and the Guyana Defence Force, and always with an underlay of a vague hope that the threat to the status quo somehow does not materialise. There is an apathy about what can be done. After all, we no longer have National Service, the Venezuelan land claim has not been explained to our children as an important sub-

ject on the school curriculum, and we are outnumbered 30:1 in terms of population, in any event.

Thanks to Dave Martins, we have the rallying song “Not a Blade of Grass” to keep truly Guyanese spirits high though!

The fears will continue even after the ICJ rules in Guyana’s favour, as is rather likely, unless something radical is done about immigration into Guyana from the west overland especially.

Guyana’s path to development will need to be paved by a significant amount of labour, skilled and unskilled, from abroad. We will need a population of around 3 million in the relatively short term, who in turn will largely comprise the expanded local market that will make more types of businesses viable and facilitate the expansion of solid local businesses, due to economies of scale.

The radical step needed is a purpose-built Immigration Office that will have the capacity and robustness to simultaneously encourage and curb immigration into Guyana – radical only because of the necessity to vet immigrants from Venezuela sometimes in ways that overlook international obligations that our country subscribes to, because of the real continuing threat that is unique to Guyana as a sovereign country.

Unilateral Government action will not achieve this.

Parliamentary consensus will be necessary, for there must be buy-in from the private sector, which benefits from “Spanish man” labour that costs less than Guyanese males, who in turn appreciate

Spanish women, whom they see as exotic and open-minded – whilst Guyanese womanhood tend to view the competition with suspicion.

Given all those competing and merging yet separate interests, there is only one factor that can have a definite impact upon determining who will be patriotic Guyanese in 20 years’ time, when the population has grown perhaps to 5 million. That factor is us becoming One Guyana right now. England is 33,000 square miles less in size than Guyana, has a population of 57 million people, and does not feel crowded at all.

We need immigration into our country – a lot of immigration – to develop an infrastructure and the institutions that will facilitate further development and endure well into the future as a solid foundation for our grandchildren and their children to sustain and thrive thereon. By holding ‘one head’ as Guyanese,

we can make immigration rules and enact immigration laws that are restrictive as to who can become Guyanese.

Only then can we look forward to embracing having a population of 5 million, up from less than 1 million currently, of which only 2 million are Guyanese – but we have to start off with a unified core of Guyanese.

While we get on well on an inter-personal level, Guyanese already have the uneasy feeling that Venezuelans are Venezuelans. We must become One Guyana – we need to ‘feel’ it now when so many extra reasons show us why we should – because if not so, in all honesty, it will be no big deal to the individual whether allegiance is to the Golden Arrowhead or a yellow, blue and red flag.

Yours truly, Ronald Bostwick

Norton and Ramjattan should hang their heads in shame Dear Editor, I watched Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and AFC Party Leader MP Khemraj Ramjattan host a press conference with the media in Guyana. Sadly, I lost more than an hour of time which could have gone into something more meaningful and worthwhile.

I cannot get over these two seasoned politicians making a mockery of themselves, acting all foolishly and in a discombobulated manner by the seeming actions of Venezuela and the Venezuelans in Guyana.

Both men were arriving at hasty conclusions, hearsay evidence and foolish assertions about the Venezuela/Guyana Border controversy.

I am saddened that these two leaders, one an Attorney and former Minister, and the other a former lecturer and politician, did not engage in facts, evidential analysis, and responsible political statements about the so-called developments. And one ascribes to lead Guyana as its next Head of State in the upcoming 2025 elections? Pathetic.

While developments concerning the border controversy are important and require the Opposition and Government to be engaged in crafting a suitable response at their level, it does not require the public to go into panic mode. That is exactly what these two gentlemen were doing at the press conference despite their MP Amanza Walton-Desir seeking answers and a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs to discuss this matter. I hate to admit it, but that’s how matters of this nature are dealt with diplomacy and being respectful of international laws.

The two seemed to have been enjoying their one hour

of fame, allegedly hammering and milking the border controversy with the aim of scoring cheap political points. I strongly believe that such a serious, complex and critical matter should not involve national politics. The professionals at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guyana Defence Force, and the Executive are all in tune with what is taking place, and are taking the necessary actions.

I have confidence that the Government has adopted the right posture and tone with the border issue. The World Court is hearing the case, and Guyana is in good hands. I stand by this Government and on the side of doing quietly what is right.

I am neither weak nor afraid of Venezuela's aggression, but Guyana is united behind the Government.

It is rather unfortunate that these politicians choose to throw stones at this hour in our struggle to protect our territorial integrity, right in front of the Venezuelans on TV and the Internet.

The Opposition is seeking to use the border issue to create a storm in a teacup, and is lumping all the concerns Guyana has with Venezuelans and Venezuelan migrants into one bundle.

Again, it is mischievous and undiplomatic. I pity the attempt to pull the wool over the public’s eye. Stay woke Guyana, and stand by your Government, because the Essequibo is Guyana’s rightful territory. We are giving up no mountain…and not a blade of grass!

Norton and Ramjattan should hang their heads in shame! Guyana is not collateral damage.

Yours truly, Michael Younge

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

Test Questions

By Meish Goldish

Regrow cabbage: Vegetative reproduction and cloning plants Materials Two paper towels, 2 plastic bags, scissors, Napa cabbage, cutting board, kitchen knife, permanent marker, spray bottle, water, camera Procedure Take the two plastic bags, and label one “leaf” and the other “stem”.

Fold each paper towel three times.

Use your spray bottle to spray the towel until it is damp.

Now you’re ready to start cloning!

Remove the leaves from the cabbage and set one aside. Have an adult cut the stem crossways, close to the bottom where the roots were.

You now have a leaf and a piece of cabbage stem. If you give these cabbage pieces some water, will they grow? What will happen?

Take a photo of each piece before

you start the experiment.

Slip the leaf into the middle of one of the folded paper towels and place it in the “leaf” bag. Then slip the stem into the middle of the other folded paper towel and place it in the “stem” bag.

Make sure the bags have a bit of air in them, and close them.

Leave the bags in a place with light at room temperature.

Open the bags the next day and look at the color and texture of the pieces of plant. Are any roots growing? Take a photo of the plants, and put them back into the bags. Make sure that the paper towel is still a little bit damp.

Peek into the bags every day for a week, and make sure that you take a photo each time. What happens to the pieces over the course of the week?

What do they look like at the end?

Results The piece of cabbage stem will start to grow small roots. The piece of leaf will begin to rot.

Why? While cloning might sound like something that needs to happen in a lab, people who grow fruits and vegetables have been cloning plants for many years.

Plants have different ways of making new plants. The one you’re probably most familiar with is the seed. Plants make seeds or spores so that they can reproduce, or make more of themselves.

When you grew the cabbage, the cells near the root area of the cabbage are able to start growing again and make a new cabbage plant that is the same as the old one. It is a clone. Some plant cells grow new plants more easily than others.

What bearded animal helps on the farm?

The goat!

What friendly creature is loaded with charm?

The goat!

Who can produce both milk and wool?

The goat!

Who grows long horns like a bull?

The goat!

What creature can mow your lawn, Eating the grass until it’s gone?

What animal can you always count on?

The goat!

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New Demerara Bridge

Govt negotiating “appropriate” compensation packages to acquire 40 private properties A

s work accelerates on the construction of the new bridge across the Demerara River, the Guyana Government is advancing discussions with some 40 private property owners to determine compensation packages in order to have them move out of the path of the much-anticipated project.

Back in May 2022, the Guyana Government signed a US$260 million contract with China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) Limited for the new high-span four-lane bridge across the Demerara River.

Since then, preparatory works have been ongoing and progressing at the site.

However, there are approximately 40 private properties that have to be compulsorily acquired by Government.

According to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, that process had started a while back but got protracted. Now, efforts are being undertaken to accelerate these consultative talks in order to have those persons in path of the new bridge to relocate.

“Some 40 pieces of private properties have to be compulsorily acquired and that process has commenced,” he stated.

Nandlall noted that earlier this week, he joined his colleague Housing Minister Collin Croal and other officials to continue engaging these property owners with the aim of ironing out the

compensation packages.

“We are hoping to conclude process with every convenient speed and bring this important aspect of the project to an end… We had a very good engagement [on Monday] and those engagements will continue daily until we bring the matter to closure.”

“These persons have been advised that while the Government will retain lawyers to sit and negotiate with each of them, they are free to retain lawyers of their choice and the response has been very good. In fact, from all indications, there is no one who is opposed to moving, and who is opposed to the process. It is simply a question of arriving at the appropriate value of the compensation to be paid,” he explained.

The Attorney General went on to point out that Government has a clear and settled procedure for such situations, and it was also used to similarly acquire private properties for other big projects across the country.

As it is, there are several compensation options available to these 40 persons who will have to relocate in order to facilitate the construction of the new bridge.

“Government is offering several options: monetary compensation, land, house with land, and monetary compensation as well if the private property is more valuable than the land or the land and house that the Government is offering,” the

The design of the new Demerara River Bridge

Minister stated.

AG Nandlall further explained that the focus is to ensure that market value is the principal drive behind the acquisition of these private properties. To this end, he said the talks are geared towards achieving consensus through a meaning agreement between Government and the property owners.

“At the end of the day, the government is doing everything possible to ensure the process is not an antagonistic one and that the private property owner is satisfied that he has received market value and adequate compensation for his property that is being acquired for the public purpose of the construction of the bridge,” the Legal Affairs Minister noted.

Only earlier this week, it was reported that works on the new Demerara River bridge were progressing smoothly, with the contractor in the process of setting up temporary bridges to aid

in constructing.

During Monday’s session of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Public Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Vladim Persaud was questioned on the status of the new bridge, which has a two-year implementation period.

Persaud explained that temporary bridges were being installed, as part of preparations for installing the permanent structure.

“As it is now, the company is setting forth or putting in place what is called their temporary work bridges, that

will be used for the setting up and piling system that has to go in place. So, they’re at that point. Additionally, the company already has locations set up at the West Bank and also the East Bank in terms of a landing facility and operational yard,” Persaud said.

The PS explained that the temporary bridges composed of steel pilings are being imported from China. He noted that as they arrive, the installation will be done and in fact, some are already in place.

The new bridge will land at La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara and aback the Nandy Park/Peters Hall area on the East Bank of Demerara.

“It’s expected to land over the East Bank corridor, which is the bridge approach… approximately near to where Windsor (Estates are), around that length,” the Permanent Secretary further explained to the PAC. The new Demerara bridge will replace the current structure, which has exceeded its lifespan by some

40 years. It is expected that the new bridge will be a fourlane, fixed span bridge with a lifespan of approximately 100 years.

The contractors are part of a joint venture led by China Railway and Construction Corporation Limited to construct the new bridge.

The new bridge will be a fixed 2.65-kilometre, four-lane, high-span, cable-stayed structure across the Demerara River, with the width of the driving surface being about 23.6 metres.

The bridge, which features a bicycle lane, will bring an end to closures to vehicular traffic with a 50-metre fixed high-span to cater for the free flow of vessels uninterrupted. The river will be dredged along a 13.5-kilometre stretch to accommodate large vessels.

In January, Mohamed’s Enterprise had announced that it had gifted the Government its US$3 million prime waterfront property at Providence, EBD, to facilitate the construction of the new Demerara River crossing. (G8)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Accused in Albouystown businesswoman’s murder freed on retrial

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alcolm Culley, who had been facing a retrial for the murder of Albouystown businesswoman Sumintra Dinool, has been acquitted by a Demerara High Court jury on Tuesday.

After deliberating for over two hours, the jury foreman told trial Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall that the jurors had found the accused unanimously not guilty of the crime.

As a result, the Judge informed Culley that he was discharged.

According to information provided to this publication, Culley had first been tried for this charge in February of this year, but a retrial had been or-

Following…

Y Malcolm Culley has been acquitted of the murder charge

dered after the jury had been unable to reach a decision.

Reports are that at about 04:00h on June 19, 2014, the son of 65-year-

Dead: Sumintra Dinool

old Sumintra Dinool had found her bound and gagged body in her residence at Barr Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Her bedroom had been

ransacked, and her hands and legs had been bound with telephone cord to the rails of her bed.

The media had reported that a quantity of electronic equipment, including a flat-screen television set and other items, had been taken from the home.

However, some cash was reportedly found in the slain woman’s bedroom.

According to media reports, the Police had said there was no visible sign of forced entry into the home.

Dinool, a vendor, had lived at this Albouystown property for about 46 years. The post-mortem showed she had died from strangulation.

Shaheed Alli, 30, of Barr Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, who had also been charged with killing the senior, had suffered terrible beatings in prison before passing away.

Alli had been charged and remanded to the Lusignan Prison on April 2, 2019, but had been ambushed and brutally beaten by fellow inmates while he slept there a few hours later. He had been rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died on April 5, 2019. It is unclear whether anyone had ever been charged with Alli’s killing. (G1)

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

…Maduro’s star

ou gotta hand it to Maduro. Can you think of any other leader of a country who’s created 7 million refugees a quarter of its population – and is still in power? Well, of course you can. There was Papa Doc of Haiti and Trujillo of the Dominican Republic - not to mention our very own Burnham of Guyana! - right here in our own hemisphere!!

And you get it, don’t you, dear Reader?? That’s right – go to the head of the class! – they’re all dictators!!

But he can say, “I won elections that put me in power!!”, and we can say - after our “elections” under Burnham – no matter how you slice it or dice it, they wuz all rigged. As with Burnham – who was very creative and bold – maybe we mightn’t know how the rigging’s carried out, but we know that people don’t return into office a fella who’s destroyed their country to such an extent that middle class occupants have been reduced to scavenging from garbage cans!!

The claims of rigging have been trumpeted loud and clear by the Opposition during that decade – and the US and other democracies only recently refused to recognise the Maduro regime, and had declared one Opposition Leader, Guido, as President for a while. But the Opposition were so divided that they weren’t able to maintain a consistent, united front. And Maduro capitalised on their disarray to hold on to power with the help of the army that put him – and his predecessor guru, Chavez - into power!

Well, elections are due next year, and once again, the Opposition are trying to get their act together. Under the good offices of Norway, Maduro and the Opposition reps have just concluded an agreement in Barbados as to how the election’s gonna be conducted – under the watchful eyes of international observers. But there’s one major sign that the leopard hasn’t changed his spots: Maduro’s most formidable foe – Maria Marcado - has been banned by his ally, the comptroller-general!! That’s like going into a fight with the opponent’s hands tied behind his back!! It ain’t fair – and it certainly ain’t democratic!!

But other forces are in play that had to’ve given Maduro reason to smile. The global balances of forces have been shifting after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the West’s inability to roll the latter back – even though they’ve imposed sanctions on Russian petroleum exports – as they did on Venezuela’s for years!! So we see the US now easing its sanctions on Maduro, while Russia’s about to host him to further cement their cooperation to evade oil sanctions!!

We in Guyana gotta be wary about the US’ historic short attention span – there’s no permanent enemy or permanent friend… …more war crimes Now, the argument as to who hit who first – like most schoolyard fights – gonna never end. But the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza - after Hamas’s attack - after the Israelis’ harassment and incursions even on sacred spaces and so on – ain’t no schoolyard fight. Firing a missile on a hospital that’s known to be occupied not only by Palestinians seeking refuge from missiles – but also real patients, including kids – definitively constituted a “war crime”. For the Israelis to claim that the Palestinians bombed their own hospital is insulting the world’s intelligence: from the missile’s trajectory, Hamas had to’ve been occupying Israel!!

But that it was done while US Pres Biden was visiting to show solidarity with Israel betrays their confidence that the Americans will turn a blind eye to any and all atrocities and war crimes. But as your Eyewitness pointed out, their actions are turning off even some of America’s staunchest allies. The extraordinary outpouring of support for the Palestinian cause has to force an American rethinking… …the money But when we in Guyana still think about the nation state as the players on the global stage, we gotta appreciate that after globalization for five decades, it’s an international elite 1% now calling the shots!!

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

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

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Caricom-Canada Summit

Regional leaders pushing for increased trade, investment opportunities …Strategic Partnership launched

C

anada is seeking to strengthen relations with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Member States through the establishment of a strategic partnership that will allow for institutionalised and regular dialogue at various levels in areas such as trade and investment.

The first CaricomCanada Summit is being held in Ottawa, Canada from October 17 to October 19 under the theme: “Strategic Partners for a Resilient Future.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali is among the group of regional leaders that have travelled to the North American nation for these high-level engagements.

During the opening ceremony on Wednesday morning, Caricom Chairman, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit highlighted the important role Canada has been playing in the development of countries in the Region, especially in recent years.

President Dr Irfaan Ali with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa

“The Government of Canada has demonstrated its steadfast support for development in the Caricom region and is one of the largest providers of developmental assistance. Canada has aligned its Caricom programmes with the priorities of our Member States, and in cooperation with our Governments and institutions, has focused on critical issues such as economic growth, trade and invest-

ment, climate change and security…

Our Region has traditionally relied on Canada's advocacy to highlight our challenges and realities and promote our interests in international fora where we do not have a voice,” the Caricom Chair stated.

But while he recognised that there have been highly-effective initiatives with real and enduring impacts, Prime Minister Skerrit underscored the need for

The inaugural Caricom-Canada Summit kicked off in Ottawa on Wednesday morning

Canada's continued support.

On this note, he said during the summit sessions, Caricom and Canada would discuss initiatives to strengthen economic ties, build more inclusive and sustainable communities, and address the challenges of climate change.

Another area which he highlighted is trade and according to the Caribbean Head of State, this re-

mains a critical engine for the growth and development that will secure the Region's financial and economic future.

“Bringing Governments and business leaders together in a roundtable on trade and investment will allow us to outline our ambitions, share insights and build alliances for sustainable and resilient economic growth. Canadian businesses have a long his-

tory of providing innovation and connectivity for the Region in infrastructure, financial services and technology. Enhanced Caricom-Canada trade and investment will enable cross-cutting innovations and sectoral expansions, allowing for increased economic opportunities and job creation, improved access to goods and services and an enhanced quality of TURN TO PAGE 16

10 NEWS Gaps in data gathering Teacher being investigated for at Cancer Registry need assaulting student over socks colour attention – Dr Anthony I THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

n another unsettling case of violence in schools, the assault of a student at the Bartica Secondary School in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) by a teacher is now being investigated by the Education Ministry.

In the video clip making its rounds on social media on Wednesday, the student is seen seated in a chair while the teacher is shouting, “Take off the socks!” as he points with a ruler. The student attempts to stand a few times, but is shoved into the seat. As the teacher grabs his foot in an attempted to forcibly remove the socks, the student lands on his back.

This publication understands that the socks worn by the student were not in keeping with the school’s dress code.

This newspaper was told that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

In the past two years, the

A snap from the video showing the student being pushed by the teacher

reports of violence in schools have increased, and teachers, students and parents have been involved in such

cases. Last year, Education Minister Priya Manickchand had warned teachers against abusing or beating students

in the classrooms, as she urged them to find new and civilised disciplinary methods.

Moreover, she had sounded a warning that the Ministry will go after teachers displaying such behaviour.

“It is not the Ministry of Education alone that will come after you, because we will come after you! It’s a different order in the world.

People are going to demand more of you, because people want to see a better world, a better country,” Manickchand was quoted as saying.

A new policy is being created by the Education Ministry to address violence in schools amid an uptick in such incidents. It seeks to not only cover violence in schools, but identify vulnerable students on both sides of the spectrum – those who are likely to commit a violent act, and those who might be harmed by such. (G12)

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

H

ealth Minister Dr Frank Anthony has sounded the call for gaps to be closed at the Guyana Cancer Registry, which means ensuring the country’s data gathering and reporting is up-to-date.

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry facilitated a stakeholders’ meeting with the Guyana Cancer Registry to iron out these issues.

The Ministry has been working closely to support and strengthen the work of the Cancer Registry through this multi-stakeholder approach, where gaps in cancer data reporting can be identified. The intention is to have a systematic protocol in place to capture all relevant information needed for a reputable cancer registry.

In his remarks, Dr Anthony emphasised the need to deliver the data on time, and the need to update the cancer data reporting. He outlined, "Many people who should be sending information to the Cancer Registry are not doing so, which is the reason we want people to come here. We need to address this issue so that people may understand their responsibilities and the need to provide that information promptly to the registry.”

Meanwhile, the Director for Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr Latchmine Lall, noted that data from attending physicians, pathology labs, and death statistics units are the main sources of data. Hence, frequent reporting is required to be able to gather information and report on the incidents of cancers in Guyana.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, in 2018, Guyana’s cancer incidence rate was at a staggering 46.9 per cent – the highest in the Caribbean.

This was coupled with a mortality rate of 21.0 per 100,000 persons.

In 2021, Guyana was leading the list of countries in the Region of the Americas for reported cases of cervical cancer. Last year, it was reported that the prevalence of cancer is a continuous challenge to Guyana’s healthcare sector. It remains one of the most common causes of premature death affecting people of any age and gender.

In the children demographic, the most prevalent cancer detected in Guyana is acute leukaemia cases – accounting for about 69 per cent of detected cases.

World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) statistics show that cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for over nine million deaths. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men; while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are most common among women.

According to global data, the number of cancer deaths could increase by over 50 per cent by 2030 if immediate action is not taken, especially in the low- and middle-income countries, where most of the deaths are likely to occur. Between 30 and 40 per cent of cancer cases could be prevented, and one-third of cancer cases could be cured through early diagnosis and treatment. (G12)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Agri-Investment Forum & Expo 2023

150 exhibitors, international delegations to participate

Agriculture Mustapha

Minister

Zulfikar

P

reparations are in full swing at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) for the 2023 Agri-Investment Forum and Expo. The three-day event seeks to demonstrate a commitment to modernising the agriculture sector as the Region works towards decreasing its food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday conducted a press briefing and walkthrough of the space as the Ministry gears up to cochair the event alongside the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat.

“Caricom heads agree that the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo will be the appropriate mechanism to address the issue of the Region’s rising food import bill, and also to stimulate investments in agriculture and food production,” Mustapha said.

The Agriculture Minister noted that this initiative brings significant potential at both the individual and collective levels to advance the regional sector plans, including technological and logistical solutions for food security in Caricom.

Agri-Investment Forum and Expo 2023 to see 150 exhibitors

“This event will also showcase Guyana’s unwavering commitment to the development and modernisation of the sector, whilst realising its potential of being the breadbasket of Caricom,” Mustapha has said.

This Forum and Expo, the third of its kind in the Region and second in Guyana, is slated to occur from Friday October 20 to Sunday October 22, from 10:00h to 22:00h.

“All of the booth spaces have been taken, and the exhibition promises to be larger than last year’s. This demonstrates the growing interest in the agriculture sector here in Guyana and across the Region,” Mustapha has said.

“We have 150 exhibitors and over 80 agro-processors who will showcase a diverse [range] of agricultural products and support systems,” Mustapha has also said, adding that there will be a farmers’ market throughout the event.

Companies displaying their services include Fertech Inc, International Finance Corporation, Cyril Singh Agricultural Enterprise, Republic Bank, Excel Guyana Inc, and

Farfan and Mendes.

The highly anticipated forum and expo is expected to see a number of international entities, as delegations from Suriname, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have already confirmed their participation.

“The forum will highlight our mission of [fulfilling] Vision 25 by 2025, with keynote presentations by Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2023 and agricultural development, two technical presentations and four panel discussions,” Mustapha said.

Topics include climate-smart initiatives in agriculture, financing for agricultural development, agritech and innovation, and women and youth in agricultural development.

Mustapha added that the event’s opening ceremony will include speeches from Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, as well as the feature address from President Dr Irfaan Ali. (G1)

Providence man on $100K bail on obtaining money by false pretense charge

C

hristopher Collette, a male resident of Providence, East Bank Demerara, who has been accused of collecting money under false pretenses, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in that Georgetown magistrate’s court and was placed on $100,000 bail.

The 35-year-old Corlette entered a not guilty plea to a charge detailing that on August 2, at Lamaha Street, Georgetown, he deceived Saheed Mohammed into believing he was a glass technician in order to get $3M from him.

During his court appearance, Collette, who was represented by Attorney-at-law

Christopher Collette

Paul Fung-a-Fat, told the magistrate that he had been recruited by Mohammed to finish a task, and that he had used the money he was paid to buy supplies.

He claimed that after about 95 per cent of the work had been completed, Mohammed accused him of using the money for his own benefit, and as a result, he was detained and charged after a report was made to the Police.

His counsel, requesting that he be released on reasonable bail, told the court that his client is interested in reaching a settlement.

Bail was granted to Collette in the sum of $100,000, and he was instructed to appear in court on November 22. He had been placed on $200,000 station bail pending investigations. (G1)

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fuel shortage hits Region 6, Corentyne most affected

S

everal gas stations in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have been without gasoline and diesel since last week.

This shortage of petrol has resulted in long lines being formed at the Palmyra Gas Station, one of only three service stations in the region with gasoline for sale. On Tuesday evening, some drivers reported waiting in line for more than an hour to fill up their tanks at the state-owned GuyOil service station. Hundreds of cars were queued up, wait-

ing to reach to the pump.

The GuyOil bulk storage facility at Heathburn, East Bank Berbice has also been supplying fuel to consumers.

The only other gas station with fuel is a privately owned service station at Fyrish, Corentyne.

Service station proprietors reported that Wednesday is the fifth day

they had no fuel to sell.

Kerosene oil was, however, available at most service stations.

“Right now, we on pressure with the gas. Me car

run out of gas and I got to go and buy a jar. I lose all my passengers because they can’t wait,” one hire car operator told this publication. This operator said it is the first time his car had ran out of fuel since the shortage.

“The gas I had in my tank, it finish. Is five days I didn’t buy gas,” he added.

“Right now, all the gas stations empty, besides Palmyra and where I pulled over there. I don’t know if this man has enough to supply, because this is a small gas station; it is not like Palmyra, that has a big amount,” the driver said as he waited in the queue at Fyrish.

The driver explained that passengers become aggressive when he pulls into the gas station at

The queue at the Palmyra Gas Station

Palmyra. “The passengers don’t to wait because some of them are (in a) hurry,” he explained.

Regional Chairman David Armogan told this publication that the main supplier, GuyOil, informed

him that it had encountered problems with its fuel boat travelling to Berbice.

He said gasoline was being trucked to Berbice from Georgetown, and since the fuel company only has two trucks in the region it was only a very limited amount that was being made available to the region on a daily basis.

Armogan said he was informed that a boat carrying diesel had arrived in the region on Wednesday morning, and this should help to alleviate the problem. (G4)

Berbice businessman killed during robbery …gunman found hiding behind washing machines confesses

A

lone bandit forced his way into the supermarket of 59-year-old Akhbar Sain at Williamsburg, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) in the wee hours of Wednesday, and killed the businessman during a confrontation.

According to the Police, after receiving a report of an alleged breakage at a business place at Williamsburg at around 02:00hrs on Wednesday, a party of detectives went to the area and observed a body lying in the yard.

Dead: Akbhar Sain

business had been opened.

The Police immediately surrounded the building,

The grill to the supermarket door which was prised open

Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus said that upon arrival at the scene, the detectives observed that a grill door had been prised open and the glass door to the

Bacchus said, and after the body in the yard had been taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where it was pronounced dead, the officers made their way into the building.

While searching the building, the ranks found a man hiding behind a washing machine. The man reportedly challenged the Police, and was shot to the right arm. He was arrested, and a search carried out on his person found several wads of cash in his possession.

According to Commander Bacchus, the Police searched the building and found a .32 firearm and a total of 50 rounds of ammunition. He also said the suspect confessed to the crime, claiming that he operated alone.

According to the Commander, the suspect claimed he had confronted the owner of the supermarket and lashed him to the head and other parts of his body with a piece of wood he was carrying. The Commander said the suspect claimed the businessman had also lashed him with a piece of iron.

The Commander said the suspect told Police that after gaining entry into the building, he went to the area where the money was kept and removed the cash.

The incident occurred during a power outage in the area. Neighbours said they heard when the perpetrator was trying to gain entry to the building.

The supermarket that was robbed

Mahindra Baitu, who lives next door to the supermarket, said that just before 02:00h on Wednesday, he heard strange sounds and realised that someone was trying to break into the supermarket. And shortly afterwards, he heard the proprietor screaming.

“I called 911, and they responded quickly. When the Police came and they put on their torch light, they see the owner on the ground,” Baitu said.

Baitu said that after the ranks had removed the body, officers went into the building, and were inside for about four hours.

“The Police like they see somebody inside the building, and I heard three gunshots fired,” he said.

Another neighbour, Shanta Jaglall, said it was another neighbour who called her and told her that someone was trying to break the door to the supermarket.

She said she was able to contact the owner via telephone and informed him of the developments.

“We tell him to be careful, and he said that he would be alright, and that he was coming downstairs. After that we did not hear anything, so I called the Police and tell them that somebody break-

ing into the supermarket, and they told me that they are coming.”

The woman said she subsequently heard Sain screaming, and she called the Police.

Some 17 years ago, a customer who was a teacher and also a student of the University of Guyana was shot and killed at the same supermarket when bandits invaded. The teacher was exiting the business place when he was shot.

Sain, who lived alone on the upper flat of the supermarket, had been operating the business for decades.

(G4)

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GRA standing by US$214.4M cost oil figures – Commissioner General …rules out reopening of process or changing position

Exxon Guyana Alistair Routledge

President

T

he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is sticking to the US$214.4 million cost oil figures that were flagged during audits of ExxonMobil cost oil claims, notwithstanding its reaching out to Exxon while seeking clarity from the auditor on the findings.

During a press conference on Tuesday, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) President Alistair Routledge had indicated that GRA reached out to them, and there was a request for additional information. This additional information pertains to Exxon’s efforts to reduce the US$214.4 million flagged by auditor IHS Markit during the cost oil audits for 1999 to 2017.

While Routledge indicated that the audit was still ongoing, as they continue to seek a reduction, GRA is sticking to the US$214.4 million. In a statement on Wednesday, GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia maintained that the authority backs the IHS Markit sum.

According to Statia, GRA’s request to Exxon for additional documents should not be taken to mean the matter is being

GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia

reopened.

“The Authority wishes to categorically reiterate that it stands by its advice to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Government of Guyana, that the Cost Bank Adjustment of US$214.4M as reported in the ‘Audit Report Recommendation Final’ by IHS Markit is the

accepted final figure.

“Further the Authority unequivocally states that its correspondence to IHS Markit, seeking clarity to the said ‘Audit Report Recommendation Final’ and copied to EMGL should in no way or form be construed as a change in the Authority’s position, that the Cost Bank Adjustment of US$214.4M be adjusted, nor to reopen the process, as intimated by the CEO of EMGL,” the GRA Commissioner further said.

Arbitration

If both sides are unable to reach an agreement on the final cost oil figure, the matter is then expected to go to arbitration. During the press conference, Routledge expressed a preference for the figure to be settled on before it reaches the arbitration stage.

“It’s a technical process.

It’s not a political or management process. It’s a technical process to ensure the right costs are put in the right place and are substantiated by the right documentation. And that’s what we’re pursuing.

“To ensure the right people who are authorized to review them and sign off on them. It would be a last resort, in my mind the process would have broken down if we had to go to arbitration,” Routledge explained.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had announced that a full probe would be launched into who negotiated a reduction of the US$214 million sum that was initially flagged in 2019 by British firm IHS Markit when it did an audit of ExxonMobil’s cost oil expenses racked up between 1999 and 2017 from its operations in Guyana.

Following the audit on

the cost oil claims, GRA had supported this sum, and on August 8, had even written to the Natural Resources Ministry indicating its no objection to the US$214 million in cost oil claims that were flagged by the British auditing firm.

However, it was subsequently disclosed last month that staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Petroleum Department had reportedly engaged the US oil company and reduced the US$214 million figure to US$11 million, and then subsequently to US$3 million.

At a press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had contended that the Government was under the impression that the reduced US$3 million, which he previously disclosed publicly, was determined by GRA – the technical body appointed as its sole advisor to review these audits. (G3)

Govt to sue delinquent contractors over delayed works – AG tions,” Nandlall stated.

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, those contractors performing well would have no reason to worry with this new move being taken by Government.

Strongly and swiftly

Attorney General & Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

C

ontractors executing public projects could find themselves in hot water if there are lengthy delays in the completion of the works, with the Guyana Government now moving to take legal action against them.

This was revealed by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, during his weekly programme of Issues in the News. He noted that as the last Cabinet meeting, there was a resolve to take “strong actions” against all those contractors who are failing to perform their contractual duties. These, he noted, are contractors who are issued with contracts from the Government and, for whatever reason, have been in breach, not only causing tremendous delay in the execution and completion of public works across the country, but also stalling

Government’s infrastructural development drive.

To this end, the Finance Ministry has been directed to conduct a swift audit to determine who the delinquent contractors are.

“Once that is determined, that information would be passed to the Attorney General, and the Attorney General has received firm instructions to first notify the delinquent contractors and demand from them liquidated damages where the contract so permit, and to sue for breach of contract,” he said.

“We cannot continue to have contractors not discharging their contractual obligations in accordance with the contractual specifications. Government will not tolerate substandard work and breach of contracts from contractors who are paid billions of dollars to discharge their contractual obliga-

“The delinquent ones, however, will attract certain legal consequences, and the Govt intends to move strongly and swiftly in that direction,” the Attorney General posited.

Only last week, the Public Works Ministry was forced to read the Riot Act to the contractor conducting works on the Leguan Stelling, saying that penalties would be instituted against them for not fulfilling their contractual obligations despite efforts to meet their demands.

Upgrades to the Leguan Stelling should have been completed since 2019 under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

Instead, however, the project was inherited by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government.

Troubles continue to plague the project, and the contract is currently behind schedule.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Works revealed that they are currently in a standoff with the contractor, S Maraj Contracting Services.

The Ministry contended that it will not be bullied, refuting the contractor’s claim

Works at the Leguan Stelling

that the work is stalled because the Government owes them money.

“Government will not be bullied into paying for unfinished projects. Contractors and vendors providing service to the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Works are hereby warned against any attempt to bully and/or manipulate the Government into paying for incomplete projects,” the Ministry said.

Meanwhile, only last weekend, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who has been visiting the sites of major infrastructure projects across the country to ensure they are on schedule, lashed out at

regional officials for not effectively carrying out their duties.

During a Cabinet outreach in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Saturday, residents of Mara on the East Bank of Berbice complained about a number of issues, including the pace of construction of the community’s main access road.

“I am disappointed with the engineer coming to communities, not preparing any report, not following up on anything. The areas with gaps we have to fill. We are paying people and we’re not going to tolerate the lack of care and concern for the community,” the President said.

Going forward, the Head of State said a new approach would be taken with the direct involvement of residents, especially with regard to road construction projects.

“I’m disappointed with the performance of the regional engineers and the REO (Regional Executive Officer) in addressing some of these issues… We’re very disappointed, like the residents, with the pace at which the [road] work is being done. We’ve made the resources available, and it’s totally outrageous the pace at which the work is being done,” the President stated.

(G8)

14 NEWS $8.8B in contracts signed Police probing shooting at Kitty bar A for 287 roads in Berbice THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…96% awarded to new contractors The Public Works Ministry on Wednesday afternoon signed contracts totalling $8.8 billion for road works in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Most of those who were awarded contracts on Wednesday are new contractors.

The contracts to build 287 concrete roads in Region Six have been awarded to 201 contractors.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, speaking at the signing ceremony, said of the 201 contractors, 192 were new contractors. This represents 95.5 per cent.

He explained that giving new contractors jobs to do have both blessings and challenges.

The blessings are that more persons are being exposed and engaged Minister Edghill pointed out.

“No one is having a monopoly; small contractors

n investigation has been launched into a shooting incident that occurred at the Cheers and Beers Bar located on Alexander Street between Barr and Thomas Streets, Kitty, Georgetown.

The incident took place around 04:30h, whereby two men, including a security guard, exchanged gunfire.

Reports are that a Constable on duty at the Kitty Police Station heard three loud explosions sounding like gunshots coming from the northern side of Alexander Street, Kitty.

Consequently, officers patrolling the area proceeded to the Cheers and Beers bar. Upon arrival, they contacted a 32-year-old security guard employed with J&M

Security Service, who was on duty at the bar.

According to security, he is the holder of a valid precept. It is alleged that while he was on duty at the bar armed with a licensed Taurus 9mm pistol and 14 live rounds of ammunition, an identifiable man approached him.

He claimed that the man pulled out a silver firearm from his pants, pointed it at him, and discharged two rounds in his direction. The security claimed that he promptly drew his gun from his holster and fired a round at the suspect, who dropped the firearm and fled south along Alexander Street.

The firearm, found near the bar, was picked up by a police officer. Upon exam-

ination, it was identified as a .45 pistol with one magazine containing eight live .45 rounds of ammunition.

Although the scene was photographed and processed by the Police, no spent shells were discovered. The firearm was taken to the Kitty Police Station, where it was dusted for fingerprints and lodged.

Investigators have said it would be sent to the ballistic section. The security’s firearm was also seized and sent to the ballistics section for examination. Despite interviewing several individuals, no further information was obtained by Police.

Searches were conducted for the suspect, but he was not located.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

ERC engages regional authorities in sensitisation outreach minded that as a result of the responsible and prudent management of Guyana’s economy, the Government is able to fix more roads than ever before and to fix them more quickly.

“It takes careful management of the resources of the country to ensure that we are able to earmark resources at this level to be able to invest in infrastructure in the manner in which

are being given an opportunity to build capacity.”

This also allows for the Government to do more things simultaneously.

“So rather than having 15 well-established contractors executing 60 projects, we can now have 201 contractors; a mix of some of the seasoned contractors along with a lot of the new contractors being engaged, so there are blessings and challenges,” he explained.

All of the 287 roads will be built with concrete.

Minister Edghill addressed the issue of contractors’ sub-contracting their projects, saying that those who would have signed contracts have an obligation to the Government and the residents who are the beneficiaries.

Additionally, he said the Ministry has been receiving complaints and warned that they would not tolerate contractors digging up streets and leaving it in that state for months before returning to complete it.

“Let me make it very clear, if you dig up a road to start your work, you better keep working until it is completed. We are not going to tolerate this modus operandi anymore. Contractors who are supposed to be partners in development are making money while the Government is losing political capital,” Edghill noted.

ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack with some of the ERC Commissioners and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) handing over ERC informational items to the Region Ten Chairman Ten Deron Adams and some of his Councillors

T

he Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) last Thursday rolled out its outreach programme in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), as part of efforts to engage with stakeholders across the country and

land acquisition and business development, according to a social media post.

An open town hall meeting was also held at the Watooka Lodge, where residents expressed their satisfaction with the Commission’s visit and ac-

Contractors signing their roadwork contracts on Wednesday

Since October 2020, in excess of 900 roads, inclusive of the 287, have been rehabilitated and or upgraded in Region Six. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh pointed out that this would have seen the Government spending $26.9 billion on roads in the region.

“I believe that the people of the beneficiary communities are already seeing the impact of these investments,” Dr Singh said, adding that he has had the privilege of going to communities and witnessing roads that were previously dams.

“Many of them never having been in receipt of the benefit of a finished surface – and I have gone back and seen how the construction of a road where previously there was a dam, the immeasurable difference this makes to communities,” he said.

The Finance Minister re-

we are doing,” Dr Singh emphasised.

He assured that the current Government was committed to continuing to work until every street is fixed in every village in Region Six and every area countrywide.

Meanwhile, Region Six Chairman David Armogan pointed out that the regional administration would be playing an integral part in supervising the projects.

He highlighted that in every community in the region, some form of developmental work was taking place, not only road improvement works, but also education and health-care delivery.

Most of the contracts that were signed on Wednesday have a four-month duration. However, Minister Edghill asked the contractors to complete their projects in time for Christmas.

(G4)

The ERC Chairman, Commissioners and CEO engaging the regional officials of Essequibo

sensitise them on its work as well as receive suggestions and feedback.

During this first engagement, the Commission held open discussions with Regional Chairman Deron Adams and Councillors, as well as Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon and team.

Regional Chairman Adams shared concerns of alleged discrimination within the public assistance programme, and in

tively participated by sharing their concerns and suggestions.

The Commission held similar meetings with the Anna Regina municipality and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) as well as an open community meeting at the Cotton Field Secondary School on Saturday.

The team will continue its engagements country-

wide as it was scheduled to conduct outreaches in all regions.

Since being reconstituted this year, the new 10-member Commission has signed the Code of Conduct for the recent Local Government Elections, established an ERC public library space inn its compound, revitalised the Investigative Unit and Media Monitoring Unit, engaged with all constituency stakeholder organisations, and held a number of back-to-school campaigns to engage students on their roles and functions.

Under Article 212D of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the ERC has 24 functions.

One of these is a mandate to investigate complaints from citizens across the country where acts of alleged ethnic discrimination have been committed, while another is a mandate to enforce the Racial Hostility Act and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act. The ERC as a constitutional agency, in Budget 2023, was allocated $137.3 million to carry out these functions accordingly.

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ExxonMobil says not afraid of Venezuela’s intimidation tactics …awaiting feedback on oil blocks bid submitted

Exxon Guyana President Alistair Routledge

E

xxonMobil, which is producing and exploring for oil offshore Guyana in waters Venezuela unjustly claims, has made it clear that the Spanish-speaking country’s intimidation tactics do not scare them.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Exxon Guyana President Alistair Routledge was asked about Venezuela’s intimidation tactics against Guyana.

When Guyana put on auction its available oil blocks in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Venezuela protested against this. And of recent, Guyana has had to inform the international and regional community of Venezuelan military exercises close to the border.

According to Routledge,

he is no stranger to Venezuela’s tactics, having worked in the country at one point. The oil executive made it clear that ExxonMobil remained committed to staying in Guyana.

“Some of you will know I did work in Venezuela many years ago. And so, I’ve had direct exposure to working with the government there.

We have not been scared away by Venezuela. That’s why we continue to work in Guyana. That’s why we anticipate continuing to do so for decades to come,” he stated.

In fact, Routledge pointed out that Exxon submitted a bid during the recently-concluded oil blocks bid round, another testament to the company’s commitment to Guyana. He explained that it was currently awaiting feedback on that bid.

“To your specific question on the licensing round and the bids, we did submit a bid under that process. We raised a number of questions on the terms that were in there. So, we’re yet to hear a response from the Government on whether our bid is acceptable or not.

That process, as you heard from the Government, is still underway.”

Meanwhile, Routledge was asked to give Exxon’s

perspective on the new fiscal regime surrounding the oil and gas sector, including the new model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

“The fiscals are one thing… and this is normal. In a country where the Stabroek Block agreement, when it was signed, when nothing had been discovered… in 2016 the agreement was improved, but very little had been found.

Still extremely high-risk frontier. When you then go to bid rounds later on, having had discoveries in the basin, the basin becomes more attractive.”

“It’s quite normal for the Government to increase the fiscal take, for it to be more favourable to the country.

Because now, there’s less risk. Already, the company has proven there’s hydrocarbon. So that’s a normal thing on the fiscal side,” the executive said.

In the same breath, however, Routledge noted that the fiscal terms were a tough sell for the company and may see it not signing them in their unchanged form. He noted that there were concerns including on relinquishment and the time periods.

Launched in December 2022, the auction of the 14 oil blocks offshore Guyana closed in September with bids received for eight of the

Lorry skids into Potaro River after brakes failure

A

motor lorry skidded off the Mango Landing Crossing, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and plunged into the river after encountering brakes failure, Police have reported.

The incident occurred around 10:30h and involved lorry GXX 530, owned by Roger Hinds of 111 Miles Mahdia and driven by 24-year-old Randolf Downer.

“Enquiries disclosed that the motor lorry was carrying perishable goods.

While reversing east to west from Mango Landing trail onto the Mekdeci

Pontoon, the driver alleged that he had a ‘brakes failure’ which resulted in him losing control of the lorry, which collided with the left side rail of the pontoon,” Police detailed.

“The lorry then became partly submerged in the Potaro Siparuni River.”

The driver escaped unharmed; however, a teen

labourer who jumped into the river during the incident, was pulled from the river by public-spirited persons. He was taken to the Mahdia District Hospital, where he was seen by a doctor on duty and later discharged.

The matter was then reported to the Police.

The Liza Destiny, one of the FPSO vessels operating in Guyana’s waters

blocks. The size of the 14 oil blocks on auction ranges from 1000 to 3000 square kilometres (sq. km). The Government is presently reviewing these bids, with the possibility of awarding the blocks by this year end.

When Guyana concluded the bid round of its historic oil blocks auction, however, Venezuela had issued a communiqué in which it protested against the auction, even though all the blocks are in Guyana’s sovereign territory.

In its communiqué, Venezuela said: “Guyana does not have sovereign rights over these maritime areas and consequent-

ly any action within their limits. It is a violation of international law, as long as they are not carried out through an agreement with Venezuela.”

Venezuela further said that “any illicit and arbitrary concession that Guyana grants, has granted or intends to grant in the areas in question is unacceptable and violates its sovereign rights, and warns that these actions do not generate any type of rights to third parties who participate in said process.”

Since then, condemnation of Venezuela has flowed from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) Government; the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition; Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General Luis Almagro and US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols.

Venezuela is laying claim to more than twothirds of Guyana’s landmass in Essequibo. The Spanish-speaking country is also claiming a portion of Guyana’s EEZ in which more than eleven billion barrels of proven reserves are estimated to exist. (G3)

16 NEWS Region 5 stakeholders benefit from food safety training workshop A THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

number of Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) stakeholders were trained on effective food safety practices by the Health Ministry’s Veterinary Public Health Unit, in collaboration with the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Environmental Health Department and the Fisheries, on Tuesday.

The goals of this training were to create attention, provide information and mobilise actions to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, as well as to promote best practices for protecting human and animal health.

It also sought to highlight the need for multisectoral collaboration in controlling foodborne and zoonotic diseases, or infections spread between people and animals.

A technical multisectoral team of farmers, processors and retailers of food

Region Five stakeholders engage in food safety training

from animal sources thereby facilitated presentations on Promoting Food Safety along the Food Value Chain, Waste Disposal and Environmental Protection, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Preventative Practices and Traceability and Record Keeping.

Participants also benefited from practical exercises on preparing records pertaining to animal treatment, sanitation and production.

On Monday, the Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation

(PAHO) and InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), had also launched a two-day digital workshop to educate healthcare professionals on how to digitally enable healthcare delivery.

This initiative aimed to improve patient expe-

rience, patient outcome and hospital management data, and reduce medical errors, by empowering patients to make their own appointments and receive necessary reminders prior to their visit, among other things.

During this engage-

ment, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony noted that this advanced surveillance system the Ministry was looking to build within the health sector sought to improve the management and detection of patterns and trends in zoonotic diseases.

Police wary of ‘reckless’ young motorists Regional leaders pushing for...

FROM PAGE 9

I

n an effort to curb reckless driving on the roadways, Inspector Gavin Boyce, the Traffic Officer of Regional Division 4A (Georgetown), has raised concerns about the challenges posed by young motorists aged 28 to 35.

Boyce, on Wednesday, highlighted the distinction between individuals who consider driving a profession and those who treat it as a mere hustle, emphasising the need for adherence to traffic laws.

He expressed his observations regarding the growing trend of individuals driving minibuses professionally, yet there are others who view driving as a casual means of income, often disregarding traffic regulations.

"Some just see it as a hustle; they come to drive today and hustle, and whatever happens, happens... but the law is forever. When we find these persons who are driving buses breaking the laws, we take appropriate action," he said.

He elaborated on the measures taken by law enforcement, mentioning their approach to vehicle owners if the vehicle is entrusted to someone else. By involving vehicle owners, the Police aim to hold both drivers and owners accountable for any violations.

"During enforcements, if we realise that someone is driving a bus in a dangerous or reckless manner, we engage the owner and inform them that the property they have entrusted to the driver is not safe in their hands.

They must either take it back, or if the driver contin-

Strategic Partnership

Inspector Gavin Boyce, Traffic Officer of Regional Division 4A, and Sergeant Lyte discussing traffic in Georgetown

ues, we will take appropriate action," he added.

Boyce also highlighted a concerning trend where drivers tail emergency vehicles and equip their own vehicles with colored lights.

He expressed his astonishment at the ingenuity of some drivers who have resorted to using switches or remotes to deactivate these lights when they encounter the Police.

"You take the right of way if an emergency vehicle is trying to pass. Some individuals tend to drive behind these vehicles to navigate through traffic easily. When we observe this as a law enforcement agency, we take appropriate action," he said.

"Stricter the Government, wiser the population. People are now aware that we have increased our patrols by night and we are addressing vehicles with lights that impede others' vision at night... during enforcement exercises, you may encounter a vehicle with blue lights, but by the time it approaches, the lights turn white...," he added.

He further urged citizens to be vigilant and report any

instances of reckless driving, coloured lights, or unauthorised use of emergency vehicle lights.

Commander of the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Division, Khali Pareshram had previously said vehicles affixed with coloured lights were considered unfit and warned that defaulting drivers would be prosecuted.

There has been an apparent increase in the number of vehicles affixed with coloured lights, which pose a danger to other road users. These lights can be blinding and distracting to other road users and can lead to major accidents.

Regulation 34 (1) (a) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02 states: “Every motor vehicle, the width of which does not exceed seven feet, other than a two-wheeled motorcycle not having a sidecar attached thereto and an invalid carriage, on any road, during the hours of darkness shall carry two lamps, each showing to the front a white light visible from a reasonable distance.”

(G9)

The Caricom-Canada Summit will advance shared priorities, including building inclusive and sustainable economies, increasing trade and investment, and promoting multilateral collaboration. It will also facilitate implementation of joint action decisions and agreements on specific thematic priorities, including health, environment, defense, trade, development and finance.

One of the highlights of the summit is the establishment of a Caricom-Canada Strategic Partnership.

According to Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, this inter-hemispheric partnership will take the relationship and friendship between Canada and the Caribbean to the next level.

“Deepening and strengthening our relationship will help us tackle urgent challenges together, creating good jobs, ending poverty, growing the middle class, making life more affordable, fighting climate change and protecting the environment including protecting our oceans, which I know is vital for the Caribbean Small Island and Coastal States and building of course a secure, peaceful hemisphere and a secure peaceful world,” he noted.

Access to financing

Prime Minister Trudeau pointed out that over the years, Canada and CARICOM have built an enduring partnership and friendship with strong ties between their peoples.

He noted that the vitali-

ty and the culture of the Caribbean diaspora contributes enormously to Canada’s diversity.

To this end, the Canadian Leader stressed the need to work together as strategic partners to protect and deliver for citizens.

Trudeau said this summit provides the platform for Canada and Caribbean nations to discuss a host of issues in the spirit of collaboration and finding solutions against the back drop of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

“Canada is proud of its strong development cooperation in the Caribbean region, which has been at its highest level in recent years, but we know there's much more work to be done. Canada continues to advocate for better access to finance,” PM Trudeau stated.

Meanwhile, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett also raised the issue of access to financing during her remarks at the opening ceremony of the inaugural summit. She stated that Canada has been a vital Caricom partner since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties. noted that the summit will provide a space to shape the Caribbean's financial and economic future through trade and investment strategy discussions.

According to the Caricom SG, this summit is being convened against the backdrop of an unforgiving international environment marked by multifaceted global instability. As

export-oriented small economies that are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and facing the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, Dr Barnett noted that the growing instabilities pose additional risks to the community’s outlook for economic growth.

“Dealing effectively with these challenges will require meaningful action on the call for improved access to affordable finance and fundamental reform to the international financial architecture… This Summit will also provide a space to shape the Region’s financial and economic future, through trade and investment strategy discussions. In this regard, we will explore practical ways in which Canada can support the Region, in a manner that is uniquely beneficial to Canadian business interests and capital markets. Enhancing these commercial relationships and promoting multisectoral business and investment opportunities are critical to foster economic growth, job creation, and prosperity for both sides,” the Secretary General said.

Nevertheless, Dr Barnett is confident that the initiatives that will be discussed over the next two days under the diverse and substantial agenda, which is aimed at bolstering ties and enhancing cooperation, will reflect continued leadership, commitment and shared responsibility to shape a better and more resilient future for the peoples of CARICOM and Canada. (G8)

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

EnGenDER project to bring equality into GSA’s climate-smart agri programme S

tudents of the Guyana School of Agriculture are set to benefit from a new course which would fuse gender inclusion with climate smart agriculture.

Through collaboration with the UNDP and IICA, The UNDP’s project, Enabling Gender Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER), will be rolled out in partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

IICA Country Representative Wilmot Garnett shared that the course would feature climate smart agriculture and current pursuits such as the shade house, aquaponics and hydroponics projects. The course will run for about five to six weeks, and students will complete same online.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Yeşim Oruç

CEO of GSA, Gavin Ramnarain

highlighted trends which show that women are far less able to adapt or recover from climate change-induced disasters. This initiative is one step towards putting women and young people at the centre of climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies.

“This project aims to integrate gender equality and

human rights-based approaches in climate change adaptation environmental management frameworks of Guyana. The idea is to help countries not only respond to disaster and disaster impacts of climate change, but to recover from the many hazards in a way that leaves no one behind,” the UN Resident Coordinator has

said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Gavin Ramnarain, recognized the need for agricultural techniques which respond to present day challenges. At the same time, there has been a growing interest of females in the field.

“We’ve noticed over the years that the female population at GSA keeps increasing. More women are interested in agriculture. We have a dorm with 184 students, and they cover all regions of Guyana. GSA encompasses a complete transect of everyone,” he said.

British High Commissioner Jane Miller also zeroed in on the need for climate adaptation to take precedence on the heels of climate change and global warming.

The diplomat directed, “With climate change, we have to adapt. We have to find new ways of doing agri-

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Yeşim Oruç

culture…We have to rethink the way we do things. I am delighted that this project is partnering with [GSA] to really think through some adaptation, to experiment and trial out new ways.”

EnGenDER seeks to further integrate gender equality and human rights-based approaches into disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate

change (CC) adaptation, and environmental management frameworks and interventions, and identify and address some of the gaps to ensure equal access to DRR and climate change and environment.

To execute this project, several computers have been donated to both campuses of the GSA.

JSC advertises for Judges, Magistrates, Deputy Registrar

T

he Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which was formed three months ago, has extended an invitation to eligible individuals to apply for open positions in the judiciary and magistracy.

For the Supreme Court of Judicature, which consists of the High Courts in each of the three counties and the Court of Appeal, the JSC is looking to appoint Puisne Judges, Commissioners of Title (Land Court Judges), and a Deputy Registrar for the High Court in Berbice.

Persons applying for the position of Puisne Judge must be, or have been, a Judge of a court of unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth; or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from such a court; or be qualified for admission to practise as an Attorney-atLaw in the courts of Guyana or an Attorney-at-Law in a court in any other part of the Commonwealth having unlimited jurisdiction either in civil or criminal cases or matters.

Applicants must also be qualified for not less than seven years to practise in such a court.

Applicants should have a common law background and knowledge and experience in criminal practice and procedure, and civil practice and procedure, the JSC noted.

Applicants are also expected to possess a high level of personal integrity, and if successful, are expected to subscribe to the Supreme Court of Judicature Guyana Code of Conduct for Judges

and Magistrates, a notice from the JSC said.

A Puisne Judge shall hold office until he/she attains 65 years, and the basic salary for this position is $1,425,065 monthly, inclusive of the following allowances: duty - $1,300; entertainment$1,200; housing - $25,000; commuted - $30,000; and chauffeur - $70,000.

Telephone (local calls only) and electricity are provided at the expense of the Government.

A Puisne Judge is also entitled to these additional benefits: 24-hour security services; economy return airfare to London with spouse (biannually); chauffeur gratuity payable at intervals of six months at a rate of 22.5% on chauffeur allowance; chauffeur uniform allowance at a rate of $5,600 annually; and duty-free concession for a vehicle up to 2000cc.

Applicants applying for the position of Commissioner of Title must be an Attorneyat-Law admitted to prac-

tise law in Guyana or any Commonwealth country with at least seven years of experience, or a Magistrate serving in Guyana or any Commonwealth country with at least five years of experience.

A Land Court Judge holds office until he/she reaches 55, and is paid $1,167,923 monthly, together with allowances: utility $20,000, special $20,000, commuted $5,388 and duty-free concession for a vehicle to a maximum of 2000cc.

A lawyer with at least five years of experience who is admitted to practise law in Guyana or any other Commonwealth nation, or a Magistrate from another Commonwealth jurisdiction who has been serving in that capacity for at least three years and is qualified to practise in Guyana, are the requirements for applying to be a Magistrate.

A Magistrate shall hold office until he/she attains the age of 55. Salary and benefits include a total basic salary of $880,885

monthly, inclusive of the following allowances: utility $15,000, special $20,000, commuted is payable at a rate of $9,096; $7,820; or $6,336, depending on the insurance coverage (mileage is payable at a rate of $20.91 per mile from Head Office to out of town court), a subsistence of $2,500 per day for working out of the district, duty-free concession recurrent at the end of a three or five-year period (dependent on the purchase of a new or reconditioned vehicle), vacation allowance of one-month tax-free basic salary, and 24-hour security service.

Applicants for the post of Deputy Registrar should be an Attorney-at-law with a minimum of three years of professional experience; or should have an undergraduate law degree from a recognized university with professional experience in administration for at least seven years.

The Deputy Registrar will remain in office until the age of fifty-five. The position's total base pay is

$754,284 a month, and includes the following allowances: $20,000 for utility, $15,000 for special, and duty-free concession for a vehicle up to 2000cc.

All salaries and allowances are quoted in Guyana dollars.

Vacation leave and vacation allowance for the posts of Puisne Judge, Land Court Judge, Magistrate, and Deputy Registrar will be granted in accordance with the JSC Rules.

Persons appointed will be required to serve a probationary period of at least six months. On satisfactory completion of the period of probation, the appointee will be confirmed in the appointment, and will be required to contribute to the Dependent s Pension Fund at the prescribed rate, subject to the law governing the administration of the Fund.

Applicants are required to forward application forms or type-written applications with a detailed curriculum vitae and three references to: The Secretary (ag), Judicial Service Commission, Court of Appeal Building, 60 High Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

Applications can also be submitted via email: judicialservicecommisisongy@outlook.com.

The deadline for the receipt of applications is Friday, November 17, 2023.

Additionally, detailed job descriptions for each post can be found here: https:// supremecourt.gy/vacancies.

In recent times, the Attorney General, Chancellor, and the Bar Association have all called for the prompt appointment

of judicial officers in order to reduce the backlog of cases, and now these judicial openings have been advertised.

After a six-year hiatus, the members of the JSC took their oaths of office before President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on July 14. The newly appointed members are: Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George; Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Manniram Prashad; former Chancellor Justice Carl Singh and Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Justice Beasraj Singh Roy. The Chancellor sits as Chairman of the Commission.

Each of them will hold office for three years.

The JSC is the constitutional body responsible for advising the President on the appointment of Judges, with the exception of the Chancellor and the Chief Justice. The JSC s powers also include the power to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in the following offices Commissioner of Title, Magistrate, Director of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar of the High Court, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Registrar of Deeds and Deputy Registrar of Deeds, and to such offices connected with the courts or for appointment to which legal qualifications are required as may be prescribed by Parliament. (G1)

18

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

More than 320 devices US broadly eases suspected to be explosives Venezuela oil sanctions found in Kingston Western after election deal A T he Biden Administration on Wednesday broadly eased sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector in response to a deal reached between the Government and Opposition parties for the 2024 election – the most extensive rollback of Trumpera restrictions on Caracas.

A new general licence issued by the US Treasury Department authorised [Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member Venezuela, which had been under crushing sanctions since 2019, to produce and export oil to its chosen markets for the six months without limitation.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken welcomed President Nicolás Maduro's electoral concessions but said Washington has given him until the end of November to begin lifting bans on Opposition presidential candidates and start releasing political prisoners and "wrongfully detained" Americans.

A senior State Department official, speak-

joint Police-military intelligence operation at a premises on Darling Street in the Kingston Western Police Division on Monday, led to the discovery of more than 320 devices that are suspected to be explosives.

The operation was based on high-quality intelligence obtained through the diligent use of various technologies and other methodologies, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)

President Nicolás Maduro

ing to Reuters on condition of anonymity, threatened to reverse sanctions relief measures unless Maduro takes such action.

The US moves follow months of negotiations in which Washington had pressed Caracas for concrete actions toward democratic elections in return for lifting some – but not all – of the tough sanctions imposed under former U.S. President Donald Trump.

It also represents a significant step in the increased engagement of President Joe Biden's Administration with Maduro on issues rang-

ing from energy to migration, a shift from Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against the socialist Government.

Maduro's government and the Opposition reached an agreement in Barbados on Tuesday on electoral guarantees for an internationally monitored vote to be held in the second half of 2024.

Wednesday's announcements alleviated some of the toughest sanctions that Venezuela has faced but it left in place a number of other restrictions. (Excerpt from Reuters)

said in a statement on Wednesday.

“We wish to underline the commitment and expertise of our officers, who, by conducting this operation without any casualties, have demonstrated exemplary operational dexterity. While we understand the public's need for information, the very sensitive nature of this discovery means that certain specifics cannot be shared at this time.

Currently, experts are con-

ducting chemical tests to ascertain the exact nature of the substances found. The JCF will provide updates as and when it's appropriate,” the police said.

Additionally, the JCF said "this significant seizure" is a testament to the robust intelligence gathering capacity of our law enforcement agencies and “underscores our unyielding commitment to ensuring the safety of the Jamaican people.”(Jamaica Observer)

Barbados under tropical storm watch

A

tropical storm watch is in effect for Barbados with the formation of Tropical Storm Tammy in the Atlantic.

A tropical storm watch is issued when sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph; 63 to 118kmh) associated with a tropical storm are possible in the warning area within the next 48 hours.

At 17:00h, the centre of Tropical Storm Tammy was located near 13.0N 51.7W or approximately 575 miles (925 kilometres) east of Barbados.

Strengthening of the

system has occurred over the past few hours with maximum sustained winds estimated near 40 mph (65 kmh).

Current movement is westward at 23 mph (37 kmh) with a minimum central pressure of 1007mb.

Marine conditions are forecast to deteriorate from Thursday night with moderate to rough swells of 2.5m to 3.0m (8ft to 10ft) in open water. As a result, a small craft and high surf advisory is in effect for Barbados.

As the system is projected to pass north of the is-

land, there is the possibility of occasional gusty winds in moderate to heavy showers associated with feeder bands. Model guidance currently projects rainfall accumulations around one to two inches with isolated higher amounts.

The public is urged to continue to monitor the progress of this system through updates issued by the Barbados Meteorological Services and follow the guidance and recommendations provided by the Department of Emergency Management.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

Brazil congressional probe calls for Bolsonaro to face criminal charges 1st deportation flight lands in

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Brazil congressional probe into the January 8 insurrection by thousands of Jair Bolsonaro's supporters on Wednesday recommended that the far-right former President and some of his closest allies be charged with an attempted coup d'état and other crimes.

After months of hearing witnesses and probing the events surrounding the invasion of Government buildings in Brasilia just days after leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office, lawmakers approved Senator Eliziane Gama's final report.

On Tuesday, Gama, the rapporteur of the inquiry, had recommended that Bolsonaro should face charges of criminal association, political violence, disrupting the democratic order an attempted coup d'état.

The inquiry has no power to punish Bolsonaro or his allies, but can issue recommendations for prosecutors to file criminal or civil charges.

Lawmakers voted by 20 votes to 11 to approve Gama's text, passing it without any amendments. The committee also recommended criminal charges against 60 other people, including some of Bolsonaro's closest allies,

Venezuela under new Biden crackdown

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he first US deportation flight to Venezuela under a new Biden Administration initiative landed in Caracas on Wednesday, as part of a tougher approach to border enforcement as the US struggles with record illegal crossings.

At an airport in Harlingen, Texas, on Wednesday morning, buses dropped Venezuelan men and women in shackles

Former President Jair Bolsonaro

such as his running mate in the last election, former Army General Walter Braga Netto, and former national security adviser Augusto Heleno.

"Congress gave a response of intolerance to anti-democratic acts," Senator Gama told reporters after the vote.

"It's a demonstration that Brazil overcame fascism, overcame barbarism," she said.

The findings of the congressional inquiry only add to Bolsonaro's legal woes, which have grown since he begrudgingly stepped down last year.

The former president has repeatedly denied breaking any laws, and calls allegations against him a witch hunt by his political opponents.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

on the tarmac where they were patted down and ushered onto a charter plane, Reuters witnesses said.

About 130 Venezuelans were deported, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has grappled with record numbers of migrants attempting to cross the USMexico border illegally, a trend fuelled by a sharp in-

New initiative to reverse declining immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases in Haiti

T

he Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Wednesday welcomed the announcement by Canada of a joint initiative to support Haiti to expand vaccination against potentially lethal vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio, measles, diphtheria and tetanus The partnership, which is part of Canada’s Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE), will inject over six million Canadian dollars (One Canadian dollar=US$0.73 cents) into the Haitian health system to bolster vaccination outreach and operations

throughout the country.

The contribution was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the first CanadaCaribbean Community (Caricom) summit that began on Wednesday.

“Our national immunisation programmes have suffered serious setbacks over the last decade,” PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa said.

“We have witnessed decreases in vaccination coverage rates, inadequate sustainable financing for immunizations, and increasing vaccine hesitancy linked in part to misinfor-

mation.”

He said that with the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbating this decline, the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks is now “at a 30year high”.

PAHO said that the risk of disease outbreaks in Haiti is compounded by a precarious security situation which has recently pushed thousands into improvised shelters and is impeding the proper functioning of health facilities, with several hospitals and clinics struggling to provide essential health services.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

crease in Venezuelans fleeing economic and political instability in their home country exacerbated by US sanctions.

More than 380,000 Venezuelans have been caught crossing the USMexico border illegally since Biden took office in 2021, up from about 2,200 in fiscal year 2019 and 1200 in 2020.

The deportation restart comes weeks after the Biden Administration granted deportation relief and work permits to nearly half a million Venezuelans who arrived in the United States on or before July 31, citing "Venezuela's increased instability and lack of safety".

US. and Venezuelan officials said earlier this month that direct deportations would restart after being stalled for years due to diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

US Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens told reporters in Texas that migrants should use legal pathways to enter the US or schedule an appointment to approach a legal border crossing rather than cross illegally.

"The message is simple.

If you want to come to this country, do it the right way," Owens said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

19

Around The World

Biden vows aid for Gaza, Israel OILNEWS OIL NEWS as protests rock Middle East U Oil markets

underestimating the risk of a Middle East blowout

L

ast week, the Israeli Government ordered its staterun electricity company to halt power supply to the Gaza Strip days after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on the country. The Israeli prime minister's office revealed that the security cabinet has approved several steps to destroy the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad "for many years”, in a war that has seen more than 3000 Palestinians and about half as many Israelis killed.

But now there’s a growing risk this could escalate into a regional conflict after Lebanon-based Hezbollah warned that it’s ready to fully enter the war in support of Hamas.

Indeed, there are growing fears that Hezbollah may open a new front against Israel at the behest of its leaders and their Iranian backers while Iran has warned of preemptive action against Israel if it goes ahead with a ground offensive.

And some commodity experts are now saying the oil markets have underpriced this risk, and oil prices could skyrocket if the situation above unfolds. Commodity analysts at Standard Chartered have pointed to a mediumterm reduction in Iranian oil exports as being the most likely consequence of shifts in the geopolitical landscape. Back in August, we reported that Iran oil exports had hit record highs thanks in large part to the Biden Administration opting to look the other way as Tehran boosts production ostensibly in a bid to keep markets well supplied and oil prices low.

The price response to the escalation in the Middle East tensions has so far been modest; however, the Israel-Gaza war is likely to cause a significant shift in US policy on Iran due to its open support and backing for Hamas.

Constraints on Iranian oil exports were eased after the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015, but tightened again after the US withdrew from the JCPOA during the Trump Administration, with output falling below 2 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2020 when waivers given to consuming countries were withdrawn. Iran’s oil output and exports have increased sharply under the Biden Administration, with production hitting 3 mb/d, including 500,000 b/d in the current year, while exports sit just under 2 mb/d.

StanChart says that changes in positioning in the oil futures markets have been modest despite a significant increase in volatility. The analysts note that it is not an extreme tail of the distribution as might be expected in a full-blown Middle East crisis, adding that speculative positioning is also not extreme, particularly in Brent. The latest fund manager data shows that prices are about US$6 per barrel (bbl) lower than in late September, despite no significant loosening in fundamentals. StanChart says that the Middle East geopolitical risk is currently being significantly under-priced and that current fundamentals alone are enough to justify a complete reversal of this month’s price undershooting.

If anything, oil fundamentals have strengthened considerably. According to StanChart, global oil demand has already exceeded the pre-COVID oil demand set in August 2019, averaging 102.33 mb/d, good for a month-on-month increase of 1.2 mb/d and a year-on-year increase of 2.3 mb/d. The analysts have refuted arguments by some Wall Street analysts that high oil prices have already triggered demand destruction.

A couple of weeks ago, JPMorgan analysts warned that oil demand will decline in the current quarter due to the previous nearly 30 per cent rally in oil prices in the previous quarter. ‘‘After reaching our target of US$90 in September, our endyear target remains US$86 [per barrel]. Moreover, demand restraint from rising oil prices is once again becoming visible in the US, Europe, and some EM countries,” reads the note titled "Demand destruction has begun (again).

“China and India drove global oil demand growth this year, but China opted to draw on domestic crude inventories in August and September after oil prices surged. There are already signs that consumers have responded by cutting back on fuel consumption,” wrote Natasha Kaneva, head of the global commodities strategy team at JPMorgan.

That bearish thesis could have some validity considering the mixed crude and distillate trends coming from the US. Last week, US crude oil inventories rose 10.18 mb weekon-week to 424.24 mb, reducing the deficit below the fiveyear average by 5.96 mb to 13.90 mb. However, crude oil inventories at WTI’s pricing hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, remained close to the operational minimum, falling 0.32 mb to a 15-month low of 21.77mb.

Thankfully, fuel prices have continued falling despite the latest uptick in crude prices. A gallon of gasoline is currently retailing at a national average of US$3.575, lower than US$3.881 a month ago and US$3.870 a year ago while diesel is selling at US$4.464 a gallon from US$4.575 a month ago and $5.304 a year ago. (Oilprice.com)

S President Joe Biden pledged to help Israel and the Palestinians during a lightning visit on Wednesday, but a deadly hospital blast that he ascribed to an errant rocket fired by Gaza militants derailed talks to prevent the war spreading.

Raising fears of wider instability, protesters staged anti-Israeli demonstrations around the Middle East over the fireball that engulfed the Gaza Strip's Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital late on Tuesday, which Palestinian officials said killed 471 people.

They blamed what they said was an Israeli air strike, while Israel said it was caused by a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad militant group, which denied responsibility.

Biden promised more aid to Israel at the end of

his impromptu one-day visit to the country, which is bombarding Gaza to try to root out militants from its ruling Hamas group after they killed 1400 Israelis in a cross-border assault on October 7.

He said of the hospital blast: "Based on the information we have seen today, it appears the result of an errant rocket fired by a terrorist group in Gaza."

In Washington, the White House National Security Council echoed Biden, saying the US assessment was based on analysis of overhead imagery, intercepts and open source information.

Arab leaders responded to the loss of life at the hospital, which they blamed on Israel, by cancelling a summit with Biden in Jordan.

Biden said the United

People inspect the area of Al-Ahli hospital where hundreds of Palestinians were killed in a blast that Israeli and Palestinian officials blamed on each other, and where Palestinians who fled their homes were sheltering amid the ongoing conflict with Israel, in Gaza City, October 18, 2023 (Reuters/Mohammed Al-Masri file photo)

States would do everything it could to ensure Israel was safe while also urging Israelis not to be consumed by rage, reiterating that the vast majority of Palestinians were not affiliated with Hamas.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 3478 Palestinians have been killed and 12,065 injured in Israeli air strikes on the besieged enclave since October 7.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US vetoes UN Security Council action on Israel, Gaza; Egypt border crossing to reopen to aid

T

he United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Wednesday that would have called for humanitarian pauses in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants to allow humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip.

The vote on the Braziliandrafted text was twice delayed in the last couple of days as the United States tries to broker aid access to Gaza. Twelve members voted in favour of the draft text on Wednesday, while Russia and Britain abstained.

"We are on the ground doing the hard work of diplomacy," US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told the 15-member council after the vote. "We believe we need to let that diplomacy play out."

"Yes, resolutions are important. And yes, this Council must speak out. But the actions we take must be informed by the facts on the ground and support direct diplomacy efforts. That can save lives. The Council needs to get this right," she said.

Washington traditionally shields its ally Israel from

any Security Council action.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow for the release of hostages and humanitarian aid access to Gaza.

Meanwhile, Egypt agreed to reopen its border crossing with the Gaza Strip to allow aid to reach Palestinians, the US said, as the humanitarian crisis worsened in the narrow enclave and anti-Israel protests flared across the Middle East.

While flying home from a less than eight-hour visit to Israel, US President Joe Biden discussed aid for Gaza with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi by phone late on Wednesday.

Biden told reporters that Sisi agreed to open the Rafah crossing from Egypt to Gaza to allow about 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid into the enclave, where people are desperately short of food, water, fuel and other essentials after Israel unleashed a blockade and air strikes 12 days ago.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

UK Police charge Jim Jordan loses 2nd climate activist Greta vote in Speaker bid Thunberg after protest J

C

limate activist Greta Thunberg was charged by British Police on Wednesday after she and others were arrested at a protest outside a London hotel where an oil and gas conference was taking place.

Thunberg was charged with a public order offence for failing to comply with conditions that Police said had been imposed to prevent "serious disruption to the community, hotel and guests".

She has been released on bail and is due appear in court on November 15.

Twenty-five other individuals were also charged in relation to Tuesday's protest, Police added.

Thunberg became the face of young climate activ-

ists worldwide after staging weekly protests in front of the Swedish Parliament in 2018.

This year, the 20-yearold has been detained by Police or removed from protests in Sweden, Norway and Germany.

Video footage from Tuesday showed Thunberg, wearing a badge with the slogan 'Oily Money Out' standing calmly as two Police Officers spoke to her and still images showed her being placed in the back of a police van.

She had been protesting outside the Intercontinental Hotel in central London where the Energy Intelligence Forum was hosting a gathering of oil and gas industry leaders.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

im Jordan has lost his second bid to become US House of Representatives Speaker as rank-and-file resistance to his candidacy swells in the chamber.

The right-wing Ohioan again fell short of the 217 votes he needed, after 22 of his fellow Republicans voted against him, two more than did so on Tuesday.

Jordan's team indicated a third vote would take place today.

Talk is growing in the House of empowering acting Speaker Patrick McHenry for a period of 30 to 90 days.

The idea has been floated by members of both parties, but it is unclear if such a move has enough support among Republicans as a fallback option.

It has been 15 days

since Kevin McCarthy was ousted in an unprecedented coup spearheaded by a right-wing faction.

Without a Speaker, the lower chamber of Congress is unable to pass any bills or approve White House requests for emergency aid. That includes potential help for Israel amid its war with Hamas.

Democrats have so far offered no help on what they call "a Republican problem", voting unanimously each time for their leader, Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Over the weekend, Jordan allies mounted intense lobbying efforts behind the scenes to persuade holdouts to back his bid, but the latest push made little headway overnight.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

20

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Be persistent, get the truth and choose what's best for you. Someone will take advantage of you if you let them.

Be tactful, choose your words wisely and keep your plans secret.

(March 21-April 19)

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20)

Take command of situations as they arise. It's your turn to do your part, make a difference and reap the rewards.

Attend events and mix and mingle. An interesting encounter will lead to something big.

Pace yourself. Space things out and rethink your strategy. A brainstorming session or networking event will offer perspective and help you decide on what and whom you can rely.

(May 21-June 20) Understand what's possible before you engage in something that involves cooperation. Be ready to put your knowledge, skills and intuition to the test.

Avoid making a premature mistake.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Let the child in you shine. Pursuing fun things will motivate you to enjoy what life has to offer. A positive attitude will lead to opportunities that feed your soul. Follow your heart.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Keep your emotions undercover.

There is no need to let others see your vulnerability. Turn an idea into an opportunity that changes how you think and live. Romance is favored.

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

You can argue or you can bring about change. Use your wisdom to your advantage instead of letting someone get under your skin. Use your time to better your life.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Take more interest in where your money goes. Review subscriptions, expenses and purchases. Revise your lifestyle to fit your income and give you peace of mind. Pay attention to what life offers.

Inaccurate information will lead to an emotional situation. A change of attitude will give you the power to shut down any attempt someone makes to catch you off-guard.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Say little and do a lot. A change at home will prompt unexpected opportunities and a chance to increase your income. Invest more time in yourself and in practical prospects.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Look at your budget and learn how to handle your money efficiently. Don't let an unexpected change someone makes tempt you to take on something you can't afford.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Put some muscle behind your longterm plans, and you will find a unique way to increase your earnings. Refuse to leave essential matters in someone else's hands.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

21

Red Force meet Volcanoes in today’s Super50 showdown -CCC lock horns with WI Academy

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ricket fans are in for an exciting showdown, as the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force lock horns with the Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Queen’s Park Oval today. With both teams looking to make their mark in the tournament, this encounter promises to be a thrilling battle.

The Volcanoes, coming off a close 10-run loss to the Guyana Harpy Eagles in their opening match, are determined to bounce back and redeem themselves.

Their batting lineup, anchored by Alick Athanaze and Andre Fletcher, exhibited some promise, and they'll be hoping for more of the same. Ryan John showcased his bowling prowess with a four-wicket haul in their previous game, and he remains a key figure for the Volcanoes.

The Red Force have, however, recent enjoyed the upper hand over the Volcanoes, having beaten them in their last two encounters. Darren Bravo's unbeaten 81 in a rain-affected draw against Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) showcased his form, and could be a pivotal factor for the Red Force.

The likes of Jason Mohamed and Joshua Da Silva also displayed promise with scores of 41 and 48 respectively. With a strong bowling lineup featuring Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seals, Sunil Narine, Shannon Gabriel, and Terrance Hinds, the Red Force would aim to maintain their dominance.

Webster, Yannic Cariah for Red Force, and Athanaze, Fletcher and John for the Volcanoes. With a history of close contests between these teams, cricket enthusiasts can anticipate an exhilarating face-off.

In another exciting fixture, CCC will take on West Indies Academy at the Brian

Alick Athanaze

Key players to watch include Kjorn Ottley, Tion

Lara Cricket Academy. Both teams are in search of a cru-

Darren Bravo cial win to boost their standings in the tournament.

CCC had a promising start with 53 not out before rain interrupted their game against Red Force. They are thus hungry for success and eager to leave their mark on the competition. Despite their recent form, they have the talent and potential to turn the tables on their opponents.

On the other hand, West Indies Academy have had a mixed bag of results, with three wins in eight matches,

and a recent string of losses. They'll be determined to regain their winning touch and build some momentum.

Key players to watch for the West Indies Academy include Nyeem Young, Joshua Bishop and Matthew Forde.

For Combined Campuses and Colleges, Shane Dowrich, Johann Jeremiah and Romario Greaves will be instrumental in their quest for victory.

West Indies Academy: Nyeem Young (captain), Ackeem Auguste, Joshua

Bishop, Teddy Bishop, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, McKenny Clarke, Matthew Forde, Leonardo Julien, Johann Layne, Kimani Melius, Matthew Nandu, Ashmead Nedd, Kelvin Pitman, Kevin Wickham.

Combines Campuses & Colleges: Shane Dowrich (Captain), Johann Jeremiah, Shatrughan Rambaran, Shaqkere Parris, Demario Richards, Jordan Johnson, Akshaya Persad, Kirstan Kallicharan, Romario Greaves, Abhijai Mansingh, Chemar Holder, Isai Thorne, Kadeem Alleyne, Jediah Blades Trinidad & Tobago Red Force: Darren Bravo (captain), Joshua Da Silva (vice-captain), Yannic Cariah, Mark Deyal, Shannon Gabriel, Terrance Hinds, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kjorn Ottley, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales, Tion Webster.

Windward Islands Volcanoes: Andre Fletcher (captain), Alick Athanaze (vice-captain), Sunil Ambris, Johnson Charles, Darel Cyrus, Kenneth Dember, Shadrack Descarte, Larry Edward, Kavem Hodge, Ryan John, Shermon Lewis, Jeremy Solozano, Shamar Springer, Tevyn Walcott.

November 5 shaping up to be the ‘Greatest Race of All Time’

…As top Caribbean Group Four drivers confirm participation in ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions

T

he Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) is thrilled to announce that November 5, 2023 is set to witness what promises to be the ‘Greatest Race of All Time’, as top Caribbean Group Four drivers converge for the highly-anticipated ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions.

This event will see some of the most renowned names in Caribbean motorsport battling it out for supremacy on the track.

Confirmed participants for this spectacular showdown include Barbados champion Mark Maloney, the Jamaican sensation Doug Gore, and Trinidadian speedster Franklyn Boodram. They will face off against Guyana's fin-

est racing talents, including Mark Vieira, Andrew King, Kevin Jeffrey, Vishok Persaud and many more.

The ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions is shaping up to be the most

significant Group Four race since the fall of the Caribbean Championship.

This event has earned the moniker of the ‘Greatest Race of All Time’ due to the historic significance of

this gathering. It has been quite some time since the legends of Caribbean motorsport and their iconic machines shared the same track.

The drivers participat-

ing in this epic event will be vying for supremacy on the challenging newly-rebuilt South Dakota Circuit.

What makes this year's event even more thrilling is the introduction of new cars into the mix.

Jamaican racing legend Doug Gore will pilot "The Best," a car synonymous with his name. At the same time, Trinidadian ace Franklyn Boodram will run his Renault. These additions promise to provide an electrifying experience for fans and enthusiasts alike.

"We are beyond excited to host this incredible event and witness some of the best drivers and riders from across the Caribbean go head-to-head in what promises to be a historic race," said Mahendra

Boodhoo, President of GMR&SC. "The ENET Caribbean Clash of Champions not only showcases the skill and determination of these talented drivers, but also marks a momentous occasion in Caribbean motorsport history."

Race fans can expect a day filled with high-speed action, nail-biting competition, and numerous unforgettable moments. This event is a must-attend for anyone passionate about motorsport and looking for a thrilling day at the racetrack.

The GMR&SC was scheduled to host a press conference on Wednesday, to release full details on all groups featuring both riders and drivers.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

NAMILCO U17 National playoffs…

Berbice, Upper Demerara ‘run things’ after two weeks their campaign, suffering two consecutive losses each without managing to score a single point.

In Group B, Upper Demerara hold the top spot with six points after two games, while Bartica hold three points after playing one game.

Rupununi have also ac-

T

cumulated three points from two games, with one win and one loss. Essequibo and West Demerara are yet to secure a point, having suffered two defeats each so far.

On October 21, Upper Demerara would be seeking to build on their lead with a win over Bartica.

The NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 National Academy Playoff complements the Academy Training Centre programme, which specifically targets boys aged 14 to 17 years old. ATC is an approved ‘Generation Next’ FIFA developmental programme.

The Upper Demerara FA goal-scorers

he Berbice and Upper Demerara Football Associations Academy Training Centres have emerged as the frontrunners of Groups A and B respectively, after securing two wins in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) Thunderbolt Flour Power Under17 Academy Playoffs.

The road to the top for these two teams has produced two weekends of thrilling matches for fans at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara since the October 7 start of the league.

On the first day of the tournament, Upper Demerara achieved an im-

pressive 4-1 victory against West Demerara, and the following day, October 8, Berbice celebrated their 4-1 win over Georgetown. The winning streak for Berbice persisted on October 14, when they triumphed with a close 3-2 scoreline against the National Under-15 Team, while Upper Demerara recorded a convincing 3-1 triumph over Rupununi on October 15.

"The new season has commenced with a remarkable display of football skills from our talented young players. Their passion, dedication and commitment to the sport have truly been evident on the field. Each match has been a testament to their hard

work in practice sessions, skills and teamwork,” GFF Competitions Department shared.

In Group A, Berbice FA Academy have the lead position with six points, while East Coast, after playing one game, have secured three points and currently sit in second. The East Coast team are focused on winning their match against Georgetown on October 21, to dethrone Berbice from the top spot.

Meanwhile, East Bank, having also accrued three points, have played two games and currently hold the third position on the table. The National Under-15 team and Georgetown have faced a challenging start to

The Berbice FA team

Shimron/Nirvani Hetmyer Berbice Cricket Trust Fund…

$1M worth of balls distributed to cricket clubs across Berbice

“N

ever in the history of Guyana’s Cricket has a cricket board invested into the game at the club level like the Berbice Cricket Board. We are fully aware (of) the expenses associated with the game and how many clubs are struggling to fulfill their mandates. We are very grateful for the support of Shimron Hetymer and his wife. It is my hope that all the clubs would remember them in their prayers.”

Those were the words of Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster as he spoke to representatives of clubs in the Upper Corentyne area, where he had gone to distribute cricket balls from the BCB/ Hetmyers Berbice Cricket Trust Fund.

Over the last week, the BCB has shared out $1M worth of red cricket balls from the Shimron/Nirvanie Hetmyer Trust Fund as part of its comprehensive developmental programme.

Distribution of the balls were done in the five sub-association areas: Berbice River, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower Corentyne, West Berbice and Upper Corentyne.

A total of eighty-five second division teams have benefitted from donation of the balls. Foster urged the clubs to use the balls for the intended purpose, and committed his administration to supporting their efforts

in the future.

Since his election in February 2018, Foster has spearheaded a massive support project that has seen players and clubs receiving numerous donations from the BCB. Players have received cricket gear, educational grants, educational scholarships, bicycles, electronic tablets, school bags and materials, while cricket clubs have received bowling machines, batting cages, practice nets, cricket gear, cricket balls, grass cutter, pitch corners, water pitchers, scorebooks and uniforms, among other things.

Foster recalled that earlier in 2023, the BCB

maining $500,000 being used to host an inter-primary school and 20/20 second division tournament in the New Amsterdam/Canje area.

Shimron Hetmyer has committed to financing the trust fund as long as Hilbert Foster remains the head of the BCB.

Representatives of clubs in New Amsterdam/Canje pose with the balls they received

Board would also shortly be sharing out five bowling machines to Blairmont, Tucber Park, Achievers,

the Tain Campus of the University of Guyana, and commission the Berbice Test Players Billboard with

Tigers, Kilcoy, Albion, Whim, Goed Bananen Land, No.73 Young Warriors, Radha Krishna Foundation

CLASSIFIED ADS VACANCY Vacancy exist for: One HouseKeeper and a Nanny. Please call: 657-3065.

ASTROLOGY Pandith Mohan can read past, present and future specialist bring back loved ones within days, love, health, business, family problems etc. Located Georgetown Guyana call or whatsapp 692-1009.

Upper Corentyne Clubs pose with the balls they received during the distribution

had distributed another $1M worth of white cricket balls to first division clubs: West Berbice, Blairmont, Berbice River, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Young Warriors, Police, Albion, Port Mourant, RHTY&SC, Upper Corentyne and Skeldon.

The Berbice Cricket

No. 73 Young Warriors, and Skeldon. Six clubs have already received bowling machines, and five batting cages have also been distributed across the county.

The BCB, during the course of the next month, would also be launching the BCB Wall of Fame at

the Guyana Breweries Inc. Among the Clubs benefitting from the Hetmyers Trust Fund are No. 72 Cut and Load, Skeldon, Dukestoner, No. 43, Wiruni, Sandhills, Ebini, Rose Hall Canje, Mt. Sinai, Edinburgh, Guymine, No.19 Kendall’s Union, Rose Hall

and Courtland.

Representatives of the different clubs have expressed thanks to Shimron Hetmyer for his continued assistance to the development of Berbice Cricket.

The Hetmyers this year contributed $1.5M to the trust fund, with the re-

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

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day to remember for Kevin Sinclair is the day he delivered a spectacular allround performance that led Guyana Harpy Eagles to a thrilling 10-run victory over the Windward Islands Volcanoes in the Regional Super50 two nights ago.

Sinclair, who scored 41 runs and took two crucial wickets, was named “the Man of the Match” for his outstanding contributions.

After the game, Sinclair humbly shared his thoughts, saying, "I just looked to con-

tribute with the bat and the ball today, and my hard work paid off. To put in this performance for my team is always special, and I love representing Guyana, so to produce this performance and secure the win is something special."

Sinclair went on to emphasize the strength of the team's unity, both on and off the field. He spoke of their unwavering support for one another, and the collective effort that drives their success.

"We have a strong unit, and we look to back each other on and off the field.

For me, once you bat, bowl, and field well, you will win this tournament, so it's just taking it one step at a time, game by game, ball by ball, and we will push to take the title."

Reflecting on his own batting, Sinclair acknowledged his recent good form, but highlighted the importance of performing under pressure. "I've been batting well recently,

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Kevin Sinclair (photo courtesy of CWI media)

so I would just look to continue in that form. But coming into that pressure situation, I just looked to knock it around a bit, pick off the bad balls, and luckily I got off and put my team in a better position."

Sinclair's resilience and ability to rise to the occasion certainly made the difference in the match, and his words reflect the commitment and determination of the Guyana Harpy Eagles as they strive for success in the Regional Super50 tournament.

CG United Regional Super50 tournament…

Jackman, Allicock open Guyana’s account today

Alesha Jackman and Keevin Allicock Daniel Doram picked up career-best figures of 7-29 (photo courtesy of CWI media)

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he Leeward Islands Hurricanes have decimated defending champions Jamaica Scorpions and coasted to an eight-wicket win in their match played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy yesterday.

Hurricanes won the toss and inserted Scorpions, whom they routed for a paltry 123 in 3 2 . 5 overs, before overhauling the target by posting 124 for two in just 14 overs. Daniel Doram led the decimation with his best bowling figures of 7-29 in 9.5 overs. The left-arm spinner was supported by Alzarri Joseph with figures of 2-24.

Scorpions were off the mark with a flick for four

by Chadwick Walton off the first delivery of the match, but Joseph returned in the third over for a double wick-

et maiden, removing Kirk McKenzie and Jermaine Blackwood before Doram got into operation.

Doram removed Andre McCarthy, trapped leg before wicket for a 33-ball 13, and in his following over, accounted for the prized wickets of Nkrumah Bonner (24) and Fabien Allen (2).

Scorpions’ captain Rovman Powell looked to revive his side’s batting collapse, but when frustration stepped in, h e

danced down the wicket to Doram, only to be stumped for 13 from 24 balls.

After being cut for four, Doram had Odean Smith attempting a lofted shot over long off, but he held out to Keacy Carty and was gone for 26 from 30 balls. Doram wrapped up the innings with the wickets of Dennis Bulli and Nicholson Gordon to cap off a spectacular bowling performance.

Hurricanes’ chase moved briskly, with Kieran Powell smashing six sixes and as many fours on his way to an unbeaten 80 from 36 balls.

Powell raced to 55 from 25 balls as he shared in a 56run partnership for the first wicket with Kofi James, who made 12 from 15.

Carty didn’t spend much time at the crease, but Karima Gore partnered Powell to see their side over the line. He made 19 not out from 21 balls.

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lthough the Pan American Games 2023 are not yet officially opened, Guyana will begin its campaign today with two boxers being set to do battle.

Alesha Jackman, lone female in the 5-member boxing team, will square up against Argentina’s Lucia Noelia Perez in the Women’s 66Kg class, while Keevin Allicock will face off with Panama’s Irvin Javier Ibarguen Mona in the Men’s 57Kg category.

On the eve of the all-important clashes, Head Coach Terrence Poole, MS, shared about the team’s three-week preparation in Cuba, and how it can assist them in Santiago, Chile. “We know Cuba boxing is up there, so training among the best, you supposed to be part of the best also.

“In Cuba, there was tough competition in terms of them getting sparring, high level sparring, which supposed to do good for

their confidence and also their ability when they get into the ring. So, I think the training period was very, very high-intensity. All we need to do now is go into the ring and transfer what you learn outside into the arena,” Poole told this publication.

This year’s Pan American Games give athletes from several disciplines the opportunity to punch a direct ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

With this incentive being on the minds of the Guyanese boxers, Coach Poole expressed his belief in their ability to achieve such.

Poole said about Keevin Allicock, “I think he have a very good chance in delivering, ensuring that he’s on the podium and even qualifying for 2024 (Olympics).

“I think we have a few chances among the five; you might not say all 5, but we have a few great chances among that five coming out

Coach Terrence Poole, MS

for 2024 Paris,” he added.

Guyana’s boxing team at the Pan American Games comprises Desmond Amsterdam (79kg), Keevin Allicock (57kg), Emmanuel Pompey (92kg), Joel Williamson (63.5kg), and Alesha Jackman (66kg).

While the duo will get the ball rolling today, the remainder of the team will get into action this weekend.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2023

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

Pg 23

Jackman, Allicock open Guyana’s account today

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NAMILCO U17 National playoffs…

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