Guyana Times - Tuesday, January 17, 2023

project gets

2023

By Jarryl Bryan

As part of the Dr Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s energy policy, the multi-billion-dollar model Gas-to-Shore Project has received a whopping $43.3 billion from Budget 2023.

This was announced by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, during his reading of the budget. This allocation is in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the startup of the transformational project, which includes the construction of an integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and the 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

“To advance the construction of this [project] and its association fee facilities, Budget 2023 includes

an allocation of $43.3 billion… This project will directly cut [carbon] emissions by 70 per cent as well as trigger a series of major economic development initiatives in Guyana as energy costs will be significantly reduced,” Dr Singh announced.

The NGL and 300 MW power plant components of the Gas-to-Shore Project, are meanwhile expected to cost US$759.8 million and will be financed through sources that include budgets and loan financing.

This is detailed in written answers submitted to the National Assembly by Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the energy sector. He was responding to questions raised by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence.

In her questions for writ-

ten replies, Lawrence asked for details on the cost of the Gas-to-Shore pipeline.

Phillips explained in his response that the pipeline, supporting works and supervision for the pipeline,

will cost US$1 billion. This is being funded entirely by ExxonMobil, through its cost oil.

Then there is the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) cost for the power plant and the NGL plant. The EPC contract, which was awarded to US companies CH4 and Lindsayca late last year, will cost US$759.8 million. Supervision of this component of the project, will cost US$23 million. According to the Prime Minister, Government will be funding these components of the projects by use of State funds and loans.

“The Government is sourcing the funding of the EPC costs from the proceeds of the National Budget over

a multi-year period from 2022 to 2025. An early estimate was included in the 2022 capital budget, this figure will be revised in the 2023 budget in line with the above sum. The Government expects to fund a portion of the EPC contract from loan financing to be pursued in 2023,” the PM explained.

Meanwhile, the PM was also asked if the Government would be held liable should Exxon be unable to repay their loan for the pipeline. The PM assured that no contingency liability is likely and that the Government will make annual payments to Exxon subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

“When the project is completed, Government will

make an annual payment to EEPGL co-venturers over a 20-year period to recover the cost of their investment in the pipeline used to deliver a minimum of 50 million cubic feet of gas per day to Wales.”

“The total cost of electricity exiting the power plant which includes the payment to EEPGL co-venturers, operating costs of the power plant/NGL plant and recovery of capital costs, shall be less than US 5 cents per kWh,” the Prime Minister also said.

With a timetable to deliver rich gas by the end of 2024 and the Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant to be online by 2025, works are progressing on getting the Gas-to-Shore Project off the ground. When it comes to the construction of a combined cycle power plant, a net total of 250 MW is expected to be delivered into the Guyana Power and Light Grid at a sub-station located on the East Bank of the Demerara River.

The scope of the Gasto-Shore Project also consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.

It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from <<<Liza Destiny>> and <<<Liza Unity>>> Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

The pipeline would be 12 inches wide, and is expected to transport per day some 50 million standard cubic feet (mscfpd) of dry gas to the NGL plant, but it has the capacity to push as much as 120 mscfpd.

The pipeline’s route onshore would follow the same path as the fibre optic cables, and terminate at Hermitage, part of the WDZ which will house the gas-toshore project.

Model of the power plant component of the gas-to-shore project

$781.9B Budget – financed by oil, climate funds – presented

…no new taxes

By Jarryl Bryan

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)

Government on Monday presented its largest ever budget, a record $781.9 billion budget financed for the first time by a combination of both oil and climate funds and containing wide-ranging provisions.

Presenting the budget under the theme “Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow” was Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.

Among the measures in the budget is the increase

of children attending both public and private school.

Old age pension was also increased to $33,000. According to the Finance Minister, this will place an additional $4.4 billion of disposable income in the hands of over 73,000 old-age pensioners. In 2021, all oldage pensioners were given $25,000 monthly and in 2022 that sum was increased to $28,000. Meanwhile, public assistance has been increased to $16,000.

The personal income tax threshold will also be increased from $75,000 to $85,000. This, according to the Finance Minister, will place an additional $303 billion into the hands of cur-

sures to not only incentivise the transition to lower emission vehicles in Guyana, but to also reduce the costs of gas-powered vehicles, new and old, entering the country.

One such measure was the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on new electric vehicles. Dr Singh explained that this measure applies to new (less than four years old) electric motor vehicles – not hybrid – of any power rating.

And to support the investment decision of businesses to switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles, the Finance Minister also announced an increase in the writing down allowance applicable to all electric motor vehicles to 50 per cent annually.

low 1500 cc from 45 per cent to now 35 per cent. This will reduce the cost of importing such a vehicle by approximately $200,000.

In addition, the current tax rate on used vehicles below 1500 cc (4 years and older) will now be replaced with a flat rate of taxes of $800,000. This will reduce the cost of importing such a vehicle by $300,000 on average.

According to the Finance Minister, the ownership of a motor vehicle is no longer considered a luxury. He pointed out that it improves the ease of access to and from home, places of work, and learning.

Cost-of-living support

of the “Because We Care” cash grants, from $25000 to $35,000 per child. This will place an additional amount of $2.1 billion in the homes

rent taxpayers, both in the public and private sectors.

Vehicles

The Finance Minister announced a range of mea-

The Minister also announced additional measures to reduce the cost of motor vehicle ownership. These include the reduction of the duty on the importation of new (less than four years old) motor vehicles be-

According to Dr Singh, a total of $5 billion has been allocated to provide additional cost of living support. How these monies will be spent, according to the Finance Minister, depends on the outcomes of ongoing community engagements.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

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Individual power to prevent

The issue of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) was addressed in a major way during the Budget 2023 presentation.

Importantly, it was announced that expanded efforts on public communication and education on lifestyle diseases will be a focus in 2023.

That being said, it was also announced the Lusignan Diabetic Clinic has been completed and will be operationalised in the first quarter of this year. This will see a much-needed slew of services including cardiovascular screening; diabetic wound care; eye screening and x-ray, laboratory and rehabilitative services.

Quite often, we do not consider mental health when the issue of non-communicable chronic diseases is discussed. However, it is excellent that Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh in his Budget presentation included this ‘taboo’ disease in his presentation on NCDs.

According to the budget presentation, more than $900 million is allocated to address non-communicable diseases.

Specifically on the issue of mental health, Dr Singh said: “…in the area of mental health, Government has successfully passed two pieces of important legislation – the Suicide Prevention Act 2022 and the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act 2022. Works advanced on the expansion of the mental health ward at GPHC.”

Additionally, a total of $62.4 million has been budgeted for rehabilitation works at the National Psychiatric Hospital.

“Last year, 54 persons were trained across the 10 regions in the areas of addiction and rehabilitation and, in 2023, will be placed to facilitate drug treatment and rehabilitation clinics.”

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, poor lifestyle choices such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity had resulted in large numbers of people falling sick and dying.

It is also believed that around 40 per cent of Guyanese are either overweight or obese, and of that number, the majority are women.

Having experienced COVID and the impact it has had on the world, one of the important factors that were brought to the fore is the fact that people with underlying health conditions such as NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, had a higher risk of severe COVID-19, and many died from COVID-19. Risk factors for NCDs can make people more vulnerable to becoming severely ill. For example, smokers may have reduced lung capacity, which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.

Health experts say that non-communicable chronic diseases result largely from bad food choices and low levels of physical activity. Reducing the risk of developing chronic illnesses, including Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and various cancers is associated with living a healthy lifestyle, which includes such factors as non-smoking, a healthy diet, regular physical activity, moderate alcohol intake, and a sense of mental well-being.

For example, evidence suggests that half of all cancers could be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle.

Further, NCDs come at a high cost to individuals and nation states in terms of human suffering, expensive treatment, and loss of production.

What is noteworthy is the realisation that most cases of chronic NCDs are avoidable, and it is within our individual power to prevent these diseases from affecting our lives.

So, how do we make the breakthrough when it comes to getting our citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles, considering the fact that some persons still operate with a high degree of ignorance?

To begin with, we believe that there is need for greater awareness and knowledge in the society about the dangers of chronic illnesses. On this basis, we urge that there be continuous public education and awareness campaigns across the country, to address various health issues.

Research has shown that the numerous media campaigns on HIV/AIDS prevention and care, stigma and discrimination have impacted positively on attitudes and lifestyle changes; and messages in a similar fashion should be created towards addressing NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes, or dealing with overweightness and obesity.

The Government, even though it must take the lead as it relates to policy drafting and implementation, etc, cannot do it alone. The entire society must be actively involved.

Therefore, we commend and support the Finance Minister for announcing that expanded efforts on public communication and education on lifestyle diseases will be a focus in 2023.

American schooling is broken if six-year-olds are now threats

By Christina Wyman

When I heard that a six-year-old child in Newport News, Virginia, brought a gun from home into his school and then shot his firstgrade teacher in the middle of a lesson last Friday, I felt something shift in my worldview as an educator.

In the United States, we know that school shootings have mired the teaching profession in an ongoing state of crisis. We know that our state and federal politicians refuse to do anything about it beyond offering useless thoughts and prayers.

We know that a vocal portion of the population would rather see teachers and students die violently in their classrooms than imagine a nation without guns, often citing incoherent and antiquated arguments about our right to a well-regulated militia. These groups conveniently forget that the Second Amendment was introduced when the most dangerous weapons at our founders’ disposal were muskets and flintlock pistols.

We know that safety concerns are among the reasons teachers are leaving the profession in droves, with the Wall Street Journal reporting upwards of 300,000 public school teachers and staff jumping ship between 2020 and 2022. We know that conditions for teachers and students alike are irrefutably abysmal across the country. We know, we know, we know.

While none of these realities is new, this most recent shooting, facilitated by a child barely out of toddlerhood, shows us just how

much the state of the teaching profession in the US is worse than any of us dared to imagine.

The 1999 Columbine High School massacre, carried out by two of the school’s students, is often cited as the event that brought the horror of school shootings, now an epidemic, into the American consciousness.

Yet with Columbine and other similar instances, a narrative emerged where we came to view school shootings, particularly those committed by students, as typically a concern of secondary schools.

Before this tragedy in Virginia, shootings committed on elementary school grounds were largely perpetrated by adult-aged outsiders, as with the Robb Elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas and also that which occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The one exception was in February 2000, when a six-year-old shot dead his classmate in a Michigan elementary school. Of the 14 mass school shootings since Columbine, all have been committed by teenagers or adults.

In the absence of meaningful legislation, keeping campuses free from guns has become a focus across the country, from some school districts requiring students to carry only clear backpacks to others banning backpacks entirely. School authorities have been forced to turn to what they can control, some turning their attention to more elaborate systems of surveillance.

Of course, efforts to keep

schools weapons-free are not new. In the 1990s, when I was a high school student in Brooklyn, New York, our administrators would make each of us walk through airport-style metal detectors guarded by a large group of security personnel. Every morning for four years I’d wait in line before it was my turn to sling my bookbag onto the conveyor belt and walk through the metal detector, a machine sensitive enough to sense items as minor (but potentially dangerous) as metal nail files.

Worrying about safety was normalised in most New York City public high schools. We didn’t share those same concerns for our city’s elementary and middle schools. But the trajectory of schooling in the United States now seems to dictate that teachers, staff, families and communities no longer have even that luxury. As the details emerge about the school shooting in Newport News, I wonder how many of us ever imagined that a teacher would receive life-threatening injuries at the hands of a six-year-old child occupying a tiny desk in the classroom. Thankfully, the teacher, Abby Zwerner, is now out of danger.

It’s a question that continues to shape my perspective, and even my ability to do my work. As a teacher educator for those pursuing their K-12 licenses, I’ve yet to figure out how to incorporate lessons on dodging bullets into my curriculum or how to view young children as potentially dangerous. The very idea that my work requires this shift in thinking is repulsive and maddening. I have never been more enraged with our gov-

ernment’s abject failure to remedy a problem that other countries seemed to figure out long ago: Australia, for instance, bought back 650,000 guns in the 1990s, leading to a sharp decline in mass shootings.

Now when I work in schools, I take note of the nearest exits before I even make my way to my seat in the classroom. Classrooms with only one entrance cause me enough anxiety to initially lose focus on the purpose of my visit, which is to facilitate the work of student teachers who are learning to teach. When one school I was in recently went into lockdown without offering any details, I immediately texted my husband, wondering whether I was going to make it home. A single alarm, loud bang, or errant shriek in a school hallway in the US is enough to wonder whether the school you’re in is on the brink of tragedy. I don’t know how much my students worry about this, and I don’t want to share my fears with them, as that doesn’t seem fair.

But this latest incident shows that school life in America has become unsustainable. And in a country where primary school teachers aren’t even safe from armed six-year-olds, we’ve done it to ourselves.

(Al Jazeera)

(Christina Wyman is a writer and teacher living in Michigan. Her debut novel “Jawbreaker” is forthcoming with Farrar, Straus and Giroux (2023) and is a Middle Grade book that follows a seventh-grader with a craniofacial anomaly that’s caught the attention of her school bullies— including her own sister.)

President Dr Irfaan Ali met with India’s Food Processing Industries Minister, Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras, on Thursday last in India (Office of the President photo)

President Irfaan Ali is a judicious thinker, leader

Dear Editor, Since becoming the 9th Executive President of Guyana two and a half years ago, President Dr Irfaan Ali has done it all.

And many have stated that he is the right and most suitable person for the job because as President, he has maintained peace and law and order in the coun-

try, provided jobs and house lots for thousands, awarded contracts to the most qualified contractors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious background or party affili-

FROM

$781.9B Budget – financed...

“Mr Speaker, recognising continued impacts of the cost of living challenges due to global developments as previously highlighted, Government continues to consult with stakeholders across the country on the development and implementation of interventions to alleviate the impact of increases in prices. In this regard, a total of $5 billion is allocated for additional cost of living measures to be determined from the ongoing community engagements,” he said.

The part-time job programme Government launched last year will also be expanded. Based on the programme, over 11,000 persons were employed through the programme in Regions Two, Three, Five, Six, Nine and 10. According to Singh, this injected $2.3 Billion into these households since the start of the programme.

“In 2023, this programme will continue and will be expanded, with $10 billion al-

$20 million – up from $15 million. This, he noted, will “…reduce the cost of borrowing within this range from the commercial banks, and further incentivising home ownership.”

Following up on last year when the Government slashed excise tax on fuel to zero in order to alleviate rising gas prices at the pump, Dr Singh announced that this measure will be maintained. Additionally, the reduction in freight charges which was first implemented in 2021 to reduce shipping costs, will be extended.

Allocations

Among the allocations in the budget is the provision of $136.1 billion for work to en-

allocated to train healthcare professionals.

Speaking on the budget in a broadcast, President Dr Irfaan Ali described the budget as one that prioritises some of the most pressing needs of the people. He also encouraged persons to view the budget in the context of global constraints.

Prior to the date for the budget even being announced, it had been revealed earlier this month that a total of US$1 billion ($200 billion) would be made available from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) for use in the budget.

Additionally, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had made known that with Guyana expected to receive two more payments of US$37.5 million this year from selling its carbon credits to Hess Corporation, US$150 million will be available for use in the 2023 budget.

ation. In this short span of time, President Ali has visited almost every district, village and towns to meet with the residents, Indo, Afro and native Guyanese to discuss and solve their problems. Based on his massive achievements in such a short span of time, he is considered one of the most gifted, practical and astute leaders the country has ever had in its 57 years since Independence.

He is an original and sagacious thinker who has provided hope to the hopeless, improved the lives of the poor, comforted those during their time of sadness, pain or hurt, encouraged and motivated those with potential for a bright future, instilled confidence in the depressed or disheartened and has persuaded troubled youths to turn away from criminal activities and become good and productive citizens. Simply put, he has made it clear to all and sundry that the country is progressing economically at a rapid pace and that everyone will share in the prosperity. This is at the core of his “One Guyana Initiative” which everyone has the opportunity to partake and make it successful. It is true that President Ali’s “One Guyana Initiative”, is a first for the country; but it is not a gamble, a pasttime thought or a promise that will not be fulfilled, it is a serious and meaningful undertaking to heal the racial divide in the country, to

put aside decades of hatred, bigotry and xenophobia and to live in peace and harmony with respect for one another. Most importantly, it is to unite the people and build a prosperous Guyana for all.

It is also a profound task for the serious-minded to come together to resolve their differences and or conflicts and to live together and consummate our motto—One people, One nation, One Destiny. After all, we are first and foremost Guyanese and our brothers and sisters’ keepers. This Biblical reference which is derived from the book of Genesis is generally understood to mean that we should care about the well-being of each other and not only about our own. This should be our purpose in life and it should represent who we are and why we should support the “One Guyana Initiative”. So we are calling on everyone to cast away their disputes, disagreements and biases and heed President Ali’s call to unite the races, uplift and improve the lives of the poor and downtrodden, build a prosperous nation and to put Guyana first at all times. And while many have attempted and failed in their quest to unite the races, we are confident that President Ali’s “One Guyana Initiative” will succeed mainly because of its profound, rational and widespread appeal.

Locally, President Ali has set Guyana on a sound

economic path that will not only yield benefits to the people, especially the poor, but his ultimate objective is to reduce or end poverty, improve education and healthcare among others in the country and to make Guyana the bread basket of the Caribbean as it once used to be prior to its independence in 1966. On the international scene, President Ali in his address to the Global South Summit last week proposed a new global food system aimed at reducing hunger among poor in the developing countries. With agricultural being at the core of his plan, Dr Ali has called for greater investments in agricultural production and improved agricultural technology in the developing countries, an end to the bias trade agreements that benefit the rich and powerful countries such as the United States, Canada and Britain among others, and more serious efforts to combat climate change that has hamstrung the economies and well-being of the peoples in the developing countries. He has judiciously underscored Guyana’s steadfast support in several areas including food security, climate preservation, fair and balanced trade policies, and the respect for the freedom and rights of all people to live in dignity in the pursuit of their prosperity and happiness.

located. The beneficiaries of this programme are encouraged to upskill themselves so they can eventually take up full time employment as the labour market is confronted with a shortage of skills in certain areas,” Dr Singh said.

Targeted tax measures will also be employed, such as the removal of the 14 per cent VAT applied when residential properties are sold. This, according to the Minister, will further reduce the cost of home ownership and support the Government’s aggressive housing drive.

Recognising the importance of homeownership, Dr Singh also announced the increase in the low-income mortgage ceiling to

hance roads and bridge networks. A number of transformational projects are included under this heading, including the new Demerara River crossing.

A total of $54.5 billion has also been allocated by the Government for housing developments in new and existing areas. This includes money to construct roads, drains and bridges, and the installation of utilities.

The health sector will get some $84.9 billion, which will go towards financing the construction of various paediatric and maternal hospitals and six new regional hospitals. Additionally, money will also go towards rehabilitating and expanding existing hospitals, while over $500 million has been

Page Foundation

M&M Survival Challenge

n the wild there are two types of animals: the hunters and the hunted. A good predator is always on the prowl for fresh prey. What can an animal do to stay off of the menu? Some animals have evolved to use a variety of camouflage tactics so they can fool their predators and increase their chances of survival. In this science project, you will be the hungry predator hunting for M&M® prey. But it may not be as easy as it sounds — some of your prey will be camouflaged. Will they be able to avoid your grasp? To find out, work up that appetite and go hunting!Stopwatch or timer 2-4 volunteer predators who like to eat M&Ms

Lab notebook

Procedure

Question 1:

Materials and equipment

Plastic bags (6)

M&Ms, at least 10 of each color

Use plain M&Ms, which should have six colours: Yellow, blue, green, brown, red, and orange.

To make sure you have at least 10 candies of each colour, you will want to get at least two 1.69-oz. packages.

Skittles®, at least 10 of each colour

Use plain Skittles, which should have five colours: orange, yellow, green, red, and purple.

To make sure you have at least 60 candies of each colour, you will want to get at least two 1.69-oz. packages.

Metal pie tin or sturdy white paper plate

First, prepare your Skittles animals. Do this by counting and placing 10 Skittles of a single colour in a bag. Repeat for each colour. In the end you will have 5 bags — each with just one colour of Skittles. The Skittles represent animals that are poinsonous to the predator.

Next, you will need to prepare a mixed group of 'prey'. Do this by counting and placing 10 M&Ms of each colour into a plastic bag. The M&M's represent the animals that the predator likes to eat.

Gather together a pack of 2-4 volunteer 'predators'. This can be anybody who likes to eat M&Ms: a friend, brother, sister, mom, dad, grandparent, etc.

Explain the rules of the game to your predators as follows:

The volunteers should pretend to be M&Ms birds. They should make a "beak" using their pointer finger and thumb for collecting M&M's candies.

You will set a timer (or watch a stopwatch) for 20 seconds. During those 20 seconds, the volunteers will use their beak to quickly pick up M&Ms and quickly put them in their

other hand. Tell the volunteers that they should avoid picking up any Skittles candies because Skittles make the M&Ms birds sick. Remember, the Skittles represent poisonous animals.

After explaining the rules, pour the prepared bag of M&M's into a metal pie tin or sturdy plate. Pick one colour of the prepared Skittles and mix them with the M&M's on the plate. Now you have a plate with M&M's prey mixed with poisonous animals that the predator doesn't like to eat. If you look at the mixture closely, you will notice that some of the M&M's animals are now camouflaged by mimicy. They have the same colour and shape as the poisonous Skittles animals. Will that affect their chances of survival? To find out, put the plate in the middle of your group of M&M's birds and start the prey hunting. Make sure everyone can reach the plate.

Set your timer for 20 seconds. Say, go! and start the timer. Once the timer starts, the volunteers have to start hunting for the M&M's animals. When the timer beeps, everyone should stop picking up M&Ms.

What was the result? What happens if you add more colours? (Excerpt from sciencebuddies)

MONDAY

CONTINUED FROM

Nevertheless, the girl firmly resolved to redeem her brothers, even if it should cost her her life. She left the hunter's hut, went to the middle of the woods, seated herself in a tree, and there spent the night. The next morning she went out and gathered asters and began to sew. She could not speak with anyone, and she had no desire to laugh. She sat there, looking only at her work.

After she had already spent a long time there it happened that the king of the land was hunting in these woods. His huntsmen came to the tree where the girl was sitting.

They called to her, saying, "Who are you?" But she did not answer.

"Come down to us," they said. "We will not harm you."

She only shook her head. When they pressed her further with questions, she threw her golden necklace down to them, thinking that this would satisfy them. But they did not stop, so she then threw her belt down to them, and when this did not help, her garters, and then -- one thing at a time -- everything that she had on and could do without, until finally she had nothing left but her shift.

The huntsmen, however, not letting themselves be dissuaded, climbed the tree, lifted the girl down, and took her to the king.

The king asked, "Who are you? What are you doing in that tree?" But she did not answer. He

By The BroThers Grimm

asked her in every language that he knew, but she remained as speechless as a fish. Because she was so beautiful, the king's heart was touched, and he fell deeply in love with her. He put his cloak around her, lifted her onto his horse in front of himself, and took her to his castle. There he had her dressed in rich garments, and she glistened in her beauty like bright daylight, but no one could get a word from her.

At the table he seated her by his side, and her modest manners and courtesy pleased him so much that he said, "My desire is to marry her, and no one else in the world."

A few days later they were married.

TO BE CONTINUED

25.1% GDP projected growth now puts

mance from existing estates and production from the reopened Rose Hall Estate. An output of almost 61,000 tonnes of sugar and the growth of the subsector by 29.3 per cent, are expected in 2023.

When it comes to rice, growth of 8.3 per cent is projected for the subsector in 2023, with total production of 652,103 metric tonnes. The other crops sub-

gas, gold, bauxite and other mining and quarrying.

In addition, a turnaround is anticipated for the gold mining subsector, which is projected to grow by 12.7 per cent in 2023 as declarations from one of the large operators, as well as the small and medium scale miners, are expected to increase.

Growth is also expected in the bauxite (9.8 per cent),

struction sector coincides with the continued ramp up of Government’s PSIP investments, complemented by the major private sector investment initiatives, particularly in the oil and gas and hospitality industries,” the Finance Minister said.

“Mr Speaker, driven by continued activity in the construction, financial, and agriculture sectors, the services sector is estimated to

Buoyed by booming oil and gas production and a strong non-oil economy, Guyana’s economy registered 62.3 per cent growth last year, with a further 25.1 per cent real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth expected in 2023.

These figures were delivered by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his reading of the budget on Monday. Guyana’s surging economic growth last year is entwined with the petroleum sector’s recorded growth figures of 124 per cent, which were described as “better than expected” by Dr Singh.

In his review of the country’s economic performance over the past year, Dr Singh reported that the 62.3 per cent economic growth in 2022, puts Guyana amongst the fastest-growing economies globally.

“At the time of Budget 2022, it was expected that real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) would grow by 47.5 per cent, with the non-oil economy expected to expand by 7.7 per cent. As the year ensued, the oil and gas sector performed even better than expected.”

“At the same time, our Government’s policies continue to focus on supporting the traditional and new and emergent non-oil pillars of the economy, helping to ensure stronger and more broad-based growth than originally anticipated,” Minister Singh further indicated.

In his breakdown of the growth of Guyana’s nonoil economy, he noted that this saw a very strong expansion of 11.5 per cent. Significantly, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors all increased by 11.9 per cent last year.

Predictably, the construction sector expanded by 26.3 per cent in 2022 and the manufacturing industry similarly grew by 3.9 per cent last year. Meanwhile, the local Services sector also expanded by 9 per cent in 2022.

The mining and quarrying sector grew by 109.7 per cent in 2022 – a performance driven mainly by an expansion in the oil and gas and support services industry, which, when combined with growth in the other mining and bauxite industries, outweighs the contraction in gold mining activity.

The bauxite mining in-

dustry saw a 35 per cent growth in 2022, while manganese production recorded a record 225.081 tonnes last year for the first time in the last five decades. However, gold mining contracted by 2.5 per cent last year. According to Dr Singh, this stemmed from the lowered output from small and medium-scale producers.

Projections

Moving forward, the Finance Minister made a number of predictions for the year. These include predicting that real GDP will grow by 25.1 per cent in 2023, as oil production increases. For instance, the Stabroek Block is expected to produce crude oil at an average rate of about 374,000 barrels per day (bpd). Consequently, the subsector is expected to grow by 35.6 per cent in 2023.

Growth in the non-oil economy is meanwhile projected to reach 7.9 per cent this year, driven by continued expansion in construction, other crops, and wholesale and retail trade and repairs, alongside a rebound in gold mining.

Major developments are expected in the sugar sector, including higher perfor-

sector is also expected to expand in 2023, at a rate of 5.8 per cent. Livestock, forestry, and fishing are projected to grow at 12.1 per cent, 4 per cent and 8.4 per cent, respectively.

The mining and quarrying sector is meanwhile forecasted to grow by 34.1 per cent in 2023, with expansions projected for all four subsectors – oil and

other mining and quarrying subsector – comprising sand, stone, and diamonds subsector (7.3 per cent) and the overall construction sector (17 per cent). In terms of ‘other’ manufacturing, further growth is expected in the manufacturing of fabricated metal products and plastic products.

“As is the case with other mining, activity in the con-

grow by 5.6 per cent. This is further augmented by strong growth in tourism, and robust expansion in wholesale and retail trade and repairs, transport and storage, administrative and support services, and real estate activities. These are forecasted to increase by 7.8 per cent, 7.4 per cent, 6.5 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively,” he added.

The mining sector is expected to rebound from a contraction of 2.5 per cent to growth of 12.7 per cent

Ex-husband, accomplice plead guilty to killing Babita Sarjou

Shradanand Narine also called “Anand” and Daral Ponton also known as “Yankee” were on Monday arraigned for the murder of Babita Sarjou before High Court Judge, Simone Morris-Ramlall.

They both pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on November 4, 2010, at Georgetown, they murdered Sarjou. Their sentencing is set for February 6, 2023.

Back in 2017, the duo was committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of 28-year-old Babita Sarjou, whose body was dug up from a shallow grave in her ex-husband’s yard in May 2016 – some six years after she went missing.

Following the conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), the two murder accused heard that a prima facie case had been made out against them and as such, they were committed to stand trial before a Judge

and jury.

Narine, also called “Anand” of Lot 51 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown; and Ponton, called “Yankee” of Lot 54 Broad Street, Charlestown, were charged in May 2016 with the brutal murder of Sarjou.

The charge against the two alleged that on November 4, 2010, at Campbellville, Georgetown, they murdered the mother of one.

Babita Sarjou went missing in November 2010 after she left her mother’s Timehri, East Bank Demerara home to meet her son and estranged husband to view the annual Diwali motorcade at the Kitty seawall.

According to Sarjou’s mother, Champa Seonarine, after her daughter failed to return home, she assumed that she had stayed with her husband.

The following morning, however, Narine called

Seonarine’s residence and enquired of Sarjou’s whereabouts, explaining “the little bai (Sarjou’s son) want talk to his mother”. Narine had initially told investigators that Sarjou never showed up for their meeting that night.

A report was then lodged at the Kitty Police Station and Seonarine was told that Narine had already lodged a report at the station, claiming Sarjou could not be found and he was there to ‘clear his side’.

For years, the case remained inactive as investigators hit a stumbling block. The case was, however, reopened in 2016 after Police received information about what may have happened to Sarjou.

Narine, who was released after Police had no solid evidence against him, was picked up in 2016 and taken back into custody for further interrogation, during which he reportedly confessed to killing her and subsequent-

ly led investigators to the spot where he buried Sarjou aback his home.

After hours of digging in Narine’s yard, the team led by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, dug up a skull, several bones, a pair of highheeled shoes, a brassiere, and bits of clothing, all belonging to the dead woman.

Ponton was allegedly implicated in the murder by Narine, who also revealed to Police that he paid his friend some $50,000 and a promise of a trip to Trinidad in exchange for him to kill the woman.

Ponton reportedly carried out the act when Sarjou boarded Narine’s car by strangling her to death. The duo reportedly then took the woman back to the Campbellville residence, where they buried her body in a shallow grave.

On Monday, the two men were represented by Nigel Hughes while the State was led by Prosecutor Muntaz Ali and others.

Mother hands over prison escapee to Police

Prison escapee Shamar Singh, who along with another prisoner escaped after kicking open the door of a Police van that was transporting them on Friday, has turned himself in to Police custody.

Singh, a 22-year-old resident of Hague, West Coast Demerara, was handed over to ranks at the Vreeden-Hoop Police Station by his mother.

Police stated that the escapee’s mother told detectives that her son contacted her via cell phone and asked her to collect him at GPL in the vicinity of the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling, West Coast Demerara (WCD), claiming that he wanted to turn himself in.

As a result, the woman related that she picked him up, took him to the Vreeden-Hoop Police Station and handed him over to the

Police.

Singh,

The second escapee, 28-year-old Ryan Wilson called “Pepsi” of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE),

was charged with indecent assault, is still on the run.

It was reported that at

about 16:15h on Friday, the two prisoners kicked open the door of the prison van while the vehicle was on the eastern end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, en route to the Lusignan Prison on the ECD.

Taking example…

…from MLK

Last Saturday was the birthday of that great fighter for social justice, Martin Luther King. With some in our society having a penchant for invoking MLK’s name at the drop of a hat, it might be useful to explain HOW he advised on what should be done to achieve that social justice. Even as a young man he was troubled by the treatment of African Americans by White Americans and the Government – at all levels – and was determined to do something about it.

Looking for a method to struggle within the constructs of the Christian Ministry into which he’d been inducted, he was struck by the message of non-violent struggle, or “satyagraha”, utilised by the Hindu Mahatma Gandhi in his fight in India against the British, between 1915-1948. Interestingly, Gandhi in his time as a student in England had been influenced by the teachings of Jesus!! It’s evident that once you’ve already chosen the method, activists will look at arguments to justify their chosen path. When your Eyewitness considers the call to arms by some of the “justice fighters” in Guyana – he knows they’d long chosen their path!!

“Satya” means “truth” and “graha” means “force”. So Gandhi and MLK propose an active “truth force” that’s deployed against oppressive forces. As MLK phrased it, “Non-violent resistance does resist. It is not a method of stagnant passivity. While the non-violent resister is passive in the sense that he is not physically aggressive towards his opponent, his mind and emotions are always active, constantly seeking to persuade his opponent that he is wrong. The method is passive physically, but strongly active spiritually. It is not passive non-resistance to evil; it is active non-violent resistance to evil.” It does not recommend throwing channa bombs into excavator cabs where a driver could’ve been immolated!!

Dr King and African Americans such as Rosa Parks would confront an analogous situation in the American South to that confronted by Gandhi in South Africa. Satyagraha distinguishes its methodology from the way of violence that’s still the dominant reaction by one clique in Guyana. Satyagraha is very sensitive to means and ends. “Nonviolence does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win friendship and understanding,” King said. “The nonviolent resister must often express his protest through noncooperation or boycotts, but he realises that these do not end themselves; they are merely meant to awaken a sense of moral shame in the opponent… The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community, while the aftermath of violence is tragic bitterness.”

MLK warned that activists for justice must treat those they say they’re representing as ends in themselves and never means to THEIR ends.

Like the Opposition at Mocha!!

…from MLK’s instructions

Your Eyewitness thinks that some activists are “hard ears”, so maybe they need to have MLK’s methodology spelled out more carefully!! He summarised his methodology of non-violent resistance in a few simple steps. Step one begins by instructing that the activist becomes thoroughly informed about the injustice, and then educating others about it. Teaching is through action rather than words, and in this way, one transforms oneself. The trouble is most of our locals are so convinced about a violent confrontation, that to them everything else is “showing weakness”!!

In step two, negotiations are opened up with opponents, using win-win scenarios – as ironically, the Government did at Mocha!! And then – only if unsuccessful – in step three, direct action such as sit-ins, marches, petitions, etc, is launched. Finally, as Mandela demonstrated magnanimously in South Africa, you gotta attempt to reconcile with your opponents. After all, if you care about our country, ultimately, we have to live together and build our nation together.

Restorative rather than retributive Justice can heal many wounds!!

…from the Republicans?

What was once dubbed by the Democrats a Republican political stunt on their border tribulations has now backfired on them! “Sanctuary cities” are now erecting their own walls. Like NY Mayor Eric Adams who now says, “No more migrants!”

who is already before the courts for the offences of simple larceny and possession of narcotics, will now be slapped with an escape from lawful custody charge.

who

Murder acused: Shradanand Narine

L-R: Rearrested escapee Shamar Singh, and Ryan Wilson who remains on the run

Murder acused: Daral Ponton

Murdered: Babita Sarjou

Mixed reactions from Opposition on Budget 2023

Moments after the historic 2023

National Budget was laid on Monday evening, mixed reactions brewed from sections of the Opposition, with some lauding it is a step in the right direction, while others lamenting that the 62.3 per cent growth rate does not reflect development.

Guyana Times spoke with Deputy Speaker Lennox Shuman – the leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) – who opined that the $781.9 billion package demonstrates Government’s capacity to deliver and Guyana scaling new heights as a country.

“I think it shows that Guyana is on a very progressive trajectory. It is much needed. I think it shows the confidence of the

Government also as not only the economic performance, but also in their capacity to deliver. I think to a great extent, the budget, if I may say so, is a little bit tempered, because I think now the Government has good measure as to what they can deliver and how they how they can deliver,” he underscored.

Particularly, the Deputy Speaker was pleased with the funds that are allocated for Indigenous peoples’ development, which included $500 million to support land titling, $2 billion to support food security and another 4.7 billion for Indigenous community development.

Consequently, Shuman relayed that the budget has something for everyone.

“I think those are some very, very I would say, se-

rious commitment that are being monetised for that way in Indigenous communities. As you know, the Government made commitments in their 2020 manifesto. And this is simply bringing that manifesto to life and delivering to the Indigenous peoples. I think there is something in there for everyone. You will obviously have the naysayers who are going to say what about this and what about that. Rome wasn’t built in a day and Guyana definitely was not built in a year. So, it is a continued step in the right direction.”

On the other end of the line, Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan shared that he expected more in some areas. Despite an increase in the old age pension to $33,000 and the public as-

sistance to $16,000, the AFC leader was expecting a doubling of this money.

“I would have expected more for the disability benefits…We were asking for all this doubling and even more…We also had expected subsidies for especially all the toll arrangements and the bridges and so on, would have been clearly erased with over $209 billion but they did not do that. I don’t know what the increases in salaries and wages will be. They generally do not do that. Now, they will do it a little later,” said Norton, who was accompanied by just a sprinkle of Opposition Members of Parliament.

Since the Ali-led Administration took office in August 2020, public assistance has seen a 75 per cent increase for the benefit of over 29,000 persons when compared to what was being paid under the APNU/ AFC coalition. The increase provides over $700 million in additional disposable income to these individuals.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton refused to accept that the growth rate translates to development. In 2022, it was reported that the economy grew by a whopping 62.3 per cent.

“Even if you believe the growth rate, you accept the

growth, but growth in itself is not development. Only if the resources that are coming from that growth are put into the areas that allow our people to develop then growth will impact development. For us here, growth is a figure,” Norton contended. He added, “It is good to put the resources in agriculture. We have always put the problem with that, as I understand it, is that it is primary product. There is little or no manufacturing. And therefore, if you are talking about fighting the Dutch disease, you have to increase manufacturing. You have to increase all the non-oil sectors.” (G12)

LJP Leader, Deputy Speaker Lennox Shuman

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

GAWU, GFC reach payment agreement for terminated workers

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) through discussions have reached an agreement regarding payments to employees who were terminated by the Commission.

GAWU made this announcement on Monday, sharing its position that the former workers were entitled and ought to receive severance entitlements consistent with the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA) from the inception.

The disagreement between the Union and the

Commission saw the workers with the support of the GAWU taking protest actions to press their demands. However, both parties took the route to facilitate dialogue.

A statement from the Union explained, “Following our protests, we resumed dialogue with the Commission on the matter. Given the protracted period, the GAWU felt it wise to continue discussions with a view of reaching an amicable settlement between the parties”

Through those discussions, the GAWU and the workers agreed to certain proposals wherein the Commission agreed to certain ex-gratia payments

to workers. The workers thought the proposal adequate and took account of the long and several battles to reach to that point. As a result, the Commission has now made available the payments to the workers.

“The GAWU was heartened by the developments and recognised the importance of good faith, open and frank discussions to bring about a settlement. We believe this augur well for all involved.”

The Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESPA) is a document to provide for the conditions governing termination of employment and grant of redundancy or severance payment to employees and for matters con-

nected therewith. Severance pay is compensation given to an employee who is laid off,

terminated or one who has otherwise parted ways with a company.

Teenager stabbed to death at Baramita

Ateenager was in the wee hours of Monday stabbed to death at Baramita, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini). Dead is 18-year-old Ryan Henry, a porter of Log Hill, Baramita.

The young man was reportedly rushed to the Baramita Health Centre at about 3:15h by public-spirited persons after he was observed with a stab wound to his abdomen.

The teenager was treated but subsequently succumbed to his injury. The matter was reported to the

Police and based on the information received, the prime suspect was apprehended.

He remains in custody and is assisting with investigations.

During the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) year-end award ceremony, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum reported that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded a total of 122 murders, with 80 per cent of them being solved.

In his presentation, he stated that for 2022, there was a total of 1521 reports of serious crimes when com-

pared to 2002 in 2021 – a difference of 481, which represents a 19 per cent decline.

“We have recorded in the year 2022, 122 murders and this is the third lowest number of murders recorded over a 10-year period. More importantly, our detection and clear-up rate of murder are at an all-time high – that is 80.3 per cent.”

However, he stated that the year 2022 accounts for the lowest frequency in break and enter and larceny, with a total of 457. The highest was recorded in the year 2013 with 1692.

Cops busted with narcotics, ammo during roadblock

are in hot water after they were arrested in the wee hours of Monday with a quantity of ganja and cocaine as well as several rounds of ammunition during a roadblock exercise at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Based on reports received, at about 2:30h, a motor car bearing registration number PAB 7863 pulled up at the roadblock. A 32-year-old mason of Vigilance, ECD,

was the driver, with Police Constable Albert Beresford, who is stationed at the Clonbrook Police Outpost, and Police Constable Julius Cambridge, stationed at the Cane Grove Police Station, as passengers.

However, the policemen who were conducting the exercise observed that their colleagues in the car were acting in a suspicious manner. As such, they requested to search the car during which one bag con-

taining ganja and another with cocaine were found.

The cocaine, when weighed, amounted to 170 grams, while the ganja weighed 9.4kg.

A further search carried out in the motor car resulted in the discovery of rounds of ammunition.

In addition, two .38, two .40 and 11 .9mm rounds of ammunition were also discovered. The two cops and the driver were arrested and are assisting with investigations.

Two Police Constables

The narcotics and ammunition found during the search

Terminated GFC workers protesting for their benefits to be paid

Christ Church Secondary School fire was maliciously set – GFS

The Guyana Fire Service on Monday

confirmed that the fire that devastated the Christ Church Secondary School was maliciously set. In addition, the Fire Service stated that the fire that was successfully put out one week prior to the full destruction was also purposely set.

“Taking into consideration the time of day that both fires occurred (16:29 pm and 17:22 pm), coupled with the fact that the second fire had several points of origin (seats), it is the determination of the Guyana Fire Service that the fire was maliciously set by unknown person(s),” the GFS stated in a release to the media upon the completion of its

investigations.

On Thursday last, the GFS received the report of a fire at the school at about 17:22h.

As such, water tenders from the Central, Alberttown, West Ruimveldt, and Campbellville Fire Stations were immediately dispatched to the location.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke emanating from the two-storey wooden and concrete structure, and while getting into action, the building quickly became engulfed in flames.

Despite firefighting efforts, more than 80 per cent of the building and its contents were destroyed, with the remainder suffering severe damage.

Additionally, the fire service added that three buildings in close proximity to the school were affected by the inferno and suffered damage to several AC units, PVC guttering, ceilings, windows, and curtains.

“Four vehicles also suffered damage to their tail lights, bumpers, and number plates. This was due to the radiated heat from the building of origin,” the release added.

The fire was eventually contained, and firefighters were able to stop it from spreading to the Office of the Prime Minister and other neighbouring buildings.

Eight jets working from an open water source, a water relay system, fire hy-

drant and tank supply were used to extinguish the blaze.

However, the Fire Prevention Department began its investigation immediately, and findings proved that on the evening of the previous fire at the Christ Church Secondary School, which was ruled the result of a chemical reaction combustion, all chemicals were removed from the building.

“As such, there were no chemicals in the building at the time of the second fire, which rules out the possibility that it was another chemical reaction.”

Furthermore, the day after the first fire at the school, it was inspected and certified by the Government Electrical Inspectorate,

which rules out the possibility of the second fire being electrical in origin. As a result, the Fire Service determined that the destructive fire was arson.

The fire has left over 500 children displaced along with scores of teachers and auxiliary staff. Presently, the teachers are engaging the affected children online, anticipating their placement in a building as soon as possible.

Guyana Times understands that the Education Ministry is in the process of making arrangements to have the children utilise the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

to the information received, the details are being worked out.

According

The fire before the full destruction

The devastation caused by the fire

Scenes from Budget

Budget Day 2023

Pregnant woman busted with $37M in ganja on $200,000 bail

Bulah London, 41, of Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, who was busted with approximately $37

million worth of cannabis during a Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) operation last week was on Monday granted bail in the

sum of $200,000.

She appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court where the charge was read to her which stated that on January 11, 2023, she had 121.831 kg of cannabis on her premises for the purpose of trafficking.

Bail was granted after a medical report was presented to the court to prove that she is pregnant.

It was reported that on the day in question, CANU officers conducting an operation in the vicinity of Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, on Wednesday, January 11, intercepted a motor vehicle with one occupant.

“A subsequent search of the motor vehicle revealed several parcels of suspected cannabis,” CANU said in a release.

Further investigations led to the suspect being escorted to a premises at Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, where a search conducted on the property in the presence of the suspect and the owner unearthed several parcels containing ganja which were concealed in plastic barrels.

Subsequently, Sean

Thomas, also called “Yankee”, 43, of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, and London were arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters where the narcotics were weighed and amounted to 123.85kg with a street value of approximately $37 million.

However, Thomas appeared before the said Magistrate on Friday at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded not guilty to trafficking in narcotics and was remanded to prison until March 14, 2023.

Earlier in the month, CANU had reported seizing a whopping $1.1 billion worth of narcotics, which amounted to 3403 kilograms, for 2022.

By type, the seized narcotics comprised 121.31kg cocaine; 3280.25kg ganja; 818.7 grams ecstasy; 302.6 grams of methamphetamine, and 1kg cannabis seeds.

According to statistics provided by CANU, these seizures were made in Regions Four, Six, Nine, Three, and 10, with Region

Four accounting for the largest seizure of narcotics.

In Region Four, 104.49kg cocaine, 410.12kg cannabis, 302.6g methamphetamine, 366g ecstasy, and 1kg of cannabis seeds were confiscated. In Region Six, 50g of cocaine, 2845.52kg of cannabis, and 452.7g of ecstasy were seized; while in Region Nine, 22g of cocaine and 4.81 kg of cannabis were seized. 16.74kg of cocaine and 118g of cannabis were seized in Region Three, while 19.67kg of cannabis was confiscated in Region 10.

With respect to cases and convictions, CANU reported that for 2022, from the 115 cases that were made out for narco-trafficking, 42 convictions were secured. This also showed an increase from 2021, when 75 cases were made out and 24 convictions were secured.

Of the 115 cases made out in 2022, 80 were for possession of cannabis, 29 were for possession of cocaine, four were for possession of ecstasy, and two were for possession of methamphetamine.

2 arrested with shotgun during Police operations

Two men are now in Police custody following the discovery of a 12-gauge shotgun at 79km Unamco Road, Upper Berbice River, Region 10, on Monday.

The initial report stated that the discovery was made via an intelligence-led operation by ranks attached to the Kwakwani Police

Station.

However, acting on information received, the ranks conducted a search exercise on the camp of Saif Bacchus in the presence of a 21-yearold labourer of Rosignol, West Coast Berbice, and a 30-year-old operator of Upper Berbice River.

The 12-gauge shotgun was reportedly found about five

feet away from a makeshift tent, wrapped in black plastic.

When questioned, the labourer told the Police that he found the shotgun in the backdam and gave it to the operator to hide.

They were told of the offence committed, cautioned, arrested and escorted to the Kwakwani Police Station pending charges.

The narcotics found in the barrels

The two suspects

The shotgun that was found at the mining camp

30 youths employed for $14M North Sophia community centre project

Some 30 youths are gaining meaningful employment to establish a community centre and safe space for recreation at North Sophia, Georgetown.

The community has signed a contract with the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, amounting to ap-

proximately $14 million.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall explained that this is the first phase of the project. As it progresses, more resources will be allocated. He was joined by Tourism Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond and

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame Mc Coy.

“We’re happy that we have so many young persons employed here. This project will last a few weeks and there are 30 persons employed. It’s part of Government’s commitment to greater collaboration

MMG payment available for upcoming energy conference

within our communities…

Here is going to be a public space that will be upgraded for residents of Sophia, and another phase which we intend to pursue will be the upgrading of the playing area,” Minister Dharamlall stated.

Minister Walrond emphasised that once completed, the facility will be owned by the community and foster unity among the residents.

“This project is going to be owned by the community. It was requested and is being done by the community. This is a true community project and this is going to be a space where [everyone]

has an opportunity to work together.”

She added, “It’s going to be a safe space for the children. Already, there have been requests for the senior citizens to plant flowers when the building is set up.”

While it is a simple project, Minister Walrond shared that organised activities will materialise for children, and a space for educational lessons. Such initiatives are also planned for senior citizens within North Sophia, where they will be able to enjoy fresh air and exercise.

“It will bring tremendous benefit to the community and this is what

they have requested and as Government, we have responded to this request. This is another promise being fulfilled by the Government.”

Chairman of the North Sophia Community Development Council, Uriah France informed that work has commenced on the foundation of the building.

“The building is a 30 by 30 [feet] and a 20 feet span for a shed. We’re building the building now. The fence is not in a good condition so hopefully when we’re finished with it, we can do back the fence and have a complex for the kids to utilise and have numerous activities,” France detailed. (G12)

Mobile Money

Guyana (mmg+), is now an available payment option for purchases of tickets, passes, or any other related documents for the second edition of the International Energy Conference in February.

During a press conference held on Monday, MMG General Manager Bobita Ram shared that this is another dimension for the team at MMG, being its first time in the energy sector.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be a part of the International Energy Conference and Expo this year. You would have seen across the last two years, we were in Government… transportation, recently the Ministry of Home Affairs. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of persons who use us today to pay their bills,” Ram shared.

She added that this implementation will ensure a smooth process of making payments at any time and anywhere at customers’ convenience.

“This is the first time we are in the energy sector and we’re very very happy to be here. I know members of society…, organisations that are going to attend the conference and be a part of it want a seamless way to en-

sure their participation, and that’s where MMG comes in. So, all of the local payments, all of the companies out there that have to buy their passes, you simply go onto the website…, book your passes, your ticket, whatever it is that you’re buying, and then you easily…, in a matter of seconds…, make the payment with MMG,” she explained.

CEO of the International Energy Conference and Expo, Kurt Baboolall remarked that this conference is promised to be an exciting one, as he shared that many companies who were just exhibitors last year are now sponsors for this year’s conference.

“There were a number of exhibitors last year that we see moving into sponsorship role this year, which is a very positive signal to us and they see great value in participating a second time… not only participating a second time but participating at a higher level,” he shared.

The conference will also see the participation of a number of businesses from sectors such as logistics, healthcare, Ministries, telecommunications, companies within the energy sector, and more.

He added that the participation of everyone is im-

portant and he urged small businesses that wish to be a part of the conference to reach out if there aren’t any suitable packages available on the website.

“The secretariat doors are open to any company that may…need a unique solution from our end so I encourage persons to kindly call us or visit our office. We welcome and we look forward to the involvement of everyone at the conference, so kindly reach out,” he implored.

The conference this year, which will be held from February 14-17, will see a total number of 150 exhibitors, 30 sponsors, over 400 delegates and attendees, and approximately 36 speakers including several Heads of State, former Presidents, and multiple oil and gas officials.

Attendance opportunities will also be available for young professionals in both tertiary and secondary levels which will be announced soon.

Present at the press conference was GTT Chief Operating Officer Orson Ferguson, GTT Deputy CEO Richard Stanton, MMG General Manager Bobita Ram, Int’l Energy Conference and Expo CEO Kurt Baboolall and Alex Graham of Tagman Media.

Ministers Oneidge Walrond, Kwame McCoy and Nigel Dharamlall turning the sod with other community representatives and youths (DPI photo)

From left: GTT Chief Operating Officer Orson Ferguson; GTT Deputy CEO Richard Stanton; MMG General Manager Bobita Ram; Int’l Energy Conference and Expo CEO Kurt Baboolall, and Alex Graham of Tagman Media

$10B injected into part-time job initiative

grant, as well as its extension to private school students; and a one-off $28,000 cash grant for pensioners and cash grants to support small businesses.

The job opportunities al-

low for the employees to work for 10 days and earn up to $40,000 on a monthly basis. The jobs are being offered in specific areas within Government Ministries and agencies, and cater to one

person per household. So far, some 11,000 Guyanese are currently benefiting from the programme countrywide, and this would cost the Government some $10 billion annually.

Driver who abused traffic ranks charged

With over 11,000 persons having already benefitted from Government’s parttime job programme, a whopping $10 billion has been allocated in Budget 2023 to facilitate the extension of the initiative throughout this year.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said during his presentation that “in 2023, this programme will continue and will be expanded with $10 billion allocated. The beneficiaries of this programme are encouraged to upskill themselves so they can eventually take up fulltime employment as the labour market is confronted with a shortage of skills in certain areas.”

The part-time job programme was rolled out in 2022 as part of a suite of measures implemented to cushion the rising cost of living.

The initiative has allowed for one person per household to work in public offices in close proximity to their homes for 10 days per month and earn $40,000.

Over 11,000 persons were employed through the programme in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), injecting $2.3 billion into these

households since the programme started in the second half of 2022.

The part-time jobs initiative is one of a menu of measures implemented by the Government to cushion the effects of the cost of living. Along with supporting farmers and cushioning the net effects of the increased cost of freight and the RussiaUkraine war, Guyanese are benefiting from a range of tax incentives. Among these incentives in 2022 were removal of VAT on electricity, water and data; reduction of the excise tax on fuel to zero; in addition to many non-tax measures, such as the oneoff $25,000 relief grant; reintroduction and increase of the schoolchildren cash

careless driving,

native of five weeks’ imprisonment.

He was also fined $25,000 with an alternative of five weeks’ imprisonment for failing to comply with a Police directive and with respect to the obstruction charge, he was also fined $25,000 or faced five weeks’ imprisonment.

Additionally, on Monday, he appeared in Court Three before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, to answer to the offences of abusive language and disorderly behaviour.

-

The charges included

First, he appeared in Court Seven before Magistrate Clive Nurse and pleaded guilty to the charge of careless driving and was fined $25,000 with an alter -

Both charges were read to him, and he pleaded not guilty to both offences. He was granted $10,000 bail on each charge.

The matters were both adjourned to January 30, 2023. Meanwhile, Waterman is expected to appear in court today to answer an additional charge of indecent language.

Paul Waterman, the driver who was caught on camera verbally abusing traffic ranks, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where several charges were read against him.

failure to comply with Police direc

tives, abusive language and disorderly behaviour.

Paul Waterman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday

The driver, Waterman, as he verbally abused the ranks

File photo: Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo engaging some of the part-time workers at the ACCC

Budget 2023 “is for all Guyanese” – private sector, Govt

…lays the foundation for 2030 and beyond

The National Budget 2023 has been praised as one for all Guyanese, setting the foundation for vision 2030 and beyond.

It is regarded as the largest fiscal plan ever presented in the country’s history at 781.9 billion, with a significantly higher increase than the $552.9 billion budget that was produced in 2022 by 41 per cent.

This is the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) fourth National Budget and covers fiscal plans for 2023, presented by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh. Under the theme “Improving Lives for Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow”, a series of measures and allocations were announced in realising the transformation of Guyana.

Guyana Times caught up with Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who regarded the financial framework as people-oriented and strategic, fulfilling promises made to Guyanese when the PPP/C walked the campaign trail in 2020.

“It sets the tone for Guyana's development, modernisation and transformation, taking into account the immediate things

that needs to be done, but also laying the foundation for the future, 2030 and beyond. This is an excellent document, a framework that is outlined that will lead us towards fulfilling the commitments that we made and the mandate which we received from the people when they elected us in March 2, 2020,” Edghill recognised.

No new taxes

Expressing her satisfaction with the allocation of resources was Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, who emphasised that despite being the largest budget ever presented, no new taxes were imposed to burden Guyanese.

“I think Guyanese across all walks of life can be very relieved, very happy with this budget. This budget is in keeping in line with our manifesto commitments, and therefore Guyanese do not have to be worried or surprised by any new taxes. It is the largest budget ever is fully financed with no new taxes and increases in taxes. As a matter of fact, we saw significant reduction in taxes in several areas,” she highlighted.

In her remit, the housing sector’s budgetary allocation increased by over 40

per cent from 2022, which according to her, means more transformation to the lives of ordinary citizens and fulfilling dreams.

“We have a lot of work that we will continue to do in the housing sector and I know a lot of Guyanese will be very happy this year as they see our infrastructure programme continue to roll out and as we make more households available for people, as we do upgrading works within our existing housing schemes, and as we continue to provide safe water for our people… This budget clearly sets us on the path to achieving all of our manifesto commitments and all of our targets that we have set ourselves for five years in Government,” the Minister cited.

Monumental Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), Rafeek Khan expressed that this monumental budget increase was “needed”, as it paves the way for a bright future in manufacturing for Guyana. The 17 per cent allocation for infrastructural works is “commendable”, he noted, since it addresses some of the hindrances facing the sector as it relates to energy and logistics.

“This is the only way

Triumph man granted bail for narcotics possession

Gavin Thompson, 28, a construction worker of Ogle Street Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Monday granted bail in the sum of $20,000 on a narcotics possession charge.

Thompson made his appearance before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court where he pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read to him under Section 4(1) (a) (i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (control) Act, Chapter 10:10.

The matter was adjourned until March 3, 2023.

we’re going to become a manufacturing sector that is going to be vibrant, in order for us to grow industries, develop new industries. We have got to see the increase in the national budget to help in major areas, especially infrastructure and energy. These two areas have been hindering the growth of manufacturing overall for competitiveness. You bring down the infrastructure costs, logistics, energy costs and you’re going to see manufacturing grow,” Khan expressed.

He added, “At least six per cent of the national budget is energy, which speaks to what is expected to happen in 2023. This is where I am seeing the difference that will be made for manufacturers.”

In the energy sector, the Gas-to-Shore Project has received a whopping $43.3 billion from Budget 2023.

He was optimistic that manufacturing will grow even more within the coming year with these changes and as the sector rebounds from COVID.

“Every single sector grew by almost double digits. The manufacturing sector grew by four per cent

and while this may seem a little discouraging, coming out of COVID and trying to rebound and trying to resuscitate our manufacturing sector, I foresee within the next year, you’re going to see projections way above 10 per cent.”

Low energy costs for producers

Additionally, the Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Private Sector Chairman, Halim Khan praised the gas-to-energy project, as it would mean lowered energy costs for producers.

“This project is the single largest investment made in Guyana’s electricity sector and promises to slash local energy costs in half once the project is on-

stream. Overall, the project is pegged at more than US$1 billion…Cheaper power will be an important pillar of development in Guyana as is the transformation of communities and roadways with $136.1 billion being allocated in the 2023 budget to enhance roads and bridge networks across the country,” Khan penned.

Meanwhile, bringing significant relief to the region is the construction of the New Demerara River Bridge – the first high span, four-lane permanent hybrid concrete and cable-stayed structure. With an injection of a further $5.2 billion in this project, the private sector official labelled this investment as “commendable”. (G12)

Gavin Thompson

GMSA President Rafeek Khan

RegionalVenezuela’s teachers march for better pay amid soaring inflation

Teachers, retirees, and workers’ unions have marched in at least six Venezuelan cities to demand better salaries as the Government of President Nicolas Maduro faces renewed challenges in its attempt to fight inflation.

Venezuela’s inflation is estimated to have reached 305 per cent last year, according to a nongovernmental group of economists who calculate indicators in the absence of official data.

The Government has not adjusted the salaries of public-sector employees since March last year, part of efforts to reduce spending and increase taxes which allowed Venezuela to emerge from hyperinflation.

But in the second half of last year, demand for foreign currency outstripped the weekly supply of dollars made available by the central bank and the Venezuelan bolivar depreci-

ated further.

The minimum monthly salary for a public school teacher is about US$10, while university professors earn between US$60 and US$80.

“Our salaries are peanuts. I earn 460 bolivars a month [about US$23],” said Odalis Aguilar, a 50-year-

old teacher who marched in the city of Maracay on Monday. “We need a living wage.”

In the central state of Carabobo, teachers and public sector employees also held demonstrations, saying salaries do not cover the cost of food and medicine.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Cham criticises Holness, Clarke over "silence" on

Recording artiste Cham, formerly known as Baby Cham, is calling on Prime Minister Andrew Holness and finance minister Nigel Clarke to release a statement regarding the massive fraud that has reportedly wiped out sprint legend Usain Bolt’s retirement investment at Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL).

Bolt, who reportedly invested just under US$10 million in SSL, is said to have only US$2000 left in his account after fraudulent

activity by a former employee of the company was discovered.

Cham questioned the lack of response by the relevant authorities and implored those in charge to take action and have the sprinter reimbursed.

“How someone like Usain Bolt that has given the country so much and has done so much for the country, tourism on a whole, just giving so much joy to the people… how them can fraud this man of his retirement money and I don’t hear the

Minister of Finance [Nigel Clarke] speaking out, I don’t hear the Prime Minister [Andrew Holness] speaking out? I don’t hear the people who we put in these power to oversee and make sure they protect Jamaicans?” Cham questioned.

The artiste stated that this fraud case reflected poorly on the entire country and questioned if it is that “Jamaicans shouldn’t invest in our own country?”

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

219 earthquakes in El Salvador over 24 hours

At least 130 homes have been impacted by a burst of seismic activity in El Salvador, leaving over a dozen people in shelters, the Central American country's Government said on Monday.

Authorities reported 219 earthquakes from Sunday afternoon until Monday morning.

No deaths have been reported, but the tremors have damaged homes and caused at least 20 landslides, prompting officials to declare a red alert for towns in the department of Ahuachapan, the epicentre of the seismic activity.

"We are working on evaluating the houses in order to meet the population's needs,"

Luis Amaya, Director of El Salvador's civil protection agency, said at a press conference.

The largest earthquake occurred at 17:07h on Sunday, at a magnitude of 5.1 and a shallow depth of nine kilometres in the mu-

nicipality of San Lorenzo, experts from the civil protection said.

Crews of public workers arrived at the scene on Monday to remove debris, while authorities set up eight emergency shelters in the area. (Reuters)

Brazil boosts security in capital as riot investigations progress

Authorities in Brazil’s capital have moved to increase security at Government buildings that were ransacked by thousands of former President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters in what the Government denounced as an “anti-democratic” attack.

Brasilia district authorities said on Monday that they would more than double the security deployment at the Esplanade of Ministries and Three Powers Square, areas where the Government’s

presence is concentrated.

Acting district Governor Celina Leao also told reporters that a Military Police battalion in charge of security would be boosted from 248 to 500 members on a permanent basis for “maximum peace of mind”.

The changes come just over a week after Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace on January 8 in an effort to contest the new administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lula and other Brazilian government leaders have denounced the attack — which saw rioters destroy pieces of art and smash windows and furniture — as “terrorist acts and criminal, coup-mongering vandalism”.

The left-wing president, who was formally sworn in on January 1, narrowly defeated Bolsonaro in an October presidential runoff that was widely viewed as the most divisive election in the South American nation’s history. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T marks 200 days to the Commonwealth Games

Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday marked 200 days to the start of the Commonwealth Youth Games, set to take place in this country from August 4-11. The event will see more than 1000 young athletes, from 72 Nations and Territories across the Commonwealth, compete in seven sports - Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics and Para Athletics, Cycling (Road and Track), Triathlon, FAST5 Netball, Rugby Sevens, and Beach Volleyball.

Athlete, venue and logistics planning for the Games are on track and moving forward at pace. Preparations will further accelerate over the coming months, with Trinbago 2023 promising to be a vibrant and spe -

cial event, that will inspire young athletes around the Commonwealth.

The competition for places will be fierce, with National Governing Bodies gearing up for qualification events and excitement

high among young athletes eager to participate in the Games. With so many determined to compete, the contest for medals is sure to be thrilling and action-packed. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Brazil's Lula to end industrial tax IPI, VP says

Brazilian leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will seek to end the industrial tax IPI, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said on Monday, which would continue an exemption policy initiated by his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro.

At an event hosted by Sao Paulo's industry group FIESP, Alckmin acknowledged that the current Administration considered reversing Bolsonaro's 35 per cent IPI tax reduction, amid discussions on how to slash this year's primary budget deficit.

But Alckmin, who is also Lula's Minister of Industry and Trade, pointed out that the idea, which industrialists rejected for increasing the sector's production costs, was abandoned.

"We managed to get that removed, not incorporated into the (fiscal) pro -

posal. It wasn't incorporated and the next goal is to end the IPI, and ending the IPI is (through) tax reform," he said.

Alckmin reiterated that the Government would now push for tax reform in Latin America's largest economy, adding it was "essential to industry".

The tax is levied on companies manufactur -

ing and importing products, such as refrigerators, cars, air conditioners and televisions. It is raised or lowered by presidential decree, without the need for congressional approval.

Bolsonaro cut the IPI by 35 per cent last year, in an effort to boost economic activity that the COVID-19 pandemic has dented.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Teachers, other public workers and pensioners marched in protest in several cities in Venezuela, saying salaries do not cover the cost of food and medicine [Ariana Cubillos/AP photo]

Trinidad and Tobago Organising Committee President Diane Henderson (TTOC photo)

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Bolt’s missing funds

Oil holds in sight of recent highs on Chinese demand recovery hopes

Oil prices slipped on Monday but were holding near their highest levels this month as easing COVID restrictions in China raised hopes of a demand recovery in the world's top crude importer.

Brent crude fell US$1.08, or 1.3 per cent, to US$84.20 a barrel by 2041 GMT.

US West Texas Intermediate crude was down US$1.01, or 1.3 per cent, at US$78.85 in thin trade on a US public holiday.

Both contracts rose more than 8 per cent last week for the biggest weekly gains since October after China abandoned what remained of its zero-COVID policy by reopening its borders on Jan 8.

China's crude imports rose 4 per cent year-on-year in December, and an expected resurgence in travel for the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of the week raised the outlook for demand for transportation fuels.

"The narrative that Chinese growth is going to add to demand is playing a very large part here. There could be as much as a million barrels per day of demand returning," said Bart Melek, head of commodity market strategy at TD Securities.

Traffic levels in China are rebounding from record lows after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in stronger demand for crude and oil products, ANZ analysts said in a note.

But reports over the weekend highlighting an increase in COVID-19 deaths tempered sentiment.

The United Arab Emirates' Energy Minister, Suhail alMazrouei, said on Monday that oil markets were balanced.

"Brent may now be stabilising in the US$85-US$90 range, with WTI just a little lower around US$80-US$85," said Craig Erlam, a senior market analyst at OANDA.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the International Energy Agency will release their monthly reports this week, watched closely for indications on the outlook for global demand and supply.

Investors will also keep an eye on the World Economic Forum in Davos, which opened on Monday, and a Bank of Japan meeting this week to determine if it will defend its super-sized stimulus policy. (Reuters)

Italy's most-wanted Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro arrested in Sicily

Italy's most-wanted Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested in Sicily after 30 years on the run.

Messina Denaro was reportedly detained in a private clinic in Sicily's capital, Palermo, where he was receiving treatment for cancer.

He is alleged to be a boss of the notorious Cosa Nostra Mafia and he was tried and sentenced to life in jail in absentia in 2002 over numerous murders.

More than 100 members of the armed forces were involved in his arrest.

Italian media reported that Messina Denaro was captured just before 10:00 (09:00 GMT) and taken to a secret location by the Carabinieri. He was reportedly visiting the clinic under a fake name for a course of chemotherapy.

A video circulated by Italian media appears to show people standing in

the street and applauding the Italian Police as Messina Denaro is led away.

These are some of the murders he was convicted over: the 1992 killing of anti-Mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, the deadly 1993 bomb attacks in Milan, Florence and Rome; the kidnapping, torture and killing of the 11-year-old son of a mafioso-turned-state witness.

Messina Denaro once boasted he could "fill a cemetery" with his victims.

The Mafia boss also oversaw racketeering, illegal waste dumping, money-laundering and drug-trafficking for the powerful Cosa Nostra organised crime syndicate.

He was reportedly the protege of Totò Riina, head of the Corleone clan, who was arrested in 1993 after 23 years on the run.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Around the World

Death toll from strike on Ukraine apartment block rises to 40

The death toll from a Russian missile strike in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro rose to 40 on Monday, with dozens more missing, making it the deadliest civilian incident of Moscow's three-month campaign of firing missiles at cities far from the front.

Ukraine says the mass civilian deaths, which it describes as terrorism, demonstrate why it needs more weapons to defeat Russian forces 11 months after they invaded. Russia denies intentionally targeting civilians.

German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht resigned on Monday as her Government came under rising pressure to let allies send Ukraine German heavy tanks, at the

start of what looks like a pivotal week for Western plans to further arm Kyiv.

Officials acknowledged little hope of finding anyone else alive in the rubble of Saturday's attack in the central city of Dnipro, but President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the rescue op-

eration would go on "as long as there is even the slightest chance to save lives".

Dnipro was in mourning on Monday.

A serviceman in uniform laid flowers and sobbed, clutching his head in grief next to an impromptu shrine to the dead at a bus stop

across the street from a gaping hole where the apartment block had stood.

The missile flattened all nine storeys in a section of the long concrete housing unit. Rescue workers shovelled through debris more than 48 hours after the attack.

Russia, which since October has been conducting large scale strikes on Ukrainian cities mainly targeting power generation infrastructure, said it was not to blame for the destruction in Dnipro as it was caused by Ukrainian air defences. Kyiv says the apartment building was hit by a Russian ship-to-ship missile, a type that Ukraine does not have the capability to shoot down. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Burkina Faso: 50 women abducted by suspected rebels

Gunmen abducted some 50 women in Burkina Faso’s northern province of Soum on January 12 and 13, the Government has said.

Armed men seized the women as they were picking wild fruit outside the village of Liki, about 15 kilometres (9.32 miles) from the town of Aribinda, and in another district west of the town.

“As soon as their disappearance was announced, efforts were launched to find all of these innocent victims safe and sound,” Sahel regional governor LieutenantColonel Rodolphe Sorgho said in a statement on Monday.

“All means available are being used, in the air and on the ground, to find these women,” a security source

told AFP news agency.

“Aircraft are flying over the area to detect any suspect movement.”

According to local officials, the army and its civilian auxiliaries have carried

out unsuccessful sweeps of the area.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for the release of about the women in a statement on Monday.

“I call for the immediate

and unconditional release of all the abducted women and for the national authorities to promptly conduct an effective, impartial and independent investigation to identify those responsible and hold them to account,” Turk said.

One of the world’s poorest countries, Burkina Faso has been struggling to contain violent activity by armed groups with links to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) that spread from neighbouring Mali in 2015 despite costly international military efforts to contain it.

Thousands of civilians and members of the security forces have died and some two million people have been displaced, and forced to live in makeshift camps.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Six people dead in California home shooting, including 6-month old baby

Six people, including a 17-year-old mother and a six-month old baby, were killed in a shooting at a home in Goshen, California, on Monday, authorities said, describing the attack as targeted and calling it a "horrific massacre."

Six victims were shot dead at the 6800 Block of Harvest Road, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux told reporters on Monday.

Boudreaux added there were at least two suspects who had not been caught.

"We also believe that this is not a random act of violence. We believe that

this

narcotics search warrants were conducted by the sheriff's office at that resident last week.

heard and found the victims as they arrived on the scene. Some victims were found in the street while others were found in the house.

One victim was found alive and wounded when authorities arrived on the scene and was later pronounced dead at a hospital, Boudreaux said.

Boudreaux did not immediately share further details.

The official added that

Authorities responded early morning on Monday after multiple shots were

"I do have more information but I'm not at liberty to discuss at this point," he said. "We have potential information, which will hopefully lead to potential suspects."

(Reuters)

A view shows a kitchen inside an apartment block heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine January 15, 2023

A soldier of the Burkina Faso Army poses on the top of an armoured vehicle during a patrol in the Soum region in northern Burkina Faso on November 12, 2019

was a targeted family. We believe that there are gang associations involved in this scene, as well as potential narcotics investigations," Boudreaux said.

DAILY HOROSCOPES

Your creative drive will push you above and beyond your dreams, but before you sprint toward the finish line, consider the logistics behind your plans. Avoid emotional spending.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

An unexpected change will limit your achievement. Look for an alternate route, and reach out to those who owe you a favor. Keeping up will require skill, precision and innovation.

You've got your mojo in high gear and are on the road to victory. Concentrate on what's most important to you to avoid taking on too much and falling short. Learn from experience.

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

Don't make a faux pas because you are underprepared and overly confident. Pay attention to detail, and strive to put your imprint on whatever you pursue. Change will be necessary.

Rewards are apparent. Plan to do things you enjoy. Attend a function that allows you to mix business with pleasure or to expand your circle of friends. Follow through on your promises.

SUDOKU

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

It's best to clear your calendar before you take on a new project. An unusual conversation will offer insight that overhauls how you think and proceed. Validate what you hear before passing it along.

Show off what you have to offer. Don't limit what you can do because you are scared or intimidated by someone unpredictable. Consider what and who moves you, then head in that direction.

Expect to face opposition at home and when dealing with partners. Refuse to let your emotions jump in and take control. Giving someone the upper hand will make your journey difficult. Be direct.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Question your motives before you make a move. Your heart must be in the right place to get the best results. An improvement at home will give you the space you need to take on a new project.

Observe, listen and be reasonable. Overreacting will put you in a precarious position. Keep life simple, make positive changes at home and set up a plan to help you save for something important.

Take a moment to collect your thoughts and consider how best to respond to what's happening around you. Don't be afraid to take the road less traveled. Be secretive regarding your plans.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Let your creativity lead the way. Presenting who you are and what you can do will attract attention. An opportunity to meet with someone who recognizes your talents is apparent.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

ARCHIE PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

DILBERT

Pant "forever grateful and indebted" to individuals who took him to hospital

In his first public comment since his car accident on December 30, Rishabh Pant has singled out two individuals, Rajat Kumar and Nishu Kumar, saying he would be "forever grateful and indebted" to them for ensuring he was taken to hospital safely.

Pant put out a series of tweets on Monday evening, saying his "road to recovery had begun" and thanking the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI); Jay Shah and Government authorities for their "incredible support".

"I am humbled and grateful for all the support and good wishes," Pant wrote. "I am glad to let you know that my surgery was a success. The road to recovery has begun and I am ready for the challenges ahead.

"I may not have been able to thank everyone individually, but I must acknowledge these two heroes who helped me during my accident and ensured

I got to the hospital safely. Rajat Kumar & Nishu Kumar, thank you. I'll be forever grateful and indebted.

"From the bottom of my heart, I also would like to thank all my fans, team-mates, doctors and the physios for your kind words and encouragement. Looking forward to see you all

on the field."

The road ahead for Pant, however, remains uncertain after he had surgery to reconstruct two knee ligaments on January 7, with a third surgery expected after six weeks. He is likely to miss out on most fixtures in 2023, among them the Test series

against Australia and the Indian Premier League (IPL). India are also the hosts of the 2023 OneDay International (ODI) World Cup in October-November this year. After his car hit a divider

around 05:30h on December 30 while he was driving to his hometown of Roorkee in Uttarakhand from Delhi, Pant was initially treated at a local hospital before being taken to the Max Hospital in Dehradun

for further treatment. He was then airlifted to Mumbai on January 4 so that his knee could be operated on urgently, and is expected to continue his rehabilitation in the city for a while. (ESPNcricinfo)

Nadal overcomes Draper in 4 sets to begin title defence Liverpool need to go "back to basics" – Klopp

Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp says his struggling team need to go "back to basics" to improve their form.

The Reds were beaten 3-0 by Brighton on Saturday and are ninth in the Premier League – 10 points off a top-four spot.

They have conceded eight goals in their last three games, and lost three of their previous six matches.

"We have to be more compact," said Klopp before the FA Cup third-round replay at Wolves today, which is live on BBC One from 19:30 GMT.

Rafael Nadal secured his first win of the year as he began the defence of his Australian Open title by beating Jack Draper 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1.

The number one seed did not have it all his own way against the Briton, but ultimately the class and fitness of the 36-yearold made the difference as Draper – 15 years Nadal's junior – appeared to be heavily affected by cramp later in the match.

Nadal had lost six of his last seven tour-level matches coming in, but gained the advantage after he managed to break at 6-5 up in an even first set against the bigserving Draper.

Draper fought back emphatically as he raced

into a 4-0 lead in the second, seeing it out comfortably to level up at 1-1, but he appeared to start cramping just two games into the third set.

Nadal took advantage and went 4-1 ahead, but the Spaniard did not always seem at his confident best himself as some uncharacteristic errors allowed his opponent back in, with Draper breaking back and managing to get to 4-4.

Nadal was able to break again to take the set 6-4, and despite Draper breaking serve in the opening game of the fourth, that was his last success of the match as the 21-yearold's legs clearly started to affect his movement and serve, with Nadal finding it

simple enough to close out the win.

Data slam: Nadal matches Lendl for career wins

This was the 1068th win of Nadal's career, bringing him level with Ivan Lendl.

The 22-time grand slam winner is now tied for third most victories in the Open Era, behind only Jimmy Connors (1274) and Roger Federer (1251).

Winners/Unforced errors

Nadal – 41/46

Draper – 35/46

Aces/Double faults

Nadal – 6/3

Draper – 13/3

Break points won Nadal – 6/12 Draper – 4/11 (Sportsmax)

"The pitch looks too big when we are defending. You have to go back to basics and from there you can make steps.

"We have to do some things slightly different and some things the same. All the success in football starts with solid defending and that's what we have to do again."

"It is my responsibility that they perform"

Klopp called his side's performance at Brighton "bad, really bad", and said it was up to him to turn his side's fortunes around, while reiterating it was unlikely any more new signings would follow Dutch forward Cody Gakpo in January.

"We look outside as well. It's not that we're stubborn and think, 'We'll go with these boys until 2050'. That's not how we see it," he said.

"It is all about what you can do and what you want to do – but much more important what you can do.

"If solutions for us were out there, available and do-able; of course, we would bring in players to help, but we have an existing squad as well and we are under-performing, I know that.

"But I can't sit here and blame the players every time. It is my responsibility that they perform.

"Yes, we have limited options, but we have players with a contract here, they are just not available. If they would be all-in, it would be a different situation.

"Our squad is not too small. Do we have to strengthen? Oh yes. Is this the right moment to do it? I can't see it because of the situation we are in.

"The situation doesn't change, even though we lost another game since the last news conference."

Wolves took the FA Cup

tie to a replay after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, but the Midlands side were left angered when they had a potential winning goal ruled out for offside.

Wolves centre-back Toti thought he had scored to make it 3-2, but the linesman had deemed a player to have been offside earlier in the move – and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) had no camera angle available to provide any evidence to overturn the decision.

"Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world," said Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.

"The quality of his [Klopp's] players, the Coach, his history.

"I'm sure they're going to come here and look to do a big match. We have to be ready to overcome them.

"The FA Cup is going to be an important aim for them – us too – we have to fight to overcome one of the best teams in the world." (BBC Sport)

Rishabh Pant

Pant shared a photo of his heroes on social media

"Competitive" Tiger Rentals league off to promising start

The Tiger Rentals National Under13 Developmental League is the first of its kind for the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and with three weeks of competition done and dusted, the fruits of the concept are already being witnessed.

During the last playing day, Guyana Times Sport caught up with GFF Technical Director (ag) Bryan Joseph, who was enjoying the competitiveness that the youngsters brought to the tournament.

“It’s really good that we’ve been able to get this Tiger Rentals U13 going. So far, we’ve seen some really good showing, especially by the Upper Demerara Academy, in terms of the structure and how they play. But I think it’s been very competitive,” Joseph shared.

He added, “It’s a good opportunity for us to have a chance to see the best U13 players in the country, and I think that has been going pretty good so far.”

The Developmental League,

according to Joseph, has a number of objectives, foremost is the GFF’s intention to put the most talented players in that age group under its radar.

As such, Joseph went on to explain how the GFF intended to continue scouting players for the Academy Training Center (ATC) programmes.

The Technical Director disclosed, “The big objective here is trying to get our best players in the Academy. So,

we’ve found a really good format and that format allows the Academy to play fortnightly, as well as allow the regional clubs to play fortnightly. So, there’s a constant scouting taking place when, in the association, the clubs are playing each other. That’s a good opportunity for the Academy coaches to go out there, find the best players and invite them into the Academy.”

“So, we anticipate by the end of this tournament, we would be

Retirement funds wiped out; sprinter fears he won't

able to comprise the very best U13 players in the country.”

The Tiger Rentals U13 tournament is a key component in finding talent to build Guyana’s national core of youth players.

On this topic, Joseph noted, “And that is a stepping stone for CONCACAF Under15s, because we build from U13, then we do CFU [Caribbean Football Union] U14, which would be this pool of players, then the following year they do CONCACAF U15. So, I think it’s a good foundation for us going forward.”

Shifting focus to other aspects of the tournament’s structure, Joseph touched on the need to maximise playing time and exposure to competition.

“We’ve actually created a good model to ensure that there’s as much match time as possible. Even though the games are played for one hour, there are rules in there that ensure that every player gets an opportunity to play,” the acting TD shared about that aspect of

the U13 tournament.

Revealing another ‘rule’ that is aimed at developing the youngsters’ understanding of the game, Joseph said, “Also, we’ve done a bit of tweaking, in terms of the information that is given to players. We’re monitoring that closely. The Coaches are only allowed to coach in 15-minute windows. So, that allows the kids the opportunity to play and make their own decisions.”

National U12 Rapid Chess tournament set for January 28

“So, it's good for the growth and development of the players,” he added.

Last weekend, it was the ATCs’ time to get in on the Under13 action, when Upper Demerara, West Berbice and East Bank registered wins. (Jemima Holmes)

Jamaican sprint legend

Usain Bolt is staring at a wipeout of his heavy investment at Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL) and is now fearing that the monies, which he had hoped to access in his later years, will likely not be recovered.

A Jamaica Observer source said the information was delivered to Bolt's management team last week just before the company went public about a massive fraud that sources say amounts to more than $1.2 billion.

Bolt is among more than 30 persons whose investments at SSL are believed to have been fleeced by a wealth advisor.

Last Thursday, SSL issued a statement saying that it had "become aware of fraudulent activity by a former employee of the company".

The company said that following initial internal investigations, it "referred the matter to the relevant law enforcement authorities to facilitate a thorough and complete examination of all aspects of the matter".

Added the company, "To ensure this, we have taken steps to secure those assets and strengthened internal protocols to detect suspicious

activity in the shortest time possible."

The company also said it would "continue to liaise and cooperate fully with law enforcement throughout this investigation and ensure that the responsible party faces the full consequence of the law".

At the weekend, the Observer source said SSL was aware of the fraud since August; however, the employee suspected of involvement was still employed by the company up to last Wednesday.

That was the same day that Bolt's team met with SSL representatives after requesting a meeting last December following the Olympian's yearly review of his financial portfolio, at which point he had noticed the discrepancy.

After Bolt's team brought the matter to the attention of SSL, the company revealed that it had been doing an investigation into other matters to which the employee allegedly "confessed", but until then the company was not aware that Bolt had also been affected.

Bolt, the source said, opened the account in 2012

and never made a withdrawal. He is said to have invested just under US$10 million. However, the source stated that only US$2000 remains in the account.

The source also suggested that the magnitude of the fraud involved more than one person, and the authorities are looking at that possibility.

Efforts by the Observer over the weekend to confirm this information with the company were not successful.

Late last Thursday, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) said it has issued directions to SSL barring it from engaging in sales or trading of assets without the permission of the FSC.

"These directions are a supervisory tool to allow the FSC to engage an entity in a process of enhanced oversight," the regulator said.

"In the case of SSL, this enhanced oversight reflects the need for the FSC to have a full view of the integrity of the transactions being conducted, including the movement of funds and of securities into and out of SSL."

The FSC also said it would continue its investigations into matters related to SSL.

(Jamaica Observer)

The DeSinco National Under12 Chess Championships return on January 28, 2023, at the School of the Nations.

Players will participate in a seven-round tournament with games limited to 20 minutes with five additional seconds per move. This year’s one-day rapid tournament will be held in person and is open to all chess players under the age of 12 at the beginning of 2023. Round 1 is scheduled to start at 09:00h.

The Under12 Nationals were last held on January 15, 2022, on tornelo.com, an online chess platform. At that time, 45 players competed for the title, with Alexander Zhang winning the open category and Kristin Xavier winning in the girls' category.

Interested players can register through guyanachess.org. Registration is free for members of the Guyana Chess Federation and is only done online. Children who are not registered with the Federation and still wish to compete can pay a fee of $2000 via MMG. Deadline for registration

(6pm) on January 27, 2023.

The top three finishers in the Open Division and Girls' Division respectively will receive prizes. Prizes will also be awarded for the best Under10 boy and girl and the best Under8 boy and girl at the end of seven matches.

This year's Under12 title is expected to be keenly contested. Anticipation is high for amazing games from players like Nicholas Zhang, Aquilani Swaminadha, and the Mohabir brothers, Julian and Landon. Kataleya Sam, Chelsea Harrison, Skyler Gurchuran, and Saudia Deo, among others, are also set to compete in the girls' category.

The Guyana Chess Federation is deeply grateful to DeSinco Trading Limited, the sponsor of this championship. DeSinco has been a long-time supporter and committed partner in the development of chess in Guyana, particularly at the youth level.

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for the tournament is at 18:00h

Track legend Usain Bolt

15 wickets tumble as Harpy Eagles match completed in 3 days

By Brandon Corlette at ProvidenCe

The Guyana Harpy Eagles' first four-day practice match was completed inside three days at the Providence Stadium after 15 wickets tumbled on an overcast day.

Chanderpaul's XI completed victory by nine wickets, after restricting

XI ended on 22-1 in 1.4 overs. Savory was unbeaten on 14 from six balls, an innings that had three boundaries while Tagenarine Chanderpaul was on five not out. Chandrapaul Hemraj was dismissed caught behind off Nial Smith for a golden duck.

The scores in the match were Permaul's XI 261 all out in 86 overs, while

Anderson shows promise for Permaul's XI

Permaul's XI started their second innings trailing by 168 runs. Rampertab Ramnauth lived dangerously after pulling a Shamar Joseph delivery. The 17-year-old Ramnauth was eventually caught off a short delivery from Joseph.

Joseph, a promising Berbician who was supported by his family in the stands, produced beautiful deliveries as he took control in overcast conditions. He produced a peach of an outswinger to remove the solid Tevin Imlach caught at the wicket for four. That wicket was Joseph's sixth of the match.

At lunch, Permaul's XI reached 26-2 with Matthew Nandu and Kevlon Anderson at the crease. In the afternoon session, Anderson started to groove in as he punched Demetri Cameron for four through backward point and then drove him to extra cover for four.

Gudakesh Motie then mesmerised Nandu, in an over where he kept the teenager on his front foot. Eventually, Nandu offered a return catch to Motie, ending his promising innings of 24 after he faced 52 balls. Nandu and Anderson featured in a 38-run partnership for the third wicket.

involved in a mix-up, with both batsmen left running towards one end. Yearwood, the man from Malteenoes, displayed a lack of sportsmanship in his response to the run as Anderson, who was approaching a half-century, was run-out. Anderson faced 101 balls for his score of 40, an innings decorated with seven classy fours.

Garfield Benjamin was then dismissed for a duck off a top delivery from Jonathan Rampersaud, a dream off-break. At tea, Permaul's XI reached 131-6 from 41 overs, trailing by 37 runs. Yearwood was unbeaten on 20 from 29 balls, while Ronaldo AliMohamed was on four, after dispatching Rampersaud for a boundary

off his first ball.

After tea, wickets tumbled, and Yearwood (21) was again involved in a runout, and he departed on this occasion. AliMohamed, who struck a six, was out the next ball, as leggie Zeynul Ramsammy produced a full toss which saw the batter finding the fielder at mid-on for 13.

Ashmead Nedd (22) and Junior Sinclair (18) struck some boundaries, but the innings closed on 186 all out in 53 overs. Joseph claimed 2-17 while Kevin Sinclair had 2-20 in nine overs.

Beaton bounces out Chanderpaul's XI

Resuming the third day on 378-6, in overcast con-

ditions, Chanderpaul's XI had a poor start when Kevin Sinclair failed to add to his overnight score of 40. He followed a short ball from Ronsford Beaton, and was caught at first slip with the score on 378-7 in 87.5 overs.

Clinton Pestano got off the mark with a streaky boundary past gully, but Beaton was breathing fire. He bounced out Antony Adams, who had stood firm in his 35-ball 23. Adams was caught at third slip off the bowling of Beaton after stroking four boundaries. Adams and Pestano added 31 runs for the eighth wicket, taking Chanderpaul's XI's score to 409-8.

Joseph looked uncomfortable, as he was troubled by the express pace of Beaton. He was removed for a duck, falling to a quick short ball from Beaton. Pestano, on the other end, played some delightful drives, stroking five fours in his 21. He enjoyed the bowling of Nial Smith, but he was circumspect against Beaton.

Veerasammy Permaul's XI to 186 all out in their second innings.

Kemol Savory, who made 170 in the first innings, hit the winning runs in a target of 20, as Chanderpaul's

Chanderpaul's XI made 429 all out in 98.1 overs. In the second innings, Permaul's XI scored 186 all out in 53 overs, and Chanderpaul's XI made 22-1 in 1.4 overs.

Akshaya Persaud had a nervy start to his innings as his teammates were buzzing with words upon his entry. Persaud's uncertainty at the crease was then exposed as Kevin Sinclair produced an arm ball to trap the lefthander at the crease for 15. Persaud had faced 38 balls in his scratchy innings.

At 84-4, Shamar Yearwood partnered Anderson. The pair were

Number 11, Demetri Cameron took his chances against Beaton, as he stroked three fours in his 12. AliMohmaed claimed his second wicket of the innings when he removed Pestano with a short ball to end the innings of Chanderpaul's XI on 429 all out in 98.1 overs, for a lead of 168 runs. Beaton ended with 4-84 in 24 overs, including three maidens. AliMohammed had 2-27 in his 8.1 overs.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles are scheduled to play one more practice match ahead of the first-round match of the West Indies championships in Antigua, against Barbados from February 1.

Ronsford Beaton and his team celebrate

Kevlon Anderson looked solid in his 40

Beaton prepares to deliver

Shamar Joseph delivered a brilliant outswinger to remove Tevin Imlach

Finance Minister, Ashni Singh, on Monday evening announced a mammoth $4.3B budget for Sport in 2023; during the presentation of the National budget at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC), Liliendaal.

This year’s massive budget allocation for Sport signals a vast improvement on allocations for previ-

ous years. In 2022, the sector received a whopping $2.2B allocation, which was at the time the highest that Sport had ever seen. That was also an improvement on the $1.5B allocation from 2021.

“The sum of $4.3 billion has been allocated in budget 2023 for the for the development of sport,” Singh told the National Assembly on Monday evening.

This year’s sport budget will cover major infrastructural work, for instance, a state-of-the-art Stadium at Palmyra, new facilities in the hinterland regions and the rehabilitation of the Cliff Anderson’s Sports Hall (CASH).

Singh explained, “Provision has been set aside for the establishment of a National cricket Academy, with the construction of the stateof-the-art stadium a Palmyra also slated for this year.”

“Additionally, provision is made for other

sports infrastructure and development, including construction of multipurpose sporting facilities in the hinterland, rehabilitation works at the Cliff Anderson’s Sports Hall, construction of stands and grass mounds in Regions 2 and 6, extension of the Squash court at the National Racquet Center and procurement of sports gear,” he further revealed.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will also be able to continue their work on community grounds across the country, with a third con-

secutive budget allocation going towards that ongoing project.

“In addition, sir, the sum of $250 million is budgeted for the continued improvement of community grounds across the country,” Singh disclosed.

The $2.2B allocated to sport in 2022 encompassed $1.4B for infrastructural works. Work for the Synthetic Tracks in Regions 6 (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice), the construction of multipurpose sport facilities in Regions 2, 6, and

10, erection of stands at the National Track and Field Center (NTFC), West Coast Demerara, rehabilitation works at the National Stadium, Providence and improvement of community grounds all fell under the infrastructural umbrella.

Meanwhile, in 2021 $1.5B was allocated to sport, with $320M of that sum going towards the development of professional athletes and coaches. Work to improve community grounds was also another major component in that budget.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh