Guyana Times - Tuesday, November 28, 2023

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

Issue No. 5567

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Venezuela border controversy

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

P2 Body of Corentyne man found wrapped in hammock

Soldiers, Police remain vigilant at borders to detect acts of aggression ...says "every movement" by – PM Phillips Venezuelan forces being monitored

Swan man P8 confesses to killing teenager during argument – to be sentenced in January 2024

Security officer confesses to stealing revolver, matching ammo P2 from PGS

President Dr Irfaan Ali accepted the Letters of Credence from the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Guyana, Christophe Nicolas Eick at State House on Monday. Following the accreditation, President Ali and Ambassador Eick, along with Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, engaged in bilateral discussions

Venezuela’s claim on Essequibo poses significant threat to aviation sector – Edghill See story on page 7

...urges stakeholders to play their role in reinforcing Guyana’s sovereignty

$13.3B EcclesBoat captain to-Diamond 4-lane allegedly Page 2 highway to strangled to open next month death, thrown – Min Croal Page 7 overboard Govt continues talks with Qatar Airlines, other int’l carriers to ply Guyana route – Min Edghill ...emphasises importance of improving aviation sector

Berbice P11 Chamber to start construction of $30M headquarters in January 2024 GMSA launches inaugural “Impack Manufacturers” Summit P14 Stalls destroyed as fire erupts at Corriverton Market P17

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2 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Boat captain allegedly Body of Corentyne man found wrapped in hammock strangled to death, T thrown overboard

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Dead: Kumar Narine

he lifeless body of 28-year-old Kumar Narine, a boat captain of the Jib Housing Scheme, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), was pulled from the Essequibo River in the vicinity of Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima Waini), on Wednesday and family are suspecting foul play.

His mother, Tejwattie Sookraj during an interview with Guyana Times stated that she was informed that her son had drowned and was found floating in the Essequibo River.

Aggrieved Sookraj

mother,

Tejwattie

However, shocking revelations have emerged, leaving family members to think otherwise.

"I get a message that my son get murder in Port Kaituma. When they get the body, it was good on Thursday afternoon and then we got a next call on Saturday saying the body spoiled and that the body had to go in a shallow grave and will take out Monday to do the post-mortem," the mother related.

Sookraj further added

that a post-mortem examination conducted on her son’s body allegedly proved that he was strangled to death. In addition, his body was severely injured. The family suspects that after being murdered, he was thrown overboard.

"When they do the post-mortem on he, they checked the stomach and find no water and they said he didn't dead from drown so they cut his head and saw that that receive a hit in his head and they check his tongue that proves he get choke and throw overboard," the grieving mother stated.

The mother has since called for justice for her son and is hoping that the Police can find the perpetrators Sookraj added that her son had over a decade of experience working at sea while describing him as a very peaceful person who avoided conflicts. Up to press time, the Police had not released any information on the incident. (Raywattie Deonarine)

he gruesome discovery of the body of a 54-yearold man wrapped in a hammock along the Number 77 Village, Corentyne access road on Sunday is being investigated by homicide detectives.

The dead man has been identified as Michael Jackson, a father of three of No 72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The body was discovered in a clump of bushes with a wound to its head, by residents. Jackson reportedly worked as a labourer in the community.

Following the discovery, his wife, Jenny Smith, related that he had left home between 19:30h and 20:00h on Saturday evening to visit a friend at Number 77 Village.

According to Smith, he was expected to return home within a few hours, but he never did.

However, after time had elapsed and he did not return home, Smith thought he was spending the night at the friend’s house.

“I say he probably get

Dead: Michael Jackson

drunk and say when he catches himself, he will come home, but I didn’t see him come home.”

She, however, became worried after he did not show up on Sunday morning.

“We had planned to go to the beach, but after he didn’t show up, we went and waited for him there but still I didn’t see him… it was after 2 o’clock, I get to know that he was dead – my husband dead.”

The devastating news, she stated, was relayed to her by one of her nieces.

However, the dead man’s cousin, who resides at Number 77 Village, said it was a friend who informed her that Jackson’s body was discovered along the road’s shoulder.

She said it was about 10:00h and by the time they got to the scene, they were told that Police had removed the body hours before. She said the information reaching her was that his body was wrapped in a hammock.

Jackson’s cousin is hoping that the Police investigate the matter thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice.

“It’s a life and I don’t think that they should have done that to him. Whatever he would have done to them, I don’t know but they could have reported it rather than take it in their own hands.”

The Police have launched an investigation into the murder. (Andrew Carmichael)

Security officer confesses to stealing revolver, matching ammo from PGS

The gun and ammunition found hidden under the suspect’s bed Security Officer Horace Thomside

A

security officer attached to the Professional Guard Service (PGS) was on Saturday arrested for stealing a firearm and several rounds of ammunition belonging to the security firm.

Based on reports received, Alton Mars, a driver who also works at the same company, reportedly signed and collected eight .38 revolvers and two shotguns from the duty officer on Friday morning after which he placed them under the mat in the front passenger seat of the motor car he was driving.

He then proceeded to Pradoville at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), where he picked up Horace Thomside of Adelaide Street, Charlestown, to take him to his workstation at Saffon Street, Charlestown, but in-

stead, he ended up at Case Diamond located on East Street, Georgetown, where he issued a .38 revolver to a guard on duty.

He along with Thomside then travelled to New Building Society (NBS) and Caribbean Airlines on Avenue of the Republic where again, he issued one revolver each to the guards on duty at the two sites.

The driver then drove to Saffon and Broad Streets, Georgetown, where he dropped off Thomside and issued him with a .38 revolver.

According to the Police, Mars then went to another site, this time in Agricola, Greater Georgetown, to issue another .38 to a guard but on checking, he discovered that a .38 revolver and five rounds of ammunition were missing.

As such, he immediately contacted the duty of-

ficer and informed her of the missing firearm. This prompted an investigation during which several checks were made at the various worksites where Mars had made drop-offs during the morning session but the firearm and ammunition were not located.

However, the matter was reported to the Police, thus resulting in the arrest of both the driver and Thomside on Saturday.

During interrogation, Thomside admitted to stealing the firearm and hiding it under his bed. He reportedly took the Police to his home in Charlestown where the firearm and five marching rounds of ammunition were found wrapped in a sock hidden under the bed.

Thomside was told of the offence committed and was taken into custody. He is expected to make his court appearance during the week.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, Nov 28 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Wednesday, Nov 29 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Nov 28 – 16:35h – 18:05h and Wednesday, Nov 29 – 05:35h – 07:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine and thundery showers during the day. Expect clear skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 16:51h reaching a maximum height of 2.73 metres.

Low Tide: 10:26h and 22:54h reaching minimum heights of 0.66 metre and 0.5 metre.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2023

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Soldiers, Police remain vigilant at borders to detect acts of aggression – PM Phillips ...says "every movement" by Venezuelan forces being monitored

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anks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyana Police Force (GPF) have been posted along the country’s border with Venezuela and are tasked with reporting any act of aggression by the Spanishspeaking neighbour to the Government.

Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips made this disclosure on Monday as he discussed Guyana’s position on the Venezuela referendum during the Observer AM programme in Antigua and Barbuda. According to Phillips, who was once at the helm of the GDF, ‘every movement’ by Venezuela Forces is being monitored at the border region.

“Our men and women of the Guyana Defence Force and Guyana Police Force remain ever vigilant on our border. In other words, we already have soldiers and Police deployed on our border. We recognise that diplomacy is our first line of defence. Our policemen and soldiers are deployed at the border to define aggression and in the shortest possible time, report any acts of aggression to the Central Government of Guyana…We are prepared to defend Guyana with what we have,” the Prime Minister stated.

He opined that rather than mobilising troops to wage aggression at Guyana, Venezuela should seek to fix the economic crisis befalling the nation and creating suffering for its people.

“Whatever reports of increase or decrease in deployments or construction of facilities, they’re all taking place on the Venezuelan side of the border. We continue to monitor and update our international partners…We are people who believe in peace, and respect for international law and order.

We expect that Venezuela should literally reconsider that deployment and increase in troops that they had at the border and just focus on improving the economic, social and political situation at home.”

The United States Department of Defence has stepped up to offer a high-level presence this week in Guyana, with teams scheduled to visit in December.

The senior Government official noted that this visit presents an opportunity for the Department of Defence

Prime Minister Mark Phillips discusses Guyana’s position on the Venezuela referendum with host of the Observer AM, Jacui Quinn

to be updated by Guyana’s Government, and for the position to be reinforced that the ICJ process must be allowed in an uninterrupted manner to progress to a finality.

He added, “It also sends a strong message throughout the Region and hopefully to Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro that this is not only a controversy that has a negative effect on the development of Guyana but it will have a negative effect on the entire Latin American and Caribbean Region.”

The Prime Minister drew attention to the grave instability which this matter brings not only to the two countries but the entire Region – which has been built on a pedestal of peace and stability.

“We are a peaceful people. We respect international law and we expect peace to reign in our

Region. While this may be a controversy with the border, it has a negative impact of creating instability not only in the two countries but throughout our Region – a Region that we are proclaiming to be of peace and stability…

This particular controversy raised by Venezuela has the potential to make our Region unstable.”

Heartened by the fact international organisations such as Caricom, Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States and many others have condemned Venezuela’s move, the Prime Minister reiterated Guyana will continue to abide by the rule of law and pursue the case through the legal powers of the World Court.

Phillips underlined, “Essequibo belongs to Guyana and we don’t know how a country could go to

their people through a referendum to annex part of another country. We will not have any of that. We will defend Guyana. We, however, expect that international law will rule here on this matter. We’re confident that the International Court will rule in our favour.”

At this time, the Government is expending efforts to engage communities across the country amid the December 3 referendum by Venezuela, in which it seeks to annex Guyana’s Essequibo region and integrate it into a new territory.

Guyana approached the World Court in March 2018 seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties as well as legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of the country’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

The Spanish-speaking neighbour has laid claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in the Essequibo region and a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which nearly 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered largely by United States oil giant, ExxonMobil.

The Guyana Government has already declared its commitment to resolve this longstanding border controversy with Venezuela through the legal process at the World Court. (Rupa Seenaraine)

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

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Being grateful

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housands of locally-based Guyanese just celebrated on Thursday the American holiday of Thanksgiving, which has, over the years, inexorably infiltrated these local shores, much to the dismay of some of their countrymen.

These Guyanese traditionalists have viewed askance this phenomenon, despairing that it was proof positive of the wholesale Americanisation of our culture and our status as 'mimic men'.

Of all the Americanisms to adopt, the celebration of Thanksgiving is one of the more benign and can redound to our benefit if we truly grasp the concept of giving thanks and being grateful. The Thanksgiving Day celebration dates back to the early 1600s, and commemorates the Native Americans saving the Pilgrim immigrants who arrived on the Mayflower – the seminal event regarded as the founding of modern America – from starvation and exposure by teaching them how to plant crops, to hunt and to fish as well as other survival skills (That their settler descendants would eventually reward that act of kindness by pushing the native inhabitants out of the land they so generously shared and the accompanying misery that went with that dispossession are topics for discussion another day).

At the first Thanksgiving, which was called to celebrate the settlers’ first harvest, undoubtedly, the overwhelming emotion was gratitude: gratitude to their rescuers, gratitude for life, gratitude for salvation.

It is good to have gratitude, to give thanks.

Being grateful, according to scientists, is crucial to true happiness. The Harvard Medical School states, “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.

“People feel and express gratitude in multiple ways. They can apply it to the past (retrieving positive memories and being thankful for elements of childhood or past blessings); the present (not taking good fortune for granted as it comes), and the future (maintaining a hopeful and optimistic attitude).

Regardless of the inherent or current level of someone's gratitude, it's a quality that individuals can successfully cultivate further.

“Two psychologists, Dr Robert A Emmons of the University of California, Davis, and Dr Michael E McCullough of the University of Miami, have done much of the research on gratitude. In one study, they asked all participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics.

“One group wrote about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. A second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them, and the third wrote about events that had affected them (with no emphasis on them being positive or negative).

After 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. Surprisingly, they also exercised more and had fewer visits to physicians than those who focused on sources of aggravation.

“Another leading researcher in this field, Dr Martin EP Seligman, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, tested the impact of various positive psychology interventions on 411 people, each compared with a control assignment of writing about early memories. When their week's assignment was to write and personally deliver a letter of gratitude to someone who had never been properly thanked for his or her kindness, participants immediately exhibited a huge increase in happiness scores. This impact was greater than that from any other intervention, with benefits lasting for a month.”

So, rather than being an indication of the counterfeit, local celebrations of Thanksgiving, if participants live up to the name of the holiday would lead to a fuller, richer life.

It is to our ultimate benefit to be grateful and give thanks for the many blessings that accompany life and the Creator responsible for such.

President Dr Irfaan Ali greets the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Guyana, Gilles Roduit at State House on Monday. Ambassador Roduit presented his Letters of Credence to President Ali in the presence of Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and Ambassador Elisabeth Harper

Essequibo is we own!!!

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

5

News

Focus on promotion, respect for human rights during IACHR's visit A

delegation from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will be in Guyana from November 28 to December 1, 2023, as part of a technical cooperation and promotional visit.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organisation of American States (OAS), whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere. It is composed of seven independent members who serve in their personal capacities.

The visits are conducted within the framework of the actions that the IACHR highlighted as priorities when approving its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

These visits, according to the IACHR, aim to provide technical cooperation on institutional matters and

public policies with a focus on human rights while also deepening awareness of State agents and increasing the capacities of State and nonState actors to promote and respect human rights.

There is also a component of the visit which will focus on engaging and raising awareness among civil society organisations (CSOs).

As such, the Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Ministry in collaboration with the IACHR, has composed a rigorous schedule of activities for the visiting delegation, including protocolar meetings, numerous sectoral meetings with critical ministries and statutory agencies, engagements with constitutional bodies with human rights mandates, a panel discussion open to high school and university students, and site visits to a

diverse range of development projects.

The delegation will also be conducting private meetings with other international and regional partners such as the UN Country Team and Caricom.

The visiting delegation will consist of Commissioner Margarette May Macaulay

(IACHR President) along with Commissioner Roberta Clarke; Chief of Staff of the ES/IACHR, Patricia Colchero; Senior Advisor, Caribbean Affairs, Paul Spencer; Specialist, Technical Cooperation and Public Policies, Wendy Singh and Press and Communications Official, Ana Paula Suarez.

In June 2023, Guyanese, Dr Christopher Arif Bulkan was elected a Commissioner on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to serve from 20242027.

He was nominated by the Government of Guyana for the position on the basis of his extensive experience in

human rights as an advocate, jurist, academic and policy adviser.

He had previously served as an expert member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee during the period 2019-2022, where he authored and co-authored several individual opinions, and in January 2024, will become the first Guyanese to officially take up a seat on the IACHR. Meanwhile, the Government welcomes the IACHR delegation to Guyana and expresses the State’s profound gratitude for the unwavering support of the Organisation of American States (OAS), and further reiterates the country’s collective commitment to protecting democracy and fundamental human rights with the goal of improving the lives of every Guyanese.

Dr Henry Jeffrey has it wrong again Dear Editor, It is regrettable that Dr Henry Jeffrey has published yet another letter to the editor that is full of elementary errors and racialised exhortations. This is quite regrettable in a time when there is a foreign enemy masquerading at our front gate. Instead of authoring a piece conducive to national unity, the former PPP Minister opted to dig up old bones and reassemble them in ways that give succour to his racialised incantations.

Dr Jeffrey’s first error is that he thinks that the Guyana-Venezuela matter before the ICJ is a bilateral matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. An MA thesis done at CUNY by Aaron Homer (2018) correctly characterises Venezuela’s “predilection for bilateral negotiations” versus Guyana’s insistence for a “judicial solution” through the ICJ. The

ICJ is the quintessential multilateral institution in the modern state system, and certainly in the current world order.

Jeffrey’s next jeopardy concerns the PPP’s supposed ethnic ideology. It is more than an error. It is more like plunge in a black hole where truth, as is the case with matter, has no possibility of survival. The case of ethnic ideology is built bizarrely on an ancient letter written by Cheddi Jagan in 1951. In that letter to the Czechoslovak Communist Party, Dr Jagan belted out some political positions popular in anti-colonial struggles. There is no mention of race. None. Yet, Jeffrey massages the document into a racial text despite the complete absence of anything resembling race.

Those who study linguistics, semiotics, and grammatology (the latter in the sense used by Derrida) know that

signs are constituted by linking a signifier with a signified, and that the sign, therefore, is arbitrary. Signs are invented. They take on further meaning through communicative investments, that is, by someone loading up the sign with their own represen-

tations. Instead of responding to Robin Singh characterisation of LFS Burnham based on the history of that era, he chose to convert Jagan’s anti-imperialism into anti-African racism. This is nothing short of an intellectual swindle and it should be con-

demned. This racially tinged bullyism has no place in Guyana today.

Finally, let me say that to try and blame Burnham or Jagan for what Maduro is doing is ridiculous. It is time to treat the historical record with some intellectual de-

cency. To label the critique of Burnham’s authoritarianism as racist, is the equivalent to those who equate the critique of Netanyahu as anti-Semitic!

Sincerely, Dr Randy Persaud

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:30 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:05 13:35 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00

(Sign on) Inspiration Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stay Woke Guy's Grocery Games BBC Travel Show Stop Suffering Paternity Court Divorce Court News Break Movie - Santa's Squad (2020) Wheel of Fortune Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir S5 E18 The Tom and Jerry Show S2 E24 Indian Soaps Sydney to the Max S2 E5 Austin & Ally S3 E10 The Young & The Restless CNN Teaching the Truth in Love The Evening News Stop Suffering Stand-up Comedy Dynasty S4 E8 Blacklist S8 E9 Squid Game: The Challenge E1 Sign off

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

Test Questions

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Community starts with kindness.

Being kind might sometimes feel like a muscle that needs to be exercised. Here’s a simple idea for families or youth groups to try.

Find an old jar and decorate it if you like. Have each child write down a random act of kindness on a strip of paper and add it to the kindness jar. Kids can add more than one strip at a time if they are inspired, or you can go more slowly and have kids contribute one idea each day, until the jar is

filled up.

Next, invite kids to dip into the jar to choose a kindness idea. Talk about it together and decide if this is something you can do right away, or plan to do in the near future. Give kids the chance to talk about their act of kindness.

What will your kindness notes say? Here are a few ideas, in case you need to get the brainstorming going: • Make a handmade card for a family member or friend • Do a chore without being asked

(for example, putting my toys away) • Ask someone to share their “roses and thorns” from that day • Invite a child to join your game — someone who may be shy or lonely • Offer a hug to someone and tell them why you like them so much • Write a silly poem

Try this!

You can also use a kindness jar to collect kindness: collect change to donate funds to help others or use your jar to grow a plant that everyone takes care of. (startwithabook.org)

Kind hearts are the gardens, Kind thoughts are the roots, Kind words are the flowers, Kind deeds are the fruits.

Take care of your garden, And keep out the weeds, Fill it with sunshine; Kind words and kind deeds.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuela’s claim on Essequibo poses significant threat to aviation sector – Edghill ...urges stakeholders to play their role in reinforcing Guyana’s sovereignty

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hen the National/ Aviation Safety Seminar got underway on Monday, professionals in the aviation sector were reminded of the significant threat that Venezuela’s efforts to annex Essequibo, pose not only on Guyana’s sovereignty but the aviation sector itself.

During the seminar, the aviation professionals were addressed by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.

Edghill’s warnings about the risk to the aviation sector, come against the background of Venezuela’s belligerence towards Guyana and its Essequibo territory, which it is seeking to annex

via its planned December 3 referendum.

“If Venezuela is allowed its false and disruptive plan, to take Essequibo by force and the use of unlawful means, it means a significant destruction to our aviation (sector). because Essequibo is the region where most of our aviation

$13.3B Eccles-to-Diamond 4-lane highway to open next month – Min Croal

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he Eccles to Diamond four-lane highway on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) is scheduled to be officially opened in December, according to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal.

The road, stretching from the Eccles Dumpsite Road to Diamond, was constructed at a cost of $13.3 billion and was awarded to 12 contractors in December 2021. “[The road] will be open by the second week of December. Initially, it was from Eccles to Great Diamond, and then we extended it from Great Diamond to Diamond [Housing Scheme] …So that will be the stretch that will be commissioned,” Croal explained.

The project had an 18-month timeline to be completed and included the construction of more than 30 reinforced concrete bridges, two roundabouts, and a total of 9.4 kilometres of reinforced concrete road.

The first phase of the four-lane road, from Mandela Avenue to Eccles Road, was commissioned last year, and a total of $2.6 billion was invested in the initial phase of the project.

In September this year, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali commissioned the Eccles/Haags Bosch roundabout which connects the Mandela Avenue to Eccles stretch of the road. That roundabout connects four areas - Georgetown, Ogle (East Coast Demerara), Eccles and Peters Hall (East Bank Demerara).

Contracts totalling $11 billion have already been awarded to advance the thoroughfare from Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam, Craig.

The details of the project are yet to be revealed.

This four-lane road project is a result of efforts by the President Dr Irfaan Ali-

led Government to ease traffic congestion on the East Bank, which not only leads to the country’s main port of entry – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) – but also fields traffic coming from West Demerara.

These projects run alongside the India-funded bypass road project which would link the East Bank Demerara corridor to the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), creating a new highway in the backlands.

The Indian Government had provided a US$50 million Line of Credit (LoC) for the road link that was initially slated for Ogle, ECD, to Diamond. Under the previous Government, however, the project was at a standstill for several years.

Having taken office in 2020, the People’s Progressive Party Administration has since

redesigned the project into three phases to fit the LoC. President Irfaan Ali has notified that approximately eight interconnecting roads are likely to be built between Eccles and Diamond, to connect old and new highways.

In Budget 2022, an allocation of $2.1 billion was made for the widening and paving of the East Bank highway from Grove to Timehri. In January 2023, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved some US$100 million to commence the Diamond/Grove to Timehri Road project.

Significant investments are particularly being made in advancing the road network to provide better access between the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara, and soon, the two districts will become better integrated into one big city.

Aviation professionals and Government officials stood united at the seminar in reaffirming Guyana’s territorial integrity

activities take place.”

In laying out the importance of the aviation sector, Edghill noted that there are some communities in the hinterland only accessible by air. In fact, he noted that more than 95 per cent of all domestic aviation is between the coastland and the hinterland. Edghill therefore urged the aviation sector to join the Government’s campaign of reinforcing that Essequibo belongs to Guyana.

“In Guyana, as it relates to our domestic aviation, a significant amount of trade takes place between the hinterland and the coastland.

The livelihood of many people depends on aviation in the hinterland. There are communities in the hinterland only accessible by air.

More than 95 per cent of all domestic aviation, is between the coastland and the hinterland,” the Minister said.

“So, I use this opportunity at this seminar today, to call upon all the aviators to join the Government and people of Guyana, with slogans on your aircraft.

Let’s fly it high, throughout the 83,000 square miles of Guyana, that Essequibo belongs to Guyana,” Edghill added.

Guyana’s Spanishspeaking neighbour has laid claim to more than twothirds of Guyana’s landmass in the Essequibo region, and to a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which nearly 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered largely by United States oil giant ExxonMobil.

Over the past few weeks, Guyana has been informing regional and international partners of the referendum planned by Venezuela for December 3, which has been criticised by the United States, Caricom, and the Organisation of American

States (OAS), as well as several other nations in the Region, including Brazil, for seeking to, among other things, gain a national consensus to annex Essequibo.

In addition to its substantive case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Guyana is currently seeking an injunction from the ICJ against Venezuela’s efforts to annex Essequibo via its planned December 3 referendum.

In an effort to stop the referendum from leading to the annexation of Essequibo, the Guyana Government presented its case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by urging the Court to not only protect Guyana’s rights but also its own authority which Venezuela is trying to undermine. The Court was also informed of Venezuela’s mobilisation of its military on the border with Guyana. (G3)

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US citizen nabbed with ganja during sting operation granted bail

A

fter pleading not guilty to the accusation of trafficking a quantity of marijuana, Daniel Islam was released on $60,000 bail on Monday.

The 21-year-old American citizen who resides at Enmore/Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that he had 132 grams of cannabis sativa in his possession on Friday, November 24, 2023, at Camp Street, Georgetown.

He is employed by an ECD bakery.

Siand Dhurjon, Islam's attorney, told the court that his client and two other men— one of whom is a friend— were travelling in a vehicle when they were stopped by the Police during a sting operation.

Dhurjon claims that the illicit substance was found in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, concealed in a bag on a mat. Additionally, he stat-

Daniel Islam

ed that Islam does not own the vehicle. Noting that Islam was sitting at the back of the vehicle, the lawyer argued the defence of multiple occupancy in his petition for reasonable bail. The lawyer claimed that the men tried to sell the marijuana to his client.

He further stated that his client's residence on Waterloo Street in Georgetown was searched by the Police, but

nothing illegal was discovered. He added that Islam had been physically attacked by the Police and coerced into making certain statements.

Dhurjon stated in his request for reasonable bail that Islam visits Guyana regularly and is presently filing for status here. He said that the defendant was prepared to follow through on any terms stipulated in the bail agree-

ment, such as lodging his US passport and reporting to the local Police.

Since Islam was born in the United States, the prosecutor argued that he constituted a flight risk and opposed his release. The prosecutor said Islam's parents are both Guyanese. But the prosecutor's objections were rejected by the presiding Magistrate.

In the end, Islam was given $60,000 bail with conditions.

He has to lodge his US passport with the clerk of court of the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts and report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, located on Vlissengen Road in Georgetown, once every two weeks commencing from December 8.

If he disobeys these orders, his bail will be revoked.

Islam will return to court on December 18, when the case will be called again for disclosure of witness statements, and exhibits.

Swan man confesses to killing teenager during argument – to be sentenced in January 2024

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wenty-five-year-old Rickland Bovell on Monday confessed to stabbing 18-year-old David Toney to death during an argument at Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) back in 2019.

The cabbage farmer of Swan Village, SoesdykeLinden Highway, appeared before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow

at the Demerara High Court where the charge was read to him.

After listening to the charge, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Police stated that on April 19, 2019, at the Timehri Docks, he unlawfully killed Toney. Bovell will return to court on January 8, 2024, for

sentencing.

It was reported that on the day in question, Toney of Alliance Road, Timehri, EBD, was fatally stabbed while his father and stepmother were injured during a brawl with a group of men at the Timehri Docks, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Guyana Times had reported that the now dead teen

Accused, Rickland Bovell

Murdered, David Toney

and his stepmother, Judieth Hosea, intervened in a fight between his father, Mark Toney, and a group of men, who were reportedly drunk.

Hosea had related that the fight stemmed from an argument over who would pack their truck with cabbages.

She said after the argument broke out, one of the men attacked her husband and a scuffle ensued.

It was then, Hosea added, that she and her now dead stepson intervened to make peace but they too were attacked by the group of drunk men.

The woman recalled feeling a sharp object inserted into her left shoulder followed by another on her left hip.

She then retreated but saw the group of men hitting the teenager about his body.

According to Hosea, she did not know David Toney was being stabbed until he ran a short distance away from the attackers and collapsed. He was stabbed at least three times, twice to his abdomen and once to the chest.

Method to…

N …Maduro’s madness

ow, some may think your Eyewitness is just “t’rowin’ talk” when he dubs that cartoon character on our western border, “mad”. The fella isn’t mad like “wacko” or “looney” or even a “madcap” – who is “eccentric”, or weird”. Maduro’s so mad for power, he’s willing to play out the “farce” that follows “tragedy” that Marx warned us about. A man who threatens war to hold on to power when over seven million of his citizens have fled like beggars to neighbouring countries is beyond sanity. This former bus driver proves he isn’t guided by reason – but passions of the basest kind.

The kind of passion that motivates demented dictators who’re convinced they have the key to Utopia. And by golly, they don’t mind if EVERYONE has to die while they “prove” their point! Older folks remember Burnham and his “cooperative socialism” panacea, don’t you? Look how more than half of our population lives abroad!!

Maduro can talk fat, because he has fighter jets and tanks and troops manned by officers galore who’re now backing him because of Chavez’s seizure of power with their support. After all, they’ve been asked to run almost all institutions – including the sputtering oil industry now being revived by Chevron. They live high off the hog – emaciated as the latter may be!! So, yes, we GOTTA take Maduro’s megalomaniac-sounding threats seriously. Remember when he had his navy seize two of our fishing boats and their crew a couple years ago? A US vessel was in the vicinity, and he was thumbing his nose at the Americans as much as threatening us.

He must figure that with all the challenges Biden’s facing domestically – a sputtering economy, a resurgent China, plummeting polls now that Trump has signalled he’ll be running again, Biden won’t want to embark on a foreign expedition. But he chooses to ignore that one way Biden can placate the resurgent right – which received 74 million votes last time – would be to follow JFK’s lead in the sixties and show he’s tough on “commies”! At that time Guyana was on the American bad books while today, Venezuela’s earned their ire”! As the world turns – so do the tables get turned!

But the real madness is that Maduro’s basing his border threat on the claims of an angry junior lawyer who represented Venezuela at the 1899 Arbitral Commission. He lost for Chrissake!! What else do you expect him to say?? He was a mediocre lawyer? PrevostMallet claimed there was a “deal” between the UK and Russian arbitrators to “fix” the border in favour of the UK. The claim was published fifty years after the Award and after he’d died!

And most importantly, after all the arbitrators had died. What madness! ...and transforming swords Not long after President Ali assumed office, he vowed to create a “Corridor of Unity and Oneness” on the East Coast. Well, today, it’s all Guyana and your Eyewitness remembers a passage from Isaiah. He paraphrases: In days to come/ the mountain of the Corridor of Unity and Oneness / shall be established as the highest of aspirations, / and shall be raised above the fray;/ all the nations shall stream to it.

Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the Corridor of Unity, / to the house of Oneness;/ that they may teach us their ways/ and that we may walk in their paths.’/ For across the land shall go forth instruction, / and the word of the message of Oneness.

The Commission shall judge between the ethnic groups,/ and shall arbitrate for many peoples/ they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,/ and their spears into pruning-hooks;/ Groups shall not lift up sword against groups, / neither shall they learn war anymore.” …the PNC’s disarray Your Eyewitness keeps worrying about the survival of the PNC – essential to our democratic credentials. Could it be that some of the contestants for power want to destroy it and start anew??

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

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

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Pres Ali departs for COP28 in Dubai – slated to return on Saturday

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali departed Guyana on Monday for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he will be leading a delegation at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP) 28.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and a number of other Government officials are also scheduled to participate in the event which commences on Thursday, November 30, and will conclude on December 12, 2023.

President Ali is expected to return on Saturday, December 2.

Guyana is expected to push climate financing, forest incentives and its model Low

Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). It will also co-chair the group of forested countries in the Commonwealth, in providing guidance on the environment.

Only last week, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo stated that Guyana will be raising its voice at the conference to solicit funding for climate adaptation measures for small-island and low-lying coastal developing states that stand to face the imminent brunt of climate change.

He stated that while Guyana has the necessary finances to activate climate adaptation mechanisms, this is not the case for many vulnerable nations in the Caribbean.

The Government had engaged the internation-

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

US President, Joe Biden

King Charles III

al community ahead of COP28, to solicit support in moving forward the issues that are important to Guyana and the Caribbean. The position of Caricom is rooted in their advocation for funding in areas of adaptation, and loss and damage.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has already called

out developed countries over their failure to fulfil the US$100 billion per year pledge to assist developing nations fight against climate change.

This year, the Government forged a striking multi-year agreement with United States energy major Hess Corporation for the sale of high-quality carbon credits to the tune of a whopping US$750 million.

The money received from the carbon credit agreement with Hess would total US$150 million by the end of 2023.

Some $22.5 million has been disbursed to 242 Amerindian villages where 500 projects are under implementation. The sum of

US$122.5 million remains in an account to be used for adaptation funding.

However, the conference is expected to be attended by leaders from over 200 countries from around the world. King Charles III is expected to address the gathering.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported on Sunday, that US President Joe Biden will not attend the major United Nations climate summit. A reason for his non-participation was not provided.

For the past two years, President Biden has attended the annual UN climate conference. In 2021, he travelled to Glasgow for the talks, where he

apologised for the United States briefly pulling out of a global climate pact under President Donald J Trump, who mocked climate science.

Last year, he made a three-hour stopover in Egypt for the summit, where he reasserted American leadership in the global fight against climate change, and promoted the passage of the country’s most significant climate law. That legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act, is pouring at least $370 billion into clean energy over the next 10 years.

Biden told the assembled leaders that it would help the rest of the world pivot away from fossil fuels.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt continues talks with Qatar Airlines, other int’l carriers to ply Guyana route – Min Edghill ...emphasises importance of improving aviation sector G

uyana continues to have talks with a number of airlines, including those from Qatar, Ghana and South Africa to operate the Guyana route, but Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill has also emphasised the importance of investing in the human resource capacity of the aviation sector.

Guyana’s attractiveness as an investment destination has stoked the interest of airlines around the world to operate flights here.

Such destinations include Qatar, Ghana and even South Africa, all of whom Public Works Minister Juan Edghill noted the Government remains interested in having talks with.

The Minister was at the time speaking at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) safety seminar, where he referenced the importance of continuing to lift Guyana’s aviation standards when it comes to not only technology but human resource capacity.

“The last thing a pilot wants is to come from a long flight and can’t land.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

We have to have improved conditions to ensure they are confident that they can land. So, we want to talk to Qatar Air about coming to Guyana, Ethiopian Air about coming to Guyana, KLM (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines) to come to Guyana, and Ghana Air to come to Guyana. Possibly South Africa too.”

“When they finish all those long flights, we must be able to have the technology and the people properly trained to ensure that no matter what the condition, rain, fog… they can land in Guyana. So, today’s investment in this seminar is to

ensure our performance is optimal,” Edghill said.

The Minister recalled that there was a time when pilots being unable to land was a common occurrence.

Now, however, he reported that this has been reduced. He noted that the training of aviation personnel in using Air Navigation Services (ANS) equipment, has played a major role.

“There was a time in Guyana when we used to have flights returning or being diverted. Because of conditions, they couldn’t land, particularly in the morning hours. With the technology equipment and training of our people in ANS, such occurrences have been reduced significantly… reduced by 90 per cent. And that is good,” the Minister said.

Guyana had signed an air services agreement as far back as 2018 with Ghana, initiating the process to facilitate direct flights between Guyana and Ghana.

The agreement was signed after the hosting of the third African Diaspora Meeting, where an assessment had found that it usually takes

more than 38 hours to fly from a Caribbean country to Africa.

An air service agreement was also signed with Qatar in 2019. The agreement had permitted Qatar’s national carrier, Qatar Airways, to operate any number of passenger and cargo flights as well as cooperation between the carriers concerned. It had been reported at the time that Qatar Airways would be given permission to have an operation centre in Guyana to fly to any country in the Region and other regions as well.

This potential link would open a route for passengers wishing to head to Asia, or

to destinations in Africa.

Additionally, it had been reported that a Qatar central hub would open up massive connectivity opportunities for the citizens of Guyana.

Meanwhile, an agreement was inked between Guyana and Saudi Arabia in 2022, to promote and facilitate the expansion of international air services opportunities between the two countries. Presently, there is no direct flight operating between the two countries.

With the new document, airlines can now ply the route, thereby widening connections, trade and economic growth.

There have also been

talks about Ethiopian Airlines flying the Guyana route on a scheduled basis.

The airline, which recently brought over 250 delegates to the second AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF23), has copped the ‘Best Airlines in Africa’ award on several occasions from Skytrax World Airlines Awards.

It was also announced earlier this year that the Government is looking to expand flight options to Europe through the Netherlands, by working to get the flagship carrier of the Netherlands – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines – to operate direct flights here. (Jarryl Bryan)

Berbice Chamber to start construction of $30M headquarters in January 2024 velopment at Palmyra will provide more opportunities within the region. He nevertheless, implored those present to explore the many business opportunities that might be available.

“Your responsibility now is to identify that which you are best able to do in a competitive man-

An artistic impression of the chamber’s headquarters

T

he Berbice Chamber of Commerce and D e v e l o p m e n t Association (BCCDA), which is the second-oldest chamber in Guyana is expected to commence construction of its $30 million head office and complex facility by January 2024.

This was disclosed on Sunday by President of the Chamber, Samantha Reid during a fundraising event called “Brunching with Bosses”.

The event was attended by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat.

According to Reid, the new facility, when completed, will not only serve as its headquarters but also as a hub for training and capacity-building programmes.

She said this is part of the chamber’s long-term strategy to empower the local business community, especially small enterpris-

es.

“We recognise that many businesses face challenges in areas such as management, accountability, and sustainability. Through initiatives like these, we aim to provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive and achieve longevity.”

In realising that dream, Reid said significant strides have already been made. “We have started the planning process and hope to commence construction as early as January. It is incredible to see our members coming forward with contributions, including building materials, showing their commitment to this cause.”

She stated that two companies have already pledged $3 million combined towards the project.

However, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh explained that the vast de-

ner, either mobilise your capital or enter into strategic partnerships in order to mobilise your capital and invest in a viable business opportunity that you would have identified. We must resist the temptation of ‘looking across the table’ and assuming that because the man ‘across the table’ is doing ‘X’, you can

do ‘X’ too. Each one of us must know what our relative expertise is and what our relative competence is,” Minister Singh said.

He further encouraged persons to carefully consider the opportunities available before deciding on where they want to invest. “I urge you to do so and to take a long serious

look at all of the exciting opportunities – you know that we are doing a lot of construction work but not everybody knows construction work. Construction may be what you are good at or maybe what you are not good at and maybe you should be looking at something else.” (Andrew Carmichael)

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Death of Justice Prem Persaud

His life was a long, fulfilling one, dedicated to public service – AG Nandlall – GBA remembers him for his enduring contributions to legal fraternity

Justice Prem Persaud

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here has been an outpouring of tributes from the legal fraternity following the death of former Judge Prem Persaud, who passed away on November 26 at the age of 86.

He was a British-trained lawyer who was born in Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD). He joined

the Bench in the early 1960s as a Magistrate of British Guiana and remained there till he was promoted to Puisne Judge around 1986. For a brief while, he was also Chief Justice.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, said Justice Persaud enjoyed perhaps one of the longest careers of public service in the legal sector in Guyana.

“He was possibly the longest-serving Magistrate in the entire Commonwealth.

After serving as a High Court Judge for several years, Justice Persaud was appointed a Justice of Appeal to the Court of Appeal of Guyana.

As a Justice of Appeal, he delivered several landmark judgements in various areas of the law which will continue to guide lawyers and Judges alike for many years to come,” said the Attorney General in a tribute posted on his Facebook page.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Upon his retirement, Nandlall said Justice Persaud held several crucial posts, including being the longest-serving Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, a member of the Judicial Service Commission for several years, Chairman of the Trade Union Recognition Board for many years, and

head of the Guyana Public Service Co-operative Credit Union Limited.

Nandlall added, “No doubt Justice Persaud's life was a long, fulfilling one, dedicated to public service and in service to the people of Guyana spanning over six decades.”

Despite the high offices held, Nandlall said that Justice Persaud remained grounded, humble and affable. “We were neighbours in Prashad Nagar for nearly two decades. We enjoyed great relations. His morning and afternoon walk from his home to the University of Guyana along the sea wall and back were well-known.

Many looked forward to meeting with him on these walks.”

Nandlall recalled that Justice Persaud visited the Attorney General’s Chambers in August and gifted him a compendium of his leading written judgements.

“He was always ready and willing to offer legal advice and guidance. Many would have benefitted therefrom over the several decades. I visited him a few weeks ago at his home.

“We chatted for a long time. Little did I know that would be our last conversation. He will surely be missed but his contribution and legacy shall live on.”

Meanwhile, Justice Persaud made enduring contributions to both the legal and physical landscapes of

Guyana, according to a statement from the Bar Association of Guyana.

“There are many comparisons made during the lifetime and on the death of a member of the legal profession. The comparisons are made with physical stature, the use of that stature, and the manner in which it is applied to the legal career,” the Bar noted.

Justice Persaud was the father of Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud; brother of Senior Counsel Vidyanand Persaud and uncle of Prabha and Vidushi Persaud, both attorneys-at-law. Nandlall and the Bar have expressed condolences to Justice Persaud’s wife, children, and extended family.

GMSA launches inaugural “Impack Manufacturers” Summit – slated to be held in March 2024

GMSA President Ramsay Ali alongside PSC Chairman Komal Singh, GCCI President Kester Hutson, GMSA Executive Director Nizam Hassan and members of GMSA's Board

T

he Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) on Monday launched the inaugural “GMSA IMPACK Manufacturers' Summit”, scheduled for March 2024.

This landmark event will bring together major Caribbean players to address challenges and explore opportunities in various manufacturing sectors, with a focus on enhancing Guyana's competitive edge in the region's manufacturing landscape.

Among the attendees was the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Komal Singh; President of the GMSA, Ramsay Ali; President of the GCCI, Kester Hutson; members of GMSA’s board and other private sector representatives.

Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association (TTMA), Dr Mahindra Ramdeen also attended the event virtually.

The Summit aims to position Guyana as a leading manufacturing hub in the Caribbean by fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation among local and regional manufacturers.

It will tackle critical is-

sues such as access to finance, supply chain, labour, energy efficiency, and government policies, to develop practical strategies that boost the competitiveness and sustainability of the manufacturing sector in Guyana and the broader Caribbean region.

"The summit presents a unique opportunity for local manufacturers to gain valuable insights, establish connections with regional counterparts, and explore potential partnerships that can drive growth and expansion."

President of GMSA, Ramsay Ali stated.

In addition, the President of GCCI, stated "We want to see real progress and effective implementation of the ideas and strategies discussed during the two-day event" while endorsing the summit and emphasised its role in fostering regional partnerships.

"This will provide an opportunity for deliberate conversations on policy and enable an environment that will cause businesses to grow in a sustainable manner,” he reaffirmed.

Chairman of the PSC, also commended the GMSA for the bold initiative and also the summit's potential to drive economic growth and diversi-

fication.

"I want to thank the GMSA for being bold and taking the initiative to develop the local manufacturing sector," Singh added. Also expressing support for the summit, Dr. Ramdeen stated, "We are 100% behind the operationalization of this summit, and we anticipate that the outcomes will allow us to further facilitate trade among our member states and discuss how we can improve and encourage traders to come on board."

He added that he hopes the discussions will expand to include topics such as deepening CARICOM, facilitating trade, and eliminating trade barriers.

The GMSA projects that an actionable document will be produced after the summit, with recommendations for policymakers and leaders that will drive prosperity and ensure a vibrant and thriving manufacturing sector.

During the event, a logo for the summit was also unveiled, which features an open box symbolising the upcoming developments in Guyana's manufacturing sector that will position the region as a manufacturing powerhouse.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Labour Ministry completes probe into fatal Aurora Gold Mine accident – to make recommendations shortly based on findings

An inspection carried out at the site by Labour Ministry officials

The accident scene and deceased worker, Joseph Licorish

T

he Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department of the Labour Ministry has completed its investigation into the fatal accident at Aurora Gold Mine (AGM) Inc, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The accident which involved two trucks on November 18, claimed the life of 47-year-old Joseph Licorish of West Watooka, Wismar, Linden.

On Monday, the Ministry stated that the Occupational Safety and Health Officer with respon-

sibility for Region Seven, Naipaul Persaud, conducted the investigation to determine the causes of the accident and to provide the company with recommendations to prevent future recurrences.

To that aim, he evaluated the accident scene as well as the trucks, verified maintenance records, obtained statements from eyewitnesses and checked with the maintenance department regarding the standard operational procedures.

“Additionally, mainte-

nance workers as well as truck drivers and operators were given accident prevention training, as part of the investigative process. They were also sensitised on the importance of safe work practices,” said the Ministry.

The OSH Department is currently conducting an analysis of the information obtained with the aim of making recommendations to prevent similar recurrences.

It was reported that the trucks were working when they collided with each

other. Preliminary investigations revealed that both vehicles were fully loaded with stones in the tray, and motor lorry TL 001, while descending a hill in the vicinity of an open mining pit area, collided with motor lorry TL 19, which was proceeding in the opposite direction.

At the time of the collision, the lorries were nego-

tiating a slight bend in the road.

The Police have said the impact of the collision caused the cabin of Licorish’s lorry to become dislodged, and it pinned the driver inside. The injured Licorish was pulled from the cabin by other workers and taken to the Aurora Health Centre, where he was pronounced

dead.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton continues to express his concern about workplace fatalities and once again encourages workers and employers to make a special effort to work together to ensure that a safe and healthy working environment is promoted and maintained in all workplaces.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

‘We must have no ugliness towards Venezuelan migrants’ – Min Hamilton L

abour Minister Joseph Hamilton has urged Guyanese to distance themselves from any feelings of ‘ugliness’ towards Venezuelan migrants living in Guyana, as tensions heighten in the ongoing border controversy.

Speaking during the Day of Patriotism and Nationalism Sensitisation session on the Venezuela border controversy at

the Labour Ministry on Monday, Hamilton asserted that there is a moral obligation to offer assistance to those who seek refuge.

“We must have no ugliness perpetuated on people who come to this country…We have no beef with the people of Venezuela. I behove every Guyanese to throw away all those shackles, social and psychosocial antagonisms that keep you

from going forward with this matter, the controversy with Venezuela,” he encouraged.

After the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted and soared in the Ministry’s compound, Minister Hamilton told the gathering of staffers that the issue of the border controversy must not come down to ethnic and political conversations. Instead, Guyanese

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton and staffers during the Patriotism and Nationalism Sensitisation

citizens must project a unified voice.

“We should not allow and accept anything that isn’t unifying us, that isn’t seeking to bring together our Guyanese-ness. All our conversations surrounding this matter must be positive in nature. We cannot accept any negativity.”

Yet again, the Minister reminded of the importance of seeking information from the correct sources, in this case, the Government. He insisted that the public should steer clear of sources whose only role is to create chaos and gossip.

“The only group of people authorised to bring information to you on this matter is the Government of Guyana…I advise peo-

ple, that when you want information, pay attention to the sources coming out of the Government. There are many amongst us, in and out of Guyana, every day they wake up in the morning and their role is to create chaos. I would say, stay away from those persons if you want proper information,” he indicated.

Hamilton further reminded that there are different categories of Venezuelans in Guyana: Guyanese who migrated decades ago and returned amid economic hardships, the children of Guyanese who migrated, and refugees fleeing in search of a better life.

Reports indicate that there are about 40,000 Venezuelan migrants residing in Guyana.

Despite the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela and the case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Government of Guyana has taken a policy decision to offer humanitarian assistance to migrants fleeing from Venezuela.

Noteworthy is that a significant number are the Warraus, one of the Indigenous groups from Venezuela whose sister group of Warraus live in Guyana in Region One (Barima-Waini), close to the border. The Government has put on record that this group poses the greatest concern from a health and socio-economic perspective.

Guyana has also created a large shelter with water, and other facilities and land for farming over 200 migrants from Venezuela near the border with Venezuela. Moreover, it was noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, migrants from Venezuela and other migrants, have accessed all forms of food and

sanitisation relief hampers distributed throughout the country to every household.

In Guyana, all children of migrants, legal and illegal, from Venezuela and other countries are allowed full access to be enrolled in the public school system within the host communities and benefit from Government-funded support programmes.

In an effort to stop Venezuela’s December 3 referendum aimed at annexing Guyana’s Essequibo territory, the Guyana Government presented its case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by urging the Court to not only protect Guyana’s rights but also its own authority which Venezuela is trying to undermine.

The Court was also informed of Venezuela’s mobilisation of its military on the border with Guyana.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s legal arguments were presented

by Attorneys-at-Law Paul Reichler and Professor Emeritus of the University of Paris Nanterre, Allain Pellet. Reichler laid out not only the harm that Venezuela’s referendum would cause but also laid bare Venezuela’s efforts to prejudice the case.

The lawyer told the court of the tragic fate that awaits Guyana should Venezuela be allowed to go forward and act on the inevitable results of the referendum.

Guyana is seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, as well as legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of the country’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela. (G-12)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Businessmen move to court to stop Govt from seizing mining claims

Ayudhia Narain

Milton Brandford

o prevent the Government from taking away mining areas they believe are theirs, Milton Brandford and Ayudhia Narain, two small-scale miners, have filed a lawsuit in the High Court.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) are listed as the respondents in the action before Chief Justice Roxane George.

Brandford and Narain, represented by Attorneysat-Law Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva, stated in their 80-page Fixed Date Application (FDA) that they are the owners and holders of 32 gold claims in 14 Miles Issano, Mazaruni Mining District, Karouni.

In it, they are seeking orders to quash a ministerial order (#53 of 2023) made

by Minister Bharrat dated August 8, 2023, with retroactive effect from March 1, 2022, ordering the shutdown of all mineral prospecting and mining in areas belonging to 32 gold claims and other areas.

They also seek to be declared as the lawful owners of these gold claims which were nullified by the Minister’s order and certain actions of the GGMC. Their lawsuit seeks “Order of Mandamus” to compel the GGMC and the Minister to take all steps necessary to see to the favourable processing of their applications before the GGMC for their 32 gold claims licences.

Section 2 of the Mining Act states that a claim is "any claim located pursuant to a prospecting permit, whether a claim licence has been issued or not.”

Therefore, even though they were never awarded claim licences, they are still in possession of the claims, the pair have submitted.

The miners stated that at all material times, they possessed and used a valid prospecting permit to prospect the lands. They said this allowed them to work the ground located thereun-

der from the date of the location until their application for a claim licence can be published and such licence either issued or refused.

Furthermore, all gold retrieved from the claims after their location before the grant of a licence is to be dealt with as though they were obtained after a licence was granted according to regulation 19 of the Mining Regulations, the businessmen stated.

According to the duo, they took steps to locate the claims in April 2023 and have made considerable investments to locate and develop them. Although applications for the 32 licences were properly made since June 2023, to date, the applications for the licences have neither been granted nor denied, they complained.

Instead, they said the GGMC issued an order to remove them from one of the claim areas and even went as far as to break down their camps. They said, too, that GGMC thought that the lands were held by Troy Resources Guyana Inc. However, according to the lawsuit, the lands were abandoned in 2016 by another company, Kaburi Development Co, and were therefore available for the taking, according to law.

The duo said that continued efforts by them to appeal to the GGMC and the Minister were in vain and they eventually learned that the Minister issued an order which was published in the Gazette on August 8 in respect of the 32 claim areas and a wider area.

In that order, they said the Minister “ordered the shutdown of all prospecting and mining for all minerals within the area provided that such operations shall only be carried on by Government or Governmentrelated entities.”

According to the FDA, this order was backdated and deemed to come into effect on March 1, 2022, in a deliberate bid to disenfranchise them of the claims they allege.

T

Brandford and Narain’s lawyers contended that the Minister’s order was bad because of its purported retroactivity as well as on account of its obstruction of their clients' vested rights to their claims. The lawyers have asserted that the Minister’s order was ultra vires, unreasonable, irrational, unfair, abuse of power, whimsical, capricious, contrary to natural justice, arbitrary, disproportionate, in breach of the Minister’s statutory duty, against the Minister’s own policy and without any legal foundation or authority whatsoever.

The miners have made clear in their joint affidavit that the process of verification by the GGMC was successfully completed and that GGMC’s next step was to be the gazetting of their claims allowing for a period for public objections but this never came to fruition.

The businessmen said they later learned from a whistleblower that shortly after the Minister’s order, the Minister and the GGMC held a secret lottery to give away portions of their claim lands to certain individuals in breach of the Minister’s own shutdown order.

In their court documents, they presented a leaked map of ‘phase 1’ of the lottery that was conducted. The map, they added, was provided by an anonymous whistleblower.

They said that the Minister, at his end-of-year press conference held on November 15, admitted that “As a Government, we’ve identified an area within the Karouni area, the former Troy Resources property, and we are allocating claims to Guyanese small miners.”

“To date we have awarded over 50 claims to over 50 local miners. Right. And this process is being done by way of a lottery. So, it’s a fair process where small miners are given an opportunity to put their hands in a box and pull a claim. Many of them have already moved into the area and started to mobilise,” they quoted Minister Bharrat as saying.

The miners stated in their lawsuit that “It is clear that the Minister has breached his own purported order numbered 53 of 2023.

He took steps to give out claims in respect of the area’s shutdown from mining by a lottery to over 50 private individuals and not the Government or by a public corporation or by a corporate body in which controlling interest vests in the State or in any agency on behalf of the State as is required by his purported order.”

Narain and Brandford

Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon

lamented that to date, in spite of their legal correspondence to the Commissioner of GGMC and the Minister outlining their legitimate expectations and threatening legal action, neither

the Commissioner nor the Minister has responded.

Instead, they said the GGMC Commissioner made a public press release addressing the matter and trivialising their rights to the claims sought.

“Several offers by the Minister to the miners to accept other areas of land as compensation and to settle the miners’ grievance were refused by the miners because of their tremendous work and expenditure on the 32 claims,” the lawyers have advanced.

The Chief Justice is scheduled to hear shortly their request for an injunction prohibiting the GGMC from dismantling or interfering in any way with the operations of their 32 claim areas, as well as prohibiting the Minister and GGMC

Attorney-at-Law Damien Da Silva

from granting any claim licences to any other entities with regard to the areas captured within the aforementioned claims. (Feona Morrison)

Stalls destroyed as Fire erupts at Corriverton Market

P

andemonium broke on Monday evening after a fire of unknown origin erupted at the Corriverton Market, Corentyne, Berbice, leaving at least four stalls devastated.

The fire reportedly started around 18:30h in one of the grocery stalls.

It then spread to other stalls thus resulting in their complete destruction. The fire also destroyed a section of the roof of the municipal market.

Corriverton Mayor Imran Amin told the media that he was informed about the fire and without hesitation, he rushed to the scene where he saw a blaze emanating from one of the stalls.

He said the fire subsequently spread to the stall on the left and one on the right.

By the time the Fire Service was able to bring the blaze under control, four general grocery stalls had been gutted.

One vendor, Pradesh Ketwaru, who has been operating at the market for the past 20 years, said he was able to save about 20 per cent of the goods he had in stock. “When I came I see two stalls at the side of mine burning and mine started to catch.”

He expressed concern over the way the Fire Service handled the situation.

Another vendor,

Fire tenders at the scene

Chromani Chandradatt related that she left the market about 17:00h and went home to cook. While doing so, she received news that the market

get smoke coming out. By the time I come, my stand on fire. I could not save anything.

Millions of dollars in groceries burn up,” she related.

One of the stalls destroyed by the fire

was on fire.

“My neighbour call me and tell me that near my stand

Goods that were saved by some vendors

As firefighters battled the blaze, scores of vendors flocked to their place of business as the news spread.

The firefighters were challenged to access the market due to vendors rushing in and out to save their goods.

Later in the evening, several Government Ministers, including Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and Minister within the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, Anand Persaud met the affected vendors.

(Andrew Carmichael)

18

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Brazil's Lula appoints Drug trafficker “bought” Venezuelan officials, US Prosecutor says at trial his Justice Minister V to Supreme Court B razilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Monday he will appoint his Justice Minister, Flavio Dino, to a Supreme Court seat that has been vacant since the retirement of Justice Rosa Weber in late September.

Lula also said he would nominate Paulo Gonet as the country's new prosecutor general.

Dino, 55, is Lula's second appointment for Brazil's top court since he took office in January for his third non-consecutive term as President. Earlier in June, he tapped his former defence lawyer Cristiano Zanin for another Supreme Court seat.

Previously, former President Michel Temer appointed his own Justice Minister, Alexandre de Moraes to the court while Lula's predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, picked Andre Mendonca for a seat.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his Minister of Justice, Flavio Dino at a press conference at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, November 1, 2023 (Reuters/Adriano Machado file photo)

Dino, whose nomination will now be voted on by the Senate, has been serving in Lula's Cabinet since January.

A former federal Judge, he was a congressman for the Communist Party of Brazil from 2007 to 2011 and later governed the north-

eastern state of Maranhao from 2015 to 2022.

He joined the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) in 2021 and was elected to the Senate last year.

Chief Justice Luis Roberto Barroso praised Lula's pick for the top court.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

enezuelan politicians, military officials and Police were "bought and paid for" by a man on trial on charges of shipping tens of thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the United States, a US Prosecutor said on Monday.

In an opening statement at accused trafficker Carlos Orense's trial in Manhattan, Prosecutor Kaylan Lasky said Orense stashed drugs and weapons on a ranch he owned in Venezuela, and paid off officials to ensure that planes and boats carrying his cocaine could depart without detection or inspection.

"The defendant bought and paid for them all with the dirtiest of drug money," Lasky said. "He was part of a corrupt political system that allowed his drug business to flourish."

Orense has pleaded not guilty to three counts of narcotics importation conspiracy and criminal weapons possession.

The trial is also expect-

Some of the 35,000 pounds of cocaine that US Customs and Border Protection seized in Philadelphia (Steve Sapp/courtesy of US Customs and Border Protection/Handout via Reuters)

ed to include testimony that a former Chief Executive Officer of US refiner Citgo Petroleum – which is owned

by State-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela – helped Orense launder money in the mid-2000s, according to court records and a lawyer involved in a parallel case.

Citgo declined to comment.

Venezuela's Information Ministry did

not respond to a request for comment.

US accusations of official Venezuelan complicity in the drugs trade have long been a source of tension in the frosty relationship between Washington and the socialist-run country. President Nicolas Maduro himself was indicted in 2020 on US "narcoterrorism" charges, which he called false and racist.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Bird flu kills hundreds of Ecuador Police arrest alleged flamingos in Argentina leader of Los Lobos gang

P

olice in Ecuador say they have arrested an alleged leader of Los Lobos, a powerful criminal organisation specialised in drug trafficking.

The man, named only as Jaime SC, was armed and carrying a large sum of money when Police stopped his luxury car in the port city of Puerto Bolívar.

Gunmen believed to belong to his gang opened fire as the officers transferred Jaime SC to Police headquarters.

One Policeman was injured in the shooting.

Soldiers deployed to guard the Police HQ where the suspect was locked up were later also fired upon.

In a statement, police said Jaime SC had been carrying US$13,500 (£11,000), the provenance of which "he could not explain".

Los Lobos (The Wolves) is estimated to have 8000 members and has become one of the most powerful criminal organisations in

the Andean country.

Many of its members are in jail, but the gang continues to operate from behind bars and is accused of having instigated some of Ecuador's bloodiest prison riots.

The gang is also thought to have links with the Mexican Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), for which it smuggles cocaine from Colombia through Ecuador's port cities to the US and Europe.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

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n outbreak of bird flu has killed 220 flamingos in north-western Argentina, officials have confirmed.

The dead birds are of the James's flamingo species (Phoenicoparrus jamesi), which lives at high altitudes in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru.

The H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus currently spreading through South America can infect an entire flock within days.

It can also spread to humans and other mammals

through droppings and saliva.

In August, more than 50 sea lions died of bird flu on Argentina's Atlantic coast and earlier this year thousands of them were found dead in Chile and Peru.

Some of the tests carried out on the flamingos found dead in the north-western province of Catamarca came back positive for avian flu, biodiversity official Anabella Ahumada told local media.

The lagoons in the area are also home to two other

species of flamingo, but so far only James's flamingos appear to have been infected.

The local authorities said they had put in place measures to contain the spread of the virus They also warned locals not to touch any dead animals.

The James's flamingo, also known as puna flamingo, is categorised as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (Excerpt from BBC News)

PM Holness says Govt to tackle Peru's President rejects 'despicable' prosecutor charge voilence epidemic eroding quality of life

P

eru's embattled President rejected a formal complaint against her filed earlier on Monday by the Attorney General, deriding it as "despicable" in brief public remarks, in the latest recriminations over deadly social unrest a year ago.

President Dina Boluarte, who took office last December following the controversial ouster and jailing of her predecessor, described the constitutional complaint issued by Attorney General Patricia Benavides as "causing astonishment".

"We express our condemnation for such a despicable political manoeuvre that improperly uses

the memory of deceased patriots to distract attention from a very serious complaint against the Prosecutor herself," said Boluarte, referring to corruption accusations levelled against Benavides.

The ouster of former President Pedro Castillo plunged the Andean country into weeks of angry and sometimes violent protests that claimed at least 40 lives. Hundreds more suffered injuries.

Boluarte previously served as Vice President to Castillo, who had unlawfully sought to dissolve Congress ahead of a planned vote by lawmakers to remove him.

Earlier on Monday,

Benavides announced the complaint following a nearly year-long inquiry in a televised speech. She also rejected the investigations against her, which she said seek to "destabilise the independence of powers" in the South American country's volatile politics.

The Attorney General's office first announced in January it was launching a probe into Boluarte and members of her Cabinet on charges of "genocide, qualified homicide and serious injuries".

If Congress accepts the Attorney General's complaint, it could lead to Baluarte’s removed from office. (Excerpt from Reuters)

D

eclaring that violence is eroding Jamaicans' quality of life, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says his Government "is going to take a deliberate and focused approach" to the problem that will include the creation of a new ministry.

"I'm thinking of calling it the ministry of peace and human development, but maybe that won't be the name; but we need a ministry that is focused on reducing the level of violence in our society," Holness told cheering supporters attending the public session of the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) 80th annu-

al conference at National Arena in St Andrew on Sunday.

"Jamaica is not a country at war, but our homicide rate, our deaths due to violence, equates countries that are at war," the JLP leader said.

"What it means is that Jamaica is in conflict. We are in conflict with ourselves, we are in conflict with our neighbour, our family, our intimate partner, our employer, workers, teachers, students, and we're in conflict — citizen and State. We cannot continue to be a society in conflict with ourselves," he said.

"If it is one thing,

therefore, that this Administration must do, starting in this term and for the next term, is to put measures in place to deal with the unabated violence that is like a disease, like an epidemic in our society.

"So we have commissioned a study on it, which we should get by the end of this year, and when that study comes in we're going to reorganise the Government to create and bring all the agencies that deal with families, communities, social development, parenting, we're going to bring all of them together under one ministry," Holness said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

19

Around The World

Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza extended OILNEWS OIL NEWS 2 days; more hostages released

OPEC+ looking at deeper oil cuts ahead of Thursday meeting

O

PEC+ is looking at deepening oil production cuts despite its policy meeting being postponed to this Thursday amid a quota disagreement between some producers, an OPEC+ source said on Monday.

Several analysts have said they expect OPEC+ to extend or even deepen supply cuts into next year in order to support prices, which on Monday were trading just above US$80 a barrel, down from near US$98 in late September.

An OPEC+ source said he expected there to be an option for a "collective further reduction" on Thursday, without providing details. OPEC+ sources earlier this month said the group was set to consider additional cuts.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, known as OPEC+, will begin its online meetings to decide oil output levels at 1300 GMT on Thursday, according to a draft agenda seen by Reuters on Monday.

The meeting was delayed from Nov 26. OPEC+ sources said this was because of a disagreement over output levels for African producers, although sources have since said the group has moved closer to a compromise on this point.

OPEC member Kuwait is committed to any decisions issued by OPEC, especially those that concern market quotas and oil production, the country's Oil Ministry said in a post on social media platform X. On Thursday at 1300 GMT, Ministers on an advisory panel called the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee hold talks. This will be followed at 1400 GMT by a meeting of the full policy-making group of OPEC+ Ministers, the agenda showed.

Saudi Arabia, Russia and other members of OPEC+ have already pledged total oil output cuts of about 5 million barrels per day (bpd), or about 5% of daily global demand, in a series of steps that started in late 2022.

This includes Saudi Arabia's additional voluntary production cut of 1 million bpd which is due to expire at the end of December, and a Russian export cut of 300,000 bpd also until the end of the year. (Reuters)

M

ediator Qatar said on Monday a truce between Israeli and Hamas forces in Gaza had been extended by two days, continuing a pause in seven weeks of warfare that has killed thousands and laid waste to the Palestinian enclave.

"An agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian pause for an additional two days in the Gaza Strip," a Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a post on social media platform X. Hamas also said it had agreed a two-day extension.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, but a White House official confirmed agreement had been reached.

Later the Israeli mili-

tary said the Red Cross had confirmed 11 hostages - the latest to be freed under the terms of the original truce that had been due to end on Monday night - were on their way to Israeli territory. Qatar said the newly released hostages included three with French citizenship, two with German citizenship and six Argentine citizens.

Hamas said earlier it had received a list of 33 Palestinians to be released from Israeli jails in return. It said these included three female prisoners and 30 minors.

None of the announcements specified how many hostages would be released under the extended agreement, but earlier the head of Egypt's State Information Service,

A

a statement late on Sunday.

Gujarat state was hit by heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and hailstorms on Sunday and Monday, with some areas receiving up to 144mm (5.7 inches) of rain in 24 hours, Reuters news agency reported citing state government data.

The collision of three weather systems over Gujarat caused the lightning strikes, according to Manorama Mohanty, head of the Indian Metrological Department in Ahmedabad.

"These are the easterly winds flowing from the Arabian Sea, the Western Disturbance over the Western Himalayas and the Cyclonic Circulation over South Gujarat," Mohanty told BBC Gujarati.

India's Home Minister Amit Shah said he was "deeply saddened" by the deaths, adding that local authorities were engaging in relief work.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Diaa Rashwan, said the deal being negotiated would include the release of 20 Israeli hostages from among those seized by Hamas during

its Oct 7 assault on southern Israel. In exchange 60 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails would be freed, he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Powerful snowstorm injures 13, knocks out power across Ukraine

M

ore than 2000 settlements in central and southern Ukraine faced power cuts on Monday after a severe snowstorm lashed the region, injuring at least 13 people and forcing authorities to close schools and 14 motorways.

The extreme weather comes as tens of thousands of troops man front-line positions in the 21-month-old war with Russia amid fears Moscow could attack the power grid with air strikes this winter.

Strong wind and massive snowfall led to drifts in some places up to two metres (6.56 ft) high, Interior

Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

Ukrainian authorities shared images of damaged power grid facilities, toppled trees and rescuers helping people to climb out of snow piles and towing cars away from snow-covered roads.

As of 8 pm local time (1800 GMT), 883 settlements remained without power and about 1500 cargo trucks were stuck on the roads, the state emergency service said on Telegram messenger. Traffic on 10 motorways remained suspended.

Central Kyiv and southern Odesa and Mykolaiv

Lightning and hailstorms Thai groom kills 4 at kill 24 in western India wedding, including bride

t least 24 people have been killed by lightning and intense rain and hailstorms in India, officials said.

The weather damaged houses and killed livestock across western Gujarat state.

Storms are unusual in Gujarat during winter, meteorologists said, and the fierce downpour caught many off guard.

Flash floods and lightning strikes kill thousands of people in India each year.

Scientists are warning that rising global temperatures are fuelling a surge in extreme weather events.

Rising land and sea surface temperatures warm the air above and make more energy available to drive thunderstorms from where lightning emanates.

Rain and hailstorms were expected to continue in western India on Monday.

At least 18 of the 24 deaths were attributed to the lightning strikes, officials said in

Released Palestinian prisoners react in a vehicle as they leave the Israeli military prison, Ofer, amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank November 26

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Thai para-athlete and former soldier shot his bride and three others before killing himself on his wedding day, Police told the BBC. Groom Chaturong Suksuk, 29, and Kanchana Pachunthuek, 44, were married on Saturday in northeast Thailand.

According to reports, he left the wedding party abruptly and returned with a gun, shooting his wife, her 62-year-old mother and 38-year-old sister.

Stray bullets hit two guests, who were taken to hospital. One of them died.

Police told the BBC Chaturong "was quite intoxicated at the time", but his motive remains unclear. He had bought the gun and ammunition legally last year, they added.

Thai media, citing what guests at the party told the Police, said the couple had an argument during the

party. It also reported that Chaturong had felt insecure about the age gap between him and Kanchana.

But Police said this was still speculation, adding that they had collected evidence and expected to close the case "soon".

Chaturong and Kanchana had lived together for three years before they married, according to Thai media.

Chaturong had clinched a silver medal in swimming at the Asean Para Games in Indonesia last year. He was also believed to be on the list of athletes competing in the World Abilitysport Games in Thailand next month.

He had lost his right leg while on duty with the paramilitary light infantry force, which patrols Thailand's borders.

While mass shootings are rare, gun ownership is common in Thailand. (Excerpt from BBC News)

regions were the hardest hit by the power cuts, with 40,000 homes initially affected in Kyiv region, authorities said. By 6:30 pm, more than 15,000 homes in the region were still without electricity.

On Sunday, the Mayor of the Black Sea port of Odesa urged residents to stay at home, and authorities warned that water supplies were being interrupted

by power cuts that stopped pumps from working.

Eight people suffered hypothermia and five more were injured by falling trees in the Odesa region, the emergency service said.

On Monday evening, the work of the boiler facility in Odesa, where a 100-metre (109 yard) pipe broke and fell on Sunday, was restored. (Excerpt from Reuters)

New Zealand smoking ban: Health experts criticise new Government's shock reversal

N

ew Zealand's new Government says it plans to scrap the nation's world-leading smoking ban to fund tax cuts.

The legislation, introduced under the previous Jacinda Ardern-led Government, would have banned cigarette sales next year to anyone born after 2008.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in New Zealand, and the policy had aimed to stop young generations from picking up the habit.

Health experts have strongly criticised the sudden reversal.

The legislation passed last year had been acclaimed internationally with research models backing the key reforms.

Measures included restricting the number of tobacco retailers, and reducing the level of nicotine in cigarettes.

Modelling had suggested the Smokefree laws could save up to 5000 lives each year.

New Zealand's laws were believed to have in-

spired the UK Government in September to announce a similar smoking ban for young people. A spokeswoman said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's position remained unchanged after New Zealand's reversal.

While it has been praised as a public health policy, the Smokefree measures drew opposition from some business groups in New Zealand.

Owners of newsagents and corner shops criticised the loss of revenue - even with Government subsidies.

Some lawmakers - including the new Prime Minister Chris Luxon - also argued a ban would lead to a black market for tobacco.

However, his National party, which won 38% of the vote in the 14 October election, hadn't mentioned the Smokefree laws during election campaigning. The announcement by the new Finance Minister Nicola Willis on Saturday that the Government would repeal the laws shocked health experts who believed the policy would be untouched. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Don't sit idle when you can take the initiative and participate in what's happening around you. Not everyone will welcome an aggressive plan, but you must do what's best for you.

(March 21-April 19) Keep track of your money. Don't give anyone access to personal information.

Play by the rules; be responsible, take control and make your intentions clear.

Don't fold under pressure.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20) Emotions will escalate if you or someone close withholds information or their true feelings. If you can't decide what to do, take care of your responsibilities to avoid complaints.

(May 21-June 20) Trust and honesty matter. You may have to step outside your comfort zone and be blunt about what you can and cannot tolerate. Look for opportunities to pursue what you enjoy doing most.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Speak up and join in the conversation, and you'll build confidence and make beneficial connections. Simplify how you handle your responsibilities.

Let go of what's no longer worthwhile.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Push to make a move. Refuse to let your emotions or someone else's feelings mislead you. Look for opportunities.

Choose progressive change over anger and chaos.

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

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Experience is the key to getting ahead. Attend a seminar, networking event or reunion that offers exciting conversations that will spark your imagination and point you in the right direction.

Stick to your plan, regardless of temptation or pressure. Joint ventures aren't likely to turn out as expected.

Trust your intuition and avoid getting caught in someone else's plans.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Taking care of matters swiftly will help build your reputation. Don't give in to emotional manipulation; be clear about your priorities and keep moving forward. Avoid being pressured.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Someone will test your patience if you let them. Stay balanced and choose your words wisely. You'll accomplish more if you work alone and follow your intuition. Personal growth is favored.

YESTERDAY'S WORD -- STABILITY

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Make your surroundings feel like home. Put your personal touch on whatever you do, and it will give you the confidence and peace of mind you need to push forward. Take on projects that benefit you.

Emotional manipulation is apparent.

Be a good listener, know when to say no, and don't ask for too much or embellish the truth. You'll achieve the most if you avoid arguments.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

21

Gill appointed Captain Italy win 1st Davis Cup title in 47 years of Gujarat Titans S

hubman Gill has been appointed Captain of Gujarat Titans a day after the franchise traded Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians.

Hardik had led the Titans in 2022 and 2023, and the 2024 season will be Gill's first leadership assignment in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"I am delighted and proud to assume the captaincy of Gujarat Titans and thank the franchise for their trust in me to lead such a fine team," Gill said in a statement. "We have had two exceptional seasons and I keenly look forward to leading the team with our exciting brand of cricket."

Gill, 24, had started his IPL career with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018 and was released ahead of the auction in 2022. As a new franchise in the IPL, the Titans were allowed to sign up to three players ahead of the 2022 auction and they brought Gill on board for INR 7 crore (approx US$934, 598), along with Hardik and Rashid Khan for INR 15 crore (1,869, 196) each.

Gill scored 483 runs in 16 matches in IPL 2022, top-scoring with an unbeaten 45 in the final against Rajasthan Royals as Titans won the title in their inaugural season. He was their

Shubman Gill will lead Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024

highest run-getter in IPL 2023 with 890 runs in 17 innings, which included three centuries, in a campaign where Titans finished runners-up to Chennai Super Kings in the final.

Gill is currently fifth on the list of top run-scorers in the IPL in the last six years behind KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, and Faf du Plessis. He will lead a strong Titans lineup which includes several experienced players like Kane Williamson, Rashid Khan, David Miller, Matthew Wade, and Wriddhiman Saha. He also has some captaincy experience, having previously led Indian domestic sides in the Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy.

Vikram Solanki, the Titans Director of Cricket, said: "Shubman Gill has shown growth in stature and standing over the last two years at the highest level of the game. We've seen him mature not only as a batter, but also as a leader in cricket. His contribution on the field has helped Gujarat Titans emerge as a formidable force, guiding the team through a successful campaign in 2022 and a strong run in 2023.

"His maturity and skill is evident in his on-field performance and we are extremely excited to embark on a new journey with a young leader like Shubman at the helm."

(ESPNcricinfo)

Italy had reached the final four times since their win in 1976

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dominant Jannik Sinner outclassed Australia's Alex De Minaur to help Italy secure their first Davis Cup title for 47 years.

Matteo Arnaldi beat Alexei Popyrin 7-5 2-6 6-4 in a nervy opening singles match to put Italy 1-0 up in Malaga, Spain.

Sinner then backed up his sterling week with a 6-3 6-0 win over De Minaur.

"It has been an incredible feeling for all of us, obviously we are really happy," Sinner said.

It is the second time Italy have lifted the Davis Cup, hav-

NBA: Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic extend streaks D

evin Booker hit a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining to give the Phoenix Suns a 116-113 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday that extended their winning streak to seven games.

Booker finished with 28 points and 11 assists, and Eric Gordon had 25 points as the Suns continued their winning ways despite star Kevin Durant missing a second straight game with a sore right foot.

Phoenix also overcame a 35-point, eight-assist effort from New York's Jalen Brunson to snap the Knicks' four-game winning streak at Madison Square Garden.

Booker's deciding shot came after the Knicks scored four straight points to pull even, with Brunson hitting a fadeaway jumper with 21.9 seconds left following a Phoenix turnover to tie the contest at 113-113.

Brunson had a chance to force overtime in the final seconds, but his long 3-point try as time expired missed the mark.

The Suns led by as many as 15 points in the first half and owned a 79-66 advantage in the third quarter, but the Knicks went on an 18-5 run later in the period and the game remained tight into the latter stages.

Julius Randle added 28 points for New York, and

Immanuel Quickley contributed 18 off the bench.

Bucks put forth big rally to win Lillard's first meeting with Blazers Giannis Antetokounmpo also came through with a tie-breaking basket with time winding down, as his tip-in with 18.5 seconds left helped the Milwaukee Bucks to a stirring 108-102 comeback victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Bucks rallied from a 26-point deficit to win the first meeting between the teams since the Blazers traded franchise icon Damian Lillard to Milwaukee in September.

Lillard, who spent his first 11 seasons with Portland and is the Trail Blazers' all-time scoring leader, had 17 of his 31 points in the second half to aid the comeback.

Antetokounmpo finished with 33 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists in the Bucks' seventh win in eight games.

The rebuilding Blazers shot 52 per cent over the first two quarters to build a 68-52 halftime lead, then extended the margin to 81-55 three minutes into the third quarter.

Milwaukee responded with a 17-2 run, however, and continued to cut into the deficit until Lillard's 3-pointer with 2:53 remaining created a 97-97 tie.

The game remained dead-

The Phoenix Suns

locked until Antetokounmpo tipped in teammate Bobby Portis' putback attempt to put the Bucks up by a 104-102 score.

Lillard then sealed the win by making four free throws in the closing seconds.

Jerami Grant had 22 points in Portland's ninth loss in 10 games, while Malcolm Brogdon recorded 18 points and 12 assists.

Magic get past Hornets for seventh straight win The Orlando Magic are also riding a seven-game winning streak following Sunday's 130117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets behind 30 points from both Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony.

Paolo Banchero added 23 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists to help Orlando to its longest winning streak in nearly 13 years. The Magic

last won seven in a row during a franchise-record ninegame run from December 23, 2010-January 12, 2011.

Anthony scored 18 of his points in the fourth quarter as Orlando gradually pulled away before putting the game out of reach with a 12-3 run that gave the Magic a 120-104 lead with four minutes remaining.

Charlotte got guard Terry Rozier back from a groin injury that caused him to miss the team's previous nine games, but played the second half without star point guard LaMelo Ball after he injured his right ankle late in the second quarter.

Rozier had 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting to go along with nine assists in his return.

Miles Bridges led the Hornets, who came in having won a season-high two straight, with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

(Sportsmax)

ing previously won the title in 1976.

There were scenes of jubilation as the Italy team flooded onto the court to celebrate with Sinner, who raised his arms in the air after De Minaur's backhand skewed wide to ensure victory.

Australia were bidding for a 29th Davis Cup title, but have now lost back-to-back finals, having been beaten by Canada last year.

Sinner oozes class to secure “historic result” Italy arrived for the final eight with some expectation around them, largely thanks to Sinner's stellar form.

The 22-year-old has lost just three of his past 23 matches, winning titles in Montpellier, Toronto, Beijing and Vienna, and beat world number one Novak Djokovic in the ATP Finals round-robin stages.

World number four Sinner had already starred for Italy on Saturday, saving three match points against Djokovic to level the tie against Serbia before partnering Lorenzo Sonego to victory in the doubles to book Italy's final spot.

"We kept everything together. Yesterday, we were one point from being out and now we can celebrate the win. I think we can all be very, very happy," said Sinner.

"Huge thanks to Matteo Berrettini too. He's had a very, very tough year with a lot of injuries and it means a lot to all of us that he came here with his positive energy."

Sinner set out his intentions early against De Minaur, breaking in the third game before converting his second set point when the Australian overhit a lob.

A ruthless performance in the second set gave De Minaur no hope of a comeback as he struggled on serve, while Sinner revelled in the support from a raucous crowd.

It was a relentless performance from Sinner, who faced just one break point in the match and converted five of his own 10 opportunities.

Arnaldi had got Italy off to a

dream start against Popyrin in a tense first singles match.

In a tricky opening set, both players exchanged breaks of serve as Popyrin, ranked 40th in the world, saved set points, but was wasteful with his own opportunities, handing the Italian the first set when he pushed a return into the net.

The Australian found his rhythm in the second set, racing to a double-break advantage before serving out to force a decider.

But the nerves that seemed to have dissipated in the second set returned in the third as Popyrin squandered eight break points before Arnaldi seized his moment on Popyrin's serve, converting his first match point.

"I won one of the most important matches in my life. I don't know what to say right now," an emotional Arnaldi said on court after his victory.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X: "A historic result – congratulations to our players for the talent and commitment they have shown and also to all the staff."

Analysis The head-to-head record – that was Sinner's sixth win out of six against De Minaur – suggested an Italian win, but the manner of the 22-year-old's victory was quite breathtaking.

A perfect five wins in a week, one of them from three match points down to Djokovic in Saturday's semi-final, underlined Sinner's late-season brilliance.

Djokovic won the Davis Cup with Serbia as a 23-year-old and never looked back. Will we one day say similar about Sinner?

In many ways, though, the hero of the day was another 22-year-old – the world number 44 Arnaldi, who fought off break points left, right and centre before pinching victory against Popyrin.

The atmosphere all week was fabulous. Debate about the best format for the competition will continue, but there can be no doubt Malaga and the International Tennis Federation put on a great show.

(BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

Thorne, Bishop script Academy win by innings and 134 runs A

n all-round impressive performance from the West Indies Academy, with notable contributions from Guyanese Isai Thorne and Barbadian Joshua Bishop, saw them wrapping up their first four-day Test against Emerging Ireland early on day 3, by an innings and 34 runs.

Emerging Ireland, after opting to bat first, posted 213 in the first innings with Murray Commins top scoring with 93 off 123 deliveries, in-

SCOREBOARD

en First-Class ton. Bishop smashed nine fours and eight sixes on his way to a blistering 70-ball 102.

Earlier in the innings, Teddy Bishop and Kevlon Anderson did a remarkable repair job for the home side after losing two early wickets.

Teddy missed out on a century, hitting 90 from 159 deliveries, punctuated by 13 boundaries, while the Guyanese Anderson pitched in with 79 from 149 balls, for a strong third- wicket partnership.

Joshua Bishop smashed a century on Sunday and followed up with two wickets on Monday

moved James McCollum and Cade Carmichael for eight and two runs respectively.

And later, Guyanese spinner Ashmead Nedd sent Commins back to the dugout for a measly two runs from 15 balls.

However, it was on Monday morning that Thorne began to breathe fire, in order to rout Ireland for 62 runs.

Thorne’s 4-8 from 6 overs, included two maidens and the wickets of Stephen Doheny, Isai Thorne took a 4-for in both innings

cluding 17 boundaries.

However, West Indies Academy were exceptional with the bat on Sunday, crafting a 196-run lead.

Number eight batsman Joshua Bishop was the highlight of the West Indian batting innings, hitting a superb century to bring up his maid-

At the tail, bowler Johann Layne brought up the third half-century for the Academy, hitting 56 off 50 deliveries to propel his team to 409, all- out.

With a 196-run lead, West Indies Academy skipper Nyeem Young began Ireland’s undoing on Sunday afternoon, near close of play as he re-

Ronaldo asks ref to overturn penalty he won

Al Nassr lead Group E in the AFC Champions League

C

ristiano Ronaldo is known for his goalscoring exploits, but on Monday night the AlNassr forward convinced the referee not to award him a penalty.

The 38-year-old went down in the second minute after a challenge in his side's Asian Champions League 0-0 draw with Iranian side Persepolis.

But when Chinese referee Ma Ning awarded a penalty, Ronaldo argued the case for the decision to be overturned.

Ning was sent to the

pitchside monitor and ultimately changed his call.

A combination of the video assistant referee and Ronaldo's honesty came to Persepolis' rescue. The match went on to finish goalless, with Al Nassr's Ali Lajami sent off in the 17th minute.

Al-Nassr had already qualified for the knockout stages before the match in Riyadh. The Saudi Pro League side are top of Group E with 13 points after five matches and five points ahead of Persepolis in second. (BBC Sport)

Scott MacBeth, Gavin Hoey, and Fionn Hand. It was the second time the Guyanese has taken a 4-for in this match, after claiming 4-33 from 9.4 overs in Ireland’s first batting innings.

To back up Thorne, Joshua Bishop took 2-5 from 4.4 overs, while Layne took another wicket to wrap the game up before lunch on Monday.

Doheny had the top score for the visitors with 17 from 55

West Indies Academy 409 Ackeem Auguste b MT Foster 5 Matthew Nandu c ST Doheny b MT Foster 1 Teddy Bishop b MT Foster 90 Kevlon Anderson c M Commins b M Frost 79 Kevin Wickham lbw M Frost 33 Nyeem Young lbw M Frost 4 Carlon Bowen-Tuckett b M Frost 15 Joshua Bishop not out 102 Ashmead Nedd c ML Topping b FP Hand 6 Johann Layne c ST Doheny b GA Hoey 56 Isai Thorne c GA Hoey b GA Hoey 4 Extras – 14 b: 5 lb: 5 wd: 0 nb: 4 Total 409 all out (96.4 overs) BOWLING O-M-R-W Fionn Hand 24-5-82-1 Matthew Foster 23-6-81-3 Matthew Humphreys 19-2-79-0 Gavin Hoey 12.4-2-57-2 Mike Frost 17-2-89-4 Scott MacBeth 1-0-11-0

Emerging Ireland 62 Stephen Doheny b I Thorne 17 James McCollum lbw NRJ Young 8 Cade Carmichael lbw NRJ Young 2 Murray Commins c TJ Bishop b AR Nedd 2 Morgan Topping c AWJ Auguste b J Layne 11 Scott MacBeth c AWJ Auguste b I Thorne 1 Gavin Hoey c AWJ Auguste b I Thorne 0 Fionn Hand c JA Bishop b I Thorne 8 Matthew Humphreys b JA Bishop 7 Mike Frost not out 1 Matthew Foster c None b JA Bishop 4 Extras – 1 b: 0 lb: 0 wd: 0 nb: 1 Total 62 all out (33.4 overs) BOWLING O-M-R-W Johann Layne 7-4-12-1 Nyeem Young 6-3-15-2 Ashmead Nedd 9-3-22-1 Joshua Bishop 4.4-4-5-2 Isai Thorne 6-2-8-4

balls, while the only other batter to cross double digits was Morgan Topping with 11 runs off 54 deliveries.

The Academy team will be

back in action against Ireland from Saturday, December 2 for the second four-day match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

GFF Women’s Division 1 League…

GPF down Conquerors to maintain lead

G

uyana Police Force (GPF) Football Club on Saturday claimed a 5-0 victory against Fruta Conquerors Football Club to maintain their lead in the Women's League Division 1.

The youthful Fruta Conquerors with a roster including Under-17 and Under-15 players did not make it easy for the experienced side in their quest for a win on November 25, at Eve Leary Sports Ground in Kingston, Georgetown.

The game’s first half stayed goalless until Shanic Thornhill managed to breach Fruta Conquerors' sturdy defence in the 34th minute.

The second half began with Thornhill doubling her tally in the 46th minute, swiftly followed by two goals from her teammate, Siasi Adams in the 49th and 51st minutes. Jenelle Edmonson's goal in the 68th minute sealed the victory in an impressive manner.

The win has firmly secured the GPF at the top of the table, boasting an impressive four wins and 12 points.

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC, previously tied for the top spot, have now moved to second place with three consecutive victories, for nine points, and they have a game yet to play.

Despite their recent defeat, Fruta Conquerors maintain their grip on the third spot with six points from two wins and two losses. Potaro Strikers, Pakuri Jaguars, and Santos occupy the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions, re-

while the second through sixth-placed clubs will also receive cash rewards of $200,000, $100,000, $75,000, $50,000, and $25,000, respectively.

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The Women’s League Division One features seven top-tier female clubs from the Federation's nine Regional Member Associations.

The clubs, comprising both current and former national players, are vying

for the inaugural Division One title. Among these competitors are Santos, Potaro Strikers, Fruta Conquerors, Guyana Defence Force, Pakuri Jaguars and Guyana Police Force.

The league champions will earn a cash prize of $300,000,

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

23

Limacol Schools’ League

Chase, Ann’s Grove win in 6th round W

ith just one round to go, Chase’s Academic Foundation have practically sealed a victory in the NEW GPC INC-sponsored Limacol Schools’ Football League.

This is as a result of the Georgetown outfit getting back to their winning ways when the tournament resumed for the sixth round on Sunday, when Ann’s Grove Secondary also found themselves in the winners’ row.

Arguably one of the best school teams around, Chase defeated Bartica Secondary 3-1 on Sunday at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground to inch one step closer to a League victory in just the sixth round.

Chase’s Bryan Wharton opened the scoring in the 21st minute, after which Neeiaz Baksh made it a 2-0 affair three minutes later.

The next goal was wit-

nessed was in the second half, when Omar Sam found the back of the net in the 49th minute via the penalty route.

In the 52nd minute, Bartica Secondary pulled one back by way of a Nic Table goal.

In the game that followed, victory was the result for Ann’s Grove Secondary, who mauled Christianburg Wismar Secondary 5-1.

Narron Jerrick opened the scoring in the 16th minute for Ann’s Grove, but a 28th minute strike off the boots of Christianburg’s D’Wayne Garraway levelled the scores.

However, in the second half, Ann’s Grove started a score- fest. First, Jerrick broke the deadlock and completed his brace in the 55th minute, after which Keron Argyle extended their tally to three in the 58th. One goal each from Kevron Pompey and Travis Williams in the 62nd and 64th minute re-

The Ann’s Grove Secondary goal-scorers

spectively, brought the scores to 5-1 in Ann’s Grove’s favour.

The final game of the day ended with Carmel

Nationals Schools Championships…

Secondary and Santa Rosa Secondary sharing points, in what was a must-win encounter for the latter.

Carmel’s leading man, Ian Daniels struck as early as the fourth minute through a penalty opportunity, but was un-

able to find the back of the net again for the remainder of the game. The score remained 1-0 until a few minutes before time expired when Rupee Norton scored in the 67th minute to equalise the scores and effect the 1-1 draw.

Currently, Chase’s Academy lead the points table with 16 points from 6 games (5 wins and a draw), while Carmel Secondary sit in second position with 13 points (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss). In spite of Sunday’s loss, Bartica Secondary are still in the top three with 12 points (4 wins and two losses). Meanwhile, Santa Rosa Secondary round off the top four with 10 points from six games.

The seventh and final round of the Limacol Schools’ Football League will be contested next Sunday, December 3, at the same Carifesta Avenue venue.

NAMILCO U17 Academy Playoff…

Excitement unfolds in Berbice, Upper Demerara swimming showdown secure final berths U T he National Aquatic Centre was filled with jubilation as the swimming segment of the 61st National Cycling, Swimming, and Track and Field Championships went down on Monday, which saw the nation’s best student-athletes and teachers in action.

Kyra Soars and Jeremy Sonogram started their campaign on a high, storming to first in the Boys and Girls 16 and Under 100 SC Meters Backstroke. Allen Jasmine and Esau Domingo and Ronaldo Williams and Unisia Fredericks rounded out the podium.

The Boys and Girls 18 and Under 100 SC Meters Backstroke saw Zara Crane from East Georgetown District and Paul Mahaica from North Georgetown clinching first place followed by Alecia Hunte and Renaldo Smith in second.

Settling for third place were Reanna Stellingburg and Ashton Simons.

The Boys and Girls 100 SC Meters Backstroke was the highlight of the day in which Vladimir Woodroffe and Monique Watson clichéd first place with Dvon Spencer and Irene La Cruz in second place and Randolph Beharry and Anisha Estwick in third.

Jessica Sookram and Michael Thompson soared to first in the Boys and Girls 14 and Under 50 SC Meters Freestyle forcing Fayann Fredericks and Ricardo Spencer into second, and Shemia Joseph and Josiah Smith into third place.

The Girls and Boys Under 50 SC Meters Freestyle was not short of excitement as Ariel Rodrigues and Paul

Mahaica pushed their way to first. Kayla Hardy and Jeron Sookram placed second and Kayla Harding and Tyron Stellingburg third.

Jeremy Sookram and Unesia Fredericks rose in the water to clinch first in the Boys and Girls 16 and Under 50 SC Meters Freestyle followed by Eon McLeon and Anika DeFreitas in second and Veon Bernard and Shanira Williams in third.

Stephen Ramkhelwan and Patrice Mahaica won the Boys and Girls 50 SC Meters Freestyle. Coming in second were Lavisha Cornelius and Rovaldo Lambert and settling for third were Bonita Lawrence and Nemo Smith.

Andica Vierra and Jeremy Sookram were victorious in the Boys and Girls Under 16 50SC Meters Butterfly, forcing Andella France and Ahkiel Mckoy into second place and Joy Isaacs and Andy Larson into third.

In the Girls and Boys Under 50 SC Meters Freestyle, Ariel Rodrigues and Stephen Ramkhelwan pushed their way to first as Kayla Hardy and Nelson Lucas filled the position of

second and Kayla Harding and Tyron Stellingburg third.

The Boys and Girls 18 and Under 100 SC Meters Backstroke saw Patrice Mahaica from East Georgetown District and Elliot Gonsalves clinching first place followed by Leanna Richardson and Stephen Ramkhelwan and settling for third place were Anisha Estwick and Nelson Lucas.

Aria Mckoy and Rovaldo Peters won the Boys and Girls 10 and Under 50 SC Meters Backstroke.

Coming in second were Julencia Simmons and Neymar Thomas and settling for third were Alianna Stellingburg and Nemo Smith.

All roads will lead to the National Track and Field facility from today to December 1, 2023 for the athletics leg of the championships.

This year, the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming, and Track and Field Championships are sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd, Digicel Guyana, and Impressions.

pper Demerara and Berbice Football Academies have booked their spots in the final of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)-NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 National Academy Playoff after registering two impressive victories on Saturday in Georgetown.

On November 25 at the Georgetown Football Club Ground, the Upper Demerara Football Academy secured a narrow 1-0 win against East Bank Football Academy, while in another competitive clash, Upper Demerara Football Academy triumphed over Bartica Football Academy with a score of 3-4 in a penalty shootout.

The wins paved the way for an eagerly-awaited final clash between Upper Demerara and Berbice Football Academies, along with the third and fourthplace matches featuring East Bank Football and Bartica Football Academies. These matches are scheduled for Saturday, December 2, also at the Georgetown Football Club Ground.

In Saturday’s opening match, Upper Demerara Football Academy's Kyimani Sealy scored the sole goal (39th minute) to book his team the first spot in the final.

Both teams employed an offensive strategy, but East Bank's defence was breached after several goal attempts.

In the final match of the afternoon, Berbice Football Academy faced a tough challenge on their road to the final.

Berbice opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Quancy Fraser, and Bartica's Ian Gomes equalised in the 18th minute.

Scenes from last Saturday’s NAMILCO U17 Academy Playoff

However, Berbice managed to reclaim the lead thanks to a goal from Tyrone Delph in the 20th minute, but Bartica were not done.

Rockcliffe Adamson netted a goal in the 81st minute, bringing the score to a tie by the end of regular time.

Following five penalties, both teams were level at 3-3. In sudden death, Bartica missed, and Berbice capitalised on the opportunity, securing their place in the championship match.

The matches were witnessed by GFF President Wayne Forde, Technical Director Bryan Joseph and Competitions Director Troy Peters, parents, enthusiastic fans, and supporters.

“This was an incredible display of talent from four remarkably talented teams, all determined to secure their spot in the final match. This is precisely what the NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Under-17 National Academy Playoff was created for – to give a platform for Guyana’s bud-

ding young stars to shine and gain recognition for the national team programme,” the GFF President said.

Forde also extended heartfelt congratulations to all participating teams in the playoff, acknowledging their impressive performances that truly captivated the crowd over the last few weeks.

The playoff tournament commenced on October 7 with teams organised into two groups. Group A encompassed Georgetown, East Coast, East Bank, the National Under-15 Team, and Berbice, whereas Group B featured Upper Demerara, Essequibo, Bartica, and West Demerara.

Following the round-robin phase, the standout teams from each group secured a spot in the championship round.

The GFF urges all fans to show their support for the youth development programme by rallying behind their teams during the championship round.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2023

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

Pg 22

win by innings and 134 runs Pg 23

Nationals Schools Championships…

Limacol Schools’ League

Excitement unfolds in swimming Grove win in 6th round showdown Pg 23

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