Guyana Times - Wednesday, December 4, 2024

$100K cash grant distribution begins

Local businesses shine at One

and

Govt warns of misleading PDC’s national public opinion survey …says public under no obligation to participate

Bartica Town Council looking at over $130M budget for 2025 – Mayor

Chief Justice quashes GRA's unlawful demands in remigrant dutyfree case …refuses application for leave to appeal

Fish vendors slapped with joint murder charge

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, December 4 –03:45h-05:15h and Thursday, December 5 – 03:45h-05:15h and 19:30h-20:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, December 4 –06:00h-07:30h and Thursday, December 5 – 06:45h-08:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery to light rain showers are expected until the early-afternoon hours, followed by sunshine. Clear to partly cloudy skies and thundery to light rain showers are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:12h and 18:21h reaching maximum heights of 2.44 metres and 2.57 metres.

Low Tide: 11:55h reaching a minimum height of 0.81 metre.

$100,000 cash grant distribution begins …as

registration opens in Region 4

The government has commenced the distribution of the $100,000 per adult citizen cash grant in Region Nine (Upper Takutu Essequibo), while registration for all citizens eligible to receive this oneoff grant has also commenced in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

The first stage was the registering of public servants, pensioners and persons in the hinterland communities for the $100,000 per adult citizen cash grant. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has announced that the registra-

tion is now opened to all eligible members of the public, 18 years and older.

Among the areas where registration is now ongoing that were announced by the Minister are communities along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway and Demerara River, with registration centres also up and running in Georgetown and middle and lower East Coast of Demerara (ECD). The Minister also assured that additional locations would be provided soon.

Meanwhile in Region Nine, with residents already having been registered, recipients of the cash grant were provided with liquid cash on Tuesday. Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, alongside Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, were on hand to spearhead the distribution of the cash grant in Lethem.

The distribution exercise took place at the Tabatinga Sports Complex for residents of Lethem and St. Ignatius and will continue until December 6 for that area. For other villages in the region, the government will soon be

provided information with their distribution schedule.

The People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has been urging citizens 18 years and older, to

register as soon as possible.

During a recent interview, the finance minister had explained the process this initiative entails and what categories of persons, including those in the public and private sectors, can expect.

“The first step is, to lookout for the publication of the registration schedule of your

area. And when that schedule is published, I would ask that everybody, of eligible age, come out and get registered. Turn up with your ID card or passport and get registered,” he had explained.

“Step two is verification of the registration. So, this is making sure that there is no duplication, or data validation. Which should happen fairly quickly, because the registration process is a very efficient one.

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Leadership of persons living with disabilities

On Tuesday - International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) - it is important to pause and reflect on the progress made, and the challenges still faced, by persons with disabilities in Guyana. The 2024 theme, “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”, serves as a timely reminder that true societal progress can only be achieved when all voices, including those of persons with disabilities, are heard and valued.

While there have been notable efforts made to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in various spheres of society, there is still much to be done. Today, Guyana celebrates not just the achievements of persons with disabilities, but also the vital roles they play in shaping an inclusive and sustainable future.

The Government of Guyana, under the leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has made commendable strides in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. Recent initiatives have focused on promoting accessibility and providing more opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in education, employment, and public life. The establishment of accessible spaces, awareness campaigns, and efforts to combat discrimination have all contributed to improving the lives of many persons with disabilities.

However, the recognition of these efforts should not lead to complacency. While the Government’s role is crucial, the broader society must also step up. For true inclusion to be realized, all sectors must contribute, ensuring that persons with disabilities are given every opportunity to lead, innovate, and participate fully in society. We must ask ourselves: Are we doing enough to break down the barriers that continue to hinder persons with disabilities? Are we providing the right platforms for them to lead, or are we still limiting their potential?

One of the most significant barriers that persist is accessibility. Whether it’s in the built environment, in education, in digital spaces, or in the workplace, many individuals with disabilities still face challenges in accessing services and opportunities. Inaccessible buildings and poorly designed spaces are just a few examples of some barriers that need attention.

It’s time for a more concerted effort to update and enforce national building codes, ensuring that public spaces and digital platforms are designed with universal access in mind. Accessibility should no longer be seen as an afterthought, but as a fundamental requirement for a society that prides itself on fairness and equality. It’s not just about compliance with international standards; it’s about creating a society where everyone, regardless of ability, has an equal opportunity to succeed.

The leadership of persons with disabilities is already evident in many parts of the world, where they are leading advocacy efforts, driving social change, and creating solutions for greater inclusion. Guyana can also do more to support the development of such leadership here.

In addition to leadership opportunities, expanding employment is another crucial area. It is essential that businesses and Government institutions not only create more inclusive job opportunities, but also ensure that workplaces are equipped to support employees with disabilities.

As reflection is done on the theme for this year’s IDPD, let us remember that leadership from persons with disabilities should not be an exception, but the rule. We need a society that is truly inclusive; where the contributions of all individuals are recognized, regardless of their physical abilities. If we are to build a sustainable and prosperous future, we must ensure that every citizen has a seat at the table, and that no one is left behind because of a disability.

As the global disability movement continues to advocate for the slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us”, it is essential that Guyana embrace this mantra. Persons with disabilities must be seen, not just as beneficiaries of change, but as leaders in shaping that change. Their experiences, perspectives, and voices are invaluable in crafting a more inclusive, sustainable future for all.

Credit must be given where it is due

Dear Editor,

I recently had cause to visit the Emergency Room of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) due to a medical emergency, and I feel compelled to share my experience. It is easy to overlook the good amidst the criticisms that often surround public institutions, but credit must be given where it is due.

I was thoroughly impressed with the level of service provided by the staff. Of particular note is Dr. Jacobs, a young female physician, who treated me with care, courtesy, and a level of thoroughness that reassured me during a difficult time. Not only did she focus on finding the best solution to my medical issue, but she also took the time to guide and teach two young interns, exemplifying both professionalism and mentorship.

During my fivehour stay, I witnessed a cross-section of Guyana — people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds — seeking treatment. What struck me was the dignity and compassion with which every patient was treated. Despite the varying temperaments and circumstances of the individuals coming through those doors, the doctors and nurses remained profes-

sional and empathetic.

This moment of reflection made me proud of what we can achieve as a nation. In the ER, there were no divisions — only the shared goal of providing care and saving lives. It reminded me of the Guyana we aspire to be: united, inclusive, and understanding of the value of every individual.

Improvements in the hospital’s systems are also worth commending. Computerization has significantly speeded up the processing of returning patients; emergencies are treated with urgency; and despite limited staff and space, the team works efficiently to prioritise care. While there is always room for improvement, the progress is undeniable.

I commend the management and staff of GPHC, as well as the Ministry of Health, for the strides made in improving public healthcare. Let this be an example for us all — when we work together with respect and compassion, we can build a better country.

This is the Guyana I dream of, and I trust that we will all have the will to work to see it become a reality in every sphere.

Sincerely, Russel Lancaster

Expanding agricultural land access

Dear Editor,

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has made significant strides in increasing land availability for farmers, thereby demonstrating a commitment to advancing the agricultural sector. By allocating new parcels of arable land, improving irrigation systems, and streamlining land lease processes, the administration has empowered small-scale and large-scale farmers to expand their operations. This initiative underpins the Government's broader vision of food security, economic diversification, and rural development.

Since returning to office in 2020, the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has championed initiatives to enhance land access for farmers. Over the past three years, hundreds of farmers have benefitted from land allocation in regions such as Pomeroon-Supenaam, Mahaica-Berbice, and the Rupununi. These efforts have been complemented by investments in drainage, irrigation, and infrastructure to ensure the land is both accessible and productive.

The results speak volumes. Many farmers have significantly increased their production of rice, and let's not forget that when the APNU Administration championed that rice farming was a private business, they never really cared; so, do not think they care now. There is increased production in sugar and cash crops, contributing to higher exports and creating jobs in rural communities.

The increased availability of land has also enabled young farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to enter the sector, fostering innovation and resilience within Guyana's agricultural economy. In stark contrast, the APNU+AFC coalition Administration failed to prioritize land accessibility during their tenure. Farmers often faced bureaucratic hurdles, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of strategic vision under the previous administration. These obstacles stifled growth, and kept many small farmers from realizing their potential.

Looking forward, the benefits of the Government's land accessibility initiatives are expected to multiply. Expanding agricultural output would further bolster food security, reduce import dependency, and establish Guyana as a regional agricultural powerhouse. Additionally, as more land is brought under cultivation, the country would see greater opportunities for agroprocessing and value-added industries, driving economic diversification.

By recognizing the pivotal role of farmers and actively supporting their access to land, the current Government has laid a strong foundation for a prosperous agricultural future. Guyana is not only feeding its people, but positioning itself to feed the world — a vision that requires continued investment and unwavering commitment.

Sincerely, Robert Corlette

These children participated in the President's Cup Independence Day Chess Tournament over the weekend at State House; it was hosted by President Dr Irfaan Ali (Office of the President photos)

Biometrics are already part of the election process in Guyana

Dear Editor,

Biometrics are already in the election process in Guyana. To satisfy the continuous call for further biometrics would require further constitutional changes, hence the three masqueraders in the Guyana Elections Commission would have to continue their dancing and political rhetoric.

Electronic fingerprinting and retina identification are technological changes that would come only with further constitutional changes.

Guyanese are fully cognizant of the fact that these same three masqueraders were there when the APNU/ AFC, after using the illegal false ‘broad sheet’ in 2015, were hurriedly and shamefully catapulted into office. These three supported the APNU/AFC Government in passing legislation for this country to hold continuous registration to facilitate the holding of elections in this country. The PPP/C was not even in Parliament when

the APNU/AFC made the changes to the Act, permitting the Guyana Elections Commission to hold continuous registration and update the voters list.

The same APNU/AFC Administration held two elections with the same voters list. It was the same three commissioners who agreed for the Guyana Elections Commission to hold Local Government and later Regional and National Elections with the same voters list, and declared that

We are having a

"clean cash grant list”

Dear Editor, The Opposition and its minions have been haggling for a "clean voters list" for the next general elections. Well, the present cash grant payout is a case in point.

Every Guyanese person 18 years and above would be eligible for the payout. The main feature in this exercise is that a person’s identity has to be verified by a photograph affixed to their verification before they can qualify to be a recipient.

The Government is ensuring that a folio is made of all living persons who are entitled, so that one person, and only one, gets the grant. There will be no duplication of the payees, and anyone turning up for a repeat payout would receive the full brunt of the law.

Now, compare this exercise with the one undertaken to compile the na-

tional register of voters and you will see a striking similarity: all registered voters must have a photo-identification placed alongside their names. That certified document is placed in a folio for future reference whenever the individual turns up to vote. Those eligible voters who have voted would then have their fingers inked before leaving the polling station. Dead or deceased persons cannot vote, as they are automatically excluded from the process.

Now, this exposes the Opposition's spurious claim that dead persons are on the voters list, and these turn up to vote on election day. The answer is yes there are examples of persons who are deceased on the list, persons would have died in the interim; for example, persons who

have died from accidental deaths. However, there can be no claim that dead people are turning up to vote, because that cannot take place! The certification process of persons eligible for a cash grant nullifies the Opposition's claim of corruption. The present process condemns them to that place in history: a shameless and diabolical bunch who are nitpicking their way along.

The political landscape in Guyana is full of such disgruntled persons.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

even the 2020 elections were free and fair.

Guyanese would certainly be subjected to the usual rhetoric of ‘bloated’ list. However, since 1992, we have in Guyana a very effective system, wherein political parties are allowed by law to appoint scrutineers to each registration exercise. These scrutineers are selected by the respective political parties and they are paid by the Government. Scrutineers work closely with the GECOM officials, and they must scrutinise every transaction and sign off on the entire process.

After the continuous registration process, there is a further period of claims and objections, where the List is made public and all political parties and the public in general are allowed to make sure that all information is true and correct.

During the continuous registration and claims and objections periods, the scrutineers make sure that no fake names are included during the registration process.

However, it must be noted that non-residents are entitled to be on the list, and that accounts for the size of the list. Article 59 provides that, subject to the provisions of Article 159, every person may vote at an election if he or she is of age eighteen years or older, and is either a citizen of Guyana or a Commonwealth citizen domiciled and resident in Guyana.

Further, Article 159 clearly establishes that voters are required to be registered, and provides the basic qualifications for registration. Hence, the constitutional requirements /qualifications that are necessary for

a citizen to have the right to vote are(a) eighteen years of age; (b) a citizen of Guyana; (c) a Commonwealth citizen domiciled and resident in Guyana; and (d) registered to vote.

The Opposition and the prattlers can continue to cry crocodile tears as election day draws nearer. GECOM must continue to do what is necessary constitutionally and prepare to hold National and Regional Elections when due.

The recent announcement that the GECOM Secretariat’s preparations are on schedule for the holding of elections is indeed heartening and most encouraging. Guyana must do away with that ugly stigma of the famous “rigged elections”.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Adding with negative numbers ◄

When you add a positive number and a negative number, compare the numbers as if they do not have positive and negative signs. If the positive number is larger, just subtract. You identify them by adding a minus sign to the front of a number. So – 1 is 1 less than 0. – 5.8 is 5.8 less than 0.

Example: 3 + ( – 2) = ?

Step 1: Remove the + sign and brackets.

Step 2: Do the maths. 3 – 2 = 1

If the negative number is greater, ignore the minus sign for the time being. Subtract the smaller number from the greater. Then put a minus sign in front of the difference.

Example: 5 + ( – 10) = ?

Step 1: Subtract 10 – 5

Step 2: Write a minus sign in front of the difference. So 5 + ( – 10) = – 5

When adding two negative numbers, ignore the minus sign and add. Then write a minus sign in front of the total.

Example: ( – 4) + ( – 5) = ?

Step 1: Ignore the negative signs and add: 4 + 5 = 9

Exercises: Solve

Step 2: Write a minus sign in front of the total. So ( – 4) + ( – 5) = – 9 1) (– 1 ) + 4 = 2) ( – 5) + 9 = 3) (– 6) + 10 + 10 + (– 6) = 4) 35 + (– 14) = 5) 180 + (– 50) + 70

Make picture-frame party favours

If you’re looking for a DIY party favour idea for a celebration, these popsicle stick picture frames are a crowd pleaser! Set up a crafting station with popsicle sticks and fun decorations to fit the season or occasion, and let the party guests show their creativity as they make picture frames to take home. If you have an instant camera, you can even send your guests home with a photo in the frame to remember the day.

Materials

Popsicle sticks

Craft glue

Beads, pom poms, buttons, and other decorative items

Instant camera photos or other printed

photos

Directions

1. Start by creating a frame out of popsicle sticks. Place two parallel sticks on a surface, approximately as far apart as the width of instant or standard-sized photos. Then, glue one perpendicular stick to the top of both sticks, and another perpendicular stick to the bottom.

2. Once the frame is created, you can explore their creativity by decorating the frame in your own style! Add beads, buttons, letters, pom poms, or any other decorations available.

3. Be sure to set the frames aside for the duration of the party so that they have a

By Martha Silano

Is this the last time I’ll admire the guys in their neon-yellow slickers, guiding us to our parking spots before we head up two flights to the passenger deck, to the cafeteria where a man in a black derby and black suspenders nods and smiles as he nibbles popcorn? In honor of this maybe last trip to San Juan Island, the last time I hear that somber wail of a horn,

I’m gonna go see if there’s anything I can eat, and of course there is: Ivar’s clam chowder, just what the nutritionist ordered:

extra cream, extra butter, tiny potatoes I easily swallow. Two spoons: one for me, one for the man otherwise known as my personal

chance to dry.

4. While the picture frame party favours are drying, let party guests have fun taking photos! Photo props can add an extra layer of creativity and excitement. Snap some instant photos or take photos that can be printed later and shared with party guests.

5. Once the frames are dry and the photos are taken, glue the photos to the backs of the frames so that they are framed by the popsicle sticks. Send the party favours home with your guests.

6. Display your photo frames around the house and enjoy!

These DIY party favours could be used for other celebrations year-round! (Adapted from Chelsea Foy, pbs.org)

representative. When the time comes, he will help me administer the cocktail that kills, but until then it’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, his book about Vronsky and Anna,

my book about the journey to the Higgs boson, while our daughter calls to remind us to take pictures of things she can draw—a sprig of rose hips, a clump of serviceberries. A deer she nicknamed Chewy. Bellies full of chowder, we almost forget one of us is dying.

France, Guyana set to strengthen military

ties in tech,

defence, drone training

…Joint Working Group to soon meet, discuss areas of cooperation

France has expressed its willingness to expand military cooperation with Guyana in technology and other areas, with a Joint Working Group to soon meet to discuss ways of going about expanding bilateral ties.

In May of this year, a working group between Guyana and France had met to discuss areas the two countries could cooperate in, such as defense, climate change and food security. During a reception on board French navy vessel La Combattante, over the weekend, Head of the French Diplomatic Bureau JeanJacques Forté, revealed that the working group will soon meet again.

According to Forté, France is aware of the need for Guyana to have more capacity to protect its land and sea areas. He noted that France is well equipped to

help its partners build their military capacity, especially in areas such as military technology and drones and wishes to expand this cooperation with Guyana, to benefit the Guyana Defense Force (GDF).

“In the framework of the excellent relations between the Guyana Defense Force and the French Armed Forces, in particular with the armed forces in French Guiana, our cooperation covered the entire land, sea and

$100,000 cash grant...

You may have heard that we’ve developed an app that is very efficient in terms of scanning your ID card and capturing the data electronically.”

Dr Singh had explained that while passports would require the manual input of information, the ID cards can be scanned quickly and efficiently using the app. Meanwhile, step three would involve the cutting of cheques for distribution to eligible recipients.

And asked to comment on the scepticism expressed by some on social media about consenting to have their photos taken during the registration process, the finance minister had made it clear that while no one is compelling the public to have their photo taken, this is a necessary prerequisite in order for them to be registered.

“We are not of course compelling anybody to have their picture taken. You do have the option not to have your picture taken, but if

you do exercise your right to not have your picture taken, you will not be registered,” he had said.

Only recently, the Government had been granted approval for more than $84 billion in supplementary funds for projects that included the highly-anticipated $100,000 one-off cash grant initiative. Of this amount, $30.5 billion is for the commencement of the $100,000 cash grant initiative.

The government’s

$100,000 Cash Grant Initiative was announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali in October and every Guyanese citizen 18 years old and over will receive the payout. Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has indicated that initial distribution process of the $100,000 oneoff cash grant is expected to see about 300,000 Guyanese receiving their cash grants before the end of the year, while the remainder of persons should receive theirs next year. (G3)

air spectrum of the Guiana Shield. Our military cooperation is reflected throughout the year by regular exchanges between our forces here in Georgetown and Cayenne, but also in France.”

“The GDF, with the French military, meet regularly during jungle (exercises), in particular the forest training center and France wishes to consolidate this group relations, in other areas such as 3D capacity with upcoming joint drone training and support for capacity to detect any near and distant threat by night and day,” he added.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh meanwhile reflected on the cooperation between the two countries, which saw Guyana purchasing an Ocean Patrol Vessel from France earlier this year. According to Singh, there are multiple avenues through which the Government of Guyana sees the relationship with France progressing.

“I couldn’t possibly stress how deeply appreciative we are of the very clear demonstration France has provided of your commitment to sup-

porting Guyana in the preservation and protection of our sovereignty and territorial integrity and the multiple channels through which the defense cooperation has manifested,” Singh said.

“Including the joint training and capacity building exercises, the regular and ongoing consultations between our respective military high command and most recently,

bassy, the communique had said, would boost the development of cooperation in various sectors, including in the economy, in priority areas for Guyana where French companies hold renowned expertise.

This embassy would also contribute to strengthening ties between Guyana and French Guiana, as well as French relations with

the partnership in the supply, by France, of important hardware.”

In addition to the vessel, France also intends to establish an embassy in Guyana next year. This was announced in a joint communique in March 2024, following a meeting between President Dr Irfaan Ali and France’s Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Séjourné at State House.

According to the communique, given their desire to forge closer links, the two countries had decided to write a new chapter by France opening an embassy in Georgetown in 2025. France will be the first EU country with this level of diplomatic representation in Guyana.

France opening an em-

the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which is headquartered in Georgetown, the statement read.

The French Consulate in Guyana has meanwhile also taken it upon themselves to issue Schengen visas to France, eliminating the need for Guyanese to go to Suriname for the processing of this visa.

This new service, which went into effect back in October, is available twice a month. Applicants are now required to complete their applications online via the France Visas portal under the Suriname section, and must book an appointment online before visiting the Consulate of France in Georgetown, located at 46 First Avenue, Subryanville, to submit their applications.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh (far left) and Head of the French Diplomatic Bureau, Jean-Jacques Forté (second left) during the reception on board the La Combattante

The La Combattante

Chief Justice quashes GRA’s unlawful demands in remigrant duty-free case

…refuses application for leave to appeal

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George on Tuesday struck down and quashed the requirements imposed by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to question the source of funds from a remigrant who applied for a duty-free concession for his new Toyota Landcruiser.

Reaz Manjoor remigrated to Guyana in August 2023. Manjoor had resided for over 10 years in America and decided to pursue different opportunities in Guyana. After presenting his case to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was awarded with remigrant status on 23rd August, 2023.

Godfrey Statia, the head of GRA was notified of this by the Ministry.

Remigrants, after being awarded their remigrant status by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, benefit from preferential tax conditions when they import a vehicle and their other personal effects. A remigrant who imports a vehicle such as the 2023 LC300 Toyota Landcruiser with an engine size of 3,500cc would only have to pay an excise tax of 30 per cent (approximately $4,300,000).

Without the remigrant status, the taxes for the same Landcruiser would cost $43,784,000. Of that amount $6,627,000 would be customs duties, $29,983,000 would be excise taxes and $7,174,000 would be the value-added taxes.

Manjoor provided the GRA with all of the necessary documents (and more) to enable the GRA to grant his tax exemptions. Instead of granting those exemptions, the GRA through its officers embarked on a campaign of seeking financial information from the remigrant.

Manjoor cooperated and provided documentation including affidavits, a letter pleading his case, his online bank information showing the debit and credit of his account with the purchase funds, a copy of the cheque used to purchase the vehicle, the receipt

ing.” Manjoor then retained attorney, Siand Dhurjon.

and to permit the clearance of his vehicle.

In his filed Affidavit in

provided him with the funds and other pertinent information.

The GRA then suspended all processing of Mr Manjoor’s tax exemptions until he could provide information to satisfy them. The GRA provided nothing in writing to Mr Manjoor of their position until 30th April, 2024, when Mr Gavin Low, Deputy Commissioner of the GRA wrote to Manjoor stating that “it is the duty of the GRA to verify the legitimacy of any transaction that has tax implications. (…) the GRA is not satisfied that you have displayed credible information regarding your source of fund-

Dhurjon wrote the GRA on August 8, 2024, threatening legal action if the tax exemptions were not given to Manjoor and if the vehicle was not cleared or released.

The GRA was urged by Mr Dhurjon that their requests questioning the source of funding were illegal and they could not disentitle Manjoor to his tax exemptions. The GRA failed to respond to counsel’s letter as well as a subsequent correspondence from counsel by email weeks later. On 28th October, 2024, Manjoor instituted proceedings against the GRA over its failure to grant him his tax exemptions

Defence on behalf of the GRA, Gavin Low claimed that the person who gave Manjoor the money to purchase the vehicle was unknown to their internal system and that Manjoor failed to provide her ‘valid identification’. Low in his affidavit stated that the GRA had to ensure that the money used by Manjoor was not ‘the proceeds of illegal activities such as money laundering or tax evasion’. Mr Low stated that the GRA did not deny Manjoor his tax exemption but was merely waiting until source of funds could be ‘substantiated’.

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Handling…

…Venezuelan refugees

There’s a heated – to put it mildly!! - debate going on about all these Venezies flocking our shores. There’s been another bout of complaints from the farmers of Ruby, on the East Bank of the Essequibo, who’d opened their arms to them after boatloads had kept landing at the nearby Parika foreshore. Mattie (Venez) told Mattie, and right now there are literally hundreds of shacks thrown up by the Venezies on the sideline dam that controls the flow of water into the Ruby rice fields, which stretch inland for miles. The flow of water is being disrupted, not to mention the canals are becoming polluted.

Now, this has been going on for years - at least since Venezuela’s meltdown following the collapse of their oil industry. This followed Maduro’s privatization of the few foreign oil companies, like Exxon and Chevron, that had remained after 2007, when Chavez upped his Burnhamlike populist adventures. Now, whatever else is going on, our concern’s gotta be the impact of all those Venezies in our less-than-800,000 population.

The trickle had really become a torrent by the time the PPP was checkmated by APNU and the AFC in 2011; and by 2019, there was a report of 36,000 of them as refugees here. That easily got to have been doubled by now!! The UN system had gotten involved with humanitarian outreaches to them as they crossed the Cuyuni into our Region 1. After a while, the Govt decided to not allow them beyond Mabaruma - but we never instituted the systems to do so effectively.

Initially, there were three reasons for this: firstly, many were Indigenous Peoples for whom it was an ageold tradition of migratory habits to make a living.

The second reason was that there were Venezuelans who had gravitated past the West Coast onto Georgetown and the East Bank. Many of us felt sorry for these poor wretches – except local women, who saw their husbands being lured into dalliances by the more desperate female refugees! Soon every village between Pomeroon and Rosignol had their Venezuelan posse.

Finally, there were the returning Guyanese – or their children – who’d gone over since the 1970s as our economy and society had imploded under Burnham’s “innovations” – which, ironically, Chavez copied!! These were a whole different kettle of fish. By law, they were Guyanese citizens with all the privileges that implied. And this brings in the crux of the battle of words that’s going on right now between the Govt and the Opposition. The latter accuse the PPP of registering Venezuelans of all stripes with GECOM with an eye on elections in 2025!! Hence their demand for a language test!!

But if the Venezies wanna regularize their status and follow the law governing “naturalization” of citizenship, what’s the PPP to do??

…dangerous citizens

During the Cold War, the Americans had a question for anyone trying to enter their country: “Are you now, or even been a member of a communist party?”. If you were, they wouldn’t let you in!! The reason, of course, is they didn’t want to allow Fifth Columnists into their country - who could be activated some time down the road to subvert the country from within!!

This should be the retort to those who say we should allow any and all Venezuelan “refugees” because they allowed so many Guyanese to enter their country when the shoe was on the other foot. But the two situations aren’t equivalent, are they?? Unlike Venezuela, we’ve never claimed two-thirds of their territory, and could later exploit the sentiments of the “refugees” to call upon their “mother country” to rescue them from persecution or whatever!!

All non-Guyanese persons from Venezuela must be categorized as “refugees”, with the caveat they’ll have to return when Maduro is gone!!

…the pygmy parties

The AFC’s in coalition talks with GAP. Then there’re the tribulations of the “joinder parties”, where ANUG was stiffed by a 244-vote party from their share of the seat. Well, ANUG just elected officers, and the old heads all jumped ship!!

Pique??

from the auto sales he used, the Chase wire transfer instructions from his aunt who

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George

Attorney Siand Dhurjon Reaz Manjoor

Work ongoing with Govt to boost Gasto-Energy pipeline’s supply – Routledge

…says potential for daily supply to go from 50M to 120M cubic ft per day

While the Gas-toEnergy (GTE) pipelines are expected to be supplied initially with 50 million cubic feet of gas per day, oil giant ExxonMobil is working out a plan with the Government of Guyana to expand this daily supply to as much as 120 million cubic feet of gas.

In a recent interview on Energy Perspectives, ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge delved into the subject of gas. As part of the GtE Project, ExxonMobil is building out the pipeline component of the project.

“The pipeline will be ready to start up by the end of 2024. And what we’re doing is working with the Government to align when do we start introducing gas into the pipeline to meet the schedule… integrated gas and power plant.”

The 12-inch pipelines will initially be supplied with 50 million cubic feet of gas per day (mcfpd). However, Routledge ex-

plained that his company is currently working with the Government so that this supply can be expanded eventually.

“The pipeline has additional capacity. So, we’ve been doing a lot of work, looking at the offshore fields that we’re developing. The ones that are already in production. And working out a plan for how can we then supplement the initial commitment of 50 mcfpd, in order to fill the pipeline up to 110 or 120 mcfpd.”

“That will then provide the additional fuel for more power or potentially other industrial uses such as fertiliser. So that’s work we’re doing in collaboration with the Government. Of course, the Government has the National Gas Strategy work that they’re doing. Those two efforts will synchronise together. So, we can ultimately align the timing of that demand for gas with the strategy,” Routledge also said.

The GtE Project con-

sists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil. It will also see the construction of an Integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc (LNDCH4) was awarded the US$759 million contract in December 2022 to build the NGL facility, as well as the power plant. Initially, the deadline to deliver the power was this year end, but owing to delays in handing over other aspects of the project, the contractor was given a three-month extension.

However, LNDCH4 and

the Guyana Government are currently in a dispute over the deadline and associated costs, resulting in an arbitration process being activated. The project is meanwhile expected to deliver power to the national

grid by April 2025.

EXIM Bank approval

Back in April 2023, Guyana also approached US Export Import (EXIM) Bank for a US$761 million loan to finance the GtE

Project. It was revealed last week by Vice President Dr Bharrat

that the bank has approved the Guyana Government’s request for the multi-billion-dollar loan.

Jagdeo

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge

Govt warns of misleading PDC’s national public opinion survey

…says public under no obligation to participate

The Government on Tuesday warned about a misleading survey being conducted by Project Development Consultancy (PDC). In a statement, the Government said that the company claims to be carrying out a “National Public Opinion Survey” from November 30 to December 13, 2024. However, the Government has clarified that this survey is not officially endorsed or sanctioned by any Government agency.

According to reports, individuals associated with the survey have been misrepresenting its purpose, falsely implying that it is a Government initiative. The

Government however said that participation in the survey is entirely voluntary and not required for any national or official purposes.

In a statement, the Government emphasised that any legitimate Government programmes or surveys would be clearly communicated through official channels and media.

Chief Justice quashes GRA’s

Dhurjon submitted to the Court that there was no provision known to law that permitted the GRA to require a remigrant to ‘substantiate their source of funding’ and that was irrelevant to the administrative process of granting the necessary tax exemptions.

Dhurjon noted that the GRA had already conceded that Manjoor was a qualifying remigrant and that the GRA was not substantially challenging any of the facts asserted by Manjoor.

On Tuesday morning, the chief justice granted all of the orders sought by Dhurjon on behalf of Manjoor. The Judge granted orders of declaration declaring that the Landcruiser was the property of Manjoor and that Manjoor was duly deemed a

remigrant by Minister Hugh Todd.

The chief justice declared that the GRA’s requirement through Gavin Low that Manjoor must provide ‘credible information regarding his source of funding’ was illegal and issued an order of certiorari to quash this requirement. The Chief Justice commanded by order of mandamus that the GRA was to grant Manjoor all applicable tax exemptions as a remigrant and commanded them to clear and release the vehicle after Manjoor paid the applicable taxes.

Manjoor’s Landcruiser had come into Guyana since 18th January of this year and it has been on the wharf racking up storage costs ever since. The chief justice ordered that the GRA was to

Citizens are advised to exercise caution if approached by anyone claiming to be affiliated with this survey. The public was also reminded that they are under no obligation to take part in this non-Governmental activity. Meanwhile, in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, the PDC said that in response to the claim that its enumerators misrepresented the survey as Government sanctioned, they have launched an internal investigation. “Any mischaracterisation of our independent research is unacceptable and contradicts our core values,” the PDC noted.

pay the storage costs up to the date of the release of the vehicle. At present storage costs were estimated by Manjoor to stand at just under $1,000,000. The learned Chief Justice ordered that the GRA pay Manjoor $350,000 in costs before December 31, 2024. The learned Chief Justice considered that the costs were high because ‘we have traversed this road before and they (the GRA) seem not to understand’.

After the Chief Justice gave her ruling counsel for the GRA, Nicklin Belgrave, sought leave to appeal the decision but the learned Judge refused that application. The Chief Justice remarked that “I’m not granting leave to appeal. This here is beyond the pale. You have no law, there is no provision.”

Linden Town Clerk slams Mayor for blocking staff pay increase

…calls Sharma Solomon’s action “selfishness”

Contending that certain employees of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) are underpaid, Linden’s Town Clerk Lennox Gasper has said he is pushing to have the salaries of these workers increased.

During an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, the Town Clerk spoke about some of the issues facing the council. He revealed that at the time when he was appointed to his position at the council, in November 2023, there were a number of employees being paid the minimum wage that was established for the year 2018.

“Now, let me say this to you. When I came on here at my appointment on the 9th of November, 2023, staff

were earning, well, they were drawing 2018 minimum wage. Imagine working for 2018 money in 2023.”

On this point he noted that due to interventions made by the Council’s administration, the workers would have received a significant increase in wages.

“We gave them an increase, because we had actually received a letter from Government ordering that we give the six point [per cent] something increases. But we can't give the 2023 increase, and we have 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023. We couldn't, so I said go back to the 2018. And we made a commitment that by June of that year, we would have moved from 2019 to 2021.”

Now, the Town Clerk said

the goal is to ensure the employees’ salaries are competitive with 2024 rates. In fact, he explained that at the Council’s last statutory meeting, the issue of salary increases for Council staff was raised. However, this call was shut down by Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon, who contended that if Council staff receive further wage increases, Councillors should also be given the same privilege. But this move was labelled as an act of "selfishness" by the Town Clerk, who called out the Mayor for blocking the administration from improving workers’ wages.

“The Mayor said, if staff salary is going to be increased, he would like for the treasurer to look to see if they can increase

Councillors’ stipend too. Now look at this, these people operating like vipers. Everything got to be selfish about you, these people working for next-to-nothing money. And now you putting a condition, if you're going to increase their money, your money got to be increased too.”

The Town Clerk added. “So all that the Mayor is trying to do is to stain and malign my name, when in actuality, he is the one who is standing in the way of the development and the progress. He is the one who does not want to work with the Clerk.”

Nevertheless, Gasper explained that come 2025 he will continue to work towards improving Council workers’ pay.

“Ensure that these staff are adequately compensated for the work that they are doing, because I do see and foresee on having some challenge. They are already seeing it with the sanitation workers. Most of them have been leaving to go with

Cevons, their pay is a bit better. We also having some challenges, as relates to our constabulary, where persons are also leaving for guard services that are paying better and we are having challenges replacing those persons, so our manpower is down.”

Linden’s Mayor, Sharma Solomon Linden’s Town Clerk, Lennox Gasper

Local businesses shine at One Guyana Christmas Village & supermarket

By Mishael henry

Local businesses stole the spotlight at this year’s One Guyana Christmas Village and Supermarket Christmas on

This publication explored the wide range of products on display and spoke with exhibitors eager to share insights into their

Main Street, Georgetown. It was just midday hours, and the iconic fairy lights on Main Street had not even been switched on,

diverse businesses.

Kicking things off was Claire Richards of Mother Nature’s Organic Farm, who showcased an infused

“We have flavoured cassava bread with flaxseed, chia seed, some with garlic, and different flavours in the cassava bread. So, I would say that I have a very different business from all the other exhibitors, yes, be-

“We have products ranging, from a thousand dollars to fifteen hundred—the pumpkin-pepper is a thousand dollars, the black cake is a thousand dollars,” she stated encouraging persons to shop from her.

cause our business is very unique. I pride myself on producing everything from our farm,” Richards explained.

To top it off, her pric-

cassava bread product alongside an array of fresh, farm-to-market products straight from her farm.

but an impressive lineup of unique businesses was already taking center stage at this year’s Christmas Village and Supermarket on Main Street.

es were amazingly cheap, and this saw a lot of persons flocking to her booth to purchase.

Just a few booths away was Nickeisha Roberts, owner of Mursia Preservable Products, another diverse businesswoman who revealed that she was making carilla-styled peppers.

“The products that we have showcased today include our famous carilla pepper sauce, in which carilla is very good health-wise. We also have our famous green seasoning, which is a mix of ginger, turmeric, shallot, celery, and fine thyme,” Roberts shared.

When asked what she wanted Guyanese citizens to take away from her products, she said that she would like them to experience the burst of flavour the peppers are set to provide.

“When they taste this product, they’re going to get a little kick. You won’t taste the bitterness that much, but the carilla gives you the kick within the pepper, and it tastes very good.”

Patrons also shared their thoughts on the uniqueness of the event as they strolled down Main Street. One patron, Tuwana Payne, expressed that this year’s event was exceptional as it provided exhibitors the opportunity to reach a wide audience.

“It’s very entertaining. The vibe here is really nice. It’s really nice to showcase your product. I think it gives them more recognition for their business. It would show the public what products they are producing. I think you all should come out; it’s really nice here,” Payne stated.

Echoing similar remarks was Jose Robert, who en-

couraged others to attend.

“We won a lot of prizes here. I just think you guys should come out with your families. It has a lot of fun interactive games for you and your family to come and enjoy the Christmas season, you know. Just come out and enjoy yourselves,” Robert said.

He also humbly requested the clearing of some of the drains, noting that it could affect businesses

the places you could sit.”

Only on Monday evening, the highly anticipated annual One Guyana Christmas Village was officially launched on Main Street, Georgetown. At the opening ceremony, patrons were treated to musical renditions and dances by several local talents.

Delivering feature remarks at the event was Head of State, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who high-

showcasing at the event.

“As we’re looking right now, it’s a very rainy season. I think they could enhance the drainage because

lighted that, for the first time, the annual One Guyana Christmas Village would feature a Guyana Supermarket, where small

if you’re looking carefully, it’s flooding from a small thing. It’s not even a heavy rain, and it’s already flooding. So, I think they could do a better job like that because they’ve already made a lot of improvements as it relates to the walkways and

and medium-sized businesses would be given the opportunity to market and sell their products.

In this regard, President Ali urged Guyanese citizens to utilise local produce and products as the festive season continues.

Nickeisha Roberts, owner of Mursia Preservable Products

Jose Robert – one of the patrons at the event

Guyana Times' Mishael Henry indulges in one of the products on sale

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Major polluters and contributors again betrayed global citizens at COP29

In Guyana, some well-to-do naysayers, some of whom live in oil-rich countries, demand that Guyana becomes a “responsible” country: leave our oil in the ground and let our people remain mired in poverty. In Azerbaijan, where the Caspian Sea is dotted with mansions built by oil money, the world’s first-ever oil-city (Baku) hosted COP29 with a forceful cry that they will continue to promote fossil fuel, the “gift from god”. In the middle of the conference itself, the Chair held a meeting with investors to promote Azerbaijan’s oil and gas industry.

Not surprisingly, developing countries, particularly LDCs and SIDS, are outraged by the outcome of COP29, they having been forced to leave Baku without an ambitious climate finance goal being met; without concrete plans to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C; and without the comprehensive support desperately needed for mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage. It was not just a failure; it was a colossal betrayal by those who are responsible for the calamity.

The disappointment is that COP30, to be held in beautiful Belem, in Brazil, is already facing a gloomy prospect, given that President Donald Trump of the USA is likely to pull America out of the Paris Agreement.

COP29 was always going to be a disappointment, because the US$100B annual contribution which should have been reached in 2020 was not met, mainly because President Trump had withdrawn the US from the Paris Agreement. COP29 was expected to agree to an annual commitment of US$1.3T, but was able to reach agreement for only US$300B annually by 2035, less than 25% of what was expected. With America’s likely departure again from the Paris Treaty, even this paltry sum needed for mitigation and adaptation, and for damage and recovery losses, is now threatened with non-compliance.

Many will blame Trump for the betrayal by the major polluters, but global warming did not start in 2016, when Donald Trump became America’s President; and the failure to finance mitigation, adaptation, damage and loss, and recovery with an annual contribution of US$100B is not solely because Trump had withdrawn from the Paris Agreement. The agreement to reach US$100B was agreed at COP15, in 2009. Long before Trump had become America’s President in 2016, it had already become apparent that the developed North, which were mainly responsible for climate change, were going to violate the agreement. The danger we face today, as global citizens, is not just that the US$300B agreed to at COP29 two weeks ago is paltry, far from the expected $US1.3T, but that, collectively, the world will again be disappointed by non-compliance. It will again be a popular notion that the world failed because of the expected climate change denial posture of Trump’s presidency. The truth, however, would be that failure to reach the commitment would eventually be because almost all those who should pay for the climate change catastrophe would fall short.

Countries in the Global South (developing countries) were calling for a minimum of $1.3T (less than 1% of global GDP) in annual finance by 2035, to help developing countries to implement the Paris Agreement targets through mitigation and adaptation initiatives, and to assist in loss, damage and recovery initiatives, recognizing the historic responsibility of Global North (developed) countries for climate change.

COP29 commitment of just US$300B annually by 2035 has been a bitter disappointment, leaving developing countries to absorb destruction and death, which they cannot afford and are unable to take measures to address the climate crisis — a crisis for which they are not responsible. While there is no dispute that the developing countries are paying the price for a calamity they did not cause, those responsible have walked away from the table.

COP29 also disappointed the world in its posture towards fossil fuel production and use. While there are naysayers in Guyana demanding that poor little Guyana must take the lead and leave the fossil fuel in the ground, those countries which have developed wealth through fossil fuel are driving another message, summarized aptly by the incoming president of the USA, who screams out, “Drill baby, drill”.

CoP28 had called on all countries to contribute to transitioning away from fossil fuels, calling on traditional producers to not expand production, but begin to reduce production. Instead, the traditional producers pushed back on any mention of fossil fuel phase-out during the discussions on mitigation. For those among us who want Guyana to be “responsible” and remain poor while the rich get richer, COP29 should be a lesson for them.

In spite of annual disappointments, the Paris Agreement and COP1 to COP29 have galvanized the world in slow action. While we need greater urgency, world leaders have acted on the principle, well known in Guyana, of “one-one dutty does build dam”. Like COP1 to COP28, COP29 had its own meagre success, along with its myriad failures.

One of the meagre successes of COP29 is that progress in implementing Article 6 (carbon market) of the Paris Agreement was accomplished. Article 6 is intended to establish the rules for carbon trading under the Paris Agreement. Article 6 in the Paris Agreement is the replacement of the Clean Development Mechanism, a carbon offset scheme set up under the Kyoto Protocol which all but collapsed by 2010, after years of being rocked by scandals and profiteering. Hopefully, the rules for trading carbon credits would result in prioritising high-quality carbon credits, like those from Guyana, with systems to bar low-quality carbon credits…

Other reasons for optimism were deals on the Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment targeting action on N?O emissions. The UK has shown renewed leadership, committing to an 81% GHG reduction by 2035, and the EU made commitments on Methane Abatement. Nearly $500 million in new grant funding for methane abatement was announced at the annual Global Methane Pledge (GMP) Ministerial, bringing total GMP grant funding to more than $2 billion.

Crackdown nets over 4,200 traffic violations in 1 week

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has intensified its traffic enforcement efforts, recording an unprecedented 4276 traffic violations across all regional divisions in just one week. The campaign, led by Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, targeted critical areas of non-compliance and highlighted the department’s commitment to improving road safety.

The enforcement period spanned from November 24 to November 30. Speeding topped the list of infrac-

tions, with 791 cases documented, including 190 tickets issued on Heroes Highway alone. Failure to wear seat belts accounted for 192 violations.

Meanwhile, improper loading practices, primarily by lorries transporting construction materials, led to 76 citations. Another significant area of non-compliance involved the failure to wear safety helmets, with 297 cases recorded, including instances where drivers permitted pillion riders to ride without helmets.

Despite resource chal-

lenges, officers were visible on the ground, working to prevent accidents and improve the safety of Guyana’s roads. The robust enforcement drive has drawn commendation from citizens and stakeholders for its focus on mitigating reckless behaviours that contribute to road accidents.

Only on Friday, a comprehensive traffic operation conducted in Georgetown

ranks, targeting key areas within Regional Division 4A.

Among the offences, “leaving a vehicle in a dangerous position” topped the list with 19 cases, while 25 instances of prohibited tinted front glass raised serious concerns. Motorcyclerelated violations were also widespread, with six cases of riders failing to wear helmets and three drivers car-

saw 79 violations. The operation, which ran from 11:30h to 18:00h, was led by Deputy Superintendent Fredericks and Inspector Roop, alongside 13 other

rying pillion riders without helmets. Other violations included breaches of insurance laws, unlicensed drivers, and obscured vehicle identification marks.

Cubans deported after overstaying in Guyana

Seven Cubans – four women and three men – appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday after being found to have overstayed their time in Guyana.

Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty issued deportation orders for five of the individuals, while granting two others the opportunity to leave voluntarily by December 4, 2024.

Yamina Rina Stivens, Lourdes Leonard Carabolla, Artetis Dominiguez Bartista, Yamika Regla Morrjon Boza, Jaciel Antonio Rosa Rodriguez, Luis Raul Bango Rodriguez, and Yunier Aballe Artigas, appeared in court with the assistance of a Spanish interpreter to ensure clarity during the proceedings.

According to immigration records presented in court, each of the Cubans had entered Guyana legally but failed to leave within the allotted time or seek extensions for their stay. Morrjon Boza arrived on February 20, 2024, with permission to remain until March 19, 2024, but overstayed her visit. Similarly, Carabolla and Bango Rodriguez also failed to adhere to the terms of their entry, as did Bartista and Artigas, who arrived in August 2024 and remained.

In the case of Stivens and Rosa Rodriguez, both had entered Guyana in 2023 with one-month visas but similarly overstayed without applying for extensions. However, during the hearing, their lawyer informed the court that Rosa Rodriguez was prepared to purchase tickets for himself and Stivens to return to Cuba voluntarily. Considering this, the magistrate allowed them to leave of their own accord by December 4, avoiding immediate deportation.

The court underscored the seriousness of overstaying in breach of immigration laws and granted the Immigration Department permission to deport the remaining five Cubans.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

The Cubans who overstayed their time in Guyana

Police conducting traffic exercises around the country

Bartica Town Council looking at over $130M budget for 2025 – Mayor

The Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) is proposing an approximate $132 million budget for next year 2025. This proposed budget was revealed by Bartica’s Mayor Anthony Murry on Tuesday during an interview with Guyana Times. The Mayor told this publication that the council has made a proposal to secure some $32 million to execute several small projects outside of capital works.

“So, we’re looking at approximately, from our office outside of capital works from our area. We were looking at a few small things that would come up to approximately $32 million.”

In relation to the enhancement of infrastructure such as roads and drainage systems, the Mayor revealed that the council will be lobbying to secure over $100 million in Financing from the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry.

This allocation the Mayor noted will cater for the enhancement of throughfares, particularly in the central Bartica area.

“Outside of that, we also send another capital project, to have some roads done in some location in the central Bartica that were never done. So we’re looking at roads, drain investments with concrete, smaller drains. We’re looking at over once the Ministry passes it through as a priority that will be approximately over $100

million.”

Moreover, the Mayor also highlighted some of the projects that the town council, would have proposed to better the lives of Bartica residents. One such project is the planting of street lights within several areas of the town.

“One of our items that we will submit as capital projects for the year 2024 that comes out from the subvention which amounts to $18 million, every year we would receive within two parts. So, we are now looking to carry out the project of lighting in areas that certainly are most in need of lighting in the areas and also lights that went in critical locations do that is what we are presently looking at.”

The Mayor also revealed that, the council would’ve invested in improving the towns drainage and irrigation systems. These efforts he said will continue in 2025 to eliminate flooding during the rainy seasons.

“And also, we had a few Kokers that we completed and culvert based on experiencing the heavy rainfall and because of how the

terrain is in Bartica, we would normally have water rushing down to the low flats. And there is a particular area that we normally get flooding however we looked at that. As part of our programme for 2025 we have earmarked for a major koker as well as pumps to be placed in these areas.”

Additionally, the Mayor highlighted that his administration has been working alongside the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) to ensure all residents of the town have access to clean portable water. He noted that GWI Is current-

ly constructing a water treatment plant within the five-miles area.

“So, the new housing scheme that is ongoing right now is six, seven miles. There was a need for GWI to set up a treatment plant. The new one that is being prepared and executed right now, they have the existing one, which is five miles. Normally, GWI has a problem in sending the pressure way up to five miles because you go higher. So, we, again, along with the Government and the different Ministries, we’re happy to see that we have GWI is now in the process of constructing a new water treatment plant in five-miles area. And it started, we should be completing that by the first quarter of 2025.”

The Mayor explained that his administration will continue to carry out statutory work which include the maintenance of alleyways, parkways, drains, lights, etc. He added that they will also continue to work alongside the Government to continue improving the lives of the town’s residents.

Fish vendors slapped with joint murder charge

Two fish vendors were remanded to prison on Tuesday after being charged with the murder of Nigel Devon Williams. The accused, Joshua Persaud, 23, and Keyon Lewis, 28, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that the men attacked Williams on November 23, at the Stabroek Market Bazaar in Georgetown. The assault reportedly stemmed from claims that Williams had stolen $90,000 and a cellphone from one of them.

Williams, who had suffered severe injuries during the attack, was found dead at his home three days later by his mother.

The charge was read to

them in court on Tuesday. Court documents revealed that one of the accused believed Williams had taken his cell phone and money. When the duo confronted Williams at the market, he denied the accusations. This led to an alleged assault, during which Williams was struck with a cutlass and beaten with a piece of wood.

Emergency services transported Williams to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he received treatment before being discharged. However, his con -

dition worsened, and he died at home days later. A post-mortem examination revealed that Williams succumbed to hemorrhagic shock caused by multiple cuts and blunt force trauma to his head and chest. Police statements indicated that both Persaud and Lewis were identified by eyewitnesses, including a civilian and a police officer.

In court, Lewis had legal representation, while Persaud did not.

The case has been adjourned to January 8, 2025. (G9)

Bartica Mayor Anthony Murray

Remanded: Joshua Persaud and Keyon Lewis

Dead: Nigel Devon Williams

2 men to serve life imprisonment for gunning down Sophia resident

Two men were handed life sentences on Monday for the execution-style killing of Seon London, also known as “Gaza,” in October 2020. The verdict was delivered by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara after a 12-member jury found the accused guilty of premeditated murder.

The convicted men, Sitaffa Joseph, 32, called “Safo,” of Trench Road, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Rickford Marcus, 27, also known as “Spent Shell,” of James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown were sentenced to life in prison for the fatal shooting of London in Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The incident occurred on the evening of October 17, 2020, while London, 27, was sitting on a bench outside a friend’s home in ‘C’ Field, Sophia. His wife had left moments earlier to purchase food, leaving him engaged in conversation with a friend.

Reports at the time were that two gunmen approached and opened fire, striking London multiple times. Witnesses recalled hearing several gunshots as the attackers fled the scene on foot. London was left bleeding and succumbed to his injuries before receiving medical attention.

Investigations revealed that London had been targeted. One of the gunmen, police said, had previously been linked to an attempted murder against London

in May 2020, where he was shot in Cummings Park, Sophia. Kevin McAdam, charged in the earlier attack, had been released on bail at the time of London’s murder.

During the trial, both Joseph and Marcus maintained their innocence, despite an eyewitness testifying to Joseph’s presence at the crime scene. Defence attorney, Leslie Sobers argued that his clients were under the influence of marijuana at the time, impairing their judgment. Sobers pleaded for leniency, highlighting Joseph’s desire to reunite with his young daughter and Marcus’ expression of regret over the situation, though he denied involvement.

The grieving mother of the victim submitted a statement, describing her son as a loving provider and calling for the maximum penalty to ensure justice for her family.

State prosecutor Madana Rampersaud urged the court to consider the grav-

ity of the crime, emphasising its premeditated nature, the use of firearms, and the theft of London’s wallet. Rampersaud also cited the defendants’ lack of remorse and their criminal records, which included convictions for robbery under arms, narcotics possession, and larceny.

Justice Singh imposed a life sentence on both men, with parole eligibility set at 43 years, considering their pre-trial detention. The base term of 30 years was increased by five years for premeditation, five years for the use of a firearm, and three years for their prior offences.

The case was prosecuted by attorneys Madana Rampersaud and Christopher Belfield. Justice Singh emphasised that the sentence was meant to reflect society’s condemnation of such heinous crimes and to serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. (G9)

Work ongoing with Govt to boost...

This announcement followed criticism from some naysayers, who had argued that the US Exim Bank would not approve financing for this particular project. There was also an attempt to block the financing from US EXIM Bank.

According to VP Jagdeo, the Guyana Government was waiting on the US finance institution to make the announcement first.

USAID RESET launches grants for climate–smart, sustainable growth

The Caribbean Resilient Economies and Sectors Activity (RESET) Programme will launch its Grants Programme on the margins of the 13th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management to be held December 2 – December 6, 2024.

RESET, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Grants Programme is designed to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), civil society organisations (non-Governmental and community-based organisations), associations or cooperatives and private research institutes in 11 Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC) countries.

In a release on Tuesday, it was stated that RESET is now accepting concept papers

from organisations to support activities in eight core areas: Agri-food; Tourism; Blue Economy; Green Economy; Regenerative Agriculture; Food Systems; Disaster Risk Management; and other Innovative activities which will contribute to resilient sectors and economies. All concept papers must

show how activities for which funding is being requested will contribute to one or more of the following - economic development and growth; capacity building and institutional strengthening; shock responsive social protection; and blue and green investment and growth. The concept notes should emphasise how the activities proposed will lead to building the resilience of vulnerable populations including women, youth and persons with disabilities, who are more disproportionately impacted by climate related events.

The main objectives of the Grants Programme is to support these entities to increase investments in climate smart technologies, approaches and/or business practices that will lead to a stronger blue-green economy characterised by inclusive and resilient growth as well as sustainable jobs.

Initially, the Government was aiming to borrow approximately US$645 million from the US Bank to fund the GtE initiative. Guyana was expected to put up the other US$100 million as advance payment to support the US$760 million initiative.

However, the Vice President explained that the loan approved was not the full amount that Guyana had requested. Rather, it would be around US$509 million. Guyana Times was informed that

The US EXIM Bank’s approval comes on the heels of high-level due diligence done by the financial institution. The Guyana Government had stated that no fatal flaws were found during the technical and environmental assessments done by the bank.

the full amount was not approved because not all components of the project will be procured from the US. As a result, financing will only cover the components purchased from that country.

While Guyana was awaiting the approval of this loan, Government had gone ahead and injected some US$400 million to commence work on the highly anticipated GtE Project. It was noted, too, that Guyana could potentially fund the entire initiative had the loan request not been approved by the US financial institution. FROM PAGE 9

Sitaffa Joseph and Rickford Marcus

Chief of Party – Caribbean RESET, Patricia Shako

GDF delegation returns from successful military exchange with Brazil

Adelegation from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), led by Lieutenant Colonel John Mohanlall, has returned from Brazil after participating in the 27th Regional Meeting of Military Exchange between Guyana and Brazil. This annual event, held on a rotational basis between the two nations, aims to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation between

their military forces.

Hosted by Brazil this year, the meeting focused on fostering collaboration in addressing shared security challenges along the Guyana-Brazil frontier. The exchange offered a platform for both countries to deepen their military ties and discuss strategies for improving regional security.

The Brazilian delegation was headed by Major General Luciano Bortoluzzi

Garcia, the Commander of the 1st Jungle Infantry Brigade, and both sides engaged in discussions designed to promote interoperability and build trust. These key elements are crucial for the success of future joint operations, enabling both militaries to respond effectively to regional threats.

The success of this year’s military exchange underscores the importance of continued dialogue and col-

The annual meeting highlights the growing partnership and the shared com-

mitment to safeguarding the interests of both nations in the region.

Guinea rights groups say 135 killed in stadium crush

Some 135 people were killed in a crush at a soccer stadium in southeast Guinea on Sunday, a local group of human rights organisations said, sharing an estimated death toll more than twice as high as the official toll of 56.

A controversial refereeing decision sparked crowd violence and tear gas volleys from Police during the match in the town of Nzerekore, leading to a deadly scrum as spectators tried to flee.

A collective of human

rights groups in Nzerekore region said on Tuesday its higher estimate was based on information from the hospital, cemeteries, witnesses at the stadium, families of victims, mosques, churches, and the local press.

“We now estimate 135 people died at the stadium, mostly children under the age of 18,” it said in a statement, adding that over 50 persons were still missing.

The group blamed security forces for using excessive tear gas and prioritising the protection of officials over

spectators.

It also said vehicles carrying officials and others escaping the stadium had struck spectators as they tried to flee what it described as an overcrowded venue whose gate was being obstructed by security forces.

It said it held the tournament organisers responsible as well as Guinea’s ruling junta, as they provided technical and financial support for the event honouring military leader Mamady Doumbouya. (Reuters)

laborative efforts in advancing security and cooperation between Guyana and Brazil.

Regional

PNM picks 13 election candidates

The ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) of Trinidad and Tobago has now picked 13 candidates for next year's general election, which is equivalent to just over half of the 22 seats the party now holds in the 41-seat House of Representatives.

PNM Vice Chairman Camille Robinson-Regis spoke to Newsday on December 3 and released the results of the party's screening exercise the evening before.

She was among those successfully screened to stand again, for her seat of Arouca/Maloney.

Also successfully screened was Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde, for Tunapuna.

Newsday learnt Labour Minister Stephen Mc Clashie had been screened, but no decision has yet been taken on the La Brea seat, for which he is seeking to be returned.

Robinson-Regis was unable to say anything to Newsday about reports that Minister in the Ministry of Housing Adrian Leonce may have opted not to seek renomination for Laventille

East/Morvant, formerly represented by Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds. Calls to Leonce's phone went unanswered.

Also screened and approved was newcomer attorney Kareem Marcelle, an alderman on the Port of Spain City Corporation, who will be the Laventille West candidate, replacing Hinds, the incumbent, who withdrew.

Later, a PNM statement said the 21 nominees from 14 constituencies had presented themselves before the party's screening committee and constituency executive.

"This brings to 32 the total number of PNM prospective candidates out in the field.

"The party has called for nominations for the constituencies of Tobago East and Tobago West, and has reopened nominations for La Brea and Laventille East/ Morvant which will close at 12 noon, December 20."

The statement said the PNM was committed to finding suitable candidates for every seat in local government, Tobago House of Assembly and general elections, including the 2025 general election. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Scared to stay in Mexico, afraid of Trump's policies, some migrants look to return home

Every day, Nidia Montenegro spends hours checking her cellphone, hoping to receive a long-awaited appointment with US border officials to seek asylum in the United States.

The 52-year-old Venezuelan migrant in Mexico says she fears her appointment will not come before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, when he has vowed to scrap a slew of programmes that have allowed migrants to enter the US legally – including the government app that Montenegro is using to try and get her appointment. That could leave thou-

sands of migrants like Montenegro in limbo and facing the choice of trying to cross into the US illegally, staying in Mexico, or returning home.

Given those options, Montenegro says she would return home, more fearful of the violence she has encountered while travelling through Mexico than the hardship she left behind in Venezuela.

"I am traumatised. If I don't get the appointment, I will go back," she said, disheartened.

"There is always the threat of cartels that kidnap us," added the woman, who says despite thinking about returning home she

does not have the money to do so.

A dozen migrants interviewed in Mexico by Reuters said they would prefer to return to their countries despite the ongoing issues that drove them to migrate, such as poverty, lack of employment, insecurity, and political crises.

That is too small a sample size to draw clear conclusions of how migrants will react after Trump takes office, and much will depend on exactly what policies he implements and how.

But it does highlight the hard choices likely to face many after January 20.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica records a decline in murders so far for 2024

Jamaica has recorded 1060 murders for the 11-month period to November 30, according to figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Monday.

The JCF said that the tally is 228 fewer or 17.7 per cent decline in murders when compared to the corresponding period last year.

The JCF said that 21 people were murdered in the last week of November as against 44 people a week earlier.

The latest JCF figures show that two police divisions have recorded over 100 murders, namely, St James with 118 homicides and St Andrew South with 112, while Portland has the few-

est homicides with 13 murders recorded.

The St Andrew South Police Division had a mass murder last week along Waltham Park Road where five people were shot and killed in separate incidents. Last year, the number of people murdered in Jamaica amounted to 1393. (CMC)

Venezuela's 2025 budget set to grow nearly 11%, oil to contribute less

Venezuela's Government is planning a budget of US$22.7 billion for next year, the country's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez told lawmakers at the Governmentallied National Assembly on Tuesday, up nearly 11 per cent from spending this year of US$20.5 billion.

"2025 will be a better year, because we have learned to manage the difficulties," Rodriguez told lawmakers.

Contributions from State-run oil company PDVSA will fall 14.6 per

cent next year, according to a copy of the budget bill seen by Reuters.

Income from PDVSA – via sales and taxes –will cover 53 per cent of the Government's spending needs, equivalent to US$10.1 billion, according to the exchange rate calculated by Venezuela's central bank.

In 2024, PDVSA contributed US$11.9 billion.

PDVSA did not immediately respond to a request for comments on its forecast contribution.

Tax revenues will con-

tribute US$5.25 billion of the budget and will finance 28 per cent of spending, according to the document. Other financing will come from mining, loans, and debt issuances.

After years of hyperinflation and amid broad US sanctions, in 2022, the Administration of President Nicolás Maduro began using orthodox policies including credit restrictions, lower public spending, a fixed dollar-bolivar rate and central bank sales of billions of dollars in foreign currency to tamp down consumer prices. Maduro, who will begin his third term in January after a disputed election that the Opposition and international observers say he lost, has said his Government defeated inflation of more than 100,000 per cent and prices in 2024 are similar to those in 2014.

But prices have increased in the final quarter of this year after the Government allowed the bolivar currency to float in mid-October. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexico's Lower House passes constitutional ban on e-cigarettes, vapes

Mexican lower house lawmakers on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a proposal to alter the constitution to include a ban on e-cigarettes and vaping devices as well as a crackdown on synthetic drugs such as fentanyl.

Former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who sent the proposal to Congress before leaving office this year, had argued that smoking devices were damaging public health, with children particularly susceptible to getting hooked.

Lopez Obrador had already banned such devices through a presidential decree, though they remain

widely available for purchase.

Millions of Mexicans, meanwhile, smoke traditional cigarettes, which remain legal.

The reform passed by the legislature on Tuesday also sanctions "production, distribution and sale of toxic substances, chemical precursors, the illicit use of fentanyl and other non-authorised synthetic drugs."

Fentanyl, while approved for some use medically, is also by and large banned in Mexico.

The measure passed, in general terms, with 410 votes in favour and 24 against.

Less than 1 million people from ages 12 to 65 reported regularly using a vape

in 2022, according to federal data cited by lawmakers. Meanwhile, around 500,000 teens and 300,000 adults used e-cigarettes. "We value girls', boys', and young people's right to good health above economic and political interests," said Workers' Party lawmaker Mary Carmen Bernal, who belongs to the ruling bloc. Opposition legislator Ector Jaime Ramirez, meanwhile, said banning fentanyl and vaping in the same reform was excessive and "trivialising to the effort being made to combat the most addictive and dangerous drugs".

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil's Workers Party out of touch

with society, says likely new leader

The likely next president of Brazil's ruling Workers Party (PT) says the party has to reconnect with its rank and file and the new working class if it wants to overcome recent setbacks and remain relevant in Brazilian politics.

Edinho Silva, Mayor of Araraquara in the state of São Paulo, is in line to become the leader of the party founded in 1980 in the industrial heart of São Paulo by then metalworking union leader and now President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

The PT has governed Brazil for 14 years since 2002 when Lula was elected as the country's first working-class president. In 2022, he was

elected for a third non-consecutive term, defeating hard-right former President Jair Bolsonaro.

But the PT has done badly in local elections and has shrunk in Brazil's Congress, which is now dominated by centre-right and right-wing parties. In the municipal elections this year, the PT lost votes in its traditional bastions of support such as the outskirts of large cities like São Paulo.

In an interview with Reuters, Edinho Silva admitted mistakes have been made and need to be corrected.

"We have to be more present in the real lives of people," said Silva, one of Lula's most trusted aides, a

59-year-old sociologist who coordinated the 2022 presidential campaign. Silva recognised that the Brazilian right has made major inroads among lower middle class Brazilians with an anti-establishment discourse against traditional political parties.

Brazil's difficult economic situation has not helped , with high inflation and the need to cut spending to stop the bloated national debt growing further.

"Maybe we did not make it clear how bad the situation was that we faced in Brazil when President Lula took office, and we are paying the price for that today," he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley waves as he arrives at Balisier House on December 2 to chair the PNM screening committee (Faith Ayoung photo)

Venezuelan Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodriguez addresses the media at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela, November 18, 2024 (Reuters/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria photo)

Around the World OIL NEWS

Oil rises on fears about Lebanon, further OPEC+ supply cuts

Oil prices rose more than two per cent on Tuesday as Israel threatened to attack the Lebanese state if its truce with Hezbollah collapses, and as investors positioned for the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) to announce an extension of supply cuts this week.

Brent crude futures posted their biggest gains in two weeks, rising by US$1.79, or 2.5 per cent, to settle at US$73.62 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also rose the most since November 18, gaining US$1.84, or 2.7 per cent, to close at US$69.94 per barrel.

Israeli forces have continued strikes against what they say are Hezbollah fighters ignoring last week’s truce agreement in Lebanon. Top Lebanese officials have urged Washington and Paris to press Israel to uphold the ceasefire.

The risk to the ceasefire has some oil traders worrying more about tensions in the Middle East, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

While the Lebanon conflict has not resulted in oil supply disruptions, traders will closely track tensions between Iran and Israel over the coming months, Staunovo added.

Also supporting oil prices, OPEC+ will likely extend output cuts when it meets on Thursday.

The group is likely to extend supply cuts until the end of the first quarter next year, four OPEC+ sources told Reuters.

OPEC+, which accounts for about half of the world’s oil production, has been looking to gradually unwind supply cuts through next year. However, the prospect of a market surplus has pressured oil prices, with Brent trading nearly six per cent below its average for December 2023.

An extension of OPEC+ supply cuts will limit the market surplus and provide the oil market a softer landing than most forecasts expected, Scott Shelton, energy analyst at TP ICAP, told clients in a note.

“Given a rise in compliance with production cuts from Russia, Kazakhstan and Iraq, the lower Brent price level and indications in press reports, we assume an extension of OPEC+ production cuts til April,” Goldman Sachs analysts said in a note.

The global oil demand outlook remains weak and China’s crude imports are likely to peak as early as next year as demand for transport fuel begins to decrease, researchers and analysts said.

US crude oil inventories rose 1.2 million barrels in the week ended November 29, market sources said citing data from the American Petroleum Institute (API). Fuel stocks also rose, they said.

Rising inventories typically indicate weak demand.

Official data on oil stocks from the US Energy Information Administration is due today at 10:30h ET (1530 GMT). Analysts polled by Reuters expect a 700,000 barrel decline in crude stocks.

“Oil is not going to be in short supply next year,” Francisco Blanch, head of global commodities at BofA Securities told reporters. “Demand growth rates will slow in 2025, and we cannot count on China to account for half the global oil demand.” “(Oil) prices will roll down a bit,” he said. (Reuters)

South Korea’s President reverses martial law after lawmakers defy him

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said today he would lift a surprise martial law declaration he had imposed just hours before, backing down in a standoff with parliament which roundly rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media.

In South Korea’s biggest political crisis in decades, Yoon shocked the nation and declared martial law on Tuesday night to thwart “anti-State forces” among his domestic political opponents. But outraged lawmakers unanimously rejected the decree. Yonhap news agency said the Cabinet had agreed early on Wednesday to scrap the martial law.

Protesters outside the National Assembly parliament shouted and clapped. “We won!” they chanted, and

one demonstrator banged on a drum.

The main opposition Democratic Party called for Yoon, who has been in office since 2022, to resign or face impeachment.

“Even if martial law is lifted, he cannot avoid trea-

Namibia elects Nandi-Ndaitwah as 1st female President

Netumbo NandiNdaitwah of Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party has been elected President and will be the country’s first female leader, results released by the country’s electoral commission showed on Tuesday.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, is the current Vice President. Her victory will extend SWAPO’s 34 years in power since it led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.

She received roughly 57 per cent of valid votes in the presidential race, according to a breakdown given by the Electoral Commission of Namibia.

Nandi-Ndaitwah needed to secure more than 50 per cent of the votes to secure a win.

“The Namibian nation has voted for peace and sta-

bility,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said after being declared president-elect.

She joined SWAPO in the 1960s when it was fighting for independence and has served in numerous senior roles including Foreign Minister in the democratic era.

Her main challenger in this election was Panduleni Itula from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party, who came second with roughly 26 per cent of votes.

Namibians voted separately for the National Assembly. SWAPO won a majority there, securing 51 of the 96 elected seats. The IPC won 20 seats and will be the official opposition.

The IPC has said it will challenge the results in court, calling the electoral process “deeply flawed”.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Trump appears to threaten Hamas with “all hell to pay” over hostages

US President-elect

Donald Trump has issued an apparent warning to Hamas, threatening “all hell to pay” if hostages held in Gaza are not released by the time he returns to the White House on January 20.

Dozens of people taken during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack remain unaccounted for. On Monday, the Israeli military said an IsraeliAmerican soldier who it believed to be a captive had in fact been killed last October.

Without mentioning

Hamas by name, Trump posted online the same day: “Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for his “strong statement”.

Trump has generally spoken of ending foreign conflicts, and of reducing US involvement.

He has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of Israel during its campaign

in Gaza, but has urged the American ally to end its military operation.

Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel in 2023, in which about 1200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

More than 44,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run Health Ministry. Tens of thousands of others have been injured and

much of the Palestinian enclave is in ruins.

On Monday, Israel attributed a new death to the 2023 assault by Hamas – saying Israeli-American soldier Omer Neutra was killed that day, and his body taken to Gaza. He was previously believed to have been in captivity but alive.

US President Joe Biden was among those who paid tribute to the 21-year-old, saying he was “devastated and outraged” at Neutra’s death. (Excerpt from BBC News)

son charges. It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could

no longer run the country normally. He should step down,” senior DP member of parliament Park Chan-dae said in a statement.

“South Korea as a nation dodged a bullet, but President Yoon may have shot himself in the foot,” said Danny Russel, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute think tank in the United States. The South Korean won currency came off a morethan-two-year low against the dollar after Yoon’s reversal, while exchange-traded funds linked to South Korean stocks similarly cut losses. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Putin-controlled aircraft deported Ukrainian children, US-backed research alleges

Russian presidential aircraft and funds were used in a programme that took children from occupied Ukrainian territories, stripped them of Ukrainian identity and placed them with Russian families, according to a report by Yale’s School of Public Health.

The US State Department-backed research, published on Tuesday, identified 314 Ukrainian children taken to Russia in the early months of the war in Ukraine as part of what it says was a systematic, Kremlin-funded programme to “Russify” them.

Reuters was unable to confirm the report’s findings independently.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his child rights’ commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the alleged war crime of de-

portation of Ukrainian children.

At the time, LvovaBelova said her commission acted on humanitarian grounds to protect children in an area of military hostilities. Lvova-Belova’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Kremlin said it could not respond to questions sent on Monday, citing a lack of time.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, reacting to the report, said in a statement on X: “Ukraine is tirelessly working to ensure our children return home and that all those responsible for these heinous crimes are punished.”

Meanwhile, President Zelenskiy called on Tuesday for major reinforcement of sectors in eastern Ukraine of the 1000-kilometre (600mile) front line, where Russian forces have made consistent gains in recent months. (Excerpt from Reuters)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (The Presidential Office/ Handout via Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova in Moscow, Russia, May 31, 2024 (Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via Reuters)

Get up and go. Make plans, participate in events and learn all you can to help you make better decisions. Trust your ability to seek and find what makes you happy.

A change will give you a new lease on life that energizes your actions at home and work. Someone will take advantage of you if you don’t monitor your investments and expenditures.

Note how others receive and respond to you and your gestures. You’ll need to protect yourself from fast talkers and anyone trying to put you in a vulnerable position or take advantage of you.

Let your imagination take the lead. Establish what’s important to you and make changes that enhance your confidence. It’s your turn to shine, so unleash your charm and enjoy.

An energetic attitude and approach to life will guarantee results. Participate, offer suggestions and sign up for something that makes you feel good about yourself and your achievements.

No matter what you encounter, turn a negative into a positive with a smile, a helping hand and the intent to make a difference. Set a good example and enjoy what unfolds.

Share your opinion, but only after you get your facts straight. Refuse to let domestic or health issues prevent you from finishing what you start. Protect yourself, but keep going.

Take pleasure in conversing with people trying to make a difference. Attending a conference or acting on behalf of someone unable to do so will be both uplifting and beneficial.

Do yourself a favor and put your mind at ease. A conservative change regarding how you earn or handle your money will help you establish what you can afford and what satisfies your soul.

An opportunity is worthwhile only if it satisfies your needs. A change of scenery will offer a unique perspective regarding what’s possible. Socializing will lead to exciting introductions and personal growth.

Take control before someone tries to dictate what you do next. Put your energy into projects that encourage positive change or a healthier lifestyle. Be a leader, not a follower.

A serious attitude will help ward off someone trying to lead you astray. You’ll need to devise an innovative plan to bring about group change. Take the microphone, paint an honest picture and see who follows you.

19th Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival… Presence of Umpire Ayanne McLean boosted officiating, competitiveness

GHB President Phillip Fernandes

Hockey fans flocked the National Gymnasium on Sunday, December 2nd, as the much-anticipated 19th Diamond Mineral Water Festival culminated under lights.

QPCC Men secured championship status, along with Hikers Old Boys Over 45, Women George United, and QPCC Men’s Over 35, as each rose to the challenge and showed determination to clinch their respective championships.

ited the positive nature of competition over the years with continuously attracting international teams.

President of the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), Phillip Fernandes, has deemed the tournament a success. In an exclusive chat with Guyana Times Sport, Fernandes cred-

“This is our 19th edition, and we've always had foreign teams coming, and that is not always easy to attract foreign teams. I think the product that we put out is good. Teams that come are always

Someash Boyer is latest beneficiary of the cricket gear initiative

Someash Boyer of Cummings Lodge Secondary School is the latest cricketer to benefit from the cricket gear initiative that is jointly administered by Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA.

The 13-year-old all-rounder of the Better Hope Cricket Club has received one pair of cricket shoes donated by Ravi Etwaroo of Cricket Zone USA, situated in the Bronx in New York, USA. Having participated in the recently concluded Demerara Cricket Board’s Inter-Association Under-15 tournament, where he represented the Demerara East Coast, Someash Boyer recorded a standout performance by taking four wickets in a match versus Demerara East Bank. And as he always does, Ravi Etwaroo immediately responded when approached for this assistance.

Over the years, contributions to this initiative by the philanthropic Ravi Etwaroo have helped many cricket clubs and young cricketers in Guyana and abroad. Young Boyer and this Initiative are very thankful for the assistance received, “and we encourage the general public to support this business. We are pleased to be part of (Boyer’s) development and (that of) every other young and aspiring cricketer in Guyana. He was encouraged to balance the game with his education.”

The aim of this cricket gear initiative is to keep as many young people as possible off the streets and to get them actively involved in sports, cricket in particular. Total cricket related items received or purchased so far: $460,000 in cash, thirteen coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, thirtyone pairs of cricket shoes, thirty-five pairs of batting pads, thirty-five cricket bats, thirty-six pairs of batting gloves, twenty-six thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, twelve cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one fiberglass bat, one pair of floppy hats, thirteen boxes of white cricket balls, nine boxes of red cricket balls, and twenty-eight foot-

balls.

In addition to the above, gear worth over $600,000 was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former national wicketkeeper /batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.

To date, eighty-nine young players, male and female from all three counties of Guyana, have benefitted directly from the receipt of cash, seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, thirty-three bats, four boxes, six helmets, thirty-three pairs of cricket shoes, twenty-one pairs of batting pads, twenty-four thigh pads, one bat grip, thirty-five pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads, and three pairs of wicketkeeping gloves. Many others have benefited indirectly. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area have benefitted from receipt of two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard have also each received one box of red cricket balls; Cold Fusion Cricket Club has received thirteen coloured uniforms; while RHCCCC received six boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves, two

sets of stumps, and bails.

Other beneficiaries are the Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and female teams playing traditional hardball and softball cricket in the Upper Corentyne area; Number 65 Young Titans have received 30 T-Shirts, youths of Just Try Cricket Club of Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls), Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each), Kendall’s Union Cricket Club with two boxes of red balls, Lower Corentyne, Corentyne Comprehensive and JC Chandisingh Secondary schools with twelve red balls each.

Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and well managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.

interested in coming back, and that shows today that, after 19 years, we can still have teams from Canada, we can still have several teams from Trinidad coming in, and all having good competition and having a good time in the place,” Fernandes has said.

Speaking on the strategy of having local teams compete against international teams in order to increase their development and growth, Fernades said, “Well, to make our local athletes better, we have to expose them to higher levels of competition. So, the best in Guyana

don't have anyone to compete against, so, when we bring in teams like this, it gives them that edge; it gives them that opportunity to retest their skills, to check where they're doing well (and) where they need to improve. And, in fact, this tournament does just that. They come in, there's a high level of competition, and throughout the tournament, you can see the quality of play rising in teams already.

“This is the only tournament throughout the year that we get this at the local side, and so it's very important and

critical, I think, for our development over the years.”

Asked what the presence of Trinidadian Umpire Ayanne McLean may have done for the Festival, Fernandes indicated that the high level of officiating had increased the level of play and officiating throughout the games.

“Yeah, that's also very important. Our athletes can't get better in isolation. Exactly how to play the game is dictated also by the officiating, so when you have really quality umpires like Ayana McLean, who is a world level: she's done Olympics, she's done World Cups; when people like her come here, it also educates everybody to the point where the whole game rises. The standard of play and the officiating raises quite a bit,” Fernandes explained.

This tournament was made possible by sponsorship from Demerara Distillers Limited, ANSA McAL, ExxonMobil, Republic Bank, Bounty Supermarkets, Sterling Products Ltd; Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, and the National Sports Commission.

ASK-G conducts karategrading examinations

On Sunday last, at the YMCA building on Thomas Lands in Georgetown, Shihan Amir Khouri, 8th Dan, assisted by Sensei Parmeshwar Persaud, 4th Dan, and Leonard Leuwaisee, 3rd Dan, conducted karate examinations for kyu grades.

Described as a successful day by the graders, the exams commenced at 10.00hrs and concluded at 13.30hrs. They resulted in numerous promotions, listed below.

Promoted from 10th Kyu to Yellow belt 8th Kyu: Samuel Blank, David McEwan, Elijah Harris, Nailah Lewis, Dezion Sears & Erin Hopkinson.

10th Kyu to Orange belt 7th Kyu: Kaiden Jerrick. 10th Kyu to Blue belt 5th Kyu: Cattleya Oscar.

8th Kyu to Orange belt

7th Kyu: Alvita Forrester & Tanveer Ramcharitar.

7th Kyu to Green belt 6th Kyu: Kristian Richards, Asim

Hamilton, Kyron Huntley, Afeerah Ali, Soofian Guptar. 7th Kyu to Blue belt 5th Kyu: Jaden Benjamin, & Malachi Argyle. 6th Kyu to Blue belt 5th Kyu: Runako Delph, Romana Ramjit, Samuel Persaud, Nathan Henry. 5th Kyu to Purple belt

4th Kyu: Miah Rajkumar, Adam Baksh, Madison Narine, Frank Persaud, Devraj Ramgobin, Lawrence Williams, Bibi Millington, Otavia Bobb, Kayden Hackett. 5th kyu to Brown belt 3rd Kyu: Karrisa Savory. 4th Kyu to Brown belt

3rd Kyu: Erik Lynch, Natalia Persaud, Wayne Browne, Aleeza Azimullah, Shreya Persaud, Anusha Singh, Maya Balram, Keshya Beaton, Keith K.A. Beaton, Gary Thompson, Leon Jagmohan. 3rd Kyu to Brown belt 2nd Kyu: Josiah Dick, Veerendra Krishna, Ameer Shariff, Shawn Ranjit,

Rachael Seymour, Al’lure Thompson, Sachin Pitamber, Phillip Persaud. 2nd Kyu to Brown belt 1st Kyu: According to the ASK-G, hard and continuous training under their instructors resulted in the students’ success. Gratitude has been extended to the parents present for their support, which was overwhelming.

Training continues at the Canaan Karate Dojo at Land of Canaan, EBD (Sensei Parmeshwar Persaud): Tucville Shotokan Karate Club in Tucville (Sensei Leonard Leuwaisee): YMCA Dojo Senseis 5th Dan Roger, 4th Dans Keith & Malcolm, 3rd Dans Matthew, Andre & Leonard, 1st Dans Bevon and Shihan Amir Khouri 8th Dan. YMCA karate classes will close on Friday 13th December 2024 and re-open on Monday 6th January 2025 at regular times.

A smiling Someash Boyer receiving his cricket shoes

A look at the promoted Karatekas and Instructors

Guyana Hockey Board President, Phillip Fernandes

Trinidadian Umpire Ayanne McLean officiated at the festival

Bangladesh Tour of the West Indies 2024/25: Test 2 of 2…

Bangladesh hand West Indies first defeat since 2009

– scripted by Jaker, Taijul, Nahid

Bangladesh posted their first Test win in the West Indies in 15 years when they beat the hosts by 101 runs in Jamaica. It was a remarkable comeback by the visitors after their big defeat in the first Test in Antigua, and the two-match series came to an end with each team having scored a win.

It was cathartic for a side that had lost their last five Tests so emphatically, as the likes of Taijul Islam, Jaker Ali and Nahid Rana scripted their third away win in 2024 - their most in a calendar year.

Left-arm spinner Taijul took 5 for 50 in the fourth innings to help bowl out the West Indies for 185. It was his 15th five-wicket haul,

took a bit of time to clear Jaker, with the BCB wary of his history of concussions.

fourth abroad, and a first in the Caribbean after 10 years.

Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana took the other five wickets. Rana took his maiden Test five-wicket haul in the second innings, when he helped to bowl out the West Indies for 146.

Bangladesh had made only 164 in their first innings, but their revival in the second innings was a notable one. This was courtesy of Jaker, who cracked five sixes and eight fours in a counter-attacking 91. Jaker scored 62 out of Bangladesh’s 75 runs in the morning session of the fourth day.

West Indies will feel they gave away a great start in the Test match when Jayden Seales returned remarkable figures of 5 for 4 from 15.5 overs. A firedup Seales, however, leaked runs in the third innings as Bangladesh shifted the momentum in a feisty third afternoon.

On the fourth morning, Jaker held Bangladesh’s key to grow their lead from 211. It didn’t start well for him, as Alzarri Joseph pinged him on the top of his helmet. The Bangladesh physio Bayezid Islam Khan

The situation became compounded when Bangladesh lost back-toback wickets.

Taijul edged a short ball on 14, after he and Jaker

Bangladesh’s tail now exposed.

With his back to the wall, Jaker went after the West Indies’ attack. He hooked Kemar Roach over wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva for a boundary. Then he timed a pull shot off Alzarri for his first six, which took him to his third consecutive fifty in his first three Tests. He is only the second Bangladesh player with the feat, after Zakir Hasan.

Jaker got on a roll in the next two balls. He flayed at a short ball to get a four over the slips, and then followed it up with a hooked six. He then smashed Roach over wide long-on in the next over, but Roach fought back with two more wickets, removing Mahmud and Taskin in consecutive overs.

Jaker, however, had one more burst of boundaries in him. He smashed Shamar Joseph for two fours in an over, both pull shots, before launching Roach for his fourth six, straight down the ground. His fifth six was off Shamar, hoicked over midwicket before he fell to

added 34 runs for the sixth wicket. Mominul Haque completed his second Test pair when he fell off his fourth ball. He looked visibly ill as he walked off, with

the ball, Louis edged the ball on to his front foot, with Shahadat Hossain claiming a diving catch at forward short leg.

Sensing the need to grab the momentum, Brathwaite went after the Bangladesh bowling. He had already picked up a boundary with a square-cut, but after the lunch break, he drove Mahmud through the covers. He launched Taijul over wide long-on for a six, but Keacy Carty couldn’t quite get the bowlers away at the other end.

Taskin had Carty caught behind for 14, after a buildup of dot balls, before Taijul accounted for the big wicket of Brathwaite. He troubled the West Indies captain a few times before getting one to turn and pop on the shoulder of Brathwaite’s bat. Mahmudul Hasan Joy

ran to his right from slip, to complete a tumbling catch.

Taijul then got one to pitch on a rough patch and spin back through Alick Athanaze’s huge gap between bat and pad.

Athanaze, who went for an expansive drive, looked confused about his approach in his six-ball stay.

All this time, Hodge kept his shape, looking sharp as he picked up regular boundaries. He slapped Rana and cut Taskin in consecutive overs. He struck Mehidy for two fours in an over, before going inside out against Taijul before tea.

West Indies started the third session on a happy note. Hodge got to his fifty off the first ball after the interval, but he fell shortly afterwards, too. Hodge played back to a Taijul delivery that kept very low, trapping

West Indies 2nd Innings (T: 287 runs)

Kraigg Brathwaite (c) c Mahmudul

Hasan Joy b Taijul Islam 43

Mikyle Louis c Shahadat Hossain

b Taijul Islam 6

Keacy Carty c †Litton Das

b Taskin Ahmed 14

Kavem Hodge lbw

b Taijul Islam 55

Alick Athanaze

b Taijul Islam 5

Justin Greaves

b Taskin Ahmed 20

Joshua Da Silva † lbw

b Taijul Islam 12

Alzarri Joseph

b Hasan Mahmud 5

Kemar Roach lbw

b Hasan Mahmud 8

Jayden Seales not out 1

Shamar Joseph

b Nahid Rana 8

Extras (b 5, lb 2, w 1) 8

Total 50 Ov (RR: 3.70) 185

him lbw. Keshav Maharaj and Shoaib Bashir have also got him out in similar fashion before. Taskin then cleaned up Justin Greaves with one that kept a little low too, but the batter didn’t make an effort to get low enough to meet the ball. Joshua Da Silva’s miserable series ended when Taijul had him lbw, again another West Indies batter falling lbw to a ball that could have been played off the front foot. When Mehidy brought around Mahmud for a second spell, he made an instant impact. He removed Alzarri and Roach to bring Bangladesh to the brink. Then came the big moment when Rana, who changed the momentum of the game with his first-innings fivefor, removed Shamar with a yorker to seal the hardfought win. (ESPNCricinfo)

a catch in the deep later in the over.

Taijul got to work as early as the fifth over, when he had Mikyle Louis in a tangle. Attempting to drive

Islam, 21.6 ov), 4-132 (Mehidy

Hasan Miraz, 25.3 ov), 5-173 (Litton Das, 33.5 ov), 6-207 (Taijul Islam, 49.3 ov), 7-211 (Mominul Haque, 50.3 ov), 8-243 (Hasan Mahmud, 54.6 ov), 9-246 (Taskin Ahmed, 56.3 ov), 10-268 (Jaker Ali, 59.5 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W

Jayden Seales 13-3-46-1

Alzarri Joseph 15.5-1-77-3

Shamar Joseph 12-0-80-2

Justin Greaves 8-1-20-1

Kavem Hodge 1-0-4-0

Kemar Roach 10-0-36-3

Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Mikyle Louis, 4.2 ov), 2-57 (Keacy Carty, 14.5 ov), 3-92 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 24.3 ov), 4-106 (Alick Athanaze, 26.1 ov), 5-143 (Kavem Hodge, 38.1 ov), 6-156 (Justin Greaves, 42.2 ov), 7-164 (Joshua Da Silva, 45.1 ov), 8-174 (Alzarri Joseph, 48.1 ov), 9-175 (Kemar Roach, 48.5 ov), 10185 (Shamar Joseph, 49.6 ov)

Bowling O-M-R-W Hasan Mahmud 6-0-20-2

Taskin Ahmed 10-0-45-2

Taijul Islam 17-5-50-5

Nahid Rana 9-2-32-1

Mehidy Hasan Miraz 8-0-31-0

Jaker Ali playing on the off-side

Kavem Hodge was the only West Indies batter to cross fifty in the match

Kraigg Brathwaite was uncharacteristically aggressive in the fourth innings

Taijul Islam was Bangladesh’s wrecker-in-chief in the fourth innings

‘Giving it everything we’ve got’

Tahir keen on booking final spot in ExxonMobil Guyana GSL T20

The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) have a must-win contest on their hands tonight if they are to secure their spot in Friday’s grand finale of the inaugural ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20.

The local franchise will take on the Rangpur Riders from 19:00hrs at the Guyana National Stadium, and the Riders have not been having the best of tournaments.

Though the Amazon Warriors had opened their account in the competition with a win, they faltered in their second game, but pulled off a necessary comeback in the third.

Reflecting on their most recent contest against the Hampshire Hawks, Amazon Warriors’ Captain Imran Tahir dissected his team’s performance with these words:

“We had to come back strongly after the last game, which was a little bit shock

for us. You know, we played a really good team, we thought that we had the last game as well. So, we came in with a different mindset, but I think Shan played re-

ally well and he put us under pressure there. I don’t think we expected him to play in that way.”

The Amazon Warriors captain added about their

GBF unveils squad for 2024 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup in Puerto Rico

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) on Monday officially announced the national squad for the 2024 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup, set to take place from December 12 to 15 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The prestigious tournament will feature 36 male and female teams from across the Americas, and Guyana is ready to make its mark on the international stage.

Leading the charge for Team Guyana is Nikkoloi Smith, who returns to the AmeriCup after representing the country in the 2022 edition in Miami.

Smith will be joined by his Ravens Basketball Club teammate Dominic Vincente, who is making his debut on the international 3x3 circuit.

The squad also includes Travis Belgrave of the Eagles Basketball Club and Harold Adams of the Victory Valley Royals in Linden.

Smith, Belgrave and Adams bring valuable international experience to the squad, having represented Guyana at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Konya, Turkey. In fact, Smith, Belgrave and Vincente, along with Jude Corlette,

formed Team Renegade which clinched the championship at the GBF National 3x3 Tournament in July.

GBF Vice President Rawle Toney would serve as the team’s coordinator, providing strategic and logistical support as the squad prepares to face some of the best 3x3 basketball teams in the Americas.

Guyana will tip off their campaign on the opening day in the qualifying round, where they will face off against the Cayman Islands, Aruba, and Haiti in Group A.

To advance to the main draw, Guyana must top their group, setting up potential showdowns with tournament heavyweights Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Now in its fourth edition, the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup is the premier 3x3 basketball event in the Americas. It serves as a critical pathway to global tournaments such as the FIBA 3x3 World Cup and the Olympic Games, making it a vital platform for emerging basketball nations like Guyana.

Since debuting in the inaugural 2021 FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup, Guyana have steadily built their reputa-

tion as a formidable competitor from the Caribbean. Their 2022 campaign in Miami showcased their potential with players like Delroy James, Gordon James, Shelroy Thomas, and Nikkoloi Smith.

The Guyanese squad impressed in the qualifiers, going undefeated before narrowly missing out on the quarter-finals after nail-biting losses to Canada (17-19) and Mexico (15-16).

Despite the setbacks, Guyana finished 11th out of 17 countries, with a record of three wins and two losses solidifying their position as one of the Caribbean’s top 3x3 basketball teams.

The 2024 AmeriCup represents more than just a competition for Team Guyana; it is a chance to elevate the nation’s basketball profile, gain international recognition, and inspire a new generation of players back home.

As 3x3 basketball continues to grow in popularity worldwide, Guyana’s participation in this tournament underscores the GBF commitment to developing the sport and positioning itself as a force to be reckoned with in the region.

game plan: “That phase, 1015 over, as a team, we decided where we can bowl him the best bowler. We restrict him, and that’s why I think he had to go after 15 overs, and obviously we got him out. That was the breakthrough for us. Otherwise, I think they could get 160, and then stuff could obviously be a little tricky on this pitch.”

Quizzed about how he motivated his troops following last Friday’s loss, Tahir shared some of the factors that caused a shift in their mindset.

“I just tell them that, you know, there’s an opportunity. A million people want the same opportunity that I want and what my teammates want. There’s a lot of kids watching us. Our families are watching us. The whole of Guyana is watching us, and wherever the Guyanese are all over the world. So, we’ve been given this opportunity, I’m very

honoured and privileged, as a captain, as a player, and I feel like if you’ve been given the honour, you don’t have to disrespect that,” he explained.

The Amazon Warriors Captain went on to state, “I think after the meeting we had -- obviously there were some tough words, but that is the reality, you know -we know we’ve got a really good team by end of the day. Unfortunately, any side can be better on the paper, but you have to come perform and win the game. So, I think that changed our mindset, made us more hungry; and I hope that we have the same vision going forward and not get relaxed.”

Still needing to win their next game to ensure their spot in the ExxonMobil GSL T20 final, Tahir wants his team to give everything in today’s fixture. He divulged, “I just been told that we have to win that

game, like I said. So, you know, we’re going to give everything that we can. We are the home team, playing in front of the home crowd, and like I said, we know the conditions a little bit; we have to give everything that we have. Obviously, the result is not in our hand, but the team we have, the balance we have in the team, I have no doubt we’re going to put a good performance and make Guyana people proud.”

Tonight’s battle between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Rangpur Riders will be the final preliminary game for the hosts, while the Riders will be in action against the Lahore Qalandars on Thursday evening.

Thursday’s double-header in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 will also see the Hampshire Hawks and Cricket Victoria locking horns from 10:00hrs.

Local athletes, coaches receive JAIN University scholarships

Acohort of local athletes and coaches would be jetting off to India early in the new year to take up scholarships at the Jain University, thus marking a historic occurrence for the local sports fraternity.

The revelation regarding the scholarship opportunities, which will see at least one player and coach from several sport disciplines practised in Guyana heading to India, was made by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. during the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) Sports Awards on Thursday last at Castellani House, Georgetown.

The scholarship awardees have been drawn from Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Golf, Swimming and Table Tennis.

“This is a big achievement,” Minister Ramson Jr. told the athletes and coaches while delivering the feature address at the National Sports Commission’s Awards ceremony last Thursday. “You are going to be paving the way for many more athletes. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

The Sport Minister has committed to being in constant contact with the athletes and coaches in order to offer support during their stay in India.

JAIN is one of the universities that are on board Government’s flagship Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, which offers thousands of Guyanese the opportunity to study at universities across the globe.

Ramson Jr. explained, “We are going to continue to assess this programme that they are doing with us, but from what we have seen already, it is a fantastic programme that is sport-specific.”

Minister Ramson has urged the recipients to make maximum use of the “great facilities” they would experience at Jain University, noting that it is incumbent on them to transfer the knowledge and experience they would gain to the younger ones upon return.

Among the athletes and coaches who would be travelling to India are: Badminton’s Frank Joseph and Nathan

Waddell (players), and Akili Haynes (coach); Basketball’s Warren Wilson (coach); Cricket’s Zeynul Ramsammy (player) and Quason Nedd (coach); Swimming’s Paul Mahaica Jr (swimmer) and Shanice Mahaica Olaleye (coach); and Table Tennis’s Christian Sahadeo (player) and Nigel Bryan (coach).

About JAIN University Renowned as the best university in Bangalore, JAIN (deemed-to-be university) promoted by JAIN Trust (JAIN University Trust) creates an exceptional space for an enhanced learning experience. The vibrant culture of the University has embraced innovation, and its entrepreneurial perspective encourages students, staff, and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery, and explore new ways of learning.

With a wide range of programmes and faculties, JAIN (deemed-to-be university) stands out as a beacon of academic excellence in the city, offering some of the best courses in Bangalore.

A look at a few of the scholarship awardees

Travis Belgrave Dominic Vincente Nikkoloi Smith

A win for the Guyana Amazon Warriors tonight would likely seal their spot in the ExxonMobil Guyana GSL T20 final

ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League…

Victoria’s winning streak with 10-run defeat

The race for a spot in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) final took an intriguing twist on Tuesday night when the Lahore Qalandars sealed a roaring victory to ensure they would put themselves in contention for a top-two spot on the tournament’s points table.

Taking on the tournament’s then-unbeaten team, Cricket Victoria out of Australia, the Pakistan-based

franchise’s bowlers were marksmen’s straight, taking 8 of the 10 wickets on offer via the bowled route when Victoria were tasked with chasing 139.

The Lahore Qalandars, again, suffered another batting collapse in the death overs, hindering their ability to convert their start into a bigger score.

Six wickets in the last three overs meant there was less freeing of the arms and more defensive shots being

hit an almost run-a-ball 25 while Mohammad Akhlaq contributed 26 from 19 to the cause, but their woes began with Captain Carlos Brathwaite’s wicket, which precipitated a series of single-digit scores until the batters were all gone.

Eventually, the Qalandars managed 139 in 19.5 overs, a score that would become more than enough in the end.

Dominic Drakes showed his worth with the ball, claiming 3-18 from his full complement of 4 overs while Jackson Smith also claimed 3 scalps for 30 runs in 3.5 overs.

Following up on their good bowling, Cricket Victoria had a stellar start to the chase with the pair of Blake Macdonald and Joe Clarke getting their team off to a lightning-fast start.

The duo contributed 6 fours and 2 sixes to their 67-run first-wicket partnership, before Asif Afridi rattled Macdonald’s stumps in the eighth over. Not long after, Clarke cheaply gave away his wicket to a runout, attempting a single. As such, two new Victoria batters made their way to the crease within a short period.

The strategic timeout came and went and it appeared as though the Lahore Qalandars settled on the right plan as Tabraiz Shamsi turned the tides of the contest in the 11th over. Shamsi struck in back- to-back balls, positioning himself for a hat-trick and diminishing Victoria’s batting by removing Jonathan Wells and Scott Edwards. Though Shamsi was unsuccessful in taking the hattrick, Victoria struggled to find their rhythm again and

their position only worsened when Afridi returned for the

Again, their wickets fell in pairs, leaving them 6 down 93 runs and over 40 runs away from their target with 7 overs remaining.

Though the overs were enough and their target was in sight, Victoria were still unable to find their bearings and with batsmen being bowled left and right, their hopes of pulling off a third consecutive win were beginning to slip away.

Victoria were bowled out in 19.3 overs, 10 runs short of their target, and Lahore brought up their second win that kept them in final contention.

Three teams, namely Guyana Amazon Warriors, Lahore Qalandars and Victoria all have two wins from two games, with GAW now leading the table owing to the dent in Victoria’s run rate as a result of the loss.

The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League continues tonight with a clash between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Rangpur Riders from 19:00h.

SCOREBOARD

Lahore Qalandars (20 ovs maximum) Mirza Baig c Anderson

b Stow 39 Adam Rossington † Luke Wells c †Edwards

b Birthisel 6 Mohammad Faizan run out (Krishnamurthi) 25 Tom Abell c Clarke

b Drakes 17 Muhammad Akhlaq

b Smith 26 Carlos Brathwaite (c)

b Smith 0 Faheem Ashraf

b Drakes 1 Asif Afridi run out (Drakes/Smith) 6 Salman Mirza

b Smith 3 Tabraiz Shamsi not out 0

Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5

Total 19.5 Ov (RR: 7.00) 139

Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Adam Rossington, 3.5 ov), 2-32 (Luke Wells, 4.5 ov), 3-84 (Mirza Baig, 11.6 ov), 4-86 (Mohammad Faizan, 12.2 ov), 5-128 (Muhammad Akhlaq, 17.5 ov), 6-128 (Carlos Brathwaite, 17.6 ov), 7-128 (Tom Abell, 18.1 ov), 8-131 (Faheem

Dominic Drakes 4-0-18-3 Max Birthisel 3-0-33-1

Smith 3.5-0-30-3

Stow 4-0-23-1 Corey Anderson 1-0-6-0 Sanjay Krishnamurthi 1-0-8-0

Mirza Baig top-scored for the Qalandars

overs after being sent in to bat first by Cricket Victoria.

Mitzi Baig carried his bat for most of the Qalandars’ innings after taking first strike and got to 39 from 36 before falling prey to Callum Stow’s bowling. Mohammad Faisal

Tabraiz Shamsi came close to a hat-trick

Blake Macdonald went hard at the top

Afridi (centre) was also on target for the Qalandars

Salman Mirza claimed two valuable wickets