Guyana Times - Wednesday, February 14, 2024.pdf

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GTA launches “Journey through Pottery" in Region 9 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 5642

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024

UN backs Guyana’s calls for increased climate adaptation funding – as Pres Ali makes case for world to act amid worsening global conflicts See story on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

GPF recorded over 2700 P2 traffic violations last week – DUI cases remain a concern for Traffic Dept

Fisherman gets life sentence for murder of USbased Guyanese

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President Dr Irfaan Ali speaks at the United Nations Security Council meeting on climate change and food insecurity. To the left is UN Secretary-General António Guterres (UN/Loey Felipe photo)

Albouystown woman busted for attempting to smuggle P17 cannabis into Lusignan Prison

Guyana advances bilateral talks with Dominican Republic on Private Sector GTU remains ready MoE to partnerships – backs DR's bid for associate membership in Caricom toendengage impasse – Lyte Page 7

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Guyana stands ready to assist with T&T’s oil spill if requested – CDC Head

Climate change can aggravate existing threats to int’l peace, security – Minister Todd

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... as PM Rowley declares Tobago oil spill a national emergency

Page 5

... calls on Labour Ministry to step up as ‘mediator’

Mentally-ill man slapped with 8-year sentence for murder P12

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPF recorded over 2700 traffic violations last week – DUI cases remain a concern for Traffic Dept L

ast week, Guyana witnessed a surge in traffic violations with a staggering 2734 cases reported across the nation.

From speeding offences to cases of driving under the influence (DUI), the roadways of Guyana faced an onslaught of infractions, raising alarm bells among authorities and safety advocates.

Among the notable statistics, last Monday, Thursday, and Friday emerged as the days with the highest daily cases, recording 535, 457, and 447 violations respectively, pointing to a worrying trend of heightened road transgressions towards the end of the week.

Speeding, a perennial road safety concern , continued to plague Guyana's

highways, with law enforcement issuing a total of 630 speeding tickets during the reporting period.

Furthermore, DUI cases remained a significant issue, with 29 incidents reported.

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) accounted for 14 DUI cases during the period, while Police Regional Division 4C (East Coast Demerara) recorded a concerning spike of 14 cases on Saturday alone.

A regional breakdown of total traffic cases revealed that Division 4B (East Bank Demerara) topped the list with 571 reported cases, followed closely by 4C (East Coast Demerara) with 507 cases.

Police Divisions Six (East Berbice Corentyne), 4A (Georgetown), and Five (Mahaica-Berbice) also ex-

Traffic officers carrying out enforcement exercises

perienced a substantial number of infractions, recording 435, 409, and 316 cases respectively.

In response to these alarming figures, efforts to

raise awareness and promote road safety were intensified, according to the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Sensitisation programmes were conducted via various

media channels, including NCN and Radio Eve Leary, focusing on accident prevention strategies and re-

cidence of fatal accidents showed no signs of abating, underscoring the urgent need for sustained vigilance

sponsible road usage.

Additionally, a collaborative effort involving stakeholders from the National Road Safety Council, Regional Road Safety Councils, private security firms, and transportation associations convened to discuss proactive measures to curb road-related incidents.

Community engagement initiatives, such as lectures and outreach activities, were also undertaken by traffic ranks to educate drivers and pedestrians on the importance of adhering to road regulations.

However, despite these concerted efforts, the in-

and compliance with road safety protocols.

As Guyana grapples with this surge in traffic violations, motorists and pedestrians alike are urged to exercise caution and observe the fundamental principles of road safety. With speeding identified as a primary cause of accidents, the Police Force said all road users must prioritise safety and exercise restraint behind the wheel.

Only through collective responsibility and unwavering commitment to road safety can Guyana hope to stem the tide of traffic-related incidents and safeguard the lives of its citizens.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 14 – 20:00h-20:45h and Thursday, February 15 – 22:00h-23:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

UN backs Guyana’s calls for increased climate adaptation funding – as Pres Ali makes case for world to act amid worsening global conflicts ed.

Wednesday, February 14 – 07:15h-08:45h and Thursday, February 15 – 07:55h-09:25h.

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 during the morning hours followed by sunny conditions in the afternoon. Clear to partly cloudy skies are expected at night.

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Winds: East North-Easterly between 3.12

metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 07:42h and 20:07h reaching maxi-

mum heights of 2.70 metres and 2.60 metres.

Low Tide: 13:39h reaching a minimum height

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President Dr Irfaan Ali

epresentatives of the United Nations (UN) have backed Guyana’s consistent call for increased climate adaptation funding, acknowledging that developing countries, particularly those with extensive agriculture sectors, are the most vulnerable.

On Tuesday, Guyana presided over a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate on the impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, who chaired the proceedings, delivered a statement in which he called for a targeted approach to tackling food insecurity and for the world to be bold in confronting these threats.

“We believe strongly that a very targeted approach must be adopted.

The Security Council must take into account the consequential effects on food security and climate, in addressing the issues of conflict and war. And these issues are intricately linked to the rule of law, democracy, and governance.

“We must adopt measures in our procedures to deal with the effects on food and climate. At a minimum, we must be bold enough. We have the ability. We have the political will. We must now incorporate measures at the UN Security Council to deal with climate and food, as it relates to war and conflict,” President Ali said.

Guyana’s stance for more to be done on the climate change mitigation and food security front found strong support among UN

high officials. According to the United Nations Framework Convention on

It was a view also supported by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Deputy Director General Beth Bechdol, who echoed President Ali’s call for more action. According to her, there is clear evidence that climate change increases the risks of conflict and instability. In turn, conflict contributes to climate change vulnerability.

“Increasing temperatures, changing precipitation patterns and greater frequency of climate extremes are already a reality and are becoming more intense. The climate crisis spares no one. But it does

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell

Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, there is indeed a need for more climate financing. Stiell, who hails from Grenada, a Small Island Developing State, reminded the Council of commitments made during COP28 in Dubai.

“At COP28 in Dubai, countries agreed that now is the time to invest in designing, piloting and delivering climate adaptation plans for food systems.

From planting new crops to better geological information and communication. Countries need money for adaptation, particularly developing countries that are vulnerable to climate shocks.

“Many of these same countries already face scarcity, fragility, and conflict.

However, we face significant gaps in funding climate action. And adaptation finance needs are at least 10 times greater than current international public financial flows,” Stiell add-

open debate, joined with other global leaders to urge the UNSC to come up with a systematic and strategic approach to handling issues of climate change and food security, and its impact on international peace and security.

At present, several conflicts with global repercussions are ongoing. These include the Russian invasion of Ukraine that was launched in February 2022 after months of tension between the two countries. At present, this conflict is still ongoing, despite global condemnation of the invasion.

Also ongoing is the Gaza conflict between

FAO Deputy Director General Beth Bechdol

not affect everyone equally or in the same way.

“We know that the populations at greatest risk are those that depend on agriculture and natural resources. They live in rural areas.

And they are farmers themselves. Their livelihoods are highly exposed and are vulnerable to climate change impacts,” Bechdol said.

Last year, Guyana was elected to serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in 2024, taking up that seat in January.

Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, who accompanied President Ali to the

Palestinian group Hamas and Israel, which heightened in October 2023 and has since further escalated. Based on international reports earlier this month, some 27,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 66,000 wounded – many of whom are women and children.

Only a few weeks ago, Guyana pledged US$150,000 towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of Palestinians who are displaced and affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

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Ash Wednesday

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oday, the Christian community will be observing Ash Wednesday – the first day of Lent, a 40-day period of reflection and fasting leading up to Easter. This is another reminder that Guyana is a multireligious society.

Today, the Christian community starts a period of cleansing the soul and the body as Lent begins, as Ash Wednesday is considered an important part of repentance, renewing commitment to their faith.

The Lenten season is a period of introspection and repentance. It also serves as a time for service to humanity through acts of selflessness. The 40 days of Lent do not include the Sundays, because for Christians, every Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus.

Ash Wednesday is a time when Christians prepare themselves for penance. In the Old Testament, Ash Wednesday is the commencement of Christians’ penance and a period to turn away from sins. Anglican Priest Reverend Fr Monsell Alves in explaining this to Guyana Times had said: “The visible sign of repentance is the ashes. So, when someone sees you crossed with ashes, it’s supposed to speak to them in two ways – I need repentance and it is a public expression of that person’s Christian faith.

When you repent, you once again come into a relationship to believe in God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Every Friday during the Lenten season, there is a Lenten devotion called Stations of the Cross – chronicling Jesus’s journey from trial to crucifixion.

Stations of the Cross are a series of 14 images depicting the events outlining Christ’s journey to the cross. The first of the 14 Stations of the Cross is: Condemnation of Jesus Christ to death. It is followed by Jesus bearing the cross; The First Fall – Jesus falls the first time under the cross; His Mother – Jesus meets his blessed mother; Simon of Cyrene – the cross is laid on Simon of Cyrene; Veronica – the face of Jesus is wiped by St Veronica; The Second Fall – Jesus falls the second time; Daughters Of Jerusalem – the women of Jerusalem mourn for our Lord; The Third Fall – Jesus falls for the third time; Stripped – Jesus is stripped of his garments; Nailed – Jesus is nailed to the cross; Crucified – Jesus dies on the cross; Dead – the body of Jesus is taken down from the cross, and Buried – the body of Jesus is laid in the tomb.

The images are usually mounted on the inside walls of a church, but they are not confined to the building.

The exercise of visiting and praying at each of the stations stems from the early practice of Christian pilgrims.

It is believed that the pilgrims visited the scenes of the events that happened in Jerusalem on the first Good Friday and took the same route as Jesus did on that fateful day.

Today as priests administer the ashes, the following words will be said: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”, signalling to people that they should start their period of fasting and introspection.

Even as the Chirstian community begins this period of introspection, all Guyanese too should join in introspection to examine where we are sowing seeds of division and hate, stymieing development or contributing to injustice, and ultimately seek to make a change for the positive.

If one can recall, in one of his addresses in celebration of Guyana’s Republic Anniversary, President Dr Irfaan Ali had said: “We cannot love God and hate each other.

We cannot love Guyana or be part of the “One Guyana” family by sowing seeds of division and divisiveness. We must value education, health, justice, freedom, equality, and respect by ensuring equitable access, fairness, and investment that will allow all our people to benefit, and our love for each other must be built on a foundation of respect, real decency, and dignity.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali shares a light moment with the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York on Tuesday. Also in the photo is Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, along with other officials

Tribute to a Legend of Indian Music in Guyana – Shri Mohan Nandu

By Pt Ramdular Singh

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hen we contemplate the effort that Indo-Guyana have made over the years to preserve and foster their culture under trying circumstances, we would appreciate the significant role of Mohan Nandu, one of Guyana’s greatest musicians and cultural leaders.

He was a household name in every Indo-Guyanese community for at least three decades from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Mohan was the lead singer at Radio Demerara, performed at the community fairs, sang bhajans at mandirs across the country, lent his voice at concerts in Trinidad and the United States, and won the Diwali Singing Competition on several occasions. The award of the Medal of Service to him by the Government of Guyana is little compensation for Mohan’s enormous contribution to Indian art, culture and religion.

He nurtured young talents, inspired thousands of singers, mesmerised music lovers, soothed the souls of devotees, and yet remained simple, humble, offering his services free of charge.

It is remarkable that Mohan, who laboured in the sugarcane fields, and did not benefit from specialised musical training,

Shri Mohan Nandu

became an accomplished artiste, surprising even greats like Hemant Kumar and Manna Dey when they heard him singing on their tours to Guyana. It was by dint of his love for Indian music, his religious upbringing, and the encouragement from the community that gave him the impetus to work diligently, practising his “Riyaz” to culture his voice. He lent his mellifluous voice to a wide genre of Indian music including bhajans, folk, Qawalis, filmy geets and classicals, the latter for which he became quite famous.

Difficult classical tunes like “Laaga” and “Phool Gaindava”, which

even accomplished singers avoided, he sang with ease and assurance, thrilling audiences across the country. His deftness in playing a harmonium aided the range and repertoire of musical notes to which his voice harmonised, making him such a versatile singer.

In recognition of his spectacular contribution to Indian music, the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation (NHF) paid special tribute to Mohan at a function held in July 2010 at the Saraswati Vidya Niketan.

Mr Balgobin Kawal and Aunty Ruby Sukhu were also honoured at the time, and generous monetary re-

wards were offered to all three of them by the NHF as tokens of our appreciation for their sterling role as cultural ambassadors of Guyana.

Over the last decade, Mohan suffered from prolonged ill health, but fortunately Saraswati Vidya Niketan and Swami Aksharananda came to his rescue. Although he regained some mobility in his final days, it was flattering to deceive, as he was stricken with cardiac arrest and passed away a few days ago.

The golden voice of Mohan Nandu will haunt lovers of Indian music in the Caribbean for years.

Fortunately, some of his live performances are on YouTube.

Guyana has produced some wonderful musicians who have kept Indian music alive for 185 years. Mohan Nandu stands out as one of the best, and will be remembered not only for his singing talent, but as a loving, generous human being who made friends easily, and was approachable to anyone in the community.

Members of the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation wish to express our deepest sympathies at the passing of a great son of Guyana.

His passing leaves a huge void in the Indian community.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Climate change can aggravate existing threats to int’l peace, security – Min Todd

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oreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd on Tuesday pointed to the adverse effects of climate change on food security and peacekeeping operations.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council’s open debate on the impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security, the Minister highlighted the interconnectivity between these three elements, stressing the need for a systematic and strategic approach by the Council.

“We are concerned that

Security Council members brief the press on joint pledges related to climate, peace, and security. At the podium is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Hugh Todd (UN/Manuel Elías photo)

the increasing occurrences of extreme climate events are severely impacting access to

vital resources, such as water and agricultural lands.

There is increasing evidence

of the interrelationship between climate change, food insecurity and conflict, with each directly and indirectly impacting the other,” the Guyanese Foreign Minister stated.

He continued, “Food and water insecurity and hunger are among the primary pathways through which the effects of climate change on peace and stability and the enjoyment of human rights manifest.”

To further strengthen this point, Todd pointed out that of the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change-related risks, nine were food insecure.

For context, climate change phenomena such as rising temperatures and sea levels, severe droughts, and floods lead to food insecurity.

Todd explained that this could in turn disrupt livelihoods and migration patterns. According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, these are the main drivers of conflict and violence.

Based on this assessment, he identified climate change as a risk multiplier.

“Low-income, fragile, vulnerable, and conflict-affected countries and communities are most at risk of being overwhelmed by climate

impacts,” he added.

Women, youth, children, and Indigenous peoples were also identified as being particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Todd affirmed the UN Security Council’s resolute stance in taking a holistic view of these challenges, and adopting comprehensive risk assessments, utilising data and analytics to build resilience.

“We stand ready to consolidate our efforts to advance systematic response, an inclusive and evidence-based approach,” the Minister noted.

GTU’s illegal strike Dear Editor, The Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) can hardly claim foul after revelations that they are in default of laws, rules, and regulations requiring the entity to file audited financial accounts periodically. In 2018, the GTU was the subject of an investigation by the Office of the Auditor General; the GTU can hardly claim to be unaware that they stand in default.

The 2018 investigation was prompted by an anonymous letter to the Auditor General that stated, among other things, “I draw

reference to that matter to re-emphasise that unions ought to always be held accountable for all actions, including those of a financial nature." Based on the information provided, your office must intervene to review the financial practices of the GTU in accordance with the requirements of the law.

Any findings that may be adverse to the requirements of any act, rules, and/or regulations of Guyana governing the functions of unions like that of GTU, I trust, would be handed over to the relevant authorities to be dealt with

appropriately.”

Six years have passed since this warning shot was fired across the bow of the union (which was also threatening to strike then), and it is instructive that the executive did not see fit to take remedial action to bring the union within the boundaries of the law. It will be interesting to see what justification is presented for the inaction.

On the matter of the current strike, it would seem that the union either believes the teachers should be placed on a different plane from other public sector

workers, and despite being given higher salaries, more benefits, and constantly improving working environments and conditions, they deserve to get all their demands met before other categories of workers achieve parity, or this is a politically-motivated strike to foster discontent in a sector that is improving all too rapidly.

Everything I have witnessed so far points to the GTU being a politically-compromised body that holds itself unaccountable to its membership and the laws that govern its operations and existence.

This may be a good place for the Government to start teaching the hard lessons that are needed to move our nation forward, including the derecognition of the GTU and forcing them to reapply for status after all lawful requirements are met, and a gentle push into the Private Sector for those teachers who refuse to return to the classrooms, where they can earn what they truly deserve; as we say, “easy lessons are good for dunce.”.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

PM Phillips affirmed Guyana’s commitment to sustainable development at the New Delhi summit Dear Editor, Since his ascension to the position of First Vice President and Prime Minister on August 2, 2020, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips has gracefully accepted his responsibilities and has performed incredibly above and beyond the call of duty. As Prime Minister, his role is to support President Dr Irfaan Ali, embrace the decisions of the Cabinet, promote good governance and take part in the decision-making process of formulating, shaping and enforcing policy decisions to guide the proper functioning of the State.

Prime Minister Phillips has been at the forefront with President Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in solving the people’s problems and improving their well-being. On the international scene, they have positioned Guyana as the leader of the Caribbean and as a global leader in food and energy security, sustainable development and combating climate change.

At the three-day World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) held in New Delhi, India from February 7-9, 2024, Prime Minister Phillips profoundly told the various Heads of State and diplomats from around the world that Guyana is a peace-

ful country that respects the rule of law, international treaties, human rights and continues to strive to end or reduce worldwide poverty and combat climate change.

Brigadier Phillips enthusiastically praised the Honourable Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India and the Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, the Honourable Shri Bhupender Yadav and the organisers of the 23rd Session of the WSDS. Speaking passionately at the prestigious summit, the Prime Minister genuinely and respectfully praised India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his courageous leadership in sustainable development and his immense contributions to solving the pressing issues affecting humanity.

At the summit, PM Phillips vehemently called for rational, definitive and purposeful leadership at the local, regional, hemispheric and international levels to take timely, decisive and practical steps to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 as delineated by the United Nations. According to PM Phillips, they include the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger for all people living on less than US$2.50 per day, improving the health of children across the globe by

ensuring access to proper nutrition and safe water, but most importantly, reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

Focusing on the theme of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2024, Brigadier Phillips genuinely appealed to the leaders present that despite their differences and challenges, they are obligated and beholden to the peoples of their respective countries and to the peoples of the world to forge lasting and meaningful partnerships that are critical to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and for them to do everything in their power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change and its devastating impact on the earth.

He asserted that innovative solutions and strategies are needed to achieve these crucial objectives towards an equitable, sustainable and prosperous future for all.

The Prime Minister proudly highlighted the fact that even though the developing countries have contributed the least towards carbon emissions, they are denied access to finance and technology from the developed countries for decarbonisation.

He was adamant that Guyana is committed to reducing its carbon emissions

as outlined in the legally-binding international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 countries on December 12, 2015. The First Vice President affirmed that as an oil-producing country, Guyana has implemented policies such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) and Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) to transition towards clean energy to combat climate change.

In conclusion, PM Phillips passionately and strongly confirmed Guyana’s ambitious commitment to environmental sustainability and praised India’s bold, devoted, and inspiring leadership for its dedication to sustainable development and for hosting the summit. He sincerely thanks Prime Minister Modi, his Government and the organisers of WSDS for inviting the Government of Guyana to actively participate in the summit and to find solutions to these serious and troubling global problems. Needless to say, Brigadier Mark Anthony Phillips’s speech resonated deeply with the world leaders present and could not be timelier. He has made all Guyanese proud.

Sincerely, Dr Asquith Rose

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024

06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time 06:30 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Stop Suffering 09:00 Guy's Grocery Games 10:00 Grand Designs 11:00 Paternity Court 11:30 Divorce Court 12:00 News Break 12:05 Movie - Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022) 14:00 The Loud House S1 E17 14:30 Spongebob Squarepants 15:00 Indian Soaps 16:00 Drake & Josh S2 E9 16:30 Victorious S2 E1 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 CNN 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 Stand-up Comedy 21:00 Manifest S4 E19 22:00 The Crown S5 E7 23:00 The Office S5 E14 23:30 Insecure S2 E8 00:00 Sign off

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helves brimming with teddy bears and boxes of chocolate are typical Valentine’s Day fare, but not every country turns to greeting cards and heart-shaped candies to declare love.

Some exchange wooden spoons and pressed flowers, while others hold a special holiday for the loveless to mourn their single lives over black noodles. Here is a look at how 10 countries celebrate Valentine’s Day.

of lovers, on January 25.

One traditional romantic Welsh gift is a love spoon. As early as the 17th century, Welsh men carved intricate wooden spoons as a token of affection for the women they loved. Patterns and symbols were carved into these love spoons, each signifying a different meaning. A few

Philippines While Valentine’s Day celebrations in the Philippines are similar to celebrations in Western countries, one tradition has swept the country and led to thousands of couples sharing a wedding day on February 14. Mass wedding ceremonies have gained popularity in the Philippines in recent years, leading hundreds of couples to gather at malls or other public areas around the country to get married or renew their vows en masse.

Denmark Although Valentine’s Day is a relatively new holiday in Denmark (celebrated since the early 1990s according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark), the country has embraced February 14 with a Danish twist. Rather than roses, friends and sweethearts exchange pressed white flowers called snowdrops.

Another popular Danish Valentine’s Day tradition is the exchange of “lover’s cards”. While lover’s cards were originally transparent cards which showed a picture of the card giver presenting a gift to his sweetheart, the term is now synonymous with any card exchanged on Valentine’s Day. On February 14, men also give women gaekkebrev, a “joking letter” consisting of a funny poem or rhyme written on intricately cut paper and signed only with anonymous dots. If a woman who receives the gaekkebrev can correctly guess the sender, she earns herself an Easter egg later that year.

France Paris is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world.

With a reputation as one of the most romantic destinations in the world, it’s little wonder France has long celebrated Valentine’s Day. It’s been said that the first Valentine’s Day card originated in France when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415. Today, Valentine’s Day cards remain a popular tradition in France and around the world.

South Korea Valentine’s Day is a popular holiday for young couples in South Korea, and variations of the holiday are celebrated monthly from February through April. The gift-giving starts on February 14, when it’s up to women to woo their men with chocolates, candies and flowers. The tables turn on March 14, a holiday known as White Day, when men not only shower their sweethearts with chocolates and flowers, but up the ante with a gift.

And for those who don’t have much to celebrate on either Valentine’s Day or White Day, there is a third holiday: Black Day. On April 14, it’s customary for singles to mourn their solitary status by eating dark bowls of jajangmyeon, or black bean-paste noodles.

Wales You won’t find the Welsh celebrating Saint Valentine – instead, people in Wales celebrate Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint

their pillows.

In Norfolk, Jack Valentine acts as a Santa of sorts for Valentine’s Day. Children anxiously wait to hear Jack Valentine knock at their doors, and although they don’t catch a glimpse of Old Father Valentine, children enjoy the candies and small gifts left on their porches.

examples include horseshoes, which stand for good luck; wheels, which symbolise support; and keys, which symbolise the keys to a man’s heart.

Today, love spoons are also exchanged for celebrations such as weddings, anniversaries and births.

China The equivalent to Valentine’s Day in China is Qixi, or the Seventh Night Festival, which falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year. According to Chinese lore, Zhinu, a heavenly king’s daughter, and Niulang, a poor cowherd, fell in love, married and had twins. When Zhinu’s father learnt of their marriage, he sent his queen to bring Zhinu back to the stars. Upon hearing the cries of Niulang and the children, the king allowed Zhinu and Niulang to meet once a year on Qixi.

During Qixi, young women prepare offerings of melon and other fruits to Zhinu in hopes of finding a good husband. Couples also head to temples to pray for happiness and prosperity. At night, people look to the heavens to watch as stars Vega and Altair (Zhinu and Niulang, respectively) come close during the star-crossed pair’s annual reunion.

England On the eve on Valentine’s Day, women in England used to place five bay leaves on their pillows – one at each corner and one in the center – to bring dreams of their future husbands. Alternatively, they would wet bay leaves with rosewater and place them across

Italy Originally, Italians celebrated Valentine’s Day as the Spring Festival. Mostly the young gathered outside in gardens and such to enjoy poetry readings and music before taking a stroll with their beloved.

Another Italian Valentine’s Day tradition was for young, unmarried girls to wake up before dawn to spot their future husbands. The belief was that the first man a woman saw on Valentine’s Day was the man she would marry within a year. Or he’d at least strongly resemble the man she would marry.

Today, Italians celebrate Valentine’s Day with gift exchanges.

One of the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts in Italy is Baci Perugina, which are small, chocolate-covered hazelnuts wrapped with a romantic quote printed in four languages.

Brazil With Carnival held sometime in February or March each year, Brazilians skip the February 14 celebration and instead celebrate Dia dos Namorados, or “Lovers’ Day,” on June 12. In addition to the usual exchanges of chocolates, flowers and cards, music festivals and performances are held throughout the country. Gift giving isn’t limited to couples, either. In Brazil, people celebrate this day of love by exchanging gifts and sharing dinner with friends and relatives, too.

The following day is Saint Anthony’s Day, which honours the patron saint of marriage. On this day, single women perform rituals called simpatias in hopes that St Anthony will bring them a husband.

South Africa Like many parts of the world, South Africa celebrates Valentine’s Day with festivals, flowers and other tokens of love. It’s also customary for women in South Africa to wear their hearts on their sleeves on February 14; women pin the names of their love interest on their shirtsleeves, an ancient Roman tradition known as Lupercalia. In some cases, this is how South African men learn of their secret admirers. (huffpost.com)

WORD SEARCH

7 Guyana advances bilateral talks with Dominican Republic on Private Sector partnerships NEWS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– backs DR’s bid for associate membership in Caricom

well as partnerships in the poultry sector, had been discussed. According to President Ali, the agreements in agriculture between the two countries will ensure their prominence at the table whenever food security is discussed.

In June 2023, President Abinader had himself arrived in Guyana for a oneday visit where talks progressed about potential collaboration.

Following bilateral talks between President Ali and President Abinader at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Greater Georgetown, senior Ministers from the two

President Dr Irfaan Ali (right) and Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, during their bilateral discussions at the UN headquarters

G

uyana on Tuesday advanced bilateral talks with the Dominican Republic (DR), whose application for associate membership in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) this country has agreed to support.

It was announced that President Dr Irfaan Ali held talks with his Dominican Republic counterpart, Luis Abinader on the sidelines of the United Nations Security Council debate on the impact of climate change and food insecurity on the maintenance of international peace and security.

According to a statement from President Ali, these talks were focused on “expanding and enhancing the current bilateral partnership between the two countries, especially as it relates to enhancing Private Sector collaboration”.

With Guyana having assumed the Chairmanship of Caricom from January 1 to June 30, 2024, it was also announced that President

Ali has committed to supporting DR’s application to become an associate member of Caricom.

Caricom is made up of 15 members and five associate members namely Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos – all British Overseas Territories.

According to President Ali, DR has much that it can contribute to Caricom.

“As Chair of Caricom, President Ali committed to supporting the Dominican Republic’s application for an associate member position of the regional body. He said that the sophistication of the Dominican Republic’s Private Sector allows for greater integration in opportunities emerging from the Caribbean Community, including areas of transport and logistics and agro-processing,” the statement explained.

Meanwhile, Abinader also lauded President Ali’s leadership within Caricom

and further , the country’s role at the UN Security Council. Last year, Guyana was elected to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 2024, taking up its seat in January.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Hugh Todd; Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and the Dominican Republic’s Minister of External Relations, the Honourable Roberto Alvarez were also part of the meeting,” the statement explained.

Guyana and the Dominican Republic have been making efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in recent years. Only last year, President Ali had signed several agreements with Abinader during an official two-day visit to that country. These agreements included one for the joint establishment of an oil re-

finery in Guyana.

In the months leading up to the signing, ties between Guyana and the DR had grown closer as the leaders of the two countries met at various forums. President Ali continued those bilateral efforts when he and First Lady Arya Ali arrived in the Dominican Republic for their visit along with a large delegation of Government officials and members of Guyana’s Private Sector.

As per the terms of the agreement, the DR will have 51 per cent ownership of the refinery. At present, the Government has gone out to tender for proposals to build a refinery in Berbice with a 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity.

Last month, it was revealed that four out of the 11 companies that had submitted proposals last year have been shortlisted.

When it comes to agriculture, it is understood that joint production of agricultural products such as corn and soybeans, as

nations signed three pacts to strengthen collaboration, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in energy-related matters.

The MoU established a framework to facilitate and enhance bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector of the two countries based on equality and mutual benefit. It included the promotion of investments in each country, as well as technology transfer, research and development, the building of human resources, and collaboration in the natural gas sector.

(G-3)

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Enter… …the Bear & the Dragon

“M

ay you live in interesting times” is a Chinese saying meant to be taken ironically – it’s best appreciated by another saying, "Better to be a dog in times of tranquillity than a human in times of chaos!" And against that background, the American economic and strategic moves to contain China’s rise just made our times much more “interesting”!! After all, look at what poking the Russian Bear’s rump in Europe got us into – a shortage of flour across the world since Ukraine and Russia are two of the biggest exporters of wheat.

But from a realpolitik standpoint, your Eyewitness sorta understands the situation in Europe. There, Putin the Authoritarian, showed all signs of following in the footsteps of Stalin – or Fredrick the Great if you will – to build Russia into a “European” power. The USSR had fallen apart through the weight of its own pretensions and contradictions. If you think trying to have a Cadillac lifestyle in a donkeycart economy is ridiculous, imagine trying to match the US militarily when you can’t even produce a tractor!! The US become the sole superpower left standing after 1989!! But shorn of its restless satellites, Putin feels he can build Greater Russia into a power competitor in the heart of Europe.

He'd already challenged the US in the Middle East and came out on top in Syria; cosying up with nuclear-ambitious Iran as a card-carrying member of OPEC!! Not to mention undermining the fragile egos of leaders like Biden with his bare-chested wrestling with bears and suchlike!!! Can’t trust such a chap to know his place, can you??! So lo and behold, he took the bait when Ukraine signalled they were gonna be joining NATO – an alliance constructed to counter Russia – and attacked. Insisted needed “strategic depth”!!

And ditto for China – which the US carefully nurtured for four decades so it’s about to surpass them economically within a decade and militarily – maybe right now!! America knows from the days of Athens and Sparta that China’s gonna challenge their hegemony any day now!! So it’s been slowly trying to put together strategic alliances to contain the Chinese Dragon – with its pretensions of becoming the globally pivotal Middle Kingdom once again! Its latest gambit is the QUAD – comprised of itself, India, Japan and Australia.

So, is China gonna feel claustrophobic at being hemmed in by the American pincer moves in the South China Sea and the Pacific?? You betcha!! Some feel the US’s insistence on taking on – and hopefully taking out – Russia, is simply a preliminary move to deny China an ally in Europe.

But it’s precisely when an aspirant to Great power status – like Germany in 1939 – is stymied, it might overreach!! …in Dragon here??

We had three hundred years of colonisation by the West – never mind Gabriel Marquez’s “One hundred years of solitude”!! We were never cut off from the tentacles of Western power through the myriad forms assumed – art, culture, language, politics, economics and so on. But in all those years we in the South were never “settler colonies”.

The bottom line was that the British, for example, would live here for a while, crack their whips, but, in the end, return to Old Blighty to end their days.

Even when the Americans took over from the Brits – after installing Burnham in power – they never descended on us like the proverbial swarm of locusts. They even built our first Airport – where CJIA now stands – and stationed troops during WWII, but they got out before Sparrow could sing “Jean and Dina”!! Well, there’s a new coloniser in town – the Chinese. Unlike the West, they send in their citizens to actually settle here.

How’d we deal with settler colonialism?? …gender equality??

In a revolutionary decision, our Chief Justice – who not so incidentally happens to be female – just ruled that men can sue their wives for alimony when divorcing!! With women rightfully fighting for equal rights, they shoulda expected to be saddled with equal responsibilities!!

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

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

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana stands ready to assist with T&T’s oil spill if requested – CDC Head …as PM Rowley declares Tobago oil spill a national emergency

CDC Director General, Colonel Nazrul Hussain

W

hile a request for assistance has not been made to Guyana following a Trinidad and Tobago oil spill, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) here has indicated its readiness to assist if called upon.

Trinidad and Tobago is currently dealing with an oil spill off the coast of Canoe Bay in Tobago, which occurred a few days ago. The spill, coming in the lead-up to the twin islands’ Carnival activities, has resulted in oil not only contaminating the waters but parts of the coastline.

When contacted, CDC

Head, Colonel Nazrul Hussein confirmed that Trinidad had not made any request for assistance.

However, he indicated the agency’s willingness to assist if such a request is made. This is considering the capacity the CDC itself has built to handle oil spills. “(Based on) the damage done, that would (cause) them to ask for external assistance. They haven’t reached out to us, because from their own assessment, they can deal with it. (But if they did request assistance) yes, definitely,” Colonel Hussein explained.

T&T Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, at a press conference called to provide updates on the spill, had said that the situation was being treated as a national emergency. The boat has been described as a mystery vessel, with Rowley noting that authorities still do not know where the vessel is from or to whom it belongs.

Guyana is a member of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), which is a regional inter-governmental agency. In light of Guyana’s own growing oil

The mystery vessel that capsized off the Tobago coast

The effects on the coastline

and gas industry, steps have been taken to prepare the country to deal with oil spills. This has included training and equipment, as well as the formulation of a National Oil Spill Contingency plan.

There is also a National Oil Spill Committee (NOSC) comprised of agencies such as the CDC; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Ministry of Legal Affairs;

Ministry of Human Services and Social Security; The Hydrometeorological Office thru the Ministry of Agriculture; Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); Guyana Energy Agency (GEA),;Maritime Administration Department (MARAD); Guyana Marine Conservation Society; Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the GDF Coast Guard.

Last year, the NOSC took part in a simulated oil spill activity in Berbice as part of Exercise Tradewinds 2023, which is a multi-faceted response exercise hosted by Guyana in 2023. The Committee launched into action during a day at locations such as the Skeldon Sugar Estate (Command Centre); CGX Palmyra and Number 61 Beach (Impact Zone/ Staging Area). The simulation included a response and a proactive phase to a fictitious incident involving spilt fuel in the Berbice River and residual implications for such a hazard.

Last month, ExxonMobil Guyana, which is producing oil from the Stabroek Block,

also conducted a quarterly preventative maintenance activity on its Oil Spill Response Crucial Kit equipment at the Guyana Shore Base Inc — an exercise aimed at ensuring there is adequate in-country response capacity in the unlikely event of an oil spill.

Within the oil spill emergency response scope, equipment such as the boom and skimmer are integral tools that facilitate containment and recovery.

Booms are temporary floating barriers that help to slow the spread of oil in the water This phase of containment enables the skimmer, which is a mechanical device that skims the surface, to remove the oil.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Clumsy” relationship between Education & Local Govt Ministries must be addressed – Min Manickchand …as Govt works to advance hinterland education

T

o strategically reduce the inequalities between the delivery of education on the coastland and in the hinterland, the Education, and Local Government and Regional Development Ministries must work cohesively.

This is the position taken

by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who has contended that the relationship between the two Ministries needed ‘polishing’.

According to Manickchand, a substan-

tial amount of the Education Ministry’s $135.2 billion budgetary allocation for 2024 will go towards the advancement of education in the hinterland regions.

The money will see several new schools, dorms, and teachers’ living quarters constructed in Orealla, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); Jawalla, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Monkey Mountain in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), among others.

Additionally, children re-

siding in the hinterland will benefit from the grants to purchase classroom supplies, hot meals through the national school feeding programme, and textbooks, as well as past papers, to prepare them for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

While the projects are catered for under the Education Ministry’s budget, it is the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry that has to maintain the infrastructure for

schools, dorms, and teachers’ living quarters.

That Ministry also supervises and pays the wages of educators, among other duties.

In a live interview on EDYOU FM on Monday, Minister Manickchand disclosed that the relationship between the two Ministries was “a little clumsy”.

On this point, she explained that there were instances whereby policies aimed at developing education in the hinterland were

Education Minister Priya Manickchand on EDYOU FM

sent out by the Education Ministry but were not executed by the Local Government Ministry.

“We put out the policy.

So, we will say something like ‘want each apartment of a teacher to have a fridge, a stove, a microwave, a bed,

in the hinterland,” Minister Manickchand stated.

Construction of hinterland schools

Between Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and

The Abram Zuil Secondary School in Region Two

10 plates, 10 cups’… whatever it is that we want them to have, and then it is the region that has to implement that through their budget because we don’t have a budget for it through central ministry.

So, that relationship needs, frankly, some polishing up, because we have to make sure what the Government intends is what is happening on the ground, and I don’t think in every case that’s happening; I’ve seen that,” Minister Manickchand explained.

The Education Minister explained that this issue must be addressed as the Government continued to work towards delivering its promise of universal education across Guyana, and its

Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), there are 239 schools serving 32,603 learners.

However, most of the schools are primary schools, with just 13 being secondary schools: three in Region One, three in Region Seven, three in Region Eight, and four in Region Nine.

Though the 13 secondary schools cater to 7884 students, there are currently 20,638 pupils in the 161 primary schools.

These statistics were provided by the Education Ministry’s feasibility studies, which were made public in 2022. This is the same study which prompted the

investments in the sector were already yielding fruit.

“We saw quite several children coming out to the national schools. What I saw was that in one year we had more children at the hinterland dorms coming to the national schools for all four years before that put together. So, I am very convinced that these kinds of resources bring great benefit. I expect by mid-next year we should have universal secondary education. All across the hinterland, we have secondary education for all the children

Government to devise a plan to construct new schools in the hinterland and other remote areas.

Many of the schools are equipped with laboratories, an information technology (IT) lab, a main auditorium, and modern classrooms, which are equipped with interactive boards and computers. and a library, among other important amenities.

One such facility is Abram Zuil Secondary, which is located in Essequibo in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Camille’s Academy takes Mentally-ill man slapped with 8-year sentence for murder steps to bridge gap in AI usage in Guyana I

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Students at the conference

ecognising the gap between Guyana and the rest of the world as it relates to artificial intelligence (AI), an informative session was facilitated

by Camille’s Academy which saw scores of students and educators being exposed to the many benefits the technology can bring to learning activities.

Generative AI has been rampant these days, as big tech has tried to figure out how to capitalise on the opportunity and enjoy the efficiencies that have been emerging whereas in the Caribbean region and Guyana, tiny pockets of AI development exist.

These were the sentiments of the founder of the Caribbean AI Institute, Nick Brown while speaking at the conference last week.

“As developed countries put billions of dollars into artificial intelligence, countries like Guyana haven't

had anyone demonstrate to them at scale how these tools can be used,” he stated.

According to Brown, currently, the world has entered into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which was described by him as “going into the future full of unknowns.”

“We are moving into an unchartered future. The future that you guys will be growing up in is going to look radically different than the way the world looks today,” Brown told the gathering.

During the event, he unveiled to students the ChatGPT system which can be used by students to create cutting-edge technology to enhance their learning process.

Using examples, students were shown how within seconds ChatGPT produces rapid results for varied assignments.

As students were exposed to this new cut-

AI educator Nick Brown at the conference

ting-edge technology, they were also made aware of other AI applications such as Khan Academy's AI tutor (KhanMigo); Perplexity; Bard; Snap AI and Bing AI. While the informative initiative is carded to last throughout the year; in the next three months, a major project focused on training teachers about leveraging AI tools is expected to commence.

shaka John, formerly of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who was found guilty of the 2019 murder of Jason Bowen and also found to be insane, was slapped with an eight-year prison sentence by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

Back in November 2023, a 12-member jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict, finding John, 28, guilty as charged.

The verdict was returned under section 177 of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, which states: “If any accused person appears, either before or on arraignment, to be insane, the court may order a jury to be empanelled to try the sanity of the person, and the jury shall thereupon, after hearing evidence for that person, find whether he is or is not insane and unfit to take his trial; but a verdict under this section shall not affect the trial of any person so found to be insane for the offence for which he was indicted if he subsequently becomes of sound mind.”

Following the conviction, Justice Barlow postponed the case to early 2024, for further directions. Attorneyat-Law Nigel Hughes and associates represented John in the case, and State Counsel Praneta Seeraj was

Murdered: Jason Bowen

Mentally-ill Ishaka John

the Prosecutor.

Along with the jail sentence, which was handed down last Friday, the presiding judge gave numerous instructions to the Prison Service concerning John’s incarceration.

These include the GPS carrying out a psychiatric evaluation on John and more so, ordering that he continue to receive treatment as recommended by a psychiatrist.

In addition, the court orders that John be exposed to counselling sessions tailored to his present needs and also be exposed to skills training.

Further, he is to be taken before Justice Barlow for periodic review every two years commencing February 2026.

“Upon the Court being satisfied that the offender is

ready for reintegration into society, the Court shall order his release from custody on such conditions that the Court at the time of release deems fit,” the court stated.

It was reported that on October 12, 2019, John and a man, later identified as Jason Bowen, were involved in a scuffle on Church Street, Georgetown.

During the incident, John reportedly dealt the now-dead man several lashes about his body before wrapping a belt around his neck and strangling him.

Public-spirited persons who witnessed the altercation rushed to assist the victim, and handed John over to the Police. At the time of his death, Bowen was 32 and resided at Camp Street, Georgetown.

Uncle gets 7 years for Fisherman gets life sentence for strangling nephew to death murder of US-based Guyanese

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Mario Bissoondyal

ario Bissoondyal of Lot 141 Main Street, Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice was on Tuesday given a life sentence for the 2021 murder of Guyanese national Hemraj Pardesi, called “Prem”, who, at the time of his demise, was visiting from the United States of America (USA).

During a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow ruled that Bissoondyal has to serve 30 years in prison before he is eligible for release.

The Judge also ordered the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) to deduct six years from the 30 years given in consideration of his guilty plea and 928 days of incarceration.

Further, Justice Barlow

Murdered: Hemraj Pardesi, aka “Prem”

also ordered the prison to provide skill training designed specifically for persons convicted of violent crimes to facilitate the defendant’s rehabilitation.

Arraigned before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the Berbice High Court in January, Bissoondyal, a 34-year-old fisherman, pleaded guilty to a charge which detailed that, during the course or furtherance of a robbery, he and another had attacked Pardesi in his yard after his close associate, who had accompanied him to the bank earlier in the day, had left.

Pardesi’s lifeless body was reportedly found at the bottom of his outdoor stairway. He was bleeding from his nose, and duct tape was

strapped around his neck.

In their investigations, the Police had found the upper flat of Pardesi’s home had been ransacked.

Following the defendant’s guilty plea, Justice Barlow put off sentencing until February 7, 2024, and the date for the sentencing hearing was further extended to Tuesday.

Bissoondyal was represented by Attorney-at-Law Kevin Morgan, while State Counsel Muntaz Ali appeared for the prosecution. <<<Guyana Times>>> had reported that on the day that Pardesi was murdered, he had visited a local bank and had withdrawn an undisclosed sum of cash that was intended to pay for some renovation being done on the home.

In the course of their investigations, the Police had arrested several persons in connection with Pardesi’s murder. During interrogation, one of the suspects had reportedly confessed to participating in the heinous crime. He told detectives that he had only carried out the robbery, and had at no time hurt the elderly man. He had implicated several other persons in the crime.

F

ifty-eight-year-old Ganesh Persaud Lall of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was on Monday sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a lesser count of manslaughter when he appeared before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Demerara High Court.

Lall, who was 53 at the time of the offence, was charged with the murder of Jason Rajendra Paul Hira, and arraigned at the Wales Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Dylon Bess.

He was not required to enter a plea. The murder took place on July 18, 2018, at Anna Catherina, where the now-dead man lived with Lall and his grandparents.

Three days after committing the act, Lall confessed to the murder while being interrogated by detectives.

It was reported that Hira was discovered lifeless by his grandmother in their washroom. During an examination of his body, Police found marks of violence around his neck.

An autopsy revealed that he died from compression in-

Dead: Jason Hira

Jailed: Ganesh Persaud Lall

juries to the neck.

During the court proceeding on Monday, Lall was represented by Attorney-atLaw Khemraj Ramjattan while the State was represented by Joy Williams and Caressa Henry.

The court heard that Hira was a frequent user of illicit drugs and an alcoholic.

On the day in question, he reportedly demanded money from his grandparents (Lall’s parents) and Lall intervened.

An argument erupted between them which quickly escalated into a scuffle during which Lall ended up strangling Hira in the washroom.

The court also heard that

Hira had been arrested in the USA for stalking women.

His mother stated that her son was an intelligent young man who was "influenced by his wealthy friends while attending school. He reportedly attended Queen’s College and at the time of his demise, he was 30.

In addition, through the victim impact statements, family members of Lall, including his sister (Hira's mom), said they had forgiven Lall and begged the Judge to be lenient with him.

They said that Lall was a very kind person, and it was very unusual for him to act in the manner he did towards Hira.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

1st-time access to potable water for over 250 Itabac residents …with newly-commissioned $47M water supply system

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or the first time, residents of Itabac in the North Pakaraimas, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) will be able to turn on their taps and have potable running water to their homes.

This is a result of a direct investment of $47 million, which went toward the construction of a new water supply system for the community.

The new facility was commissioned on Monday

by Housing Minister Collin Croal, who was on a twoday outreach to the region.

The new system, which includes a 150-metre well, is equipped with storage tanks and is powered by a photovoltaic pumping system.

With the well up and fully functioning, approximately 254 residents will now enjoy a better quality of life. In the past, the community relied solely on rainwater and water from rivers, some distance away.

The works on the facility were executed by R Kissoon Contracting Services.

A little child drinks from one of the taps in the community

Meanwhile, residents of the community were briefed on the Government's 2024 development agenda, specifically plans for the development of the hinterland region.

The plans were highlighted by the Minister during a brief community meeting.

The residents were also allowed to raise issues affecting the community. A commitment was made by the Minister to have the issues addressed with the respective programme heads under which they fall.

This is the third water system to be commissioned in two days in Region

Eight. Some 232 residents of Kamana are also benefiting from the installation of a $48 million water supply system. Another water supply system was also commissioned at Sandhill in the same region, constructed to the tune of $36 million.

Upon entering office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration committed to ensuring 100 per cent access to clean and potable water by 2025. This is five years earlier than set out by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal joins officials and members of the community to commission the water system

Overall, 97 per cent of Guyana’s population has access to clean potable water. However, for the hinterland and riverine communities, the target was set to improve coverage to 83 per cent by the end of last year. The Government inherited the sector when there was only 46 per cent coverage for the hinterland.

Under the 2023 work programme, water sup-

ply systems in Aranaputa, Moco, Sand Creek, Karasabai, Wowetta, Quiko, Massara, Baitoon, Crashwater, Kattur, Tiger Pond, Kumu and Bashaidrun were to be extended.

Also, the drilling of deep wells and extension of distribution networks were earmarked for Kaicumbay Village, Aishalton, Awarewarnau,

Maruranau, Potarinau, Hiowa, Parishara, Semonie, Quatata, Shiriri, Katoonarib, Fairview, and Rupertee.

In total, it was estimated that 40 new wells would be created last year.

A total of $16.8 billion was spent last year on water and sanitisation, and $22.5 billion is budgeted for further advancements in 2024.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Capoey residents can GTA launches “Journey through Pottery” in Region 9 now access potable T water as new water system commissioned

A group of children cutting the ceremonial ribbon to commission the new well

S

ome 550 Capoey, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) residents can now enjoy access to potable water through the Capoey Water Supply System, which was commissioned by Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues on Tuesday.

Prime Ministerial Representative Arnold Adams; Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Hinterland Services Director Ramchand Jailal and the team were also present at the commissioning ceremony.

During her address, Rodrigues stated that the water supply system was in keeping with the Government’s

plant is currently under construction at Onderneeming, which will serve residents from Supenaam to Taymouth Manor. Another plant is also expected to be developed at Maria’s Delight to serve residents stretching from Charity to Queenstown, to help push treated water coverage.

Capoey is divided into two sections, with one section already receiving potable water. The new Capoey Water Supply System was drilled using GWI’s newly-acquired 421T PAT Rig by its in-house drilling team to a depth of 42 metres. The 550 Capoey residents represent 96 per cent of the population now benefiting.

GWI Hinterland Director

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues tasting the water from the well

commitment to transforming the lives of Guyanese through access to essential services.

“All of our citizens regardless of your race, your religion, your geographical location, you [must] have access to services and access to infrastructure that will improve your lives,” she said.

The government has drilled 75 wells in three years, taking potable water supply in the hinterland from 46 per cent to 86 per cent by the end of 2023.

Through the 2024 budget, another 40 wells will be drilled in Amerindian communities, as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government aims to achieve 100 per cent access in the hinterland by 2025.

Communities in Region Two set to benefit from enhanced water supply include Friendship, Mashabo, St Deny’s/Tapakuma Village, St Monica, Friendship, Dredge Creek, Baracaro, Bethany, and Wakapao.

Moreover, a new treatment

Jailal highlighted the employment opportunities the project generated for residents and emphasised the need for community responsibility in maintaining the facility.

GWI collaborated with the Capoey Village Council and residents towards activating the new well; supplying and installing 400 lengths of 50mm and 100 lengths of 19mm PVC pipelines from the well to the storage tanks and along the distribution network; installation of standpipes and solar panels; construction of the perimeter fence; installation of submersible pump and well discharge; and construction of reinforced concrete base to support four 1000-Gallon Tuff Tanks.

Overall, the project cost $11 million and the new well is expected to serve the community for several decades.

GWI plans to train two Community Service Officers (CSOs) to assist in the upkeep of the new water supply system.

he Government, through the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), has launched a pottery experience called “Journey through Pottery” in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) which will provide a unique tourist experience in Guyana.

This is the first tourism product for the year, boosting the economic potential of the sector to contribute to the country’s overall growth and development.

The tourism product and guest house are located in the village of Toka and, will, no doubt contribute to the economic activity in this remote, hinterland community.

GTA Director Kamrul Baksh was happy to join other tourism stakeholders in the Rupununi for the historical launch.

“Pottery in Toka, as an experience, would be the first experience, hosted by an Indigenous community of its

GTA Director Kamrul Baksh and Regional Chairman Brian Allicock view pottery products on display

kind. So, that’s a one-of-a-kind experience,” Baksh stated as he delivered the feature address at the launching ceremony.

He also noted the combined efforts of partners like Conservation International, Visit Rupununi, the GTA, the Tourism Ministry and the community, in creating the new experience.

“What this does is it diversifies the product portfolio of the North Rupununi. North Rupununi, in my view, is the

most developed tourism circuit in the country. What this Toka experience is doing is strengthening that product even further. So, no longer will Toka be just a drive-by community, but persons are going to …venture to Toka…enjoy this very unique experience which is the pottery making.”

He added that expanding tourism products has been a priority for the GTA. According to Baksh, strengthening the regional authorities like Visit Rupununi,

so that they could lead the development and management of tourisms products locally was good and necessary.

This, he said, is being done in all other administrative regions.

The Toka community has long been involved in pottery; however, the GTA has supported the technical training for the activity. Soon, training in packaging the product will also be done and the pottery will be marketed at different locations and online.

The GTA has also done familiarisation visits to the village with local tour operators who are keen to add the experience to their itinerary.

A visit to Toka comprises pottery making, hiking to the Taiwu Falls, swimming, star gazing, bonfire and storytelling, and ant eater spotting, among other activities.

Regional Chairman Brian Allicock, in his remarks, also endorsed the initiative.

16 NEWS GTU remains ready to engage MoE to end impasse – Lyte WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…calls on Labour Ministry to step up as “mediator”

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ver one week since it called a countrywide strike for higher salaries and better working conditions, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) stands firm in its commitment to meet with the Education Ministry to facilitate dialogue and ultimately end the impasse.

GTU President Mark Lyte, during an address on Tuesday, contended that they were not interested in any policy talk with the Education Ministry, but instead, it must address the burning issue of wage increases.

Since last week, protest actions by teachers across the country reflect that they are not pleased with just the 6.5 per cent increase for public servants, announced

by the Government in December 2023.

“We don’t want to talk about policies. We want to talk about finance. Let the agency or the group of people that the President entrusted to do financial talks, let them meet with us. We are ready right now. If they call us right now, we are going to get our team ready in five minutes to go where they need us to be, so that we can broker talks on the way forward,” Lyte declared.

As such, the GTU President called on the Labour Ministry to step up and act as the mediator in these talks as he further added that the engagement would allow for greater clarity on the Government’s plans for educators.

“What is the function

of a Ministry of Labour? At all times, to act as a mediator…Bring the two sides together and engage to ensure that there is some level of normalcy…Let the plan be known. When will the teachers be getting an increase?

How much will they be getting? Let us come to the table and amicably resolve this matter,” Lyte said.

A letter dated February 9 was dispatched to the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Shannielle HooseinOutar indicating that the GTU was ready to commence discussions to return to normalcy. Terms of Reference (ToRs) were proposed, among other things, calling for there to be no victimisation, no loss of seniority or years of service, and no

loss of pay for teachers.

This week, the Ministries of Education and Local Government and Regional Development issued a statement informing that teachers who were absent from work last week, without the necessary authorisation would not be paid for the period.

It has been over one week since the protest actions were taken. The Government has come out since then to share facts highlighting that salaries for graduate teachers increased by some 35 per cent since 2020 and will increase by almost 50 per cent by 2025.

Urging teachers to be fair and put the interest of the students at heart, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday appealed to them to remember the good the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has done for them, and the commitments it has made to do even more. He had declared that Guyana’s development was an incremental one and as such, public servants must be patient.

Ali referred to several initiatives the Government had rolled out and would continue to roll out to benefit teachers, while he urged them to not be used as political pawns.

The President highlighted measures the PPP/C

Teachers protesting in front of the Finance Ministry on Tuesday

Government implemented after it took office, including correcting salary scales for $700 million; increasing the remote area incentive from $9000 to $20,000, over a 100 per cent increase and the provision of 3800 scholarships to teachers.

He also referenced the $10,000 allowance for teachers with university degrees and the opportunity provided for them to earn their degrees within their school through the Associate Degree, Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), and online teacher training programmes.

This week, the transparency and accountability of the GTU came under scrutiny, as it was discovered its last audited statement was done in 1989 and financial statements to the Registrar

were last submitted in 2004.

President Ali urged teachers to ask questions of their union.

“I’m not going to go into the accountability issue of the union. But teachers must ask questions…$2 billion invested at 10 per cent returns can give you annual returns of $200 million. No audit from 2004. Those are questions you must ask your union,” he said.

“But I can assure you that this Government is committed to making the lives of every single worker in this country better, but workers must be committed to this process; workers must understand that there’s a short-, medium- and longterm plan. I can look every worker in the eye and say to them, ‘We’ve got your back’,” President Ali added. (G-12)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Albouystown woman busted for attempting to smuggle cannabis into Lusignan Prison

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Arrested: Patrica Blackman

woman was caught red-handed and handed over to the Police while attempting to smuggle a quantity of cannabis to an inmate at the Lusignan Prison.

Patrica Blackman, of King Edward’s Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, was arrested on Monday after she was found with a quantity of cannabis while at the East Coast Demerara correctional facility. When weighed, the illicit substance amounted to 15 grams.

According to information received, prison officers dis-

Moments after the ganja was found in the toothpaste tubes

covered 15 grams of cannabis during a thorough search of the woman’s belongings upon arrival at the checkpoint of the prison.

The marijuana was concealed in plastic straws and then placed in several tubes of toothpaste. Following the discovery, the woman was detained and subsequently handed over to the Police for further interrogation.

“During her detention, the Police will delve into the criminal network she may be con-

nected to. She remains in custody, pending charges,” the release stated.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) called on civilians to recognise the dangers in which they place themselves, society, inmates, and officers by engaging in the trade of contraband within the walls of the prison.

“The GPS also noted that smuggling contraband into a correctional facility is an offence that has serious consequences,” the Service said.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Manchester United: Sir Jim “We can go against Ratcliffe's deal for 25% stake anybody” – Colts approved by Premier League Coach Willon Cameron B

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fter a one-point win against Bounty Colts to secure their position in the Harpy Eagle Conference Final of the One Guyana Basketball League, McDoom/Prospect Kobras Head Coach Jermaine Slater was confident that his team would advance.

However, in the decider of the Play-off series on Saturday, Bounty Colts performed exceptionally well to punish the Kobras as they won the game with the score reading 77-76.

In a comment made exclusively to Guyana Times Sport, the Head Coach of Bounty Colts, Willon Cameron said that this win gave his team confidence to come against any team in the league.

“We are very confident and we still believe that we are the best team in the country even though we don’t feel like it. We don’t feel as if we have been playing like it, but with a game like last week losing after realising that people are catching up to us and then having the resilience to come back thus we believe that we can go against anybody,” he said.

Head Coach of Bounty Colts, Willon Cameron

He went on to divulge what the team needed to work on, coming into the conference final against the Ravens.

“We have to sharpen up on our defence and we are not doing a good job as in the two games back-to-back giving up seventy-plus points is not good for us. We looked at the stats in the regular season and we were the best defensive team so to have two

games giving up seventy points and we have to look back at what we are doing in the regular and replicate that,” Cameron said.

The McDoom/Prospect Kobras would look to secure their place in the conference finals as they focus on conquering the Bounty Colts in the third game at the National Gymnasium, set for this Saturday. (Omar McKenzie)

ritish billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United has been approved by the Premier League.

The deal, worth about US$1.3 billion, is still subject to Football Association approval.

Owners the Glazer family will retain a majority stake in the club, but Ratcliffe's Ineos Group will take control of football operations.

Premier League approval is contingent on the deal being completed.

"The Premier League now awaits confirmation of the transaction's completion," the league said in a statement, while confirming Ratcliffe, 71, has also signed the owners' charter.

The deal is the first to be agreed under the Premier League's updated owners' and directors' test, which was approved by member clubs in March 2023 and includes a review by an independent oversight panel.

Ratcliffe's deal was agreed on Christmas Eve and also includes US$300 million for future investment into the club's Old

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) has made frequent visits to Old Trafford and the club's training ground since his deal was agreed

Trafford stadium.

The businessman has agreed to buy 25 per cent of the club's class B shares, largely held by the Glazer family, who own 69 per cent of the club, and contain almost all the voting rights, and up to 25 per cent of its class A shares, which are listed on the New York Stock Market. The shares are worth US$33 each.

An update to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday evening confirmed that the deadline for holders of class A shares to tender them for sale has been extended from Wednesday until 23:59pm on Friday.

Commissioner Hicken Regal Stationery & supports Mash Street Computer Centre supports GCB youth Football showdown development programme

C

ommissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken yesterday put up support for the much-anticipated Mashramani Street Football Championship slated for this Sunday from 18:30h at the National Park as stakeholder backing for the event continues to build.

Coordinator of the event, Edison Jefford thanked the Commissioner for his unwavering support for grassroots and community-type sports. Jefford said that Hicken has a history of supporting such initiatives.

"The Commissioner, before he was Commissioner, as a Commander of A Division and even before, conceptualised and supported many community-based sports activities, including street football.

Mr Hicken, therefore, is no stranger to positive community-based initiatives like these," Jefford said, adding that he has worked on these projects with Hicken before and he knows that the Commissioner has a vision.

The event this Sunday will feature 16 of the best teams facing off in an ul-

So far 36.7 per cent of class A shares have been tendered, already above the 25 per cent Ratcliffe has agreed to buy.

Taking on sporting control at the club means Ineos will oversee the men's and women's football operations and academies.

They will also get two seats on the Manchester United PLC and Manchester United Football Club boards.

Ratcliffe has already made several visits to Old Trafford and the club's training ground while he waits for the deal to receive final approval.

BBC Sport understands that process is proceeding positively towards completion.

The Glazer family bought Manchester United for £790 million in 2005.

In November 2022, the American family stated they were considering selling in order to "explore strategic alternatives". (BBC Sport)

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Regal has backed the GCB development of youth players

Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken (right) hands over his support for the Mash Street Football Championships to Edison Jefford

timate showdown for the right to be called "the best of the best". A total of $1 million will be split among the top four teams of the competition, which makes it a historic giveaway in one night. Jefford promised a pulsating night of sports and entertainment in a fully safe and secured environment.

The Mashramani Street

Football Championship is one of the most highly-anticipated events on the calendar for this format of sport.

The event was last held in 2022 and easily became one of the biggest street football events the country has ever seen. The showdown among 16 of the best teams in the country this Sunday at the National Park promises to be no different.

egal Stationery and Computer Centre/ Regal Sports recently threw its support behind the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) as it plans to play a huge role in the development of the county's youth players.

The entity, which is a subsidiary of the Regal Business group located in Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, is among the longest serving sponsors of cricket in Guyana.

With a franchise softball team that has won a number of titles and a history of playing a crucial role in the on- and off-field develop-

ment of cricket, it will now shift focus to Guyana’s future as it relates to providing financial support to the GCB. Regal Sports also caters for beginners and professionals in every sporting discipline with quality and trusted brands of sporting equipment at affordable prices, further marrying the new relationship between the two entities as it relates to cricket development and that of its athletes.

Also, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre is the exclusive sponsor of champion softball and hardball cricket teams in Guyana.

Effective March 1, 2024, a monthly equipment rental of $400 VAT Inclusive will be added to your GTT Fibre service bill.

See gtt.co.gy/notices for more details.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Russell-Rutherford record stand hands West Indies consolation win A ndre Russell and Sherfane Rutherford shared a record sixth-wicket T20I partnership before spinner Roston Chase produced a magnificent spell to sink Australia as West Indies enjoyed a consolation victory at Optus Stadium.

West Indies were in big trouble at 79 for 5 after winning the toss in the third and final game, but Russell and Rutherford completely dominated the second half of the innings with a hard-hitting 139-run stand.

They slaughtered Australia's attack and combined for 12 sixes, but West Indies' total of 220 for 6 was under threat by a rampant David Warner, who struck 81 off 49 balls in possibly his last international match on home soil.

Australia nosedived after Warner's dismissal as they

Kyle Mayers succumbed to the sharp bounce and played onto his stumps.

But Bartlett cooled off after Chase decided to counterattack as West Indies met fire with fire.

Bartlett's figures nosedived to finish with 2 for 37 from 4 overs, but he was spared from the punishment compared to Zampa, who in a rare off night finished with 1 for 65 in the worst bowling figures in Australia's T20I history.

Warner smashes half-century, but lacks support Australia reshuffled their batting order with skipper Mitchell Marsh elevating a spot to open alongside Warner. But Marsh couldn't get going and was overshadowed by Warner, who over-

Andre Russell smashed 71 off 29 balls

in the series opener, Warner was shackled in game two by a West Indies attack bowling a straight line. But they couldn't maintain their discipline and Warner capitalised by swinging hard and racing

Sherfane Rutherford celebrates his maiden T20I half-century

Russell was throwing so much force into his strokes that a slew of fielders lost sight of the ball as it continually soared mightily high in the air and into the crowd.

He finally holed out in the last over and walked off the ground to a standing ovation from the 17,018 crowd.

David Warner goes over the leg side

ended the home summer on a sour note, but still recorded a 2-1 series victory.

Rutherford and Dre Russ rescue West Indies Captain Rovman Powell decided to switch strategies and bat first after his attack had leaked huge totals in the opening two matches.

But it appeared to not make a difference with West Indies' top-order unable to handle the extra bounce as they spiralled to 17 for 3 in the third over.

West Indies as expected did not go into their shell with Powell and Chase leading a recovery, but their dismissals before the halfway mark left the tourists in familiar woe.

A brute of a delivery from left-arm quick Spencer Johnson whacked Russell on the glove with the painful blow requiring medical attention. But he continued and cracked another short Johnson delivery for six.

It got him going and also ignited Rutherford, who had started slowly before putting the foot down to reach his half-century off 33 balls.

But he was overshadowed by Russell, who was in a mood as he motored to a 25-ball

23

half-century with a six off legspinner Adam Zampa as West Indies lifted past 200.

Russell wasn't done as he monstered an unusually sluggish Zampa for three consecutive sixes in a penultimate over of the innings that yielded 28 runs.

Bartlett stars early in T20I debut, Zampa cops flogging With Josh Hazlewood rested, Xavier Bartlett made his T20I debut after his incredible initiation into international cricket with consecutive four-wicket hauls in the ODI series between the teams.

Bartlett opened the bowling and immediately was on the money with a back-of-alength outswinger that beat Johnson Charles. He relished the extra bounce on the renowned pacy Optus Stadium deck and hit Charles on the helmet with a fierce short delivery.

Bartlett's magical start to his international career continued when on the last ball of the first over he had Johnson nicking off before adding another after recalled

SCOREBOARD West Indies (20 ovs maximum) Johnson Charles c †Wade b Bartlett 4 Kyle Mayers b Bartlett 11 Nicholas Pooran †c Maxwell b Behrendorff 1 Roston Chase b Zampa 37 Rovman Powell (c)c †Wade b Hardie 21 Sherfane Rutherford not out 67 Andre Russell c Maxwell b Johnson 71 Romario Shepherd not out 2 Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 1, w 3) 6 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 11.00) 220/6 Did not bat: Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Johnson Charles, 0.6 ov), 2-7 (Nicholas Pooran, 1.6 ov), 3-17 (Kyle Mayers, 2.5 ov), 4-72 (Roston Chase, 7.5 ov), 5-79 (Rovman Powell, 8.4 ov), 6-218 (Andre Russell, 19.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Xavier Bartlett 4-0-37-2 Jason Behrendorff 4-0-31-1 Spencer Johnson 4-0-49-1 Aaron Hardie 4-0-36-1 Adam Zampa 4-0-65-1

Australia (T: 221 runs from 20 ovs) Mitchell Marsh (c)c Holder b Hosein 17 David Warner c Russell b Chase 81 Aaron Hardie b Shepherd 16 Josh Inglis c & b Chase 1 Glenn Maxwell b Shepherd 12 Tim David not out 41 Matthew Wade † not out 7 Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 1, w 5) 8 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.15) 183/5 Did not bat:Adam Zampa, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Jason Behrendorff Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Mitchell Marsh, 6.3 ov), 2-114 (Aaron Hardie, 12.3 ov), 3-116 (David Warner, 13.1 ov), 4-117 (Josh Inglis, 13.6 ov), 5-152 (Glenn Maxwell, 17.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Alzarri Joseph 4-0-38-0 Jason Holder 4-0-49-0 Andre Russell 1-0-11-0 Romario Shepherd 4-0-31-2 Akeal Hosei 3-0-33-1 Roston Chase 4-0-19-2

Roston Chase took on the Australia bowlers

came a rough start when a short delivery from Alzarri Joseph banged into the grill via his shoulder.

After smashing a rapid 70

to a half-century off 25 balls.

Warner seemed set to reach his second T20I century, but he became bogged

down in the middle overs before holing out in the 14th over as Australia's chase fell away.

Chase halts Australia in the middle overs

West Indies' attack, which had struggled mightily in Hobart and Adelaide, appeared in jeopardy of being unable to defend their massive total. But Chase proved an inspired selection as he dominated the middle overs to frustrate Warner and Aaron Hardie, who batted at No 3, with deliveries that darted into them.

He removed Warner and then had Josh Inglis, who shifted from opener down to No 4, with a return catch to finish with the excellent figures of 2 for 19 from 4 overs. Chase was well supported by seamer Romario Shepherd as West Indies recorded a convincing victory.

(ESPNCricinfo)

Shamar Joseph named ICC Player of the Month N ot many players have made a more impressive start to their international career than Shamar Joseph, with the West Indies quick rising from relative obscurity to the cusp of stardom after just two matches.

Joseph's introduction to international cricket was so eye-catching, that the right-armer beat out strong opposition from England batter Ollie Pope and Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood to claim the first men's monthly award for the new calendar year It didn't take long for Joseph to make his mark on debut in the first Test against Australia as the 24-year-old revived memories of West Indies quicks of yesteryear when he claimed the prized wicket of the world's No 2 ranked batter Steve Smith with his very first delivery.

Joseph picked up another four Australian scalps on his way to sensational figures of 5-94 in his first Test appearance in Adelaide and backed up this effort with decent scores of 36 and 15 coming into bat for his side

Guyanese Shamar Joseph is the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for January

at No 11.

Somehow, Joseph produced an even better performance during the West Indies' upset victory over Australia in the second Test in Brisbane. He produced a spell for the ages to collect figures of 7-68 that

helped the Caribbean side to their first Test triumph in Australia since 1997.

Through two Tests, Joseph has collated 57 runs at a decent batting clip of 28.50, having also taken 13 wickets at an imposing average of 17.30. (ICC)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024

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

RussellRutherford record stand hands West Indies consolation win Pg 23

Pg 22

“We can go against anybody” – Colts Coach supports Mash Street Football showdown Willon Cameron Pg 22

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