Guyana Times - Wednesday, January 24, 2024.pdf

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

Issue No. 5621

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

Joint Declaration of Argyle

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana, Venezuela Foreign Ministers to meet in Brazil on Jan 25

Page 7

Pedal cyclist dies after being run over by lorry at Den Amstel P13

Law Reform Commission essential to modern Guyana – President Ali …as Chairperson, another member sworn in

Prosperity FPSO to reach full production capacity in 2 months P19 – Min Bharrat ...3 FPSOs producing 650,000 bpd

4th victim in Ruimveldt P12 2-vehicle smash-up dies

Page 3 Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson has been appointed as the new Chair of the Law Reform Commission while Lenox Shuman has been sworn in as a member of the Commission. They were sworn in before President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday and will serve for the next three years. Also in the photo are Attorney General Anil Nandlall; Chief Justice (Acting), Roxane George and Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack (OP photo)

Page Linden man PPP/C resuscitated 5 charged with APNU/AFC’s bankrupt Page murder of 10 forestry sector – Min girlfriend; buried Bharrat tells House her in shallow grave ...says local demand on the increase amid rapid infrastructural development

Benn, Ramjattan clash over P11 gun amnesty, corruption, security matters – Benn rejects calls for consensus to tackle crime, corruption

Venezuelan woman found dead at Puruni Landing P13

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 Law Reform Commission essential to modern Guyana – President Ali NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, January 24 – 03:50h-05:20h and Thursday, January 25 – 04:00h-05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, January 24 – 15:25h-16:55h and Thursday, January 25 – 16:05h-17:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions during the day interrupted by light to thundery showers in the mid-morning to mid-afternoon hours. Clear to cloudy skies are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 15:50h reaching a maximum height of 2.45 metres.

…as Chairperson, another member sworn-in

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday emphasised the importance of a functioning Law Reform Commission (LRC) in the building-out of a modern Guyana during the swearing-in of a new Chairperson.

“Guyana’s current and future development ties into the need for modern legislation", the Head of State noted, especially since the advancement of partnerships and cooperation between companies and countries must be done under the right legal basis.

Laws, he added, are nec-

essary to advance, support, and protect the development process.

The President spoke about the dynamic and ever-changing nature of society and the need to make necessary reforms to the legislative architecture to protect the explosive development and to be responsive to modern justice demands.

“This Law Reform Commission is critical to what we are doing as a developing country,” he said.

He told the Commission members, including new Chair, Attorney-at-Law

Low Tide: 09:23h and 21:54h reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metre and 0.75 metre.

Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson received her instrument from President Dr Irfaan Ali

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$79.66/barrel

+0.14

Rough Rice London Sugar

$314.10/ton $669.70/ton

+0.09 0.00

Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask Low/High Change

USD Per Ounce $2026.70 $2020.90 -2.30

$2027.70 $2038.60 -0.11%

Lenox Shuman being presented with his instrument by the Head of State

Emily Dodson that “there is a lot of work ahead”.

The Commission, he added, has the authority to make recommendations for new legislation and amendments, allowing the country to keep abreast with developments while supporting a modern legal framework.

Dodson, who will serve as Chair for the next three years, previously served as a member of the Commission under the chairmanship of Retired Justice of the Appeal Court, Beasraj Singh Roy. Additionally, President Ali administered the Oath of Office to former Member of Parliament (MP) and Indigenous rights advocate, Lenox Shuman, who will also serve the Law Reform

Commission for three years.

In extending his congratulations to Dodson and Shuman, President Ali underscored his confidence in the Commission continuing its work and delivering exemplary service.

He said with the years of experience and skills of the Commissioners combined, Guyana could return to being a celebrated country in the legal sector. The members, he said, are well positioned to deliver what is required of them to have their work make an impression.

The other Commissioners are Teni Housty, Deenawati Panday, and Clarissa Riehl. They were sworn in on August 11, 2021.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Laws are flouted

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n accordance with Part V, Section. 19 (1) (a) of the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, Laws of Guyana – “a person shall not undertake an activity that causes or is likely to cause pollution of the environment unless the person takes all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimize any resulting adverse effect”.

The preceding law covers noise nuisance and all its variables and implications. The law states: “No person shall, in any road, street, public place or land or building or premises, by operating or causing or suffering to be operated any stereo set, jukebox, radio, wireless loudspeaker, amplifier, automatic piano or similar instrument of music, or by any other means whatsoever, make or cause or suffer to be made any noise which shall be so loud and so continuous or repetitive as to cause a nuisance to occupants of any premises in the neighbourhood.”

Another aspect of noise nuisance the ministry should look at is loud music emanating from privately owned vehicles.

Despite several changes in Government, the scourge of noise nuisance seems to continue unabated, even though the adverse health effects of noise are trumpeted at various forums, and complaints by those affected are plentiful.

Persona seems to be oblivious to the injurious effects on the general health and well-being of society when persons uncaringly engage in activities which create a noise nuisance.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), noise causes a wide range of negative health effects, including sleep disturbance; cardiovascular effects; damage to work and school performance; and hearing impairment, including tinnitus.

Additionally, the WHO avers that noise has negative impacts on cognitive performance: For recall and reading, a reduction of the day and night noise level by five dB(A) within the range of 65–80 dB(A) was shown to improve performance by almost 10 per cent: For attention and memory, a five dB (A) reduction in average noise level results in approximately two to three per cent improvement of performance. The Organization surmises that adverse impacts of noise on cognitive performance can lead to a reduction in productivity at work, and the learning performance at school.

The lack of a sustained campaign against noise nuisance has created a dynamic wherein the noise emanating from various sources has grown to unbearable proportions countrywide.

Indisputably, playing music loudly has become part of our national culture. The situation has become worse because of advances in electronic technology, which have helped music sets to become much more powerful than they were a couple of decades ago. Laws are no deterrent, because there is no sustained enforcement. Announcements by several Ministers of Home Affairs over the years: that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will adopt a ‘no nonsense’ approach and the full force of the law will deal condignly with offenders, have all come to nought.

The authorities have, over the years, admitted that various relevant bodies continue to receive numerous complaints from senior citizens; the sick, for whom noise exacerbates their health issues; working parents, students, and several other law-abiding people, to the effect that they are being seriously affected by loud, repetitive and continuous noises emanating from a range of places in the different Police divisions; there is no evidence pointing to any long-term relief for victims. Little relief is provided by agencies, even though sporadically, relevant divisional commanders of the GPF have been provided with the details about the complaints and directed to take appropriate action to ensure that Subsection (1) of Section 174 A of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, as amended by Act No. 1 of 1989, is not breached.

Police have, on specified days and times, re-enforced the validity and justification of the complaints; yet, somehow or the other, it would appear that the operators believe they have the right to play music as loudly as they feel.

Campaigns against noise nuisance must be relentless and sustained, or else this scourge will not be stopped; because it seems that some people get a sense of pleasure when they play loud music and disturb others, and some of the worst perpetrators are law-enforcement officers.

The clouds hovering over the mountain are encapsulating the landscape at Waramadong, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) (Photo by Lakhram Bhagirat)

ONE SUN, ONE WORLD, ONE GRID: EMPOWERING SUSTAINABILITY

I

n October 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) for the first time at the First Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

During COP26 in November 2021, the Green Grids Initiative (GGI) was launched by the United Kingdom (UK) as a key enabler of net zero in India’s and the UK’s shared vision of 2030. The two countries aim to establish a collaborative framework for global cooperation in maximising the utilisation of renewable resources, ensuring that clean and efficient energy becomes a dependable alternative for meeting the energy needs of all nations by 2030.

GGI and the OSOWOG initiative were unveiled jointly by India and the UK as part of their bilateral collaboration in conjunction with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the World Bank Group (WB).

These initiatives, focusing on the global transition to renewable energy, were subsequently merged into a unified effort named GGIOSOWOG, emphasising a collective commitment to a common goal. This first-ever international network of interconnected solar grids seeks to connect 140 countries to continuous solar power and has been endorsed by 80 ISA Member Countries.

The vision behind the OSOWOG initiative is the mantra that “the sun never sets”. The idea is to harness solar energy from different parts of the world, where the sun is shining at any given moment, and efficiently transmit that power to areas where it is need-

ed. By creating a connected global grid, regions that experience daylight can contribute excess solar power to other regions that may be in darkness, balancing energy production and consumption on a global scale.

Making an impact through global interconnections

The OSOWOG initiative is to be carried out in 3 phases: In the first phase, the Indian grid would be connected to the grids of the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia to develop a common grid. This grid would then be used to share solar energy as needed, in addition to other renewable energy sources.

The second phase would connect the functional first phase to the pool of renewable resources in Africa.

The third phase would look at achieving true global interconnection with the aim of 2,600 GW of interconnection by 2050. The goal is to integrate as many countries as possible to create a single power grid of renewable energy.

India’s role at OSOWOG

India’s goal to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil-based electricity generation capacities by 2030 aligns with its efforts to be Net Zero by 2070. The nation has been transformed from power-deficient to power-sufficient.

In 2023-24, out of the total generation capacity of 9,943 MW added, 8,269 are from non-fossil fuel sources.

As per Renewable Energy Statistics 2023 released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), India has the 4th largest installed capacity of renewable energy.

It is imperative for India to not only find alternatives to coal-based fuels but also secure its energy demands sustainably. GGI-OSOWOG is the ambitious plan to attain this goal. India urgently needs to shift to solar power due to three impending issues. Firstly, India is likely to account for 25% of global energy demand growth over the next two decades, necessitating a move towards solar for enhanced energy security and self-sufficiency while mitigating environmental impacts. Failure to do so may increase dependence on coal and oil, leading to economic and environmental costs. Secondly, rampant air pollution emphasizes the need for cleaner energy sources like solar to combat pollution caused by fossil fuels. Lastly, declining groundwater levels and decreasing annual rainfall underscore the importance of diversifying energy sources. Solar power, unlike coal, doesn't strain groundwater supplies. The extensive use of solar power plants is a crucial step towards cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable energy, offering benefits at both utility and individual levels.

Challenges and way forward

Building consensus among 140 nations and addressing geopolitical challenges, logistical issues related to land availability, potential problems arising from weather changes, wire breakage, securing finances,

etc., makes the realisation of this ambitious project all the more difficult.

Achieving energy access within the available short timeframe requires targeted interventions addressing key factors. These factors include: • Establish supportive policy frameworks for organised progress • Secure affordable long-term finance and use innovative financial instruments, crucial for projects in heavily affected regions and attracting private sector investments • Implement capacity building and training in access-deficit countries, focusing on affected areas • Create an enabling environment through updated data access and quality standards for mini-grids and distributed renewable energy The move towards One Sun, One World, and One Grid signifies a pivotal future for renewable energy systems. This project plays a crucial role in fostering international collaboration, enabling the balanced and shared use of renewable energy sources globally.

Completing this project not only reinforces India's leadership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) but also provides substantial support to the Indian economy.

The broader impact includes promoting global sustainability and enhancing societal resilience against climate change.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

5

News

PPP/C resuscitated APNU/AFC’s bankrupt forestry sector – Min Bharrat tells House – says local demand on the increase amid rapid infrastructural development

P

rudent management of the forestry sector has seen it turned around from the bankrupted state that was inherited when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) took office some three years ago.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat made this disclosure in the National Assembly on Tuesday, on day two of Budget Debates 2024, when he reminded that, in 2020, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) was bankrupt when the Government took over from the APNU-AFC coalition.

Fast forward to strategic interventions, Bharrat told the House, and the sector has seen a positive turnaround.

“In less than three years, we have turned the sector around,” the Minister told the House.

He also dismissed claims by Opposition Member of Parliament Deonarine Ramsaroop: that the APNUAFC inherited a bankrupted sector in 2015, by adding that the country should not

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

be misled.

Facts were provided to the National Assembly showing that the GFC had $100 million in its coffers in September 2015, and that sum was transferred to the Finance Ministry.

“He came here and said they took over a bankrupt Commission. We should not come to the National Assembly and mislead the House and the people of this country. Even for argument’s sake: you took up a bankrupt Commission - which is not true - what did you do?

Because in 2020 it was still

bankrupted. So, it means that you simply did nothing in five years!” Bharrat schooled.

Responding to the decline in timber exports, the Natural Resources Minister clarified that this is due to increasing local demand, which must be fulfilled.

According to him, while exports have declined, production is on the increase.

“The local demand is growing so much that the Guyana Forestry Commission is supplying the local demand. Should we neglect the local demand and

export because we want to come here and report that our export figures are glorious? Should we do that? By doing that, we are suffering our own people! Because when they go to a sawmill or lumberyard, it’s either not available, or the price is so high that they cannot pay for it!” he explained.

“It tells you something about what is happening in our country! It tells you about the infrastructure development that is taking place in our country! That is what it says,” he added.

Supported by continued investments in the housing sector, and more broadly construction, the forestry sector is projected to record growth of 3.9 per cent in 2024.

Bolstered by an expected ramping up of oil production offshore and persistent growth in key non-oil sectors, Guyana’s economy is slated to continue its growing trend for yet another consecutive year, with projections putting Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at a 34.3 per cent growth in 2024.

Explaining the rapid

expansion of the economy, Bharrat told the Opposition, “The increased demand didn’t happen just like that.

Do you think the increased demand happened by magic? How come it didn’t happen between 2015 and 2020?

But it is happening now because of the prudent management of the economy and our ability to bring in investors in almost every single sector across the country. It is because of the confidence of people in the economy and the Government.”

The Natural Resources Minister indicated that Guyanese should be proud that, among forested countries, the country boasts one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world. In the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, the commitment is 0.07 per cent deforestation.

“Today, our deforestation rate is 0.036 per cent, and we’re working to bring down that deforestation even further by adding value to products and not exporting raw wood or logs,” he disclosed.

In March 2023, the

Guyana Government signed with the European Union (EU) a contract worth more than $1 billion, to increase forest preservation activities in the country as well as to foster sustainable development within local communities that are dependent on the forest for their livelihoods.

This agreement fell under the Forest Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between Guyana and the EU, back in November 2022 on the sidelines of COP27 in Egypt, for the provision of a €5 million grant to advance efforts towards sustainable forest management and preservation here.

A €10 million “Sustainable Forest Livelihoods for the communities of Guyana and Suriname” project was also launched in the two South American nations – in which has been injected in each country €5 million to strengthen capacity development and sustainable livelihood in and around forest-dependent communities over four years. (Rupa Seenaraine)

Mahdia Fire...

GFS is not responsible for equipping buildings with fire prevention measures – Min Benn W hile addressing the events of the tragic Mahdia dormitory fire, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on Tuesday outlined that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was not responsible for putting fire-preventative measures in place on the building.

In addressing the National Assembly on day two of the Budget Debates, the Home Affairs Minister drew attention to the fact that the Guyana Fire Service is responsible only for inspection of buildings.

“The Guyana Fire Service, under the protocols established, does not have the responsibility, or did not have the responsibility, to do those things. It is incumbent on the house owner, or the owner of the building, or whoever is the agency that owns the building, to put those things in place for follow-up inspections by the Guyana Fire Service,” Benn contended.

The Commission of Inquiry into the Mahdia dormitory fire recently recommended that an inspectorate be set up to visit the dormitories which have been retrofitted, or are being retrofitted, to determine the extent to which they comply with the recommended Gender Sensitive Standards for Dormitories.

This recommendation should

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

also apply to dormitories for intended construction.

Minister Benn also agreed with the Commission’s position: that despite being notified late, firefighters still managed to save several lives during the May 21, 2023 blaze.

“It is true that there were inadequacies about a delayed fire call. The building was alight by the time the Fire Service got there.

Also, there was the question of them being able to break into the building even when they arrived, and how best to treat the children when they did rescue children from the building. I want to say that despite all that happened, the Guyana Fire Service personnel rescued persons from the building,” Benn reiterated.

The Home Affairs

Ministry, through the Guyana Fire Service, has equipped dorms and school buildings in the interior with smoke alarms, extinguishers, fireballs, sand buckets, and other measures to mitigate fires.

Going forward, the CoI Report indicated that grills should be replaced with a modern security system, inclusive of secured fencing and cameras, to ensure a protected environment and assist in monitoring the entry and exit of all persons using the facilities.

On the evening of the May 21 fire, there were 57 female students in the dormitory: a one-flat concrete building measuring about 100 feet by 40 feet, with several heavily-grilled windows and five

doors. The Commission heard during testimonies that the grills were installed to prevent the girls from escaping.

Many students were trapped in the burning structure during the fire, and 19 eventually perished, along with the son of the dorm parents.

CoI Chairman, Major General (retd) Joseph Singh, has noted that several inadequacies were uncovered at the dormitory, including unpreparedness by the Mahdia Fire Service in terms of emergency response and rescue; and the lack of a water supply.

However, it has been determined that an equipped facility would not have delivered a different result, having regard to the cause of the fire and the speed with which it became an inferno.

He was quoted as saying, “Based on the evidence, we concluded an individual intentionally set the fire…

Despite the presence of five ungrilled doors situated in the building to provide entry and exit, this failed to impact what unfolded on May 21, 2023. Such was the magnitude and speed of the blaze.

This was accompanied by an unacceptable human failure to access the keys in those chaotic and fiery circumstances.”

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:05 13:40 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30 00:00

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denominator by the same number. In this case, you w

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When you have an improper fraction, you can reduce WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

Foundation20 are divisible by 10. ◄

Page

and 12 by 2. You can also reduce the fraction part of a

Power Up Maths

Set in box

Multiplying fractions and mixed numbers: Reducing

Remember: When you reduce a mixed number, the wh

MULTIPLYING FRACTIONS NUMBERS: REDUCING The easiest way to multiply fractions and mixed AND numbersMIXED is to change the mixed number into an

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The easiestfraction. way toThen multiply andjust mixed is to change the mixed number into an improper multiplyfractions the fractions as younumbers normally would. improper fraction. Then multiply the fractions just as you normally would.

Set in box 1 3

Example: 2 x

Exercises: Multiply

Step 1: Change the mixed number into an improper fraction: Step 2: Restate the problem:

7 2 x 3 8

2

2)

Step 4: Multiply the denominators: 3 x 8 = 24 Step 5: Write the product:

2

1) 1 x 4

7 3

Step 3: Multiply the numerators: 7 x 2 = 14

1 5 x 8 9

2 4 3) x 2 12

14 24

3 1 REDUCING: You may already know about reducing a fraction.

4) x Reducing changes a fraction into its simplest form. For example: REDUCING: You may already know about reducing a fraction.

Reducing changes a fraction4into 2 its

14/24 = 7/12 . To reduce,14see 7if you can divide both the simplest form.

For example: by the = same . To reduce, seeInif this you case, can divide both the numerator numerator and denominator number.

4 and15 24 12 youdenominator were able to both 14 andIn 24this by case, 2. you were able to divide both 14 and 24 by 2. bydivide the same number.

6 9 When you have an improper fraction, you can reduce it.

7 14/12 = 7/6 because you were able to divide both 14 14 When you have an improper fraction, you can reduce it. and= 12because you were able to divide both 14 12 6 by 2. You can also reduce the fraction part of a mixed number.

10 1 5 10/20 = 5 1/2 because both 10 and 20 are divisible by and 12 by 2. You can also reduce the fraction part of a mixed10. number. 5 = 5 because both 10 and

5) x

20 are divisible by 10.

Remember:

20

2

Set in box When you reduce a mixed number, the whole number willyou always the same.

Remember: When reducestay a mixed number, the whole number will always stay the same. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I

Exercises: Multiply

n this popular and fun little 2 2 science experiment 1) you x will explore surface 1 4 using pepper and a tension drop1 of dish 5 soap. Watch the pepper in a panic when 2) 8 x run the dish9 soap breaks the surface 2 4tension.

3) 2 x 12 Materials: Pepper Bowl 3 1

4) 4 x 2 4 6

5) x

15 9

BEYOND

Exercises: Multiply

2 8

PANICKED PEPPER

Water Cotton swab Liquid dish soap Instructions: Fill the bowl with water.

Sprinkle a thin layer of pepper onto the water.

Dip the cotton swab into the liquid dish soap.

Then dip the end of the

cotton swab with the soap into the water.

Observe the pepper.

How it works: When the pepper is sprinkled in the water, it stays on top because of the surface tension of the water.

When the liquid dish soap is introduced, the surface

tension breaks sending the pepper in all directions.

Make this a science project: What happens if you use a different spice such as cinnamon? What happens if you use a different liquid instead of water? Test different things to see if they break the surface tension of the water. (sciencefun.org)

by A.J. Seymour

Never the permanent sky Spoke with so loud a tongue, Never the angry sea Struck at the dark sky’s cheek, But the marble blue’s beyond The curve of heaven’s frown And the little fish ride unshaken Below where the sea is deep.

II “Come unto Me”, He said “Why are you so cast down?

Why so depressed?

Your hope lies in my crown", He said, “And your peace is my breast.

In my breast sleeps your peace”.

Quiet in their ranks stood my peopled town And all my restlessnesses ceased.

WORD SEARCH

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Joint Declaration of Argyle

Guyana, Venezuela Foreign Ministers to meet in Brazil on Jan 25

T

he first meeting of the Joint Commission, as envisioned by the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace, agreed to following the meeting of the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela on December 14, 2023, will be held in Brasilia, Brazil on January 25, 2024.

The meeting will be attended by the Foreign Ministers and technical persons of both countries, and its main aim would be addressing matters, “as mutually agreed”. Guyana remains fully committed to the principles of the Argyle Declaration, in particular the maintenance of peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Guyana Delegation will be led by Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Hilton Todd; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud; Permanent Secretary Ambassador Elisabeth Harper; Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Richard Van West-Charles; Director of the Frontiers Department, Donnette Streete; and Chargé d’Affaires of the Guyana Embassy in Brazil, Vernon Robinson.

In December 2023, President Dr Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro held discussions on matters consequential to the territory in dispute between their two countries in Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Guyana's President Ali and Venezuelan President Maduro during the meeting back in December

Those discussions were facilitated by the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Pro-Tempore President of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Dr Ralph E. Gonsalves, and the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Roosevelt Skerrit.

Following the meeting, the parties reiterated their commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean remaining a Zone of Peace.

Guyana and Venezuela declared as follows: 1. Agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.

2. Agreed that any controversies between the two States would be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.

3. Committed to the pursuance of good neighbourli-

ness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean.

4. Noted Guyana’s assertion that it is committed to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border controversy. Noted Venezuela’s assertion of its lack of consent and lack of recognition of the International Court of Justice and its jurisdiction in the border controversy.

5. Agreed to continue dialogue on any other pending matters of mutual importance to the two coun-

tries.

6. Agreed that both States would refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them. The two States will cooperate to avoid incidents on the ground conducive to tension between them. In the event of such an incident, the two States would immediately communicate with one another, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), and the President of Brazil to contain, reverse and prevent its recurrence.

7. Agreed to establish immediately a joint commission of the Foreign Ministers and technical persons from the two States to address matters as mutually agreed. An update from this joint commission will be submitted to the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela within three months.

8. Both States agreed that Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves, the ProTempore President of CELAC; Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the incumbent CARICOM Chairman, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil will remain seized of the matter as Interlocutors, and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as Observer,

with the ongoing concurrence of Presidents Irfaan Ali and Nicolas Maduro.

For the avoidance of doubt, Prime Minister Gonsalves’s role will continue even after Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ceases to be the Pro-Tempore President of CELAC within the framework of the CELAC Troika plus one; and Prime Minister Skerrit’s role will continue as a member of the CARICOM Bureau.

9. Both States agreed to meet again in Brazil within the next three months, or at another agreed time, to consider any matter with implications for the territory in dispute, including the above-mentioned update of the joint commission.

10. We express our appreciation to Prime Ministers Gonsalves and Skerrit, to President Lula and his Personal Envoy Celso Amorim, to all other CARICOM Prime Ministers present, to the officials of the CARICOM Secretariat, to the CELAC Troika, and to the Head of the CELAC PTP Secretariat in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, His Excellency Dr. Douglas Slater, for their respective roles in making this meeting a success.

11. We express our appreciation to the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for their kind facilitation and hospitality at this meeting.

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Grading…

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…UG

ot surprisingly, VP Jagdeo’s recent comments: about the need for UG to up its game in the delivery of the programmes that distinguish it as our sole tertiary educational institution, have raised the ire of the PNC. “Not surprisingly” because, ever since they converted what they snarkily referred to as “Jagan’s Night School” at Queen’s College to the mortar-and-brick facilities at Turkeyen, it’s been used almost exclusively to hand out sinecures to the PNC’s middle strata -- outside of the old Civil Service.

But the VP didn’t hone in on UG because of politics, but because of the product it’s supposed to deliver.

So, what is it exactly that Jagdeo said to’ve made the PNC’s knickers and bucktas get into such tight knots?? Firstly, he was responding to a question on the salary structure at the institution compared to the foreign institutions that are facilitating the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarships sponsored by the Government. To date, the PPP have already exceeded the 20,000 scholarships they promised in their manifesto, and there are still two years to go.

And this is what he said: “[The University of Guyana] needs to have a good quality of degree [programmes], particularly first degrees, around a core number of areas, and quality is important…so a lot has to be reviewed there, too; and the Government, now that it will be using taxpayers’ resources to fund the entire university, needs to ensure that we have solid leadership, and also that we have value for money, and the output – the quality of the degree [programme] – is of a standard that is recognised everywhere in the world.”

Now, exactly what’s so objectionable about that?? The Opposition is concerned whether the country’s getting value for money spent on, say, infrastructure; and they’ve expressed this vehemently at the drop of a hat, and we can be sure they will do so throughout this budget debate. This is the duty of an opposition in a democracy – to keep the Government on the straight and narrow on spending. So, your Eyewitness wants to know: why don’t they have the same concern for the billions poured annually into UG? But hold it!! Your Eyewitness already answered that question in his prefatory remarks, hasn’t he?? UG is a home away from home for the PNC intelligentsia; it provides them with wuk, and a platform to indoctrinate the young minds coming to be “schooled”!! So, Jagdeo has inadvertently hit a raw nerve in the PNC apparatus!! But it must be followed up. Apart from the PNC’s incestuous ties with UG, governments across the globe are relooking at “bricks and mortar” universities – especially after the enforced online learning experience occasioned by the COVID pandemic!!

Now that the subject’s been broached, let’s re-examine the entire premise of our delivery of “higher education”!!

And grade UG!! …chicken While the PPP hasn’t explicitly promised “a chicken in every pot” - as FDR did during the Great Depression – it appears their Minister of Agriculture has been working overtime to ensure that chickens are available here - at a decent price. As it is, your Eyewitness has been listening to his Missus griping about the “indecent prices” every Saturday when she returns all bedraggled from the Market.

So, shouldn’t the goodly Minister be complimented?

Well, he not only didn’t earn any kudos for his efforts from the Opposition Leader, but claims he was libelled by the latter, who said he played hanky-panky with the chicken imports from Suriname!! Now, to a fellow from the countryside, there’s no worse insult than being called a “fowl thief”. So Mustapha has duly filed a defamation suit against Norton.

But in claiming he was a “distinguished public figure” who “enjoyed local and international acclaim worldwide,” isn’t the $5M suit chicken feed? …Israeli Intelligence Mossad, the Israeli Secret Service, has earned an enviable reputation in the last half-century. But the success of Hamas in keeping their plans for the all-out attack last Oct 7 has irreparably damaged that reputation!

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

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

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10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden man charged with murder of girlfriend; buried her in shallow grave S

haquawn Alleyne, also known as “IsWe Boss,” a resident of Linden in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraUpper Berbice), was on Tuesday arraigned virtually before Linden Magistrate Wanda Fortune on a charge of murder committed on his girlfriend Shawnette Dover.

Unrepresented by legal counsel, the 24-year-old Alleyne was not required to plead to the indictable charge, and has been remanded to prison until February 27, 2024.

During the proceedings, he revealed that he is the father of a 4-month-old child, and mentioned that he had had a narcotics charge instituted against him in 2018, but he claimed that that charge had been dismissed. He also provided his address as 5052 Block 22, Wismar, Linden.

Prosecutor Vernette Pindar Whittaker informed the court about an ongoing investigation into the firearm used in the crime, and added

that the person who had allegedly purchased the murder weapon remains in custody. That person has been identified as Shakeel Austin of Lot 200 Block 22, Wismar, Linden. She informed that Austin had been arrested in Linden on Saturday, and has been taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, where he was told of the shooting death of Dover at Canvas City, Wismar between April 3 and April 29, 2021.

She said that, under interrogation, Austin told detectives that during the search for Dover, Alleyne had told him that he had a .38 special pistol to sell for $100,000, and had asked if he knew of anyone who would want to buy it.

However, Austin had agreed to keep the weapon and lend Alleyne the cash.

Austin had further explained that he later met the murder accused at a house not far from Bayroc Ground, where he handed over the

ed.

Shaquan Alleyne (suspect) and Shonette Dover (victim)

money and collected the firearm, which he kept at his aunt’s house at Cinderella City.

Moreover, Austin had said that, about two weeks later, he learned that Shonette’s sister had gone to the Police and told them that Alleyne had shot and killed Dover, thus resulting in Police initiating a manhunt for Alleyne.

Following that development, Austin said, he realised that the gun he had was the murder weapon, and as such,

had made attempts to get rid of it, the prosecutor informed.

She further informed that investigators were making every effort to locate the murder weapon.

When he was 17 years old, Alleyne was arrested and charged with having 16 grams of amphetamines, but that matter was dismissed. He had also been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, but that matter was discontinued after the virtual complainant had chosen to be compensat-

Alleyne, who had been on the run since committing the act, was arrested in Suriname and handed over to local law enforcement officers last week. He has since told detectives that he had accidentally shot his girlfriend, and that it was not a premeditated act.

He detailed that Dover had made breakfast on the day in question, and they were all sitting in his living room when he sent her 15-year-old sister to fetch him his .38 revolver. He said that while cleaning the weapon, he had pulled back the hammer, pointed it, and waved it around. He claimed that Dover had cautioned him about playing with the weapon, and his finger had fallen on the trigger and the gun had gone off.

The situation had gained widespread national interest when Alleyne had initially reported Dover’s disappearance, and had taken charge of the search efforts until her body

was eventually discovered.

The pair had, as a couple, resided in Wismar, Linden.

After being killed by gunshot on April 3, 2021, Dover was buried in the suspect’s backyard, but a younger sister of the victim, who had witnessed the shooting, alerted Police to what had transpired.

With guidance from that sister, the victim’s decomposed body was found in a shallow grave aback Alleyne’s Canvas City, Linden home on April 30, 2021.

Alleyne’s father and Dover’s 15-year-old sister had been arrested during the investigation. Police had indicated that the teen had led them to the shallow grave where the missing woman’s remains were buried after confessing to being at the scene of the crime when the woman died on April 3, 2021.

On May 4, 2021, Dover’s teen sister was charged with accessory after the fact of murder.

Minibus driver remanded on fraud charge

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inibus driver Paul Watson, a 47-yearold resident of Zeelugt Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was on Monday remanded to prison on a charge of ‘obtaining money by false pretence’ after appearing before Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate Faith McGusty.

He pleaded not guilty as charged, but was remanded to prison until February 12, 2024.

He reportedly was arrested on August 11, 2023, but charges were instituted on January 22, 2024 af-

Charged: Paul Watson

ter investigations were completed.

NEWS

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Benn, Ramjattan clash over gun amnesty, corruption, security matters – Benn rejects calls for consensus to tackle crime, corruption

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he Opposition has called on the Government to organize a consensus to resolve matters related to public security and the construction sector, but this has been rejected by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on day two of the 2024 Budget Debates.

The call was issued by Opposition Parliamentarian Khemraj Ramjattan, former Minister of Public Security, who argued that a consensus is needed to address various issues, such as organising firearm amnesty campaigns, “rather than advising citizens to toss their guns into Police stations in black bags”.

Further, Ramjattan noted that the $90.6 billion allocated in the 2024 National Budget for the security sector, more specifically the $30.3 billion for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), is sufficient, and can accommodate such a programme. In this regard, he implored the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government to keep in mind that a firearm amnesty campaign coincides with their goal to reduce crime.

Ramjattan reminded that the APNU+AFC gun amnesty strategy saw approximately 186 weapons

being taken off the streets during its term in office.

In response, Minister Benn reiterated that the PPP/C administration is not interested in paying citizens to hand over illegal firearms, but rather hinted that fines would be increased.

Referencing the murder of 20-year-old Shonnette Dover, who was shot and buried in a shallow grave back in 2021, Benn explained that the firearm used in that gruesome act is yet to be located, and in cases like this one, a firearm amnesty campaign can hinder criminal investigations.

“If you have an illegal firearm, we will find you, and we will increase fines in relation to that… We believe (that) if you have a firearm, (you should) turn it in; don’t set us up for us to pay for you to get money in relation to handing in a firearm; and then we don’t know necessary the lineage, what was done with it,” Minister Benn explained.

Meanwhile, Ramjattan also issued a call for the Government to stop stalling infrastructure projects and retract contracts from construction companies which fail to complete projects during the specified deadline outlined in various

Minister stated.

Budget 2024

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and former Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

agreements.

Additionally, the Opposition Parliamentarian has alleged that, under the watchful eyes of the PPP/C administration, construction companies are not paying taxes, and are benefitting while citizens are “struggling”. He predicted that if this continues, budget 2024, Guyana’s largest fiscal package, would result in a “resource curse”.

“Some of the projects being stalled, there is absolutely no disciplining of those contractors, even giving more addition in fear that there is indeed a bias for that class. You have to start taking away the contracts…we had wanted the oil money to be harnessed in such a way that everybody will share the pie, but no, we have an exclusive set of

people dealing with it. It is not going to help this country…it is going to be an extraordinarily difficult year, in my opinion, based on this budget,” the Opposition Parliamentarian added.

However, on behalf of the Government, Benn debunked the allegations made by Ramjattan, and noted that this year’s budget was crafted for all by a caring Government.

“Increasing the peace in Guyana? We cannot increase the peace with that group, because they are not a reliable partner, they don’t understand or want to understand constitutional democracy… One day, the complete record of the disgrace that the APNU/AFC have got this country and its constitution to will be written,” The Home Affairs

Guyana’s security sector this year received a budgetary allocation of $90.6 billion to aid in its rapid transformation with a major focus on training and the mobilization of persons within the Disciplined Services.

A total of $152.1 million has been set aside to further expand Community Policing Groups countrywide and to decentralize crime-fighting capabilities, while $2billion has been earmarked to advance and expand the use of integrated systems that are designed to enhance surveillance and deter potential criminal activities.

These activities will work hand-in-hand with efforts to ensure ranks within the Disciplined Services undergo local and regional training. The sum of $250 million has been budgeted for the training of Police ranks, and $140.2 million has been budgeted for 450 prison officers to undergo training in prison management.

Further, to improve the existing fleet and to aid in the Force’s crime-fighting capabilities, $1 billion has been provided for the Guyana Police Force to expand its land and water

fleet with the purchase of additional vehicles, boats, and engines.

Firearm

In 2023, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recorded a 17 per cent decrease in serious crimes. However, an increase was recorded in murders, with a more-than 60 per cent clear-up rate for the year.

But despite this, incidents of murder and gun-related crime have been on the increase. A total of 149 illegal firearms has taken off the streets, placing the issue among one of the challenges for last year.

Subject Minister Robeson noted that investigations revealed that illegal firearms are being imported from several countries, including the United States of America. Benn reiterated that Guyana is thoroughly against the possession of illegal firearms, which are linked to drug and criminal activities. In this regard, he disclosed that the Force would be utilising a substantial amount of its 2024 budgetary provision to aid in its crime-fighting capabilities, which include the procurement of additional vehicles, boats, engines and body cameras, and administering breathalyzer tests.

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4th victim in Ruimveldt 2-vehicle smash-up dies

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Dead: Lennox Clementson

Pream Seecharran

he 2-vehicle smashup that occurred outside of the Ruimveldt Police Station in Georgetown on January 8, 2024 has claimed the life of a fourth victim: 58-yearold Lennox Clementson of Guyhoc Gardens.

According to a relative, Clementson died at the GPHC on Sunday at about

17:00h while receiving treatment. He had been admitted as a patient at the city hospital, and had undergone surgery for injuries sustained to his spine and brain in the accident. The relative said Clementson had been a painter by profession, and was on his way to work when the accident occurred.

Rawle McKenzie and Sarah Wilson The scene where the accident occurred

“He was going well all the time, until after the surgery. He wasn’t on life support, nothing. Right now, everybody is hurt”, the relative explained.

Clementson’s demise comes days after that of 29-year-old Pream

Seecharran, called “Romel”, of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara (WBD), the third victim to have lost his life in that accident.

Initially, the accident had claimed the lives of Sarah Wilson and her husband Rawle McKenzie.

It was reported that a motorcar driven by the now-dead Seecharran was allegedly travelling at high speed when it collided with a pile of sand that caused it to flip multiple times and migrate onto the opposite carriageway of the Ruimveldt Public Road, where it subsequently collided with the front of Rawle McKenzie’s northbound minibus, BHH 8451, resulting in all occupants sustaining injuries.

Having sustained broken limbs, both drivers had been trapped in their vehicles, and had had to be extricated by firefight-

ers. Wilson, a 51-yearold resident of Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara, had been seated in the front of the minibus, and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Her husband died at the Georgetown Public Hospital hours later, while receiving treatment.

Admitted to the GPHC Intensive Care Unit with head injuries, Seecharran had fought for his life, but had eventually succumbed.

And Clementson had been one of several passengers in the minibus who had sustained injuries.

GPHC introduces 24/7 Help Desk to enhance patientstaff experience T he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has introduced its cutting-edge 24/7 Help Desk/ Orange Office to prioritize patient-staff experience.

This state-of-the-art facility, operating 24 hours to cater to the diverse needs of citizens, is poised to become the central hub for information and assistance within the hospital.

The Help Desk is staffed by a team of professionals who are committed to ensuring a positive and efficient healthcare experience for all. From providing essential directions and patient updates to facilitating seamless access to various hospital services, the Help Desk stands as a beacon of support for patients and their relatives and visitors.

In addressing a broad spectrum of inquiries, the Help Desk will play a pivotal role in fostering open communication. Further, it welcomes patients and staff sharing recommendations and commendations, or addressing any complaints relative to the hospital’s service or staff.

“This ensures that our

commitment to excellence is upheld, and every concern is met with understanding and resolution”, it has been said.

For convenience of the public, the Help Desk offers multiple channels for engagement.

“Whether through a direct call using the numbers provided in our informative flyers, convenient messaging via WhatsApp on our dedicated number, detailed inquiries through email at the provided address, or in-person assistance at the vibrant Orange Office located at Gate # 1 – Main Gate on New Market Street – the Help Desk caters to varied preferences.

“The Orange Office, serving as the heart of assistance within the hospital, is a welcoming space for those who prefer a personal touch. The location ensures that visitors have access to the support they need, coupled with the warmth and empathy that defines the Georgetown Public Hospital experience”.

GPHC is encouraging patients, staff, and the public to engage the Help Desk.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pedal cyclist dies after being run over by lorry at Den Amstel

Dead: Joel Castang

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Joel Castang shortly after being hit by the truck

edal cyclist Joel Castang became the country’s latest road fatality when he was struck down and killed by a motor lorry along the Den Amstel Public Road, West Coast Demerara, on Monday.

Police have said that that accident, which occurred at about 20:19h,

involved motor lorry GTT 4953 and the 34-yearold pedal cyclist of Lot 55 Hibiscus Scheme in Blankenburg, WCD. It has been reported that Castang rode into the path of the truck, and despite that driver making every attempt to avoid a collision, the front portion of the lorry collided with

Venezuelan woman found dead at Puruni Landing

Dead: Andrea Herazo

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he lifeless body of Venezuelan national Andrea Herazo was discovered in a room near a popular night spot at Puruni Landing in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The discovery was made on Friday last, and an immediate investigation was initiated by the Police. When they arrived on scene, they examined the woman’s body before transporting it to the Bartica Hospital mortuary.

Circumstances surrounding the woman’s death remain sketchy, but Region

Seven Police Commander Dion Moore has said the investigation is active. He also confirmed that two persons had been arrested but were subsequently released.

Despite their release, Moore emphasized, the case remains ‘open’, and the Police are actively pursuing leads to uncover the truth behind Herazo’s demise.

As the investigation unfolds, Herazo’s friends and family members have taken to social media to express their distress at her passing.

Castang, thus causing him to fall beneath the vehicle.

He reportedly was dragged for some distance before the truck came to a halt.

Thereafter, the injured Castang was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The truck was at the time being driven by a 24-year-old man of MetenMeer-Zorg, WCD. He remains in custody pending charges. He had been administered a breathalyzer test, but no trace of alcohol was detected in his system.

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NEWS

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Ramsammy’s Ruminations Blue Water, Stena Drilling CHEDDI JAGAN’S “NIGHT SCHOOL” CONTINUES TO BE A PPP NATIONAL PRIORITY

donate wheelchair-accessible vehicle to rehabilitation centre

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oday, the majority of Guyana’s general and specialist doctors, specialist nurses, allied health workers, lawyers, engineers, accountants and other professionals come from what was once termed “Jagan’s Night School.” Cheddi Jagan and the PPP had the vision in the early 1960s to create Guyana’s Dr Leslie Ramsammy education infrastructure, which has positioned Guyana in 2024 to not just aspire for developed country status, but to be on the road. Jagan’s “Night School” is one of the most important contributions the PPP has made to the longterm viability of peace, progress and prosperity in our country.

The University of Guyana was a development plan that became a fierce debate in the early 1960s. Cheddi Jagan and the PPP conceptualised, advocated for, and made it happen. The main Opposition was the PNC and its leader, Forbes Burnham. It was Burnham who derogatorily etched the name “Jagan’s Night School” into the annals of the history of UG. Let us never forget this part of our history. It was during the Burnham dictatorship, and in his quest to make his Sophia Declaration of party paramountcy the lighthouse of Guyana’s development, that the PNC completely politicized UG, where its funding was unequivocally linked to loyalty to the PNC and its leader. It was the PNC which denied the great Guyanese intellectual Dr. Walter Rodney the opportunity to lecture at UG. Others can also say the same. Just ask Dr. Rupert Roopnarine or Paul Tennessee.

It therefore is unfathomable to listen to MP Coretta McDonald haranguing in Parliament, during the first day of the debate over Budget 2024, that Budget 2024 is an attack on UG; that the PPP Government, through Budget 2024 and public utterings of VP Bharrat Jagdeo, is waging war against UG. While many of us might feel that UG has to “up” its game, we also are very proud of its achievement. None of us would ever doubt that UG has lived up to the vision of Cheddi Jagan and our expectations. Coretta McDonald is wrong on all fronts when it comes to UG. For one, MP McDonald queried why the Government limited the subsidy to UG to $4B, insisting that the investment in GOAL should be considerably less than what the investment in UG is. My understanding of what she wants is that the $4B allocated for GOAL could be better spent if all or most were to be added to the UG subvention. She ignored the many other investments being made to UG through the Government. Budget 2024 also caters for the forgiveness of all loans owed to UG and the Government. Those billions foregone help to ease the burden on students, and will allow more students to attend university. By next year, as clearly articulated by the President, the VP and the Minister of Education, and as promised in the PPP’s Election 2020 manifesto, UG will be free of cost for all students. This is a Government committed to UG. But the presentation sent me scurrying to the budget books.

Budget 2024 allocated more than $4B directly to UG, and also provided for the forgiveness of loans owed by students to UG, and that was provided to UG through the revolving loan arrangement between the Ministry of Finance and UG. The loans borrowed by students do not come out of UG’s revenues; they come from the revolving fund, which is usually replenished by the MoF. Contrast the PPP’s actions in support of UG with MP McDonald’s party. In 2019, UG’s subvention was $2.5B. Budget 2024’s allocation for UG is $4B, or 60% more than the 2019 allocation. When the loan forgiveness is added, Budget 2024 is more than double that of Budget 2019. But in 2014, the last full year the PPP was in Government before the PNC-led APNU/AFC took over the Government, the subvention to UG was $827M. In 2015, under APNU/AFC, the subvention was reduced to about $500M. Who really has supported UG? How is doubling the subsidy an attack on UG? MP McDonald is trying to boondoggle, trying to falsify the records of two governments with contrasting histories when it comes to UG. MP McDonald’s party cannot escape the fact that they betrayed UG and the students at UG. They promised the students in 2015 that, should they get into Government, they would eliminate all fees at UG within their first 100 days. That promise was made on the platforms across the country. It was in their Election 2015 manifesto.

They failed to keep their promise. They increased the tuition fees by more than 70% in 2016. They also increased the non-tuition fees, and even introduced some new ones. Which political party has attacked UG? MP McDonald must tell us how increasing the subsidy is an attack on UG. She must tell us how keeping our promise, such as the promise to make the university free, is an attack on UG. The PPP is finalizing arrangements to make UG free, as we promised in our manifesto. The PNC-led APNU/AFC increased their fees, when they promised to eliminate the fees.

Do not forget also that hundreds of students today are attending UG free through PSM scholarships. The 2023-2024 number of scholarships is more than double the number from 20192020. Who therefore supports UG? Who attacks UG? There are presently more than 100 post-graduate scholarships for specialist medicine and nursing programmes. These were started under the PPP, and are increased only when the PPP is in office. MP McDonald was dishonest when she addressed Parliament and when she addressed the nation. We saw her, we heard her, we know the truth.

The University of Guyana, the same university MP McDonald’s hero Forbes Burnham once dubbed “Jagan’s Night School”, is here to stay, and will continue to flourish under the PPP. The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Officials of Blue Water and Stena Drilling standing with staff of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre

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lue Water Guyana, in collaboration with Stena Drilling, recently donated a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre in Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

This Rehabilitation Centre provides rehabilitative services and a strong community for children with physical/developmental disabilities, amputations, and hearing impediments.

“We support the centre’s work in providing a supportive environment where children with special needs can thrive and grow.

When we became aware of the challenge the centre faced in transporting wheelchair-bound children to school, medical appointments, and just simply to participate in recreational activities outside of the centre, we partnered with Stena Carron Drilling to support the need,” Senior

Vice President of Blue Water Guyana, Jennifer Falconer, stated during the handing over ceremony.

This contribution is the latest chapter in a long-standing partnership between the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre and Blue Water Guyana. Over the years, the Blue Water team has closely supported the centre in various ways beyond mere financial support, including supplying equipment for the IT, rehabilitation, and physical therapy departments; and has conducted training sessions for their dedicated staff.

One of the most significant endeavours involves partnering with the centre to provide training for individuals with diverse abilities. Through this programme, Blue Water aims to equip those children with skills that open doors to opportunities within the oil & gas sector, thereby

Senior Vice President of Blue Water Guyana, Jennifer Falconer, handing over the keys to the vehicle to a staff of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre

promoting inclusivity and diversity.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre for their outstanding contributions. We feel privileged to be part of their mission, and are steadfast in our commitment to

supporting initiatives that generate a positive impact,” Falconer added.

Stena Drilling has said it has also been associated with the Ptolemy Reid Centre since its first vessel arrived in 2016, and is proud to be a part of the joint initiative.

STEMGuyana to host Young Innovators Expo on Jan 27

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TEMGuyana is all set to host its highly-esteemed, fun-packed Young Innovators Expo on January 27 at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

As a platform planned for young minds to showcase their ingenuity and for families to discover the exciting world of STEM education, the Young Innovators Expo would be a prize-giving occasion to reward the brightest of the young. January 27 therefore promises to be an exhilarating day packed with hands-on STEM experiences for children and families.

Dedicated to inspiring Guyana's next generation

of tech pioneers, the expo is being sponsored by notable entities, among which are the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and ANSA McAL Trading Limited.

STEMGuyana is an organization which aims to pave the way for Guyanese youths to unleash their creative and innovative potential. Through its programmes, critical thinking is fostered, as are problem-solving and collaboration skills, thereby preparing students to become leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.

Some of this organisation’s projects have entailed preparing junior and

senior teams for global robotics competitions in over 180 countries around the world.

The organization is inviting all aspiring young creators and thinkers to join this celebration of innovation and creativity.

Tickets would be available at $2,000 per person and $5,000 per family (up to 5 persons), with special discounts for parents and siblings of registered STEM Club students. The expo is expected to run from 13:00h to 17:00h.

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Prosperity FPSO to reach full production capacity in 2 months – Min Bharrat ... 3 FPSOs producing 650,000 bpd

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he Prosperity, the floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel which is producing oil in ExxonMobil’s third project offshore Guyana, is expected to reach full production capacity within the next two months.

This is according to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat during his presentation to the National Assembly on Tuesday as the budget debates continue.

Minister Bharrat told the National Assembly, “We will have three FPSOs producing at maximum capacity, giving us 650,000 barrels of oil per day. We’re also in the process of approving six projects, which will take us to almost 850,000 to 900,000 barrels between 2025 and 2026. The future for us looks bright.”

In April 2023, the Prosperity FPSO, constructed by SBM Offshore, arrived in Guyana to join the other FPSOs – Liza Destiny and Liza Unity.

Prosperity will develop the Payara field in the offshore Stabroek Block. It has an initial production capacity of around 220,000 barrels of oil per day, and an overall storage volume of two million barrels.

Currently, the combined Payara and Liza phases One and Two projects are producing over 550,000 barrels of oil per day. In 2024, production in the oil and gas sector is expected to be ramped up by 45.7 percent.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL),

holds 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest. ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027, with possibly 10 FPSOs being operational by 2030.

Production has already started on the Liza Phases 1 and 2 projects, as well as the third development, Payara.

Yellowtail and Uaru, Exxon’s fourth and fifth developments, have already received governmental approval.

The third project – the Payara development – will target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent bar-

The Prosperity FPSO is now in Guyana

rels, and was at one point considered to be the largest single planned investment in the history of Guyana.

Meanwhile, the Yellowtail development, which will be oil giant ExxonMobil’s fourth development in Guyana’s waters, will turn out to be the sin-

gle largest development so far in terms of barrels per day of oil, with a mammoth 250,000 bpd targeted.

Following the One Guyana FPSO, the next FPSO, expected to come online for the Uaru project, is the Errea Witte FPSO. This FPSO is named after

a Warrau word that means ‘abundance’, and is expected to start up in 2027.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government also confirmed last year that the sixth FPSO vessel earmarked for the Whiptail project will be dubbed the Jaguar FPSO.

CH&PA hosts outreach at Meten-Meer-Zorg – over 130 land ownership documents processed

as the programme reopens for 2024.

The beneficiaries have

Some of the residents of Region Three at the outreach

I

n keeping with the commitment to improve regional services across the country, Central Housing and Planning Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sherwyn Greaves led an outreach to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Tuesday.

Persons previously allocated middle-income lots in the new Meten-Meer-Zorg Phase 1 Housing Scheme were invited to the new Regional Housing Office at Pouderoyen, to sign up for their Agreement of Sale and Title.

More than 130 persons were able to process their ownership documents during the day. The processing of the ownership documents will continue daily at the Regional Housing Office.

Additionally, several landowners were issued Steel and Cement Housing Subsidy vouchers to aid the construction of their homes,

Central Housing and Planning Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sherwyn Greaves handing over a steel and cement subsidy voucher to a resident

Some of the residents having their documents processed

a six-month window to redeem the materials from the following suppliers: National Hardware, Gafson’s Industries Limited,

Cemmax Procurement and Contracting Inc, David Persaud Investments Ltd, and Eddies Managerial & General Service.

20

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Approach someone you trust to offer insight into a situation. Join forces with someone as driven as you are to make a difference. Take better care of your health.

(March 21-April 19) You'll quickly pick up information and skills. Set out on a path of discovery, and you'll be surprised by what you learn. Say no to anyone trying to bully or control you. Take charge.

PICKLES (April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

Check facts before you make a move.

Learn all you can about the people with whom you'll be dealing and the expectations others have of you. Don't trust someone's word; get what you want in writing.

Clear up any misunderstandings.

Make sure everyone is on the same page before you start something new. Taking control will ensure you don't get sidetracked by trivial matters.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Choose maintenance over replacement. Keep your costs down. If you do the work yourself, you'll pick up additional skills that will come in handy.

Lower your overhead. Excess is the enemy.

Live and learn. Use your knowledge and experience to outmaneuver anyone who wants to spar with you. A change of plans will work in your favor. Get involved in something that concerns you.

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

Keep doing what you do best and ignore outside influences. It's up to you to sidestep negativity and make your dream a reality. When in doubt, follow your heart and you'll have no regrets.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Wake up and recognize what you have going for you. Refuse to let someone trying to manipulate you hinder your ability to get ahead. Trust in yourself. Positive action will pay off.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Don't trust someone else to do things for you. Take the initiative and do the best you can. Your enthusiasm and raw energy will help you reach the finish line. Avoid shared expenses.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Take what's yours and don't look back. Set your course and proceed with confidence. Keep everyone up to date to avoid interference. Dealing with matters as they arise will give you leverage.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Sit tight until things settle down.

Learn from what's happening around you, and you'll avoid getting caught in a trap. Contact associates who can offer sound advice.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Make changes that encourage you to pursue your goals. Let your imagination take the reins, and you'll figure out how to turn an idea into a prosperous venture. Call on experts for advice.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

21

Pooran, Matthews featured as ICC reveals Teams of the Year for 2023 N

icholas Pooran and West Indies Women’s One-Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) Captain Hayley Matthews were the only West Indians selected as the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday completed announcements of the five ICC Teams of the Year across formats for men and women as part of the ICC Awards 2023.

Pooran and Matthews were named in the ICC Men’s and Women’s T20I Teams of the Year.

The announcement of the five teams – the ICC Men’s and Women’s T20I Teams of the Year, the ICC Men’s and Women’s ODI Teams of the Year and the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year – were made in a staggered manner over Monday and Tuesday.

The teams feature players from 11 teams selected on the basis of international performances throughout the calendar year.

Teams were identified from selections submitted by the specialist panel of media representatives that make up the ICC Voting Academy. The esteemed panel made their selections based on player performances during the calendar year, nominating their playing XI to include a captain and a wicketkeeper.

The ICC Awards 2023 announcements will continue today and Thursday, when 13 individual award winners will be declared.

ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year: 1. Usman Khawaja (Aus) 2. Dimuth Karunaratne (SL) 3. Kane Williamson (NZ) 4. Joe Root (Eng) 5. Travis Head (Aus) 6. Ravindra Jadeja (Ind) 7. Alex Carey (WK, Aus) 8. Pat Cummins (Capt, Aus) 9. R Ashwin (Ind) 10. Mitchell Starc (Aus) 11. Stuart Broad (Eng) Pat Cummins has been named as the Captain of the ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year after leading his side to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title and finishing the year with 42 wickets at an average of 27.50 with three five-wicket hauls.

His fellow fast bowler Mitchell Starc has also been picked, as have been three other Australians, making them the most represented nation in the Test team.

Opener Usman Khawaja, the only player to pass 1000 Test runs in 2023 walks into the Test side for a second successive year with 1210 runs

Nicholas Pooran

at an average of 52.60 and three centuries. Travis Head, Player of the Match in the WTC Final, and wicketkeeper Alex Carey are the other Australia players named in the team.

India spinner R Ashwin, the number one bowler in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, and former England Captain Joe Root, who are in the running for the ICC Men’s Test Player of the Year award along with Khawaja and Head, are also in the team. England and India have two players each with the selection of Ravindra Jadeja and Stuart Broad.

Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne partners Khawaja atop the order, with New Zealand star Kane Williamson claiming the number three batting spot, as five international teams have representation in the Test team.

ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year: 1. Phoebe Litchfield (Aus) 2. Chamari Athapaththu (Capt, SL) 3. Ellyse Perry (Aus) 4. Amelia Kerr (NZ) 5. Beth Mooney (WK, Aus) 6. Nat Sciver-Brunt (Eng) 7. Ash Gardner (Aus) 8. Annabel Sutherland (Aus) 9. Nadine de Klerk (SA) 10. Lea Tahuhu (NZ) 11. Nahida Akter (Ban) The Australian dominance in Women’s ODI cricket is reflected in the team with five players featuring in it, including rookie Phoebe Litchfield.

Not having played an ODI before 2023, the 20-year-old opener made a huge impact in her first 13 matches, scoring 485 runs at an average of 53.88 and a strike rate of 81.92. She is a strong contender for the ICC Emerging

Women’s Player of the Year award.

Ellyse Perry and wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney make the team after scoring over 400 runs each during the calendar year while Ash Gardner and Annabel Sutherland make it on the strength of performances with both bat and ball.

Left-handed opener Chamari Athapaththu,

ner Nahida Akter complete the team.

Sharma (1255), who are currently ranked from second to fourth in the batting rankings – have been picked for three of the top four batting positions.

Head, who was named Player of the Match for a 120ball 137 in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad, gets the number three position while New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell is the number five batter.

South Africa wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen is selected after notching 927 runs and accounting for 20 dismissals.

Wrist spinners Adam Zampa of Australia and Kuldeep Yadav of India have been named along with a seam attack that consists of Mohammed Shami (43 wickets in 2023) and Mohammed Siraj (44 wickets) of India and all-rounder Marco Jansen of South Africa.

Men’s ODI Team of the Year: 1. Rohit Sharma (Capt, Ind) 2. Shubman Gill (Ind) 3. Travis Head (Aus) 4. Virat Kohli (Ind) 5. Daryl Mitchell (NZ) 6. Heinrich Klaasen (WK, SA) 7. Marco Jansen (SA)

Women’s T20I Team of the Year: 1. Chamari Athapaththu (Capt, SL) 2. Beth Mooney (WK, Aus) 3. Laura Wolvaardt (SA) 4. Hayley Matthews (WI) 5. Nat Sciver-Brunt (Eng) 6. Amelia Kerr (NZ) 7. Ellyse Perry (Aus)

8. Adam Zampa (Aus) 9. Mohammed Siraj (Ind) 10. Kuldeep Yadav (Ind) 11. Mohammed Shami (Ind) Top-ranked ODI side India had a superb run last year and won all their matches in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup before losing to Australia in the final. Their consistency is reflected in the selection of six players in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year, including both openers and a pair of fast bowlers.

The top three ODI run accumulators in 2023 – Shubman Gill (1584 runs); Virat Kohli (1377) and Rohit

8. Ash Gardner (Aus) 9. Deepti Sharma (Ind) 10. Sophie Ecclestone (Eng) 11. Megan Schutt (Aus) Athapaththu has the distinction of being named Captain of both the ODI and T20I squads while Mooney, Sciver-Brunt, Kerr, Perry and Gardner are other players to make both women’s squads for the year.

Fourth in the list of batting aggregate with 470 runs at a strike rate of over 130, the Sri Lankan Captain also grabbed eight wickets with her off-spin to take the first spot in the team, with Mooney named to partner her

Hayley Matthews

for long the batting mainstay for Sri Lanka, has been named Captain of the side after scoring 415 runs in just eight matches at an average of 69.16 and a strike-rate of 125.37. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s batting average of 131 in six matches earns her the number six slot.

New Zealand are the only other side apart from Australia to have more than one player in the Women’s ODI team as all-rounder Amelia Kerr and fast bowler Lea Tahuhu have both made it. All-rounder Nadine de Klerk of South Africa and Bangladesh’s left-arm spin-

at the top of the order.

Two more international Captains – Hayley Matthews of the West Indies and Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa – also make it after remarkable years. Matthews was the most prolific with 700 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 132.32 while also grabbing 19 wickets. Wolvaardt scored 586 runs in 19 matches at a strike rate of 108.51.

Top-ranked Sophie Ecclestone’s 23 wickets in the year and third-ranked Deepti Sharma’s 21 wickets see them clinch the two spinners’ slots while Australia fast bowler Megan Schutt, ranked second, is the fourth Australian in the team, also having 21 scalps to show from last year.

Men’s T20I Team of the Year: 1. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Ind) 2. Phil Salt (Eng) 3. Nicholas Pooran (WK, WI) 4. Suryakumar Yadav (Capt, Ind) 5. Mark Chapman (NZ) 6. Sikandar Raza (Zim) 7. Alpesh Ramjani (Uga) 8. Mark Adair (Ire) 9. Ravi Bishnoi (Ind) 10. Richard Ngarava (Zim) 11. Arshdeep Singh (Ind) Top-ranked India have four players in the Men’s T20I squad with flamboyant batter Suryakumar Yadav named Captain. Yadav topped the runs chart with 733 runs in 18 matches at a strike rate of 155.95 to consolidate his position at the top of the rankings.

The next three in the list of run scorers the past year – Mark Chapman of New Zealand (576 runs), Zimbabwe star Sikandar Raza (515) and upcoming India batter Yashasvi Jaisal (430) – were automatic choices while Phil Salt of England and Nicholas Pooran of the West Indies too had enough to stake claims.

Uganda’s Alpesh Ramjani became the first from his country to be named in an ICC Team of the Year when the left-handed all-rounder made it this year after scoring 449 runs and grabbing 55 wickets with his slow bowling. Ramjani is in contention for the Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award as well as being eligible for the ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year.

Ireland have a representative in Mark Adair as do Zimbabwe in Richard Ngarava. India’s leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and left-arm seam bowler Arshdeep Singh also make the team on the back of some fine international performances during 2023.

(Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

Georgetown vs the Rest commences GCB extols Government’s massive support T

he Georgetown vs the Rest of the Street Ball Tournament was set to ignite the Back Circle Tarmac in East Ruimveldt on Tuesday, for a night of showcasing football skills on the hard court.

The mission of this tournament as stated by the organiser in a social media post is to build partnerships with youths of all communities through sports to foster a safer and more secure Guyana.

The tournament will

see teams originating from the East Bank, East Coast, West Side, and Linden battling for over $2 million in cash and prizes.

With the finals set for February 10, day one action of the tournament saw Five O battling Broad Street followed by Timehri Ballers and Make it Happen sharing the court and Team Cruel looking to conquer Red Force.

Back Circle B with their home advantage were scheduled to come against

North East while Stabroek Ballers were to battle LA Ballers. Bent Street who have set themselves up as conquerors of futsal were to share the court with Gunners as Sparta looked to dominate as they attacked Sophia B. The tournament would not have been possible without sponsorship from SWAT Protection Services, Stephanie Beverages, Hardball and Ballers Entertainment, and Reliable Graphic Designs.

BCB Premier T20 Cup…

for continued development of sports

…as record $4.6 billion allocated for sports

Pestano, Hooper power RHT T NAMILCO into another final

Architectural drawing of Palmyra Stadium

A

brutal innings of 60 not out from Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour First-Division Captain Clinton Pestano and a fine bowling spell from former senior national player Eon Hooper powered their team to an easy eight-wicket victory against Blairmont in the semifinal of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Premier T20 tournament.

Playing at the Area H Ground in blazing sunny conditions, the Berbice powerhouse booked their place in another final after winning the BCB Ivan Madray T20 tournament last week against arch-rivals Albion at the Number 69 Ground.

Blairmont led by veteran Shameer Baksh won the toss and elected to take first strike.

They lost opener S Bissoondyal caught behind the wicket by Jason Sinclair off Hooper for 0 at 9 for 1 in the second over. Former national Under-19 player Javed Karim was caught at long on off Troy Matterson for 20, at 29 for 2 in the fifth over. The Blairmont team never recovered as the home team’s bowling attack tightened the screws. A Balman scored 24 with two boundaries, but apart from Farouk Subhan with 16, none of the other batsmen reached double figures. Nigel Deodat (9); Seon Glasgow (0); Sameer Baksh (0), D Mickle (0),

Clinton Pestano

Eon Hooper

Clive Harry (6), A Ragbheer (5) were all dismissed cheaply while A David was unbeaten on 1 as Blairmont were bowled out for a meager 94 in 19.3 overs. Hooper claimed 3 for 23 from four impressive overs while Keith Simpson continued to impress with his leftarm spin by claiming 2 for 18. National Under-17 off spinner Matthew Pottaya took 2 for 8 from 2 overs while Matterson (1 for 8); Jeremy Sandia (1 for 14) and Jonathan Rampersaud (1 for 12) all bowled well.

Needing to score 95 from 20 overs to book their place in the final, Rose Hall Town lost opener Pottaya, bowled for 8 at 29 for 1 by Nigel Deodat in the third over.

Pestano started with a sweetly-timed boundary as he batted aggressively from the start, but lost fellow national player Kevlon Anderson at 39 for 2 when he pulled a Seon Glasgow

delivery into the hands of deep mid-wicket. Jonathan Rampersaud joined his Captain, and they added 60 runs for the third wicket to lead their team into the final. Pestano ended on 60, not out, from 30 balls with 6 boundaries and 6 sixes in his brutal innings while the elegant Rampersaud ended on 16 not out. Left-arm spinner Nigel Deodat took 1 for 31 from 4 overs while Glasgow claimed the other wicket to fall for 27 runs from two overs as Rose Hall achieved victory off 11.2 overs at 99 for 2.

Rose Hall Town NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour will now await the other finalist. Albion and Port Mourant will play in the first quarter-finals while Tucber Park and Rose Hall Canje will clash in the second. The winning teams would then play in the semifinal to decide the other finalist.

Roach advises Joseph to ‘build own legacy’...

FROM PAGE 23

Test cricket, where he ranks fifth among West Indies’ all-time wicket-takers, has remained his number one priority, and Roach firmly believes that is the case among many young players in the Caribbean.

“I love Test cricket,” he said. “Honestly, I love the red-ball format. I’ve played one-dayers and the T20 format as well, but I think my heart was always a part of the red ball. I just wanted to be a part of those mega cricketers back in the

days. The Joel Garners, the Malcolm Marshalls, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, I just want to be a part of those names.

“And I think for me, obviously, I didn’t grow up much in the franchise era.

So, I had Test cricket at heart, and it has stuck with me throughout. I just think it is different times now. So, for me, it’s just about these youngsters, what they want to achieve from it. And they make the right decisions and they go forward [in

their] careers.

“The franchises are a big distraction,” he added. “But guys still want to relish redball cricket. Test cricket is still at the hearts of West Indian cricketers at home.

It’s just about us to provide support around it. To keep those guys interested in red-ball cricket. Discussions will be had. I’m not part of it. They take Tests very seriously still. They are very proud to be a part of the red-ball team for the West Indies.” (ESPNcricinfo)

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has said it is ‘bowled over’ by the much-heralded announcement made by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh in his 2024 budget presentation of the impressive allocation of $4.6 billion for sports.

The Board further shared in a statement in response to the recent sport budget allocation that was announced last week in the National Assembly: “With cricket being the leading sport in Guyana, the GCB is particularly pleased that this allocation will contribute significantly to the projects which are earmarked for development in partnership with the Government of Guyana. Additionally, the Government has begun the task of upgrading and constructing respectively multi-purpose sports facilities throughout the regions, including a spanking new cricket stadium at Palmyra, Berbice and the enhancement of the Guyana National Stadium which will be completed in time for the T20 World Cup Tournament in May and June 2024. The

more First-Class cricket facilities was realised with Government’s further commitment to upgrade many other grounds including those at Lusignan, Enmore.

ment of cricket in particular and sports in general.

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS

GCB President Bissoondyal Singh

Meten-Meer-Zorg, Tuschen, Moruca, Barima/Waini, Lethem, No 69 Village, Skeldon, Onverwagt, and Wakenaam. Government’s assistance will be extended to the employment of over 100 groundsmen to be deployed throughout the regions after a period of training.

“The GCB is also tremendously pleased that Government, in a further indication of its commitment towards the development of sports, has removed the

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ENTERTAINMENT

Albion Community Centre Ground

Government has signalled its intention to use the Providence Stadium for the National Cricket Academy, which when launched will be the premier cricket academy in the Caribbean. The establishment of stadiums at Anna Regina and at Linden by Government will ensure that the GCB can take First-Class matches to those areas which in turn is expected to increase the interest of cricket and enhance the development of the game in those communities.

“With the GCB’s recent decision to launch 19 Cricket Academies in the three counties, the need for

duty and Value-Added Tax on sports equipment.

Head of the GCB, Mr Bissoondyal Singh, in an invited comment, stated that the GCB has recognised that His Excellency, Dr Irfaan Ali is a keen cricket fan and has, on several occasions, expressed the desire to see the development of cricket continue apace. In this regard, the GCB takes the opportunity to express profound appreciation to His Excellency, the Government of Guyana and the Hon Charles Ramson, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport for the great work being accomplished in the develop-

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

23

Sandiford, Rahim are open, female Century 21 Grand Prix champions

Grand Prix One Open champion Keron Sandiford The women’s round in progress

J

The open round in progress unior Chess champion Keron Sandiford emerged victorious in the thrilling Century 21 Grand Prix Chess Tournament that ended on Thursday at School of the Nations, Georgetown, surpassing seasoned senior players like Loris Nathoo, Justino Da Silva, and Anthony Drayton to claim

the coveted first prize of $20,000 after eight rounds of intense classical chess.

Fellow junior Kyle Couchman secured a well-deserved second place and cash prize of $10,000, while the experienced Nathoo managed to salvage third against the fierce competition from young talents, Nathoo will receive $5000

Powerlifting Federation lauds Government on historic sport budget allocation

T

he Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) has come out in support of sport’s $4.6 billion Budget 2024 allocation, describing it as historic.

It said, “The President and Executive of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) is energised by the Government of Guyana’s continued investment in building the foundation for sports and its development for this and generations to come with the historic allocation of $4.6 billion in the 2024 National Budget.

“This allocation, with an emphasis on infrastructure development throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, will see Guyana setting itself apart from the rest of the region on and off the competitive field of play. It will also allow our athletes to compete at home against regional and internationally-acclaimed athletes as we position the country to host many international competitions and tournaments given the quality of our facilities.

“Another exciting and commendable feature of this year’s budget is the announcement of the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) and duties on the importation of sports equipment.

This will allow associations and federations to do more to outfit and equip athletes, an important component for our development,

GAPLF President Franklin Wilson

performance, and setting a high standard.

“While the sport of powerlifting is not a core sport, we applaud the Government and by extension, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport and the National Sports Commission for their continued investment in our athletes which has resulted in noticeable improvements.

“We have benefited from significant financial support from the Ministry and the Sports Commission which enabled our athletes to participate and medal at three World Championships in 2023 as well as the FESUPO South American Championships.

“We look forward to building an even stronger partnership with the Ministry and Sports Commission in 2024 for our athletes’ continued development.”

for the third-place finish.

The Open and Women’s Categories were contested in separate, but concurrent tournaments.

Players were registered to compete for cash prizes from a prize fund of $70,000.

And, with an impressive return to the tournament circuit, experienced senior player Shazeeda Rahim won the female category with a perfect score, recording eight wins from eight matches.

Rahim’s first rank earned her a cash prize of $20,000.

Junior Aditi Joshi emerged second after she scored seven wins from her matches.

Joshi will receive a prize of $10,000. Reigning Women’s champion Jessica Callender copped third place with five wins, earning her $5000.

Due to the lateness of the hour after the final round, players agreed to receive their prizes at the start of the next Grand Prix tournament.

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will con-

tinue the momentum with the second tournament in this four-part series, scheduled for early February.

Anticipation is high as chess enthusiasts eagerly await what fresh surprises and upsets the next round will bring.

The GCF will be hosting its annual Under-14 National Chess Championships at Queen’s College on January 27, 2024.

Roach advises Joseph to “build own legacy”, but cautions about “distractions” of franchise cricket

K

emar Roach has encouraged Shamar Joseph to “build his own legacy” after bursting onto the Test scene last week in Adelaide, but knows there will be distractions for him along the way.

Joseph struck with his first ball in Test cricket when he removed Steven Smith, then finished with 5 for 94, and also showed his prowess with the bat to suggest he won’t be staying at number 11 for long.

His rise to Test cricket has been remarkable on the back of just five First-Class games, having grown up in the village of Baracara in Guyana, which could only be reached by boat. He has now shot to global prominence and is being talked about as part of West Indies’ future as they look to rebuild their Test cricket, but Joseph already has an Indian Premier League (ILT20 deal and more such offers are unlikely to be far away.

“The best advice I can give him is to build his own legacy,” Roach said.

“Understand what you want from cricket. That’s up to him to determine, if it’s monetary, or if it’s just stats and statistics or whatever. There’s going to be a lot of distractions… he’s a hot commodity right now.

So he needs to choose what he really wants and what he thinks is best for his career going forward. So it’s up to him, as a young man, but I definitely give him that advice.”

Roach, the senior figure in West Indies’ attack with 80 caps to his name, is happy to take on a mentor role having had similar players

Kemar Roach embraces Shamar Joseph after the Guyanese took a 5-for on Test debut to feed off early in his career.

“I had that when I started. Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards [were] some guys around to help me when I started my career,” he said. “I took knowledge and learning from it. So, obviously for me now, it’s all about passing on the mantle now to the youngsters. He’s got a very good career ahead of him. At this stage, he’s willing to learn. We have a lot of conversations. So, I think once he keeps doing that, not just coming from me, but anyone who he thinks can help him in his career, he can take a lot of knowledge on board and become a better cricketer.”

Roach himself is towards the latter stages of his career, but has put no end point on his Test career. “Day by day,” he said with a smile, “let’s see how it goes.” He made a big impression on his first tour of Australia when he forced Ricky Ponting to retire hurt in Perth, but has found the

Roach has the fifth most wickets (267) in Tests for West Indies, but averages 77.90 with only 10 wickets in Australia

country the toughest place to take wickets with 10 at 77.90 from eight matches.

“As a bowler coming to Australia you are bowling against some of the best batters in the world, so there is always a good challenge,” he said. “I love a good challenge. I have lived for that my whole career, so for me coming here is just about expressing yourself, enjoying and relishing the moment and giving it a good go. Be confident in yourself and your skills and let’s see how the day goes for you.”

Roach only briefly dipped his toe into the franchise world of T20 – his last game in the format was in 2018 – although that did include a stint with Brisbane Heat, who will play the Big Bash League (BBL) final against Sydney Sixers on today. The last time Heat won the BBL was in 201213, when Roach claimed 3 for 18 against Perth Scorchers at the WACA. “I saw my picture on the wall, so good memories,” he said of his return to the Gabba, the home ground of Heat.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024

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

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GCB extols Government’s massive support for continued development of sports

…as record $4.6 billion allocated for sports

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Sandiford, Rahim are open, female Century 21 Grand Prix champions

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