Guyana Times - Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Harsh penalties for persons guilty of arson attacks on schools – Benn warns …almost 2000 students displaced by 4 school fires

The arson attacks on four schools in Guyana over the span of two years saw the displacement of some 1954 students in the education sector and persons found culpable will face harsh penalties for such actions.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn shared this position on Tuesday amid the alarming number of school fires, as he show empathy for the students, teachers, supporting staff and parents affected by these recent disasters.

The most recent fire at Christ Church Secondary, which occurred on January 12, 2023, affected 503 students, 39 teachers and nine ancillary staff. From the July 2022 fire at St George’s High School, 397 students, 33 teachers and four ancillary

staff were severely affected.

Likewise, in June 2021, North Ruimveldt saw the displacement of 444 students, 40 teachers and five ancillary staff; while 610 students,

38 teachers and 11 ancillary staff were affected by the North West Secondary fire in September 2021.

According to the Minister, these schools have contributed to the rich history as part of Guyana’s colonial past, apart from the importance to

the education sector.

He strongly condemned “those trying to wreak havoc and create future weakness and uncertainty within the school system and the nation... It should be noted that of the four school fires within the last two years, two were maliciously set by person/persons who have no regard for the future development of the nation’s children.”

Benn reminded the public that there are harsh pen-

alties attached to arson attacks, and once identified; the perpetrators will face the full brunt of the law.

The Minister said it is aware that school fires will create a negative ripple effect on the education system and called on all agencies and citizens to be vigilant to ensure the protection and sustainability of the education sector.

“The PPP/C Government has rendered quick assistance and aid to the displaced

teachers and students of the recent fire. The use of smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, water sprinkler systems and other fire prevention measures is recommended. The Ministry of Home Affairs urges teachers, parents, students and supporting staff of all schools to remain vigilant of their surroundings and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities,” a statement from the Home Affairs Ministry stated.

The most recent fire at Christ Church Secondary, is suspected to have been caused by arson. It was reported that the Police were also working on a few leads and presumed suspects. The students have been accommodated at the CPCE.

For the North West Secondary, a contract has been inked to rebuild the facility to the tune of $346.2 million. The contract, inked this month, has been awarded to Aruca Investments, which has been given 14 months to complete the project under the supervision of the project consultant, Innovative Engineering Services.

Last August, the sod was turned for the reconstruction of several sections of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School in Georgetown to the tune of $566.9 million. (G12)

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

North West Secondary

Christ Church Secondary

WEATHER

BRIDGE

Budget debate day 2

The

Wednesday, Jan 25 – 06:50h – 08:20h and Thursday, Jan 26 – 07:30h – 09:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

$4B to GuySuCo will help repair “purposeful”,

damage inflicted by APNU/AFC – GAWU President

While the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) continue to hold out that the decision to close sugar estates and send home thousands of workers was the right one, the Government side of the National Assembly on Tuesday called them out for what it referred to as a “vindictive” act.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Seepaul Narine, who also serves as President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), used his budget debate presentation to throw his support behind the $781.9 billion budget.

Referring to the “divorced coalition”, Narine reminded the National Assembly that not so long ago, Guyanese had to pay taxes on water and electricity when the APNU/ AFC was in power. And he also reminded them of the damage done to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

“As someone very close to the sugar industry, I laud the budget’s allocation of $4 billion towards GuySuCo. This support will continue the effort of repairing the purposeful and vindictive damage inflicted by the APNU/ AFC when they were in Government.”

“The reorientation of the industry is moving apace. And I recognise the efforts to improve revenues, enhance efficiency and reduce costs. The expansion of the packaging plant at Blairmont and the construction of a new plant at Albion will undoubtedly enhance the industry’s march to sustainability,” Narine said.

According to Narine, the budget is one to be lauded. He pointed out that among other things, the budget ensures there are “no new taxes” to burden the lives of workers. On the contrary, he noted that the budget will put money into the hands of the citizens.

“For me, Mr Speaker, this is what makes Budget 2023 history-making and transformative. Never was it so exciting to be Guyanese and so much to expect. It is almost unbelievable that in such a short period, the Irfaan Ali-led Administration has reversed the nation from

the lethargy that characterised our national space during the five years of the coalition.”

“Our workers stand to receive aggregately, more than $3 billion just through the improvement of the income tax threshold. In the interest of the workers too, our Government has continued not to levy any taxes on fuel… foregoing some $17 billion in revenue,” Narine further said.

Defiant

In his debate presentation, AFC Leader and MP Khemraj Ramjattan held out that the former coalition Government was right to close the estates. In fact, he called the decision a “transformational” one.

“We are always going to have, especially with cli-

right decision

mate change, trouble with that sugar industry… you must now appreciate the transformational decision that was made to right size… what was transformational, was the right sizing of the sugar industry so that you don’t pour good money behind bad sectors, billions and billions of dollars.”

Ramjattan claimed that the Government’s allocation of $4 billion to the sugar industry was a waste of money. And despite the fact that sugar workers had to take the APNU/AFC to court for their severance payments, Ramjattan claimed that his then Government “gave them” their severance benefits.

“To spend so much money on sugar is pouring good money behind bad. Prior to this budget, we have spent approximately $13 billion. We’re today going to spend another $4 billion behind sugar. They’ve been advertising for jobs at Rose Hall and people are not coming.”

“We gave them (sugar workers) their severance benefits. If it’s going to drag an economy down we had to make the correct decision. That was transformational,” he said, calling

the Government’s current policy of resuscitating and making sugar profitable a “road to nowhere.”

The former APNU/AFC Government had closed the Wales Sugar Estate in 2016, and subsequently shut down the Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates. This resulted in thousands of jobs being lost and only Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion Estates being in operation.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had promised on the campaign trail to reopen these estates, and within weeks of being in office, had taken steps in this direction. This included the Administration inviting Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from investors. (G3)

“vindictive”

…as Ramjattan insists closing estates was

PPP/C MP and GAWU President Seepaul Narine

AFC MP Khemraj Ramjattan

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. This type of cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, according to World Health Organization. Statistics from WHO shows that an estimated 311,000 deaths worldwide are recorded as a result of Cervical Cancer.

According to the WHO, cancer in general is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancers are the most common types of cancer in men; while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women.

The WHO has pointed out that the cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems. Many health systems in low- and middle-income countries are least prepared to manage this burden, and large numbers of cancer patients globally do not have access to timely, quality diagnosis and treatment. However, according to WHO, in countries where health systems are strong, survival rates of many types of cancers are improving, thanks to accessible early detection, quality treatment, and survivorship care.

What is very worrying is the fact that the number of cancer deaths could increase by over 50 percent by 2030 if immediate global action is not taken, especially in the lowand middle-income countries, where most of the deaths are likely to occur. The statistics regarding cancer and its impact on individuals and society tell a sad tale. However, it should motivate us to work harder for better results.

It should be noted that between 30 and 40 percent of cancer cases could be prevented, and one third of cancer cases could be cured through early diagnosis and treatment. The sad thing, however, is that the medicines, technologies and services are not widely available in low- and middleincome countries, and this results in the majority of premature cancer deaths each year.

In Guyana, cancer is one of the leading causes of death, and we, as guardians of our own destiny, should continue to make arduous efforts in our campaign to reduce the number of persons dying from the disease. For example, individuals could assist in the prevention of cancer by doing simple things, such as making sure they eat a healthy diet; engaging in regular, adequate, physical activity; and maintaining overall good health. Research has shown that physical inactivity is linked to breast and colon cancers. WHO’s Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health details how differing amounts and intensities of physical activity for all age groups can help reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including some cancers. It is also worthy to note that the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research has advised that cancer could be prevented if persons could be as lean as possible without becoming underweight; be physically active for at least thirty minutes each day; and avoid sugary drinks, among other things.

The three main cancers in Guyana are breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer. Cervical cancer is easily prevented through regular screening and treatment of precancerous lesions. Far too many women ignore the pretesting option, and seek medical advice and treatment only when they begin to develop signs of illness. In many cases, indications of physical illness or signs of discomfort often suggest that the cancer is at an advanced stage. Persons should therefore be encouraged to have regular tests done, since pre-symptoms are not that visible. WHO estimates that cervical cancer could be the first cancer to be eliminated if 90 per cent of girls are vaccinated against HPV, 70 per cent of women are screened, and 90 per cent of women with cervical disease receive treatment.

We can never overstate the importance of having more public awareness and education campaigns about the disease, with the aim of changing lifestyles and getting persons to do regular testing, so that treatment could be administered before the disease becomes life threatening.

Paternity leave and the Jamaican landscape

By Kathey Wanliss

As at January 1, 2023, all Jamaican men employed in the Public Sector became eligible for paternity leave.

The staff orders have now been amended to indicate that men over the age of 18 years, who are employed on a full- or part-time basis (minimum 18 hours per week) and who have given at least 12 months of continuous service to the Public Sector, qualify for this allowance. This leave can be taken in more than one instalment, with a minimum of five working days per instalment in the first six months after delivery of the baby.

This is an unprecedented move by the Government of Jamaica, as, previously, only men employed in the Private Sector, upon the discretion of their employers, were able to obtain paternity leave.

This is definitely a step in the right direction for Jamaica, as it is an indication that the country is taking strides to keep up with the Developed Countries of the world that give fathers the right to take time off to bond with their newborn babies.

Jamaican men will now receive a period of four weeks (20 working days), which outpace Indian and French men, who only receive two weeks (10 working days), and this is comparable with countries like Portugal and Lithuania that grant three and four weeks respectively.

In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is the only country that grants paternity leave to its male citizens, and this is only two days. So, by making this bold step, Jamaica is demonstrating its commitment to national development, of which family life is an integral part.

The matter of paternity can be a very delicate matter in the Jamaican society. In days gone by, paternity leave would not even be a topic for consideration, as child-minding was something that was considered to be the responsibility of the mother, and men's role in parenting was limited

to providing financial support. In those days, Jamaican men were hardly concerned with the general keep and care of their babies, and certainly one would be hard-pressed to get a man to assist with chores such as diaper changing and staying up late with babies while the mother got the chance to rest and recuperate after a difficult delivery.

The very verbiage that is often used when discussing men and childcare is very telling, as men would often say that they are "babysitting" their own children. Over the years, we have seen a significant shift in this behaviour, and more and more men now want to be a part of the lives of their children in all areas. As stipulated in the staff orders, men are being granted paternity leave, which will allow them to "spend time with, nurture, and care for, a newborn child".

By extension, one could say that while the father is on paternity leave, this will enable him to spend more time with the newborn while the mother recuperates. It is therefore important to note that this is not a vacation leave. It is not a time for fathers to hang out with their friends at their favourite chill spots, or to treat it as time off from work for rest and relaxation; and as one social media commenter expressed, it is not a time to "travel, date, or impregnate other women".

Also, it is not a time for fathers to hold firm on old beliefs of what he will and will not do as it relates to taking care of the baby, and he will now have to pull up his sleeves and be just as involved with childcare as the mother.

Certainly, there is no arguing the fact that men are just as deserving of time off to take care of children, as this is a very exhausting and demanding task for both parents. What I particularly like about this allowance is that the parents will have the flexibility to decide whether both parties would like to take leave at the same time, or they may decide that the father will take his 20 days after the mother's maternity leave has expired. In that way, the baby will benefit from the care

of each parent for a longer period of time, and parents' fear of finding alternative care will be mitigated for at least an extra month. This is a win-win situation for the family unit, and may even allow more mothers who choose to breastfeed to continue for a longer period, as the breast milk could be expressed and the father could be more active in the feeding process. In fact, this would make feeding the newborn even easier, as the father would not have to prepare formula.

It is also important to note here that the total entitlement for the allowance is four weeks, and the man can only apply for a second period of leave six months after submitting an application for the first. Many Jamaicans have expressed some amount of concern on how this leave will be treated if, for example, a man impregnates two or more women in the same year, especially if the due dates are close together. This, no doubt, will be a highly stressful situation for the man, as he will surely be expected to be in several places at the same time, providing equal care and nurturing for all the babies, especially since the women involved will be aware that he is on paternity leave.

Paternity fraud

As we prepare to enjoy these new benefits, there are a few "jackets" that we will need to iron out. Jamaica has the unfortunate reputation of having one of the highest rates of paternity fraud in the world. In fact, Dr Herbert Gayle, leading anthropologist at The University of the West Indies, was quoted as saying that 25 per cent of Jamaican men are unknowingly raising children who are not biologically theirs. Some may even argue that this figure is higher as, anecdotally, it is said that in Jamaica, for one out of every three children, the wrong man was named by the mother as the biological father.

The issue of "giving men jackets" is a recurrent bad habit among Jamaican women who, for one reason or another, see it fit to assign children to men who are not their actual fathers. Fortunately, this

may not be an issue for the acquisition of paternity leave, as Dr Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Services, hastened to set this record straight recently.

In an interview with Emily Shields on Radio Jamaica 94 FM's Hotline on January 4, Minister Clarke sought to allay the fears of men on this matter. According to the Minister, though documentation will be required for the allocation of paternity leave, proof of paternity or a DNA test is not necessary, as the applicant only needs to show that he is the registered father of the child. In other words, once his name appears on the birth certificate, he is entitled to the allowance.

The question therefore begs to be asked as to whether this in itself could potentially be problematic. As one social media commenter stated recently, "A lot of men will now be getting paternity leave for another man's child/children."

Will this now make jackets an easier pill to swallow if the potential exists for the receiver of the jacket to get paternity leave? What impact, if any, will this new development have on men seeking DNA tests if there is doubt? Whatever the case may be, it is clear that the issue of paternity fraud is a worrying and vexing part of our culture.

The fact that the conversations surrounding paternity leave and the issue of questionable paternity are so intricately linked indicates the stark reality of paternity fraud in Jamaica. One would get the impression that, though most men welcome the idea of taking time off to spend time with and bond with their newborn baby, there is still the overarching concern as to whether or not the children in question are theirs.

Though my intention is not to throw cold water on such a wonderful, groundbreaking piece of legislation, it brings to consciousness an issue that seems to have no end. Will the actual fathers benefit from paternity leave? (Jamaica Observer)

(Kathey Wanliss is head of the Department of Modern Languages at Shortwood Teachers' College)

President Dr Irfaan Ali being updated by CEO of Global Service Inc, George Melville, on the developmental progress of the Information Technology solution for a Single Window application system in Guyana. The company signed a multimillion-dollar contract in December of 2022 to modernise and enhance the delivery of local plans and permits (Office of the President photo)

Perpetrators must be brought to justice

Dear Editor,

On 13th January 2023, every Guyanese, regardless of age, ethnicity or political persuasion, suffered another tremendous loss after the inferno which completely gutted the Christ Church Secondary School in Georgetown. As of consequence, another batch of over 500 secondary school students and their families are swimming against the tides to reorient themselves and cope with the increase in financial costs and

logistics of travelling to Cyril Potter College of Education, Cummings Lodge, in pursuit of an education with hopes of fulfilling their dreams of acquiring their best results at the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination and beyond.

Compounded with the physical infrastructure losses are the losses of academic resources and data and memories of teachers, administrators and students, which are

irreplaceable. Who can truly tabulate the correct value lost in this inferno? How can a political party or a politician articulate his or her gains now that it’s all down to ashes?

Further, I often wonder how a group or an individual can be so easily manipulated into committing acts of crime in pursuit of political mileage and gains for one’s preferred party or leader. I also wonder what positive gains were made for this nation since

the 1960s, and repeated until today, as properties of businessmen, academic institutions and Government buildings were set ablaze. I also wonder why, with the endless budgetary allocations, advancement in technology and intelligence gathering by the professional services, the masterminds and cohorts of these plots are never identified, charged, and brought before the courts.

How much longer can the small, medium and large tax-

payers, students and educators and decent-minded citizens of this nation be held at ransom and forced to endure the trauma and monetary losses as a result of politically motivated actions in Guyana?

It must be completely understood that state property does not belong to any Government. The governing body is only the custodian of such state assets. The real owners are the taxpayers, and together we have a

right to protect and preserve what truly belongs to the nation. The time has come for us to call upon the actors of all those with whom we have entrusted with our lives, livelihood, and resources to act and adopt all measures necessary to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice in an effort to curb this disdainful cycle.

Respectfully, Nazar Mohamed Businessman

Security services ‘madness’ in Guyana

Dear Editor,

It is with great concern that I write on the above caption as to the ‘madness’ prevailing in Guyana as it relates to the registration, the licensing, armoring, and procedures to govern security services in this country. It is obvious that security services are not treated by the Government, the authorities, and laws as they should be. Security services should be as specialised and difficult to open as a commercial bank, and not anyone who adds security service to the end of their name, or pay the “Clandestine fees”, should be allowed to operate a security service.

What seems to be the case here in Guyana is that any “willy-nilly” person wants to open and operate a security service without any formal training in security, the Police or the military, obviously without any

training in the rules or codes of operating a security service. The service of “Security Intelligence” takes time to learn well, over a number of years, and by studies.

So, I am asking the President, the Vice President, the Minister of Home Affairs (who is the minister responsible for law enforcement) and the entire Cabinet to please look into the issue of the operations of security services here in Guyana with the intension to draft a proper security service policy and end the clutter.

Security services laws of operations and prerequisites need to be strengthened, as I have said above, “like a Bank!” I will now elucidate further hereunder: It is obvious that it is easier to get a security services licence than to apply for a regular firearm licence. It has become the norm here

in Guyana that persons tend to add “Security Services” to any name and then guns galore follows!

The laws governing the operation of security services need to be overhauled to make it more rigorous for security services to acquire a licence. Action and attention are needed now. Indeed, the issue of untrained security persons, who are not supernumerary constables, being in possession of firearms and causing serious injury to the public is of grave concern, and does require an in-depth look at the operation protocols of security services here in Guyana. Just imagine if the person Mohan Motto of C. Mohan’s Security Services had an AR rifle what would have happened? (the tragedy that would have taken place in a crowded market area – as reported in the local media on 19th January, 2023).

As for ourselves, we have been in the security service industry for about four and a half decades and have only used shotguns and .32 revolvers (concealed). This is more than useful for most services in Guyana. I am still of the belief that powerful weapons such as AR rifles are unnecessary. The ranks entrusted with them and posted at business places in the name of offering protection are not properly trained to use them. They are cumbersome and difficult to manoeuvre in confined places such as stores, boutiques, supermarkets etc, even shotguns are not advised due to the fact that the pellets cone out and numerous innocent persons could be injured or killed.

This scenario with these high-powered weapons makes our country look like a combat zone. Guyana is a peaceful country and does

not need this show of force in supermarkets, stores, and boutiques etc. where the elderly and ordinary citizens frequent.

I join to appeal to Ministry of Home Affairs and Cabinet to call for a comprehensive audit of all private security companies. Having been in the industry

for decades, we are shocked to see the madness that prevails in Guyana as it relates to the operation of security services - that there are even now more security vehicles on the road than taxis.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan (Sr)

Mapping home

On the map of Guyana, pinpoint the general location of your community, as well as the towns of Guyana.

By The BroThers Grimm

There was once upon a time a king who had a wife with golden hair, and she was so beautiful that her equal was not to be found on earth.

It came to pass that she lay ill, and as she felt that she must soon die, she called the king and said, if you wish to marry again after my death, take no one who is not quite as beautiful as I am, and who has not just such golden hair as I have, this you must promise me.

And after the king had promised her this she closed her eyes and died.

For a long time the king

could not be comforted, and had no thought of taking another wife. At length his councillors said, this cannot go on. The king must marry again, that we may have a queen. And now messengers were sent about far and wide, to seek a bride who equalled the late queen in beauty. In the whole world, however, none was to be found, and even if one had been found, still there would have been no one who had such golden hair. So the messengers came home as they went.

Now the king had a daughter, who was just as beautiful as her dead mother,

and had the same golden hair. When she was grown up the king looked at her one day, and saw that in every respect she was like his late wife, and suddenly felt a violent love for her. Then he spoke to his councillors, I will marry my daughter, for she is the counterpart of my late wife, otherwise I can find no bride who resembles her. When the councillors heard that, they were shocked, and said, God has forbidden a father to marry his daughter. No good can come from such a crime, and the kingdom will be involved in the ruin.

(THE END)

Regional energy security

T&T gets green light from US to develop Venezuelan gas field …as

President Ali

advocates for regional measures to enhance energy security

US sanctions were imposed on Venezuela after Maduro returned to office in disputed 2018 elections where Opposition parties were banned from participating. Those sanctions require companies and Governments to obtain authorisation from the US Treasury Department before doing any business with PDVSA.

While Maduro has been making attempts to regain both domestic and international footing lost during sanctions, the US official in the Reuters report was keen to emphasise that US policy against Venezuela has not changed.

Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has been given the green light to develop a gas field in Venezuela’s territorial waters, with the United States (US) Treasury Department approving the licence on the grounds of the importance of energy security in the Region.

This is according to a Reuters report, in which a senior official in the President Joe Biden Administration was quoted saying that the licence for developing the Dragon gas field was issued at T&T’s request.

It was also explained that they will be working with Venezuelan Stateowned company Petroleos

de Venezuela (PDVSA), though the report also says that the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro will not receive any cash payments from the project as remaining US sanctions will still be in force.

“This decision is the result of extensive diplomacy between Vice President Kamala Harris and Caribbean leaders, who have made it clear that granting this specific licence would help ensure their energy security and decrease the Region’s reliance on energy resources from other countries, including Russia,” Reuters also quoted the anonymous official as saying.

Enhance energy security

President Dr Irfaan Ali, who meanwhile delivered a speech at the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference 2023 in Port-of-Spain only on Monday, has long been an advocate for more measures and policies in the Region to enhance energy security.

Renewables have been touted to break the hefty carbon footprint, but Ali shared that to secure the energy requirement, the reality is that the Caribbean will need oil and gas resources. The estimated renewable capacity of the Region is 1574 megawatts with a capital requirement of US$11 billion to achieve fundamental targets.

The President detailed, “We can safely say that in this Region, fossil fuel and natural gas has a long future ahead of us. It is not a big scientific analysis. It is based on what is before us. The conversation is how do we take this reality in the context of building a global system and world that move towards net zero? How do we reduce our carbon footprint? How do we catalyse the revenue to open up new sectors, greener technology?”

He had underscored that going ‘green’ is not a simple task without significant investments, which the Region does not have. As such, he urged countries with natu-

ral gas resources to aggressively pursue its natural gas to subdue the energy insecurity within the Caribbean, while working towards greener technologies.

“For the energy need security of this Region, I once again reinforce the call that every single country in the Region with potential in natural gas should be allowed to explore that potential to its fullest, aggressively, to ensure the energy security of this Region,” Ali had positioned.

He cited the case of Trinidad and Tobago, where this opportunity exists and should be allowed to blossom. The Guyanese President ex-

pressed that high energy prices mean high transportation, electricity and consumable costs, contributing to inflation.

At the centre of the food, climate and energy crises happening simultaneously around the world, he shared that energy is the backbone through which everything befalls. And in the middle of such crises, he noted that ‘strange movements’ have been driven by a few countries.

The Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy, approved to support the energy policy of the Region, sets regional targets for renewable energy contribution to total electricity generation in Caricom, at 28 per cent by 2022 and 47 per cent by 2027. The reality is that as of 2020, only 11.5 per cent renewable energy was achieved.

The only known available financing to achieve this target is through the Caribbean Development Bank, with a loan portfolio of US$1.4 billion.

According to Dr Ali, this is the reality.

“This is not skirting around the issue or intellectually tampering with the issue. We have a responsibility as policymakers to fit things in its realistic environment and construct,” President Ali had said.

The area known as Dragon field, which T&T will be developing

President Dr Irfaan Ali at the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference 2023

“Boyzie” wanted for brutal murder of ECD housewife

Police have issued a wanted bulletin for Deonarine Sawh called “Boyzie” for the murder of Nazaleen Mohammed, of Belfield Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara.

The 47-year-old housewife’s battered body was found floating at Hope Lowlands, Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, on Monday.

In a wanted bulletin issued on Tuesday afternoon, Police said that the 65-yearold man is wanted for questioning in relation to the woman’s murder.

According to Police, his last known address is Hope Lowlands, ECD.

Police on Monday evening said the housewife’s body was seen by a neighbour, in the canal with wounds about her abdomen. However, when Police arrived on the scene and turned the body, wounds

Distinctions...

…and differences

Your Eyewitness caught bits and pieces of the first day of the “Budget Debate”, and all he could wonder was whether any of the speakers had ever participated in a debate in high school - or anywhere else. What jumped out was that everyone seemed to think the louder and more animatedly they spoke, the more convincing they’d be!! What they basically delivered were harangues more befitting street corner political meetings (or the fish markets) than the hallowed halls of Parliament! The PNC MPs especially should be ashamed of their carryings-on, in view of their party’s claims about the oratorical prowess of their founder-leader Burnham.

were seen on the head, ear, neck and abdomen, with her intestines protruding.

According to Police, the murder occurred sometime between 07:00h and

15:00h at Hope Lowlands Railway Embankment, ECD.

Enquiries disclosed that the woman was living with her daughter and reputed

husband, who is presently at sea on a fishing boat. Mohammed was last seen alive at about 07:00h on Monday, by a neighbour, as she was leaving her home and heading toward her brother’s residence at Hope Lowlands, ECD.

“At about 08:05h, the victim’s 32-year-old son received a call from her (his mother’s) cell phone, where he heard a male voice whom he identified as the suspect, who had previously shared a relationship with Nazaleen Mohammed,” Police had said in a statement.

At the time, he also heard his mother’s voice, shouting for her phone but shortly after, the call ended.

However, at about 15:00h on Monday, the neighbour, who did not see her return, left in search of her. While he was walking along Hope Lowlands Railway Embankment, he told Police he saw the motionless body of Nazaleen Mohammed lying in a canal.

If anyone sees or has information about the whereabouts of Sawh called “Boyzie”, please contact the Police on 225-6940, 2258196, 226-7476, 225-2317, 225-8196, 227-1149 or the nearest Police station.

Evidently seeking to burnish what’s left of their “working class” street cred - after more than three decades of the socialist alternative’s defeat - the PPP Government sent out Min of Labour “Phulourie” Joe Hamilton to fire their opening salvo!! Of course, he couldn’t resist reminding the Opposition benches that in THEIR five years at the helm (2015-2020) they’d demoted Labour matters to be handled by a “Department” headed by Keith Scott - leader of the one-man party NFA. So, it was basically giving this “coalition partner” a “freck” to keep him aboard!!

Anyhow, Hamilton opened up by pointing out the said Coalition Government’s absolute refusal to prepare the workers for the oil industry - which was launched simultaneously with their entry into Government. Since oil didn’t start flowing till 2019, they had four years to do so, and yet sat on their hands. Joe, however, forgot to mention that the coalition perhaps saw the “civil service” as “working class”, since they’d launched the Bertrand Collins College of the Public Service - which satisfied Volda Lawrence’s criteria as to who the PNC would work with!! Joe claimed that since 2020, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) had trained some 7500 workers, and there were funds in the Budget for another 7000!! Now, that’s a whole lotta workers who’ll be getting jobs, and, not so incidentally, look kinda favourably at the PPP!!

Joe was followed by PNC Shadow Foreign Minister Walton-Desir, who contradicted Hamilton; claiming that the PPP had done “…nothing for the poor and working class in comparison to what’s being done for big businesses.” She was followed by Min of Info Kwame McCoy who delivered probably the best line of the night - noting that his Government was focusing on real development with their housing and other programmes. He charged that the Opposition supporters couldn’t use their “two pigs and two black fowl” to get a mortgage!!

He ended rather dramatically by contradicting PNC Moca MP Flue-Bess’s claims of high prices there, by holding up a bag of sugar purchased at half her cited price!!

…on development

Over in Calypso land, for their Energy Conference, Pres Ali reiterated his Government’s commitment to go “full steam ahead” on developing our petroleum resources to fund our development programmes. In this instance, he broadened his vision to exhort the wider Caribbean – especially Trinidad – to share his plans. Now, as he’s consistently declared, your Eyewitness is fully supportive of this position, and feels it’s hypocritical of those locals who propose we should remain mired in poverty while the Developed Countries continue burning fossil fuels – and paying us to breather in their pollution!!

Our oil-associated and natural gas fields have given us a whole new dimension to seize the moment to place us in a pole position for development in the rest of this century. While we remain committed to a green future, our forests offer us the opportunity to “suck cane and blow whistle” at the same time.

While TT might offer some collaborative benefits, they cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds with Venezuela!!

…on co-op lands

Just when your Eyewitness accused the PPP of abandoning socialism, up comes Joe Hamilton announcing that his Government’s gonna repossess all uncultivated coop lands.

Invoking Burnham’s Art 18 “Land is for social use and must go to the tiller” doctrine?

Wanted: Deonarine Sawh, called “Boyzie” Dead: Nazaleen Mohammed

Colombia, Dominican Republic to establish embassies in Guyana

…Guyana’s Brazil embassy at 64% completion

Guatemalans are preparing to establish an embassy in Guyana. As I speak, the Colombians are preparing to re-establish an embassy here in Guyana. As I speak, the Dominican Republic is preparing to establish an embassy here in Georgetown.”

Even as Guyana’s international and regional clout continues to grow, it has been revealed that two more Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries are preparing to set up embassies locally.

Making this revelation was Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd, during his Budget 2023 debate presentation in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Todd said that the interest of these two countries in setting up embassies, signals Guyana’s upward trajectory and their efforts since 2020 to repair Guyana’s international image.

“As I speak, the

“Our international image has been repaired. It is on the move, being led by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali,” Todd said, referencing events under the former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Government when Ministers were sanctioned by the United States (US) Government for not respecting results from the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Todd meanwhile gave an update on the embassy Guyana is building in Brazil – a project inherited from the former Government. In Budget 2023, $525 million was allocated towards completing this embassy which, according to the Auditor General, started off with a flawed contract.

“Mr Speaker, I have a document here. A report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is what we have to say. The consultant reported that 64 per cent of the project has been completed today.”

“This was a contract that was fundamentally flawed, knowingly. And there are

members on the other side, sitting members of the Opposition, who knowingly presided over a contract they could not deliver on,” Todd further said.

According to the Auditor General’s 2021 report, the US$4.4 million (G$937.9 million) contract for the embassy was initially awarded in 2019 with a six months defects liability period and a construction duration of eighteen months. However, there was conflict between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the contractor over whether the contract should be a “measure and value” or a “fixed price” contract.

“The contractor claimed that the contract should be classified as ‘a measure and value’ contract and that

payments should be based on measured works. The contractor also claimed that the approved bill of quantities was incorrect since it did not match the designs and additional works on the ground had to be carried out.”

“There were also problems between the contractor and the supervisory management team. The contractor reported that the consultant was recommending payments based on the bill of quantities and not measured works,” the Audit Report said.

As a consequence, it was related that the labour force was reduced. To address these issues, a stop work order was issued for the period 5 February 2020 to 5 March 2020, and then extended to

20 March 2020.

A number of meetings were also held and it was finally determined that the contract should be a “fixed price” contract. Although works recommenced on the project, there was further delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected labour and resource mobilisation.

At the end of 2020, the contractor received payments of US$2.4 million (G$501.2 million). In 2021, amounts totalling US$1.8 million (G$383.7 million) were paid, bringing the total payments to US$4.2 million ($885 million).

According to the Auditor General, these payments to date represent 94 per cent of the contract sum. At the time of reporting, the proj-

ect was 64 per cent completed and a special investigation of the project by the Audit Office was underway.

The sod for this project to be built in Brasilia, Brazil, was turned since 2017, by then Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and then Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, during a visit to the neighbouring country.

Speaking in other sections of the media, Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd had said earlier this year that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government inherited the project with numerous flaws. A sum of G$17.3 million was set aside in the 2022 budget to complete the project. (G3)

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd

Guyana to train 1000 nurses in 1st quarter of 2023

…200 community health workers trained in 2 years

Budget 2023 will cater for a massive 1000 nurses being trained to enter Guyana’s healthcare system, following on the heels of the Government’s recent salary increases for healthcare workers.

This was revealed by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, during his budget presentation on Tuesday. He emphasised that the Government is focused on training and retaining nurses, not losing them to overseas competition.

“We are trying to train our nurses and retain them,

by paying them better. And that is what we start doing this month. And by the way Mr Speaker, in the first quarter we’ll be training 1000 nurses for the health sector. Mr Speaker, when we talk about progress in the health sector, that is what we’ve been doing,” Minister Anthony said.

Talking about upgrades, Anthony also revealed that over 250 health centres and outposts have been upgraded between 2021 and 2022. He also revealed that in 2 years, his Government has trained 200 community healthcare workers.

“To deliver the services at our health posts and health centres, because under the APNU because not much training was done for health personnel. And over the last two years alone, we have trained more than 200 community health workers.”

“So much so that in every health centre or health post in Regions Nine and One, there are at least two community health workers. This is what progress looks like. But not only that. We have given to these health centres rapid kits that can do all kinds of diagnoses.

According to the Health Minister, this type of testing will be made available at all health centres. He also assured that the requisite medication will be provided so that persons can be treated on site.

The 2023 budget allocated some $84.9 billion to the health sector, which will go towards financing the construction of various paediatric and maternal hospitals and six new regional hospitals. Additionally, money will also go towards reha-

bilitating and expanding existing hospitals, while over $500 million has been allocated to train healthcare professionals.

Government is presently building several stateof-the-art health facilities across Guyana. There has even been talk of a stem cell facility. In 2021, the sod was turned for a new $2 billion multi-specialty hospital, to be constructed in Suddie on the Essequibo Coast.

More than $1.5 billion was invested in Budget 2022 to upgrade health posts and health centres countrywide. And in July of this year, the Government partnered with New York-based Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation to transform Guyana’s healthcare into a world class service that will not only ensure accessibility and affordability for Guyanese citizens but also the Caribbean Region.

To this end, an agreement between the three parties was signed at State House, where President Ali launched the National Health Care Initiative – a

three component plan that focuses on enhancing the country’s primary healthcare services, improving patient care and management at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and developing specialised services in cardiology and oncology with the private sector.

To take the National Health Care Initiative forward, a Coordinating Steering Committee will be established with President

Ali,

Additionally, a National Steering Committee, comprising of the private sector and Government officials will also be set up to look into Guyana’s “skills divestment”, that is, to determine the local skillset and ascertain the deficit and skill filling. (G3)

Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of Mount Sinai, Dr Jeremy Boal; and Mount Sinai Board Member John Hess.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

Traffic Chief gives stern warning to log truck drivers

…urges

them to adhere to safety regulations

Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dennis Stephen has issued stern warnings to log truck drivers regarding their operations, amid efforts to reduce accidents and causalities on the country’s roadway.

A recent meeting saw the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department, in collaboration with the Guyana Forestry Commission, meeting with log truck drivers and owners at Riverside Drive, Watooka, in Mackenzie, Linden.

Traffic Chief Stephen told the log truck drivers and owners that they are responsible for the trucks to be

in a safe operating condition.

All trucks must have reflectors installed to enhance visibility at night and during a breakdown on the roadway.

Additionally, the Traffic

Chief instructed that they use no less than four chains and other fastening straps to secure each load while travelling on our roadways.

He also reiterated to the

WBD man drowns at Ituni

Police are investigating the drowning of a West Bank Demerara (WBD) man, who died while swimming near a koker at Kamakabra Creek, Ituni in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Dead is 31-year-old Patrick Lord of Vive la Force, West Bank Demerara. He drowned at about 16:00h on Monday.

From initial investigation, the Guyana Police Force revealed that about 06:00h on Monday, Lord accompanied his brother, Paul Lord, and their co-workers Allan Hughes, Roy Joseph, Jermaine

Caleb Williams, Andy Seeram, and Randolph Seeram to Silicone Green Sawmill at Yarrowkabra on the SoesdykeLinden Highway.

At about 11:00h, they were heading to Unamco Road in the Upper Berbice River region, when they stopped in Linden for fuel and food. The men arrived in Ituni at around 15:30h but made another stop at Rankin Shop to get supplies, where they consumed a bottle of El Dorado rum.

After imbibing, they continued their journey but decided to stop at Kamakabra Creek. The deceased man

was swimming near a koker, but his brother and co-workers observed that he failed to surface. This resulted in a search for him.

A frantic search for about 10 minutes saw him being pulled him from the water and rushed to the Ituni Health Centre. A medic performed initial checks before transferring him to the Linden Hospital Complex, where a doctor pronounced him dead on arrival.

The body is at a funeral parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination. Investigations are ongoing. (G12)

log truck drivers that they should no longer allow porters to be seated at the top of logs when travelling; instead, they should be in the truck’s cabin.

Owners of log trucks were reminded that it is their responsibility to have all of their drivers licensed because this can have serious consequences. On this

note, the Traffic Chief said he was informed that some of the trail drivers are unlicensed, and they bring the log truck up to a point, and a licensed driver takes over.

He also warned the drivers not to consume alcohol while driving.

“The collaboration aims to reduce road accidents and fatalities and make our

roadway safer for all users,” the Guyana Police Force stated.

Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission, Tasreef Khan also spoke to the truck drivers and owners, welcoming the collaboration and assuring the GFC’s full support to make roads safer and save lives. (G12)

Brazilian men wanted by Police for drug trafficking

Two Brazilian men are wanted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in connection to the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Wanted bulletins were on Tuesday issued for the two individuals – 53-yearold Paul Sergio Petter and 33-year-old Agusto Altroitar. The incident occurred on December 11, 2022.

If seen, or if anyone has information about the whereabouts of these wanted persons, they are asked to contact the Police on 2256940; 225-8196; 225-2317; 225-8196; 227-1149 or the nearest Police station.

Police have since said that Altroitar was charged and placed before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $180,000 with the in-

structions to report to the Narcotics Branch, CID, Headquarters. However, he never reported and as such his bail was revoked.

Meanwhile, Petter was also charged and placed before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. He was subsequently granted $80,000 bail. As a con-

dition for his bail, he had to report to the Narcotics Branch, CID, headquarters. However, he too never reported and as such his bail was revoked.

According to Police, based on information received both men have fled the jurisdiction.

Wanted: Paulo Sergio Petter Wanted: Agusto Altroitar

Truck drivers in attendance at the meeting

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

An open challenge to the Opposition and the Budget 2023 naysayers

MP after MP from the Opposition have sniped, moaned, griped, grumbled and nagged about one thing after another even at this early stage in the debate over Budget 2023. Guyanese already have recognized the incompetence and the cluelessness of the Opposition in Parliament. Between their presentations in Parliament and the written and oral presentations outside of Parliament, the Opposition speakers and their sycophants have succeeded in only one thing – they have consolidated the perception all across Guyana that they are out of their depth, clueless and confused, and with no genuine alternative to the Government’s Budget 2023. This is an open call, an open challenge, to the Leader of the Opposition and his MPs in Parliamentand to the surrogates in the newspapers, radio and TV – please answer the questions posed in this column simply; we want no “ifs and buts”.

They complained that Budget 2023 is too large, and that the Government should not be boasting about the “biggest budget ever”. They complained that the “biggest budget ever” will accelerate inflation in Guyana because of all the money being put in people’s hands. At the same time, they gripe that the increases in pension, the “Because We Care” cash grant, people’s salaries, part-time jobs etc., ought to have been larger. Can they then tell us what in Budget 2023 must be cut? One could always argue that pension, salary increases, cash grants etc. must be bigger. It is a debate that we are certain occurred at Cabinet level itself. But responsible governments ensure that there is a balance in spending. The President is on record that pension must grow rapidly.

The mathematics is easy. Now, we all know that one of the deficits of the Opposition is an incapacity for mathematics. If the budget is too large, as the Opposition claims, but the Government must put more money into salaries and safety-net programmes, what should be cut? The Opposition should stop griping and make that recommendation. Should the Government cut the MoH budget or the MoE budget, or public security, or housing, or water? We are not looking for any kind of intellectual journey, we are simply looking for them to identify programmes, projects or activities they would want the Government to cut so as to “downsize” Budget 2023.

Opposition MPs, one after the other, keep harping on the $136B allocated for infrastructure development in Guyana. According to them, the allocation is nothing but a slush fund for the President and his Ministers to pass through donors and friends’ pockets and for the ministers to enrich themselves. Here is the open challenge to the Opposition: Please tell the nation which of the projects the Government should eliminate from the budget? Let them tell the nation which project they believe is not necessary at this time. Should the Government eliminate the Demerara River Bridge from the infrastructure transformation programme? This is a project that the PPP started before 2015. For five years, between 2015 and 2020, the PNC-led APNU/AFC Government dilly-dallied and wasted more than $200M in feasibility studies and never moved the process from where it was in 2014. Even as the debate rages on, the construction of the bridge has started. Should the Government eliminate the Linden-toMabura Road construction that started from Budget 2023? That is another project that the then APNU/AFC allowed to slip. Should we defer the Corentyne Bridge project or the Gas-to-Shore project?

More than 1,200 community streets are listed for construction. Can the Opposition MPs stand in Parliament and let the nation know which ones of these roads they would like to see removed from the budget? In 2023, construction of more than a dozen hospitals will begin. This include hospitals in #75 Village (Region 6), Bath (Region 5), Enmore (Region 4), Diamond (Region 4), De Kinderen (Region 3), Anna Regina (Region 4), Moruca (Region 1), Kamarang (Region 7), Kato (Region 8), and Lethem (Region 10). In addition, Linden Hospital will be upgraded. Work will begin on the redevelopment of New Amsterdam, Georgetown, Bartica, West Demerara, Mabaruma, Mahdia hospitals. Which of these infrastructure projects would the Opposition want removed from Budget 2023?

The Opposition MPs argue that the “biggest budget ever” is not because of the PPP. They claim it is OIL money. But the OIL money in Budget 2023 is only $200B. Even as they insist that Budget 2023 is funded by OIL money, they also, in the same breath, moan about the amount of loans. They argue on the one hand that OIL money is funding Budget 2023, and then, immediately after, argue that the Government is funding the budget via a splurge on loans. Examination of Budget 2023 shows that loans amount to $168B, or 21% of the budget. They argue that it is reckless to borrow. The Opposition MPs must tell us which ones of the projects in Budget 2023 supported by one of the loans they want us to remove.

Budget 2023 is a milestone budget. It sets the stage for the total transformation of Guyana. The infrastructure investments are critical for transforming our country. We cannot simply take OIL money and split it among us. We must invest it in the physical and economic infrastructure, in the social welfare infrastructure. We must gradually catch up with CARICOM countries in terms of salaries and wages. The Government is on the right track. The Opposition must either put up or shut up.

Another death caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID) was reported on Tuesday, taking the country’s death toll to 1294.

Information released by the Health Ministry indicated that the latest fatality is a 62-year-old female from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), who died on January 22. Her vaccination status is unknown.

From 164 deaths in 2020, this number rose to 891 for the year 2021. This spike was linked to the Delta wave. In 2022, 232 fatalities were documented.

Meanwhile, 23 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the updated Tuesday dashboard.

There are now 72,878 confirmed cases in Guyana – 33,364 males and 39,514 females. Across the country, over 390 active cases are being monitored.

Data shows that one patient is seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, five in institutional isolation and 390 in home isolation. Meanwhile, 71,188 recoveries were counted from the start of the pandemic to this week, with 716,570 tests processed.

In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 187 mil-

lion while the death toll in the Region has gone up to 2.9 million.

Globally, there are 663 million confirmed positives with 6.7 million deaths.

Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, tiredness, diarrhoea, pains, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. The more serious symptoms are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain and loss of speech or movement.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.

All Guyanese are being encouraged to continue observing the public health measures set out by the Health Ministry.

This encourages the need for everyone five years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for everyone to get a COVID-19 booster dose after completing the primary vaccination series; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining a safe distance of six feet from others and; good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. (G12)

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Over 11,000 dilapidated roads fixed in 2022 – Indar

…Ministry forced to fix issues as City Hall fails

Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar has disclosed that for just 2022, over 1100 roads were built in communities across Guyana, as Government is still fixing infrastructure that was left abandoned under the former APNU/AFC Administration.

This disclosure was made during his budget presentation to the National Assembly on Monday. Indar expressed that these works were in dire need, since many roads were left in a dilapidated state under the former APNU Government.

“For the record, the Public Works Ministry alone in 2022 built over 11,000 roads. That was broken, dilapidated infrastructure in all the communities. We built it…there is no disparity in the distribution of resources. That is total mistruth and misleading, designed to do enthusiastic corruption of public good,” Indar told the House.

Meanwhile, the Minister responded to criticisms from Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton regarding the significant investments in infrastructure.

He expressed that when a template has been set for industrialisation, there must be spending to see its fruition.

Moreover, Indar called out the Opposition for treating the oil sector as a ‘stepchild’. He expressed that while traditional sectors are performing well, oil and gas is penetrating all of these in a cascading effect.

“When you set a template for industrialisation, you have to spend and

build it out. Most of these Opposition MPs treat the oil and gas sector like a stepchild. It cannot be. It is a major part of the structure of the economy. It is driving the economy a lot. We can’t treat it like a stepchild,” he added.

Among his issues raised was the fact that the Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine has reportedly failed to address key infrastructural matters in the city, which is now falling on the shoul-

ders of Central Government. He made these comments in light of accusations that the Ministry is stymieing the work of the municipality.

“If the Mayor was doing his job, we wouldn’t have to be patching all the streets in Georgetown, fixing all the drains. His function, we are fixing it everywhere you go. Billions of dollars we are spending at the Ministry of Public Works to do what he is supposed to do. I don’t understand that we’re not allowing him to function. We would be glad if he could function but he doesn’t.”

Meanwhile, Indar did not spare members of the Opposition, which sought to call out the incumbent Government on accountability and transparency.

He voiced, “They have disgraced this country and tarnished the image of the country. We are building it back now. Don’t come here and lecture us about how to run a country and a Ministry. If we didn’t know, the people of this country

would not have put us in Government. Imagine the APNU is talking about accountability. When we asked the Finance Minister about the US$18 million, he said was a gift. Never disclosed it until somebody leaked a report.” (G12)

Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar during his presentation (Parliament photo)

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

Taunts by male classmates fuelled Alicia Duggin’s drive to be heavy-duty equipment operator

Alicia Duggin has always been intrigued by the heavy-duty equipment operator profession, which both her father and older brother hold.

After completing her secondary education only a few weeks earlier, her fascination prompted her to investigate the HeavyDuty Equipment Operation (HDEO) course offered by the Board of Industrial Training.

She made what she believed to be a “no-brainer” decision, which became clear

when she started the gruelling programme and quickly rose to the top student rank among the boys.

“I knew this would be my profession the moment I sat in that 236D skid steer loader and cranked that key.”

“The device had ignited a spark within me and made me willing to get my hands filthy, if necessary,” the young woman expressed.

Duggin recalled the challenges she faced during the programme, including harsh

remarks from her male colleagues who told her that she was better off at home doing chores.

However, Duggin said she used those criticisms to fuel her drive to prove them wrong and fulfil her dream.

And she did precisely that by graduating first in her class.

The easy part of the programme, according to Diggin, was finally finishing the course. Soon after, she began looking for work.

“I applied at numerous companies and received responses from all of them, but I chose Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc because it would be advantageous to me in the long-term,” she explained.

This, however, is not the conclusion of her story; rather, it is only the beginning.

The young lady thanked the Board of Industrial Training for allowing her the opportunity to realise a childhood aspiration.

Brazilian men wanted...

Last year, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) had seized a whopping $1.1 billion worth of narcotics, which amounted to 3403 kilograms. By type, the seized narcotics comprised 121.31kg of cocaine; 3280.25kg of ganja; 818.7 grams of ecstasy; 302.6 grams of methamphetamine, and 1kg of canna-

bis seeds. This represented a 68.26 per cent increase in seizures when compared to the seizures of 2021, when 2022.88kg of narcotics were recorded as seized.

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

FROM

Four accounting for the largest seizure of narcotics.

Just over a week ago, CANU Head James Singh said the Government is serious about fighting narcotics within Guyana, adding that the country will not be used as a transhipment point for narcotics to other territories. (G12)

Alicia Duggin

Local businessmen under probe for tampering with expiry date on products

An investigation has been launched into several local businessmen after it was found that the expiration date on a batch of Diet Pepsi was tamped with to show that it has a longer shelf life.

Information reaching this publication shows that the batch of Diet Pepsi expired in August 2022 but that date was tampered with and changed to December 2023.

The investigation into the businessmen was launched after the Diet Pepsi was supplied to a popular hotel and the discovery was made.

Reports are it was found that a number of products, which are being imported and supplied locally by the businessmen were found with tampered labels and altered expiration dates.

On Tuesday, the Police and the Government Analyst – Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) were called in after a number of

tampered items were found by the local hotel.

As investigators pursued the matter and confronted one of the businessmen, he claimed that his establishment purchased a batch of Diet Pepsi from another local importer. When that importer was contacted for the import information and batch number from the overseas supplier, he claimed that he purchased the items from “people walking around”

and selling. He claimed he is unaware of these persons’ names and addresses.

A number of items were stored in the warehouse of one of the local businessmen.

Guyana Times understands that efforts are being made for the items to be recalled from the local market as several other items are being checked for tampering. Charges are expected to be instituted against the businessmen.

Wanted man escapes after shootout with Police in Berbice

Police in Region

Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Monday evening had a close encounter with a man wanted for a series of armed robberies.

Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus told this publication that the wanted criminal was engaged in a shootout with the Police but successfully escaped.

He said the Police were on routine patrols across the region during the dark hours of Monday when a black wagon made a U-turn on the East Coast Berbice Highway at Lewis Manor.

sued him into a rice field, Bacchus said spots of blood were seen.

and two live rounds were found in the car.

According to the Commander, the man who exited the vehicle is known to the Police. The suspect

Bacchus said records indicate that “Hot Skull” has a pending sentence which was handed down in absentia. According to the Commander, the Police are seeking him in relation to other offences.

“What I know is that he is on a two-year sentence which was issued behind his back for armed robberies and for other reported

The

“On seeing the Police vehicle, the approaching car turned around but they were apprehended by the patrol vehicle that was coming from the opposite direction,” the Commander said.

He said one of the men exited the vehicle and engaged the law enforcement officers, which resulted in a shootout. As they pur -

is O’Neil Benn also known as “Hot Skull”.

Meanwhile, the driver, a 32-year-old man from Lad Lane, New Amsterdam, and two occupants were arrested.

The vehicle was searched and a .380 pistol along with one magazine

The gun and ammunition that were found in the

robberies in the region.”

Police are continuing their hunt for the wanted man who is believed to be injured. (G4)

Wanted man O’Neil Benn, also known as “Hot Skull”

car in which the wanted man was travelling

car

The Diet Pepsi can with original expiration date

The Diet Pepsi can with tampered expiry date

Around the World

California reels from back-toback shootings that killed 18

Adeadly rampage by a 67-year-old suspect in Northern California was likely an act of workplace violence, authorities said on Tuesday, offering fresh details about the second in back-to-back mass shootings that killed 18 people and horrified the nation.

In two separate shootings within three days, 11 people were killed at a Los Angeles-area dance hall and seven others were murdered at two farms in the seaside town of Half Moon Bay near San Francisco.

Authorities said they still were trying to determine motives for both shootings.

Preliminary evidence indicated that the massacre in Half Moon Bay was a case of workplace violence and that the gunman had used a legally-owned weapon. In the Southern California shootings, officials have declined to make any statement regarding a possible motive.

The suspects in both attacks are men of retirement age, much older than typical perpetrators of deadly mass shootings that have become routine in the United States.

On Monday, a gunman in Half Moon Bay opened fire on employees at Mountain Mushroom Farm, where he had previously worked, and Concord Farms, about a mile away.

The suspect, 67-year-old Chunli Zhao, was taken into custody later after he was

found sitting in his vehicle, parked outside a sheriff's station. Authorities said they believe he had come to surrender.

He killed seven and wounded one, and all of his victims were Hispanic and Asian Americans, San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus told reporters on Tuesday.

"All of the evidence we have points to this being the instance of workplace violence," Corpus said.

News of the Half Moon Bay shooting broke as detectives were still investigating the Saturday night shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, just east of downtown Los Angeles, which occurred in the midst of the predominantly Asian American city's Lunar New Year celebrations.

Authorities identified the gunman as Huu Can Tran, 72, and said he fatally shot 10 people and wounded 10 others at the Star Ballroom, where he was a frequent patron. An 11th person died in the hospital from their wounds.

Tran then drove to a second dance hall nearby, but was unable to inflict further damage because the club's operator wrestled his weapon away. He fled in a white cargo van.

Police cornered him about 12 hours later in Torrance, south of Los Angeles, and then he fatally shot himself. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Tanks for Ukraine: Germany to send Leopard 2s and allow others to export – reports

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has decided to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and allow other countries to do the same, reports in Germany say.

Leopard 2s are made in Germany and Berlin needs to approve their export.

Germany has been hesitant to send its own - or allow other nations to send theirsover concerns it could escalate the conflict with Russia.

Now, after international pressure, Scholz has decided to send at least 14 Leopard 2s, German outlets say.

A company is usually 14

The

Afghanistan: Freezing weather kills at least 124 people

At least 124 people died in freezing temperatures in Afghanistan in the past fortnight, Taliban officials say.

About 70,000 livestock had also perished in what is the coldest winter in a decade, a State Ministry for Disaster Management spokesman said.

Many aid agencies suspended operations in recent weeks after the Taliban banned Afghan women from working for non-governmental organisations.

A Taliban Minister said despite the deaths, the edict would not be changed.

Acting Minister of Disaster Management Mullah Mohammad Abbas Akhund told the BBC that many areas of Afghanistan were now completely cut off by snow; military helicop-

ters had been sent to the rescue, but they couldn't land in the most mountainous regions.

The acting Minister said the forecast for the next 10 days indicated temperatures would warm. But he was still worried about a rising death toll - of Afghans, and their livestock.

Winters are always harsh here in Afghanistan but this is the worst weather in a decade.

And this year's relief operations are hampered by last month's Taliban government edict barring Afghan women from working in aid agencies.

But Mullah Akhund was categorical. This edict could not be lifted - the international community, he insisted, had to accept Afghanistan's Islamic culture. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Der Spiegel in Germany, citing government sources, before being seemingly confirmed elsewhere.

There has been no official statement from the German government yet.

However, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann of the

liberal FDP party, who chairs the defence committee of the German Parliament, welcomed the reports.

"The decision was tough, it took far too long, but in the end it was unavoidable," she said, adding that it would come as a relief to "the battered and brave Ukrainian people".

Ukraine sees the tanks as vital for breaking through Russian lines and to beat an anticipated Russian offensive this spring.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky believes about 300 Leopard tanks would help it defeat Russia. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Brazil airlifts starving Yanomami tribal people from jungle

Brazil has airlifted 16 starving Yanomami tribal people to receive urgent treatment, after the Government declared a medical emergency.

The Indigenous people live in a reserve in Brazil's northern state of Roraima.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has accused his predecessor, far-right Jair Bolsonaro, of committing genocide against the rainforest tribe.

The Government declared a medical emergency after hundreds of Yanomami children died from malnutrition.

The deaths are linked to water pollution caused by mining and logging in the densely-forested area, where food insecurity is rife.

On Saturday President

Lula visited Roraima, which borders Venezuela and Guyana, following reports of severe malnutrition among Yanomami children and said he was "shocked" by what he found.

"More than a humanitarian crisis, what I saw in Roraima was genocide: a premeditated crime against the Yanomami, committed by a government insensitive to suffering," he said later. "I came here to say we are going to treat our Indigenous people as human beings."

An estimated 28,000 Indigenous people live in the Yanomami reserve. They hunt, practise smallscale slash-and-burn agriculture and live in small, scattered, semi-permanent villages.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

OIL NEWS

Oil dips US$2 on global economic concerns

Crude oil prices slipped on Tuesday on concerns about a global economic slowdown and an expected build in US oil inventories.

Brent futures for March delivery fell US$2.06, or 2.3%, to US$86.13 a barrel. US crude fell US$1.49, or 1.8%, to US$80.13 per barrel.

US business activity contracted in January for the seventh straight month, though the downturn moderated across both the manufacturing and services sectors for the first time since September and business confidence strengthened as the new year began.

The US economy "still could roll over and some energy traders are still sceptical on how quickly China's crude demand will bounce back this quarter," OANDA analyst Edward Moya said in a note.

Euro zone business activity made a surprise return to modest growth in January, S&P Global's flash Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showed. Yet British private sector economic activity fell at its fastest rate in two years.

Economies in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will grow this year at half the rate of 2022 as oil revenues take a hit from an expected mild global slowdown, according to the median view from a Reuters poll of economists.

Meanwhile, US stocks of crude oil were expected to have risen about 1 million last week while a fall was forecast for distillate stocks, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday.

Meanwhile, an OPEC+ panel is likely to endorse the producer group's current oil output policy when it meets next week, five OPEC+ sources said on Tuesday, as hopes of higher Chinese demand driving an oil price rally are balanced by worries over inflation and a global economic slowdown

Bank JP Morgan raised its forecast for Chinese crude demand but maintained its projection for a 2023 price average of US$90 a barrel for Brent crude.

Crude oil prices in physical markets have started the year with a rally on increased buying from China after the relaxation of pandemic controls and on trader concern that sanctions on Russia could tighten supply.

US oilfield services firm Halliburton Co said its shale oilwell fracking equipment remains fully booked with oil prices driving increased drilling.

Investors have also piled back into petroleum futures and options at the fastest rate for more than two years as concerns over a global business cycle downturn eased. (Excerpt from Reuters)

As deadly protests continue, Peru’s Government faces crisis

Nearly seven weeks after Dina Boluarte ascended to Peru’s presidency in the wake of her predecessor Pedro Castillo’s chaotic removal, the protests that have roiled the country’s south have metastasised, spreading to the capital Lima where they have met fierce repression.

The demonstrators, many of whom are Castillo supporters, have called for Boluarte’s resignation, as well as for new elections and a revised constitution. An estimated 50 civilians have been killed since the protests began.

Now, the burning ques-

tion on the minds of millions of Peruvians is: How does their nation overcome this deadly political impasse?

In a press conference on Tuesday, Boluarte called for a “national truce” in order to engage in “dialogue and set an agenda” for the country.

But she also used her speech to denounce the protesters for failing to organise “a social agenda” and for committing violence and destruction, including through the use of homemade guns.

“My country is living a violent situation, generated by a group of radicals with a political agenda,” she said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A suspect is arrested by law enforcement personnel after a mass shooting at two locations in the coastal northern California city of Half Moon Bay, California, US, January 23, 2023 in a still image from video. ABC Affiliate KGO via Reuters

tanks - the same number of Leopards Poland wants to send, and the same number of Challenger 2 tanks the UK has already committed to Ukraine.

news was broken by

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz - pictured last year - was under international pressure to send Leopard 2s

HOROSCOPES

Your help will be pivotal. Keep up the excellent work, and don’t hesitate to take what’s yours. An unexpected change may daunt you at first, but the result will be better than anticipated.

(March 21-April 19)

(April 20-May 20)

Protect against injury and illness. When you need answers, go directly to the source. Sign up for classes or events that will broaden your outlook and help you make the most of your talents.

Turn on the charm, pump up the enthusiasm and make things happen. How you go about your business will interest someone who may also want to take advantage of you. Don’t be too quick to give away your secrets.

(May 21-June 20)

(June 21-July 22)

Listen and gather facts, then consider outcomes and the best way to navigate your way through turmoil. Distance yourself from anyone looking for a fight or trying to get you to do something for their benefit.

Helping others will enrich your life. Physical activity, charity events and challenges will lead to acknowledgment. Being in the know will encourage others to consider you for a project or position.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

Uncertainty is the enemy. When in doubt, check the facts and proceed down the path that you find welcoming. Feeling good about your decisions because you did your homework will alleviate stress.

Think hard before you share your thoughts with others. Take the liberty to put someone at ease by offering your services, and you’ll make a significant difference.

SUDOKU

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

You’ll meet someone new or get the chance to do something you’ve never done. Participating in events that challenge and motivate you will lead to an opportunity.

Size up situations quickly and keep moving. Being gullible will leave you in a compromising position. Don’t get into a debate that you cannot win. Let your actions speak for you.

Distance yourself from manipulative, controlling people. Stick close to home and make changes that add to your comfort and help you lower your overhead. An unusual offer will tempt you.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Don’t waste time. Look at a challenge to show off your skills and talents. Don’t mislead others regarding money or what you are willing to contribute. A personal pick-me-up will boost your ego

Search for answers. Play fairly, and don’t let anger cause a feud with a friend, relative or peer. Be direct about what you are willing to do for others. Don’t take part in gossip.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

ARCHIE PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

DILBERT

DP World ILT20 tournament…

Rutherford, Hales lead Desert Vipers to comfortable win over MI Emirates …despite fifties from Pollard and Pooran

Unbeaten half-centuries from Alex Hales and Sherfane Rutherford have led the Desert Vipers to a comfortable seven-wicket win over the MI Emirates in their DP World IL T20 fixture at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

The Emirates’ innings got off to the worst possible start, with openers Muhammad Wasim (5) and Vritiya Aravind (3) being removed within the first three overs, after the Vipers won the toss and elected to field first.

Grenadian Andre Fletcher and former West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran then combined to put on 43 for the third wicket, before Fletcher fell in the ninth over for 21, to leave the Emirates at 53-3.

Captain Kieron Pollard then joined Pooran at the crease, and the pair batted excellently, eventually bringing up their 100run partnership in the 19th over, the same over which saw Pooran bring up a well-compiled 50. Pollard had brought up his 50, his second in a row, in the pre-

vious over with a trademark straight six. The partnership reached 116 when Pooran was finally dismissed, bowled by Tom Curran in the final over for 57.

In the end, the Emirates closed their innings on 1695 off 20 overs, with Pollard not out on 67 from 39 balls, including one boundary and six sixes.

The Vipers’ chase was rocked early when Trent

Boult removed Rohan Mustafa for one in the first over, to bring captain Collin Munro to the crease. Hales and Munro put on a partnership, before Munro was removed by a spectacular catch from Kieron Pollard for 41 in the eighth over.

One wicket brought two for the Emirates, as Samit Patel got his second in the over when he removed Sam Billings for just one, to leave the Vipers at 76-3; and that’s

when Sherfane Rutherford was brought to the crease.

At the halfway stage of the chase, the Vipers were 101-3, with Hales(34) and Rutherford (18) going smoothly. The pair continued along, and Hales brought up his fifth score of 50+ in a row in the 15th over, before a single in the 16th over brought up Rutherford’s 50 off just 26 balls. The match was ended in the 17th over when

SCOREBOARD

MI Emirates (20 ovs maximum)

BATTING R B Muhammad Waseem c †Billings b Cottrell 5 6 Vriitya Aravind † b Atkinson 3 7 Andre Fletcher run out (de Silva) 21 18 Nicholas Pooran b Curran 57 49 Kieron Pollard (c) not out 67 39 Najibullah Zadran c Hales b Curran 0 1

Extras(lb 6, w 10) 16

TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.45) 169/5

Did not bat: Samit Patel, Dwayne Bravo, Trent Boult, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Brad Wheal

Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Vriitya Aravind, 1.6 ov), 2-10 (Muhammad Waseem, 2.1 ov), 3-53 (Andre Fletcher, 8.2 ov), 4-169 (Nicholas Pooran, 19.5 ov), 5-169 (Najibullah Zadran, 19.6 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Sheldon Cottrell 4-0-20-1 Gus Atkinson 4-0-34-1

Tom Curran 4-0-38-2

Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 2-0-21-0 Matheesha Pathirana 4-0-35-0

Rohan Mustafa 2-0-15-0 Desert Vipers (T: 170 runs from 20 ovs)

BATTING R B

Rohan Mustafa c Pooran b Boult 1 2

Alex Hales not out 62 44

Colin Munro (c) c Pollard b Patel 41 22

Sam Billings † c Muhammad Waseem b Patel 1 2 Sherfane Rutherford not out 56 29

Extras (lb 2, w 7) 9

TOTAL 16.3 Ov (RR: 10.30) 170/3

Did not bat: Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, Tom Curran, Sheldon Cottrell, Gus Atkinson, Ali Naseer, Matheesha Pathirana

Fall of wickets: 1-2

(Rohan Mustafa, 0.3 ov), 2-74 (Colin Munro, 7.2 ov), 3-76 (Sam Billings, 7.5 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W

Trent Boult 4-0-34-1

Brad Wheal 3.3-0-42-0

Fazalhaq Farooqi 4-0-45-0

Dwayne Bravo 3-0-24-0

Samit Patel 2-0-23-2

Shericka Jackson,

Levrone set for 60m showdown

“I came here today to accompany a friend to your seminar, but I am so impressed with what I saw today that I have to make a contribution to this county. The BCB is doing a remarkable job, and your work deserves my support.”

Those were the words of owner of Sunita Travel Agency, Mr Ramnarace Seegobin, as he handed over two hundred thousand dollars’ worth of flannel balls to the executives of the Berbice Cricket Board at the Albion Cricket Ground.

Seegobin had accompanied his friend Esuan Crandon to a coaching seminar, and was so impressed with what he saw that he approached BCB President Hilbert Foster with an offer to assist. The donation is a major boost to the board’s plan to donate kiddies cricket equipment to every primary school in the county.

Approximately seventy schools would benefit from donations of bats and balls that would allow them to participate in a historic under-11 primary schools’ tape ball tournament, the main objectives of which would be to identify

promising players for further coaching, and to assist clubs to attract promising players to their membership.

The BCB is also aiming to revive passion for the game at the under-11 level as it strives to ensure the rich legacy of

Berbice cricket is kept alive. Sunita Travel Agency is based in New York, and is very popular among Guyanese living there.

The BCB also received a contribution from the Double R Business Entity based in Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice. This entity has donated balls which would be handed out to the fourteen primary schools based in Region Five.

Managing Director of the Double R Business Entity, Mr Ramoutar, has said he is delighted to assist the development of cricket in the county as he has been very impressed with the current development and progress being made.

Ramoutar spoke of the importance of sports being an alternative to keep youths away from drugs and crime. Double R operates a hardware business, and is the distributor of NAMILCO products in the region.

Foster has disclosed that distribution of the cricket equipment would be completed by the first week in February, and the tournament would start shortly afterwards.

Jackson, who finished as runner-up in Jamaica’s National Sportswoman of the Year awards last week, had a magnificent 2022 season, which saw her time of 21.45 causing her to become the fastest woman alive in the 200m, on her way to winning gold in the event at the World Championships in Eugene.

She also ran a new personal best of 10.71 to finish second in the 100m behind ShellyAnn Fraser Pryce.

Jackson, 28, has a 60m personal best of 7.04, which she ran to finish sixth at the World Indoor Championships in Serbia

last year.

The USA’s Sydney McLaughlin -Levrone, 23, is also coming off a spectacular year, which was crowned with her being named as the World Athletics’ Female Athlete of the Year in December. In July, she became the first woman in history to run a sub-51 second 400m hurdles when she ran a sensational 50.68 to win her maiden 400m world title. That was after she broke her own world record of 51.46, which she ran to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics, with a 51.41 effort at the US Championships in June.

McLaughlin-Levrone has never run a 60m race.

World Championships 100m finalist Aleia Hobbs and World Indoor Championships’ 60m silver medallist Mikiah Briscoe will also be in the field in Boston. (Sportsmax)

Guyana’s Sherfane Rutherford smashed a quickfire half century

Rutherford hit a boundary and then a single to lead the Vipers to their fourth win in five games.

Hales ended unbeaten on 62 from 44 balls, while

Rutherford faced 29 balls for his 56. Hales’s knock included six fours and two sixes, while Rutherford hit four fours and three sixes. (Sportsmax)

Track and field superstars Shericka Jackson and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone are set for an exciting clash in the 60m at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix at the New Balance Track in Boston, USA on February 4.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Shericka Jackson

New Balance Indoor Grand Prix athletics meet in USA…

Mr Ramoutar of Double R Business Entity handing over his contribution to BCB President Hilbert Foster

Ramnarance Seegobin of Sunita Travel Agency handing over donation to BCB Secretary Angela Haniff in presence of other executives and Esuan Crandon

Zimbabwe tour an opportunity at redemption for West Indies

The West Indies Men’s Team have had their fair share of issues in the past, but with the Test tour of Zimbabwe looming, there may be a chance for the team to turn over a new leaf. While Interim Head Coach Andre Coley sees this assignment as a shot at redemption, Captain Kraigg Brathwaite eyes the possibility of a ‘strong start’.

The West Indies Men’s Test team are embarking on a two- match Test Tour of Zimbabwe, having touched down in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Tuesday morning. The tour includes a three-day warmup match, set to begin on Saturday, January 28, while the first Test will bowl off on Saturday, February 4.

In Zimbabwe, interim Head Coach Andre Coley, who is now taking on his first assignment in the role, opined that the tour could restore some confidence to the team. “Very excited! This tour offers opportunities, not only individually as

players, but as a team: for us to regain a lot of confidence and to be at our best,” Coley shared with Cricket West Indies’ Media team.

Coley also shared that some application from the team might be able to yield the positive results being searching for. He shared, “If we’re able to apply ourselves and play each situation as

necessary, then we can look to post challenging totals - especially in our first innings - to have some control over the game. And as the game progresses, (we can) position ourselves in such a way that we could come out with a positive result.”

Meanwhile, speaking on what is the team’s first tour for 2023, Captain Kraigg Brathwaite expressed intentions of ‘starting strong’, sharing that the team cannot take Zimbabwe for granted. He related, “We look forward to a highly contested series. You know, Zimbabwe at home, obviously they play well at home, so we can’t take them for granted. That’s the main thing we really gotta stress on, and pretty much play ten days of solid Test cricket.

“I really look forward to a big team effort. Australia, you know, was a tough tour for us; we didn’t fire in the last Test match. So, obviously, (it is) the beginning of the year, and we want to start strong. And we cannot

take Zimbabwe for granted, we have to go out there and think we’re playing the number 1 team in the world. We really gotta push ourselves and fight hard,” Brathwaite emphasised.

The first Test in Zimbabwe will run from February 4-8, while the second runs from February 12-16. Both games will be played at the Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The West Indies Test Squad reads: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Devon Thomas and Jomel Warrican.

Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard returns as Slingerz FC Head Coach

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APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDER CERTIFICATE.

Application for Money Lender

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The Berbice Cricket Board last Sunday hosted two highly successful seminars at the Albion Sports Complex as it expands its developmental programme. The first seminar was a refresher course for cricket coaches attached to the BCB outreach campaign, and the second was for youth captains in the county. BCB Secretary Angela Haniff hailed the two sessions as surpassing the objectives of the board, and praised the work of the three Level Three cricket coaches who conducted the seminars -- Esuan Crandon, Julian Moore and Winston Smith. Coaches attached to the BCB Coaching Programme were in attendance at the seminar, which was scheduled to last for three hours but was extended to over six hours. Three hours were spent in class with the facilitators in an effort to have the coaches fully understand their roles, especially in regard to management of players.

The next session, held on the all-weather court, was an extensive one, as the coaches were involved in the art of batting, especially batting stance, bat grip, foot movement, and how to play the different shots, including the pulls, drives and defence.

importance of players respecting their coaches, and noted that the BCB was on the right path to development by investing at the grassroots level.

BCB President Hilbert Foster committed the BCB to organising similar programmes in the future, in an effort to make sure that all the coaches are working from the same song book. Among the coaches present were Nicky Latchman,

management, personal discipline, leading by example, field placement, communication, and public speaking.

Coach Moore has said he was very impressed with the involvement of the captains, and noted that their contribution in the five groups surpassed his expectation.

BCB President Hilbert Foster, in an impassioned opening remark to the attentive youths, urged them to grasp as much information as possible. The main objective of the investment was to make sure that the county has the best leadership on the cricket field.

Decorated former National player Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard has returned to the Slingerz Football Club as the ‘West Side’ Champion's Head Coach.

Pollard, 49, served as Head Coach for 2013–2014, when the team won the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) League and the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Cup.

Pollard has said.

Pollard will be leading the team following their fruitful return to football last June, after they has stepped away from the sport in 2016. The team’s former Head Coach, Vurlon Mills, will serve as Pollard’s assistant.

More than 70 current and potential captains at the youth level attended the captaincy seminar, which was conducted by five-time winning regional youth coach Julian Moore. The three-hour seminar involved a lot of group work, with the players focusing on improving their captaincy skills and knowledge of the game. Among the numerous topics covered were the role of a leader, player

Foster has said that leadership is the most important part of an entity, and the board is determined to have the best of the best follow in the footsteps of Rohan Kanhai and Alvin Kallicharran, former West Indies captains.

He also urged the players to develop a habit of reading in an effort to learn as much as possible about the game.

National and Berbice players Isaiah Thorne, Gourav Ramesh, Matthew Pottaya, Sohail Mohamed, Tomai Caesar, Zeynul Ramsammy, Jonathan Rampersaud, Romesh Bharrat, Leon Cecil and Damion Cecil were all in attendance.

A former national captain and one of the most feared defenders during his long and illustrious playing career, Pollard has had considerable success following his transition to coaching since retiring as a player. Apart from leading Slingerz FC to several titles, he also won the recent GFA League as Head Coach of Western Tigers Football Club.

The former Caledonia AIA, San Juan Jabloteh, and North East Stars Captain and TT Pro league winner is the Golden Jaguars' Assistant Coach. He Says he is “extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead Slingerz FC in battle against some of the top teams and players in Guyana.”

“I’ve been here before, and I will be looking to continue adding to the club’s legacy of being successful,”

Meanwhile, Slingerz FC president and founder, Javed Ali, has lauded Pollard’s return to the club. Ali noted, “Pollard is rejoining the team at a critical time, since we’re also nurturing some of the best young talents in Guyana. It is important to have someone as accomplished as Pollard leading the team, since the youths can learn from someone who is a true professional and a very accomplished player and coach. Pollard played an important role in the success of Slingerz FC before we regrettably stepped away from the sport, and his return is to also help the club reclaim the top spot in Guyana’s football once again.”

Apart from capturing the first edition of the GFF Elite/National League, Slingerz FC won the Bank Cup (2013-2014), West Side Mashramani Knockout Tournament (2013 & 2014), WDFA League (2013, 2014, 2022), Mayor’s Cup (2015) and the Kashif and Shanghai Tournament (2015).

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Esuan Crandon, former Berbice captain and most successful regional firstclass cricket coach, urged the coaches to be committed to their work and to develop a working relationship with their charges. He spoke of the

Junior Blair, Gregory Crandon, Balram Samaroo, Shamal Angel, Leslie Soloman, Tremayne Smartt and Ryan Algu.

WI Test Captain Kraigg Brathwaite

Devon Thomas, Shannon Gabriel and Jermaine Blackwood just after touchdown in Zimbabwe

BCB hosts highly successful coaches' refresher, captaincy seminars

Javed Ali, Slingerz FC founder and president

Some of the coaches at the seminar posing with Coach Esuan Crandon