Guyana Times - Wednesday, November 22, 2023

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

Issue No. 5561

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

Venezuela border controversy

Venezuela’s aggression against Guyana has ramifications for entire region – Greenidge tells ...“Region must remain a zone of peace; it’s T&T forum the best position for all of us” – PM Rowley Page 3

WHAT'S INSIDE:

14 die after illegal mining pit collapses P in Suriname 18

$35M GLSC building P11 commissioned in Black Bush Polder Linden man charged for $8M robbery P10

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday met with and had lunch with the families of members of the Guyana Defence Force serving at the country’s borders. In his brief remarks, the President conveyed his gratitude to the men and women in uniform who are protecting Guyana’s borders

Govt to roll out 8 solar farms (33MWp) across Guyana using US$83.3M from Norway funds – projects exempted from Environmental Impact Assessments

New wave of ‘quality’ partnerships brews as EU Chamber of Commerce launched Page 9

– fmr Digicel CEO appointed Chairman

Page 7

Govt, University of Miami to Page 10 develop master plan for Silica City – areas of academic development also discussed

Driver who killed female cop after jumping traffic light charged, remanded to prison

Page 5

GDI seeks P13 to forge partnerships with Harvard University to support Guyana’s transformation

NA man gets life sentence P14 for manslaughter GGMC, Labour Ministry launch probe into fatal accident at P2 Aurora Mine

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GGMC, Labour Ministry launch probe into fatal accident at Aurora Mine

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nvestigations have intensified into the fatal accident at Aurora Gold Mine which claimed the life of 47-year-old Joseph Licorish of West Watooka, Wismar, Linden, and the Labour Department and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have launched their independent probes.

Officials from the two entities have travelled to the location over the past weekend, and have spoken to employees and management personnel. They are reportedly working in close collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

It has been reported that the accident, which occurred last Saturday at about 10:20h, involved motor lorry TL 001, which

was then being driven by the now dead man, and mo-

tor lorry TL 19, which was then being driven by Nigel

Denny, a 41-year-old resident of Georgetown.

Preliminary investigations revealed that both vehicles were fully loaded with stones in the tray, and motor lorry TL 001 was descending a hill in the vicini-

ty of an open mining pit area when it collided with motor lorry TL 19, which was proceeding in the opposite direction. At the time of the collision, the lorries were negotiating a slight bend in the road.

Nigel Denny, driver of motor lorry TL 19, has said he saw Licorish’s lorry approaching at a fast rate, and it suddenly swerved into his lane. He said he pulled to his left to avoid a collision with Licorish, but because the distance between them was so short, the front portion of Licorish’s lorry collided with his lorry, and Licorish’s lorry flipped on its side.

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

Nigel Denny also sustained head and body injuries, but he has been treated and is reportedly in a stable condition. Both the late Joseph Licorish and the injured Nigel Denny were transported to Georgetown.

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, Nov 22 – 00:30h – 02:00h and Thursday, Nov 23 – 01:30h – 03:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Nov 22 – 12:20h – 13:50h and Thursday, Nov 23 – 13:20h – 14:50h.

Venezuela border controversy

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuela’s aggression against Guyana has ramifications for entire Region – Greenidge tells T&T forum

...“Region must remain a zone of peace; it’s the best position Parika and Supenaam departure for all of us” – PM Rowley times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, FERRY SCHEDULE

16:00h, 18:30h daily.

By Jarryl Bryan

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

Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 12:38h reaching a maximum height of 2.36 metres.

Low Tide: 06:03h and 18:36h reaching minimum heights of 0.87 metre and 0.85 metre.

L

aying out the genesis of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy to a captive Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) audience, Carl Greenidge, Guyana’s agent in the border case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), emphasised the ramifications of Venezuela’s actions to the Region.

He was at the time addressing a forum organised by the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies, noting that Venezuela’s “games and silliness” show that Guyana has to be prepared to

der controversy, noting that Venezuela has time and again demonstrated its duplicity and bad faith since it agreed to the boundaries set in the 1899 Arbitral Award.

“It is an issue with a history. A long history. Not in the sense of having been a dispute for an inordinately long time, but for part of that time it was in existence, it had actually been resolved. Up to 1962, following the 1899 Arbitral Award, the matter had been resolved.”

“And it is subsequently being reopened, with the sorts of consequences we have seen recently. And it has been tak-

Guyana’s agent in the border controversy case, Carl Greenidge

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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keep fighting for its rights for a very long time. Further, he stressed the importance of being alert on both the diplomatic and military front.

The agent laid out the historical basis of the bor-

en to another level now, with the attempt by Venezuela to find a mechanism for incorporating an area of Guyana that amounts to 74 per cent of the land,” Greenidge explained.

Greenidge noted that the 1899 Arbitral Award and

President Dr Irfaan Ali (left) and Trinidad's Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley during a press conference back in 2022 at State House

the 1966 Geneva Agreement did not address the maritime zone. When it comes to questions of whether the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will rule in Guyana’s favour, Greenidge had this to say.

“Let me give you the assurance. The Court has not been approached for transfer of territory. The 1899 Agreement signed by the two parties, does that agreement still stand?

Because if it is not valid, then Venezuela has an opportunity to question its validity and for the things that follow.”

“But if the two of us go to a municipal court. And the court decides on a settlement between the two of us in which it gives me your car and it gives you, my house. Let’s just say that’s the settlement. Can you actually anticipate that you can wake up the next morning and say, the court’s decision is invalid. I will keep the car, but I will also take your house. It is inconceivable.”

Duplicity

Greenidge noted that back in 1899 when the Venezuela side submitted their arguments among 6000 pages to the arbitration panel, the focus of Venezuela’s claim was on the Orinoco River. He explained that this was because Venezuela wanted strategic and complete control of the Orinoco, a far bigger river than the Essequibo that sits at a juncture that controlled international trade in much the same way as the Suez Canal.

“A lot of trade passes south of Trinidad and through that passage. And that was their concern. And they went to the United States to get the United States to press Britain.

To force Britain to go to arbitration. Britain, on the threat of force from the US, agreed to go to arbitration because they were fighting too many battles at the same time. They decided they wouldn’t take on another one.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

Views

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

Preserving peace

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ovember 21, 2023 was commemorated as the 51st annual World Hello Day. The message is for world leaders to use communication rather than force to settle conflicts.

World Hello Day may sound extremely basic, as it encourages us to take the opportunity to simply greet people, and to recognise how important simple communication is in our daily lives. The story of how it came to be, however, is a long and interesting one.

World Hello Day was founded in 1973 by Brian McCormack, a PhD graduate of Arizona State University, and Michael McCormack, a graduate of Harvard University, in response to the Yom Kippur War. The McCormack brothers mailed 1360 letters, in seven languages, to government leaders worldwide to encourage participation in the first World Hello Day. Since that time, World Hello Day has been observed by people in 180 countries.

Any person can participate in World Hello Day simply by greeting ten people or more. This demonstrates the importance of personal communication for preserving peace.

The observance began in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel in the fall of 1973. People around the world use the occasion as an opportunity to express their concern for world peace. Beginning with a simple greeting on World Hello Day, their activities send a message to leaders, encouraging them to use communication rather than force to settle conflicts. In its first year, World Hello Day gained the support of 15 countries. As a global event, World Hello Day joins local participation in a global expression of peace.

Several winners of the Nobel Peace Prize are among the people who have noted World Hello Day’s value as an instrument for preserving peace, and as an occasion that makes it possible for anyone in the world to contribute to the process of creating peace. Other supporters include almost 100 authors, entertainers, and world leaders.

Participating in World Hello Day is quite simple: say hello to at least 10 people during that one day. This is supposed to send a message of openness and goodwill to others, and the creators of the holiday hoped this small gesture alone would demonstrate how communication can be instrumental in resolving disputes and preventing conflicts.

Many take it a step further; they use it as a time to reflect on someone important they have lost touch with for one reason or another. This may be an important person in their lives they have fallen out with over something that is perhaps not quite worth it. Time tends to be a great healer, so if enough time has passed from the conflict, they would be able to analyse the situation and all of its aspects, seeing their own faults and wrongdoings as well as those of the other party, and maybe it’s time to put the conflict to rest?

Many people do not know how good it actually feels to admit they were in the wrong and say sorry; instead, they see such behaviour as a display of weakness, when it actually is a display of strength and confidence. People also often make the mistake of thinking that the other person would lose respect for them if they apologise to them, and this also is incorrect. Most people tend to gain more respect for being able to admit they were wrong than if they decide to stubbornly hold on to their convictions after being proven incorrect.

It may seem a bit daunting at first, but if the person or situation is important enough, it would always be worth the struggle to make the first move and extend a hand in a gesture of peace.

Given the existing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, it would be remiss of the citizens of both nations not to see the significance of this day, even if it appears trivial.

The message is universal: Why not use this day and those that follow as a catalyst for improving national communication as well?

The Office of the First Lady, in collaboration with UNICEF Guyana, on Monday evening illuminated State House in blue in observance of World Children’s Day. The blue light visual element is a reminder of the shared responsibility to protect, promote, and advocate for the rights of every child everywhere

Optimistic for a logical and positive outcome Dear Editor, The Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc) is optimistic about a logical and positive outcome of the border controversy, which is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

We, at the Region Three Private Sector Inc., stand firmly in support of Guyana as it seeks provisional measures from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent Venezuela from proceeding with its controversial referendum on December 3, 2023.

The concerns raised by Guyana regarding the potential annexation of the Essequibo region are not only significant for the nation, but also have broader implications for regional stability.

The evidence presented by Guyana's legal team, led by the distinguished Paul Reichler, underscores the urgency of the situation. The video showing the Venezuelan military developing an airstrip in the Essequibo region, purportedly for logistical support, is deeply troubling.

Mr. Reichler's argu-

ment that the referendum is a mere 'license' for Venezuela to act on decisions already made is a grave cause for concern, particularly when backed by the explicit declaration from President Maduro that Venezuela will never recognize the court.

We echo Mr. Reichler's assertion that Guyana faces not only irreparable harm, but also the permanent loss of two-thirds of its territory if the referendum proceeds unchecked.

The potential consequences of such a loss, including the creation of a 'Guayana Esequiba' by Venezuela, pose a direct threat to our nation's sovereignty.

As Head of the Region Three Private Sector Inc., I emphasize the need for the ICJ to act swiftly and decisively in granting the provisional measures sought

by Guyana. The integrity of International Law and the principles of justice must prevail. We believe that the court's intervention is crucial to prevent the escalation of tensions and potential military actions that could destabilize the entire region.

We urge the interna-

tional community to closely monitor this case, and stand in solidarity with Guyana in safeguarding its territorial integrity. The potential consequences of inaction are too grave, and we trust that the ICJ would fulfil its role in upholding justice and preventing any further threat to the sovereignty of Guyana.

In Guyana, the right of every citizen to defend the state is a fundamental aspect of our national identity. However, in the face of the current challenges posed by the upcoming Venezuelan referendum, Region Three Private Sector Inc. underscores the importance of pursuing a peaceful and diplomatic resolution.

While the right to defend the state is inherent, we, as Guyanese citizens, recognize the value of seeking solutions through dialogue, international mechanisms, and adherence to the principles of justice.

We believe in the power of peaceful resolution and diplomatic engagement to address disputes between nations. It is crucial for all stakeholders, both domestic and inter-

national, to support the efforts of the ICJ in facilitating a fair and just resolution to this matter. As citizens of Guyana, we stand united in our commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of law.

While the right to defend our state remains a sacred duty, we express our collective desire for a peaceful outcome that preserves the sovereignty of Guyana. We call upon our fellow Guyanese citizens to remain vigilant, informed, and committed to the principles of justice and diplomacy as we navigate these challenging times.

In unity and with a steadfast commitment to peace, let us trust in the legal processes and international institutions in place to safeguard our nation's interests and bring about a resolution that upholds the principles of justice and respects the rights of all parties involved.

The R3PSInc expresses confidence in the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and his administration and cabinet.

Sincerely, Halim Khan

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

5

News

Driver who killed female cop after jumping traffic light charged, remanded to prison T

he driver who breached a traffic light and ploughed into two Police officers during a roadblock at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), thus leaving one dead and the other critically injured, was on Tuesday slapped with a motor manslaughter charge.

Forty-four-year-old Fitzroy Aulder of Front Road, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared at Vigilance Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

Police stated that on November 16, 2023, at Beterverwagting, ECD, Aulder drove motor vehicle PVV 8278 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of Police Woman Constable Annette Abel.

As such, he was remanded to prison until December 15, 2023.

It was reported that Abel and Inspector Shenay Castello were part of a team conducting a roadblock ex-

Charged: Fitzroy Aulder

Scene of the accident with dead Police Woman Constable Annette Abel (R) and injured Inspector Shenay Castello (L)

ercise outside of the BV Station. Abel had stopped motor cars PAB 9932 and PNN 8124, driven respectively by a 30-year-old male of Buxton and a 24-year-old male of North Better Hope, ECD; and both vehicles were

stationary when motor Jeep PVV 8278 drove through the red traffic light and collided with the traffic cones which were at the centre of the roadway as part of the roadblock operation.

The Jeep driver, who was

later determined to be above the legal limit of alcohol consumption, reportedly lost control of his vehicle, and it slammed into Abel and then crashed into motor car PAB 9932, which then collided with motor car PNN 8124.

The impact spun motor car PNN 8124, and it then struck Castello and one of the drivers, Chris Allen, flinging them both into the air.

Abel reportedly landed on the road surface about 20 feet away from the scene with her left foot severed from below the knee, while Inspector Castello and Allen landed on the southern grass parapet with bodily injuries they had sustained. The speeding Jeep, meanwhile, reportedly toppled before coming to a halt.

The EMTs were sum-

moned to the scene, and Abel was pronounced dead, while Inspector Castello and Allen were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital to be treated for their injuries.

At the time of the accident, the Jeep had two occupants: a 46-year-old female from A Field South Sophia and a 75-year-old male from East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

These occupants of the Jeep also sustained injuries and were taken along with Castello to the GPHC.

Stop politicising Not a blade of grass border controversy Dear Editor, The border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela is a serious matter that requires all Guyanese and all political parties to unite in the truest sense of the word.

To this end, it is commendable that the Government and Opposition have always been united on this issue, and have always treated same in a bipartisan manner.

However, for a long time, certain elements affiliated with the Opposition (APNU/ AFC) have always attempted to consistently politicise this issue by casting a series of unfounded aspersions on the General Secretary of the PPP/C, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, accusing him of making proposals to give parts of Guyana’s territory to Venezuela.

Conversely, evidence recently surfaced in the public domain which contradicted that notion and vindicated the Vice President.

In this regard, those proposals were made since in 1977 under the PNC Government, for a practical settlement that included the transfer of portions of territory. Hence, it was based on those proposals that the Vice President, when he was

the Opposition Leader, was actually referring to without casting any aspersions on the leadership of the APNU/ PNC. Pursuant to the 1899 Geneva Agreement, Guyana’s land border has been demarcated, and as far as we are concerned, fully settled and non-negotiable in the prevailing circumstances. But it is the maritime boundary that has not been fully resolved.

Suffice it to state, in light of the foregoing that is now in the public domain, that small group of Opposition elements who are determined to politicize the border issue have been egregiously irresponsible, and perhaps ignorant of all of the facts on the subject. At the same time, the Vice President and the Government should be commended for their restraint in not responding to those elements reciprocally over the years.

The past and present leadership of the APNU/ PNC should also be commended in this regard, but I would like to urge the leadership of the Opposition to encourage its affiliates to desist from doing so forthwith.

Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin

Dear Editor, Our boundary with Venezuela has been settled since 1899, though Venezuela is now rejecting that settlement.

International law also finds room for the principle of sovereignty under law, which should make “the Father of Sovereignty”. A clear example is the text of the Declaration of Rights and Duties of States, prepared by the International Law Commission of the United Nations. This article reads: “Every State must conduct its relations with other States in accordance with International Law and with the principles that the sovereignty of each State is subject to the supremacy of international law”.

Together with the other countries with which we enter collective arrangements, we must participate based on equality. Collective arrangements can assist in the achievement of international cooperation, progressive international economic and social development, and the maintenance of international peace only if all participants are equally prepared to merge the exercise of a part of their sovereignty into the common organization.

It is quite true that in the world, as it is placed today, it is ridiculous to try to

stand for the absolute sovereignty of the individual state. For my part, I accept the renunciation of sovereign rights, not for itself, not as an end in itself, but as a necessity, as the only means we have of rising above the national egotism, antagonism, and narrowness that are killing us.

The view of International Law declares: “No democratic state will agree to limit on its sovereignty other than those which are voluntary, reciprocal, fair and freely (consented) to. It will have nothing to do with the limitations of its sovereignty that are unilateral and imposed from without”.

The Venezuela regime's position seems unreasonable enough, and indeed almost platitudinous, but Venezuela's constant insistence on its unlimited sovereignty conveys the impression that it is determined to avoid all limitations, even when “voluntary, reciprocal, etc. Thus, its attitude is a major obstacle to all efforts toward effective international cooperation in the areas of economic zones.

Essequibo belongs to Guyana; as said by the Tradewinds, “Not blade of grass…”.

Yours faithfully, Sherwood Clarke

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time 06:30 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Stop Suffering 09:00 Guy's Grocery Games 10:00 Grand Designs 11:00 Paternity Court 11:30 Divorce Court 12:00 News Break 12:05 Movie - Twelve (2019) 13:35 Wheel of Fortune 14:00 Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir S5 E15 14:30 The Tom and Jerry Show S2 E19 15:00 Indian Soaps 16:00 Sydney to the Max S2 E1 16:30 Austin & Ally S3 E6 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 CNN 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 Stand-up Comedy 21:00 Manifest S4 E9 22:00 Special Ops: Lioness E5 23:00 The Office S5 E4 23:30 Insecure S1 E6 00:00 Sign off

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

Test Questions

By SANDRA M. GILBERT

Supplies: 4×6-inch photo frame Half-circle wood trim (moulding), 1/2 inch Hand saw Ruler Glue gun Paint Paintbrush Sandpaper (recommended) Method Step 1: First, choose the orientation you want the frame to

be in. For landscape orientation measure horizontally; for portrait, vertically; mark where to cut the wood trim. saw and pieces of trim for decorating picture frame Step 2: Use a hand saw or other tool to cleanly cut pieces to the same size that match the height of the frame. The 4×6-inch frame used four dowels. If you can, sand the edges until smooth.

Step 3: Repeat the process with the shorter pieces. Keep all trim flowing in the same direction. Carefully measure, cut and sand each piece. This frame uses five pieces across both the top and bottom.

Step 4: Use a glue gun or wood glue to adhere the trim to the frame. Check your measurements carefully.

Note, the long pieces hang off the edge slightly. If you prefer, you can cut them down more. Test out what fits best with your specific wood frame DIY. Step 5: Lastly, paint! Paint a few coats of matte paint on the wood frame and let dry. Make sure to reach between the trim pieces.

Then simply swap out the frame with your favourite photo to display! (clubcrafted.com)

It is as if their great silence has to be watched, as if someone, it hardly matters which of us, has to sit for hours on a cold stone on the cliff that overhangs their green-black lake and stare as the jagged flanks of ice let fall their useless mysteries and stand unveiled, indifferent, glittering with the force of what they are.

As if we have to stare and stare for hours, our weak eyes bitter with their nakedness.

The shadow-wrinkled lake slides past, folding its chills into each other. Is it for you I stare, my lost one?

An instant ago, on the crest of the ice, we were lovers, skimming the glistening skin of snow like dragonflies, our eyes fixed on each other, each wanting to be seen in the lamplight of the other's glance.

Now I fill my gaze with the stripped body of rock, the glacial face so charged with its own will to annihilation it need not even check its blank reflection in the blank face of the lake.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt to roll out 8 solar farms (33MWp) across Guyana using US$83.3M from Norway funds – projects exempted from Environmental Impact Assessments

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s many as eight solar farms are expected to be rolled out across the country under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)administered National Solar PV Project, using the over US$80 million that was received from Norway as part of the forestry pact.

The project documents state that three of the solar farms in question will be built on vacant agricultural land at Prospect, (East Bank of Demerara), Hampshire on the Corentyne coast and Trafalgar in MahaicaBerbice.

In addition, two solar farms will be built on former mining land in Dacoura and Retrieve,

while another one will be built in Block 37. All three sites are located in Linden, Region 10. The two final solar farms will be built at Onderneeming and Charity, both in Essequibo.

According to the project documents, the project will enable the diversification of the local economies and by extension, the national economy, providing a more reliable and stable form of electricity while avoiding the volatility of the global fuel market.

Further, it was noted that these projects will allow the Government to reduce its expenditure on subsidising electricity, which can be used in other areas such as system upgrades, and improving the

overall Guyana Power and Light (GPL) systems.

“The execution of the projects that are a part of this programme will support Guyana's transition to renewable energy and the diversification of the energy matrix via the use of cleaner and renewable energy sources in the electricity generation mix,” the project document stated.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has since exempted the projects from requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment. The agency explained that the projects will not significantly impact air or water quality and are not located close to any sensitive ecosystem.

“Impacts on air quality

Venezuela’s aggression against...

FROM PAGE 3

So, they decided to go to arbitration.” “But you know, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who was a lawyer, he (said he) saw statements from Venezuelans. (And he wanted to know) is it going to be the case where if Venezuela got a decision they didn’t like, they will say that their Constitution doesn’t allow it? The Venezuelans answered, do you know how? They answered no. We will implement the decision. That was in 1899. Today, they can go back on their word and attempt to do what is really quite outrageous,” Greenidge further said.

Additionally, Greenidge revealed that Venezuela had been asked on multiple occasions to agree to the modification of the boundaries, but had always refused. Now, however, Venezuela refuses to recognise them.

“If they didn’t recognise them, why would they refuse to have them modified? So that is where we are. The boundaries could not be modified for 63 years and then one morning, the Venezuelan representatives woke up and decided they were going to change all of them. Except that you cannot unilaterally change a border. If an old agreement establishing a border is replaced, you have to negotiate a new one. And if it’s an agreement affecting two sides, the two sides have to agree.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley during a recent press briefing reaffirmed Caricom’s support for Guyana in its border controversy with Venezuela while making it clear that the Region must remain a zone of peace.

“We are confident that the governments of Venezuela and Guyana would know that Caricom’s position – that our Region must be and remain a zone of peace – is the best position for all of us.”

He added that is fully aware that it has the support of Caricom and more so, Venezuela knows that Caricom supports Guyana.

Further, the Prime Minister noted that the Region must remain a zone of peace. “I have no forecast as to how it would go but I would not like to see the relationship between Venezuela and Guyana deteriorate to a point where consequent actions would negatively damage all of us, because all of us would be damaged,” Rowley noted.

Nevertheless, he added that Venezuela, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname could work together to develop the Region’s natural gas resources.

After years of failed good offices process via the United Nations (UN), Guyana is seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, as well as legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of the country’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

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

Over the past few weeks, Guyana has been informing regional and international partners of a referendum planned by Venezuela for December 3, which has been criticised by the United States, Caricom, and the Organisation of American States (OAS), as well as several other nations in the Region, including Brazil, for seeking to, among other things, gain a national consensus to annex Essequibo.

will not be significant since particulate matter emissions primarily from transportation vehicles and use of machinery during the construction of the solar farms will be short-term, localised and mitigable.”

“Methods such as the use of water sprays during dry periods, dust suppressants and temporary covers on exposed soil and construction materials will be employed to manage particulate emissions during this phase of the project,” the EPA explained.

Persons were meanwhile given 30 days to appeal the EPA’s decision to the Environmental Assessment Board.

Last year, the IDB had approved some US$83.3 million in funds for Guyana to spend on the construction of the eight large solar farms. This was as part of its Guyana UtilityScale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL) programme.

In a statement from the IDB, which is the custodian of the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), it was explained that the funds come from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.

“The IDB has been supporting the Government of Guyana to develop the en-

The site in Retrieve, Linden, where the solar farm will be located

ergy sector through the financing of several renewable energy activities.

Building on this, the country will now make a transformational leap towards decarbonisation by expediting climate-resilient renewable energy in the electricity generation matrix,” IDB had said.

It was explained that the GUYSOL programme will invest in eight utility-scale, photovoltaic solar projects totalling 33MWp (Mega Watt peak), with associated 34MWh (Mega Watt per hour) energy storage systems distributed across three areas in the country.

This includes the investment of 10MWp in Berbice, an 8MWp project in the Essequibo system with a

minimum of 12MWh battery storage and a 15MWp plant connected to the Linden (Region 10) system, with a minimum of 22MWh battery storage.

“The eight projects will contribute to avoiding CO2 emissions, lowering electricity cost generation, and supporting a substantial transition to generation based on renewable energy sources.”

“The programme will also support a step-change with respect to digitalisation of Essequibo and Linden electrical systems, moving them from manual systems towards real-time, automated monitoring and control, improving efficiency, reliability, and stability,” the Bank had further said. (G-3)

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jumbo Jet to take legal action against unauthorised resellers of Sinotruk vehicles

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ompanies that continue to infringe on the legally binding agreement between the China National Heavy-Duty Truck Group and Jumbo Jet Auto Sales will be subjected to injunctions and swift legal action in the future.

This position was arrived at after the founder of Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Nasrudeen Mohamed, expressed concern that members of the Guyanese business community are falling victim to false advertis-

ing on the importation of the brand Sinotruk dump trucks.

Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and the China National Heavy-Duty Truck Group have entered into a contractual agreement that gives Jumbo Jet the exclusive right to import and distribute all Sinotruk, HOWO and CNHTC brands in Guyana.

However, it has been brought to light that companies are illegitimately advertising the sale of units carrying the trademarks

of these vehicle brands, and those companies have gained increased popularity.

When contacted to comment on the false advertising by local companies, General Manager of Caribbean Operations, Taonaijie, indicated, “We have issued an official legal document to a Guyanese businessman who is presently advertising the sale of dump trucks without authorization…All unauthorized resellers both local and international, will be served with legal documents

to secure the binding agreement between the two official parties, with the maximum penalty in the form of liquidated damages in the millions of US Dollars.”

With over 32 years of experience, and being the holder of two exclusive franchise rights (XCMG & Sinotruk), Jumbo Jet claimed to be instrumental in the growth of the mining, agricultural and construction sectors through the importation of thousands of heavy-duty machines, trucks and vehicles.

The demand for this new dump truck has increased tremendously. Thus far, Jumbo Jet explained, customers have been extremely pleased with the durability, reliability, off-road capabilities, and increased payload capacity of the units bought from their establishment, who trade on their excellent after-sale service and flexible payment plans.

China National HeavyDuty Truck Group has given Jumbo Jet Auto Sales full authority to investigate all unauthorized companies who continue to disregard their legal rights. It urges these enterprises to seek official permission or reselling rights before mass marketing misleading information on outdated models of Sinotruks with no official after-sale warranty.

“Let it be known that all unauthorized companies who continue to falsely advertise and host fake or illegal promotions shall be subject to the full brunt of the law. Please cease and desist immediately, and terminate all infringements by submitting corresponding rectification evidence within 10 working days to the authorized dealer upon their request…All purchasers who have been misled by the said false advertising can contact the Jumbo Jet Offices for consultation on possible spare parts and an official service schedule.”

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Celebrating… …men??

Y our Eyewitness thought it was more than a bit ironic that the world celebrated “International Men’s Day”, as – continuing what’s been happening over the last few millennia of recorded history – men had just launched wars in which even babies were being butchered!! Putin and Zelensky in Europe and Netanyahu and Haniyeh in Israel and Gaza are men upkeeping a hoary tradition, aren’t they? Your Eyewitness is a card-carrying member of the tribe called “men”, but he can’t turn a blind eye, because we do have some good guys among us: by and large, we’re mostly cads and bounders!!

Even back in the day before we crept out of caves, weren’t we bopping women over the head, and not even bothering to drag them into the aforementioned caves to “have our way” with them?? And hasn’t that, more or less, been our attitude towards women ever since??

We don’t have to get into academic discourses about “patriarchal societies” and all that. We know that it wasn’t till the 1800s that women even got the right to vote in the so-called “progressive” societies, like Britain!!

And they had to struggle like the devil (male…get it?) as “suffragettes” to gain that right!!

Now that they’ve had to continue fighting tooth and claw for such “gains” as “equal pay for equal work”, we’re having all kinds of conniptions against “feminism” as if what’s being demanded is against some universal order!!

And that’s the crux of the matter, innit?? The “good book”, which we were told is the ground of all wisdom, declares: “For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Saviour of the church, his body. And so wives must submit completely to their husbands, just as the church submits itself to Christ.”

Now, some men complain that because of this “authority” they gotta exercise, they have to play a very debilitating role: always having to keep a stiff upper lip – boys don’t cry!!, you sissy!! – having to take care of the family; having to be hard-assed when they’d rather be sobbing in some corner etc etc. Now, dear (male) reader, notice how you recoiled about that “sobbing in a corner” bit?? You still feel that wouldn’t be “manly”!! You still buy into that “toxic masculinity” role that eventually veers towards “slapping some sense” into females!!

So, yes, there are some good men; so yes, some men are sensitive. But to return from where we started, are we to let Netanyahu and the Israeli leadership off the hook because a few Israeli citizens have protested the genocide of Palestinians that’s being committed?

We’ve got a long way to go, baby – before we can celebrate Men’s Day!! …the Carters That you immediately knew which “Carters” your Eyewitness was talking about signals the impression that Jimmy Carter - the peanut farmer from Plains, Georgia, who became the 39th President of the US, from 1977 to 1981 - made on the world. His wife Rosalyn just passed at the age of 96, and he’s in hospice care at the age of 99 – both at the modest home they built in 1961 when they got married. It’s interesting that James Earl Carter – who insisted on being called “Jimmy” – became more famous after he became president than when he was!!

And it’s all because the American public judged him for not being as “manly” as he oughta been!! They frankly thought he was a wimp, for instance, when he refused to bomb Iran into the Stone Age after a bunch of mullahs deposed the Shah, who was a staunch American ally.

The manly George Bush did demonstrate American manhood by invading Iraq in 2003!! 300,000 civilians were killed in carpet bombings!! …Venezuelan rehabilitation With all the affirmations of support for our cause on Mad Madro’s bellicosity; with the U.S giving approval for T&T and Shell to start developing Venezuela’s Dragon Gas Field; and the latter about to sign off, Maduro’s gotten a lifeline!!

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

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

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New wave of ‘quality’ partnerships brews as EU Chamber of Commerce launched – fmr Digicel CEO appointed Chairman

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he new European Union Chamber of Commerce (Guyana) was launched on Monday evening, presenting a unique opportunity to facilitate greater trade and allow easier access for Guyanese businesses wanting to explore European markets.

It is one that the Guyana Government is hopeful will bring a new wave of quality business and trade arrangements between the Private Sector and European businesses.

The introduction of the new chamber comes in synchrony with the visiting European Union Trade Mission this week, where delegates from 23 countries are here from 10 EU Member States to identify potential investment opportunities.

Former Digicel Guyana Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gregory Dean was appointed Chairman of the new chamber. The other members include Vasudeo Singh, Martin Afiez Rea, Yanet Vazquez Espinola Singh, Anand Harrilall, Ryan Ramjit and Martin Cheong.

They will serve as directors of the chamber.

According to Dean, networking, sharing best practices, advocating for members, supporting EU companies and allowing Guyanese companies to enter the European market will be some of the positives coming out of this new establishment.

Many times, he admitted, Guyanese companies have expressed willingness but have

been faced with difficulties in entering the European market.

This is expected to change.

“We believe we have a unique position due to the 27 countries making up the European Union, thus ensuring all sectors are catered for…I think the range of companies here for the mission is also a testament to this,” Dean posited.

EU Ambassador to Guyana, Rene Van Nes underscored that Guyana is different from other oil-producing nations, in the sense that it has a diverse economy that is continuously evolving and expanding.

The EU diplomat shared, “It has an incredible growth potential and yes, it is based on oil and gas. But what makes Guyana special is that they realise that oil and gas revenues are only there for a short period of time, the resources in oil and gas have to be invested in other sectors to sustain the economic growth.”

“To harvest that incredible potential of Guyana, you will need to build partnerships. I know Guyana and the Guyanese private sector want to build partnerships. I think that is exactly what the European companies are here for and what it is they want to explore. This country will embark on an amazing journey.”

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill in his remarks spoke of the new wave of quality and style of partnerships coming out of this chamber. He reiterated

that Guyana is open for business.

The Minister voiced, “It is my hope that networking will be developed. We will develop synergies and possible partnerships and then we have investment opportunities being created that will bring a new wave and a new breath of fresh air both in terms of type, quality and style…We’re not closed to any group.”

He stressed the need for direct flight routes between Guyana and Europe now that increased partnerships are kicking off, for which the Government is in talks with carriers in order to position the country as a gateway for connectivity.

“It’s part of our strategic plan of making Guyana a gateway of connectivity between the Caribbean and South America.

We want to do the long hauls to Guyana and then dispatch to the other parts of both the Caribbean and South America.

That’s what we’re working on,” Edghill relayed.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director General for the Department for International Partnerships, Myriam Ferran highlighted that the private sector fosters effective investments and creates local value.

“What matters is you build direct contact, from business to business, from Guyanese companies that we want to support and European investors that want to establish themselves here and create local jobs. This is exactly what we want.”

10 NEWS Govt, University of Miami to develop master plan for Silica City WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– areas of academic development also discussed

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday met with a team from the University of Miami and other stakeholders involved in the development of Silica City, where the master plan for the project and areas of academic development for Guyana were discussed.

The delegation from the University was led by its President, Dr Julio Frank.

“The university is working along with the Government of Guyana to develop a master plan for Silica City. Today’s discussions also surrounded other areas for academic development in Guyana,” the Office of the President indicated.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, Minister within the Housing and Water

Works ongoing at Silica City

Ministry Susan Rodrigues, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority Sherwyn Greaves, Director of Presidential Affairs Marcia Nadir-Sharma and representatives from the Guyana Innovation Group

were also part of the meeting.

Work has already commenced in the young professional section of Silica City, Guyana’s first smart urban centre located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The first phase of the project will see an

President Dr Irfaan Ali flanked by officials of the Housing Ministry and the delegation at State House

initial 400 young professional homes being constructed.

In February, a $2.1 billion contract was inked to develop Silica City. It

is envisioned that over the next two decades, this new city along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway will grow to hold more than 12,500 households.

The new city is intended to be one of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s climate change mitigation strategies.

It will initially cater to just over 3000 households in the first five years but 3800 acres of land has been earmarked for the new city, and designs for the first phase of the project will begin this year.

The city will be a smart one, powered by renewable energy and developed with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change and Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Silica City is a development the PPP/C Government had initiated talks on prior to leaving office in 2015, but which was never continued under the succeeding A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government.

In his first year in office in 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali had revealed that Government had begun discussions on Silica City as a secondary city.

He had explained that the Government was looking at an area on the LindenSoesdyke Highway that would be connected to the new four-lane bypass road.

Linden man charged for $8M robbery

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wenty-six-year-old Kevin Hopkinson of Burnham Drive, Wismar, Linden, was on Tuesday charged with robbing India-based Ashoka Construction Company $8 million over the weekend.

Hopkinson appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on November 18, 2023, at Ogle, ECD, while being in the company of others and armed with a dangerous weapon, he robbed Rahul Dhing of $8 million in cash, property of Ashoka Buildcon Limited.

He was represented by Attorney Bernard DaSilva, who made a bail application on his behalf. Bail was subsequently granted in the sum of 400,000 on the condition that he lodge his passport and report to the Sparendaam Magistrate’s

Charged: Kevin Hopkinson

Court once every week.

The accused will make his next court appearance on January 16, 2024. Based on reports received, the suspect along with three others invaded the head office of Ashoka Construction Company during which they relieved Dhing of the cash and made good their escape.

The Police were summoned to the scene and based on the CCTV footage, Hopkinson was arrested.

11 $35M GLSC building commissioned in Black Bush Polder T NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

he spanking new Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) office which was constructed at Black Bush Polder, Berbice, to the tune of 35 million, was officially commissioned on Tuesday.

The building is a part of the Commission’s Sustainable Land Development and Management Project (SLDM).

The new building is equipped with land administration, surveying, information and communication technology departments.

This new GLSC Office will cater to the increasing demand for decentralised land administration services in the region.

The construction of the new building was funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Commission, Enrique Monize explained, “We are going to be hooking this office up to the national system we have in Georgetown, it is going to be computerised and interconnected.”

The CEO further stated, “Over the years a lot of issues developed – a few hundred of them, in terms of land matters. So, we realised the need to improve the Black Bush office; we cannot wish these problems away. So by upgrading and putting systems in place, we hope that we will reduce the amount of complaints in terms of land issues.

I don’t think land complaints will ever go away.”

However, Regional Chairman David Armogan noted that as a result of the infrastructural work taking place in the region, more land is becoming available for agricultural purposes.

Regional Chairman David Armogan

“With the opening up of 15,000 acres just imagine the number of applications that you will get coming in with all these developments taking place, and so the office will become busier.”

Armogan reminded of the discomforts and inconveniences faced by residents in the region when seeking out services from the Lands and Survey Commission.

In this regard, he spoke of the benefits this new building will bring.

“We have to recognise that the entire economy of this region revolved aground agriculture and therefore the land is of extreme importance to this region. Without land, there can be no agriculture. For too long the people in Black Bush Polder have had to visit a building which was not conducive for discussions, which was not conducive to doing business and I suspect that the staff would have been inconvenienced to be working in a building like what we had before.”

Adding to the new infrastructure is technical and capacity development for staff as several of them benefited from scholarship programmes as well as technical training to meet the technological advancement introduced to bet-

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Lands and Survey Commission, Enrique Monize

ter manage and develop lands in Guyana.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the FAO Country Representative, Dr Gillian Smith; Chief Technical Advisor, Dr Alan Roberto Gonzalez reiterated that the project is funded by the Guyana REDD+ and Investment Fund (GRIF) and it is implemented by the FAO and GLSC. The SLDM Project focuses on advancing technology, systems, and skills to improve land-use management, monitoring, and environmental restoration which will contribute to mitigating deforestation and help Guyana to maintain or increase in the long term, its carbon credit earnings while meeting our national reporting commitment on Land Monitoring and Degradation to the UNCCD. Dr Gonzalez added that the FAO is pleased to be a part of the process to strengthen GLSC’s operations in Black Bush Polder.

The new building and facilities also include upgraded software that is in keeping with the overall technological advancement of land management that the SLDM project is undertaking.

1 Region 5 contractor received 89% of drainage contracts under APNU/AFC in 2019 – PAC member Edghill urges Finance Secretary to investigate

Region five officials at the PAC meeting. Both REO Genevieve Blackman (centre, front row) and Blackman’s predecessor, Ovid Morrison (extreme left) were present

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number of controversies that occurred in 2019 under the Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) region-

al administration, were on Monday highlighted before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), including the fact that one con-

tractor received 89 per cent of drainage and irrigation contracts for that year through restricted tendering.

TURN TO PAGE 12

The new GLSC building at Black Bush Polder

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GTT launches "Mission Christmas" campaign to spread joy across Guyana A

s the holiday season approaches, GTT is gearing up to make this Christmas extra special for its customers with the launch of the "Mission Christmas" campaign. This promotion offers customers the chance to win incredible prizes weekly this festive season.

From November 15, until December 31, GTT's Mega Million Christmas promises six weeks of excitement and the opportunity for participants to see their holiday dreams come true. The campaign will culminate on December 31, 2023, where six lucky qual-

ifiers will have the chance to win millions in cash and cutting-edge technology prizes.

Throughout the sixweek promotion, GTT customers will have the chance to see weekly prizes accumulate. The cash pot and eligible winning items will increase each week, building up to an unforgettable grand prize draw. Each week, 10 winners will be selected. Nine of those customers will win $50,000 instant mmg top up while 1 will qualify for the grand prize accumulator draw in January 2024.

To qualify for the grand

prize draw, customers simply need to top up their accounts with $1000 or more, buy a mobile data plan or pay their monthly postpaid bills on time. As an added festive twist, customers must accumulate all the letters to spell the word "GTTXmas." Each top-up will earn the customer a letter, bringing them one step closer to the holiday magic.

In addition, every Sunday during the promotional period (Sunday, Nov 19 until Sun Dec 31) customers get the opportunity to get double letters for each $1000 top-up or plan purchased. For example, customers purchasing a Social 30 unlimited plan for 7500 will normally receive 12 letters (7 for top-up and 5 for the plan) but on Sundays will receive 24 letters instead (14 for top-up and 10 for the plan).

For even more chances to win, customers can text "GTTXmas" to 620-2828 to win 1M from GTT. Each text message costs $500, providing a convenient and affordable way for participants to increase their odds of winning fabulous prizes.

Moreover, customers get the chance to get amazing handsets 50% off all season

starting Monday, November 20, 2023. Additionally, GTT is offering 50% off prepaid Social 30 unlimited plans with the purchase of every discounted phone.

Handsets include Samsung A03 and A13 starting at only $23,000.

Further, GTT is extending the holiday spirit to children aged 8-12 through the "Grant a Wish" programme. Youngsters are invited to write letters with their Christmas wish list and drop them off at the specially marked Christmas boxes in GTT stores nationwide. GTT will select 50

children from these letters and grant their request, bringing smiles and joy to young hearts during the holiday season.

GTT is spreading Christmas throughout Guyana with activities in Berbice, Linden, and Bartica. By partnering with local community members, GTT aims to spread the joy of the season across the entire country.

"We are thrilled to launch the 'Mission Christmas' campaign and play a role in making this holiday season unforgettable for our valued customers and communities across Guyana," Senior Manager, Public Relations and Corporate Communications at GTT, Jasmin Harris noted.

“This is our way of giving back and fostering the spirit of joy and togetherness that defines the essence of a true Guyanese Christmas.”

GTT's Mission Christmas is not just a campaign; it's a celebration of the holiday spirit and an opportunity for the GTT community to come together and make this festive season unforgettable. Join us in spreading joy, creating memories, and giving the gift of a magical Christmas.

1 Region 5 contractor...

During the PAC sitting, the committee interrogated officials from Region Five, including the current and former Regional Executive Officers, Genevieve Blackman and Ovid Morrison, respectively.

One case in particular attracted much attention.

The Audit Office had found that out of $101.8 million that was spent on Drainage and Irrigation, 15 contracts totalling $90.5 million or 89 per cent of the total expenditure, were awarded via restricted tendering to one contractor.

“Further, only three contractors were invited to bid for these jobs. Similarly; in 2018, forty contracts totalling $90.178M or 85.8% for drainage and irrigation were awarded to the same contractor,” the report stated.

PAC member and Public Works Minister Juan Edghill questioned what caused the region to only invite three contractors to bid.

He also questioned whether an evaluation panel was in place in 2018 and 2019 when these contracts were awarded, to which Morrison said that it was.

“I’m asking that the financial secretary investigate this matter. Because if we have such a situation occurring, those evaluators need to be evaluated by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board. Because then we have problems.”

“When you get these tenders in, they have to be evaluated. An evaluation panel is looking at oranges, apples and bananas.

The job to be done is apples.

So, you know that the first time, you disqualify banana and orange, because it’s apples you looking for… 10, 15 times, the same thing goes to the same set of evaluators. And they have not signalled to the Tender Board,” Edghill pointed out.

Meanwhile, Blackman was asked by acting PAC Chairman Ganesh Mahipaul whether the region continues to use restrictive tendering and single source under her watch, which began in 2020, to which she said yes. He also asked her whether the contractors were approved at the Tender Board level before they were engaged to do the work.

“Earlier on, we used to

FROM PAGE 11

write the National Tender Board, to get permission.

But afterwards, we learned the regional tender board can give permission for restrictive tendering, providing its (below the threshold),” she explained.

Mahipaul meanwhile urged the region to utilise the services of reputable persons, both within and without the region, to serve as evaluators in Region Five for contracts that come before the regional tender board.

Blackman, who said that she was struggling with just four evaluators, admitted that she was not aware evaluators could be brought in from outside the region.

Further, Finance Secretary Sukrishnalall Pasha noted that he would reach out to other REOs to ensure others aren’t struggling with the same, unnecessary constraint.

The expenditure would have occurred in 2019, under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government and at a time when that Government would have already fallen to a No-Confidence Motion (NCM).

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDI seeks to forge partnerships with Harvard University to support Guyana’s transformation – holds discussions with member of Harvard Business School

Members of the Private Sector at the engagement on Thursday

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he American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AmCham Guyana) and the Guyana Development Initiative (GDI) recently hosted Dr Christian Ketels from the

factors in company success, clusters and cluster-based policies, and regional and innovation policies, and his presentation touched on critical issues for fostering sustainable growth in the private

A section of the gathering at Tuesday’s event

Harvard Business School for a compelling presentation on "Company Strategy and the Role of the Private Sector in Guyana’s Development."

The event was held on Tuesday last at the Guyana

sector considering Guyana’s national context.

Key points that resonated with the audience included the need for strategic thinking, enhancing operational effectiveness, leveraging

Dr Ketels in discussion with one of the attendees

Marriott Hotel, marking a successful collaboration between the two organisations.

Dr Ketels’ expertise and

partnerships to accelerate change, and strengthening the enabling environment.

The presentation brought

A member of the audience making a point

experience cover a wide area, including the foundations of long-term growth, the role of location and macroeconomic

together a diverse audience of AmCham Guyana’s membership, representatives from the wider Guyana private

sector, and other key stakeholders including representatives of the diplomatic community.

The success of the AmCham Guyana and GDI collaboration was further emphasised by a Private Sector Breakfast Meeting with Dr Ketels on Thursday, which brought together leading players in various sectors to better understand the needs of the private sector and other priority issues in relation to private sector growth.

Among the key areas discussed was the increased role

Dr Christian Ketels addressing the PSC

that private sector leaders and business support organisations can play in addressing skills gap and retention of labour, providing mentorship and training support to local businesses to equip them with tools and knowledge in specific areas such as company strategy and business planning, and strategically working with the

Government on the priority areas for private sector development.

The GDI, a project led by the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School to provide technical and strategic assistance on initiatives in priority areas, highlighted its ongoing partnership with the Government of Guyana.

GDI is seeking to leverage Harvard resources and build partnerships with Harvard University to support Guyana’s developmental efforts. The visit of Dr Ketels is one initiative with the private sector, and an early step in identifying specific areas to support the private sector capacity development needs.

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Demerara Bank rewards top NGSA, CSEC performers

The awardees posing with Demerara Bank CEO Pravinchandra Dave and General Manager Dowlat Parbhu

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emerara Bank Limited has hosted its annual Bursary Awards Programme for students who have excelled at the 2023 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

This programme has highlighting yet another important achievement in Demerara Bank’s continuous commitment to advancing education and fos-

tering the growth of young individuals.

Originally crafted to inspire students benefitting from Kids Savings Accounts, this initiative has proven to be a resounding success in empowering high-achieving individuals, encouraging them to continue their journey towards enhanced personal and academic growth.

At the awards ceremony, held on November 3, 2023, a total of 18 students

who demonstrated exceptional success in the NGSA and CSEC examinations were each rewarded with a prize in the form of a monetary grant.

During the ceremony, the awardees had the opportunity to hear from a previous bursary award recipient, Miss Dolai, who encouraged them to persist in their pursuit of education.

They also received valuable insights from the

Some of the students who have been awarded pose with representatives of Demerara Bank

former Headmistress of Graham’s Hall Primary School, Amanda Ram, who urged them to seize control of their destinies and remain resilient in the face of challenges.

In his address to the awardees, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bank, Pravinchandra Dave, emphasized the vital roles that culture, attitude, and tenacity play in fostering

the growth and development of any individual. He encouraged all students to pursue their unique aspirations and chart their individual paths, while also cautioning parents against making career choices for their children, as the uniqueness of each individual must be recognised.

Further, he remarked that their outstanding achievements represent not just their hard work and dedication, but also the

unwavering support they have received from their families, teachers, and the community at large.

“As the achievements of these exceptional awardees are celebrated, we look forward to their promising futures, and extend our heartfelt congratulations to all students as they continue striving for excellence in all of their future academic pursuits,” the bank related.

N/A man gets life sentence for manslaughter

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Murdered: Keron Nicholson

Sentenced: Donald Shariff

onald Shariff, who in October pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, was on Tuesday slapped with a life sentence with parole after serving 15 years. He was accused of murdering 33-year-old Keron Nicholson.

The ruling was handed down by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court.

Shariff, a father of one, was represented by Attorney-at-Law Tuanna Hardy, while State Counsel Muntaz Ali is prosecuting in the matter.

It was reported that on March 8, 2020, the two men, who were known to each other, were engaged in a heated argument that escalated into an altercation.

Nicholson had reportedly left the scene and was heading to where he lived in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) when he was attacked by Shariff and beaten with a piece of wood.

Shariff dealt Nicholson a blow to his head, and after this first hit, Nicholson fell face down onto the road, but Shariff continued to assault him.

The injured Nicholson was initially taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital but was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on March 17, 2020.

Shariff went into hiding after this incident but was eventually arrested in Mahdia.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Govt delivers 210 water His critics have gone absolutely stark mad with their unholy Jagdeo obsession

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harrat Jagdeo keeps people up at nights: there are those who are working late into the night because he has them working on various projects on behalf of the Guyanese people and Guyana; and there are people who are sleepless because they have to figure out what next they must fabricate to discredit him. The handful of people trying to discredit Bharrat Dr Leslie Ramsammy Jagdeo vie with the majority of Guyanese for whom BJ is a hero.

But the few who hate BJ have a platform like newspaper columns, radio shows, etc., and money to pay people to protest. For this handful of people, everything that might be wrong in Guyana is BJ’s fault.

Too much rain, the gods are angry with BJ. Not enough rain, the gods are angry with BJ. The West Indies did not make it to the ICC ODI, it was BJ’s fault. Trotman and several of the PNC (APNU/ AFC) people went to Texas and signed a one-sided deal with EXXON in which EXXON benefitted the most, it was BJ who made them do it. I have not heard them yet say that it was BJ who is responsible for the Israel-Palestinian War, but none of us should be shocked if they find a way to blame BJ for this calamity.

They blame BJ for Venezuela’s bellicose and bullying tactics and its claim to two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. Some have even suggested that there might be some signed document that BJ agreed to make a deal with Venezuela to settle the claim Venezuela has made to Guyana’s territory. There is no limit to the fabrications, the misrepresentations, the misinformation the Jagdeo-obsessed critics make. Their most recent fabrication is that BJ signed a document giving assurance to settle the Venezuelan false claim in Venezuela’s favour.

This is the reason, in their conspiracy-filled minds, why VicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo did not speak in the Parliament in the recent sitting, wherein a resolution was unanimously passed condemning Venezuela for its warmongering against Guyana.

Incidentally, the signed document they are referring to was a document signed by Desmond Hoyte agreeing that Venezuela could be granted rights to a lane in the ocean in Guyana’s territory for shipping purposes. Venezuela included that document on page 88 of the submission they made to the ICJ back in 2018. But his critics knowingly falsely attribute the document to BJ. It is true that BJ did not speak in Parliament on the motion to condemn Venezuela for its belligerence, for its threat for the forceful annexation of two-thirds of Guyana’s territory, and for its forceful changing of the citizenship of all those who live in those parts of Guyana. But we all know, including every one of the Jagdeo-obsessed critics, that BJ was one of the main architects of the resolution that was passed in Parliament. Those who doubt that BJ was a major architect of that resolution simply do not know how the PPP works.

Every major decision, such as those dealing with Venezuela, would have both President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo playing a significant role in deciding what the final resolution would be.

Having decided, through thorough consultation between the Government and the Opposition, that each side would have five speakers, the PPP chose the five speakers who would have some relevance to the subject on hand. The motion was moved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister was supported by the Prime Minister (constitutionally mandated Leader of the House); the Attorney General, the legal focal point for dealing with this matter; the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, who spearheaded the consultation with the Opposition to have an unanimously supported motion in Parliament; and one of the MPs who represent a border community. It is that simple. BJ does not necessarily have to speak on every matter. In fact, BJ has always chosen to give his MPs every opportunity to speak in Parliament, since he also is the Party’s main communicator in weekly press conferences.

But the fact is that the Jagdeo-obsessed critics have to scrounge around the cesspit to find anything to blame BJ. In their conspiracy-messed-up minds, they now want Guyanese to accept their theory that Jagdeo’s middle name is EXXON, and that he is under the total supervision of Allister Routledge.

Ask yourself this: who would Routledge and EXXON rather deal with, BJ or Trotman? Had Granger, Trotman and others been there still, no audit would have been done and the US$214M EXXON claim that auditors rejected would have gone through, robbing Guyana of more than US$107M. Who permitted almost unlimited flaring? It was the original deal the PNC-led APNU/AFC signed with EXXON. It was BJ who ensured that any flaring done by EXXON attract hefty penalty. Was it not the PNC-led APNU/AFC who allowed EXXON not to harvest the gas? It is BJ who forced EXXON to harvest the gas and make it available to Guyana, creating another industry for which Guyana gets 100% of the imminent profit, and from which Guyana will create cheaper energy. Who created the new PSA that will have ring-fencing, that forces companies to pay taxes and hefty bonuses, that will ensure Guyana gets higher royalty and still equally share the profits? It is the BJ-led Guyana team. If EXXON were controlling BJ, would any of these things have happened?

This past week, one of these critics decided to utilise hysterics by alleging BJ had his brakes severed to cause grievous bodily harm. BJ’s critics have gone stark mad, pulling out any hair they still might have, as sleep eludes them.

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

tanks to Reg 10 communities

S

everal communities in Region 10 recently received water tanks in keeping with President Ali’s pledge to alleviate the water challenges experienced by some communities during the extended dry season by supplying water tanks to residents.

A total of 210 tanks were delivered to those communities - 100 to the Mines to be distributed to Old England-Siberia, Three Friends, Coomacka Mines, Nottinghamshire and Mariah Elizabeth.

Another 40 were sent to Ituni, 50 to 58 Miles, Mabura, 15 to 47 Miles, and five to 37 Miles.

In addition, the final 10 tanks were distributed to families at Coomacka Mines.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill related that the issue of no access to water during the dry season was raised several times during the President’s visit to the region and as such, a

Some residents who received water tanks

commitment was made that before the end of the week the tanks would be distributed.

He related that the Government is satisfied that it was able to swiftly get relief to the residents, through a collaboration with the Housing and Water Ministry and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

Edghill stated that the Government will continue to work on all the other commitments made, including

Water tanks being transported to several villages

a “well” to service the communities, however, he noted that these water tanks will

offer temporary relief to the residents until the well is ready.

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPHC, Northwell Health perform successful wall reconstructive surgeries

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Members of the medical team that performed the surgery

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in collaboration with Northwell Health, New York, has performed state-of-the-art abdominal wall reconstructive surgeries on six patients battling complex abdominal wall hernias. The procedures were done over a two-day span –

November 18 and 19, 2023.

The expert team from Northwell Health featured Dr Gainosuke Sugiyama; Dr Sebastian Shterental and Dr Samer Sbayi.

These procedures not only significantly enhanced the quality of life for these individuals but also delved into the intricate causes be-

hind recurring hernias. The patients were between the ages of 31-68 years old.

Some patients in this collaboration faced recurring hernias, often tangled in complications from previous surgeries. The complex nature of hernia recurrence revealed key factors: not enough postoperative fol-

low-up and certain habits after surgery, like being overweight, smoking, or having conditions such as diabetes.

These factors played a crucial role in causing hernias to come back, highlighting the urgent need to address them comprehensively. The collaboration intentionally emphasised these causes, stressing the importance of a thorough understanding and a holistic approach to improve patient outcomes.

Beyond its transformative impact on patients, the collaboration facilitated a profound exchange of skills and knowledge. GPHC resident surgeons actively engaged in these procedures, gaining invaluable insights and refining their techniques under the mentorship of the Northwell team and senior GPHC surgeons.

This not only elevated patient care but also fortified the capabilities of local medical professionals, contributing to a more resilient healthcare system.

Looking forward, both

One of the patients being examined

institutions are steadfast in their commitment to exploring further collaboration opportunities, with a specific focus on anaesthesia, plastic surgery, and orthopaedic surgery. This ongoing partnership symbolises a joint dedication to advancing medical expertise, fostering international cooperation, and, crucially, addressing the root causes of medical challenges.

The resounding success of this collaboration underscores the critical role of international partnerships in addressing complex medical cases and promoting a comprehensive understanding of factors leading to recurrence. GPHC and Northwell Health remain unwavering in their commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation for the global benefit of patients.

NEWS

17

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Hururu Academy to reopen in Jan 2024

One of the classrooms being furnished

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pproximately 120 secondary school students will soon be able to attend classes at Hururu Academy in Region 10, as the school is scheduled to undergo repairs with the aim of reopening in January 2024.

The school has been closed since 2020, with the student population relocated to Kwakwani Secondary.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill made the announcement regarding the rehabilitation of the facility during a recent visit to the community.

The aim is to collaborate with community lead-

ers and the Department of Education in Region 10, to enhance the school’s structural integrity. The Minister called for greater involvement of residents, to bring the project into fruition.

“I’m sure there are skilled people in the community who could help. This is your property, the whole of Hururu belongs to you. The building is your property. The Government will work with you in repairing and enhancing it,” the Minister said.

He added, “we have to get that spirit of community and self-help again, because if that spirit disappears, we will stop looking out for each

other. I believe a good way to start is working in collaboration with the region, the Government, the Ministry of Education, on a project that you asked for and that His Excellency agreed to.”

Once reopened, the school will ensure students from Central Hururu and the neighbouring communities of Kitupin, Ladernsville, and Mapletown have better access to education.

Meanwhile, the Minister also handed over several electric fans to Hururu Nursery School, in keeping with another promise made by the Government during a recent visit.

Caribbean Journalists address climate, health issues during virtual training

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recent comprehensive virtual training involving over 50 Journalists in the Caribbean focused on climate and health reporting, thus resulting in five compelling news features being published.

The stories highlight critical issues at the intersection of climate change and public health and are available on the Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network's website.

The series of trainings was supported by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) as part of the European Union/ CARIFORUM Climate and Health project.

The aim was to enhance the skills and knowledge of Journalists in the Caribbean region and increase their capacity to report effectively on the pressing challenges posed by climate change to public health.

The Journalists were immersed in intensive workshops, interactive sessions, and hands-on exercises led by experts in the fields of climate science and public health communication. The training fostered a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between climate change and health outcomes.

Armed with this knowledge, the Journalists embarked on their reporting assignments, delving into local communities, speaking with experts, and uncovering stories that matter.

The news stories cover a wide array of topics, includ-

ing the challenges faced by vulnerable communities including the impact on children. Each story provides valuable insights into the inter-relationship between these vital issues, encouraging public discourse and awareness.

Subregional Programme Director of the PAHO Caribbean Subregional Office, Dean Chambliss welcomed the collaboration with the MIC to raise the awareness of the Journalists who attended the training as well as the stories published.

“These multimedia features highlight the effects of climate change on Caribbean peoples, the importance of multistakeholder perspectives, and emphasise creative solutions.

What is also highly commendable is the emphasis on vulnerable populations in Dominica, Guyana, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, including Indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, children, and farmers.

The stories go beyond

the numbers and the usual talking points often linked to climate change and health to the impact on lives and livelihoods. This included parents who described how recent intense heat was affecting their children at home and at school, the lack of fresh water, how farmers’ yields were drastically affected, the impact of more severe weather events on persons with disabilities, and the rise in vector-borne diseases,” Chambliss stated.

"The Media Institute of the Caribbean is committed to nurturing a cadre of Journalists who can not only report news but also drive positive change through their stories," said Kiran Maharaj, President of the MIC. "We are immensely grateful for the support from PAHO, which has enabled us to empower Journalists to address critical topics such as climate change and health. The stories produced by our participants are not just news; they are catalysts for informed action and awareness."

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

14 die after illegal mining Argentine election winner pit collapses in Suriname Milei greeted globally by

mix of hostility and support

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he number of people killed when an illegal gold mine collapsed in Suriname rose to 14 on Tuesday, with seven others missing in what is considered the South American country’s worst mining accident.

Rescue crews combed through mounds of earth in hopes of finding survivors as the Government launched an investigation into the deadly incident that occurred Monday in the country’s remote southern region.

“We are shocked and offer our condolences to the relatives,” President Chandrikapersad Santokhi said during a short, televised speech.

He said the incident occurred in an area where a gold vein was previously discovered, attracting large groups of illegal miners.

Zijin Mining, a company that operates a legal gold mine in the area, had been meeting with the Government just hours before the incident to find solutions to illegal mining at the concession of its subsidiary, Rosebel Goldmines NV. Zijin issued a statement on Monday saying it has “repeatedly emphasised the dan-

T

Bodies being recovered at the site

gers of illegal gold mining.”

The company previously filed an official eviction request with the Government, prompting the army and Police to destroy illegal camps and order people to leave the site. However, the illegal miners returned, with several hundred believed to be working in the area.

The region previously was the site of skirmishes between Maroons, who are descendants of slaves, and the mining company’s security guards, with villagers arguing they had a right to mine in the area because it was located on their land. In 2019, angry villagers set fire to company equipment after a secu-

rity guard fatally shot one of them.

Third parties from unknown places also have entered the area to mine illegally, and it’s not clear where the victims are from.

Suriname has struggled with illegal, small-scale mining for years, with more than 15,000 people working in the small mining sector, including Brazilians and, recently, Chinese. Various attempts to regulate the sector and ban mercury use have failed.

In his speech, Santokhi said officials have agreed to take a “stricter and tighter” approach to regulating the gold sector to prevent such incidents. (ABC News)

he victory of Argentina's libertarian President-elect Javier Milei at the weekend has sparked mixed reactions worldwide – including hostility from some Latin American leftists, tentative support from others, and a pledge from China to work with him despite his critical comments.

Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist, channeled voter anger over a deep economic crisis and years of economic dysfunction to win by double-digits in Sunday's runoff vote.

The former television pundit is set to take the reins of power next month, moving Argentina decisively away from the centre-left Peronist Government of outgoing President Alberto Fernandez.

Asked for his reaction on Tuesday, Mexico's leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he respected the voters' verdict, but added that he believed Milei's win is unlikely to alleviate Argentina's problems.

Argentine president-elect Javier Milei greets supporters after winning Argentina's runoff presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 19, 2023 (Reuters/Cristina Sille photo)

"This is something we don't think will help," Lopez Obrador told reporters. He later applied a soccer term to describe the outsider's victory: "It was an own goal."

Bolivia's former leftist President Evo Morales, a close ally of past Peronist Governments in Buenos Aires, took to social media on Tuesday to assert that he would never "wish success to fascism, ultra-conservatism and neoliberalism".

The leftist leaders of Venezuela and Colombia also

lamented Sunday's election results. Colombian President Gustavo Petro described the outcome in a post on X as "sad for Latin America".

But other leftist Latin American leaders were more supportive. Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva both extended best wishes to Milei.

Lula's congratulations came despite Milei's harsh criticism of the Brazilian leader on the campaign trail.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Costa Rica makes 1st-ever Brazil's Lula wants to reach fentanyl gang arrests Mercosur-EU deal this year

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razilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday he had told European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen that he wants to clinch a trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur while still presiding over the South American bloc.

Lula and von der Leyen had a phone call on Monday.

According to the Brazilian leader, they will try to meet this month at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai to advance talks towards the long-awaited deal.

Brazil holds Mercosur's

temporary presidency until the end of this year. The South American trading bloc also includes Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

"I showed her all our points and she said she would try to have a meeting with me at the COP28 to present their definitive response to our demands," Lula said in a weekly live broadcast on social media.

A trade treaty was agreed in principle in 2019 after two decades of talks, but additional environmental commitments demanded by the EU led Brazil and Argentina to seek new concessions that pro-

longed negotiations.

Diplomats and trade experts do not expect far-right libertarian Javier Milei's presidential election win in Argentina to derail the agreement. Milei has been a vocal critic of the South American common market.

Reuters reported on Monday that according to Brazilian negotiators, there were few details left to negotiate and they planned to announce the deal at a Mercosur summit on December 7 in Rio de Janeiro, before Argentina's change of government.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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osta Rican Police detained suspected gang members accused of making and trafficking the synthetic drug fentanyl, officials said on Tuesday, the first such arrests associated with the powerful opioid linked to an overdose crisis in the United States.

Four suspects were taken into custody, two Costa Ricans and two Colombians, along with 1100 fentanyl pills in an operation backed by the US Drug Enforcement Administration that included raids in three towns in central Costa Rica, Security Minister Mario Zamora said at a press conference.

The operation also turned up what officials described as a fentanyl laboratory.

The arrests "raises alarms because it confirms the presence of fentanyl" in Costa Rica, said Zamora. He added that the drug arrived from international gangs, but did not go into further detail.

As of last month, Costa Rican authorities had been carrying out 10 fentanyl investigations since last year, according to Government data.

Fears that more fentanyl busts are likely coincide with rapid growth in both consumption and trafficking

of the drug that is 50 times more potent than heroin, and follows a first-ever seizure of nearly half a ton (454 kg) of fentanyl pills in Honduras earlier this month.

Violent crime in Costa Rica has surged this year with homicides at a record, and the growth blamed on gang turf battles over the country's role as a major transit point for the illicit trade.

The fentanyl arrests come as around 70 per cent of Costa Ricans disapprove of President Rodrigo Chaves' crime fighting record, according to a recent poll. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil records its hottest-ever temperature Trinidad: Man shoots ex-wife at mall, kills bystander, takes own life B

A

mid the mid-morning hour, Sharaz Ageemoolar walked into an insurance company’s office in San Fernando and shot his ex-wife Anissa Rajgobin-Ageemoolar twice, before killing himself after eluding Police having escaped from the scene of his crime.

Hours before committing suicide, Sharaz had hijacked a car outside the Cross Crossing Shopping Centre and killed an innocent bystander Rosario Ramdhan, a 24-year-old Springvale, Claxton Bay resident who desired to migrate from T&T with his girlfriend.

Last night, Sharaz was found dead at Arjoonsingh Drive, La Romain. He apparently committed suicide in the same car he stole.

The couple has two sons together, both in their 20s.

Rajgobin-Ageemoolar remains warded in a stable condition at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Investigators said the tragedy started at 10:00h, when Rajgobin-Ageemoolar, 47, went to General Accident Insurance at the Cross Crossing Shopping Centre to do business.

Police said her ex-husband followed her into the office

and asked to speak to her outside. She refused, following which he fired two shots, hitting her in the chest.

He then fled outside and proceeded to enter a white Tiida owned by Kenton Moses, which was parked outside.

Ramdhan, who was related to Moses, was sitting in the back seat of the Tiida and saw Sharaz as he came running out of the office. Police said Moses was inside the insurance office and ran up to Sharaz and attempted to grab him. However, Sharaz opened fire, hitting Ramdhan instead.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

razil has recorded its hottest ever temperature – 44.8C (112.6F) – as parts of the country endure a stifling heatwave.

The record was hit on Sunday in the town of Araçuaí, in Brazil's south-eastern state of Minas Gerais.

The unprecedented weather has been attributed to the El Niño phenomenon and climate change.

Forecasters say some of the heat is likely to ease this week.

According to the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), only three state capitals will see temperatures approaching 40C, CNN Brasil reported.

The Government agency

said Araçuaí's high of 44.8C had beaten the country's previous record of 44.7C, measured in 2005.

The heat has seen red alerts issued across the country, weeks before the beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere. Brazil's energy consumption has soared to record levels as people try to keep themselves cool.

The high temperatures led to Taylor Swift cancelling one of her concerts in Rio de Janeiro after a fan fell ill and died before a show on Friday.

According to the organisers, 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides Machado had sought help at the stadium after feeling unwell. She was transferred to hospital, but

died one hour later.

Official research released two weeks ago showed that the average temperature in the country had been above the historical average from July to October.

Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more intense in many places around the world because of climate change.

According to scientists, heatwaves are becoming longer and more intense in many places and this is expected to continue whilst humans keep releasing planet-warming greenhouse gases.

Meanwhile, the Earth is currently in an El Niño weather phase, during which time global temperatures typically increase. (BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

19

Around The World

Netanyahu, Hamas leader indicate deal OILNEWS OIL NEWS on Gaza truce and hostages is close IEA sees surplus oil supply in 2024 even if OPEC+ extends current cuts

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he global oil market will see a slight surplus of supply in 2024 even if the OPEC+ nations extend their cuts into next year, the head of the International Energy Agency's (IEA) oil markets and industry division told Reuters on Tuesday.

At the moment, however, the oil market is in a deficit and stocks are declining "at a fast rate", Toril Bosoni said on the sidelines of a conference in Oslo.

"Global oil stocks are at low levels, which means that you risk increased volatility if there are surprises on either the demand side or the supply side," she added.

OPEC+ is set to consider whether to make additional oil supply cuts when the group meets later this month, three OPEC+ sources have told Reuters after prices dropped by some 16% since late September.

Oil has slid to around US$82 a barrel for Brent crude from a 2023 high in September of near US$98. Concern about demand and a possible surplus next year has pressured prices, despite support from the OPEC+ cuts and conflict in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia, Russia and other members of OPEC+ have already pledged total oil output cuts of 5.16 million barrels per day (bpd), or about 5% of daily global demand, in a series of steps that started in late 2022.

The cuts include 3.66 million bpd by OPEC+ and additional voluntary cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia.

At its last policy meeting in June, OPEC+ agreed on a broad deal to limit supply into 2024 and Saudi Arabia pledged a voluntary production cut for July of 1 million bpd that it has since extended to last until the end of 2023.

Brent crude futures fell 34 cents, or 0.4%, to US$81.98 a barrel by 1134 GMT. (Reuters)

T

he leader of Hamas said on Tuesday a truce with Israel was close and Israel's Prime Minister said he hoped for good news soon about hostages, the most optimistic signs so far of a deal to pause the devastating war in Gaza and free captives.

As negotiations appeared to be nearing agreement, however, the fighting on the ground raged on with Israel saying its forces had encircled the Jabalia refugee camp, a major urban flashpoint and Hamas militant stronghold.

The Palestinian news agency said 33 people were killed and dozens wounded in an Israeli air strike on part of Jabalia, a congested urban extension of Gaza City where Hamas has

A person stands in front of pictures during a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, to demand the liberation of hostages who are being held in the Gaza Strip after they were seized by Hamas gunmen on October 7 in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 21, 2023

had delivered its latest response to Qatari mediators.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, according to remarks released by his office: "We are

making progress. I don't think it's worth saying too much, not at even this moment, but I hope there will be good news soon."

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Congo-Brazzaville stampede: Dozens killed during army recruitment drive

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t least 37 people have died in a stampede during an army recruitment drive at a stadium in Congo-Brazzaville, the Government has said.

People tried to force their way through the stadium's gates in the capital, Brazzaville, causing the stampede, residents have been quoted as saying.

Last week, the army announced plans to recruit

North Korea claims it launched 1st spy satellite, promises more

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orth Korea said it successfully placed its first spy satellite in orbit on Tuesday and vowed to launch more in the near future, defying international condemnation from the United States and its allies.

Officials in South Korea and Japan, which first reported the launch, said they could not immediately verify whether a satellite was placed in orbit.

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the US military was still assessing whether the launch was a success or not.

South Korea responded to the North Korean announcement by saying it would take steps to suspend parts of a 2018 inter-Korean agreement designed to lower military tensions, its Yonhap news agency reported.

Yonhap cited a South Korean National Security Council statement as saying the move would involve restoring reconnaissance and surveillance operations in the area around the military demarcation line between the countries.

been battling advancing Israeli armoured forces.

In southern Gaza, Hamas-affiliated media said 10 people were killed and 22 injured by an Israeli air strike on an apartment in the city of Khan Younis.

Reuters could not immediately verify the fighting accounts of either side.

If a deal on hostages transpires, it would be the first pause in hostilities and the first mass release of people held by both sides in a six-week-old war that has raised fears of wider conflict in the Middle East.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement sent to Reuters by his aide that group officials were "close to reaching a truce agreement" with Israel and the group

about 1500 people between the ages of 18 and 25.

Many were injured in Monday night's crush, a Government statement said.

It did not give a number, but said that a "crisis unit" has been set up under the authority of Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso, the AFP news agency reports.

According to the Associated Press (AP) agency, as many as 700 people a day have been registering over the last week at recruitment centres.

Youth unemployment is at around 42% in CongoBrazzaville, with many young people seeing the army one of the few places where they can secure a job.

The army said it had suspended recruitment in the capital following the stampede at Michel d'Ornano stadium at around

The army wants to recruit about 1500 person between the ages of 18 and 25

22:00 GMT. Public prosecutor Oko Ngakala said that an investigation would be launched into the cause of the crush.

Thousands of young people had reportedly gathered outside the stadium on Monday.

Brandon Tsetou, a graduate who survived the crush, said he had queued since early in the day.

"According to the organisers, it was to be the last day. That's why many of us decided to wait until late into the night, hoping to register," he told AP. "Some were so impatient that they had to force their way in, causing a stampede that left a number of people dead or injured, which we deplore." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Hundreds of Portuguese Police raid farms in human trafficking crackdown A still photograph shows what appears to be North Korea's new Chollima-1 rocket being launched in Cholsan County, North Korea, May 31, 2023 in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency and taken from video

North Korea's KCNA state news agency said the Malligyong-1 satellite was launched on a Chollima-1 rocket from the Sohae satellite launch facility at 10:42 pm (1342 GMT) and entered orbit at 10:54 pm (1354 GMT). KCNA cited North Korea's National Aerospace Technology Administration.

North Korea had earlier notified Japan it planned to send up a satellite between

today and Dec 1, after two failed attempts to launch what it called spy satellites earlier this year.

US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson called the launch "a brazen violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions," and said it "raises tensions, and risks destabilising the security situation in the region and beyond." (Excerpt from Reuters)

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undreds of Police raided farms in Portugal's southern Alentejo region on Tuesday, arresting 28 people suspected of human trafficking and labour exploitation, Police said.

The suspects are believed to be part of a crime ring that exploited migrants from countries including Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, India, Senegal and Pakistan after luring them to Portugal with a promise of a job as farmhands.

Police said they had carried out a total of 78

searches, which resulted in the seizure of evidence and the "identification of dozens of victims".

Those detained, both Portuguese and foreign nationals, are suspected of human trafficking, criminal association, aiding illegal immigration, illegal labour recruitment, extortion, money laundering and exerting physical harm, among other crimes.

They will appear before a judge today for questioning.

Cases of labour exploitation, when poor migrants are trapped in un-

paid work, and human trafficking have been growing in Portugal, particularly in the agricultural sector. Once put to work, their papers are often confiscated and pay withheld, with many packed into primitive dwellings with few or no amenities.

The Council of Europe has reported that Portuguese authorities identified 1152 suspected victims of trafficking in 2016-2020, but the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions was low for such a large number. (Reuters)

20

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Learning from your mistakes and observing others will help you figure out how to get ahead. An investment opportunity will change how you make or handle your money. Get expert advice if warranted.

Don't let anyone interfere with your plans or cause you to miss an opportunity. Take advantage of someone else's inability to be spontaneous. Keep your eyes open and your finger on the pulse.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20) Don't take on debt, problems or responsibilities that don't belong to you.

Someone will blame you if you let them.

Get your facts straight, but don't take control.

(May 21-June 20) Connect with people you trust to give you good advice. Don't let your emotions get in the way. A physical challenge will help you blow off steam and make better decisions.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Stick to your original plan. If you let someone intervene or confuse you, getting back on track won't be easy. Put your head down and don't stop until you are happy with the results you achieve.

(July 23-Aug. 22) You'll be right on point. Raise your energy a notch and head for the top.

Your navigation skills and insight into what's possible will help you reach your destination. Don't waste time.

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

Network and use your Libra charm to woo people into seeing things your way. Someone will fact-check you, so don't drift from the truth. Update your image and approach. Love is on the rise.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Do something that motivates you to gain needed inspiration. Trust your intuition and stick to what excites you most. An unusual opportunity will change your life.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Reorganize your thoughts. Refuse to let anyone dictate what you do next.

Don't share information or give anyone a chance to manipulate you or make you look bad.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) See what's brewing outside your home turf. Let your intuition reveal what's necessary, but don't disregard common sense. A structural change in your life will bring about new beginnings.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take care of your health and well-being. Do whatever will enrich your life.

Choose a healthy lifestyle and invest more time and money in pursuing what makes you feel good about yourself.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Create opportunities instead of waiting for things to come to you. Own the stage, and don't be afraid to follow your gut instead of someone else. Only you know what your heart desires.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

21

RHTY&SC cricket teams honour 5 outstanding police officers …donate toys and cricket gear to Region 6 Police Force

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ricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, have officially launched their 2023 Christmas Outreach Programme by hosting their annual Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers awards ceremony last Friday, November 17.

Five police officers have been honoured by the cricket teams for outstanding service in protecting citizens on the Corentyne Coast, and RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster has said that, for over two decades, the club has been honouring outstanding role models who have served Guyana well.

Under the club’s Tribute to Heroes programme, annual awards ceremonies are held to honour firemen, police officers, postal workers, municipality workers, teachers, retired teachers, and sportsmen. In the 2023 list of law enforcement officers awarded are Sergeant 16276 Wilburgh, Corporal 21249 Mentore, Special Constable 13727 Profitt, Detective Constable 21224 Nelson, and Constable 25333 Ramkissoon. They were selected by administration of the Region Six division based on their personal discipline, dedication, honesty, and willingness to work beyond the call of duty.

Foster has congratulated the officers on a job well done, and has urged them to uphold the high traditions they have set themselves in the past. The RHTY&SC, he

Constable 25333 Ramkissoon is being honoured by Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus

noted, is also willing to assist the Guyana Police Force to fulfill its mandate to protect the nation from criminal activities. This relationship started in 1992 and has developed over the years. The two entities have worked together to host several programmes, including the RHTY&SC’s Annual Cricket Academy, Grade 6 Summer Camp and the Annual Christmas village.

Each of the awardees received a framed certificate of excellence, a medal of excellence, and two special gifts from the cricket teams.

Police commander Shivpersaud Bacchus, who handed over the awards, expressed thanks to the RHTY&SC for its continued cooperation with the Force.

He also congratulated the awardees, and noted that they are role models to their

peers.

The cricket teams also handed over a collection of Christmas toys to subdivision Two of Region 6 for distribution to less fortunate children.

Foster, who is also president of the Berbice Cricket Board, also handed over a set of cricket equipment to the cricket team of the Force. The items donated were a box of cricket balls, a batting pad, wicket keeping pad and wicket keeping gloves.

The BCB president noted that the police team had received several donations during the year, including practice net, cricket balls and gear.

RHTY&SC Organizing Secretary Robby Kissoonlall informed that the cricket teams of the club are: Poonai Pharmacy Under-11 and Under-13, Farfan and Mendes

RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster handing over cricket gear and toys to Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus and Division Two Head, Michael Newland

Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Metro Females, Pepsi Under-19 and Under-23, NAMILCO Thunderbolt Under-21 and First Division.

Among the players who represent the clubs are Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Clinton Pestano, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jeremy Sandia, Matthew Pottaya, Eon Hooper, Sylus Tyndall, Shemaine Campbell, Shabeka Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Sheneeta Grimmond, Mahendra Gopilall and Shawn Pereira.

The clubs have won over

120 cricket tournaments at all levels while they have produced over 100 players for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies since 1995. The RHTY&SC has won three national tournament and has received the Guyana Cricket Club of the Year award five times. The RHTY&SC is also the only youth and sports club in Guyana to have ever received a national award.

The cricket teams, as part of their annual Christmas programme, would be hosting several activities with the main objective of making a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly, and the

less fortunate.

The activities planned include the annual Christmas Village, to be held from the 21st to the 24th of December in the Rose Hall Primary School; distribution of 5000 toys and 1000 food hampers to less fortunate families; Christmas Concert; Feeding of the Poor programme; Distribution of 500 special packages to single-parent households; Christmas Day Breakfast for Senior Citizens; and Children’s Christmas get-together. Members of the St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church would also receive special gifts.

Developments in international sport…

ICC bans trans women from Women’s Internationals

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ransgender women have been barred from playing in international women's matches under new regulations from the International Cricket Council.

Any player who has gone through male puberty will not be eligible for women's internationals, regardless of any surgery or treatment undertaken.

The new regulations will be reviewed within two years, the ICC has said.

Following a nine-month consultation process, the governing body said, its new policy, which takes effect immediately, was based on "protection of the integrity of the women's game, safety, fairness and inclusion".

"The changes to the gender eligibility regulations resulted from an extensive consultation process, and (are) founded in science and aligned with the core principles developed during the review," ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice

Canada's Danielle McGahey is the first transgender cricketer to have played an international match

has said. "Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women's game and the safety of players."

In September, Canada's Danielle McGahey became the first transgender cricketer to play an official internation-

al game. McGahey played six T20 internationals at an ICC T20 World Cup qualifying tournament in Los Angeles, where she made 118 runs in six innings at an average of 19.66. Her top score was a 45ball 48 against Brazil.

She received the news of her ban from a lawyer at the

ICC on 14 November, and expressed her disappointment at the decision following the announcement. McGahey told BBC Sport: "I have now read the new policy, but I was informed by the ICC last week and they let me know what was about to occur. So, I've been kept in the loop at all points. I don't have a lot to say currently, but it's a tough decision to take.

“Obviously, processing it has been challenging, as it marks the end of my international cricket career.

It's obviously incredibly disappointing when I consider the implication it will have on young transgender women all across the world. I hope it does not dissuade anyone from chasing their dreams.

Trans women belong in sport, and belong in cricket."

The ICC's decision to ban McGahey and other male-tofemale transgender cricketers from the women's game has been applauded by the

Women's Rights Network (WRN).

"This is a significant decision, and we welcome it, but we question why it has taken so long," WRN spokeswoman Jane Sullivan said. "It is vital to point out that this does not mean these trans players are banned from cricket altogether. They are still free to play in men's or even mixed teams."

Gender eligibility in domestic cricket will remain a matter for individual boards.

Currently, under guidance from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), all trans women looking to take part in elite level female-only competitions must apply for written clearance. Evidence is then reviewed on a case-bycase basis.

An ECB spokesperson said: "We continue to review our transgender policy, considering inclusivity, safety and fairness, and will consider these new ICC regulations

as part of this work."

Other sports In June 2022, swimming's world governing body, FINA, voted to stop transgender athletes from competing in women's elite races if they had gone through any part of the process of male puberty.

Former Great Britain swimmer Sharron Davies, who has argued against transgender participation in women's elite swimming, told BBC Sport she was "really proud of FINA". However, Olympic diving champion Tom Daley said he was "furious" at the decision.

In July 2022, the Rugby Football League and Rugby Football Union banned transgender women from competing in female-only forms of their games.

And in July 2023, world cycling's governing body, the UCI, ruled transgender women would be prevented from competing in female events.

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

Nandu, Young shine to KFC Elite League Cup… lead Windies Academy GDF, Police win to end preliminary round on high to 2-1 series win T

he Guyana Police Force Football Club have handed Western Tigers Football Club their first defeat, while the Guyana Defence Force Football Club have overrun the Santos Football Club in Sunday night’s double-header of the Guyana Football Federation’s KFC Elite League Cup. The opening match, on November 19 at the Eve Leary Sports Club in Kingston, Georgetown, witnessed the Guyana Defence Force securing a

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aptain Nyeem Young and opener Matthew Nandu both hit unbeaten half-centuries as the West Indies Academy defeated Emerging Ireland by six wickets in the third One-Day match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua to take a 2-1 series win.

The Academy first dismissed the Irish for 175 in 43.4 overs, after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.

Emerging Ireland captain Stephen Doheny top scored with 64 from 96 balls, including six fours; while Tom Mayes hit 27

Matthew Nandu

SCOREBOARD Emerging Ireland Murray Commins c TJ Bishop b JA Bishop 4 Stephen Doheny st C Bowen-Tuckett b AR Nedd 64 Cade Carmichael b M Clarke 5 Morgan Topping lbw AR Nedd 20 Tim Tector c C Bowen-Tuckett b AR Nedd 0 Scott MacBeth b JA Bishop 3 Gavin Hoey c NRJ Young b JA Bishop 4 Tom Mayes b KO Wickham 27 Fionn Hand c KO Wickham b KO Wickham 17 Matthew Humphreys c TJ Bishop b KO Wickham 5 Liam McCarthy not out 8 Extras – 18 b: 0 lb: 5 wd: 13 nb: 0 Total 175 all out (43.4 overs) BOWLING O-M-R-W Joshua Bishop 10-1-32-3 Nyeem Young 4-0-17-0

McKenny Clarke Ashmead Nedd Junior Sinclair Kevin Wickham

3-0-12-1 9-1-28-3 9-0-39-0 8.4-0-42-3

West Indies Academy Kadeem Alleyne c ST Doheny b L McCarthy 7 Matthew Nandu not out 63 Teddy Bishop c T Mayes b MJ Humphreys 7 Jordan Johnson c M Commins b MJ Humphreys 0 Kevin Wickham b SJ MacBeth 18 Nyeem Young not out 75 BOWLING O-M-R-W Fionn Hand 4-0-21-0 Liam McCarthy 3-0-12-1 Matthew Humphreys 9.3-0-52-2 Tom Mayes 2-0-9-0 Scott MacBeth 10-0-32-1 Gavin Hoey 8-0-29-0 Tim Tector 4-0-23-0

and Morgan Topping 20 against excellent bowling from Ashmead Nedd (3-28 from nine overs), Joshua Bishop (3-32 from 10 overs), and Kevin Wickham (3-42 from 8.4 overs).

The hosts then needed only 40.3 overs to successfully reach 179-4 and seal the series win. Young led the way with a 67-ball 75*, including eight fours and three sixes; while Nandu batted through the innings to finish on 63* off 107 balls, including three fours.

Matthew Humphreys took two of the three wickets for Emerging Ireland.

The teams will now turn their attention to a pair of four-day matches, to be played from November 25-28 and December 2-5 at Coolidge. (Sportsmax)

NBA SPORTS ROUNDUP…

Curry shines as Warriors end six-game losing run

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tephen Curry has scored a game-high 32 points to help the Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets 121-116 and end a six-game losing streak.

Curry and Klay Thompson each made five three-pointers as Houston lost for the fifth time on the road this season.

The victory is the Warriors' first win in three matches since Draymond Green began a five-game ban.

Also on Monday, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 142129 win over the Washington Wizards.

Antetokounmpo made 20 of his 23 attempts to finish with 42 points, while he added 13 rebounds and eight assists.

The Denver Nuggets overcame the ejection of two-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and head coach Michael Malone to claim a 107-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Jokic exited with 1:22 left in the first half, after giving up two technical fouls; while

A look at the encounter between GDF and Santos FC

Malone was ejected after arguing a call late in the first quarter.

Reggie Jackson led the reigning champions with 21 points, while the Pistons slumped to a 12th straight loss.

Meanwhile, French teenager Victor Wembanyama, the number one draft pick, was restricted to just nine points as the San Antonio Spurs lost their ninth successive match - beaten 124-99 by the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Miami Heat cruised to a 118-100 win over the Chicago Bulls, with Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson scoring 23 and 22 points respectively.

Brandon Ingram scored 32 points, hitting all five of his attempted three-pointers, to power the New Orleans Pelicans to a 129-93 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Elsewhere, Jayson Tatum's 45-point display was not enough for the Boston Celtics, who were beaten

121-118 by the Charlotte Hornets, with Miles Bridges hitting a match-winning three-pointer with six seconds left in overtime.

Anthony Edwards scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the New York Knicks 117-100 in Minneapolis. (BBC Sport)

GPF got the better of Western Tigers in an exciting matchup

5-1 victory over Santos in the evening's first game.

After several close attempts, Guyana Defence Force striker Stephen McDonald secured the lead for his team at 45+1. And teammate Sherwyn Caesar netted another goal in the 73rd minute to add to the score.

Santos’s Ryan Dowding promptly countered with an incredible strike in the 75th minute, but the Guyana Defence Force maintained their momentum and sealed the win with goals at the 90th and 90+3 minutes from Delroy Fraser, along with a clever strike by Chris Macey at 90+4.

Sunday night's surprise was Guyana Police Force handing Western Tigers their first league defeat with a 3-1 scoreline.

Their striker Travis Henry found the net in the 27th minute, giving his team a 1-0 lead at half-

time. Neron Barrow, his teammate, added to the lead with a goal in the 62nd minute.

Western Tigers’ Andrew Murray managed to breach Guyana Police Force's defence and score a brilliant goal in the 67th minute, but Jamal Harvey's incredible goal in the 83rd minute solidified the victory for Guyana Police Force.

Sunday’s matches concluded an exhilarating preliminary round featuring Guyana's top 10 clubs.

Guyana Defence Force remain unbeaten with four consecutive victories, accumulating twelve points in Group A. Buxton United hold second place with nine points from four games, showcasing three wins and a solitary loss. Santos Football Club maintain third place with six points.

And both Fruta Conquerors and Milerock have each earned a single point.

In Group B, the

Riveting bike action set for December 2 at NGS Ground

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iming to end the year on a high, Motor Sharks Guyana will be hosting the Christmas Dirt Bike Championship on December 2 at the National Service Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.

This event will see a large participation being divided into different categories: the beginners, being the 5–8 years old; The 65cc class; The 85cc class;

The 125 L class; The 125 cc 2-stroke class; the 250cc class; the ATV, and an all-female showdown. Thus the ground would be filled with riveting biking action on December 2.

Aside from the competitive action on the tracks, Motor Sharks Guyana will use the event to support their charity drive in which they donate to a children’s home.

This event has received corporate support from Auto Toy Store, Luminous, Secure Innovations and Concept Limited, Suzuki Atlantic Marine, Dinar, ENET, Rick’s and Sari, Ming’s Products and Services, Akbar’s, KSM Investment, Bentley Security Services, Kares Worth Medical Center and Pharmacy, CNL Construction, and AJM Enterprise.

Western Tigers faced their first defeat, yet they hold nine points with three wins and one loss. Den Amstel and Guyana Police Force also possess nine points each, having secured three victories and endured one loss.

Ann's Grove United and Victoria Kings round off the table in fifth.

The champions of the cup will claim a cash prize of $1.5 million, with the second-place team securing $1 million. The third and fourth-placed clubs would be awarded cash prizes of $500,000 and $250,000 respectively.

The GFF-KFC Elite League Cup semi-finals are scheduled for November 26, with the championship match set for December 3.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

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Windies ‘A’ tour of South Africa…

Windies bowlers contain South Africa on day 1 B

atsmen Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Zachary McCaskie will return to the crease tomorrow to resume first innings of the first of three four-day Test matches, after the bowlers toiled against South Africa ‘A’ on day 1.

Hosts South Africa won the toss and elected to bat

first, and several small partnerships got them to a total of 287-9 declared. Keegan Petersen led the batting charge with a top score of 59 from 91 balls, inclusive of 9 boundaries.

Also crossing the half century mark was Tony de Zorzi and Clyde Fortuin, with 55 from 103 balls and 53 from

SCOREBOARD South Africa A Neil Brand c T Chanderpaul b SH Lewis 5 Tony de Zorzi c JM Da Silva b K Sinclair 55 Zubayr Hamza c T Chanderpaul b JNT Seales 30 Keegan Petersen b A Jordan 59 David Bedingham c KAR Hodge b K Sinclair 47 Clyde Fortuin c SH Lewis b JNT Seales 53 Mihlali Mpongwana c JM Da Silva b A Jordan 1 Hardus Viljoen b A Jordan 17 Dane Piedt lbw JNT Seales 5 Duanne Olivier not out 2 Tshepo Moreki Extras – 13 b: 4 lb: 3 wd: 3 nb: 3

Total 287/9 declared (78.5 overs) BOWLING O-M-R-W Jayden Seales 15.5-7-23-3 Akeem Jordan 18-5-61-3 Shermon Lewis 10-0-59-1 Jair McAllister 7-0-36-0 Kevin Sinclair 18-3-64-2 Kavem Hodge 10-2-37-0 West Indies A Tagenarine Chanderpaul not out 27 Zachary McCaskie not out 17 Yet to bat: Joshua Da Silva, Kirk McKenzie, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Kevin Sinclair, Akeem Jordan, Shermon Lewis, Jayden Seales, Jair McAllister BOWLING O-M-R-W Hardus Viljoen 5-0-31-0 Duanne Olivier 2-0-10-0 Dane Piedt 2-0-5-0

Tagenarine Chanderpaul got off to a flyer in the first innings’ chase

Guyanese Kevin Sinclair picked up two wickets

70 balls respectively.

David Bedingham missed out on the half-century mark, falling to Guyanese Kevin Sinclair’s spin for 47 runs off 50 deliveries. And though the wickets were slow to come, Jayden Seales led the charge with 3-23 from 15.5 overs, and Akeem Jordan picked up 3 wick-

ets for 61 runs in 18 overs.

Sinclair had two scalps for 64 runs from 18 overs, and Shermon Lewis had the 9th

wicket for 59 from 10 overs.

After the declaration, there were still a few overs left in the day, and Chanderpaul and McCaskie utilized those to get to 46 without loss before stumps.

In a pacy innings thus

far, Chanderpaul has 27 runs off 28 balls, including 6 fours, while McCaskie hit 17 from 28 balls, with 3 boundaries.

Day 2 of the 4-day Test will resume at 4:00hrs today.

“WHAT’S THE CRITERIA FOR WEST INDIES TEAM SELECTION?” Elite League Promotional Playoff asks Dwayne Bravo – As he puzzles over brother’s non-selection kicks off on December 10 for England ODI

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he Elite League Promotional Playoff is set to start on December 10 with the nine victorious teams from the Member Associations' Leagues clashing for coveted positions in Elite League Season Six in 2024.

Competitions Director Troy Peters confirmed that preparations for the playoff's launch are advancing according to plan, and emphasised that the tournament serves as a highly competitive platform for senior men’s club players across the country to show their skills.

"Over the past few weeks, preparations have been going smoothly. The playoff provides a fiercely competitive platform for senior men’s club players across Guyana to showcase their skills. We are poised to deliver an electrifying yearend programme that will thrill both players and fans,” Peters has shared.

The GFF’s nine Member Associations have hosted thrilling senior men’s leagues from June to November, featuring exciting matches for top clubs to earn their shot at participating in the Elite League Promotional Playoff, which would ultimately decide promotions and relegations for the upcoming Elite League Season Six, scheduled to commence in February 2024.

Peters explained that an open draw, scheduled for Wednesday November 22 at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara, will unveil the preliminary round pathways for the participating teams.

The drawing starts

Beacon FC will compete in the Elite League Playoffs as the Georgetown Football Association champions

at 6pm, and will be witnessed by representatives of the following football clubs: Beacon (Bartica Football Association), Beacon (Georgetown Football Association), Buxton Stars (East Coast Demerara Football Association), Dartmouth (Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association), Herstelling Raiders (East Bank Demerara Football Association), Monnederlust (Berbice Football Association) Slingerz (West Demerara Football Association), Tabatinga (Rupununi Football Association), Winners Connection (Upper Demerara Football Association).

The competing teams will be segmented into three groups of three, engaging in a round-robin format wherein each team plays against the others within their group.

Following the round-robin phase, the stakes will escalate as the group champions and the top-performing second-place teams from the three groups would advance

to the knockout stage.

The semi-final matchups will be drawn randomly from a pot containing the names of the group winners and the best second-place team, intensifying the suspense and drama.

Matches are planned for Saturdays, offering fans across the country an opportunity to witness sensational clashes at Eve Leary, Rosignol Ground, Bartica Community Center, Buxton Ground, Wisburg Secondary School Ground, Tuschen Ground, Anna Regina Multi School Ground, and Wadapna Ground.

Following the final on January 6, the GFF would award a preparation grant of one million dollars ($1,000,000) to the club or clubs promoted to the Elite League.

Peters has, however, noted, “The promotion hinges on the club(s) meeting the GFF/ CONCACAF Club Licensing prerequisites. We've been collaborating with clubs across the country to ensure their documentation meets the requirements for Elite League qualification.”

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Dwayne Bravo

ormer West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo has directed some scathing criticism towards lead selector for the West Indies Men’s Team, the Honourable Desmond Haynes, as well as white ball head coach Daren Sammy, after his younger brother Darren was overlooked for the upcoming three-match home series against England.

Darren Bravo, 34, recently led the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force to the CG United Super50 Cup title, and finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with 416 runs in eight innings at an average of 83.20, with one hundred and three fifties.

However, his production has proved to be not enough in the eyes of the selectors, as they have opted to go with younger players in whom they have invested with an eye on the 2027 World Cup, according to Haynes in a press confer-

Darren Bravo

ence on Monday.

“SMH!!! When will the BS stop?! I’m not surprised with my brother’s non-selection, but with the recent changes in WI cricket management. I held on to a bit of hope for the better,” Bravo said in a statement on Instagram on Monday.

“This is NOT acceptable, and I just can’t make sense of it! So here are my burning questions: What’s the criteria for West Indies team selection? Surely, it can’t be solely based on performance?” he added.

The former all-rounder then went into the aforementioned stats that Darren bravo put together in the Super50 Cup before asking more questions.

“I usually stay away from these discussions, but the mistreatment, disrespect, and dishonesty towards players over the years demand a voice.

When will it stop? When will this BS actually stop?” he asked.

He then directed his ire toward Haynes, Sammy, and newly-appointed Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe.

“To Mr. Desmond Haynes, your statement didn’t surprise me. It feels like another former player singing for his supper. I hoped for trust in the system with figures like you, Sammy, and the new director of cricket, but the system failed again,” he said.

Bravo ended by offering encouragement to his brother, and congratulating some of the new and returning members of the squad.

“To my brother, this too shall pass. Keep your head up, stay focused and trust in the Almighty. And, as always, I extend my best wishes to the team and selected players. It’s refreshing to see (Kjorn) Ottley, (Sherfane) Rutherford and (Shane) Dowrich back in the mix. Good luck, guys,” he ended. (Sportsmax)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023

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

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Windies ‘A’ tour of South Africa…

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contain South Africa Promotional Playoff kicks on day 1 off on December 10 Pg 22

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