Guyana Times -Monday, October 16, 2023.pdf

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Issue No. 5524

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

“I do not want you to waste the money that you’re earning” – Pres Ali to Baracara residents

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Cop suffers head injuries, fractured hand after Corentyne accident P17

See story on page 3

Man arrested for allegedly raping 10-year-old stepdaughter

P9

4.2kg ganja found at NA Prison during raid P9

…pledges 150 solar units, pushes for increased agri in community

Govt making strategic investments to diversify economy – Ashni Singh tells IMF

Page 7

…as IMF Deputy Chief recognises Guyana’s progress, economic policies

Miner chopped Motorcyclist gunned down to death at at Ogle Omai Backdam …”something is not adding up” – family Page 15

Page 10

30k-bpd oil refinery in Region 6 to be finalised before year end – Pres Ali

Page 2

“Roachie” appeals life sentence for killing of unarmed cop

P10

Massive agricultural development, new crops earmarked for Mara P15

2 NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

30k-bpd oil refinery in Region 6 to be finalised before year end – Pres Ali

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ith the Guyana Government already in receipt of several proposals for the establishment of a 30,000-barrel per day oil refinery in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), President Dr Irfaan has stated that they are looking to finalise this project by the end of the year.

The Head of State made this announcement during his address at the commissioning of the $100 million recreational park at Corriverton in Berbice on Saturday evening.

According to President Ali, the expansion of Guyana’s energy sector will see a “strong base” being set up in Region Six as part of the budding diversified economy in Berbice.

“As we come closer to realising the opportunity with the energy project here in Region Six, we are working on the 30,000 refinery – the proposals that came in, because we are hoping that before the end of this year, we must finalise the refinery project to be done right here in Region Six that would add and create even more opportunities for Region Six,” the Guyanese leader posited.

The Government had put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) last year for the es-

President Dr Irfaan Ali

tablishment of an oil refinery in the country. Back in August, it was reported that four out of the 11 companies that had submitted proposals last year have been shortlisted.

In addition, however, Guyana has been receiving multiple proposals from several other governments that are interested in setting up oil refineries here.

But Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has made it clear that the country has the capacity to build only one oil refinery.

During a press conference in August, Jagdeo disclosed that a first-round evaluation was held and Government was waiting for additional information

from the four shortlisted companies. But even as they do this, a number of other countries are still sending oil refinery proposals.

“At the end of the day, if it goes forward it has to be on conditions that are good for our country and they have to meet all the financial and technical requirements. We don’t have the capacity for two refineries.

There shall be if that project goes forward, one refinery,” the VP had stated.

Simultaneously, however, the Guyana Government is also looking at a strategic reserve option. Jagdeo explained that the main reason for the refinery here was to ensure national energy security.

On this note, the Vice President disclosed that the Government is also exploring the feasibility of tolling some of Guyana’s light sweet crude and bringing back the refined products to store here. He noted that from the initial numbers, this can not only guarantee national energy security but also allow for a significantly cheaper cost of energy.

“If we are doing a refinery, it will be here because it defeats the purpose of your energy security and you have the refining done in Trinidad. But if [it] can get a tolling fee, it could be re-

fined anywhere in the world [providing it’s cost competitive] and you then store the refined products here. Then that’s a different concept…

If you’re doing the refinery, it has to be done here because what if there is a disruption in global supplies or regional supplies for an extended period and the refinery is in Trinidad, that doesn’t help us,” VP Jagdeo stressed.

Trinidad and Tobago had offered to let Guyana use its oil refinery – a prospect that was shut down by the Guyanese Government.

Meanwhile, earlier in August, Guyana and Dominican Republic (DR) signed several agreements including one for the joint establishment of an oil refinery in Guyana.

In 2022, a Request for Proposals was issued for companies to express their interest in constructing a 30,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery. Specifically, companies were asked to submit bids for the design, finance, and construction of the oil refinery, which will be located at the mouth of the Berbice River.

According to the RFP that was issued, construction on the refinery was expected to begin in 2023, with the project expected to be completed within two years. The refinery was to be located near the Berbice River.

The plan for the refinery’s construction ties into the Government’s vision of promoting value-added production and securing ener-

gy security both for Guyana and the Caribbean. It is also an integral part of the Government’s developmental plan for Region Six. An oil refinery is an industrial plant that transforms crude oil into various usable petroleum products, such as diesel, gasoline, lubricants and heating oils like kerosene.

Refineries serve as the second stage in the crude oil production process, following the extraction of crude oil from the earth.

Once the refinery at Berbice becomes operational, Guyana will be able to sell crude oil components to various industries for a broad range of purposes, including fuels for transportation, heating, paving roads, and generating electricity and raw materials for chemical manufacturing.

This would attract global investments due to soaring fuel prices worldwide, the increased cost of heating as time goes by, and a lack of adequate refining capacity to process crude into gasoline and diesel.

Neighbouring states including Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, The Netherlands Antilles, Cuba, Jamaica, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Barbados and Suriname all possess oil refineries as well. (G8)

NEWS

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, Oct 16 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Tuesday, Oct 17 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, Oct 16 – 07:35h – 09:05h and Tuesday, Oct 17 – 05:30h – 07:00h

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 16:21h reaching a maximum

height of 2.78 metres

Low Tide: 10:59h and 23:19h reaching minimum

heights of 0.55 metre and 0.44 metre

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DAILY MILLIONS

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Crude Oil

$90.64/barrel

-0.28

Rough Rice London Sugar

$287.37/ton $727.70/ton

+0.22 +2.32

Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask Low/High Change

Change %

USD Per Ounce $1925.20 $1920.80 -7.30

$1926.20 $1933.50 -0.38

“I do not want you to waste the money that you're earning” – Pres Ali to Baracara residents …pledges 150 solar units, pushes for increased agri in community

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday made a pledge to supply residents of Baracara, Canje River, Berbice, with 150 solar power units for the houses in the riverine community.

The Head of State led a Cabinet outreach across Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) over the weekend during which he engaged residents from several communities and made interventions to resolve a host of issues raised.

At Baracara, President Ali lauded the residents for undertaking home improvement projects – something which he was particularly impressed with since it shows that residents were spending to ensure the comfort of their families.

“I do not want you to waste the money that you're earning… So, we're going to set aside before the end of this year, 150 solar units for the 150 households [in Baracara],” the Head of State announced to an eruption of loud screams and cheers by residents.

Last year, the Government had announced plans to distribute 30,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) home energy systems in hinterland and riverine communities whereupon completion, would provide 4.5 megawatts of power across all administrative regions.

These units are to include a 160-watt panel, charge controller, battery, and other basic fittings, to ensure each household can independently generate electricity.

The first 1830 solar units reportedly arrived in the country in May 2023, with the remaining systems expected to arrive between now and November.

The distribution of the systems has already begun in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Meanwhile, during his address to the Baracara residents on Saturday, President Ali relayed that the focus of the inventions his Government has made there in recent years is to drive productivity in the community.

The Guyanese leader explained that Government has to ensure that whenever it makes an investment, it brings about benefits. In fact, he disclosed that previous interventions made in the community have already yielded some $10 million in just one year.

“We want to expand this even further,” he stressed.

At present, Baracara is preparing 25 acres of land for the upcoming red beans crop. But the Head of State

Residents cheering after President Ali announced that 150 households will get solar units

wants to expand this to a much higher acreage in order to increase output.

“We’re going to put the tractor and plough to work.

But I am not going to accept anything below 400 acres of land for red beans.

So, we’re going to put the land to work, we’re going to put the machinery, we’re going to put the labour and I’m not accepting anything below 400 acres to be prepared and work for red beans and black beans,” he informed residents.

Further, the President went on to outline his plans to expand aquaculture activities in Baracara.

“I was disappointed to hear that you don't have any fish for me to buy today. So, I was analysing why and I believe that we should invest in at least one large solar freezer so that when you have excessive production of fish, you can store in that,” the Head of State said.

Moreover, he highlighted Government’s push to have more young people be

involved in this sector, especially with certain initiatives such as the Innovative Entrepreneurship Programme that they can tap into to get started.

He noted that Government wants to naturally open up areas in which there can be aquaculture activities in order to further increase the production and not have only seasonal catches.

“So, when we are out of the season, we may have facilities like the aquaculture farms that can still give us the patwa, the hassar, the houri and the Tilapia. So, we want to work on examining how we can develop this in its natural environment with the young people,” the Guyanese leader noted.

In terms of livestock, President Ali reminded that during his last visit to Baracara, this industry was completely wiped out. But with Government’s intervention, it has since been revived and is now thriving.

According to the Head

of State, he wants to see this further grow and so Government will be handing over at least five heifers and two high-bred rams to the community to expand their livestock production.

Recreation and health wellness is another area that the Guyanese leader highlighted that is important to communities. He said his Administration has been creating opportunities for health and wellness in communities across the country through the establishment of green and safe spaces especially for children, young people and women – spaces that are family-oriented and bring together communities.

Against this backdrop, the President announced plans to use the tractor and plough that will be deployed to the community to prepare the farmlands, as well as other additional resources, to develop the playground into a proper facility that can be “comfortably enjoyed” by the children of Baracara.

(G8)

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

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The IsraelPalestine Tragedy

A

fter Hamas launched its surprise – but perhaps not surprising – attack against Israel by land, air and sea on October 7, the entire world was forced to take notice even though Israel is a mere 8550 square miles and Palestine – consisting of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank – 2324 so miles. Israel is a bedrock ally of the US – the world’s largest superpower – and the largest recipient of its aid programme. Guyana was forced to declare its position, which, of course, had to be couched in diplomatic language because of the volatile nature of the situation.

We state the Government’s position in full: “The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has noted with growing alarm and concern the escalating violence between Israel and Palestine which has resulted in the senseless loss of lives, the destruction of property, the displacement of persons, and a further setback in the Middle East.

The Government of Guyana condemns all acts of violence and finds repugnant the invasion of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

We hold sacred and worthy of respect, places of worship of all religious faith. The Government of Guyana implores all parties to apply restraint and to cease all actions that are in contravention of international and humanitarian law.

Guyana stresses that constructive dialogue between the Israeli and Palestinian authorities is pivotal to advancing the peace process and to the realisation of the two-state solution as the legitimate end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

There is first, alarm expressed over the loss of lives in both Israel and Palestine. This is an ultimate humanist position that places value on all human lives – unlike what has been the dominant reportage by Western media that has only stressed the loss of Israeli lives. Our Government understands that the unfolding tragedy did not begin on October 7, but only has its proximate origins after WWII when the Western powers sought to provide a country for the Holocaust-decimated Jewish people, in Palestine. That they chose Palestine – a land to which Jews had a historic linkage – but was now occupied by Palestinian Arabs – provided the ultimate cause. The Jewish people have a sense of rightness and indeed righteousness to the land, because it is mentioned in the Bible that their God Jehovah gave the land to them via Moses. The Palestinians have a similar sense of righteousness because they have occupied the land for thousands of years and have sacred spaces such as the Al-Aqsa mosque that was “repugnantly invaded” – by Israel – according to our Government, The situation fits to a “T” Hegel’s view of a tragedy. This view is described pithily in an Oxford Academic text: “In Hegel’s view, the essence of tragedy is conflict, not a moral conflict between right and wrong, but a conflict between legitimate rights and institutions. Such conflict moves the unmovable, i.e., the norms’ and institutions of ethical life, threatening them with destruction. Such conflict arises out of the false consciousness of the tragic hero, who, convinced of his own rectitude, embodies a stubborn fixity of will that issues in one-sided action that both violates another legitimate right and plunges the hero into selfcontradiction. S/he refuses to recognise what, if s/he were true to her/himself, s/he should honour. Like Aristotle Hegel believes in tragic resolution. In Hegel’s view the tragic resolution demands that the hero yield, give a little, recognise what s/he refuses, enlarge her/his perspective. If s/he yields, the drama does not have to end tragically; but if s/he refuses to yield, then the hero is destroyed by the very powers s/he refuses to recognise.”

In the present conflict, the Guyana Government takes the position that each party (hero) must “enlarge their perspective” and compromise to avoid their destruction.

Our Government supports the 1974 UN resolution on the “Peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine”. This called for “two States,” Israel and Palestine … side by side within secure and recognised borders” together with “a just resolution of the refugee question”.

Let justice for all be done.

President Dr Irfaan Ali shares a photo with children of Baracara, Canje River, Berbice during a Cabinet outreach to the community on Saturday (DPI photo)

Jamaica — a contract killing den?

By Lisa Hanna

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very day we must come to terms with people being killed in Jamaica.

On any given day the news reports double, triple, or quadruple murders at a location. If it is not the killing we hear about, then it is our social media feeds that highlight a "broad daylight" shootout that's taking place in real time.

Worse, we must all accept that Jamaica is a contract-killing den, where a person may go missing, be gunned down or brutally stabbed to death by someone or a group contracted to do so. The person who did the contracting may be someone very close to the individual.

In the court trial surrounding Everton "Beachy Stout" McDonald and the murder of his wife Tonia McDonald, who was found with her throat slashed in a burnt vehicle, the man charged with killing her, Denvalyn "Bubbla" Minott, alleged that her husband contracted and promised him $3 million for the job, but then he subcontracted the work to Oscar Barnes. Minott testified last week that he was never paid the money.

Reading his testimony in the media gave me chills.

Especially when Minott said he tried four times to kill her on various occasions until he was successful. I can't wrap my head around it, particularly when he states in court that, "I am not a criminal, I just commit crimes."

Just in the same way I can't wrap my head around the fact that a young architect is shot and killed in Kingston and we are all comfortable saying, "That was clearly a hit," not grasping that we are giving that response too often

now.

It feels like we are no longer safe anywhere in our country. If you say or do something to another person that he or she may not like, instead of confronting you about it, the trend seems to be that the offended individual would prefer to get rid of you. Nonviolent conflict resolution no longer exists in our country.

There was a time when you could talk over things, forgive people, and move on. Now, our children are beating each other unconscious for stepping on shoes.

Even the gunman's ethics, as Buju Banton says, have changed: "Step, no time to linger, man haffi move through quick; no shells left behind, you better move well legit; solid composure, youth, your head can't sick; woman and pickney still off-limit..."

Today, even the baby on the breast is not safe, once the deposit is paid.

Approximately 32 people had their lives taken last week in Jamaica. It is not surprising that we have arrived here.

I can remember one weekend when 12 people were killed.

Jamaica has the second-highest murder rate in the world — 52 per 100,000 people. The international benchmark is 30 murders per 100,000 to establish the state of a civil war.

When are we going to wake up? Or are we going to build more gates and grills around ourselves? Will we continue to feel afraid when we see a man on a motorcycle drive up beside us in traffic or have our adrenaline on steroids when we arrive home late at night?

Will we continue to be worried when we leave the bank, wondering if someone is trailing us to kill us for our money? Or if you layoff a staff member, will

they pay someone to kill you?

Recently, everyone I spoke with told me they live in fear because they don't know if they or a family member will be the next statistic.

Have we launched any research into the criminal minds of those who we have incarcerated or even the mind of a killer?

I recalled the late psychiatrist, Professor Fredrick Hickling, publicly declaring, in February 2011, that over 41.4 per cent or two-fifths of the Jamaican population have a personality disorder ranging from mild to severe, and consequently, "treatment cannot be explored until the country accepts that something is wrong".

Hickling and clinical psychologist Vanessa Paisley concluded that this "high risk of behavioural dysfunction in the Jamaican population has significant implications in light of the country's high rate of crime and violence. The findings highlight the need for effective and targeted prevention and intervention measures". (West Indies Medical Journal, 2013) Signs of sociopathic, psychopathic, masochistic, and even misogynistic behaviour are exhibited at an early age. Why are we missing the signs? The carefully curated narrative we've built for ourselves to identify people who need counselling is outdated.

We need urgent readjustment with modern scientific approaches to help our children struggling with behavioural disorders so that they don't grow up to strangle people and go to work thinking that's normal.

Have we done enough to create specialised task forces that are equipped to deal with these types of crimes and

possible next steps? Have we done any studies to see where these incidents are most prevalent to know if we need to deploy more social workers, psychologists, and counsellors to aid in sensitisation and tackling mental health issues?

Are we carrying out enough sensitisation campaigns about conflict resolution or, better yet, how to reduce the many domestic, love triangle, and gender-based stereotypes. "Lawd, if him nah lick you, him nuh love you." "It's the norm girl, every now and then my man beat me — but is only when mi misbehave."

"Nuh gyal cyah gi mi bun, or she dead!" Unfortunately, this type of thinking has become normalised.

We can't expect people barren of morals to take morally driven decisive actions or to make the correct decisions. It's time to rethink our approach to these issues and bring behaviour medication and mental health assistance to the forefront.

The killing and hurting of our people should not be a political issue; it's about all of us and how we plan to operate going forward. It's all hands on deck to end this seeming epidemic. We all watched with our eyes wide shut as they spawned, bred, and grew.

"Criminal neva born big."

Let's face some truths. It took decades to get here, and it's time to invest in long-term social solutions. Let's start with collective response, discipline, and courageous cooperation to end this civil war of murder and mayhem on our island. (Jamaica Observer) (Lisa Hanna is Member of Parliament for St Ann South Eastern, People’s National Party spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade, and a former Cabinet member.)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

President Ali is on a mission to modernise Guyana Dear Editor, In just three short years, President Ali has proved that he is an influential and dexterous leader and his leadership skills have been recognised not only at home and in the diaspora or in the Caribbean, but in Latin America and throughout the world. By now, it should be obvious to everyone that His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali is committed to building a new and prosperous Guyana so that all Guyanese can prosper and live a happy and comfortable life. Predicting that he will be re-elected in 2025, an exuberant President Dr Ali promised to work tirelessly over the next seven years to make sure that by 2030 and beyond, Guyana will become digitised, its gross domestic product (GDP) will be among the highest in the world, and its economy will be sustainable, resilient, competitive, and diversified. He urged the people to end their petty grievances and worn-out dog-

mas of the past that for far too long have hampered the political system, disadvantaged, and weakened the resolve of the people, and stifled the development of the country. He pleaded with Guyanese at home and in the diaspora to mend their differences and support his Government in its efforts to modernise the country and make it a better place where every can have a bright future and live in harmony.

President Dr Ali is confident that in the next few years Guyana will bolster its position as a world leader on the international stage on some very important and significant issues such as climate security, energy security, food security, fair trade, and human rights, among others.

According to the President, the Government will invest heavily in infrastructure, agriculture, education, health care, tourism, especially eco-tourism, but most importantly in human development and so-

cial services with the aim of changing the attitude, culture, and behaviour of the people.

Faced with a huge backlog of over 5500 passport applications from persons at home and in the diaspora, President Dr Irfaan Ali did something no other President had done. He announced via social media that officials in the passport office will work twenty-four hour shifts to end the enormous backlog in seven days.

This is not the first major problem that His Excellency has solved since taking office. After constant complaints from several residents that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has been extremely slow in processing their applications for them to receive their benefits, President Ali instructed the NIS to establish a special secretariat to handle the more than 10,000 queries and resolve them by the end of the year. It shows that the President understands these ongoing issues and problems

that are frustrating the working class and is not afraid of the challenge to solve them. In fact, he grabs at every opportunity to meet and greet the people in the various villages and districts and resolve their problems, regardless of their status, ethnicity, or party affiliation.

Regionally, as the Head of State, President Dr Ali continues to lead Caricom’s campaign to increase agriculture production and reduce its food import bill by 25 percent by 2025 as well as Guyana’s drive to become a global leader in food production and security.

He asserted that Guyana is an extraordinary strong partner in expanding its agricultural food systems to meet the goals of food security in the Region and beyond. His advocacy and leadership in food and energy security, agricultural transformation, and for building resilient and sustainable economies in Guyana and the Caribbean, coupled with his

unwavering commitment and support for regional integration, gender equality and respect for sovereignty and the rule of law, all of which are central to the IICA’s work, earned him the prestigious Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Award (IICA) at the InterAmerican Conference in Costa Rica. Presented to him by the President of Costa Rica, Mr Rodrigo Chaves Robles, President Ali is the first Head of State to receive this esteemed award from the institute, which provides cooperation services through close and permanent work with its 34 Member States in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

In expressing gratitude to the IICA for the award.

President Dr Irfaan Ali stated that Guyana will work with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture to develop and establish a technological food hub for the entire Region to

ensure adequate food supply for the people. The Head of State affirmed that his Government is positioning Guyana to become a major destination for eco-tourism, and he will collaborate with the President of Costa Rica to help develop eco-tourism as a product in Guyana. Both leaders have agreed to cooperate on issues of the forests, environment, climate change, and energy and food security for the Region.

It should be clear to all Guyanese far and wide that under President Dr Ali’s leadership, Guyana is destined to become a country known for innovation not only in the production of food or the oil and gas sector, but it will acquire the best technology in the 21st century. We should all be proud of his commitment to make Guyana a prosperous country.

Sincerely, Asquith Rose

Burgeoning PPP/C success on corn & soya harvested at Tacama Savannah Dear Editor, I see that Guyana’s ‘Agricultural Investment’ is paying great dividends, and I will isolate just one example of this. Earlier in the year, with the overall aim of being self-sufficient by 2025, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration made a commitment to see

the cultivation of corn and soya bean in the intermediate savannahs. This was when the 2023 National Budget allocated some $1.2 billion for infrastructural development in Tacama, where soya is quite autochthonous.

Now the fruit of such planning and hard work is emerging, as the ‘corn and

Distress caused to families by contractor Dear Editor, On Thursday October 5, 2023 “The Evening News” carried a story about graves being dug up/out and desecrated at the Murphy Dam cemetery, Rosignol Village, West Berbice, located in Region 5.

One of those graves amongst the many, is that of my late mother!

Now, this callous and reprehensible act is being executed by a known contractor within the very region. This individual claims he owns the land where this cemetery exists for over seventy years to date.

If this person owns this land, answers needed to the following questions: 1. Why did he continue to allow residents to continuously bury their loved ones there?

2. Why didn’t he erect a notice that it’s private property?

3. If he owns this land why is the Rosignol NDC selling the burial plots and not him?

4. Why didn’t he inform the residents that he owns the land and it will be dug up and the sand removed/sold?

These residents I refer to

are from the catchment area of Cotton Tree Village on the northern end which includes the neighbouring villages on both sides. As well as those at the southern end under Blairmont/Gelderland such as Plantain Walk and Shieldstown. For notably, those that reside in this catchment area utilise this burial site and most certainly have loved ones buried there! As such, they should have been told to exhume their loved ones who may be in danger of being dug out and they should relocate them out of his land!

Finally, who will shed some light on this act of cruelty? For there are more questions than answers. One such: where are the remains of our loved ones? Where do we go to pay our respects as there are no longer any graves to identify each individual burial spot?

How do you go about compensating these aggrieved families for the unnecessary emotional and psychological distr ess?

Sincerely, Juliet Dukhi Social Advocate

soya bean project’ ongoing in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), has yielded over 160,000 tonnes of corn and soya, with the consortium looking towards replanting as soon as possible.

This is so encouraging and feeds the flame to keep at it, but in a bigger way.

As I flip through the incipient stages of this realisation, I recall how approximately 18,000 acres of corn and soya were planted in the Tacama Savannah in Region 10, by a consortium of companies that included Bounty Farm.

And look at these impressive details: “162,000 tonnes of corn and soya bean have since been harvested-including 108,000 tonnes of corn and 54,000 tonnes of soya bean, both of which are relatively new crops to Guyana. No wonder, David Fernandes, the assistant Managing Director of Bounty Farm, was optimistic that future crops would result in higher yields.

Editor and readers, I bring to attention the wider implications of this ‘corn and soya bean project.’ It is no slight matter that the PPP/C and their charges are into. We know that soybeans and soy foods may reduce the risk of a range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, coronary heart disease (CHD) and some cancers, as well as improving bone health. Soy is actually high-quality protein, as one or 2 daily serves of soy products can be beneficial to our health. The beans contain hormone-like substances (called phytoestrogens) that copy the action of the female hormone oestrogen. It is

thought that soy can reduce menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes).

There is more to ‘chew’ on and ‘digest’.

Research has shown that about 4 daily servings of soy foods in conjunction with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can reduce our LDL (bad) cholesterol by around 3 to 4%. This LDL, as we know, is a big issue worldwide.

On the actual working side and in terms of strategic work, it is common practice that corn and soybeans be commonly rotated on many farming operations, as they have different growth habits, nutrient needs, and pest and disease pressures. Rotating these two crops can help to improve soil health, reduce pest and disease pressure, and increase yields. Corn is well-known as a heavy feeder crop.

So irrespective from what angle we think of, this is a really great thing that Guyana is pursuing.

In fact, Fernandes, echoing my sentiments, explained that if good weather prevails, they are looking to possibly replant corn and soya next month. He noted that “We have everything on track to plant this November, but the only thing we don’t have control over, is the rain. And that would be the only consideration for us not to plant a crop of corn or soya bean.

But nevertheless, we would still plant a cover crop of millet or something like that on the entire land, to make sure it’s covered for the rains that will come in December.”

I am so excited that “Guyana has aspirations of

being a net exporter of corn and soya by 2025. In the feed industry, Guyana imports close to US$30 million in products annually. The aim is therefore not to just attain self-sufficiency, but establish the country as a net exporter of soya.” In this regard, the Government, last year, improved access to the area by

constructing 40 kilometres of road, with the remaining seven kilometres scheduled to be completed in 2023. What this means is that more can be achieved and with greater ease.

I await impatiently.

Yours truly, HB Singh

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:50 10:00 10:45 11:00 11:24 11:30 12:00 12:05 14:35 15:00 15:51 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:45 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 00:00

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6

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

Test Questions

Saturday’s answers

by Jack Prelutsky

1) A

4) A

2) C

5) D

3) A

Suggested materials

Paper towels, napkins, water, variety of seeds, glass jars, plastic Ziplock bags

Background:

All fully developed seeds contain an embryo and, in most plant species, a store of food reserves, wrapped in a seed coat. Temperature, moisture, air, and light conditions must be correct for seeds to germinate.

Aeration in the soil media allows for good gas exchange between the germinating embryo and the soil. Seeds need oxygen and produce carbon dioxide (CO2). If the soil or media is not well aerated due to overwatering or compaction, the CO2 will

not dissipate and seeds can suffocate. Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions; however some seeds require sunlight. Most seeds germinate at around 70-90 ºF. Can you sprout a seed without using soil?

How can you can solve this puzzle? Which of your ideas can you build a prototype for given the constraints?

Design:

Students, diagram the prototype, identify the materials needed to build the prototype, and write out the steps to take. Describe the expected outcomes. What steps will you take to create your solution?

What do you expect your solution to look like and be able to do?

Create:

Follow your design plan and build your prototypes.

Test & improve

Evaluate their creation and compare it with the expected outcomes. Seek areas of improvement and make changes where needed.

What was your biggest takeaway?

What would you do differently?

Once the seed has sprouted, analyse whether their seeds are monocots or dicots! Note: It will take 1-2 weeks for the seeds to germinate.

(Adapted from purpleplow.org)

Last night I dreamed of chickens, there were chickens everywhere, they were standing on my stomach, they were nesting in my hair, they were pecking at my pillow, they were hopping on my head, they were ruffling up their feathers as they raced about my bed.

They were on the chairs and tables, they were on the chandeliers, they were roosting in the corners, they were clucking in my ears, there were chickens, chickens, chickens for as far as I could see... when I woke today, I noticed there were eggs on top of me.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt making strategic investments to diversify economy – Ashni Singh tells IMF

…as IMF Deputy Chief recognises Guyana’s progress, economic policies

F

inance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, in Morocco for the 2023 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group’s Meetings, has assured them that the Government remains committed to prudent economic management and making strategic investment decisions for the national good.

The 2023 IMF and World Bank Group’s Meetings, which concluded on Sunday, were being held in Marrakesh, Morocco. During a meeting on Saturday, the Finance Minister updated IMF’s Deputy Managing Director (DMD), Kenji Okamura, on the Government’s fiscal and economic policies.

Singh made it clear to the IMF that the Government is intent on ensuring Guyana is never dependent on oil and gas, but rather, is making strategic investments to ensure a successful and diversified non-oil economy.

“Our intention is not to be an economy solely dependent on oil. We are using this period to make the strategic investments that are necessary to ensure that in the medium to longer term Guyana is not an economy that is solely dependent on oil,” the Finance Minister said.

“We want to make sure that we have a growing, globally competitive nonoil economy so we are using this period to invest

growth projected at more than 20 percent, on an average annually, causing the IMF Deputy Managing Director to recognise both Guyana’s strong economic performance and economic policy agenda.

Sustained policy

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh (left) and IMF’s Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura, in Marrakesh, Morocco on Saturday

in things like infrastructure to improve connectivity with our neighbours, increase the economic space in which we are operating, and therefore lay the foundation for more trade.”

Reference was made of the paved road from Linden to Lethem, which will ensure Guyana is connected to Brazil. Additionally, he referenced the Corentyne bridge linking Guyana to Suriname, for which two proposals have already been made, from Dutch company Ballast Nedam and Chinese-owned China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), to build the structure.

The Finance Minister also informed the IMF

of efforts to ensure economic integration in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the push for regional food security. He also encouraged the fund to view Guyana’s economic successes in the context of history, harkening back to a time when Guyana had to undergo an Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) in the 1990s.

“We come from a time when Guyana was once one of the most heavily indebted poor countries in the world. There was a time when Guyana’s debt to GDP ratio was more than 600 percent and it took hard work to get us from where we were.”

“As a Heavily Indebted

Poor Country (HIPC) with debt to GDP exceeding 600 percent and debt service to revenue exceeding 100 percent to bring us to a point where our debt to GDP ratio was about 60 percent and that is before we started producing oil,” Dr Singh explained to the IMF official.

The Minister pointed out that now, Guyana’s economy has recorded real economic growth of more than 40 percent on average per annum over the last 3 years, with medium term

Minister Singh further reminded that there has been a sustained policy effort by the current People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government to “open up the economy, to transition it from essentially an economy dominated by Government and State activity to an economy that is driven by private investment, both foreign and domestic, that reflects openness, both in terms of openness to external trade and a truly open and competitive private sector economy domestically, and creating the conditions that are necessary to attract big international investors from around the world”.

Then there is the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), under which Guyana is now selling carbon credits to the world and in fact, concluded a $750 million carbon credit agreement with Hess

Corporation. This made Guyana the first country in the world to certify its forests under the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), an international register that lists validated carbon credits. According to him, Guyana’s economic circumstances is an unusual one.

“Guyana’s economic circumstances and economic story are very unusual.

There are very few relevant comparators for what we are achieving and what we are experiencing in terms of the economic growth and the rapid economic transition that we are going through. There are very few, if any, historic precedents for this kind of growth,” The Finance Minister further pointed out.

In its just released Regional Economic Outlook Report for the Western Hemisphere, the IMF has projected that Guyana will record a 38.4 percent real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate this year.

Additionally, the country’s economic growth is expected to continue with 26.6 per cent GDP growth.

The report had also indicated that Guyana is the only country in which double-digit growth is expected.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Woman charged with 2 men remanded causing death by for drug trafficking dangerous driving …released on $250,000 bail

T

Remanded: Osafo Alleyne and Devon Browne

A

On bail: Nandanie Nimar

Dead: Pulwantie Ramjan

25-year-old woman of Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was granted $250,000 bail after she was charged with the death of an elderly woman.

Nandanie Nimar was charged with causing the death of Pulwantie Ramjan, 56, by driving dangerously on October 9 at Lusignan Railway Embankment, ECD. Nimar appeared last week before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts where she denied the charge.

The matter was adjourned to November 30.

Ramjan of Annandale, ECD, lost her life after being struck down and killed

while crossing the road at the Lusignan Railway Embankment.

Based on reports received, a motor vehicle with trade plates, KICS-2, driven

by Nimar, was proceeding along the Lusignan Railway Embankment when it came into contact with the now dead woman, who was crossing the road.

Ramjan was reportedly flung into the air and subsequently fell onto the road, where she sustained injuries. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) were summoned to the scene where they pronounced the 56-year-old woman dead. A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver but there were no traces of alcohol in her system. (G1)

wo men were remanded to prison by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday for their suspected involvement in narcotics trafficking. This was in response to the discovery of a marijuana-filled motor car at North Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Osafo Alleyne and Devon Browne are accused of being in possession of 1472 grams of Cannabis sativa, or marijuana, with the intent to traffic the drug on October 10.

Alleyne and Browne have both pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

In submitting a bail request on behalf of the two accused, Attorney-at-Law Domnick Bess stated that Alleyne was operating the car when it was pulled over and searched by Police officers.

Browne was riding along in the car, according to the defence attorney.

He claimed that neither of his clients ever stopped to look into the black bag they saw on the back seat of the car as they were travelling.

According to him, Police officers then claimed that marijuana was found in the bag.

However, the prosecutor rejected the defence attorney’s version of events on the relevant day. The Police prosecutor stated that Alleyne, the driver of a motor car, was found in possession of a bag containing marijuana when the Police stopped the vehicle on October 10.

She added that Browne was also travelling in the vehicle.

The prosecutor stated that Browne tried to get away but was taken into custody. Upon opening the bag, Police discovered three sizable bundles containing a significant amount of what seemed to be marijuana-related seeds, leaves, and stems, the prosecutor added.

The prosecutor revealed that the detectives had both men’s videotaped interviews wherein the defendants acknowledged their roles in the crime. The prosecution informed the court that Police were tracing the car after obtaining “intel”.

However, Bess intervened and stated that his client made an attempt to flee after being accosted by men brandishing guns in an unmarked vehicle.

The two were placed on remand until November 17 after bail was denied. (G1)

Building Bridges…

Y

…with Suriname

our Eyewitness has railed continuously about the terrible damage done to our psyches by the colonial powers when they ensured their policies violated the first Law of Geography. The said law quite logically declared that “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things." Makes sense, doesn’t it? Common sense! After all, let’s say you and me are sitting next to each other in a bus – wouldn’t sharing a sandwich be easier between us rather than with the fellas at the back!?!

But the Imperialists insisted that direct relations with THEM took priority over everyone else – they were the Mother Countries!! – even though they were thousands of miles away in Europe!! For instance, we in Guyana knew the most picayune details about places in Britain like – say, the highlands of Scotland!! But right next door to us was Suriname - across a river narrower than our Essequibo – and most of us hadn’t a clue about their country or their people! Until Burnham drove thousands of us over there as refugees!! Things closer to us were LESS related than things further away!

But at long last, that’s changing and that started with that follow-up visit of Suriname’s President Santokhi two years ago after he’d been here right after Pres Ali’s inauguration which was soon reciprocated. One could tell our leaders had hit it off at the personal level – and that’s very important going forward. The artificial colonial separation had further broken down at the people’s level with the “backtrack” in trade and people that proved a lifesaver for thousands in Berbice. President Santokhi’s wife, in fact, has Guyanese parents who’d fled to Suriname!! As such, the bonds of understanding between our two countries have become very deep at the top!

But these ties are now moving from the personal to the institutional! There was an agreement to build a bridge across the Corentyne River – one of the few riverine borders that aren’t located in the middle of the waterway. Suriname owns the river all the way to our bank at low tides. But the agreement gave us full involvement to select the bids and also in the construction!! And likewise with cooperation in health, security, business, petroleum, and power from gas.

So finally, we’re going to live out the true meaning of the law of geography and become more related with our nextdoor neighbours!

Well, the bids for building the Corentyne just came in and there were two firms – the Dutch Ballast Needam and the Chinese Roads and Bridges company.

Your Eyewitness thinks Ballast Needam should have the edge because of their experience in building identical bridges in Suriname decades ago!! …in Canje Most Guyanese don’t really know about the tragedy that swept across the Canje area when David Granger’s PNC ignored their own CoI’s recommendations and shuttered Plantation Rose Hall six years ago. After all only he (and she) who knows it feels it!! And those residents have been feeling the pain, loss of dignity and degradation that come from a whole community losing their biggest source of employment and wages. Well, the PPP – unlike the PNC that spoke with water in its mouth on sugar – have kept their word to reopen Rose Hall and sugar’s being produced.

In the near term, the social aspect of providing employment is rightfully taking precedence, but management is also cognisant that they’ll have to bring costs down so the product can generate profits for the industry to become self-sustaining. Mechanical tilling and harvesting have been successfully introduced and now it was announced that mechanical planting will be going that road also.

Hopefully, the bottom line will soon be black – not red!! …in “Opposition” strongholds The PPP got the PNC tearing their hair out trying to stop the PPP from gaining membership in areas they’ve taken for granted to vote for them regardless. But a new day’s dawning as folks start voting for their interests rather than ethnicity!!

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

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

NEWS

9

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man arrested for allegedly raping 10-year-old stepdaughter

P

olice in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) have apprehended a man on allegations that he sexually assaulted his stepdaughter on two occasions in 2021, and made inappropriate advances towards her just days ago.

The arrest stems from a report filed in Regional Division Seven, detailing the rape of a 10-year-old child by a family member between April 2, 2021, and December 31, 2021.

According to Police, investigations revealed that the suspect had a relationship with the victim’s mother and had been involved in raising the young girl since she was three years old.

Police said the child disclosed that on April 2, 2021, at about 12:30h, she was alone at home when her stepfather returned from his farm, forcibly brought her into their house, and sexu-

ally assaulted her. She confided in her mother, who allegedly reprimanded the suspect for his actions.

In an incident in 2021 (exact date unspecified), the suspect took the victim to his farm, where he forced himself on her and raped her.

Upon returning home, the child reported the incident to her mother, whom Police said once again scolded the suspect and temporarily moved out of the house.

However, on October 13, at about 07:00h, the child was bathing near a creek when the suspect followed her and inappropriately touched her breast while she was changing. The child promptly informed her grandmother of the incident, who then reported it to the Police.

The suspect was arrested and remains in custody as investigations continue.

(G9)

4.2kg ganja found at NA Prison during raid T he Guyana Police Force are investigating the recent discovery of over 4 kilograms of marijuana at the New Amsterdam Prison in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

According to a report from the Police headquarters, a party of ranks went to the New Amsterdam Prison at about 20:00h on Saturday, and while there, a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be Cannabis sativa was found in seven bottles and eight parcels along with several lighters.

Police said the narcotic was weighed and amounted to 4245 grams.

In recent times, the Guyana Prison Service has been grappling with the challenge of narcotics being smuggled into prisons. Less than a month ago, a 21-year-

old woman attempted to smuggle 106 grams of marijuana into the Camp Street Prison, Georgetown.

The 21-year-old woman, a security guard of C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was apprehended at the prison, where she had gone to deliver the item to an inmate. The drug was found in the soles of sneakers.

In response to the incident, the Prison Service and the Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, announced a series of measures to curb the smuggling of contraband into prison facilities. Tightening security protocols, increasing surveillance, and deploying advanced detection technologies are among the strategies being implemented to prevent the infiltration of illegal items into prisons.

Minister Benn em-

The drugs and contraband items that were found at the New Amsterdam Prison

phasised the importance of these efforts, stating, “People are finding more innovative ways to smuggle things into prisons... It has been a longstanding issue, but these incidents have significantly reduced, thanks to the measures

we’ve put in place.”

These proactive measures are part of a broader initiative aimed at creating a more secure environment within prison walls, ensuring the safety and integrity of correctional facilities.

(G9)

10 NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Motorcyclist gunned down at Ogle …”something is not adding up” – family

A

motorcyclist was gunned down under mysterious circumstances, by three men who pulled up alongside him at the traffic light at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and opened fire.

Dead is Kimal Khan, a 42-year-old resident of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, who was killed at around 00:10h on the Ogle Public Road, ECD. Investigations revealed that around 23:00h on Saturday night, Khan and his common-law 21-yearold wife left their Mon Repos home on a black Honda motorcycle, CL 5173.

Police said they proceeded to Wee Bar and Lounge at Mon Repos Public Road, where they each consumed an alcoholic beverage and left for another bar in Mon Repos and later returned

Dead: Kimal Khan

to Wee Bar and Lounge, where they spent a few minutes and left again, heading to a location in Georgetown.

As they made their way to Georgetown, Khan stopped his motorcycle at the traffic light at Ogle, waiting for the light to change. At that time, a tinted silver-coloured Allion vehicle pulled up alongside them and the occupants discharged several rounds

in their direction.

Khan immediately fell off the motorcycle onto the roadway as the car sped away, heading south along the Ogle Access Road.

The Police were summoned and arrived about five minutes later, along with EMT personnel. They found Khan lying on the road motionlessly in a pool of blood.

The body was examined, and a gunshot wound was seen on the left side of the chest and two to the right side of the head. The man was pronounced dead.

The crime scene was visited at about 00:15h

by Commander, Regional Police Division 4C, Assistant Commissioner K Pareshram; Deputy Superintendent J Dufu; Detective Assistant Superintendent Adams, Sergeant Benjamin, Sergeant Goodridge, Lance

Moments after Khan was shot and killed by the unknown gunmen

Corporal Cockfield, and other Police ranks.

The scene was processed and photographed, six 9mm spent shells were recovered, and an investigation was launched. The body was escorted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination. The area was also canvassed for CCTV cameras.

Following this incident,

Guyana Times spoke to a relative of Khan, who expressed shock at his sudden death.

“This is shocking and I don’t know if he had issues with anybody… this thing here is not adding up, something is not adding up.

She [the girlfriend] see the car then when they stop at Ogle, she said they [the suspects] stop the car, come

out, and then start shooting up,” the relative said.

The relative added that they do not know who might want Khan dead because he never spoke of having any issues with anyone. They said he was a “nice” person and would like to know what would have caused someone to shoot him. The man’s family is calling for justice. (G9)

“Roachie” appeals life sentence for killing of unarmed cop

T

he Court of Appeal of Guyana will commence hearing arguments on November 29 for an appeal in the conviction of Delon Abrams, who was handed a life sentence in the killing of an unarmed member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

In June 2018, Abrams, 32, called “Roachie” was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole after Justice Sandil Kissoon accepted his plea of guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Abrams, who was initially indicted for the capital offence of murder, pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing Police Corporal Seburn Elias, who was acting in execution of his duties on January 6, 2014.

Abrams killed Elias when the rank was attempting to re-arrest him after he had escaped from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was under Police guard.

It was reported that Abrams was caught and beaten by residents of Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, after he broke into someone’s home in the

Confessed killer: Delon Abrams

area.

As such, he had to be rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

However, the previously convicted felon escaped from the hospital. He also stole a Police Officer’s .38 calibre service pistol in the process.

When pursued and confronted in Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown by other ranks including an unarmed Elias, Abrams shot him twice, once to his chest and once to his left side abdomen.

Justice Kissoon had stated that the circumstances surrounding Elias’s death could not be ignored while delivering his sentencing re-

Police Corporal Seburn Elias

marks.

He had continued by saying that even after reviewing all of the prosecution’s evidence, he was unable to identify any mitigating circumstances. As a result, Justice Kissoon sentenced Abrams to life in prison without the chance of release.

In addition, Judge Kissoon had informed Abrams that although killing a law enforcement officer carries the death penalty, he was being sentenced to life in prison because of his early plea to the lesser offence.

At the time of his demise, Elias had 25 years of service in the Police Force. (G1)

NEWS

11

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

World Food Day

Over $26B spent on drainage & irrigation so far in 2023 – Agri Minister …as importance of water management highlighted

O

n the occasion of World Food Day, being celebrated today, it has been revealed that the Government has spent over $25 billion this year alone so far to upgrade drainage and irrigation systems critical to the agriculture sector, particularly with the dry weather sweeping the nation.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, in his World Food Day message, spoke of the initiatives that have been undertaken to promote sustainable water use and management of the agriculture sector. In his message, he also referenced the Government’s investments in improving drainage and irrigation.

“The Ministry has undertaken several initiatives to promote sustainable water use and management for agriculture. In 2023, the Government of Guyana invested a sum of $26.2 billion in upgrading the drainage and irrigation systems across the country,” Minister Mustapha said.

“Other initiatives include promoting drip irrigation systems, encouraging rainwater harvesting and

improving the hydrological observational network.

These measures aim to address the challenges posed by climate change and reduce water wastage while ensuring the long-term viability of the agriculture sector.”

The Minister further explained that the Government is committed to working with its development partners, such as the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank.

Additionally, he recognised the private sector, farmers, academia, civil society and others as valuable stakeholders. According to Mustapha, the Government recognises the need for an integrated management of water resources while also fostering sustainable access to water. According to him, while the Government is addressing this in its pol-

Drainage works in Region Five earlier this year

icies, individuals also have a responsibility not to waste water.

“In Guyana, where fertile lands and pristine waters define agriculture, we understand the profound connection between water and food. Guyana continues to implement several transformational projects to ensure the food security of the nation and also significantly contribute to the food security of the Caricom Region.”

“It is quite fitting that as we celebrate World Food Day, we are also celebrating

Agriculture Month 2023 under the theme “Accelerating Vision 25 by 2025: Investing in Agri-Business and Food Security,” the Agriculture Minister said.

Government’s focus on agriculture is down to the vision of making Guyana the bread basket of the Caribbean and reducing the regional food import bill.

President Ali has declared that his Government would be pursuing an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade and that in the next few years, with the

assistance of more diversified crops, Guyana would play a key role in reducing Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent.

The Agriculture Ministry was allocated $33.2 billion in Budget 2023 and in March of this year, five agencies attached to the Agriculture Ministry signed 21 contracts totalling $1,130,817,572 to advance the Government’s agricultural agenda. Of the contracts signed, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) received $504 million,

Other agencies that got money include the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which received $532 million; Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), which got $1 million; Mahaica Mahaicony Abary – Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA), which received $27 million; and the Fisheries Department, which got $15 million.

At present, preparations are also ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) for the upcoming Agri Investment Forum and Expo – which the Government has hailed as a critical affair for the future of agriculture not just in Guyana but the entire Caribbean.

The Agri Investment Forum and Expo is billed for October 20 to 22, and it is the second such event to be held in Guyana. As of last week, 150 exhibitors and some 100 agro processors, including 30 from overseas territories, had confirmed their participation in the event. Also participating are a number of Heads of Government from countries within the Region.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

As the Agriculture Ministry continues to facilitate Farmers’ Markets until the end of the year, on Sunday Farmers’ Markets were held at Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Lusignan, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). (Photos courtesy of Agriculture Ministry)

13

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14 NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 200 participate in Rotary Club of Georgetown’s Polio Walk

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Club President Devindra Kissoon

T

he Rotary Club of Georgetown held its annual Polio Walk on Sunday morning which saw more than 200 persons participating.

The walk kicked off at 6:00h at Georgetown Club on Camp Street and continued along several routes in the Capital City before returning to the Georgetown Club.

Participants were treat-

ed to a personalised fitness training warm-up session.

Before doing the three-mile walk, the club hosted a mimosa breakfast.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Club President Devindra Kissoon led the walk.

Minister Anthony commended the Rotary Club of Georgetown and its President for the hard work

put into raising proceeds to keep Guyana Polio-free, which it has been since 1961.

The Health Minister also expressed his desire to partner with the Rotary Club of Georgetown on the Ministry’s HPV initiative.

Club President Kissoon thanked all participants and sponsors which included DeSinco Trading; Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL); Banks DIH Limited; Guyana Beverage Inc; Fernandes and

Massy.

In addition, several Rotarians donated generously out of pocket.

Kissoon was expressly grateful to the Club’s projects team, whom he said worked tirelessly to make the event a success. The Club President explained that Rotary has raised more than US$2 billion worldwide and has helped vaccinate more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries.

15 Massive agricultural Miner chopped to death development, new crops at Omai Backdam MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

earmarked for Mara

…committee set up to work along with residents on agricultural programme

T

Vegetation being cleared at Mara a few years ago

he community of Mara, on the East Bank of Berbice, is expected to undergo massive agricultural development, including new crops and the opening of new land for cultivating rice, as part of a commitment made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government to the residents.

During a Cabinet outreach in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) over the weekend, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha informed residents that a committee has been set up to coordinate the revitalisation of agriculture in the community, in partnership with the residents.

“And that committee now is working on a programme, because many farmers would have requested clearing of land, because many persons want to get back to the land. But we are waiting on that programme. We cannot clear all the land at the same time, but we have to decide the amount of land we will clear for each farmer.”

“We are looking to bring back the agriculture drive that started here, things like the citrus crops, the fresh fruits and vegetables. And also open up more land for rice cultivation. This area here is an area that we’ve earmarked for massive development in the agriculture sector,” the Minister further said.

According to Mustapha, areas such as Mara are im-

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

portant for food cultivation.

He assured residents that they will be beneficiaries of budgetary allocations necessary and pointed out that since President Dr Irfaan Ali’s last visit to Mara in 2021, work has been done on 20 canals in the community.

“Guyana is leading that charge. Areas like these are important for us, where we’ll continue to make budgetary allocations and make the necessary inputs in the agriculture sector. In this area we’ve already started work to rehab all the canals. Since the President came, we’ve completed 20 of those canals,” Mustapha explained.

President Ali and his Cabinet Ministers, including Agriculture Minister Mustapha, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall; and Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Charles Ramson, embarked on a two-day outreach in Region Six over the weekend.

During the outreach, they engaged with residents from a number of communities, and visit several major project sites. The leaders also engaged residents of Rose Hall, Port Mourant and Manchester on Saturday.

When President Ali visited Mara in 2021, he had reminded the residents of the critical role that agriculture would play in the Government’s efforts to create a sustainable livelihood and job creation for Guyanese.

The President had made it clear that his Government is serious about agriculture, and would be investing heavily in the area of food production. He said the Government would be supporting investments in areas like agro-processing.

Ali had pointed out that Government wants to build an aquaculture industry and improve the swamp shrimp production in Region Six. President Ali had noted that swamp shrimp has a large market in the diaspora, and he had further highlighted that Government is already supporting some farmers in the Corentyne area to get off the ground.

Further, the President had spoken of the need to rebuild the cattle industry to support the facility. To fast-track this, President Ali had said that the Agriculture Minister would be leading a team to the region to have a discussion with farmers. (G3)

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man lost his life on Saturday after he was chopped to death by a man at Granny Landing, Omai Backdam, Siparuni, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Dead is Perry Budhram, a miner from Vreeden-Hoop, West Coast Demerara. The suspect is known only as “Saw Man”.

Investigations so far reveal that on Saturday at about 12:00h, Budhram, along with two co-workers – all of whom work with Chunilall Babulall Mining Company – left their camp and went to Granny Landing where they bought a case of Banks Beer and began consuming it.

At about 15:00h, Budhram told his two co-workers that he was going to “pick a fare” with a Spanish girl named “Jenny”. He then left and went into the Spanish girl’s room. According to Police, at about 16:00h, the two co-workers, who were ready to go back to the camp site, went to “Jenny”, where they saw her room door open, and Budhram was lying on the bed by himself. They shouted at him, telling him it was time to return to camp, and Budhram re-

sponded that he was not returning. The two men told Police that they decided to leave Budhram and went back to camp.

Meanwhile, a 57-yearold businessman of Granny Landing further told detectives that at about 17:45h on Saturday, he was at his business place when he saw Budhram run behind his shop in a bending position.

He immediately checked on him and saw two wounds to Budhram’s arms – one wound on each arm.

According to the businessman, Budhram told him that a man had chopped him. The businessman then assisted Budhram by tying the two wounds with a piece of cloth.

The businessman said he later saw “Saw Man” and enquired from him as to who chopped Budhram.

“Saw Man” responded that Budhram had also chopped him and told him about his mother.

Budhram, meanwhile, went and laid down next to a truck and became motionless. This prompted the businessman to contact the Police and report the matter.

His body was escorted to Mahdia District Hospital, where it was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is at the hospital’s mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination (PME).

Police searched several shops, camps, and worksites for the suspect, but he could not be contacted. Efforts were also made to contact “Jenny” for questioning, but her whereabouts are also unknown. A probe has been launched.

16 NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mental health continues to be a major challenge in Guyana – Dr Ramsammy H

undreds attended a mental health walk to raise awareness about the importance of keeping a healthy mind and faculty.

The walk, which attracted mostly youths, was held on Saturday. It was called the “Glow for Mental Health Walk” and was themed, “Creating Hope Through Action”.

Also attending the event was Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie

Ramsammy, who said that mental health continues to be a major challenge in Guyana.

He, nonetheless, charged the youths to take the lead in creating more awareness, thereby changing the reality.

“In the past, we have

Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

only thought of mental health only in terms of depression, bipolar disorder, [and] schizophrenia… The truth is that those diseases are only part of the mental health problems we face,” Dr Ramsammy is quoted as saying in a DPI report.

He noted that the stress of everyday life and the

ability to deal with it can cause mental health issues.

He added too that 75 per cent of people living with depression are not being treated.

According to the DPI report, Dr Ramsammy said that one in every eight persons have a mental health issue.

“It is an imperative that we ensure that everyone suffering from diseases like depression and anxiety must get treatment today, and not tomorrow. And that is why we glow tonight because it is a message…We must change that reality,” Dr Ramsammy noted. In the past week, the first 25 green benches were placed in schools which will create a space where persons with

mental health issues can receive help.

“We are saying to young people in our schools, there is a place where you can get help to my colleagues, from the Ministry of Health. We must establish these benches and these spaces in our health centres in our recreational areas across this country. [And to] let people know there is a place where we can be assisted to navi-

gate the everyday challenges,” Dr Ramsammy said.

UNICEF Deputy Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar was also part of the walk.

He noted that mental health issues should be a matter for discussion even in the family and it should not only be associated with doctors and clinics.

“This walk aims at creating awareness on mental health. As you know, mental health is stigmatised everywhere in the world and also Guyana is also not free from the stigma and discrimination in mental health. I think this evening, the walk will make a difference to create awareness, to reduce the stigma, but also creating enabling environment for mental health, every child everywhere has a right to good mental health and well-being,” he stated.

GBV workshop conducted for cops in Region 1 T

o enhance Police response to GenderBased Violence (GBV) cases, ranks stationed in Region One (Barima-Waini) participated in a comprehensive workshop held at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Boardroom in Mabaruma on Saturday.

The workshop, facilitated by members of the United Nations Population Fund, provided attending officers with a deepened understanding of crucial aspects related to GBV, equipping them with essential tools for more effective intervention.

The workshop covered a range of vital topics, including understanding the utilisation of rape kits in forensic investigations; shedding light on post-exposure prophylaxis in healthcare following incidents of sexual assault, and building practical skills for respond-

Police ranks participating in the training

The officers after completing the workshop

ing empathetically and efficiently to GBV cases.

Officers were also guided through the intricate legal considerations surrounding sexual assault and the appropriate procedures for handling survivors of GBV. The facilitators emphasised the guiding principles essential in handling GBV

cases, promoting both justice and a supportive environment for survivors.

Techniques for interviewing GBV survivors were discussed, ensuring that officers can gather crucial information while prioritising the comfort and well-being of survivors.

Moreover, officers were

educated about the importance of offering survivors various avenues of support and recourse, empowering them in their healing journey.

The workshop also delved into the legal obligations of Police officers under the Domestic Violence Act, ensuring that attend-

ing officers are well-versed in their duties concerning GBV cases. A comprehensive exploration of the intricate patterns of domestic violence deepened officers’ awareness of the issue’s complexity, fostering a nuanced understanding.

Additionally, 12 Community Policing Group (CPG) members from the Mabaruma station district enriched the discussions

with their valuable inputs.

A month ago, 30 Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Police ranks were trained to better handle Gender-Based Violence cases. They participated in a three-day COPSQUAD training programme under the Spotlight Initiative in partnership with the Human Services and Social Security and Home Affairs Ministries.

NEWS

17

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cop suffers head injuries, fractured hand after Corentyne accident

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Police Constable is currently hospitalised in a serious condition, nursing a fractured right hand and head injuries, following an early Saturday morning accident along the Corentyne Public Road, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Based on reports from the Guyana Police Force, the accident occurred at about 04:30h on the Number 72 Public Road, Corentyne.

The accident involved a motor pick-up, PAE 1659,

A part of the Police vehicle that was left stuck on the truck after the accident

owned by the Guyana Police Force and attached to Springlands Police Station (Anti-crime) and driven at the time by the now hospitalised cop, and motor lorry, GLL 2841, driven by a 39-year-old of Number 75 Village Corriverton, Berbice, and 15 other occupants.

Investigations so far revealed that the Police pickup was proceeding south along the eastern drive lane while the lorry driver is alleging that he saw the pick-

up proceeding on the western drive lane. Upon seeing this, the lorry driver said he swerved left to avoid a head-on collision, but despite his effort, the pick-up collided with the right-side cab of the lorry.

As a result of the collision, the driver along with two other ranks in the Police pick-up and the lorry driver along with occupants in that vehicle received injuries on their bodies. They were taken to Skeldon Public Hospital

by public-spirited citizens.

One of the Police ranks, an occupant in the pick-up, was treated and sent away, while the other was kept at the hospital for observation.

The driver of the Police pick-up was treated at the Skeldon Public Hospital for a fractured right hand and head injuries. He was later referred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital and admitted as a patient.

His condition is regarded as serious. (G8)

Customs staff shortage affecting detection of illegal weapons, drugs entering T&T

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n the face of widespread public concern over the country’s crime rate, Customs and Excise (C&E) Division sources are concerned that a staff shortage is affecting their ability to detect illegal weapons and drugs.

The Public Service Association (PSA) said there were 260 vacancies out of 693 positions in the division—a 37.5 per cent vacancy rate—in late 2019. There were 162 vacancies out of 333 positions for customs and excise officers for grades I and II. The nine most senior positions in the division— guard supervisor, training officer, supervisor, training supervisor, preventative inspector, collector, assistant comptroller, deputy comptroller and comptroller— had a listed vacancy rate of 100 per cent (acting roles were presumably not counted as filled positions).

The PSA told Guardian Media that there may be even more vacancies now, as employees left during the 2019 to 2023 period.

Claims by sources and the PSA that there is a lack of staff at the Customs and Excise Division were supported by notes to accounts in the 2022 Auditor General’s report. $27.9 million was allocated in fiscal 2022 to hire and pay new staff but that was not spent. The Auditor General’s report stated, “An intake of customs and excise officers and guards was anticipated. However, up to 30.9.22 (the date), only a few C&GIs assumed duty, not to mention the advertisement for Guards has not been finalised and advertised by the Service Commissions Department.”

According to the report, $118.7 million went toward personnel expenditure at the division in 2022, as compared to $123.6 mil-

lion in 2021—a decrease of $4.9 million. Salaries and COLA at the division in 2021 and 2022 accounted for $124.5 million. Costs associated with contract employment increased from $970,000 in 2021 to $1.05 million in 2022, while shortterm employment accounted for $4.58 million overall in both years. Comparatively, the ministry paid out $43.4 million in overtime in 2021 and another $40.9 million in 2022. Janitorial services cost $4.15 million overall in both years.

Guardian Media requested the number of vacancies at the division with the line ministry—the Ministry of Finance—and with Acting Customs Comptroller Yasmin Harris but did not receive a response.

Customs sources also complained that salaries are relatively low, increasing the likelihood of some junior officers accepting bribes.

The current salaries of the division’s employees range from $6,017 per month for some junior customs officers to $30,340 per month for the most senior person—the comptroller.

The lowest rank of C&E guard earns $6,370 per month, while the highest rank of C&E guard earns $8,853.

A customs officer earns between $6,017 to $7,664 a month. The most senior customs officer, a customs officer III, earns $10,770.

Training officers and supervisors earn $11,655, while inspectors and collectors earn $12,275.

The Government has offered a salary increase of four per cent for the negotiating periods: 2014 to 2017, as well as from 2017 to 2020 but PSA president Leroy Baptiste has rejected the offer.

Imbert promises additional resources for crime fight

As the Government moves ahead to roll out the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority in fiscal 2023, Finance Minister Colm Imbert said additional resources would be dedicated to the crime fight. He said a $90 million contract was awarded for four large-scale scanners at the ports of Port of Port-of-Spain and Port of Point Lisas for 2024. In addition, 16 hand-held scanners were being acquired.

However, according to the customs sources, while new scanners may help, a staff shortage also needs to be addressed.

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds had said there are approximately 12,000 illegal firearms in the country, while former acting police commissioner McDonald Jacob had linked the high number of homicides to illegal firearms coming through the country’s legal ports of entry.

“We do the work directly with the United States’ Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and in some instances, we have persons in Georgia and other places

who are arrested, who are responsible for sending firearms to Trinidad. We will do the intelligence and we’ll see some of the links to persons in Trinidad. So, our ports and our airports and other places are, in fact, compromised,” Jacob said in a media interview in August 2022.

Before a Joint Select Committee hearing on National Security in November 2022, then-acting comptroller Vidyah Marcial also acknowledged there were major staff issues facing the division.

“The trained staff is now becoming depleted and the units established for the crime-fighting and interdiction are very small in numbers. Most of those units operate on a 24-7 basis. So that on a shift, if it’s the marine interdiction unit, you need at least six to eight persons, presently we only have two to three people. I cannot send out two to three members of staff out at sea.

That is a risk,” she told the committee when it asked about the division’s inability to detect illegal guns coming in at the ports.

An unimpressed com-

mittee member, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell insisted the onus falls on the division to make recommendations to fill vacancies. Responding to the minister’s claims then-acting deputy comptroller Yasmin Harris, now acting comptroller, backed up Marcial’s claims.

“We have suffered multiple losses—staff attrition, where the staff was not replaced. From 2008 to 2022, our staff, we have suffered tremendous staff attrition. So, it is not the division. The division can only make—as a division in the public service—we can only make recommendations for the filling of vacancies and the appointment of officers, and I can assure you recommendations have been made by multiple comptrollers for the filling of such posts,” Harris said.

Despite all the vacancies, the country’s ports are busy.

The Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago stated that as of August 2023, 43,504 containers were imported at the Port-of-Spain port. Conversely, 15,161

containers were exported.

According to Budget 2024 documents, the Customs and Excise Division generated around $3.6 billion in revenue in 2022, as compared to $3.3 billion in 2022.

In fiscal 2022, the ministry earned $58.7 billion but spent $58.9 billion. The expenditure allocation for all finance ministry staff costs for fiscal 2024 was $539.8 million. In fiscal 2023, the ministry spent $452.9 million on staff. In fiscal 2022, $427.8 million and in fiscal 2021, $439.4 million.

Reports from the Auditor General for 2021 and 2022 also referred to the scanners at the ports. According to the 2021 report, $46 million was allocated for that fiscal year to repair and maintain the scanners donated by the United States Government, but a review determined it was impractical, so the money was not spent.

“The maintenance contract for mobile scanners donated by the USA after careful review by PBS Technologies was found to be old and outdated, making it impractical to repair and maintain. A proposal was made to purchase new ones to replace existing old ones in the Financial year 2022,” the report stated.

However, according to the 2022 Auditor General’s report, attempts to purchase the new scanners failed. $52.39 million was allocated to purchase the scanners—a critical tool in detecting the import of illegal weapons and drugs—in 2022, but it was not spent.

“The specifications of the scanners for the Request for Proposal were not finalised,” a note to the accounts stated. Two years later, Imbert announced at the 2024 Budget that four new scanners would be ready at the Port of Port-of-Spain and Port of Point Lisas by 2024. (T&T Guardian)

18

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Noboa poised for victory in Persad-Bissessar tells PM Ecuador’s presidential race not to duck crime talks

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B

usiness heir Daniel Noboa looks set to clinch Ecuador's presidency after voting on Sunday, tallying 52 per cent of the vote with more than 80 per cent of ballot boxes counted, on promises to improve the economy and create jobs for young people.

Thirty five-year-old Noboa, a surprise qualifier for the second round run-off, has also pledged to house dangerous criminals on prison ships.

His victory would fulfil a long-held family ambition – he grew up accompanying his banana baron father Alvaro during the latter's multiple failed attempts to become President.

It would also mark a rebuke by voters of his leftist rival Luisa Gonzalez's mentor, former President Rafael Correa, who has continued to wield considerable political power since he left office, despite a corruption conviction.

Gonzalez had pledged to bring back many of Correa's social programmes, boost

Ecuadorian presidential candidate Daniel Noboa reacts during the presidential election, in Santa Elena, Ecuador, October 15, 2023 (Reuters/Santiago Arcos photo)

the economy with international reserves, and fight crime.

Voters' top concerns largely centred on the economy, which has struggled since the coronavirus pandemic and motivated many thousands of Ecuadoreans to migrate, and rising crime, including increases in murders, robberies and prison riots.

The violence, which the outgoing government blames on drug gangs,

reached a crescendo during the campaign with the murder of anti-corruption candidate Fernando Villavicencio, who was shot dead while leaving a Quito campaign event in August.

Noboa made a special point to woo young people, as did Gonzalez, with events at universities toward the end of the campaign. About a quarter of the 13 million Ecuadoreans obliged to vote are between the ages of 18 and 29.(Reuters)

Venezuela's Maduro speaks to Abbas, condemns Israel's actions

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enezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he spoke by phone to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday about the situation in Gaza, and pressed for the establishment of a humanitarian aid corridor to help the local population.

On social media platform X, Maduro condemned what he called "indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population by Israel, causing thousands of deaths and injuries", which he said crossed "the line of respect for international humanitarian law".

Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas in retaliation for a rampage in which its fighters stormed from Gaza through Israeli towns a week ago, shooting civilians and seizing scores of hostages in the worst attack on civilians in Israel's

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

history.

Maduro said he had told Abbas that Caracas would send more than 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid in the next few days, marking the start of a plan to provide "direct and constant support for the Palestinian people" via established channels.

The two leaders agreed on the need for an imme-

diate ceasefire in the area and for a humanitarian aid corridor to be opened for Gaza, the Venezuelan President added.

Maduro said the two had reviewed initiatives from countries, including China and Egypt, to convene a global conference for peace and "the re-establishment of international legality". (Reuters)

More Haitian refugees land in Jamaica

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nother group of Haitian refugees numbering about 30, arrived at Long Bay, Portland on Sunday afternoon.

A Jamaican man who was at the scene said the Haitians, who were aboard a very small boat, started changing their clothes after coming ashore and then ran off in different directions.

The authorities have, so

far, been able to round up about 20 of them, Observer Online was told.

The authorities suspect that some of them were among the group of refugees that landed here in September and were sent back.

In July, 37 Haitians landed on Boston Beach in Portland. They have since applied for asylum in Jamaica.

Haiti has been mired for years in intertwining economic, security and political crises, resulting in thousands of citizens fleeing the country.

The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 has dramatically worsened the situation, with gangs taking an increasingly strong hold in the impoverished nation of 11 million people. (Jamaica Observer)

rinidad Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has sent a letter to Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley asking him to state unequivocally if he planned to attend the proposed crime talks with them.

During his contribution to the 2024 Budget debate on Thursday, the Prime Minister told Parliament he was looking forward to meeting with the Opposition to discuss this country’s crime problems.

However, Kamla PersadBissessar said the contents of a letter addressed to her

from the Prime Minister on that very same date gave her the impression that the Prime Minister would not be in attendance.

In her response to the Prime Minister, PersadBissessar said, “In your letter of October 12, 2023, your attendance and participation in the proposed discussions appear to be ambiguous. It is reported that you will not be present to steer your team at the proposed talks. For the record, the terrifying crime crisis is a national emergency that requires you to demonstrate and take leadership of this

initiative if the Government is serious about having genuine and meaningful discussions.”

Persad-Bissessar told PM Rowley now was not the time to take a back seat.

“I, therefore, urge you to lead the Government’s delegation at these critical talks. Please clarify and confirm whether you will be attending and leading the Government’s team, given your crucial position as Head of Government and Chairman of the National Security Council,” she wrote. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Annular solar eclipse transfixes crowds across the Americas

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housands of people across the Americas gazed at the heavens on Saturday to witness a rare phenomenon known as an annular solar eclipse, when the moon passes in front of the sun, momentarily producing the appearance of a "ring of fire" in the sky.

"It's one of those things you can't miss," said Oscar Lopez, 26, who travelled from Mexico City to the southern Mexican city of Campeche to see the eclipse.

"It's amazing. We're really lucky as human beings to be able to experience these things."

US space agency NASA said the eclipse was following a path from the US Pacific Northwest over California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, crossing over parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before ending at sun-

The solar eclipse is observed in Neiva, Colombia, October 14, 2023 (Reuters/Vannessa Jimenez photo)

set in the Atlantic Ocean.

Lopez and his family were among hundreds of spectators wearing sunglasses who gathered to watch the moon slowly glide across the face of the morning sun in Campeche, a picturesque colonial-era city on the western edge of the Yucatan peninsula.

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon pass-

es between Earth and the sun at a time when the moon is at or close to its farthest point from our planet. It does not completely obscure the face of the sun, unlike in a total solar eclipse.

Instead it creates the image of a brilliant ring on the outlines of the sun surrounding the dark disc of the moon.(Excerpt from Reuters)

Court rules in Clico’s favour; insurer entitled to 44.97% of Angostura

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he way has been cleared for the new Board of Clico to begin the process of taking control of the largest block of shares in Angostura Holdings Ltd, the Laventille-headquartered company that produces the world-famous Angostura Bitters as well as rum and other beverages.

For years following the collapse of Clico in January 2009, the leadership of the insurance company argued that trust deeds from 2003 entitled it to 42,830,350 shares in CL World Brands, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CL Financial.

At issue was whether CL Financial held 42,830,350 shares in CL World Brands on trust for Clico or if CL

Financial was entitled to the shares.

Central to the case was the validity of trust deeds dated June 11, 2003, of which there were three versions, and November 15, 2003, of which there were four versions.

The issue of the validity of the trust deeds was settled on June 20, 2023, when High Court Judge Kevin Ramcharan, delivered a judgment in which he declared that CL Financial holds 42,830,350 shares in CL World Brands on trust for Clico.

CL World Brands, which is a holding company for CL Financial’s spirits companies, is the 100 per cent owner of Rumpro Company Ltd, which is registered in St Lucia.

Rumpro is listed in

Angostura annual reports as owning 92,551,212 Angostura shares, equal to 44.97 per cent of the company.

Rumpro’s 92,551,212 shares were worth $2.126 billion (US$312 million) at the close of Friday’s trading on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange. Angostura’s market capitalisation – the total value of all of its shares – was $4.729 billion (US$695 million).

T&T’s 2018 Insurance Act prevents local insurance companies from owning more than 19.9 per cent of any entity, which means Clico must dispose of sell at least 27.63 per cent of its shares in Angostura.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

19

Around The World

Israel vows to demolish OILNEWS OIL NEWS Hamas as troops prepare to move on shattered Gaza All eyes on Iran I for security

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of oil supply

ran has become the focus of international attention in the wake of Hamas attacks on Israel that prompted largescale retaliation as the make-or-break actor in what increasingly looks like a new war in the Middle East.

While any war in the Middle East is a potential threat to oil supply security, one involving a producer the size of Iran could have even deeper implications for global oil markets.

None of these implications are positive.

Soon after the news of the attacks broke, there were reports claiming Iran, a supporter of Hamas, was involved in their planning. The information was denied by Tehran, while Israel and its biggest ally, the United States, said there was no evidence of Iran's involvement. Yet this did not stop US Senator and vocal war hawk Lindsay Graham from calling on the US to bomb Iranian refineries.

That and similar calls from presidential hopeful Nikki Haley are essentially calls for an escalation of the conflict beyond sanctions, which many analysts see as the most likely course of action that Washington would follow. Such an escalation would quite probably send oil prices above US$100 per barrel.

Yet there is also another potential scenario where Iran is the actor taking a bigger role in the conflict.

"The main thing to watch for is whether Iran becomes actively involved in the conflict and the reason why is because of Iran's proximity to the really crucial waterway called the Strait of Hormuz," Rapidan Energy Group's global oil service director Clay Siegle told Bloomberg this week.

Indeed, the Strait of Hormuz, in Iranian waters, is one of the biggest oil chokepoints in the world. The amount of oil that passes through the strait daily is around 17 million barrels of oil, which is equal to about 17% of global oil demand as forecast for this year. It is also equal to close to 90% of Middle Eastern oil that leaves the region via the Persian Gulf.

The importance of the Strait of Hormuz occasionally makes headlines when Iran threatens to close it, which it does when tensions flare up between Tehran and the West.

To say that tensions are currently flaring up would be an understatement, which makes the situation fraught with danger.

The danger would spike—and so would prices—if we get to a point where Iran wants to close the Strait of Hormuz and the United States wants to keep it open. That would amount to a direct confrontation between the two that could not end well. For now, however, such a prospect seems remote.

This is perhaps why prices have not really rallied after the Hamas attacks and Israel's retaliatory bombing of Gaza. Indeed, initially the benchmarks jumped but quickly retreated when the American Petroleum Institute reported a massive oil inventory build and the EIA confirmed it.

Still, the potential for supply disruption remains significant. Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein AmirAbdollahian, said this week that "other fronts" might open in the war, suggesting escalation is very definitely an option.

At the same time, Iran's President talked with the Saudi Crown Prince as Saudi Arabia has taken the role of moderator, seeking to de-escalate the situation. Per an FT report on the conversation, Ebrahim Raisi said that both Iran and Saudi Arabia "should defend the Muslim and oppressed nation of Palestine at this critical time."

Saudi Arabia, which has been recently working on a deal to build diplomatic relations with Israel, has refrained from taking a side. The US, however, just stopped the transfer of US$6 billion to Iran as part of a prisoner swap deal, and that would quite likely make Tehran angry.

That might be the first step of a potential escalation, especially if the hawks in Congress take the upper hand.

Even the International Energy Agency has made a statement regarding the conflict and its potential impact on oil markets.

"While there has been no direct impact on physical supply, markets will remain on tenterhooks as the crisis unfolds," the IEA said in its closely-watched Oil Market Report for October. The agency added it stood ready to act in case of a market disruption. The nature of the action remained undisclosed.

An Iranian involvement in the war between Israel and Hamas would have a major effect on global oil supply security.

Perhaps it is awareness of this fact that has motivated the diplomatic rush to an end to the fighting before it escalates.

(Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

srael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to "demolish Hamas" as his troops prepared to move into the Gaza Strip in pursuit of Hamas militants whose deadly rampage through Israeli border towns shocked the world.

Israel has urged exhausted Gazans to evacuate south, which hundreds of thousands have already done in the besieged enclave that is home to more than 2 million people. Hamas, which runs Gaza, has told people to ignore Israel's message.

Inside Gaza's narrow and crowded streets, conditions were deteriorating as deaths from Israeli air strikes rose.

Bodies were stored in ice cream freezer trucks because moving them to hospitals was too risky and cemeteries were full.

With fears of the con-

flict spilling further, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued his tour of Middle East states, seeking to prevent escalation and secure the release of 155 hostages Israel says were taken by Hamas back into Gaza.

Arab leaders stressed the need to protect Gaza civilians.

"The reaction went beyond the right to self-defence, turning into collective punishment," said Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Israel's retaliatory strikes.

Clashes on Israel's border with Lebanon, the deadliest since 2006, have underscored the dangers of regional spillover.

On Sunday, Hamas' armed wing Al Qassam Brigades said it fired 20 rockets from Lebanon at two Israeli settlements while

Palestinian man Mohammad Abu Daqa, who survived Israeli strikes that killed 8 family members and still searches for three others who are still trapped under the rubble of his house, reacts in front of the ruins in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 15, 2023

Lebanon's Hezbollah militia said it fired missiles at Israeli barracks in Hanita and had inflicted casualties.

Israel said it was striking Lebanon in retaliation, and the UN peacekeeping force said its headquarters

in south Lebanon had been hit by a rocket.

Iran, which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah, warned Israel of escalation if it kept attacking Palestinians. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Afghanistan hit by 3rd earthquake in a week

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new earthquake has hit western Afghanistan - several days after two large tremors in the region killed more than 1000 people.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) says the magnitude 6.3 quake struck near the city of Herat. It was at a depth of 6.3km (four miles).

At least one person has died, according to local health authorities.

Another 100 are being treated for injuries in the re-

gional hospital, the World Health Organisation said.

More than 90% of those who died in the earlier quakes were women and children, the UN's children agency UNICEF said.

In its report, the USGS said the epicentre of the latest tremor was 30km northwest of Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city close to the Iranian border.

Last Saturday's earthquake hit Zindajan, a rural district some 40km from Herat.

The tremor saw entire houses, which were too fragile to withstand the quake, reduced to rubble.

Villagers used shovels and bare hands to search for missing people.

Medicines Sans Frontiers Afghanistan Programme head, Yahya Kalilah told the AFP news agency the casualties would likely be low because people were already sleeping outside in tents.

"In terms of psychology, people are panicked and traumatised," he said.

"People are not feeling safe. I will assure you 100%, no one will sleep in their house."

The Taliban, who has been ruling Afghanistan since 2021, also as the cold sets in, will likely not be able to manage in tents for more than a month.

Afghanistan has been reeling from an economic crisis since the Taliban came to power, when aid given directly to the government was stopped. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Putin to visit China US actress Piper Laurie, to deepen 'no limits' star of The Hustler partnership with Xi and Carrie, dies at 91

R

ussian President Vladimir Putin will meet Xi Jinping in China this week in a bid to deepen a partnership forged between the United States' two biggest strategic competitors.

Putin will attend the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on Oct 17-18, his first trip outside the former Soviet Union since the Hague-based International Criminal Court issued a warrant for him in March over the deportation of children from Ukraine.

China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, triggering the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two. The United States casts China as its biggest competitor and Russia as its biggest nation-state threat while US

President Joe Biden argues that this century will be defined by an existential contest with between democracies and autocracies.

"Over the past decade, Xi has built with Putin's Russia the most consequential undeclared alliance in the world," Graham Allison, professor at Harvard University and a former Assistant Secretary of Defence under Bill Clinton, told Reuters.

"The US will have to come to grips with the inconvenient fact that a rapidly rising systemic rival and a revanchist one-dimensional superpower with the largest nuclear arsenal in the world are tightly aligned in opposing the USA." Biden has referred to Xi as a "dictator" and has said Putin is a "killer" and a leader who cannot remain in power. Beijing and Moscow have scolded Biden for those remarks. (Excerpt from Reuters)

U

S actress Piper Laurie - best known for her roles in The Hustler and Carrie films has died aged 91, her manager has said.

Marion Rosenberg told the Associated Press that the three-time Oscar nominee passed away in her Los Angeles home.

She described the actress as "a superb talent and a wonderful human being."

Her talents were not limited to acting - Laurie took a 15-year-break from acting to campaign for the civil rights movement.

She was nominated for an Oscar for the first movie she starred in upon her return - Carrie.

Born as Rosetta Jacobs, she was born in Detroit, Michigan to parents of Russian and Polish heritage.

She was signed by Universal Studios at the age of 17 - earning a contract and a new name: Piper Laurie.

However, Laurie became frustrated with the acting industry and being cast in the same roles, and broke her Hollywood contract - moving to New York to pursue other roles.

She later stepped away from the profession on what became a 15-yearbreak and focused her attentions on the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. During that time, she also married film critic Joe Morgenstern, and had a daughter.

Laurie also starred in numerous TV shows including Matlock, Murder She Wrote, and played George Clooney's character's mother on ER. (BBC News)

20

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Be careful not to reveal too much.

Listen to what others say before you do something you don’t feel good about.

When in doubt, say no and head in a direction that makes you feel more comfortable.

Explore your options and make your dream a reality. Tweak whatever is necessary to obtain the balance needed to get you where you want to go. Be aware of what’s happening around you.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20) It’s time to try something new and exciting. Don’t let anyone hold you back or transform you into something you aren’t. Speak for and look out for yourself and make clear who is in control.

(May 21-June 20) Do what makes you happy, and refuse to let anyone bait you into a discussion you aren’t ready for. Pursuing a creative interest or learning something that can help you advance is favored.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Speak up and tailor your next move to fit your circumstances. Honesty and integrity will help you avoid someone trying to entice you. Don’t let anger get the better of you.

(July 23-Aug. 22) An upbeat attitude will help you get in the groove. Take care of unfinished business and catch up with people.

You’ll learn something that will help you improve your financial situation.

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

Do what makes you feel good about yourself. Work to make a difference, put a smile on someone’s face and find a way to overcome adversity. Speak from the heart and share your thoughts.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Stop procrastinating and start the ball rolling. It’s nice to have dreams, but if you don’t act when opportunity knocks or make things happen, you’ll only have yourself to blame.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Use your skills wisely and you’ll discover something that inspires you. The peace you gain helping others will take your mind off what you cannot change.

Don’t let anyone test your patience.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Put more thought into details, perfecting your skills and making opportunities rather than waiting for them to come to you. An aggressive approach will pay off. Seize the moment.

LAST PUBLISHED WORD -- PHARMACY

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Question everyone and everything.

Don’t pay for something you can do yourself. Use insight and intelligence regarding money, contracts and medical matters. Don’t give in to someone pressuring you.

Don’t stop if you can keep going.

Financial discussions will pay off. If you have the will, you’ll find a way to make your dream come true. Step outside your comfort zone and forge ahead.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

21

The Great Upset: Afghanistan bring World Cup to life with England conquest A

fghanistan claimed the most famous scalp of their international history, and in the process provided the first big shock of the 2023 World Cup, by routing England's world champions by 69 runs in a spin-and-seam masterclass under the Delhi floodlights.

Their dominance was set in motion by a fearless display of pow-

a precious half-century in his first game of this year's World Cup, whereupon they set about making a target of 285 seem as dim and distant as England's hopes of defending their title must now feel.

If, after winning the toss and choosing to chase, England had assumed the sec-

from their opponents.

Jos Buttler's decision to bat second had seemingly been influenced by the likelihood that the ball would skid on to the bat under the floodlights. But instead, the evening conditions merely exacerbated the natural attributes of each of Afghanistan's bowlers, not least Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, right from the outset of their innings.

Farooqi's loosener was more than enough to cause a few sideways glances in the England dressing-room, a wicked full-length inswinger from his zippy left-arm line pinned Jonny Bairstow on the crease and extracted a perfectly justifiable on-field verdict from Rod Tucker, irrespective of Bairstow's stinkeye as he stalked from the crease after a seam's-width DRS verdict.

But no such second-guessing was required for England's second victim of the powerplay: Joe Root, squared up by Mujeeb's front-of-the-hand slider, and bowled for 11 from 17 – yet another telling powerplay failure for England's faltering

Mark Wood misses, Afghanistan hit

anger was a pointed one, a bullet drive through the covers as Afghanistan's main threat Rashid Khan entered the attack in the 17th over. But Naveenul-Haq's fiercely-flicked seamers seemed to spook him from the outset, and after being beaten twice in his first four balls, he drove without conviction through a booming inswinger, and had his stumps splattered

Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays the pick-up off Adil Rashid

er-hitting from the 21-yearold Rahmanullah Gurbaz, whose 80 from 57 had promised so much more until a runout sawed him off in his prime.

But Ikram Alikhil marshalled Afghanistan's lower order with

ond half of the match would be a cakewalk to match the 283 target that New Zealand had waltzed past in their tournament opener, those notions were scotched during a startlingly attacking powerplay

SCOREBOARD Afghanistan (50 ovs maximum) Rahmanullah Gurbaz run out (sub [DJ Willey]/†Buttler) 80 Ibrahim Zadran c Root b Rashid 28 Rahmat Shah st †Buttler b Rashid 3 Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) b Root 14 Azmatullah Omarzai c Woakes b Livingstone 19 Ikram Alikhil †c Curran b Topley 58 Mohammad Nabi c Root b Wood 9 Rashid Khan c Root b Rashid 23 Mujeeb Ur Rahman c Root b Wood 28 Naveen-ul-Haq run out (†Buttler) 5 Fazalhaq Farooqi not out 2 Extras (lb 1, nb 3, w 11) 15 TOTAL49.5 Ov (RR: 5.69) 284 Fall of wickets: 1-114 (Ibrahim Zadran, 16.4 ov), 2-122 (Rahmat Shah, 18.4 ov), 3-122 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 18.5 ov), 4-152 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 25.6 ov), 5-174 (Hashmatullah Shahidi, 32.1 ov), 6-190 (Mohammad Nabi, 36.1 ov), 7-233 (Rashid Khan, 44.1 ov), 8-277 (Ikram Alikhil, 47.6 ov), 9-277 (Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 48.1 ov), 10-284 (Naveen-ul-Haq, 49.5 ov) • DRS BOWLING O-M-R-W Chris Woakes 4-0-41-0 Reece Topley 8.5-1-52-1 Sam Curran 4-0-46-0 Adil Rashid 10-1-42-3 Mark Wood 9-0-50-2 Liam Livingstone 10-0-33-1 Joe Root 4-0-19-1

England (T: 285 runs from 50 ovs) Jonny Bairstow lbw b Fazalhaq Farooqi 2 Dawid Malan c Ibrahim Zadran b Mohammad Nabi 32 Joe Root b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 11 Harry Brook c †Ikram Alikhil b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 66 Jos Buttler (c)† b Naveen-ul-Haq 9 Liam Livingstone lbw b Rashid Khan 10 Sam Curran c Rahmat Shah b Mohammad Nabi 10 Chris Woakes b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 9 Adil Rashid c Mohammad Nabi b Rashid Khan 20 Mark Wood b Rashid Khan 18 Reece Topley not out 15 Extras (lb 4, nb 1, w 8) 13 TOTAL40.3 Ov (RR: 5.30) 215 Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Jonny Bairstow, 1.1 ov), 2-33 (Joe Root, 6.5 ov), 3-68 (Dawid Malan, 12.4 ov), 4-91 (Jos Buttler, 17.2 ov), 5-117 (Liam Livingstone, 20.4 ov), 6-138 (Sam Curran, 27.1 ov), 7-160 (Chris Woakes, 32.6 ov), 8-169 (Harry Brook, 34.2 ov), 9-198 (Adil Rashid, 38.4 ov), 10215 (Mark Wood, 40.3 ov) • DRS BOWLING O-M-R-W Mujeeb Ur Rahman 10-1-51-3 Fazalhaq Farooqi 7-0-50-1 Naveen-ul-Haq 6-1-44-1 Mohammad Nabi 6-0-16-2 Rashid Khan 9.3-1-37-3 Azmatullah Omarzai 2-0-13-0

Ikram Alikhil was equally adept against pace and spin

kingpin – as the ball kept low to rattle middle and off.

Not for the first time, Dawid Malan was the most composed batter on show, his 32 from 39 balls singlehandedly dragging England through the powerplay without further loss. But Mohammad Nabi, playing his 150th One-Day International (ODI) out of a possible 156 for his country, was waiting for him as the fielding restrictions lifted. Nabi's fourth ball was a moment of offspinning poetry – a flighted, dipping delivery that made Malan believe his fifth boundary was on the cards, only for Ibrahim Zadran to spring the trap at short cover.

At 68 for 3 in the 13th over, the alarm bells were ringing.

Buttler's exhortation in recent weeks has been to "attack"… but even he was powerless to practise what he had preached in such invidious circumstances. His only shot in

for 9 from 18.

England's diffidence thereafter was startling. Liam Livingstone never looked settled in his 10 from 14, eventually planting his front foot down the line to Rashid and burning a futile review in the process. Sam Curran seemed focused solely on holding up an end while Harry Brook got busy with a fighting half-century, including a handful of exquisite drives down the ground, and in the 31st over, England's first and only six of the innings, which told a tale – especially when set against the previous World Cup meeting between these teams. Afghanistan by contrast had launched eight.

With Curran on 10 from 23 balls, Nabi – armed quite rightly with a slip - returned with another collector's item to collect another left-hander, as Curran poked limply at a dipping offbreak and fenced low to Rahmat

Shah. And it was only once the result was a foregone conclusion that England finally broke out of their defeatist mindset, with Reece Topley's three fours in a row off Farooqi proving to be among the cleanest strikes of a flat-lining display.

It was a crushing victory by any standards, but the gulf between Afghanistan's attacking mindset and England's muddled approach was even more vast than the final result made it out to be.

And it was Gurbaz's mini-masterpiece that set the tone for his team. Presented with a surface on which South Africa's batters had posted three centuries in last week's World Cup record 428 for 5, he climbed on to the offensive, particularly against another timid new-ball spell from Chris Woakes, whose search for form has epitomised England's uncertain start to their title defence.

Woakes' first ball of the match was a wild sighter that flew away through Buttler's legs for five wides, and Afghanistan scarcely needed any more encouragement to put the hammer down on such a visibly-weak link in England's attack. In his second over, a premeditated hack from Gurbaz through the line persuaded Woakes to drag his length back, and Gurbaz was waiting with the sucker punch, a vicious slammed pull over deep square-leg for six.

Two more fours followed in Woakes' next over, lashed through the covers as he failed to land his cutters, and though Topley at the other end was proving more frugal with his high-kicking left-arm seam, Gurbaz had utter faith in the true nature of the pitch, and twice climbed through an offering of width across his bows with a brace of savage cuts.

Curran replaced Woakes, but fared little better. Gurbaz demolished his second over, which disappeared for 20 with two more fours and another muscular six over midwicket to close out Afghanistan's powerplay on an ominous 79 for 0. He

duly brought up his fifty from 33 balls, the fourth fastest of the tournament to date, with a calculated sweep for four off Adil Rashid's second ball.

England's concerns had deeper to go before they could improve. Mark Wood was rapid from the outset of his spell, but a misdirected bouncer was jemmied up and over deep third with a flick of the wrists, before Gurbaz nailed his fourth six – and arguably the best of the lot: an effortless pick-up over deep midwicket as Rashid looped a legbreak into his arc.

And when the injury-plagued Topley jarred his knee while failing to cut off another pull through fine leg, and limped off for treatment, the concerns in the England camp, and for his father Don sitting up in the stands, were plain to see.

Topley returned in due course, however, by which stage it seemed that Afghanistan's innings had imploded in a familiar flurry of self-destruction. After playing out a maiden against Rashid, Ibrahim Zadran picked out Root with a head-high clip to midwicket, and before he could settle, Rahmat was dragged out of his crease in Rashid's next over, to be smartly stumped by Buttler for 3 from eight balls.

And then… catastrophe.

Hashmatullah Shahidi nudged his first ball to midwicket and set off for an unthinking single, and Gurbaz was barely in the frame as the shy came in from midwicket. He stalked off the pitch, utterly livid with himself and his captain, smashing his bat on the boundary marker and a passing chair as he did so, knowing full well that those blows could and should have been meted out on England's toiling bowlers instead.

But even as Afghanistan struggled to regroup, the seeds of England's downfall were plain to see. Livingstone settled into an excellent mid-innings holding role, completing a full 10-over spell for the first time in his ODI career, while Root was also a handful with his offbreaks as he bowled Shahidi for a becalmed 14 from 36.

But at 174 for 5, there would be no surrender in spite of Afghanistan's awkward scoreline. Alikhil anchored the tail as Rashid and Mujeeb took what lumps they could out of England's bowling, and by the time Curran's final over had been launched for two fours and a free-hit six, he and Woakes had leaked the combined figures of 8-0-87-0. In the final analysis, those were the margins that could not be managed, as Afghanistan delivered on their pre-match promise to offer some "joy" to their country in the wake of last week's earthquake. They could not have delivered more. (ESPNcricinfo)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

“One Guyana” Basketball League

1st wins for UG Trojans, Plaisance Guardians

…Pacesetters remain on top

T

he One Guyana Basketball League continued as the UG Trojans and Plaisance secured their first wins while the Pacesetters bagged another victory to remain at the top of the Harpy Eagle Conference on Saturday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The Republic Bank Nets looked to conquer the UG Trojans, coming into the first quarter demonstrating their dominance.

They led the game in the first quarter 19-14.

The Guardians came back in the second quarter with force and determination to win, with two points being the difference 12-10.

The game was not one-sided as the Nets managed to win the third quarter of the game with their ability to put the ball through the net for 27 points while the Guardians

were limited to 24 points.

The Trojans went on to secure their first win despite losing the final quarter, scoring 15 of 75 points while the Nets scored 17.

UG Trojans Head Coach Warren Wilson in an interview with Guyana Times shared his feelings after the team’s first win, and touched on the momentum it would give his team going forward in the league.

"Winning is a good feeling, even though it was a hard game. I think we still made the game hard for ourselves in terms of making some silly mistakes down the stretch, but we were able to stay composed, which was good and for tight games.

Momentum-wise, I’m glad we were able to win this, so that we can get back to practice and be ready to continue with this momentum for the rest of the

UG Trojans Wilson

Coach

Warren

competition,” Wilson said.

The Plaisance Guardians annihilated the Black Caimans as they went up in the first quarter of the game to score 18 points while their opponents failed to get into double digits as they were limited to seven points.

The second quarter was no different as the Guardians, who were deemed favourites, scored

36 points while the Caimans failed to put the ball through the net consistently – scoring eight points.

The third quarter was not very beneficial to both teams, with the Guardians scoring 11 points while the Caimans repeated the same number of points scored in the second quarter.

The Guardians went on to secure the win in the final quarter, scoring 18 points, for a total of 83 points while the Nets scored 10 points for a total of 34.

Coming off of an unbeaten run, the Pacesetters did not apply any pressure as they led in the first quar-

ter against the GDF, with the scoreline reading 17-13.

The Captain of the Plaisance Guardians, in a chat with this publication after the game, related that the teams missed out on key players and offered details on the way they intended to play in their next t w o group games.

“Well, is a rough tournament we have players now coming back with us and a lot of players out, so we are struggling at the moment; we are going to bounce back. This is the start: we have two more games to play and we will be playing the same way, so we just got to keep

pushing and we are going to get results in the following game,” the Captain shared.

In the second quarter, they demonstrated the reason for their unbeaten streak as they put the ball through the net for 18 points and limited the soldiers to six.

In the third quarter, which was not very beneficial to both teams, the Pacesetters scored 17 points while the soldiers repeated the same number of points scored in the second quarter.

The Pacesetters continued their unbeaten streak as they went on to score 16 points while the soldiers were limited to two points that quarter, for a total score of 47 points.

The One Guyana Basketball Tournament will continue at the same venue on Saturday 21, 2023.

MoE Priority Programme “Bunny” Shaw scores receives golf equipment twice as Man City Women to boost PE initiative drub Bristol City 5-0

A look at the presentation of equipment

G

olf – arguably the fastest-growing sport in the country under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education (MoE) Unit of Allied Arts Priority Programme, the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) and Nexgen Golf Academy –received a boost on Friday, with a sizable donation of equipment from Germany courtesy of the Course Manager from Ramstein Airbase Golf Course; Duane, Ola, Harry, Zoe, and David Obermulller; Steven Griffith and Tony Gideon.

GGA President Aleem Hussain and Vice President Philip Haynes presented the equipment on behalf of the Obermueller family to Head

of the Priority Programme, Saeed Zameen, who commented, "This comes at the opportune moment as we have partnered with Nexgen Golf Academy, under the directive of Minister Priya Manickchand to commence implementation of golf as a PE subject in the first 10 of a projected 44 secondary schools as a part of the Ministry's push for every learner to experience a sport during their formative years.

"Minister Manickchand has made it clear that it is her vision and that of the Ministry to provide every learner with the access and facilities to engage in a sport as early as possible

and this programme is certainly making that vision a reality.

"The Ministry of Education Unit of Allied Arts has been extremely supportive of the golf programme evidenced by the fact that we now have arguably, the largest school programme for golf in the entire Region, and with our numbers at CSEC growing to exceed 1000 students in 2024, Guyana will again lead the Region in golf as a PE elective," said Hussain, who is the driving force behind the programme.

With the Ministry's plan to expand the inschool PE programme to include Regions Two, Three, Five and Six in the coming months, it is expected that more than 16,000 learners would benefit from golf instruction through the partnership with Nexgen Golf Academy and the Priority Programme.

The modified teaching programme, developed by Master Coach Hussain, has seen phenomenal results at CSEC with an over 90 per cent Grade One pass rate, an incredible statistic considering that none of the students had access to a golf course to practise. This is set to change with the opening of the Westside Golf Course, which is a model for innovative golf and designed for beginners.

K

hadija “Bunny’ Shaw opened her account in the Women’s Super League this season, scoring twice in Manchester City’s 5-0 demolition of Bristol City Women at the Joie Stadium in Manchester.

Shaw, who scored her first goal of the season in Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Everton in the

stoppage time before the Jamaican capped a dominant half with another header before the break.

Manchester City were unable to add to the score in the second half, but it mattered little as Bristol City had few opportunities to cut into the lead with only two shots in the game, one of them on target. By contrast, Shaw had five shots in the

Carrie Jones at the interval. (Sportsmax)

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Khadija “Bunny” Shaw

FA Women’s League Cup on Wednesday, scored two first-half goals in the lopsided victory.

The Jamaican striker scored in the 38th minute and in stoppage time after Jill Roord had opened the scoring from a close-range header in the ninth minute moments after a Shaw shot cannoned off the cross bar.

Laia Aleixandri headed into the net in the 33rd minute before Shaw’s header made it 3-0 five minutes later. Roord would score her second early in

first half alone for her side that took 24 shots in the game, 12 of which were on target.

City enjoyed 81 per cent of the possession against Bristol City, who remain winless after three games and sit at the bottom of the 12-team table.

Shaw could have added to her tally having missed a header from inside the box in the 89th minute and her shot from the six-yard box in stoppage time was saved by goalkeeper Ffion Morgan, who had replaced

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

23

Guyana pledges support to Cricket West Indies

President Dr Irfaan Ali addresses the meeting with CWI executives

P

resident of the C o o p e r a t i v e Republic of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has pledged support to Cricket West Indies (CWI) for the redevelopment of cricket in the Caribbean through infrastructural development, cricket programmes, and commercial opportunities.

On October 13, 2023, President Ali and CWI President Dr Kishore Shallow met at State House in Guyana as part of the commitment to strengthen stakeholder relationships across the Region. CWI Director of

Cricket, Miles Bascombe; CWI Independent Director Manniram Prashad; and Guyana Amazon Warriors owner Dr Ranjisinghi “Bobby” Ramroop were also in attendance.

The Head of State reiterated his commitment to establishing a partnership with CWI to improve the overall performance of West Indies cricket. One of the primary objectives will be establishing a HighPerformance Centre in Guyana to service cricketers from across the Region.

President Ali said: “We are excited as a government to play our part with

A look at the meeting between President Dr Irfaan Ali and CWI stakeholders

the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) in the new redevelopment of cricket in the Region. We welcome the partnership with CWI in the development of a regional High-Performance Centre and cricket academy here in Guyana."

Guyana has successfully hosted the last two Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finals. Its Cricket Festival, culminating with the CPL final, is emerging as a regional calendar event, having attracted thousands of visitors to Guyana.

NSC Junior Badminton tournament…

Rambirche, Beharry emerge as triple champions …Alexander grabs U-19 title

T

he National Sports Commission (NSC) Junior National Badminton Tournament concluded on Saturday after three days of exciting play at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue; with Xavio Alexander emerging the winner of the U-19 Boys’ Singles and Mishka Beharry the U-19 Girls’ Singles champion.

In the U-15 Boys’ Singles, Ruel Rambirche copped the first prize and on the distaff side, Malia Haley.

In the Under-11 category, Ethan Bulkan won the Boys’ Singles and Anjaneysa Godette, the girls.

There were two triple champions coming out of the tournament in the Under-15 category, Rambirche got gold in the Boys’ Singles, Boys’ Doubles (with Avinash Ramnarine) and the Mixed Doubles (he teamed up with Gianna Ramnarine).

The GBA hasn’t had a Boys’ Triple Champion since Narayan Ramdhani.

The other triple champion – in the Under-19 Category – is Mishka Beharry who secured gold medals in the Under-19 Girls Singles, U-19 Doubles (with Leshaunte Berkeley) and

Under-19 Mixed Doubles 1st – Xavio Alexander & Mishka Beharry 2nd – Jedidiah Uwagboe & Neveah Eastman 3rd – Frank Waddell & Leshaunte Berkley 3rd – Nikolas Pollard & Malia Haley

The mixed doubles gold and silver medallists

U-15 triple Rambirche

champion

Ruel

U-19 triple champion Mishka Beharry

Under-15 Boys’ Doubles 1st – Ruel Rambirche & Avinash Ramnarine 2nd – Egan Bulkan & Ethan Bulkan

the Mixed Doubles (with Alexander).

The GBA expressed its gratitude to the Director of Sports (DoS), Steve Ninvalle and the NSC for supporting the tournament.

The overall winners are: Under-11 mixed doubles 1st – Joel Rambirche & Anjaneysa Godette 2nd – Liam Brumell & Rio Alexander

3rd – Mohamed Farouk & Lamar Lewis 3rd – Jaquan Nedd & Micah Holder Under-15 Girls’ Singles 1st – Malia Haley 2nd – Gabrielle Felix 3rd – Gianna Ramnarine 3rd – Aaliyah Bacchus

Under-11 Girls’ Singles 1st – Anjaneysa Godette 2nd – Rio Alexander 3rd – Arianna Bassier

U-19 champion Xavio Alexander (right) and national player Akili Haynes

Under-11 Boys’ Singles 1st – Ethan Bulkan 2nd – Joel Rambirche

Under-15 Mixed Doubles 1st – Ruel Rambirche &

3rd – Liam Brummel

Gianna Ramnarine 2nd – Avinash Ramnarine & Gabrielle Felix

Under-15 Boys’ Singles 1st – Ruel Rambirche 2nd – Avinash Ramnarine 3rd – Egan Bulkan 3rd – Sergio Alexander

Under-19 Girls’ Doubles 1st – Mishka Beharry & Leshaunte Berkley 2nd – Neveah Eastman & Malia Haley 3rd – Gabrielle Felix & Gianna Ramnarine 3rd – Aaliyah Bacchus & Tyra Gomes Under-19 Boys’ Doubles 1st – Joanathan Debidin & Frank Waddell 2nd – Raah Russell & Jonathan Robinson 3rd – Jedidiah Uwagboe & Haresh Persaud 3rd – Tristian Gouveia & Adeeb Zaman Under-19 Girls’ Singles 1st – Mishka Beharry 2nd – Leshaunte Berkley 3rd – Neveah Eastman 3rd – Genvieve Bookram Under-19 Boys’ Singles 1st – Xavio Alexander 2nd – Joanathan Debidin 3rd – Frank Waddell 3rd – Raah Russell

MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

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

Pg 21

Afghanistan bring World support to Cricket Cup to life with England West Indies conquest Pg 23

Pg 23

NSC Junior Badminton tournament…

Rambirche, Beharry emerge as triple champions …Alexander grabs U-19 title

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