Guyana Times -Wednesday, November 1, 2023.pdf

Education Ministry placing 2300 new trained teachers in schools – Manickchand P11 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 5540

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Guyana asks ICJ to stop Venezuela's provocative referendum over Essequibo See story on page 3

Shade house project

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GECOM calling on registrants to uplift ID cards P5

…cards ready 6 weeks after application

Another Guyanese firm wins bids for 2 oil blocks P17

Programme underway for persons with disabilities to participate

Fire Service receives 23 fire reports in P14 1 day

Page 7

…as President tours facilities with Barbadian, St Lucian PMs

“It’s misguided” – VP on “Policia” labelled GPF vehicles …says GPF instructed to change wording to English Page 15

Murder at Middle Road

Victim fought back, but was overpowered Page 9 by accused – Prosecutor tells court

…accused mastermind slapped with murder charge

Rice farmer found dead in backdam P17 1 arrested, booty recovered as thieves P18 target Berbice supermarkets

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, Nov 1 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Thursday, Nov 2 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, Nov 1 – 06:30h – 08:00h and Thursday, Nov 2 – 07:15h – 08:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

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

Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 06:18h and 18:25h reaching maximum heights of 2.52 metres and 2.62 metres.

Low Tide: 12:00h reaching a minimum height of 0.74 metre.

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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$87.41/barrel

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$288.36/ton $734.30/ton

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Guyana asks ICJ to stop Venezuela's provocative referendum over Essequibo

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uyana has approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking an injunction from the world court to prevent Venezuela from taking actions through its provocative referendum over Guyana’s territory – Essequibo.

The ICJ announced on Tuesday that Guyana had approached the court seeking its intervention in Venezuela’s upcoming referendum, planned for December 3. Venezuela’s referendum will seek the Venezuelan people’s approval to, among other things, annex Essequibo and create a Venezuelan state.

One of the questions from the referendum that Guyana is seeking an order against, is the very first one, which asks the Venezuelan people to reject the boundary between the two countries that was set in the 1899 Arbitral Award – following a process of arbitration.

Guyana is also seeking the court’s intervention against question three, which asks the Venezuelan people not to recognise the ICJ’s jurisdiction, even though the court had thrown out Venezuela’s previous attempt to get the court not to accept jurisdiction over the case.

Finally, the court’s intervention is being sought for question five. Question five asks the Venezuelan people to agree to the annexation of Essequibo and the creation of a Venezuelan state.

Additionally, Question five seeks the citizens' approval for, among others, Venezuela granting citizenship and identity cards for residents of Essequibo.

According to the ICJ, Guyana is also seeking an order from the court that “Venezuela shall not take

Guyana's team at the World Court in April 2023 for the ruling in the border controversy case regarding Venezuela's preliminary objection

any actions that are intended to prepare or allow the exercise of sovereignty or de facto control over any territory that was awarded to British Guiana in the 1899 Arbitral Award” and further that “Venezuela shall refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”

Urgent

Meanwhile, the Government sent out a statement of its own on Tuesday explaining this approach to the ICJ. In its statement, the Government said that the ICJ’s protection is urgent, adding that because of the urgency of the matter, Guyana has asked the Court to schedule oral hearings on its request at the earliest possible date in advance of December 3.

“Yesterday (Monday), in further response to Venezuela’s sinister plan for seizing Guyanese territory, Guyana sought the urgent protection of the International Court of Justice, by filing with the Court a Request for

Provisional Measures,” the Government’s statement said.

“In that Request, Guyana seeks from the Court an Order preventing Venezuela from taking any action to seize, acquire or encroach upon, or assert or exercise sovereignty over, the Essequibo Region or any other part of Guyana’s national territory, pending the Court’s final determination of the validity of the Arbitral Award that established the land boundary between our two States, and the final and binding nature of that boundary.”

In the statement, Guyana further urged the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the international community to continue reminding Venezuela of its obligations under international law.

Venezuela’s move to hold the referendum has been criticised by a number of organisations including the Organisation of American States (OAS) and Caricom. About a week ago, the Guyana Government had also issued a statement denouncing Venezuela’s aggression.

After a failed good offices process between the two South American neighbours, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres in 2018 had referred the border controversy to be resolved by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Shortly after, Guyana filed a case seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, and legal affirmation that the Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

The Spanish-speaking nation is laying claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in Essequibo and a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which more than nine billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past six years.

Back in March 2021, ICJ had granted Guyana until March 8, 2022, to file its written submissions for the case, after requesting 12 months.

Venezuela was given until March 8, 2023, to submit its counter-memorial. (G3)

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

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

Warning signs of abusers

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n the struggle to get a handle on the burgeoning problem of domestic and intimate partner abuse, one of the areas that have not received much attention in Guyana has been the dynamics operating between couples. Nowadays, arranged marriages are way passé and couples date or otherwise have a relationship for extended periods before actually getting married. An ever-growing phenomenon, of course, are the couples who ‘live home’ even after children are produced out of the relationship. The phenomenon of “child mother” and “child father” is increasing in Guyana.

Are there signs of an abuser that can be discerned early on in a budding relationship, which can then be nipped before matters proceed too far? While Guyana has not ‘progressed’ to the stage of having dating services, some interesting warning signals have come out from those studies in the countries that we imitate in our social relations. The concept is the same as where the individual in Guyana reveals his/her personality after a few dates.

A paper published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin examined the influence of prior experiences on partner preferences. The researchers themselves constructed a believable-looking “online dating service”, and thus were able to track the study participants’ preferences and selection of various partners. Although the study participants did not know it, the researchers had carefully chosen the profiles so that they differed in systematic ways.

For their first study, the researchers focused on heterosexual women’s preferences, and the men’s profiles that they looked at differed in how much they signalled potential for psychological abuse in intimate relationships.

The profiles themselves were actually real, with the profiles of potentially abusive men written by men who scored high on characteristics associated with abusive personality: impulsivity, anger, jealousy, low self-esteem. A separate sample of participants independently confirmed that the profiles gave off warning signals of potential abuse.

The researchers’ results are sobering: Women who had a history of being psychologically maltreated in a prior relationship were three times more likely to choose potentially-abusive dating partners than women without this history. In other words, women who are at risk for being abused in their relationships are more likely to be attracted to the very features that others see as clear precursors of abuse. Often, these choices are rationalised: intense jealousy is misinterpreted as caring, and anger is romanticised as “dangerous”.

In a second study, the researchers turned the tables around, and focused on heterosexual men’s preferences.

Their question was this: Who do potentially-abusive men prefer? The results showed that men who scored high on a measure of inflicting psychological abuse were 1.5 times more likely to choose a partner who is high on attachment anxiety.

Attachment anxiety is a disposition associated with victims of abuse, and is characterised by an intense anxiety over rejection.

As such, people high in attachment anxiety are particularly vulnerable to being “treated like a god” during the courtship phase of a relationship: being flooded with flowers, adulated, constantly called. Fears of rejection overwhelm the ability to detect an unhealthy balance between independence and interdependence in their relationships. What does one do in the face of such data, with people high in attachment anxiety and their potentially-abusive partners essentially judging each other as highly compatible?

Simple as it may sound, one powerful answer is to rely on your social networks. Listen to what your friends are saying. In fact, people in new relationships should actually ask friends their opinions about prospective partners, and these friends should be honest in their evaluation. This is critical advice both if you are attracted to a potentially-abusive mate, or if someone you care about begins describing abusive relationship patterns. Sometimes, we need to rely on other people to help us see what we cannot.

Most abuse and violence are committed by “significant others”. We bear much of the responsibility for choosing them.

Let us become educated for the signals sent out by abusers.

Brazil's Santa Claus school members travel on a Bonde (tram) as they take part in their graduation, ahead of the Christmas season in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Reuters)

Violence rages in Gaza, but a meeting of Jewish and Muslim women has given me hope

By Remona Aly

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o matter how many times I rewrite these words, nothing feels right. There is pain, there is rage, there is grief; it feels impossible to do justice to the horror that is unfolding. My social media feeds groan with ghastly images and fraught, exasperated postings. And the bleak news from the Middle East has claimed a further casualty: the already volatile state of relations between Muslim and Jewish communities in the UK and across the globe.

Each day brings more fury and tension. I fear the will to protect faith and community relations is eroding, which risks propelling higher an already sharp surge in antisemitism and Islamophobia. The rejection of this hard-fought equilibrium can leave a vacuum for extremists to clamber into, and for hate to breed. Rising tensions have been deadly.

In the US, Wadea AlFayoume, a six-year-old Palestinian-American, was stabbed 26 times and killed by his own landlord, who shouted, “You Muslims must die!” during the attack. Over the weekend, a mob in Russia stormed Dagestan airport, searching for Jewish passengers arriving from Israel. In London, antisemitic attacks went up by 1350 per cent and Islamophobic offences by 140 per cent in the first half of October.

But with years of relationship-building in jeopardy, I am one of a group of women trying to salvage relations between the communities that we are part of.

Last week, I was invited to a safe space: a private gathering co-hosted by a Jewish

woman and a Muslim woman. We met in the precincts of Westminster Abbey in the fittingly named Jerusalem Chamber. Like many there, I have been shaken by waves of hurt and helplessness; but also, like many of the women I met, I have sought ways to resist fatalism.

“It takes courage and vulnerability to come into a space like this,” said Julie Siddiqi, the Muslim co-organiser and a faith-relations consultant. Julie, alongside Dr Lindsay Simmonds, a Jewish academic who researches women of faith and peacebuilding, felt the need to create a third space outside religious institutions and political organisations.

Those forums were avoided because they tended to raise more barriers to communication and lead to “more danger”, according to Julie, particularly as many people fear that officially speaking out or showing sympathy for the other side will draw backlash from their own communities.

The safe space created in the Abbey was instead built on love and trust.

“It’s during catastrophic times when relationships are tested,” said Lindsay, who has known Julie for more than a decade. “But it is precisely now we need to show friendship, solidarity and trust.”

Even from a place of profound pain, the women I met had the capacity to reach out and feel the hurt of others.

The empathy I saw is a precondition of the kind of wise, pragmatic leadership we are all desperate for – yet women’s voices are woefully nearly always absent from the decision-making.

One participant, Elizabeth, a veteran peace

activist and faith relations expert, tells me that between 1992 and 2019, women constituted only 13 per cent of negotiators, 6 per cent of mediators, and 6 per cent of signatories in peace processes around the world. Despite this, Elizabeth sees the power women have as “agents for social change and conflict resolution the world over”.

There are multiple examples of women “coming from a place of genuine empathy and demonstrating authentic leadership,” she said.

“Think of the Good Friday Agreement, or Women Wage Peace, a grassroots initiative in Israel and Palestine comprising thousands of Palestinian and Israeli women, who even now continue to work for peace on the ground.

“In the UK, there is also Nisa-Nashim, a Muslim/ Jewish women’s network who have worked to build enduring friendships.”

But however collaborative and empathic the women I met are, this does not shield them from the criticism of some in their own communities. Ayesha*, a women’s and refugee rights activist, received threats when she condemned the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians. One person told her: “You deserve to burn.”

Ayesha said these threats are based on a perception that sympathy for “the other side” is a betrayal, and they disregard the fact that she has campaigned for the freedom and rights of Palestinians for decades.

But she pointed out that “so much gets lost in our binary narratives”, and mentioned to me how a close Jewish friend told her she had asked her synagogue to pray for the people of Gaza, and has

called for a ceasefire.

“Those who say interfaith relations are just a facade or a waste of time have never experienced it themselves,” said Ayesha. “The one message all our holy texts teach is ‘love thy neighbour’. If women were at the table, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are in now.”

Julie told me she broke down in tears when being interviewed on the radio as the host read out the stark death toll in Gaza and Israel. “I don’t know how anyone can’t be horrified by each and every civilian life that’s been violently taken,” she said.

“Likewise, a Jewish friend was passionately imploring leaders in her community to voice compassion for the thousands killed in Gaza.

Our grief shouldn’t be reserved for one or the other.

When we share it, we move forward.”

Hope is hard to come by at the moment, but mine was gently lifted by the women I spoke to, wept with, and prayed alongside. Coming away from the gathering, I dared to wish for things to get better, and found resolve in the ripples of goodwill that came from the female solidarity I experienced.

In this inflamed political climate, with violence tearing across the world, surely, we must make all efforts to embody and fight for the opposite: safety and understanding. If we burn every bridge, the ugliness will never end; but if we build bridges in the hope of a better future, humanity might just stand a chance. *Ayesha is not her real name (The Guardian) (Remona Aly is a journalist and broadcaster with a focus on faith and lifestyle)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

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News

GECOM calling on registrants to uplift ID Cards …cards ready 6 weeks after application

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he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) is advising all persons who have applied for registration to check with the respective Registration Office where they had applied: to enquire about the availability of their National Identification Card, and to ensure that they uplift same at their earliest convenience.

The Commission, in a statement, said that, provided there are no issues with an applicant's registration transaction, an Identification Card is produced no later than six weeks from the time of the application.

GECOM has said it is committed to producing and issuing National Identification Cards to first time registrants within the shortest possible time. However, it is not unusual for this process to be held back amid the need to routinely conduct the crossmatching of the relevant fingerprints, on a monthly basis, to check for multiple registration.

“The primary objective of the fingerprint cross-matching exercise is to ensure that no registrant is listed in the National Register of Registrants more than once,” GECOM has explained.

Meanwhile, registrants who had applied for a change or correction to their registration records, or for a replacement ID

Card, can check with the Registration Office within two weeks of their application to uplift their ID Card.

A full list of contact numbers for all the GECOM Registration Offices can be accessed on the website.

The ongoing registration exercise will conclude on November 30, 2023, and all eligible persons are reminded to visit the GECOM Registration Office responsible for the area where they live to apply for registration.

During this registration exercise, any person who will be 14 years and older by the end of December 2023, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, naturalization, or registration, or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country who is living in Guyana for one year or more, can apply for registration, provided that he or she was never registered.

Existing registrants who are desirous of updating their records, such as a request to correct or change their names, date of birth, occupation, and

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:05 13:35 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30 00:00

(Sign on) Inspiration Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stop Suffering Guy's Grocery Games Grand Designs Paternity Court Divorce Court News Break Movie - Signed, Sealed, Delivered: From Paris with Love (2015) Wheel of Fortune Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir S5 E3 The Tom and Jerry Show S2 E4 Indian Soaps Sydney to the Max S1 E7 Austin & Ally S2 E17 The Young & The Restless CNN The Evening News Stop Suffering Stand-up Comedy Manifest S4 E6 Special Ops: Lioness E2 The Office S5 E1 Insecure S1 E3 Sign off

update their addresses, are advised that those transactions would also be facilitated during this exercise.

In March, the Guyana Government signed a US$35.4 million contract with German-based company Veridos Identity Solutions to implement the Single Electronic Identification System here. It would see new e-cards being issued to Guyanese for the conduct of a wide array of transactions, as well as to monitor the issuance of work permits in the country.

In October 2021,

Guyana had reached out to the United Arab Emirates

(UAE) Government for assistance in introducing the

electronic identification card.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

Test Questions

By Jan Oskar Hansen

What are some advantages of growing food in an aquaponics system?

First, it is efficient, producing from one system both food with high protein content (fish) and food with vitamins and minerals (vegetables).

Second, aquaponics is mostly a closed system regarding water consumption, because it uses recirculating water.

This means it uses minimal water and can be set up in arid areas that don’t have plentiful water. All that is required is food for the fish. Finally, aquaponics is a model for sustainable food production because it integrates hydroponics and aquaculture, meaning that it recycles all of the materials it uses.

There are three primary methods for aquaponics: the raft method, the nutrient film technique (or NFT), and

the media-filled bed method. The raft method grows plants on boards (rafts) in tanks separate from the fish tank, where the raft supports the plants and the roots of the plants sit directly in the water. Water flows constantly from the fish tank, through filters, through the rafts, and then back to the fish tank. This method is used commercially, as shown in the video, and the extra volume of water in the raft tank is a benefit as it provides a buffer for the fish so they are not stressed by possible water quality problems. With the nutrient film technique, instead of growing the plants in tanks with their roots submerged in the water, the NFT trickles a thin film of water over the roots of the plants, which are grown in narrow channels. This method is not used

as heavily as the other two methods because it requires a biofilter to provide additional nitrifying bacteria. In the media-filled bed method, the plants grow in a box filled with a growth medium, such as perlite or gravel, on top of the fish tank. Water from the fish tank is pumped into the box and then percolates through the growth medium and back down into the fish tank. The kinds of plants that can be grown depend on the density of fish in the tank. Lettuce and herbs require low to medium nutrient levels, so they don’t need a high density of fish, while fruiting plants like tomatoes have higher nutrient requirements and therefore need a higher density of fish to supply their nutrient needs. (Excerpt from sciencebuddies.org)

It's not my country... this jeweled isle of caparisoned elephants and twirling dancers chanting and torch throwing in dazzling costumes over pure white cloth to a million torches and drums thrumming in veneration.

Buddhist spectacle surround sound.

It's not my country... where obeisance to gods and vows are performed in coconut frond palaces woven for the divine when a priest trans vests to dance in silken sari and trance. He is the Goddess.

Cries of joy and rupees adorn Her sacred hem.

It's not my country... where drunken tourists lounge near-naked in hotel luxury and palm-lined beaches wander unheeding in paddy fields people call home where buffalo graze and children play. Passport to selfies on Instagram.

It's not my country... where strangers ask, Madam, you are from?

Do you want hashish, madam? Boys, sir?

On streets where monks and guns parade.

It's not my country... where village souls at first meeting take you to their mud-brick home where children laugh and women squat at hearth making chai. Though poor, they share their meal with a smile.

No, it's not my country... where begging and touting remind us daily that to give is a blessing. No. It's a piece of my heart

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Shade house project

Programme underway for persons with disabilities to participate …as president tours facilities with Barbadian, St Lucia PMs

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President Dr Irfaan Ali, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley and St Lucian Prime Minister Philip Joseph Pierre on a tour of the hydroponics farm and shade house project at NAREI on Tuesday

eaping successes with its shade house initiative under the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI),

Government is now formulating a programme so that persons with disabilities can participate.

President Irfaan Ali led Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley and Prime Minister of St Lucia, Philip Joseph Pierre on a tour of the hydroponics farm

and shade house project at NAREI, where updates on the project were provided.

It fits into the bigger

picture of ensuring the Caribbean Community secures its 25 per cent reduced food import bill by 2025. Both regional leaders are in Guyana as the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum opened this week.

Over 200 shade houses were built across the country this year – 140 of which were established in schools.

For 2023, some five tonnes of bell peppers were produced along with one tonne of chili peppers, 2.4 tonnes of cauliflower and over 300,000 heads of lettuce. Some 75 per cent of persons involved in this initiative have moved on to own their own agricultural business.

There are 25,000 plants in the hydroponics nursery

and this capacity will reach 100,000 within the next two weeks. Crops include mint, celery, parsley, pak choi, cucumber, kale, basil, chives, thyme among others.

This operation is being conducted on 10 acres

of land, using 90 by 40 feet shade houses. Using traditional methods, it would require a larger area of land, estimated at about 30 acres.

Produce is used to supply hotels and the remainder is agro-processed.

Hydroponics is one of the modern technologies being embraced by Government as it seeks to support Caricom’s vision of slashing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM calling...

FROM PAGE 5

With the intervention of His Highness Sheikh Juma bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, two international companies were shortlisted.

Veridos, a global leading provider of integrated identity solutions, was subsequently selected, after making a presentation to the Guyana Government.

It was explained that the evaluators found the partially-owned German Government company had presented the best solution for Guyana.

Later, in August, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips presented the Digital Identity Card Bill to the National Assembly. This major endeavour to consolidate the biometric data of each citizen into one card with high security features will offer greater protection against fraud, once implemented, the Government has said.

Data which will be entered into the new identification card includes a person’s name, date and place of birth, photo or facial image satisfying the requirements for a photograph, unique identification number, sex, citizenship, fingerprints, and signature. In the case of a non-citizen, a number for the application of work permit and any other data that the Commissioner may prescribe will have to be provided. (G12)

What’s with… ...Halloween in Mudland?

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ow, growing up in Guyana -- as if we didn’t have enough “jumbles”, “Dutchmen”, “Moon Gazers” and assorted “Ole Higues” to keep us in a state of heightened panic at nights – over the last few years, your Eyewitness has sadly observed some folks starting to observe the American “Halloween”! Now, he accepts that, as with much of our culture, ever since the end of WWII, we’ve been invaded by a plethora of Americanisms, ranging from the psychological - think of young people “cutting” themselves - to the macabre - Halloween.

Let’s hope we don’t catch the bug on mass shootings - which is now as American as apple pie and…erm…

Halloween!! The former seems to be constitutionally protected, and the latter is even more powerfully protected by the business community!! Money gaffa mek!! Now, you know, dear reader, your Eyewitness is always curious about how these practices came about… and he dug around. And as usual, it seems to go back to the introduction of Christianity into “pagan” Europe and the blending of the latter’s practices into the former’s lifestyle – which was brought to the States when they landed there and wiped out the natives.

So, we shouldn’t be surprised to find out that “Halloween” comes from “Hallow” – meaning “Saints”, and “e’en” meaning “eve” – so it’s like “All Saints’ Eve”, when Christians remember the Saints who’d died for them. That gradually morphed – cultural appropriation like with Easter!! - into older customs of remembering the dead; and from there on, businessmen took over!!

What your Eyewitness is interested in isn’t about how “trick and treat” was introduced, but how the whole darn festival’s being introduced into our dear mudland. After all, it’s not like back in the days of slavery, when they literally “beat out the Devil” from our indigenous cultures, and forced us to accept that we were all sinners from the moment we were born. And that a fella born 2000 years ago died to save us from eternal damnation – if we “believe” in him!!

Here we are…slavery’s over… identureship’s over, and we’ve been “granted” independence since 1966 - to do whatever the heck we want!! And we want to imitate the same people who used to beat the bejesus (see!) out of us??

Why? And that’s the million-dollar (US) question, innit? And the answer - plain and simple - is we really ain’t independent. Through their control over movies, books, “education”, TV and all other means of communication, they still convince us that their schtick is superior to ours. And if we wanna be respected, we gotta imitate them – even as they snicker at us!!

So, listen up, folks…if you wanna invoke scary feelings, let’s tell our kids about Water Mumma and Old Higues!! …Afreximbank financing?

We just learnt that the African Export Import Bank’s (Afreximbank’s) US$1.5B line of credit for Caricom investment and trade is already being doled out for our development – both to the Government (for public infrastructure) and to the private sector, for business.

Your Eyewitness is most interested in the latter, ‘cause the private sector’s supposed to be the “engine of growth”, innit?? So we learn that SISPRO, the new company formed by four soul sisters!! – which bid for 2 oil blocks - will be getting their financing from Afreximbank. This’ll happen via the Newhayven Investment Bank - launched two years ago by Washington-based Floyd Haynes.

Now, what makes this most intriguing is that all of these players are African Guyanese - which should make those bawling about “discrimination” in the oil business sit up and take notice!! It just shows where there’s a will (to make money!) there’s a way! Unfortunately, some are already accusing these Nubian Queens of “selling out”!!

Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t!! …keeping in touch Up to now, most of the attention towards Africa from our neck of the woods has been on “culture” – clothing and chanting etc. Hamley Case -- as Ambassador-atlarge to African nations -- should remind that commerce is also African culture.

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

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

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Murder at Middle Road

Victim fought back but was overpowered by accused – prosecutor tells court …accused mastermind slapped with murder charge …bloodstained clothes of killer, murder weapon recovered

Dead: Amit Singh

O

ne week following his arrest in connection with the horrific murder of 21-year-old Amit Singh, the alleged mastermind, Yoogendra Sukhdeo, was charged and remanded to prison on Tuesday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Before Chief Magistrate (ag), Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, Sukhdeo stood accused of murder.

According to the charge, it is alleged that on October 24 at Middle Road, La Penitence, Sukhdeo committed the murder during a robbery.

He was represented by attorney Gordon Gilhuys, who claimed that his client was beaten and not taken for medical attention.

However, Special Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat informed the court that the accused had sustained injuries about his body during a scuffle with Singh on the day of the murder. She explained that during the altercation, Singh was overpowered by the suspect, who proceeded to hit him with a piece of wood, thus leading to his demise.

In her submissions to the court, Rahamat said that Singh was last seen in the presence of the suspect at about 13:30h on October 24 and at about 16:00h, after calls to Singh’s cell phone went unanswered, the family made a missing person’s report to the Police.

As such, she told the court that an investigation was launched and Sukhdeo was arrested.

“Upon his arrest, he took the Police to a house at Middle Road, La Penitence, where the bludgeoned body of Singh was lying in a pool of blood wrapped in a sheet,” she added.

Further, Sukhdeo was

Remanded: Accused mastermind Yoogendra Sukhdeo

cautioned after which he took the investigators to his Diamond, EBD home where he handed over $7,790,000 in cash; he admitted to taking the money from Singh following the murder.

The suspected murder weapon and several pieces of clothing with bloodstains were found at Sukhdeo’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home, where had taken investigators after his arrest.

Rahamat added that the accused was taken to CID headquarters where he was formally told of the offence and cautioned again.

During an interview, he reportedly provided to the Police, video and audio statements, admitting to bludgeoning the victim to death and taking his money.

He also indicated to investigators that he received some injuries from a scuffle with the victim, who had put up a fight.

Sukhdeo will make his next court appearance on November 28.

Four suspects were initially in Police custody over the murder of Singh, the son of a popular Campbellville, Georgetown businessman, which occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday last.

The other three suspects are Sukhdeo’s three employees, who have since denied their involvement in the crime.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum has told this publication that Police were able to confirm their respective alibis and as such, they were released from custody.

Police had reported that the victim was lured to the house under the pretext that a group of men had gold for sale.

Whilst at the house, the victim was brutally mur-

dered. Singh was then relieved of a large quantity of cash, which he had in his possession to purchase the gold.

The autopsy results revealed that Singh succumbed to multiple injuries, including blunt trauma to his head, face, and neck, along with several fractures. Further, he suffered broncho aspiration of blood, indicating the inhalation of gastric contents.

Singh's grieving family, proprietors of D Singh Trading at Campbellville, will bid their final farewell to him today at his cremation.

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NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Education Ministry placing 2300 new trained teachers in schools – Manickchand E

ducation Minister Priya Manickchand has disclosed that the uphill task is now looming to place 2300 newly-trained teachers into the school system, but consolidated data is still lacking to determine where these skills are needed.

In what she described as a ‘teething’ issue on Monday, the Education Minister highlighted that the new teachers will soon graduate from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). However, there is no centralised data on where vacancies exist or what specialties are required.

Some 2300 CPCE graduates will be added to the education system (file photo)

“We are about to graduate 2300-plus teachers into the system. Where do we

place those teachers? Where are the vacancies? Where are the specialties needed?

Programme underway for...

FROM PAGE 7

Last year, the Agriculture Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Israeli company KARLICO INC, making way for the development of a massive hydroponics project.

With an estimated investment of US$15,750,000, the project was set to involve a three-phase hydroponic production system based on nutrient film techniques and soilless production systems designed for the production of fresh herbs, lettuce and other leafy vegetables, as well as other high-value crops.

Government will be building out two new hydroponics facilities in the near future in Linden and Essequibo to the tune of $200 million each.

Cauliflower plants thriving at the NAREI shade house facility

Last Friday, President Ali announced that such projects will provide employment for scores of youths.

Vision 25 by 2025 was conceptualised by President Ali for a 25 per cent reduction in the Region’s food import bill by the year 2025. Owing to the Region’s dependency on

imported foods, it faces hardships when disruptions occur.

As of 2022, the Region achieved 57 per cent of the production target towards reducing the food import bill.

Over the next two years, more than 1.4 metric tonnes of commodities must be produced to achieve this target. (G12)

Is there a central place at this point that has that information and I would wager no,” Manickchand noted.

The Minister made this revelation just as the new Education Management Information System (EMIS) was launched – a software, which, if used correctly, can provide this data to the Ministry in the future.

Meanwhile, she reassured that Government is continuing with its robust buildout of the sector through the construction of new schools, adequate textbooks, cash grants for students and schools, breakfast for learners and many other programmes.

“Right now, six brand new secondary schools are being constructed in the country. Breakfast is being provided for all Grade Six students for the first time.

All of our teachers are going to be trained for the first time in our history.”

Most importantly will be the achievement of 100 per cent trained teachers by 2025. When the CPCE operations were brought fully online during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a surge of 2500 new students within the first year. Manickchand had projected that in the coming years, this would be advantageous to Guyana when other countries are recording lower numbers.

CPCE offers a wide variety of courses and programmes for every level of teaching, including early

childhood programme for both pre-service and in-service students, the primary programme and the secondary academic and pre-vocational programmes. In total, there are four programmes for the Associate Degree in Education (ADE) along with a Trained

Teacher Certificate (TTC) programme for in-service teachers who are not eligible for the ADE programme.

This year, for the first time in education history, CPCE students who are training in the system earned an in-service salary as of January. (G12)

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2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

13

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire Service receives 23 fire reports in 1 day T

he Guyana Fire Service had found itself stretched thin on Monday as it responded to a staggering total of 23 fire reports, 21 of which were identified as grass or garbage fires, underscoring the growing threat of this phenomenon to public safety and property.

One particularly devastating blaze, which was ignited at 12:32h on Monday, not only continued to ravage the area, but also engulfed a nearby lumber yard and resulted in losses amounting to millions for the business owner. Fire fighters, battling against time and fierce flames, laboured relentlessly to contain the inferno, and up until Tuesday

Some of the fires that caused destruction on Monday

morning, the battle was still raging. The financial toll on the lumber yard remains substantial.

Undeterred by the surge in incidents, the Guyana Fire Service has deployed all available resources to ensure every

fire has been promptly extinguished and all related threats have been eliminated.

Just last Friday, fire fighters faced a daunting challenge as they spent over 10 hours battling a deliberately set wildfire in Rome, East

Bank Demerara. The incident highlighted the brazen disregard some individuals exhibit for the safety of their fellow citizens, as well as the homes, businesses, and natural habitats that these fires endanger.

The Fire Service has expressed deep concern over the carelessness exhibited by certain members of respective communities, who continue to ignore warnings about the gravity of their actions. These reckless acts not only jeopardize lives, but also pose severe threats to homes, businesses, and the environment at large.

Grass fires in particular are notorious for their speed and ferocity. Fuelled by dry conditions and wind, these fires can

swiftly cause extensive damage to properties, harm wildlife, and present a significant risk to human safety. Experts emphasize the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent such incidents, and to respond promptly if a fire does

occur.

Citizens are strongly urged to equip their homes and businesses with essential safety equipment, including fire and smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems.

TURN TO PAGE 15

NEWS

15

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations “It’s misguided” – VP on Anti-oil do-gooders ‘Policia’ labelled GPF vehicles rather most Guyanese …says GPF instructed to change wording to English live in poverty than T to live under PPP

T

here are those who chastise the PPP Government, and in particular Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, alleging that Guyana is extracting oil and gas too fast.

There is a small group of mostly well-off, privileged people who want Guyana to pause the development of the oil industry.

Some have outrightly argued that a pause is not enough; they want Guyana to leave oil in the Dr Leslie Ramsammy ground. Several of those who reject the present trajectory of oil are Guyanese living abroad. Guyana is not good enough for them to live here, but they want to dictate for Guyana. One newspaper and its owner are now almost exclusively the “anti-oil paper”.

Those who want to stop Guyana from being able to use its oil resources to transform its economy and its infrastructure and to transform the lives of all Guyanese are even willing to pay people to hold placards in protest, even when the placard-holders cannot explain what they find wrong with the way the Government has managed oil and gas so far.

VP Bharrat Jagdeo has courageously, but honestly, let the world know that Guyana is on a trajectory for rapid development of its oil and gas resources. While Guyana will ensure absolute safety, Guyana seeks optimal benefits from our oil. As VP Jagdeo explained, fossil fuel demand presently has a finite period. With the climate change agenda and the aggressive move to non-fossil fuel energy source, countries with oil resources are now faced with the possibility that what was once a guaranteed wealth producer can very soon worth nothing.

Guyana has oil and gas that can last for more than 50 years, even with aggressive extraction. But the peak demand for oil is not likely to last beyond 15 to 20 years. Guyana therefore can be left with a resource that can provide us with wealth today but is not worth much in a few decades from now.

Guyana has no say in how much more time we have to market our fossil fuel. Whether it is 15 to 20 years, or even if it is 30 to 40 years, Guyana, the newest of the “new kids on the block”, faces the consequential question: do we go slowly, or do we maximize safe extraction? The Irfaan Ali-led PPP Government has made it clear, with almost daily reminders from VP Jagdeo, that our country will extract as rapidly as possible, ensuring we do so with the world’s best technology for safeguards.

Guyana’s oil resources became apparent only after 2010, with confirmation by 2014/2015. Confirmation that Guyana is the home of one of the most exciting oil reserves in the world came at a time when there was already global consensus that this resource must be left in the ground because it is a large part of the global warming/ climate change existential threat. The world has an agreement known as the Paris Agreement which essentially says that each country must establish a plan to remove fossil fuel from its energy mix. At the same time, countries have to invest in non-fossil fuel energy sources. There is now visible evidence that these non-fossil fuel sources have been rapidly developed and that the aspiration of zero fossil fuel use is one that is possible.

Recently, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) stated that demand for oil is likely to peak by 2030, just seven years from now. If he is right, the worth of Guyana’s oil is dramatically less. His prediction was based on changing governmental energy policy around the globe, the surge in development of clean technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles, the rise in use of heat pumps, and the forced accelerated move off of gas in Europe after Russia invaded Ukraine. The threat of a wide-ranging Middle East war is adding to the urgency to move away from fossil fuel.

While the pace in moving away from fossil fuels, which cause global warming, is faster than previously expected, there is still need to hasten it even more if the world is to achieve its ambition to keep global warming to within the 1.50C threshold that international leaders have targeted. Therefore, the capacity of oil to enrich countries has a limited shelve-life.

It is mind-numbing that privileged Guyanese advocate Guyana dither while our rich oil resource becomes worthless. These anti-oil Guyanese have joined others in the world who deem themselves as experts, telling us that Guyana does not have the capacity to manage oil, and therefore if we must, we should go slowly. As part of the skullduggery, they claim their opposition is only driven by the fact that the EXXON deal is a bad one. We can all agree that the EXXON deal is bad. But stopping the deal now, putting a pause on it, will make us a global pariah, will force us into legal wranglings that would take time. Given the fact that our oil has a limited shelf life, who wants to go in that direction? While it is worth something, let us optimize our benefits.

The deal was not made by the PPP. President Irfaan Ali was nowhere near this deal. Bharrat Jagdeo did not make the deal. It was the David Granger-led APNU/AFC, a front for the PNC. The very people who are now in the forefront to freeze the deal said nothing when the PNC signed the deal. The deal became bad only after the PPP came to power. The real fear that drives the small band of antioil charlatans is that, with oil, Guyana’s prosperity will keep the PPP in government for a long time. The small band of spoilt, well-todo charlatans would rather most Guyanese live in poverty than for them to live under a PPP government. Truth is truth.

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

he “Policia” markings placed on vehicles belonging to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was a misguided move and it is a blunder which the law enforcement body was instructed to correct.

Sharing this position was Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent public engagement. After the vehicles were labelled in the foreign language, it was greeted with heavy criticism from sections of the population.

Jagdeo contended that while the Force’s emblem remains intact, the word Police should be clearly written since Guyana is an Englishspeaking nation.

“It’s misguided. The Police should have never put policia there. It’s not the emblem.

It’s just the name. They were

The word “Policia” will be removed from GPF vehicles

instructed to change that.

They must put Police…The

key thing is Police. Guyana is English speaking and they

must put Police,” the VP outlined.

He contended that the word Police can be featured in other languages using a smaller font so that it is visible to foreigners.

“They can put in small letters policia and in Portuguese, Spanish etc because the people who are here need to [know] what our Police are so that they don’t get away when the Police put on the siren.”

When the change was first observed, the GPF had said it is part of its strategic and inclusive approach to enhance service delivery, aimed at providing a more comprehensive and efficient professional Police service. Another reason was in light of the growing number of Spanishspeaking foreign nationals.

(G12)

Migrant man, woman accused of theft forced to strip …Police urge persons to come forward with info

I

n an incident captured on video and widely circulated on social media, two Venezuelan nationals were allegedly coerced by unidentified individuals to confess to theft.

Afterwards, they were told to strip and walk naked down a public road. The video has sparked outrage among the Guyanese community. The incident allegedly occurred in Guyana, but this publication could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

The Guyana Police Force has since initiated an investigation.

In a statement, the Guyana Police Force said

it has “taken note of a video circulating on social media depicting two Venezuelan nationals being coerced by unknown individuals to confess to theft and subsequently instructed to strip naked and walk down the road.

Details about the individuals involved and the location of the incident remain unknown at this time."

The Police Force has urged anyone with information about the incident or the individuals responsible to contact them immediately on telephone numbers 226-4585, 2256940, 225-8196, and 2252317, or visit the nearest Police Station.

The Venezuelan nationals

Fire Service receives 23...

FROM PAGE 14

Remaining vigilant and actively scrutinising the surroundings for signs of grass or garbage fires is crucial, the Fire Service has said. If any such fire is observed, it should be reported immediately to the Fire Department via the

dry season, when they can quickly escalate.

He also highlighted the challenge of accessibility in remote areas, where firefighters have to continue on foot due to limited vehicle access.

(G9)

emergency hotline 912.

A few weeks ago, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) collaborated with other agencies to establish a comprehensive strategy to combat the increasing occurrences of grassfires, commonly known

as wildfires.

Chief Fire Officer (ag) Gregory Wickham, emphasising the rise in these incidents during a media interaction, has advised against leaving grass or garbage fires unattended, especially during the

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Private financing to be pursued for developing gas infrastructure – draft strategy …will maximise benefits while reducing risk to State

A

s part of its effort to develop infrastructure for natural gas while reducing the financial burden on the State, Government will be pursuing private financing. This is according to the draft gas utilisation strategy released for public consultations.

With Guyana seeking to develop infrastructure to transport and store gas, a pertinent question will be capital costs. According to the draft gas utilisation strategy, the Government will be seeking to attract private funding for the gas infrastructure.

It was pointed out that gas transmission pipelines usually require Government

investment in the early stages. When it comes to domestic gas and power projects, the strategy pointed out that initial Government investment is particularly in countries with minimal existing gas infrastructure.

The strategy notes, however, that once the sector is more developed and private companies have the capacity, then the Government’s direct participation in these projects may be reduced and the projects themselves privatised.

“Infrastructure investments such as gas transmission pipelines and gas distribution systems typically require initial Government

investment, particularly in countries with minimal existing infrastructure. When the sector and regulations are more developed, private companies can build and operate whole integrated systems.”

“At which point the Government participation may be reduced to regulation and the collection of taxes and fees. As projects for which Government has provided the initial investment near the point of becoming economically self-sustaining, there is then the opportunity for the Government to divest the project through privatisation,” the strategy states.

One benefit of this, according to the strategy, is for

the State to avoid the risks and debts, as well as diversifying the investment in the sector. It was noted that private investment is necessary considering Stabroek Block operators ExxonMobil and its partners, as they produce oil from the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels.

“GoG will seek to attract private funding for the timely and cost-effective development of its gas infrastructure to avoid the large upfront capital required to develop such projects and eliminate the risk associated with the debt infrastructure given uncertainty related to the revenue streams required for re-

An artist’s impression of the gas-to-energy project

payment.”

“Additionally, by diversifying the participants in the gas value chain and securing private investment, the GoG will avoid significant capital charges into the cost bank through the current PSC

structure, which will significantly accelerate revenues to the GoG given the current upstream plans and FPSO deployment by the Stabroek Consortium,” the strategy states.

TURN TO PAGE 18

17 Another Guyanese firm wins bids for 2 oil blocks I NEWS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

nternational Group Investment Inc (IGI) is a 100 percent Guyanese owned and operated company which recently won bids for two blocks in the shallow waters (S5 and S10) in the concluded Guyana Licensing Round 2022.

In a statement on Tuesday, IGI Inc Guyana said it is led by Dr Levi Wilson Odoe, who by profession is a law-

yer and international arbitrator; and Esther Allison Odoe, Director and Legal Advisor, who was educated in Law at Nottingham Law School, UK, holds an LLB Hons Degree.

According to the company, it prides itself on being a leading force in the construction, education, agriculture, and the oil and gas industries. In the construction sector, it said that it has earned a “reputa-

tion for transforming dreams into reality, whether it’s creating stunning residential spaces, innovative commercial developments, or vital road infrastructure.” IGI Inc also stated that it understands the vital role this industry plays in powering economies and improving lives. Its exploration, production, refining, and distribution services are all geared towards delivering re-

Rice farmer found dead in backdam

P

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 47-year-old rice farmer, whose body was on Tuesday found at the Devonshire Castle Backdam, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Dead is Mohindra Mohan, also known as “Boyo”, who resided at Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast.

Mohan lived with his mother, Ganishree Mohan, a 69-year-old woman, who informed Police that her son had left home at around 04:30h on Tuesday on his bi-

Dead: Mohindra Mohan, called “Boyo”

cycle to his farm.

She added that around

07:00h, she received the news that her son was found lying motionlessly on the road.

The elderly woman said she hurried to the scene and discovered her son’s lifeless body, with his bicycle nearby.

She said at the time he was wearing a brown shirt, blue shorts, and long brown boots.

A report was subsequently made to the Police. The body was examined, and no mark of violence was seen, according to the Police.

A post-mortem will be conducted.

Dr Levi Wilson Odoe

liable energy solutions while prioritising sustainability and environmental stewardship.

“At IGI Inc, its client-centric approach is the cornerstone of its operations. It collaborates closely with clients to understand their unique visions and requirements, ensuring that every project undertaken, whether in construction or the oil and gas sector, is tailored to meet specific goals and objectives,” a statement from the company read, adding that it has, in complying with Guyana’s Local Content Policy, identified four working pillars that will ensure its objectives are

Esther Odoe

met upon commencement of operations in blocks S5 and S10. These pillars include employment opportunities; supply chain; societal development and environmental sustainability.

According to the company, greater preference of employment will be immediately granted to Guyanese favourable to more than 70 percent, and where lacking consideration of outsourcing will be given. It also stated that it intends to work closely with the Guyana Centre for Local Business Development to assist in the sourcing of suitable local contractors which will

aid in transportation, maintenance, security, procurement etc. With respect to societal development, IGI Inc added that Corporate Social Responsibility will always be on its agenda. It said that it is committed to ensuring environmental sustainability, ecological balance, protection of flora & fauna, animal welfare, agroforestry, conservation of natural resources & maintaining quality of soil, air & water; contributing towards natural disaster mitigation and for such other purposes and activities as may be permitted, from time to time and give support to non-governmental organisations that focuses on environmental conservation and ecosystem preservation Meanwhile, Director, Dr Odoe, commended the Government of Guyana for creating such an enabling business environment and opportunities for investments that is attracting the global business community. “We look forward to a successful working partnership,” Dr Odoe said.

18

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Afrexim Bank funding to be provided for local content suppliers – Pres Ali A fund aimed at helping local content suppliers in Guyana’s oil and gas industry is expected to be set up with the backing of the African Exim Bank, following a model already established in other parts of the world.

During day one of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum at the Marriott Hotel, which came to an end on Tuesday, it was announced that a Local Content Facilitation Fund will be set up in Guyana.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, who was the keynote speaker at the event, even said that agreements for this fund, with the backing of the African EXIM Bank, will be in place by the close

of proceedings.

“We’ve talked a lot about the payment gap for the suppliers of services to the main oil companies. The timeframe that it takes. And that causes a lot of hardship for the cash flow for local suppliers. Like they did in Angola ad Nigeria, they established what is known as a Local Content Facilitation Fund, that helps local companies in the cash flow.”

According to the President, Guyana and the Region, is placing its faith in the Afreximbank and the services it has to offer.

In 2022, some US$1.5 billion was made available to Caricom Member States by the African EXIM bank, as part of efforts to foster

African Exim Bank President, Dr Benedict Oramah (left) shares a light moment with President Dr Irfaan Ali

1 arrested, booty recovered as thieves target Berbice supermarkets

P

olice have arrested a man, and have been able to recover some of the items stolen, as thieves begin focusing their attention on Chineseoperated supermarkets in Berbice.

According to Police, between 00:00h and 02:00h on Tuesday, “One Go” Chinese Supermarket of Lot 4 Canefield Settlement in East Canje, owned and operated by 35-year-old Wang Wei Xiong, was broken into by thieves, who escaped with some $800,000 and a quantity of Digicel and GTT phone cards.

Shortly after 02:00h on Tuesday, a lone man was caught on camera removing a number of items from the “Good Life” Supermarket of Cumberland, in East Canje.

The man escaped on bicycle after removing from the premises 13 brooms with a total value of $10,000.

On Monday morning, the supermarket was also the target of a lone thief, who was also caught on camera removing items from the business place. A $3500 electric fan was removed

along with seven bicycle tyres valued at $12,600 and six tyres for electric bikes valued at $18,000.

Police have since arrested the suspect on Tuesday, and have been able to recover the fan and the brooms.

The suspect had been able to dispose of the tyres before he was arrested.

Only recently, Police

lar illegal activities taking place at businesses operated by Chinese nationals in the New Amsterdam area.

closer ties between the two Regions. This figure is expected to increase to US$3 billion, once the remaining Caricom Member States ratify a partnership agreement with the bank.

“We are making meaningful progress. Very strategic alliance. Very strong alliance. And showing confidence in the Afreximbank and what you have to offer this Region,” the President further told the attendees.

Most of Guyana’s local content demand for goods and services is generated from activities in the Stabroek Block, where US oil giant Exxon Mobil and its partners are the operators. ExxonMobil had announced that over US$280 million was spent on local suppliers in the first half of this year.

According to informa-

tion supplied by Exxon, more than US$280 million was spent on Guyanese suppliers in the first half of the year, marking a 45 per cent increase in purchases from local suppliers compared to the same period last year.

And it also adds to the more than US$1.2 billion spent with Guyanese suppliers since 2015.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Exxon’s local subsidiary, is operator of the Stabroek Block, and holds 45 per cent interest, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

In May 2023, EEPGL had revealed that it and its

reporting contractors had spent more than $80 billion (US$400 million) with more than 1500 Guyanese businesses in 2022 alone.

That is part of the more than $180 billion (US$900 million) spent with locals since the first discovery in 2015.

By the end of 2022, the company and contractors had also employed over 5000 Guyanese workers, representing more than 65 per cent of the overall workforce in the local oil and gas industry.

The company noted, too, that the number of Guyanese working offshore continued to grow.

Among the 2700 personnel committed to supporting ExxonMobil Guyana’s operations, over 1300 are Guyanese, constituting approximately 48 per cent of the offshore workforce.

Last year, the Natural Resources Ministry, through the Local Content Secretariat, modified the five-year local content plan of major oil operators to ensure that contractors and sub-contractors issue payments to Guyanese suppliers within 30 to 45 days following the receipt of a correct invoice.

This was after numerous complaints were made on prolonged delays, as much as 90 days, in the payments for goods supplied or services rendered to major players in the oil and gas industry – an issue that had been engaging the Government’s attention.

(G3)

Private financing to be...

FROM PAGE 16

Man caught on camera escaping with brooms

Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus said 12 per cent of crimes in Region Six are

being committed in the Cumberland area of East Canje. And this is notwithstanding there being a reduction in serious crime in the region.

Several reports reaching this newspaper detail simi-

On many occasions, the operators are reluctant to provide any information to the media, and in some instances, have not been cooperating with the Police.

Only recently, a hardware store operated by Chinese nationals at Main Street and Shoe Lane in New Amsterdam was robbed by armed bandits who entered the premises.

Senior Police officers visited the crime scene, but were unable to get any information from the owners.

This publication understands that that incident, which occurred on Friday, resulted in the business being robbed of several hundred thousand dollars. (G4)

The strategy meanwhile noted that generally, power generation and electric distribution projects are initiated by Government. It noted, however, that some power generation projects, such as Independent Power Producers (IPPs), are done with private participation.

Consultations for the National Gas Strategy were launched by the Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources on Monday, with the strategy catering to the infrastructure to develop Guyana’s natural gas potential, which will only enhance the country’s reputation as an investment destination.

The draft strategy was released with November 14, 2023 set as the deadline for submissions from the public. According to the Ministry in a statement,

the strategy will be a vital tool to guide the management of Guyana’s natural gas resources, ensuring that informed decisions are made on how to use the gas.

The monetisation of Guyana’s vast gas reserves has been described

by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo as the next wave of economic opportunity for Guyana, seeing as the country has some 17 trillion cubic feet of associated gas. The gas-to-energy project is one way in which this gas is being put to use.

In Budget 2023, the gas-to-energy project received a $43.3 billion allocation. This allocation is in addition to the $24.6 billion injected into the start-up of the transformational project, which includes the construction of an integrated Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant and the 300-mega-

watt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The NGL and 300 MW power plant components of the Gas-to-Shore Project are meanwhile expected to cost US$759.8 million and will be financed through sources that include budgets and loan financing.

The scope of Guyana’s gas-to-energy project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil. It features approximately 200 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. (G3)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

19

Around The World

Israeli air strikes kill 50 in north Gaza OILNEWS OIL NEWS refugee camp – Palestinian medics Oil dips as global supply concerns ease

O

il prices eased on Tuesday as markets worried less about potential supply disruptions from the Middle East conflict and on data showing rising output from OPEC and the United

States.

Brent crude futures for December delivery, settled 4 cents lower at $87.41 a barrel, ahead of their expiry later on Tuesday. The more heavily traded January contract fell US$1.33, or 1.4% to US$85.02.

US West Texas Intermediate crude for December delivery fell US$1.29, or 1.6%, to US$81.02, while those for January delivery fell US$1.18 to US$80.50.

Trading was choppy with prices up as much as US$1 higher during the session, but prices remain below US$90 a barrel.

A Hamas spokesman said it will release a number of foreign captives in the coming days.

"We've taken some of the war premium out of the prices," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group.

OPEC crude output rose by 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) in October, according to a Reuters survey, driven principally by Nigeria and Angola.

US field production of crude oil also rose to a new monthly record in August at 13.05 million barrels per day, the Energy Information Administration said.

Weaker-than-expected manufacturing and non-manufacturing activity data in China stoked fears of slowing fuel demand from the world's No 2 oil consumer.

Euro zone inflation in October was at its lowest level in two years, falling to 2.9% from 4.3% in September, according to Eurostat's flash estimate. That means the European Central Bank (ECB) is unlikely to hike interest rates anytime soon.

Slow global economic growth will keep crude prices anchored below US$90 a barrel this year and next, unless the Israel-Hamas conflict draws in more countries in the Middle East and exacerbates supply tightness, a Reuters poll showed on Tuesday.

Investors remained wary of the potential for other countries entering the conflict.

"While Middle East developments have yet to affect oil, as the ground invasion intensifies, the risk of involvement from Iran rises, fuelling tight supply concerns," said Fiona Cincotta, senior financial market analyst at City Index.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed calls for a halt to fighting to ease a humanitarian crisis, as Israeli forces attacked Hamas in the network of tunnels under the Palestinian exclave.

Looking ahead to a US Federal Reserve meeting ending today, analysts expect the central bank to hold rates steady, according to a poll by CME's Fedwatch tool. (Reuters)

Bolivia severs diplomatic ties with Israel, citing “crimes against humanity”

B

olivia's Government said it had broken diplomatic ties with Israel on Tuesday, accusing Israel of committing crimes against humanity in its attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Bolivia "has decided to break diplomatic relations with the Israeli state in repudiation and condemnation of the aggressive and disproportionate Israeli military offensive taking place in the Gaza Strip", Deputy Foreign Minister Freddy Mamani announced at a press conference.

Mamani added that Bolivia was calling for a ceasefire and an end to "the blockade that prevents the entry of food, water and other essential elements for life".

Interim Foreign Minister Maria Nela Prada said the press conference had been called "in reference to the crimes against humanity being committed in the Gaza Strip against the Palestinian people."

The Israeli Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bolivia is among the first countries to actively break diplomatic relations with Israel over its war in Gaza, retaliation for an October 7 attack in southern Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants that Israel says killed 1400 people and took 240 hostages.

The South American country had previously cut diplomatic ties with Israel in 2009 under the Government of leftist President Evo Morales, also in protest of Israel's actions in Gaza.

In 2020, the government of right-wing interim President Jeanine Anez reestablished ties.

Tuesday's announcement came hours after Morales on social media pressured current President Luis Arce to condemn Israel and declare it a terrorist state. (Excerpt from Reuters)

P

alestinian health officials said at least 50 Palestinians were killed when Israeli air strikes hit a densely populated refugee camp in north Gaza on Tuesday, as Israeli ground forces battled Hamas gunmen based in a sprawling tunnel network.

Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht, speaking to CNN, confirmed the Israeli strike on Jabalia refugee camp and said it targeted "a very senior Hamas commander in that area". He added: "We're looking into it and we'll be coming out with more data as we learn what happened there."

UN and other aid officials said civilians in the besieged Palestinian enclave were engulfed by a public health catastrophe, with hospitals struggling to

treat snowballing casualties as electricity supplies peter out.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed international calls for a "humanitarian pause" in fighting to enable emergency aid deliveries to civilians suffering from critical shortages of food, medicine, drinking water and fuel.

He has vowed to press ahead with plans to annihilate Hamas after several inconclusive wars dating back to the militant group's 2007 takeover of Gaza.

Officials at Gaza's Indonesian Hospital said more than 50 Palestinians had been killed and 150 wounded when tons of aerial explosives struck residential dwellings in the heart of the Jabalia camp in urbanised north Gaza.

The Israel military has

A Palestinian man from al-Badrasawi family carries the body of his child who was killed in Israeli strikes, at Shuhada Al-Aqsa hospital in the central Gaza Strip, October 31

accused Hamas, which rules the narrow coastal territory, of using civilian buildings as cover for fighters, commanders and weaponry, accusations it denies.

Footage obtained by Reuters showed a swathe

of destruction, with deep bomb craters and gutted, multi-storey cement dwellings as people dug through mounds of rubble with their hands in search of loved ones, dead or alive. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Afghans return to Taliban rule as Pakistan moves to expel 1.7 million

A

s the clock ticked down to the Nov 1 deadline Pakistan set for undocumented migrants to leave the country, Muhammad Rahim boarded a bus from Karachi to the Afghan border.

"We'd live here our whole life if they didn't send us back," said the 35-yearold Afghan national, who was born in Pakistan, married a Pakistani woman and raised his Pakistanborn children in the port city - but has no Pakistani identity documents.

The Taliban Government in Afghanistan said some 60,000 Afghans returned between Sept 23 to Oct 22 from Pakistan, which announced on Oct 4

it will expel undocumented migrants that do not leave.

Reuters interviewed seven refugee families in Sohrab Goth, as well as four Taliban and Pakistani officials, community leaders, aid workers and advocates, who said Islamabad's threat - and a subsequent rise in state-backed harassment - has torn families apart and pushed even Afghans with valid papers to leave.

Pakistan is home to over 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees, about 1.7 million of whom are undocumented, according to Islamabad. Afghans make up the largest portion of migrants - many came after the Taliban re-

4 friends gunned down in Trinidad G

erard Forde may have been fortunate to escape gunmen, but his eldest son was not.

Forde’s son, Brandon Forde, 26, was one of four men who were killed while liming at the corner of Smart Place and Belmont Circular Road, around 22:22h on Sunday when a dark-coloured SUV drove near them.

Five gunmen got out of the car and shot the friends several times before driving off.

The other friends, Brian Padmore, 27; Chivon Clarke, 26 and Kerron Moore, 31, died at the scene.

Guardian Media visited the scene as residents at the corner tried to scrub away bloodstains from the pavement where the men were killed.

Guardian Media spoke with the elder Forde who said he was standing near the corner where his son and friends were liming.

His last interaction with his son was a quick greeting before the shooting began.

Forde said he initially could not believe what was happening and was too stunned to move.

“That gun, that noise, it was so powerful I froze.

I actually froze on that bridge and I was walking across here because I thought I was going to die. I kind of ran and hid behind this car and I kept looking back and I said to myself, ‘somebody is going to kill me.’”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

took Afghanistan in 2021, but a large number have been present since the 1979 Soviet invasion.

The expulsion threat came after suicide bombings this year which the Government - without providing evidence - said involved Afghans. Islamabad has also blamed them for

smuggling and other militant attacks.

C a s h - s t r a p p e d Pakistan, navigating record inflation and a tough International Monetary Fund bailout programme, also said undocumented migrants have drained its resources for decades.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

King Charles expresses "deepest regret" for Kenya colonial wrongdoings

K

ing Charles said on Tuesday he felt the "greatest sorrow and deepest regret" for atrocities suffered by Kenyans during their struggle for independence from British colonial rule.

But in a speech at the start of a four-day State visit to Kenya, he stopped short of making a full apology called for by survivors of that period and local rights groups who are pressing for reparations from the British Government.

"The wrongdoings of the past are a cause of the greatest sorrow and the deepest regret," Charles said during a State banquet.

"There were abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans as they waged... a painful struggle for independence and sovereignty – and for that, there can be no excuse."

Many citizens of former British colonies, including leaders of Kenya's Nandi people, want Charles to directly apologise and endorse reparations for colonial-era abuses, including torture,

killings and expropriation of land, much of which remains in British hands.

During the 1952-1960 Mau Mau revolt in central Kenya, some 90,000 Kenyans were killed or maimed and 160,000 detained, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has estimated.

Britain has previously expressed regret for those abuses and agreed a 20-million-pound (US$24 million) settlement in 2013.

President William Ruto praised Charles for his courage and readiness "to shed light on uncomfortable truths that reside in the darker regions of our shared experience".

"The colonial reaction to African struggles for sovereignty, and self-rule was monstrous in its cruelty," Ruto said.

But he added: "While there has been efforts to atone for the death, injury, and suffering inflicted on Africans by colonial Government, much remains to be done in order to achieve full reparations." (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Pay attention to what's happening around you. Someone will need emotional support. Extend a helping hand, and you'll receive information that helps you let go of the past.

(March 21-April 19) A change will excite you and spark your imagination. Share your thoughts with someone you respect, and you'll receive input that leads to something concrete. Avoid hesitation and have fun.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20) Finish what you start. Don't give in to temptation or change to please someone trying to control you. Keep your plans secret. Stand up for yourself and don't be afraid to say no.

(May 21-June 20) It's up to you to do what makes you happy. Use your skills freely, and you'll transform how you earn your living.

Settle your differences with a loved one.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Consider your options regarding investments and contracts. Don't feel obligated to take a position based on someone else's needs. Turn a change you face at home or work into an opportunity.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Someone will feel insecure if you are indifferent. Keep the peace, but don't let anyone lead you down a path you'll regret. Call the shots and compliment others.

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

Review an expert's research; you'll stay on course and avoid interference.

You may not favor a domestic change, but the benefits will be apparent in time. Make a friendly gesture.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Listen to what others say and look for any hint of recklessness before sharing your thoughts. Don't let the changes around you trigger anger or defuse your confidence.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Set yourself free, share your feelings and head in a direction that offers peace of mind, puts a smile on your face and helps you get ahead. Don't bow down to controlling people.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Spiff up your place, host an event or change your lifestyle to help you achieve your dreams. Use intuition to dodge a problem with a friend or colleague. Be aggressive.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take time to hone your skills, do something you enjoy or rehabilitate your body, mind and soul. Don't let anyone push you into something you consider exhausting or wasteful.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Dig in and finish things on time.

Don't count on someone to step in and take charge. Opportunities will surface based on how you take care of your responsibilities. Be forthright.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

21

BANGLADESH KNOCKED OUT OF WORLD CUP 2023 – after Afridi and Fakhar fashion big Pakistan win

P

akistan put in their most convincing performance of World Cup 2023 to end their longest World Cup-losing run by trouncing a dismal Bangladesh by seven wickets and keeping their faint hopes of semi-final qualification alive.

The win was set up by a commanding performance from Shaheen Shah Afridi now the fastest to 100 ODI wickets for quick bowlers, and the leading wicket-taker at this World Cup - to dismiss Bangladesh for 204. Fakhar Zaman, freshly recalled to the side, then turned in his best showing in months: a vintage 74-ball 81 that set Pakistan up for a win that gave a shot in the arm to both their confidence and net runrate.

It felt like a classic Pakistan per- f o r mance right from the outset, first-over Afridi wicket and all. He trapped Tanzid Hasan off the fifth ball to push his tally up to 100 wickets, and taking advantage of a moving ball, got his second in his next over: Najmul Hossain Shanto caught at square leg.

Haris Rauf made it three in hitting back after being spanked for three

boundaries in his first over.

He drew an edge from Mushfiqur Rahim that sent him on his way.

Bangladesh's best passage of play followed, a 79-run partnership between Litton Das and Mahmudullah that reset the innings and undid the early damage somewhat. It helped that Pakistan's premier legspinner, Usama Mir, had another off day, with him being unable to land his lengths consistently. He found himself being regularly punished, particularly by Mahmudullah, who looked by far the most accomplished batter.

The turning point came when Litton fell with the softest of dismissals against a harmless delivery from Iftikhar Ahmed, a long hop which the batter wafted up to short midwicket. Litton stood at the crease transfixed in dismay for nearly half a minute, almost as if his body would not permit him to walk off.

Bangladesh rebuilt, but

the momentum had been sapped right out of the innings. Shakib Al Hasan took his time to get going, and once Afridi came back, he cleaned Mahmudullah up with an unplayable reverse-swinging delivery from around the wicket.

With reverse swing coming into play in a big way for the final 15 overs, Bangladesh's lower-order batters found themselves at a further disadvantage, and Pakistan began to apply the squeeze as Babar Azam rotated his bowlers with rare judiciousness.

Only when Shakib belatedly decided to take on the spinners did Bangladesh look like showing any intent. Iftikhar was slapped for three boundaries, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz deposited Usama for a six over cow corner; so, Babar went back to Rauf's pace, and he struck in his first over, getting rid of Shakib. It then took Mohammad Wasim just seven balls to clean up the tail: Mehidy, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman finding their stumps knocked back as Bangladesh folded for 204.

A sedate first three

Haris Rauf was hit for three fours in his first over, but roared back with the wicket of Mushfiqur Rahim

hit sixes anywhere -- a point he demonstrated throughout his innings, as sixes regularly punctuated dot deliveries. Within the powerplay, he and Abdullah Shafique brought up the half-century partnership, and with Shafique joining in the run fest, the stand raced towards three figures.

SCOREBOARD Bangladesh (50 ovs maximum) Tanzid Hasan lbw b Shaheen Shah Afridi 0 Litton Das c Agha Salman b Iftikhar Ahmed 45 Najmul Hossain Shanto c Usama Mir b Shaheen Shah Afridi 4 Mushfiqur Rahim † c †Mohammad Rizwan b Haris Rauf 5 Mahmudullah b Shaheen Shah Afridi 56 Shakib Al Hasan (c) c Agha Salman b Haris Rauf 43 Towhid Hridoy c Iftikhar Ahmed b Usama Mir 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Mohammad Wasim 25 Taskin Ahmed b Mohammad Wasim 6 Mustafizur Rahman b Mohammad Wasim 3 Shoriful Islam not out 1 Extras (lb 4, w 5) 9 TOTAL 45.1 Ov (RR: 4.51) 204 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Tanzid Hasan, 0.5 ov), 2-6 (Najmul Hossain Shanto, 2.4 ov), 3-23 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 5.6 ov), 4-102 (Litton Das, 20.5 ov), 5-130 (Mahmudullah, 30.4 ov), 6-140 (Towhid Hridoy, 31.3 ov), 7-185 (Shakib Al Hasan, 39.3 ov), 8-200 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 43.1 ov), 9-201 (Taskin Ahmed, 43.3 ov), 10-204 (Mustafizur Rahman, 45.1 ov) • DRS

BOWLING Shaheen Shah Afridi Iftikhar Ahmed Haris Rauf Mohammad Wasim Usama Mir

O-M-R-W 9-1-23-3 10-0-44-1 8-0-36-2 8.1-1-31-3 10-0-66-1

Pakistan (T: 205 runs from 50 ovs) Abdullah Shafique lbw b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 68 Fakhar Zaman c Towhid Hridoy b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 81 Babar Azam (c) c Mahmudullah b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 9 Mohammad Rizwan †not out 26 Iftikhar Ahmed not out 17 Extras (lb 2, w 2) 4 TOTAL 32.3 Ov (RR: 6.30) 205/3 Did not bat: Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf Fall of wickets: 1-128 (Abdullah Shafique, 21.1 ov), 2-160 (Babar Azam, 25.4 ov), 3-169 (Fakhar Zaman, 27.3 ov) • DRS BOWLING O-M-R-W Taskin Ahmed 6-1-36-0 Shoriful Islam 4-1-25-0 Mehidy Hasan Miraz 9-0-60-3 Mustafizur Rahman 7-0-47-0 Shakib Al Hasan 5.3-0-30-0 Najmul Hossain Shanto 1-0-5-0

Abdullah Shafique finished on 68 off 69 balls

overs saw Pakistan's openers play themselves in, but Fakhar in particular was loosening his arms. After three runs in 11 balls, he thumped Taskin for a huge six over square leg that got him going.

He later said he didn't mind how the pitch played, because he knew he could

Mustafizur was a particular favourite recipient of Shafique's ire, as he was pummelled for three successive boundaries in the 12th over, before Fakhar slapped Mehidy for another six. His fifth of the innings brought up his half-century, a slap off Taskin back over

the bowler's head bringing up the landmark, while Shafique eased to his own half-century in the same over.

Shafique also played perhaps the shot of the day, a smear over cow corner off Taskin that flew all the way, and at that time, Pakistan

looked like they were racing towards a ten-wicket win.

Mehidy did his bit to ensure the ignominy wasn't quite as severe, taking three wickets (the only ones Pakistan lost) to stem the flow. Shafique fell first, sweeping across the line; while Babar, who never really got going, holed out to long-on before he got into double-figures. And while Fakhar had hit two sixes off Mehidy, the bowler was brave enough to keep pitching it up, using a variation in pace to get Fakhar to mistime one to the midwicket boundary. Fakhar fell for 81, even though he had looked a certainty to get a hundred.

It wouldn't matter too much in the end, as a flurry of boundaries from Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar saw Pakistan coast through with more than 17 overs to spare. It ended a pall of gloom that had settled over the side over the last fortnight, and while Bangladesh are officially out, the late Pakistan charge that characterises so many ICC tournaments is showing signs of rousing from its slumber.(ESPNCricInfo)

AmCham Guyana...

In addition to offering its membership exclusive participation opportunities, AmCham would extend its support to the ENet Clash of Champions event through corporate sponsorship, which would help to ensure the event’s success and contribute to the overall growth and enhancement of the motorsports industry in Guyana.

AmCham Guyana is encouraging its members to seize this exceptional opportunity to participate in the event. It invites businesses across various sectors to leverage this platform to enhance their brand visibility, forge valuable connections, and explore new avenues for growth.

AmCham Guyana, the premier private sector organization, is dedicated to fostering economic growth, promoting trade, and advancing the business interests of its almost 200 members in Guyana.

Comprising a diverse range of industries and sectors, AmCham serves as a

FROM PAGE 22

platform for collaboration, dialogue, and advocacy, supporting the development of a vibrant and sustainable business environment.

‘Greatest Race of All Time’ Drivers and riders from Guyana, the Caribbean and further afield will compete in what is dubbed the ‘Greatest Race of All Time’ at the South Dakota Circuit.

Race fans can expect a day filled with high-speed action, nail-biting competition, and unforgettable moments.

This event is a must-attend for anyone passionate about motorsport and looking for a thrilling day at the racetrack.

Races get underway at 11:00h on November 5, with rivalry in Group 4, Group 3, Group 2, Starlet Cup, Sports Tuner, Street Tuner, and Superstock and Supersport bikes.

Pre-sale tickets are available at G$3,000 (adults) and G$1,000 (children).

(GMR&SC press release)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

BCB 2023 Cricket Season…

Reddi leads RHT Poonai team into Romario Shepherd U13 finals N

ational Under-13 player Leon Reddi on Saturday produced a magnificent innings of 67 to lead his team, Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy, to a comfortable 24-run victory over arch-rivals Albion in a semifinal match of the 2023 Romario Shepherd Under-13 tournament.

The match, played at the Area ‘H’ Ground in very hot and humid condition, saw Reddi strike seven delightful boundaries in his match-winning innings. He and fellow Berbice Under-13 player Balraj Narine added 21 runs for the first wicket, before R. Singh trapped Narine LBW for 9.

Reddi and captain Tameshwar Deonandan, the national under-13 player, then added 80 for the 2nd wicket, before Deonandan was bowled by M. Ramsammy for 14.

The winning RHT Poonai Pharmacy Under-13 team

Another national under-13 player, Raefel McKenzie, then joined the solid Reddi, and they added 42 for the 3rd wicket, with the tall, lanky McKenzie scor-

ing 33 runs that included 2 boundaries.

Reddi was eventually dismissed by R. Singh for 67, but Deo Seepersaud scored 16 at the end to boost the RHT

Poonai team to 184 for 6 at the end of their allotted 30 overs.

Superb bowling performances were recorded for Albion by Rovin Lalbehari with 2 for 33 and R. Singh

with 2 for 38. Extras contributed a solid 33 runs.

Needing to score 185 from 30 overs to clinch their first Under-13 finals’ place, Albion were off to a rocking start, with S. Jumratty hitting a brisk 17 from 12 balls before he was trapped leg before by medium pacer Reddi in the fourth over, with the score at 31 for 1.

Skipper Farook Balle was the second wicket to fall, caught off the bowling of McKenzie for 7 as he attempted a pot shot.

National player Nathaniel Ramsammy was adjusted LBW off the bowling of Dinesh Singh for 21, while R. Marimuthoo was bowled by Balra Narine for 11.

A fighting innings of 49 from Rovin Lalbehari enabled Albion to eventually post 162 in the 30th over. Lalbehari, last man out, struck 4 boundaries before being caught off

the medium pace of Leon Reddi when one short of a deserved half century.

Off-spinner Balraj Narine turned in impressive bowling figures of 6-1-14-4; Dinesh Singh supported with 2 for 33, while Leon Reddi ended a good all-round performance with 2 for 36 from 5.2 overs.

The finals of the 2023 Romario Shepherd U13 tournament will be played at the Rose Hall Canje Welfare Centre ground between Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy and the Rose Hall Canje team.

This is the 4th Under-13 tournament organized by the BCB, and is the second to be sponsored by West Indies white ball all-rounder Romario Shepherd. Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy, Rose Hall Canje and Port Mourant were the past winners of the Under-13 Berbice tournaments.

GBA National Intermediates on this weekend

A

missive from the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has revealed that the 2023 edition of the Lennox Blackmore National Intermediate Championship will officially be staged from Friday, November 3rd, to Sunday, November 5th, at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

Participation is expected from notable gyms such as the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Forgotten Youth Foundation, Pace and Power, Rose Hall, Vergenoegen, and Republican, and championship contestation will commence daily from 18:00 hrs.

The medical assessment and weight-in will occur at the National Gymnasium on Thursday from 16:00 hrs.

Terrence Poole, Technical Director of the GBA, has said, “The Intermediate Championship is the stage directly after the Novices.

It’s a more advanced boxing

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GBA President Steve Ninvalle

level, because there will be boxers who have represented Guyana competing at this level, so there’s a higher quality of competition. This is the stage where you will see the true potential of the fighters.

I anticipate a quality exhibition of the talent due to the fact that the competing pugilists are much more experienced.”

GBA President Steve Ninvalle has said, “The GBA’s developmental agenda is an excursion rooted in continu-

ity. The Lennox Blackmore National Intermediate Championship is a stepping stone, a structured progression from the previously staged Andrew 'Six Head' Lewis National Novices Championships. It is a transitional level, and its importance should not be understated, as it provides a more detailed and comprehensive assessment of the possible future of the sport.

“The GBA comprehends that development transpires

A glimpse of what to expect this weekend at the National Gymnasium

and occurs in an organised and systematic manner, as each tournament under the jurisdiction of the association provides its own particular aim and intrinsic value.

As such, this event, which is an annual undertaking, has been tailored to form a pathway for emerging pugilists who harbour national and professional aspirations.

This, as a consequence, has

always resulted in the exposure of talents, which is the lifeline of the association in its continued dominance of the region.”

The championship is staged in honour of the late Lennox Blackmoore, former Commonwealth Champion and world-ranked challenger, who ended his illustrious career with a record of 30 fights, 25 wins, and five losses.

AmCham Guyana announces partnership with GMR&SC for ENet Caribbean Clash of Champions

A

mCham Guyana, the leading private sector organisation advocating economic growth and bilateral trade between Guyanese and American businesses, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club for the ENet Caribbean Clash of Champions, set for November 5 at the South Dakota Circuit.

This collaboration signifies AmCham’s commitment to promoting unique business opportunities and supporting

development of the motorsports industry in Guyana.

The alliance is also a clear demonstration of AmCham’s support for the development of sport and tourism, using motorsports to achieve that objective.

Through corporate sponsorship by its members, AmCham has been able to align with the ‘Greatest Race of All Time’, and would play a pivotal role in the success of the iconic November race meet.

AmCham’s Executive has

said: “As an exclusive private sector representative partner, AmCham is dedicated to providing its members with exceptional opportunities to participate in, and be featured at, the ENet Clash of Champions event. This unique partnership allows AmCham’s esteemed membership to engage with a global audience, and showcase their brands, products and services on an international platform.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Kristian Jeffrey (second right) posing with staff of Continental Group of Companies, the manufacturers of Torginol Paints, next to his Group 4 car (Photo: Avidesh Narine)

F

resh off its support for the Caribbean Premier League, Torginol Paints Inc. has thrown its massive brand behind another iconic Caribbean sporting spectacle: the ENet Clash of Champions, set for November 5 at the South Dakota Circuit.

An alliance between Torginol Paints Inc. and motorsports, which started almost two decades ago, has been further strengthened with the Torginol parent company, Continental Group of Companies, signing on as a major corporate partner for the ‘Greatest Race of All

Time.’

With great momentum building ahead of the yearend showdown, Continental Group of Companies’ partnership with the marquee Caribbean motorsport activity seems a natural one, their having had a long history of sponsoring international

CG United Regional Super50 tournament…

Hurricanes subdue Volcanoes

T

he Leeward Islands Hurricanes have registered a commanding 114run win over the Windward Islands Volcanoes in a match of the CG United Regional Super50 tournament played yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Having won the toss and deciding to bat first, the Hurricanes posted 293 all out in 50 overs; then subdued the Volcanoes to 179 all out in 42.3 overs.

Justin Greaves took centre stage, having produced a responsible 121, his maiden List A century, which anchored the Hurricanes’ innings. After Kieran Powell was bowled by Shermon Lewis for 11, the Justin Greaves show unfolded with him hitting 10 fours and one six during his 126-ball innings before he was bowled by

Justin Greaves scored a maiden List A century (CWI photo)

Shamar Springer.

Springer also removed Keacy Carty for 14, but Jahmar Hamilton motored to 50 from 72 balls, hitting six boundar-

SCOREBOARD Leeward Islands Hurricanes K. Powell b Lewis 11 J. Greaves b Springer 121 K. Carty c. Edward b Springer 14 J. Hamilton c& b Cyrus 50 H. Walsh c. Athanaze b Cyrus 0 T. Ward c. Edward b Dember 22 K. Gore b Hodge 12 A. Joseph run out 24 K. James c. Dember b Lewis 10 J. Louis c. Dember b Lewis 14 D. Doram not out 6 Extras: 9 Total: 293-10 (50 ov) Bowling: Lewis (3-68), Hodge (1-37), Springer (2-45), Cyrus (2-52), Dember (1-31)

Windward Islands Volcanoes A. Athanaze b Doram 39 J. Charles c. James b Louis 17 A. Fletcher c. Hamilton b Joseph 1 J. Solozano c. James b Doram 7 K. Hodge c. Doram b James 38 S. Ambris lbw Ward 1 S. Springer c. Gore b Walsh 58 L. Edward c. Hamilton b Walsh 0 K. Dember c. Greaves b Walsh 0 D. Cyrus c. James b Walsh 11 S. Lewis not out 3 Extras: 4 Total: 179-10 (42.3 ov) Bowling: Joseph (1-19), Louis (1-25), Ward (1-31), Doram (229), James (1-35), Walsh (4-40)

ies along the way. Hamilton added 85 for the third wicket with Greaves before popping a simple return catch to Darel Cyrus.

Cameos also came from Alzarri Joseph (24) and Terance Ward (22). Lewis ended with 3-68, while Springer and Cyrus each snared two wickets: for 45 and 52 runs respectively.

A less-than-inspiring performance from the Volcanoes batsmen proved costly, as only Springer erupted with his second List A half-century: his 70ball innings highlighted by five fours and one six.

Alick Athanaze got a solid start with 39 from 58 balls, during which he stroked six boundaries before being bowled

by Daniel Doram. Kavem Hodge also got a start with a 55-ball 38, but failed to see his side over the line.

Hayden Walsh was the architect of the Volcanoes’ destruction, returning figures of 4-40. He was supported by Doram with 2-29 as Volcanoes lost their last five wickets for a measly 44 runs.

and Caribbean champions as in Group 4 and Radical driver Kristian Jeffrey, Superbiker Stephen Vieira, and Canadian Superbiker Kevin Graham.

With its factory at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, and outlets and distribution centres spread across the country, Torginol Paints Inc manufactures a diversified range of paint and paint-related products for every surface. Branded under Torga and Arbo brand names, the products carry a wide range of quality items covering decorative, industrial, furniture and other finishes.

President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), Mahendra ‘Raj’ Boodhoo, has welcomed Torginol Paints Inc. on board

the activity by saying: “Corporate support is always important in helping to push the development of sport, and we value the input of Torginol Paints Inc. for this upcoming event. The ENet Clash of Champions promises to be very exciting, and we are grateful that the company saw it fit to join our group of partners in making this event a success.”

Torginol’s involvement in the motor-racing showpiece is another fervent demonstration of its commitment to boost Guyana’s sport tourism product by aligning its brand with an event that has consistently attracted mass participation by competitors and spectators alike.

Continental Group of Companies, through

23

Torginol Paints Inc., is one of a handful of local companies to partner with the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, which concluded in September with Guyana Amazon Warriors winning a maiden title.

Torginol Paints Inc. was the Official Paint of the ‘Biggest Party in Sport.’

That aside, the company has a long and rich history of supporting sport development, having played a significant role in the development of football and badminton, among other disciplines.

The company is also known for always fulfilling its corporate social responsibility, being a staunch supporter of social and community-oriented activities.

(GMR&SC press release)

CG United Regional Super50 tournament…

McCaskie’s ton hands Pride 48-run win over CCC

I

n a scintillating match of the CG United Regional Super50 tournament played yesterday, the Barbados Pride, showcasing an impressive display of batting prowess, overcame the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) by an impressive margin of 48 runs.

It was an electrifying matchup that witnessed exhilarating performances from both teams, with the Pride amassing a formidable total of 314 for seven in their allotted 50 overs, after winning the toss and opting to bat.

Chasing a target of 315 for victory, Combined Campuses and Colleges commenced their innings with determination.

However, they faced a tough challenge against an inspired Barbados Pride bowling attack, and eventually folded for 266 all out in 45.2 overs.

Kraigg Brathwaite provided Pride with a solid start in composing 32 runs off 67 deliveries before falling to Akshaya Persaud. However, the standout performance came from Zachary McCaskie, whose scintillating innings of 131 runs off 116 deliveries laid

Zachary McCaskie scored a ton for Barbados Pride (CWI photo)

the foundation for the Pride's imposing total. McCaskie's explosive display included 13 boundaries and four towering sixes as he dominated the CCC bowlers.

Shamarh Brooks returned a significant contribution of 65 well-crafted runs off 67 balls, highlighted by two sixes and four fours, while Shai Hope added a brisk 33 runs off just 19 deliveries, showcasing an aggressive approach that bolstered the team's score.

SCOREBOARD Barbados Pride innings K. Brathwaite c. Blades b Persaud 32 Z. McCaskie b C. Holder 131 S. Brooks c. Richards b Mansingh 65 S. Hope c. Alleyne b Mansingh 33 R. Primus c. Richards b Blades 22 D. Drakes c. Blades b Greaves 3 R. Chase c. Jeremiah b Blades 3 R. Reifer not out 11 Extras: 14 Total: 314-7 (50 ov) DNB: J. Leacock, J. McAllister, K. Smith Bowling: Greaves (1-49), Blades (2-55), Holder (1-52), Persaud (1-41), Mansingh (2-75)

CCC J. Jeremiah c. Hope b McAllister 10 K. Alleyne c. Primus b Drakes 22 S. Rambaran c. Hope b Drakes 1 D. Richards LBW Chase 41 S. Dowrich run out 86 J. Johnson 50 A. Persaud c. Hope b Chase 8 R. Greaves c. McCaskie b Chase 13 A. Mansingh run out 7 C. Holder not out 9 J. Blades c. McCaskie b Primus 0 Extras: 19 Total: 266-10 (45.2 ov) Bowling: Drakes (2-31), McAllister (1-37), Primus (2-38), Chase (3-56)

Despite the Pride's imposing total, the Combined Campuses and Colleges' bowling attack put up a resilient effort. Wickets were shared among the bowlers, with notable performances from Jediah Blades (2-55), Chemar Holder (1-52), Abhijai Mansingh (2-75), Persaud (141) and Romario Greaves (149). However, they struggled to contain the relentless assault of the Pride's batsmen, and allowed them to set a challenging target.

Shane Dowrich, the Bajan wicketkeeper-batsman-turnedCCC-captain, emerged as the star for the Combined Campuses and Colleges. He anchored their innings with a resilient 86 runs off 84 deliveries, and his impressive resistance featured three sixes and five fours before he was run out.

Jordan Johnson also contributed significantly with a brisk 50 runs off 45 balls.

However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled to maintain the required momentum, and wickets fell at regular intervals.

Roston Chase was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-56, while Roshan Primus and Dominic Drakes each took two wickets.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023

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

CG United Regional Super50 tournament…

– in battle of experience vs youth

I

Kevin Sinclair

n the latest fixture of the CG United Regional Super50 tournament, the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) are set to take on the West Indies Academy today in what promises to be a matchup of experience versus youth.

This match will be played at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground; and to put things in perspective, Academy has a collectivity of 168 List A matches, while the GHE captain singularly has 107 and Shimron Hetmyer has 83 matches. Joshua Bishop is the most capped player in the Academy side with 33 matches.

Despite this difference in experience, both teams are tied on 23 points, with Eagles pipping Academy for fifth position based on net run rate.

Eagles are still finding their footing, and have not registered a consecutive win in five tries, but have had a few close matches. Their dominance was on show against Barbados Pride in their most recent match, wherein they won by 56 runs and in the process earned them-

selves valuable points.

Academy have faced similar troubles, and while their batting has been promising, they have nevertheless lost close games.

Eagles boast a team with seven international players, but the big news coming out of the camp is the immediate replacement of all-rounder Romario Shepherd with Richie Looknauth.

Shepherd left the tournament in response to a family emergency, according to reports, and Looknauth has earned his maiden call-up at this level.

With 66 List A matches to his credit, and given his abilities with both bat and ball, Shepherd’s absence would doubtless hamper the Eagles’ plans.

Nevertheless, Sherfane Rutherford continues to show his batting prowess, and has emerged as the leading run-scorer in the competition so far, with 244 runs from five innings at an average of 61.

Tevin Imlach has been equally up to the task with 186 runs; however, the Eagles will look to tap into the ex-

perience of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Shimron Hetmyer and Chandrapaul Hemraj to boost their batting.

In the absence of Shepherd, the Eagles could be tempted to hand Quinten Sampson a second match to complement both the batting and seam bowling department, where Nial Smith and Shamar Joseph are featured.

The spin department is covered, with Permaul manning the troops well, inclusive of Kevin Sinclair and Gudakesh Motie, who have both taken nine wickets so far.

Teddy Bishop and Guyanese Matthew Nandu have both been consistent for the Academy, scoring 195 and 180 runs respectively, while Kevin Wickham, Nyeem Young, Leonardo Julien and Ackeem Auguste have had spurts of brilliance with the bat.

Young, like Motie and Sinclair, has nine wickets to his name, while Joshua Bishop has seven and Matthew Forde has five.

An interesting match is anticipated.

Abrams, Archibald clinch silver, bronze in 100m by .310.

While the Guyanese believed that he could have won the contest, he was content with making the podium.

“I expected to get first, but getting third is not a bad thing too. Two medals in three competitions this year is good. Just prepare

for the Olympics next year,” an elated Archibald shared.

Responding to whether or not the race’s false starts threw him off, Archibald divulged, “Somewhat, but I was prepared for that.

Yesterday we had an issue like that, I was more pre-

pared today, but the two false starts throw me off. I was gone in the first two, but we just work with it and we still medal. So, I can’t complain.”

While Archibald will continue his outing at the games in the 200m semi-finals; this evening, Guyana will have their third shot at a medal as Aliyah Abrams takes on the women’s 400m final at 19:23h.

Jasmine Abrams raked in silver at the Pan American Games

G

uyana brought their medal count up to two at the ongoing 2023 Pan American Games all within 21 seconds, as Jasmine Abrams and Emanuel Archibald raced their way onto their respective 100 metres podiums on Tuesday night.

Abrams took to the track first in the women’s event and fought off other bigname sprinters to clinch

silver in 11.52s. Cuba’s Yunisleidy Garcia was first in 11.36s, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle Lee Ahye grabbed bronze in 11.53s.

Just a few minutes later, tensions ran high prior to the start of the men’s event, as two false starts were called – in both Archibald was off at top speed.

Nonetheless, the third time was the charm and the

Guyanese led the race for a good 70 metres before being pipped on the line by Jose Gonzalez of the Dominican Republic, who crossed the line in 10.30s.

In a perfectly identical podium to Wednesday evening’s semifinal, Brazil’s Felipe Bardi clinched silver in 10.31s (.302). Archibald had a similar 10.31s for third place that was only distinguished from Bardi’s time

Emanuel Archibald raced his way to bronze at the Pan American Games

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