Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11-12-2024

Publicservantsgetcomprehensive packageofsalaryincreases,incentives

—10percentpayincreasein2024,eightin2025;newallowancesforacademic qualifications,amongotherbenefits —aspartofmulti-yearagreementbetweengov’t,GPSU

Themenuofmeasuresannouncedforpublicservants:

Tenpercentpayincreasein2024

Eightpercentpayincreasein2025

GS:1-6-minimumoffouryearsintheir currentscalewillmovetothemidpoint ofthatscale,receivingraisesofupto13 percent/thosewitheightyearsofservice willbeadvancedtothemaximumoftheir scale,withincreasesofupto26percent

GS:7-8–Thosewhocompletedfouryears intheircurrentscalewillreceivemonthly

midpointofGS:6,resultinginraisesofup to11percent

Secondpowership arrivesinGuyana

Giddingsrejectsefforts

totargetprofessional integrity,GECOM’s operationalarm

—providesdetailedaccountof March2020eventsinresponseto opposition’sclaimsagainsthim

1,2025:

holders, -$22,000monthlyforthosewitha

-$32,000monthlyforDoctoraldegree holders

UniformAllowance:Anannualincreaseof $5,000forhealthworkers,and$10,000for otherpublicservants.

HousingAllowance:$35,000monthlyfor

StationAllowance:$8,000monthlyfor employeesworkinginremoteriverineand hinterlandareas.

JetGlobal Services launcheslocal operations

—connectingfourcontinents fromJuly2025

RiskAllowance:A50percentincreasefor eligiblepublicservants.

MotorCarandTravelAllowances:Uptoa 104percentincrease 100annualduty-freeconcessionsto 100scholarshipswillbeavailableyearly ortheGuyanaOnlineAcademyof Learning(GOAL).

Guyanamovesahead witheffortstoadvance forensiccapabilities

—Indianexperttospearhead establishmentofmodern school,fulloperationalisation oflab

—10percentpayincreasein2024,eightin2025;newallowancesforacademicqualifications, amongotherbenefits

—aspartofmulti-yearagreementbetweengov’t,GPSU

PRESIDENT,DrIrfaan Ali,onTuesdayannounced atwo-yearpayincreasefor publicservants,startingwith a10percentsalaryhike retroactivetoJanuary,2024 andanadditionaleightper centincreasein2025,aspart ofacomprehensivepackage aimedatimprovingwages andbenefits.

TheHeadofStatemade thisannouncementatthe annualPoliceChristmas BreakfastatthePoliceOfficers’Mess,EveLeary.

Thisisbeingdelivered throughanagreementbetweentheGovernmentof GuyanaandtheGuyanaPublicServiceUnion(GPSU).

Thesignedagreement ensuresa10percentsalary increaseforallpublicservantsin2024,retroactive toJanuary1.Anothereight percentincreasewillfollow in2025,pushingtheoverall salarygrowthto46percent since2021.

“TheGovernmentof Guyanaunderstandsthat prosperitymustcomeateverylevel,andateveryband inthePublicService,interventionmustbemade.And aswecommittedinourmanifesto,andwecommittedas agovernment,we'llmake thenecessaryadjustmentto alwayshavethatparityin thesystem,”PresidentAli reaffirmed.

REDUCINGWAGE DISPARITIES

Addressingwagedisparities,theagreementincludes

ByFeonaMorrison

PRESIDENT,Dr.Irfaan Ali,onTuesday,announced thatthegovernmentrecently finalisedanagreementto establishastate-of-the-art forensicschooldesignedto servetheentireCaribbean region,markingasignificantstepforwardforregional crime-solvingefforts.

Duringhisaddressat theGPF’sAnnualChristmasbreakfast,theCommander-in-ChiefoftheArmedForcesemphasisedtheimportance oftransformingtheforceinto amodern,efficient,andtrustworthyinstitution.

Dr.Alihighlightedongoinginvestmentsaimedatfully operationalisingtheexisting

President,DrIrfaanAliwhilemakingtheannouncement attheannualPoliceChristmasBreakfastatthePoliceOfficers’ Mess,EveLeary

GeneralSchedule(GS)pay scaleadjustmentseffective July1,2024.

PublicservantsinGS: 1-6withaminimumoffour yearsintheircurrentscale willmovetothemidpointof thatscale,receivingraisesof upto13percent.Thosewith eightyearsofservicewillbe advancedtothemaximumof theirscale,withincreasesof upto26percent.

Additionally,public servantsinGS:7-8who havecompletedfouryears intheircurrentscalewill receivemonthlyadjustments equivalenttothedifference betweentheminimumand midpointofGS:6,resulting inraisesofupto11percent.

“Wearemakingtheseadjustmentstoensurethatsalarydisparitiesareaddressed fairlyacrosstheentirePublic Service,”PresidentAlisaid.

Toencouragecontinued educationandprofessional growth,thegovernmentwill introducequalificationallowanceseffectiveJanuary 1,2025:$15,000monthlyfor ACCAcertificationholders, $22,000monthlyforthose withaMasterdegreeand $32,000monthlyforDoctoraldegreeholders

AccordingtotheHeadof State,thisinitiativeiskeyin keepingwithgovernment’s commitmentofincentivisingeducation,incentivising traininganddevelopmentfor humancapital.

Severalkeyallowanceswillalsoseesubstantial increases,reflectingtheadministration'scommitment toimprovinglivingand workingconditions:

UniformAllowance:an annualincreaseof$5,000for healthworkersand$10,000

forotherpublicservants.

HousingAllowance: $35,000monthlyforpublic servantspostedawayfrom home.

StationAllowance: $8,000monthlyforemployeesworkinginremoteriverineandhinterlandareas.

RiskAllowance:A50 percentincreaseforeligible publicservants.

MotorCarandTravel Allowances:Uptoa104per centincrease.

“Thesemeasuresareintendedtoensurethatpublic servantsarerecognisedand supportedintheirprofessionalroles,”PresidentAli said.

Accordingtothesigned MoU,thegovernmentwill grant100annualduty-free concessionstonursingstaff, prioritisingemployeeswith thelongestservicerecords andthosereceivingthebenefitforthefirsttime.

Inaddition,100scholarshipswillbeavailableyearly

forundergraduateandpostgraduatestudiesthroughthe UniversityofGuyanaorthe GuyanaOnlineAcademyof Learning(GOAL).

“Thiswouldensurethat ourworkforceiscontinuouslyempoweredthrough academicadvancement,” PresidentAliadded.

TheagreementwasformallysignedbythePermanentSecretaryoftheMinistryofthePublicService, SoyinkaGrogan,representingthegovernment,and GPSU’sFirstVicePresident DawnGardener.

SeniorMinisterinthe OfficeofthePresidentwith ResponsibilityforFinance andthePublicService,Dr. AshniSingh,commended theproductiveandcollaborativenatureofthenegotiations.

Gardenerdescribedthe agreementasa“newera”in publicservicelabourrelations,highlightingthegovernment’scommitmentto

improvingpublicservants' conditions.

AccordingtoPresident Ali,withtheagreementin place,publicservantsacross Guyanacanexpectgreater financialstability,enhanced professionaldevelopment opportunities,andimproved workingenvironments.

“Thisgovernment’scommitmenttothepeopleofour country,toeverycategory ofthepeopleofourcountry, isunquestioning[sic].Our commitmenttowhatwesaid inamanifestoisnotonly unquestioned,buthasbeen surpassedineverysingle instance,”hesaid.

Earlierthisyear,teachersbenefitedfromamultiyearagreementbetweenthe governmentandtheGuyanaTeachersUnion(GTU), whichwasfinalisedafterextensivenegotiations.Under thisagreement,teacherswill receiveatotalsalaryincrease of27percentoverthree years:10percentin2024, eightpercentin2025,and ninepercentin2026.

Publicservantswillalso benefitfromothermeasures announcedrecentlybythe government,includingthe $100,000cashgrantforall personsabove18years,a newincometaxdeduction of$10,000perchildand freetertiaryeducationfrom January2025,amongother thingsaimedatimproving thelivesandlivelihoodsof allGuyanese.

GuyanaForensicScienceLaboratory.

Henotedthattheseinitiativeswerebeingledbya

seasonedexpert—theformer headoftheCrimeInvestigationBureauinIndia—bringingawealthofexperienceto

strengthenGuyana’sforensic infrastructure.

“Wehavejustconcluded anagreementtohave…an

expert,theformerheadofthe CrimeInvestigationBureau inIndia,tobeleadingour effortintheestablishmentof aforensicschoolandfully operationalisetheforensiclab hereinGuyanatoserveallof theregion.

“Thesearenotsimpleinvestments.Wehavealready establishedthattheforensic labwillbethereforallofthe Caribbean.Wenowwillhave thisassetwiththehuman potentialforalloftheCaribbean,”theHeadofStatesaid.

UnderacollaborativeinitiativebetweenGuyanaand India,policeofficersinGuyanaarereceivingspecialised trainingtoenhancetheirskills andefficiency. Thispartnershipfocuses

onareassuchasforensicscience,investigativetechniques, andmodernpolicingmethods. Earlierthismonth,the governmentannouncedits collaborationwiththeNationalForensicSciencesUniversity(NFSU)inIndiatotrainand equiplocalpoliceofficersin NFSU-certifiedinvestigative techniques,forensicscience, cyber-securityandforensic psychology.

Thegovernmentisprioritisingthedevelopmentof theGPFthroughsubstantial investments,includingenhancedtrainingprogrammes, competitivesalaryincreases, andeducationalscholarships. Theseinitiativesaimtoimproveprofessionalism,boost morale,andattracttalent.

BrazilianPresidentLularecoveringin hospitalafteremergencybrainsurgery

(Reuters)Brazilian PresidentLuizInacio LuladaSilvawasrecoveringinanintensive careunitonTuesday, doctorssaid,afterbeing rushedtoaSaoPaulo hospitalforemergency surgerytodrainableed onhisbrainlinkedtoa fallinOctober.

The79-year-oldLula wasinstablecondition andspeakingandeatingnormallyafterthe successfuloperationat Sirio-LibanesHospital, doctorssaidatapress conference.

ThebleedingthatLula experiencedoccurredbetweenhisbrainandmeningealmembrane,said thedoctors,whoruled outanyinjurytothebrain orneurologicalcomplications.

Lula,whowasinsurgeryforabouttwohours, isexpectedtoremain inintensivecarefor48 hoursandreturntothe capitalBrasiliaearlynext

week"ifeverythinggoes well,"hisdoctor,Roberto KalilFilho,toldreporters.

Theemergencysurgeryaddedtohealth concernsabouttheagingpresident,astandardbeareroftheLatin Americanleftwhois halfwaythroughhisthird non-consecutiveterm.

Weakresultsforhis WorkersPartyinthis year'smunicipalelections underscoredthelackofa clearleftistsuccessorif hechoosesnottorunfor reelectionin2026.

Lulahascurtailed travelinrecentmonths whiledoctorsmonitored hisrecoveryfromtrauma tothebackofhishead whenhefellathishome inlateOctober,requiring stitches.

Hecomplained ofaworseningheadacheduringtalkswith congressionalleaders onMondayeveningin Brasilia,andwastaken

Brazil’sPresidentLuizInacioLuladaSilva attendstheopeningoftheNationalConstruction Industrymeetingattheheadquartersofthe BrazilianNationalConfederationofIndustry (CNI)inBrasilia,BrazilNovember26,2024 (REUTERS/AdrianoMachado/FilePhoto)

toalocalhospitalforexams,presidentialspokespersonPauloPimenta saidinaradiointerview.

AnMRIscandetectedanintracranialhemorrhage,andLulawas flownsoonaftertoSao Pauloforthesurgery, accordingtoamedical notereleasedbythegovernment.

VicePresidentGeraldoAlckmincanceled plansinSaoPauloon Tuesdaytoreturnto Brasilia,hisaidesaid, wherehewillassume Lula'sagenda,including

avisitfromSlovakPrime MinisterRobertFico. PimentasaidLula maynotneedtoformally transferthepowersofthe presidencytoAlckmin.

DYNAMICFORCE

Aftersomefivedecadesofpubliclife, Lularemainsadynamic forceonBrazil'spoliticalscene,whippingup crowdswithhisgruff voiceandhammeringout policydetailsinpersonal meetingswithlawmakers.

Bornintopovertyin northeastBrazil,Lula

foundworkasametalworkerinSaoPaulobeforerisingthroughunion rankstoleadstrikes pittinghimagainstthe country'smilitarygovernmentinthe1970s.

Heco-foundedthe WorkersPartyandran repeatedlyforthepresidencyafterBrazil'stransitiontodemocracyinthe 1980sbeforewinningthe officein2002.Hisfirst twotermsweremarked byaChina-drivencommoditiesboomthat boostedBrazil'seconomy andhelpedtofundmore generoussocialspending.

Afterheleftofficein 2011withrecordpopularity,hischosensuccessor oversawadeeprecession andwasimpeachedamid asprawlingcorruption investigationthatjailed Lulahimself,convicted ofacceptingbribes.

TheSupremeCourt eventuallythrewoutthat convictiononproceduralgrounds,openingthe doorforhissuccessful presidentialrunin2022 tocapastunningcomeback.

Hisfirstyearbackin officewasmarkedby aseriesofinternation-

altrips-andhipsurgeryinSeptember.In lateOctoberheslipped andfellinthepresidentialresidence,leadingto theintracranialbleeding thathisdoctorshadbeen monitoring.

Theinjuryforcedhim tocancelatriptoRussiaforasummitofthe BRICSgroupofmajor emergingmarketsinKazan.TestsinearlyNovembershowedLula's conditionwasstableand heremainedactive,recentlytravelingtoMontevideotodiscussaMercosurtradedeal.

"IwishPresidentLula aspeedyrecovery.May hereturntoworkassoon aspossibletocontinue leadinghisgovernment's actions,soimportantfor thecountryatthismoment,"SenateheadRodrigoPachecosaidina statement.

Pachecoandthe speakerofBrazil'slowerhouseofCongress, ArthurLira,metwith LulaonMondayashe pushedforlegislative approvalofapackage ofspendingcutsthat haskeptfinancialmarketsonedge.

SecondpowershiparrivesinGuyana

GUYANA’Ssecond powershiphasarrived inlocalwaters,andisen routetotheDemerara River,whereitwillbe dockedandlinkedto theGuyanaPowerand Light(GPL)’sgrid.

Accordingtoinforma-

tionfromGPL,oncefully connected,thevesselwill supplyanadditional60 megawattsofelectricity,boostingGPL’sgenerationcapacitywithin theDemerara-Berbice InterconnectedSystem (DBIS).

Thissecondpower shipmarksanotherimportantstepinthegovernment’sstrategyto addresselectricityshortages,andpreparethe countryforitsgrowing energyneeds.

Forthelonger term,thegovernment hasitssightssetonthe Gas-to-EnergyProject, whichisexpectedtocontributeanadditional300 megawattstothenational grid,onceoperational. Sincebeingelected toofficein2020,the

PPP/CGovernmenthas implementedseveral initiatives,including theinstallationof10 megawattsofemergencypower,theoperationalisationof46.5megawattsattheGardenof Edenplantin2022,and theprocurementofan additional28.9megawattsofpowerfromColombia.Together,these effortsarehelpingto ensurethatGuyana’s energysectorcankeep pacewiththenation’s development.

Guyana’sRemarkableJourney

INanerawheremany developingcountries strugglewithsystemic corruptionandhuman rightsviolations,Guyana emergesasabeaconof hopeandprogress.

Therecentstatements byPrimeMinisterMark PhillipsandMinisterGail TeixeiraattheHuman RightsandAnti-Corruption Expounderscorethenation'sunwaveringcommitmenttofosteringasociety builtonintegrity,transparency,andrespectforhuman dignity.

Guyana's'whole-of-so-

ciety'approachtocombattingcorruptionandpromotinghumanrightsis notjustcommendable;it's revolutionary.Byintertwiningthesetwocrucial aspectsofgovernance,the countryhascreatedarobust frameworkthataddresses therootcausesofsocietal issuesratherthanmerely treatingsymptoms.

Thegovernment'sstrategyismultifacetedand inclusive,involvingvarious stakeholders,fromgrassrootsmovementstoNGOs andtheprivatesector.This collaborativeeffortensures

thatthefightagainstcorruption,andthepromotion ofhumanrightsarenotjust governmentinitiativesbut societalimperatives.

Theemphasisontrainingprogrammesandworkshopsaimedatbuilding recognitionofhumanrights andcombattingcorruption isparticularlypraiseworthy. Byinvestingineducation andawareness,Guyana islayingthegroundwork forlong-term,sustainable change.

Guyana'spositionas theonlycountryintheregiontoestablishanannual

conferenceonhumanrights andanti-corruptionsetsa powerfulprecedent.This initiativenotonlyshowcasesGuyana'scommitment, butalsopositionsthecountryasaregionalleaderin thesecriticalareas.

PerhapsthemostinspiringaspectofGuyana's journeyisitstransformationfromoneofthepoorest countriesinthehemisphere toanationonthecuspof significanteconomicand socialprogress.Thisevolutionisatestamenttothe powerofgoodgovernance, strategicplanning,andun-

waveringcommitmentto humanrightsandanti-corruptionmeasures. WhileGuyana'sprogressisundoubtedlyimpressive,it'scrucialtoacknowledgethatthejourney isfarfromover.Asthe countrycontinuestodevelop,particularlywithits burgeoningoilindustry, vigilancewillbekey.The governmentmustensure thateconomicgrowthdoes notcomeattheexpenseof humanrights,orcreatenew avenuesforcorruption.

Guyana'sapproachoffersvaluablelessonsfor

otherdevelopingnations. Byprioritisinghuman rightsandanti-corruption measuresalongsideeconomicdevelopment,countriescancreateamoreequitable,just,andprosperous societyforallcitizens. Asthecountrycontinuesonthispath,itstands asashiningexampleof whatcanbeachieved whenagovernmentand itspeopleuniteinpursuit ofnobleideals.Theworld woulddowelltotake notice,andlearnfrom Guyana'sremarkable journey.

DearEditor, THROUGHtheastuteleadershipofayoungandvibrant President,Dr.MohamedIrfaanAliatthehelmofanationnavigatingthecomplexitiesthatcomewiththewealth ofaresourcefullandand resolutepeople,thePPP/C Governmentcarefullycraftedaninfrastructurewhich supportstheUnitedNations’ universalaimsandobjectives ofprotectingpeoplefrom crime,preventingcorruption, andpromotinghumanrights.

Guyanacurrentlyoccupies thetemporarytwo-yearseat attheUNSecurityCouncil, whereitsinputisrequiredto helpmaintainpeaceinthe world.

Sometimes,alotofwhat isspoken,writtenorgesticulatedisoftendoubted,denied,denounced,deliberated, demonstratedordiscussedfor acceptanceordeclensionpurposes.Abalancedmindleaves anopenwindowfordelayed consideration.

Often,itisinferred,impliedandintimatedthatthe valueoflifebecomespeacefullyenjoyableonlywhenthereis theprimaryabodeofsensitivity

andrealitywiththesecondary undertakingofintelligentlessonsandwealthyexperiences.

ThatiswhytheConstitutionofGuyanaincorporates thefunctionof:AnAttorney General’sOfficeandtheMinistryofHomeAffairs;aMinistry ofParliamentaryAffairsand Governance;andaMinistryof SocialSecuritiesandHuman Services.

TheseinstitutionscontributetowardsapeacefulenvironmentinGuyana,devoidof inequality,racismanddiscrimination.PresidentDr.IrfaanAli pledgedonInternationalDayof Democracy2021to“strengthen therampartswhichprotectour fragiledemocracy:TheRuleof Law,theindependenceofthe judiciary,freedomofexpressionandconstitutionalrule.”

cumbersomeorconvoluted.No wonderabookshouldnotbe judgedbyitscover.

Nomatterhowacademicallyeducatedorprofoundly knowledgeableorscientifically practicalonemaybeperceived orprofesstobe,unlesspractisedwithadegreeofcommonsensepreachedbymastering thelanguageofsimplicityand perfectedbydoctoringthe routeofhumanity,theessence ofthecontentconstrictsclarity, andmaybecomecomplicated,

Itisworthreflectingon whatthefirstUSSecretaryof StateevertovisitGuyanasaid. Mr.MikePompeo,inSeptember2020stated,“Weknow theGuyanesepeoplecherish democracy;theycherishfreedom,theyvaluefree,fair,and transparentelections,justas Americansdo,justasallpeopledo.Iwasproudtopublicly supporttheGuyanesepeoplein theirquesttohavetheresultsof theelectionrespected.Theresultscertainlytooklongerthan anyofuswouldhavewishedor hoped,butitwasworthfightingfor;itwasworthfightingto honourthepeople’ssovereign decision.That’sindeed–(applause)–whatdemocracyis allabout.Congratulations, PresidentAli.”

GitaJayantieonDecember11, beingthephilosophicalgiftto guidegurus,grads,docentsand otherdisciples.

PrimeMinisterBrigadier (Ret’d)MarkPhillipsrecently clarifiedthePPP/Cgovernment’spositionwhenheacclaimedthat,“Ourgovernment ispreparedandcontinuesto work[through]theMinistry ofParliamentaryAffairsand Governancetoensurethatwe protectthehumanrightsof allGuyanese,thatwerespect alltheinternationalorganisationspertainingtotheobservanceandpromotionofhuman rights.”

toonceagaindenyGuyanese theirhumanrightstoelecta leaderoftheirchoicethrough thepracticeoffairmeans.

FormerPrimeMinisterof Jamaica,BruceGolding,head oftheOASElectoralObserver Mission,inmakinghispreliminaryreporttotheOASCouncil inMay2020statedthathehad “neverseenamoretransparent efforttoaltertheresultsofan election”.

Isitanaccident,coincidentordesignthatthreeobservationshavebeinglined upinadjacentrowstoform ahattrickofcommemorativeevents?InternationalDay againstCorruptionwascelebratedonDecember9,the InternationalDayforHuman RightsonDecember10,and

Itisofgreatsignificance andparamountimportanceto congratulatePresidentAlion receivingnumerousinternationalawardsthroughoutthe worldasademocraticleader whoisnotheraldedasadictator.

Sincetheinfamous2020 GeneralandRegionalElections,GuyanaandGuyanese weresavedfromanotherera ofundemocraticprocessas birthedfromthebellyofdictatorship.Thecriminalelements manifestedbyacorruptedgang ofelectionriggers,attempted

Mr.Goldingwasreferring tothesanctimoniousgangster wholedabandofrebelswith theaimofusurpingpower throughthebackdoor.Guyana isnowabosomfriendtothe Caribbeanandcurrentlyenjoys aspecialplacewhichiscloseto CARICOM,sincePresidentAli tookoverthemantle-shipas leaderofanationoncespurned asthesecondpoorestinthis hemisphere.Guyanaiscurrentlyoneoftheleadingnations intermsofeconomicstability,sustainabilityandsecurity throughtheastutemanagement ofaPPP/Cgovernment.

Thetimeisright,ripeand relevantfortheessenceofthe teachingfromtheGitatobe incorporatedintheattitude, aptitudeandapplicationof

Guyanesewayoflife.The simpleemphasisofunderstandingone’sdutyinsocietyand fulfillingitwithoutanyattachmenttoitsreward,isaticket tocurbcrime,corruptionand humanrightsviolationinthis multilateralcommunity. PresidentAlisaiditwell earlierthisyearattheUN Assembly,“Thefuturewe seek—afuturewherenoone isleftbehind—demandscourageousaction.TheUNmust fulfillitsroleasacustodianof greaterglobalpeace,theforemostpromoterofsustainable developmentandanunflinchingprotectorofhumanrights, humandignityandinternationallaw.AndsincetheUNisall ofus,thisbodyofnations,this isacollectiveresponsibility forusall.Letusnotbefound wanting.Letusacttogether,for theadvancementofpeace,for theachievementofsustainable development,andthepreservationofhumandignity,nowand forgenerationstocome.” Guyanacannotfailthe UNandmustmaintainthe dignityofhumanrightsin thiscountry.

Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall

AreDr.AlissaTrotz andStabroekNews notashamed?

IHAVEdoneseveralcolumnscondemningtheunprofessionalapproachto journalismbyDr.Alissa TrotzofCanadawhoedits forthepast10years,the columnintheStabroek News(SN)titled,“InThe Diaspora(ITD).”

Thisisaweeklyfeature inSNandtodateithasnot carriedevenonewriterthat takesapositiveposition ontheGuyanaGovernment.Imaginethat,after10 years,therehasnotbeenone scholaridentifiedbyITDto doacolumnthatputsthe GuyanaGovernmentina positivelight.

Surely,therehastobean interpretationastowhyDr. Trotzbehaveslikethisand whytheSNeditorshavenot intervened,andtheSNmanagementshouldintervene becauseofthesewordson themastheadofITD:“This isoneofaseriesofweekly columnsfromGuyanesein

thediasporawithaninterest inissuesrelatedtoGuyana.”

Itissimplyincredible thatDr.TrotzandSNcould penthosewords.Letme repeatasectionofthatquote abovesoitcansoakin: “withaninterestinissues relatedtoGuyana.”Isn’t thisashamefulsaga?There hasnotbeenonecolumn,I repeat,notonecolumnon theelectiondisasteryetthis ladyandSNtellusthatITD isaboutissuesthatGuyaneseareinterestedin.

Thelatestselecteetodo acommentaryforITDisDr. BertrandRamcharran.His pieceappearedlastMonday. Owingtochoice,IaskDr. TrotzandSNiftheyaren’t ashamed.Dr.Ramcharran isaweeklycolumnistinSN andhemakesunbridledcondemnationsoftheGuyana Governmentwhichhedescribesasautocratic.Itisso simpletoreadthecollective mindofDr.TrotzandSN.

SinceRamcharranisonan anti-governmentroll,why notgivehimmorelatitude.

Thatisexactlythereasonwhyhewaschosento doapiecelastMonday.As usual,Dr.Ramcharran’s analysisissaturatedwith aridtheorising.Iquotea manifestationofhismediocrity:“withitsethnicstructure,sofarGuyana,Guyana’spoliticalclassseemto haveoptedforcompetitive partypoliticseachofthe twomainpartiesbelieving itcanwinamajority.”

Whyisthispoorscholarship?Fivereasonscan begiven.One-competitive partypoliticsisnormalin theworldastheperennial grass.Two-Indiaandthe USeachhasalargerethnic structurethanGuyana’sand theyhavevibrant,successful competitivepartypolitics. Three–whichcountryin theworlddoesnothavean ethnicstructure?Thehomo-

geneousWestthatweknew inthe19thcenturyisgone.

Towinelectionsinthe UK,Sweden,France,Canada,Italy,justtonamea few,politicalpartieshave tobeconsciousoftheethnicmake-upofthepopulation.AnIndian/African womanwasoneofthetwo mainpresidentialcontenders intherecentlyconcluded Americanelection.Sheis theVice-Presidentofthe US.

Thepredecessortothe currentBritishPrimeMinisterwasanIndian.The leaderoftheBritishConservativePartyisanAfrican woman.InCanadawhere Ramcharranlives,theleader ofthesecondlargestoppositionpartyisanIndianSikh. RamcharranneedstotellDr. TrotzandSNwhyonlyin Guyanatheethnicstructure isdangerouslypoised.

Four-thetwomainpoliticalpartiesinGuyana

cannotwinanationalelectionbyracesermons.Ifthey preachrace,theystandto losesubstantialcrossover votes.ThereisnoAfrican orIndianmajority.Between thetwomajorracegroups, thepercentageisbetween66 or67percent.Thatmeans slightlyover30percentof GuyanaisnotAfricanor Indian.

ScholarslikeTrotzand Ramcharranandothersof theirilkarelostintime whenitcomestoGuyana’ssociology.Thetwo gigantic,traditionalparties cannotinciteracialfears andhopetowinvotes.In doingso,theywilllose substantialvotes.People likeTrotzandRamcharran havetostopseeingGuyana asPNCversusPPP.

ThefinalandfifthreasonforcitingRamcharran’s outputasmediocreisthathe keepsembarrassinghimself withhisobsessionwiththe

SN’sinterpretationofthe GuyanaGovernment.His latestpieceonMondayis yetanotherreminderofthat. Hekeptreferringtowhatthe SNcarried.

Wearenearingageneral electionandITDisgoing togofulloutagainstthe government.Alltheinvited writerswillbeanti-governmentorfavourtheparties runningagainstthePPP. NeitherMs.TrotznorSN willbedeterred.Ms.Trotz hasnotbeendeterredthe past10years.Whywould shebenow?Theycertainly arenotashamedofthepoliticaltagtheywearontheir shirtsleeve.

DISCLAIMER:The viewsandopinionsexpressedinthiscolumnare solelythoseoftheauthor anddonotnecessarily reflecttheofficialpolicy orpositionoftheGuyanaNationalNewspapers Limited.

AtnopointintimedidIdisappearwiththeserver

DearEditor,

OVERthepastfew months,prominentpoliticalfigureshavebeen consistentlypromulgating distortedandcontortedinformationtargetted tomeregardingspecific eventsofMarch,2020. Moreover,Ihaveconstruedthesestatementsas slanderousandlibellous, aswellasmadewiththe expressintenttocasta shadowofdoubtonboth myselfandbyextension theoperationalarmof GECOM,whichhasthe responsibilityforplanningandexecutingtheactivitiesrelatedtoelections inGuyana.

AmidstthefrequentprotestsinfrontofGECOM’s

headquarters,andthrough pressconferencesaswell asotherprogrammesaired viasocialmedia,therehave beennumerouscallsforthe resignationofbothmyself aswellastheChairman.

Hereafter,whileImay refertoChairman,Justice (ret’d)ClaudetteSingh, itisnotmyintentionto speakonherbehalf,sinceI believeshehasadequately addressedrelevantissues including:Thecallfora “cleanvoter’slist”and mattersrelatedtotheallegationsof“voterimpersonation”attheelections inMarch2020.

Mr.AubreyNorton,MP andLeaderoftheOpposition,atapressconference onNovember8isquoted assaying:“Additionally

thereiscredibleevidence thattheDeputyCEOisa PPPplantthatiscarrying outthediktatsofthePPP andiscompromisedand unfittobeanemployeeat GECOM.

“Itmustberecalledthat itwasthesaidAnealGiddingsthatdisappearedwith GECOM’scomputerhard drivein2020inpursuance ofthePPPagenda.

“….Heisapolitical partisanandcannotbeexpectedtobepartofafree andfairelectionsprocess.”

Mr.Norton,again,on December5,inavideoclip postedonthePeople’sNationalCongressReform’s Facebookplatform,highlighted:“TheChairmanof thecommissionhasproven thatshecannotbeimpar-

tial.

“TheDeputyCEOwho hasresponsibilityforinformationtechnologyis compromisedandinthe 2020election,heisknown tohavemovedoffwiththe harddriveofthecomputer inpursuanceofthePPP agenda.”

AtanotherpressconferenceonDecember6, Mr.GaneshMahipaul,MP andExecutiveMemberof thePNCRstated:“Alot ofthingswerealsoreportedaboutAnealGiddings duringthatsameperiod.I thinktherewassomestory aboutsomeflashdriveor someserver…sometechnologything.Iamnottoo versedintechnology…. andAnealGiddingsended upbeingnowtheDeputy

CEO.Alotofthingshave beenreported.”

Hegoesontosayimmediatelyafter“thequestion is…whathasbeenproven andtheansweris:absolutelynothingtodate.”

Whilefeigningignoranceintheformerstatement,Idonotbelievethat latterstatementbyMr.Mahipaulintendedtodefend me,especiallysincemost oftheutterancescamefrom hisleader,butitwas,nevertheless,perfectlyinorder. Editor,Iwillnotburdenyouwiththemyriad snippetsofdisinformation thathavefounditswayto Guyanesebothlocallyand inthediasporathrough prominentbroadcastsof knowncharactersandentitiesonthismatter.Suf-

ficeittosay,Ibelievethe timehasarrivedformeto providethefacts,forthe consumptionofallwho maybeinterested.Someof whatisrecordedhereinwas alsotenderedasevidenceto theCommissionofInquiry intotheElectionsofMarch 2,2020.

Section96oftheRepresentationofthePeople Act,(Cap1:03)priortoits amendmentin2022and whichappliedtotheGeneralandRegionalElections of2020states: (1)TheChiefElection Officershall,aftercalculatingthetotalnumberofvalidvotesofelectorswhich havebeencastforeachlist ofcandidates,onthebasis ofthevotescountedand

AtnopointintimedidIdisappearwith...

theinformationfurnished byreturningofficersunder section84(11),ascertain theresultoftheelectionin accordancewithsections 97and98.

(2)TheChiefElectionOfficershallprepare areportmanuallyandin electronicformintermsof section99forthebenefit oftheCommission,which shallbethebasisforthe Commissiontodeclareand publishtheelectionresults undersection99.

PresidingOfficersare responsibleforthecounting ofvotesafterthecloseof PollonElectionDay.This processculminatesinthe productionofStatements ofPoll(oneforthegeneral componentandanotherfor theregionalcomponent).

TheseSOPsaretransmittedtotheirrespective ReturningOfficersanda separatecopyprovidedto theChiefElectionOfficer.

Theamendmentsmadein 2022nowavailacopyof theSOPtotheChairman.

AstheInformation TechnologyManager duringthe2020period, Iwasgiventhespecific mandateofmanagingand executingthetabulation ofStatementsofPollof theChiefElectionOfficer (hereinreferredtoasthe CEO’stabulation).This processwasparalleltothat ofeachReturningOfficer andnotarequirementinthe legislation.

Notwithstanding,and inordertocomplywith Section96(2),theCEO’s tabulationisasortofcheck andbalancetothework ofReturningOfficersand deliversacompletebox-byboxreportindigitalformto aidinexpediencyfortransmissiontotheCommission.

OnMarch5,2020, manywouldrecalltheinfamousbombscarewhich causedtheGuyanaPolice

Forcetorequestanimmediateevacuationofthe Ashmin’sBuilding.Itis importanttonotethatthis buildingservedseveral purposes:i)theOfficeof theReturningOfficerof Region#Four;ii)theMediaCentre(bothlocatedon thegroundfloor);ii)the TabulationCentre(located ontheFirstFloor);andthe OfficeoftheChiefElectionOfficer(locatedonthe secondfloor).TheCommissionalsohadaspaceto conducttheirmeetings.

Onreceivingguidance fromAssistantCommissionerofPolice,Mr.Edgar Thomas,Iinstructedall staffundermysupervision toevacuatethebuilding andproceedtotheassigned musterpoint.I,together withanothertechnicalstaff, remainedbehindtosecure SOPsandotherdocuments whichwereinprocessas wellastoexecutethebackupprotocolsontheserver

whichhadasignificant amountofdataalready encodedtherein.

Duringthistime,the thenDeputyChiefElection Officer,RoxanneMyers enteredthefacilityandinquiredwhetherthebackup couldbeplacedonremovablemediaandhandedover toher.Thisinstructionwas, infact,adeparturefrom best-practice,andstandards outlinedinourprotocols sincesuchdataisusually securedbyITpersonnel anddepositedatapredeterminedsecurelocation. Nevertheless,Icomplied withthisaberration.

Consideringtheextant threat,Iinstructedmystaff topowerdownanddisconnecttheserversothatit couldbemovedtoamore securelocationespecially sinceIhadsurrenderedmy onlycopyofthebackup data.Theserverwastransportedbymeoutofthe building,againsttheprotestsofDCEOMyers,and intotheparkinglotofthe Ashmin’scomplexwhereI placeditinmyvehicleand proceededtotheevacuationpointsincetherewas noothersecureareainthe building.Multipleattempts tocommunicatewiththen CEO,KeithLowenfield, forguidancewerefutile.

Atnopointintimedid I“disappear”witheither theserveroranycompo-

nenttherefrom.Itremained safelyinsidemylockedvehicleuntilitwasreturned totheTabulationCentre laterduringthatsameday whentheGuyanaFireServicecompletedtheirwork.

Toaddabitmoreto this,manydayselapsed anditwasnotuntilthe March16,2020whereI receivedasignedinternal memorandumfromDCEO Myers(copiedtotheCEO whereIwasinstructedto “provideacogentreason foractionsobservedat GECOM’sCommandCentreforGRE2020”.

Inhermissive,sheoutlinedwhatsheconsidered tobe“theunauthorised removaloftheagency’s server”andfurtherstated that“….citedabovecould beconsideredabreachof theelectionprocedures” andIwasgiven48hours torespond.

Idiligentlycomplied and,inmyresponse,(copiedtoboththeCEOand Chairman),Idetailedthe accountandmyreasonsfor extractingtheserverfrom theTabulationCentre.I alsorespectfullyrequested acopyofthese“election procedures”whichIwould haveallegedlybreached.

Editor,Ireceivedno returncorrespondence,no phonecallfromeitherMs. Myers,Mr.Lowenfield orJusticeSingh,nothing.

TheCommissionmeton numerousoccasionsafterwardsand,tomyknowledge,nodiscussionwas heldwithregardstothis issue.

Asamatteroffact, subsequenttoOrder60 of2020,theCommission throughtheChiefElection Officerappointedmetobe theTabulationSupervisor oftheNationalRecount. Thisdecisionundoubtedly provedthattheCommissionfoundnoissuewith myactionscitedabove.

Lastly,Iwillcompletelydisregardstatements whichpaintmeasapoliticaloperative.Ihave not,norwillIever,inthe executionofmyduties,do anythingthatfavoursany politicalposition,insupportofanypoliticalparty ortheiragents.Mydutyis tothepeopleofGuyana,in accordancewithrelevant lawandCommissionpolicydirectivesforwhichI haveswornanOath.

Itismyhopethat,in anefforttoallayanyconcernsoftheelectorateor stakeholdersoftheelectionsprocess,thisletter providessomeclarityinto whatactuallytranspired ontheMarch5,2020.

Sincerely, AnealGiddings DeputyChiefElection Officer

Giddingsrejectseffortstotarget professionalintegrity,GECOM’soperationalarm

-providesdetailedaccountofMarch2020eventsinresponsetoopposition’sclaimsagainsthim

THEDeputyChiefElection Officer(DCEO)oftheGuyanaElectionsCommission (GECOM),AnealGiddings, hascategoricallydeniedallegationsmadebyOpposition LeaderAubreyNortonand otherpoliticalfigures,which claimheactedimproperlyduringthecontentious March2020nationalelections.

Inadetailedstatement addressingaccusationsofpartisanshipandmisconduct,Giddingsdescribedtheallegations as"slanderousandlibellous" andassertedthattheywere intendedtounderminebothhis professionalintegrityandthe operationalarmofGECOM.

GiddingssaidthatOppositionLeaderAubreyNorton hasrepeatedlyaccusedhim ofbeingapoliticaloperative workingtofurthertheagenda oftherulingPeople’sProgressiveParty(PPP).Atapress conferenceonNovember8, 2024,hesaidNortonaccused himofbeing"compromised" and"unfittobeanemployee atGECOM."

HesaidNortonclaimed thathe"disappearedwith GECOM’scomputerhard drivein2020inpursuanceof thePPPagenda."

AtaDecember6,2024, pressconference,Giddings saidthatoppositionMemberof ParliamentGaneshMahipaul referredto"somestoryabout aflashdriveorsomeserver"

involvinghim,butconceded that"absolutelynothingto date"hadbeenproven.

Giddingsdismissedthese statementsasbaselessand outlinedtheeventsofMarch 5,2020,tocountertheallegations.

Duringthe2020elections, GiddingsservedasGECOM’s InformationTechnologyManager,taskedwithoverseeing thetabulationofStatements ofPoll(SOPs)forthenChief ElectionOfficer(CEO),Keith Lowenfield.

Thisparalleltabulation process,whilenotlegallyrequired,servedasaninternal checkandbalance,hestated. OnMarch5,2024,abomb threatforcedtheevacuation oftheAshmin’sBuilding, whichhousedseveralcritical electionoperations,including theOfficeoftheReturningOfficerforRegionFour(Demerara-Mahaica),theTabulation Centre,andtheCEO’soffice.

Actingoninstructions fromtheGuyanaPoliceForce, Giddingssaidheinstructed hisstafftoevacuate,whilehe andacolleaguesecuredsensitivedocumentsandexecuted serverbackupprotocols.Inhis statement,Giddingsrecounted thatthen-DeputyCEORoxanneMyersinstructedhimto transferthebackupdatatoa removabledrive,contraryto standardITprotocols.

Hecompliedwithherrequestbutdecidedtophysically

removetheserverfromthe buildingtosafeguardit,given theabsenceofasecurelocationinside.

“…Myersenteredthefacilityandinquiredwhether thebackupcouldbeplacedon removablemediaandhanded overtoher.Thisinstruction was,infact,adeparturefrom best-practice,andstandards outlinedinourprotocols,since suchdataisusuallysecuredby ITpersonnelanddepositedata predeterminedsecurelocation. Nevertheless,Icompliedwith thisaberration,”Giddingssaid.

Headded:"Theserverwas transportedbymeoutofthe building,againsttheprotests ofDCEOMyers,andintothe parkinglotoftheAshmin’s complexwhereIplaceditin myvehicleandproceededto theevacuationpoint.”

Giddingsemphasisedthat “atnopointintimedidI“disappear”witheithertheserver oranycomponenttherefrom. HesaidthedevicewasreturnedtotheTabulationCentrelaterthatsamedayafter theGuyanaFireServicehad clearedthebuilding.

Giddingssaidtheserver wastransportedbyhimoutof thebuilding,againsttheprotestsofDCEOMyers,andinto theparkinglotoftheAshmin’s complex,whereheplacedit inhisvehicleandproceeded totheevacuationpointsince therewasnoothersecurearea inthebuilding.According

tohim,multipleattemptsto communicatewiththenCEO, KeithLowenfield,forguidance werefutile.

Giddingsrevealedthaton March16,2020,hereceived amemorandumfromMyers requestinganexplanationfor the"unauthorisedremoval"of theserver.

Hesaidherespondedin detail,requestingacopyof the"electionprocedures"he wasallegedtohavebreached. However,Giddingsnotedthat hereceivednofurthercommunicationorreprimandfrom GECOM’sleadership,includingLowenfieldorChairpersonJustice(Ret’d)Claudette Singh.

“Ireceivednoreturncorrespondence,nophonecall fromeitherMs.Myers,Mr. LowenfieldorJusticeSingh, nothing.Thecommissionmet onnumerousoccasionsafterwardsand,tomyknowledge, nodiscussionwasheldwith regards[sic]tothisissue.

“Asamatteroffact,subsequenttoOrder60of2020,the

commissionthroughtheChief ElectionOfficerappointedme tobetheTabulationSupervisor oftheNationalRecount.This decisionundoubtedlyproved thatthecommissionfound noissuewithmyactionscitedabove,”theDeputyCEO stated.

Giddingsfirmlyrejected claimsthatheispolitically biased,noting:"Ihavenot,nor willIever,intheexecutionof myduties,doanythingthat favoursanypoliticalposition,

insupportofanypoliticalparty ortheiragents.

"Mydutyistothepeople ofGuyana,inaccordance withrelevantlawandcommissionpolicydirectivesfor whichIhaveswornanoath. Itismyhopethat,inanefforttoallayanyconcernsof theelectorateorstakeholders oftheelectionsprocess,this letterprovidessomeclarityintothat[sic]actually transpiredonthe5thMarch, 2020.”

Guyana,Qatarhold inauguralpolitical consultations

-signMoUtocontinuediscussions onissuesofmutualinterest

INanefforttodeepen bilateralandpolitical ties,theGovernment ofGuyanaandthe Governmentofthe StateofQatarheld itsfirstpoliticalconsultations,andinked aMemorandumof Understanding(MoU) forfurtherpolitical consultationsonissues ofmutualintereston Tuesday.

TheMoUwassigned byMinisterofForeign AffairsandInternationalCooperationHugh Todd,andtheSecretary

GeneralofQatar’sMinistryofForeignAffairs Dr.AhmedBinHassan AlHammadi.

Thisfollowedthe inauguralpoliticalconsultationsheldatthe MinistryofForeignAffairs’RamphalHouse, whereAlHammadiand adelegationmetwith Guyana’sForeignSecretaryRobertPersaud andaGuyanesedelegation.

Duringthisdiscussion,PersaudhighlightedthatasGuyanais undergoingrapidtrans-

formationasthefastest-growingeconomy, andbeingoneofthe newestoilproducers, manyopportunitiesexistfortradeandcooperation.

“Wehopethat throughtoday’spoliticalconsultationwe canexaminethose,and thatitselfwouldleadto somespecificandadditionalareasinwhichwe canmutuallyagreetoin termsofpursuing,”the ForeignSecretarysaid.

Hewentonto saythatGuyanawas

pleasedtoreceivethe AmirofQatarSheikh TamimBinHamadAl Thanilastyear,which

meetinggaveimpetus torelationsbetweenthe twonations.

Persaudnotedthat

theconsultationson Tuesdayservedasa platformtoexplore

TURNTOPAGE11

Guyana,Qatarholdinauguralpolitical...

FROMPAGE10

otherareasofcooperation,particularlyin theareasofagriculture, health,andenergy,and alsoexplorebroader areasatthediplomatic level,wheretherecan becollaboration.

Inbriefremarks,Dr. AlHammadisaidthat relationsbetweenQatar andGuyanahavebeen solid,andthepurpose ofthevisitwastolook athowthetwocountriescandeepentiesin severalotherareas.

Heindicatedthatthe StateofQatarlooks intoandinvestsinvariousareassuchasenergyandtourismamong others,andwillfind aspacetoinvestand cooperatewithGuyana.

TheMoUwas signedbetweenGuyanaandtheStateof Qatarforpoliticalconsultationsonissuesof mutualinterest.

Thisagreement marksasignificantdevelopmentindiplomaticrelationsbetweenthe

twocountries,andaims toestablishaframeworkforregularpoliticaldialogueandcooperationbetweenthetwo nations.

Further,itwasnoted thattheMoUwillmake wayforfurtherbilateralvisits,collaborative efforts,andgreatercollaborationbetweenthe twocountriesinvarious sectorslikeagriculture, health,energyandeven infrastructure.

InSeptember2023, PresidentDr.IrfaanAli andHisHighnessAl Thanihelddiscussions onawiderangeofissuesofmutualinterest tostrengthenbilateral relations.

Atthetime,an agreementwassigned toencourageandprotectmutualinvestment betweenthetwocountries,alongwithanother agreementregarding economic,commercial andtechnicalcooperation,andfurtherathird agreementonlegalcooperation.

Bothleadersatthe timeexpressedtheir confidenceintheprospectsforenhanced co-operationbetween QatarandGuyana, andagreedtowork togethertofurther strengthentheirbilateralrelations.

ForeignSecretaryMr.RobertPersaud(left)andSecretary-GeneralofQatar’s countries

‘Continuetoupgrade yourskills’

ATtheEssequiboTechnicalInstitute(ETI), asenseofaccomplishmentfilledtheairas 196EssequibiansgraduatedfromtheMinistryofLabour’sBoard ofIndustrialTraining (BIT)NationalTraining ProjectforYouthEmpowerment.

Theeventmarked notjusttheculmination ofmonthsofhardwork butalsoasteptoward abrighterfutureforthe graduatesandthenation.

Deliveringthekey-

noteaddress,FirstLady, Mrs.AryaAli,underscoredtheimportanceof continuouslearningina rapidlyevolvingworld.

“Theworldischanging rapidly,anditiscritical thatyoukeepupgrading yourskills,”Mrs.Ali stated,urginggraduates toseizetheabundant opportunitiesemerging inGuyana’sdeveloping economy.

HerExcellencyhighlightedthetransformativeimpactofaskilled workforce,emphasising

-FirstLadytells196BITgraduatesin Essequibo;emphasisesimportanceofskilled workforceinarapidlychangingworld

itsroleinattractinginvestments,enhancing economicresilience,and creatingupwardmobility.Sheencouragedthe graduatestousetheir newfoundcompetencies tocontributemeaningfullytoGuyana’sgrowth, embodyingthegovernment’svisionforathrivingandinclusivesociety.

MinisterofLabour, JosephHamilton,hailed theeventasamilestone inGuyana’sjourneytowardcreatingaskilled workforce.Celebrating

thecollaborationbetween theMinistryofLabour andtheOfficeofthe FirstLady,henotedthat BIT’sreachhasexpandeddramatically,from training1,300individuals annuallybefore2020to aremarkable12,800this year.

InRegionTwoalone, theprogrammehasimpactedover12,000individuals,supportedbya $1.2billioninvestment. “Thisfreetrainingisa giftdesignedtotransform livesandfosternational development,”Minister Hamiltonsaid,encouragingthegraduatesto expressgratitudeforthe opportunitiestheyhad received.

SKILLSETS FORAMODERN ECONOMY

Theprogrammesofferedin2024covered tenoccupationalareasat twelvelocationsacross Essequibo,benefitting communitiesfromBethanytoWaltonHall.Coursesrangedfromelectrical installationandwelding tocosmetologyandcom-

mercialfoodpreparation. Amongthestandout achievementswasacosmetologyprogramme, conductedincollaborationwiththeOfficeofthe FirstLady,whichsaw43 womengraduatingwith skillsandstarterkitsto launchtheirownbusinesses.Othertechnical areasincludedtractor driving,refrigerationand airconditioning,auto electriciantraining,and generalbuildingconstruction.

Inaseparatetraining cohortcoveringCharity,ParadiseandPomeroon,sessionsfocusedon photovoltaicinstallation, motorvehicleservicing,joinery,andwelding. Atotalof50graduates emergedfromthisgroup, showcasingnear-equal genderrepresentation.

VOICESOF INSPIRATION

ChiefExecutiveOfficerofBIT,Richard Maughn,celebratedthe graduates’determination,encouragingthem toembracegrowthand purpose.“Yourfuture dependsonthechoicesyoumaketoday,”he said,inspiringthemto viewthisachievementas asteppingstonetoward endlesspossibilities.

RegionalExecutive Officer,SusanSaywack

describedthegraduationasatestamenttothe transformativepowerof technicaltraining,reiteratingthegovernment’s commitmenttoempoweringcitizensthrough education.

GraduateLanaPersaudsharedhergratitudeforthecosmetology programme,reflecting onhowtheskillsand knowledgeshegained wouldpositivelyshape hercareer.Herstoryresonatedwiththebroader themeofempowerment andopportunitythatdefinedtheceremony.

Asthegraduatesreceivedtheircertificates andstarterkits,theevent becameasymbolofthe government’sdedication tobuildingaresilient andskilledworkforce. Throughpartnershipsand strategicinvestments, Guyanaispreparingits citizenstoharnessthe immenseopportunities ofarapidlydeveloping nation.

FirstLadyAryaAli’s calltoaction—embrace change,keeplearning, andcontributetonationaldevelopment— capturedtheessenceof theoccasion,chartinga pathforthegraduates tofollowastheystep intotheirfuturewith confidence.

FirstLady,Mrs.AryaAli,presentsa

JetGlobalServiceslaunches localoperations

JETGlobalServices (Guyana)Inc.,aGuyana-incorporatedcompany,hasannouncedthe launchofitschartered internationalflightoperations,connectingGuyanatoEurope,North America,andSouth America,startinginJuly 2025.

Accordingtoapressrelease,thisgroundbreaking initiativemarksasignificantmilestoneinpositioningGuyanaasapremier hubforglobalconnectivity,drivingeconomic growth,andenhancing travelopportunitiesfor citizensandvisitorsalike.

Inpartnershipwith GullivAir,headquartered inSofia,Bulgaria,and LunaJetsinParis,France, JetGlobalServicesisset toredefineairtravelin Guyana.

GullivAir’sstate-ofthe-artAirbusA330-200 aircraftoffers269seats acrossbusiness,premium, andeconomyclasses,ensuringatravelexperience definedbycomfortand elegance.

Eachtravellerwillenjoytheconvenienceoftwo 23-kgcheck-insuitcases andeight-kghandluggage, withadditionalcapacity forcargomovement,cateringtobothleisureand businessneeds.

GullivAirisinthefinal stagesofreceivingallthe requisiteapprovalsfrom theGuyanaCivilAviation Authority,whichisanticipatedtobewithinweeks.

Flightswillbetoand fromtheCheddiJagan InternationalAirport,fa-

cilitatingdirect,non-stop flightstokeyinternational destinations,including:

–Georgetown–London,UnitedKingdom(NegotiatingtransitwithBarbados,Tobago,Antigua, St.Lucia)

–GeorgetowntoRiode Janeiro,Brazil

–GeorgetowntoToronto,Canada(Twicea week) –GeorgetowntoNew York,USA

AsGuyanabecomes asignificantplayerinthe

globaloilmarket,thedemandforareliable,affordableinternationalairlinehasneverbeenmore

pressing.JetGlobalServicesanditspartnersare fullycommittedtomeeting thisdemand,connecting Guyanawiththeworld whilepropellingGuyana’s economy.

“Passengerscananticipateunparalleledtravel benefitsthatredefineair travel.Ourdedicationto exceptionalcustomerserviceguarantees[that]everyjourneyiscomfortable andenjoyable,”theairline said.

ThekeyfeaturesincludeMultiple-ClassOptions:tailoredbusiness, premium,andeconomy classesdesignedforevery traveller’suniqueneeds; exceptionalIn-Flight

Experience:Indulgein high-qualitymeals,avarietyofentertainment optionsandacourteous, attentiveserviceteamdedicatedtoyoursatisfaction; SeamlessConnectivity: effortlesslybookflights andaccesscomprehensivecustomersupportvia ouruser-friendlywebsite, mobileapp,anddedicated callcentreavailableon WhatsApp.

Travellerswillsoonbe abletoexploretheworld quicklyandconfidently, empoweredbytheairline’ssecureandsophisticateddigitalplatforms. JetGlobalServicesintendstobetravellers’ gatewaytotheglobe.

Merundoihostsfirstentrepreneurship, micro-financingtrainingforvulnerablegroups

MERUNDOIIncorporatedsuccessfullylaunched itsfirstentrepreneurship andmicro-financingtrainingsessiononTuesdayat theEuropeanUnion(EU) officeinGeorgetown.

Theinitiativebrought together20participants fromRegionsOne,Seven, Eight,andNine,underscoringacommitmentto fosteringeconomicempowermentinunderserved communities.

Thistrainingformspart ofMerundoi’s“Promoting SustainableLivelihoods forVulnerableGroupsin

Guyana”project,fundedby theEuropeanUnion.

Theprogrammeaimsto equipsmallbusinessownerswithpracticalknowledgeandfinancialsupport tostimulatelocaleconomic growth.Thefinalsessionof thetrainingwasDecember 7,2024.

Thevirtualsessions coverarangeofkeytopics, includingbusinessplanning andmanagement,financial literacy,budgeting,scaling operations,marketingand branding,fundingopportunities,legalconsiderations, andteambuilding.

Participantsbenefitted fromguestpresentations byJewsuanEdmonson, SeniorManagerofPersonal Banking-Corporateand CommercialBusinessat theGuyanaBankforTrade andIndustry(GBTI),and arepresentativefromthe SmallBusinessBureau. Theirinsightsprovideda professionalperspectiveon scalingandsustainingsmall businesses.

The20traineeswere selectedfromapoolof250 applicants.Theirenterprisesspandiversesectors, includingpoultryandcrop

The20recipientswhoweregivencashgrantsfundedbytheEUto sustaintheirsmallbusinesses(DelanoWillimasphoto)

farming,cosmetology,food services,lumberproduction,andcraftcreation.

FINANCIALBOOST FORENTREPRENEURS

Uponcompletingthe training,eachparticipant receivedagrantofGYD 100,000toimprovetheir operations,enablingimmediateapplicationofthe skillsandstrategieslearned duringtheprogramme.

Theinitiative’simpact washighlightedduringa

ceremonyattheEUDelegationoffice.HisExcellency RenevanNes,Ambassador oftheEuropeanUnionto Guyana,addressedthegathering,reinforcingtheEU’s commitmenttosupporting sustainablelivelihoodsand localeconomicdevelopment.

Theentrepreneurship andmicro-financingtrainingexemplifiesMerundoi’s dedicationtoempowering vulnerablegroupsandpromotingsustainableliveli-

hoods.Byprovidingpracticaltrainingandfinancial resources,theinitiativenot onlysupportseconomicresiliencebutalsoalignswith nationalandinternational developmentgoals. Withthefinalsession approaching,theprogrammeispoisedtofurtherequipparticipants withthetoolsneededto scaletheirbusinesses andcontributetotheir communities’economic growth.

GWIrestoreswatersupplytoAubrey BarkerRoadresidentswithindeadline

ByCindyParkinson-Chowbay

RESIDENTSalongAubreyBarkerRoadhave hadtheirwatersupply restoredonschedule, followingatemporary disruptionduetorelocationeffortsconnected toanewpowerstation inthearea.

GuyanaWaterIncorporated’s(GWI)CommunicationManager, Mr.TravisBruce,commendedtheteamforits dedicationandtheaffectedresidentsfortheirpatienceduringthe12-hour disruption.

Speakingexclusively totheGuyanaChronicle, Bruceexpressedsatisfactionwiththetimelycom-

pletionoftheproject.

“Iamhappytoreport thattheteamofGWI wasabletorestorewater totheresidentsbythe agreedtimelineof12 noontoday(Tuesday). Itisjustamatterofthe waterbeingpressurized; thewaterpressurewill bebuiltupthroughout thedayandshouldreturn tonormalcybythisevening,”hesaid.

Thedisruptionwas necessitatedbytherelocationofatransmission maintoaccommodate thenewpowershipthat willsupplyelectricity tothestation.Bruceexplainedthatwhilethe projectbeganonMonday,unforeseenchallengesdelayedprogress,

whichtheteamsuccessfullyresolvedbyearly Tuesdaymorning.

Bruceextendedgratitudetotheresidents fortheirunderstanding andcooperationduring thedisruption.“Even thoughweunderstand

thatsituationssuchas thesecanbechallenging tothepersonsaffected, wecontinuetohopethat thepublicwillsupport usandworkalongwith ussothatwecangetour jobsdone,”hestated. Headded,“Onbehalf

ofGWI,Iwouldlike toextendourappreciationtotheresidentswho wereaffectedbythis disruption.Thereisso muchhappeningatafast pacewithdevelopment inGuyana,andasmuch aswehaveacompetent andhard-workingteam, wehavetoalsothank thepeoplefortheirunderstandingthroughall ofwhatwedo.”

BrucealsohighlightedGWI’songoingefforts toimprovewaterinfrastructureacrossGuyana, includingtheconstructionofnewtreatment plantsandthereplacementofcentury-old transmissionlinesin Georgetown.TheseprojectsarepartofGWI’s

largergoaltoensurethat everyhouseholdacross thenationhasaccessto potablewater.

Thecommunication manageremphasisedthat advisoriesaboutthetemporarywaterdisruption weresharedviasocial mediatokeepthepublic informedaboutthesituationandupdates.

AsdevelopmentacceleratesacrossGuyana,Bruceunderscored GWI’scommitmentto balancingthedemands ofinfrastructureupgradeswithminimal disruptiontoresidents. Thesuccessfulrestorationofwaterto AubreyBarkerRoad servesasatestamentto thisdedication.

GWI’sCommunicationManager,TravisBruce

NewMakouria Creekbridge toenhance hinterland connectivity

MINISTERofPublicWorksBishop JuanEdghillhasannouncedplanstoconstructabridgeover theMakouriaCreek, promisingimproved accessbetweenParikaandhinterland regions.

Theprojectwill soongooutfortender. Itincludesextending theroadfromParika toMakouriaGoshen, providinganalternativetotheParikaferry service.

MinisterEdghill highlightedtheease thisnewroutewould bringduringasigning ceremonyinBartica onFriday.

“Youwillnolonger havetojointhesteameratParika.Instead, youcandriveallthe waytoGoshen,offloadyourtrucks,and continueviajetboats,” hestated.

Theroadnetwork fromSandHills, TimehritoFoul Mouth,connecting Barticaviaabarge crossing,isadvancing significantly.

Accordingtothe minister,thisdevelopmentwillallow trucksandheavilyladenvehiclestotravel betweenSandHills andBarticainjusttwo hours.

“GettingtoLinden fromBarticahasnever beenaseasyasitis rightnow,”headded.

MinisterEdghill alsorevealedplansfor furtherairtransportationenhancements.

FollowingthecommissioningoftheEter-

ingbangairstrip,PresidentIrfaanAlihas instructedtheministry toupgradetheKaikan airstrip,ensuringimprovedconnectivity forRegionSeven.

Inaddition,the publicworksminister highlightedBartica’s significantgainsunderthegovernment’s developmentprogramme.

Since2020,the townhasbenefited fromapproximately$2.5billionunder theMinistryofPublicWorks’roadsprogramme.

Beyondroadand airinfrastructure,the governmentisaddressingcriticaldrainage andirrigationneeds.

Inthisregard,some 61contractsworth $122millionwererecentlysignedtoensure propermaintenanceof thesesystems.

Underlingthe PPP/Cgovernment’s focusontangibledevelopment,theministernotedthat“Bartica, andRegionSevenare benefitingfromitsfair shareofgovernment’s development.”

Theseinvestments ininfrastructuraldevelopmentintheregionandacrossthe countryarepartof thegovernment’s 2020-2025manifesto commitmentsgeared attransformingGuyana’sinfrastructural landscape,whileenhancingthelivelihoodsofcitizensand boostingeconomic opportunities.(DPI)

148graduatefromNewAmsterdamNursingSchool

INasignificantstridefor theregionalhealthcaresystem,148studentsgraduatedfromtheNewAmsterdamNursingSchoolon Monday.Thesenewly-mintedprofessionals,trained inmidwifery,registered nursingandnursingassistance,aresettoenhance patientcareandhealthcare deliveryacrossRegionSix.

Thegraduationceremony,attendedbyMinisterof Health,Dr.FrankAnthony, markedapivotalmoment intheregion'shealthcare development.Deliveringthe featuredaddress,Dr.Anthony

commendedthegraduatesfor theirdedicationandurged themtoupholdprofessionalismastheyembarkontheir medicalcareers.

Highlightingthecollaborativenatureofmedicine, Dr.Anthonydescribeditas a"teamsport"andstressed theimportanceofteamwork inprovidingoptimalpatient care.Healsoemphasised thattheceremonywasnot justanendpointbutthebeginningofalifelongjourney inlearningandprofessional development.

“Medicineisconstantlyevolving,”Dr.Anthony

noted.“Forthoseofyou whohavegraduatedasprofessionalnurses,wewill beintroducingspecialised programmesinnursingto meettheneedsofthemodern healthcarelandscape.”

Dr.Anthonyoutlinedthe government'splanstoestablishspecialisedtraining programmesinareassuch asintensivecareandcardiac nursing.Thisinitiativeis particularlycrucialasthe constructionofthenewNew AmsterdamPublicHospital nearscompletion.

“Wewillneedspecialist [care-givers]tostaffthis

facility.Ifwedon’ttrain people,wherearewegoing togetthesespecialists?” Dr.Anthonysaid,adding thatsomespecialisedprogrammeshavealreadycommencedinGeorgetown.He expressedoptimismabout expandingtheinitiativesto NewAmsterdam,ensuring theregion'shealthcareprofessionalsareequippedfor theadvancedservicesthe newhospitalwilloffer.

TheHealthMinisteralso encouragedgraduatestoconsidercareersinacademia, highlightingtheneedfor moreeducatorsinthefield.

Herevealedthattheministry haspartnershipswithinternationalinstitutionsoffering scholarshipsforMaster’sand PhDprogrammesinnursing.

“Wewantsomeofyou toreturnaseducators,”he urged,emphasisingtheimportanceofnurturingthenext generationofhealthcare professionals.

ActingRegionalHealth Officer,Dr.VineshriKhirodharalsoattendedthe ceremony,underscoring theimportanceofthisnew cohortofhealthcareprofessionalsinstrengthening RegionSix'shealthsector.

Thegraduateswere encouragedtoseizethe numerousopportunities availabletothemandto continuallystriveforexcellenceintheirfields.With thegovernment'scommitmenttoexpandinghealthcareservicesandfostering professionalgrowth,the regionispoisedforsignificantadvancementsin medicalcare.

Thismilestonemarks notonlyacelebrationof achievementbutalsoa promiseofbrighterprospectsforhealthcarein RegionSixandbeyond.

Newplan launchedto promotesafe living,learning formigrant children

THEGovernmentsofGuyanaandCanadahavepartneredtoimproveaccess tosafelivingandlearning conditionsformigrantchildrenandthoseinhinterlandcommunities.

Thisinitiativeispartof aCAN$3millionCanadian-fundedprojecttitled‘PromotingSafeandHealthy LearningandLivingEnvironmentsforMigrantand HostCommunitiesinGuyana’sHinterlandandSelected CoastalAreas.’

Theprojectplanwas launchedonTuesdayduring aProjectSteeringCommittee (PSC)meetingattheGrand CoastalHotel,EastCoast Demerara.

Targeting50communitiesacrossRegionsOne, Two,Seven,Eight,andNine, theprogrammeaimstoreach 40,000childrenunderfour yearsoldand20,000parents orcaregivers.Anadditional 50coastalcommunitieswill alsobenefit.

Theinitiativefurther supports8,500adolescents, focusingprimarilyonthose residingindormitories.

Successfulimplementationofthisnewphaserequirescollaborationamong keyagencies,includingthe MinistriesofHealth,Education,AmerindianAffairs, theCivilDefenceCommission(CDC),andtheUnited NationsInternationalChildren’sEmergencyFund (UNICEF).

Duringthemeeting, MinisterofHumanServicesandSocialSecurity, DrVindhyaPersaud,highlightedherministry’sfocus onprogrammescateringto childrenunderthreeyears.

Theseinitiativesaddress factorsthatmayhinder development,ensuringchildrenarepreparedtotransitionintoformaleducation.

“Wewanttoensurethat thesechildrenreceivethe interventionsthattheyrequireandaregearedto enteraformaleducation arena.So,throughtheEarly

TheGovernmentsofGuyanaandCanadahavepartneredtoimproveaccesstosafelivingand learningconditionsformigrantchildrenandthoseinhinterlandcommunities

ChildhoodDevelopment (ECD)Programmewehave trained200ECDpractitioners,”MinisterPersaud said.

Theministryplansto launchanearly-childhood policyandcollaboratewith UNICEFtodevelopan EarlyChildhoodDevelopmentcurriculumunder theWomen’sInvestment andInnovationNetwork (WIIN)programme.This curriculumwillintegrate withtheSpecialEducationNeeds(SEN)initiative throughtheChildCareand ProtectionAgency.

In2025,theministry willopentwomodelday andnightcareEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentcentres.

AccordingtoMinister Persaud,“Thesewillbe modelcentres.Fromthese centres,weareequipping personswhoareinterested inchildcareandwouldlike toopentheirowncentres. Thiswillhelpthemtofamiliarisethemselveswith alloftheelementsand dimensionsofECDand SEN.”

Alsopresentattheevent wastheHighCommissionerofCanadatoGuyana, SebastianSigouin,who emphasisedthetransformativeimpactoftheprojecton Guyanesecommunities.

“Byfocusingoneducation,health,gender equality,andsupportfor ourIndigenouspeople,migrants,andthoseinremote communities,wearecreatingamorejust,equitable, andsustainableworldfor currentandfuturegenerations,”thehighcommissionersaid.

UNICEF’sRepresentativetoGuyanaand Suriname,NicolasPron, underscoredUNICEF’s dedicationtoadvancing childrightsincollaborationwiththeGovernment ofGuyana.Theproject startedin2021andwill continueuntil2026bythe partneringagencies.(DPI)

Guyanainches closertofurther advancingaviation trainingcapacity

-asMinisterEdghillmeetswithICAOteamaheadof keyaccreditationforAviationTrainingSchool

MINISTERofPublic Works,BishopJuanA. Edghill,recentlyengagedtheInternational CivilAviationOrganisation(ICAO)Trainair Plusaccreditationteam andrepresentativesof theGuyanaCivilAviationAuthority(GCAA) duringacourtesyvisitaimedatadvancingGuyana’saviation trainingcapacity.

TheICAOteamwas inGuyanatoconducta comprehensiveassessmentoftheCivilAviation TrainingSchool(CATS) aspartoftheprocessto accredittheinstitution undertheICAOTrainairPlusprogram.CATS, whichhasbeencertified bytheGCAAandthe GuyanaNationalAccreditationCouncil,serves asanapprovedaviation trainingorganisation.

AccordingtotheMinistryofPublicWorks,the assessmentfocusedon ensuringthatCATSmeets internationalstandards foranapprovedtrainingorganisationcapable ofofferingICAO-endorsedcoursesacross aviationdisciplines.This milestoneaccreditation willallowGuyanato bothaccessanddevelopICAO-standardised trainingpackages,positioningCATSasaglobal resourcewithintheTrainairPlusnetwork.

Establishedin1974as theAirTrafficServices TrainingSchool,CATS haslongbeenacornerstoneofairtrafficservicestraininginGuyana, includingthepreparation ofairtrafficcontrollers andassistants.Overthe decades,itshightrain-

ingstandardshavebeen instrumentalinmaintainingstaffcompetenceand ensuringthesafetyof Guyana'sairspace.

MinisterEdghillhighlightedtheGovernment ofGuyana’svisiontoelevateCATSintoaCentre ofExcellence,offeringa comprehensivesuiteof aviationtrainingcourses notonlytoGuyaneseprofessionalsbutalsotoparticipantsfromacrossthe Caribbeanandbeyond.

“Withtherapidevolutionofaviationtechnologyandthegrowing demandforskilledpersonnel,thisaccreditation iscrucialforGuyanato remaincompetitiveon boththenationalandinternationalstage,”MinisterEdghillstated.“Our goalistomakeGuyanaa leaderinaviationtraining,leveragingtheexpertiseofICAOandthe supportoftheGCAA.”

Onceaccredited, CATSwillcontributeto ICAO’sgloballibrary oftrainingcourses,accessibletoTrainairPlus membersworldwide. Thisinitiativealignswith thegovernment’sbroader developmenttrajectory,reinforcingGuyana’s commitmenttofosteringinnovationandexcellenceintheaviation sector.

ThepartnershipbetweentheGovernment ofGuyana,ICAO,and theGCAAmarksasignificantsteptowards transformingCATS intoaregionalhub foraviationtraining andexcellence,further cementingGuyana’s positionontheglobal aviationmap.

TheMinisterofPublicWorks,BishopJuanA.Edghill,waspaidacourtesyvisitbythe InternationalCivilAviationOrganisation(ICAO)TrainairPlusaccreditationteam

SOUTHAFRICARACING TIPS KENILWORTH

08:35hrsBluffOnBluff

09:15hrsRapidash

09:48hrsHangOutThe Stars

10:23hrsAmongThe Clouds

10:58hrsWoodWorld

AMERICANRACING TIPS

TAMPABAYDOWNS

Race1Misspent

Race2SuitMeUpCharlie Race3CSuiteBoy

Race4LadyDominance

Race5AmericanPeaches

Race6CruisingDerek

IRISHRACINGTIPS DUNDALK

10:55hrsMintMan

11:25hrsAutocrat

12:00hrsCaltissiana

12:30hrsVanillaBaby 13:00hrsSpycraft

13:30hrsFerrariDesert

14:00hrsHuoDeLaLuna

14:30hrsGalloDellCielo

ENGLISHRACINGTIPS HEREFORD

08:35hrsIronDex

09:05hrsPigeonIsland

09:35hrsSecretDesDieux

10:05hrsWeaver'sAnswer

10:35hrsLimeDrop

11:07hrsCulligran

11:37hrsJustGolden

HEXHAM

08:20hrsHeriter

08:50hrsFromheretoeyernity

09:20hrsOrkneyBlue

09:50hrsJoecooker

10:20hrsRobertD'ores

10:50hrsHoldUpLa Colmine

11:20hrsFearlessAction

KEMPTON

12:10hrsNannyPark

12:40hrsMolveno

13:10hrsWildNature

13:40hrsJenibiyah

14:10hrsDaringFlight

14:40hrsRevolutionise

15:10hrsEydon

15:40hrsDukeOfOxford

16:10hrsRiverWharfe

THEGuyanaChessFederation,incollaborationwith theMinistryofEducation's PriorityAreasProgramme, willhosttheInter-School ChessTournamentonDecember11thand12th,2024, atQueen'sCollege.

Some15schools,eightof whichareundertheMOE’s PriorityAreasProgramme, and160childrenareregisteredtoparticipateinthe Rapidcompetition,where eachplayerwillhave25minutestoplayanda10-second

incrementaftereachmove. SchoolsvyingforthechampionshiptitlearetheBishops' High,ChristChurchSecondary,DolphinSecondary, HoustonSecondary,Kingston Secondary,MarianAcademy, NewGuyanaSchool,Richard IshmaelSecondary,School oftheNations,St.John's College,St.JosephHigh,St. RosesHigh,St.Stanislaus High,Queen'sCollegeand QueenstownSecondary. Thetournamentwill playinthreecategories:an

OpenTeam,aFemaleTeam, andanIndividualSection. Schoolswereinvitedtosend ateamoffourplayersfor bothOpenandFemale,one reserveeach,andfiveforthe Individualcompetition.

PresidentoftheGCF, AnandRaghunauthisecstatic thatthiscompetition,thefirst sincethe2019Covidpandemic,isagainbeingheld. HestatedthattheMinistry ofEducation'sinitiativefor thePriorityAreasProgramme haspavedthewayforchess

inschoolsonthecurriculum. Heispleasedtobeworking closelywiththeMOEin introducingchessinschools, especiallyinschoolsthat havenothadanopportunity toparticipateinthesport. Raghunauthfurthersaidthat chesscoachesfromtheGCF, afterobtainingtheFIDE (InternationalChessFederation)SchoolInstructorcertification,introducedchessto morethan1000childrenfrom non-traditionalchess-playing schoolsaroundGeorgetown.

Raghunauthsaidthatthe programme,whichhasbeen runningforoverayear,has increasedchessawareness andhasgeneratedmoreinterestamongstudents.The headoftheGCFisconfident thatthecompetition,which onlyincludesstudentsfrom theGeorgetownEducational District,willexpandtoother regionsasthefederation planstodevelopitschessinschoolprogrammeoutsideof Georgetown.

Thecollectiveeffortby

thePriorityAreasProgramme andtheGCFwillseeadramaticincreaseinchessplayersinthefuture.Theskills acquiredwillstimulatecriticalthinkingandcreativity amongchildreninafunway.

Thetournamentwilllast from9:00hoursto15:00 hourseachday,commencing withanOpeningCeremony andanAwardCeremonyat theendofthecompetition. Thetournamentisalsobeing supportedbyTOPCOand SunshineSnacks.

‘Overseastournamentsarebeneficialfortheplayers’

SheltezTennisClubCoachShellyDaley

BySeanDevers

TWOplayersfromthe SheltezTennisClubdeparted GuyanaandareinTrinidadto participateinthe2024RBC JuniorTournament.

Thetournamentruns fromDecember7-12and willhavefourcategoriesfor boysandgirls.

OnMonday,Guyanese ErinTuckerbeatTrinidadian CharisSalina6-2,6-3inher firstgame,whiletheother playerfromtheSheltezTennisClub;RickyRomascindo, losthismatchyesterday.

Coachoftheclub, 52-year-oldShellyDaleyinformedChronicleSportthat themultitalentedZionHickersonwillbeparticipatingin the‘LittleMo’International JuniorTournamentinFlorida.

CoachDaleythanked GuyOil,SheltezTennisClub alongwiththeirparentsand othersponsorsformaking

theirparticipationintheTrinidadtournamentspossible.

“Thisisthelasttournamentthattheywillbe travellingforthisyear;while Zionisabityoungerandhe couldattendanotherone.I spoketohisdadabouthis performanceinFloridaand wewillworkwithhimwhen [he]returnshome.

“Anytournament,especiallyinternationalones,is verybeneficialfortheplayers becauseitallowsthemtobe abletohavemoreexposure tohigher-levelopponentsand differentstylesofplay.

“Becausethereisalimitednumberofplayersback home,theybecomefamiliar withthewaytheyplay;facingplayerstheyhavenever seengivesthemvaluableexperience,”explainedCoach Daley,thenationalchampion forfoursuccessiveyears duringthe1990s Daleysaidthisyearwas

challengingagainsincethe clubdoesn’thaveenough practicetimeonbetterfacilities.

“Werelyheavilyonthe NationalPark…weonlyhave onedayattheRacquetCentre,whiletheschoolschedule isaffectedsincekidsonlyget twodaysofweektraining unlessotherarrangementsare putinplace…sothatisstilla challengeforus.

“TheNationalGymnasiumonlyhasonecourtand bythetimethekidsgetoff fromschool,itgetsdarkvery quickly.

“Thelightingfacilityis notthebest,sowearenot abletofacilitatenighttennis aswewouldliketo…sothat isstillabigchallengeforus.

“WeweretoldthatExxonMobilwouldberefurbishingtheNationalPark.Thatis goodnewsforalltennisplayersandwearehopingthatwe canutilisetherewhenever

Guyana’sErinTucker(right)beatTrinidadianCharisSalina6-2,6-3inherfirstgame yesterday

itiscompleted,”informed CoachDaley.

“Theclubhasdone90% ofthethingsonourcalendar. Somechangeswillhappen intheclubinthenewyear… don’twanttogivetoomany detailsnow.

“Therearealotofyoung playerscomingupunderthe guidanceofthecoachesand thereishopethatwithme steppingaway,therewould beanewvisionforthenew playerscomingupandgetthe sameormoreopportunities thattheothershadbefore.

“So…2025willbea yearofalotofnewnessand withthenewtenniscourts wehopethatmorecanbe donewithourprogramme,” informedtheformernational tenniscoach.

“Thepositivesforthe yearwouldbethatwewere abletocomplete90%ofthe workweplannedforour activities.

“Therewerethingsthat wewereunabletodobecause ofalackoffinancialand humanresourcestogetthem done.Thosewerethelows, butdespitethesetbacks,the kidsarestilleagertoplay.

“Ihopethat2025brings alotofopportunities.It’sa

newrebirthoftheclub,asthe newplayerscomeinandthe olderonesdriftaway.

“Wehopewiththisnew rebirthwecanseegrowthin theclubforthefuture,”concludedCoachDaley.

CRICKETQUIZCORNER WednesdayDecember11,2024)

CUMMINGSELECTRICALCOMPANYLTD -83GarnettStreet,Georgetown(Tel:225-6158)

Answerstoyesterday’squiz: (1)WI1;BANG1 (2)JaydenSeales&TaskinAhmed

Today’sQuiz: (1)WhatwastheresultofthefirstODIofthecurrent WI/BANGseries? (2)WhowasdeclaredManoftheMatch?

Answersintomorrow’sissue

GUYANA’Sbasketball teamdepartedtodayforSan Juan,PuertoRico,wherethey willcompeteintheAmericas'premier3x3basketball tournament,theFIBA3x3 AmeriCup,scheduledfrom December12–16.

Beforetheirdeparture, theteammadeacourtesyvisittotheMinisterofCulture, YouthandSport,Charles RamsonJr.,athisofficeon MainStreet.

Duringthemeeting,MinisterRamsonextendedbest wishesonbehalfofPresident IrfaanAliandthepeopleof Guyana,underscoringthe government’sunwavering commitmenttothedevelopmentofbasketball.

Theteam’sparticipation isfullyfundedbytheGovernmentofGuyanathrough theMinistryofCulture, YouthandSport,incollaborationwiththeGuyana OlympicAssociation(GOA).

MinisterRamsonexpressedprideinthegovernment'sroleastheteam’s primarysponsor,highlighting theirdedicationtobasketball developmentthroughinitiativesliketheOneGuyana

Guyana’sFIBA3x3AmeriCupteam(L-R)HaroldAdams,NikkoloiSmith,Dominic Vincente,andTravisBelgravealongwithMinisterCharlesRamsonJrduringthe presentationofuniforms

BasketballPremierLeague. LeadingthesquadisNikkoloiSmith,oneofGuyana’s premier3x3players,who alsocompetedatthe2022 AmeriCupinMiami.Smith’s leadershipandscoringprowesswillbepivotalasheaims toguidetheteamtoadeep tournamentrunthistime

around.

JoiningSmithishisRavensBasketballClubteammate,DominicVincente,who willmakehisinternational 3x3debut.Vincente’sathleticismanddefensiveversatilityareexpectedtoprovidea significantboosttotheteam.

Therosteralsoincludes

TravisBelgravefromEagles BasketballClubandHarold AdamsfromtheVictoryValleyRoyalsinLinden.Both bringinternationalexperience,havingcompetedwith SmithattheIslamicSolidarityGamesinTurkey.Their physicalityandpresenceon thecourtwillbevitalassets.

Smith,Belgrave,andVincentepreviouslyteamedup withJudeCorlettetoform TeamRenegade,whichwon theGBFNational3x3TournamentinJuly,showcasing theirchemistryandwinning mentality.

GuyanaBasketballFederationVicePresidentRawle Toneywillserveastheteam’s co-ordinator,managingstrategyandlogisticstoensure theplayersarewell-prepared forthechallengesahead.

Guyanawilltipofftheir AmeriCupcampaigninthe qualifyingroundonDecember12,facingHaitiandthe CaymanIslandsinGroupA. Toadvancetothemain draw,theteammusttoptheir group,potentiallysettingup clashesagainstregionalpowerhousesPuertoRicoandthe DominicanRepublic.

TheFIBA3x3AmeriCup, nowinitsfourthedition,is thepinnacleof3x3basketball intheAmericasandserves asapathwaytoelitetournamentsliketheFIBA3x3 WorldCupandtheOlympic Games.

Sinceitsdebutin2021, Guyanahassteadilybuilta

reputationasarisingforce inCaribbeanbasketball.In 2022,theteamdominatedthe qualifiersbutnarrowlylost inthemaindrawtoCanada (17-19)andMexico(15-16), finishing11thoutof17nationswitha3-2record.

ForTeamGuyana,the 2024AmeriCupismorethan justanothertournament.It’s anopportunitytoelevatethe country’sbasketballprofile, earninternationalrecognition,andinspireanewgenerationofplayersbackhome.

As3x3basketballcontinuestogrowinpopularity worldwide,Guyana’sparticipationintheAmeriCup highlightstheGBF’scommitmenttodevelopingthesport andpositioningthenationas acontenderonbothregional andglobalstages.

Withdetermination,talent,andgovernmentsupport behindthem,TeamGuyana ispoisedtomakeitsmark inPuertoRico,provingthat theyaremorethanreadyto risetothechallengeonthe Americas’biggest3x3basketballstage.

THEcountry’stopfemaleswimmer,Olympian AlekaPersaudbounced backafterastringofaverageperformancesto breakGuyana’s50-metre butterflyrecord.

Persaud,whohasreturnedtoGuyanarecently,uppedhergameto resettherecordduringthe

ongoingWorldAquatics SwimmingChampionshipinBudapest,Hungary.

Themeetwhichswam offonTuesdaysawthe 18-year-oldGuyanese swimmingaceeclipsing herownnationalrecord of29.13secondinthe shortcoursemeet,which

isswamina25-meter pool.

Thecountry’stwotimeOlympicrepresentativesetanewnational recordof28.34seconds tofinishthirdinheat number2.

Theheatwaswonby Nicaragua’s25yearsold swimmerMariaSchutz-

meierin27.24second withKyrgyzstan’sElizavetaPecherskikhsecond in27.60seconds.

Persaudwillstillnow advancetothesemifinal afterfinishing43rdoveralloutof55swimmers withUSA’sGretchen Walshtoppingthelist withatimeof24.02seconds.

Persaudwhoisthenation’slonerepresentative attheWorldChampionshipwillgetbackintothe poolonDecember15th tocompeteinthewomen 50-metrefreestyle.

Sheisbeingcoached atthemeetbyLinden’s ChristolThom.

THEPetraOrganisation onTuesdayannouncedthe fixturesforthe2024edition oftheKFCInternational GoodwillFootballSeriesset tobehostedattheQueen CollegeandMinistryofEducationgrounds. Thetournamentwillhave eightplayingdayswiththe actionkickingoffonSunday December15andconcluding onSundayDecember22nd.

Ontheopeningday,defendingchampions,Trinidad’sClarendonCollege willmeetAnnaisecondaryat 13:30hoursfollowedbySuriname’sSpeysideHighSchool battlingDolphinSecondary. Next,toplocalsideChase Academy,winnersofthe MiloSchoolFootballTitleandtheRepublicBank SchoolLeaguewillbattle HenryHassankahnCommu-

nitySchoolfromTrinidad followedbyTrinidad’sSt Benedict’sCollegelocking hornswithDCCeasarFox Secondary.

Theotherpreliminary roundsaresetforDecember 17thand18thwiththesemifinalonthe20thandthegrand finalonthe22nd.

AlsoonTuesday,thePetraOrganisationannounced RoyalInternationalHotel

asthelatestsponsorforthe 5theditionoftheregional tournament

Co-directorofPetra,Troy Mendonca,expressedtothe sponsorsRoyalInternational Hotel,thebody’selationat thesupportfortheyear-end schoolfootballcompetition.

“Theywillbejoining usforthefirsttimeaspart sponsorforthistournament, notonlywilltheybecontrib-

utingtotherunningofthe tournamentbutwillhelpusto provideaplatformforthese youngsterstocompeteatthe highestlevel.Theteamsparticipatinginthetournament aresomeofthebestteams andchampionteamsTrinidad,JamaicaandSuriname alongwithourhinterland teamsandtopleaguesides,” Mendoncaadded. Launchedin2018,the

tournamentseekstoprovide meaningfulcompetitionto someoftoplocalschoolfootballingtalentswiththeadded incentiveofhavingafew regionalteamsparticipating, givingmuchneededexperiencetoyouthfootballers.

LastyearClarendonCollegeplayedunbeatentowin theGoodwilltitle,defeating St.Benedict’sCollege2-1in thefinal.

SeniorNationalPowerliftingChampionships

NANGITASeenarine,AshlieAbrahamandJosephStoll werethetoprecordbreakers overtheweekendwhenthe GuyanaPowerliftingFederation stageditsSeniorNationalChampionshipattheStStanislaus CollegeAuditorium.

NangitaSeenarineshowed herstrengthtodominatethe 47kgwomenopenequipped category,settingnewnational recordsinthesquat,benchpress, deadliftandaswellasoverall categories.

Inthesquatshehadaliftof 122.5kg,withabenchpressof 55kg,adeadliftof137.5kgfor arecordtotalof315kgtoreset therecord.

AshlieAbrahamalsowon her84kgwomenopenclassic classaftersetthreerecords.

Shesetnewmarksinthe

benchpresswithaliftof77.5kg, deadliftwitha180kgrecordand newtotalof400kg. JosephStoll,competingin themastersalsooutdidhimself tosetnewbenchmarksinthe men’smasters3classicdivision

tocapturethe93kgwin.

Hehadanewrecordof 150kginthesquat,75kg,inthe benchpressand170kginthe deadliftforanewtotalof395kg todominatepeers.

Othertopperformerinthe

one-daychampionshipswere MatthewMaycockwhowon themen’smasters1classicafter breakingthesquatrecord.

FazimAbdoolalsoshowed hisprowessinthemen’sopen equippedandmen’smasters1

equippedaftersettingnewdeadliftrecordswithaliftof297.5to seehimclinchingthebestlifter seniorsequippedoverallclass.

MarlonWilsonalsowas fabulouswithhisdeadliftinthe men’smasters’1classic,break-

OneGuyanabasketballleague

ingthedeadliftrecordandbeatingoffPaulMeusaandSereste Kingtointhe105kgdivision towinit.

MariahBacchusalsohada greatoutingtoclinchnewrecordsinthesquat132.5kg,deadlift142.5kgandtotal327.5kgafteroutliftingShellyAnnGomes andGraceJarvisinthe76kg class.

DuarteHetsbergerwasalso outstandingtoovercomeafield thatincludedMaycock,Meshach AlexanderandIrshaadAlito takethemen’sopen83kgcategorytogowithhisrecordinthe men’smasters1classicdivision.

Otherbigwinnerincludes KeziaJosephinthewomenopen classic69kgandNigelDuguid inthemen’s93kgopenclassic category.

MatchescontinuetonightatNationalGymnasium

THISevening,Black Caimanswilltaketothe courtagainstPlaisance Guardiansfollowedby MastersbattlingProspect KobrasasactionintheOne GuyanaBasketballLeague continues.

InthelastroundonSunday,BountyColtsandPacesetterscommencedtheir campaignwithwins.

Pacesetterswasthenight biggestwinnersasthey captureda34pointsvictory overLeonoraD-Upintheir encounter.

PacesettersJeslinCrawfordandTyriqCavestarted withhothandstoseethem lead19-16attheendofthefirstperiodwhichtheyextendedto35-25atthehalf.

ZandieDejoungealso hit11bucketswith10from WelmanDelgadoasthey startedtopullawayfurther

inthethirdtolead62-29. Leonora’sTevinTroyer with14pointsandDaniel Anthony17pointsshowed fightbutcouldnotstop theirsidefromgoingdown 77-43.

MeanwhileBountyColts whohavedominatedthe clubbasketballscenebefore missingoutonthetitlelast yearcamebackstrongin theiropenerbeatingMeadowBrookNetsby3points 80-77.

Theydominatedthefirst half,thelikesofRonoko Vaughnwith15pointsand QuacyShortwith17points leadingtheway. Astheyhelda45-22

advantageatthebreakbut theNetsshowedmoreresilienceastheysettledintothe contestinthesecondhalf. Theyproducedastrong displaytooutscoreColtsin thethird30-19and25-16 inthefourthquarterbut ultimatelytheearlylead provedmorethanenoughto seeColtstippingthevictory by3pointstowinit80-77.

Theopeningnighton Saturdaysawwinsforlast year’sfinalistEaglesand defendingchampionNorth RuimveldtRavens.

Thetournamentwhich tippedoffonDecember7th issettoconcludeonApril 26thnextyear.

K&S/OneGuyanaNationalFutsalChampionship

ANOTHERofthelong-time corporatesponsorsoftheKashif andShanghaiOrganisationyearendfootballextravaganzahave re-establishedtheirtangible supportlikemanyotherpartners.

ThelatestonboardisGuyana’s leadingMaggie'sSnackette, locatedat224NewMarket Street,Georgetownandoffers awideselectionofqualitypastries,sandwiches,cakes,fruit juicesandadailylunchspecials. Manager,PearsonBurch-Smith, inbriefremarksashehanded overthecompany’schequeto Co-DirectoroftheKashifand ShanghaiOrgamisation,Aubrey ‘Shanghai’Major,expressed

delightatbeingabletosee thereturnofyear-endfootball.

“Yourorganisationisrenowned theworldoverforthiskind ofactivityattheendofthe yearwhichclubs,players,fans andthecorporatecommunity lookedforwardto.Wearemore thanhappytoseeitmakinga welcomereturneventhough itsanotherformatofthesport.

Wearealsohappytoseethat moreplayerswouldbeinvolvedthaneverbeforewith 64maleteamsand6female teamsparticipating,this,speaks volumes.Youcancounton ourcontinuedsupport.”

Majorconveyedthegratitudeofhiscolleague,Kashif Muhammadandthatofhis organisationtoBurch-Smith andMaggiesSnackettefor readilyagreeingtocontinue along-standingpartnership.

Meanwhile,thecompetition entereditsfourthnightlasteveningattheNationalGymnasium wherefivemoreteamswere knockedoutastheactionheightens.Todate,atotalof21teams haveadvancedtothenextround.

AmongthemareBentStreet‘B’, FestivalCity,Albouystown‘A’, StabroekBallers,SpartaBoss, Unstoppable,AlexanderVillage, TeamFamily,NorthEast,Back

Circle‘A’,StabroekBallers‘B’, ShowStoppers,Spaniard,Buxton,Espanyol,BentStreet‘A’.

Actionwillcontinuetomorrow eveningatthesamevenuewith sixmatches.AlbouystownBallersfaceGameChangerfrom 19:30hours,DJ7opposeTouchesfrom20:15hours,Sophia‘A’ engageParadiseInvadersfrom 21:00hours,CaliforniaSquare matchskillswithBallersfrom Ithacaat21:45hours,PouderoyenBrothersbattleVictoria Eaglesat22:30hourswiththe maineventofthenightfeaturing TeamCruelandTwoFriends from23:15hours.

RecordbreakingpowerlifterNangitaSeenarine

Men'sMasters3classicwinnerJosephStoll

KFCInt’lschoolfootball serieskicksoffSunday

Seales,KinghelpWestIndiestoODIwinoverBangladesh

BASSETERRE,

StKitts,Dec10,CMC –JaydenSeales’clinical spelloffastbowling,followedbyadominantbattingperformanceledby BrandonKing,guidedthe WestIndiestoalopsided seven-wicketvictoryover BangladeshhereTuesday, theirfirstODIserieswin overthemin10years.

WithAlzarriJosephbeingrested,Player-of-theMatchSealesranthrough Bangladesh’stoporderby snaringthefirstthreewicketstohelpbowloutthevisitorsfor227in45.5overs, aftertheWestIndieshad

wonthetossandoptedto fieldatWarnerPark.

Kingthenhitthetopscoreof82from76balls, asalltheWindies’batters madesolidcontributions andthehomesideromped to230forthreein36.5 overs.

Theresultmeantthe WestIndiestookanunassailable2-0leadinthe three-matchseries,endingBangladesh’srunof11 straightODIwinsagainst themandgivingthemtheir firstODIserieswinagainst themsince2014.

Thewinwassetupbya stingyspellbySeales,who

bowledaconsistentlineand lengththatcausedBangladesh’sbatsmennumerous problems.

Bangladeshgotoffto aflyingstartthough,with TanzidHasangivingdebutantMarquinoMindleya toughinitiationbyblasting himfortwosixesanda fourinhissecondoverthat yielded18runs,whichsaw themraceto26withoutloss afterthreeovers.

Sealesstruckwiththe firstballofthefourthover whenhegotSoumyaSarkartochipstraightintothe handsofGudakeshMotie atmidonafterscoringtwo

runs.

LittonDaslaboured19 ballsforfourrunsbefore hisintendedpulloffSeales endeduptakingaleading edgeandEvinLewistooka goodcatchdivingforward atbackwardpointtoleave thescore41fortwo.

Sealesthengotthe importantwicketofcaptainMehidyHasanMiraz, bowledforoneofftheinsideedgeasheattempted toshoulderarmsoutside theoffstump,toseeBangladeshslideto54forthree.

TanzidHasanblasted pacerJustinGreavesfor twoconsecutiveboundaries

inhisfirstover,butslapped thenextdeliverystraight intothehandsofRoston Chaseatbackwardpointto beoutfor46andthescore 64forfourinthe11thover.

AfifHossainandMahmudullahadded36runs forthefifthwickettotake thetotalto100,butspinner GudakeshMotieaccounted forbothHossainfor24and JakerAlifor3,andMindley gothisfirstinternational wicketbydismissingRishadHossainforaduckand Bangladeshslippedinto evenmoretroubleat115 forseven.

Ittookarecordeighth

wicketpartnershipof92 betweenMahmudullah, whomade62from92balls withfoursixesandtwo foursandTanzimHasan Sakibtohelptheirsideup toarespectabletotal. Theytookthescoreto 207beforeRostonChase hadSakibcaughtand bowledfor45andSeales returnedtosnagthewicket ofMahmudullahandthe inningscametoanendsoon after.

Sealesendedwith4-22 fromhisnineovers,while Motiegrabbed2-36from 10overs.

Royalinternationalhotel’sZhengSailiHandingOverChequetoNareezaLatiffromthePetraOrganisationalongsideofficialPetraandRoyalInternationalHotel(Japheth SavoryPhoto)