New $700M Caledonia water treatment plant to serve 14,000 residents
- President Ali says over $65B invested to fix ‘national disaster’ left behind by former administration - highlights improved access for hinterland residents
By Naomi Parris
SERVING 14,000 residents, a water treatment plant was on Sunday commissioned by President, Dr Irfaan Ali at Caledonia, East Bank Demerara.
Now equipped with new and improved methods of water treatment, the $700 million facility is outfitted with a large power generator, ensuring 24-hour uninterrupted service; three massive filters; two large storage facilities and several booster pumps supplying maximum water pressure to several communities in the area.
“When we came back into government in 2020, we came with a very clear vision, and that is how we can reduce the cost of water to homes, how we can improve quality, how we can expand production, invest in the network and give people a higher quality of water,” the Head of State told residents during his featured address.
Further ensuring that residents have equitable water supply, he reminded his audience that the government also reduced the water tariffs that were implemented by the previous administration, saving consumers millions of dollars.
“We reduced the cost of water tariff, we removed taxes, [we] reduced water tariff by five per cent that would have saved consumers more than $260 million annually, and that was in keeping with initiatives to
The new water-treatment plant at Caledonia is outfitted with several booster pumps to supply maximum water pressure to several communities in the area. It also features new cutting-edge technology, ensuring a clean and consistent flow of clean potable water (Japheth Savory photo)
cushion the impact of the pandemic.”
The government in the past four years, invested over $65 billion in the water sector, increasing countrywide access to about 98.3 per cent of the population.
These investments have seen Guyana coming a long way, overcoming several trials and hardships, President Ali said, while recalling that in 1992, the country was riddled with public health issues due to poor water supply. At that time, only 50 per cent of
the population had access to clean and potable water.
Citing several international reports from that period, Dr. Ali pointed out that the country’s water infrastructure was in total collapse.
“Every single International report and study pointed to water as a major disaster, pointed to public health issues as a result of what was taking place in the water sector.”
He explained that the government had inherited what was described in international reports a ‘situation in that was nothing short of a national disaster.’
“You will recall that people would have walked miles to get water, and the water would be cloudy or muddy… many women and children were fetching and storing water in every conceivable container… in some cases [they] walked miles just to fetch water, carrying heavy buckets or drums or carts.”
This was the grim picture painted by a 1993 World Bank report, but to
date, many children will not have to face this fate.
“And that is what development should be, to avoid successive generations experiencing the failures of the past. And that is what public policy is about, continuously developing public policy that avoids the pitfalls, shortfalls and failures of the past in building [a]strong, resilient future.”
The president added, “So today, 98.3 per cent of our population have access to water, and we have been able to improve access between 2020 to now in the hinterland, from 46 per cent to 91 per cent.”
‘ENHANCING HEALTH, SANITATION AND OVERALL LIVING STANDARDS’
Meanwhile, Senior Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal stated that the commissioning of the facility marks a transformative step in ensuring that more communities have access to clean and potable water enhancing health, sanitation and over-
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh, the commissioning of the Caledonia water treatment plant marks a significant step towards the government's goal of providing 90 per cent treated water to the coastal population by mid-2025.
The plant was designed to produce 6.3 megalitres of water, but currently supplies over seven megalitres and will expand to eight megalitres. The facility was first constructed in 1992.
The project is complemented by $1.6 billion in investments of 16 transmission mains and other key infrastructures.
The government has upgraded 12 plants and installed 18 small treatment plants, aiming to meet and even exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for water quality.
all living standards.
“Your government remains committed to delivering on the promises made to the people of Guyana.
The government's investment in this critical area of water has been outstanding,” the minister said.
He pointed out that the new facility will serve some 14,000 residents and aligns with a broader initiative of Guyana fulfilling its sustainable development goal (SDG) of ensuring all citizens have access to clean and potable water supply.
“Today's commissioning aligns with our broader vision for a more developed Guyana. Over the past four and a half years, we have made significant strides in the housing infrastructure and the water sector.”
The facility at Caledonia is the first of seven that is [sic] being constructed, with the largest being on the East of Coast Demerara.
According to the Guyana Water Incorporated’s
And soon, some 30 kilometres of pipelines will be completed in the next two months.
“90 per cent of the coastal population and the people have expressed their concern over the last three years or more than that, about the quality of the water which is coming out. Don't forget, it's coming from the aquifer, high iron content.”
These plants will essentially remove the iron content from water supply and already the one at Caledonia has exceeded WHO standards, which requires water supply for potable or drinking use to have an iron concentration of below 0.03 mg/litres iron, the new plant is delivering water supply with a concentration of 0.01 mg/ litres.
The new plant was constructed by Sigma, a Bangladesh firm. According to the contractor, the company introduced cutting-edge technology successfully completing the facility ahead of its contractual date and within its stipulated budget.
Investments geared towards economic expansion – President Ali
- restored investment climate instils confidence in private sector
By Shamar Meusa
PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has said that his government’s policies, programmes and investments are all aimed at economic expansion and have further reinvigorated the local private sector, with expansion visible in almost every sector.
The Head of State made these remarks during a live broadcast during which he discussed the investments and jobs created over the past four years.
“Jobs and investment are critical for the expansion of the private sector, for a healthy economy, for a sustainable economy, and it’s a litmus test in relation to government’s policies and programmes and investment,” he said.
He added that these policies and programmes must lead to economic expansion and lead to confidence in the economy.
Examining the impacts of his administration’s policies and programmes from 2020 to 2024, President Ali noted that there are various comparative advantages in the region and his government prides itself in developing strategies that carry very low operational costs among other things.
Against this backdrop, he said that one of the indicators of confidence in the economy and how the private sector perceives the economy, one must look at private sector credit.
Providing figures comparing the previous APNU+AFC tenure in government to the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) term, he noted that under the previous administration, there was very low confidence in the policies of the government.
Pointing to the comparative graph, Dr Ali highlighted that a flat period can be seen in relation to private sector growth and private sector cred-
Some of the data that President Ali shared during the live broadcast to support his comments (Source: President Ali/Facebook)
it and very flat investment or credit to the private sector.
“The period of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government, you can see every year continual expansion on private sector, credit, confidence in the economy, confidence to invest and as a result, credit to the private sector increased by more than 60 per cent from June 2020 to June 2024,” he expressed.
This growth, he explained, is more than three times the growth seen during the entire APNU+AFC period.
President Ali further detailed that what occurred during that period was a crowding out of the private sector as the former administration was just borrowing with no plan for improving productivity or increasing opportunities for the private sector.
During this time, he added that domestic credit to the central government increased from $28 billion in 2014 to some $148 billion.
He added, “And that is what collapsed our economy in
the past; the same philosophy of the APNU+AFC government… borrowing, borrowing, borrowing and not creating wealth. So, the government borrowing during that period in government increased by 428 per cent.”
Credit to the government was some 16 times higher than credit to the private sector and as a result, the private sector was regressing with tens of thousands of persons losing their jobs and further contributing to a loss of productivity and loss of competitiveness.
DIVERSIFICATION APPROACH
However, over the last four years, President Ali said that one would see the diversification programme and policies of the government and how they are taking effect.
Giving examples by sectors, President Ali noted that in agriculture private investment went from $12.5 billion to $24.6 billion from 2020 to mid-2024.
“That is the investment we’re making in D&I, the
investment we are making in farm-to-market access roads, the support to our farmers, the confidence that has been instilled back in the agricultural sector,” he said.
In manufacturing, he said that private-sector investment increased by 47 per cent from $15.1 billion to $22.3 billion, creating wealth, and new industries while expanding existing industries and creating jobs.
In construction, President Ali said there was a 93 per cent increase in private sector investment moving from $10.6 billion in 2020 to some $24.4 billion by mid-2024.
“That is the confidence people have in building their own facilities, their own commercial buildings, their own office complexes, their own home,” he said.
FDI, THE JOB MARKET, HOUSING BOOM
Meanwhile, turning to foreign direct investment, he noted that the story is the same as this too increased significantly over the last four years.
“Between 2021 and 2023, FDI amounted to $16.1 billion, more than three times the level reported under the APNU+AFC government for the entire period,” he said.
President Ali noted that in 2023, there were inflows of US$7.198 billion, a 64 per cent increase over 2022, which positioned Guyana as the sixth-largest inward FDI recipient country in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Moving on to the job market, Dr Ali highlighted that in 2020 his government promised 50,000 jobs and further looking at the sustained jobs and not those just temporary, this target was surpassed.
He said: “I am talking about sustained jobs in every single sector; we have surpassed the target of 50,000 jobs and we have been able to sustain more than 60,000 jobs.”
The construction sector he said, brought in more than 30,000 jobs, the forestry sector brought in more than 11,000 and oil and gas more than 6,500, while tourism has
brought in more than 8,700 jobs and other sectors that have brought in thousands more.
Further to this, the government is also investing in tens of thousands more jobs with the training of persons in tourism, nursing and several other fields.
Shifting the focus to the housing sector, President Ali indicated that the housing sector has been re-energised, with more than 244 billion invested and over 41,000 houselots allocated among several other initiatives.
Tax incentives he said, with the mortgage relief ceiling increasing from $15 million to $30 million have put back more than $2.4 billion into the pockets of the ordinary people.
Additionally, he indicated that almost 2,000 homes have been completed under the young professionals housing programme, giving young people not only homeownership, but dignity and pride in the communities they are living in.
Further, 1,500 more homes are in the process of completion by the end of the first quarter of this year.
“That is what we’re delivering every single day to the people of our country,” he said.
The Head of State further spoke to the success of policies implemented in the health, infrastructure and education sectors which have spawned significant investments across the country and provided more opportunities for citizens.
As such, he expressed, “So you see my friends our investment is geared towards economic expansion, towards wealth creation, towards job generation, towards the expansion of the private sectors and towards building a strong, resilient Guyana, a Guyana that is democratic, strong and resilient and a Guyana that brings prosperity to every single home.”
Los Angeles wildfires claim 14 lives as containment efforts ‘struggle’
FIREFIGHTERS made slow progress in their battle to contain the inferno that has burned wide areas of Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighbourhood to the ground, but spreading flames and strong winds still threatened communities and officials warned on Sunday that a death toll of 14 people was likely to rise.
Aircraft dropped water and fire retardant on steep hills to stem the eastward spread of the Palisades Fire and KTLA television reported that ground crews had managed to save a number of houses, although others were lost.
"LA County had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak," Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.
Six simultaneous blazes have ripped across the second-largest U.S. city since Tuesday, killing at least 14 people as of Sunday morning. At least 16 others were believed missing.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he expected the death toll to
rise. "I've got search and rescue teams out. We've got cadaver dogs out and there's likely to be a lot more," he told NBC's "Meet the Press" programme.
Newsom said the fires are likely to be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history "in terms of just the costs associated with it."
Active-duty military personnel are ready to support the firefighting effort, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in a
series of Sunday television interviews, adding the agency has urged residents to begin filing for disaster relief.
"We have the funding to support this response, to support this recovery," she told ABC's "This Week" programme.
The blazes have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures, fire officials said. By Sunday, more than 100,000 people in Los Angeles County had been ordered to evacuate, while another 87,000 faced evacuation warnings.
Flames have reduced whole neighbourhoods to smoldering ruins, destroying the homes of the rich and famous and ordinary folk alike, and leaving an apocalyptic landscape. Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire spread over an additional 1,000 acres (400 hectares), consuming more homes, officials reported.
Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins said that while 11% of the Palisades Fire was now contained, it had burned more than 22,000 acres (8,900 hectares).
Hopkins told a press conference that fire had spread into the Mandeville Canyon and was threatening to jump into Brentwood, an upscale neighbourhood that is home to many celebrities, and the San Fernando
expected to moderate by Thursday.
Some residents were allowed to return to the sites of their ruined homes on Saturday to see what they could salvage. Teams with the LA County Sheriff's Department were working to sift through the rubble with dogs to search for human remains.
FEDERAL HELP
President Joe Biden was due to convene key officials for a Sunday afternoon virtual briefing on efforts to suppress the wildfires across Los Angeles and how federal resources are supporting the state and local response.
Valley. It also inched toward the north-south 405 freeway.
SANTA ANA WINDS
Dozens of Brentwood residents hoping to return to neighbourhoods evacuated because of the Palisades Fire began lining up at around 5 a.m. on Sunday, while volunteers distributed coffee and donuts. They were denied entry by officials who said the area was still too dangerous.
"In driving around some of these areas, they literally look like war zones. There are downed power poles, electric wires. There are still some smoldering fires. It is not safe," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Although the Santa Ana winds that have fanned the flames had calmed some over the weekend, the National Weather Service warned that stronger gusts of up to 70 mph (110 kph) could return early next week. Local officials said they expect the strongest winds to occur on Tuesday.
Red Flag warnings remain in effect for LA and Ventura counties through to Wednesday, the NWS said.
"These winds, combined with dry air and dry vegetation, will keep the fire weather threat in the area," it said. Conditions were
What's wrong with them?" he said on his Truth Social media feed.
Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger told reporters she invited Trump - who takes office on Jan. 20 - to visit the county to get a firsthand look at the destruction.
'WEEKS OF WORK'
In Altadena, official Don Fregulia said managing the Eaton Fire and its impact will be a "huge, Herculean task" that he said will take "many weeks of work."
His declaration of a major disaster unlocked federal assistance for those affected by the wildfires, clearing the way for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide support.
"FEMA is now starting to support, with the major disaster declaration, the individuals that have been impacted," Criswell said on Fox News Sunday, urging people to register for assistance through the website DisasterAssistance.gov.
Support can range from funding for home repairs to money to replace lost food or medication, FEMA spokesperson Michael Hart said, adding that assistance can be provided within days.
Newsom also signed an executive order to reduce the amount of state government red tape needed to rebuild lost homes and businesses.
However, President-elect Donald Trump criticised local and state officials he believed had handled the situation badly.
"The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place... they just can't put out the fires.
The Cal Fire website reported that the Eaton Fire was 27% contained, up from 15 per cent on Saturday, after burning 14,117 acres.
The two big fires combined have consumed more than 36,000 acres (14,500 hectares), or 56 square miles (145 square km)2-1/2 times the land area of Manhattan - in one of the worst disasters in Los Angeles history.
Officials have declared a public health emergency due to the thick, toxic smoke hanging over the city and poor air quality as the fires lofted traces of metals, plastics and other synthetic materials.
Progress was reported in bringing electrical power back to Los Angeles neighbourhoods. Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell said there were now about 50,000 customers without power, down from more than half a million days earlier.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss at $135 billion to $150 billion, portending soaring homeowners' insurance costs.
Pope Francis in his weekly address to the faithful in St. Peter's Square said: "I am close to the people of Los Angeles ... where devastating fires have broken out in recent days. I pray for all of you." (Reuters)
The remains of homes destroyed by the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood in Los Angeles, California, U.S (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)
WHO prequalifies diagnostic test to support safer administration of P. vivax malaria treatments
- decision reflects updated processes to improve efficiency, access
ON 18 December, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified the first diagnostic test for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, which can help to safely deliver WHO-recommended treatments to prevent relapse of Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) infection.
The prequalification of this G6PD diagnostic test marks a significant milestone in facilitating safe and effective P. vivax malaria treatment, reaffirming WHO’s dedication to ensuring equitable access to life-saving health solutions globally. Some 500 000 people die each year from malaria, most of them children.
The prequalification of this test immediately followed the prequalification, in early December, of two new tafenoquine products for anti-relapse treatment of P. vivax malaria, and these therapeutics were recommended in updated WHO malaria guidelines released a few days earlier, in late November.
This package of actions by WHO reflects the organisation’s recent adoption of synchronised and parallel processes for two key functions: developing recommendations for essential health products and overseeing their prequalification.
While these processes remain entirely independent, their alignment aims to significantly reduce the time required to bring vital health products to low-
and lower-middle-income countries. This streamlined approach underscores WHO’s commitment to improving global health equity by expediting access to life-saving products.
P. vivax malaria is endemic in all WHO regions except the European Region, with an estimated 9.2 million clinical cases occurring in 2023. P. vivax is the dominant malaria parasite in most countries outside of sub-Saharan Africa.
G6PD deficiency, a genetic condition, affects more than 500 million people. While most people are unaware of their G6PD deficiency and go through life without suffering ill effects, certain drugs administered to prevent malaria relapse caused by P. vivax can result in acute haemolysis (destruction of red blood cells). Without accessible and reliable G6PD testing, it has been challenging to safely provide anti-relapse treatments, limiting the widespread use of this effective therapy.
“The prequalification of this G6PD enzyme test for patients with P. vivax malaria can help countries in enhancing access to much-needed qual-
ity-assured tests, enabling safe and effective treatment and prevention of this type of relapsing malaria,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.
“Currently, no other prequalification applications are received for this type of tests. We encourage the submission of additional products to expand the range of effective diagnostic tools available to countries in need.”
“Wider availability of the test can help strengthen the global malaria response by reducing the number of P. vivax infections due to relapse and in turn reduce onward transmission,” said Dr Daniel Ngamije Madandi, Director of WHO’s Glob-
al Malaria Programme. Testing devices that can accurately distinguish patients with G6PD activity levels above and below the normal levels provide critical information to clinicians to decide which of P. vivax anti-relapse treatment regimens is most appropriate, including low- and high-dose primaquine and single-dose tafenoquine.
The STANDARD G6PD System di -
agnostic tool manufactured by SD Biosensor, Inc., is a semi-quantitative, near-patient solution designed for the measurement of G6PD enzyme activity in capillary or venous whole blood. The de-
vice is intended for use in both laboratory and non-laboratory settings and operates with the STANDARD G6PD Analyzer, a hand-held device, delivering results in a few minutes. (WHO)
THE multiplier effect is a term used by economists to measure the rate of change in national income resulting from a change in government spending. Higher spending is expected to see higher disposable incomes, which in turn can have an accelerator effect on the economy as a whole.
This is somewhat of an oversimplification of the process, but it does provide some indication of the economic and social impact of increased government spending on income levels and in-
vestment portfolios. Indeed, there is a dynamic relationship between spending, investment and income levels. The greater the spending, the greater the demand for goods and services and the higher the sensitivity of investors to meet market needs.
Take for example the award of billions of dollars’ worth of contracts to small contractors to build roads and streets in rural communities. This is a commendable move that will enhance the demand for goods and services in the local communities. This is
not simply a case of putting millions of dollars in the pockets of contractors as is so often claimed by the political opposition. This is a case of giving a boost to local economies in terms of job creation and putting money in the pockets of workers and the business community by way of purchase of construction and building materials. What is taking place in effect is the sharing of the contract award to a broader network of stakeholders. In the final analysis, it is the entire community that
benefits from improved physical infrastructure and enhanced income levels for those directly or indirectly involved in the construction processes.
But at an even more fundamental level, from a developmental perspective, is the strengthening of construction capacity especially at the community level. It is an established fact that there is a paucity of construction capacity in the country at this time of phenomenal investments in the country due in large measure to the impact of foreign
direct investments in the country.
One significant developmental is the number of women who have now entered the field of construction. At one time, the building and construction industry was dominated by male contractors. This is no longer the case as an increasing number of women are now engaged in the construction sector, including road construction.
Much of this development resulted from a deliberate policy of the PPP/C to empower women to contribute
Things I will always remember about 2024 Building Momentum
ALL humans remember a particular year for personal reasons or otherwise. It could be more than one year. For me, 1974, 1979, 1989, 2020 have potent memories that will never leave my consciousness. 2024 was no exception. It has gone into history, but I will always remember it for many things in Guyana and outside of Guyana. Let’s begin at home.
Former Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian Trevor Williams revealed something on the Freddie Kissoon Show last year that will never leave my mind. I cannot believe humans can be so flawed. He explained that he was in charge of the D’Urban Park project and the Athletic Centre at Leonora. He related how then Minister of Health Volda Lawrence asked for some help in levelling and grading the community play-
ing field where she lives. After the project was completed, he asked AFC Minister Cathy Hughes for the minister’s mobile number so he could inform her. Mrs Hughes, according to Williams, told him she cannot disclose the minister’s number. Mr Williams at the time was a high state official and a foundation member of the AFC who sat for over 10 years with Mrs Hughes in all the levers of authority in the AFC. Here is what I wrote on the matter in my column titled, “The revelation about Cathy Hughes of the AFC” of Friday, August 9, 2024: “I believe class thinking was the reason for Mrs Hughes’s approach to Williams.” I am still at a loss as to what went through Mrs Hughes’ head when she did that. People in politics do not treat their colleagues like that. I ended
that August 2024 column with these words: “I honestly believe Mrs Hughes should not be in politics.”
Here is what I learned last year about Guyana and I cannot get this thing out of my head. I was reading an online news source named Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News and one of the editors is a wellknown letter-writer in the Guyanese newspapers, Mr Vishu Bisram. The article by Mr Bisram of 12, August, 2024, titled, “Understanding diplomatic immunity as regards Guyanese diplomats” lists Mr bisram at the bottom of it as having six Master degrees and six Phds or doctorates.
In commenting on these massive qualifications of Bisram in a column last year, I noted that no one the past 200 years have been so educated and there is no one in the world at the moment that is so educated. No one in Guyana
in 2024 has seen it necessary to inform the nation that a Guyanese is the most qualified human on Planet Earth.
It remains a mystery why Mr Bisram is not in the Guinness Book of Records. It remains a mystery why no one in the entire year of 2024 in this country, has not commented on Mr Bisram, given the fact that he is well known through his letters in the press the past 20 years. But let’s move on to outside of Guyana in 2024.
The tragedy of Gaza and the journalism that accompanied it in 2024 has made that year an unforgettable memory for me. Why it has had such a deep impact on me is because of my studies of philosophy. After slavery, the Holocaust, genocide in Rwanda, how could the world not condemn genocide in Gaza? But the tragedy has many ugly dimensions that devastated the
meaningfully in the exciting task of national development. Women already dominate the services sector, especially in the fields of teaching, nursing and public-sector employment and there are now strong indications that they are now in the process of, as it were, breaking the glass ceiling. This is indeed a positive development which augurs well for the overall growth and development of our society, especially at this time when our economy is rapidly picking up momentum.
human psyche in 2024.
One dimension is the people who are committing genocide in Gaza were victims of the second worst genocidal violence after slavery – the Holocaust in Nazi Germany. Secondly, countries that the entire world thought would rush to condemn the Gaza genocide were in fact supporting Israel and doing so in the most barefaced manner.
Thirdly, journalism in the entire Western countries was made available to the Israeli Government and served the purpose of the Israeli Government. Newspapers that we from the developing world thought were the standard bearers for journalism’s sacred values turned out to the journalism of the worst kind. It was the New York Times (NYT) that first reported that women were raped and babies’ heads were paraded on sticks when Hamas freedom
The story was given to NYT by a former air force intelligence officer. NYT eagerly ran the story with the first instruction all rookie journalists are given –check your source before printing. NYT’s editor at the time was (and still is) a Jewish man who once operated a store in Israel that sold stationery and with his father is on the board of an organisation that monitors the American media for anti-Jewish bias. 2024 was the year the entire world saw that the countries and media organisations we respected for so long no longer deserve our respect.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
fighters invaded Israel.
I am not a doctor; I don’t know how to respond to cognitive disorder
AFTER my column last week, the AFC took a wild excursion into an attempt to belittle me for criticising the party for its lacklustre approach to facts. The AFC, instead of internalising my comments and thoughtfully responding to its substance, they, in a style characteristic of an impulsive political tyke that has come to suffuse the AFC, rushed to attack with the most juvenile, senseless, half-witted and unsophisticated claptrap. They are so overcome with self-conceit and mentally stupefied by narcissism that they are unable to discern that they have confirmed every single point in my analysis of them.
Their press release essentially carried two segments: first, they delved deep into the realm of fallacy and fiction in an attempt to denigrate me and set both my knowledge and capacity to zero; second, with embellishing splendour, they eulogised and anointed Dr Adams as the solitary all-wise, all-knowing authoritative giant on oil-and-gas issues in Guyana. Then with brazen arrogance, they ended their bitter invective with an entreaty for me to respond.
As the famous saying goes, “great minds discuss ideas; average minds dis-
cuss events; small minds discuss people.” I will not get into the small-minded world of fantasy that the AFC is trying to bait me into, except to say, I do not have to boast about my qualifications to make cogent comments on matters of Guyanese public policy.
I am always eager to engage in discourse that will educate the public, both on the workings of politics and public policy in Guyana. However, the AFC’s press release is essentially a fairytale. What benefit will it bring to utilise the crowded information space to debate whether Snow White was Scandinavian or American? How do I respond to make-believe?
The foregoing notwithstanding, I will itemise the points I made in my last column and show why I was spot on:
1. The AFC’s top leadership is made of individual narcissists who think themselves to be better and smarter than every other person in Guyanese politics. One glance at their press statement proves my point; it is oozing with self-delusions of grandeur.
2. Because they carry around this bloated, grandiloquent sense of self, they often rush to say things from the top of their heads that are not informed by a coor-
dinated and studied party policy position. The press statement itself was not sanctioned by all the top elected leaders. Three individuals got together and penned the statement: the delusional doctor, his lowlife mistress and her longtime stooge employee. The five top leaders of the AFC are party leader, chair, vice-chair, general secretary and deputy general secretary; none of them participated in crafting and releasing that statement, in fact, they were blindsided by it.
3. Because of the aforementioned lack of coordination and individual narcissism, they often overlook facts and lack depth in their engagement with the public. As such, they are more often reactive and unable to set any form of political agenda. Because of their dotish response to my criticism, the agenda set in my column along with false and libellous comments about me, occupied the political space for the entire week and nothing original or constructive came from the AFC, they wasted valuable political space and contact hours on matters that do not appeal to voters; creativity is in the doldrums.
4. The other issue I raised was AFC’s attempt to mislead the nation regarding the US-EXIM
bank loan without exercising the requisite forthright decency to admit their error.
5. Then finally, I argued that Dr Adams misconstrued and mischaracterised the concept of profit oil, leading him to make fundamental misstatements about our income from oil. In the AFC’s press statement, which I believe was hurriedly put together by Adams and his low-life girlfriend; it was asserted that, “it is impossible for Guyana to ever obtain 52% profit.” This is the most uninformed position a person can take on the facts concerning the O&G-PSA, let alone, it was released on a party letterhead.
Dr Adams has been dealing with matters relating to energy for as long as I have been alive, yet he is making these infantile gabbles about objectively verifiable facts that need no spin or embellishment, or either way, do not contain any positive political value for the AFC. If anything, it cast the AFC in a bad light because its founder and current General Secretary signed the agreement. There is only one explanation for why Dr Adams choses to continually double down on false information; he is losing cognitive marbles. That is why the AFC under his co-chairship is unable
to produce one word of O&G policy or meaningfully add to the national discussion. His greatest contribution since being appointed AFC’s oil tzar, is an argument that 50% share of profit oil is not possible, even though that is a provision of the PSA currently being implemented.
His entreaty to respond should really be directed to Raphael Trotman, the person who actually signed the agreement. Did the AFC’s statement and Adams’ assertions accurately reflect the contents and implementation of the agreement? Adams’ position becomes even more egregious, because the only circumstance under which the AFC statement could be true, is if they are making a concomitant claim that Exxon is involved in some nefarious, clandestine practice to continually cheat Guyana out of part of its share of profits. Perhaps it is Exxon that may need to respond to set this aspect of the record straight.
Given that Dr Adams is disdainful of and requires people without specific qualification in oil and gas to remain quiet, it is instructive what Adams may think of his cochair David Patterson or Raphael Trotman, both of whom make policy comments on Guyana’s O&G, but has
“zilch” qualifications in the field. Or he is willing to credit them with the capacity to read themselves into a grasp of policy prescriptions associated with the industry. But he does not feel anyone else has similar capacity. This goes back to the fact that AFC is afflicted with middle-class self-aggrandisement, as I have been saying all along. Save a thought for the Michael Carringtons of the AFC, no formal academic qualifications, not worthy to speak, not worthy to be heard; it would be defamatory for non-entities to challenge the views of any of his otherwise accomplished colleagues. Even worse, the common people of Guyana who are woefully untrained and uneducated in O&G dare not question the gods. That said, for the benefit of Dr Adams and ordinary Guyanese who want to understand the formula for calculating our O&G profit calculations, I released an explainer video on my Facebook page in simple, non-technical language.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Almost 3,000 co-ops, friendly societies registered under Co-operatives Department
THE Co-operative Department of the Ministry of Labour (MoL) has indicated that there are 1,736 co-operative societies and 1,263 friendly societies registered with them.
The department notes that from January 2024 to present, regional officers have conducted inspections continuously across the country, with 270 inspec-
tions carried out in 2024, along with 170 investigations into the functioning of Friendly Societies, with the aim of cancelling those that are defunct.
During this period, it
was highlighted that 20 friendly societies were registered by the department for the year, with only 14 co-operative societies formed. The department said this is a result of a restriction in place on the registration of co-operatives.
The department mentioned that despite this setback, several groups, especially in the hinterland, have expressed keen interest in registering as co-operative societies.
Furthermore, auditors were appointed by the department to audit the records of 62 societies. Of those audits, 52 were completed and released with instructions for the societies to hold their Annual General Meetings (AGMs), and election of new committees of management. The department convened a total of 27 AGMs.
Between January and December, 2024, five co-operative societies and six friendly societies were resuscitated. It was reported that efforts to resuscitate others proved futile.
It was stated that many of the societies appeared to be established to access grants or other benefits that were available at that point. It mentioned that land access for housing, farming, rice cultivation, or to get logging concessions in other cases.
In its projection for the year ahead, the Co-operatives Department intends to provide training for staff of the department, with emphasis on the areas of record keeping and anti-money laundering. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) will be approached for assistance in this regard. A qualified auditor will be
contracted to provide training in record keeping.
Additionally, the department will be collaborating with other departments within the ministry, to provide training for co-operators within each region of Guyana.
It also intends to work assiduously to resuscitate co-operative societies, especially those agricultural co-operatives that could contribute to the growth of the country.
Alongside these developments, the department related that following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Co-operatives Department of the Ministry of Labour and the Guyana Forestry Commission in March 2024, 10 friendly societies involved in logging have been converted to co-operative societies.
According to information received from the department, the project is funded by the European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade, Voluntary Partnership Agreement (EU FLEGT VPA).
The department stated that the first phase of the project ran from March 2024 to April 2024, resulting in 10 of the friendly societies being converted to co-operative ones.
These societies are: the Aroaima Forest and Agriculture Producers Co-operatives Society Limited; the Upper Berbice Multipurpose Co-operatives Society Limited; Aroaima Mineral Resources and Agriculture Co-operative Society Limited, Hururu Forest and Agriculture Producers Co-operative Society Limited; Vreed-en-Rust to Carolina Agriculture
and Loggers Co-operatives Society Limite; Yarrowkabra Sustainable Charcoal Forest and Agri Producers Co-Operatives Society Limited; Caria end Forest and Agriculture Producers Co-operative Society Limited; Canje River Multipurpose Logging Co-operative Society Limited, Aurora Agriculture Producers Logging Co-operative Society Limited and Forty-Seven Miles Multipurpose Co-operatives Society Limited.
Additionally, the second phase of the project commenced in August 2024, and was expected to be completed by December last year. There were 13 societies targeted for conversion during this period, including the Rockstone Community Development Council, Rockstone Loggers Association, the Orealla Loggers Association; the Great Falls Logging Association and the Kaburi Village Loggers Association, among others.
The department intends to continue its work with the Forestry Commission to convert all Friendly Societies that were granted logging concessions, to co-operative societies.
In 2024, the department worked with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to provide assistance to fisheries co-operatives. Thus far, there have been virtual meetings and a visit from personnel of the FAO to conduct a needs-assessment on the ground. The department will be collaborating with the FAO and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to provide assistance for agricultural and fisheries co-operatives in 2025.
Guyana to strengthen ability to tackle viral diseases – Health Minister
USING US$15 million in funding, the Ministry of Health will be rolling out a three-year project in March to help strengthen local surveillance and laboratory systems and to recruit more specialists to combat viral diseases.
This is according to
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, who told reporters on Friday that the focus will not be on a single virus but everything that affects the human population.
With regard to the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) which has turned into a global epidemic, the minister
told reporters following the handing over of vector-control supplies to the tune of G$646 million, that no cases have been detected here.
He stated that in the region, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has the capability to diagnose and in fact, this is not a new
Top humanitarian official issues ceasefire appeal during visit to Gaza City
Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the
THE UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory called on Sunday for an end to the war in Gaza to ensure a better future for children there and the entire region.
Muhannad Hadi, who is also the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, made the appeal during a visit to Gaza City, where he met with representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
thing, since it has been around for many years and from looking at the profile of the disease, it is not one with a high fatality rate.
“So, it’s pathogens. It is not a new disease… let’s say it’s a cousin of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We can manage it quite success-
fully but we have seen what’s happening globally. We made sure we took samples and sent it [sic] for diagnosis, so if people get sick when they come in to our facilities or come for a test, we will obviously be able to take that sample and be able to make the diagnosis, and that is what everybody is doing with infectious diseases,” the minister said. He reported that in Guyana, a lot of work has been done to manage viral diseases. This year, the work will continue, using the money that was disbursed through the Pandemic Fund.
The senior official also visited Holy Family Church, where he recorded a video message on the church steps, surrounded by displaced children.
“Needless to say that churches, mosques, civilians, and all civilian infrastructure, must be protected. They can only be protected by the end of this war; by a ceasefire,” he stressed.
'END THIS WAR'
He said that Gaza’s displaced youth “deserve to go back
to their homes.” Furthermore, the children sitting with him “are the hope of the future, and without education, without proper healthcare, there will be no bright future,” he added.
“Again, I am here appealing from this church in Gaza to end this war, for the sake of these children, for the sake of the future, but also for the sake of a better future for all of us in this region.” (UN)
UN
occupied Palestinian territory Muhannad Hadi (sitting in the middle) visits the Latin Holy Family Church in Gaza City (UN News)
Two illegal shotguns, marijuana found during Region One raids
A POLICE team from Regional Division #1, acting on information, proceeded to Tenapeu “backdam,” North West District, on Sunday where they conducted raids and found two shotguns and 52 grams of marijuana.
Upon arrival at the camp of one Randolph Duncan at approximately 01:00hrs, the ranks, utilising torch and generator lights, observed an unidentified male of African descent, dressed in pants but shirtless, on the top floor of a wooden camp. The man quickly stood from his hammock, walked to the camp's back corner, and tossed a long black object suspected to be a firearm into some nearby dry bushes. This raised the ranks’ suspicions, prompting them to investigate.
Police subsequently found the object, which was identified as a suspected black KEL-TEC KSG semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun. Upon examination, it contained four (4) live 12-gauge cartridges.
Police contacted the
One of the illegal guns and marijuana which were reportedly found by police during the raids (GPF photos)
male, identified as Darnel Lewis, a 24-year-old Venezuelan pork-knocker from Boodoo Scheme, Parika, EBE. He was shown the firearm and questioned about his firearm licence status, to which he said he did not have one. He was informed of the offence committed, cautioned and he responded that the gun is his but he does not have a licence.
The officers conducted further searches in and
around the campgrounds but found no additional illegal items. Lewis was arrested.
At approximately 02:30hrs, the ranks went to another nearby camp owned by Roy Goocharan, known as 'King', a 47-yearold gold miner from Friendship, EBD. Upon arrival, the police made contact with Goocharan and his two workers, Joseph Williams, a 64-year-old pork-knocker from Barima River, Region
New year brings little
One, and Lawrence Wells, a 36-year-old pork-knocker from Red Hill, Barima River, Region One, North West District. They were informed of the reason for the police’s presence and all complied with the search. While searching the workers' camp in the presence of Williams and Wells, the police discovered a black single-barrel 16-gauge shotgun without a serial number and It contained a 16-gauge cartridge,
hidden under a mattress on a makeshift wooden bed belonging to Williams. The weapon was shown to him, and he was informed of the ranks' suspicions, to which he replied, "No," when asked if he had a licensed firearm.
Further searches revealed eight live 12-gauge cartridges in two cartridge boxes and a single suspected live .223 round found in a long boot belonging to Williams. Consequently,
both he and Wells, the sole occupants, were arrested.
Simultaneously, the police contacted Goocharan at his enclosed wooden sleeping quarters nearby. He was informed of the ranks’ intention to conduct searches and complied. During this search, the police discovered a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. These items were enclosed in two transparent plastic bags, which were further placed inside a black plastic bag resting on a wooden shelf against the wall near the front door. Goocharan was shown the suspected narcotics, cautioned, and he replied, "Officer, this is all I have." He was arrested and taken into custody pending investigation. The suspected cannabis was weighed and amounted to 52 grams. All individuals are currently in custody at the Port Kaituma Police Station, where they are assisting with the investigation. (GPF)
new hope for children in Gaza, with
at least 74 children reportedly killed in first week of 2025
AT least 74 children have reportedly been killed in relentless violence in the Gaza Strip in just the first seven days of 2025.
Children have reportedly been killed in several mass-casualty events, including night-time attacks in Gaza City, Khan Younis, and Al Mawasi, a unilaterally designated 'safe zone' in the south. On January 7, five children were reportedly killed in Al Mawasi.
“For the children of Gaza, the new year has brought more death and suffering from attacks, deprivation, and increasing exposure to the cold,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “A ceasefire is long overdue. Too many children have been killed or lost loved ones in a tragic start to the new year.”
A child and his father as they pass through the rubble of buildings in Gaza (UNICEF/UNI448939/Eyad El
The continued lack of basic shelter, combined with winter temperatures, pose serious threats to children. With more than a million children living in makeshift tents, and with many families displaced over the past 15 months, children face extreme risks. Since December 26, eight infants and new-
borns have reportedly died from hypothermia – a major threat to young children who are unable to regulate their body temperature.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has spiralled out of control. The number of trucks with aid entering Gaza remains woefully insufficient to meet the most basic needs of families. Civil order has largely collapsed inside Gaza, with the looting of humanitarian goods. The few remaining op-
erational hospitals are overwhelmed. The destruction of civilian infrastructure has left families struggling to access essential supplies, including food, safe water, sanitation, and access to healthcare. Kamal Adwan Hospital, which had been the only operational medical facility and the sole hospital in northern Gaza with a paediatric unit, is no longer functional following a raid late last month. This has further exacerbated the already dire conditions for medical care in the region.
“UNICEF has long warned that inadequate shelter, lack of access to nutrition and healthcare, the dire sanitary situation, and now the winter weather put the lives of all children in Gaza at risk. Newborns and children with medical conditions are especially vulnerable,” said Russell.
“The parties to the conflict and the international community must act urgently to
end the violence, alleviate suffering, and ensure that all hostages, especially the two remaining children, are released. Families need an end to this unimaginable suffering and heartbreak.”
“UNICEF appeals to all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by ceasing attacks on civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure; meeting civilians’ essential needs; and by facilitating rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access.
“UNICEF also renews our call for an immediate improvement of the security environment, including security for aid delivery trucks, to allow for aid workers to safely reach the communities they intend to serve. The delivery of aid and supplies is a matter of life or deat h for children in Gaza.” (UNICEF)
Baba)
Mammography services to soon become available at Suddie Hospital
By Indrawattie Natram
REGIONAL Health
Officer (RHO) of Region Two, Dr Ranjeev Singh, has announced that mammography services will be available at Suddie Public Hospital in Region Two within the next two weeks.
The announcement was made during the Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) January statutory meeting.
Dr Singh emphasised that this initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the healthcare infrastructure and modernise the health sector.
He noted that residents in Region Two will soon have direct access to mammography services, which is a significant step towards improving health outcomes for women.
In addition to infra-
structureal improvements, the Ministry of Health is actively building human capacity by training individuals in fields such as nursing, pharmacy assistance, and other essential healthcare roles.
Recently, over 101 residents graduated from various training programmes held within the region. Dr Singh added that the completion of a multimillion-dollar training centre will create even more opportunities for young people to acquire valuable skills. Upon completing their training, these individuals will be employed at health facilities across the region.
Meanwhile, Dr Singh used the opportunity to highlight the Ministry of Health’s commitment to decentralising healthcare services in Region Two.
As part of this effort, simple diagnostic tests
such as Complete Blood Count (CBC) will soon be available in remote areas. To achieve this, residents of Amerindian communities are being trained as laboratory technicians and will return to their communities to provide essential medical services.
“This decentralisation will allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment,” Dr Singh said, adding that the introduction of telemedicine will also enable better access to specialised care for patients in remote locations.
Melrose Henry, government councillor and chairperson of the Hinterland Affairs Committee, commended Dr Singh and the Ministry of Health for their strides in improving the health sector.
She praised the ongoing training of hinterland residents, who are now returning to serve their communities and
expressed her satisfaction with the progress being made.
With these advancements, Region Two is on track to provide more equitable and accessible healthcare services, bringing hope and better outcomes to the region’s residents.
Regional Health Officer Dr Ranjeev Singh speaking at the RDC meeting
Dinner hosted at State House
House for US EXIM delegation
President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday hosted a dinner for Reta Jo Lewis, the President and Chair of the United States Export-Import (EXIM) Bank and her delegation, who are visiting Guyana (Office of the President photos)
Revolutionising water management: GWI to soon transition with new, expanded mandate
THOUGH Guyana boasts an abundance of fresh water, the Government of Guyana is crafting a strategic programme aimed at enhancing the country’s water management, ensuring the availability of safe and sufficient water supply countrywide.
The country’s Head of State, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, while commissioning a new water-treatment plant on Sunday, disclosed that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) –the country’s premier water utility company will transition to a national water management entity, with a new and expanded mandate.
“That is why the Guyana Water Inc as you know it now, in the coming years, will change rapidly and will become a national watermanagement entity that will not only look at the management of water through wells or residential use, but at other use,” the President said.
Heavily focused on conservation, water sources such as reservoirs will be examined, ensuring that the natural resource will be managed in a sustainable way.
“So, the Integrated Wa-
ter Resource Management Programme, which will deal with conservation, reservoirs, integration, a study of our aquifers, all of that we are transitioning into in our national water- management entity.”
GWI’s new mandate would see a greater use of fresh water into the water-management system.
HOPE-LIKE CANALS
President Ali further disclosed that soon, the works would commence on a water-treatment facility at one of the Hope Canals on the East Coast of Demerara.
This facility, which has Guyana’s largest sluice, aids in directing excess water towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The massive drainage and irrigation infrastructure located in Region Four was
commissioned back in 2014, and has eight doors that function as a drainage sluice.
The government is currently in the process of constructing similar canals in other regions.
In a recent interview with this newspaper, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chairman, Lionel Wordsworth, disclosed that ten -
MoL continues to work assiduously to bring awareness to child labour
THROUGH dedication and hard work, the Ministry of Labour (MoL) saw significant developments in 2024 across each of its sections. This includes its main areas: the Labour Department, the Board of Industrial Training and Occupational Safety and Health.
One area of success for 2024 was the ministry’s efforts in raising awareness for and about the detrimental effects of child labour on a child’s development.
The ministry’s endof-year press conference
held earlier this month, highlighted that it visited and met with toshaos and the village leaders of St Monica on the Upper Pomeroon River in Region Two; Wakapoa Village on the Pomeroon River, Region Two; Mashabo Village, also in Region Two and Aishalton, and Moco Wakako Village in Region Nine.
The ministry also held awareness walks in Region Four (Georgetown), and in Port Kaituma in Region One, where over 1,000 persons, including students participated in the activity.
According to the ministry, the walks also attracted community leaders, schools, non-government organisations, government stakeholders and residents.
Alongside this, the ministry’s labour officers reportedly conducted approximately 41 school visits at the primary and secondary levels, with interactive presentations tailored to different age groups.
The topics at the sensitisation visits included the rights of children, the val-
ue of education and how to recognise and report on cases of child labour.
Some of the schools that benefitted from these visits included the Diamond Secondary School, South Ruimveldt Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, Cotton Field Secondary, Anna Regina Multilateral School, Bartica Secondary, and Central Corentyne Secondary School.
A total of 20 outreaches were also conducted to educate employers, employees and community members on their rights
high tides that may affect farmlands and residential areas across several communities along the coast.
Ultimately, the President’s vision is to harness the water being conserved in canals such as Hope, adding treatment facilities to the existing infrastructure and converting it.
“Wherever we are dumping fresh water, we are dumping expensive assets, and we have to convert that asset into value,” the president explained on Sunday.
In 2024, the Government of Guyana allocated $26 billion for the construction of large-scale drainage and irrigation canals, aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to manage water resources and respond to climate change.
ders would soon be out for the construction of the canals.
Instead of dumping the fresh water, the government is building Hope-like canals in Regions Three, Five and Six.
He explained that at Hope, the conversancy stores high levels of water and also aids draining off excess water from rainfall and
The funding for these extensive projects will come from the sale of carbon credits to the American oil firm Hess Corporation. This initiative is part of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), under which 85 per cent of proceeds from the sale of carbon credits are designated for climate adaptation and environmental-protection projects.
and obligations under the labour laws.
According to the ministry’s child labour advocacy mandate, its task includes investigating and prosecuting errant employers; conducting inspections at all workplaces; executing
a Child Labour Sensitisation Programme; reporting to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on cases relating to child labour and carrying out truancy campaigns in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
The Hope Canal, which has Guyana’s largest sluice, aids in directing excess water towards the Atlantic Ocean (Ministry of Agriculture photo)
Commissioner Hicken, police’s
ELT ‘set the tone’ for the year ahead for Regional Division Six
COMMISSIONER
of Police Clifton Hicken and members of the Guyana Police Force's Executive Leadership Team (ELT), recently visited Regional Police Division Six, where they along with other key officials addressed officers and ranks.
It was reported by the GPF that during the meeting which was held at the division's headquarters at Central Police Station in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Commissioner Hicken and Deputy Commissioners Ravindradat Budhram, Simon McBean and Wendell Blanhum, highlighted what is required of all members of the force in 2025 and beyond.
Delivering the feature address, the ‘Top Cop’ spoke of the force's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, stressing the
importance of its pillars to the overall development of the GPF.
Commissioner Hicken, who has led the charge and has been pivotal in fostering better police-community relationships, urged the ranks to engage residents of the various communities.
He pointed out that partnerships with members of the communities play a crucial role in helping to reduce robberies, murders and thefts and in creating a safer environment for all.
"With [community] partnerships, you should not have any robbery, you shouldn't have any murder [and] you shouldn't have any thieving," Commissioner Hicken posited.
"Police should not be staying at the stations no more. No
less [sic] than two police[sic] in the Enquiries Office; everybody else should be in the streets, in the communities talking and interacting with people," he emphasised.
As he did with the traffic and patrol ranks, the commissioner warned traffic ranks of Region Six to desist from stopping persons without their body cameras. He cautioned patrol ranks to desist from doing traffic work and to instead focus on looking for guns and drugs, and preventing crime.
Commissioner Hicken, while at the location, promoted two ranks, Constable James and Lance Corporal Ward, who now have the rank of corporal.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner McBean, during his
addres, urged officers and ranks to embrace and make full use of the personal development opportunities and the technological advancement ongoing within the force. This, he stressed, will only make their policing lives easier.
He reiterated what is expected of all police ranks and alluded to optimum performance, professionalism and accountability, stating that without those qualities the Guyana Police Force cannot be a proud organisation.
Echoing Deputy Commissioner McBean’s remarks, Deputy Commissioner Budhram also spoke to the ranks and officers, highlighting that the Guyana Police Force is on the path of developing each and every willing member of the force.
He called on them to embrace the opportunities which are now available to every member, to develop themselves personally and professionally. This, he stated, is important to their advancement and upward mobility in the force, stressing the fact that development comes with discipline.
"Upward mobility is very important to you. Each and every person in this force must develop themselves [academically, to advance in their career as policemen/women]," he charged.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasised the need for collaboration and unity among
police ranks and urged them to be a part of the solution, rather than abusing their authority as police officers.
Deputy Commissioner Blanhum urged the policemen and women of the region to be proactive in the fight against crime, saying, "It's always better to prevent a crime than to detect it." He called on the officers and ranks to ensure that justice reigns in the region.
"You are servants of the people. Justice should be for all," he said, and further stated, "We all share a common mission and we all share a common motto which is to serve and protect."
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Monday, January 13, 2025)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Clive Lloyd-11 Tests (2) Imran Khan-9 Tests
Today’s Quiz:
in a Test versus PAK to
(2) What is the highest partnership by a
pair in a Test against the WI to date?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Arteta paying price for not curing glaring Arsenal weakness
(BBC) - MIKEL Arteta is a manager with a reputation for meticulously exploiting the finest margins - but now Arsenal's season threatens to flounder because he left the most vital commodity of all to chance.
Arsenal's FA Cup thirdround exit to Manchester United on penalties was the painful sequel to Tuesday's damaging 2-0 home defeat by Newcastle United in the Ca-
rabao Cup semi-final first leg.
So many of Arsenal's problems, and why they trail Premier League pacesetters Liverpool by six points having played a game more, result from Arteta and the club's transfer strategy.
Arteta's acquisitions have reduced the Gunners to a blunt instrument when a lack of cutting edge was their biggest, most obvious weakness.
There are a variety of
responses, cynical or otherwise, that could be given to Arteta's claim that "from 1,000 games like this you should lose one. Unfortunately it was this one. You [Arsenal] deserve to win the game by a mile but the reality is we are out and that is the only thing that's going to be judged."
The simple answer is that Arsenal have been a team without a recognised striker
for some time, something Arteta has declined to address, choosing instead to strengthen other areas rather than their most pressing, obvious need.
And now, as they go out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, face an uphill fight to reach Wembley in the Carabao Cup and struggle to keep up with Liverpool in the title race, Arteta and Arsenal's failure to sign a goal-scorer
has been exposed.
Study the statistics from those past two defeats and the problem is written large.
In capital letters.
They had 23 shots with only three on target against Newcastle, and 26 with seven on target against Manchester United in 120 minutes. Of those 26, 22 came from inside the box - Arsenal having 55 touches in Manchester United's penalty area.
For all that, the only goal, in both of these games, came from defender Gabriel's deflected shot.
To underscore Arsenal's lack of potency, this came against a Manchester United team who played the last 29 minutes of normal time plus 30 minutes of extra time with only 10 men after defender Diogo Dalot was sent off for receiving a second yellow card.
Barcelona crush Real Madrid in supercup final
(BBC) - BARCELONA came from behind to beat Real Madrid in an incident-packed Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
Kylian Mbappe gave Real Madrid the lead with a fantastic solo goal, running from the halfway line before slotting past Wojciech Szczesny.
Lamine Yamal levelled for Barcelona in the 22nd minute with an expert finish into the bottom corner from Robert Lewandowski's ball.
Hansi Flick's side then took command with three more goals before the break.
Poland striker Lewandowski put Barca ahead with a penalty after Gavi was fouled, before a bullet header from Raphinha three
minutes later. The Brazilian winger then picked out Alex Balde to score a fourth in the 10th minute of added time in the first half.
Barca grabbed their fifth goal three minutes after the restart with Raphinha's second of the game.
But they had goalkeeper Szczesny sent off for a foul on Mbappe outside the box in the 56th minute.
Brazil forward Rodrygo curled the resulting freekick past replacement keeper Inaki Pena - but there was no further comeback from Real as Barca claimed the trophy for a 15th time in their history.
It marked the second time in two Clasicos under Flick that Barcelona have hit plenty of goals against their rivals, winning 4-0
at the Bernabeu in La Liga back in October.
It was also his first trophy - albeit a minor onesince a 2020-21 Bundesliga title success with Bayern Munich.
Who saw this one coming?
The result at King Abdullah Sports City was slightly surprising considering Real Madrid were the team in better form.
Barca have only won one of their last seven La Liga games and sit five points behind Real in the table – with Atletico Madrid top by one point.
Carlo Ancelotti's men,
meanwhile, had won their last five games in all competitions and were last beaten on 4 December.
Szczesny was making his third appearance for Barcelona, having waited months for a chance after coming out of retirement to sign earlier this season. He had kept clean sheets in the first two games but the straight red card, which could have potentially let Real back into the game, is now unlikely to do him any favours.
Former Leeds winger Raphinha's double takes him up to 19 goals for the season, with Lewandowski moving on to 26.
This was the third Clasico Super Cup in a row, with Barca winning 3-1 in 2023 and Real winning 4-1 last year.
Raphinha's double helped Barcelona to victory
Expert foreign coaches for national under-17 football team
THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has bolstered its Junior Jaguars U17 Boys Team ahead of the FIFA U17 Boys World Cup qualifiers in Costa Rica (February 7-16, 2025) by partnering with Spanish club Racing Madrid 1914 FC.
Marco Bonofiglio, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience as a player and coach, takes the helm as the new Head Coach. His impressive career includes leading teams to championships and mentoring players in Italy's Serie C system.
The partnership also introduces two key technical specialists.
Ahjton Roberts: A Strength and Conditioning Coach with over a decade of experience working with elite athletes. Roberts specialises in injury prevention and sport-specific training,
ensuring the team performs at its peak.
Dr. Steve Gennaro: A sports scientist and performance analyst with expertise in player development. Dr. Gennaro brings a wealth of knowledge from across North America and Europe, including his role as a visiting scholar at the University of Bologna focusing on soccer coaching research.
As part of the October 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Racing Madrid covers the salaries of these professionals. The GFF will manage travel and local costs for the technical team during the preparation camp in Guyana and throughout the competition in Costa Rica.
Both parties expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. Racing Madrid President Steve Nijjar highlighted their commitment to supporting the GFF and con -
tributing to the development of Guyanese football talent. GFF President Wayne Forde echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of knowledge transfer and fostering a lasting legacy for youth football development in Guyana.
Technical Director Bryan Joseph sees the partnership as a significant boost to the team's chances of success. He believes the expertise of Bonofiglio, Roberts, and Gennaro will leave a lasting impact on the Junior Jaguars and youth football in Guyana.
The GFF is confident that this strengthened team, combined with the ongoing collaboration with Racing Madrid, will propel the Junior Jaguars towards success in the upcoming qualifiers and contribute to the long-term development of Guyanese football.
Russell fails to save Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in Ilt20
CMC – ANDRE Russell scored a boundary laden cameo, but it was unable to prevent the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders from going down by seven wickets to the Desert Vipers in the second match of the International League T20 competition here on Sunday.
Russell blasted 30 from just 14 balls with three
sixes and two fours to help anchor the Knight Riders to 166 for five from 20 overs. His West Indies teammate Kyle Mayers scored just two opening the batting, while neither Jason Holder nor captain Sunil Narine got a chance with the bat.
Dan Lawrence then cracked 70 from 39 balls
and Sam Curran scored an unbeaten even half century to lift the Vipers to 168 for three off 18.4 overs.
Sherfane Rutherford finished unbeaten on nine from four balls.
Russell and Narine picked up one wicket apiece while Holder went wicketless in his three overs.
West Indies vs Pakistan warm-up match
…Athanaze, Imlach warm up with 50s as match drawn
ALICK Athanaze and Tevin Imlach both got useful knocks as the West Indies’ three-day tour match against the Pakistan Shaheens predictably ended in a draw here on Sunday.
Athanaze scored 58, his second half century of the match, and Imlach added 57, as the Windies declared their second innings on 177 for five, an overall lead of 311.
Mohammad Musa Khan was the pick of the Shaheens’ bowlers with 2-5 while Ali Raza took 2-32.
Mohammad Huraria then cracked a run-a-ball 80 and Umar Bin Yousaf chipped in with 25 and the Shaheens ended on 128 for two.
Jomel Warrican grabbed 2-23 for the Windies.
Earlier, the Shaheens declared on their overnight total of 212 for nine to give the visitors a first innings lead of 136.
Meanwhile the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a revamped Pakistan squad for their upcoming two-match Test series which bowls off next Friday in Multan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday named a 15-member squad that features seven changes to the team that was blanked 2-0 during their tour of South Africa last December.
The home side has bolstered their spin department, with Sajid Khan, who excelled in the home series against England, being recalled along with Abrar Ahmed.
Meanwhile, the pace quartet of Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza and Naseem Shah has been rested.
Rohail Nazir has also been brought in as a backup wicketkeeper after Haseebullah, the wicketkeeper-batter, sustained a split in his right-hand webbing during the Cape Town Test. Squad
PAKISTAN: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan and Salman Ali Agha.
In their place, uncapped Kashif Ali has been included in the squad, alongside Khurram Shahzad, who has been retained for the series. Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Huraira have been recalled to the squad as replacements for Saim Ayub, who was injured during the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town, and the out-of-form Abdullah Shafique.
Steve Gennaro Ahjton Roberts
Marco Bonofiglio
Andre Russell scored 30 in a losing cause for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20
Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open officially declared open
ARCHERY
Guyana proudly kicked off the highly anticipated 2024 Senior Barebow Open on over the weekend at the National Gymnasium.
The event was officially declared open by President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, who delivered inspiring opening remarks to the assembled athletes, officials, coaches, club representatives, sponsors, media and spectators.
In her address, President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon celebrated the unwavering dedication of Guyana’s archery community, stating, “Today we celebrate the skill, focus, and sportsmanship that define archery. This event highlights the
growth of barebow archery in Guyana and the dedication of our athletes who continue to elevate the sport. Whether they achieve victory or face challenges, their journey defines success.”
President Persaud-McKinnon also expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson, Director of Sport Mr. Steve Ninvalle, The National Sports Commission, Guyana Olympic Association President Godfrey Munroe and the Executive Committee, Samuel Arjoon of Guyana Beverages Inc which sponsored the event under the Oasis Water brand and members of the media for their invaluable support.
Following her remarks, Director of Shooting Mr. Ryan McKinnon introduced the officials, including Chairman of Judges Robert Singh, Judges Afzal Karim and Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, and the Results Team, led by Chair of the Technical Committee, Mr. Saeed Karim, along with Anopa Ramdial and Idrees Shakeem.
The competition commenced with an official equipment inspection, followed by 20 minutes of practice.
Athletes then proceeded to the ranking rounds, consisting of 20 ends of three arrows each, totaling 60 arrows.
Guyana Harpy Eagles warm-up match
– Savory XI win first game
THE Savory XI, on the back of a strong performance from the captain Kemol Savory, won the first trail match of the Guyana Harpy Eagles on Saturday evening at the National Stadium Providence.
Just two short of his fifty, captains Savory played a major role in bringing the side home along with support from Richie Looknauth who made 44* (46)
A failed top order including in which the first four wickets fell for 22 runs (Perez for 3, J. Persaud for 8, Z Ramsammy for 0 and A Persaud for 6), Savory and Looknauth settled the innings.
Eventually, Savory’s run was ended by and R. Latiff runout leaving Junior Sinclair and Looknauth to bring the game home.
keeping everyone connected to the unfolding action.
Yesterday’s final will also utilise the IANSEO software, allowing scores to be shared instantaneously, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for all of Guyana and abroad.
When they did resume, the side was on 96-4 with Sachin Singh on 34 and Rampertab Ramnauth on 16. Ramnauth was the first casualty of the day, despite being well set on 27 from 68 balls, he nicked an Isiash Thorne delivery to first slip.
Jonathon Van Lange followed up his unbeaten 41 in the first innings with an aggressive start; stroking his first ball from Lovell for a dismissive four before slapping leg-spinner Davanand Mathura for his second boundary.
However, when on 11 he fended a quick short ball from Thorne to gully as Chanderpaul’s X1 slipped to 133-6.
In the final innings, J. Jones and S. Tyndal picked up two wickets each. Earlier at the dinner break, the Chanderpaul X1 were dismissed for 164 after a rain affected start to the day.
For the first time, Archery Guyana is utilising the globally recognised IANSEO software for live scoring. This technology ensures immediate updates of results, offering real-time insights for athletes, coaches, and fans alike. Participants and spectators can access the live scores.
Singh held on to reach his fifty in 121 balls but failed to convert it to his advantage, being the first of two Junior Sinclair scalps in the same over, leaving via the LBW method.
Yeudister Persaud failed to score as two wickets fell at 140.
Jonathon Rampersaud (6) and Afraz Bodhoo carried the score to score to 164 before Sinclair struck again when bowled Rampersaud and had Joshua Jones caught at mid-off trying to go over the top as the three wickets fell without a run being scored.
Thorne (3-34) and Lovell who had 5-45 in the first innings, had 2-44 as Bodhoo was left unbeaten on 23 with four fours.
Chanderpaul, Matthew Nandu and Kevlon Anderson left on Friday for a CWI spin-bowling Camp in Antigua.
This system guarantees transparency and efficiency,
Athletes across Guyana demonstrated exceptional skill and composure in the ranking rounds.
The finals, scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday 12th January, 2025, promise thrilling performances as archers vie for top honours.
Archery Guyana invites the public to support and celebrate the growth of this incredible sport by attending the finals or following the live updates.
Mahaica Determinators, open GFF Elite League playoffs with win
THE Mahaica Determinators Football Club (FC) earned a commanding 4-1 victory in their opening match of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 2025 Season 7 Elite League Playoffs, advancing to the semi-finals.
The Determinators triumphed over Paradise Invaders FC with standout performances from Nicholas Daw (7), Travon Adams (10), and Julius Hamilton (28), denying the Invaders an opportunity to qualify for the upcoming season.
Travon Adams spearheaded the East Coast team’s attack at the Rosignol Community Centre Ground, netting twice in the first half. Adams’ first goal came in the 42nd minute, followed by another in the 44th minute, putting the Determinators firmly in control.
As the match progressed, Paradise Invaders’ hopes dwindled, despite Eric Calendar’s effort to get on the scoreboard for the Invaders in the 53rd minute. The Determinators
sealed their victory in the final minutes of the game, with Hamilton scoring in the 88th minute and Daw adding a goal in the 90th minute after coming off the bench.
The GFF Elite League Playoffs will continue tomorrow, January 12 at 3:00 PM with matches between Pele FC and Agricola Red Triangle, as well as Uitvulgt Warriors against Potaro Strikers FC. Both matches will be held at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground.
Action in the 2024 Senior Barebow Open
Guyana Harpy Eagles warm-up match
The three-day warm up match between West Indies and Pakistan Shaheens ended in a draw
Action from the first Guyana Harpy Eagles trial match at the National Stadium Providence (Japheth Savory photo)