WEDNESDAY 17th January, 2024
PRICE $100 VAT INCLUSIVE
No. 107326
Guyanese well positioned to build sustainable wealth SEE PAGE
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- through entrepreneurship, other lucrative opportunities, Dr. Singh says
‘The Federation acknowledges that the Budget, crafted under the theme ‘Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All’, has admirably attempted to address the diverse challenges experienced by various segments of the Guyanese population. This approach is encouraging, and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to listening to its people and their representatives’
‘The National Budget 2024, totalling G$1.146 trillion, emphasises strategic allocations to foster key sectors, and address fundamental needs… The National Budget 2024 is a testament to the government’s dedication to fostering economic growth, promoting social development, and ensuring the well-being of all Guyanese citizens’
‘By allocating an unprecedented G$1.1 trillion, the Association acknowledges the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and development in Guyana. The Association is particularly pleased with the emphasis placed on supporting the manufacturing sector, as this will undoubtedly create new opportunities for local businesses and contribute to job creation.’
Export earnings Private Sector stakeholders commend gov’t for projected to top G$3.871 proactive, forward-thinking Budget 2024 trillion this year FITUG: Budget 2024 places SEE PAGES
9,16,17
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- non-oil exports projected to expand by 21.4 per cent
Guyana on a firmer footing
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Nurse, Pretty Debideen: ‘The increase in the income tax threshold from $85,000 to $100,000 is something that will allow the working class of people to have something extra in their hands to take home. Public servants across the country should welcome this intervention to put more money in their pockets, and it is indeed a plus.’
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Guyanese well positioned to build sustainable wealth — through entrepreneurship, other lucrative opportunities, Dr Singh says By Trina Williams
TARGETED policies and careful planning have resulted in citizens being able to access and explore a plethora of new entrepreneurial opportunities that exist. This was according to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentation of Budget 2024 to the National Assembly, on Monday. Creating new avenues for Guyanese to have the ability to build and accumulate household income has been a focus of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) since being elected to office in 2020. The high demand for goods and services is a result of the fusion of the rapid expansion of both private and public investments, job creation and the increases in disposable income. Dr Singh explained: “Increased demand for goods and services means
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh
more business opportunities for both current and potential producers and suppliers.” Despite the narrow understanding in some circles, of how the massive infrastructural projects being undertaken could significantly create a better life for Guyanese, the senior minister said the enhancement of one’s asset value and household wealth will increase because of this. “…All of these invest-
ments translate immediately to increased asset value and balance-sheet enhancement for all householders in the communities concerned. Put simply, these public investments enhance private wealth “…We are building a Guyana where every single Guyanese family will be in a position to meet their most basic needs relative to a minimum threshold required to enjoy a decent life,” Dr
Singh remarked. He related, however, that one cannot function properly in the business world without adhering to and adopting the international manner in which businesses operate. “If we wish to be part of that system, we must adhere to those norms and practices too. This takes on even greater significance, if we wish to enter joint ventures and strategic partnerships with international coun-
terparts to take advantage of local content opportunities or, indeed, to do business with anybody else in the world,” Dr Singh said. As he echoed the universal call to end hunger, have quality healthcare, ample educational and skills-training opportunities, potable water and sanitation; and recreational facilities to support healthy living, the senior minister said that the threshold should be viewed with multi-dimensional lens and not narrow ones. Dr Singh related: “It goes without saying that our government’s entire policy agenda is built around ensuring that we put in place, capabilities across the sectors to deliver on all of these expectations. The most cursory of glances at our 2020 manifesto, and our annual budgets since we assumed office, would make this abundantly clear.” While deeming it long-term “economic empowerment,” the minister
spared no effort to underscore that the PPP/C Government is working assiduously to foster a Guyana where citizens will have the opportunity to establish, build and accumulate household wealth through their own efforts. In order to foster an environment like this, Dr Singh remarked that the government is aiming to eliminate barriers that are hindering Guyanese from attaining these new heights where entrepreneurial activities are abundant across all sectors of economic ventures. “In this regard, in this new Guyana, it will be imperative that our population becomes more entrepreneurial in its outlook, equipped to both identify and create opportunities, prepared to take calculated risks, and able to manage those risks and keep exposure within tolerable levels, while maximising returns,” Dr Singh stressed.
No overtaking allowed on Demerara Harbour Bridge
THE Management of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) says it has observed an increase
in vehicles overtaking during the standard twoway traffic crossing. “Management is remind-
ing drivers that this is a violation of Rule No. 4 of the Bridges’ Rules for Vehicular Traffic, which states: ‘No
ing or overtaking of vehicles shall be allowed on the bridge’. “This action has resulted
and major incidents on the bridge, as such, drivers and riders are urged to immediately stop this practice, and
unauthorised stopping, park-
in an increase in both minor
to observe the speed limit
and other rules and regulations.” “Failure to comply may result in a BAN from transiting the Bridge,” the DHBC said in a statement, which was released on Tuesday. Other rules to note are the DHB’s speed limit of 32 kilometers or 20 miles per hour, as well as the maximum weight limit allowed on the Bridge, 18 tonnes per normal crossing between 04:00hrs and 22:30 hrs, and 24 tonnes for special crossing between 22:30hrs and 05:30hrs. Drivers are urged to familiarise themselves with these rules, which can be accessed at https://harbourbridge.gov.gy/bridgerules
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Export earnings projected to top $3.871 trillion this year — non-oil exports projected to expand by 21.4 per cent
By Navendra Seoraj CONSECUTIVE years of significant growth in the country’s output is expected to be followed by yet another year of success, as it has been projected that total export receipts could grow by 41.9 per cent to US$18.703 billion (approximately G$3.871 trillion) over the next 12 months. A robust expansion in both oil and non-oil earnings is expected to drive this growth, according to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh during his presentation of the milestone $1.146 trillion Budget 2024 to the National Assembly, on Monday. Non-oil exports, according to Dr. Singh, are projected to expand by 21.4 per cent due to expected growth in key sectors, especially rice, gold, and bauxite. Last year, earnings from non-oil exports amounted to an estimated US$1.550 billion, growing by 8.7 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in 2022, reflecting growth in commodities such as sugar, rice, and bulk alcohol, offsetting the lower earnings received from the gold and bauxite sectors. Total export earnings grew by 16.9 per cent in 2023 to an estimated US$13.182
billion, reflecting higher earnings from both the oil and non-oil sectors. In the oil sector, export earnings are estimated to have grown by 18 per cent to US$11.631 billion, with an estimated 40.2 per cent increase in export volume. Moving ahead, according to Dr. Singh: “Focus will be kept on developing a conducive environment to boost Guyana’s trade in both the import and export of goods and services. The main and key objective of Guyana’s trade policy remains the maintenance of our traditional markets while
at the same time accessing new non-traditional markets with value-added diversified products produced by Guyanese and foreign investors in Guyana.” He said Guyana remains an active participant in the multilateral system at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the nation is among the few countries that have successfully implemented the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, which aims to enable quick and seamless trade across customs border posts, and contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and
clearance of goods, including goods in transit. “The implementation of this Agreement by Guyana will lead to increased trade volumes across the customs border points, and also help enhance Guyana’s ease of doing business outlook to potential investors,” Dr. Singh said. He further affirmed: “Advocating for increased and improved market access for Guyana’s products into regional markets through identification and removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers remains a priority policy agenda.”
Driven by critical investments and prudent management by the Government of Guyana, the country recorded significant economic growth of 33 per cent last year, with “stronger-than-expected” expansion in non-oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 11.7 per cent, Dr. Singh said. “The expansion of the overall real economy in 2023 can be largely attributed to continued growth in oil and gas activity, with the notable achievement of first oil at the new floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel, Prosperity, in November,” he said.
A d d i t i o n a l l y, w h i l e growth in the non-oil economy was mainly driven by expansions in the construction and services sectors, notable increases were also observed in all subsectors within agriculture, forestry, and fishing and manufacturing, as well as in the other mining and quarrying sub-sector. “…Our government’s policies continue to be focused on supporting growth in the traditional pillars of the economy, while managing the oil and gas sector effectively,” Dr. Singh said. Owing to continued focus on traditional and non-oil sectors, growth in this area is expected to reach 11.9 per cent next year. Overall, Guyana’s economy is set to expand at an even faster pace in 2024, with real GDP growth projected at 34.3 per cent. “Once realised, this will represent the fifth consecutive year in which the Guyanese economy will be growing at more than 20 per cent, and will result in Guyana growing at an annual average of 38.8 per cent over that five-year period. The projected expansion this year can be primarily attributed to further increases in oil production as the Prosperity FPSO ramps up its operations,” Dr. Singh said.
$967.8M budgetted for corn, soya bean production this year
THE government has set aside the sum of $967.8 million in 2024 to further boost the capacity of the Tacama facility, which will include the installation of a conveyor system. This aligns with Guyana’s unwavering support for the production and expansion of corn and soya beans. Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh made the announcement during his Budget 2024 presentation at the 71st Sitting of the Nation-
ration with the private sector to roll out a development programme for corn and soya bean in the intermediate savannahs has been very successful,” the senior finance minister highlighted. Over the last three years, the government spent more than $1.4 billion to develop the infrastructure within the Tacama area to meet the region’s production and cultivation goals.
Production of corn and soya bean
al Assembly on Monday.
“Government’s collabo-
Guyana is poised to become self-sufficient in the production of all of its live-
stock feed by 2025, thereby reducing its dependency on imports, as approximately 10,000 acres of corn and soya bean were produced in 2023. Moreover, the cost of meat, especially poultry and other meats, will be reduced tremendously. Importantly, the production target for corn and soya bean production is 26,000 acres for the end of 2024, and 30,000 acres by the end of 2025. The Tacama access road was completed, along with the installation of the drying
and storage facilities. An access wharf is currently under construction at Tacama, with completion anticipated in 2024. In 2023, four major private producers cultivated approximately 10,000 acres of corn and soya bean. “I am happy to report that in 2024, three additional major investors will enter the market, and together expand cultivation to 26,000 acres,” Minister Singh further announced. (DPI)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
2023 confirmed as world’s hottest year on record
THE year 2023 has been confirmed as the warmest on record, driven by human-caused climate change, and boosted by the natural El Niño weather event. Last year was about 1.48C warmer than the long-term average before humans started burning large amounts of fossil fuels, the EU's climate service says. Almost every day, since July, has seen a new global air temperature high for the time of year, BBC analysis shows. Sea surface temperatures have also smashed previous highs. The Met Office reported last week that the UK experienced its second warmest year on record in 2023. These global records are bringing the world closer to breaching key international
climate targets. "What struck me was not just that 2023 was record-breaking, but the amount by which it broke previous records," notes Andrew Dessler, a professor of atmospheric science at Texas A&M University. The margin of some of these records is "really astonishing", Prof. Dessler says, considering they are averages across the whole world. It's well known that the world is much warmer now than 100 years ago, as humans keep releasing record amounts of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. But 12 months ago, no major science body actually predicted 2023 being the hottest year on record, because of the complicated way in
which the Earth's climate behaves. During the first few months of the year, only a small number of days broke air temperature records. UNBROKEN STREAK But the world then went on a remarkable, almost unbroken streak of daily records in the second half of 2023. More than 200 days saw a new daily global temperature record for the time of year, according to BBC analysis of Copernicus Climate Change Service data. This recent temperature
boost is mainly linked to the rapid switch to El Niño conditions, which has occurred on top of long-term human-caused warming. El Niño is a natural event where warmer surface waters in the East Pacific Ocean release additional heat into the atmosphere. But air temperatures have been boosted unusually early on in this El Niño phase, the full effects of which had not been expected until early 2024, after El Niño had reached maximum strength. This has left many sci-
entists unsure about exactly what is going on with the climate. "That raises a bunch of really interesting questions of why 2023 was so warm," notes Zeke Hausfather, a climate scientist at Berkeley Earth, a science organisation in the US. Another notable feature of 2023’s warmth is that it has been felt pretty much worldwide. Almost all of the globe was warmer than recent 19912020 levels, a period that was itself nearly 0.9C warmer than before humans started burning large amounts of fossil fuels in the late 1800s. This record global warmth has helped to worsen many extreme weather events across large parts of the world in 2023, from intense heatwaves and wildfires across Canada and the US, to prolonged drought and then flooding in parts of east Africa. Many occurred on scales far beyond those seen in recent times, or at unusual points of the year. "These are more than just statistics," says Prof. Petteri Taalas, the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation between 2016 and 2023. "Extreme weather is destroying lives and livelihoods on a daily basis," he said. The temperature of the air is only one measure of the Earth's rapidly changing climate. Also in 2023: • Antarctic sea-ice hit a "mind-blowing" low, with Arctic sea-ice also below average. • Glaciers in western North America and the European Alps experienced an extreme melt season, adding to sea-level rise. • The world's sea surface hit its highest recorded temperature amid multiple marine heatwaves, including the North Atlantic. In fact, the world's ocean surface has been on an unbro-
ken streak of record-breaking days since 4 May, BBC analysis of Copernicus data shows. As the chart below illustrates, many days have seen records broken by a huge margin. 2024 AND BEYOND The year 2024 could be warmer than 2023 - as some of the record ocean surface heat escapes into the atmosphere - although the "weird" behaviour of the current El Niño means it's hard to be sure, Dr. Hausfather says. It raises the possibility that 2024 may even surpass the key 1.5C warming threshold across the entire calendar year for the first time, according to the UK Met Office. Nearly 200 countries agreed in Paris in 2015 to try to limit warming to this level, to avoid the worst effects of global warming. It refers to long-term averages over 20 or 30 years, so a year-long breach in 2024 wouldn't mean the Paris agreement had been broken. But it highlights the concerning direction of travel, with each hot year bringing the world closer to passing 1.5C over the longer term. Human activities are behind this long-term global warming trend, even though natural factors like El Niño can raise or reduce temperatures for individual years, and the temperatures experienced in 2023 go far beyond simply natural causes. "2023 was an exceptional year, with climate records tumbling like dominoes," concludes Dr Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This latest warning comes shortly after the COP28 climate summit, where countries agreed for the first time on the need to tackle the main cause of rising temperatures - fossil fuels. While the language of the deal was weaker than many wanted - with no obligation for countries to act - it's hoped that it will help to build on some recent encouraging progress in areas like renewable power and electric vehicles. This can still make a crucial difference to limit the consequences of climate change, researchers say, even though the 1.5C target looks likely to be missed. "Even if we end up at 1.6C instead, it will be so much better than giving up and ending up close to 3C, which is where current policies would bring us," says Dr Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London. "Every tenth of a degree matters." (BBC)
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Budget 2024 accelerating Guyana’s development
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- Ministers confident of fiscal package
Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat THE projected budget for 2024 is expected to continue fostering the ongoing growth in all sectors of Guyana's economy, ultimately leading to an improvement in the quality of life for all Guyanese citizens. Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, who underscored that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is always committed to honouring its promises made to the people, said that this year’s budget is consistent with that objective. She made these remarks during a panel discussion with several other ministers on Tuesday. “It’s been financed with no new taxes, and so I know the opposition will come to parliament next week when the debates start to claim that they are a people-centred party, but what we have to remind them a lot of the measures that we have put in place in budget 2024 and in the previous budgets are people-centred,” she said. Backing this up with proof, the minister highlighted the ‘Because We Care’ grant, which, along with the uniform grant, has seen an allocation of $8.1 billion this year. Furthermore, she affirmed that the government's implemented initiatives are intended to enhance the well-being of the entire Guyanese population. Placing emphasis on her sector, the minister remarked that the rapid development that is oc-
curring in the sector will continue. A budget of $78 billion has been allocated for the purpose of supporting the advancement of housing infrastructure in the year 2024. “Housing is one of those ministries that people talk about a lot because of its major impact on people’s lives and it’s a very critical ministry; and we are producing those transformational effects on people’s lives,” she stressed. The minister further stated that this year, house lot allocations will continue as the government progresses on the path of delivering 10,000 lots annually. As it pertains to water, since assuming office, the PPP/C Administration has increased hinterland water supply from 46 per cent, in 2020 to 86 per cent in 2023. The upgrading of the 12 existing water-treatment plants will also be completed in 2024, along with the substantial completion of seven new water-treatment plants. An amount of $22.5 billion has been earmarked for the purpose of upgrading and extending water-supply systems. “The budget allocation is to ensure that we deliver on these projects with our objectives in both the housing and water sectors,” Rodrigues said. Furthermore, deeming budget 2024 “historic,” Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, said that the advancement of citizens’ lives is projected in this year’s fiscal plan.
Minister within the Minister of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues He pointed out how the gas-to-energy project, which has a budget of $80 billion for 2024, will enhance Guyana. “ T h e g a s - t o - e n e rgy project will reduce the cost of living in this country and advance and improve the standard of living of our people, simply by reducing the cost of power generation,” the minister said. DEVELOPMENT The Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, highlighted the “massive transformation” that is being facilitated in the 2024 budget. Apart from the measures that are being put in place to benefit men, women, children, and the vulnerable, he said that 2023 did not disappoint for the agricultural sector, and 2024 will continue this tremendous growth. A sum of $97.6 billion has been earmarked for the advancement of agriculture. “This sector is poised to take off. This year we are looking to construct
the first food hub in the Caribbean in Guyana, where Guyana will be a distribution point…” he said, while stressing that this will aid in the goal of reducing the food- import bill by 25 per cent by 2025. “This came about because of the government’s vision and investment in terms of driving the agriculture sector,” he said, while emphasising the fact that Guyana is leading the agricultural system in the Caribbean. Touching more on the sub-sectors within agriculture, the minister said that sugar has seen a 28 per cent growth spurt. This is significant since sugar was neglected under the previous administration. In 2017, the former APNU+AFC Coalition Government had announced the closure of several sugar estates across the country, leaving thousands of persons without jobs or sources of income. The move saw four sugar estates being
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha closed and over 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs. The Rose Hall Estate, prior to its closure, was “home” to some 2,500 sugar workers, but 1,181 of those were retrenched. The remaining workers from the Rose Hall Estate were transferred to Blairmont Estate over in West Coast Berbice and Albion Estate on the Corentyne. Guyana, in the past, had depended heavily on revenue from sugar, which was one of the country’s largest income earners, until it started
“drowning” in debt. The industry became insolvent mainly because the cost of production was higher than the market price for the commodity. It was reported in the past that GuySuCo produced sugar at an average cost of US$0.35 per pound, while world market prices have averaged US$0.16 per pound. Although the sugar industry has been considered a liability for years, the PPP administration is hoping to “lift the industry from the ashes.”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Wheel of development continues to turn
BUDGET 2024 was presented to the National Assembly on Monday, January 15, by Senior Minister of Finance with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh. This is the fifth budget presentation by the PPP/C since it assumed office on August 2020 and the fourth by Dr. Singh who commenced his tenure as Senior Finance Minister in November, 2020. This year's budget is by far the largest in the country's history. It will be recalled that last year's budget was $791.1 billion which was constructed under the theme 'Improving Lives Today, Building Prosperity for Tomorrow. That budget saw critical development programmes
being fast-tracked and many more expanded to reflect the PPP/C's administration transformational agenda for the country. The full financial and fiscal impact of this year's allocation is better appreciated when seen against the backdrop of last year's budget which was 41.4 per cent larger than the previous year. This year's Budget is historical in a number of ways. For the first time in the country's history the Budget Estimates surpassed the one trillion mark. Estimated at $1.146 trillion, this represented a 46.6 per cent increase over the previous year. It is the largest fiscal package the country has ever witnessed in its bud-
getary history. Indeed, all the sectors of the economy, especially the social sectors, will see unprecedented increases in their respective allocations. Take the health sector as an example. A sum of $129.8 billion has been earmarked for that sector which is significantly more than the combined allocation for the entire five-year period under the previous APNU+AFC regime. A noticeable pattern of expenditure can be seen in a number of other areas such as education, housing, water and Infrastructural development. The housing sector has been allocated $78.6 billion, human services and social security $48.3 billion; the income tax thresh-
old has been expanded to $100,000 monthly and oldage pension will go up effective January 2024 by an additional $3,000 dollars to $36,0000 per month, a 75 per cent increase since the election of the PPP/C administration in 2020. These do not represent the full picture of sectoral allocations but they do provide a broad perspective on the human aspect of the PPP/C's approach to development which is basically people-oriented and pro-poor. As pointed out by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, all these measures are aimed at increasing disposable income, putting more money in the pockets of people, bolstering income for vulnerable groups and
improving the system of services and governance. Significant allocations were also set aside for employment generation under the part-time employment programme which has been making a significant impact on disposable income especially among the marginalised households and groups. This year's budget is indeed a budget for all, one in the words of President Ali that 'will improve the lives of each and every single Guyanese citizen. This is Budget 2024, a budget that will address today's priorities and also set the stage for tomorrow. The political opposition, as customary, will no doubt seek to find ways of finding fault with aspects
of the estimates, but as noted by Dr. Ashni Singh, the government is committed to sound policies for longterm sustainability and will not compromise the well-being of the country and its people on the altar of expediency or populism. The PPP/C administration must be commended for being able to mobilize critical developmental finance to transform and modernize the economy and for laying a solid foundation for sustainable development and continuing prosperity for all, consistent with the overarching budget theme of 'Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All.
The AFC has vindicated my contentions
Dear Editor,
MY attention was drawn to the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) press statement dated January 13, 2024, on their Facebook page with the caption… “AFC response to PPC Commissioner Bhagwandin.” The AFC was referring to my letter that was published in the Stabroek News edition of January 11, 2024, in relation to the Akamai matter. Once again, the AFC’s statement is fraught with inaccuracies. First and foremost, let me clarify that I did not attack my colleague, whom the AFC identifies as
an AFC-nominated commissioner. I merely pointed out the fact. It would appear that the AFC has great difficulty accepting, comprehending, and appreciating the fact that the commissioner whom they (AFC) refer to as an AFC-nominated commissioner, is no longer an AFC-nominated commissioner. Matter-of-factly, the said commissioner is a duly appointed constitutional officer (commissioner) of the Public Procurement Commission (the commission) in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana. Readers would recall that
I had intimated that the AFCaligned commissioner may have been subjecting herself to political influence by the AFC, inter alia, executing the AFC’s political instructions at the commission. As such, I drew reference to Article 212W (2) which states: “The commission shall be independent, impartial, and shall discharge its functions fairly.” Therefore, the commissioners ought to discharge their duties independently and free from political influence. Towards this end, the AFC has now vindicated my contentions and observations, by way of implicating my colleague, whom they
consistently refer to as an AFC commissioner. Let me demonstrate hereunder. In the penultimate paragraph of the AFC’s statement, the AFC contends: “[a]s asserted by Commissioner Bhagwandin that the AFC has a special interest in Akamai and not in Motiram’s case, this is proven by the email excerpts to be a grand lie, since Commissioner Rajcumar did object to the PPC’s summary of findings for both Motiram and Akamai case on similar grounds.” Whose position is the AFC referring to? Are they (the AFC) adopting a commissioner’s position as their
own, who ought to be independent? Visibly, there is no separation between the AFC, a political entity, and commissioner Rajcumar, an independent constitutional officer. For absolute clarity, the AFC never publicly expressed a problem with the case of Motiram, nor did they represent the case of Motiram, as they did in the case of Akamai within the public domain. The public records would corroborate this fact. Henceforth, I shall leave this up to the general public to form their own conclusion. To the credit of commissioner Rajcumar, howev-
er, I should mention that at least for the first year since we were sworn in as commissioners of the PPC, she functioned independently, impartially, and fairly. She had always taken principled positions on matters. It was only in recent months that my colleague’s disposition observably departed from her usually principled and cogent articulations. With that in mind, let me now address the inaccuracies in the AFC’s statement by outlining the sequence of events. The AFC cited commissioner Rajcumar’s statement via email to the other Continued on page 7
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
The AFC has vindicated my... From page 6
commissioners on December 14 and 29 respectively as follows: “I have perused the report prepared. Unfortunately, I do not know what was the methodology used to compile the report. Internally, an investigation policy and procedure was developed by the Legal Department which has not been adopted as yet. I have stated my support for the said procedure which thoroughly outlines the steps to follow to conduct an investigation, including a step for interviews with parties involved. “Firstly, all contracts over G$15M are awarded by NPTAB, and as such they are required to provide the commission with all the requested information. Secondly, the copy of an evaluation report without all the supporting documents is not sufficient to make a determination as to the validity of this award - if there was an error in the preparation of the evaluation report as questioned by Mr. Motiram. This can only be discovered by a full examination of the supporting documents as to confirm the findings in the evaluation report. Complainants come to the commission expecting that we would impartially examine their claims. “Therefore, reporting what is contained in the NPTAB report without fully verifying the details is, in my
opinion, doing a disservice to the complainant. As such, I cannot agree with the report findings. I suggest that we contact the complainant through written / oral interview to ascertain that what we received from NPTAB is what he submitted. In light of the foregoing, I am unable to support and append my signature to this report”. “I have stated my opinion via emails and in the last Statutory meeting re Motiram summary of findings that the complainant, as a party, be engaged to corroborate on the findings in an investigation, hence to go beyond relying on NPTAB's report, since [the] PPC has an oversight function in the procurement process. I maintain this position with regard to Akamai's summary of findings as I have stated before via email, hereunder that Akamai be engaged to collaborate on documents re NPTAB submission. For that reason, I do not agree with the Summary of Findings”. It is imperative to note what the sequence of events were that preceded the emails cited above. In this regard, after receiving all of the documentations for review from the relevant agencies on November 1, 2023, the technical staff of the secretariat proceeded to conduct the Administrative Review, following which the reports were submitted to the commission for consideration. Subsequently,
all of the commissioners had the opportunity to review same prior to determining the matter. At the commission’s 56th meeting held on December 1, 2023; three of the five commissioners had completed their reviews. Thus, the reports of the secretariat were adopted by the said commissioners, save and except for myself and commissioner Rajcumar, as we had not yet completed reviewing the reports therefor. Consequently, the commission requested that both commissioners Rajcumar and myself complete our reviews and submit our comments or objections by December 5, 2023, via email. It was via email that I submitted that I concurred with the report. On December 5, 2023, Commissioner Rajcumar indicated via email: “I have reviewed the evaluation criteria # 10, re reason for non-responsive bidder and while a previous contract was not provided, there was a detailed spreadsheet which listed several contracts which were completed.In this context, I cannot determine what is "documentary evidence" and would rely on the legal department to interpret same.” In response to the above from Commissioner Rajcumar, she was reminded that the bid nonetheless failed on two grounds; hence, she was asked to state her position on the second ground.
In response, on December 6, 2023, Commissioner Rajcumar indicated via email: “Reference to criteria #17, there was no letter in the files which came from NPTAB, so that indicates that the bidder failed criteria # 17.” At this point, the Akamai and Motiram matter was considered closed having been fully considered by all of the commissioners. The next step that followed was to inform the complainants of the commission’s findings and recommendations, to which draft letters were circulated and all five commissioners, including Commissioner Rajcumar indicated their no-objection to the letters. In keeping with the decision of the commission, two summary reports on the findings were drafted to be uploaded onto the commission's website. It was the draft reports on the findings, which came after the matters were fully considered and closed, that Commissioner Rajcumar sought to virtually reopen the cases, viz-á-viz, her emails on December 14, 2023, which preceded the commission's meeting on December 15th, 2023, followed by a reiteration via email on December 29, 2023, as noted above. The contents expressed in these emails were completely new objections and effectively a new position by my colleague that was never
brought up for deliberation prior to the closure of both cases (Akamai and Motiram) on December 6, 2023. This was astounding. In relation to my colleague’s contention via email on December 14, 2023 (cited above), there are two points of correction that should be noted. Firstly, NPTAB does not award contracts above $15 million, it is the procuring entities that award all contracts. NPTAB conducts the evaluation and makes recommendations, which the procuring entities can object to, if it does not agree with the evaluation committee’s recommendations. In this case, pursuant to Section 39 (3) of the Procurement Act (Cap. 73:05) the procuring entities: “… shall issue an advisory recommendation to the Evaluation Committee regarding which bidder should be the lowest-evaluated bidder, which recommendation the evaluation committee shall observe”. Secondly, the commissioner contends that she was unaware of the methodology in the preparation of the reports. I am not sure how this could be possible. Paragraphs [15] to [17] of the report on the “summary of findings” outlined the methodology. Separately, the commissioner’s point of view on the draft document prepared by the legal department is noted, but that has not yet been adopted, because other commissioners provided their inputs which have to be incorporated into the document by the legal
department. Additionally, I have noted an article in the Stabroek News edition of January 14, 2024, in respect of the Akamai matter, whereby reportedly the Chief Executive Officer of the Hinterland Electrification Company, Mr. Horace Williams, sought to implicate the Prime Minister, Hon. Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, by referring Stabroek News to the Prime Minister. To this end, the “excuse” provided by the CEO is unacceptable, given that the procuring entity is duly and equally accountable together with NPTAB, pursuant to Section 39 (3) of the Procurement Act as previously referenced. In view of the foregoing, I would like to urge the AFC to desist from seeking to influence the work of the commission by allowing their nominated commissioner to function independently. Moreover, the AFC is reminded that the commission is ultimately required to report to the National Assembly, wherein the executives of the AFC are Members of Parliament. The National Assembly is the appropriate forum to scrutinise the commission’s work by the politicians on both sides of the house. And, wherever legislative deficiencies are identified, then that becomes a matter for the legislature to remedy. Yours respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin Commissioner, PPC
Kishore Ram, a 35-yearold labourer of Cummings Lodge; 29-year-old Munesh Ram, also of Cummings Lodge; and 21-year-old Mi-
guel Gomes of Hyde Park, Timehri. According to the police report, Gomes was found in a camp and took the police to the field, where he was planting narcotics, all of which were destroyed along with the camp. A nursery containing a quantity of seedlings, which amounted to around 1000 plants, was found and destroyed, and a quantity of dried cannabis was found in the camps where the other three suspects were arrested. Moreover, the cannabis found in the camp with the other suspects was weighed
and amounted to 1700 grams. The total plants found amounted to approximately 5,000 plants. Several of these plants were uprooted and taken as exhibits. At present, the four suspects have been placed in custody, pending charges. The operation, led by an Assistant Superintendent from Special Branch and comprising several ranks from Regional Division 4B, resulted in the discovery of well-cultivated narcotic plants ranging from two feet to three feet in height, on eight fields measuring 100x200 square feet.
Yarrowkabara marijuana fields destroyed, four arrested
Camps found in Yarrowkabara before they were destroyed
IN an operation led by the police and guided by intelligence, four individuals were arrested on Monday. The operation, which lasted from 04:00hrs to 11:30hrs,
occurred in Yarrowkabara backlands, situated off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Along with the four arrests, eight fields of cannabis sativa (marijuana) plants
were also discovered. The four persons who were arrested are: 25-yearold Fayon Reeves, a farmer of Circuit Road, Timehri;
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Here is what 2023 should teach every post-colonial human
I BEGIN this essay with two absorbing statements that people in the post-colonial world should internalise and lodge deep within the walls of their collective psyche. Top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi told South Koreans and Japanese at an international conference that ethnic genetics make it impossible for them to look like Caucasians and they should know where their roots are. Indian Foreign Minister, Dr. Jaishankar in an interview, said: "Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe's problems are the world's problems, but the world's problems are not Europe's problems." All the young people in the post-colonial period who are going to become policy-makers in their countries need to carry these two statements in their head forever. Russia, situated in Europe, invaded a country that the European powers felt created instabilities in Europe, so they asked the entire world to condemn and sanction Russia. The developing
world was not impressed and maybe could have come around to ostracising Russia. But then Gaza threw a monkey wrench in the works. Gaza came and Europe told the world Gaza is not a European situation but an Arab issue. Genocide has been committed in Gaza, but the Europeans have supported Israel. European leaders tripped over each other to reach Israel to hug and assure a Prime Minister of a county with just 8,000 square miles and nine million people. And a Prime Minister facing criminal charges for corruption. But Europe wants the Global South to sanction one of the great historical nations of 147 million, whose land space is the largest in the world and has been a historic friend to the colonially subjugated nations of European colonialism. That country is Russia. Have the billions in the Global South learnt from the Gaza genocide? Commonsense should guide the peoples of the Global South after the year 2023. That year has passed into history but
that year will forever remain a crucial year in the modern history of the world of the awakening of the peoples of the post-colonial world. Genocide in Gaza and the insensitivity to it by all, not most, but all the countries in the West, including Ireland, whom we expected better from, should teach the peoples of the Global South that they have to look after their own interests because that is the way of life in international affairs. The Germans and the US have led the way in supporting Israel and they have done that because it is in the interests of the US and Germany. The Americans have a
silicone explanation for its forever embrace of Israel – it is in the interest of American national security. The Germans have said that Germany has a special instinct in protecting Israel because of Germany’s genocidal treatment of the Jews. But such a statement is pregnant with inhuman thoughts. If Germany has a social, protective hand over Israel, does that allow Germany to condone the every process from which sprang that protective mentality – the act of genocide? If any country should have rushed to condemn Israel’s genocidal urges it should have been Germany after Germa-
ny’s perpetration of genocide against the Jews and the Namibian people. There is a disturbing situation that is occurring in Canada at the moment. Canada has put an enormous amount of requirements on Gazans applying for refugee status. Commentators say that the criteria are designed to make it impossible to secure approval. But Ukrainian refugees are pouring into Canada. And there are absolutely no impossible criteria. Ukrainian refugees by the millions have poured into Western countries and are readily accepted but not people from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq, where the West had
resources. During a year-end interview, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, acknowledged the evolving nature of threats, pointing out the need for a proactive response to safeguard Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stated: “As we grow, the threats are going to become more sophisticated, and the criminals are going to become more sophisticated.” It is for this reason, he said, that budget 2024 will reflect the increase in these planned investments. President Ali stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach, stating: “Those are important investments that we’re
making. But also, critical training and other hardware equipment, cybersecurity, all of this will see extended expenditure in security.” President Ali highlighted the interconnected nature of economic growth and security challenges. “Not only will the economy become more sophisticated, but the type of criminals we will have operating in the economic space of Guyana will be far more sophisticated,” he added. President Ali underscored the significance of building institutional capacity, training human resources, and advancing a holistic security architecture tailored for the current and emerging challenges. “Investing in technology and building our institu-
military operations in which dozens of millions were displaced. Are the people from the Global South blind to these double standards? So where does the Global South go after the tragic year of 2023. It can only go in one direction. The route that maximises the interests of the Global South. The post-colonial world has been shown by the colossal tragedy of Gaza in 2023 that it has to formulate its own policies that serve the needs of the peoples of the South and not to surrender even for a fleeting moment to dictates of the West. Gaza showed in 2023 that the West cannot be and will never be a standard bearer for humanitarian justice, philosophical truths, and democratic endurance. The West failed the world in 2023 and is arrogant, unapologetic and barefaced about the protection of its interest. One would like to think as I wrote in my caption yesterday that Gaza in 2023 has changed the world forever.
$42.2B budgetted to enhance Defence Force capabilities
TO boost Guyana’s defence capabilities, the government has allotted $42.2 billion to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for increased investments in both material and human resources. The funds allocated in Budget 2024 aim to bolster technical capacity, and facilitate the acquisition or upgrading of assets across various sectors of the security apparatus. Key focus areas include expansion of the air wing, maritime assets, and Coast Guard capabilities, reflecting the government's commitment to comprehensive defence measures. Capital expenditure details revealed a multifaceted approach, with $1.8 billion earmarked for the upgrading of buildings,
To boost Guyana’s defence capability, the government has allotted $42.2 billion to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for investments in both material and human resources
$1.5 billion allocated for marine development, and $500 million dedicated to providing essential vehicles, boats, and engines. Additionally, a notable $16.2 billion has been set aside for defence-support initiatives, emphasising
international collaboration with India. Guyana's deepening military cooperation with India encompasses a range of activities, fostering an integrated relationship spanning technology, equipment, and human
tional capacity are essential components of our security strategy,” President Ali said. The administration’s commitment extends beyond conventional defence measures, with a keen focus on cybersecurity to counter the growing threat of cybercrimes. The Head of State explained that as Guyana continues to position itself for sustained development, it must be acknowledged that a secure environment is pivotal to attracting investments and fostering economic growth. He dismissed any assertions that Guyana harbours “aggressive” intentions and assured stakeholders that the focus is on safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
PSC on Budget 2024: A boost for growth, infrastructure, and well-being — Invests in a brighter future for every citizen
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has lauded the Guyanese government for its ambitious and timely National Budget 2024, a landmark fiscal plan totaling a record-breaking 1.146 trillion Guyana Dollars. This budget, the largest in the nation's history, underscores the government's commitment to propelling economic growth, fostering development, Below is a statement issued by the PSC: The Private Sector Commission commends the Government of Guyana on the timely delivery and declaration of the National Budget 2024, a landmark fiscal plan totaling 1.146 trillion Guyana Dollars. This budget represents the largest allocation in the nation's history and showcases the government's commitment to fostering economic growth and development. Key highlights of the budget include the impres-
sive 33 per cent growth in Guyana's real economy in 2023, coupled with an 11.7 per cent expansion in the non-oil sector. The Private Sector Commission acknowledges the government's dedication to economic diversification and sustainability. The National Budget 2024, totaling 1.146 trillion
Guyana Dollars, emphasises strategic allocations to foster key sectors and address fundamental needs. Notably, the agriculture sector receives a substantial 97.6 billion Guyana Dollars, focusing on revitalisation through significant investments in drainage and irrigation infrastructure to boost productivity
and enhance food security. The commitment to infrastructural development is evident with 204.1 billion Guyana Dollars allocated for upgrading roads and bridges, reflecting continuous dedication to improving transportation networks and river transport, positively impacting trade and connectivity. The Private Sector Commission commends the government's commitment to promoting small businesses through measures such as reducing interest rates on loans lower than 5 million Guyana Dollars. The replenishment of the Small Business Development Fund is crucial for supporting small business growth. Additionally, the removal of VAT on technology and the increase in the income tax threshold to GY$100,000 will contribute to increased disposable income, fostering economic resilience and growth. The government's
commendable allocation of 129.8 billion Guyana Dollars to the health sector is anticipated to enhance healthcare services, contributing to the overall well-being of the Guyanese population. The budget's emphasis on housing, water, and waste management development reflects a holistic approach to addressing citizens' fundamental needs. The Private Sector Commission appreciates the substantial allocation for social services, Amerindian, and hinterland development, recognising the importance of inclusive growth across all regions of Guyana. Furthermore, fiscal measures such as maintaining zero excise tax on fuel, extending the application to freight cost adjustment, and implementing measures to alleviate the impact of the cost of living demonstrate the government's responsiveness to the needs of every Guyanese. Furthermore, the budget
launches the initial phase of eliminating outstanding university student loans. Notable enhancements encompass a minimum pension increase to $43,075 and an option for eligible contributors aged 60 to receive a one-off grant, subject to stipulations and increasing the income tax threshold from $85,000 to $100,000 per month. These measures underscore the government's dedication to citizens' financial security. In conclusion, the National Budget 2024 is a testament to the government's dedication to fostering economic growth, promoting social development, and ensuring the well-being of all Guyanese citizens. The Private Sector Commission looks forward to collaborating with the government in realising these ambitious initiatives and contributing to the continued prosperity of Guyana.
GMSA commends gov’t for proactive, forward-thinking Budget 2024 THE Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has commended the Government of Guyana for its proactive and forward-thinking plans presented in the National Budget 2024, under the theme: “Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All”. “By allocating an unprecedented 1.1 trillion Guyana dollars, the association acknowledges the government's commitment to fostering economic growth and development in Guyana,” GMSA said. The GMSA said it is particularly pleased with the emphasis placed on supporting the manufacturing sector, as this will undoubtedly create new opportunities for local businesses and contribute to job creation. The growth in non-oil
real GDP in 2023 by 11.7 per cent has resulted in the expansion of the manufacturing sector by 25 per cent and services by 10.3 per cent. This hereby reaffirms private sector and manufacturing resilience, despite challenges in the global economy. “The continuing development of current transformative infrastructure is key to enabling business activity and delivery. Such key infrastructures include enhancements to the energy grid, incorporating developments like the gas-to-energy project and solar and hydro initiatives,” GMSA said. The association added: “Equally significant are transformative land infrastructure, including the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Schoonord to Crane highway, and the Ogle to
Soesdyke Linden highway.” These initiatives collectively contribute to fostering a conducive environment for business operations. The government’s inclusion of some of the association’s recommendations assured stakeholders of the government’s intention to work collaboratively with the private sector. The measures below are essential in supporting the manufacturing and services sectors: 1. $527.4 million for the development of the
agro-processing sector. The GMSA anticipates that this strategic investment will provide manufacturers with the necessary infrastructure to enhance their production capabilities and meet growing market demands. 2. $3.3 billion for the development and rehabilitation of industrial estates in Wales (Region Three), Regions Two and 10. The GMSA believes the development of these estates will further support the growth of manufacturing in Guyana. 3. $450 million towards the replenishment of the Small Business Bureau (SBB) Fund, which the GMSA has continuously advocated for in order to support product enhancement and growth in the agriculture and agro-processing industries. It will also enable
businesses to attend regional and international trade fairs and events. Entrepreneurs will also benefit from training and mentorship. 4. $500 million for the Food and Drugs Lab, which the GMSA believes will strengthen regulatory bodies and accredit laboratories to do testing, inspection, and certification of products for exportation. 5. Over $8 billion for the development of human resources to fund tertiary education through Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and the University of Guyana (UG), and a further 2.8 billion to develop skills training (Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVG)). This, the GMSA believes, will address the shortage of skills
and manpower in the country while simultaneously enhancing the workforce through upskilling initiatives. 6. Containing the cost of fuel at 0 per cent excise tax and extending the reduction of freight charges for another 12 months, which will assist businesses to be more competitive on the local and global market and mitigate challenges. 7. Increasing the income tax threshold to $100,000 monthly, thereby adding $4.8 billion in disposable income to the working population. The GMSA remains open and committed to working with the government to foster a thriving business landscape and a prosperous future for Guyana.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
$783.4M budgetted for national electronic ID cards — set for launch in second quarter of 2024
AS the government pushes towards modernising its administrative processes, Guyana is gearing up to launch its National Electronic Identification Card (e-ID) system in the second quarter of this year, with a dedicated allocation of $783.4 million in Budget 2024 for the project.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, revealed during the national budget presentation, on Monday, that the process for the implementation of the e-ID commenced in March 2023, with the finalisation of the requisite policies and design currently
in progress. He disclosed that the issuance of these cards will begin in the second quarter of 2024, with $783.4 million being budgeted to continue this project. “This ISO-certified, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) accepted card system will allow for the
issuance of resident identification and work permits, and will facilitate a more coordinated approach to public service delivery. “The e-ID system would allow for fingerprint verification and validation of individuals so that the need for proof of address and all the audit documentation may
An example of the e-ID card
be eliminated,” the senior minister said. The digital ID cards will contain the bearer's name, date and place of birth, unique identification number, sex, citizenship, facial image, fingerprint data for biometric matching, and a signature. These cards will be considered legal proof of identity for public and private sector interactions, both in person and online, and are intended for travel. The contract for the implementation of the e-ID cards was awarded to the German-based company Veridos Identify Solutions for $35.4 million. The system is intended to enhance security and facilitate electronic governance. With the Digital Identity Card Bill already being passed, it mandates that citizens of Guyana 14 years and over are required to provide
their identity data. It's important to note that the electronic ID system will not replace the ID cards issued by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). It also builds upon the Data Protection Law which allows state agencies to collect and store citizens’ personal information in a national database. Once established, this database will serve as a comprehensive national data bank accessible to relevant state agencies. This law safeguards the privacy and personal data of individuals, including their right to control the use of their personal information. These legislations align Guyana with international best practices on data protection and privacy and regulate the implementation of the e-ID system in Guyana.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
More collective action necessary to ensure region is food secure
— Minister Mustapha tells stakeholders during high-level CELAC meeting
MINISTER of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, during the second ministerial meeting of the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean States (CELAC), on Tuesday, underscored the importance of ensuring the Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) Plan addresses challenges and other international occurrences facing the region. The hybrid meeting saw Ministers of Agriculture and other high-level officials from Latin America and the Caribbean discussing topics relating to its FSN Plan. While noting that the statistics as it relates to food security in Latin America and the Caribbean are quite alarming and that the vulner-
ability of the region to global crisis and climate change has the potential to make the food security issue in the region worse, Minister Mustapha said it was important for the Member States to take collective action towards ensuring the Region is food secure. “Updating this FSN Plan is one step, but even more important will be the implementation of the plan. The increasing gender gap in food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean must be expeditiously addressed. Projects being implemented to address the issue of food security must have a focus on the inclusivity of women. For example, all of our new projects aimed at developing agriculture in Guyana target
a 20 per cent representation of women and a 35 per cent representation of youth,” the Minister explained. Minister Mustapha also said that Guyana supports the promotion of inclusion and empowering young people, women, and differently-abled groups through effective instruments and measures that guarantee their access to as-
Retired CCJ Judge, Justice Jacob Wit dies
THE Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has announced the passing of retired CCJ Judge, Justice Jacob Wit. JUSTICE Wit was a member of the inaugural CCJ bench in 2005 and he diligently served until his retirement in December 2023. According to a press release from the CCJ, this native of the Netherlands was an eminent jurist with wide legal expertise in private law, commercial and admiralty law, insurance, bankruptcy and insolvency, company law and intellectual property, criminal law, military law, administrative law, constitutional law, and international human rights law. Prior to joining the CCJ, he adjudicated over cases in Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, and the Dutch Windward Islands of Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. “Justice Wit was a polyglot, with fluency in several languages and will be remembered for his wit inside and outside of the courtroom. He also served as a Ranking Member of the CCJ Academy for Law and was the President of the Constitutional Court of Sint Maarten, a part-time role,”
the CCJ said. Recently, Justice Wit was the 2020 recipient of the Nederlandse Juristen Vereniging Award because of his long and effective contributions to forging and maintaining public trust in the judiciary in a turbulent environment. CCJ President, the Hon. Mr Justice Adrian Saunders, commented that “it is a sad day for the Court. “ J u s t i c e Wi t a n d I worked together since 2005 when we formed part of the inaugural Bench of the Court. He was the lone Civil Law Judge on the current CCJ Bench with rich experience in military law, administrative law, constitutional law, and international human rights law. “His involvement with the CCJ Academy for Law and his role in co-ordinat-
ing the Academy’s most recent Biennial Conference and Regional Town Hall focusing on crime, paired with his passion for regional criminal justice reform are recognised and deeply appreciated. I will certainly miss him and his contributions to the Court and to the region.” Justice Wit was also fondly regarded and highly respected by his peers on the Bench, the Court, and the entire region. “His judgements and rich contribution to the work of the CCJ Academy for Law, will endure. The Court will conduct a special sitting and open a condolence book to recognise the Judge’s contribution. Our sincerest condolences are extended to his family,” the CCJ said.
sets, resources, and financial and non-financial services” to strengthen family farming. He further stated that, as it relates to the implementation of trade policies to promote economic inclusion, the Government of Guyana agrees with the view that Intra-regional food trade can be used as an instrument to
ensure the Right to Adequate Food for a hunger-free region. “It is to this end that policies and tangible actions are being put in place to remove non-tariff barriers and through bilateral co-operation with Barbados particularly with the Guyana-Barbados Food Terminal being established which will help food to be moved across the Region,” Minister Mustapha added. With adequate financing playing a major role in the implementation of the FSN Plan, Minister Mustapha said that public investment in food security and nutrition by every member state was critical. “For the FSN Plan to be implemented adequate
financing is necessary. With the FSN Plan being implemented at the national and regional levels there must be public investment in food security and nutrition by every member state. Further, governments must encourage private investment in areas along the food value chain that will contribute to more food being available and accessible. The Region must collectively lobby for increased funding from international development partners given the region's vulnerability and the impact that the effects of that vulnerability have already had on food security in the Region,” he added.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Health sector in line for $129.8B boost By Shamar Meusa
WITH the government’s vision to transform Guyana’s health sector to world-class status, significant investments are set to be made in the 2024 national budget amounting to some $129.8 billion. The announcement was made by the Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh during his budget 2024 presentation, on Monday, in the National Assembly. Dr Singh told the house that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government had promised to invest heavily in objectives such as the expansion of diagnostic services countrywide; adequate procurement and sup-
The ongoing construction at the Guyana Paediatric and Maternal Hospital located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (Ministry of Health photo)
ply of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies and expansion of the range of medical personnel and services. The significant investment in 2023 amounted to $90.2 billion, reflecting the dedication to implementing
various healthcare initiatives. As part of the ongoing efforts to expand and enhance health facilities and diagnostic capabilities across the country, several key initiatives are in progress. This includes the contin-
uation of construction on the world-class paediatric and maternal hospital in Ogle, with an allocation of $10.3 billion. Similarly, for the new world-class hospital at New Amsterdam, where construction has recently commenced, Minister Singh said that an allocation of $6.2 billion has been set aside. The expansion of health services will extend to regional hospitals, with construction advancing in six locations: Bath, De Kinderen, Diamond, Enmore, Lima, and No. 75 Village. A budget of $15.5 billion has been earmarked for this purpose. Additionally, hospitals in Bartica, Suddie, and West Demerara are slated for upgrades, with an allocation of $10 billion. New hospitals
are also planned for Kamarang, Kato, and Moruca, along with the upgrading of the Lethem Regional Hospital, requiring $1.5 billion in funding. To further enhance the health infrastructure, $5 billion has been allocated for the retrofitting of health centres, health posts, and other facilities nationwide. Recognising the challenges posed by competition for healthcare professionals, the finance minister highlighted substantial interventions. “We are investing heavily in the training of health science professionals including nurses, with an investment of $1.4 billion budgeted for the construction of two health science training facilities at New Amsterdam and Suddie,” the minister said.
In response to growing demands for medical services, this year's budget anticipates an intake of over 3,500 students, including more than 2,000 enrolled in nursing programmes. Various initiatives focusing on chronic diseases, mental health, and communicable diseases are also expected to roll out this year. He revealed that several other programmes are expected to be rolled out this year targeting chronic diseases, mental health and communicable diseases. One notable programme announced in this year’s budget is the $3.8 billion allocation which will cater for specific interventions to ramp up capabilities to detect and fight against cervical cancer.
A true advocate for health, happiness of children
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
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— Dr. Hardat Persaud remembered for his stellar work in the medical field
The following is the full text of a statement from the Ministry of Health on the passing of renowned paediatrician, Dr. Hardat Persaud: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Hardat Persaud, a highly respected doctor in Guyana who died on January 14, 2024, at age 61. Dr. Persaud was a remarkable individual who devoted his life to the well-being of children. As a compassionate and skilled Paediatrician, he was a true advocate for the health and happiness of young ones, and his contributions to the field will be greatly missed. Dr Persaud, affectionately known as the "Baby Doctor," was a beacon of light, a source of comfort, and a pillar of strength for innumerable families. Over the past 30 years, his work has profoundly impacted the lives of the children and families he served, extending beyond the walls of his clinic and leaving an indelible mark on their hearts. Thousands of families have entrusted the health and welfare of their children to his expert and loving care. There are now young adults with their children for whom Dr Hardat was their paediatrician. Although people admired his competence and expertise, they were primarily drawn to him because of his humility, generosity, and availability. He was compassionate and dedicated to helping others as much as possible, and he conveyed this quality to everyone he met through his actions, not just his words. He was the quintessential family physician. Dr Persaud went above and beyond his role as a Medical Professional. He was a mentor, a confidant, and a source of reassurance for parents navigating the complexities of raising children. His gentle touch and warm smile transformed routine check-ups into moments of shared understanding and empathy. Through his wisdom and guidance, he not only treated physical ailments but also provided invaluable support to parents in nurturing their children's emotional and psychological well-being. Dr. Persaud had an exceptional academic background. Dr Hardat received his MD degree from the Russian Friendship University in Moscow, Russia, in 1990 after being granted a scholarship by the Government of Guyana to pursue medicine. He earned his post-graduate certification in Pediatric Esophagogastroduodenoscopy from the same university in 1993. He completed his studies and certification in Special Care Nursery through a Neonatology Fellowship at University Hospital, University of the West Indies, Jamaica, in
1995. Dr Hardat consistently ranked among the top students in his academic endeavours. Dr Persaud had an illustrious career in various positions within Guyana's health sector. He spent over 30 years as a paediatrician, serving the public and private sectors. Between 1993 and 1999, he worked as the Head of Paediatrics at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Following this, he briefly worked at Prashad’s Hospital before leaving in 2000 to focus on his full-time private practice at Woodlands Hospital, where he worked until his recent illness. Dr. Hardat was not only responsible for being the paediatrician at GPHC, but he also played a significant role in developing Guyana's paediatric primary care programme. He was a vital resource contributing to the evaluation of neonate care in the outlying regions of the country and the development of national treatment guidelines and paediatric care protocols. He was one of the key persons who initially conceptualised the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Even when he worked as a private practitioner, he continued to support the Ministry by being one of the private practitioners who strongly supported the Ministry's immunisation goals. He was among the few private practitioners who championed the HPV vaccination programme. Dr Persaud was a compassionate and dedicated medical professional who provided invaluable assistance in assessing and identifying children who required cardiac treatment overseas. He played a vital role in ensuring these children received the best care by carefully evaluating each case and providing accurate diagnoses. As a result of his dedication, many children were able to access treatment abroad and receive the care they need to improve their health and well-being. In addition to his work with cardiac patients, Dr Persaud also devoted a significant amount of time and effort to managing autistic patients. He was committed to helping parents and other caregivers form support groups and raise awareness about autism, as well as providing the best possible care and support for patients with this condition. He worked closely with many voluntary organisations to do medical outreaches to underserved communities and always gave his expertise generously when asked to participate. Dr. Persaud is a highly respected and distinguished educator who made a significant impact in the field of paediatric medicine. He devoted himself to mentoring and teaching hun-
behind a legacy of love and compassion. As we bid farewell to this extraordinary individual, let us celebrate a life well-lived, a career dedicated to healing, and a legacy that will forever echo in the laughter and well-being of the children he cared for.
Renowned paediatrician, the late Dr. Hardat Persaud
dreds of undergraduate students at the University of Guyana's Medical School. His excellent teaching skills, vast knowledge, and experience helped his students excel academically and inspired them to pursue careers in paediatric medicine. Dr. Persaud also taught in the paediatric residency programme at the University of Guyana, contributing to the programme's success. He is widely recognised in the medical community as a role model and a valuable asset to the university. Dr. Hardat Persaud served on the Guyana Medical Council for a decade, from 2006 to 2016. During his tenure, he held an elected position and served as a valuable council member. His contributions to the Medical Council were invaluable, particularly in policy development. Dr Persaud, in addition to being a well-known paediatrician, had an impressive talent for learning languages. He was fluent in not just one or two but six different languages, including Russian, Azerbaijanis, Spanish, French, German, and Hindi. It's remarkable how he mastered such diverse languages spoken in different parts of the world. Furthermore, Dr Persaud was an ardent gardening enthusiast, a hobby he pursued passionately during his free time. His garden was breathtaking, filled with various beautiful and exotic plants that he lovingly nurtured over the years. Dr. Hardat's legacy will always be a guiding light for his wife Tarana, two daughters - Tarana and Elmira, and his grandson, Dari. He lived a simple and private life, focusing on serving the people he cared for through his work. Despite being among the most respected doctors in his field and beloved by many, he never sought public attention and preferred to contribute to his community quietly. As we reflect on the legacy of Dr Persaud, let us remember the countless lives he touched and the difference he made to the children of Guyana. He leaves
Rest in peace, dear friend. Your memory will forever live on in the hearts of those you touched, with your warmth, wisdom, and unwavering dedication. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to his family, friends, and colleagues, as well
as to his patients. The Ministry of Health wishes to extend our profound sympathy to his wife Tarana; his daughters --Tarana and Elmira; his son-in-law David; his grandchild Dari; and his entire family.”
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Labour Ministry, NCD collaborate on training programmes for PWDs
A PROMISING collaboration is taking shape between the Ministry of Labour and the National Commission on Disability (NCD) to empower persons with disabilities (PWD) and equip them with skills for employment. Minister of Labour Jo-
seph Hamilton recently hosted a courtesy visit from NCD members at the Brickdam ministry, where they discussed a framework for implementing vocational and skills training programs specifically designed for people with disabilities.
This initiative will be spearheaded by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), aligning with the government's commitment to providing equal opportunities for ALL citizens, as outlined in the administration's manifesto.
It also fulfills obligations set forth by the Persons with Disabilities Act, which mandates collaboration between the Labor Ministry, Human Services Ministry, Culture Youth & Sports Ministry, and Education Ministry to design and implement skills training
Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton engaging officials at the meeting on Tuesday
programs for persons with disabilities. Furthermore, the partnership extends to hosting a job fair for people with disabilities in Region Four. This collaborative effort by the Labour Ministry's Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) and the NCD will welcome applicants from Regions Three, Four, and 10 and is scheduled before the first quarter of 2024. “This approach is consistent with the government's efforts to empower persons with disabilities with the necessary tools they may need to be self-sufficient,” Minister
Hamilton emphasised. By providing appropriate vocational training and facilitating access to employment opportunities, the government aims to ensure that people with disabilities can compete for productive and remunerative jobs. The meeting that paved the way for this collaboration was attended by key figures from both organisations, including NCD Chairperson Ganesh Singh and Executive Secretary Beverly Pile. This joint effort signifies a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for people with disabilities in Guyana.
Pedestrian killed on Mon Repos Public Road
IN the early hours of Monday morning tragedy struck on the public road in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), as a fatal accident unfolded, claiming the life of a 33-yearold pedestrian. The incident occurred around 04:00hrs and involved a motor car bearing licence plate PZZ 8045 and a pedestrian identified as Andrew Viramuthu, a 33-year-old labourer from Mon Repos, ECD. The driver of the involved vehicle is reported to be a 27-year-old legal clerk from Buxton, ECD. According to preliminary reports from law enforcement, the motor car, travelling east along the Mon Repos Road, collided with Viramuthu, who was attempting to cross the road from north to south with a cup in his hand. The driver of the vehicle claimed that despite his efforts to apply brakes upon noticing the pedestrian, the collision was unavoidable, resulting in the
front portion of the car striking Viramuthu. The impact sent the pedestrian airborne, and he landed on the road surface, sustaining severe injuries to his body. Emergency services were summoned to the scene and a medical professional examined Viramuthu, pronouncing him dead at the scene of the accident. Subsequently, the deceased’s body was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem. To ascertain the circumstances of the incident, the police conducted a breathalyser test on the driver. The results revealed a reading of.006 micrograms, indicating that the driver had a negligible alcohol level in his system at the time of the accident. An investigation into this tragic event is in progress, and authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward and assist in shedding light on the sequence of events leading to the fatal collision.
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$2B budgetted for 'Safe Country Project' for expanded CCTV coverage invaluable to security forces, offering real-time access to critical information and improving response times to crises, ultimately enhancing
By Clestine Juan TO fortify national security, the government has allocated $2 billion to boost the “Safe Country Project,” aiming to intensify surveillance, monitor potential criminal activities, and enhance crime prevention through increased risk of detection. Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh announced this initiative while presenting the 2024 national budget in the National Assembly, on Monday. He said that what started as the “Safe City project” has now evolved into “Safe Country” with camera coverage being expanded in 2023 to include Regions Three and Six. Works are still ongoing for expansion of the initiative to Regions Four and Five. In an effort to decentralise Guyana’s crime fighting capabilities while incorporating the use of modern technology, out of the $1.146 trillion budget, $2 billion was set aside for this project. In 2023, $2 billion was also earmarked for this project. “Considerable improvements in the pre-
vention and detection of criminal acts are anticipated, as well as concomitant improvements in individuals’ safety and quality of life, security of physical assets and infrastructure, financial markets, and business continuity,” the minister said during his presentation. As part of the programme, the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is integrating information and communications technology (ICT) into its crime-fighting capabilities to enhance surveillance nationwide. The initiative will see the entire country being connected to closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. CCTVs are designed to increase formal surveillance by making it easier for security agencies to monitor potential criminal activities and deter crime by increasing the risk of detection. According to the Ministry of Finance’s MidYear Report, 2023, command centres are being constructed in Regions Two, Three, Five, Six, and 10, which will be operated by civilians and police officers in the respective regions. The CCTV surveillance system proves
community safety. The project builds upon the success of the Safe City Project, launched in 2019, which saw the installation of nu-
merous cameras around Georgetown and key entry ports of the country. The multimillion-dollar Command Centre at Liliendaal,
Greater Georgetown, has been operational, serving the vital role of monitoring criminals, suspects, and vehicles involved in crimes.
Private sector stakeholders laud gov’t budget 16
THE availability of opportunities will not be limited, as Budget 2024 will continue to create favourable conditions for the prosperity of Guyanese. On Tuesday, several private sector players gave their insight into the economic impact of the presentation of the country’s largest fiscal package of $1.146 trillion. During an interview with the National Broadcasting Network (NCN), Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin emphasised that the budget aligns with the level of year-over-year
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increases observed in the 2023 budget in comparison to the 2022 budget. He further expressed that the fiscal package will expand the array of measures and reinstate additional funds in citizens' pockets. However, implementing measures to cushion the cost of living is not unknown to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government, as according to Bhagwandin, from 2020 to 2023, the cost-of-living measures amounted to nearly $200 billion. He also pointed out that
Guyana is the only country in the world that has had consistent double-digit growth above 20 per cent. The financial analyst further stated that the budget will cater for increased commerce and economic activities and, overall, promote sustainable growth. Moreover, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GAICO, Komal Singh, who is also the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), said the private sector is eager for 2024. Underscoring Guyana’s massive growth spurt, Singh said it is “critical”
for emphasis to be placed on the construction sector. With that said, he praised the infrastructural budget allocation. “The government allocation this year into the construction sector is going to be a significant boost to the economy,” he said. Furthermore, PSC Treasurer Haimwant Persaud, said the budget highlights the government’s priority areas, which include health, education and infrastructure, to name a few. In a live broadcast following the presentation of
the country’s largest fiscal package of $1.146 trillion to the National Assembly on Monday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will continue with its transformation agenda as this year’s budget outlines several initiatives to provide disposable income to citizens. He said: “All of these measures are aimed at increasing disposable income, putting more money in the pockets of people, bolstering income for vulnerable groups, and of course, improving the system of services, governance, and the provision of services for our country.” The president said that approximately $100 billion will be put back into the pockets of people and into the economy. “This will stimulate spending, bolster income, and improve living conditions, addressing issues of cost of living,” he added. Further, Dr. Ali said that the government will continue to keep the taxes on fuel at zero. “Forty billion dollars of taxes that should have been collected will now be placed back into the pockets of people and into the economy. This measure will save our people, our country, the ordinary man on the streets, and the private sector $40 billion,” the Head of State said. Meanwhile, $7 billion has been set aside to target specific groups in costof-living adjustment measures. “Whilst we have been able to contain our inflation because of the measures we have implemented in 2023, global and regional inflation is creating havoc and we will be importing a lot of that
inflation into our country… So, $7 billion is set aside to directly address and cushion the impact of costs of living as we analyse what is taking place globally,” the Head of State said, Additionally, efforts will continue to support vulnerable groups. “Old age pension is an important issue. Since we came into office, we have moved old age pension from $20,500 in 2020 to $33,000 as of last year. In this year’s budget commencing from January 1, 2024, we are now further increasing old age pension to $36,000 per month. “This reflects a 75% increase in old age pension from the day we came in office, to now. What this will do is that it will put $2.7 billion of disposable income in the hands of our [pensioners],” Dr. Ali said. Meanwhile, public assistance has been expanded to $1.2 billion of disposable income to persons living with disabilities. The budget also outlines new initiatives which include: the provision of health vouchers for pensioners and children, improved firefighting facilities at Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and measures with the elimination of outstanding student loans owed by students to the University of Guyana. Measures have also been outlined to facilitate greater access to universal medical care and coverage, with a reduction in the cost of life insurance and medical insurance. Further, the 2023 budget will now take the income-tax threshold, which was increased from $65,000 to $85,000 to $100,000 monthly.
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Budget 2024 ensures prosperity for all Guyanese - R3PSInc — lauds gov’t fiscal strategy for building success
THE Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc) commends the visionary budget of $1.146 trillion presented by Senior Minister Dr. Ashni Singh for the Financial Year 2024 under the theme “Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All.” The budget, R3PSI Head, Halim Khan said reflects government's commitment to national development and outlines a comprehensive strategy to overcome challenges and propel Guyana towards prosperity. “The steadfast leadership demonstrated by the government under the guidance and leadership of President, Dr Irfaan Ali in the face of overlapping crises has not gone unnoticed.” Khan noted. Further, he said that the R3PSInc acknowledges the transformative budget agenda which boosts disposable income, stimulate spending, and also addresses cost-ofliving concerns. In a press release below the R3PSInc noted some of the direct and indirect benefit Guyanese will experience: Individuals with a monthly income of GY$100,000 or below will be eligible for an income tax exemption, resulting in approximately
Head of R3PSI, Halim Khan
13,000 individuals enjoying a combined disposable income of GY$4.8 billion which is returned to the working class. It has been stated by the Finance Minister that the 2024 Budget encompasses allocations of GY$121.4 billion for central government employees' wages and salaries, with an announcement regarding a salary increase to follow later this year. An increase in the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) minimum pension has
raised it from GY$35,000 to GY$43,075, resulting in an allocation of GY$2.6 billion to benefit 27,000 individuals. A revised minimum invalidity pension amount of $43,075 has been determined, while persons with NIS contributions ranging from 700 to 749 will be asked to consider a full and final settlement that could benefit over 3,800 persons at a cost of $550 million. The 76,000 old-age pensioners will experience a rise
in their monthly income from GY$33,000 to GY$36,000 compared with the previous year. The estimated number of public assistance recipients receiving an increase will exceed 35,000. The monthly amount will be raised to GY$19,000, up from GY$16,000. Each child will receive a GY$3,000 voucher to cover the expenses of an eye test. This initiative aims to benefit over 205,000 schoolchildren, with a total expenditure exceeding GY$100 million dollars. To help offset the expenses related to spectacles, a voucher worth GY$15,000 will be granted. A d d i t i o n a l l y, i n t h e context of health, women between the age range of 21 to 65 will benefit from enhanced cervical cancer screening and will receive a voucher worth $8,000. To realise President Ali’s vision of having a worldclass education system here $135.2 billion has been allocated. To make this a reality several primary schools in various areas across the country will see $3.1 billion being injected into constructing schools while some $16 bil-
lion has been allocated for the construction and works on secondary schools across the country and some $3 billion has been allocated for nursery school buildings. Further, one of the many benefits include the cash grant offered through the ‘Because We Care’ programme which has been raised from GY$35,000 to GY$40,000 per child, benefitting a total of 205,000 students enrolled in both public and private schools. This is an additional amount to the uniform voucher allowance of GY$5,000. Added to this, the sum of $4.9 billion has been set aside for the continued rollout and expansion of the school feeding programme set to benefit some 126,000 children across the country. In addition to significant investments in the education sector, a budget of $4.1 billion has been allocated to support the operations of the University of Guyana, along with an additional $4 billion reserved for the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme. There has been a decrease in the interest rates for small and medium sized businesses that are looking to secure loans of up to GY$5 million.
Moreover, an earmarked amount of $97.6 billion will be utilised to expedite the transformation of the agriculture sector under President Ali’s food security initiatives. In accordance with the government's objective of elevating Guyana's healthcare system to a global standard, substantial funding is earmarked totaling approximately $129.8 billion. Also, in order to modernise the nation’s public safety and security $90.6 billion was allocated. Further, GY$7 billion has been allocated to address cost-of-living issues, furthermore, Guyana's real economy is projected to experience a growth rate of 34.3 per cent, with an anticipated inflation rate of 2.5 per cent for the current year. “The Region Three Private Sector Inc. looks forward to actively participating in the realisation of President Ali’s vision for a prosperous Guyana. The organisation commends government's leadership, competence, integrity, discipline, focus, and candor, characteristics that resonate with the values upheld by the Guyanese people,” Khan underscored.
since 2020. This year’s improvement alone will release almost $5B into the pockets of our workers, this is a step in the right direction towards a more equitable tax system. Furthermore, the FITUG recognises the hike in the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) old age minimum pension and survivors’ pensions, which we raised during the consultation. We expect that the government will continue to prioritise measures that benefit the working-class people of Guyana. Notably, the government has given due consideration to the concerns of our senior citizens and public assistance recipients, as evidenced by
increased benefits. The FITUG has been an active advocate in this regard, and we are pleased to see our proposal being taken into account. The improvement in the “Because We Care” grant, discontinued unmeritoriously between 2015 and 2020, is also a step in the right direction. It is commendable that the government is making strides towards achieving free university education and taking measures to alleviate the university debt burden of Guyanese citizens who have contributed to our nation’s development. These initiatives are significant and showcase a
commitment to progress and development. As a working-class organisation, we acknowledge the importance of such efforts as we look forward to continued collaboration with the government in creating a better future for our citizens. FITUG expresses satisfaction with the measures proposed to address the rising cost of living, a significant concern for working-class households. The decision to maintain tax exemptions on fuel, which will result in the government forgoing $40B in revenue, is particularly noteworthy. The continuation of
FITUG: Budget 2024 places Guyana on a firmer footing
The following is the full text of a statement from FITUG on Budget 2024: “THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), the most representative organisation of organised labour in our country, would like to offer its preliminary response to Budget 2024. The Federation acknowledges that the Budget, crafted under the theme "Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All," has admirably attempted to address the diverse challenges experienced by various segments of the Guyanese population. This approach is encouraging and demonstrates the government’s commitment
to listening to its people and their representatives. The FITUG is delighted to acknowledge that the positive interventions proposed in Budget 2024 aim to improve the lives of working people, children, and the vulnerable. These measures seek to increase disposable income while controlling the cost of living. It is reassuring that the government has considered the struggles many families face and has taken steps to alleviate their financial burdens. Budget 2024 offers
great hope for the working class and provides a platform for them to achieve a better quality of life. The government’s positive consideration of several of the recommendations put forward by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) during the pre-budget consultations has been met with utmost satisfaction. The FITUG applauds and welcomes the increase in the income tax threshold, acknowledging that it has risen by as much as 55 per cent
Continued on page 19
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Mohamed gifts mother of two new house
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BUSINESSMAN Azruddin Mohamed, on Tuesday, handed over the keys to a new house to 23-year-old Yoannys Moreno, a young mother whose life was once marred by constant abuse at the hands of her ex-partner. According to Team Mohamed’s, the young mother, her mother and siblings were initially welcomed to the man’s Timehri, East Bank Demerara home. The couple later had two children, now ages four years and eight months old. “However, this relationship took a turn for the worst, thus resulting in her ex-partner throwing her along with her kids and family members out of his house. “Collecting their
Businessman Azruddin Mohamed, with Yoannys and her family (Team Mohamed’s photo)
bundles, Moreno and her family travelled to her brother-in-law’s place along the along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, where they were
offered a piece of land on which they erected a make-shift shack out of ply and zinc,” Team Mohamed’s said in a Facebook post.
FITUG: Budget 2024 places Guyana on a...
From page 17 the freight cost adjustment initiative, aimed at mitigating the effects of imported inflation, is also commendable. In total, the measures, according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, are projected to return approximately $100B to ordinary citizens, representing a significant financial gain on a per-capita basis. FITUG views these measures as a positive development in the drive to alleviate the economic burden on Guyanese families. The Federation notes too substantial sums earmarked for the social sectors, which are collectively geared to enhance the well-being of our people. We must single
out the policies to assist Guyanese women in obtaining cervical cancer screening, school-aged and pensioners in being tested for sight, and assistance in obtaining spectacles if required. Additionally, large expenditures are programmed to improve our physical landscape, undoubtedly making the lives of our citizens easier. Similarly, Budget 2024 has given a prominent focus on addressing the issue of home ownership as it seeks to enable more of our people to live in their own homes. Upon examination of the Budget 2024, it is evident that it has brought numerous gains for ordinary people and contributed significantly to the development trajectory
of our nation. The budget’s comprehensive approach addresses present-day challenges while focusing on creating better tomorrows, making it a remarkable balance for the country. More specifically, the budget emphasises the importance of investing in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to drive economic growth and improve all citizens’ living standards. Overall, the Budget 2024 places our country on a much stronger footing for the future, allowing us to take advantage of emerging opportunities and overcome any potential challenges that may arise.”
There was no flooring in the small structure, and the family slept on the ground. They made use of whatever resources they were
able to have access to, to make their lives comfortable. Their plight was brought to the attention of the businessman,
who, without an ounce of hesitation, extended a helping hand to the struggling family. “After about 10 days of mobilising resources and working around the clock, the family is now the proud owner of a two-bedroom home. “In addition, the house is equipped with the basic amenities to start life afresh,” the post added. The young mother did not have words to thank Mohamed for his kindness and generosity. She said that his generosity will help her family tremendously to secure a brighter future. Meanwhile, the businessman encouraged the family to build upon his kindness to further develop their lives.
GPF launches first Junior Leader course
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IN a commitment to advancing professional development within its ranks, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) inaugurated its First Junior Leader course Monday morning at the Officers' Training Centre (OTC) on Camp Road, Georgetown. This strategic initiative is a pivotal component of the GPF’s broader vision, executed through the Police Force Academy, to continually train and empower its personnel with the requisite skills and knowledge for contemporary law enforcement challenges. The courses introduced aim to provide participating officers with a comprehensive understanding of law enforcement practices and best standards, aligning with the evolving demands of security in today's dynamic landscape. The overarching goal is to cultivate a cadre of skilled
and knowledgeable law enforcement professionals who can contribute effectively to the Force's mission. The programme is designed not only to impart essential law enforcement knowledge but also to offer development opportunities that will enrich participants' skills and augment the overall capacity of the organisation. By equipping officers with advanced capabilities, the Guyana Police Force aims to foster an environment where individuals can function autonomously and efficiently at the next hierarchical level. Key topics covered in the Junior Leader Course include homicide, inquest, assault and bodily harm, abduction, kidnapping, and other related offenses such as larceny, burglary, forgery, battle stealing, noise nuisance, and domestic
Force Training Officer, Woman Superintendent Sonia Herbert (seated at centre) flanked by other senior ranks (seated) with the ranks participating in the First Junior Leader course
violence – all of which are prevalent in the current law enforcement landscape. Woman Superintendent Sonia Herbert, the Force Training Officer, delivered brief remarks during the launch, providing an overview of the courses. Superintendent Herbert emphasised the significance of continuous training and the practical relevance of the selected topics, affirming the commitment of the GPF to maintaining a high standard of professionalism and expertise among its ranks. As the inaugural Junior Leader Course kicks off, it signals the GPF’s dedication to adapting to the evolving nature of crime and law enforcement, ensuring that its personnel are well-equipped to address the multifaceted challenges of modern policing.
Six Guyanese to undergo training to become rescue swimmers, winch operators
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— support missions to safely rescue persons or recover casualties from vessels, offshore installation exercises, water, challenging jungle terrain a detailed explanation of the role, including video footage of training and missions, along with a tour of the SAR aircraft. The third stage involved water skills and capability tests at the 3t EnerMech Offshore Training Centre in Georgetown which included the Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) all whilst being
Left to right: Ishwar Parbhu, Daniel Yorris, Johnelle Ogle, Kevin Sawh, Somant Heerall and Curt Mendonca
OMNI Helicopters officially selected six Guyanese nationals to become Search & Rescue (SAR) Rear Crew with additional aviation security roles. According to a press release, the team has commenced training with the primary role as Rear Crew to work as part of the team supporting the SAR Helicopter responding to emergency situations that may result in saving lives, and delivering critical support to unplanned events to persons in distress or imminent danger. The recruitment and selection process took place over several months with advertisements in the local media outlining the role and skills required. Curt Mendonca, Somant Heeralall, Daniel Yorris, Ishwar Parbhu, Kevin Sawh, and Johnelle Ogle (first female) were successful and they were selected to be members of Guyana’s first ever civilian helicopter search and rescue team. The crew will be trained to operate as rescue swimmers initially and, in the future, as winch operators, becoming an integral
part of the SAR Helicopter team. Their training will teach them to act as an observer during SAR missions and when needed, support missions to safely rescue persons or recover casualties from vessels, offshore installations, water, or challenging jungle terrain. Duncan Moore, CEO of Offshore and Onshore International at Omni Helicopters International, responsible for the group's operation in Guyana said: “We are proud to be able to support national talent and to help develop the aviation sector in Guyana. Supporting our communities is something we take seriously and is part of the Omni Way. We are very confident of these new members’ ability to develop into a world class SAR Rear Crew team.” The recruitment process had multiple stages, with the first assessing character and physical capabilities alongside technical proficiency to operate helicopter equipment. The shortlisted candidates were then invited to attend a presentation for
observed for adequate communication skills. Candidates then observed actual SAR crew training during an offshore flight as a final assessment to ensure comfort in the helicopter with open doors and ongoing tasks. Initial training has already begun with the secondary role of supporting Aviation Security and
gaining familiarity around Omni Helicopters operation based at Ogle Airport. Candidates participate daily in swim training to build confidence and stamina at the Guyana National Aquatic Centre in preparation for SAR training. The SAR Rear Crew training programme commences in earnest this month with a trip to a ded-
icated Offshore Training Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada before returning to Guyana and continuing on-the-job training. It is expected that Guyana’s first SAR Rear Crew will be fully operational by mid-2024. We look forward to this great milestone in Guyana’s aviation heritage.
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CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Wednesday January 17, 2024) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Collie Smith-104 (Kingston, 1955) (2) Gary Cosier-109 (Melbourne, 1975-
76) Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest first wicket partnership by a WI pair against AUST in Tests to date? (2) What is the highest opening partnership by an AUST pair versus the WI in Tests to date? Answers in tomorrow’s issue ………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………… ………………………………………..
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Legislation will boost horse racing fraternity - One Guyana Horse Racing Committee
HORSEMEN New Year's resolution to have horse racing regulations become law this year got a shot in the arm with the announcement by Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr that legislation to regulate horse racing will become law this year. Horsemen from all spectrum of the sport are thanking, and showering accolades on Minister Ramson for his confidence, and foresight into the future of the sport, and mostly the benefits the country
will derive from his action when the legislation is passed. Minister Ramson delivered this breaking news about horse racing's legislation at last Friday's press conference held at Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). He advised at the press briefing that the draft document on the legislation is completed, and will be tabled in Parliament in a matter of months. With a projected timeline of the first quarter, or first half of this year.
One Guyana Committee's (OGC)spokesperson, Dennis Deoroop, one of the five interim committee members, along with Stuart Gonsalves, Thurbhuwan Jagdeo, Nasrudeen Mohamed, and Amarnath Kiritpaul shared his joy on the Minister's announcement. Deoroop said, "We will like to thank Minister Charles Ramson on behalf of the racing industry for his announcement made, and promise made to have the legislation tabled. He has kept his promise to the
horse racing industry. We will ensure that the sport will be prepared for the change from unregulated to regulated. Minister thanks." Deoroop admitted, "There is a lot of work we have ahead of the industry. We (horsemen and promoters) will be establishing the relevant bodies, and framework to prepare all for the change that will be implemented." Deoroop asked when is his body's projected timeline for them to have horsemen and promoters to start under rules declared, "We are looking at Guyana Cup on the August 11, 2024 be-
ing staged under rules and regulation. We have to be open minded. There will be challenges, but we will be preparing horsemen across the board to be ready for same." Quizzed on what are the benefits the country, and the industry will derive Deoroop, also a prominent horse owner answered, "It is a big move forward. It will now allow horses to come, and compete in Guyana, and be able to return to their country. The benefit for the country is much bigger in terms of the sports itself. It will create sports tourism, employment, and investment for
the country." Deoroop explained why the sport will grow, "Last year when Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC) published their purses for the Guyana Cup day of racing. A number of racing jurisdictions outside of the Caribbean were interested in competing. We could not accommodate their request because we weren't regulated. We will embrace all countries with open arms this Guyana Cup on Sunday August 11, 2024 when legislation become law. This is not wishful thinking, but positive thinking."
England sweating archer fitness for T20 world cup (BBC) - ENGLAND are hopeful Jofra Archer can play in the T20 World Cup in June, according to managing director Rob Key. Fast bowler Archer, 28, has not played any professional cricket since May after a recurrence of a long-standing elbow injury. He did train with the England white-ball team on their tour of the Caribbean in December. "Our plan is the T20 World Cup, building him up slowly," Key told the Tailenders podcast. "I saw him bowl in the Caribbean and it was like he'd never been away." Archer has been plagued by back and elbow injuries for three years. He has not played at the highest level since last year's Indian Premier League, with a return of the stress fracture in his right elbow causing
him to miss a second successive home summer. However, as England were playing West Indies in Archer's native Barbados at the end of last year, he did play for his former school side without the knowledge of the England hierarchy. Key did suggest that Archer could join the England Test side on their ongoing training camp Abu Dhabi before the Test tour of India, but it is understood the Sussex man is not in attendance. England will defend the T20 World Cup they won in 2021 at this year's tournament in West Indies and the USA, opening their campaign against Scotland on 3 June. "I don't want to get back to this thing where he plays and then goes down again," said Key. "He wanted to play in the IPL, but we said not this time. Hopefully the years he has missed
he can add to the end of his career. He is such a talent." Key also called for dedicated windows to be made in the global calendar for Test cricket in order to protect the oldest and longest form of the game. South Africa have opted to send a makeshift Test squad to New Zealand because the two-match series in February clashes with their domestic T20 competition. "Test cricket needs to have windows," said Key. "There was a two-month window for the Ashes last summer - that could be one. There could be one at Christmas. "There are all of these franchise competitions, like the IPL, and there is a global white-ball competition every year. Test cricket needs a window where you can't play anything else. "The rest of us England, Australia,
India and the International Cricket Council
in particular, need to look after the other
countries.”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
GCB congratulates Deleep Singh on ECB re-election
DELEEP Singh retained the presidency of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) unanimously this past weekend following the Board’s Elections. Singh, who is a Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director, had been the breath of fresh air needed for cricket in Cinderella County, having revamped the system across the islands of Essequibo. Among those present were CWI Director and President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Bissoondyal Singh alongside GCB CEO Claude Raphael. The ECB new-look body includes Vice-president and national senior selector Royan Fredericks, Ernesto De Mattos and Mustapha Zaman who were appointed Zone Vice-Presidents for Zone’s One and Two. Mirenda Cornelius will
take on the role of Secretary, with long-time national youth manager Nazeer Mohamed being named Assistant Secretary. Rooplall Looknauth was appointed Treasurer, with assistance from Adjodha Lall, while Basil Persaud, the Caretaker of the ECB Hostel, was appointed role of Public Relations Officer. The Competitions Chairman Kumar Dass who was an integral part of last year's expansion was elected to the Marketing Manager post. Former national youth cricketer, Yogeshwar Lall, will now take over the role as Competitions chair while Janice Griffith and Khemraj Surujpaul will serve as Trustees of the ECB. PKF Barcellos/Narine Chartered Accountants were named as official auditors of the ECB, as the board pushes to maintain its commitment
to financial transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, in a post re-election statement, Singh maintained that development
The new executive of the ECB Near future plans to is one of the main goals of the ECB, highlighting more complete the renovation emphasis on young women work at the Cricket Hostel as another key area the board in Essequibo, while forging better/new relationships will continue to develop.
with members across the neighboring islands, were among goals discussed by the ECB head.
Joseph gets nod for 1st test against Australia
CMC – WEST Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite confirmed that Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, and Shamar Joseph made their debut in the first Test against hosts and world champions Australia, which started last evening. The Caribbean side carried seven uncapped players to Australia, and Brathwaite broke with tradition and revealed the final 11 on the eve of the Test at the iconic Adelaide Oval. He said Hodge, the Dominican batting all-rounder, will play his first Test a little more than a month before his 30th birthday and will bat at five behind him and the left-handed trio of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, and Alick Athanaze. Similarly, Greaves, the Barbadian all-rounder, will play his first Test a little more than a month before his 29th birthday and will bat at six, while Joseph, the 24-year-old pacer from the remote village of Baracara in Guyana that is only accessible by boat, will form the front-line pace
attack with the long-serving Kemar Roach and unrelated vice-captain Alzarri Joseph. Wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva, who is fresh from a hundred in the team’s only warm-up before the Test against the Cricket Australia XI, and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie complete the line-up. “Playing in Australia is amazing,” Brathwaite told reporters. “It’s one of the best places to play cricket in the world, and this is what these guys have aspired towards when they were growing up. From me to them, it is to enjoy it and show the world what you have. “I think all-round, batting and bowling, we have to believe in ourselves. We have got to do well. I believe we have the talent, but it’s about going out there in the middle and doing the job.” Brathwaite added the two-Test series against the Australians was a chance for his side – ranked eighth in Tests – to prove themselves to the world even though the gulf of experience between
Australia captain Pat Cummins and West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite share a photo opportunity with the Frank Worrell Trophy ahead of the first Test between their two sides starting on Wednesday in Adelaide (CA photo) the two sides made them huge underdogs. “I’m expecting a lot of fight from the guys,” the 31-year-old opener said. “Obviously, we have a lot of guys that are relatively new to Test cricket, and they have got to show their worth to the world. “It is understandable that we are the underdogs, but my thing for the guys is show the world what you can do and make West Indians proud.”
Brathwaite and his side will face a tall order trying to secure a first win for West Indies in 27 years in Australia and against this opponent two decades and given the hosts completed a clean sweep of a three-Test series against Pakistan only a few weeks ago on home soil. “All I want to see from the team is fight,” Brathwaite said. “We’re playing against the No. 1 team in the world, but I believe we do have the
potential – but it all revolves around discipline. “How long we can be disciplined for as a bowling unit? Because we don’t want to go at four and five runs an over, so once we can be disciplined and put partnerships on the board, anything is possible. But we’ve got to work extremely hard, and we have to believe in ourselves.” Brathwaite signaled the series could be the start of a new era in Tests for West Indies, but the group of relatively unproven players in the side had a chance to own a place in the squad for the long-term. “They have a great opportunity here to seal the deal and don’t ever leave this Test team,” he said. “They are here playing now, and performance is always important, so I urge each player to go out there and make a name for themselves and play Test cricket for the next 10 years,” he said. It is also a sort of new beginning for Australia with long-serving opener David Warner having retired and
the start of the auditions for a long-term replacement will add to the intrigue around a Test. The Australians have sprung no surprises in naming their final 11, with former captain Steve Smith identified to share the opening duties with left-hander Usman Khawaja, and all-rounder Cameron Green making a return and being slotted into the No. 4 spot. Teams: AUSTRALIA: Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (captain), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood WEST INDIES: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva (wicketkeeper), Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club (RHLCC) will bowl off 2024 with a tour of Guyana
The New York-based pro-Guyanese cricket club is set to play games from January 27th to February 4th, in Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara with a full Guyanese squad, according to information from the club. A number of wellknown North American-based Guyanese cricketers, among them Dominique Rikhi, Trevor Henry, Leon Mohabir, Altaaf Habibullah, and Naresh Rambharos are part of the travelling contingent. Clinton Pestano, Anthony Adams, Jomal LaFluer, and Shamal Angel are the Guyanese locals who will join the squad. The majority of the travelling contingent from New York and Toronto will arrive in Guyana on Thursday, January 25th, and is slated for a net session at the Malteenoes Sports Club later that day. From there, the squad
This club would travel with a full North American-based Guyanese squad heads to Berbice for games on January 27th and 28th. The Saturday encounter is slated against Tucber Park Cricket Club at Blairmont Community Centre ground while the Sunday match-up will be against Rose Hall Youth and Sports Club at Rose Hall Community Centre. Following the first weekend in Berbice, RHL-
CC will head to Essequibo where again games will be played across two days and hosted by the Essequibo Cricket Board and local clubs. On Tuesday, January 30th the team will travel to the island of Wakenaam to play two games and then back to Essequibo Coast on January 31st to play an additional two games. On each playing day
slated for Berbice and Essequibo, RHLCC will be playing two T20 games (one first-division and one second-division). The team will then travel to Demerara for the final round of games of the tour. Matches are slated for the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club ground for both days. On Saturday, February
3rd, RHLCC will take on Enmore Cricket Club in one 30-over encounter. The tour will culminate with Everest Cricket Club hosting two matches on Sunday, February 4th. One of the two matches will be against Everest’s first division team and the other against the Everest Masters' Team. According to the club, the upcoming tour marks the second international outing for RHLCC. The first was in 2023 when the club travelled to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and played two games hosted by the BVI Cricket Association. The RHLCC management said it would like to commend New York-based businesses and persons for contributions to the tour, including MK Workforce and Michael Kellawan; Rockaway Group of Companies and Mr Hafeez Ali;
Universal Mixed Martial Arts; Bhesham Ramnath and Bhesham Plumbing and Heating; and Cricket Zone USA. Additionally, the club said it would like to express appreciation to the members of the touring party for their contributions. The RHLCC squad list includes; Aleem Baksh, Altaaf Habibulla, Anthony Adams, Clinton Pestano, Danesh Deonarain, Diquan Murray, Dominique Rikhi, Emanuel Seecharran, Hafeez Ali, Joemal LaFleur, Kumar Dass, Leon Mohabir, Naresh Rambharos, Nirshaw Khan, Randy Boodhu, Samuel Raghubir, Shamal Angel, Shiv Sangalemaa, Suarj Singh, Tooneshwar Kirstona, Trevor Henry and Varun Mangla. Throughout the tour, local players will join in the playing eleven as needed.
Adams eclipses Giddings to produce magic in LGC’s Captain’s Tourney CARLOS Adams eclipsed Eureka Giddings to produce magic in Lusignan Golf Clubs Captain’s Tournament on Saturday 13 January 2024. Under great golfing weather conditions, veteran Carlos Adams produced a fantastic double win at the LGC’s Captain’s Net and Birdie Tournament. The 28 handicapper, playing from the Senior’s Tee-boxes, demonstrated that he still has the magic in his strokes as he produced a magnificent Net 66, with 7 Birdies, which included the equivalent to an Albatross on Hole 10. (An Albatross is 3 under par. An Eagle is 2
The Winners pose with Captain Pope London. From left are Monnaf Arjune, Jaipaul Suknanan, Carlos Adams, Brian Hackett, Eureka Giddings, Captain London, Briglall Harry and Patrick Prashad under par, and a Birdie is 1 under par). Upcoming female
champion Eureka Giddings was barely pipped by Adams as she deliv-
ered an excellent Net 68, also with 7 Birdies, playing off a 25 handicap.
While the camaraderie and excitement in the tournament was visibly refreshing, there was no mistaking the desire of the golfers to produce great competition as they sought to win the 10 great prizes of umbrellas, water bottles, and trophies put up by Captain, Dr Pope Emanuel London. Prizes were awarded for 1st to 7th Best Net, Most Birdies, Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin. The other Net winners were - veteran Bridglall Harry, 3rd place with Net 69 off handicap 14; (Club vice-President) Brian Hackett, 4th with Net 70 off handicap 17; (past-Captain) Patrick
Prashad, 5th – Net 73 off handicap 9; (past-Captain) Ayube Subhan, 6th – Net 73 off handicap 11; and 7th Jaipaul Suknanan – 74 off handicap 11. Monnaf Arjune won the Longest Drive prize, while Troy Cadogan ensured he was in the Winners’ Row by winning the Nearest the Pin prize. Both Captain Dr London and Vice-President Brian Hackett thanked the golfers for their participation, and their making this 1st Tournament for 2024 an encouraging success. Golfers can look forward to great tournaments in this new year.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Joseph gets nod for 1st test against Australia SEE PAGE
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Legislation will boost horse racing fraternity - One Guyana Horse Racing Committee
SEE PAGE
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One Guyana Horseracing spokesman Dennis Deoroop
Shemar Joseph
Guyana Harpy Eagles 4 day warm up...
Looknauth; Sankar rip through Adams XI
Richie Looknauth and Steven Sankar dominated the opening day of the Guyana Harpy Eagles 4 day warm up match. With 4-41 from 11 over from Looknauth and 3-19 from 4 overs for Sankar, the Adams XI were voted out for 144 in 42.3 overs. At close of play, the Nandu XI were 119 for 2, 25 runs in trail. Played at the Meter-
Meer-Zorg Ground, day Two commences from 10:00. Scores at the end of day one. Anthony Adams XI 144 all out in 42.3 overs Malcom Hubbard 54 Akshaya Persaud 44 Richie looknauth- 4-41 / 11 overs Steven sankar- 3-19 from 4 overs .
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Matthew Nandu xi 119 for 2 in 44 overs. Raymond Perez-41 Matthew nandu-43 Kemol savory-21 not out Shamar yearwood-9 not out Junior Sinclair-1-23 in 13 overs Anthony Adams-1-26 in 10 overs Matthew nandu xi trial by 25
| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024