Guyana Chronicle epaper 28-10-2023 by Guyana Chronicle

SATURDAY 28th October, 2023

' No.107247

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VAT INCLUSIVE

‘Every square inch 03 of Essequibo is ours’ PAGE

–– President Ali reaffirms; maintains that the controversy raised by Venezuela must be settled at the ICJ

–– says Guyana remains committed to peace, the Rule of Law

Construction to commence on $$5.5.2B Sheriff Mall at Palmyra 02 PAGE

An artist’s impression of the Sheriff Mall

‘A great achievement!’ 05 PAGE

GTI gets $200M ‘tech’ wing 09

–– new homeowners say goodbye to renting, living in other people renting, people’’s houses

PAGE

–– as the technological enhancement of educational institutions continues

President Ali accredits Dr. Amit Telang as new Indian High Commissioner to Guyana 05 PAGE

Special programme targetting social issues to be rolled out in 2024 13 PAGE

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

Construction to commence on $5.2B Sheriff Mall at Palmyra By Cindy Parkinson

WITH the aim of transforming the landscape and enhancing the people’s lives in Palmyra, Region Six, the Sheriff Group of Companies officially launched their $5.2 billion shopping mall project, on Friday. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at the sod turning ceremony, the founder of the Sheriff Group of Companies, Shareef Ahmad, said that expanding his brand has always been a dream for him and his family. However, he said it was only after President, Dr. Irfaan Ali took office in 2020 that they were motivated to invest in their endeavours. According to the founder, the vision and leadership of the President and the Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, have also positively influenced many local businessmen.

“Building a mall in beautiful Berbice is a result of our family dreams, having faith in Guyana, and our government. I must commend the President and the Vice President for their hard work towards developing Guyana, creating a legacy for the future, and giving us in the private sector, the opportunity to invest in and develop our own country and our own people,” Shareef said. He also related that with this mega investment, the community of Palmyra and Region Six will stand to benefit in a tremendous way. According to Ahmad: “The people of this community and this region will not only enjoy the facility, but they will also be able to get employed here. We are grateful to bring such a grand project to the region, but I also want to say how proud I am of my son Ameir for working tirelessly to ensure that these projects are

successful.” During his presentation, the Managing Director of the Sheriff Group of Companies, Ameir Ahmad, said that the mall at Palmyra isn’t just a representation of Sheriff’s brand; it is also a “testament” of their belief in the potential of the people of Region Six. “With this mall, the opportunities are endless; it will serve as an avenue for creating jobs for our people, a safe space for local businesses, and above all, a facility that will significantly benefit the people as well as adding to the development of this region. “I can assure the Guyanese people, especially my brothers and sisters from Palmyra and Region Six that the Sheriff Group of Companies has always strived to deliver products that are of quality, and like our other businesses, this facility will

See page 4

The founder of the Sheriff Group of Companies, Shareef Ahmad (right); the Managing Director of the Sheriff Group of Companies, Ameir Ahmad (Shareef’s immediate left); the Regional Chairman for Region Six, David Armogan (Ameir’s left), and the President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Samantha Reid turn the sod for the new $5.2 billion shopping mall project at Palmyra (Japheth Savory photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

‘Every square inch of Essequibo is ours’ - President Ali reaffirms; maintains that the controversy raised by Venezuela must be settled at the ICJ - says Guyana remains committed to peace, the Rule of Law

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed that the government stands committed and firm to representing the people of Essequibo and all Guyanese amidst the ongoing border controversy with

Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Together they reaffirmed their commitment to the current judicial process that is being conducted under the aegis of the International Court of Justice

than the realms of the International Court of Justice as was assigned by the UN Secretary-General.” The Guyanese Head of State maintained that the government is committed to peace and a peaceful world,

the process of the ICJ. “We encourage them to participate in the ICJ, but, more importantly, to respect the outcome of the ICJ,” Dr. Ali said. Amidst the controversy, the Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces thanked Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan and all men and women in uniform for ensuring the safety, order and happiness of every Guyanese, and that every square inch of Guyana is assured and protected.

of Guyana, President Ali pointed to the potential that the country holds, and drew particular attention to Essequibo, where tourism is on the rise. Essequibo is set to become an even greater attraction with the impending completion of a stadium at Anna Regina, which will allow the County to host worldclass cricket. Dr. Ali announced that negotiations are ongoing to have the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 women’s tournament

ism in the County. Such initiatives, President Ali said, will create new opportunities for people in the region, and the government will be working with the private sector to ensure that persons are able to capitalise on the various opportunities to be had. “Together we are on a journey to building a stronger and resilient Guyana; a Guyana in which our neighbours must feel our love, and must understand the depth of our love for

President Dr. Irfaan Ali addressing the gathering at the launch of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual Agro and Trade Expo at the Anna Regina Secondary School ground on Friday Venezuela. “The Government and Opposition recently issued a joint statement in which we made it clear for no one to make a single mistake, this Essequibo is ours; every square inch of it,” President Ali declared during his address at the launch of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual Agro and Trade Expo at the Anna Regina Secondary School ground on Friday. Recently, in discussing the latest actions by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in pursuit of its spurious claim to the Essequibo region of Guyana, President Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, from the outset, agreed that Guyana’s sovereignty is paramount, and a matter on which the Guyanese people are all completely united. In the circumstance, they roundly condemned the flagrant violation of the Rule of Law by Venezuela, and agreed that no effort should be spared to resist that country’s persistent endeavours to undermine

(ICJ), and are convinced that this would finally resolve the question raised by Venezuela over the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award. The government and opposition recalled that for more than six decades after the 1899 Arbitral Award was delivered, Venezuela treated it as a final settlement of the border between the two countries. To this end, it consistently recognised, affirmed and relied upon the 1899 Arbitral Award as “a full, perfect, and final settlement” of the boundary between the then British Guiana and Venezuela. “The 1899 award made it clear that it was a full and final settlement; the Geneva Agreement provided for the UN Secretary- General to take this controversy raised by Venezuela to the ICJ, and we respect international law; we are a peaceful and lawful people,” President Ali said on Friday evening. He added: “We respect international law, and that (the ICJ) is where this controversy raised by Venezuela must be settled. There must be no other place other

and, importantly, it is committed to the safeguarding and defence of every square inch of Guyana. “Together with our international partners and every right-thinking country, we have made it clear. And I want to thank my colleagues in CARICOM for making it clear that there is no other means for Venezuela to address its controversy than by participating in

A section of the crowd at the launch of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual Agro and Trade Expo at the Anna Regina Secondary School ground on Friday Expressing his deep appreciation for the bounties

played at the stadium, so as to further enhance tour-

our people,” President Ali said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

Construction to commence ... From page 2

be held to the highest standard. It will be another landmark of ours that will reflect our hard work but, more importantly, our dedication to excellence. I would also like to urge our businesses and business owners to play their part in the developmental process of Guyana,” he said. Ameir also said that the shopping mall will be equipped with retail stores, high-end fashion boutiques, a KFC outlet, and cozy artisanal stores that will be inclusive of the latest trends and timeless vintage attire.

He further added that the complex will have many entertainment spots, a stateof-the-art cinema, gaming zones, and an array of family attractions. Regional Chairman for Region Six, David Armogan, who spoke on behalf of President Ali, said: “The Sheriff family has chosen Guyana to invest in a very massive way, and I want to thank you all for the kind of work that you are doing in our country. President Ali could not have been here, but he wants me to say how extremely pleased he is

with all that the Sheriff Group is doing in Guyana, and more so with them coming to Berbice in a big way.” As the Chairman of the Region, Armogan expressed how delighted he is with the development in his region. “Not so long ago, this area was just cane fields, and now this venture by the Sheriff Group of Companies to set up a mall here in our region exemplifies the confidence that investors are now having in our regions across Guyana. “This modern facility will be the first of its kind in

An artist’s impression of the new Sheriff Mall to be constructed at Palmyra Berbice, and we are happy that it will play a significant role in the transformation of our region,” the Regional Chairman said. In attendance were three potential investors

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

H 01 09 11 16 27 28 24 Saturday, October 21, 2023

F 04 10 12 20 26 27 18

27/10/23 - 03, 11, 14, 16, 26

27/10/23 - 0 5 6

27/10/23 - 8 6 9

from Bounty, KFC, and IDB investment. The Sheriff Mall will be built in four phases, with the first phase expected to be completed in August 2024 at a cost of $1.3 billion.

27/10/23- 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 ,14, 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

President Ali accredits Dr. Amit Telang as new Indian High Commissioner to Guyana PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has accepted the Letters of Credence from Dr. Amit Shivkumar Telang, accrediting him as India’s new High Com-

missioner to Guyana. In a brief statement, President Ali told the new High Commissioner that he is looking forward to building on the fruitful

relations the two countries already share. Dr. Telang replaces Dr. KJ Srinivasa, whose term came to an end in August.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali has accepted the Letters of Credence from Dr. Amit Shivkumar Telang, accrediting him as India’s new High Commissioner to Guyana (Office of the President photo)

‘A great achievement!’ By Nafeeza Yahya

HOMEOWNERSHIP often provides a sense of stability and the opportunity to build equity in the property over time. For 80 new homeowners in the Ordnance Fortlands and Hampshire/Williamsburg Housing Scheme in East Berbice-Corentyne, finally having the keys to their own home is an incredible accomplishment and a feeling of fulfillment. Among those persons who expressed elation at becoming a homeowner were Bebe Fatima Reasat, 27, a teacher, and her husband Mohamed Nazir, after seeing their new home on Friday. “As a family, for me, this is an achievement; a great achievement! Meaning that at the end of the day, no one has to tell you you have to move. “You can go when you want, and come when you want; it’s an achievement! The money that was going to rent will go into something else; it will be an additional income, especially knowing that I can put it aside for the kids,” Reasat said. The family of four currently lives at Topoo, Albion, but on Friday, they received the keys to their home from the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sherwyn Greaves.

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal hands over the key to the daughter of Hakila Husain and family at Ordinance/Fortlands Speaking with this pub- dren are running about the lication, they indicated that place where families are all they cannot wait to pack their coming together. kids’ toys and their belongings “They have a new ento move into their own home vironment where they can as soon as possible. resettle into; they no longer The visible excitement have to stay at families’ housand joy on the faces of the es or rent. And this brings a children and families is, ac- new and fresh breath of life cording to Minister of Hous- for them and their children's ing and Water Collin Croal, future; it highlights what our what his ministry and the Dr. policy is as a government, Irfaan Ali-led PPP/C Govern- which is to bring betterment to ment is about. the citizens, regardless of your “We are excited about background; regardless of bringing happiness to fami- your political persuasion. The lies. What you see here, I’m housing programme, through so happy to see this, too,” the ministry, is here to serve Minister Croal said, adding: everyone.” “Historically, the males come The Housing and Water to collect the keys, but now Minister said that to date, for you see the families; the chil- this year alone, billions of

dollars have been expended on infrastructural works to develop housing schemes. He pointed to the fact that the Ordinance Fortlands area was prone to flooding, given that it was a low-lying area, but works executed have transformed the area, thereby making it unrecognisable from its past state. NEW HOUSING SCHEME According to Minister Croal, approximately 1,400 house lots have been allocated in Region Six alone, and plans are afoot to continue the housing drive aggressively, with the establishment of another housing scheme towards the other end of East Berbice. “Region Six, in itself, since we are back in office, we have allocated close to 1,400 house lots here in Region Six, and we have an aggressive programme still yet to come, so the housing programme will continue,” he said, adding: “For example, we intend to start a new housing scheme at Moleson Creek; so you have a spread. “Here we are in Ordinance/Fortlands, so this is at one end of Berbice; if you go to the Hampshire area that is more of a mid-point, we have allocated as part of our programme around 75/76… We have allocated house lots, and so now we are going to the further end at Moleson Creek to start up a new housing

- new homeowners say goodbye to renting, living in other people’s houses scheme.” Additionally, the minister noted that apart from simply allocating the lots to individuals, the CH&PA has partnered with the commercial banks to make homeownership easier than ever before, and this in itself has made owning a home a reality for many individuals. Indira Pretipal, a 33-yearold single parent of two children, aged 12 and 10 months, said she is happy and excited to have her own sanctuary that will be the foundation that her kids can build on. Upon inspecting her house, she said she was pleasantly surprised, given the cost. “It means a lot to me to have my own place; it’s nice, and I like it. I can’t believe I am getting all this, especially how things are so expensive now. I can’t wait to go home and tell them children we get through, and bring them tomorrow to see it for themselves. I can’t wait to move in,” Pretipal said. Another first-time owner

is a young professional just 22-years-old, Melica Moore, who is employed with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and currently renting. The young lady was beaming with joy and pride at being able to have a home of her own at such a young age. “I am currently renting, and to have my own and be able and to accomplish it at this age means a lot. I’m proud of myself, and my accomplishment; I am really grateful and proud to achieve this at this age. I want to encourage other young persons to know that they can, too; it is really a simple process, and a great feeling of independence,” Moore said. “Put your mind to accomplish whatever goal you set out; it first begins in your mind. Make the sacrifice; sacrifice is a discipline. I had faith all along, and I am looking forward to saving my extra money that would have otherwise been spent on rent,” she added.

Editor

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

Navendra Seoraj

Strengthening cybersecurity AS Guyana emerges as an increasingly prominent hub for business and innovation, the role of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. In a digital age where technology fuels opportunities and growth, the protection of data, the preservation of operational integrity, and the assurance of safety and privacy for individuals and organisations have become paramount concerns. In this context, the recent statement by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, emphasising the importance of cybersecurity resonates as a clarion call for action. Prime Minister Phillips aptly highlighted the enormous potential of the Guyanese business sector, which is experiencing a technological transformation. As the country embarks on this journey, it is essential to recognise that with boundless opportunities come heightened risks. The advancement of technology has paved the way for innovative enterprises and global connectivity, but it has also created new vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cyberthreats.

Thus, the pursuit of economic prosperity and technological advancement must be coupled with a commitment to safeguarding the digital infrastructure upon which it is built. The interconnected nature of modern business, which transcends geographical boundaries, calls for a proactive stance on cybersecurity. Hackers and cybercriminals operate in a borderless digital realm, and their targets can be anywhere, including Guyana. The consequences of a cybersecurity breach are not confined to data loss or financial harm, but extend to reputational damage and legal liabilities. This is why Prime Minister Phillips’ assertion that “cybersecurity will have to come into focus” is both timely and imperative. A strong cybersecurity framework ensures the protection of sensitive data, a vital asset for businesses in this data-driven world. Whether it’s personal customer information, intellectual property, or financial records, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of this data is non-negotiable. Failure to do so not only compromises

the trust of clients, but can also result in substantial financial losses and legal ramifications. Furthermore, maintaining operational integrity is essential for business continuity. Downtime caused by cyberattacks can result in significant financial losses and damage to an organisation’s reputation. This is particularly critical for businesses operating in sectors where uninterrupted services are crucial, such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. The safety and privacy of individuals and organisations are also at stake. In an era of increasing digitalisation, our lives are intertwined with technology. From Online banking to e-commerce and telemedicine, we rely on the secure handling of our personal information. Without robust cybersecurity measures in place, individuals and businesses are exposed to a range of threats, including identity theft, financial fraud, and privacy breaches. As Guyana continues to attract investment, foster local entrepreneurship, and establish itself as a regional and in-

ternational business hub, it is imperative that cybersecurity be integrated into the foundation of this progress. This requires a multi-pronged approach, including policy and regulatory frameworks, public-private collaboration, and, most importantly, a culture of cybersecurity awareness and preparedness. Investments in cybersecurity infrastructure, coupled with awareness and training initiatives will not only protect Guyanese businesses and individuals, but also enhance the country’s reputation as a safe and secure destination for commerce. As Guyana evolves into a technological and economic powerhouse, cybersecurity should be viewed as an enabler, not a constraint, for growth. The adoption of technology and the endless opportunities it brings should be met with equal vigor in implementing robust cybersecurity measures. By doing so, Guyana can secure its future prosperity, protect its citizens, and ensure that the nation’s digital transformation is not only promising but also safe and resilient.

National Assembly to hold ‘extraordinary sitting’ on border controversy on Nov. 2

THE National Assembly is set to convene an extraordinary session next Friday to consider a Motion on the ongoing Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, which is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This session takes place just one month prior to Venezuela’s planned referendum, which seeks to create a new State, including the portion of the Guyana’s territory that they have laid claim to. While the specific agenda for the session remains undisclosed, it follows a recent meeting between a delegation of officials led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. Their discussions were centred on Venezuela’s upcoming referendum. According to a joint statement from the opposition and government, both parties have agreed that Guyana’s sovereignty is paramount, and is a matter on

which the Guyanese people are all completely united. As such, they have condemned Venezuela’s flagrant violation of the Rule of Law, and agreed that no effort should be spared to resist its persistent endeavours to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The officials further agreed that the preservation and protection of the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty must be subserved by a vigorous and comprehensive public relations programme, and a proactive and robust diplomatic effort aimed at blunting Venezuelan propaganda and misinformation as they relate to the territorial controversy, generally, and the Geneva Agreement in particular. In its most recent claims, the Spanish-speaking country has stated that it will be holding a “consultative referendum” on December 3 ahead of the ICJ’s ruling

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Assembly is being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on the matter. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) recently noted the decision of the Venezuelan National Assembly to conduct a popular referendum on defending Venezuela’s claim of Essequibo. CARICOM further said that two of the questions

approved to be posed in the Referendum, if answered in the affirmative, would authorise the government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to embark on the annexation of territory which constitutes part of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and to create a State within Venezuela known as

Guyana Essequibo. In April of this year, the World Court ruled that the case Guyana brought before it seeking to affirm the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award settling the boundaries between it and Venezuela was admissible. This meant that the court could move forward with hearing the substantive case on its merits, of whether the1899 arbitral award settling the boundaries of the two countries is valid and binding. The ruling marked the second time that the international court has rejected jurisdictional objections raised by Venezuela. Guyana moved to the ICJ with its case in March 2018, challenging the non-participating Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela over its disagreement on the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Award. Venezuela maintained that the ICJ was without jurisdiction to hear the case

and refused to participate in the court proceedings. The Spanish-speaking country had claimed that it is the “sole indisputable inheritor” of the Essequibo region and the Monetary Gold Principle. Although Venezuela had claimed that the ICJ did not have jurisdiction to hear the substantive case, it made a U-turn following the court’s December 2020 ruling on that aspect of the case. Venezuela, on that occasion, contended that Guyana had no standing in the matter. The court unanimously rejected Venezuela’s objection. Guyana is seeking a final and binding judgement that the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid, and that the Essequibo Region belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

GAWU’s revelations: Class betrayal

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

THE revelations by the President and General Secretary of GAWU, the sugar union, of how the APNU+AFC government treated the union and the sugar workers after the closure of the estates were shockingly sad. Speaking on the Gildarie-Freddie Kissoon Show, the two men revealed that when union members were marching against the closure in Skeldon, the police prevented them from using a bullhorn. Use of a bullhorn is something I saw every day in protest/demonstration, from my youthful days against rigged election in 1968 right up to the day the police stopped the union members in 2017. The two men also stated that when union members were picketing the Office of the President on the same issue on Vlissingen Road, the police ordered them to move backwards on the eastern parapet, so they were very close to the trench and yet the police kept moving them further to the point where they would have fallen into the trench. As it relates to the retrenched workers, the union leaders told us that to make a living, the workers began fishing on the abandoned estates. They were required to pay $500.

Shortly after, they were completely banned. This was happening to sugar workers in a coalition government in which one of the parties was named the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). Imagine that party had in its title, the words, “working people.” So who were the leaders in the government after 2015? Four men that I functioned with for working class liberation in the 1970s when I was a university student. They were: Dr. Clive Thomas, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, Tacuma Ogunseye and Dr. Maurice Odle. Outside of Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan and Walter Rodney, the two most known anti-Burnham activists in the 1970s were Thomas and Roopnaraine. I did not know about these particular mistreatments of GAWU leaders and the retrenched workers at the time. If I did, I would have certainly done a denunciatory column. I broke with the AFC from day one when they got into government. The former Mayor of Georgetown did not know that. He can Google the Freddie Kissoon column from May 2015 to March 2020 and he would see a daily fulmination against the APNU+AFC regime. In 360 columns a year,

from May 2015 to March 2020 would be just under two thousand columns. Today, the name Rupert Roopnarine has disappeared from the radar. Dr. Clive Thomas writes a weekly column in the Stabroek News in which he dwells on esoteric subjects. He never touches the APNU+AFC era in power. Roopnaraine, I am told has just finished a book on his parliamentary speeches. I doubt the collection would carry anything on why in Parliament, he voted against the publication of the Walter Rodney Commission report. I was livid when those revelations were made on the programme. How could the APNU+AFC deny the sugar union the use of a bullhorn in a picket exercise, when there are dozens of photographs of Roopnaraine using a loud speaker in the long fight for free and fair election? I was there in that long struggle and I know we used bullhorns right up to the 2015 when the PPP lost power. The police under Burnham and successive PPP presidents did not stop demonstrators from speaking with a bullhorn African Guyanese have turned away completely from African leaders in the opposition including the PNC and people like

Ogunseye, Thomas and Roopnaraine because their eyes have been opened. The same Ogunseye who masquerades as an African liberator was part of a government that denied retrenched sugar workers their right to fish to bring food on the table at sugar estates that were abandoned. Clive Thomas has labelled his cash grant from oil revenues, the “Buxton Proposal.” This is a deliberate ploy to use the name Buxton to appeal to African Guyanese. See my rejection of Thomas’ ethnic subliminal use of the term in my October 7, 2021 column captioned, “The Buxton Proposal: Subliminal ethnic instinct” and see my July 23, 2022 article of the counter-revolutionary betrayal of working class in-

terest by Thomas and Roopnaraine with the headline,, “The betrayal of Walter Rodney and Franz Fanon.” The same Thomas that uses the term Buxton to cajole African Guyanese has never apologised for being a part of a coalition government that banned retrenched sugar workers from fishing to make a living. My desk is just in front of my library so in typing this column, I swung

around the chair to look at two books that have reduced Thomas and Roopnaraine to nothingness in this country. One is Roopnaraine’s book, The Sky’s Wild Noise and the other is, Clairmont Chung’s Walter Rodney: A Promise of Revolution in which Thomas spoke of his struggle against Burnham. Sometimes some people are made of straw.

Gaza by numbers! Chronicles of a

Part 1: Death, destruction and displacement in the Name of God

NUMBERS have always best told the story of occupied Palestine, where 4.29 million stateless citizens have been imprisoned in their occupied homeland for more than the past seven decades, encamped in open-air prisons or forced to flee to neighbouring and distant nations by the millions, as refugees-for-life. In Gaza, millions have lived in worse conditions for 56 years, unable to freely-go anywhere without Israeli permission. There have been three previous holocausts like seen today in Gaza, which the Palestinians call ‘The Nakba’ (Catastrophe) in 1948, 1967 and 1973. Today, every Palestinian citizen knows or has lost someone, or even an entire family, through the types of nightly bombings and raids of the past fortnight of terror. Half of Palestinians are under 18, while over-70 per cent of the dead and wounded are elderlies, women and children, while over 30 per cent of the dead are children. Meanwhile, over 490,000 Israeli set-

tlers occupy Palestinian lands occupied by force. But let’s look at Gaza from a distant Caribbean perspective: • For starters, it’s the most-populated-place on earth, with 2.3 million people in 365 square-kilometers – an area over500-times-smaller than Guyana, nearly-half of Saint Lucia and a little smaller than Barbados • Over 70 per cent of the population has lived off daily food handouts from UN and other international aid agencies for the past 16 years • 1.4 million people (almost half the population) have been displaced • 600,000 are sheltering at United Nations (UN) facilities • Over-18,000 have been injured, leaving hospitals and health facilities overwhelmed • 15 of 35 hospitals have been forced to close due to lack of fuel and medical supplies

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

Chronic Guyana Chronicler By Earl Bousquet

• Two-thirds (66 per cent) of health facilities have been destroyed or rendered inoperable • Thousands of patients are unable to leave already-overcrowded hospitals, with no homes to return to • Bodies are being buried in mass graves due to lack of morgue spaces, forcing use of ice cream vans to store unidentified bodies • Ambulances are being destroyed and emergency health workers have died trying to save and help victims • 23 journalists have been killed in the first three weeks of the conflict -including Al Jazeera correspondent Wael Dahdouh, who lost his wife, 17-yearold son, seven-year-old daughter and 15-months-old grand-daughter, bombed to death in a place they felt safer after fleeing their home • 20 trucks of aid were allowed in from Egypt, which only catered for 2.5 per cent of the population • Food, water and fuel are being used as Weapons of War, as Gazans feel the brunt of Ethnic Cleansing by bombings in the dark of night • After three weeks of terror, there’s no safe place left in Gaza • Households are marking family-members with similar bracelets, to facilitate identification should they be blasted-to-pieces while having dinner, or praying at a mosque

• By October 26 the number of Israeli fatalities remained at 1,408 (including 331 soldiers), but the number of Palestinians killed also rose to 6,546 – almost five times more • To date, over 6,600 Palestinians have been arrested and held without charge • Israel also this week carried out border raids and arrests in the Occupied West Bank, including in Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron and Jenin, where over-100 Palestinians were killed and over 1,400 arrested • Israel is also fighting the more powerful Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon and threatening to obliterate the already-besieged state.

DEADLY STATISTICS The statistics are deadly and virtually-impossible for the average Guyanese or Caribbean Community (CARICOM) citizen to immediately understand, farless keep-up-with: • One-day after the surprise Hamas October 7 attack on Israel, official reports were: 198 Palestinians and 350 Israelis dead, with over-100 Israelis captured • After Israel’s first response, within hours, the number of Palestinians killed nearly tripled to 560, with 130,000 displaced • By the end of the first week of terror, Israel reported it had dropped 6,000 bombs on 3,500 targets in Gaza, resulting in 2,277 Palestinians killed and 8,614 wounded, including over 700 children • After the first fortnight (October 21) over 4,600 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis had died – by then almost three times more Palestinians • On United Nations Day (October 24), 5,087 Palestinians were dead, including 2,055 children and 1,119 women • The UN also mourned for 35 staff killed • Over 56 per cent of residential units and buildings in Gaza (170,000) were destroyed in the first fortnight of bombings, as churches and mosques, hospitals, schools and UN shelters were targetted

APOCALYPTIC BABBLE Arab and African nations have united behind Palestine and Gaza, while the largely-Christian Western world continues to arm and support Israel in its declared War of Destruction on Gaza, with weapons of mass destruction. Five centuries ago, the Vatican’s Doctrine of Discovery allowed invading Europeans to cross The Atlantic on ships with red crosses on their sails to commit native genocide in the Caribbean and The Americas, in the name of Christianising godless natives. But despite the deadly doctrine’s renunciation earlier this year by Pope Francis, some still use Christianity to this day, to justify mass killing in the name of Christ. Never mind the babble of apocalyptic Christians today, Israel does not have any ‘Licence from God’ to commit mass murder and genocide in the name of Christ. Fact is, nothing happening today in Gaza has anything to do with the Israel or Palestine referred to in The Holy Bible. The holy book offers echoes from history with many pointers to lessons for today and tomorrow. But using biblical phrases to commit ethnic cleansing in the Name of God the Father is, plain and simple, both ungodly and devilish.

THREE WEEKS OF TERROR The world rightly condemned the Hamas attack on October 7, but Israel’s overly-disproportionate response has been a slaughter of Gaza citizens with no remorse -- and full-support from its traditional Western allies. The world has witnessed three weeks of absolute terror and genocide that’s been widely-condemned with protests in capitals across the world, from London and Sydney to California and Paris. The world is even more divided over Gaza today than Ukraine -- and the UN has again proven unable brokering a ceasefire, far less peace.

GTI gets $200M 'tech' wing

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

–– as the technological enhancement of educational institutions continues By Naomi Parris

TO meet the growing demand for skilled workers in Guyana, the Government Technical Institution (GTI), on Friday, commissioned a new $200 million state-of-the-art wing. The new facility is the fruition of a public-private collaboration between the government and a New York-based philanthropist Ken Subraj, an alumni of the institution. During his brief remarks at a ceremony held to commission the facility, Subraj recalled his pursuit of tertiary education at the facility. The new building is

million. The new building features multipurpose classrooms, a special oil and gas classroom and laboratory, a recreation hall and administrative offices. It has the capacity to accommodate 300-350 students. While delivering brief remarks, President Dr. Irfaan Ali said that efforts are underway to expand educational services as well as to integrate them. “We have to integrate our education system. So, we have to have a total quality management system across the board that ensures that the output of one leads to the input of the other and

and AI as a common part of the work environment. Because if we don’t incorporate that at this time, then we will be playing catch up all the rest of our life,” Dr. Ali said. He further emphasised the importance of digitising records to support learning and catch up with the technological advancements of the world. “Everything on this building should be digitised, from entry to the building attendance in the building [to] light coordination in the building should be digitised because that creates the new environment in which learning will be supported,”

The new $200 million GTI wing that was commissioned on Friday (Delano Williams photo) jectory of families. And so that’s why we partnered with Mr. Ken.” She added: “For me, the one equalising factor, one sure way of making sure you can take people out of

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand; President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Ken Subraj sharing a light moment named after Subraj and his flagship company ZARA. He admitted to not being a man of many words, but, however urged the Ministry of Education to utilise the facility how they see fit. Subraj donated $180 million to the facility, while the government donated $20

there is a seamless integration in terms of quality,” the Head of State said. He further expressed hope that the new facility will embrace the world of digitisation and artificial intelligence (AI). “We have to start exposing our students to robotics

he added. While also offering remarks, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand noted that facilities like these have the ability to change lives. She said: “Institutions like these have the capacity to change lives. Change generations, change the tra-

One spacious rooms that will be transformed into a smart classroom

poverty or take them out of middle income is through an education. We’ve seen it so many so many times. “It is immeasurable, the investment you made here,” Manickchand said, while

thanking Mr. Subraj for his donations. The minister said that there are currently six other new technical training facilities being established across the country.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

Toshaos Council launches project to combat gender-based violence

THE National Toshao’s Council (NTC), on Friday, launched its pilot programme aimed at empowering men to lead the charge in fighting violence against Indigenous women and girls. The project was launched at the council’s secretariat at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, where it was announced by officials that the project will create practical solutions to tackle prevalent issue. Delivering remarks at the launch was Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, who hailed the project as an innovative one, noting that there has never been such an aggressive position taken in the past by Indigenous leaders in relation to violence against women and girls. “I truly believe that while it may not be a new scenario, it is an innovative action taken by Indigenous leaders under the umbrella of the National Toshao’s Council to take hold of this situation and provide leader-

Charge d’Affaires at the Canadian High Commission to Guyana, Caroline Mireault

NTC Secretary, Shane Cornelius

ship on it,” she said. Sukhai said too that the government has made significant steps to ensure that the scourge of domestic and gender-based violence is addressed. Providing a detailed breakdown of the project, NTC Secretary, Shane Cornelius said that the project is called “Empowering Men to be Agents of Change to Fight Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls” and is being made possible through the support of the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). This project, Cornelius said, embodies the shared vision for a safer, more inclusive and harmonious society for Indigenous women, as they play a pivotal role as the backbone of the communities, torchbearers of traditions and guardians of the land. Far too many Indigenous women and girls suffer in silence and are victims of violence. “It is our responsibility as leaders to address this issue head-on and put an end

to this injustice. This pilot project is particularly significant as it highlights the pivotal role that male toshaos or community leaders can play in addressing the deeply rooted issue of violence against Indigenous women and girls,” Cornelius said. He added that while they recognise that gender-based violence continues to cast a dark shadow over the progress and prosperity of Indigenous communities, leaders must recognise the power they hold to reshape their communities for the better. Cornelius added: “We must harvest our influence and leverage our position to create a safer, more equitable environment for our women and girls. Empowering men to be agents of change sends a strong message; it tells our women and girls that they deserve to live without fear, without harm and with respect and dignity; that is their inherent right… it tells our men that they have the capacity and the responsibility to be allies in this fight.” He related that the vision of the project is to create a

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai ripple effect through various Indigenous communities with an aim to educate and sensitise male leaders about the true impact of violence against women and girls, and provide them with the tools and knowledge to become advocates for change. A multifaceted approach is expected to be implemented which will encompass campaigns, workshops and training programmes, among other things. It was further highlighted that the project goes beyond theoretical knowledge and is about fostering practical solutions. Meanwhile, Caroline Mireault Charge d’Affaires at the Canadian High Commission commended the NTC for developing the project and their proactive approach towards fighting such a prevalent issue. She added that one of the goals is to bring a continuous reduction of gender-based violence from Indigenous communities, and for men to hold each other accountable to eradicate violence against women and girls.

Gold miner confesses to snatching $200,000 gold chain

KEINO Pluck, an 18-yearold gold miner, on Friday, confessed to snatching a woman’s $200,000 gold chain and was subsequently remanded in prison until late November when he is expected to know his fate. Pluck was hauled before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and admitted that on October 25, 2023, at Commerce Street, Georgetown, he stole from the person of Shondel Jones, a16 pennyweights gold chain valued at over $200,000. The prosecutor told the court that Pluck had indicated

Keino Pluck that he is willing to compensate the victim for the chain. Magistrate Daly adjourned the matter until No-

vember 24 for Pluck’s sentencing. According to reports, on the day in question, the victim had just purchased the valuable gold chain from a jeweller in Georgetown. Pluck reportedly trailed her and later snatched the piece of jewellery from her neck before fleeing the scene. The woman raised an alarm and gave chase behind Pluck, who was nabbed by a police officer. Pluck was searched and the chain was not recovered. This newspaper was made understand that Pluck allegedly swallowed it.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

High Court throws out Gordon Moseley’s $1M defamation lawsuit –– orders him to pay Guyana Times, Ramsammy $500k each in costs

HIGH Court Judge Navindra Kissoon on Friday threw out a $100 million lawsuit filed by local journalist Gordon Moseley against the Guyana Times and one of its columnists, former Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. The lawsuit revolved around allegations of defamation, with Moseley contending that the publication of Ramsammy’s column in the Guyana Times in March 2021 had tarnished his reputation. As such, he approached the court seeking substantial damages. The column penned by Ramsammy touched on Moseley’s coverage of the 2020 General and Regional Elections, specifically implicating a bias in favour of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and casting doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral process. In his ruling, Justice Singh found that Ramsammy’s statement implying that Moseley was complicit in elections rigging due to his biased reporting was the former minister’s honest opinion. Justice Singh further noted that there was no evidence to suggest that Ramsammy’s comment was made maliciously. In his testimony in court, as stated in the ruling, Moseley had said: “Based on all that we have seen, I accept that there was an attempt to rig the elections.” The circumstances surrounding the elections had garnered international interest and as a result, social media was abuzz with the developments surrounding the elections, either via news releases or public comments. The judge pointed out that the dissemination of information globally through several existing social media platforms cannot be ignored, and must be taken into account when considering whether the average reader of Ramsammy’s commentary would have been aware of the underlying facts upon which he based his comment. The court acknowledged that the events surrounding the elections had garnered international attention, and social media had played a significant role in disseminating information about the developments. Moseley had a substantial social media following, and his reports and comments were widely read. The judge questioned whether Moseley’s reporting adhered to these essential principles. Ultimately, the

Gordon Moseley

Justice Navindra Singh

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

court found that elements of bias and selective reporting existed within Moseley’s coverage, reinforcing Ramsammy’s concerns about the elections results’ legitimacy. “... despite the claimant testifying that he posted articles and/or comments that would have addressed the actions of GECOM and calling on the APNU+AFC coalition to publicly produce Statements of Poll in their possession, such postings were not produced or tendered in evidence or proven to this court,” the judge said in his ruling.

documents dated prior to prior to March 1 2020 that contain reports and posts by the Claimant [Moseley] and News Source Guyana, the court finds as a matter of fact that a reasonable person would find the claimant’s reporting to be biased, and intended to convince the public that the results being released by GECOM were accurate, with little or no parallel coverage of the concerns being raised by the public and the international observers over those very results,” the judge said in his ruling. The court found that Ramsammy, who testified that he was a member of the team from the PPP verifying the results being read, could reasonably and honestly have concluded from these postings that Moseley was biased in his reporting, and was, therefore, giving support to the rigging of the elections. Thus, the court ultimately found that there was no evidence that the comment was made maliciously by Ramsammy. Based on his findings, Justice Singh dismissed the applications, and ordered Moseley to pay $500,000 to each defendant on or before November 30, 2023.

Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield; former People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) Chairperson Volda Lawrence; PNC/R activist Carol Smith-Joseph; and several GECOM officials are before the court. The defendants are charged in connection with inflating or facilitating the inflation of results for Region Four, the country’s largest voting district, to give the APNU+AFC coalition a majority win at the polls when, in fact, the PPP/C had won by 15,000 votes.

MISLEADNG AND BIASED REPORTING Justice Singh made reference to another article published by Moseley in which the headline asserts that the diplomats left because of the complaints by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). “A reasonable person would find this to be a misleading headline, since, according to the evidence, the diplomats left because of the conduct of the GECOM [Guyana Elections Commission] officials. Referencing another article published by News Source, which was submitted as an exhibit, the judge pointed out that it contained exaggerated statements purportedly of actions orchestrated by the PPP. Referencing another article, Justice Singh said that News Source purports to advance then-leader of APNU, David Granger’s view of the unfolding events, including an allegation that the PPP created “an atmosphere of intimidation and fear” at the office of the Returning Officer of District Number 4 “without further content as to whether such an allegation was accurate.” “Based on an examination of the documents tendered, particularly the

COLLUSION In April 2023, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events of the 2020 General and Regional Elections found that there was collusion and collaboration between senior GECOM officials to divert votes to the APNU +AFC, instead of safeguarding and preserving the integrity of the electoral system. Currently, the high-profile electoral fraud case involving several prominent figures, including former District Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; former

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

APA’s appeal to stop Amerindian villages from benefitting from carbon credit funds fails THE following is the full text of a statement from the Office of the Vice-President on the subject at hand: “THE Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has failed in its attempt to appeal a decision that was made by an Independent Reviewer regarding the

Guyana application under the carbon credits programme. “In its release, dated October 27, 2023, the APA expressed dissatisfaction that the ART Secretariat has not given in to its machinations, which seemingly attempted to bias the ART process with several

of APA’s demands. “The APA’s appeal was tabled in July 2023, and followed its first failed attempt at stopping Guyana’s ART Trees crediting, which effectively meant stopping carbon credits revenues flowing to Amerindian Villages. “In May 2023, the In-

dependent Reviewer who examined the APA’s complaint, concluded that the process set forth in the ART Standards was followed by Guyana, and that concerns expressed by the APA were not supported facts and, in several cases, inaccurate, and, further, that specific issues pointed to in the APA’s submission did not reflect an understanding of the role of the ART Standard. “The Independent Verification concluded with a rejection of the complaint made by the APA, as well as its associated call for the suspension of Guyana’s ART-TREES carbon credits. Further, the Independent Reviewer concluded that the APA’s claims that it had not been appropriately consulted on Guyana’s ART-TREES issuance process, were verifiably false. “The original complaint by the APA and the recent Appeal which has now failed, were both done in secret and without the knowledge or support of any indigenous communities in Guyana, and without the knowledge or support of any of their elected leaders. “Once the existence of the complaint (March 2023) and the Appeal (July 2023) were made public (by other parties, not by the APA), not a single indigenous community supported it. “Importantly, the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) spoke up on behalf of indigenous communities to ensure that their voices would be heard. The NTC is comprised of leaders from every indigenous community in Guyana. “Those leaders are elected by their own com-

munities, unlike those of the APA. The NTC continues to speak up on behalf of communities across the country, including raising issues with the Government to ensure that communities receive the benefits from the sale of carbon credits that they rightly expected. “At the recently held NTC Conference in August 2023, there was no support expressed for the APA’s appeal. The question arose at the time of the complaint in March 2023 and again at the time of the Appeal in July 2023, as to who the APA is purporting to represent and whether there has been Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) by Amerindian Villages. “The ART Secretariat is likely to respond formally to the APA’s exit from the appeal process. It is clear that the APA’s attempt to accuse the ART Secretariat on grounds of fairness, legitimacy and transparency backfired. The APA, through filing its appeal without appropriately seeking the free, prior and informed consent of the stakeholders which they claim to represent, has now been exposed as guilty of breaching the FPIC principle, of being unfair in advancing an agenda that has failed to secure widespread buy-in from Indigenous people in Guyana, and for a lack of transparency in its operations. “Further, the APA’s Appeal has been exposed, via international independent review, as being nothing more than a failed political attempt to stymie the development of Amerindian Villages, once again. “Meanwhile, Guyana has earned US$150 million

in payments from the sale of ART-TREES credits for the year 2023. “A total of 85 per cent of this money is being invested in multi-community and national priorities identified by stakeholders during the seven-month consultation on the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, while 15 per cent - or G$4.7 billion – has been directly transferred to village bank accounts for investment in village plans, put together by villages themselves. This Programme will see continuous financing flows to villages. “A total of 242 communities have completed Village Plans to the standards required by village-led processes. In all cases, the village processes must culminate with a vote of approval from at least twothirds of all adult villagers present at village meetings (in many villages, support has been unanimous). “All 242 communities have their own carbon credit bank accounts and finance committees chosen by villagers and community members. “Currently, over 500 projects are being implemented at village level, led by Amerindian people. Projects that are being financed include priorities as varied as building shade houses, improving local guesthouses for tourism, supporting cassava farming, providing craft classes, and purchasing village tractors. These projects, financed by carbon credits revenues, are transforming village livelihoods through climate adaptation and resilience actions.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

Special programme targeting social issues to be rolled out in 2024 - President Ali announces that is brought upon many women and children around the world as I speak to you,” he related. For context, Hamas’ attack on Israeli territory, and the subsequent Israeli aerial bombardment, as well as the consequential cutting off of all access to fuel, electricity, water, and medicine to the people of Gaza, have brought the status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to its lowest levels in several decades. Hamas’ attack on Israel has resulted in the loss of over 1,400 lives, including that of women and children. Meanwhile, the Israeli bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that in 2024, a special programme will be rolled out to directly tackle social issues (Office of the President photo) MAINTAINING that violence has no place in society, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has said that in 2024, a special programme will be rolled out by organisations such as the Salvation Army to directly tackle social issues. The President made this announcement at the launch of the Salvation Army Guyana Division’s annual Christmas Kettle Appeal, at the Umana Yana, High Street, on Friday. “In addition to our normal contribution to the Salvation Army, we are going to launch a special programme next year with the Salvation Army and others, to proactively address social issues and not wait until it’s upon someone to come in for counselling,” the President said. Refusing to conceal how disturbed he is by the prevalence of violence among young people, especially in schools, Dr. Ali said that there must be consequences for bad behaviour. He further related: “All we want in this country is for us to work in the interest of national [life] and interest [of] the country.” The Christmas Kettle, also referred to as the Red

Kettle, due to its colour, is the Salvation Army’s most famous street campaign. It is most recognised during the Christmas season. During this time, volunteers stand outside of businesses and play or sing Christmas carols, or ring bells to inspire passersby to place donations of cash and cheque inside the trademark red kettles. The annual Christmas Appeal helps the Salvation Army to meet the needs of those less fortunate, through the provision of food, shelter, rehabilitation and much more. The Head of State then urged children in the audience to not be clouded by greed or the need to fit in with the majority, and instead always strive to be themselves. Dr. Ali firmly remarked: “Our time, my dear young people, must not be marked by the urgency of the immediate. The urgency of the immediate is sometimes the plot to destruction. “These things will fade, the glamour and glory it brings is short lived and it will fade, and then you will have a whole long road ahead of you that you [will] wish was not shaped by the

shadow of the urgency of the immediate.” Highlighting the importance of eradicating the plagues of violence and injustice, the President said that organisations such as the Salvation Army are important stakeholders in this process. Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Edward Boyer, during brief remarks, lauded President Ali’s “One Guyana” policy and highlighted its role in shaping a bright future for Guyanese. “Dr. Ali has established the “One Guyana” vision and in keeping with his emphasis on quality for all, he has fashioned a nation where voice and recognition is being given to all social groups in our society,” he underscored. INJUSTICE With darkness grappling every corner in the world, the President underscored that to turn a blind eye to global phenomena such as the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, would be unjust. “For me to say that the family of humanity is entering a period of joy, globally, would be doing a disservice to the pain and suffering

2,600 Palestinians, many of whom are children and women. Further, the Israeli air raids on Gaza have also resulted in the indiscriminate destruction of essential infrastructure, including United Nations (UN) centres, hospitals, and schools. President Ali also drew attention to the situation in Haiti, noting that these acts of violence must stop, and no effort will be spared in pursuit of betterment for all. “ O u r c h i l d re n a n d women in Haiti continue to suffer in hunger, dying every day at the hands of criminals, being raped and subjected to every single form of indecency,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

‘APNU struggling to find its footing’

- Dr. Jagdeo says; condemns major attempt to rewrite history THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, rubbished what he described as “shameless” attempts to rewrite history and accuse the PPP/C Government of not having a clear developmental plan, despite the evident progress. Dr. Jagdeo made these remarks during a press conference at Freedom House, where he highlighted the inaccuracies outlined in a Kaieteur News “Peeping Tom” column, which was titled: “The PPP/C has never endorsed a national development strategy.” Contrary to the claims in the column, according to the General Secretary, unlike the PPP/C, many of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)’s ideas were

disjointed and could not be supported by rigorous economic analyses. D r. J a g d e o r e l a t e d : “APNU has been struggling to find its footing, largely, when confronted with the core questions [such as] whether they have a plan for the development of Guyana.” Pondering on the hundreds of taxes “strapped to the backs” of Guyanese citizens by the APNU+AFC, he said: “It was the most rapid period of escalation of tax collections in the country in those five years, and this did not come from economic growth [or] expansion of the economy because the fact is that many sectors in the economy shrunk, it came [from] the additional taxation.” Although the coalition government promised jobs, Dr. Jagdeo said the nation,

during the period 2015-2020, saw a loss of over 30,000 jobs. “They had no plan at that time,” he maintained, noting that the Kaieteur News article ignored those facts and tried to paint a bad image of the PPP/C Government. “So clearly, there is a major attempt to rewrite history, through these documents that surface [Peeping Tom],” Dr. Jagdeo said. DEVELOPMENT Reflecting on the work done by his party throughout Guyana’s history, he pointed to how the then PPP government acted swiftly to create a plan to lower poverty after being shocked by the poverty rate in 1992. As an outcome of that effort, the National Development Strategy (NDS) and the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) were developed in

conjunction with the 1999 Business Summit. But there are other PPP approaches to poverty reduction besides the PRS; those important policy tools include the NDS and the LCDS 2030 (Low Carbon Development Strategy). “We know how far we have come as a country,” he remarked, noting that the PRS addressed the troubling situation at that time in the country’s history. Although the “Peeping Tom” article sought to be biased and ‘prop up’ the opposition by boasting about the Green State Strategy created by Former President, David Granger, the PPP General Secretary said it did not pose a sustainable future for Guyana because it failed to grasp what is development. “This is the delusion in the PNC. They have no plan,” Dr. Jagdeo said while

PPP General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Adrian Narine) affirming that the country cannot be run on “wishywashy” positions. With Guyana’s economy finally being revived, Dr. Jagdeo highlighted some of his government’s initiatives that have put forth brighter days. “Over 50,000 more of these ordinary people are working now than were not working under APNU,” he

said. Dr. Jagdeo also reflected on initiatives such as the restoration of the “Because We Care” cash grant; increase in on-age pension, which sees pensioners receiving $14.5 billion more; thousands of persons finally having a plot of land and many low-income earners owning core homes.

Doctors better equipped to detect illnesses, treat patients - Armogan says; advises persons to be more conscious about their health, do regular screening

IN a continuous effort to sensitise the population about breast cancer, the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) teamed up with several governmental and non-governmental organisations to support the Berbice Chapter of the Cancer Society in their annual awareness rally, under the theme: “Early Detection, Early Cure.” The event which took place in New Amsterdam on Wednesday, started at the Tacama Turn and culminated at the Esplanade Park, where regional and municipal officials addressed a large gathering, which included members of the Guyana Police Force. Regional Chairman, David Armogan told the Guyana Chronicle that the RDC has always been part of efforts to create awareness about cancer. "We at the RDC level recognised the importance of joining hands with the Cancer Society in ensuring that our women and men are

Representatives of the RDC participating in the event aware of the dangers of living with undetected breast, and other forms of cancers," Armogan said. He also stressed the need for everyone to take cognisance of the fact that the 2023 theme was chosen with the sole purpose of ensuring that people take advantage of health services. "With the advancement of medicine, doctors are more equipped to detect and treat patients, but peo-

ple must demonstrate the willingness to seek medical attention," he said. Regional Vice-Chairman, Zamal Hussain, in emphasising the importance of early detection, shared that a few years ago cancer struck in his family, and it was devastating for the family members. He recalled: "My mother died of cancer, but not breast cancer; nevertheless, the disease has different

Part of the procession along Main Street, New Amsterdam

forms and I do believe that I should use my personal experience to talk to the people in my community, and encourage them not to remain silent; it would be better if everyone (men and women) can have early screening." THE PAINS OF A WIFE The Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright McIntosh, in his address to the gathering, said: "In 2014, I witnessed the pains of my

wife (Shoba McIntosh), and it was not easy watching her laying on the hospital bed, as doctors gave up hope; however, through treatment and perseverance, she's still alive today. It's truly a miracle that she is still with us, even though she suffered a relapse in September 2023." Students, religious groups, High Court and Banks DIH Staffers, nurses, The Seventh Day Adventist pathfinders, members of the

Police Steel Orchestra and teachers were among the many groups that graced the event, where these strong messages were shared. In delivering words of gratitude, the President of the Cancer Society (Berbice Chapter), Carmen Pluck, thanked the Regional Executive Officer, Narindra Persaud and RDC Heads for their support and effort in motivating other groups to follow.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

First-time potable water access for 27 Mahaicony households

TWENTY-seven families of New Providence, Mahaicony will soon have access to potable water after more than 20 years without access to this vital service. In 2021, Minister within the Ministry, Susan Rodrigues met with residents of the community and after hearing their plight, committed to resolving it. On Friday, the Minister returned to the community along with Member of Parliament, Mr. Faizal Jaffarally; Regional Chairman, Mr. Vickchand Ramphal; and Regional Manager-GWI, Mr. Darsan Heralall, as they inspected the ongoing works

and updated residents of the development. Works have commenced for the installation of a fourinch distribution main and the 27 service connections to the households. The contract was awarded to Voglezon Contracting Services and is expected to be completed by the first week in November. Minister Rodrigues, during her engagement with the residents, thanked them for their patience, noting that despite the delays and challenges faced in making the project possible, the Region, and her office were relentless in their efforts.

“Your regional representatives were aware of the situation, and they informed me, for some it may seem like a small issue but it is important to you since access to water is essential”. She added that, while the government, through the Ministry, continues to focus on major projects, access for smaller communities is imperative. “We still have communities that don’t have access and that remains a top priority for the government and a lot of communities are left out because of how they were formed.”

Twenty-seven families of New Providence, Mahaicony will soon have access to potable water, after more than 20 years

Minister within the Ministry, Susan Rodrigues flanked by Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal and Member of Parliament, Faizal Jaffarally in discussion with residents of New Providence, Mahaicony Nonetheless, Minister intervention and called on Residents are also seekRodrigues reiterated her residents to play their part ing the Minister’s intervencommitment to ensuring in ensuring that the new tion on a number of issues access to potable water for facility is taken care of. affecting them, including; smaller communities that Member of Parliament, road rehabilitation, employhave been neglected for Mr. Jarafally also expressed ment and other infrastrucdecades. similar sentiments, and he ture development needs of “ O u r j o b i s a b o u t thanked the residents for al- the community. finding solutions, when lowing GWI access to their The Minister assured it comes to development lands to make the project a residents she will work for citizens we must find reality. closely with the region and solutions to ensure that Also while in the area, her other cabinet colleagues development reaches our the Minister, and team met to address some of the concitizens and cooperation is with residents of Perth, cerns raised. imperative”. Mahaicony where the disThe regional repreMeanwhile, Regional cussions were held on the sentatives also took the Chairman, Vickchand Ram- extension of the water dis- opportunity to update the phal expressed his appreci- tribution network to the residents of Perth on onation to the Minister for her area. going development works.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday October 28, 2023) COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG) (2) Scot Edwards (NED) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many World Cup games IND &amp; NZ have played against each other to date? (2) How many NZ have won? Answers in tomorrow’s issue …………………………………………………………

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

Tottenham move five points clear after beating palace (BBC) - Tottenham Hotspur moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table and continued

their superb start to the season with a win at Crystal Palace. The visitors took control after the break

and benefitted from a huge slice of fortune with the opener when Palace defender Joel Ward turned James

Maddison's cross into his own net. Maddison was key to the second too as his interplay with Brennan

Johnson ended with Son Heung-min firing home his eighth goal of the season. J o r d a n Ay e w thumped in a stunning strike after taking the ball down on his chest in stoppage time for Palace, but there was

the lads handled [the end of the match] well. "We haven't faced that situation this year and there was a really clear-headedness about the team. There was no rushing and panic which is a good sign." Postecoglou's im-

James Maddison’s cross was bundled into his own net by Palace defender Joel Ward for the opener

to be no equaliser as Tottenham secured yet another victory under new boss Ange Postecoglou. The Australian has breathed new life into his side since joining from Celtic in the summer and this win extended Spurs' run to eight wins and two draws from their opening 10 games. The victory means Tottenham move on to 26 points, five ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, who both have a game in hand and can close the gap over the weekend. "Every week is a different challenge," Postecoglou told BBC Sport. "The key for us was to be disciplined, focused and persistent in our play and we did that. I think the spell between the first and second goal we were dominant and played some really good football and then still think

pact on the Spurs squad cannot be underestimated - he is not only enjoying the best start to a season by a new manager in Premier League history, but has also guided his team to their second-best start to a top-flight campaign. Spurs' best ever start came in the 196061 season, when they amassed 30 points from their first 10 games and went on to win the league title. While it is early days, fans will be starting to dream of of a title challenge this term too. Key to Tottenham's impressive form this term has been the irrepressible Maddison, who has appeared right at home in this Spurs team ever since his summer transfer from Leicester City, and it came as no surprise that he was at the heart of both goals at Selhurst Park.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

South Africa win by smallest of margins (ESPNCRICINFO) As Keshav Maharaj exploded into celebration, having swung Mohammad Nawaz to the fine-leg boundary for the winning runs with the No. 11 for company, waves of relief washed over his team-mates watching from the dressing room. South Africa had thrown off the yoke of the choke by the barest of margins against Pakistan in

Shah Afridi behind in the 34th over, with the target still 65 runs away. The fine balance appeared to swing South Africa's way once again as Jansen joined Markram and the pair began to hack at the equation rather than approach it with caution, being South Africa's last pair of recognised batters. The ball after he clattered Haris Rauf back over his head for a flat six in the 37th over, Jansen spooned

Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj celebrate South Africa’s nail-biting win (ICC/Getty Images)

Chennai to chase successfully for the first time in their World Cup 2023 campaign. The one-wicket win took them level with India on ten points at the top of the table, but ahead on net run rate, though they have played an extra game. The victory was set up by their bowlers - Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen in particular - who dismissed Pakistan for 270 in 46.4 overs despite them having been well placed at 225 for 5 in the 40th. And when Aiden Markram - who overtook Virat Kohli to become the second-highest run scorer of this World Cup during his innings of 91 - and David Miller were putting together their 70run stand for the fifth wicket, a South African win looked comfortable. All that changed when Miller edged Shaheen

a slower ball to Babar Azam at point, leaving South Africa 36 away from the target with four wickets in hand. Fourteen runs later, the legspinner Usama Mir, who came into this game in the 15th over of South Africa's chase as a concussion substitute for Shadab Khan, picked up his second wicket: Markram's attempted heave resulting in a leading edge that landed in Babar's hands once again. South Africa's last recognised batter was gone with his team still 22 runs short. Afridi then found the outside edge of Gerald Coetzee and Rauf pulled off a one-handed diving return catch to dismiss Lungi Ngidi. By then, they had poked and prodded their way to within 11 runs of victory. On another day, um-

pire Alex Wharf might have upheld Rauf's lbw appeal against the No. 11 Shamsi off the final

ball of the 46th over. Not tonight. Pakistan reviewed the not-out decision, only to watch in

agony as the ball-tracking showed impact to be umpire's call. Nine balls later, it was all over - af-

ter 25 matches, the 2023 ODI World Cup had its first thriller. And South Africa did not choke.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

Region Three Softball Cricket League President’s Cup 50-ball Tournament 2023…

$500,000 for inaugural champions

A lucrative pay day is guaranteed for the eventual champions of the inaugural President’s 50-ball softball cricket tournament. The 4-team tournament is set for the Tuschen Community Centre Ground, East Bank Essequibo this Sunday, October 29, from 09:00hrs. The losing finalist will pocket $300,000 while the losing semi-finalists will both get $100,000. The one-day event will see a return of competitive softball cricket to the Essequibo Islands/West Demerara Administrative Region using the traditional small ball. In an effort to keep the youths of the Region meaningfully occupied and working together, the Region Three Softball Cricket

League (R3SCL) will also be using the day to raise funds

for future tournaments. There will be BBQ chick-

CMC – Their batting, led by Demario Richards, set them up, and their bowling, led by Romario Greaves, formalised a comfortable, 121-run win for Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners against Jamaica Scorpions in the West Indies

Super50 Cup on Friday in Trinidad. Greaves bagged four for 51 from his allotted 10 overs, and the Scorpions were bowled out for 198 in 32.4 overs, replying to the Marooners’ 320 for seven, in the 16th match of the tourna-

ment that was reduced to 48 overs-a-side because of rain at Queen’s Park Oval. Chadwick Walton led the way for the Scorpions with an even 50, Odean Smith made 35, Brad Barnes got 31, and Jermaine Blackwood made 22, but the batting of their side

en and beverages on sale all day with the profits going

directly to cricket development. Each team will be outfitted with uniforms from the organizers while there will be souvenirs for players and officials in the form of specially designed medallions. Sponsors for the day are: Met’s Sports Bar, Banks DIH, Trophy Stall, Sheriff Security, Auto City, Fazia’s Collections, Fat Boy Discount Store, Puran Brothers, Hi-Fi Sound Connection, Haseeb Bacchus Halaal, Hussain (Dumb Boy) General Store, ND&S Furniture, F&R Supermarket, Mangal’s Sawmill and Lumber Yard Complex, Joshi Construction, N&S Algoo Brokerage, Eclipse Sports Bar, N. Khan Construction, Farouk Mohamed, Summer Time Travels, Burns Sports Bar, GTT, E-Net, Forrester

Lumber Yard and Building Complex, Impressions, Khellawan Wood Working, N&R Welding, Triple A Guttering, Michael Welding, Robin’s Beauty Salon, De Rock Restaurant and Bar, Kapil Heeralall, A and A Auto Sales, Sono Finishing Touch Construction, Bhuneshwar Singh, Paul Cheong, S and D Construction, Paul New Road, Palm Castle, Lakenarine Singh, Taslim Baksh and Khan’s Construction and Transportation Services. The four teams are West Bank Demerara, East Bank Essequibo, West Coast and Leguan/Wakenaam Combined. The two semifinals and championship match will be live streamed on www.flsport.gy

again failed to fire, and the defending champions slumped to their fourth successive loss. Part-time off-spinner Akshaya Persaud took two for 25 from four overs to assist with the demolition, fellow Guyanese, pacer Isai Thorne grabbed two for 35 from 5.4 overs, and leg-spinner Abhijai Mansingh captured two for 55 from nine overs to hand the Marooners their second win in five matches. Solid batting down the order, led by Richards, Jeremiah, and Alleyne, had enabled the Marooners to post the highest total of the tournament so far and revive their chances of a top four finish, and a place in the semi-finals. Left-hander Richards struck seven fours and two sixes in 71 from 82 balls, and built upon a solid opening stand of 73 inside the Power Play from left-hander Jeremiah, who made 56, and Alleyne, with 51, that earned the Marooners bonus batting points. Walton and Blackwood then shared 42 for the first wicket, and helped Scorpions reach 73 for one after the first Power Play to earn a batting bonus point, but things went all downhill from there, and they staring defeat square in

the face when they stumbled to 123 for six at the halfway stage of their innings. Thorne made the breakthrough when he bowled Blackwood in the fifth over, and Walton struck eight fours and one six from 35 balls to give the Scorpions strong early momentum before he was one of four wickets – three to Greaves – that fell before they reached 100. Greaves bowled Walton, got Nkrumah Bonner caught behind for a second-ball duck, and Scorpions captain Rovman Powell caught at deep mid-wicket for two in the space of five balls in his fourth over – the 14th of the innings. Three overs later, Mansingh bowled left-hander Kirk McKenzie for 18 before he got Jeavor Royal caught by the wicketkeeper at silly point for six from a top-edged sweep, and the Scorpions were in tatters on 108 for six in the 21st over. Smith came to the crease and pummelled five sixes off 20 balls, and he shared 47 for the seventh wicket with Barnes to bring some respectability to the innings before he was caught at long-on in the 26th over, and the match was no longer a genuine contest. Earlier, Alleyne slammed

six fours and three sixes from 30 balls and he was main aggressor in the opening partnership before he was caught at point off the left-arm spin of Fabian Allen in the final over of the first Power Play that ended with Marooners 78 for one. Jeremiah smote nine fours and one six from 50 balls and dominated a second wicket stand of 56 with Shatrughan Rambaran before they were dismissed in successive overs, and the Marooners stumbled to 132 for three in the 17th over. Richards anchored successive stands of 71 with his captain Shane Dowrich and 79 with Jordan Johnson that further deflated the Scorpions, but he was one of three wickets – two to Smith – that the Marooners lost for 73 in the final Power Play. Johnson made 41 and Dowrich scored 32, and Smith was the pick of the Scorpions bowlers, ending with three for 28 from eight overs. The tournament continues on Saturday when hosts and leaders Trinidad & Tobago Red Force meet West Indies Academy at 9:00 a.m. at the same venue.

Softball action is set for the Tuschen ground

CCC Marooners beat Jamaica Scorpions 21st South American Road Race Classic – Guyana leg launched The South American 10k Classic, slated for next Sunday, November 5th, will see more than 175 athletes, including 25 international participants, competing for substantial cash prizes. These event details were officially unveiled at the launch of the 21st edition today at the National Resource Centre. Sheryl Hermonstine, the acting President of Athletics Guyana (AG), provided an overview of the annual fixture and revealed that close to 200 athletes from seven different countries have already registered for the event. The race is scheduled to commence at 15:00hrs on CARIFESTA Avenue, con-

tinue along the University of Guyana (UG) road, and conclude at the Police Sports Club ground. Additionally, Hermonstine mentioned that the association is in the process of finalising a Games Village, which may include accommodations at Kanuku Suites, Ocean Spray Hotel, and Brandsville Hotels. She encouraged the public to support the athletes along the race route and expressed gratitude to event sponsors, including the government, the Guyana Olympic Association, Ansa McAl Trading, and others. James Cole, the General Secretary of the association, echoed Hermonstine's call

for public support and also discussed the rewards that top performers can expect. In the senior male and female categories, the firstplace winners will compete for a $US1000 cash prize, alongside other incentives. Cash prizes and trophies will also be awarded to the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up. Junior athletes (aged 16-20) and Masters (Women 35+, Men 40-55, Men 56 and above) will also be rewarded. The youths will receive vouchers or grants valued at US$100, US$75, US$50, and US$25, while the top four Masters in various age groups will receive cash prizes.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

One-Guyana basketball Premier League

Three matches on today at Gymnasium

All roads lead to the National Gymnasium tonight as action heats up in the One-Guyana Basketball Premier League tournament. The tournament is being hosted by the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) and sponsored by the National Sports Commission (NSC), G-Boats and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport. There will be a total of three (3) matches to be contested this evening at the Gymnasium basketball courts on Princes Street & Mandela Avenue under lights.

In the first match, Plaisance Guardians will match skills with the Guyana Defence Force from 17:00hrs. Match two will tip off at 19:00hrs and will feature Kwakwani Untouchables going up against North Ruimveldt Black Caimans. The final encounter of the night will pit Bounty Colts against Prospect/ McDoom Kobras. During the league, teams from the Jaguar and Harpy Eagle Conferences will face each other twice within their respective groups. The top four teams will progress to the playoffs, where

the first-ranked team will compete against the fourth-ranked team, and the second-ranked team will take on the third-ranked team. The victors of these playoff matches will move on to the Conference Finals, where they will engage in a best-of-three series to determine the finalists for the National Championship. The championship-winning team will receive a prize of $1 million, along with trophies, while the runners-up will be awarded $500,000 along with trophies.

Travis Belgrave in play for Eagles’ against Pepsi Sonics last weekend

Navin/Hanso/Revision Optical T20 final:

Ramjeet, Ali lead Lusignan to tense victory over Enmore

Experienced batter Vishnu Ramjeet played an innings for the ages to lead Lusignan Sports Club to a five-wicket win over Enmore in the final of the Navin/Hanso/Revision Optical T20 championship, organised by the East Coast Cricket Board. In a keenly contested final, Enmore posted 150-8 from the allotted 20 overs, and Lusignan overcame some ‘death’ over jitters to win with two balls to spare. At 108-5 at the end of 16 overs, the game was tilted in favour of Enmore with 43 required off 24 balls and Lusignan’s top order batters back in the hut. However, Ramjeet found a more than capable ally in Shazam Ali, the pair forging an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 45 to seal the championship. The duo took 14 off the 17th over to reduce the equation to a more manageable 29 off 18, and then 12 off the 18th over to make the equation 17 off 12. Enmore skipper Satash

East Coast Cricket Board President Davteerth Anandjit (stooping right) with the successful Lusignan team Ramjeet struck five sixes former national cricketer Jainarine conceded just five supporters was dashed off the off the penultimate over, very first ball which Ram- and three fours in his un- Krishna Deosarran chipped leaving spinner Chaitram jeet clobbered him for six beaten 52, while Ali found in with 14. Bowling for Enmore, Balgobin to defend 12 off the to bring up his half-century, the boundary six times in last over. and three balls later a calm his 32 not out. Openers Rob- Richard Chaturia took 2-20, Any intention Balgobin and composed Ali sealed the in Williams and Somnauth Balgobin 2-43 and Rajpaul Bharratt made 16 each, and Basdeo 1-25. had of silencing the Lusignan match with a boundary.

Enmore’s innings was built on a solid 70 from opener Rudolph Singh, the left-hander hitting five sixes and three fours. Apart from 36 (3x4s, 1x6) from firstclass player Amir Khan, not other Enmore batter got going. Bowling for Lusignan, Chanderpaul Ramraj took 3-15 off three overs and Kumar Bishundial 3-21 off three overs. In the third-place game, Industry Rubis defeated Strathavon. Strathavon made 119 in a game reduced to 16 overs, and Industry Rubis won by four wickets. At the presentation ceremony, Lusignan received the championship trophy and G$150,000; Enmore had to settle for the runner-up trophy and G$75,000; Industry Rubis G$50,000 and Strathavon $25,000. Ramjeet was named Man-of-the-Match for his match-winning innings, while Rudolph was adjudged Best Batsman and Ramraj Best Bowler.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday, October 28, 2023

21st South American Road Race Classic

SEE PAGE

– Guyana leg launched

(From left) Athletics Guyana representatives, James Cole, Amanda Hermonstine and Mark Scott

Courts Optical Pee Wee Football Tournament

Semi-final clashes on today The finalists of the 2023 courts optical football tournament will be decided today

THE Courts optical Pee Wee Football tournament will have its two semi-finals today from 12:00 noon. Set for the ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, the two matches will be supported by the 5-8 playoff. Potaro and Redeemer will clash from 11:00hrs in the first semi-final game with Enterprise Primary and St Stephens playing the 5-8 game from 13:00hrs. Den Amstel and Marian Academy battle in the second 5-8 place playoff from 14:00hrs with West Ruimvedlt playing St Pius Primary in the second semi-final from 15:00hrs. The tournament is sponsored by Courts Optical, MCYS, MoE, Sterling Products and MVPSports

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| SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2023