Gaza toddlers got the polio vaccine, then an Israeli bomb took their legs Some countries are prepared to give away value, rather than fight to retain it
Teachers stand in rain and sun for $100K cash grant
$205 million Mahaicony
Magistrates’ Court commissioned
Second powership switched on
Surinamese chopped to death at
Port Mourant
$463M to purchase fertilizers, tractors, equipment construction, installation of transmission for GuySuCo
EPA waives environmental study for lines and substations for gas plant
Some countries are prepared to give away value, rather than fight to retain it
Rather than fight to retain their wealth, some countries are prepared to give away value, a phenomenon economists refer to as the “race to the bottom” where countries compete for investors, without fully understanding thevalueoftheirresources.
T
A RACE TO THE BOTTOM: - Energy expert
Governance, Strategy and Policy Specialist, Anthony Paul in an interview with Kaieteur News. Paul was at the time responding to a questiononhowGuyanacan claw back value, beyond invitingtheoilcompaniesto therenegotiationtable.
He spent the past 17 yearssupportingtheworkof the Natural Resources
(NRGI), a highly respected international NGO, which was previously called Revenue Watch Institute
The Trinidadian is currently a member of its Governance Board and Chair of its N
n d GovernanceCommittee.
He explained that in that role and others, he engaged with both multinational
governments, including in Trinidad and Tobago, where he realised that there are many views of industry practice, which are often taken for granted. Paul said some may in fact be flawed and can be successfully challengedorrewired.
Energy Specialist, Anthony Paul
Butmoreimportantly,he stressed, “I have also learnt that no law or contract is 100%bulletproof.Thereare always loopholes to access opportunitiesforvariationof interpretation,andadditional value-capture, for both investors and governments, if they have the experience, skills, knowledge and desire todoso.”
The Energy expert noted that companies routinely exploit those that benefit them,toenhancethebenefits to their shareholders
However, governments tend tobemuchmorecautiousin takingthisapproach,waryof pushing companies, often fearfulof“affectinginvestor confidence”,“becomingless competitive”, “stability of business environment” and “sanctityofcontract.”
Paul said, “This is often driven by a lack of experience- which can
migrate towards to a lack of self-confidence- and the inability to engage and adequately utilize external supporting expertise, because of limited financial r e s o u r c e s o r e x p e r i e n c e / k n o whow/savvy”.
As such, he pointed out, “In the end, some countries are prepared to give away value, rather than fight to retain it, perpetuating the ‘race to the bottom,’ as economists call the phenomenon of countries competing for investors, without fully understanding thevalueoftheirresourcesto theseinvestors.”
Paul explained that he has personally seen many occasionswheresomeofthe most successful companies and their leaders have made decisions that are counter to common-sense,technicalor
Continued on page 12
EPA waives environmental study for construction, installation of transmission lines and substations for gas plant Surinamese chopped to death at Port Mourant
TheEnvironmental
P r o t e c t Agency (EP has determined that the construction and installation of transmission lines and substations for the gas plant will not r e q u i r e a n Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA).
In a notice published on December 19, t agency said it screened application by the Guyana Power and Light for project stated above which will allow for upgrades to the transmission lines at the Gas-to-Energy(GTE)Wales Project Site to Demerara River,AmaliaFallsCorridor (East Bank Demerara) starting at Garden of Eden a n d e n d i n g a t GoedverwagtingontheEast Coast Demerara and GTE Project Site at Wales, West BankDemeraratoVreed-enHoop.
requirement to conduct an EIA.
ganizationstandards,”the said.
Meanwhile, it noted that noise and vibration will not be significant and i
m activities associated w i t h t h e establishment of the transmission lines N o i s e d u r i n g onstruction will be short-term, localised, and mitigable.
Environmental Assessment B o a r d E - m a i l : eabguyana21@gmail com o r W e b s i t e : www.epaguyana.org.
According to the EPA
this project will not significantly affect the environment, and is therefore exempt from the
It gave four reasons for itsdecisions,explainingthat air quality will not be significantly affected since particulate matter emissions during the construction phase are primarily shortterm, localised, and mitigable.Additionally,dust control measures such as dampening the work area, covering loose soil (small particles),andimplementing water spraying systems to suppressdustemissionswill be employed “The emissions are not expected to exceed the World Health
There will be minimal clearing of natural vegetation as the Right of Way (RoW) will not be in any sensitive ecosystem Additionally, no process water/effluent will be generated The EPA was keentonotethatitsdecision is in no way an indication that the project is approved. Any person who may be affected by the proposed project may lodge an appeal against the Agency’s decision not to require an EIA within 30 days of the publication of the Notice Appealsagainstthedecision should be addressed to: The C h a i r m a n , T h e
The Transmission Lines and Substation for the Guyana Integrated NGL Plantand300MWcombined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) Power Plant Project, are geared at evacuating and transmitting bulk power generated by the 300 MW GTECCGTPowerPlantfor distributionatthreepointsof interconnection with existingsubstations.
This will feed into the existing National Grid, and three new substations that will distribute electricity directly to customers within theirvicinity
Additionally, the project also caters to upgrade two existing 69 kV transmission lines and expand one substation.
More information on the project is available on the EPA’s website and can be found using this link: https://epaguyana org/down load/transmission-linproject-summary/
PoliceareinvestigatingthemurderofaSurinameseman whose mutilated body was found in a trench on Sunday at PortMourant,NewHousingScheme,Berbice.
According to police, the body identified to be that of Marciano Michel Nelon, called ‘Dutchie’, age 23, was in a trenchwithmultiplechopwounds.
The discovery was made around 08:50hrs not too far from his home at Bangladesh, Port Mourant “Detectives examined the body and noted chop wounds on the forehead,chin,backofthehead,andthebackofbothfeet”, policesaid
Investigators believe that he was murdered sometime between 14:30hrs on Saturday and 08:5o hrs. on Sunday Theybelievetoothathewasattackedinhishousefirst.“… ranks observed a small amount of suspected blood on the floor (of his home), and the deceased’s clothing was scattered,suggestingapossiblestruggle”,policereportedto thepress.
PolicerevealedtoothatNelonisnostrangertothem.He wasreportedlyquestionedinconnectionwiththemurderof Parmanand Pertab on October 26, 2024, near the Port MourantMarketarea. Furtherinvestigationsareongoing.
The lyrics of the popular song ‘If I can help somebody’ come alive mostly at Christmas becauseitisthatonetimeoftheyear,whenmost peoplearedisposedtogiving.
It went on to say: “ if I can do my duties as a good man ought, IfIcanbringbackbeautytoaworldupwrought, If I can share love’s message like the Master taught,
Thenmylivingshallnotbeinvain.”
Christmas is one of the most sacred days for Christians, although through the years its sanctity has been desecrated Even some Christians have allowed themselves to be caught up with the commercialism of the festivities, reducing it to a time of merriment Perhaps, a greater understanding of the purpose of Jesus’birth would see a more sober reflectionontheday
It is often argued that December 25 is not the date of Jesus’ birth and therefore should not be observed
Others feel that though the date might be incorrect, the significance of the occasion is what matters and as such persons should not be restrained from observing December 25
Whatever the argument is, there is no divine sanctity resting upon the twenty-fifth of December; and it is not pleasing to God that anything that concerns the salvation of men through the infinite sacrifice made for them , should be so sadly perverted from its professed design Christ should be the supreme object; but as Christmas has been observed, the glory is turned from Him to mortal man, whose sinful, defective charactermadeitnecessaryforHimtocometoourworld.
The Bible teaches that Jesus- the Majesty of heaven, the royal King of heaven, laid aside His royalty, left His throne of glory, His high command, and came into our world to bring to fallen man, weakened in moral power, and corrupted by sin, aid divine
He clothed His divinity with humanity, that He might reach to the very depths of human woe and misery, to lift up fallen man By taking upon Himself man’s nature, He raised humanity in the scaleofmoralvaluewithGod.
Those great themes are almost too high, too deep, too infinite, for the comprehension of finite minds So as we celebrate this Christmas, let us do so with the knowledge that the birth of Christ was the first step towards the great sacrifice for humanity
Therefore, how should we in turn respond to this gift?
It is by working to lift up our fellow human beings who have been wracked by injustices, and hunger to a higher plain
It is for us to do as Jesus said in Luke 4: 18 to preach the gospel to the poor; heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind and to set at liberty themthatarebruised
Perhaps if we would start there this Christmas, thenourlivingwillnotbeinvain
Guyana Needs a Development Bank
DEAREDITOR
,
Therecentpassageofthe Secur
y I
sts in Moveable Property Bill 2024, aimed at making financingmoreaccessible,is commendableinitsintent.It encourages commercial banks to extend lending to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises(SMEs).
However, there’s a structuralmismatchatplay
Commercial banks, by nature, are risk-averse institutions designed to prioritise short-term profitability over long-term develop
mandates do not align with theneedsofbusinessesatthe
developmentstory
Many SMEs operate in the informal economy, unregistered, unbanked, and unable to meet the stringent collateral demands of commercial banks Tax evasion, while widespread, creates another roadblock:
reflecting underreported
creditworthiness This is where the limitations of the current system are most g
g
n
why a developmentbankisnotjust desirablebutnecessary
Efforts by the government to modernise Guyana’s financial system provide a solid foundation for the establishment of a development bank President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli’sannouncementin June, 2024 of updates to the Financial Institutions Act (FIA) signals a commitment to aligning Guyana’s banking sector with international standards, attracting global financial institutions, and bolstering investorconfidence.
These reforms, while primarilyaimedatcreatinga more stable financial
environment, can also support the framework for a development bank by ensuring robust regulatory a n d c o m p l i a n c e mechanisms.
Some might be inclined to highlight the reported growth in private sector credit—from $259.9 billion in 2020 to $376 billion in 2023— as an expansion of creditavailability.However, the increased access is largely tied to traditional commercial banks, which remain ill-suited for the long-term, high-risk investments that SMEs require. IDB-Invest is also said to have facilitated $173 million in investments
across hospitality, education, and oil and gas, which underscores the opportunities within
Guyana’s diversified investment landscape
Again, while international partnerships are essential, the need for a dedicated, local institution to nurture small businesses and foster equitable development remainsunmet.
Looking to the global south offers instructive lessons The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) has long been a cornerstone of Brazil’s economicgrowth,providing SMEs with patient capital and targeted support for innovation and industrial development.
The BNDES operates largely through an indirect lending model, where the bank partners with accredited institutions such as commercial banks, cooperatives, and development agencies to disburse funds This approachminimisestheneed forphysicalinfrastructureor an extensive network of branches, significantly reducing overhead costs
while leveraging the local expertise and reach of these partner institutions. Guyana couldadoptasimilarmodel, allowing a development bank to collaborate with existing commercial banks andotherfinancialentitiesto channel resources to SMEs andunderservedsectors.
Here’s why we need to moveinthisdirection:
· SMEs require longterm, flexible financing to scale operations, especially in sectors like agriculture, tourism,andtechnology.
Unlike commercial banks, a development bank could focus on underserved sectorsandregions,ensuring t h a t t r a d i t i o n a l l y marginalised communities arenotleftbehind.
· By coupling financing with technical assistance, a development bank could strengthen the financial literacy and operational capacity of SMEs.
· Adevelopmentbank
could provide credit guarantees or co-financing schemes to mitigate the risk for private banks, thereby crowding in commercial capital.
In a society where entrepreneurship has only recentlygainedprominence, intentionalityiscritical.
As my friend the ‘Amazing Greg’aptly noted on social media recently, “Guyana needs more mentors.” The opportunities may be plenty, but they require deliberate cultivation.
Trade associations like theGeorgetownChamberof Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Women’s Chamber are making strides insupportofbusinesses,but their efforts must scale alongside our economic ambitions. From incubation hubs and mentorship
programmes to financial literacy workshops, these organisations also have a pivotal role in creating a culture that prioritises business formalisation and growth.
Theharshtruthisthatfor many entrepreneurs just starting out or transitioning from the informal sector, a h i g h e r d e g r e e o f handholdingisrequired.
The current system overwhelmingly favours established businesses with the capacity, experience, connections and of course assets. Without intentional effort to address existing challenges, the inequality gapinevitablywidens. The private sector in Guyana is justover30yearsold.Many entrepreneurs are still figuring it out, and the historical lack of focus on business has left gaps in institutional support However, these challenges are also opportunities to build something truly transformative With a development bank at the centre, Guyana can lay the foundation for a diversified a n d i n c l u s i v e economy—one that uplifts notjusttheelitebutmany,if notallGuyanese.
The road ahead is not withoutobstacles.Creatinga development bank requires political will, institutional reform,androbustoversight mechanisms.
Yet, as the xample of Brazilshowsus,therewards far outweigh the risks Guyana’s oil wealth is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity By investing in adevelopmentbank,wecan ensure that this wealth translates into long-term prosperityforall.
DEAREDITOR, Christmas is just hours away, a time to celebrate with family, friends, and lovedones.Whileweengage in merriment and fun, we must take all necessary precautions during this joyous season. For many, preparing for Christmas oftentakesacommercialand materialistic approach, highlighted by the emphasis on purchasing goods, enjoying sumptuous meals with families and the excessive consumption of alcohol during celebrations. Excessive drinking can lead to negative outcomes,
including accidents caused bydrunkdrivers,increasein domesticviolence,andother troublingissuesathome.
During the festive season, we also see a rise in plasticandotherlitter,which pollutestheenvironmentand harms the ecosystem. We must remember that we are stewards of this planet, responsible for caring for and protecting it for future generations It is worth asking ourselves what have we donethisyeartoaddress Guyana’senvironmentaland ecological degradation
caused by extractive industries and logging. Our
actions that damage nature, and trigger social ills and injustices to others metaphorically dim the lights of the Nativity tree, replacing joy and childlike innocencewithdarkness. However, it is crucial to remember the humanitarian aspect of this season, which involvesgiving,sharing,and reachingouttothosewhoare lessfortunate.Forthosewho spiritually prepare by attending church services to commemorate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, December 25th, let us pray for our country to receive continued blessings and for
our leaders to govern the nation wisely on the right path.
Aswereflectonourlives thisChristmas,werecallthe confusions, negatives, and wrongdoings that occupy our hearts and minds. Yet, amid the chaos and sufferings we face, God entered the world with humility and innocence. We must recognize that, despite thedarknessinourlives,the goodspiritisatwork,andwe needtotaketimetoperceive it. To do this, we should examine how this spirit operates.Wecandothis
(Continuedonpage06)
Who is to be blamed for the concrete poles that collapsed in South Ruimveldt?
DEAREDITOR,
In a NewsArticle which appeared in KN on Dec. 19, the General Secretary of the PPP and Vice-President of the Republic of Guyana Mr Bharrat Jagdeo expressed his opinion that,” the Government starts firing people who are not doing theirworkandarebeingpaid tooverseeprojectsnotbeing done properly and therefore neglectingtheirduties”.
His opinion was expressed after several concrete poles collapsed during their construction on an expanded roadway in SouthRuimveldt.
The collapse of several newly constructed concrete electricaltransmissionpoles in South Ruimveldt, Georgetownraisesanumber of troubling questions regarding responsibility for thismishap.TheMinistryof Public Works (MPW) was given permission by the Guyana Power and Light Corporation (GPLC) to remove wooden poles from one location and replaced them to another site with
concrete poles to accommodate an expanded roadway Therefore, the responsibility to make the changes was that of the MPW
Accordingly, a contract wasawardedbytheMPWto executetheworks.
The evidence suggests that during construction some the poles were not anchored properly into the ground. The weight of the electr
c
w
es and accessories between poles together with excessive lateralwindpressuresonthe systemcausedittoswaytoo far in one direction which tookitandtheconcretepoles withittothegroundbecause of insufficient resistance from the soil into which some of the poles were planted. Thequestionastowhois responsible for this catastrophe is yet to be answered. The poles were not broken so it could be assumed that their design was adequate to carry the expectedloads.Thecontract specifications would have
stated the depths to which the poles should be planted below ground level to resist system movement in any direction. Soils -clays, silts, pegasse,sand,etc.,eachhas
resistance to any force imposed upon it. Therefore, theengineerhadtocalculate what this resistance was to determine the length of the poles which should be buriedinthegroundtocause the soil to resist any lateral movement of the poles
Severa
hods are available to anchor poles firmly into the ground to resistlateralmovementsand theinquiryastothecauseof this fiasco should examine whether any of these was used or not. The ongoing road and drainage works on the Aubrey Barker Road mayhavecontributedtothis incident but they are not the m a j o r c a u s e T h e specifications, contract documents,executionof the works and the design will bearthisout.
Yourstruly, CharlesSohan
ACall for StrategicAutonomy
DEAREDITOR, Guyana stands at a crucial juncture in its h i s t o r y, w i t h i t s burgeoning oil wealth offering opportunities to elevate the nation into a modernized, digitally
advanced economy
However, there is a critical vulnerability that demands attention: our growing reliance on foreign network platforms for the foundation of our digitalizationstrategy
As highlighted in
o n g o i n g g l o b a l d i s c u s s i o n s
technology platforms dominated by a few influential
entities in wealthier
n a t i o n s p o s e s significant geopolitical and economic risks
T h e p a c e o f technological change, combined with the scarcity of local expertise
i n p r o g r a m m i n g ,
engineering, and AI development, makes it challenging for smaller economies like ours to maintain independent v e r s i o n s o f s u c h platforms
t h e s e t e c h n o l o g y
providers to ensure
continued access to essential digital services
For Guyana, this creates a dual challenge: the risk of becoming hostage to external policies and the inability to control or safeguard our digital infrastructure from misuseorexploitation
M o r e o v e r , t h e concentration of power within these platforms often places decisions about content regulation, data ownership, and ethicalAI development in the hands of private corporations with limited accountability
Should we entrust the governance of our digital future to entities whose priorities may not align with ou
l interests?
It is imperative that Guyana prioritizes the d e v e l o p m e n t o f homegrown capabilities
in technology and artificial intelligence
This includes investing in education and training to c u l t i v a t e a n e w
Spare a thought for the victims of war Guyana’s Digital
DEAREDITOR, Theyear2024iscoming to an end. It has been an eventful year, both at the national and at the internationallevels.
At the local level, the
c o u n t r y h a s s e e n unprecedented growth and development especially in the areas of infrastructural
and human resource development.
The same however
cannot be said for
d
vel characterized by continuing
wars and conflicts The recent overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria by rebel forces has taken the international spotlight Thousands of lives continue to be lost by senseless wars especially in Palestine and Ukraine. Aswereflectonourown
achievements and progress in Guyana, let us spare a thought for the victims of war,especiallyatthisfestive seasonoftheyear I wish to take this opportunity to wish all Guyanese a happy Christmas!
HydarAlly
This dependence limits our ability to govern and secure critical systems that are integral to national security, economic resilience, and societalprogress
Currently, many countries that rely on foreign platforms remain dependent not only on external regulators but also on the goodwill of
generation of engineers, programmers, and tech e n t r e p r e n e u r s Furthermore, strategic partnership
regional and global allies
capacity building, and the e
h m e n t o f Guyanese-led platforms to reduce dependency on foreignsystems
G
toward digitalization must be guided by a vision of autonomyandresilience. While we can and
technology, we must do so with caution, ensuring that
preserved and our progress issustainable L
ze this moment to build not only
m
c a l
y prosperous nation but also one that stands as a model of technological selfreliance in the Caribbean andbeyond
Sincerely,
BrianRamphal
T e c h n o
o g y Entrepreneur
Man beaten by tenants died from blunt trauma to head - autopsy reveals
An autopsy on
M o n d a y revealedthatthe landlord beaten by his tenants died from subdural hematoma caused by “multiple blunt trauma” to thehead.
The dead man identified as 50-year-old Kenrick Hakim died on Thursday last,onedayafterhistenants wereseenbeatinghimathis Lot 142 Fourth Street, Martyrs Village, Mon Repos,EastCoastDemerara Home.
sustained from the brutal beating A subdural haematoma occurs when a blood vessel in the space between the skull and the brain (the subdural space) is damaged.
Blood escapes from the blood vessel, leading to the formation of a blood clot (haematoma) that places pressure on the brain and damagesit.
According to the Post Mortem report, the fatal injury Hakim sustained is becauseofrepeatedblowsto
his head. At around 18:00 hrs on Wednesday, eyewitnesses saw Hakim’s tenants, a 27-year-old construction worker, Ramlagan Mahadeo, called ‘Dado’ and his commonlaw-wife, Sarah beating Hakimonhisveranda.
He was dealt multiple cuffs and kicks to his head and body Reports are that the beating lasted for one hour Afterbadlybeatingthe man, the couple took him to Mahadeo’s mother’s home locatedashortdistanceaway
where he spent the night. Reports are that around 07:00hrs the following day (Thursday) the couple realised that Hakim was seriously injured from the beatingandthenrushedhim
t o t h e h o s p i t a l
Unfortunately, Hakim passed away around 15:00 hrs.thatday
Multiple marks of violencewereseenabouthis body One of the tenants, Mahadeo had been on the run from police but he was nabbed on Friday at Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six, during anintelligence-ledoperation under the command of
Region Six Police
Commander, Senior
Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus.BothMahadeoand his common-law-wife are scheduled to appear in court today to face a murder charge.
Kaieteur News had
Frompage04 by adopting a divine perspective to recognize the good in others, exercising empathy, and seizing every opportunity to say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; I want to do your will for the betterment of Guyana and make the world abetterplace.”
reported on Saturday that they allegedly beat Hakim brutally after he confronted them about playing music tooloud.
A neighbour had reportedly complained to Hakimabouttheloudmusic. It reportedly led to an argument between the female tenants and the neighbour over the complaintmade.
During the verbal exchange, the neighbour reportedly accused the womanofbeingunfaithfulto herhusband.
The argument ended therebutanotheronebegan, thistimebetweenthecouple (the tenants) over the allegation.
The two suspects then left but returned later (at around 18:00hrs) still arguing with each other Subsequently, they were seen beating Hakim on his veranda.
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the Nativity story offers profound insights into the mysteries of our fragile existence Humans have always questioned themselves and others: Why is our existence so delicate? Why do we face so many problems, confusion, and suffering? Often, it seems that God is silent. However, in the Nativity, we find an answer: Jesus made himself as fragile as we are through sufferingandchaos.
This was God’s response—not in words, but through an act of identification.
The birth of Jesus occurred outside the city, in the middle of the darkest night, in an animal shed away from the chaos of society Almost no one noticed; neither Rome, the capital of the empire, nor Jerusalem, the religious centerofthePeopleofIsrael, acknowledged it. Only the humble shepherds of Bethlehem came to the shed where the Divine Child shivered from the cold.As a result,wearenolongeralone in our immense loneliness, suffering,andstruggles;God iswithus.HisnameisJesus! Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas!
MedinoAbraham
Dead, Kenrick Hakim
To be charged with Hakim’s Murder, Ramlagan Mahadeo
Top Cop announces plans to rotate officers next year
Commissioner of Police
Clifton Hicken on Monday, announced that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will implementarotationsystem foritsofficersin2025,aimed at increasing efficiency and s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e organisation’s overall capabilities.
This announcement was made during the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Annual Christmas Luncheon and Awards Ceremony While praising t h e f o r c e f o r i t s achievements over the past year, Commissioner Hicken emphasised the need for continued improvement,
especially with the upcoming 2025 elections. He urged the force to enhanceitscapacity,stating, “You would have done well in terms of firearms, you would have done well in terms of all that you are required to do, but when I speak I speak from the strategic standpoint and so right away I want to go into operations which supposed to be followed under the D C L E ( D e p u t y Commissioner of Law Enforcement) and under the operation pillar seeks in increase concessors and increase every aspect of policing in a positive way
Youhavebeendoingthatbut you would have done based onyourlimitationcomenext year we will have to up the ante”Hickensaid. Hickenexplainedthatthe rotationsystemwouldnotbe a punishment, but rather a strategic method to build capacity within the force.
“No one owns the CID,” he said, stressing that officers would be rotated across regionstodevelopabroader skillset and increase overall efficiency He further outlined plans for training
Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum (2nd left seated) flanked by SOCU Head, Fazil Karimbaksh (left seated), Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) SC. Shalimar Ali Hack (right seated) and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Simon McBean (extreme right seated) with CID ranks standing behind them.
programmes, including diplomaanddegreecourses, for all ranks from constables to assistant commissioners These initiatives aim to bridge the knowledge gap between different branches of the force, including traffic, detective, and general duty units.
“Rotation is an avenue used to build capacity in an organisation, so don’t ever take rotation wrongfully,” Hicken explained, urging officers to embrace the
changes. “Wherever you are senttowork,giveityourbest shot. As young men and police women coming up, we are not going to confine you forever in one area.”
Hicken also called for stronger partnership between the police and citizens, explaining that intelligence-ledpolicingand community collaboration would help reduce crime. Additionally, to further motivate the force Hicken gifted the entire CID department the sum of
$500,000.
Meanwhile, during the ceremony, Head of the Criminal Investigations D
Enforcement’ Wendell Blanhum highlighted the GPF’s achievements, noting
$1.2
thatoverthe10-yearperiod, seriouscrimereportswereat the lowest this year, as well as murders, all categories of robberies, break and enter and larceny and other prevalent offences in Guyanawerealsothelowest
Continued on page 16
billion in contracts awarded for construction
of
Kaneville Secondary School
Several contracts totalling $1.2 billion has been awarded for the construction of the Kaneville Secondary School, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)announcedonitswebsite.
The awards for the Ministry of Education project were madeonDecember14,2024,andencompassmultipleblocks fortheneweducationalfacility
Sheriff Construction received the largest single contract, valuedat$418.22million,toconstructaportionoftheschool.
Meanwhile, You Nailed It Construction secured two contracts:$27millionforBlockIand$148millionforBlock J. D&SConstructionwasawarded$116.56millionforBlock F, while JK Enterprise Inc. won two contracts totaling $225 million—$115millionforBlockGand$110millionforBlock H. JD’s Construction Company also secured two contracts: $48.26millionforBlockDand$109.05millionforBlockE. Additionally, A. Ograsein & Sons was awarded $74.38 millionforBlockA,andNPContracting&TransportServices received$39.76millionforBlockC.
BackinOctoberduringtheopeningoftheproject,NPTAB had announced that the construction of the Kaneville Secondary School is estimated to cost $691,280,899. It was alsostatedthattheprojectwillbedoneinseveralblocks(Ato K)andatotalofeightcontractorshaveappliedfortheproject.
With $74.4 billion allocated this year towards the construction, rehabilitation, extension, and maintenance of educationalfacilitiesacrossthecountryamongotherprojects, it was reported that the Ministry of Education had embarked on a very aggressive programme to ensure that all children haveaccesstosecondaryeducation.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand
This is our city
Th e C i t y o f Georgetown is stink, dirty and disordered.Itislitteredwith garbage, overwhelmed by illegalvendorsandsquatting a n d o v e r r u n w i t h overgrowth.
Yet, it seems that the questionofwhoshouldclean upthisabominationofacity hasignitedafierydebateon socialmedia.
It all began when one of Guyana’sleadingjournalists posed a question: “Where is the private sector with its many vehicles to help clean thecity?”
Thequestionwassimple, innocent even, like a child asking why the sky is blue. But simplicity has never been the hallmark of adult discourse, especially not on socialmedia
Enter a former senior privatesectorofficial.
His retort was sharp, uncompromising, and laced with a disdain that could only be described as artisanal: “It is not the private sector’s job to clean upanything.Ourroleistobe the engine of growth, the employers of a capable workforce, and makers of money [ generators of wealth].”
Ah, the generators of wealth.Oneimaginesgilded factories churning out prosperity by the ton, while workers in crisp uniforms sing songs of fiscal discipline.
But here’s the thing: if the engine of growth is sputtering under a pile of garbage, doesn’t it behoove someonetoatleastclearthe carburetor?
The official’s statement, though eloquent in its selfrighteousness, raises a deeper question about the natureofresponsibility Yes, the primary duty of keeping the city clean falls squarely on the municipality That much is clear But the idea that private citizens—or, in this case, private corporations—are absolved of all responsibility because it’s not their job” is as ludicrous as expecting someone to file a noise complaintagainstitself. Allow me to present an alternative perspective, one rooted in that quaint, almost forgotten concept called “citizenship.”
Citizenship, dear readers, is not merely about p a y i n g t a x e s a n d complaining about how thosetaxesarespent.
It is a social contract, a pactbetweenindividualsand their community, which i n c l u d e s b r a c e yourselves picking up after yourself. And if you happen to have a fleet of shiny vehicles at your disposal, maybe picking up afterotherstoo.
Let us consider the private sector’s argument in itsfullglory
“Our role,” they claim,
“is to be the engine of growth.”
This is an admirable aspiration, akin to the ambition of a teenager to “change the world” by becoming a YouTube influencer. But engines requiremaintenance.
They need oil changes, spark plug replacements, and—most importantly—a clean environment in which to operate. A city drowning infilthisnomoreconducive to economic growth than a nightclub is to silent meditation.
Then there is the assertion that the private sector exists to “employ a capableworkforce.”Indeed, nothing screams “capable workforce” like employees wading through ankle-deep trash on their way to the office Imagine the productivity boost when workers arrive fresh, unencumbered by the smell of last week’s fish heads or dead dog left to rot on the road. Surely, a little corporate initiative in tidying up the surroundings could be framed as an investmentinhumancapital. OristhattooMarxistforthe boardroom?
Lastly, we arrive at the pičce de résistance: the private sector as “generators of wealth ”
This is true, of
course, but wealth generation is not an end in itself Wealth, in its
DEM BOYS SEH
Lining Up Like Cattle
Dem boys vex bad Imagine
t r a i n e d professionals—dem same teachers who does mold
w e c h i l d r e n mind standing like cattle, waiting fuh de $100,000cashgrant. Itwashumiliating.Our teachers should not have been subject to having to line up in the sun, and under the shade of their umbrellas just to receive thecashgrant.Andtothink dis was happening a mere twodaysbeforeChristmas wheneverybodydoesneed a likkle extra time fuh get readyfuhdeholidays. De government seh it giving back to de people. But who gon give back to dem teachers de time dem lose? Whole day in sun, sweat running like de Demerara River, all fuh
collect dem lil grant. And when yuh see de line, yuh doeswonderifdempaying out gold bars instead of a fewdollars.
Dem boys seh dis shouldn’t never happen in dis modern time. Dis de same government talking big about digitization and smart cities. Yet, de only thingsmartaboutdiscashgrant system is how fast yuh learn patience. Dem can’tfindabetterway?
One teacher seh dem shoulda divide it alphabetical A to M today, N to Z tomorrow But no, de powers dat be thinkisfuntomekteachers line up like dem back in school waiting fuh de headmaster
And wah happen to de banks? Dem boys seh we got technology, but dem using it fuh announce
most enlightened form, is a tool for improving the qualityoflife.
If the only thing wealth generates is more w e a l t h a n d , incidentally, more garbage then we’ve missed the point entirely.
In the grand scheme of things, isn’t a clean city a form of wealth?
Or does the balance sheet only account for assets that can be monetized?
But let us not lay all the blame at the feet of our corporatecomrades.
The journalist who started this kerfuffle deserves some scrutiny as well. His question, though well-intentioned, carried an undercurrentofexasperation that practically begged for a defensive response. “Where is the private sector?” he asked, as if calling out a tardy student in front of the entireclass.
A more constructive approach might have been to ask, “How can we collaborate to address t h i s i s s u e ? ” Collaboration, after all, is the bedrock of any functioning society, unless that society
happens to be a reality TVshow.
And what of the rest of us? Are we mere spectators in this drama?
Hardly. We, too, are citizens personal and corporate with a stake in the cleanliness of our city. The next time you see someone tossing a Styrofoam container out
o f a m o v i n g c a r, remember: every piece of litter is a tiny act of rebellion against civic responsibility.
And if you’re the one
doing the tossing, congratulations, you’ve just joined the ranks of t h e g r e a t unwashed literally.
The reality is that keeping a city clean is a collective endeavour It requires a coordinated e f f o r t f r o m t h e municipality, the private sector, and individual citizens It’s not about whose job it is; it’s about whose city it is
And lest we forget, Georgetown is our city.
Its gardens, wooden
buildings, markets, streets arranged in grids and its innumerable places of worship – all of
it belongs to us
If we can’t muster the will to take care of it, what does that say about us as a society?
So, to the former senior private sector official, I say this: the call is not for the fleet of private sector vehicles to p r o v i d e g a r b a g e collection services, but a gesture a single truck, a single weekend could speak volumes To the journalist, I say: keep a s k i n g t h e u n c o m f o r t a b l e questions, but do so in a w a y t h a t i n v i t e s solutions,notskirmishes.
And to the rest of us, I say: pick up your trash. Better yet, pick up someone else’s. It won’t kill you, and itjustmightsavethesoulof ourcity
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
grants, not fuh pay dem. Directdeposit?Nosah,not inGuyana.Islikedemlove de spectacle de photo ops, de “look how much people we helping.” But demain’tshowingdetired faces,deachingbacks,and defrustration.
Dem boys seh de government need fuh tek logistics serious. Teachers deserve better Dem deserverespect.Demdone work hard Now dem getting a lil ease-up, dem got to fight fuh it like is BlackFridaysale. Fix up, big ones. Yuh can’t talk about valuing education and treating teachers like this. Next thing yuh know, dem gon start grading yuh on yuh performance And trust me, y’all gon fail de logisticstestbad-bad! Talkhalf.Leffhalf
H@RD TRUTHS
Jagdeo de GOAT
I have a confession to make; though belated it is betterthannever Therewas alsotheneedtowaitforthat defining moment, so as to stand assured about what is projected into the public domain.
Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana’s former president, current president-inchambers, and champion nationalstandardbearforoil is the GOAT He is more than in a class by himself where certain matters are concerned. Heisthegreatest ofalltime(GOAT).
Someheadshakingisstill going over here to clear the haze with his latest rice n’ spiceoffering. Guyana’soil strongman Dr Jagdeo (try figuring that one out – a doctor and a wrestler in one body)saidthatGuyaneseare benefiting from their oil. “I pointedoutthatourtotal,the aggregate savings in our banking system, now total forGuyanesecompaniesand also individuals, might be around$8billionthat’sallof oursavings.Everyoneofus, the money we have in the bank, plus the companies, 8 billion US dollars.” My head is numb, I am in awe, cannotbelievethathewould be so outlandish as to make thatstatement. Iwishthatit were true in every aspect.
where wise people sit and think.
But what the Mighty Jagdeo did this time was promote a monkey and then pull a donkey out of his bag of verbal tricks. Yes, it is that big of a bag. Because this big man was a former Guyana head of state, it would be untoward of me to challengehim. Thus,Iinvite him,soIcansteerhimintoa sensiblecorner Thatis,one
Guyanesearebenefitting fromthisoil,soDr Jhasthat oneright. Ah,butthedevilis in the details that must be sweated. Most of that “$8 billionthat’salloursavings” is the property of Guyanese b u s i n e s s m e n a n d businesswomen. They rake in the big profits; they can make the big deposits into their savings accounts. I give Mr Jagdeo credit for trying to wrap his savings blanketaroundallGuyanese. He, however, is dead wrong onthispart:everyoneofus”. No sir, it is not every one in the Guyanese demographic. Dr Jagdeo lives in PradoVille, so he doesn’t rub shoulders with the poor peopleofGuyana. Whenhe is on the elections campaign trail doesn’t count. What is
hegoingtomakehispriority and ask: how much savings in the bank comrade? Or, rather than knowing the answerandsmartenoughnot to embarrass himself by opening unhealed wounds, hewouldbemorefocusedon something to this effect: ah yuhbettahcumoutandkeep demPNCpeepleouttadeh. Hehasamorethanbetter ideaaboutwhyGuyana’sold peoplearesomuchinahurry to collect their old age pensionbooks. Itisbecause, Mr Jagdeo, that is all they have, their lifeline, and nothing in the bank as a savings cushion. Further, political leader turned bankerJagdeoknowsalltoo well the accuracy and substance of SN’s weekly cost of living series, where 10 Guyanese cry their pain and plight before the world. Iamnotsayingthatitisallof them,butquiteafewofthem don’thaveadimeoradollar inthebank. Tocutthisclose tothebone,manyGuyanese don’t even have bank accounts,withthecashgrant initiative (checks) prompting Guyanese to rebalance their skimpy money portfolio. To put
differently, either collect cash as soon as they can, or get in line and open a bank account. From his own mouth and that of the president, the disclosures were of cash payouts to Guyanese in the outer regions. Those were all necessary to accommodate Guyanese who were never insideofabank,don’tknow what a savings account application look like, or where to start with it. Even further, there is the large minimum wage class, who scrimp and scrounge to survive week after week. Savingsandthemareatwar So how are those Guyanese saving, Master Banker Bharrat, and how can they when they can’t make ends meet in a man eat baby world? Ifaworldclasssmart man like Jagdeo were to retort that dem throwin bax haan,thenmyrebuttalisthat does not feature in the bankingsectorbooks,hence, suchisnot,cannotbe,apart ofhis$8bigonessaved.
Thepeopleinthemoney are his own bigshot PPP Government cronies and comrades. It is to those categories of Jagdeo’s
company that small-minded Guyanese attach a dirty label: 4-F (friends, family and so forth). In the US Army,4-Fsignifiesfailureto makethegrade. InGuyana, the 4-Fs are the ones who win the fat contracts, feast off the fat of the land, and live like fat cats. They are. Unsurprisingly, they are the ones who have fat savings a c c o u n t s , f e a t u r e prominentlyinthat$8billion savings number The fact thatDr BharratJagdeocame upwiththatsavingslifesaver isbyitselfagreatleadership miracle, the handiwork of a spectacular spin doctor He butters the bread of Guyanese with his savings gymnastics not only on both sides, but also butters the plastic bags in which they come. Handsdown,Bharrat Jagdeo is Guyana’s GOAT, greatest of all time Everybody, savings account or not, should hold their handsupinagreement.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
The $205M Mahaicony Magistrates’ Court was commissioned on Monday by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs
AnilNandlall.
Nandlall made the announcement on Monday via his Facebook page. He said,“Thismorning,Ijoined theJudiciarytodeclareopen
yet another spanking new edifice that will house the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court.”
The Attorney General spokeofthecourt’sstate-ofthe-art infrastructure, noting thatitisfullyair-conditioned and equipped with all the modernamenitiesonewould expect in a contemporary court.
“It can compare with similarfacilitiesanywherein theworld,”Nandlalladded.
The opening of a new
Mahaicony is part of a
judiciary
Some $6.8B was allocatedtotheJudiciarythis year for among other things the modernisation of legal facilities, revising the laws and ensuring that there is broaderaccesstojustice.
New courts have been constructed at Mabaruma, Region One, Timehri, FrienshipandProvidenceon
Continued on page 16
Somecountries areprepared...
Frompage2 commercial evaluations, but which may fulfill what they perceive to be an overarching“strategicobjective.” Inthesecases,revenueorcost may play second fiddle to some other performance metric, designed to give confidencetostakeholders.
“That is why we have leaders. To weigh all the considerations,thenmakethe decision that they feel is the best interest of their stakeholders When governments act in this way, we tend to change the decision descriptor of their over-arching objectives from strategictopolitical.
Over time, that has come to be seen in a negative context,theEnergyStrategist noted.
He was keen to note that while he may give private, specific advice to clients, general information is also put into the public domain, which is meant to promote understandinganddiscussion among a broader crosssectionofstakeholders.
Tothisend,heexplained, “I know this question is meant to address decisions made by the Government of Guyana, which I am sure were made based on their understandingofthespecific circumstancesinGuyana.It’s not for me to agree or disagreewiththat.”
Teachers stand in rain and sun for $100K cash grant
It was a scene of chaos and frustration for Region Four teachersastheyjoinedlonglinesto receive their $100,000 cash grant fromthegovernment.
The exercise yesterday was widely condemned by the teachers who had to brave intermittent showers. This newspaper was told that the distribution of the grant startedattheMinistryofEducation on Brickdam before moving to the StStanislausCollege.
“So teachers have to line up at MOE (Ministry of Education) for thecheque,thenlineupatthebank again to deposit or change it. Smh, backward ever forward never Generational wealth,” one teacher commented on his facebook page. “Thisisreallyfrustrating,”another teacher commented, pointing out that the government could have devisedabettersystemtodistribute the funds to the teachers. “This is Christmas, so many of us have things to do to prepare for Christmas and we have to come here and wait in these long lines,” theteacherwhoaskednotbenamed toldthisnewspaper
The teachers said at the time when they registered for the grant, they were asked to submit their bankaccountnumbers.“Sowedid that and now instead of putting the money in the account we have to come here and punish in these lines,”theteacherwhospokeunder conditionsofanonymitysaid.
General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union and Shadow Minister of Education, Member of Parliament, Coretta McDonald in a statement condemned what she described as “this barbaric, crude, lawless and inhumane treatment that is being meted out to the teachers of this DearLandGuyana.”
AccordingtoMcDonald,inthe history of the country, “our moulders of the nation have never been brought to the level that they areatuntilnow,underthiscorrupt, ineptandheartlessregime.Thisact of having our educators having to
assemble in lines to receive that pittance of $100k is a clear indication of how disrespectful, irresponsible, shameless and inconsiderate the PPP/C regime is andisastarkreminderofhowmuch theyvalueteachers.”
McDonald said it is not rocket science that a better system could havebeenputinplace.“Asamatter of fact, the very system that was used to gather the teachers’ information could have been implemented again for the distribution or even better the monies could have been deposited in their bank accounts. But this crude PPP/C wants it to be registered that, teachers are not on the same level as the Diamond Ballers. It is disgusting to say the
least but here again their incompetenceisexhibitedforallto see. It is a gloat for them because thephotoopportunitieswillbeused to oil their propaganda machines.
We demand that a better mechanism be put in place for our teachers and every citizen in this country for the remainder of the cash grant distribution Our teachersdeservebetter!”
It was only on Saturday President Irfaan Ali hailed the
distribution of the $100,000 cash granttopersonsaged18-yearsand older as an asset to empower citizens to create long-term wealth and opportunities During the secondepisodeof‘IntheSeat’that aired on Saturday evening, PresidentAli said the grant should not be perceived merely as cash handouts. He pointed out that by using the grant as an investment platform, beneficiaries can pool theirresourcestogetherandembark
on business initiatives that will ultimately grow their net income, build wealth and contribute to the nation’sprogress.
“When you take it from the individual, family and community level, you [would] understand the comprehensive, holistic impact it canhaveonindividual,community and national wealth creation,” the president explained. He assured public servants that they will receive their grants before the end
of 2024 According to the Department of Public Information (DPI) to date, 50,000 public servants and members of the disciplined services have been registered. Cheques have already begun printing and will soon be distributed to the various agencies. Meanwhile, approximately 221,000 residents of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) have already registered for the grant. So far, the MinistryofFinancehasverifiedthe personal details provided by 156,000registrants.Approximately $30 billion will be placed into the hands of Guyanese during the first phase of distribution. The cash grantwillbenefit300,000citizens. President Ali elaborated on the mechanism that needs to be followed to ensure the highest standard of transparency in the grant’sdistribution.Theseincludea thoroughcoordinationbetweenthe Ministry of Finance, the Auditor General’s Office, the Bank of Guyana (BoG) and the Regional DemocraticCouncils(RDC).“The capturing of persons in Region Fourisongoingandwearehoping thatoncethere’senoughdatainthe system,thatwecanstartpayingout thecheques,”hestated.
ToensureeveryGuyaneseaged 18-yearsandolderbenefit,asecond Continued on page 16
Chaotic scenes at St. Stanislaus College as teachers turn up for their $100K cash grant
A teacher about to collect her cash grant
Long lines of teachers for cash grant
Region 4 teachers complained about the long lines to uplift their cheques. (Khamisi Slowe Photo)
Second powership switched on
The 60 megawatt (MW) powership on Monday has begun supplying electricity tothenationalgrid,Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indarhassaid.
I n d a r s a i d t h e powership beganproducing power to be added to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) grid at about 09:47h The minister
highlighted that the installation of the second powership, docked at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) at Ruimveldt, Georgetownwasnotwithout itschallenges.
He explained those challenges to be, “piledriving for mooring and wharf facilities to accommodate the vessel, building of a temporary
access road, and installation of 3 9km (Kilometer) of 6 9 k V h i g h - p o w e r transmission lines through communities and over highways These steel structures although seen in developedcountriesarenow beingusedinGuyana.”
Despite these hurdles, the team consisting of GPL, the contractor Kalpataru Projects International Ltd (KPIL), and other agencies completedthecomplexwork in under six weeks, Indar said.
Hes said that the new base-loadgeneratingfacility will boost GPL’s capacity to 265MW,whichissufficient to meet the peak demand of 195MWexpectedduringthe holidayseason.“Icommend the tireless efforts of the teams at GPL and the
contractor (Kalpataru Projects International Ltd) who worked to deliver the PPP/C Government’s promise to supplement the
Interconnected System (DBIS) with new base-load generatingcapacity.”
Prime Minister Mark
Phillips visited the site on Sunday, offering praise for the swift and efficient progress of the project. He expressed confidence in GPL’s ability to manage the additional power from the powership,notingthatsenior personnel with prior experience managing a similar 36MW setup in Berbice would continue overseeingoperations.
Thisprojectwasinitiated in response to the persistent p o w e r s h o r t a g e s experienced by Guyanese, with daily blackouts forcing the government to rent two powerships to ensure a steady electricity supply The agreement to rent a second powership was officially signed on November 13, 2024. GPL’s head, Nandlall, signed the contract with the Managing Director of the Americas, UCCHoldings,Mr Neto.
Thissecondpowershipis being rented from the same companythatleasedthefirst oneforaperiodoftwoyears.
That contract was signed between the GPL Inc. and UCI, a subsidiary of UCC Holdings, a company incorporated in the State of Qatar U C C H o l d i n g s reportedly has a strategic alliance with Karpowership International, a Turkish company. That deal is for some 36 megawatts of power Karpowership arrived in May and was set up at Everton, Berbice, Region Six. For the first vessel, Guyana had to pay a mobilization fee of US$1M to get the ship here and the contract, according to GPL, includes the provision of operation and maintenance services as part of the agreement The utility companyhadsaidthen,“the contractrequiresGPLtopay UCI a fee of 6.62 US cents perkWhasamonthlycharter fee for the powership and a monthly operation and maintenance fee of 0.98 US cents per kWh, based on electricitygenerated.”
Bandits cart off with millions in home invasion at Little Diamond
Masked bandits on Sunday morning carted off with over $6Mworthincash,jewelleryandotheritemsinthecourseofa homeinvasion.
Thewomanrecountedthatthemaskedmenhadcutahole inherceilingtogainaccesstoherhome.“Myhusbandgotup andwenttocheck.Hesaidwhenheturnedonthelightinthe livinghesawdustfallingonthefloorfromtheceilingthenhe said by the time he looked up men started jumping out the ceiling,”shesaid.
According to the businesswoman, the bandits proceeded to beat her husband who had raised an alarm about their presence. “My husband start hollering to tell me that the banditsinthehousebutbythetimetheyalreadyholdonhim. Hetriedtofightbackbuttheyoverpoweredandstartbeating himandputhimonachairandtiehimup.Mysister-in-aw,my sonandniecewhocameinfromNewYorkwerealsotiedup
Continued on page 15
The 60 Megawatts powership
$463M in contracts awarded to purchase fertilizers, tractors, equipment for GuySuCo
Th e N a t i o n a l
Procurement and T e n d e r Administration Board’s (NPTAB)officehasawarded $436 million contracts for the procurement of fertilizers, agricultural machinery and equipment for the Guyana Sugar Corporation(GuySuCo).
The contracts are aimed at enhancing the sugar company’s operations and agricultural productivity aheadofthe2025firstcrop.
The awards were published on NPTAB’s website for the supply of fertilizers, agricultural machinery,andequipment.
Electrofix Electrical Services was awarded $2.85 million for the supply and delivery of a Speed Reduction Gear Box, while Garnet Engineer secured a US$60,888 contract for the supply and delivery of mild steelandsteampipes.
Fertilizantes Santos Domingo received multiple contracts for the supply and delivery of fertilizers for GuySuCo’s 2025 first crop.
The awards include US$896,682 for Lot 1, US$389,270 for Lot 2, $145,350 for Lot 3, and US$674,086forLot5.
Moreover, Impeccable
Construction & General Supplies Inc. was awarded a US$26,835 contract for the supply and delivery of upgraded circuit breakers and switching equipment in the powerhouse. Rudisa Motor Company Guyana Inc. secured a $21.6 million contract for the supply and delivery of agricultural tractors.
Notably, one contract was awarded on November 29andtherestwereawarded thismonth.
Meanwhile, during an interview aired over the weekendPresidentDr Irfaan Ali said that he has read the Riot Act to the management of GuySuCo, warning that if improvements are not seen by the first quarter of 2025, “headswillroll.”
The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that the ailing sugar corporation has, over the years seen a continuous decline in performance in its production, but has seen billions of dollars from the nation’s coffers being plugged annually into the industry
“So, I made it very clear thatifthetarget,thetargetfor 2025,thefirstcroptargetand thesecondtarget,ifthetarget is not achieved, we’re also
Bandits cart off with...
From page 14 andputinthelivingroom”
“Itriedtolockmyselfinmybedroombuttheywereable to force themselves inside and when I start scream, they hit in my head with the gun and they keep asking me where the stash, was and I said there wasn’t any stash. They told me how we could get so big business and don’t have no stash,” Sankarrecalledoftheterrifyingordeal.”
According to the woman, there were four men who broke into her home, two of them were armed with guns. “One of them who had the gun, stayed in the living room withmyhusband,sister-in-law,nieceandsonandtheother was in the living room with me; the others ransacked the place searching for the cash and jewellry,” the woman related.
“Igavethemsomemoneyfirstandtheysaidthatcan’tbe allbecauseIgotabigbusinessaftermyhusbandheardwhat they were saying that they were going to shoot me. He told metogivethemthemoney Theythentoldus,‘Thiscan’tbe real.Youhavetohavemore,’andstartedtumblingthewhole room,” she said. The woman recounted that the men still weren’tsatisfiedwiththefirstsetofmoney “Theystartedto threaten to shoot my husband in his leg but we began to beg thembuttheydemandingmore,butthankfully,wewereable togivethemwhattheywanted,”sheadded
At the end, the woman said the bandits took over six million dollars in cash, and jewellery along with about US$8000. The family has made a report to police who are conductinginvestigationsintothematter
bringing in technical support to help them. But if those targetsarenotachieved,then heads will roll If those targets are not achieved, heads will roll,” President Alisaid.
In the mid-year report, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said the industry is estimated to have contracted by 60.4 per cent in the first half of this year, with production of 6,739 tonnes
of sugar reported by GuySuCo.Thisperformance was attributed to the carried over impacts of drier-thanusualweatherconditionslast year into the second quarter of this year As a result of the performance in the first half of the year, the growth projection for the sector is now 16.3 per cent for 2024, with a revised projection of 70,000 tonnes of sugar to be producedthisyear
WANTED
Live-in Babysitter / Cook age 45-55 years old. Experience would be an asset. Contact : 681-4662.
Male sales-rep 18-28 years old, Knowledge about vehicle models would be an asset. Call : 619-1237.
Drivers / Porter. Contact : 223-5273 / 621-5907.
VACANCY
One (1) painter & Male cleaner 615-9132 or 645-8443.
Job opening- Truck drivers, project manager, Civil engineer. To apply, please send your application via Whatsapp 638-5303 / 6082114.
Puri/ Roti Maker, Porters, cook wanted at Rabbies 266 Thomas & New Market St. Call: 648-8279/ 231-6591. Vacancy for Elderly care Worker. Please Call or WhatsApp Karen: 656-1875/ 233-5160/609-6952.
Drivers and porters at family choice purified water. Call : 653-6631. Preferred on East Bank. (Lloyd)
FOR SALE
For Sale 6 used American made Dental chairs excellent condition contact Mr Vino on 661-3030 or 626-8918
One Nissan Double cab pickup, fully off road setup ; -5 Million Negotiable. Call: 626-8919 / 661-3030.
SERVICES
Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.
Visa Application:U.S.A, Canada & UK:Graphics design, advertisements, wedding arch rentals.Tel:6267040.
ENTERTAINMENT
Family fun Aracari Resort! crystal clear pool, safe kids & adult sections, music & food. W.B.D. Call : 2642946-9
Top Cop announces plans to rotate officers next year...
From page 8 this year. He reported record seizure of illegal firearms, with 178 firearms taken off the streets. Blanhum also praised the force’s efforts in dismantling criminal groups involved in carjacking and other crimes. Looking ahead to 2025, Blanhum urged the force to “raise the bar.”
“I implore all of you to continue to work diligently…” he said.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) recently released a list of the top performers in various departments within the
force on its official Facebook page. The list of top performers include: Cadet Officer David Prince from the Narcotics Branch, who was recognized for his exemplary service. Other standout officers include Sergeant 21174 Ameer Mohamed from the Crime Laboratory, Constable 24285 Christopher Kissoon from the Major Crimes Investigation Unit, and Lance Corporal 24009 Bhupaul Narine from the Fraud Squad.
Additional top performers include: Constable 25285 Matthew Evans from the
Cyber Crime Unit, Corporal 23704 Lallchan Ragbeer from the Forensic Video Analysis Unit, and Corporal 22527
Nicketia Jonas from the Trafficking in Persons Unit. Other recognized officers are Corporal 24720 Randy David from the Returnees/Finance Unit, Lance Corporal 25925 Davina Campbell from the Criminal Records Office, Lance Corporal 25386 Devon Benjamin from the Registry, Sergeant 21607 Colene John-Griffith from the Statistics Unit, Lance Corporal 26313 Murietta Griffith from Interpol, Lance
Corporal 25960 Orlanzo Boyce from the Prosecutor’s Office, and Constable 23560 Leon Rodney from the Supreme Criminal Court. Sergeant Ameer Mohamed, who was the runner-up for the Best Cop award at CID Headquarters, was recognized with several prizes and cash awards. However, the overall Best Cop award for the entire police force went to Cadet Officer David Prince, who received several prizes and cash incentives for his outstanding contributions to the force.
Teachers stand in rain and sun for $100K cash grant...
From page 13
phase of registration will be undertaken for those who were otherwise unable to register.
This is part of the government’s broader strategy to generate long-term wealth for citizens. Additional measures are expected to be
Female cleaner call 615-9132 or 645-8443
Maid to clean for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132
One (1) electrician for Eccles Call 615-9132 or 645-8443.
One night watchman call: 6122125
VEHICLES FOR SALE
1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, crash, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 649-0956.
Aracari Hotel renovated rooms ,A/C, TV, Restaurant, bar, pool, gym Stay 7 nights, 1 Free! Call: 264-2946.
$205 million Mahaicony Magistrates’ Court...
From page 12 the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD). In addition, works have been done at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Court as well as courts in Anna Regina, Cove and John, Mahdia, and Port Kaituma.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Judicature disclosed plans to transform the judicial system with the aim of reducing backlogs and integrating advanced technology into the local courts. Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards said, “The Commission (Judicial Service Commission) has increased the complement of magistrates to discharge the business of the court and for the expeditious disposal and relief of congestion in the court... about 90% of our matters in the criminal justice system commence at the magistrate’s court.”
outlined in the next national budget. President Ali reiterated the government’s commitment to linking cash transfers to a specific outcomes such as supporting the vulnerable and the elderly. The head of state had previously announced a $2 billion fertilizer subsidy for thousands of
farmers across Guyana.
In addition, $875 million will be expended to grant persons living with permanent disabilities a one-off cash grant of $35,000.
Apart from cash transfers, the government is also investing in constructing specialised facilities catering to those with special needs. “These are investments that are important if we are going to build prosperity for everyone.
Because prosperity built in every home, means investing in the vulnerable population so that they are not left out,” the president said.
$205 million Mahaicony Magistrates’ Court...
From page 12 the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD). In addition, works have been done at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Court as well as courts in Anna
Regina, Cove and John, Mahdia, and Port Kaituma.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Judicature disclosed plans to transform the judicial system with the aim of reducing backlogs and integrating ad-
vanced technology into the local courts.
Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards said, “The Commission (Judicial Service Commission) has increased the complement of magistrates to discharge the business of the court and for the expeditious disposal and relief of congestion in the court... about 90% of our matters in the criminal justice system commence at the magistrate’s court.”
France has a new government. Now it must fix the budget while avoiding collapse
P
PARIS (AP) — French
Macron’sofficeannounceda new government Monday, after the previous Cabinet collapsedinahistoricvote prompted by fighting over thecountry’sbudget
The government, put together by newly named Prime Minister Francois
outgoing conservative-
centrist or left-leaning backgrounds
Coming up with a 2025 budget will be the most urgent order of business
The new government enters office after months of political deadlock and crisis and pressure from financ
reduce France’s colossal debt Macron has vowed to remain in office until his term ends in 2027, but has
struggled to govern since snap elections in the summer left no single
party with amajorityinthe NationalAssembly
Since his appointment 10 days ago, Bayrou has held talks with political leaders from various parties in search of the right balance for the new government
Some critics on Monday were angry at Bayrou for consulting with Marine Le Pen’s far-right party, and some argue the government looks too much like the old onetowinlawmakers’trust.
F o r m e r P r i m e
Minister Michel Barnier
mpted
y
get disputes in the National Assembly, leaving France without a functioning government.
Le Pen played a key r o l e i n B a r n i e r ’s downfall by joining her
National Rally party’s forces with the left to pass the no-confidence motion
Bayrou will nee
support from moderate legislators on the right and left to keep his government alive
Banker Eric Lombard will be finance minister, a
France is working to fulfill its promises to European Union partners to reduce its deficit, estimated to reach 6% of its gross domestic product this year
Lombard briefly worked as an adviser to a S o c i a l i s t f i n a n c e minister in the 1990s
Bayrou has said he supports t
predecessor, but it’s not clear how the new government can find the
right calculation for a budget that satisfies a majorityoflawmakersangry overspendingcuts.
H
B
Retailleau stays on as interior minister, with
France’s security and migration policy.
Sebastien Lecornu, who has been at the forefront of France’s
n s defense minister, while Foreign Minister JeanNoel Barrot, who has traveled extensively in the Mideast in recent weeks, alsoretainshispost.
Among new faces are two fo
prime ministers
Manuel Valls will be minister for overseas affairs, and Elisabeth B o r n e t a k e s t h e education ministry.
Venezuelatofreeadditional177electionprotesters
Family members enquire about their loved ones who were detained during protests over a contested July presidential election, in Tocuyito, Venezuela December 16, 2024. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Hernandez/File Photo
Alexis Kholer, SecretaryGeneral of the Elysee Palace
Gaza toddlers got the polio vaccine, then an Israeli bomb took their legs
Aljazeera (Deir elBalah, Gaza) – Three-yearold Hanan al-Daqqi spends her days with her younger sister Misk, occasionally askingquestions.
“Where’sMama?”
The two toddlers have been in the hospital for four months since they were brought there, battered and bleeding from an Israeli bombing, and had their legs amputated.
Their father’s sister, Shefaal-Daqqi,28,hasbeen by their side since then, but she still does not know how to answer the girls’ questions ‘Trapped in a nightmare’
On the morning of September 2, Shaima alDaqqi got up early to take her two daughters –Hanan and 22-monthold Misk – to get the polio vaccine, which was being offered to people in the midst of Israel’s war on Gaza. The following day, after the family had lunch, Israel bombed their home in Deir el-Balah.
It killed 25-year-old Shaima and injured the rest of the family, including her husband Mohammed al-Daqqi, and tore through the two little girls’legs
Hanan was severely injured, losing both her legs – one above the knee and one below –and sustaining wounds
a c r o s s h e r b o d y, including her face and intestines She had to undergo surgery to remove partofherbowels.
Meanwhile, little Misk had to have her left foot amputated
T h e i r f a t h e r , Mohammed, 31, was in intensive care for two weeks with a brain h a e m o r r h a g e a n d injuries to his chest.
“We’vebeentrappedina nightmare for four months now,”saysShefaasshetries to soothe Hanan, who has been fragile and volatile sincetheattack.
Bothgirlsareinastateof fearful panic, clinging to theirauntconstantly
Shefa tries to comfort them,butoftenfindsherself weeping over the little girls, partly in sadness and partly in fear over what the future willholdforthem.
“AllIcantellhernowis thathermotherisinheaven. What kind of future do they havetolookforwardto?
“How will [they] feel as they grow and see how differenttheyarefromother kids their age? How will Hanan wear the clothes she likes so much? “What do I saywhensheasksforpretty dressesorshoes?’
“It’s harder for Hanan because she understands morethanhersister,andher injuries were far more severe.”
The hospital and its staff are working in such an overcrowded and u n d e r e q u i p p e d environment that there’s no possibility of providing psychological support for the girls. Shefa, a mother of three herself, takes shifts caring for the two girls, switching with their grandmother, the late Shaima’s mother, their paternal uncle Ahmed, 29, and their father, who stays withthematnight Whenever they can,
An Israeli bomb killed three-year-old Hanan and 22-month-old Misk’s mother and made them amputees.
after the Israeli attack
the adults bring little treats for the girls, whatever they manage to find in the markets.
The girls often ask for toys,buttherearenonetobe found so they have to make do with whatever little accessories and treats theirfamilycanfind
Ahmed is the most fun for the girls, Shefa says, playing with them and taking them out of their room to checkoutthe restofthehospital.
“None of us can or will ever be able to replace a mother,” says Shefa, her eyes red and tears streaming “I’ll never forget Hanan’s look when I brought my daughter Hala, who is her age, to visit them,” Shefa recalls “Hanan would stare at Hala’s legs and then at her own amputatedlegs,confused.
Before her injury, they usedtorunandplaytogether allthetime.
“Now they play on the hospital bed,” Shefa, who used to live in J a b a l i a b u t w a s displaced with her family a year ago to her family’s house in Deir elBalah,said.
Because the girls are in a phase of fast growth, they’ve been kept in the hospital for constant follow-up on their lengtheningbones.
What physiotherapy the hospitalcangivethemisnot constant enough to help themmuch.
They draw, play with visitors, or play with their adult companion’s mobile phone to pass the time A mother’s adoration When Israel’s war on Gaza started, Shaima was consumed with fear for her daughters
Shecouldn’teatorsleep, losing a lot of weight as she fretted about finding the food and formula the girls
and
needed.Shehadalwaysbeen devoted to her daughters, spendingtimewiththemand working to provide them withwhatevertheywanted.
Especially little Hanan, who loved getting dressed up, caring deeply about her dressesandshoes.
“Shaima adored them,” addsShefa.
When polio vaccines were rolled out in Gaza and Israel agreed to allow the campaign to proceed unmolested, Shaima was determined that her daughters would at least havethatprotection.
She encouraged her sistersandin-lawstodothe same.
“Of course, we all feared any harm to our children.
But what’s the point? Childrengetprotectionfrom polio, but then an Israeli air strike takes their legs? How does that make any sense?” addsShefa.
Shefa does her best to
keepthegirlsingoodspirits after an Israeli bomb destroyed their legs and killedtheirmother,inGaza
Shefa brought her daughter Hala, left, to play w i t h h e r c o u s i n s [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]
Waiting forhealing
Hanan and Misk cannot complete their recovery in Gaza because Israel has destroyed the healthsector,sotheirnames were put on a list of people who need to leave Gaza for treatment.
The World Health Organization collects the namesthatgoonthelist,but nobody can leave unless Israel approves their departure, and it has not approvedthegirls’yet.
“We’ve been waiting more than three months. They’rejustlittlegirls[who] desperately need prosthetic limbs. Their mental state is worsening,”saysShefa.
I t i s n o t j u s t prosthetics that the girls cannotgetinGaza.
They need to be fully assessed and go through a rehabilitationprocessbefore prosthetics can be considered.
Because Hanan and Misk are still growing, the bonegrowthassociatedwith their ages will also pose challenges that will need constant follow-up and possiblyseveralsurgeries.
What Shefa knows is thatthelittlegirls’liveswill neverbethesameagain.
“Hanan wants to wear shoes and she asks me why shecan’t whyshecan’tgo playinthepark,”shesays.
“ I d o n ’ t h a v e answers ”
Dec 23 (Reuters) - At least207peoplewerekilled by members of the Wharf Jeremie gang in Haiti’s portside neighborhood of Cite Soleil earlier this month, the United Nations said in a report on Monday, revising up a death toll it initiallyestimatedat187. In a new report on the
massacre,theU.N.Officeof the High Commissioner for Human Rights said at least 134 men and 73 women, most of them elderly residents accused of witchcraft, were killed in less than a week of mass executions, abductions, and raidsbysome300members oftheWharfJeremiegang.
Gang leader Monel “Mikano” Felix ordered the attacks after his child got sick, accusing local residents of causing the illness through Voudou Many of the victims were abducted from Voudou temples and religious ceremonies, the U N said
The killings shocked the Caribbean nation, which has been engulfed in a worsening gang conflict, compounding
assistance
Mikano’s gang has controlled a small but strategic area between key ports, surrounding warehouses and national highways out of the capital for some 15 years,accordingtheU N After the killings, gang members attempted to erase evidence by
phones, burning bodies and dumping them into the sea Over 5,300 people have been killed in Haiti since January and more than 12,000 since the start of 2022, according to the U N , while over 700,000 have beeninternallydisplaced.
Hanan
that killed her mother
took both her legs [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera]
Denis O’Brien Takes Full
Ownership of Republic Bank
Caribbean Premier League
SportsMax - CPL - The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has announced that Denis O’Brien, the founder of Digicel, has acquired full ownership of Cricket S
Remaining teams in the inaugural...
Frompage24
GuyanaEnergyConferences p o n s o r e d F u t s a l Championship, scheduled forearlynextyear
Agricola Ballers 5-2. Road
Wa
ered a commanding performance against Victoria Eagles, securing an impressive 8-3 victory
s Limited (CSIL), the holding company of CPL Limited.
The sale, managed by Oakwell Sports Advisory,
This move follows a comprehensivesalesprocess conductedbyDigicelGroup Holdings Limited (DGHL),
shareholder
engagement with key industry stakeholders and investors. Mr O’Brien, a long-time supporter and
CPL,
emerged as the new sole owner after the successful completionoftheprocess.
O’Brien, who has been involvedwiththeCPLsince its inception in 2013, expressedhisenthusiasmfor the league’s impact on the region.
Tuesday December 24, 2024
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Thingsareontheupswingfor you today, Aries. People are finally coming around to see things from your perspective. There's no need to doubt yourself. Look in the mirror andknowthatthepersonyou s e e i s c a p a b l e o f accomplishinganything.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Takeastepbackfromtheline of fire today and examine your position. You've made someboldmovesandnowit's time to pause and evaluate. Listentoothers'reactions.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
You may not feel like you're in tune with your situation today, Gemini. Try not to get too pushy with your opinions about how things should be done. Honor other people's perspectivesandapproaches.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Try not to be too competitive today, Cancer The more you trytodriveyourpointacross, themoreitwillmeetstubborn opposition.Thisisabetterday to observe the situation Emotionsarerunninghigh.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Sinkintoasoft,gentlerhythm andyouflowwitheverything around you, Leo. Ease your mindaboutanyworries.Your subconscious knows the way The key today is sensitivity andintuition.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Sinkintoasoft,gentlerhythm andyouflowwitheverything around you, Leo. Ease your mindaboutanyworries.Your subconscious knows the way The key today is sensitivity andintuition.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Thisisafavorabledayforyou to deal with intimate and sensitive issues, Libra. You will be in comfortable situations that allow you to express what you believe There'snoneedtoholdback.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
There's a very heavy atmosphere around you that might feel stifling, Scorpio. Situationsarecroppingupthat urge you to think practically withregardtoyouremotions.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Justwhenyouthoughtthatthe whole world was turning on you,Sagittarius,thingsstartto come back around. You will findthatyoudon'tneedtohide. In fact, the more you let your truespiritemerge.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Themoreyouletyouregoand fantasies swell today, Capricorn, the more friction you will encounter Others aren't going to be fooled, nor are they going to want to deal withfrivolity
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)The hard work and detailorientedplanningyou'vedone latelyarereallystartingtopay off, Aquarius. The key is to maintain your sensitivity and look to where you can be of servicetoothers.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)You may not want to wanderfarfromyourbedroom today That's fine. Take this opportunity to get things done around the house that make youfeellikeyourenergyisan important pa
atmosphere.
In recent matches, Gold is Money trounced Touches 6-0, while the Spaniards of Linden almost upset one of the well-known city teams. Back Circle ‘B’ defeated CaliforniaSquare5-2,Team Cruel overcame Paradise Invaders6-4,BallersUnited of Berbice edged North R
AlbouystownBallersbested
“I have a deep love for theCaribbeananditspeople, soitisexcitingformetosee the impact CPL has had in uniting local communities –somethingaboutwhichIam very passionate,” O’Brien said. “I will continue to ensureCPLmakesapositive economic and cultural impact in the countries where we play and use the tournamentasaplatformfor developingstarsofthefuture whileshiningapositivelight ontheCaribbean.”O’Brien, a renowned entrepreneur, foundedDigicelin2001and has a history of supporting regional development through various initiatives, including the Digicel Foundation, which has invested over US$147 million in community projects.
His latest acquisition reinforces his commitment to fostering growth and opportunities in the Caribbean.
Richard Bevan OBE, Chairman of CPL, hailed O’Brien’s leadership and dedication to the league’s continuedsuccess.
“It has been fantastic to watchtheCPLgrowoverthe last few years, and we take great pride in seeing the tournamentbecomethebestattended sporting event within the region,” Bevan said.
“By Denis taking full ownership, it allows us to ensure continuity and support for the management team while working closely with CWI President, Dr Kishore Shallow, the CWI board, the CWI executive team, and other key stakeholders to create even more opportunities for the considerable cricketing talentweareblessedtohave intheregion.”
PeteRussell,CEOofthe Republic Bank CPL, emphasized O’Brien’s pivotal role in the league’s journeysince2013.
The tournament continued last evening with four more thrilling matches attheNationalGymnasium. Detailsofthesematcheswill be provided in a subsequent editionofthispublication.
Aliyah Christie of the Guyana Defence Force B shared, “We’re looking for furthermore sponsors to invest in women’s football (and) we’d like to thank NAMILCO and GBI for making this tournament possible.”
The semi-finals and finals of the Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup 2024 are scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the National Training Facility in Providence.
Fans are invited to witness the culmination of thetournament.
As anticipation builds forthesemi-finals,thefocus shifts to the rivalries ahead. With each team bringing unique strengths to the competition, fans are promised an exhilarating continuation of the tournament.
Remaining teams in the inaugural K&S/One Guyana National Futsal Championship receive new kits
As promised, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation yesterday conducted a
exercisetofacilitatethefinal
sixteen teams remaining in the ongoing One Guyana N
Championship. The event was held at the Ministry of
Culture, Youth and Sports Boardroom, located at the intersectionofQuaminaand MainStreets.
A team from the Kashif
and Shanghai Organisation, along with the Minister of Sports, Charles Ramson Jr., met with representatives of the remaining teams to
distributetheuniforms.
At the presentation ceremony, the Minister
tournamentslikethishelpto connect with communities.
He also noted that the government recognizes the valuablecontributionsofthe Kashif and Shanghai Organisation over the years andhasreintroducedthemto the local football scene. He
organisation’s previous involvement in football had elevated the sport to new heights and expressed optimism that the current FutsalChampionshipwould
restorefootballtoitsformer glory The Minister also hinted at the tournament’s potential to grow into a regional championship and commendedalltheteamsfor theirachievementssofar
Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai
Org
Muhammad, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the sixteen remaining teams represent the best of this year’s championship He also announced that these teams, having advanced in the tournament, will be featuredintheupcoming
(Continuedinpage23)
- Absent Amelia’s Ward and Eagles Draw attention from organisers
Te m e r a r a F o o t b a l l
Association (UDFA) yearend $3M futsal tournament continued Sunday night withvictoriesforCapitalFC over Fearless by a 4-2 margin, Hi Stars sailed past Blueberry Hill 1-0, Silver Shattas edged Net Rockers 3-2, while Rockstone drew with Coomacka 3-3, but Eagles United gave Botafago victory via walk over route, also Amelia’s Ward Panthers virtually declinedtofaceBotafagoas the UDFA Christmas tournament which has a $1M first prize, final group play ended at the Retrieve HardCourt.
Amelia’sWard Panthers and Eagles United for their no show are being sought explanations since it has significant implications for group points standing and the fairness of the competition, said the UDFA’s Kelon Josiah in letters to the defaulting teams.
However, their actions may not necessarily affect theadvancingofteamseven though Blueberry Hill wouldbejustindenouncing the actions of fellow Christianburg side Eagles United for destroying their hopesbynottakingthecourt against Milerock who benefittedwithawinwhich allowed them to get past
BlueberryHillbyonepoint.
In Group C, Milerock with that win ended on five points after two previous draws,andtheyjumpedpast BlueberryHillwhofinished onfourpointsfromonewin, one draw and one loss, to join Hi Stars who ended on seven points from two wins and a draw, to lead that group.
In Group A, Botafago wereleadingwithsixpoints from two wins and that walkover propelled them to nine points as Amelia’s Ward Panthers were a no show, and Silver Shattas from two wins and a loss finished with six points, joined them as the other team after beating Net Rockers3-2.
Playing in Group B, Topp XX ended as the top qualifier after two wins for sixpointsfromtheirallotted games and Capital FC by defeating Fearless 4-2, finished on three points to advanceasthesecondteam.
Winners Connection withawinandadrawended with four points topped Group D, while Rockstone after their 3-3 draw with Coomacka joined Winners Connectionasthetwoteams movingahead.
On Boxing Night the quarterfinals will be played in this $3M championship from7.00pmattheRetrieve Hard Court in Mackenzie, Linden.
Chase’s Academic lift 2024 KFC Goodwill Int’l Title
Chase’s Academic
F o u n d a t i o n
achieved the highest honour in local secondary school football championships by clinching the 2024 KFC Goodwill InternationalFootballSeries title for the first time in its five-yearhistory
Chase defeated Trinidad and Tobago’s Southern and Intercol champions, St Benedict’s College, 8-7 on penalty kicks after a hardfought 0-0 draw in the final. The dramatic sudden-death penalty shootout ended with a costly miss by the Trinidadian midfielder, securing Chase’s Academic Foundation their historic victory
Both teams performed impressively throughout the series St Benedict’sCollege went undefeated until the final, while Chase’s Academic Foundation reboundedspectacularlyafter losing3-1toSt Benedict’sin a preliminary match The eventual champions showcased their resilience
with a thrilling 5-4 victory against Jamaica’s Clarendon College in the semi-finals before triumphing in Sunday evening’s final in front of a large and enthusiastic MinistryofEducation(MoE) crowd
The final was a tense affair, with both teams squanderingseveralchances to score during regulation andextratime.
Despite the valiant efforts of both captains, the match ended in a 0-0 stalemate,pushingthecontest topenalties
The penalty shootout captivatedtheaudienceforan audacious45minutesasboth teams traded successful conversionsuntilthesuddendeathphase
Ultimately, a missed penalty by the Trinidadian midfielder handed Chase’s Academic Foundation their first-everKFCGoodwilltitle, adding to their remarkable 2024 achievements, which include victories in the Petra U14, Milo, and RBL U18 Championships
During the presentation ceremony, individua
distributed.
Jamaica’s Nicholy Forbes earned the Most Goals a
his outstanding tally of thirteen
competition.
Chase’s Flavio La Rose was named Best Goalkeeper, while the tournament MVP award went to Rayon Krammer, who received an allexpenses-paid, threemonth training stint with FutebolRealinBrazil
T h e s e v e n - d a y tournament was a goal fest,with138goalsscored a
hes, including an 11-goal
n Clarendon College and G u y a n a ’ s A n n a i
Secondary The Trinidad giants settled for the runner-up position for the third consecutive year, while 2023 champions, Clarendon College clinched the third place
Young Warriors Cricket Club fulfills its annual hamper project, compliments of Ishwar Singh
Once again the Young Warriors Cricket Club of Cumberland Village, East
Canje, Berbice in partnership with Ishwar SinghofGuyBiz,distributed over 30 food hampers to the elderly in the East Canje area. Each hamper cost was $25,000.
This initiative started several years ago and is alwaysfundedbySingh.The wicketkeeper/batsman is a long serving member of club. The former Berbice youthcricketerstatedthathe feelsasenseofjoydoingthis annual charity in the community he born. The club is pleased to partner with Singh and wish him moresuccessinhisbusiness andpersonallife.
The YWCC is in the process of rebuilding after a few years of inactivity The fences, landfilling and washroom facilities were recently done by the Government through Ministry of Culture, Youth andSports.Theclubplansto completetheoutfield,repair
the pavilions and aggressively increase its
Ishwar Singh.
membership, youths in particular Over the years, and in a shortperiodoftime,theclub produced batting star Shimron Hetmyer along with Gajanand Singh, Damodar Daesrath, Richard Ramdehol, Kwesi Maltay
Last year champions Clarendon College settles for third place position in 2024 KFC Goodwill Series.
and many other Berbice, Guyana and West Indies cricketers, and at all levels. The YWCC won several tournaments in Berbice and Guyanaandwastwicevoted as club of the year at the Guyana Cricket Board annualawardsceremony
spot defeating Annai Secondary7-2
This prestigious event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of
the KFC franchise, along with support from ANSA McAL Distribution (Lucozade brand), MVP Sports, SkyTec Enterprise,
Royal International Hotel, Tiger Rentals, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, and the Ministry of Education.
West Indies U-19 Women’s team set for ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia
ST JOHN’S, AntiguaCricket West Indies (CWI) announced the participation of the West Indies U19 Women’s team in the upcoming ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Malaysiafrom18Januaryto 2February,2025.
T h i s e x c i t i n g opportunity marks another major milestone in the development of women’s cricket in the Caribbean, as our rising stars prepare to face the world’s top emerging players on the globalstage.
CWI Director of Cricket MilesBascombecommented: “Weareproudtoannounceour Under-19Women’ssquadfor the ICC World Cup 2025, whichrepresentsthefutureof West Indies cricket Captain Samara Ramnath and ViceCaptain Asabi Callender will leadatalentedgroupofyoung players who have shown tremendous potential throughout our development programs,andwebelievethis squad exemplifies the emergingstrengthofwomen’s cricketintheCaribbean.”
“The inclusion of players from across the region demonstratesourcommitment tonurturingtalentfromallour territories We are confident theycancompeteatthehighest
level while gaining valuable internationalexperience The future of West Indies women’s cricket looks bright with these promising young athletes”The tournament will feature 16 teams from across the globe, with matches scheduled across various venuesinMalaysia.
Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies qualified through their participation in the 2023 edition,whileMalaysiaearned
automatic qualification as hosts
Another five nations, Nepal, Nigeria, Samoa, Scotland and the United States earned their spots throughthevariousregional qualificationtournaments.It will be the first World Cup appearance across any age group for Samoa while the tournament also marks Malaysia’s maiden appearance at the Under 19 Women’sWorldCup.
The West Indies side has been preparing rigorously
through specialized training campsattheCoolidgeCricket Ground and various tours during theyear to ensuretheir readiness for this prestigious competition.
Head coach Robert Samuels expressed pride in their preparation: “Our young players have shown tremendous dedication and improvement during their preparation.
Weareconfidentthatthey willrepresenttheWest Indies with pride and demonstrate thebrightfutureofwomen’s cricketinourregion.”
The 16 teams have been splitintofourgroupsoffourand WestIndieshavebeendrawnin Group A alongside India, Sri Lankaandthehosts,Malaysia
Following the group phase of the tournament which runs from 19 to 23 January, the top three teams fromeachgroupwilladvance to the Super 6 phase – two groups of six – which will take place from 25 to 29 January
Three teams from Group AandGroupDwillcombine toformoneSuper6groupand the top three teams of Group BandGroupCwillformthe othergroup
Interestingly, teams will carryforwardtheirpointsand net run rates from the initial groupphaseandwillplaythe two sides who were not in their original group and who finished at a different position
For example, if West IndiesfinishtopofGroupA, then they will play the runners-up and second
January against New Zealand, before their opening group stage game on19January
West Indies Under 19 Women’sSquad:
1 Samara Ramnath (captain)
2. Asabi Callender (vice captain)
3.AbigailBryce
4.KenikaCassar
5.JahzaraClaxton
6.DenellaCreese
7 . N a i J a n n i Cumberbatch
8.ErinDeane
9.AmiahGilbert
10.TrishaHardat
11.riannaHarricharan
12.AmritaRamtahal
13.SelenaRoss
14.KristenSutherland
15.AaliyahWeekes Reserves:
1.DicoreyaCollymore
runners-upofGroupD.
The top two teams from each Super 6 group will advancetothesemifinalson 31 January with the final to be held on 2 February at the BayuemasOval,a3000-seat venue. The 15-player squad and additional five reserves, represent the best and brightest of the region’s young female cricketing talent and will be led by captain Samara Ramnath and vice captain Asabi Callender The team departs for Malaysia on 1 January for a pre-tournament camp from 5 to 10 January Their tournament preparation continueswithtwowarmup games – on 13 January against Nepal and 15
2.KrisanneHowell
3.AneishaMiller
4.DanielleManns
5.aureneWilliams TeamManagementUnit: Head Coach: Robert Samuels Assistant Coach: Shane Brooks Assistant Coach: Tremayne Smart Physiotherapist:
Ashley Stephens Strength & Conditioning Coach:YvonneArthurTeam Manager: MerissaAguillera Team Doctor: Dr Joanne Ragoonanan Group Stage Match Schedule: 19 January: West Indies vs India 20 January: West Indies vs Sri Lanka 25 January: West Indies vs Malaysia
Captain Samara Ramnath and vice-captain Asabi Callender receiving their offical jerseys. (CWI)
Jahzara Claxton receives her jersey. (CWI)
Semi-Finals line up set for Maid Marian Wheat Up Women s Cup 2024
The Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’sCup2024hasreacheda pivotal stage as four teams have officially advanced to the semi-finals, continuing their quest for championship glory
LeadingthechargeareGuyanaDefence Force A, Fruta Conquerors FC, Guyana Defence Force B, and Police ForceA, each proving their strength and resilience in the competitionsofar
Theexcitementonthefieldwaspalpable during quarter-final clashes Fruta Conquerors FC showcased their tenacity with a 1-0 victory against Herstelling RaidersFCinacloselycontestedmatch.
TheirgoalwasscoredbyFionaGibbs.In another nailbiting encounter, Anastasia Horsam of the Guyana Defence Force B nettedagoalastheytriumphed1-0overthe Junior Lady Jags, solidifying their position asstrongcontendersforthetitle.
The tournament, which has brought together some of the best talents in local women’s football, has also provided a platform for players to share their voices.
Reflecting on the experience, many players expressed gratitude for the opportunity to competewhileemphasizingtheneedfor
(Continuedonpage23)
Maid Mariam action 2 – The Guyana Defence Force Ateam take a group photo
