At least 46 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, hospital hit
Chevron CEO under pressure to halt share slide as Hess deal stalls
AG raises concerns about blackout for not supporting electronic voting surge to $95.36 billion
...sayscurrentsystemworkingperfectlyfine New early childhood centre opens doors at Ogle
Young Sanjana Patil lights an earthen diya to mark Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Across Guyana, Hindus illuminated their homes and surroundings with diyas and fairy lights to celebrate this holy festival. Diwali brings together family and friends from all walks of life, celebrating in the spirit of togetherness.
Amid continuous concerns from the public about the constant climbing of the exchange rate at cambios with the US dollar, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters that the government is closely monitoring the foreign currency market and the Central Bank is on standby to intervene as soon as the situationescalates.
Jagdeo was asked to comment on the situation of the rising rates and he said, “So I explained here about the foreign currency market and I said that we are carefully monitoring the market.
Sotheideaisnottohave therateappreciatetoomuch because of the same Dutch
Diseasephenomenonnordo we want it to depreciate significantly.”
Over the last few years there has been the trend of theexchangeratefluctuation between $212 to $222 and then it reduces once there is an injection of foreign currency into the market, “we believe that the flow of foreign currency in aggregate sense is matching the demand in aggregate sense, but you have a balkanizedmarketandthat's whatwetrytohelpwithfrom time to time,” the VP explained.
Hesaidgiventhenumber of activities being funded in the country, capital works and the constant expansion of the country's economy encourage a greater demand
for foreign currency to have transactions done. The last timetheCentralBankhadto intervene to stabilise the market.Jagdeohadmetwith the bankers and US $100M wasinjectedintothesystem.
The current foreign currency reserves would allow future interventions at anytimeonceanassessment ofthemarketshowsthatthe aggrega
mand is exceeding aggregate supply, Jagdeo a former president said. “I have had the people looking at the market and if t
ssity particularly as we come up we have seen some increase in demand So the increased demand for the procurement for Christmas, a lot of people are now buying goods for Christmas
VicePresident, Bharrat Jagdeo
so they have to make payments now, so maybe there is time to look at even outthemarket,”Jagdeosaid. Furthermore, he said “…The Central Bank if you have an oversupply in
December we can even buy back from the market because that's how the CentralBankworks,through either open market operations or buying and selling foreign currency to smoothenouttheflow Ican assure you we are watching it carefully,” the VP explained.
InApril of this year this publication reported that d e s p i t e n u m e r o u s complaints of long waiting time at local banks to have access to foreign currency, Jagdeo had said that there is currently no sustained shortage of the US dollar in Guyana,andhisgovernment has seen nothing to indicate such.
He said then that the administration receives
daily reports from the Central Bank and no shortage had been reported. th At his Thursday April 4 pressconferenceatFreedom House,theVPwasaskedby Kaieteur News to comment on the US dollar going scarceandtheexchangerate rising over GYD$220. He said that, “The moment we believe that there is a sustained shortage… becausewegetdailyreports from the central bank on thesematters. If we believe there is a sustained shortage then we caninjectlargeamounts.We have the capacity to do that. That'swhatcentralbanksare for…to smooth out markets and we wouldn't hesitate to use the Central Bank to smoothoutthemarket.”
Chevron CEO under pressure to halt share slide as Hess deal stalls
HOUSTON (Reuters)Five years ago, Chevron CEO Michael Wirth won Wall Street acclaim as the No. 2 U.S. oil company that briefly achieved a market value larger than Exxon Mobil's after he refused to get into a bidding war with OccidentalPetroleumovera rival.
He was ahead of the gamewhenthepandemichit oil and gas demand, forcing rivalstomakedeepcutbacks that Wirth had already tackled at Chevron Its shares had outperformed rivals for five years until 2022.
Fastforwardto2024and Wirth's legacy is in danger Chevron's falling earnings nolongercoveritsdividends and buybacks Project overruns in Kazakhstan and Australia have cost the companybillions.
The CEO is also locked in a must-win arbitration battlewithExxonMobilthat has held up his US$53 billionpurchaseofHess,isa deal that would give Chevron a stake in a lucrative Guyana oilfield thatExxonoperates.
Exxon's challenge has delayed the deal by almost two years, and threatens to kill it entirely by asserting a right of first refusal over a sale of the Guyana properties. Chevron shares areup18%sinceWirthtook
over as CEO in 2018, compared to Exxon's 31% gain over the same period. Wirth'sjobisnotatrisk,say Chevron executives and industry sources. The board grantedhimaretirement-age waivermorethanayearago as he began a sweeping overhauloftopmanagers.
But "If you have $1 to invest in an oil company now, how would you justify investing it in Chevron?," said Mark Kelly, an analyst withthefinancialfirmMKP Advisors in London. "The Hess deal delay has left Chevron with no clear (business) growth story to tell."
JakeSpiering,Chevron's head of investor relations, said the company's share performance this year has been hurt by the arbitration case that has encouraged arbitrage traders to short Chevron "The Chevron storyiscoming. This growth, and earnings,andcashinflection is coming," Spiering said. Chevron is poised to deliver the highest production growth rate in the industry over the next 12 months by expanding existing projects, hesaid.
Theboardispressingfor a faster turnaround of earnings, according to people familiar with the board's thinking who requested anonymity as
board discussions are
declined for the past five quarters on a year-over-year basis as oil prices retreated from2022highs.
NEWTEAM
Wirth has ushered in a ne
he resignations or retirements of his former finance chief, headofoilproductsandgas, human resources chief and midstream and trading bosses in a bid to shake thingsup.
"Thereisalotofpressure on Mike because of Hess," said one of the people close tothecompany'sboard."It's a make or break for Mike," thepersonsaid.
Wirthhasshownaknack for multi-billion-dollar acquisitions, picking up Noble Energy and PDC Energy in deals near the marketbottomorthatclosed quickly
"We aspire to be high performance, and you should expect the board to expect that," Spiering said earlier this month in response to questions about the company's performance. Wirth was not available to comment and Chevron declined to make board members available for comment.
BIGGESTSHADOW
Thebiggestshadowover the company remains its
ChevronCEO, Michael Wirth
dispute with Hess partners' ExxonandCNOOCLtdover their Guyana offshore holdings, which contain the world's largest oil discovery inalmosttwodecades.
The deal originally was tocloseinthefirsthalfofthis year, but a decision in the arbitration case may not be issued until the third quarter ofnextyear
The delay is crucial to Chevron because the deal closing would give the company a 30% stake in Guyana's surging oil output, which last year delivered Hess a $1.88 billion net profit.
Thestakewouldprovide Chevron with long-lived oil production from a country withfewergeopoliticalrisks than its Venezuela or Kazakhstan operations, the
latter of which accounts for nearly 20% of Chevron's easily tapped oil reserves.
The Kazakh Tengizchevroil oil project, in which Exxon holds a 25% stake, is nearly three years behind an initial mid-2022 startup and has exceeded its original US$37 billion budget by over US$10 billion "If the (operational)issuescontinue or if the deal were to eventually fall apart, we could see further underperformance," said BirajBorkhataria,ananalyst atRBCCapital.
VENEZUELA
LICENSE?
Guyana, located on South America's Atlantic coast, could help improve the quality of the company's portfolio in Latin America, where it keeps a limited presenceinBrazil,Argentina and smaller countries. The region excluding Venezuela hasprovidedlessthan2%of its global output for the past decade.
U S lawmakers and Venezuelan opposition leaders and activists have calledfortighterrestrictions onthecompany'sdealingsin Venezuela.
Taxandroyaltiespaidto the repressive Nicolas Maduroadministrationhave propped up the government, they say The July presidentialelectionclaimed by Maduro has been
condemned as fraudulent by the U S and regional Organization of American States.
If Chevron's license to operate in Venezuela were terminated or amended, which analysts say could happen if former President Donald Trump returns to office and restores his campaign against Maduro, the company could lose its righttoexportabout220,000 barrels per day of oil Chevron continues to make the case to U.S. authorities that it has been a force for good in Venezuela and has received continued sixmonth authorizations to remainthere.
The No 2 U S oil companyisexpectedtopost third quarter earnings on Friday of US$4.26 billion, according to estimates compiled by financial firm LSEG, down 35% from the US$6.53 billion a year ago on weaker oil prices and refiningmargins.
“Mike Wirth is in a pickle,” said Frederic Boucher, risk arbitrage analyst at Susquehanna Financial Group, a market makerforChevronandHess stocks.
"If you spend two years working on a deal, assuring investors you are right, only to be proven wrong, should you still be trusted with investors'money?”
Minister of Natural Resources, Minister Vickram Bharrat recently found his voice to manifest some fire at a recentLocalContentForum. Thezealofafundamentalist wasevidentinhiswords,thesparklepresent. Itwasnotso much what he shared on behalf of his PPPC Government thatmayhaveinspiredhisaudience. Itiswhatbothheand his government have chosen to ignore rather carelessly, rathercallously
“GuyanaisprobablynowinitsstagewhereIliketosay itisinthemostexcitingperiodinthehistoryofourcountry where the time is right now to invest, when… we are expanding existing sectors now is the time to invest in Guyana.” MinisterBharratisright,butuptoapointonly It isanexcitingperiodinGuyana,buttheministerknowsvery well that it is mainly for those who formed part of his audience.
Theexcitingtimeslivedbyclosecomradesandtheother cabals that are part of the PPPC Government circle has definitely happened with both explained and unexplained wealthmakinguptheirrisetogreateconomicheights. They are the few and the favored in a population of somewhere between750,000and800,000,atthelastcount. Thefeware thesmallnumberofGuyanesefallingunderthetentofclose private sector entities, a battalion of public works contractors,cooperativeseniorpublicservants,andtrusted PPPCloyalists. Theyknowaboutexcitement,becausethey liveit.WhatMinisterBharratandhisGovernmentignore,and giveshortthriftto,arethosehundredsofthousandsofGuyanese whoarehangingonbytheirfingernails. Those losing their grip inch by inch daily Rather than living in an exciting time,theseGuyanesewhogowithout,managebyathread, arelivingwithwhatisdisappointing.
In the richest country in the world, and despite being statisticallydescribedastherichestindividually,allthatmostof themknowisgrindingpoverty Inthisrichcountrythereisa smallintimategroupofhaves,knowingwhatitistolivein “themostexcitingperiod”inGuyana’shistory. Thenthere are the urban areas and villages, and all those remote communitieslitteredwiththehavenots. Theonlytimethat there is some short-lived and questionable excitement for them is during that of elections. Poor Guyanese were just rememberedwitha$100,000cashgrantgift.
Itmustbebecauseelectionsisaroundthecorner,sothe wily PPPC Government leadership now runs forward to greasethepalmsofthehavenots,sothattheywillremember andknowwhotosupportattheballotbox. Otherwise,the most exciting period about which Minister Bharrat found histonguetoshoutaboutattheMarriottHotelissoforeign tothemassofGuyanese,astobeonanotherplanet. Thisis howgovernmentleadershiprunsoffitsmouth,shootsitself in the foot. On each occasion that PPPC Government leaders speak, their words come right back and expose the one-sided nature of their visions, programs, and practices. A belated cash grant of $100,000 is only temporary and paltryexcitementforGuyanese,forsoonitwouldbegone. Unlike the long-term excitement of government insiders, theexcitementofGuyaneseinthehavenotsbracketwillbe overbeforetheyknowit.
Minister Bharrat also said something else, which unwittinglyplasteredeggalloverhisfaceandthatofleadersin hisgovernment “Another10yearsfromnowmightbetoolate, itmightbetoolate,”hecautioned ThoughsaidtotheLocal Content gathering relative to investing, the minister may not knowhowrightheis,otherwise Fortherearetensofthousands ofGuyanesewhocouldbedeadbeforethenexttenyearsare over Pensionersareaprimeconstituency,fortheyform10%of Guyana’sknownpopulation,andformanyofthemitwouldbe toolate Therewouldbenosharingfor,noknowingby,them in this “the most exciting period” locally This is how the PPPCGovernmentcondemnsitselfthroughcallousness,the hollowness of its propaganda, the ugliness of its postures. Guyana’s poor live with deep disappointment, not rich excitement.
Small contractors
DEAREDITOR
,
Recently, a young event promoter and popular social media personality came under fire for seeming to
b e n e f i t f r o m t h e Government’s recent announcement of road contracts for small contractors.
While I do not know the young man personally, I have followed his business forsometime,andhavelong admired his work ethic, marketing strategies and obviousambition.
The Government has said that over $11 billion in contracts for roadworks were issued to small contractors in Region 4 Over 940 small contractors stand to benefit from this rolloutofcontracts.
In fact, judging from the photos from the contract signing event, those 940 contractors came from such
a varied cross section of the region that I would venture to say it is one of the most diverse developmental undertakingsinGuyanathus far
Every ethnicity and every age group seem to have been represented, and what was especially impressive to me was the genderequity Itwarmedmy hearttoseesomanywomen contractors getting a chance to undertake a life changing project that could translate into generational change for theirfamilies.
Are all 947 contractors
experienced in road building, with millions of projectsundertheirbelts?Of course not! But how does one get experience if not ever given a shot and a chance to prove oneself? In more developed parts of the world it is actually considered “progressive” to
give the underserved and disadvantagedaclearpathto equity
Giving the small contractors preference for manageablejobswithintheir own communities is a bold step in making sure everyone has equitable accesstothefinishline.
This is especially important,inasocietywhere not everyone has the advantage of inheriting generational wealth or knowledge, as is the case with many of the large, established construction companies.
This is an innovative way to give the small man hischance,andIendorseit.
Just imagine, 947 contractorswithinyourvery communities now need a minimum of 10 employees eachfortheirproject.That’s 9,470 jobs for skilled and unskilled workers instantly
added to the communities. These contractors will be buyingmaterials,tools,food andsomanymoreessentials for their projects from the stores and shops in these sameareas.
Ifyou’reablebodiedand would like to learn some new skills while earning money for you and your family, it might do you well tofindoutwhichcontractors areworkinginyourarea.
Imagine walking away from a project with a salary and a skill you didn’t have before? The odds are in the communities’favourandthe timeisnow Wecanstandon the sidelines and find unfounded ways to criticize a great initiative and those who choose to pursue it, or we can step forward and claimwhatisrightfullyours. Guyanabelongstoallofus.
Sincerely
TimicaEastman
Leonora celebrates a Luminous Diwali through PresidentAli’s Intervention
DEAREDITOR, Diwali or Deepavali, known as the “Festival of Lights,”isasecularasmuch as a religious holiday and allows while embraces anyone to participate in its festivities. The occasion is universallyobservedforallits pomp and glory, indulges in glamour and entertainment, and also affords values with the teachings and lessons morally associated with the stories It embodies a cultural ambienceenshrined with the delicate but significant components of spiritual, philosophical, historical and sociological elements to formulateamuch-reveredway of life Guyana, the land of descendants, some with ancestors from India, also reveled in the celebration of Diwali, permits lucky Guyanesetoenjoytheeventas apublicholiday In all the counties in Guyana, there are ongoing programmestocommemorate thisjoyousholidayandmany institutions, including the PPP/C Government, are holding public events so that all Guyanese may participate as “One Guyana” These events cater strictly nonalcoholic beverages, vegetarian foods, classical dancesthataresofttotheeyes, entertainingmusicpleasantto theears,songswithoutlawless lyrics, rollicking but clean spoken MC’s, educational books,fashionablegarments which are non-revealing
with accessories and a virtuous venue free from violence and vulgarity The President of Guyana, Ministers and other Government officials along with diplomatic dignitaries, gracedthesevenues.
At the Leonora Deepavali Mahotsav,PresidentIrfaanAli notonlyactivatedthelightingof theDiya,butinhismessage,he restored hope for this country andfaithinhisgovernmentto managetheaffairsofthepeople equitably, justifiably and honestly With his astute leadership, President Ali removedthedarknesswithlight which had blocked out the perseverance of honour in the village Through his instrumentality,goodprevailed over evil with the input of the Home Affairs Minister to restore dignity With Dr Ali’s timelyintervention,knowledge eroded ignorance to allow the Top Cop to visit the area and institutionalize changes which will bring immediate relief to limitthelawlessbehaviorsand provideintegrity
The Commander-inChief’s initiative personified thearticulationoftheAttorney General for a victory of righteousness over unrighteousness so that justicecanberestored.
Waryofthesensitivityofa historical and famous village, Leonoraistheplaygroundfor the president and he will not sacrifice the happiness of an entirevillagetoaccommodate profitoverprinciple. Thisbusy
businessbackgroundintheRegion 3 Borough, do provide an economic hive, but, with a President of ethical privileges, Dr Irfaan Ali would not compromise moral values for indecent behaviour The President along with the authoritativeagenciesandother stakeholders who have been salient, significant and silent, knowwhenandhowtodrawthe line Nooneisabovethelawor more powerful than the President He stamps his feet authoritatively when action needstobeassigned
ThedirtfromLeonorais beingremovedandresidents
can enjoy the beautiful and breathtaking festival of Diwaliinapeaceful,perfect and pampered ambience which necessitates the lighting of Diyas The President’s liaison officer, the PoliceCommanderinRegion 3,isable,capableandculpable to willingly ensure that all residents observe this holiday in the appropriate manner Leonora is thankful that the president has step up to the plate to be their knight in shiningarmourtohelpresolve thenoisenuisance
Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall
Understanding Intellectual Disabilities
DEAREDITOR, Iamwritingtoshedlight on an important topic that affectsmanyindividualsand families in our society: intellectualdisabilities.This category of disability remains the most prevalent diagnosedtodateinGuyana. Understanding what intellectual disabilities are, along with their causes and symptoms, is crucial for fostering awareness and support for those who live withthesechallenges.Some types of intellectual disabilities are Down syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, fetal alcohol syndromeetc.
Intellectual disabilities, often characterized by
significant limitations in bothintellectualfunctioning (learning) and adaptive behavior(unabletododayto day activities), manifest before the age of 18. This means that individuals may have difficulty with reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgment, academic learning, and learning from experience These challenges can affect a person’s ability to communicate,socialize,and functionindependently T h e c a u s e s o f intellectual disabilities are varied and can be attributed to a combination of genetic, environmental,andsocial (Continuedonpage16)
Taking radio to the next level
DEAREDITOR, I was very elated when I read the headline: “DepartmentofInformation, Public Affairs launch hinterland radio broadcast training series.” This news stirred me, and for many good reasons too. As we know,thelandscapeofradio broadcasting has been rapidly changing, and with 2024 already heading to a close,radiohostsarefinding themselves at the forefront ofanexcitingevolution.
As technology advances and listener preferences shift,theroleofradiohostsis being transformed from the traditional ‘talking heads’to dynamic ‘influencers of media.’
That is why radio hosts today are more than just voices on the air; they are c
,
connectors of communities, and pioneers in digital integration That is why adapting to new trends and technologies isn’t just beneficial.Itisanecessity So, I heap deserted accolades on Kwame McCoy (Minister within the OfficeofthePrimeMinister with Responsibility for Public Affairs), for his relentlessdriveinseekingto revolutionise the country’s medialandscape.
Word from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government’s Department ofPublicInformation,isthat the Guyana Media and Communication Academy just launched a series of engagement and training sessions,aimedatenhancing radio broadcasting skills for hinterland and remote communities This recent
series of engagement and training sessions continues the investment under the aegis of the Department of Information and Public Affairs within the Office of thePrimeMinister
This launch yet again reflects the many timely init
of the government’s desire to revolutionise the country’s media landscape, in seeking to p
efficiency, competency and transparency Theendresult is that “… the government hopestoensurecitizenswill be well-informed about its policiesandprogrammes,in a first hand, accurate and immediate manner Overall, it is to accommodate the government’s commitment to bridging the coastal and hinter
ide by empoweringcommunitiesto
participate in Guyana’s monumental transformative development, which is movingatafreneticpace.
May I remind Guyanese that radio stations are still very essential in supporting localevents,promotinglocal businesses, and rallying behind charitable causes Moreover, radio serves as a vital source for local news, weather updates, and emergency broadcasts, providing real-time information to listeners whenitmattersthemost.
As a caveat, advances in technology have given peopleeasierwaysandmore devices to access radio, and it is not a case of radio, as a medium, being diminished. That kind of sophistry must beabandoned.
It is far more than just announcers,newsandsongs. Many untrained announcers (being so, by virtue of some nepotistic act), get the idea that radio announcing is about ‘bigging-up’ and ‘shout-outs,’ popularity and deejaying, rapid speech and party-simulation Woe be untothem!
Now back to what just took place, a two-day session,which,washostedat Radio Lethem, 94 1 FM studio, Region 9 ( that is in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), with training provid
teran broadcaster,MerranoIsaacs, whoisaveryaccomplished, versatile and experience broadcaster Hehimselfhas Indigenous roots and is
government’s vision to ensure equal access to
opportunities in Guyana’s rapid transformative developmentalagenda.
Gordon French, Public AffairsLiaisonattheOffice of the Prime Minister, and a member of the lead team, explained that “The training (was) aimed at equipping participants with the foundational skills in broadcasting and technical operations essential for professional radio production. From this, we hope to build a cadre of media professionals capable of communicating the unique voices and stories f r o m h i n t e r l a n d communities, thereby promoting inclusivity and fostering a broader understanding of Guyana’s landscape.”
Thegoalattheendofit
(Continuedonpage09)
Diwali motorcade lived up to expectation …as 41 floats, cultural show delight large crowd
The East Coast
D e m e r a r a corridor came aliveonWednesdayevening withthevibrantspectacleof the 41-float Diwali motorcade, celebrating a cherished tradition on the eveofthefestivaloflights.
This year’s event also markedthe50thAnniversary of the Guyana Hindu DharmicSabha.Thecultural parade commenced at the Shri Krishna Mandir in Campbellville, Georgetown at around 18:30 hrs, making its way to the La Bonne
Intention (LBI) Community Center Ground on the East Coast Demerara, where a lively cultural programme followed.
The motorcade featured an array of floats, each uniquely designed to depict various manifestations of
God,tellingavisualstoryof Diwali. Organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the event attracted large crowds eager to witness the celebration Families gathered at the seawallandatstreetcorners, while others enjoyed the festivities at the LBI grounds.
Some attendees, like a group from Trinidad and Tobago, travelled specifically to experience the motorcade and cultural programmeforthefirsttime. Others say that it is a tradition to come out every year to witness the motorcade.
As the night progressed, the cultural programme showcased performances by artists from India, including Nachiket Lele from Indian Idol fame, Ben Parag, and Vishale Samlall, along with local talents such as Bunty Singh, Suraj Singh, Rekha Ranglall, Sookrane Boodhoo, Elizabeth Wong, and Kaitlin Sultan from
TrinidadandTobago.Dance performances by Dharmic Nritya Sangh and Berbice Delightsaddedtothefestive atmosphere.
Guests were treated to a variety of traditional foods, including the popular seven curry and other delicacies.
Government officials, including President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, and Minister of Human ServicesandSocialSecurity Vindhya Persaud, were also in attendance Minister
Persaud addressed the audience, emphasising the significance of Diwali and praisingthelargeturnout. President Ali in his remarks recognised the assiduous efforts of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha in coordinating the event, underscoring the importance of preserving Guyana’s diverse culture The Guyanese leader said justasorganisinganeventof thisscalerequiressignificant effort, so too does the government’sdiligent (Continuedonpage18)
Other motorcades displaying their creativity
President Irfan Ali at the LBI community ground
The winning motorcade: Woodley Park Vishnu Mandir Motorcade
Guyana’s oil top seller for Hess Corp.
American oil company Hess Corporation has revealed that Guyana's oil has been its top seller over thefirstninemonthsof2024, fetching an average price of US$82.18perbarrel.
This figure, reported in Hess'sQ3estimatesreleased on Wednesday, highlights Guyana's product as the company's most valuable, outperforming other regions in Hess's portfolio. Crude from Guyana's prolific Stabroek Block showed steady gains, selling at US$80 41 per barrel on average in 2023, up to US$82.18thisyear
The third-quarter report highlights the global variance in crude oil prices, emphasizing Guyana's significance in Hess's international lineup. Crude oilfromNorthDakotainthe United States averaged a selling price of US$73.47 per barrel, while offshore U S production sold at US$76 77 Meanwhile, Malaysia and the Joint
ChiefExecutive Officer(CEO), HessCorporation, John Hess
Development Area (JDA) averaged US$81 35 per barrel.
It should be noted that despite slight fluctuations, Hess's portfolio saw an overall increase in average selling prices from the previousyear Forcrudeoil, theworldwideaverageprice rose from US$75 72 per barrel in 2023 to US$79.14 in2024.
Excluding hedging, which provides a less buffered view of market dynamics, the average selling prices remained similar Guyana's crude
US$82.18 per barrel, while Hess'sU.S.crudefetchedan average of US$74.13, and MalaysiaandJDAoilsoldat US$81.35. Guy
Block which is estimated to hold 11.6 billion barrels of
Limited.Theblockislocated approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana, and is 6.6 million acres Oil was discovered in 2015 and by D
2
19 oil production commenced Currently they are three Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading units (FPSOs) operating in theStabroekBlock.TheLiza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity FPSOs are currently producing a combined650,000barrelsof oilperday(bpd).
...average price pegged at US$82 per barrel
Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where Hess holds 30% interest
M o r e o v e r, t h i s publicationrecentlyreported that Hess estimated results onitsoperationsforthethird quarter of 2024, places a spotlight on the company's increased oil production in Guyana,whereHessholdsa 30% interest in the prolific Stabroek Block. In relation to Guyana, Hess reported that net production from its operations reached 170,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) up 57% from 108,000 bopd
in the same period last year
Notably, the company's overallnetproductioninthe thirdquarterroseto461,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), up 17% from 395,000boepdin2023. This increase, the company said is, “primarily due to higher production in Guyana.”
Back in 2023, it was announcedthatAmericanoil giant, Chevron will be acquiring Hess for US$53 billion; which Hess
shareholders approved back in May While the U S Federal Trade Commission allowed Chevron's purchase ofHessCorporation,thedeal stillneedtoclearachallenge by ExxonMobil and CNOOC Limited, Hess's partners in a Guyana joint venture,whoclaimarightof first refusal to any sale of Hess's Guyana assets, the prizeintheproposedmerger A three-judge arbitration panel is due to consider the casenextMay
PAHO issues alert for measles cases in the Americas
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert duetotherecentidentificationofclustersand cases of measles in the Americas, urging countries to intensify their vaccination and surveillanceefforts.
InthealertpublishedonMonday,PAHO reported that, in 2024 up to October 5, more than 14,000 suspected cases of measles have been registered, with 376 confirmed in eight countries of the Americas,mainlyin the United States (267 cases), Canada (82) and Argentina (11). Most of these casesareimportedorrelatedtoimportation. TheAmericasregionwascertifiedasfreeof rubella in 2015 and of endemic measles in 2016.
canbefatal.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children and can cause serious complications, including severe diarrhea, ear infections, blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Some of these complications
The most affected age group includes children aged 1 to 9 years and young adults aged 20 to 29 years. Fifty-seven percent of confirmed cases were unvaccinated, and in 28% their vaccination status was unknown, highlighting the urgent need to address gaps invaccinationcoverage. Althoughtherehasbeen an increase in cases since mid-February of this year, the overall trend shows a decrease in the weeks following late March; however, cases have continued to be confirmed in subsequentmonths. Throughout the year, PAHO warned in January and June about the decline in vaccination coverage against measles, rubella, and mumps (known as MMR or measles-mumps-rubella vaccine). In 2023, theregionalcoverageforthefirstdoseofthe MMR vaccine was 87% and 76% for the second dose, below the ideal threshold of 95%recommendedtopreventoutbreaks.
Now, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the government’s anticorruption system is “working.”Now,thatwould be a comforting thought if only the system weren’t about as porous as a colander.
Consider, for a moment, the concept of “anticorruption architecture ” Thephraseitselfconjuresup
visions of strong, impenetrablewalls,fortified gates,maybeevenamoatto keep out the corrupt and the conniving. But here, our a n t i - c o r r u p t i o n “architecture”ismorelikea brokenscreendoor:itkeeps out the flies but lets in the elephants. It catches the
small, occasional offender –astrayofficialwhocouldn’t keep his hands out of the cookie jar – but when it comes to the real fraud, the systemic rot, that screen doorisasgoodasnodoorat all. The Vice President would have us believe that the mere filing of charges againstsomeone–anyone–is evidence that the system works. But if we’re honest, the real test of an anticorruption framework isn’t charging someone; it’s preventing him from ever reaching for the loot in the firstplace.
Anti-corruption measures, truly effective ones, create a culture where fraudandmalfeasancearen’t
just frowned upon but are almost unthinkable. When the only line of defense is reactionary – audits and investigations long after the fact – you’re not stopping corruption. You’re just shaking your head at its ingenuity.
Now,yearsago,wewere told that internal audit departments would be establishe
y government agency, acting
misconduct An effective internal audit function can serve as a deterrent to those tempted by the dark side of bureaucracy Yet here we are, reading the Auditor General’s report year after year, seeing the same issues
Taking radio to the next level...
Frompage05 all is that Guyana can field another dozen professionals fromaroundtheLethemand Annai areas, with skills in story-telling, reporting, and technical broadcasting, thus empowering them to produce content that authentically represents theircommunities.
What was explained is quitenicetoo,thatis,“Once the pool of potential broadcasters has been identifiedtovolunteer,there will be part-time employment in some cases attheregionalradiostations, and this will allow for ongoing training and acquisition of solid experience.Thisinitiativeis providingeveryonewiththe tools and skills needed to participate in our country’s development. Broadcasting training is a critical step in ensuringthatvoicesfromall corners of our nation be
heard, respected, and valued.”
Let’s bear in mind that time and time again, radio hasproveditsworthincases of emergency such as when accesstothemobilenetwork is down as a result of an overload, or phone lines are cut. Even when there is no electricity, most radio sets can be battery operated or have the ability to be handcranked.Butradioisnotjust important for reception of emergency announcements and communications during disasters In many small communities, it provides an outlet for regular community messaging and activities such as local sports, community events, special events, and local businessadvertising.
More importantly, radio is easy to use, It is live and it’s human. As a matter of fact,formorethan80years, radio has survived and
prospered by being the easiest of media to use.
According to Nielsen’s Q3 2023TotalAudienceReport, “… radio is still the most popular form of media in America reaching90%of adultsaged18-34;94%aged 35-49;and91%aged50and older So,radioisgearingup for an even brighter future, as recent statistics have
communication, catalyzing
communitydevelopment.Its ability to inform, educate, engage,andinspiremakesit an indispensable tool for promoting sustainable developmentandimproving lives worldwide. Hopefully, thosewhoarefortunatetobe a part of this exercise will makefulluseofit.
Yourstruly, HB.Singh
DEM BOYS SEH
De quiet days gone
Backindemolddays,aholidayusedto be a stay-home day Yuh could know a holiday from a regular Saturday just by lookin’out yuh window Few cars. Quiet road.Desoundofsilence,likeablessing. Peopleusedtotekdechancetorelax,kick back at home. If dem did go out, it was a littletriptodecreekormaybedecinema. Butnotnomore.
Now, Sunday look like Saturday, Saturday look like Monday, and holiday look like every damn day in dis country De whole of Guyana on de road.As if de wallsathomesqueezin’demtootight.De amount of vehicles out there, yuh woulda thinkit’sMashramaniDay!
flagged like repeat offenses in a soap opera Audits without clout, delays without accountability –these are hardly signs of a robust, self-policing government. Instead, what we’vegotisasystemwhere, rather than preventing corruption, we’re endlessly chasing after it with brooms anddustpans.
Andspeakingofbrooms anddustpans,let’stalkabout the Public Procurement Commission. In a sensible world, this body would be a mighty watchdog, a sharpeyed eagle keen to root out corruption before the ink dries on dubious contracts. Inreality,theCommissionis likeanumpireatagamewho can’t see the ball – not becauseit’sfast,butbecause someone keeps hiding it from him Delays in document sharing, excuses fornon-cooperation,endless bureaucratic shuffles; when your oversight commission is frustrated by procedural obstacles, the question isn’t whether corruption is happeningbutratherwhyno one is moving heaven and earthtopreventit.
What is helping to catch those involved is not the ‘system’. It is the leaks, the anonymous tip-offs, the “whistleblowers” who point fingers at under-the-table deals Without these we would never know anything about what’s happening in the murky underworld of Guyanese governance. The
government’svaunted“anticorruption” system, if anything, owes its limited successes to the courage of t h e l e a k e r , t h e whistleblower, the person who – quite possibly in despair–blowsopenastory fortherestofus.Thisisnota system.It’sanaccident.
So what’s to be done? Well, for starters, the governmentcouldconsidera trifecta of reforms. First, actually establish strong internalauditdepartmentsin every agency – real oversight,notjustdecorative p o s i t i o n s T h e s e departments, staffed with individuals unafraid to call out discrepancies, could becometruewarriorsagainst corruption.
Second, how about appointing an Inspector General with sweeping authority, an individual empoweredtoprobeanyand every government transaction, ministerial or otherwise? Imagine, just imagine, an official who isn’t deterred by rank or position,someonewhosejob is to keep ministers, agencies, and officials lookingovertheirshoulders. Accountability isn’t about easy charges here and there; it’s about a culture of fear –fear of being caught, exposed,anddealtwith.
deycan’tstayinit. Nah, dey gotta be on de move. Gotta see de road. Feel de breeze, dodge de potholes.Anddeyain’tjusttakin’alil’trip; dem out all day! Yuh ask dem why dem can’t stay home and dey seh, “Ah gah get out,boy!Can’ttekdequiet.”Imaginedat! Demcan’t“tek”dequietindeyownhome. Dem boys seh de quiet days ain’t comin’back.Peoplenowturnderoadways into dem new backyard Dere new verandah. So dem out dere rain or sun, scorchorflood.Deyain’tstoppin’.Itlook likesomepeoplethinkderoadwaysispart ofdeminheritance!
So tek it from Dem Boys: cherish de quiet days in yuh mind, ‘cause outside, demdaysgoneforever Sundaytrafficisde new“familytime.” Talkhalf!Leffhalf!
No minister wants his assets open to scrutiny, especially not if he’s got more in the tax havens than in his home country Public declarations are to corruption what sunlight is to mold: a purifying force, thekindoftransparencythat wouldbeagame-changer
Because,let’sfaceit,the current system isn’t working,nomatterwhatthe Vice President says We don’tneedhalf-heartedanticorruption “initiatives” that amount to little more than paper-pushing We need bold, audacious reforms, like internal audits with authority, an Inspector General unafraid of his own s h a d o w, a n d y e s , transparency with a capital “T
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
And finally, we arrive at a n o v e l c o n c e p t : transparency Yes, the very word might bring about nervous glances in high offices, but hear me out. What if, say, every minister, beginning with the Vice President himself, were to make their financial declarations public before the Integrity Commission? Radical,Iknow Butlet’snot forget, transparency is the ultimatedisinfectant.
H@RD TRUTHS
Richest people in the world, slowest, daftest also
All the experts are unanimous. Guyanese are the richest people in the world. Bythatonethatmost matters: per capita
Attaching Latin to the description is a nice touch, swells the head with its mystiqueandexotica.
But being identified as the richest, what does it mean? That each man, woman, and child-old and young,poorandnotsopoorare now in the big leagues, the uppermost stratum of Guyanese society?
The richest in the world includes pols, for sure, but notpeasants. Padronesinthe private sector, but not the massofthepopulation. Why then, this empty accolade (averaging aside) that glows globally,yetdropsGuyanese totheirknees?
On average, Guyanese are the richest. They are the cleverest also, and the daftest, too. They forget all the harsh lessons of history; theypretendnottoremember
the grim circumstances of their ancestors. I take India. ItwastheCrownjewelofthe BritishEmpire. Itisnotmycreation,buta masterpiece of the Victorian era, if not a prior one
Examine the similarities to Guyana hundreds of years later IfIndiawasthecrown jewel (among many magnificent pearls), then it had to be a land of fable, the greatest one. It was. There were the Britishers: with their funny hats called pith helmets, their jodhpurs and breeches, snorting stallions, and either their canes or ridingwhips,tocompletethe picture of the towering masters busy at work
Pardonme,butthepictureof a bespoke suited Alistair
Routledge surfaces, with his pinned Guyana map on his left lapel serving three purposes. First, to identify as a partnerofsorts. Second,the suit is a differentiating feature And third, the Guyana pin is the subtlest of foreign insults that can be conjured(Iownthiscountry,
command who I wish, controlwhereIwant). Some Guyanese may protest Protestaway
The richest means that the biggest global incentive is present in Guyana, is the greatestluretocheckoutthe possibilities and conquer That'swhyRoutledgeandthe rest are here. To seize the riches. To collaborate with the ambitious, then get them to do the dirty work, their treachery,totheirown.
In India, the richest were the maharajahs who feathered their beds at a cheapprice:alltheyhadtodo was kneel. Soon, kneeling came easily, an automatic reflex. If prostration was
l circumstances of pomp and pageantry,itwasdone,since matters had progressed that far already. What are the richest doing in this country to maintain their enriching perches? Look at the most powerfulpolsinthedomestic arena and there they are: the new Guyanese maharajas: plumontheirknees(orface) andproudofit.
Howlowcanamangofor the intoxicant and ambrosia of power? I urge my fellow Guyanese to check on the way that an addict, any human wreck, on the street abandonseveryspeckofselfrespect for a helping hand, evenifscornfulspittleispart of the humiliating
a c c o m p a n i m e n t
Humiliationisoneofseveral words that have been scratched out of the dictionary Guyanese use Tribalists, partisans,
sycophants-all local kowtowing pillars-have discarded personal honor fromtheirthinking.
Themaharajahsdidit,so those here do so too. The richestthinkthattheyarethe smartest and willingly pay any price to maintain that farceandfraud. Iftheymust kiss (whatever there is to be kissed), then that's done. Is this not what is happening here at the highest levels in this country? With the people who represent the mostpeople,thenthenextin l i n e ? G u y a n e s e circumstances provide the best answers. The clearest confirmation and education arehad.
e
y contemplation deteriorates into controversy, drops dead even before the floor is touched. Thelatestiswhois the father of the cash grant idea. The old one is who is themotherofallofGuyana's woes. The richest loves being the dumbest, even the brightest fall into that molassespot. Themorethey try to separate from that swamp, the more the sickeningstuffsticks.
The dumbest and brightest have names.
Unlike my name which begins and ends with a consonant, check the vowels in theirs. There is Guyana's march past of heroespolitical, intelligentsia, and the rest of the rich smart set.
Circumstances in India, that most gleaming of precious crown jewels, left another lesson Unlike Guyana, it was more spiritual than raci Thosewhotoadiedup British,whiletheyplundered the wealth Just like Maharajahs,sodidthelower castes and classes and worshipping camps In Guyana,theracialisastonecold killer Every convers
Guyanese are so smart (and sorich)thattheyrefusetosee how daft they appear in the eyes of the exploiter, how craven they are in the minds oftheenslaver. Aworstfate could not be had, but it is theirs.Withtheirtheoriesand concepts and spurious, hilarious, advocacies and mental delicacies. The most ignominiousracistsarethose who hate themselves, who gift the other man his smirking superiority Perhaps, the vowel enriched people may object, but who givesaflyingwhatever
Summation:thedemands for the honor of being called the richest in the world are justtoopriceyforme. Tobe the richest by computation but,inreality,thesickestand thedumbest,isnotworthone speck of my sacred selfrespect. Those who crave this poisoned chalice (the richest)canhaveit. Theman is watching, waiting. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the o p i n i o n s o f t h i s newspaper.)
Local World Trade Center group presents study on copyright laws to
AdelegationfromWorld Trade Center Georgetown (WTCG), Guyana has presentedacopyofastudyit commissioned earlier this year on copyright laws in Guyana with special emphasis on trade in the creative industries sector
Thestudywaspresentedasit wrapped up its participation in the World Trade Center's Association (WTCA) Member Forum on Thursday
AccordingtotheWTCG, thestudywascommissioned following consultations a m o n g l o c a l a n d international stakeholders in the field of intellectual property as well as reviews of copyright legislation in common law countries and current international best practices.
Thestudyidentifiesboth the benefits and costs of a modern, comprehensive legal framework for copyright protection in Guyana.
It also identifies the
significant contribution that copyright makes to the economies of developing countries and highlights the potential impact of the cultural and creative industriesonexportsaswell as the inter-relationship between technology and the 'orange'economy
Thepressreleaseoutline t h a t a m o n g t h e recommendations of the studyarethepreparationofa revamped and modernized C o p y r i g h t A c t ; establishment of a Federation of Creative Industries of Guyana; establishment of a national equivalent of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP); and the promotion of stronger linkages with the tourism sector and the wider economy
WTCG Executive
Director,WesleyKirtonsays copies of the study will be sharedwiththeGovernment of Guyana and that an international conference on the issue of the creative industries will be hosted by thelocalWorldTradeCenter Georgetown during the first halfofnextyear
T h e s t u d y w a s undertaken by Mr Neville Bissember, currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Law at the University of Guyana and who has served in several international arenas including the Guyana Foreign Service, theAfrican Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)GroupinBrusselsand the CARICOM Secretariat inGuyana. Accordingtotherelease, Mr. Bissember holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) Degree from the University oftheWestIndies,Facultyof Law, Cave Hill Campus, a MasterofLawsDegreefrom the University of London, London School of Economics and Political Science and was a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at the (Continuedonpage16)
New early childhood centre centr opens doors at Ogle
Aimed at fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration while nurturing a love of learning in children, the Atikali LearningLabonWednesday officially opened its door at Lot 6 Temple Street, Ogle, EastCoastDemerara(ECD).
Thelearninglab,whichis a space dedicated to nurturing growth, development and lifelong learninginchildrenasyoung as18monthsoldtofiveyears old is founded by educator and Head of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Ms Quenita Walrond.
Walrond in her opening remarks yesterday said the idea of bringing about this learning centre stemmed from her past experiences as aworkingsingle-parent.She
that would take her at 12 months old because I had to return to work, that would provide care, stimulation, a (Continuedonpage16)
recollected, “I was living in Canada, as a new single parent to an adorable baby I
Founder, Ms. Quenita Walrond, her family and team on Wednesday cutting the ribbon to officially open the Atrikali Learning Lab, located in Ogle, ECD.
Section of the Atikali Learning Lab.
Demerara Bank’s loans surge to $95.36B
...capturing 38% of sector lending, with zero non-performing loans
Wi t h t h e a i d o f
technology, Demerara Bank's Loans and Advances have soared to $95.36 billion, accounting for 38% of banking sector lending over the last twelve, the bank said inastatement.
The bank also maintained its exemplary record of zero non-performing loans. The information is contained in
the Bank's consolidated financial performance for the year ended September 30, 2024, delivering exceptional growth across all financial indicators, with significant contributions to lending and support for key sectors of Guyana's economic development.
Additionally, the bank reported a 34% increase in
loans and advances, rising fromG$71.37billionin2023 to G$95.36 billion in 2024. This growth, the ban said reflects DBL's strategic effortstodiversifyitslending portfolio, with notable expansionsinagriculture,real estate,SME'sandservices,all supporting the growing Guyaneseeconomy While driving sectoral
growth, the bank has maintained zero nonperformingloansforthethird c o n s e c u t i v e y e a r, underscoring disciplined credit management, the statement read. Accounting for38%ofthetotalincreasein industry-wide lending, DBL reinforced its role as a major contributorto
(Continuedonpage17)
ChiefExecutiveOfficer, Dowlat Parbhu
ChairmanofDemerara BankLimited, Komal Samaroo
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Massy launches Christmas promotion with Nissan SUV as top prize
Massy Stores Guyana has an nounced the launch of its most anticipated promotion of the year, the Christmas Jackpot Promotion, offering customers the chance to win a brand-new 2024 Nissan Qashqai Sense SUV! From November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, every purchase of $5,000 (GYD) or more, either in-store or online, qualifies shoppers for a
chance to drive off in this sleek and stylish ride. In addition to the grand prize, every two weeks lucky customers will be eligible to win $100,000 throughout the promotion, Massy said in a release.
This generous opportunity is part of the company’s commitment to giving back to customers, rewarding them for choosing Massy Stores as their preferred shopping
destination. “We’re truly excited to give one of our customers a prize that could make a real difference in their life,” said Chrystel Taylor, Marketing & Promotions Coordinator at Massy Stores Guyana.
“The holidays are such a meaningful time, and we want to add to that joy for our customers. We invite all our customers to shop with us for their chance to win. Shop online too! Customers shop-
ping through our website, massystoresgy.com or using our easy-to-use self-checkout machines are fully eligible to win.
Earlier this year, Dr. Yara Martinez Dias won an MG ZS SUV, while Colin Weeks, won a Nissan XTrail T32 last year. Beyond the incredible prizes, Massy Stores will also host social media promotions throughout the Christmas season.
New early childhood centre opens doors at Ogle...
From page 11 solid educational foundation and had a sense of family or community.”
Having experienced this and knowing that some parents and single mothers in Guyana have no alternative option to care for their kids while they work, she noted that at the Atikali Learning Lab, they aimed at giving the gift of guilt free time to these parents, knowing that their child is being cared for.
According to Walrond, “guilt free is important because maternal guilt is also real.
It’s the gift of guilt free time for us to all find and share balance so that we can all have successful tomorrows.” While creating this safe space for
children, Walrond said Atikali also introduces a new era in early childhood education.
Offering a developmentally appropriate full-day engagement programme (from 8am to 4pm), Atikali Learning Lab stands as a pioneering Early Childhood Education and Development institution, committed to providing a nurturing, safe, and innovative learning environment.
Their mission is to redefine education through immersive experiences, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM), and the natural environment for young learners. Providing 21st century skills, the Founder shared that, “we are anchored in a curriculum that is filled with
intention, purpose and values.”
Staffed with trained graduates in Early Childhood Education, Atikali provides smart learning spaces equipped with educational technology for interactive and immersive teaching and learning.
Meanwhile, giving the keynote address, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond firstly applauded Walrond not only as a proud sister but also as a representative of the Guyana Government on achieving this milestone. She noted that the NCERD Head through her newly founded institution shows that Guyanese trained overseas and those in the Diaspora can come back home to contrib-
ute greatly to the economic development of Guyana. In encouraging those in the Diaspora to come back, the minister said that “Guyana is so ripe with opportunities right now.”
The Minister added that she hopes this level of education Atikali is introducing can be widespread across the country even benefitting those in the hinterland regions.
Noting that they have the government’s full support, Minister Walrond mentioned to the Atikali team that, “as you continue to think of ways to expand and innovate and build on this thing that is just a foundation, I see this catapulting into best practices across the public sector.”
Understanding Intellectual Disabilities...
From page 04 factors. Some common causes include:
1. Genetic Conditions: Certain inherited conditions, such as Down syndrome or Fragile X syndrome, can lead to intellectual disabilities.
2. Prenatal Factors: Exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy, such as alcohol or drugs, or infections like Zika virus can affect fetal brain development.
3. Birth Complications: Premature birth, low birth weight, or complications during delivery can contribute to an increased risk of intellectual disabilities.
4. Environmental Influences: Factors such as malnutrition, exposure to toxins, or severe neglect during critical developmental periods can also play a significant role.
Symptoms of intellectual
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disabilities can vary widely, but some common indicators include:
- Delays in reaching developmental milestones (e.g., speaking, walking)
- Difficulty with problemsolving and reasoning tasks
- Challenges in learning and applying academic skills
- Trouble with social interactions and understanding social cues
- Limitations in self-care and daily living skills
The Ministry of Educa-
tion has taken a proactive approach to addressing this situation; creating a screening packet, creating a SEND programme at the teachers’ college with a focus on intellectual disabilities, having a curriculum for these learners, procuring adaptive furniture, creating home programmes where needed for those too severely affected to be in school, having teacher-aides in classrooms to support learners and establish additional SEND spaces to sup-
port their unique learning needs.
It is essential to recognize that individuals with intellectual disabilities have unique strengths and abilities. Early intervention, appropriate educational strategies, and supportive environments can make a significant difference in their lives, a position that the ministry of education embraces.
Sincerely Keon Cheong
Local World Trade Center group presents study...
From page 10 Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Massachusetts, USA.
The presentation of a summary of the study was made by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Finance
Director of WTCG Mr. Vasudeo Singh to WTCA Chairman Mr. John Drew. DDL holds the license for the World Trade Center Georgetown, Guyana.
The WTCA Forum which opened here last Sunday focused on a range of issues on global trade and development, human capacity building, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data management.
The WTCA delegation comprised Mr. Singh, Mr. Wesley Kirton and Mr. Ryon Samaroo, WTCG’s Information Technology Specialist.
AG raises concerns about blackout
Attorney General Anil Nandlallsaidwhileheisnot opposed to technology, the manual system being used for voting is working perfectlyfine.
He was addressing his audience on the concerns raised by the opposition in relation to the electoral process on Tuesday during an edition of his weekly programme ‘Issues in the News’.
“I am not opposed to any form of technology, but the manual system is working Why you want to resort to technology, where things can go wrong in a country like Guyana?Wherewecanhavea blackoutonelectionsdayand it damages some computer programme that causes that fingerprinting machine to malfunction?
Why you want to expose usandourelectoralprocessto such mishaps?...They want something like that to happen,”theAGsaid.
He noted that the opposition is suggesting biometrics and fingerprinting but Guyana already has biometrics in place, the AG questioned“ifIMohabirAnil Nandlallturnsupatthepolling station, I have my ID, my name is on the list, the folio thattheGECOMstaffhasand all the polling agents have confirmed with my ID I am thatperson,thephotographis me,ifIgoandIputmyfinger on the machine and for
Frompage14
Guyana’s economic progress. “This milestone year was also marked by strategic investments in
customer centered technology, disciplined risk management and continued commitment to modern, customer-focused solutions. Enhanced technological infrastructure further underscored DBL’s mission of economic empowerment and innovation. The Bank has planned a series of t r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l technologicalroll-outwithin thenextfewmonthsthatwill improve customer experience. These rollouts will soon be announced to the public,” the DBL statementnoted.
K e y F i n a n c i a l Highlights: Net Profit Growth:Netprofitincreased by37%toG$5.59billion,up fromG$4.08billionin2023.
Earnings Per Share: Earningspershareimproved by 37% to $12.42, up from G$9.06in2023.
whatever reason the machine malfunctions, you’re telling methatIwouldbedeniedmy righttovote?”
In August this publicationreportedthatthe Alliance for Change is callingontheChairpersonof the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) retired Justice Claudette Singh to provide a comprehensive update on the measure that they are implementing to improve theelectoralsystemfromits currentstate.
AFC Member of Parliament, Beverly Alert made this appeal during the party’s weekly press c o n f e r e n c e a t i t s headquartersonFriday “The Alliance for Change (AFC) calls on the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to provide a comprehensive update on the measures being implementedtoimproveour electoralsystem,”Alertsaid.
Deposit Expansion:
Total deposits surged by 25% to G$174.56 billion as of September 30, 2024, driven by a 29% growth in savingsdeposits,whichrose fromG$79.4billionin2023 to G$102.4 billion. Deposit growth within the banking sector [all commercial banks]increasedby19%.
Return on Average Assets: The Return on AverageAssets increased to 3 1%, exceeding the industryaverageof2.11%
Market Share of Banking Assets: This increased by 22% over the lastfiveyears.
LoanGrowth:Demerara Bank Ltd. recorded a 34% increase in total loans and advances, increasing from G$71.37 billion in 2023 to G$95 36 billion in 2024 against banking sector growth of only 17%
Sectoral Diversification:
Shenotedthatfollowing the 2020 elections, the discrepancies in the list contributed in no small part to the resulting stand-off. “There is no longer any public confidence in the integrity of the electoral list and unless every effort is madetofindasolution,there willbecontinuingdistrustin any electoral outcome,” the AFCMPadded.
Duringthemediabriefing, Alertclaimedthatattherecent national elections, there were verifiedinstanceswherevotes were cast in the names of deceased persons, immigration records proving non-resident voters and other irregularities,hencethereisan “urgentneedforamorerobust and transparent system” She went on to say that the commissionhashadsufficient time to review and audit the conductofthe2020elections. The MP posited that “A transparent dialogue on the adoption of new technologies isnecessarytorebuildtrustin the electoral process GECOM must not remain silent or rely on occasional pressreleases.
The nation deserves a clear and detailed plan of action We urge the Chairpersontoaddressthese concerns openly and to implement measures that will ensure a fair, transparent, and credible electoral process in the upcoming2025elections.”
DPP orders inquest into fatal accident of Tucville man
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has instructedtheGuyanaPolice Force to conduct an inquest into the tragic death of 27year-old Jonathan Gomes, who lost his life in an accident involving a sand truckfivemonthsago.
According to the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) of the Guyana Police Force on Wednesday, the investigation into the accident, which occurred on May 24, was completed in July Following the investigation, legal advice was sought, which subsequently called for an i n q u e s t i n t o t h e circumstances surrounding Gomes’death
An inquest is a public inquiryaimedatdetermining the facts related to a death, including the identity of the deceased,thecauseofdeath, and the circumstances surrounding it The inquest will be conducted by a Magistrate in the division wheretheaccidentoccurred, specifically in Mahaicony Althoughtheinquesthasnot yet begun, the Police Public Relations Office indicated that authorities in Regional Division Five will be coordinating with the Magistratetoscheduleadate
The inquest will be held under the Coroner’s Act, allowing the Magistrate to call witnesses and examine evidence to ascertain the
causeofdeath.Onthedayof the accident, Gomes was driving a motorcar with registration number PVV 3618, owned by Audrey Gomes of Canary Street, Tucville, Georgetown. He collided with a lorry, registered as GSS 6980 and owned by Danny Katriah of Bath, Mahaicony The lorry wasdrivenbyOditRamdeen ofAiryHall,Mahaicony
I n i t i a l p o l i c e investigations revealed that the lorry was traveling east along the northern side of the road while Gomes’ car was heading west on the southern side It was reported that Gomes overtookseveralvehiclesat high speed around a right
bend, resulting in the car veering into the lorry’s path
Despite Ramdeen’s attemptstoavoidacollision by steering onto the northern parapet, the car struck the front of the lorry and subsequently hit a utility pole Gomes sustained severe injuries and was extracted from the wreckageinanunconscious state by bystanders, who placed him in a police vehicle for transport Both Gomes and Ramdeen were taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where Gomes was pronounced dead on arrival, while Ramdeen received medical treatment
PAHO issues alert for measles...
Zero Non-Performing Loans: For the third consecutive year, Demerara Bank Ltd. maintained zero non-performing loans, underlining its disciplined credit m
nt practices. EnhancedCapital Adequacy: The capital adequacy ratio rose to 23 53%, exceeding the industry average of 18.11% and
h
gu
ry benchmark of 8%. Robust Asset Growth: Total assets expanded by 27% to G$202 23 billion, highlighting the bank’s robust financial health and capacityforfuturegrowth.
L o o k i n g a h e a d Meanwhile, as Demerara BankLtd. enters its 30th year, it r
, technological innovation and meaningful community
Lending in key sectors in 2024 included residential / commercial real estate, consumer financing, services, SME’s & Agriculture and other important sectors, reflecting the banks strategic focus on diverseeconomicsupport.
engagement. The bank is committed to further enhancingshareholdervalue while meeting the evolving needsofitscustomers.Chief Executive Officer, Dowlat Parbhu, articulated the bank’s enduring promise “We have always aimed to build a bank that offers modern, customer-focused financial solutions while adhering to the highest standards of trust, transparency, and stability.”
Heexpressedgratitudetohis teamfortheirhardworkand commitment, as well as appreciation for the trust placed in them by their customers and the ongoing support from shareholders. Chairman, Mr Komal Samarooacknowledgedthis year’s success, attributing it tostrategicforesightandthe dedication of the Demerara Bank Limited team, stating “Ourresultsthisyearreflect our ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation and economicempowermentfor thepeopleofGuyana.”
Frompage8 Member States to implement active search strategies to detect cases, as well as to carry out complementary vaccination activities to close existing immunity gaps and strengthen communication with commun
acceptance Travelers are
vaccinated before visiting
transmission has been documented.
PAHOurgescountriesto continue strengthening surveillance systems, rapid response to any imported cases of measles, and a
vaccination coverage. It is crucial to address risk factors that could favor the spread of the virus such as low vaccination coverage, gaps in surveillance, the active circulation of the virus in other regions of the world, and the increased movement of people in the region, and dengue outbreaks where some measles cases could be masked, the Organization statesintheepidemiological alert.
Globally, measles remains one of the leading causes of death in young children, despite the existence of a safe and effective vaccine to prevent it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to October 15, 2024, more than 502,000 suspected cases of measles were reported in 182 Member States of the six WHO regions, of which more than 283,000 (56%) were confirmed. PAHO is committed to supporting countries in implementing effective measures to control the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable populations. The organization also emphasizes the importance of inter-institutional collaboration to ensure a coordinated response to this public health threat. While measles continues to be a global health problem, PAHO reiterates that vaccination is the most effective tool to prevent outbreaks and protect communities.Itisnecessary to maintain surveillance systems for the early detectionof importedcases, aswellasarapidresponseto outbreakstolimitthespread ofthevirus.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall
Dead: Jonathan Gomes
At least 46 Palestinians killed in Israeli in Israeli strikes, hospital hit, says Gaza ministry hit,
ByNidalAl-Mughrabi
CAIRO, Oct 31
(Reuters) - At least 46 Palestinians were killed in Israelimilitarystrikesacross the Gaza Strip on Thursday, mostly in the north where one attack hit a hospital, torching medical supplies and disrupting operations, theenclave’shealthofficials said.
Israel’s military has accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of using Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya for military purposes and said “dozens of terrorists” have been hiding there. Health officialsandHamasdenythe charge.
Later on Thursday, an Israeli airstrike on two houses intheNuseiratcamp incentralGazakilledatleast 16 Palestinians, medics at
Al-Awda Hospital in the camptoldReuters.Thedead included a paramedic and two local journalists, they added.
Northern Gaza, where Israel said in January it had dismantled Hamas’ command structure, is currently the main focus of the military’s assault in the enclave.Earlierthismonthit sent tanks into Jabalia, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya to flushoutmilitantsitsaidhad regrouped.
Eid Sabbah, director of nursing at Kamal AdwanwhichisinBeitLahiya-told Reuters some staff suffered minor burns after the Israeli strikehitthethirdfloorofthe hospital.
Therewerenoreportsof anycasualtiesatthehospital, whichIsraeliforcesstormed and briefly occupied last
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 30, 2024. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled Purchase Licensing Rights
week Israel said it had captu
ed around 100 suspected Hamas militants
Soldier caught stealing GDF’s fuel
Acellphonerecordedvideoofasoldier allegedly stealing fuel from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) bus went viral on Thursday
The rank was identified as Sergeant Wilson in the video. The opening scene began with a hose extending from the bus’ fueltanktooneofthreeyellowJars.
A man believed to be the soldier’s superior, said “Come here soldier” before asking him to state his name number and rank.
As the sergeant responded he quickly removed the hose and turned to face the man.
Afterbeingquestionedthemansaidthat bus was booked out from the “Air Corps” andtakentoalocationtofuel-up.
The man then questioned why he was takingoutfuelfromthebusafterfuelingit up.
TheGDFlaterconfirmedthatthevideo wasauthentic.
“This video was made as a form of evidenceoftheact,anditisunfortunatethat it was shared in the public domain”, the GDFstated.
According to the army the soldier was caught with the assistance of its electronic vehicletrackingsystem.
“After being alerted of an anomaly by ourtrackingsystem,therankwascaughtin the act by a superior Officer and has since been processed for disciplinary actions” addedtheGDF
in that raid. Israeli tanks are stillstationednearby
The health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip called for all international bodies “to protect hospitals and medical staff from the brutality of the (Israeli) occupation”.
The Israeli military has said its forces are operating inthehospitalareabasedon intelligence about the presence of terrorists and terror infrastructure in the vicinity
“During the operation, it
Frompage06 endeavours to improve the livesofallGuyanese.
“As we celebrate this Diwali, over the last four years we have seen the renewal of hope and optimisminourcountry
Wehaveseentherenewalof the Guyanese spirit of believing that we will continue to have a more prosperouslifeinGuyana,” PresidentAliunderscored
He pointed out that the celebrations are aligned with the government’s aim to ensure that the aspirations of all
Guyanese are met through better education, healthcare and other improvements
“Here in government, you will experience better pension, treated water, quality education, [and] betterhealthcare
was found that dozens of terrorists were hiding in the hospital, with some even posing as hospital staff,” said the military in a statement following Thursday’sstrike. Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said on Thursday thatoneofitsdoctorsatthe hospital, Mohammed Obeid, had been detained last Saturday by Israeli forces. It called for the protection of him and all
medical staff who “are facing horrific violence as theytrytoprovidecare”
The Gaza war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, accordingtoIsraelitallies.
Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 43,000 Palestinians and reduced most of the enclave to rubble, Palestinian authoritiessay
don’t see the hands and the people who will work every single day in crafting the policies, crafting the measures, and putting the hardworkbehindthescenes to ensure that we can enjoy thesebenefits.
And that is what this festivalisabouttoo
It’s about reflection,” PresidentAliemphasised
The head of state
encouraged families across Guyana to actively participate in the Diwali celebrations and light their diyas with love, as a symbol of national unity, peaceandconsciousness.
A s t h e n i g h t c o n c l u d e d , t h e motorcades were judged, with the Woodley Park
Vishnu Mandir from
But sometimes you
There was a lot of thought and preparation that went into this, and it requiredalotofassistance from the residents of the community
N e a t n e s s a n d creativity are what we strive for, and we wanted to present something spectacular for the public to witness year after year.”
Berbice Region Six claiming victory for the fifth consecutive year NelvinSeeram,amemberof their team shared, “We had to work day and night because there was so much togetdone.
The event was made possible with sponsorship f r o m v a r i o u s organisations, including the Government of Guyana, which supported 35 floats, along with Prem’s Electricals, Toolsie Persaud Group, Demerara B a n k L i m i t e d , ExxonMobil Guyana, and manyothers Diwali motorcade lived
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
Selling dreams on anti-corruption
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday continued his dream-selling mission telling reporters that the mere filing of charges against Calvin Brutus is evidence that the system to root out corruption is working.
But if we are honest, the real test of an anti-corruption framework isn't charging someone; it's preventing him from ever reaching for the loot in the first place.
Anti-corruption measures, truly effective ones, create a culture where fraud and malfeasance aren't just frowned upon but are almost unthinkable. When the only line of defense is reactionary – audits and investigations long after the fact – you're not stopping corruption.
You're just shaking your head at its ingenuity.
2024 GCB BetCAGESports National T20 League…. Jaguars, Anacondas battle today as T20 Action continues
unty franchises will clash today when they Essequibo Jaguars and Essequibo Anacondastieupinthelatest round of action of the GCB National T20 League bowling off today at LusignanGround.
Actionhasbeenonpoint to date as franchises c
followingtheinitialopening stages, with the Berbice Piranhas picking up a 3wicket win in the last game round.
Demerara Hawks made just 138 in 19.1 overs with Shamar Yearwood (29) and Captain Junior Sinclair (46) carryingthebatting.
Jonathan Rampersaud
startedwith4-20ashisteam ended on 142-7 led by Seon Glasgow (50), Adrian Sukwah (28) and Narendra Persaud(22).
TheJaguarscurrentlysit in second place with 4 points, followed by today’s opponents the Anacondas who occupy the third spot with2points.
The Chris Barnwell led
DemeraraPitbullsremainin thetoppositionwith4points but could easily be bumped downtheorderfollowingthe outcomeoftoday’smatch.
M e a n w h i l e , t h e
Demerara Hawks and Berbice Caimans are the only two teams yet to register points following their two matches apiece played.
Today’s match bowl off at13:00hrs.
Swing into Success: Corporate sponsors...
Friday November 01, 2024
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Money matters might cause you a few headaches, Aries. Youcouldbetornbetweenthe desire to put money aside for the future and the impulse to buy something that you've wantedforalongtime.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Too much rigorous exercise over the past few days might have you feeling a little sore andtired,Taurus.Yournerves may be on edge, and you could be more likely than usual to snap at those around you.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Spiritual breakthroughs may have you feeling a little disconcerted, Gemini. Clearing away deadwood, such as past traumas, might tell you a few things about yourselfyou'drathernotface.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Avirtual conference of some kind could touch upon some pretty volatile issues, Cancer People could disagree to the point that the meeting turns intoashoutingmatch.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Is your significant other caughtup infamilyproblems andunabletospendtimewith you?Don'tletyourinsecurity get the best of you. Your partner needs to deal with familynow
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
M a t t e r s i n v o l v i n g communication seem to be fouled up, Virgo. Messages maynotgetdelivered,emails may not go through, and people might misinterpret yourwords.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Your values could oppose thoseofabusinessorromantic partner today, Libra. One of you may be overly pragmatic and the other too idealistic. One seems callous, while the other seems to be living in a dreamworld.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
If you've been having trouble reaching a romantic partner, Scorpio, it might be a good ideatostoptrying.Yourfriend is having a rough day and might not make the best company
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Youmayfeelabitrestlessand unsettled without really knowing why, Sagittarius Stressesonthejobcouldchurn up repressed resentment from the past that you need to release.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Too many people could be vyingforyourattentiontoday, Capricorn. All of them want advice or help. This could be flattering, and you'll probably want to help them, but it can also be unsettling and make it hardtofocus.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)There could be trouble brewing in the workplace, Aquarius Some of your colleagues neither like nor trust each other and find it impossibletoworktogether
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20) Squabbles may come up between you and a sibling or neighbor, Pisces. Your ability to compromise is definitely called for here. If you aren't careful, this could turn into a battleofwills.
Republic Bank U18 School’s Football League, Edition Five Dolphin Sec’ handily beat West Ruimveldt to take first win
Dolphin Secondary School clinched a solid 3-1 victory over West Ruimveldt Secondary in the opening round match on Wednesday in the Republic Bank 5th Annual Schools Under-18 Football League. In front of an enthusiastic Ministry of Education ground crowd, Dolphin Secondary made an impressive start in their 2024Leaguecampaign.
Frompage28 slatedtodeliverthekeynote address, and several dignitaries from local embassies have confirmed their attendance, lending further prestige to this year’stournament.
With the dedication of our sponsors, the Lusignan Golf Club looks forward to hosting an unforgettable Brava Guyana Open, celebrating competition, community, and excellence inthesport.
Evin Lewis fireworks, Gudakesh Motie...
Frompage26
Turner, making his longawaited international bow, repeatedly harassed his outside edge in a lively but unrewarded powerplay gambit.
King’storturousstaymight have ended in the first over after the rain delay, but Livingstone’s halftracker lbw was found to have pitched outside leg Instead,hefelltoperhaps his most emphatic shot of thenight-afull-bloodedfull through a Jacob Bethell long-hop that picked out deepsquarelegtoenda118runopeningstand.
The damage, however, had long since been done, however, leaving Keacy CartyandShaiHopetowrap upvictorywith24.1oversof their original allocation left unused.
Even allowing for the absence of so many key personnel through injury and Test commitments, England’s shortcomings had been glaring in the extreme
Scores: West Indies 157 for 2 (Lewis 94) beat England 209 (Livingstone 48, Motie 4-41) by eight wickets(DLS).
’s s
s launched multiple attacks, but Dolphin’s defence held strong,sealingthewin.
With this victory, Dolphin Secondary joins C
Secondary, and Waramuri Secondary in the winner’s circle after round one. The competition heats up this Sunday at the Ministry of Education ground as eight teams vie for the top two spotsintheprestigiousKFC InternationalFootballSeries nextmonth.
Sponsored by Republic Bank Limited, with support from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, the league is organized by the Petra Organisation and backedbyGuyanaBeverage Inc.throughitsBustaBrand, MVP Sports, and Tiger Rental.
The game initially took on a defensive tone, with both teams showing resilience in the first 19 minutesofplay However,it wasDolphin’sCollenFrank David who broke the deadlockinthe20thminute, delivering a well-placed shot to put Dolphin up 1-0. WestRuimveldtstruckback in the 35th minute, with Donavan Welcome equalizing at 1-1, reigniting thecrowd’senergy Dolphin quickly reclaimed their momentum just five minutes later, with ShaquileDalrymplescoring a decisive brace, netting goals in the 40th and 60th minutes,tosecureDolphin’s lead at 3-1 West R
Evin Lewis fireworks, Gudakesh Motie
four-for power West Indies to huge win
ESPNcricinfo-Theonly wayisupasEnglandseekto reboot their once-glorious white-ball fortunes, but on theevidenceofadeeplyonesided first ODI againstWest Indies, the journey to the 2027 World Cup will be long, arduous and - perhaps
generation of cricketers whoseunfamiliaritywiththe rhythms of 50-over cricket was all too plain to see in Antigua. Those rhythms weren’t quite such a mystery to the man who gunned them down, however Evin Lewis had been absent from West Indies’ ODI plans for more
than three years until last weekend, when he announced his second coming with a 61-ball centuryinSriLanka.Nowhe addedastartlinglyviolent94 from 69 balls, making light of a two-paced pitch and a stodgyoutfieldtoblazeeight sixes - one for each of the wickets by which his team
eventually won. It might evenhavebeenninefornine had he connected properly with the shot that got him out, an inside-out slap to wide long-off, with victory alreadyinthebag.
The result had scarcely been in doubt after Gudakesh Motie’s fourwicket haul had wrecked England’s hopes of a competitive total, but the only real challenge to West Indies’ dominance was the rain,whicharrivedattheend of the 15th over of their chase to briefly raise the prospect of a very unjust washout. West Indies were 81 for 0 by that point - with Lewis himself on 51 - but afteranhour-longdelayand the loss of 15 overs and 53
runs from the target, the skiesclearedsufficientlyfor justicetobeservedonaredraw England line-up featuring no fewer than four debutants.
The power and poise of the run-chase was at total odds with the tentative fare that had preceded it WhereasEnglandhadhadto wait until the 32nd over of their innings before their stand-in captain Liam Livingstone struck the first of their two sixes on the night, Lewis himself outdid that tally four-fold, having waited just 11 deliveries before hoisting the lively paceofJohnTurneroverthe ropes at deep backward square. Even when Adil Rashid
did him in flight in his
e aggressive option allowed him to find enough hang-
deep midwicket sprawling for his fifth six in the space of 13 overs.Hethenfollowedthat upbywhippingSamCurran throughbackwardsquarefor hisfirstfourofthenight,and after bringing up his fifty from 46 balls, he jogged through for one more single beforetherainbreaktoreach his2000thODIrun.
Lewis’sidekickBrandon King offered a more earthbound assessment of thetrickybattingconditions, grindingalongto30from56 ballsasJofraArcherand (Continuedonpage25)
2024 CWI CG United Men’s Super50 Championships… Nandu ton in vain as match ends in no result
Matthew Nandu stroked a classy century yesterday as the Guyana Harpy Eagles had theirmatchagainstCombinedCampusesand Colleges(CCC)ruinedbyweather
Eagles captain Tevin Imlach scored 51 with five fours while wicketkeeper-batsman Kemol Savory hit 51 off 48 (2x4 1x6) as MikelGoviareturned4-42bowlingforCCC.
Kamil Pooran (20) was the top scorer for CCC,whowere32-1inthe7thoverwhenthe match was stopped as Harpy Eagles fastbowlerNialSmith(1-28)drewfirstblood.
Guyana will shift focus to their next assignmentagainstBarbadosPrideonSunday attheQueen’sParkOval. Everest
BIG MAN CRICKET
O50s tournament continued last weekend with a solitary fixture in Demerara at the Enmoreground.Inwhatwas expected to be a keenly contested match ended up being more of a one-sided affair with Everest Masters putting on a clinical display against the previous table toppers, North Soesdyke North Soesdyke Masters tookfirststrikeandmanaged amediocre139for9offtheir full quota of 30 overs. The leading scorers were opener D. Persaud- 27, S. Persaud 24 and skipper Ronald
Jaisingh 26*. Basil Persaud and Anil Beharry took 2 wickets apiece for the EverestMasters. Basil Persaud and Sahadeo Hardaiow then providedasolidplatformfor the Everest Masters response putting on an openingpartnershipof85in 11 overs before they lost Basil for a well-played 30. Thereaftertherewasaslight wobble in the middle order when they lost Hiralall, Yadram and Lall in quick succession to be 109 for 4 after 15 overs. Hardaiow continuedwithhisblistering
innings of 81 before he fell whenhisteamjustrequired4 runs for victory Hardaiow’s innings contained 10 b o u n d a r i e s a n d 3 maximums.
Fixtures for the semis thisweekendwillsee: Saturday Nov 2nd from 11.00am - SF1- Jai Hind Jaguars vs Everest Masters @ Enmore with Umpires: Trevor Wharton & Sherica Campbellcallingplay SF2- North Soesdyke Masters vs East Coast Aash Decor @ Enterprise with Umpires Jai & Edwards in charge.
Matthew Nandu recorded the first ton of the Eagles season.
Guyana National youth teams begin preparations for key International competitions
Th e G u y a n a
F o o t b a l l Federation(GFF) has announced that the GuyanaU17BoysandGirls national teams, along with theU20Girlsnationalteam, have officially commenced training in preparation for a
series of upcoming international tournaments, set to take place between November 2024 and May 2025.
Inabidtoenhanceyouth development,Guyana’sU17 Boys and Girls teams will travel to Suriname in November as part of a
bilateral agreement established with the Suriname Football Federation This youthfocused partnership, now in its second year, will see the teams compete in four
matches during the Nove
window, followed by another set of matches hosted by Guyana inDecember Theagreement wasinitiatedin2023withsix matches across two age groups, underscoring the commi
competitive opportunities foryoungathletes.
S
competitions,GFFPresident Wayne Forde emphasized thefederation’scommitment to the development of its young players. “We have commenced our preparation early and these matches allow us to measure the progress we are making. Youthteamsarethefutureof Guyana’s football, and their dedication to the rigorous preparationsprocessreflects their desire to perform well
on the international stage,” Forde said “These upcoming games offer an invaluableplatformforthese youngsters to gain internationalexperienceand grow, both as athletes and ambassadorsofGuyana.We are confident that their dedication will make our nationproud.”
Guyana’s competitive journey will continue into early2025astheU17teams preparefortheCONCACAF qualifiers for the FIFA U17 WorldCup.Thesequalifiers, which begin in February for the boys and span January through April for the girls, will mark a critical opportunityforbothteamsto showcase their progress on an international stage Similarly, the U20 Girls team is set to participate in the CONCACAF U20
Women’s Qualifiers and Championships, scheduled tobegininMarch2025.
Our youth teams are the future of Guyanese football, and their commitment to these rigorous preparations reflects the federation’s investment in their developmentandsuccesson theinternationalstage,”said Wayne Forde “These upcoming competitions offer an invaluable platform forouryoungplayerstogain experienceandgrow,bothas athletes and ambassadors of Guyana. We are confident
that their dedication will makeournationproud.”
Currently, all teams are undergoing rigorous training, with sessions held three to four times per week as they gear up for these competitivewindows.
TechnicalDirectorofthe GFF, Bryan Joseph also offered remarks on the training, noting, “Our national youth coaches and technicalstaffarededicating an average of four days a week to working with the players.Ourprimaryfocusis to cultivate the best
environmentforthem,witha strong emphasis on embedding our playing philosophy.”
He added, “In the coming days, we will welcome players from the hinterland regions, who were previously scouted, ensuring they receive the attention and support they deserve.
These thoughtful early steps are crucial as we prepare for the upcoming friendlies against Suriname and work towards our 2025 internationalfixtures.”
Swing into Success: Corporate sponsors lend their support to the Brava Guyana Open Golf Tournament
The Lusignan Golf Club
(LGC) is thrilled to announce the Brava Guyana Open Golf Tournament 2024, set to take place on November 2-3, 2024. This much-anticipated event is not only a highlight for golf lovers but also a celebration for the entire community
Bringing together competitors from Guyana, theUSA,Canada,Suriname, Colombia, Barbados, and more, the tournament will featurebothmaleandfemale divisions, with top players vying for the coveted championshiptitles.
TheBravaGuyanaOpen continues to draw support from esteemed sponsors, including beverage giant Banks DIH, leading local dining venues Oasis Cafe, Froggy’s Grill, Montra Restaurant, and Ready Mix Concrete. Their dedication toexcellence,integrity,good will, exceptional customer
service experience, community involvement, and sportsmanship
reinforces the values the BravaGuyanaOpenseeksto champion.
“The Brava Guyana Open is a testament to the camaraderie and excellence that define our community,” says LGC PRO Brian Hackett.“Withoursponsors’ enthusiastic support, we’re able to elevate the event’s quality, creating an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and the broadercommunity.”
B o t h l o c a l a n d international players will showcasetheirgolfingtalent and resilience in fierce competition, making this year’s tournament a spectacle of skill and sportsmanship Attendees can indulge in diverse beverages and culinary delights from top establishments like Oasis Café and Froggy’s Grill, offering a true taste of Guyaneseflavor BanksDIH will also be serving innovative drink selections. Beyond the game, the
tournament offers a prime opportunity for networking, with patrons mingling with
partnerships Ready Mix Concrete,abrandknownfor strength and resilience, mirrors the tournament’s spirit, adding to the event’s appeal.
TheBravaGuyanaOpen goes beyond a competitive golf tournament; it’s a communityeventthatunites diverse supporters and businesses. The tournament festivitieswillkickoffwitha welcome and cocktail ceremony, strictly invitational on November 1, 2024, following a practice session earlier that day, setting a warm, inclusive tonefortheweekendahead.
TheLGCwarmlyinvites the community, local businesses, and golf enthusiasts to participate in this celebration of talent, unity, and local pride. This year’sBravaGuyanaOpenis morethanjustatournament;
it promises to be an experiencethatwillresonate with all attendees, setting a standardforfutureevents. A s p a r t o f t h e distinguished lineup,
MinisterofCultureYouth& SportsCharlesRamsonJr is (Continuedonpage25)
Many sponsors have thrown their support behind the Brava Guyana Open Golf Tournament.
GBA to resume monthly U-16 Championship on Saturday, November 2 at Six Head Lewis gym
GBA President Steve Ninvalle
The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will resume its monthly U-16 Championship on Saturday, November 2 at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis gym in Albouystown.
U-16 program is the most importantstepintheentirety of our developmental efforts. It’s our nursery and has laid the foundation for our continued success at the regionallevel.”
According to Ninvalle, “The success of this programme is undeniable given our record in the Caribbean School Boys and J u n i o r s B o x i n g Championship,aneventthat has been dominated by Guyanasinceitsinceptionin 2016. That dominance and overallsuccessofthenation is a testament to the fruits thatarebeingreapedviathe implementation and constant evolution of this initiative,whichhasbecome a benchmark within the Caribbean.”
GBA President Steve Ninvalle said via a release, “The development process of the GBA is an ongoing project that will continue to evolve and develop with each iteration and year The
The initiative, dubbed The Pepsi Michael Parris competition, is staged twice per month and is the backbone of the entity’s developmental strategy It is expected to feature notable gyms inclusive of the hosts such as Pace and Power, Pocket Rocket, Rose Hall Jammers, New Amsterdam A c a d e m y, B a i l e y, Vergenoegen, and Forgotten YouthFoundation.
Ninvalle added that the will continue to invest more resourcesatthisstrataofthe discipline,givenitsroleand importance in the sustainability of the sport. “We believe that this is the most effective way of unearthing and eventually developing talents that possess the requisite skills and ability to achieve regional and international successandacclaim.”
Sports Evin Lewis fireworks, Gudakesh Motie
power West Indies to huge win
2024GCBBetCAGESportsNationalT20League… Jaguars, Anacondas battle today as T20 Action continues
Republic Bank U18 School’s Football League, Edition Five...
Dolphin Sec’ handily beats West Ruimveldt to take first win
Dolphin’s Collen Fran David (left) and Shaquile Dalrymple instrumental in 3-1 win over West Ruimveldt Secondary in latest RBLU18 Football fixture.
TheAnacondas led byAnthonyAdams will be hunting a win today at Lusignan Ground.
- Demerara Pitbulls lead points table
Gudakesh Motie claimed four wickets including Liam Livingstone. (Getty Images)
