Guyana Times - Friday, December 29, 2023.pdf by Gytimes

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Issue No. 5596

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

Guyana enhancing internal security, not aggressive or offensive to Venezuela, other States – Pres Ali – VP Jagdeo says British warship aims at

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Mastermind for shooting death of phone card vendor during robbery gets 20 years P14

Page 3

boosting defensive capability, not to invade

New DHB 33% completed – Min Indar

98 newborn, 10 maternal deaths recorded at P13 GPHC for 2023

Page 7

– over 300 critically-ill pregnant women saved

Duo charged over armed robbery at Diamond P8

...as Pres Ali leads visit to work site

Investigation into fatal GDF helicopter P12 crash ongoing – GCAA Head

GPHC short of 600+ nurses, additional beds to improve services

Page 10

– 146 nurses resigned, number expected to grow

Trio arrested for robbing businessman – lead detectives to hidden gun & ammunition

84% of childcare facilities across Guyana licensed to operate P12 – MoHSSS

Serious crimes down by 17.5% in charged Police Division 10 2withnowmurder of Page 13

...460 children benefit from childcare subsidies

Page 2

Victoria men P8

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Trio arrested for robbing businessman – lead detectives to hidden gun & ammunition

Alwyn James

Amos Emanuel

Bryan Khan

ore than one month after robbing a pensioner at Yarrowkabra, a community along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, three men have been arrested for the crime. Amos Emanuel, 22, of Circuitville, and Bryan Khan, 28, of Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway,

were on Thursday arrested for the offence of 'break-andenter-and-larceny' committed on Mohamed Hack on November 22, 2023. During interrogation, Emanuel admitted that he and Khan had broken into Hack's house and stolen the businessman’s firearm and a quantity of ammunition. He

further related that, after the robbery, Khan had taken away the firearm from him along with some of the ammunition. Following the confession, Khan reportedly took detectives to his backyard, where he pointed to a black plastic bag hidden in a clump of bushes in which was con-

The ammo that was recovered

tained one Astra .38 revolver with three matching rounds in the breech.

Alwyn James, a 27-year-old taxi driver of Yarrowkabra, where he pointed to an area

The gun that was taken from the businessman during the robbery

There were also two spent shells as well as 49 rounds of live .38 ammunition which were in an ammunition box, property of Hack. The suspects were further interviewed by detectives, after which Khan took detectives to the home of

in which another set of ammunition was buried. The area was dug up, and 31 twelve-gauge cartridges were found in a black plastic bucket. James was also arrested, and is in custody assisting with the ongoing investigation.

NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

BRIDGE The Demerara OPENINGS Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, December 29 – 04:00h-05:30h and Saturday, December 30– 04:00h-05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, December 29 – 06:00h-07:30h and Saturday, December 30 – 06:35h-08:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine is expected to prevail during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies and thundery showers at night, followed by thundery showers. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius. Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.02 metres. High Tide: 17:54h reaching a maximum height

of 2.60 metres.

Low Tide: 11:28h and 23:57h reaching minimum

heights of 0.80 metre and 0.70 metre.

Guyana enhancing internal security, not aggressive or offensive to Venezuela, other States – Pres Ali ...VP Jagdeo says British warship aims at boosting defensive capability, not to invade

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has dismissed concerns over the impending visit of the United Kingdom (UK) warship HMS Trent to Guyana’s waters, saying that no activities within the country’s territory should be viewed as a threat to any other nation, including Venezuela. “Neither Venezuela nor any other state has anything to fear from activities within Guyana’s sovereign territory or waters. I have iterated before that we harbour no ambitions or intentions to covet what does not belong to us. We are fully committed to peaceful relations with our neighbours

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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and all countries in our Region. Guyana remains fully steadfast in promoting and advancing peace whilst pursuing national development,” President

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Ali posited in a statement to the media on Thursday evening. Following reports last weekend that the UK is sending its Royal Navy patrol vessel to Guyana as part of a series of engagements in this region, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday said the deployment of the British warship to Guyana’s waters violates the spirit of the Argyle Agreement between the two South American neighbours, made earlier this month in St Vincent and the Grenadines. However, according to the Guyanese Head of State, “Guyana has long been engaged in partnerships with regional and international states, aimed at enhancing internal security. These partnerships pose a threat to no one, and are in no way intended to

be aggressive or constitute an offensive act against any state. “I wish to renew my best wishes to the people of Venezuela, our neighbours,” Ali added. Britain’s Ministry of Defense had announced on Sunday that the HMS Trent, a river class patrol vessel, would be deployed soon to Guyana. According to the Ministry, the ship will take part in joint exercises with Guyana after Christmas. The ship’s presence comes after a recent visit of UK Under Secretary

President Dr Irfaan Ali

During a televised broadcast on Thursday, however, Maduro described the visit of the British vessel, which is current-

The British Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Trent

of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, David Rutley, to Guyana, where he met with President Ali and other top officials. That meeting saw discussions on expanding relations between the UK and Guyana in sustainable and economic development and security.

ly en route to Guyana, as a threat to the peace and sovereignty of his country by the UK. He also ordered “the activation of a joint defensive action of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces” off the coast of Essequibo. TURN TO PAGE 10

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

Views

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

New paradigm I

n January of this year, in our first editorial, titled “Digital IDs in the New Year”, we discussed the Government’s initiative to issue digital IDs in line with the world’s inexorable movement from analog communication to digital. We noted, “the ID cards will have a secure chip, which can store data including blood type, date of birth, drivers’ licence and taxpayer’s identification number.” But these IDs will only be the initial step in plugging us into “the Internet of Things”. And no, this is not science fiction. With the evolution of the fifth-generation (5G) wireless network and the ongoing work on 6G, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become a revolutionary technique that enables a diverse number of features and applications. The Internet of Things, or IoT, evolved from the convergence of development in a host of hardware and software in the communications sector: wireless technologies, microelectromechanical systems microservices and the internet. One critical outcome from this confluence has helped remove the barriers between operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). This outcome facilitated unstructured machine-generated data to be analyzed for insights to drive improvements. In layman’s terms, the IoT will potentially be connecting all living and non-living things via the internet; with the information gleaned or generated used in unimaginable ways. Since it is “a system of interrelated computing devices, mechanical and digital machines, objects, animals or people that are provided with unique identifiers (UIDs) and the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction”, the entire earth can be in communication. In the IoT, a “thing” can be a vehicle or any other device that has those built-in sensors that already inform us when one or more devices are malfunctioning. It can be a person’s pacemaker or cows with biochip transponders and Digital IDs. The IoT is a new paradigm that has changed the traditional way of living into a high-tech lifestyle. Smart city, smart homes, pollution control, energy saving, smart transportation, smart industries, healthcare, environmental, commercial, industrial, infrastructural applications are such transformations due to IoT. Smart homes are already being built that are equipped with smart thermostats, smart appliances and connected heating, lighting and electronic devices can be controlled remotely via computers and smartphones. Such buildings can, for instance, reduce energy costs using sensors that detect how many occupants are in a room. The temperature can adjust automatically -- for example, turning the air conditioner on if sensors detect a conference room is full, or turning the heat down if everyone in the office has gone home. Even complete smart cities can be created, and from what we have heard, Silica City on the Linden Highway will be built along these lines. In a smart city, IoT sensors and deployments, such as smart streetlights and smart meters, can help alleviate traffic jams, conserve energy, monitor and address environmental concerns, and improve sanitation. In healthcare, IoT offers many benefits, including the ability to monitor patients more closely using an analysis of the data that's generated. Hospitals often use IoT systems to complete tasks such as inventory management for both pharmaceuticals and medical instruments. Increasingly, organizations in a variety of industries are using IoT to operate more efficiently, better understand customers to deliver enhanced customer service, improve decision-making, and increase the value of the business. Security of data will clearly be a major issue, since the IoT connects billions of devices to the internet and involves the use of billions of data points, creating an exponential expanded attack surface. Beyond leaking personal data, IoT can pose risks to critical infrastructure, including electricity, transportation and financial services. To prevent security attacks, several security mechanisms are involved in IoT applications, including authentication, encryption, blockchain, and trust management. Welcome to the brave new world of IoT.

This trail leads to the Amerindian village of Karasabai in the South Pakaraimas in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) (A Path to Travel photo)

Averting war, avoiding road fatalities Dear Editor, Christmas was cancelled this year in Bethlehem, where it all began: the biblical birthplace of Jesus; the bubbling place that, traditionally, the world would visit at this time of the year. The Washington Post had earlier reported, “The atmosphere in Bethlehem on the eve of Christmas this year is sombre, dark, sad — and political.” The article stated, “This year there will be no tree. No parades, bands or music. No lights. No markets, no feasts, no carols. No Santas handing out candy to the children. And no pilgrims. No tourists.” Rami Asakrieh, a Franciscan friar who is pastor of St. Catherine’s Church, where midnight Mass is usually celebrated, said, “It’s impossible to celebrate when so many — on both sides — have lost so much. We cancelled the festivities as a sign of solidarity with the victims of the war.” The message of peace and goodwill unto mankind for Christmas meant nothing as the number of casualties continued to escalate in war-torn areas; namely, Russia/ Ukraine and Israel/ Gaza. For Christians, Israel (the Promised Land) is the “Holy Land,” because it is where Jesus's life and death unfolded. And for Muslims, Jerusalem is the place where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Guyana also came close to the brink of cancelling Christmas this year, as fear gripped the nation from a threatened annexation of Essequibo from Venezuela. Guyanese are lucky to have escaped the perils of a potential war from their neighbour. Guyanese are thankful to President Dr. Irfaan Ali for brokering the peace talk ear-

lier this month in SVG with the Venezuelan President, Senor Nicholas Maduro. The dialogue, initiated by Brazil’s President and the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, provided the framework and the forum (Argyle Agreement) to prevent any military aggression from both countries, thus avoiding the probability of possible casualties. This “truce” allowed Latin America/South America/ Caribbean to remain a peace zone for Christmas, and as we advance, hopefully. The BBC reported at least 20,915 people have been killed, and 54,918 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7. Among the dead from Hamas’s attack on Israel are 36 children, 71 foreign nationals, and 373 security forces. The Hamasrun Health Ministry and Government Media Office reported that “more than 8,000 children and 6,200 women had been killed. It also said that 310 medical personnel, 35 civil defense personnel, and 97 journalists had been killed - all of them civilians.” According to the United Nations child agency, UNICEF, “Gaza is now the most dangerous place in the world to be a child.” Almost all of Palestine’s 2.3 million population have been displaced, and a large part of Gaza has been devastated. According to the Israel media reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, “war will not stop,” and he is ready to encourage Palestinians in Gaza to leave the enclave. Hamas has condemned the statement. The New York Times and CNN reported over 500,000 casualties have been accounted for since the Russia/ Ukraine war began. Some 120,000 deaths are Russians,

with 180,000 injured troops; while 70,000 are Ukraine, with 120,000 wounded. Some 23,000 innocent civilians were caught up in the war, and are reported missing or dead. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) verified a total of 9,614 civilian deaths during Russia's invasion of Ukraine as of September 2023. Furthermore, 17,535 people were reported to have been injured. Foreigners account for almost 100. According to the International News Safety Institute (INSI), 17 journalists died in the line of duty. Even the United Nations was not spared, with 136 staff members killed. Evelyn Farkas, a former top Pentagon official for Ukraine, who is now the Executive Director of the McCain Institute, said, “These are people. Ukraine is a democracy, so the loss of lives could have a greater political impact. But even in an autocracy, Vladimir Putin knows that public sentiment can make a difference.” Back in our jolly land of Guyana, where joy and merriment merged to manifest a happy Christmas for most of us, the moment was mired by mayhem on our roads and in the homes. Many families were denied the season’s pleasantries as their dear ones were taken away from them. It wasn’t an attack on democracy or the old Parliament Building, but the building did suffer a blow when a truck rammed into the fence last Thursday. Did this provide a sign as to what was to follow? The famous attorney Mr. Rex McKay passed away. The very day, there was a headon collision in Essequibo which resulted in a fatality. In Port Kaituma, a 13-year-

old girl allegedly drowned after falling off a boat. Friday brought some smiles, as it was the last working day for most people before the holidays. The President also made history at Leonora when he cut the ribbon for the opening of the first bank in his home village. Demerara Bank opened its doors to customers. On Saturday, a fire ravaged a building in Sophia, leaving 7 people homeless, damaging 3 vehicles, injuring 2, and scorching 2 other buildings. The Eve of Christmas, Sunday, provided much soured excitement. In North Rupununi, a pedestrian was struck by a car in an accident. Another pedestrian was not so lucky, as he was killed by a truck reversing at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara. A man was shot dead during an attempted robbery in Campbellville. A husband was killed in a shooting incident by his reputed wife’s lover at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. Christmas Day was spoiled with the death of two friends involved in a speeding car accident at Le Destin, East Bank Essequibo, and with another injured. The devastating fire at Linden killed 3 family members. Boxing Day saw one person being injured during a robbery at a Chinese supermarket in Herstelling. As the wars continue abroad, with no sign of coming to an end, many more will not see the beginning of the new year. Can Guyanese prevent the occurrence of the Christmas tragedies for the New Year’s holiday? Here’s wishing you and your family a harmless, healthy and happy New Year. Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

News

Designs for mega drainage canals to be completed by February 2024 T

he designs for major drainage canals in Regions Five and Six are expected to be completed by February 2024, so that infrastructural works can begin on these Hope-like structures. The Government is pumping a lot of funds into massive projects to enhance the drainage systems in the two regions. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha made this disclosure during a recent farmers’ meeting. The National Assembly recently approved the sum of $5.3 billion to the National

Digitising of records Dear Editor, Almost five years ago, I had the privilege of visiting Guyana, completing a multicity lecture tour. Since then, I have kept abreast of current events there. I am learning only now about the controversy of digitising the records of those who suffered the humiliation of indentured servitude. The descendants of these brave individuals, who sought a new life in Guyana, now face a unique challenge — the Guyanese Government's reluctance to digitise the records of indentured servants. This issue has significant implications for citizens who are direct descendants of those immigrants, impacting their ability to connect with their roots and understand their familial histories. Indentured servitude, a system that brought labourers to then-British Guiana from regions like India, China, and Portugal, represents a crucial chapter in Guyana's past. These migrants played a pivotal role in shaping the nation's cultural and social landscape. The documentation of their arrival, work contracts, and subsequent contributions form an essential part of Guyana's historical narrative. Unfortunately, the lack of digitisation of these records poses a formidable obstacle for descendants who seek to explore and preserve their heritage. One key aspect of the digitisation debate lies in accessibility. Traditional paper records are often stored in archives that may be challenging to access due to factors such as physical distance, limited resources, and preservation

concerns. Digitising these records would make them accessible to a broader audience, enabling descendants to trace their roots with greater ease. It would foster a sense of connection to their ancestral past, and provide a tangible link to the sacrifices and contributions made by their forebears. Furthermore, digitisation can play a crucial role in the preservation of historical documents. Paper records are susceptible to deterioration over time, whether due to environmental factors, ageing, or mishandling. By converting these documents into digital formats, the risk of losing valuable information is significantly reduced. This preservation effort is not just about safeguarding the past for the sake of posterity, but also about ensuring that future generations can explore and understand their cultural heritage. For the descendants of indentured servants in Guyana, the digitisation of records represents an opportunity to reclaim a piece of their identity. It empowers them to explore their roots, understand the sacrifices of their ancestors, and contribute to the rich tapestry of Guyanese culture. Beyond personal connections, it also contributes to a collective understanding of the nation's history, fostering a sense of unity and shared heritage among its citizens. One other thing of importance is that those whose families hail from India will have a much harder time visiting the land of their ancestors, as they will continue to have to apply for

visitor visas rather than holding an Overseas Indian Citizenship (OIC) card. If nothing else, this should motivate the Government to act toward digitisation. In conclusion, the lack of digitised records of indentured servants poses a significant challenge to those seeking to connect with their ancestral roots. The importance of digitisation extends beyond convenience; it is a means of preserving

Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) for the provision of additional resources to facilitate critical drainage and irrigation works. Of that sum, the Government has allocated $6.4 million to complete the designs for the canals. “These will be massive structures. These will be canals that will help us when we have excessive rainfall and excessive water in the system, to drain the system without putting pressure on our drainage we now have,” Minister Mustapha stated. He added that consultants working on the plans have promised to build the canals so that water can be conserved for use in irrigation particularly during extended dry periods. A few weeks ago, Minister Mustapha noted that the President was briefed on the latest aspects of these

structures. The Agriculture Minister emphasised, “We will start the Hope-like canals in various regions, like Regions Five and Six. We are now working to design those canals…Parts of those canals, especially in times like these, will act as a reservoir for us too…So that we can have it to use as some form of irrigation.” During the recent sitting of the National Assembly, Minister Mustapha highlighted that there are several canals throughout the country that need rehabilitative works to improve D&I throughout the country, including Friendship, Den Amstel, Craig, Plaisance, Profit, Belladrum, New Amsterdam, Manchester, Black Bush Polder, Bonasika, and Mahaicony Creek, among others. These works will be competed at a cost of $2.5 billion.

and celebrating the diverse contributions of indentured servants who played a crucial role in shaping Guyana. As we navigate the complexities of the present, embracing technology to safeguard our historical treasures ensures that the stories of the past remain accessible and relevant for generations to come. Sincerely, Fred Stella

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 02:00 04:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:05 13:35 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 22:00 00:30

Movie - Creed III (2023) Movie - Beautiful Disaster (2023) Inspiration Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stop Suffering Guy's Grocery Games Grand Designs Paternity Court Divorce Court News Break Movie - R.A.D.A.R.: The Adventures of the Bionic Dog (2023) Wheel of Fortune The Really Loud House E3 The Tom and Jerry Show S3 E16 Indian Soaps Sydney to the Max S3 E5 Austin & Ally S4 E9 The Young & The Restless Jeewan Ki Roti The Evening News Stop Suffering Movie - A Really Haunted Loud House (2023) Movie - Fast X (2023) Movie - Heart of Stone (2023)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

Foundation ◄

Page

THE MANGO SELLERS

Sr Rose Magdalene

Early in the morning, before the break of day See the market women going on their way Baskets filled with mangoes, ripe, juicy and sweet Their faces bright, their eyes alight Swaying down the street. Chorus: Get your mangoes, ripe, ripe mangoes The market women cry

New Year’s party popper You’ll need: fine crepe paper or tissue paper toilet paper roll cracker snaps confetti ribbon adhesive dots scissors Instructions Making your own confetti is super easy. Simply cut fringe into crepe paper and trim it to create tiny little squares. I like to add in store-bought gold star confetti for extra sparkle! To make the poppers, start by cutting the toilet paper roll in half.

Cut the crepe paper or tissue paper into a 10″ x 7″ piece. It’s important that the paper you’re using is thin – otherwise, it will be hard to tear if it’s too thick! Place a cracker snap onto the crepe paper and tightly roll the paper around. Trim any excess crepe paper and seal it with 2 adhesive dots. Tie a ribbon around one end. Stuff confetti into the other end until the roll is full. Tie off the other end with ribbon. Fan out the ends and trim the ends of the cracker snap. Your confetti cracker snap is finished!

Sweet and nice, Buxton Spice Cone to market and buy. Soon they reach the market right opposite the Mali Set out the tempting mangoes in parcels on the stall Lady, buy some mangoes, taste see how they sweet Soft and nice, firm and ripe Children love them to eat.

Pull it apart forcefully and watch it go POP!! (honestlyyum.com)

Chorus:

Get your mangoes, etc

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New DHB 33% completed – Min Indar ...as President Ali leads visit to work site

Materials for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge

President Irfaan Ali and Minister Deodat Indar inspecting the site on Thursday

ith an estimated 370 workers working around the clock, the new Demerara Harbour Bridge is pegged at 33 per cent completed. This is according to Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, who was updating President Dr. Irfaan Ali and a team during an inspection of the works ongoing on the eastern end of the new

2024 deadline. However, as works progress, the temporary bridge that is intended to support the construction works has been completed and is operable. The pile-driving phase has commenced, with a total of 38 piles to be installed. So far, five have been installed, and with the acquisition of two machines, this phase is expected to be expedited

Works on the piles have commenced

Demerara Harbour Bridge at Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara. Works have been moving apace, with the contractor, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) Limited, aiming to complete the US$260 million bridge by the December

with some form of efficiency. It is expected that the pile work would be completed by April 2024. Minister Indar told media operatives that the workers are operating ‘round the clock’ to see this massive project to fruition. “Right now, we are at 33

per cent completed, based on our engineers. 100 per cent of the entire temporary bridge is completed; they are already pouring [concrete] on the main substructure piling, and they are working 24 hours,” Indar disclosed. Indar reiterated that the new bridge structure would provide better connectivity to new highways being constructed along the East Bank Demerara corridor, such as the Diamondto-Ogle bypass road; and provide connectivity from Parika to Schoonord on the West Bank Demerara (WBD). “I think we’re happy with the speed of the construction by the contractor, and we’re also happy with the supervisory consultant…We have our local guys at the Ministry, so we continue to monitor this project. Based on the engineers and the contractor, I don’t think we have any impediments right now,” the Minister divulged. The new Demerara Harbour Bridge will replace the current structure across the river, which has exceeded its lifespan by some 40 years. The contractors are part of a joint venture led by China Railway and Construction Corporation Limited to construct the

new bridge, which will land aback Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara, and at La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Back in 2022, $21.1 billion was allocated towards work on the bridge.

through a team of specialists – legal and engineering – was in negotiations with the Chinese company to finalise the terms of the contract. The new bridge will be a fixed 2.65-kilometre,

cater for the free flow of vessels uninterrupted. The river will be dredged along a 13.5-kilometre stretch to accommodate large vessels. This new bridge will replace the ageing floating Demerara Harbour Bridge

An artist's impression of the new DHB

The China Railway and Construction Corporation (International) Limited-led joint venture outbid four other pre-qualified international companies that submitted proposals for the project. In the months before the contract was awarded, the Guyana Government,

four-lane, high-span, cable-stayed structure across the Demerara River, with the width of the driving surface being about 23.6 metres. The bridge, which features a bicycle lane, will bring an end to closures to vehicular traffic with a 50-metre fixed-high span to

(DHB), which has outlived its lifespan by several decades. At 1.25 miles (2.01km), the current Demerara Harbour Bridge is a strategic link between the East and West Banks of Demerara, facilitating the daily movement of thousands of vehicles, people, and cargo.

8 NEWS 2 now charged with murder of Victoria men FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Storms… A Murder accused Emperor Emanuel Chung

olice have instituted a murder charge on another man in connection with the stabbing deaths of two men following a party at Victoria village, East Coast Demerara (ECD) two Sundays ago. Emperor Emanuel Chung, a 25-year-old painter of Victoria, appeared before Magistrate Christel Lambert at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday, and was not required to plead after the charge was read to him. He was ultimately refused bail, and has been remanded to prison until February 17, 2024. After being detained on December 18, Ruel Ward, a 23-year-old labourer of Lot

Dead: Youfie Eusi Bobb

Dead: William Montrose

Murder accused Ruel Ward

143-150 Victoria village, was charged last Friday with murder. He, too, was refused bail and has been remanded to prison until January 15, 2024. Police have said that 24year -old Youfie Eusi Bobb and 26-year-old William Montrose, both of Victoria, were killed after a celebration in the village turned deadly on Sunday, December 17. Victoria residents Delex Skeete, 25, a plumber, and Siani McFarlene, 19, a mason, sustained injuries during the brawl. Police reports are that the men were at a construction party called “Bank On It” in Victoria when, at about 03:15h on December 17, Bobb, Skeete and McFarlene

allegedly attacked Montrose and took away his 30-pennyweight gold chain. During the attack, they dealt Montrose several stabs about his body. Montrose then left, and returned with a cutlass with which he dealt Bobb, McFarlene, and Skeete chops about their bodies before escaping from the scene. Bobb and the two others were escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Bobb was pronounced dead on arrival while the other two were admitted as patients. Police ranks then combed the area, and discovered the body of Montrose in a trench about 500 feet north of the scene. His body was facing upwards, and when

fished out of the trench and examined, three wounds were seen on the forehead, one to the left-side upper chest, and two to the rightside jaw. One black-handled knife was also found tucked in his left side waist. The body was escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Montrose was pronounced dead on arrival. According to eyewitnesses, while at the party, they saw a group of men walk up to Montrose, attack him, and rob him of his jewellery and other valuables. This allegedly led to a brawl between Montrose and the group of men, who all chopped and stabbed each other.

Duo charged over armed robbery at Diamond

wo men accused of committing an armed robbery at Diamond, EBD were arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday. Twenty-two-yearold Delon George and 25-year-old Alex Simpson, both of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, were arrested by an anti-crime pa-

Robbery accused: Alex Simpson and Delon George

mitted armed robbery on Dharshanan Bandho on August 23 at 19th Avenue Diamond, EBD. They both denied the charge when it was read to them on Wednesday, but George was remanded to prison while Simpson secured bail in the sum of $200,000. The matter will be called again on January 2, 2024.

trol on December 22 on an allegation of having com-

Contractor charged ECD man jailed for 12 with obtaining money months, fined $10K by false pretence for ganja possession

38-year-old man has been jailed for 12 months and fined $10,000 after he entered a guilty plea to a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Phillip Morgan, an unemployed resident of Friendship, East Coast Demerara, was arrested for the offence on December 24, and was arraigned before the Cove and John Magistrate on Thursday, December 28. When the charge was read to him, he admitted guilt,

Jailed: Phillip Morgan

and was consequently jailed for 12 months and fined $10,000.

23-year-old contractor who resides at Jagan Street, Enterprise, East Coast Demerara has been charged with the offence of obtaining money by false pretense, contrary to Section 194 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01. The offence has been committed against Herris Simon at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. When he appeared on Wednesday before Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate Sunil Scarce, Andrew De Agrella pleaded guilty to the charge, and offered an explanation.

Andrew De Agrella

He was thereafter placed on $50,000 bail, and has to return to court for sentencing on January 31, 2024.

…and calms

re we experiencing the calm after the storm – even though it’s supposed to be “the calm before the storm”?? Or was it “a storm in a teacup”, and we ended up at Argyle because it’s “any port for a storm”?? Well, frankly, the way your Eyewitness sees things, ever since Mad Maduro slid into office in April 2013, only because his mentor Chavez croaked - it’s been nothing but stormy weather. Folks seem to’ve forgotten that’s the year the Venezuelan Navy seized that oil prospecting ship Teknik Perdana…which had nothing to do with Exxon, but with Anadarko Petroleum, which had been carrying out a survey of the seabed off the coast of Essequibo!! And ever since, we’ve had to be weathering storms in the wake of Mad Maduro’s frenetic tantrums to cling on to power - even as he destroyed the economy and forced more than SEVEN MILLION Venezuelans to flee with just their clothes on their backs!! Some of THEM are still trying to “ride out the storm” in the jungles of Region 1 and the even more dangerous jungles of the Georgetown slums!! But your Eyewitness wants to get back to the storm Mad Maduro created when he announced the “annexation” of our Essequibo – after a referendum that was even more ridiculously fixed than the one Burnham scammed in 1978 with the “mouse against the house”!! The question, of course, is how long will this calm occasioned by the Argyle Declaration last?? Surely you didn’t think, dear Reader, that this calm’s permanent, and we and Mad Maduro gonna live happily ever after?? Just think of it: our position is that the PERMANENT solution to the Venezuelan controversy over our Essequibo region will be settled legally by the ICJ. We don’t actually KNOW what the outcome’s gonna be – even though we think our case is solid – but we’ll accept whatever they rule. Mad Maduro, on the other hand – and every hand you can conjure up – is that he’s gonna reject whatever the ICJ rules!! Does that mean even if they rule for him and Venezuela?? Well, that’s what it means, if you follow his assertion to its logical conclusion!! Mad Man!! But we know – and he knows – that he has no LEGAL claim, and therefore thinks he can browbeat us in the New Mixed Commission being set up after the Argyle Declaration!! And this is when the next storm’s gonna be swirling over us: when he discovers that our position is “Not a blade of grass; not one spring cuirass”!! We’re gonna be seeing all sorts of bluff, bluster and tantrum-throwing when he doesn’t get his way!! And who knows – to mix metaphors – maybe the sh*t will even hit the fan in that storm!! …and the Brits Well, if it’s one thing the Brits should know something about, it’s storms. Why’d you think the first thing they do when they meet each other is comment on the weather? And then, with “Brittania ruling the waves” and all, they had to be dealing with storms big time!! It’s not for nothing that one of their most famous painters - Turner – specialized in storms!! Anyhow, they seem to’ve gotten the Venezuelan Défense Minister’s buckta all in a knot when they announced they’d be sending their warship HMS Trent for a visit off Port Georgetown! But that’s his worry, innit?? We know that, now we’ve struck oil, the Brits are merely offering us a reason for dealing with their Trade Missions a tad more favourably. But jeez…can’t they offer more just bangers and mash pub grub?? The Trent ain’t dropping anchor at a wharf, cause the Demerara River bar’s too high. Could you imagine if they’d been offered to berth at the new Island in the river – sponsored by Exxon?!! …in Brooklyn Your Eyewitness can’t believe the amount of ink being consumed over whether or not service of a magistrate’s warrant can properly be executed in Brooklyn!! Wouldn’t it be better to set a honey trap to lure him back?? The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

9 Govt still in negotiation stage with companies awarded oil blocks NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

he Government of Guyana is still engaged in the negotiation stage with the six companies that were awarded oil blocks from the recent bid round auction. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo made this disclosure when he was asked for an update during a press conference on Thursday. “No, [the negotiations are] not completed,” he told reporters at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Freedom House headquarters. Government had previously stated that it wanted to conclude the agreements with those companies that were awarded oil blocks before the end of this year. Last month, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat indicated that the negotiations were slated to commence soon. During his end-of-year press conference on November 14, Bharrat said the Government had already written to the six companies and groups, formally notifying them of the award and informing them of the impending start of negotiations. Minister Bharrat had noted at the time that the companies had already indicated their readiness to start exploration work and cover the cost of the signing bonuses every new oil company must pay – US$10 million for shallow water and US$20 million for deep water. According to Bharrat, the Government intends to hold them to this. “We’ve officially written to them and indicated that we’re going to start the negotiations as early as next week. So, we will update you further as to the progress of those negotiations. We’re hoping that the negotiations will go well, and all the companies can be awarded those blocks; provided that one: they’re in a position, which they’ve already indicated, that they can pay the signing bonus. “The second main criterion is the work programme, and the resources to ensure they can carry out that work programme. Because we’re very serious about the work programme, and these com-

panies have already submitted a work programme. So, they’ve already agreed to it in principle, so nothing should change from the work programme they submitted to us,” the minister stated. If companies cannot fulfil the work programmes they submitted to the Government, Bharrat noted, there would be “stiff penalties”. As it is now, he noted, further talks must be held between the Government and these companies on these work programmes. “We want exploration activities to take place as soon as possible. We know that they have to do seismic and other studies, because we would have auctioned the blocks with limited data that was available, and not conducting any seismic, which would have cost considerable resources. And take some time to get it done as well,” Bharrat explained. Following its launch in December 2022, the bidding round closed off in September with six companies bidding on eight of the 14 blocks offshore that were up for grabs. In total, there were 14 offers made on those blocks – two deep-sea blocks and six shallow-area blocks. Of the 14 blocks in the

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

auction, three were for deepsea areas and the other 11 for shallow areas, ranging from 1000 to 3000 square kilometres (sq km). Among those awarded oil blocks during the bid round was a Guyanese female-led company, Sispro Inc., which received a shallow block (S3) and a deep-water block (D2). Other shallow blocks were awarded to Total Energies EP Guyana BV in consortium with Qatar Energy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas Ventures SDN BHD (Malaysia), which got Block S4; Liberty Petroleum Corporation of the US and Ghana-based Cybele Energy Limited, which got Block S7, and International Group Investment Inc of Nigeria, which got two blocks – S5 and S10. Another shallow block, S8, was awarded to the Stabroek Block partners

– ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess New Ventures Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. The second deep-water block – D1 – was awarded to Delcorp Inc Guyana, which comprises Watad Energy and Communications Limited and Arabian Drilling Company of Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, during last month’s press briefing, Minister Bharrat made it clear that none of the blocks is located in disputed waters offshore Guyana. According to the Minister, Exxon had asked the Government for permission to conduct exploration activities, and after consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the advice given was to wait for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on the border controversy with Venezuela.

10 NEWS GPHC short of 600+ nurses, additional beds to improve services FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– 146 nurses resigned, number expected to grow

hile the Health Ministry has made significant strides towards building a worldclass healthcare system, the availability of beds for patients and the shortage of nursing staff at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) remain challenges. The GPHC provided primary healthcare services to over 22,000 patients this year, with its daily occupancy rate standing at 95 per cent. Additionally, GPHC recorded a 38 per cent increase in referrals from hospitals across the country, and as a result, wards are always filled. However, despite the increase in patient care, the Accident and Emergency Department has a total of 18 beds, while the other units have less. This was disclosed during a press conference in which 13 heads of departments affirmed that the availability of beds for patients is affecting the functioning of their respective departments. During his remarks, GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robbie Rambarran explained that the Health Ministry is aware of the challenges, and added that several expansion works are being undertak-

en to address the shortage. Those works include expansion of the medical block, which is approximately 85 percent completed. When commissioned, this block would provide the hospital with an additional 30 beds. “So, yeah, we’re expanding. There’s going to be an additional 30 beds; we think that’s going to solve the problem that we’re having… You asked a question about an increase in beds, there are a lot of discussions ongoing. There are new hospitals that are being built, those hospitals will have 150 beds,” he explained. “With the training that we are doing here and the specialists that we are bringing in the country to work, the services at the Georgetown Hospital will be decentralised. So, perhaps when those hospitals start working and operating to their optimum, they might reduce the need for additional beds at Georgetown Hospital,” Dr. Rambarran stated. However, on the issue of human resources, the GPHC is some 600 nurses short of full complement, which represents a deficit of 55 per cent. Currently, 896 nurses are employed at the hospitals, and of that number, 86 were hired this year,

inclusive of 33 nurses from Cuba. In addition, 146 nurses have resigned this year, and according to the Director of Nursing Services, Dr. Leslyn Holder, this number continues to increase. While reasons for the nurses’ resignation have not been provided, Holder disclosed that robust training is ongoing to address the issue. “We have improved the content, the numbers, and the number of intakes for candidates coming to us to be trained as patient care assistants. This year, we graduated 47 patient care assistants, and that was in September. When we started in November,(we started with) 50 students, and another 50 will commence in February, the target is 100. Additionally, we are now mandated to commence local training for nursing assistants in March of 2024. This will boost our nursing complement significantly,” Dr. Holder explained. Further, Dr Holder disclosed that the Health Ministry has issued a request for more Cuban nurses. This is part of efforts to bridge the language gap at GPHC and ensure that all patients receive proper primary healthcare, despite patient nationality.

Expansion of health services

The Government has made significant strides to introduce, implement, and expand clinical services and best practices in hospitals here. During a press conference on July 13, President Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed that Guyana’s life expectancy is 70 years, compared to 68 in 2020; and the goal is to increase this number to 72 years by 2026 and to 75 by 2030. The Head of State noted that achieving this objective would require Guyana to expand and make available moderate and complex clinical services, in which Government has heavily invested. Reflecting on some of the projects, the President shared that Guyana now has 19 health posts providing telemedicine services to citizens, while radiology and imaging technology are available at hospitals in all ten administrative regions. He added that oxygen plants are being set up in all hinterland hospitals to provide oxygen therapy and remove dependency on oxygen cylinders. President Ali added that medicine supply without disruption is another key

area of accomplishment, given that medicine availability in Guyana was at 35 per cent in 2020. However, this number has increased to 85 per cent, and is expected to reach between 95 and 100% by the end of 2023.

President on health infrastructure

Meanwhile, President Ali has said transformation of the physical infrastructure of Guyana’s healthcare system is paramount, and it is in recognizing its importance that the regional health budgets have more than doubled in less than three years. The build-out of health infrastructure countrywide is well underway, including the construction of new hospitals and the rehabilitation of all existing facilities. During the July 13 press conference, the Head of State had highlighted some of the projects to come on stream, including reconstruction of the Bartica hospital, which will begin at the end of 2023 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. Additionally, plans are underway to develop the National Psychiatric Hospital, reconstruct the West Demerara Regional

GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robbie Rambarran

Hospital, and upgrade the Suddie, Port Mourant, Mahaicony and other hospitals. Further, all existing hinterland hospitals outside of Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Mahdia, Paramakatoi, Annai and Kwakwani are scheduled for major upgrade between 2024 and 2026. President Ali said Government is working to expand Guyana’s human resource and infrastructure simultaneously. In this regard, he noted that robust training is being provided to doctors and nurses, while current professional training programmes are being expanded to accommodate more individuals. Under guidance of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration, Guyana has fostered many international partnerships and facilitated advanced training for health practitioners.

Guyana enhancing internal security...

FROM PAGE 3

Based on international reports, some 5,682 soldiers along with three ocean patrol vessels, seven missile boats, 12 Sukhoi planes and eight amphibious vehicles were deployed to Venezuela’s eastern Caribbean coast near the border with Guyana’s Essequibo, which the Spanish-speaking is laying claim to. Consequently, Maduro further called on Guyanese authorities to have the navy vessel withdrawn. In addition, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo insisted that the impending visit of the HMS Trent was a planned and routine measure, and was not intended to be used in any way to threaten Venezuela. He noted it was aimed at bolstering Guyana’s defensive capability. “Nothing that we do or we’ve done has threatened Venezuela. We don’t plan on invading Venezuela. President Maduro knows this and he needs not have any worry about that. That assurance was given to him in St Vincent and the Grenadines and we have done so before St Vincent and the Grenadines and we will continue to do so now. We don’t have any plan to take offensive actions against Venezuela.” “Whatever we do here

has been routine and has been long planned and is part of our building a defensive capability in Guyana not necessarily to fight wars but to police better, our Exclusive Economic Zone and our territorial integrity and sovereignty… President [Ali] has not asked the British vessel to move away from what was a planned activity, and we see as routine and which has no offensive intent against Venezuela,” Jagdeo stated during his press conference on Thursday. The Vice President further disclosed that Guyana remains committed to the ‘Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace between Guyana and Venezuela’ – a series of agreements arrived at during the historic Caricom/ CELAC/Brazil-brokered meeting between Presidents Ali and Maduro earlier this month. This commitment, according to Jagdeo, was reiterated to the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves. “The President has been in touch with Prime Minister Gonsalves on this matter. He’s made it clear that we support the Argle Declaration in letter and spirit; that nothing that we did in the past or will do in the future is to harm or will affect Venezuela and the territory of Venezuela… A

lot of these measures were long planned and they’re routine, and they are a part of our building a defensive capability… So, we respect the Argle Declaration and President Maduro needs to understand this,” VP Jagdeo asserted. Only Wednesday, PM Gonsalves, in his role as interlocutor between the two nations, said he had been in contact with both presidents and was given assurances from the two sides that they are committed to peace and continued dialogue. During the December 14, 2023 Argle meeting, Presidents Ali and Maduro came to several agreements including that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstance, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States. In the joint declaration, the two presidents also agreed that any controversy between the two States would be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966. The two countries have also committed to the pursuance of good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean and are likely to meet again in Brazil in a few months. (G-8)

NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s oil & gas industry is one of the better-managed industries – Jagdeo

espite criticisms of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s management of the oil and gas industry, Guyana’s oil and gas industry is said to be one of the best-managed industries globally. The country has made significant progress in this sector, and this has been supported by various reports from reputable international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the international community. At an end-of-year press conference, General Secretary of the PPP, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, highlighted several measures put in place by the Government to ensure the proper management of the lucrative sector. For instance, Government established a Local Content Act which paved the way for hundreds of Guyanese to participate, even though oil and gas companies were not in favour of local content. It was enacted in 2021 following vigorous consultations with players in the industry. “Let me tell you the assessment of a lot of people, including the oil and gas executives. When they come and see the levels of investment and participation of Guyanese, they don’t believe it,” the GS informed media operatives as he noted that the act is unprecedented in such an early period. The Government also reformed the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) to ensure transparency and accountability in its oversight, and it is a model in many parts of the world for trans-

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and other world leaders at COP28

parency and oversight, the General Secretary pointed out. “We have a strong mechanism for the Natural Resources Fund now,” he highlighted at the press conference. Additionally, the Petroleum Activities Act of 1986 was updated, and in 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources hosted an auction for its remaining oil blocks offshore Guyana. This move ensured that the first-come-first-served model was set aside, giving other interested stakeholders a fair chance. “We’ve reformed our PSA; we’ve dealt with almost the whole industry. So, it’s a model management despite what you hear…it’s one of the better-managed industries in any part of the

world. We have strengthened our environmental permits to a point where we are way ahead of the world in terms of ending flaring. So, great progress in that sector,” he added. Guyana also boasts being one of the first countries in the world to enter into a major deal for the sale of its high-quality carbon credits to oil giant Hess Corporation. Back in 2022, the Guyana Government signed a multiyear agreement for the sale of high-quality carbon credits to United States energy major Hess Corporation to the tune of a whopping US$750 million – a significant portion of which will be injected into the development of Indigenous communities across the country. This deal comes on the

heels of Guyana being the first country to receive certification of over 33 million carbon credits by the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) on December 1, 2022. That issuance of the REDD+ ju-

risdictional carbon credits paved the way for the sale agreement by Hess Corp Chief Executive Officer John Hess. During the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai,

United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jagdeo had revealed that Guyana has the potential to raise at least US$2.5 billion from its carbon credits over the next 10 years. The Vice President was at the time addressing a COP28 panel discussion held under the theme “Protecting Nature for Climate, Lives, and Livelihoods.” He also shared the stage with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and French President Emmanuel Macron, among others, in attendance and making presentations. In his presentation, Jagdeo noted the distinction Guyana has earned through its US$750 million carbon credits deal with Hess Corporation, of being the only forest in the world with jurisdictional scale forest certification. He further noted the potential to raise US$2.5 billion over the next 10 years by tapping into favourable market upsides.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

84% of childcare facilities across Guyana licensed to operate – MoHSSS ... 460 children benefit from childcare subsidies

n promoting safer caregiving for children across the country, all 366 childcare facilities have been visited by officials of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry (MoHSSS) in 2023, to ensure they are up to standard, the MoHSSS has indicated on Thursday. Of those 366 facilities, 308 are certified to operate, and 165 caregivers have been trained as part of its commitment to build capacity. The licences of these childcare facilities were handed over to them during the year; this, the MoHSSS has said, would ensure the safety and protection of the

6,800 children in their care. Some 460 children have also benefitted from childcare subsidies. This allowed 920 working parents the opportunity to choose qualitative registered daycare facilities. The subject minister has facilitated registration of 400 caregivers throughout 2023, which has impacted the lives of some 7,300 children who attend various daycares and playgroups across the country. These activities have overall led to safer environments for children when left in the care of such facilities. Earlier this year, the Director of Public

Prosecutions (DPP) had recommended that the owner of the daycare that was responsible for the death of seven-month-old Oriyah Gravesande be charged with manslaughter. It was reported that on the day in question – March 21 – the seven-month-old died at the Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) facility, which authorities confirmed had not been certified for years, and ought not to have been in operation. The daycare staff had indicated to the parent of the child that the child had been discovered unresponsive. A post-mortem examination performed on the

EBD man busted with ganja on kitchen shelf A

26-year-old man of Royston Avenue, Sarah Johanna, EBD has been arrested after a quantity of marijuana was found in his home. On Wednesday, between 09:30 and 10:30, ranks of Regional Division 4B searched his home and unearthed a Bakewell plastic bag containing a quantity of cannabis on a shelf in the kitchen. The suspect was told of the offence committed, and was cautioned; but he denied ownership of the narcotic, alleging that the illegal substance belonged to his brother. He was arrested and escorted to the Timehri Police Station, where he was taken into custody. The suspected narcotic was weighed in his presence and amounted to 41 grams.

The marijuana concealed in a plastic bag

The GPF has indicated that further investigation is in progress.

body of the seven-monthold later revealed that the infant had died from haemorrhage and compression to the neck. In highlighting other efforts made over the year to keep children safe, the MoHSSS outlined that strides were also made to eradicate child abuse. Through the ‘Every Child Safe’ initiative, 89 campaigns were carried out across the country with the aim of targeting child abuse at the community level, with the Child Care and Protection Agency working with parents and members of the community. Under the Streetlight Project, some 23 children have been rescued to date. The aim of this project is to remove children from the streets. A total of 172 children are in foster care, while 43 have been reintegrated with their families.

It was reported last week that Guyana will be resuming international adoption in the first quarter of 2024. Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud revealed that an average of 200 children benefitted from foster care services through the

Childcare and Protection Agency this year. In August 2021, the passage of the Adoption of Children (Amendment) Bill 2021 brought Guyana’s laws into conformity with international best practices under the Convention. (Rupa Seenaraine)

Investigation into fatal GDF helicopter crash ongoing – GCAA Head A n investigation is still ongoing into the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) helicopter crash which claimed the lives of four servicemen earlier this month. Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel(retd) Egbert Field, told <<Guyana Times>> on Thursday that efforts are continuing to provide greater understanding into the circumstances of the tragic incident. He added that once the investigation has been wrapped up, findings would be presented to the relevant authorities. Since the incident, there have been talks regarding the extraction of wreckage from the crash site. However, this has not been done as yet. The helicopter suffered significant damage, particularly in the fuselage, with only a few pieces remaining. The incident is being probed by the GCAA and the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The victims of the crash are Brigadier (retd) Gary Beaton; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Shahoud; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, and Sergeant Jason Khan. Only two soldiers survived the crash: Corporal Dwayne Jackson and Lieutenant Andio Crawford. On December 6, the Bell 412 helicopter, with regis-

tration 8R-AYA, left GDF Headquarters at Camp Ayanganna at 09:24h, and travelled 144 miles to Olive Creek, where it arrived at 10:27h. After refuelling, the helicopter departed at 10:58h for a 58-mile journey to Arau. Contact was lost with the aircraft, and an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) alert was received at about 11:19h. The GDF had said the chopper was on a command trip to Arau, Macapa, and Eteringbang, as part of Guyana’s response to an “imminent threat to our territory”. The specified helicopter possesses an unladen weight of 3207kg, an internal payload capacity of 2190kg, a maximum total weight of 5398kg, and a cargo hook capability of 2041kg. The Bell 412 Epi helicopter also had a system designed to warn the pilot of obstacles ahead, enabling them to take evasive mea-

sures. However, it has been disclosed by the GDF that only the aircraft’s black box holds the potential to offer insights into this capability. Lieutenant Andio Crawford and Corporal Dwayne Jackson were finally extracted from the crash site after two days and multiple thwarted attempts by the search and rescue team to rescue them. Adverse weather conditions in the mountains of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) where the crashed occurred, had posed a multitude of challenges for the survivors to be rescued. Brigadier Beaton was the project engineer; Colonel Shahoud, an attorney-at-law, was Commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion; Lt Col Charles was the pilot; Lieutenant Colonel Welcome was the Commanding Officer of the Reserve Battalion; and Staff Sergeant Khan was from the 31 Special Forces Squadron.

NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

98 newborn, 10 maternal deaths recorded at GPHC for 2023 – over 300 critically-ill pregnant women saved

The various heads of departments within the GPHC

Hospital officials at the press briefing

total of 637 babies have been delivered at the Georgetown Public Hospital, while an additional 148 who were delivered at various health centres and private medical facilities have subsequently been admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the StepDown Unit for 2023. These statistics have been provided by medical experts during an endof-year press briefing on Thursday, where it was further revealed that a total of 98 newborn babies died within an average of twenty-eight or more days of their birth. In addition, 10 maternal deaths have been recorded.

However, it has been stated that a large number of these newborn babies had been diagnosed with presumed sepsis or prematurity, and had required respiratory support, according to Coordinator of Neonatal Services, Dr Sara Singh. She nevertheless pointed out that the number is the lowest number of neonatal deaths recorded since 2011, while adding that the department’s goal is to decrease neonatal mortality through improved services and proper prenatal care for pregnant women. “Just so we all grasp the enormity of this accomplishment: in 2019, there were 124 deaths; in 2020 and 2021, there were

118 deaths and there were 129. The average number of deaths within the last 11 years, 2012 to 2022, was 150, in comparison to 98 in 2023. That’s a difference of fifty-two; that’s 52 more babies that have survived this year in comparison to the average over the last 11 years,” she explained. All departments in the NICU have been renovated this year. Specifically, the Step-Down Unit has been expanded to accommodate nine additional beds. To boost its capacity and efficiency, that department also received 10 warmers, 10 incubators, and new general medical officers, among other things. Dr. Singh said these

measures played an integral role in increasing the department's vigilance and ability to ensure babies are not exposed to infections due to overcrowding. Additional accommodations were made at various facilities for babies who require special care. “We have found alternatives to increasing our numbers in the NICU. If we were at capacity, patients were now transferred or referred to other hospitals or facilities that have doctors who graduated from our residency programme here at Georgetown Public Hospital. Through the IHSE made available at these hospitals to manage the sick neonates,

West Demerara Hospital, Linden, Suddie, and New Amsterdam Hospital are all outfitted with ventilators, so we work very closely with these and other hospitals to deliver optimum care,” she disclosed. Meanwhile, 10 maternal deaths have been recorded at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), Guyana’s main referral hospital, for the year so far. Three women died due to ectopic pregnancies, three due to respiratory disorders, another three died of hypertensive conditions during their pregnancies, and one faced a hypovolemic shock after her c-section. This is according to the hospital’s Chief Consultant

Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. Rafi Rozan, at the press engagement on Thursday. “…as compared to the two previous years, there would’ve been a decline (in the number of maternal deaths),” Dr. Rozan said. Dr. Rozan also explained that six of the 10 patients who succumbed this year were referred to the GPHC from other hospitals in a critical state, and some of them were from outlying regions. These were all high-risk cases; but, notably, over 300 women in critical conditions were saved throughout the year. Further, there were 54 stillbirths this year thus far.

Serious crimes down by 17.5% in Police Division 10

Region 10 Commander, Superintendent Guy Nurse

egion 10 Police C o m m a n d e r , Superintendent Guy Nurse, on Wednesday announced a 17.5 per cent reduction in serious crimes for the year thus far within Police Division 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) The division hosted its Christmas Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at Amelia's Ward, Linden on Wednesday, and ranks have been recognised for their commitment to the job and hard work done throughout the year 2023. Nurse also outlined that the division has experienced a 0.3 per cent de-

crease in summary crimes, and reported a ‘quiet’ traffic situation which points to a decrease of 15.4 per cent in traffic incidents thus far. Moreover, he mentioned successes in Regional Division 10 throughout the year 2023 in terms of seizures of firearms, ammunition and narcotics. Several such matters are presently before the court. Meanwhile, over 40 ranks, including Community Policing Groups, Cops and Faith, the various Station Management Committees, and Road Safety Committee, were awarded for outstanding performances. The Best Cop title went to Constable Moore, while Lance Corporal Benjamin was awarded the RunnerUp Best Cop. As of last month, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) recorded an overall reduction in serious crimes, but Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, Wendell Blanhum, had indicated that the number of murders in the country during this period had increased. Crime Chief Blanhum

Awardees of Regional Division 10 posing with senior officials during the annual awards ceremony

disclosed that a total of 133 murders were recorded so far this year, compared to 108 for the corresponding period in 2022. Serious crimes stood at 1149 incidents, compared to 1397 last year – a decline of 17.8 per cent. Except for murders, seven of the 10 categories of crime recorded a decrease. The other two categories – robbery with aggravation and kidnapping – had no reports this year. During this reporting

period, ‘plain robbery’ declined by 15 per cent, with 17 cases; robbery under arms dropped by 23.1 per cent, with 319 cases; robbery with violence reduced by 33.9 per cent, with 37 cases; and larceny from the person went down by another 33.3 per cent, with 34 cases. Armed robbery with the use of firearms was the most prevalent type of robbery, with 189 reports. Regional Division 4 ’A’ (Georgetown) accounted for the highest

number of gun robberies during this time. Moreover, for the other categories of serious crime, there were 54 cases of burglary reported to date, representing a 44.8 per cent decrease, while ‘break and enter and larceny’, which is the most prevalent crime occurring across the country, went down by 15.7 per cent, with some 362 cases. Georgetown has accounted for the highest seizures of illegal firearms, with 36; followed by Regional Division

Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), with 17; Regional Division 4 ‘B’ (East Bank Demerara), with 16; and Regional Division Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) with 15. Pistols are the most prevalent weapon recovered, and are the preferred type of firearm for criminals, given its capacity to hold more rounds of ammunition. So far this year, some 77 pistols have been recovered, along with 30 shotguns, 17 revolvers, three rifles and one sub-machine gun.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mastermind in shooting death of phone card vendor during robbery gets 20 years

Jailed: Shemar Singh

Dead: Ron Mansfield

hemar Singh, the man who pleaded guilty to the 2018 murder of phone vendor Ron Mansfield of Westminster, West Bank Demerara, has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, less time served. At a sentencing hearing on Thursday, Demerara

ther of two, on June 19, 2018 in the county of Demerara during a robbery. In her sentencing remarks, Justice MorrisRamlall stated that Mansfield was not only robbed of his day’s wages, which he would use to maintain his family, but he

Mark Welch (behind prison officer) and Alexander La Cruz (in blue shirt)

High Court Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall imposed the custodial punishment on 26-year-old Singh, who had earlier admitted to the murder charge. He pleaded guilty to murdering Ron Mansfield, a 37-year-old fa-

was shot and killed in front of his home. The Judge reiterated that Mansfield’s killing was “senseless”. In determining an appropriate sentence for this crime, the Judge considered

Singh's early guilty plea; his first-time offender status; the overwhelming evidence against him; the fact that, given his youth, he has a fair chance of rehabilitation; and the impact that Mansfield’s death has had on his family. She noted, however, that Singh’s plea appeared “tactical”. Referencing the prosecution’s case, Justice MorrisRamlall said, “This is not a simple grab-and-run affair. This was a premeditated plan to commit armed robbery on the deceased.” To support Singh's rehabilitation while he is incarcerated, Justice Ramlall issued an order requiring him to engage in courses in carpentry and masonry, or in any other field of his choosing. Singh was represented by an attorney. Last month, Alexander La Cruz and Mark Welch were jailed for 13 years and 14 years respectively for Mansfield’s murder. They have both been credited for time spent in pre-trial detention. La Cruz, aged 31, is a father of two and a former resident of West Meten-MeerZorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD); and Welch, a 31-year-old, is a former resident of West La Penitence, Georgetown. They, too, had pleaded guilty to murdering Mansfield. Way too often, hardworking citizens are robbed of their possessions, Justice Morris-Ramlall had remarked during Welch and La Cruz’s sentencing hearing. In a victim impact statement given to the court, Mansfield’s widow, Anthea, had revealed to the robbers

High Court Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall

that she finds it difficult to forget the violent way her husband was taken from her. “We did everything together,” the emotional woman, who made her statement via Zoom, had said as she described her late partner as “a people person, loving, funny and charismatic.” Fighting to hold back tears, Anthea had expressed that no amount of punishment could replace her husband’s life. While adding that “greed” had prompted others to take his belongings, Anthea had revealed that Ron was killed

two months shy of their seventh wedding anniversary. Ron’s 21-year-old daughter had said that at the age of 16, she lost her father; six months after, her mother had passed away. The young woman had said that following the death of their father, she and her brother had had a terrible time getting by, and were even forced to live with strangers. Ambitious, smart, loving and kind were the words the young woman had used to describe her late father. The now-dead man’s daughter had questioned her father’s killers about whether

or not killing her father was worth it, much like her stepmother Anthea had done. Attorneys-at-law Delon Fraser, Rbina Christmas, Caressa Henry and Madana Rampersaud had prosecuted this matter. On June 19, 2018, Mansfield had just arrived home on his motorcycle, after plying his trade, when he was attacked and shot by gunmen during a robbery. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH). The attack had occurred at around 20:30h. “The victim, who was discovered with a gunshot injury to the body, was reportedly returning home from selling phone cards on his motorcycle,” Police had said. His bag containing his phone cards and money was not found, according to the Police. During their court appearance, La Cruz had acknowledged that he had driven his accomplices to and from the scene, while Welch had admitted that he had been the lookout man. Singh on the other hand, had confessed to shooting Mansfield. (Feona Morrison)

Victims of Linden fire died from smoke inhalation – PME

Dead: (L-R): Zella Lawrence, Ronika Lawrence and Angelique Lawrence

utopsies conducted on the nurse and her two nieces who tragically died in the Christmas morning fire have found that they died from smoke inhalation. This information was provided by the Guyana Police Force on Thursday. This fateful fire, which broke out at about 02:00h on Christmas morning at Central Amelia’s Ward in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), claimed the lives of 30-year-old Zella Lawrence and her nieces, 16-year-old Angelique Lawrence and eight-yearold Ronika Lawrence. It has been reported that the Guyana Fire Service, upon receiving reports of a

fire, had dispatched two fire tenders along with five firefighters to the scene. The structure, a two-storey wooden-and-concrete building owned by Veronica Headley, was occupied by Zella Lawrence. At the time, her two nieces, residents of Mackenzie in Linden, were also in the building. Immediate action by firefighters resulted in the blaze being contained to the bottom flat of the building. One sofa set, four metres of ceiling, and a quantity of clothing were severely damaged. One jet was utilized to successfully extinguish the fire. However, by that time, all occupants of that flat had perished. The cause

of the fire is currently unknown, and Fire Prevention officials are continuing their investigations. On Thursday, Commander of Police Division 10, Superintendent Guy Nurse, along with Pastor Sills and Reverend McKinnon from the Cops and Faith Community Network, visited Woman Corporal Onika Lawrence at Mora Street, Mackenzie, Linden and other grieving relatives. Commander Nurse and team sympathised with the grieving family, and offered words of comfort at this difficult time. The grieving family were appreciative of the visit by Commander Nurse and team.

NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s food production defies dry season challenges opment of 20,000 acres of new lands for cultivation in the Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary (MMA) Scheme, as the Government is working to support farmers while advancing agriculture. Guyana is actively diversifying its agricultural landscape by venturing into the cultivation of new crops on top of established suc-

already in the works, spanning Regions Two, Five, and Ten. “You will see the entire agriculture being modernised. We are making it more modern and effective. And I think we will have better production to come… We are seeing a revolution in the agriculture sector in Guyana. This is leading us

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

One of the shade houses at NAREI

espite the extended dry season, Guyana’s agricultural food production has not only weathered the storm, but is thriving, thanks to a proactive Government and resilient farmers. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha recently reaffirmed this during a media briefing. He said comprehensive and sustainable policies have been the key to success. Those policies focus on boosting food productivity through a range of initiatives, such as build-

ing and upgrading drainage systems, distributing farming inputs and equipment, expanding access to farmlands, increasing freshwater availability, and providing technical assistance. Beyond these direct interventions, Government has also established farmers’ markets across the country. These markets provide a platform for farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers, cutting out middlemen and ensuring fairer prices for both farmers and shoppers. The Agriculture

Minister pointed out, “It has an effect on us, because we have seen the prices for vegetables and fruits have gone up rapidly in various parts of the country; but we have seen, in terms of production, I foresee at the end of the year we will reach our targets, and that is very important for us. “We have done a lot of modifications. We have moved pumps, cleared canals, rehab canals, and other works in the agriculture sector in this country. That is why we have seen that production has not dropped.

Our exports would not drop. That is why I am optimistic (that) at the end of this year we will reach the targets in the agriculture sector.” Mustapha also highlighted the surge in aquaculture production, particularly in brackish water shrimp. This progress is further fuelled by a $100 million investment in ten prawn ponds at Onverwagt in Region Five. Within a mere three months, fresh prawns from Onverwagt can be expected, marking a new chapter in the nation’s seafood journey. Farmers in Region Five will benefit from the devel-

Harvesting of carrots

cesses like corn, soya, and now millet in Tacama. To modernise high-value production, Guyana boasts one of the largest hydroponics farms at Mon Repos, and the future looks brighter with three more farms

directly into the Caribbean, where we are in demand. Guyana is helping them to reorganise and resuscitate the agricultural sector within those countries,” the Agriculture Minister added.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New research urges data-driven action for agriculture and food systems change

The FSCI indicator framework is intended for global monitoring of agriculture and food systems transformation (Alessandra Benedetti photo)

he state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030", published by The Food Systems Countdown to 2030 Initiative (FSCI) last week, provides the first science-based monitoring to guide decision-makers as they seek wholesale transformation of the global agriculture and food systems. This transformation is needed urgently both to reduce the environmental impact of these systems and to mitigate the impact of climate change on them. The overarching objective is that all people – especially the most vulnerable – have equitable access to healthy diets through sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems. The UN Food Systems

Summit catalysed agriculture and food system action, though policymakers often lack the data required to drive critical decisions. The FSCI is filling that gap, having identified an indicator framework composed of 50 indicators that monitor agriculture and food systems at a global level, using existing data to enable immediate action. Repurposing existing data, rather than carrying out time-consuming new research, means policymakers have quick access to relevant information. Following this first global baseline, the FSCI will track agriculture and food systems annually until 2030, updating the framework as needed where new indicators or better data emerge. Lawrence Haddad,

Executive Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, said: “The first annual Countdown report shows that no single region has all the answers. Europe and North America do well on undernutrition but poorly on indicators of unhealthy diets. In contrast, Africa and South Asia do relatively well on some environmental indicators, but poorly on indicators of livelihoods. The data show very clearly that every region has significant room for improvement.” Agriculture and food systems play a vital role in meeting all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet the SDGs are insufficient to monitor these systems. The FSCI fills this gap. Agriculture and food sys-

tems transformation is absolutely essential if countries are going to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions. Yet this is still an emerging conversation: agriculture and food systems only played a small part in climate negotiations at COP27. They featured more strongly at the recent COP28 where over 150 countries signed the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action and committed to incorporate agriculture and food systems into their climate plans by 2025 – very encouraging progress. Mario Herrero, Professor and Director of the Food Systems & Global Change Programme, Cornell University, said: “You can’t manage what you don’t measure. That’s why we need a monitoring system that shows strengths and weaknesses at national, regional and global levels across all parts of agriculture and food systems. And this complete picture highlights successes that provide valuable lessons for others.” The FSCI indicator framework is intended for

global monitoring of agriculture and food systems transformation. It also offers a menu of indicators that can be used to design policies and actions, and inform tailored monitoring systems to meet country needs. José Rosero Moncayo, Director, Statistics Division, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), said: “We are at the beginning of the process and there are still gaps in the data that we need to fill to ensure we are effectively monitoring progress across all dimensions of agriculture and food systems. Filling those data gaps is a top priority for ourselves, and the global science and policy communities concerned about the future of agriculture and food systems.” Kate Schneider, Research Scholar, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and lead author of the paper, said: “Better data is urgently needed to monitor progress in food safety, off-farm livelihoods tied to agriculture and food systems, food loss and waste, agriculture and food sys-

tems’ economic contributions, governance, and agriculture and food system resilience.” "The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030" organises agriculture and food systems monitoring into five themes: diets, nutrition, and health; environment, natural resources, and production; livelihoods, poverty, and equity; governance; and resilience. Each theme contains three-to-five indicator domains that together provide a comprehensive picture of agriculture and food systems. Jessica Fanzo, Professor of Climate and Director of the Food for Humanity Initiative, Columbia Climate School concluded: “There is a growing urgency to transform agriculture and food systems to support healthy diets in sustainable and equitable ways, and to protect the environment. Our research sets the stage for a data-driven approach to address the challenges and seize the opportunities to create a healthier, more equitable and sustainable future for all.” (FAO)

World population up 75 million this year, to top 8 billion by Jan 1

People look up at Christmas lights as crowds stroll around downtown Lisbon's Chiado neighbourhood, Saturday evening, December 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)

he world population grew by 75 million people over the past year and on New Year's Day it will stand at more than 8 billion people, according to figures released by the United States Census Bureau on Thursday. The worldwide growth rate in the past year was just under one per cent. At the start of 2024, 4.3 births and two deaths are expected worldwide every second, according to the Census Bureau figures. The growth rate for the United States in the past year was 0.53 per cent, about half the worldwide figure. The US added 1.7

million people and will have a population on New Year's Day of 335.8 million people. If the current pace continues through the end of the decade, the 2020s could be the slowest-growing decade in US history, yielding a growth rate of less than four per cent over the 10-year-period from 2020 to 2030, said William Frey, a demographer at The Brookings Institution. The slowest-growing decade currently was in the aftermath of the Great Depression in the 1930s, when the growth rate was 7.3 per cent. “Of course growth may

tick up a bit as we leave the pandemic years. But it would still be difficult to get to 7.3 per cent,” Frey said. At the start of 2024, the United States is expected to experience one birth every nine seconds and one death every 9.5 seconds. However, immigration will keep the population from dropping. Net international migration is expected to add one person to the US population every 28.3 seconds. This combination of births, deaths and net international migration will increase the US population by one person every 24.2 seconds (Jamaica Observer)

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Golding to head observer team for Bangladesh elections F

ormer Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding will head a 10-member Commonwealth Expert Team (CET) to observe Bangladesh’s general election on January 7 next year. “It is my honour and privilege to have been asked to lead this team and to once again, serve the Commonwealth. I am pleased to be collaborating with this expert team which, as is customary, includes experts from diverse backgrounds, countries and professions. In conducting our duties in Bangladesh, we pledge to remain objective, transparent and independent,” Golding said. The 12th parliamentary election will be held on January 7 in 300 seats, Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal said.

The main Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose top leaders are either jailed or in exile, has already said it will boycott the polls if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina does not resign and transfer power to a non-partisan caretaker Government to oversee the general election. Hasina has led Bangladesh for the past 15 years and her main rival and two-time premier, BNP leader Khaleda Zia is effectively under house arrest for what her party calls trumped-up corruption charges. The Jamaat-e-Islami, the largest Islamist party in the Muslim-majority country, and the Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB) party also said they would also boycott the polls.

Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding will head a 10-member Commonwealth Expert Team

The London-based Commonwealth Secretariat said that Golding was one of two Caribbean Community (Caricom) nationals who will be observing the polls. The other is Miss Terry Dale Ince, gender and human rights advocate, or-

ganisational development consultant and founder of CEDAW Committee of Trinidad and Tobago. “The Commonwealth’s commitment to fostering peaceful, fair and credible elections is unwavering. Impartial and independent

elections observers provide valuable recommendations to improve and strengthen the elections and democratic processes,” said Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland. “The team’s deployment demonstrates the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to supporting electoral democracy in our 56 member countries and safeguarding the rights of the people of Bangladesh as they take part in these pivotal elections,” she added. The Secretariat said that the expert team would consider all aspects of the election process and provide their observations on whether the elections are conducted in line with the democratic standards to which Bangladesh has committed itself. The CET will also be supported by staff members

from the Commonwealth Secretariat. The other members of the team are drawn from Cameroon, India, Kenya, Maldives, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. “Throughout their time in Bangladesh, the CET will meet various stakeholders, including political parties, police, civil society groups, citizen observer and monitor groups, as well as representatives from the media,” the Secretariat said. It said that from January 6, the team will also deploy in small groups around the country to observe electoral preparations in their respective areas and on election day, will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting and results management processes.(CMC)

Mexico hails unspecified “important” deals with US in talks on migration, trade M exico said on Wednesday it had struck unspecified "important" deals with the United States after talks that US officials sought to focus on curbing record-high migration, a key issue in next year's US elections. Secretary of State Antony Blinken led the closed-door negotiations for the US side, and Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena told reporters she had pushed

US officials to ease any remaining curbs on cross-border trade. The Administration of US President Joe Biden is seeking the help of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to reduce a record high number of migrants wanting to enter the world's wealthiest economy from Mexico, a key issue with voters ahead of Biden's expected re-election bid next year.

In a post on social media, Lopez Obrador hailed what he described as "important agreements" following the talks with US officials, but without giving any details on the deals. Lopez Obrador said he had requested the meeting to discuss cooperation on migration, the economy and security. The meetings come after more than half a million migrants this year crossed

Cher files for conservatorship for son Elijah

her has filed for a conservatorship of her son Elijah Blue Allman due to his alleged substance abuse and mental health issues. Court documents seen by the BBC claim Allman, 47, is "substantially unable to manage his financial resources". In the documents, lawyers for Cher say a conservator is "urgently needed" to protect his property and physical and mental health. Cher's publicist has been approached for comment. Allman has not commented publicly on the legal filing. He recently posted the hashtag "#imprisonmentviaconservatorship" on an Instagram post. A conservatorship is granted by a court for individuals who are unable to make their own decisions, like those with dementia or other mental illnesses. It can be used to manage a person's financial affairs or personal affairs or both. Allman is due to receive assets from a trust before the end of the year. The documents state he is entitled to regular payments

Elijah Blue Allman and Cher pictured in 2002

from the trust set up by his late father, musician Gregg Allman. The court papers, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, state Allman is "currently unable to manage his assets due to severe mental health and substance abuse issues". The filing adds: "Elijah is entitled to regular distributions from the trust, but given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues, [Cher] is concerned that any funds distributed to Elijah will be immediately spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself and putting Elijah's life at risk." It says that Cher, 77, has "worked tirelessly to get Elijah

into treatment and get him the help he needs". A hearing for a temporary order is currently set for January 5, with the hearing on a permanent order scheduled for March 6. Cher recently denied allegations that she hired four men to kidnap Allman from a New York City hotel room. The singer told People Magazine "that rumour is not true". Cher was married to Greg Allman from 1975 to 1979. She was previously married to her former singing partner Sonny Bono from 1964 to 1975. She also has a child, Chaz Bono, from that relationship. (Excerpt from BBC News)

the dangerous Darien Gap jungle connecting South America with Central America – double last year's record – with many fleeing crime, poverty, and conflict

to seek better prospects in the United States. Earlier this month, the US border authorities temporarily closed two key rail border crossings for five

days and shuttered other crossings in order to redeploy enforcement resources elsewhere in response to spiking migration. (Excerpt from Reuters)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

“Just talks, no action” – father Brazil cracks down as blames authorities for death wildcat miners in the Amazon shift their operations of son caused by stray cow

eep in the Amazon rainforest, Brazil is fighting destructive wildcat gold mining as it spreads from Indigenous lands into Governmentprotected conservation areas. Federal Police have joined the Government's biodiversity conservation agency ICMBio on a series of recent operations to catch illegal gold miners and destroy their camps and equipment. Leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Government has already been cracking down on mining on Indigenous reservations. But that has pushed some miners to other forests where there has been little enforcement. This month, armed officers of ICMBio, a Government agency named after murdered environmental activist Chico Mendes, swooped down in helicopters on wildcat camps in the upper reaches of the Tapajos, a tributary of the Amazon River. They set fire to barges used to pump and filter ore, destroyed excavators and chainsaws, and seized weapons, radios and scales used by miners to weigh their gold. Lula has vowed to stamp out illegal mining and end deforestation by 2030. That is a sharp reversal of policy from his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro, who was criticised globally for relaxing environmental controls, giving illegal loggers and miners free rein in the Amazon. He argued that Brazil had

An illegal gold dredge burns in Paruari River during an operation against illegal gold mining at the Urupadi National Forest Park in the Amazon rainforest, conducted by agents of the Chico Mendes environmental agency ICMBio with support of other agencies, in the municipality of Maues, Amazonas state, Brazil, June 1, 2023 (Reuters/Adriano Machado photo)

the right to develop its natural resources On one recent mission, a Reuters photographer followed an ICMBio team into the Urupadi National Forest where agents detained a handful of wildcat miners and destroyed their tents, excavators, dredging equipment and fuel supplies. The miners had cut down swathes of jungle and dug dozens of ponds to dredge for gold that they separated from sand and ore with mercury, a contaminant that poisons fish in the rivers. Through the open door of their incoming helicopter, the ICMBio agents fired automatic weapons at motor boats carrying fleeing miners. They fired again to blow up barrels of diesel fuel and set fire to excavators so they could not be used again. "We destroy their camps and they keep coming back," said mission commander Sidney Serafim. During a three-week op-

eration, the agents found 20 mining sites and 11 clandestine airstrips in the forest, along with kilos of mercury and thousands of litres of diesel. Detained miner Fabio Santos said he had worked prospecting for gold in Munduruku territory further along the Tapajos river, but had moved out due to law enforcement missions and conflict with the Indigenous people. "We thought it would be quieter here. Bolsonaro did not destroy our equipment," he said. "Things are going downhill with the new government," said another miner, Ramon Marques. "God left the gold here for us to enjoy it," he added. The men were set free into the jungle on foot. Only the manager of one of the wildcat mining sites, Manuel de Jesus Silva, was taken into Police custody. (Excerpt from Reuters)

lbert Dennison had high hopes of sharing a ham at Christmas dinner with his son, but that was not to be. His world was shattered when he got the news at church on Christmas Eve that his son died tragically after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a cow. The elderly Dennison is blaming the relevant authorities for failing to build an animal pound for the untethered animals. Odane Dennison suffered serious head injuries

during the crash on the Petersfield main road in Westmoreland. “Sunday I was at church and [my friend] came to me and to be honest he just gave me [the news] suddenly that my son died. So mi seh weh you mean him dead. Him seh the bike kill him, cow and him,” the distraught father recalled. “Him even asked me, ‘Daddy you eat ham?’ And mi seh yes. Him seh him go carry it come give me,” the distraught father told Observer Online on Thursday.

He said the animals are left to wander on the streets. “The cows on the street dem, nobody cares and you have nobody to talk to. Because on the same road two bike guys die….. school guys and I see a cow man running his cows and talking. The government only cares about [ I don't know], they only talk. Dem seh dem a mek pound fi di cows dem, but nobody,” the distressed father belted. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Former Ecuador VP Glas to appeal Judge's order to return to jail

cuadorean former Vice President Jorge Glas will appeal a decision by a Judge ordering him back to prison, his lawyer said on Thursday, saying that a return to jail would be dangerous. Glas, convicted twice for corruption, last Friday asked Mexico for political asylum, arguing he is being persecuted by the attorney general's office in Ecuador. The former Vice President, who served under leftist ex-President Rafael Correa between 2013 and 2017, has been inside the Mexican Embassy in Quito as a "guest" since December 17. Glas' lawyer Edison Loiza submitted an appeal against the Judge's ruling, which was also made on Thursday, arguing his client's life could be in danger. Glas, 54, was sentenced

Ecuador's then-Vice President Jorge Glas talks during an interview with Reuters at the Government Palace in Quito, Ecuador, August 29, 2017 (Reuters/Daniel Tapia file photo)

to six years in prison in 2017 after he was found guilty of receiving bribes from Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht in exchange for awarding it Government contracts. He was given a separate eight-year prison sentence in 2020, as was Correa, for using money from contractors to finance campaigns

for Correa's political movement. Glas has been jailed and freed repeatedly. He was last released in November 2022 after completing five years of his sentences. Though he can move freely within Ecuador, he cannot leave the country during the remainder of his sentences. (Reuters)

pacity. Social media was also inundated with videos of flooding within Chaguanas Proper as a number of roads became temporarily impassable. Officers from the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service were spotted at Eleanor Street and Market Road, Chaguanas on Thursday afternoon rescuing a woman and two children who drove into the highly-flooded streets. The northbound lanes of the Uriah Butler Highway at Chaguanas, and as the

rains spread north and west, the eastbound lanes of the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in the vicinity of Macoya, also experienced brief street floods. Roadways turned into rivers in Tunapuna and in Maracas St Joseph as heavy rains persisted through the mid-afternoon. Parts of the Priority Bus Route in the vicinity of Tunapuna also became impassable due to high flooding. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mexican villagers who killed extortionists “acted in self-defence” Flash floods hit parts of M Central, Northern Trinidad

exican villagers who killed 10 members of the notorious Familia Michoacana criminal gang will not be facing any charges after prosecutors ruled they had acted in self-defence. Prosecutors said that the residents of Texcapilla had come "under constant threat" from the gang, which had tried to extort money from farmers. They were summoned to a football pitch where gang members opened fire on them. But they fought back with weapons including shotguns and machetes. Ten members of the

Familia Michoacana and four of the locals were killed in the deadly fight which followed. Seven more people were injured. In the weeks since what locals have dubbed "the massacre on the football field", the residents of Texcapilla have been telling the authorities how the Familia Michoacana had wielded its power in the village. While local business people have long had to pay "protection money" to the gang, the Familia Michoacana has extended its extortion racket to those who work the land. Gang members demand-

ed that farmers pay a fee to the group for every square metre of the fields they planted, a sort of criminal ground rent. But after a particularly poor harvest this year, local farmers tried to negotiate a reduced fee in a meeting held on December 7, to no avail. It was after this failed meeting that the gang ordered the farmers to gather at the football pitch for what sounded like a noon showdown the next day. Shortly before that meeting, the farmers agreed to stand up to the gang and refuse to pay altogether. (Excerpt from BBC News)

eavy afternoon showers across parts of central and northern Trinidad brought a violent reminder Trinidad and Tobago is still in the wet season, with street and flash flooding across numerous areas. Up to three inches (75 millimetres) of rainfall was recorded across parts of Chaguanas, Endeavour, and Charlieville where multiple roadways became inundated as drains and small streams reached ca-

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

Around the World

Israeli tanks, missiles strike OILNEWS OIL NEWS Gaza in offensive against Hamas Oil prices settle down 3% as Red Sea shipping disruptions ease

il prices fell three per cent on Thursday as more shipping companies said they were ready to transit the Red Sea route, easing concerns about supply disruptions as Middle Eastern tensions stay elevated. The more active Brent crude futures for March delivery settled down US$2.39, or three per cent, at US$77.15. Brent futures for February delivery , which expired after settlement, fell 1.3 per cent to US$78.39 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell by US$2.34, or 3.2 per cent, to US$71.77 a barrel. On Wednesday, oil prices dropped nearly two per cent as major shipping firms began returning to the Red Sea. Denmark's Maersk will route almost all container vessels sailing between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal from now, and divert only a handful around Africa, a Reuters breakdown of the group's schedule showed on Thursday. France's CMA CGM is also increasing the number of vessels travelling through the Suez Canal, it said earlier in the week. "The perception is that the Red Sea route is reopening and will bring supply to market weeks faster," Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn said. Major shipping companies stopped using Red Sea routes and the Suez Canal earlier this month after Yemen's Houthi militant group began targeting vessels. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a much larger-than-expected draw in US crude oil inventories last week, which limited price declines for a while. Later, prices fell further, likely as traders focused on a bulk of the draw coming from the US Gulf Coast region, where refiners are scrambling to clear inventories to avoid high taxes on storage at the end of the year, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. US crude stockpiles fell by 7.1 million barrels in the week ended December 22, EIA data showed, while analysts polled by Reuters had expected a draw of 2.7 million barrels. Crude oil stocks at the US Gulf Coast fell by 11.03 million barrels, the biggest decline since August, the data showed. Investors expect interest rate cuts in Europe and the US in 2024, which could boost oil demand. (Reuters)

sraeli forces attacked areas of the central and southern Gaza Strip where residents have been expecting a renewed ground offensive in areas crammed with tens of thousands of Palestinians already displaced by the Israeli-Hamas war. With nightfall on Thursday, an Israeli airstrike on a house in the southern city of Khan Younis killed eight Palestinians, health officials said. Three Palestinians were killed and six injured in an Israeli missile strike on a house in Maghazi camp in central Gaza, the Palestine Red Crescent said. "The task here is to dismantle Hamas – so that it no longer has military and governing capabilities,"

Israeli soldiers ride a military vehicle, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in southern Israel, December 28, 2023 (Reuters/Violeta Santos Moura photo)

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said at a press briefing on operations in Khan Younis. "We will be required to show a lot of perseverance and determi-

nation." A Palestinian Journalist posted pictures of Israeli tanks near a mosque in a built-up area of Bureij in central Gaza.

Student activist flees Hong Leader of Sudan’s RSF Kong to seek asylum in UK visits Ethiopia in rare

prominent pro-democracy activist has fled Hong Kong to seek asylum in the United Kingdom, breaching a supervision order. Tony Chung, 22, told the BBC he had been under constant scrutiny in Hong Kong, where Police had put him under an "enormous amount of stress". He also claimed he had felt compelled by Police to become a paid informant, giving information on fellow activists. Chung was convicted of calling for Hong Kong's secession under a tough security law. He finished his sentence in June. But upon his release, he says he was thrown into a situation that was "an even bigger and more dangerous prison" than the one he had left. He is under a one-year supervision order which required him to apply for permission to travel overseas. Authorities allowed him to go to Japan on December 20 for a six-day holiday. While he was there, he said he started crying at the thought of not returning to Hong Kong and decided to seek asylum in the UK. Chung is one of several pro-democracy protesters

foreign trip as war rages

Tony Chung was a former leader of a fringe pro-independence group called Studentlocalism

who have fled Hong Kong in recent years. Following months of mass demonstrations in 2019, Beijing imposed a strict national security law which it said was needed to bring stability to the city. The legislation, which outlaws many forms of dissent, has been widely used against activists like Chung. In late 2021, he was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for arguing that Hong Kong should pursue independence. Studentlocalism, the fringe group he led, had disbanded before the law came into force. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Mohamed Hamdan 'Hemedti' Dagalo (centre) is on his first known foreign trip since Sudan's war began and made his second stop in Ethiopia on December 28, 2023, after visiting Uganda [File: Ashraf Shazly/AFP]

he leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has visited neighbouring Ethiopia, where he has had discussions on the end of the war between the RSF and Sudan’s army. Dagalo, known as “Hemedti”, landed in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday in the second stop of his first known public foreign trip since the war erupted on April 15.

Maine election official disqualifies Trump from presidential primary ballot

aine on Thursday disqualified Donald Trump from the state ballot in next year’s US presidential primary election, becoming the second state to bar the former President for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, concluded that

Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, incited an insurrection when he spread false claims about voter fraud in the 2020 election and then urged his supporters to march on the Capitol to stop lawmakers from certifying the vote. "The US Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our

The Islamist group Hamas released video it said showed its fighters targeting Israeli tanks and soldiers east of Bureij. Reuters was not able to verify the location or the date the video was filmed. The conflict has also rippled across the Middle East, notably with Iranianbacked Houthi rebels in Yemen attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea to show their support for Hamas. On Thursday, the US military said it shot down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile in the Southern Red Sea that were fired by Houthis in the 22nd attempted attack on international shipping since October 19. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Government," Bellows wrote in a 34-page ruling. The decision can be appealed to a state Superior Court, and Bellows suspended her ruling until the court rules on the matter. Trump's campaign said it would quickly file an objection to the "atrocious" decision. Lawyers for Trump have disputed that he engaged in

insurrection and argued that his remarks to supporters on the day of the 2021 riot were protected by his right to free speech. The decision came after a group of former Maine lawmakers said that Trump should be disqualified based on a provision of the US Constitution that bars people from holding office if they engaged in “insurrection or

rebellion” after previously swearing an oath to the United States. The former lawmakers – Kimberley Rosen, Thomas Saviello and Ethan Strimling – said in a statement that Bellows "stood on the side of democracy and our Constitution in her decision to bar former President Donald Trump from Maine’s ballot".(Excerpt from Reuters)

The trip comes weeks after RSF fighters captured the country’s second-largest city, Wad Madani, once a hub for hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the eight-month war. Thursday’s meeting was preceded by Hemedti’s meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at Museveni’s country home on Wednesday. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said he had received the RSF leader and his delegation “for a discussion on securing peace and stability in Sudan”, posting pictures of them seated around a restaurant table. Hemedti was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen at the airport in Addis Ababa. “We discussed the need to bring a swift end to this war, the historical crisis in Sudan and how to best alleviate the hardships of the Sudanese people,” Hemedti wrote. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

Elgar and South Africa pacers flatten India inside 3 days A

fast-forward Test match came to a fast-forward end as South Africa rolled India over inside three days to secure victory by an innings and 32 runs. And boy, did they have fun doing it. Nandre Burger and his team-mates broke into a smile. He had found so much movement that the ball bypassed the wicketkeeper and ended up in the hands of first slip. India had spent 108.4 overs searching for help like that. Wiaan Mulder threw his head into the turf. He thought he had dropped Virat Kohli. But really what happened was the ball had moved so sharply it beat the leading edge as the batter tried to play a flick shot and bounced off his thigh towards first slip. Centurion was alive. India, meanwhile, were barely holding on. It is unclear if SammyB on the ESPNcricinfo commentary feedback is South African but he nailed the mood when he said, “The high-pitched horror movie scream at 8.4 was quite something.” That was Shubman Gill, by the way, in pure panic as he tried to convince Kohli not to take a risky single. India’s batting lasted a mere 34.1 overs on Thursday and featured nine single-digit scores. That in a way highlighted just how poorly they had bowled, let-

of Rohit’s bat, but not so much that it would miss his stumps. Burger, meanwhile, kept hitting that troublesome backof-good-length consistently and was rewarded with four wickets, two of which were the result of batters unsuccessfully trying to leave the ball, because it was bouncing all over the place. There were times when India were bowling that it seemed like the pitch had settled, but that was essentially, because they are visitors to this land, they were tired, with too many

A thrilled South African unit celebrates with David Bedingham after he catches R Ashwin out for a duck So, how did it happen? Why was there such a gulf? Well, once again, it had a lot to do with the pitch – it never died down, there was always help on offer – and the profile of the two teams’ fast bowlers. Early on, it was the goodlength ball that was creating the most problems. Now, after two days of wear and tear and some excellent morning sunshine, it had shifted to back of good length, where cracks and divots were starting to form. Landing the ball there was cre-

Higher release points. Better pace. And perhaps most importantly a lot of rest. Dean Elgar’s 185 and Marco Jansen’s 84 not out had ensured they were extremely fresh when it was their turn to bowl in the evening and they did not disappoint.

that was angled into him. So he played for that, presenting the full face and doing so quite well. Except it wasn’t enough. Rabada had gone wobble-seam and made it impossible to deal with by hitting the in-between length and a had-to-play line. Nandre Burger appeals – successfully – after flooring Mohammed Siraj with a short one that took the glove through to the keeper

Marco Jansen did not let scoring opportunities go by

Virat Kohli was watchful, but did not shy away from playing his shots ting just one man outscore their second-innings total.

ating variable bounce. South Africa had an attack better suited to exploit it.

Kohli did his best to keep them at bay, scoring a 76 off 82 balls, but he was always fighting a rising tide. Kagiso Rabada was transcendent, finishing with match figures of 7 for 91 and at least three of those wickets were the result of unplayable deliveries. One of them set the tone for India’s collapse. Rohit Sharma saw a ball

Rohit had to come forward, but had no hope of reaching the pitch of the ball. He also couldn’t account for the way it moved because until it pitched – two or three metres in front of him – it was travelling down a straight line. That’s the thing with seam movement. It’s late and it’s deadly. Rabada generated enough to beat the full face

Durant has career-high 16 assists in triple-double as Suns win

evin Durant registered a career-high 16 assists to go with 27 points and 10 rebounds in his 18th career triple-double on Wednesday, leading the Phoenix Suns to a 129113 win over the Houston Rockets. Durant shot 9 of 16 from the field and 3 of 7 from 3-point range as Phoenix snapped a three-game losing streak with their first road victory since November 26. Eric Gordon also scored 27 points in his first game back in Houston since being traded in February. He had 17 points in the Suns’ 43-point second quarter. Alperen Sengun had 24

home advantage. Also, India were stuck trying to remove a set batter with an older and, therefore, softer and less responsive ball. South Africa had a brand new one and they made it count. It helped that they had a sizeable first-innings lead as well – 163 – built by batters who made sure they took every opportunity to hit boundaries. Even their all-rounders were tuned into that plan. Jansen, who has been low on confidence as a bowler, played

points and Jalen Green added 23 for the Rockets, who have lost four of six following a five-game winning streak.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams help Thunder win

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams scored 36 points apiece and Williams sank a pair of key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 129-120 victory over the New York Knicks. Chet Holmgren added 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting as the Thunder followed Tuesday’s triumph over Western Conference-leading Minnesota with their fifth

win in six games. Williams scored 17 points on 6 of 7 from the field in the fourth quarter, including eight points and two 3s during a 10-2 run after the Knicks cut their deficit to five with 4:37 remaining. Julius Randle had 25 points and Jalen Brunson added 24 for New York, which had won three of four.

Antetokounmpo, Bucks handle undermanned Nets

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and the Milwaukee Bucks pulled away for a 144-122 win over the short-handed Brooklyn

Nets. Khris Middleton added 27 points and 10 boards, and Cameron Payne and Malik Beasley each hit five 3-pointers as the Bucks improved to 10-2 this month. Milwaukee shot 23 of 51 from 3-point range and 58.4 per cent (52 for 89) overall to bounce back from a Christmas Day loss to the Knicks. The Nets rested three starters (Spencer Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson) and barely played two others one night after a victory in Detroit extended the Pistons’ losing streak to an NBA-record 27.(Sportsmax)

overs in their legs. It had been five months since they played Test cricket. It was only natural that they wouldn’t be able to acclimatise as well as their hosts did. Case in point was Prasidh Krishna’s performance. He was selected ostensibly to be their hit-the-deck bowler. But a guy making his Test debut in conditions he has never played in with only 12 First-Class games to back him up will struggle more often than not. The other debutant fared better, because he knows how to bowl here. And that was the difference. Simple

a glorious innings, the highlight of which were his drives down the ground, which once again is a sign that India were targeting the wrong areas. They strayed too full too often and Jansen punished them every time. He was on course for a maiden First-Class century when he started running out of partners. In the end, he was left stranded because Temba Bavuma’s hamstring wouldn’t let him come out and give support. It was perhaps the only thing that disappointed the home crowd over the course of the last three days. They’ve been spoiled. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD South Africa 1st Innings BATTING R Aiden Markram c †Rahul b Mohammed Siraj 5 Dean Elgar c †Rahul b Thakur 185 Tony de Zorzi c Jaiswal b Bumrah 28 Keegan Petersen b Bumrah 2 David Bedingham b Mohammed Siraj 56 Kyle Verreynne † c †Rahul b Prasidh Krishna 4 Marco Jansen not out 84 Gerald Coetzee c Mohammed Siraj b Ashwin 19 Kagiso Rabada b Bumrah 1 Nandre Burger b Bumrah 0 Temba Bavuma (c) absent hurt Extras (lb 13, nb 9, w 2) 24 TOTAL 108.4 Ov (RR: 3.75) 408 Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Aiden Markram, 3.5 ov), 2-104 (Tony de Zorzi, 28.6 ov), 3-113 (Keegan Petersen, 30.2 ov), 4-244 (David Bedingham, 60.1 ov), 5-249 (Kyle Verreynne, 61.5 ov), 6-360 (Dean Elgar, 94.5 ov), 7-391 (Gerald Coetzee, 99.1 ov), 8-392 (Kagiso Rabada, 100.5 ov), 9-408 (Nandre Burger, 108.4 ov) • BOWLING Jasprit Bumrah Mohammed Siraj Shardul Thakur Prasidh Krishna Ravichandran Ashwin

O-M-R-W 26.4-5-69-4 24-1-91-2 19-2-101-1 20-2-93-1 19-6-41-1

India 2nd Innings BATTING R Yashasvi Jaiswal c †Verreynne b Burger 5 Rohit Sharma (c) b Rabada 0 Shubman Gill b Jansen 26 Virat Kohli c Rabada b Jansen 76 Shreyas Iyer b Jansen 6 KL Rahul † c Markram b Burger 4 Ravichandran Ashwin c Bedingham b Burger 0 Shardul Thakur c Bedingham b Rabada 28 Jasprit Bumrah run out (Elgar/Rabada) 0 Mohammed Siraj c †Verreynne b Burger 4 Prasidh Krishna not out 0 Extras (lb 2, w 6) 8 TOTAL 34.1 Ov (RR: 3.83) 131 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Rohit Sharma, 2.5 ov), 2-13 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 5.3 ov), 3-52 (Shubman Gill, 13.6 ov), 4-72 (Shreyas Iyer, 17.5 ov), 5-96 (KL Rahul, 25.5 ov), 6-96 (Ravichandran Ashwin, 25.6 ov), 7-105 (Shardul Thakur, 28.3 ov), 8-113 (Jasprit Bumrah, 30.2 ov), 9-121 (Mohammed Siraj, 31.5 ov), 10-131 (Virat Kohli, 34.1 ov) • BOWLING Kagiso Rabada Nandre Burger Marco Jansen Gerald Coetzee

O-M-R-W 12-3-32-2 10-3-33-4 7.1-1-36-3 5-0-28-0

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

“The franchise cannot be sustained in Jamaica” …former Tallawahs CEO puts franchise’s move down to lack of support from Jamaican Government

he Jamaica Tallawahs are one of only two Caribbean Premier League (CPL) teams, alongside the Trinbago Knight Riders, with at least three titles to their name. They won the inaugural tournament in 2013 before doing so again in 2016 and 2022. In the next edition of the Caribbean’s biggest T20 showcase, the Tallawahs will not be present. In their place will be a not-yet-named Antiguabased franchise. This won’t be Antigua’s first time hosting a franchise as, for the first two editions of the CPL, they were the home of the Antigua Hawksbills who won only three of their 16 games before eventually being replaced by the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. After acquiring the team in 2017, Guyanese businessman Kris Persaud sold the Tallawahs back to the CPL ahead of the 2024 season, because he said he was unable to sustain the team given a lack of support from the Jamaican Government. Former Tallawahs Chief

Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Miller shed more light on this lack of support from the Government. “Over the years, we have failed to get any backing or support from the Jamaican Government. We have submitted proposals over the years requesting Government support and we have failed to reach some kind of agreement to say that the Government is supporting the franchise,” Miller told SportsMax.tv in an interview on Wednesday. “The business plan of CPL entails that the Governments play a major role in financial support of the franchises and that’s what the other franchises are receiving from their respective countries and Jamaica has failed to participate in those environs,” he added. In fact, Jamaica, one of the Region’s proudest cricketing nations, has not hosted a CPL game since September 2019 when the Tallawahs lost by 20 runs to the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. “Unfortunately, the fran-

Former Jamaica Tallawahs CEO Jeff Miller

chise cannot be sustained in Jamaica. We cannot have a franchise where we don’t have home games,” Miller said. “When you don’t have home games, you’re losing ticket sales, you’re losing merchandising, you’re losing concession, you’re losing sponsors. So, it’s not only the Government support, you’re losing others as well because what business would want to support a franchise and they can’t get any benefits from the franchise playing within the country? For what we see, there were no games sched-

uled for 2024 either! It’s unsustainable,” Miller added. This was owing to the reluctance of the Government to pay the CPL hosting fee for the last four years. When asked why this was, Miller said he was not privy to those discussions, but always had promises from Jamaica’s Minister of Sport, “Babsy” Grange regarding financial support. “I’m not at privilege to those conversations. Those conversations would’ve been between them and CPL. I’m not sure what transpired, but from the Tallawahs standpoint, we know that

the Minister was very graceful in her discussions with us but when it came to funding that’s when things would go off track. We were promised on numerous occasions that there would be something in the budget, nothing substantial, but even a small gesture, we were not able to receive those funds,” he said. Persaud and Miller will lead the new Antigua-based franchise, which will be part of next year's competition, replacing the Tallawahs in the six-team Twenty20 tournament. The CPL is in search of new owners for the Jamaica-based franchise. Miller said they have gotten commitments from the Antiguan Government and are looking forward to a fruitful partnership in the future. “We have commitments from the Antiguan Government. We can’t disclose any information, per se, but it’s substantially more than what we were getting from Jamaica,” he said. “We can’t tell the players: Jamaica’s not support-

Shaw caps year atop Showdown on New Year's Day at Rising Sun WSL scorers list

…with 21 goals in 10 games

hadija “Bunny” Shaw continues to enjoy an outstanding individual campaign for Manchester City, and, as such, will end the year atop the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) scorers’ list. The towering Jamaican striker has so far tallied 21 goals in a mere 10 games

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gle season. She achieved that tally in just 30 matches, meaning she found the net at a rate greater than once per game. When you add nine assists onto that total, her overall goal involvements for that campaign stand at an incredible 40. Shaw scored 20 of those goals in the WSL, two in as many UEFA Women’s Champions League matches, two in two Continental Cup fixtures, and an astonishing seven in three FA Cup appearances. And by all indications, there will be many more records and scoring feats to come for both Shaw and Manchester City, as her impressive journey will continue at the club until at least 2026. (Sportsmax)

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A glimpse of what to expect on New Year’s Day

played so far in the 2023-24 season, and her feat has positioned Manchester City in second on 22 points, three behind leaders Chelsea. Shaw’s rich vein of form puts her ahead of Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly (18); Bethany England (12) of Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton Hove and Albion’s Elisabeth Terland (12) in the race for the Golden Boot, heading into the New Year. The colourful exploits of the 26-year-old Reggae Girl should come as no surprise, as she merely picked up where she left off last season when she broke new ground by notching 31 goals in all competitions, a record across a single campaign for City’s women’s team. During that season, Shaw

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was named Women’s Player of the Season in a fan vote, while she was also shortlisted for the Barclays WSL’s equivalent award. Shaw finished the 2022/23 season with an astonishing 31 goals in all competitions, surpassing Nikita Parris’ previous highest total of 25 for a Women’s player across a sin-

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw

ing us so we can’t pay your salary. All of those things have to be taken care of, so we’re looking forward to greener pastures and Antigua seems to be in a better position to support and seems to want to have a CPL team back in Antigua. We think it’s a good fit for the franchise,” Miller added. Announcements related to the branding of the new Antigua franchise will come next month, according to Miller. “I’m engaging the fans in Antigua to participate in the naming of the franchise. That deadline should be around January 20th or so. Then, we will announce the name as well as the colours and logo,” he said. (Sportsmax)

he biggest social event on the sporting calendar in the country on New Year's Day, the SINOTRUK Classic will be at Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) racecourse, Rising Sun, Berbice. Two phenomenal revenge bouts are on the cards. Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee (JJTRC), the country's leading horse racing promoter, will get proceedings underway with an ultra-competitive eight-race card. This card is a preview of bigger things to come next year according to JJTRC's head of racing, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr. The feature event on the card is billed as a battle of the sexes rematch between Sunday's winner Spankhurst (gelding) and runner-up Bossalina (mare), and Derby winners Red Ruby and Firecracker. The Guyana-bred twoyear-olds will be competing on the card that is written to recognise and promote the Guyana-bred horses, who continue to keep the sport alive.

Speaking to <<,Guyana Times Sport>>>about the surge in the racehorse population and the day's activities, Junior – as Mohamed is affectionately known – said: "This year was a tremendous season for the sport. It generated a renewed confidence in the sport. This was underlined by the record number of horses imported into the country. " He explained, "It was the first time horses were imported from Brazil to compete in the country. Over 60 horses were imported from Trinidad and the USA to improve the racing and breeding stock. This demonstrates that horsemen are looking at the future by purchasing horses in utero (in foal). I wish to thank those horsemen for their foresight, and confidence in the sport’s future." Junior then switched lane, when asked how would the sport handle the increased population. He declared, "I have been reliably informed that the Government have recognised it also. They are working feverishly to uplift the sport

to where it should be in Guyana and the Caribbean. The horse racing fraternity thanks Government for recognising the contribution and employment the sport is providing for the country." Touching on the Guyana Cup, the second biggest sporting event behind cricket in the country, Junior disclosed, "The people of Guyana literally brings the country to a halt on Guyana Cup Day. We are improving this product every year. Next year, it is no secret any more. The purse in the Guyana will be much bigger than last year's. It could be the richest or rival any racing country in the Caribbean. The other races on the Guyana Cup Day card will benefit financially also. My pledge to horsemen – we will not disappoint. Rain or sun, we recognise and respect your investment to build the industry." Junior then wished “everyone a very prosperous and peaceful 2024”. “Be safe, and come out to the racetrack for a day of relaxation, and entertainment," he added.

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Caption: Evin Lewis and Rashid Khan were teammates at St Kitts & Nevis Patriots last season

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

Monedderlust, Beacon win to seal spots in tonight’s semi-finals F

ootball action on Christmas Day and Wednesday evening resulted in the semi-finalists being decided for the ongoing Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Promotional Play-off. West Demerara Football Association’s Slingerz FC, Georgetown’s Beacon FC, Berbice’s Monedderlust FC and Upper Demerara’s (Linden) Winners Connection are the semi-finalists; the latter three bagging contrasting victories this week. It was a Christmas gift of sorts for Winners Connection on the 25th at the Eve Leary Ground, as they enjoyed a walkover instead of facing Essequibo’s Dominators FC, who failed to show. The walkover came with a full 3 points and 3 goals. Meanwhile, later that night, Georgetown’s Beacon FC pulled off an entertaining win over a spirited Tabatinga FC. Anthony “Awo” Abrams was the first man to etch his name on the scoresheet, finding the back of the net in just the 2nd minute of the encounter. However, the lead was short lived as Tabatinga’s Deivision DaSilva replied almost instantaneously, levelling the scores in the 3rd minute. Abrams would hit one back for Beacon in the 41st, and go on to extend the lead and secure his helmet trick

West Demerara’s Slingerz FC topped Group C in the 50th and 53rd. Keon Douglas then made it a 5-1 affair in the 70th for Beacon. However, Tabatinga, in a last- minute campaign pulled two back as DaSilva and Victor Peres netted in the 75th and 85th minutes for the 5-3 final score. Then on Wednesday night, Monedderlust FC seal their place in the semifinals with a comfortable 3-0 win at home at the Number Five Village Ground in Berbice, against East Coast’s Buxton Stars FC. Tyron Delph put Monedderlust ahead in the 12th minute and it was only until the 45th+2 that the score would move to 2-0, with a goal off the boots of Dawit Watts. Delph completed his

brace in the 85th to seal the 3-0 win. At the end of the Group stage, it was Monedderlust, Beacon and Slingerz football clubs who topped Groups A, B, and C respectively, with 6 points each. Meanwhile, Winners Connection was the best second-place team, bagging 3 points and a +2 goal difference. In Group A, Monedderlust FC led the charge with 6 points from two wins. Buxton Stars secured a draw in their initial game, claiming one point, while Bartica’s Beacon have yet to notch a point after playing two matches. Georgetown's Beacon are at the top of Group B with two wins and six points, an undefeated streak. The

Warner set to miss Windies white-ball matches for ILT20

David Warner walks off after what is his last Test innings at the MCG

avid Warner is expected to miss the whiteball portion of West Indies’ tour of Australia in February as he looks to start maximising his T20 league availability following Test retirement in Sydney next week. Warner has a deal with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, with that tournament running from January 20 to February 18. Australia play West Indies in three ODIs and three T20Is between February 2 and 13. Warner is set to play in the BBL for Sydney Thunder after his last Test against Pakistan, although there remains some doubt as to whether he would be available for the finals should Thunder qualify. The chief executive of the Australian Cricketers’ Association indicated on Thursday that he expected Warner to apply for a No Objection Certificate to play in the ILT20. “I think the short answer to that is probably yes,” Todd Greenberg told

SEN when asked if Warner would miss some home cricket. “I know he’s pretty committed to the BBL. “There’s no doubt in the next phase of Dave’s life he’s going to be looking to ply his trade where he gets the best return on his investment. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, in fact I’m encouraging him to do that. “There will be times where he’ll be looking to miss certain games and tours. That’s the sort of flexibility we’ve got to get our heads around. Some people won’t like that, but that’s the modern world of which we’re living in and we have to embrace it.” Warner being unavailable for international duty in favour of a domestic T20 deal would be the most significant occurrence of its type in Australian cricket. However, ESPNcricinfo understands that the selectors had long-planned that Warner and other senior players might not play the series

against West Indies. But they will select a full-strength side for the T20Is in New Zealand in preparation for June’s World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA, with Warner expected to be part of that. The first match of the New Zealand series is on February 21 in Wellington. The management and selectors also see the IPL as a valuable part of the T20 World Cup preparation for those who have earned deals, which now includes Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. The ODIs against West Indies mark the start of a new four-year cycle towards the 2027 World Cup, which would seem a long shot for Warner, although he did float the notion of playing on to that event after Australia’s victory in India last month. During the recent World Cup, Warner said he would not be taking a Cricket Australia central contract next year to give himself more freedom. “I won’t be taking a contract, definitely not,” Warner said. “How the system works in Australia is that if you play five [T20] games or ODIs, or three Tests, you get upgraded and then you’re legally bound by contracting system with sponsors and stuff. “That’s something that becomes a bit of a pain in the backside, especially at my stage of my career. So I don’t want to be signed to that agreement and that’s something I have to think about moving forward, because if you’re going to get a low contract, it’s going to cost you a lot in the long run with sponsorships.” (ESPNCricinfo)

Rupununi’s Tabatinga were close behind with three points from one win and one loss, while Herstelling Raiders were unable to secure a point after two games, positioning them at the bottom of the group standings. In Group C, Slingerz maintained their dominant position atop the group, clinching two consecutive wins and accumulating six points. Following closely behind are Winners Connection with six points from two victories, while Dominators failed to put points on the board.

Georgetown’s Beacon FC topped Group B

GFF Competitions Director Troy Peters said the teams showed remarkable determination during the Christmas weekend solidifying their positions ahead of the upcoming semifinal round of the league. “The teams exhibited an inspiring level of determination over the Christmas weekend, fortifying their standings in the groups as we move towards the pivotal semi-finals on December 29 and final on January 6, 2024. Anticipation is high for what promises to be a riveting cul-

mination to this tournament," Peters shared. The Elite League Play-off semifinals are set for today, Friday, December 29, at the Eve Leary Ground. Slingerz FC will come up against Winners Connection in the first semifinal at 18:00h, while Monedderlust and Beacon do battle from 20:00h. The teams are playing for one vacant spot in the 6th edition of the Elite League, while the losing finalist will have the opportunity to challenge Victoria Kings for their spot in the League.

DCB/SVC/Precision Service Center T20 Blast

Perez, Barrington, Tilku shine in Round 2

Ariel Tilku

utstanding performances from former West Indies Under-19 player Raymond Perez, former national opener Shemroy Barrington, and Everest fast bowler Ariel Tilku highlighted round two of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB)/Sawh Voltcom Construction Inc (SVC)/ Precision Service Center Inc Inter Association Senior T20 Blast played at Lusignan Sports Club Ground, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Game one was contested between Georgetown Panthers and Upper Demerara Scorpions, with GT Panthers prevailing over their opponents by 39 runs. Playing under scorching heat with a vocal crowd, Perez (63) and Barrington (53) blasted the ball all over the park with an opening partnership of 110 in 12 overs. However, once separated, Tilku ran through the batting line-up with only former West Indies all-rounder Chris Barnwell offering resistance, making 21. Tilku ended with 4 for10 and got support from Nickosie Barker with 3 for 20.

Raymond Perez (left) and Shemroy Barrington (right) The Scorpions, in reply, started in a rush with the bulky opener Joshua Wade slamming 42 runs off just 22 balls. After he was bowled by his GCC club-mate Devon Lord, only Gabriel McDonald and Judell McAllister with 20 and 17 runs respectively put up any resistance. Pacer Renaldo Ali-Mohamed took 3 wickets for 33 runs and Lord with 3 for21 did the damage for the Panthers. Game 2 saw East Coast Canje Pheasants losing to West Demerara Jaguars by 4 wickets with 3 balls to spare. Batting first, the Canje Pheasants made 139 for 8 off their allotted overs with national youth player Nicholas Shiopersaud making 36, Karamchan Persaud 23, former West Indies opener Rajendra Chandrika 21, Dominic Glasgow 18 not out, Robin Williams 16, and Vishwanauth Ramlakhan 12. Bowling for the Jaguars, Aryan Persaud, skipper Akshaya Persaud, national youth player Nityanand Mathura and Nkosi Major took 2 wickets apiece. Chasing 140 for victory, the pendulum

swung both sides before the Jaguars reached their target. Sheldon Alexander played a crucial innings of 40 not out. He got support from national all-rounder Richie Loaknauth and Narendra Persaud scoring 27 each and Akshaya Persaud 22. Bowling for the East Coast team, Berbice senior player Nigel Deodat took 3 for 22 and Khan 2 for 33. The tournament, the first of its kind for over a decade, is sponsored by Sawh Voltcom Construction Inc (SVC), which was established in the USA. They now bring their enormous experience to Guyana in the field of construction (residential, commercial, and medical). Precision Service Center Inc is located at Lot ‘Y’ Area ‘B’ Good Hope Public Road, East Coast Demerara. The Service Center provides quality and modern technology in auto repairs and is equipped with the latest remedy diagnostics tools. The company also provides 24-hour tow truck services, steam cleaning, complete servicing, engine and transmission repairs.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2023

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

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Monedderlust, Beacon win to seal spots in tonight’s semi-finals

…former Tallawahs CEO puts franchise’s move down to lack of support from Jamaican Government

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Perez, Barrington, Tilku shine in Round 2

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