Acting on the commitment made by President Dr Irfaan Ali to enforce severe penalties against defaulting contractors executing public projects, the Government has written to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to blacklist at least one contractor responsible for works on Aubrey Barker Road, Georgetown. This follows the catastrophic collapse of utility poles, which plunged approximately 2000 households in South Ruimveldt into darkness for over 18 hours last month.
The incident, which occurred during ongoing road and drainage construction in December 2024, saw nine concrete poles uprooted,
prompting widespread criticism and a joint investigation by the Public Works Ministry and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).
During his weekly press conference on Thursday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that the investigation was complete and the findings revealed that the utility poles were improperly installed, failing to meet required specifications.
He explained that Government would take firm action against all parties responsible for the substandard work.
“There’s a recommendation to the Tender Board to blacklist one contractor. And also, the investigation is continuing. So, there’ll be
further disciplinary action taken against other individuals. We need to take firm action against these individuals. There are some people at the engineering level, at the procurement level,” VP Jagdeo told media operatives.
While the Vice President did not name the contractor, he emphasised the need for stringent measures to deter similar incidents in the future.
Corruption and unethical practices
Jagdeo also called for better oversight from engineers and procurement officials, stressing that corruption and unethical practices would not be tolerated.
“We’ve found some cases
if you give them any money, or to accept shoddy work if you pay them, then just let us know… And trust me, it will be investigated. We are looking at this seriously,” he disclosed.
The Vice President revealed that he was personally investigating two instances of alleged misconduct by procurement officers and vowed to address the issue comprehensively.
The fallen poles were part of an effort to relocate
ect started in August 2022 and was expected to be completed and delivered in July 2023. The contract was awarded to Surrey Paving Aggregate Company Caribbean Limited.
However, amid delays faced in the completion of the project, the Public Works Ministry had sent out tenders in February 2024 for the continuation of the 1.3-kilometre road, which will be expanded to four lanes.
where procurement officers in some agencies are doing some of the most egregious things. We’ve made it clear to people, contractors, that if any engineer, any procurement officer of the state, in any agency, were to solicit a bribe from you, or to say they can give you a contract
power lines for the ongoing expansion of the Aubrey Barker Road.
Construction on the $1.45 billion four-lane expansion project is being executed in phases as the Government accelerates the delayed work. The proj-
The contractors for this aspect of the project have since been identified and works are ongoing. The works include the buildout of drains to address the issue of flooding which severely affects the community when it rains.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, January 17 – no retraction and Saturday, January 18 – 04:00h-06:30h.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, January 17 –06:40h-08:10h and Saturday, January 18 – 07:10h-08:40h.
…to continue course in elevating lives of all Guyanese – Dr Ashni Singh
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between
oday Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, will present the eagerly-awaited Budget 2025 to the National Assembly.
This budget, which is the fifth to be presented by the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, follows last year’s national budget of $1.146 trillion since taking office in August 2020.
The presentation of Budget 2025 holds significant weight, as it reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to fulfilling its promises made to the people of Guyana. According to the PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, the budget will be a continuation of the Party’s efforts to improve the lives of all Guyanese citizens.
“The budget will read and you will see that the budget sticks with what we promise the people of this country… the core issues, the continuation of improving people’s lives. They are not vote sweeteners,” he said.
The PPP General Secretary’s sentiments were in response to claims that the budget will be a sweetener for voters at the upcoming General and Regional Elections slated for later this year.
But according to Jagdeo, the PPP/C does not need any “sweetener” to attract votes, but will continue to deliver to the Guyanese people.
“The money will be in the Budget to continue our housing programme, because we promised them greater access to housing. And so, we will do that in an election year and we will do that in a year that is not election. From the first year we got into office, we started doing that so it would be a continuation.
“We have to look out for the people of this country –all the people of this country. Their desire for a better life must guide our policies and the spending, and that
is what we’re doing. Look at where we’re putting the money, it is in health, education, housing, water, infrastructure [and] it’s in job creation and recreational facilities. Those are the areas that would change the lives of our people.”
Meanwhile, Dr Singh, the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, has expressed similar sentiments, noting that this year’s budget estimate will continue the track record of previous PPP budgets.
Dr Singh strongly asserted that, unlike the budgets passed under the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), this year’s budget will deliver tangible benefits directly to the citizens.
“If I were to go all the way back to the 1992 PNC
government… People would await Budget Day with great fear and trepidation, not knowing which new punitive measure would be introduced and which benefit would be taken away.
“In striking contrast, budgets presented by successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Governments have all been budgets that have addressed in a direct and frontal way the needs of the people, concerns of the people, delivering services to the people, creating opportunities for people, laying the foundation for a more resilient and more prosperous country going forward and generally doing so in a framework that is not punitive to the Guyanese people,” he noted.
Since coming to power, the PPP/C Government has emphasised economic expansion, infrastructure development, and social initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life across
the nation. As the country’s economy continues to show promising growth, especially in sectors like oil and gas, agriculture, and infrastructure, all eyes are now on how the 2025 Budget will address both the short-term needs and long-term sustainability of the nation’s economy.
Last year, Guyana witnessed the passing of the country’s largest budget ever under the theme, “Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All”. Following the approval of the Finance Ministry budget after nearly two hours of scrutiny in the Committee of Supply, the Estimates of Expenditure for Financial Year 2024 was put on the floor of the National Assembly and subsequently approved. This paved the way for the House to pass the Appropriations Bill 2024 – Bill No. 1 of 2024 after it was read three times. (G1)
Editor: Tusika Martin
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Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com
Guyana took a meaningful leap on Wednesday towards sustainable development with the commissioning of a $7.3 million solar power plant at the Port Mourant Water Treatment Plant. This 300-kilowatt Grid-Tie Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system marks a transformative step in the integration of renewable energy into essential public utilities. With a daily capacity of 6.9 million litres of water, this plant now ensures water security for over 16,000 residents across 18 villages from Miss Phoebe to Nigg on the Corentyne. This milestone demonstrates Guyana’s commitment to both environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for its citizens.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips, speaking at the commissioning, underscored the significance of this project, linking it to broader national and global goals. He highlighted that since the People's Progressive Party (PPP) took office in 2020, renewable energy investments have increased by over 45 per cent, with plans to further enhance power capacity by 124 megawatts in 2024. His announcement that the Port Mourant solar farm is just the beginning of similar initiatives for Guyana Water Inc (GWI) facilities reinforces the Government’s strategic vision for sustainable energy and resource management.
This project’s immediate impact is undeniable. By reducing reliance on traditional power sources, the solar farm minimises the likelihood of disruptions in water supply. This assurance of uninterrupted access to potable water is a critical improvement for the 4500 households it serves. Beyond immediate benefits, the project contributes significantly to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, a framework that solidifies Guyana’s role as a leader in climate action within the Caribbean region.
The Port Mourant solar initiative is a compelling example of how renewable energy can address pressing global challenges such as climate change and sustainable water management. Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal aptly described the facility as a symbol of the government’s dual commitment to environmental stewardship and social equity. By leveraging solar power, the operational costs of the water treatment plant are expected to drop significantly, ensuring more affordable and sustainable water services for residents.
Croal’s emphasis on access to potable water as a fundamental right is particularly resonant. Water is not just a necessity but a cornerstone of national development, and its reliable provision underpins economic growth, public health, and social stability. The alignment of this project with the Government’s LCDS 2030 plan underscores the Administration’s holistic approach to development, blending environmental consciousness with infrastructural progress.
The success of this project is also proof of the power of international collaboration. Funding from the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), supported by grants from the European Union under the EU-GCCA+ Programme, illustrates the importance of partnerships in addressing global challenges. Implementation through CARIFORUM with guidance from Guyana’s Department of Environment and Climate Change highlights the seamless integration of local expertise and international resources. Such collaborations amplify the impact of individual projects, fostering a network of innovation and sustainability across the Caribbean.
As the Government looks to replicate this success across other GWI facilities, the Port Mourant project serves as a blueprint for what is possible.
The Government’s investment in renewable energy technologies is also a step toward energy independence. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, Guyana not only cuts carbon emissions but also shields its economy from the volatility of global energy markets. These advancements position the nation as a leader in clean energy transition within the region, setting an example for others to follow.
While the Port Mourant project is a substantial attainment, challenges remain. Expanding solar power infrastructure requires substantial investment, skilled personnel, and publicprivate partnerships. Maintenance and technological upgrades will also be critical to ensuring the long-term viability of such projects. Additionally, fostering public awareness about the benefits of renewable energy can help garner broader support for these initiatives.
Dear Editor,
During the last four years, the PPPC government, led by His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, has awarded trillions of dollars in contracts to hundreds, if not thousands, of large-, mediumand small-scale contractors throughout the country. Among those contracts were those for building, expansion, repair, and maintenance of roads and bridges; the construction of houses, schools, police stations, hospitals, health centres, and other Government buildings; and the cleaning and desilting of rivers, canals and trenches.
Some media outlets have reported that due diligence had not been prop-
erly conducted on several of these contractors, and many of them were eventually deemed unqualified, inexperienced and incompetent. Many of them have produced substandard work, and others have subcontracted their contracts to other contractors, but not before taking out a good slice of the amount paid on the contracts, leaving the subcontracted contractors with about 75 percent of the total bidding cost of the contract to complete the projects. And this in itself had resulted in substandard work being done by subcontracted contractors.
This corrupt practice must end if Guyana is to be developed. Contractors daring shoddiness and misconduct have triggered long delays before completing their contracts, which has not
only been overbearing, but has also created inconvenience to the public at large.
The stalling of hundreds of contracts by delinquent and trashy contractors has prompted President Dr Ali to call a 5AM meeting to address the issue. Present at that meeting were several ministers of the Government, permanent secretaries, and senior Government officials; and while some contractors attended, many others were absent. Time and space would not allow me to explain the full details of the meeting, but suffice it to say that His Excellency read the Riot Act to all and sundry.
In other words, he chastised and strongly reprimanded some of them as he attempted to put an end to such unacceptable conduct, lawlessness, and inexcusable and
sloppy behaviour.
Almost everyone in all ten regions of the country not only praised the President for his courage, boldness and candidness, but placed their faith in him as their leader, and thanked him for his confidence and reassurance to solve some of the nation’s most vexing problems. And while it is true that there are many corrupt, incompetent, unqualified and unskilled contractors who have been awarded contracts over the years, there are those who are highly skilful, competent, incorruptible, and are very serious about executing and completing their contracts in a timely manner.
Sincerely, Dr
Asquith Rose
Christopher Ram deliberately misinterpreted
Dear Editor,
I expected that the Editor-in-Chief of the Stabroek News would have staunchly defended his newspapers’ Editorial by arguing that our Government should force ExxonMobil into agreeing to renegotiate the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).
In his response to me, the Editor-in-Chief offers as grounds for our Government forcing ExxonMobil into renegotiations that “ExxonMobil literally forced Guyana in 2016 to renegotiate the Extant Agreement”.
The Editor-in-Chief chooses to ignore the point I made in my letter: “that 2025 is not 2016”, and that, since 2016, our country has palpably advanced its development and has tremendously benefitted from the resources flowing from that very Agreement.
Any government acting so foolishly as to demand renegotiation would drag the country into a legal battle lasting years, wholly compromising the benefits so far gained, and with an entirely unpredictable result.
What I did not expect
was for Christopher Ram to deliberately misinterpret the final paragraph of my letter, in which I stated that any attempt to renegotiate the contract “would be a prescription for losing the election”. Ram dishonestly attempts to claim that this somehow represents the Government’s position, when in fact it was obvious that I was responding directly to the Stabroek News Editorial’s proposal that “it is not inconceivable that some party could contest the 2025 election on this single issue - renegotiation of the contract”.
Indeed, I expressed the view that I found this suggestion amusing, and went on to ask, “Are the owners of the Stabroek News contemplating entering into politics?”
Needless to say, the Stabroek News wickedly and falsely headlines Ram’s letter “Nascimento clarifies that the President’s position on renegotiation was not about contract sanctity but rather electoral calculations”. Words that not even Ram used in his letter.
Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento
Dear Editor,
I read an interesting letter in one of our national newspapers, captioned “Article 32.3 circumvents our Sovereign Powers,” by Mr Jamil Changlee. I wish to offer my opinion as well.
Firstly, let me state from the outset that I am not legally trained, but, as a lawmaker, I am exposed to many laws, and engage in research and debates about them. In this regard, I believe that Article 32.3, to which Mr Changlee alluded, raises a significant legal issue regarding a nation’s sovereignty in regulating its own laws, particularly in relation to international agreements with foreign contractors, as was made pellucid in the “infamous” 2016 Petroleum Agreement between ESSO, CNOOC, and HESS.
Most Guyanese believe Guyana should have received a better deal, and most are of the view that the contract should be renegotiated. Now, specifically, the said clause regarding the effect of legal changes on the contractor’s economic benefits, as well as the arbitration clause, raise questions about Government’s and judiciary’s power in maintaining national control and ensuring that foreign contracts do not undermine the state’s authority.
I believe it is important for us as Guyanese to explore the sanctity of this contract and whether such clauses therein are indeed enforceable, unchangeable, and how they interact with our national sovereignty, and whether they can be overridden by the nation’s laws or constitutional principles.
It is vital for us to accept and understand that international contracts
involving states, particularly in high-risk sectors like petroleum and several other natural resources, often include “stabilization clauses” like the one mentioned in Article 32.2, which states, “If at any time after the signing of this Agreement there is a change in the laws of Guyana, whether through the amendment of existing laws (including the hydrocarbons law, the customs code or tax code) or the enactment of new laws or a change having the force of law in the interpretation, implementation or application thereof (whether the change is specific to the Agreement, the Contractor or of general application) and such change has a materially adverse effect on the economic benefits, including those resulting from the fiscal regime provided by this Agreement, accruing to the Contractor hereunder during the term of this Agreement, the Government shall promptly take any and all affirmative actions to restore the lost or impaired economic benefits to Contractor, so that Contractor receives the same economic benefit under the Agreement that it would have received prior to the change in law or its interpretation, application, or implementation.”
These clauses are placed and are designed to protect investors against changes in the law that could undermine their economic benefits. It is important to note that these clauses are a form of legal protection for foreign investors, often incorporated in developing countries like ours to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI).
However, such clauses must and should be balanced with the state’s right
to regulate its own affairs, including the enactment of laws to protect its people, the environment, and the country’s national interests.
One should be reminded that national sovereignty over legal matters is an essential part of international law, which is generally governed by principles such as the sovereign immunity doctrine and states’ rights to regulate within their own borders. These principles are rooted in customary international law, codified in the United Nations Charter (Article 2.7), and reinforced in legal cases such as the Barcelona Traction (Belgium vs Spain), where the International Court of Justice (ICJ) upheld the sovereignty of a state over its own territory, even in the context of foreign investments.
Further, in the European Union, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) also dealt with the issue of national sovereignty versus international agreements. In cases where member states have negotiated treaties with non-EU countries, the ECJ has sometimes ruled that such treaties cannot override EU laws, particularly in cases where they contravene the EU’s foundational principles (such as non-discrimination and state aid rules).
Argentina’s 2001 Sovereign Debt Crisis
In 2001, Argentina faced a financial crisis, and implemented various measures to deal with sovereign debt, including defaulting on debt obligations. Some international creditors, however, had clauses similar to the one described (which protected their investments), but
the Argentine Government took steps to override those clauses based on national emergency powers. This issue led to numerous lawsuits and arbitration proceedings. The Argentine courts, along with international tribunals, weighed national sovereignty and the principle of economic necessity against contractual obligations.
The question of whether the Government of Guyana can or should maintain its sovereignty in the face of such contractual provisions hinges on several principles.
One such is constitutional supremacy. In many countries, the constitution is the highest legal authority, and any international agreement conflicting with constitutional provisions may be challenged. For example, if implementing a stabilization clause violates principles of public law or constitutional provisions related to natural resources or sovereignty, a national court may have the authority to invalidate or modify the contract.
Additionally, courts in various jurisdictions have recognized that national policy, particularly in sectors such as natural resources, should take precedence over private contracts when national welfare or public policy is at stake. For example, in Brazil, the constitutional court has, in several cases, ruled that national sovereignty and economic interests must come before private agreements if there is a direct conflict with the country’s constitutional or legal framework.
Further, arbitration and judicial authority is another dimension. As the article in question provides for arbitration in case of disagreements, it
is important to note that arbitration clauses in contracts do not automatically supersede a nation’s judicial authority.
While international arbitration is binding in principle, many states, including those in Latin America, have demonstrated a willingness to challenge the jurisdiction of international arbitral tribunals, particularly when the state’s sovereignty is involved.
In addressing legal tensions, some countries facing similar issues have responded in a variety of ways, such as resource nationalism. Countries like Ecuador and Bolivia have implemented policies of resource nationalism, where they seek to regain control over their natural resources, often in opposition to foreign contracts. This approach involves revising laws, or even nationalizing resources in defiance of international agreements.
Investment treaty reforms
Many countries, particularly in Latin America, have reformed their investment treaties to protect their sovereignty. For instance, some countries have withdrawn from bilateral investment treaties (BITs) or included carveouts to ensure that national laws supersede foreign investment agreements.
In the final analysis,
the conflict between stabilization clauses and state sovereignty in relation to international agreements is not uncommon. Legal frameworks in various countries demonstrate that while international agreements are generally binding, national sovereignty and constitutional principles often take precedence. The Government’s ability to enact new laws or amend existing ones, even in the face of such clauses, would depend on the judiciary’s interpretation of the contract, the constitution, and international legal norms.
Further, in the case of legal conflict, our courts in Guyana could potentially assert the primacy of national law, particularly if the change in law pertains to public interests such as environmental protection, tax collection, or national resources. Case law from various jurisdictions, particularly those dealing with sovereign debt and resource extraction agreements, provides insight into how this tension has been addressed by other nations.
The question to be answered is: Is there the political/ national will to act here in Guyana?
Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira, MP
Universal Set
The universal set is all the integers.
When talking about sets, it is fairly standard to use Capital Letters to represent the set, and lowercase letters to represent an element in that set.
So for example, A is a set, and a is an element in A. Same with B and b, and C and c.
Equal sets
Two sets are equal if they have precisely the same members.
Example: Are A and B equal where:
A is the set whose members are the first four positive whole numbers
B = {4, 2, 1, 3}
Let's check. They both contain 1. They both contain 2. And 3, And 4. And we have checked every element of both sets, so: Yes, they are equal!
form what is called a subset.
Example: the set {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
A subset of this is {1, 2, 3}. Another subset is {3, 4} or even another is {1}, etc.
And the equals sign (=) is used to show equality, so we write:
A = B
Subsets
When we define a set, if we take pieces of that set, we can
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY
For those who have trouble digesting food containing dairy products, the lactase enzyme is available in tablet form. The tablets are taken with the first bite of dairy food. The lactase enzyme in the tablet breaks down lactose in the dairy product, making the food easy to digest. The lactase enzyme is also available as a liquid. Adding a few drops of the enzyme to milk reduces the level of lactose, making the milk more digestible for people with lactose intolerance. Lactose-reduced milk is available at most grocery stores. The milk contains all of the nutrients found in regular milk, but the level of lactose has been reduced.
Lactose intolerance is not a rare syndrome; it is, in fact, "normal" in the sense that the majority of people around the world are lactose intolerant. Lactose tolerance – the ability to digest dairy products – is present in a minority of the world's population, and is associated primarily with people whose ancestry is derived from western or
But {1, 6} is not a subset, since it has an element (6) which is not in the parent set. A is a subset of B if and only if every element of A is in B.
When we say that A is a subset of B, we write A B.
Or we can say that A is not a subset of B by writing A B ("A is not a subset of B")
Empty (or Null) Set
As an example, think of the set of piano keys on a guitar.
"But wait!" you say, "There are no piano keys on a guitar!"
And right you are. It is a set with no elements.
This is known as the Empty Set (or Null Set).There aren't any elements in it. Not one. Zero.
It is represented by
Or by {} (a set with no elements)
The empty set is a subset of every set, including the empty set itself. (mathsisfun.com)
northern Europe.
Lactose tolerance is due to a genetic change that occurred a few thousand years ago in northern Europe. This genetic change resulted in the maintenance of lactase production into adulthood. The current scientific consensus is that this mutation was advantageous and thus able to spread rapidly through the population of Europe.
Between 30 and 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant (total population: ~ 305 million) and certain ethnic and racial populations are more affected than others. Up to 80 percent of African Americans, 80-100 percent of American Indians, and 90-100 percent of Asian Americans are lactose intolerant. The condition is least common among people of northern European descent.
Lactose intolerance is a fascinating subject because
by Kenn nesbitt
I built a castle on the beach. I used a ton of sand I wanted it to be the biggest castle in the land. It took all day to get it right. The work was such a hassle. A single wave then came along Goodbye. I miss you, castle.
it involves a number of areas of scientific inquiry, including genetics, anthropology, and enzymology. In this science fair project, you will use lactase to catalyse the breakdown of lactose in milk into glucose and galactose. The level of glucose that is formed by the activity of the lactase enzyme depends on the initial level of the lactose sugar in the milk. In other words, to determine the level of lactose in the milk, you will first convert it to glucose and galactose, then measure the level of glucose. You will use glucose test strips to test the level of glucose formed by the breakdown of lactose. (Adapted from David Whyte, PhD, Science Buddies)
“Nothing was promised
expects
…says, “This is something that we welcome”
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has rejected all allegations suggesting that he made promises to James Bond in return for his endorsement of President Irfaan Ali’s second-term bid, following Bond’s defection from the opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) to the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).
During his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo stated that Bond’s decision to support the PPP/C was a voluntary one, based on his personal assessment of what was best for his future.
“Nothing was promised to James Bond, no pecuniary benefits, nothing that he will get a contract if he comes to the PPP. He voluntarily decided, and I suspect it’s a well-thought-out deci-
sion about his own future, decided he wants to support Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party and their agenda.
“This is something that we welcome. Lots of people will do that, but he was never promised anything to come to the PPP,” Jagdeo has said.
Further responding to mounting criticism surrounding Bond’s switch, particularly from those who disparaged him as a “house slave” or a “slave catcher,” Jagdeo said these insults were unfounded, and failed to recognize that Bond, like many others, was simply making an informed choice about his political future.
The VP noted that such attacks only strengthen the resolve of the PPP and reaffirm their welcoming stance for those who align with
their vision of progress and freedom.
“The vilest thing said about people because they choose in their own lives to, at some point in time, make an assessment as to what is good for them themselves… People are jumping ship in large numbers because they don’t want to go down in a sinking racist ship that PNC and APNU are in,” the Vice President told media operatives.
Comparing Bond’s political journey with that of Kwame McCoy, who successfully transitioned to the PPP and secured one of the highest votes in the party’s recent congress, the Vice President said, “McCoy took a path into the PPP when they were contemporaries many years ago. Young people here, they used to hang out sometimes at Freedom
House and different places. Look at Kwame McCoy’s growth in the People’s Progressive Party, this party that they say is IndoGuyanese, Indian party. Kwame McCoy, at our Congress, the last Congress, got one of the highest votes in the Congress in an open secret contest in a party that they claim is IndoGuyanese. He is a member of our Central Committee of the party, leadership of the party. Kwame McCoy became a member of Parliament, and is a minister of the government.
James Bond, in an AfroGuyanese party, what happened to him? He worked hard, etc, nothing basically,” the VP expressed.
James Bond, an attorney-at-law and businessman, had previously held senior positions within the PNCR. Alongside Bond’s, another high-profile endorsement came from attorney-at-law Selwyn Pieters, who also threw his support behind President Ali. Pieters, who had represented several opposition figures and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), publicly expressed his confidence in Ali’s leadership.
While critics of the PPP have argued that these defections are motivated by promises of political favours or financial gain, Jagdeo has firmly rejected such claims. He reiterated that the PPP does not operate on patronage or promises of contracts, but rather on principles of freedom, progress, and mutual support.
“We’re not giving up on our supporters. We made it clear. The PPP supporters who stood with us: IndoGuyanese, Amerindians, etc., we all fought for them, but we made it clear that we welcome new people to our party. And once they come in and believe in what we believe in, and they fight for freedom and for progress, and they subscribe to our ideals, then they would be welcome in our party. That makes us stronger for the future and stronger for those who are with us now,” he added.
PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton, who is also the Leader of the Opposition,
has indicated that he is not concerned about other PNC members following suit and switching alliance at the upcoming 2025 elections.
“I don’t see it as a concern. The only time something like that becomes a concern is if the people who are going have a support base. From the evidence, none of them that went before had a support base. The support base was a PNCR/ APNU support base, so I am not worried about people going…,” he has said.
In recent years, the PNC support base has been diminishing, with several senior members crossing over to the PPP/C. (G1)
The Government of Guyana on Thursday announced that it has extradited Parmanand Singh, a citizen of Guyana, to the United States of America (USA) on Wednesday.
Singh is wanted in that country in connection with a vehicular fatality, and the Home Affairs Ministry has said he waived his right to an extradition hearing and consented to return to the USA to address judicial matters related to a fatal vehicular incident.
In September 2024, the Guyana Government received a formal extradition request for Singh from the Government of the United States. Acting on this request, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn signalled Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty to initiate legal proceedings required for the extradition.
Parmanand Singh is accused of operating a white 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe while his blood-alcohol level exceeded the lawful lim-
it, leading to impaired faculties. He collided head-on with a black Nissan after driving the wrong way, resulting in the death of Sérgio Gadelha.
Police in Florida reported that Gadelha died shortly after 23:00h on January 23, 2021, along North University Drive, near Northwest 42 Place.
“Gadelha suffered multi-
ple blunt force trauma injuries resulting in his death,” Sunrise Officer Thomas Nelson wrote in his 2021 arrest report.
A toxicology report revealed that Singh had also consumed fentanyl, cocaine, tramadol, opiates, and marijuana, police have said.
Singh sustained injuries in that accident and received medical treatment at Broward Health Medical Center in Florida, during which two blood samples were lawfully obtained and analyzed for alcohol and/ or drug levels. Laboratory tests revealed blood-alcohol concentrations of 0.157 g/dL and 0.158 g/dL, significantly exceeding Florida’s legal limit of 0.08 g/dL for operating a motor vehicle.
Singh’s arrest was executed under a warrant issued by Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith Mc Gusty. The prosecution team representing the interests of the United States included Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions at the Director of Public Prosecutions
Chambers, Lisa Cav; Treaty Officer at the Home Affairs Ministry, Ormella Gladstone and Sergeant Stephan Hinds from the Major Crimes Unit, who served as the investigating officer.
On January 3, 2025, Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty committed Singh to custody for extradition. He remained in custody until his extradition was completed on Wednesday.
“This successful extradition underscores Guyana’s commitment to international cooperation, and its resolve to ensure that justice is served across borders,” the Home Affairs Ministry said on Thursday.
On Thursday local10. com, a Florida-based news agency, reported that Singh was at the main jail in Fort Lauderdale without bond. He is facing eight charges: two counts of DUI causing death, vehicular homicide, two counts of DUI with damage, two counts of reckless driving, and driving with a suspended licence.
Adacia Coleman, a 31-year-old businesswoman of Lot 122 Stewartville Old Road, West Coast Demerara, has been remanded to prison following her appearance before Leonora Court #2 Magistrate Alisha George on charges of fraudulent conversion allegedly committed on a total of 95 victims by a company she operates under the name of Limitless Lenders.
The businesswoman is accused of defrauding victims of cash ranging from $300,000 to $1,000,000, and police reports are that these incidents occurred between January and December 2024 at her Stewartville address.
Several victims have reported making cash down-payments for a particular vehicle of their choice, and being given a receipt for their cash by the suspect together with a promise that their vehicle would be delivered within three months. Police investigations have revealed that af-
ter the three-month period elapsed, the victims made several checks at the suspect’s office to enquire about their vehicles, but were told that the vehicles were not available because of a storm in the Caribbean.
The suspect kept giving the victims this same explanation each time they checked with her, and as a
result, some of them became frustrated and demanded that she return their money. The suspect opted to return their money through MMG or bank cheques, but the victims demanded cash in hand. As a result, the suspect issued a total of nine post-dated Demerara Bank cheques to the victims in refund of their money, while the remaining victims exercised leniency and waited for the suspect to deliver their vehicles.
However, when the nine victims went to the bank on the dates specified on the cheques, they were all told by the teller to return the cheques to the suspect, but were not given a reason why.
A total of five files were compiled regarding the bank cheques and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice. The DPP recommended that charges be laid in regard to two files, and instructed that further investigations be conducted into the other three files.
Further investigations are still being carried out in regard to four other matters in which cheques were given to the victims by the suspect. Regarding the other 86 matters, where the victims are awaiting their vehicles to be delivered, files are being compiled to be sent to the DPP for legal advice.
On January 7, 2025, at 14:30h, the suspect, in the company of her lawyer, turned herself in to the custody of police at the Leonora Police Station. She was informed of the allegations made against her, and was placed in custody pending further investigations. Based on advice given by the DPP on the two aforementioned files, Adacia Coleman was charged with two counts of obtaining money by false pretence.
When she appeared before Magistrate George, she pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison until January 31, 2025 for report and court fixture.
If ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge, is true to his word from last November, he should be jetting off this month to Singapore. There, he’s going for the “christening ceremony” (that’s what the man said!!) of our FOURTH FPSO – the One Guyana – that should sail into position in a few months’ time in the Yellowtail development project within the Stabroek Block. That block, of course, is the Opposition’s gift to ExxonMobil that never stops giving.
Right now, we have three FPSOs – Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity – churning out at least 650,000 bpd. So, when One Guyana - with a rated capacity of 260,000bpd - joins them, you just know that’s gonna make our production get pretty close up to ONE MILLION BARRELS PER DAY!! Not bad for a country that, just the other day, was insulted by TT to not think of TT as an “ATM” machine!! Now, to those Wailing Jeremiahs, who’ve been warning us not to count our chickens before they’re hatched, because of “renewables”, they should know that the demand for energy to push manufacturing just can’t be satisfied without oil. Imagine, just last year, China’s electricity demand grew by about 1.4 times Germany’s!! And that’s with China downsizing their factories to deal with Trump’s promised increased tariffs!! So, with demand looking fairly solid, we gotta do our best to take a unified position on how we gonna spend the money coming our way.
And this brings us to the Budget that’s gonna be read in the National Assembly today. We already know how the Opposition think the money ought to be spent. They’ve adopted the old pork-knocker’s philosophy when coming out of the bush after striking it rich – blaze it all away on wine, women and song!! Now, while they haven’t phrased it exactly this way, their proposal to reduce taxes and launch a Universal Basic Income is tantamount to that. Let’s be honestsadly, our spirit might be willing to scrimp and save, but we know the flesh is weak!!
And in case you, dear reader (cynically) wondered, it’s purely coincidental – if serendipitous for the PPP! – that the next General Elections gonna be held later this year, as the good FPSO “One Guyana” starts pumping oil! Your Eyewitness also suspects that there might be more than just a chicken in every (Guyanese) pot!!
…Gaza peace??
Your Eyewitness read about the announced “ceasefire” in Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians with a whole lotta cynicism. Frankly, the Israelis have gotten away with so much – which no one in the world thought possible two years ago! – that their demands on the Palestinians would just be too much for the Palestinians to bear. Imagine, their Defence Minister can threaten to quit if Hamas is allowed to exist!! Can the Palestinians demand the same of the Israeli rightwing parties??
But the reason why the Israelis would demand more than their pound of flesh is the knowledge that they can lead the US by the nose. Outgoing US Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, jut revealed that the Biden Administration NEVER ordered Israel to end its rampage in Gaza; never criticised its expanding the war to Lebanon, nor its assault on Rafah; and never imposed an arms embargo!!
And Trump? Remember it was he who moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem – at the behest of his fanatically pro-Israel Evangelicals!!
…beer guzzling
A certain sign of our growing wealth is the Banks DIH announcement that their after-tax profit increased from $8.970 billion in 2023 to $10.563 billion in 2024. And we’ll be getting a new beer canning plant this year!! Our own canned beer!!
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, hasslammed the Mayor and City Council for its lack of responsibility in pursuing the $6.5 billion in debt that is owed by the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R).
His remarks came during a press conference on Thursday at Freedom House, and amid the industrial strike called by the City’s workers following the Mayor and PNC Councillors’ decision to disallow salary increases due to insufficient financial resources.
However, according to Jagdeo, the council has ac-
cess to a massive potential revenue source that could be used to meet the needs of its workers and fund development projects, but it has refused to recover these resources.
“They keep diverting the issue, every time it’s raised, to the Government’s support for the city,” he expressed.
According to the DPI news release, Jagdeo stressed that Government’s support for Georgetown has been significant, since nearly all developmental works have been taken over by the Central Government, whereas the works were supposed to be the city council’s responsibility. In fact, he said, a number
of infrastructural projectssuch as roads, drainage systems, recreational facilities,
and green spaces - are being implemented in the city to the tune of billions of dollars.
Despite this, the City Council continues to highlight the issue of Government support, avoiding its own accountability, he pointed out.
The DPI report noted that Jagdeo went on to state that the substantial debt of $6.4 billion arose from an assessment conducted by the City Council, including a demand letter for a company owned by the PNC/R.
“For the many, many years, it never paid taxes to the City Council for the entire massive property that they have at Congress Place. They owe 6.4 billion dollars
now. They would not pay it, and the City Council will not go after them, yet they
will say to the workers there that they don’t have a source of revenue to pay them,” he pointed out.
Jagdeo highlighted that if the Council were serious about revenue generation, they would be demanding that the substantial debt be paid. Instead, he said, the Council has been renting city-owned properties to the PNC at extremely low rates, for as little as $100,000 per year, despite their value. He called on City Councillors to push for accountability, and demand action to recover this significant revenue source. He believes the financial struggles can be alleviated once the money is collected.
Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken on Thursday met with officers and ranks at the Officers’ Training Centre, Eve Leary, Georgetown, to commend their efforts following the conclusion of their Christmas policing duties.
The Christmas policing plan, which began on November 14, 2024, offi-
cially ended Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The initiative involved ranks from various departments at Force Headquarters, bolstered by new recruits, to support ranks from Regional Division 4 (A) during the busy holiday season.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF), in a social media post on Thursday, said that
key measures implemented to ensure public safety included increased foot patrols, motorcycle and bicycle patrols, drone surveillance, and traffic management and enforcement. Additionally, Police booths were established at strategic locations to address safety concerns and assist with traffic congestion in critical areas.
During the meeting,
Commissioner Hicken praised the officers for their exemplary performance, highlighting that the robust police presence effectively curbed crime during the holiday period.
Acknowledging the significance of 2025 as an election year, the Commissioner urged ranks to remain vigilant and uphold professionalism in their interactions with the public. He em-
phasised the importance of community-oriented policing, stating that building relationships with citizens is just as vital as enforcing the law.
Looking ahead,
Commissioner Hicken noted that some of the recently-recruited officers would soon participate in a passing-out parade. These recruits have received extensive training and will be awarded locally
and internationally accredited certificates from the Police Force Academy. Among those attending the meeting were Superintendent Angela Fraser; Second in Charge of Police Administration; Superintendent Sonia Herbert, Director of the Police Force Academy; Assistant Superintendent Kevin Lall; and other senior officers and ranks.
Anarcotics eradication exercise conducted by ranks of Regional Division Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) has resulted in the destruction of thousands of marijuana plants in a community along the Kamuni Creek, West Bank Demerara.
According to the police, acting on intelligence received, a team conducted the operation on Wednesday between 15:00h and 18:00h, and an area known as ‘Kabrall’ Landing was targeted for a search.
During that search, ranks discovered a trail about two miles south of the landing, and it led them to an open area covering approximately one acre, wherein police found an abandoned camp that had clothing, a hammock, pesticides, and pipelines. A further inspection revealed between 4,000 and 6,000 marijuana plants measuring between three and seven feet in height.
recovery and destruction by the unit of some 6000 kilograms of narcotics of all kinds. Cocaine was 5094.67 kilograms. Much of it the big bust in the North West; and for cannabis, 1643.45 kilograms and methamphetamine 92 grams…So, we have had a dramatic increase in the cocaine seizures and also in relation to the work against drug trafficking, drug growing the cannabis,” the minister has said.
This is a significant increase when compared to the 1363 kilograms of narcotics netted in 2023.
For the year 2024, a total of 71 cases were made in regard to illegal substances, for which there were 82 arrests. This is a decrease from the previous year, wherein there were 93 cases made. Moreover, for last year, there were 54 charges laid in relation to drug trafficking. However, 11 of those charges were either withdrawn or dismissed.
The plants were uprooted, placed in a heap, and burned on site, along with the camp and its contents.
In 2024, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) seized and destroyed some 6,700 kilograms (kg) of narcotics, as was highlighted by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn during his Ministry’s year end press conference.
The minister noted that due to ramped up inspections and investigations by CANU, a significant number of illegal substances were seized last year.
He added that of the 6,000 kg of substances confiscated, cocaine accounted for more than 90 per cent of the findings, followed by cannabis and methamphetamine respectively. Those drugs amounted to some $5.6 billion.
“There was indeed dramatic findings, discovery,
Meanwhile, last year, following the massive drug bust at the clandestine airstrip in Region One (BarimaWaini), the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) has disclosed that the cocaine found amounted to some 4.4 tonnes, with a street value of some €176 million (G$40.7 billion).
The narcotics, which were found hidden in several bunkers around the illegal airstrip near Matthew’s Ridge, were destroyed after samples were extracted for further investigation. This operation was a collaboration between the local Joint Services and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Law enforcement officials believe the drugs were brought to Guyana from neighbouring country/ countries, and were stored until further transshipment to Europe.
The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has unveiled a series of budgetary recommendations it said is aimed at stimulating economic growth, reducing financial strain on businesses, and aligning national policies with global trends.
Ahead of Budget 2025 presentation today, the GCCI in a release said that in its proposals for this year’s budget were outlined during a recent meeting and targeted areas such as taxation reform, sector-specific incentives, and enhanced fiscal policies.
The Private Sector body said that hybrid vehicles in Guyana currently face an effective duty rate of 69%, compared to the 49% duty rate for petrol vehicles. This disparity discourages the adoption of environmentally-friendly vehicles and runs
counter to international efforts to promote sustainable economies. According to the GCCI, it has recommended a reduction in the duty rate on hybrid vehicles to match or fall below the rate applied to petrol vehicles. Such a change would encourage the importation of greener cars, reducing carbon emissions and advancing Guyana’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
It has also recommended eliminating import duties on spare parts for agricultural and construction machinery. This policy shift would decrease operational costs, enhance productivity, and improve competitiveness in these key industries. On the issue of property tax reform, the body said that property taxes are currently levied on properties valued above $40 million, a threshold that has remained unchanged since
2019. With inflation, this outdated limit has resulted in an increased tax burden for property owners. The GCCI suggested raising the non-taxable property value threshold to reflect current market values and inflation rates. This adjustment would ease financial pressures on property owners and support growth in the real estate sector. According to the GCCI, small businesses in Guyana face significant challenges due to mandatory annual audits, which can be costly and time-consuming. Limited availability of auditors exacerbates these issues, creating delays and inefficiencies. The GCCI proposed establishing thresholds for small businesses based on revenue, employee count, or asset levels, exempting those below the threshold from mandatory audits. This measure would reduce administra-
tive and financial burdens, enabling small enterprises to focus on growth. Under current tax regulations, it said, pension contributions are treated as taxable in-
come, reducing employees’ take-home pay and discouraging retirement savings. As such, the Chamber called for pension contributions to be treated as non-taxable
deductions, up to a specified limit. This reform would incentivise retirement savings, enhance employee financial security, and align with global best practices.
Police are currently investigating an incident of robbery under arms allegedly committed on Neon Wray, a 48-year-old businessman, and Askale Wray, his 49-year-old wife, both of Perseverance Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara.
Among the various items stolen are one Guyana Passport and other personal documents, two A35 Samsung cellphones with a total value of $136,000, and Gy$125,000.
According to police, the armed robbery allegedly occurred on January 15, 2025 at about 19:45h at the victims’ Perseverance Housing Scheme residence, and it was perpetrated by two
identifiable males of African descent.
Initial enquiries disclosed that the victims left their place of business, a wholesale beverage depot located in Ruimveldt Gardens, at about 19:30h, and arrived home at Perseverance Housing Scheme at about 19:45h. The two male suspects then jumped the fence of the victims’ compound and attacked them, armed with what appeared to be two handguns. They demanded cash and other valuables from their victims, and the victims complied without resistance, before the two suspects made good their escape by scaling the fence and departing on foot.
Aman who has been described as mentally unstable allegedly broke into a car by smashing the windshield, after failing to gain entry to a home he is suspected of attempting to rob.
The incident occurred at about 2:30h on Thursday at Reliance, East Canje, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).
Home occupant Terrence Bascomhas said he was asleep, but was awakened by the sound of someone trying to force entry into his house.
“We heard someone wrenching the door. When he couldn’t get access, he started hitting on the windows. He then tried another door and wrenched it out, but he couldn’t get in because I have grills,” the 32-year-old Bascom, an employee of the Regional Democratic Council, explained. “I was so traumatised. I didn’t believe people would do this to me.”
Not being able to gain entry into the home, the would-be intruder then went to Bascom’s car and began smashing the windshield.
According to Bascom, about
$300,000 in cash was removed from the vehicle along with important documents. Bascom is also alleging that the same man had broken into his car last Saturday and stolen an undisclosed sum of money.
“Every time the police hold him, they take him to the Psychiatric Hospital for two days, and then he comes out back,” Bascom stated.
Police arrived on the scene shortly after the incident, but by then the man had already made good his escape.
The suspect has been described as a well-known individual in the community whom police frequently apprehend and take to the National Psychiatric Hospital.
Demerara Bank has announced that all DBL Signature cardholders will now enjoy the special benefits of the Priority Pass programme.
Priority Pass is a globally recognised-programme that provides travellers access to over 1600 airport lounges and amenities across more than 650 cities in 145 countries. Beyond lounge access, the programme offers additional services, including airport transfers, duty-free shopping, and airport takeout, making travel seamless and enjoyable.
On Thursday, the Bank said that it has integrated the Priority Pass service with its Signature Credit Card, offering these benefits to cardholders at no additional cost.
Speaking on the launch, Demerara Bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dowlat Parbhu emphasised the Bank’s commitment to innovation and exceptional service.
Samaroo echoed this sentiment, highlighting the bank’s vision for customer satisfaction: "At Demerara Bank, our goal is to consistently enhance the banking experience. The introduction of Priority Pass demonstrates our dedication to innovation and customer-centric solutions, further enriching the lifestyle and travel experiences of our clients."
With the Priority Pass app or website, cardholders can easily locate lounges through the intuitive Lounge Search feature. Additional app functionalities include contactless lounge entry, airport transfers, rental car bookings, and duty-free pre-purchases. Most lounges offer complimentary snacks, beverages, and alcohol, en-
suring travellers enjoy a superior pre-flight experience.
“By focusing on personalised service and exclusive benefits, Demerara Bank continues to redefine the banking experience for their clients. The introduction of the Priority Pass programme is another step in the Bank’s mission to enhance the lifestyle and travel experiences of individuals by delivering the highest level of satisfaction and value,” the Bank said on Thursday.
Bank Chairman Komal
“Our dedication to innovation and excellence ensures we not only meet but exceed the expectations of our customers. The Priority Pass programme reflects our promise to provide convenience and value, elevating the experience of our esteemed cardholders."
Standing out as a major issue for the Housing Ministry, Minister Collin Croal has revealed, is the increase within the housing sector, which has caused a situation of encroachment on farmlands.
When he made this disclosure during a recent interview on the Guyana Dialogue programme, Minister Croal said this is affecting farmers in almost all aspects, including those into commercial livestock.
“One of the challenges we have now for the housing programme is that, as we go inwards, we are meeting… we are going to the zone, or close to where farmers, both from commercial, from crops and livestock, as well as crops and livestock…and so a lot of that, you’re entering that zone,” the minister noted.
Explaining that this has created competing interests, he cited a situation in which this encroachment has caused cattle to roam.
“So, you have competing interests. And then, for example, when we developed the East Bank, expanded the East Bank, we had to, through the Ministry of Agriculture, relocate a lot of cattle farmers, because those cattle farmers were, you know, literally just loosing the animals in the ar-
Water
eas because they were wide open areas,” he explained.
Relocation of cattle has also been happening on the East Coast, and the minister explained, “Similarly, on the East Coast, we’re encountering something similar. So, like LBI, we have a massive scheme there for young professionals. They’ve sent back a message to say, you know, you have some cattle roaming around the area, so we’re working with the Ministry of Agriculture to move those.”
Croal explained that cattle roaming in areas on the East Coast actually come from areas on the East Bank.
“You know what they said to me? Those cattle
were the ones — some of them — moved from the East Bank, you know. So, as it’s happening, it’s happening with fluidity. So, to answer your question, in my view, it is not fixed.”
Explaining that a factor in this development is the expansion and growth of the housing sector, Minister
Croal said, “It’s expanding and it’s growing, and that’s because, as I said, we are able to do more at a much more rapid pace, and you have a President who is committed to ensuring, as quickly as possible, that Guyanese have access to home ownership. However, we have to do this via a poli-
cy. We have to have criteria, and that is what we’ve been operating with.”
Lending his perspective to persons soon to receive their house lots, Minister Croal explained that as the lands become available, the ministry offers lots as soon as they become available.
Adding that there have been instances when persons do not accept the areas in which they have been offered lots, Minister Croal said, “As I said, as the land becomes available, we offer that. So having said that, the reality is that we will continue to grow and expand, but it is going to change every single day, as I speak.”
be
Through an in-depth collaboration between the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) programme, a project has been launched to execute a National Standardisation Strategy (NSS) over the next three years. This information was revealed by the GNBS in a recent press release.
According to the GNBS, the National Standardisation Strategy (NSS) aims to determine the standards needs
of Guyana, encompassing all industries or sectors of the economy. It is a policy roadmap to ensure that Guyana’s national strategic priorities are supported by relevant national and international standards.
Further, the GNBS highlighted the key importance of standardisation as it relates to national development.
“Standardization remains a key pillar in national development. Whether national, regional or international, standards play an
important role in daily lives, providing requirements and guidelines to ensure that products are durable, services are reliable, and there is increased confidence in the products and services marketed,” it noted.
The strategy would align national objectives with applicable standards, addressing key economic, social and environmental priorities to strengthen the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI).
This strategy, which will be available before the end
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of the first quarter of 2025, requires the input of all stakeholders to make meaningful suggestions and contributions to guarantee a comprehensive document.
Over the 40 years of its existence, the GNBS has facilitated the development, adoption and adaptation with modification of more than 600 national standards that fall within various categories, including Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing, Energy, Construction, and Oil and Gas, among others.
According to the release, as the Bureau works towards fulfilling its mandate and creating a culture of quality through standards, it appreciates the support of experts, consumers, and other stakeholders who help achieve this goal.
Meanwhile, to garner stakeholders’ input, the GNBS has disseminated a questionnaire designed to gather insights on the need for new standards, and to identify specific standards that should be developed and/or adopted to benefit each sector.
According to the GNBS, the questionnaire can be accessed via the homepage of the GNBS website: https:// gnbsgy.org/, where participants are asked to answer simple questions relating to the sector they represent and their proposals for the development of standard(s). Feedback, it adds, is critical to developing a structured and strategic NSS that sets Guyana on a pathway to guaranteeing safety and quality.
In addition, the GNBS will be hosting an in-person awareness session on Thursday, January 23, 2025, to answer questions and facilitate interactions with the facilitators of the project from CROSQ and UNIDO.
The awareness session will be hosted at the GNBS Head Office, National Exhibition Complex, Sophia, Georgetown.
For more information, persons can contact the Standardisation Department via email at standards@gnbsgy.org or call +592-219-0062/64/66/67 (Ext. 2012/13/14).
Design submissions for a new National Museum have already been received by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry.
This information was revealed by the Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, during his end-of-year press conference for his ministry.
“...we went out to tender for a design for a new museum and art gallery towards the end of last year. So, we
The decision by the United States to lift its designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism – along with certain financial restrictions on military- and Governmentlinked Cuban entities while restricting individuals from filing lawsuits against both Cuban entities and foreign companies under the Helms-Burton Act over property seized following Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution – was a step in the right direction, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry noted.
“Despite its limited scope, this is a decision that points to the right direction and is in line with the sustained and firm demand by the
Government and the people of Cuba, as well as the broad, emphatic and reiterated call by numerous Governments, particularly those of Latin America and the Caribbean; Cubans residing abroad; political, religious and social organisations and numerous political figures of the United States and other countries.
The Government of Cuba expresses its gratitude to all of them for their contribution and sensitivity,” the Ministry said in a statement.
“This decision puts an end to specific coercive measures which, together with many others, seriously damage the Cuban economy and have a severe impact on the population. This is, and has
been, an ever-present issue in all official exchanges between Cuba and the Government of the United States.”
The Ministry, however, pointed out that the “economic blockade and a large part of the tens of coercive measures entered into force since 2017 to further strengthen it, still remain in force, with their full extraterritorial impact and in violation of international law and the human rights of all Cubans”.
The US’s announced plans are subject to the review of Congress, and the incoming Trump Administration. (The Guardian)
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou passed the first test of his new minority government on Thursday as he survived a vote of no-confidence called by the hard left after the centre-left Socialist Party did not back the motion.
The far-right National Rally (RN) party of Marine Le Pen had already signalled it would not support the motion.
It means President Emmanuel Macron's Government lives to fight another day without being solely reliant on the farright's grace. But Bayrou's Administration remains weak, and still faces an uphill battle to pass the 2025 budget that led to the ouster of his predecessor, Michel Barnier.
On Thursday, 131 lawmakers voted in favour of the motion – well short of the 288 votes that were needed.
"The required majority has not been reached, the motion is not adopt-
ed," National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet said.
Question marks had hung over the Socialists' position. Bayrou has sought their support to avoid being left reliant on the RN, including by offering to re-negotiate a 2023 pension reform disliked by the left.
"We will not censor you (today)," Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure had told Bayrou as the debate started at the National Assembly.
The political instability in France, which had four Prime Ministers last year, has rattled markets. (Excerpt from Reuters)
have those design submissions in already,” he revealed.
He also highlighted the importance of a country showcasing the values of its history,, saying that, “It’s important for any country, any country, to display its work, artwork, its heritage pieces. It’s very important for us to tell our story as a nation as well,” the Minister noted.
He added that once Guyana capitalises on this, it will reflect the artistry of the country.
“So, we are going to be building a new museum in the future, but we’re not moving this one [the current National Museum] currently until that’s done,” he said.
It was reported that last year, 28,924 persons visited the National Museum, 7600 persons visited the Museum of African Heritage, and 3279 persons visited the Walter Roth Museum.
The Minister shared his perspective on another highlight for the ministry, noting that it completed the National Trust Act review in 2024, which was a very strenuous task due to the number of meetings held for this process.
“We also completed the review of the National Trust
Act, and a new bill will be tabled in Parliament. This was a very painstaking process. We probably had about 30 -- more than 30 meetings, maybe about 35 meetings, I would say, to complete this process of the review and redrafting of the legislation,” he disclosed.
“Now that we’ve finalised the draft, we did this all inhouse. We didn’t hire any external consultants. The persons we did this with were part of a committee in-house. We did this ourselves. There was no external money going towards this, its preparation,” he also noted, emphasising the work undertaken by the Ministry.
“We completed it, and it took a lot of effort. Now
we’re going to be completing the new legislation. When that’s done, you will see a number of new monuments gazetted for our protection and preservation,” he added.
The National Trust of Guyana was established following the passage of the National Trust Act, No. 7 of 1972. The Act “makes provision for the preservation of monuments, sites, places, and objects of historic interest or national importance”. Its main responsibility is the preservation of all monuments in Guyana.
The building housing the current National Museum, which was established February 13, 1868, will be rehabilitated.
The Palmyra Housing Development Project
is said to be taking shape, with Housing and Water Minister Colin Croal revealing that the first 100 houses are currently under construction.
This is in addition to works ongoing on the Berbice Stadium and the construction of several other structures in the Region Six Commercial Zone.
The planned development at Palmyra, East Coast Berbice includes con-
struction of over 700 houses, each reportedly costing $14M. These include a mix of houses for young professionals, moderate-income households, and low-income households. The first set of these houses is expected to be ready for occupancy by the end of March this year. The overall cost for this housing project is estimated at approximately $7 billion.
This project is part of a larger investment plan that includes a stadium, hotel, call centre and business
centre. While President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that the initial focus would be the construction of houses for young professionals, this has since changed.
“Initially, we would have spoken about the young professional houses, and we have areas allocated for that. What we have done is that, in Berbice, we have 200 houses that we built; one hundred at Williamsburg-Hampshire and one hundred at Ordinance-Fort Lands,
those are what we consider as low-income houses. Those are the two-bedroom houses. We then did an analysis because we have to be cognisant of the cost to build the houses. A house in Georgetown will not cost the same in Berbice because you have to transport the building materials. So, we did a study and moved to the next stage; we replicated the 3-bedroom ones that we are building in Georgetown. So, we have one hundred that will
be completed, some before, but all by March 31. One hundred 3-bedroom bungalow-type houses. Inclusive of the land and the houses will come up to about $14M,” Minister Croal disclosed.
“There is a first hundred on the Palmyra Development Project that will be available for allocation. The area for the construction of houses for young professionals, that block still remains. We are doing this in phases. We have to be mindful of affordability and the cost for the houses. We are testing with this type of house, and based on the response, demand and feedback, we will know how to elevate the designs,” he detailed.
Croal said there are nine contractors currently working on the one hundred 3-bedroom bungalow-type houses. He explained that the nine contractors with the lowest bids were selected, and the average cost is $13,150,000. (G4)
Adelegation from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has visited Jamaica to conduct a series of sensitisation sessions on the Court’s Original Jurisdiction and its referral process for Judicial Officers, the General Legal Council (GLC), and the Public Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ).
The sessions, conducted from January 11-13, are part of an ongoing European Union-funded campaign to raise awareness of the Court’s role in protecting the rights and freedoms granted under the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).
Under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC), the CCJ has been provided exclusive and compulsory jurisdiction to hear and determine disputes concerning the application and interpretation of the Treaty in the Court’s Original Jurisdiction. Therefore, any matters arising out of the operation of the CSME, in-
cluding the right to the freedom of movement, people, and capital, and the right of establishment, must be brought before the CCJ for determination.
As such, the Court has embarked on a regional public education campaign to raise awareness of its Original Jurisdiction, and the process through which national courts must refer such matters to the CCJ.
On Thursday, noting the importance of the Treaty for CARICOM, the Court, in a release, said that Justice Bryan Sykes OJ, CD, Chief Justice of Jamaica, opined at the session for Judicial Officers, hosted in collaboration with the Judicial Education Institute of Jamaica, “The RTC reflects an ambitious intention to rebuild our Caribbean societies by establishing institutions that will enable us to organise our affairs as we see fit. In effect, it is creating a new Caribbean civilization, not based on colonialism and slavery, but on economic de-
velopment, the development of human capital, the movement of persons and capital across the region.”
Given the significance of the Treaty, Piotr Byczkowski, Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas, acknowledged the benefits of the sessions, not just for the attendees, but for the wider region, remarking that the work accomplished in the sessions would “ripple outward, strengthening the justice systems of our respective nations, and by extension, the Caribbean as a whole.”
The three sensitisation sessions were facilitated by members of the delegation, comprising CCJ Judges, Justice Winston Anderson and the Justice Chantal Ononaiwu; Gladys Young, Assistant General Counsel, Caricom Secretariat; Ria Mohammed-Pollard, Communication and Information Manager at the
CCJ; and John Furlonge, Project Co-ordinator of the 11th European Development Fund Project.
The sessions utilised various interactive teaching methods, including case studies, simulation exercises, step-by-step guides, and group exercises based on the audiences, to allow for greater attendee participation.
Following the sessions, Denise Kitson, Chair, GLC, praised the initiative, stating, “The General Legal
truly excellent and very well received by all participants! We applaud the Academy, and look forward to future similar collaborative events.”
Executive Director, PSOJ, Sasha VasciannaRiley, echoed similar sentiments, remarking, “The PSOJ was pleased to partner with the Caribbean Court of Justice and the CARICOM Secretariat to host a highly impactful forum educating members on the CCJ, the
and drive expansion. Gladys Young’s exceptional presentation was thorough, accessible, and well-received, equipping participants with practical knowledge. Based on the success of this initiative, we look forward to a second session to further empower our members.”
Having initiated the public education campaign in November 2022, the CCJ has since conducted sessions in Belize, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago,
Council is delighted to have partnered with the CCJ in its presentation to the legal profession in Jamaica on key aspects of the CSME regime, the CCJ’s referral mechanism and practice in the Original Jurisdiction of the Court. The presentations delivered by Justices Anderson and Ononaiwu, and Gladys Young, Assistant General Counsel of CARICOM, were
CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and the associated rights, obligations and opportunities for regional business growth. Attendees from diverse sectors, including finance, manufacturing, retail, and small businesses, gained valuable insights into leveraging the CSME and understanding developments in jurisprudence to deepen integration
Guyana, Suriname; the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, namely Saint Lucia, and now Jamaica.
It is anticipated that two additional sessions for the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago and the private sector in Trinidad and Tobago will be conducted later this year before the campaign ends.
The Ministry of Public Works hosted a public engagement with key stakeholders on Wednesday to discuss the US$604 million Palmyra to Moleson Creek road expansion project in Region Six.
Stakeholders at the meeting included project contractor Vishwa Samudra Engineering Private Ltd of India, members of the Guyana Police Force, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, and representatives of utility and telecommunications companies, among others.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) news release, the public consultation, held at the Regional Democratic Council in New Amsterdam, sought to in-
form stakeholders about the significant infrastructural development set to begin soon in that region.
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, emphasised that it is the Government’s duty to involve stakeholders in projects of this magnitude in order to ensure they are informed throughout the process. He added that the project would be the largest of its kind being executed in Guyana.
“We have now completed the process of procuring the contractor’s engagement for the building out of this project, and it is going forward. One of the conditionalities to ensure the effective execution is getting the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in place,” the minister disclosed.
He explained that while the project may cause tempo-
rary inconveniences, it would deliver long-term benefits, and this transformative project is designed to modernise and develop Region Six. Significantly, it would support housing and deep-water harbour developments in the region.
The minister also cautioned the contractor against reckless execution, emphasising the importance of considering the wellbeing of residents living close to the operation.
“As stakeholders, you must be able to get the information, so when people discuss the project, you would be able to give correct answers or you will be knowledgeable enough to know who are the persons and companies involved,” Edghill said.
The project is tied to the Guyana-Suriname agreement to construct across the Corentyne River a bridge that would create major economic opportunities.
“Your Berbice that was once an ancient country is becoming modern and highly visible, and an economic powerhouse…This is the centre of where development is taking place in Guyana,” Public Works Minister Edghill has said.
According to the DPI, the Palmyra to Moleson Creek road will be upgraded to a four-lane highway to ease the heavy flow of traffic that now persists in the region. It will see improved concrete drains and road signage, along with pedestrian and cycling lanes.
Residents of Amerindian villages nationwide are now accessing improved transportation within their communities as the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, under its annual Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) initiative, continues to give them assistance.
Over $369 million in land and water transportation vehicles and vessels have been made available to these residents by the Government last year.
According to a DPI news article, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, made this disclosure as she provided the media with a review of the ministry’s work in 2024 during a press conference at
the ministry’s headquarters on Wednesday.
“This investment has had a positive impact in the villages that have benefitted - and whether you are in [Region] One, Seven, Eight or Nine, the investment in land and water is always critical,” she pointed out.
According to the DPI, the minister noted that villages situated along rivers received a total of 43 boats and outboard engines, ensuring safe travel for residents and school-age children.
In addition, 19 minibuses were procured for several purposes, including taking children to school.
While $263 million was invested in land transportation, more than $106 million was spent on water transportation.
Minister Sukhai stated that safe travel remains a priority for the Government, and investments would continue to be made for those living in the hinterland, the DPI reported.
The Government will continue to offer financial assistance through the Presidential Grant Programme and the Carbon Credit Initiative, enabling villages to access additional resources for acquiring various modes of transportation, it has been noted.
Eight pickups, 35 all-terrain vehicles, nine lorries and one canter were also procured for various transportation purposes.
As President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration approaches in the United States, one world leader is unlikely to be in attendance: Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro.
On Thursday, Brazil’s Supreme Court denied a petition from the former President to return his passport, which had been confiscated by Federal Police in February.
Bolsonaro, who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022, faces multiple investigations and legal proceedings, including for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the country’s 2022 presidential election.
The former far-right president, nicknamed the “Trump of the Tropics”, has denied all allegations against him. But Police have deemed him a flight risk.
On the social media platform X, Bolsonaro’s office responded to the court’s decision with displeasure, calling it evidence of “lawfare”
— a term for the use of a weaponised legal system.
“President Trump’s invitation to Bolsonaro symbolises the deep ties between two of the greatest democracies in the Americas,” the office wrote in its statement.
“The decision to bar Bolsonaro from participating in this important event diminishes Brazil’s standing on the global stage and sends a troubling message about the state of democra-
cy and justice in our country.”
The Supreme Court, however, ruled that Bolsonaro’s current role as a private citizen — with no elected office — would not require him to travel to the US for the inauguration, as officials might do.
Brazil is expected to be represented at the inauguration by its ambassador to the US, Maria Luiza Viotti. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
The Integrity Commission (IC) has described as “misguided” comments by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck who on Tuesday declared that he has advised Members of Parliament (MPs) not to divulge the salaries of their spouses or children during the course of its investigations.
Addressing a meeting of Parliament’s Integrity Commission Oversight Committee Chuck argued that such information is the personal business of the spouses or children. But in a late-afternoon
release on Wednesday the IC charged that “the parliamentarian [Chuck] was ignorant of pertinent provisions of the Integrity Commission Act”.
The IC noted that sections 39 and 40 of the Integrity Commission Act impose specific obligations that are related to the filing of statutory declarations by parliamentarians and public officials. Section 39(1) states:
“Subject to the provisions of this Act, every person who, on or after the appointed day, is a parliamentarian or public offi -
cial, shall submit to the director of information and complaints, a statutory declaration of his assets and liabilities and his income in the form set out in the Third Schedule,” the IC noted.
It pointed out that the Third Schedule of the Act specifically requires information regarding the particulars of income from all sources of the declarant, spouse, and children (including perquisites such as housing, entertainment allowances, rentals, etc).
(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
Authorities in Venezuela have released a prominent human rights advocate from detention, just days after President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third term amid a crackdown on dissenting voices and opposition leaders.
Carlos Correa, director of the Venezuelan non-profit Espacio Publico, was freed in the early hours of Thursday, his organisation said in a social media post.
A well-respected university professor and authority on free speech in Venezuela, Correa was among several Opposition figures and civil society activists arrested ahead of Maduro’s inaugura-
tion last Friday.
The human rights group Amnesty International said last week that “hooded individuals” had arbitrarily detained Correa on January 7 in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
In a statement issued the next day, the group demanded the release of Correa and other detained Venezuelan human rights defenders, while accusing the Maduro Government of pursuing a campaign of “politically motivated” detentions.
“We demand Nicolás Maduro ensures their immediate and unconditional release and, while in state custody, protects their life and safety, right to not be sub-
jected to torture, and fair trial guarantees,” Amnesty International said.
United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk had also urged Correa’s release.
Maduro was sworn in for a third term on January 10, months after Venezuela’s electoral authorities said he had won a disputed July vote.
But the country’s Opposition has maintained its presidential candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez, defeated Maduro.
Opposition leaders have accused the Government — which failed to release a detailed breakdown of the votes — of stealing the election in favour of Maduro. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Two months away from what she says is her 120th birthday, Deolira Gliceria Pedro da Silva, a great-grandmother from the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is rushing to be recognised as the world’s oldest living person by the Guinness World Records.
The institution currently features another Brazilian, Inah Canabarro Lucas, a nun from the southern state
of Rio Grande do Sul as the oldest living person at 116 years, but Deolira’s family and doctors are confident that she will soon take the religious woman’s title.
“She is still not in the book, but she is the oldest in the world according to the documents we have on her, as I recently discovered,” said Deolira’s granddaughter Doroteia Ferreira da Silva, who is half her age.
The documents show that
Pedro da Silva was born on March 10, 1905 in the rural area of Porciuncula, a small town in the state of Rio. She now lives in a colourfully painted house in Itaperuna, where her two granddaughters Doroteia, 60, and Leida Ferreira da Silva, 64, take care of her.
The grandmother is also supervised by doctors and researchers who are interested in how she outlived the average life expectancy in Brazil, which currently sits at 76.4 years, by more than four decades.
“Mrs. Deolira, in 2025, will be 120 years old. She is in a good general state of health for her condition, she is not taking any medication,” said geriatric doctor Juair de Abreu Pereira, who checks up on Pedro da Silva frequently and is assisting her family in the process with Guinness World Records.
In a statement, Guinness said it couldn't confirm receiving Pedro da Silva's application, because it receives many from people around the world who claim to be the oldest living person. (Excerpt from Reuters)
PM Rowley sticks to his guns: insists comment about cops hiding based on facts
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley is doubling down on his controversial comments about fearful Police Officers hiding from criminals in Police Stations, but insists his words were taken out of context and misunderstood.
Speaking exclusively to Guardian Media, Dr Rowley sought to clarify that he never intended to offend the dedicated officers who risk their lives to protect law-abiding citizens.
Dr Rowley made the statement during Monday’s debate on the rationale for the State of Emergency (SoE) and its subsequent three-month extension, which was later approved.
As he attempted to paint a picture of T&T’s crime scourge and its effects, he said: “It has come to my attention, in some districts, in some instances, police officers, whose job it is to protect us and secure us, in
some districts at night, are so afraid of the criminals that they close the police station door, turn off the light, and be inside there hoping that the criminals don’t come at them.”
Those comments earned him a swift rebuttal from Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher, who defended her officers’
commitment and insisted that police stations are always open.
The remarks also drew a stern rebuke from Police Service Social and Welfare Association President Gideon Dickson, and former Police Service Commission Chairman Professor Ramesh Deosaran. Former acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams also criticised Rowley for making such statements publicly as head of the National Security Council.
However, Dr Rowley yesterday hit back at the “overblown criticisms,” asserting they were taken out of context and misunderstood. He also clarified that his comments highlighted a few instances of criminal brazenness toward Police Officers at Police Stations, which he described as factual rather than general criticism of the Police. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Israel delayed approval of a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages, but the United States said it still expected the agreement to go into effect on Sunday as planned.
Oil prices settled lower on Thursday with Yemen's Houthi militia expected to halt attacks on ships in the Red Sea, and investors weighing strong US retail sales data.
Brent crude futures settled down 74 cents, or 0.9 per cent, at US$81.29 per barrel, after rising 2.6 per cent in the previous session to their highest price since July 26.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled down US$1.36, or 1.7 per cent, to US$78.68 a barrel, after gaining 3.3 per cent on Wednesday to their highest price since July 19.
US crude futures fell more than US$2 at times during the session.
Maritime security officials said they were expecting the Houthi militia to announce a halt in its attacks on ships in the Red Sea, after a ceasefire deal in the war in Gaza between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas.
The attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to make longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa for more than a year.
"The Houthi development and the ceasefire in Gaza help the region stay calmer, taking some of the security premium out of oil prices," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital in New York.
"It's all about oil flows," Kilduff added.
But investors remained cautious, as the leader of the Houthis said his group would monitor the implementation of the ceasefire deal, and continue its attacks on vessels or Israel if the deal is breached.
The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip should start on Sunday as planned, despite the need for negotiators to tie up a "loose end", US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Earlier on Thursday, the US Commerce Department reported US retail sales increased in December as households bought more motor vehicles and a range of other goods, pointing to strong demand in the economy.
US crude futures extended losses after investors interpreted the data as bolstering the Federal Reserve's cautious approach to cutting interest rates this year.
But prices regained some ground after Fed Governor Christopher Waller said inflation is likely to continue to ease and possibly allow the US central bank to cut interest rates sooner and faster than expected.
"Waller's comments really offset the economic data this morning, in terms of making it look like there is room for the Fed to cut," Again Capital's Kilduff said.
Lower interest rates can stimulate economic growth and increase oil demand.
New sanctions on Russia
Investors also continued to weigh the Biden Administration's latest round of sanctions targeting Russia's military industrial base and sanctions-evasion efforts, after earlier levying broader sanctions on Russian oil producers and tankers. Moscow's top customers are now scouring the globe for replacement barrels, while shipping rates also have surged.
With US President-elect Donald Trump being sworn in for his second term on Monday, "the market is approaching the 'wait-and-see' phase and awaits the reaction from the incoming US Administration on the issue" of sanctions, said Tamas Varga at oil broker PVM.
Pricier oil may lead to clashes between Trump and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), if the incoming US President follows his previous playbook.
During his first term, Trump demanded the producer group rein in prices whenever Brent climbed to around US$80 a barrel.
OPEC and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, have been curtailing output over the past two years and are likely to be cautious about increasing supply despite the recent price rally, said Rory Johnston, the founder of Commodity Context.
"The producer group has had its optimism dashed so frequently over the past year that it is likely to err on the side of caution before beginning the cut-easing process," Johnston said. (Reuters)
In Gaza itself, Israeli warplanes kept up intense strikes, and Palestinian authorities said late on Thursday that at least 86 persons were killed in the day after the truce was unveiled.
With longstanding divisions apparent among ministers, Israel delayed meetings expected on Thursday where the Cabinet would vote on the pact, blaming Hamas for the hold-up. Israeli media reports said voting could occur today or Saturday. The accord was expected to win approval.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said Washington believes the agreement is on track and a ceasefire in the 15-monthold conflict was expected to
proceed "as soon as late this weekend".
"We are seeing nothing that would tell us that this is going to get derailed at this point," he said on CNN on Thursday.
A group representing families of Israeli hostages in Gaza, 33 of whom are due to be freed in the first six-week phase of the accord, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to move forward quickly.
"For the 98 hostages, each night is another night of terrible nightmare. Do not delay their return even for one more night," the group said in a statement late on Thursday carried by Israeli media.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier on Thursday said a "loose end" in the negotiations needed to be resolved.
A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said this was a dispute over the identities of some prisoners Hamas wanted released. Envoys of President
Los Angeles evacuees told stay away from home at least another week
Los Angeles officials told most evacuees from the wildfires on Thursday to stay away from their homes at least another week as emergency responders remove toxic waste from incinerated neighbourhoods and cut off electricity and gas lines posing a hazard amid the ruins.
Landslides further endangered the devastated hillsides, where levelled structures no longer hold earth in place and water from fire hoses and broken pipes has saturated the ground, adding more stress and heartache to people suffering the worst natural disaster in Los Angeles history. With wildfires burning for a 10th day, firefighters ex-
pressed relief over withstanding recent red flag conditions of high desert winds and low humidity without either of the two monster fires growing.
But the National Weather Service warned that the respite of ocean breezes and cloud cover will be short, as hazardous fire weather was forecast to return on Sunday.
Frustrated evacuees are eager to return home to assess the damage and salvage any keepsakes or medicine, but officials said it was too dangerous or too taxing on first responders who were still dealing with the immediate disaster, which has killed at least 27 persons. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Joe Biden and Presidentelect Donald Trump were in Doha with Egyptian and Qatari mediators working to resolve it, the official said.
Hamas senior official Izzat el-Reshiq said the group remained committed to the ceasefire deal. (Excerpt from Reuters)
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Sudan's leader, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accusing him of choosing war over negotiations to bring an end to the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes.
The US Treasury Department said in a statement that under Burhan's leadership, the army's war tactics have included indiscriminate bombing of civilian infrastructure, attacks on schools, markets and hospitals, and extrajudicial executions.
Washington announced the measures, first reported by Reuters, just a week after imposing sanctions on Burhan's rival in the twoyear-old civil war, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Two sources with knowledge of the action told Reuters one aim of
Thursday's sanctions was to show that Washington was not picking sides.
Speaking earlier on Thursday, Burhan was defiant about the prospect that he might be targeted.
"I hear there's going to be sanctions on the army leadership. We welcome any sanctions for serving this country," he said in comments broadcast on Al Jazeera television.
Washington also issued sanctions over the supply of weapons to the army, targeting a Sudanese-Ukrainian national as well as a Hong Kong-based company.
Thursday's action freezes any of their US assets and generally bars Americans from dealing with them. The Treasury Department said it issued authorisations allowing certain transactions, including activities involving the warring generals, so as not to impede humanitarian assistance. (Excerpt from Reuters)
outh Korea's arrested
SPresident Yoon Suk Yeol will not attend a new round of questioning by investigators today, his lawyer said, as authorities face an imminent deadline to obtain a warrant to extend his detention or release the embattled leader.
In order to hold Yoon in custody for longer, investigators are expected today to ask a court to approve a detention warrant for up to 20 days, legal experts said.
On Wednesday, Yoon became the first sitting South
Korean President to be arrested, over a probe into whether he committed insurrection when he briefly imposed martial law in early December. He is being held at the Seoul Detention Centre. Although Yoon's lawyers challenged the legality of his arrest, the Seoul Central District Court struck down the challenge late on Thursday, ruling that the arrest was legal.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), which is leading the
criminal probe, recalled Yoon for questioning on Friday, but his lawyer said the suspended President would not attend.
"He has fully stated his basic position on the first day (of the arrest), and we believe there is no reason or need to answer the Q&A style back-and-forth," Yoon's lawyer, Seok Donghyeon, said in a statement.
Yoon, who has stonewalled efforts to interrogate him, also refused to be questioned on Thursday.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
A tight-lipped attitude will help you exceed your expectations. Let your actions speak for you. A methodical attitude will help you outshine competitors.
Take control and create sustainable opportunities. Take care of all the details behind the scenes. Don't offer to help someone unless you're fully prepared to do so.
Inch your way toward whatever you want to pursue. Participate in events that offer insight into lifestyle changes that allow you to expand your imagination.
Get ready to take flight. You'll accomplish plenty if you are organized and equipped to conquer. Start a dialogue with loved ones and get ready to enjoy the ride.
Think big, get involved and do your part to improve your life. Don't be daunted by others' actions. Instead, align yourself with those who share your interests and forge ahead.
Let your passion rise to the surface and be open and honest regarding your feelings, aspirations and long-term goals. Sign up for events or attend social functions, and you'll gain insight.
An open mind will lead to new beginnings. Dig deep, search for answers and consider how to harness personal growth and a lifestyle that satisfies your needs.
Mental or physical journeys will broaden your awareness of what's possible. A disciplined attitude will help you manufacture what's required to bring about positive change.
Square off and get ready to stand your ground and fight for your rights. Refrain from letting anyone outmaneuver you mentally or physically. Opportunity begins with you and reasonable expectations.
High energy and working to get the desired results will pay off. Positive change is within reach, and networking will help you connect with the right people.
You may think that forcing a change will help you get your way, but underestimating whoever you are dealing with will cost you time and money. Focus on slow, steady progress.
Draw on the talent around you. Listen, formulate your plan and cap your budget. Get out of the fast lane and take a more thoughtful path. Attend events that promote creative thinking.
he Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) will embark on a new tournament season with the Moo Milksponsored National Under-12 Rapid Championship tourneys. The championships will kick off the 2025 tournament season this Sunday, January 19th, 2025, in the Oasis Room of the Guyana Pegasus Hotel at Kingston, Georgetown.
The seven-round Rapid competi tion will be played in two categories: the Open and Girls section, with an expected participation of forty-plus children. The tournament will be played in the Swiss format, with a time control of 20 minutes plus 5-second increments after the first
With Moo Milk again as the financial backbone and sponsor of this event, the competition is expected to feature new players who are ready to showcase their chess skills and vie for the coveted crowns.
Reigning Under-12 Boys Champion Jeremy Cole and Girls Champion Kataleya Sam are both set to return to defend their titles, but several strong con tenders would be making their moves on the title holders in both categories.
This event aims to provide enhanced opportunities for young chess players na-
tionwide to flourish and advance, enabling greater participation in GCForganized tournaments.
The GCF noted that it has observed a significant rise in female participation in the National Under-12 tournament over time, leading to the establishment of a dedicated Girls' Category.
The Federation wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to De Sinco Trading, particularly their Moo Milk brand, for their unwav ering support for the development of young chess players in Guyana.
Management of The Guyana Pegasus Hotel for graciously providing the venue for the tournament. Interested persons can connect
Fakhar Zaman’s 67 and a rapid, unbeaten 21 off just eight balls from Sherfane Rutherford propelled the Desert Vipers to their third win in a row to begin the 2025 International League T20 (ILT20) season.
The Vipers successfully chased down 160 with five balls remaining in the final over, to defeat the MI Emirates by five wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Zaman’s 67 came off 52 balls, and included five fours and two sixes; and he was well supported by Alex Hales, who made 34, and Sam Curran, who made 28.
Rutherford then came in and put the finishing touches on another excellent performance from the
Vipers with his rapid knock, which included three fours and the game-clinching six.
Zahoor Khan and Dan Mousley each took two wickets for the Emirates, who had earlier made 159-6 from their 20 overs after
winning the toss and choosing to bat.
Kieron Pollard led the way with 36 off 23 balls, including two fours and three sixes; while Kusal Perera made a patient 29-ball 33 at the top of the order.
Romario Shepherd finished with 16* off eight balls, while captain Nicholas Pooran was one of many batsmen to get starts throughout the innings with his 15 off 11 balls.
By Omar mcKenzie
The year 2024 is done and dusted for Chase’s Academic Foundation with their becoming the first school to cop all the secondary school boys’ titles, from under-14 to under-18.
They emerged champions of the U18 Milo Schools Football tourney in April, and followed that up by winning the U14 ExxonMobil Boys Football tourney in July. In December, they bagged the U18 Republic Bank Schools Football League, and closed off the season by winning the KFC Goodwill International Schoolboys Tournaments, the U14 team being led by Mark Glasgow and the U18 team by Bryan Wharton.
There is precious little space in the spectacular trophy case of this Parade Street, Kingston Georgetown institution; and Team Manager Orande Chase has said he is hoping to replicate the 2024 successes in 2025.
In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Team Manager Orande Chase divulged that, with the rich history of winning already within the school, the next step for the team would be the inclusivity of young players.
“Well, considering that the school ‘chases’, we have a history of dominating school football spanning over I believe
10 years now: when I was still in school to now. Considering all of that, the feeling of winning, the fact of winning, is nothing new… the only step forward that we needed to take was to win everything in the academic year, and that's what we did.
So, the next step for us now, what we're looking at, is to continue that run and to involve younger players and bring in the next generation. We would say the next group of young footballers at the school,” he confidently affirmed.
“So, in the previous competitions, what we did, we implemented. We used some emerging players we would consider…as players
who would have been in the under-14 system, and after the Exxon tournament, implement them into the team bit by bit,” he explained.
“We used, in the past tournament, the last tournament, two of our players who will be playing under-14 football this year; and we know for sure that they will play a key part in securing that under-14 title coming. And after that tournament, we will see probably four to five other players from that team transitioning…into the more senior team,” he detailed.
The only trophy yet to find a home in that bulging, overcrowded trophy cabinet is the U14 Girls ExxonMobil football trophy, and when
quizzed, Orande Chase indicated that, in the future, they intend to participate with interest in the team being among the hurdles for the girls.
Chase said, “So, with girls being the only title that we, the only competition we are not participating in, we do intend soon to have the girls to participate. But that is a hurdle that we, that has a lot of hurdles that we have to cross. We first have to have the girls interested in the sport and want to play the sport before we can even have a team. So,
Football enthusiasts are in for a spicy clash this Saturday, January 18, 2025, even as the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Elite League Qualification tournament would be reaching its boiling point with an exhilarating final.
East Demerara Football Association’s (EDFA) Mahaica Determinators Football Club and Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon Football Association’s (ECPFA) Mainstay Goldstar FC are scheduled to do battle for a coveted spot in the 7th season of the Elite League.
This comes on the heels of two close semifinal encounters on Wednesday evening, which resulted in the duo
Mahaica’s Travon Adams stunned the opponents with a strike in the very first minute of the game, and the East Coast outfit managed to hold on to that lead for much of the encounter, although things got interesting when Pele’s Akon De Santos equalised in the 61st minute.
Nevertheless, Mahaica held their nerve, and produced a game-winning
goal 8 minutes later to become the eventual finalists. That strike came off the boots of Julius Hamilton in the 69th, and it punched his team’s ticket to the Then, over at the Bartica Community Center Ground in Region 7, Mainstay Goldstar pulled off a major upset over the virtual home-team Bartica Football Association’s (BFA) Potaro
Randy De Jonge, the marksman on show, beat the keeper in the 27th minute to give Mainstay the lead. The scores remained untroubled for the remainder of the encounter, resulting in the win for the Region 2 outfit.
The winner of Saturday’s final would secure an automatic spot in the Elite League Season 7. That spot has been vacated by Buxton United FC, who finished at the bottom of the points table after Season 6 last year, thus resulting in their
The loser of that game would still have a lifeline, having to take on Ann’s Grove United FC next week in a challenge for a spot in the League. Ann’s Grove United finished 9th on the points table, and will consequently have to play to retain their spot in the League. That game is scheduled for Wednesday, January 22.
The venue for the Elite League Qualifiers final had yet to be announced by the GFF up to press time.
that's the challenge there.”
Expounding on their participation in other sports, Chase said, “There's basketball. We participated in the last tournament. Other than that, there are not many other schools. So, we're waiting for cricket, school cricket, to take place, so we can then again jump into the cricket arena.
“We are aspiring to see more table tennis and swimming competitions;
but with the track and field upcoming, we do have some students that we will be sending up for the track and field inter-zone and interschools (competitions). So, we are taking part; we just need to have more competition in those arenas.”
Chase’s Academic Foundation intend to ignite 2025 as they prepare to defend their titles in the 11th Milo U18 Schools Football tournament.
The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will commence its 2025 calendar of activities with the inaugural GBTI Mastercard Golf Classic on Sunday, January 19, as per an announcement. According to the LGC, this exciting collaboration with the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) promises a day of exceptional golfing, networking, and financial insights as the action tees off at 8:00hrs.
The tournament, open to all golf enthusiasts, would feature an engaging Stableford format played over 18 holes. Players would compete to score points based on their net performance, with highlights including special awards for Nearest to the Flag on Hole #4 and Longest Drive on Hole #5. Prizes would be awarded to the top three players based on net scores.
As part of the event, attendees would have the opportunity to explore GBTI’s Mastercard offerings, including the GBTI Gold Mastercard and the GBTI Executive Business Mastercard. The GBTI GROW team would also be on site to provide tailored financial solutions for small and medium-sized business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Lusignan Golf Club and GBTI are extending an open invitation to all golfers, business owners, and community members to join this unique
event that combines sport, networking and growth. The GBTI Mastercard Golf Classic is more than a tournament; it’s a celebration of skill, innovation, community connections and opportunities for financial growth. Registration closes at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 18, and interested persons can contact the LGC on 220-5660 for more information.
The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League’s (CPL) combined digital and broadcast viewership has gone past the billion mark for the very first time. The total combined viewership figure for 2024 was 1.13 billion, an increase of 32% from the 2023 figure.
The tournament has seen improved viewership in India, the Caribbean and USA, as well as a significant increase across CPL’s social media channels. These figures have further cemented the CPL’s position as one of the most watched cricket tournaments around the world.
The tournament was seen around the world with key broadcasting deals in the Caribbean, India, Middle East, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, and was streamed on the CPL’s YouTube and Facebook pages in all other territo-
The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) on Thursday announced the DCB Under-15 squad after intense rounds of competition in the DCB inter-association tournament.
As a means of kick-starting their preparation for the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) U15 tournament, expected to be hosted later this year, the DCB’s strong U15 team will battle an East Coast Under-17 unit.
That match is scheduled for this Sunday, January 19, at the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Cricket Ground, East Coast Demerara (EBD). Bowl-off time is 09:30hrs.
According to the DCB, this match would serve as an excellent platform for the young players to showcase their talent and sharpen their skills ahead of a very tough assignment.
ries.
The 2024 tournament saw 34 matches taking place in six countries, with games in Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad. The 2024 winners were the Saint Lucia Kings, who claimed their maiden CPL title at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. Pete Russell, CPL’s CEO, has said: “This is a huge moment for the CPL. Reaching a total viewership figure of over a billion has been a long-term target for a number of years. To get to a figure of 1.13 billion highlights the appeal of CPL across the Caribbean and around the world. The continued growth in interest in the CPL is extremely pleasing, and we are looking forward to using these amazing results as a springboard for further success in 2025 and beyond.”
This encounter is poised to deliver an exciting game, as the East Coast U17 team brings experience and talent, while the Demerara U15 squad aims to rise to the challenge. As such, the DCB has extended an invitation to cricket fans to come out and witness the display of skill that would be on show by the young men.
<Demerara Under-15 Squad:>
Captain Brandon Henry, Vice- Captain Patrice Fraser, Khush Seegobin, Lomar Seecharran, Nathan Bishop, Reyaz Latif, Makai Dowlin, Shahid Ramzan, Vinesh Kalpoo, Akeem Persaud, Afraz Khan, Joshua Bollers, Joshua Collette and Thierry Davis.
DCB selectors also named six (6) standby players, namely: Jermaine Grovesnor, Somesh Boyer, Sourav Persaud, Joshua Williams and Mickel Johnson.
East Coast Under-17 Team:
Captain Arun Gainda, Vice- Captain Marcel Nandu, Munesh Outar, Nicholas Simon, Johnathan Vieira, Yannick Newton, Ruel Dindyal, Nicholas Boyer, Satindra Shiwdarsan, Nicholas Rukhdeo, Tyrell King, Antonio Chan, Navindra Isurdeen, Kyle Gibson, Akeem Persaud, Devendra Ramkarran.
The DCB also revealed the selection of five Select XI players: Satindra Shiwdarsan, Jasani Craig, Junia Dindyal, Jagdesh Kalpoo and Iaish Anderson.
After a mammoth first innings’ score, Nial Smith’s XI backed up their batting performance by producing a spirited bowling performance that routed Kemol Savory’s XI for 319 on day 2 of the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) practice match.
Riyad Latiff led the charge by taking 3 wickets, ably assisted by the likes of Veerasammy Permaul and Junior Sinclair, who kept a lid on their opponents.
Savory’s XI, chasing a whopping 472 mounted by Smith’s XI when they opted to bat first on day 1, resumed the day on 19 without loss; and Raymon Perez and Brandon Jaikarran both got starts, hitting 19 and 33 runs respectively, but they were not in for the long haul.
Batting at 3, young Zeynul Ramsammy impressed with a sparkling 75 off 148 deliveries, smashing 8 fours and 2 sixes
2
in the process. However, Captain Savory had to put a hand up when the remainder of his top order could not get going.
Savory hit 7 fours and 3 sixes for an unbeaten 76 off 103 deliveries, in process striking up respective partnerships worth 18, 27, 52 and 32 with his bowlers Thaddeus Lovell, Ashmead Nedd, Anthony Adams and Isai Thorne. That got his team past the 300-run mark. Adams looked good for 25 from 29 balls, and Lovell, Nedd and Thorne contributed 12, 16 and 13 runs to the score. They were eventually bowled out for 319 in 86.1 overs, late on Thursday afternoon.
Aside from Latiff’s 3-53 from 12 overs, Permaul snared 2-42 from 14 overs while Sinclair took 2-38 from 17.
The Harpy Eagles practice match continues today at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), where Sachin Singh and Rampertab Ramnauth will resume at the crease for Smith’s XI.
