Pres Ali announces $200,000 one-off payment for every household, among other multibillion $$ measures for Guyanese
Public sector minimum wage hike to $100k
50% reduction in electricity costs by end of 2025
Tax threshold increase for parents
Incentives for poultry farmers
$10B one-off injection into NIS to address challenges affecting pensioners
$10,000 universal healthcare voucher for all citizens Avianca Airlines introduces direct flights between Guyana and Colombia from Dec 11
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, October 11 – 23:30h-01:00h and Saturday, October 12 – No retraction.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, October 11 – 10:30h-12:00h and Saturday, October 12 –12:00h-13:30h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Sunshine is expected during the day, interrupted by light to thundery showers in the morning and afternoon hours. Clear to partly cloudy skies, interrupted by showers, are expected at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 3.58 metres.
High Tide: 10:45h and 23:13h reaching maximum heights of 2.03 metres and 2.13 metres.
Low Tide: 16:38h reaching a minimum height of 1.23 metres.
Pres Ali announces $200,000 one-off payment for every household, among other multi-billion $$ measures for Guyanese
As part of his Government’s commitment to putting more money into the hands of citizens, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday announced a slew of measures for Guyanese across the country, including a $200,000 cash grant for every household to cushion the burden of the current high cost of living.
The Head of State was at the time addressing, for the second time, the 12th Parliament, which just came out of its annual recess period.
During his more-thanthree-hour marathon presentation, President Ali reflected on the initiatives put in place by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration since taking office in 2020 to bring financial relief to Guyanese and in the same breath, announced the introduction of a new series of initiatives that are aimed at safeguarding the quality of life and securing disposable income for citizens.
According to the Guyanese Leader, the oneoff $200,000 cash grant will see an injection of some $60 billion of disposable income into Guyanese households countrywide. “We'll begin this one-off cash grant payment to households instantaneously,” he added.
This announcement, while widely welcomed by the public, sparked some concerns over the qualification for the cash grant, especially for multiple families living at the same residence as well as for tenants, whose landlords often cash in on such payouts thus leaving
them with nothing.
Qualification for cash grant
However, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo subsequently explained that the Government was still working out what constitutes a “household” to benefit from the one-off cash grant. “We still have to work it through – the great detail, but we believe we can do it,” he declared at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
In cases where multiple households are living in the same building, Jagdeo said that the distributors would utilise the same process used for the COVID cash grant, that is, allocate the grants to the primary household first, and then make provisions for the secondary households if proven to be legitimate.
Jagdeo further pointed out that while the census shows there are 264,000 heads of households in the country, the Government knows the number is greater. “We believe the census did not capture everyone… So, this is where it gets tricky,” he stated.
According to the Vice President, the Government will be utilising databases from Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) and Guyana Water Inc (GWI) to determine who are legitimate heads of households.
Moreover, he made it clear that landlords with multiple buildings would not benefit from multiple collections, and that arrangements will be made for secondary households on the same property to benefit.
“We’ll clean up that list so if you have five meters (in your name), you’re
not gonna get (for all five). But assuming I’m paying for five tenants now… (after) we go through the first list and GPL’s verified database, these five tenants are eligible to claim as separate households,” Jagdeo explained.
The Vice President further assured that while renters would also benefit, non-nationals living/renting here would not. In fact, he pointed out that the distribution exercise would require a strict process of verification.
For hinterland communities, he noted that the verification process was less complicated since those villages are smaller and the Toshaos are in a position to give advice on legitimate households.
Nevertheless, VP Jagdeo posited that while the Government was confident that the economy could absorb this massive cash injection, the Government intended to ensure every legitimate household benefitted and that the distribution was done fairly without people trying to cheat the system.
“So, we’re working it to try to see as far as possible, how we can make it fair without people ripping off the system… I hope people don’t move into a place and say they’re gonna rent for a week [just to benefit from the grant]… It’s not an easy task when you’re dealing with large numbers of people and you have like about five per cent of them looking to cheat the system – deliberately set out to cheat. We’re not starry-eyed about this, you know, we know (about the fraudsters),” the Vice President stated.
Public sector minimum wage
Further, Ali revealed additional measures that his Government would implement to increase the disposable income of Guyanese households.
“In securing purchasing power and disposable income of our people… I now wish to announce that by the end of 2025, no public sector employee will be working for less than $100,000 monthly. This will see the disposable income of these employ-
ees increasing by more than $1 billion. This is how we build prosperity; this is how we reduce disparity, and this is how we build equity in the system; real action, real work, real policies – all in the interest of our people,” he stressed.
According to Ali, this will be added to the increases for public servants that the PPP/C Administration has rolled out since 2020, including the special adjustments to the salaries of certain categories of teachers, public healthcare workers and members of the Disciplined Forces. Those measures had benefitted over 18,000 public sector employees.
Only back in August 2024, the Education Ministry finalised a new multi-year agreement with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) that will see the country’s educators in the public system receiving salary increases for the next three years at 10 per cent in 2024, eight per cent in 2025 and nine per cent in 2026. Additionally, adjustments were agreed to for several other allowances paid to teachers, including the remote area incentive and allowances paid to teachers with post-graduate qualifications.
For the Disciplined Forces, the Ali-led Government restored the one-month tax-free yearend bonuses, placing over $6 billion in the hands of the members of the various Disciplined Services since 2020.
“We don't demonstrate our love and commitment to people by noise. We demonstrate our commitment and love to people by real action, real policy, real intervention,” the Guyanese Leader asserted.
Healthcare vouchers
In keeping with the same theme of enhancing the lives of Guyanese, the President noted that his Government has invested close to $500 billion to develop the country’s healthcare system by partnering with the best international healthcare providers and incentivising private investments in the healthcare sector.
President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the 12th Parliament on Thursday
Guyana is on the brink of a transformative moment that could reshape the future of its people. President Dr Irfaan Ali's bold announcement that the Government will deliver on its election manifesto commitment to provide free university education at the University of Guyana marks a historic shift in the country's educational landscape. Coupled with the write-off of outstanding student loans and the introduction of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, this initiative represents an unprecedented investment in the nation's human capital.
President Ali’s Administration has already taken significant steps in easing the financial burden of education. The announced student loan forgiveness, totalling up to $5 billion this year and potentially $18 billion by the time of completion, is a game-changer for many who have struggled under the weight of student debt. This move will provide financial relief for thousands of students, allowing them to focus on their careers and contribute to the nation’s development without the looming pressure of debt.
In addition, the GOAL scholarship programme has already touched the lives of 29,000 students, extending the reach of higher education to families across the country. This initiative is a crucial milestone in democratising access to education. By bringing university education into homes with Internet connectivity, it has ensured that geographic location or economic background no longer limits who can pursue higher learning. This marks a significant step in bridging the urban-rural education divide, ensuring that education is not just a privilege for the few but a right for every Guyanese citizen.
The next, most revolutionary phase will begin in January 2025, when tuition fees will be completely abolished at the University of Guyana. This decision will directly impact over 11,000 current students and countless future generations. By making higher education free, the Government is addressing a critical barrier that has long prevented many young people from attending university –the cost of tuition. This move is not just about fulfilling a manifesto promise; it is a profound commitment to building a prosperous, knowledge-driven society where education is the foundation for national development.
Free university education will undoubtedly have long-term implications for the country. With access to higher education broadened, Guyana stands to see a surge in the number of skilled professionals in fields ranging from engineering and medicine to education and technology. These individuals will be the architects of Guyana’s future, driving innovation and progress in every sector of the economy. As the world becomes increasingly competitive, it is Guyana’s investment in education today that will secure its place in the global marketplace tomorrow.
The social impact of free education cannot be overstated. Education has always been one of the most powerful tools for social mobility, and by removing the financial barriers to higher learning, the Government is creating pathways for upward mobility for countless families. This initiative is poised to reduce inequality, offering young people from all backgrounds the chance to dream big and achieve their goals. It is a message of hope and opportunity for every corner of the country, from the bustling capital of Georgetown to the remote hinterland regions.
President Ali has emphasised that the future belongs to Guyana's young people. This initiative is a testament to his Administration’s vision of empowering the next generation to lead the nation forward. With this commitment to education, Guyana is positioning itself not just for economic growth, but for a future where its citizens are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
This bold move also sends a clear signal about the Government’s priorities. In an era where many countries are grappling with education costs, Guyana is choosing to make higher education a public good, accessible to all. It is a progressive and forward-thinking approach that reflects a deep understanding of the transformative power of education.
As Guyana embarks on this new journey, the challenge will be to ensure that the infrastructure, faculty, and resources at the University of Guyana are prepared to accommodate the influx of students and maintain high academic standards. But with the right investments and continued political will, there is no doubt that this initiative will pay dividends for generations to come.
Community engagement is an inclusive mechanism
Dear Editor, International organizations like the European Union and the US State Department have joined local groups that are calling upon the PPPC to expand inclusivity measures in their governance model.
Some of those measures are incorporated into the workings of commissions (constitutional and non-constitutional). However, for most Guyanese, their knowledge of the operations of these bodies and how they facilitate inclusivity is fuzzy. Guyanese seem to know more about power sharing than inclusivity.
The Parliamentary Sectoral Committees (PSC: Economic Services, Security, Social Services, and Foreign Relations) and the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PPAC) all have crucial decision-making authority. The PPAC is chaired by an Opposition member, while 2 PSCs are chaired by Government representatives and 2 by Opposition representatives.
The Chairs of PSCs rotate annually.
These committees can question Government policies, and summon Government ministers and top Government officials to explain policy lapses. The Parliamentary Committees can demand corrective measures where appropriate.
Although I had earlier (10/4/24) described some mechanisms that impact inclusion, I did not define the concept of inclusivity. In my view, inclusivity is a mech-
anism that provides an opportunity for the Opposition, established NGOs, Private Sector, NDCs, community groups, and individuals to play a meaningful role in the public decision-making process in order to achieve fairness in the allocation of resources; elimination of race bias; provision of ready and easy access to education, healthcare, potable water; safe neighbourhoods; reduction of poverty and dependency.
The first genuine attempt at inclusivity occurred before the general elections of 1992, and marked an end to the PNC dictatorship even as it paved the way for the crafting of an inclusive formula to appoint the GECOM Chair.
The Leader of the Opposition is required to submit the names of 6 persons who are not unacceptable to the President, and from that list, one person would be appointed as GECOM Chair. The CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) says that the amendment to Article 161(2) indicates that the process is designed to promote “consensus and inclusiveness.” However, most of the inclusive mechanisms in existence have been developed in 2000, as part of the Herdmanston-driven Constitutional Reform Process.
How the Government and the Opposition react to the workings of existing inclusive mechanisms is mixed: the Government seems comfortable, while the Opposition appears uneasy. At the constitutional bod-
ies, the Opposition is represented but they lament the failure of the Government to activate the Human Rights Commission.
It is at the statutory bodies (outside Parliament) over which Mr Aubrey Norton’s concerns run deep. PNCR states that although the Opposition has two representatives in the 5-member Public Procurement Commission (PPC), there is no Opposition representative on the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). They argue for 2 representatives at NPTAB.
To accommodate this request, the law must be amended.
In respect of the Natural Resources Fund, the Opposition complains that the 9-member Public Accountability and Oversight Committee (PAOC), though having one nominee from the National Assembly, they have no representation; likewise on the 3-5 Board of Directors, while one nominee is from the National Assembly, they have no seat.
Again, Opposition representation in these bodies could happen if an amendment to the NRF Act No 19 of 2021 is made by Parliament.
The law does not allow for Opposition representatives to be on statutory (state) boards. To promote inclusivity could be through the legal process, in which the relevant laws must be amended. To promote it through consultation is problematic. The Government would
be reluctant to appoint an Opposition representative who could potentially disrupt the operations of statutory bodies due to differing ideological approaches.
While the APNU+AFC were in power, they never sought to include Opposition (PPPC) representatives on state boards. Another major hurdle is that the Opposition still refers to the PPPC government as “installed.” Mr. Norton claims that he cannot shake President Ali’s hand because “I dislike what he is doing to my people.”
While there are other areas in which inclusivity can be explored, such as the budget process and appointment of Cabinet ministers, the policy of taking the Government to the people -- that transcends political parties, NGOs, geographic boundaries, ethnicity, gender, and religion -- is allowing the PPPC government to obtain first-hand information from community engagements in all 10 regions.
The PPPC believe they can identify the people’s needs through the level and intensity of their interactions with them. Frequent community engagement has become a powerful inclusive mechanism of governance; in a few years hence, it would become an institution. This is not to suggest that other measures of inclusivity should be minimized; rather, they should be part of the inclusive model.
Sincerely,
Dr Tara Singh
Minister Susan Rodrigues on Thursday met with some of the individuals who won medals at the recently concluded 2024 International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF) Cup World Championship, which was held at the UEL Sports Dock, University Way, Beckton, London. The persons she met with are Jasmin Dalgetty, Jaden Dalgetty, Malachi Hall, and Miah Sampson
There is no health without mental health
As our sisters and brothers in Guyana and around the world observe World Mental Health Day, the Guyana Mission in Geneva joins in the observance by reminding everyone that major increases in mental health, brain health, and substance use represent major health burdens, and contribute significantly to poverty.
Increasing numbers of people are today experiencing unbearable mental stress because of more global conflicts and more and greater-intensity natural disasters.
Even as we observe World Mental Health Day, we do so with several states in the US being pummelled by Hurricane Milton, which is leaving a trail of death and destruction. This comes at a time when these very areas have not yet recovered from the onslaught of Hurricane Helene. Just recently, our Caribbean sisters and brothers endured the assault from Hurricane Beryl that left a trail of death, injuries and destruction in several CARICOM countries. Recently, too, our sisters and brothers in various countries in Asia -- like Nepal and India -- reeled from the death and destruction caused by monsoon floods.
As we observe Global Mental Health Day 2024, we do so with millions around the world suffering excruciating mental agony from conflicts.
There are different dimensions of this conflict-based mental agony.
There is the misery of mental stress experienced by victims. Those persons, including women and children and the elderly and disabled -- who live in an environment where bombs and missiles flow like rain; who witness their loved ones being dismembered by bullets and bombs; who are surrounded every minute by death and blood -- live with unending mental agony and misery. Our world has proven to be both unwilling and incapable of stopping the brutality.
There is also the misery of mental stress experienced by people who helplessly watch from afar. It is not easy to watch the brutal result of war and destruction: of headless babies, of children running with their dead infant siblings prominently displayed on lV screens around the world.
The incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has simply ballooned in the last several years through unprecedented numbers of conflict situations and through increasing natural disasters.
As a world, we can do better. World Mental Health Day 2024 reminds us that mental health insecurity is a global crisis.
One in four persons is afflicted with mental illness at some point in their lives, more women than men.
More than 70% of persons who suffer from acute or chronic mental illness receive no treatment or help. In
developed countries, just about 33% receive treatment; in developing countries, less than 25% receive treatment.
• People with mental health issues are more susceptible to facing other health challenges, including dangerous cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing these conditions, while people with serious mental illness are twice as likely to develop them.
• Depression affects the lives of more than 280M people, with 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men being affected.
• 22% of persons who experience a conflict would develop a mental disorder.
• One in 7 adolescent children between the ages of 10 and 19 suffer from a mental health disorder.
• A debilitating social stigma is still a barrier in the response to mental health. The global economy loses about US$1 trillion annually.
I am hoping that the UNGA HighLevel Meeting in September 2025 would harness the global experience, talent, willingness, and financial capacity to do something far more meaningful to tackle mental health.
I urge that while we put together more effective responses for mental health, brain health also receives more attention. The growing problem of neurodiversity (autism, AHDH, etc.) requires more attention.
The world is facing a genuine pandemic when it comes to substance use. Outside of the associated social problems, such as crime, the trail of destroyed lives is a genuine pandemic. For most developing countries, there is little to no capacity to respond.
A concerted global effort is needed to build a human resource capacity in each country to respond.
Guyana's Geneva Mission reminds the world that, in the early stages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the world endorsed a task-shifting strategy in building a human resource capacity to respond to HIV and AIDS. This same strategy might be of benefit in our response to mental health, brain health, and substance use.
The Mission is proud of the increasing investment Guyana is making to improve our National Mental Health Response. Tangible results have been seen. One such result is the reduced number of suicide deaths.
Finally, the 2024 theme is: Mental Health in the Workplace. We must all ensure that we provide a supportive environment to support the mental well-being of all persons at the workplace.
Leslie Ramsammy Permanent Representative and ambassador Permanent Mission of Guyana in Geneva
Improving the lives of Guyanese
Dear Editor,
In February this year, President Ali besought teachers and all categories of workers to exercise patience as his Administration continues to make the lives of Guyanese better one day at a time: not only through sustainable wages and salaries; not only by implementing various measures to subsidize the cost of living; but by greatly improving the infrastructural landscape of every region of Guyana.
Today, the teachers are happy with the increases in their salaries and other benefits. Patience has won.
Everywhere the eyes behold, there has been a vast improvement in the landscape of the country. In the recently concluded CPL, the commentators were vociferous in lauding the immense transformation taking place in Guyana. In fact, they were unanimous in declaring that every time they come to Guyana for CPL matches, the progress and economic growth of the country is evident.
This is not the observation of only these commentators, but is that of each and every visitor, especially Guyanese living abroad.
Today I listened in awe and admiration as President Ali outlined the endless list of numerous socio-economic developments which were achieved since he assumed office in 2020, and what will be achieved in 2025. Hardly has a government been able to achieve even an iota of what this Government has achieved.
The President highlighted the progress of his government in each and every sector of this country and in each and every Region; no one has been left behind, especially the vulnerable members of society (old people, children, single parents, differently abled, etc).
This is what a government should be proud about, and what the electorate would use as the barometer to elect a government. The APNU and AFC cannot stand on their ‘achievements’, which highlight corruption, mismanagement, squandermania and cronyism. Their major ‘achievement’ was probably the 5-month-long attempted rigging of the 2020 General Elections.
Today the numerous complaints of residents have been reduced significantly, and I am positive that this
caring Government would address each and every complaint in real time, as has been the hallmark of this Government.
The President’s announcement of a cash grant of $200,000 for every household, which would cost $60 billion in total, is yet another measure to buffer the cost of living. This is in addition to the income tax allowance for each child, which means more disposable income for parents; a minimum of $100,000 for public servants
by end of 2025; free UG education from January 2025; and a $10,000 basic health care voucher.
These are just a few measures, but the 2025 Budget would roll out a lot more. The naysayers should listen to President Ali’s speech and be enlightened. Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. Better things are yet to come.
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Drawing your own maze
According to one definition, mazes have many branching paths, with only one path leading to the centre or exit.
Some of the earliest mazes we know of were found in Egypt and in Crete, dating back over 4000 years.
One of the most famous of these is the seven-circuit Cretan labyrinth, which we shall be learning how to draw.
In Greek mythology the Cretan king Minos owned a labyrinth in which lurked the Minotaur – a half man, half bull creature who ate anyone lost in the labyrinth...
The Romans built many mosaic labyrinths, which were
typically found in the entrance halls of their villas. Mazes are still very popular today, with many large ones found in the grounds of parks and stately homes.
The street filled with tomatoes, midday, summer, light is halved like a tomato, its juice runs through the streets. In December, unabated, the tomato invades the kitchen, it enters at lunchtime, takes its ease on countertops, among glasses, butter dishes, blue saltcellars.
5-year-old dies following explosion at Prospect
Five-year-old Fayyaz Sahid of Prospect, East Bank Demerara was killed after a metal barrel that his parents were cutting to make a bar-be-que grill exploded.
Pres
Initial investigations revealed that the child’s parents, Faiaze Sahid and Jessica Williams, were on the verandah of their home, using a welding torch to cut a metal barrel to make a BBQ grill when
the barrel exploded and struck the child, who was a short distance away on the verandah. The child was picked up and rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on
arrival. The Police have been informed, and an investigation has been launched. Police ranks who examined the barrel observed that it had a sticker with the sign “highly flammable.” Further, it has been
established that the top of the barrel blew out and struck the now dead child. The child’s body bore injuries to the left hand and to the left side of the head. Further investigations are ongoing.
Ali announces $200,000 one-off payment for every...
“We are focusing heavily on primary health care to ensure early detection, early care, public health, education and preventative care. This is part of the public health system to promote a healthier population,” he stated.
Against this backdrop, the Head of State announced the introduction of a universal healthcare voucher to the tune of $10,000 per person in 2025. This, he explained, will “…help finance the cost of the basic menu of tests to establish baseline health data and to identify early warning signals so preventative action can be taken to avoid the onset of the main non-communicable diseases”.
This universal healthcare voucher will benefit approximately 500,000 persons across Guyana and is an investment of some $5 billion that will go towards building a healthy, strong and resilient population.
Only earlier this year, the Government rolled out, as part of Budget 2024, the distribution of vouchers to support eye tests for schoolchildren and pensioners along with financial support to purchase spectacles for those in need. In addition, women over the age of 21 can also benefit from a voucher to undergo a screening test for cervical cancer.
Tax relief for parents
Another hallmark of the Ali-led Administration is its interventions in the tax system to promote several pol-
icy objectives, including an income tax deductible in relation to the premiums paid by taxpayers for life and medical insurance.
To further increase the income tax threshold for categories of citizens, the Guyanese Leader on Thursday announced that next year, his Government would be introducing a new income tax deductible for parents.
“Each child [will] entitle one of their parents to claim an additional deduction of $10,000 per month for the purpose of determining their chargeable income that is subjected to income tax… So, what this in effect mean, is that for every child, one of their parents will be entitled to an additional income tax threshold of $120,000,” the President noted.
It was further explained “…if you have two children, [that] will take you to $140,000… $10,000 per child and two children is $20,000… Three children would entitle you to $30,000 per month. So, this initiative would see the tax deduction on your salary, improving your disposable income and expanding your non-tax income.”
NIS subvention
Moreover, having already granted an accumulated 75 per cent increase in the monthly pension over the past four years and increasing the minimum pension at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) earlier this year from $35,000 to $43,000 monthly,
the PPP/C Government has injected several billion dollars into the NIS to assist the elderly population.
According to President Ali, based on the feedback from community outreaches across the country, the Government found it necessary that it must and should do more.
“We recognise that a number of persons continue to face challenges accessing their benefits from the NIS. In order to address these, we have earmarked a sum of $10 billion as a one-off injection into the NIS to help address some of these challenges,” the Head of State noted.
This intervention, Ali added, would allow contributors who do not meet the requirement to benefit from the NIS pension, to now receive a cash payout from whatever limited contributions they would have made.
Reduction in electricity costs
In a further bid to ease the high cost of living, President Ali committed that Guyanese consumers would get significant relief in 2025 when the cost of electricity is slashed by half, with the operationalisation of the 300-megawatt power plant from the Gas-to-Energy Project – a key initiative as part of the Government’s energy transition mix.
“We will be reducing by half, by 50 per cent, the cost of electricity for every consumer in Guyana. And this will be done long before the end of 2025,” he declared.
According to the Head of State, this investment will see Guyanese saving more than US$250 million.
“This is an injection of 250 million US dollars by the Government of Guyana that will positively impact disposable income by the reduction in the cost of electricity. That is more than $50 billion back in the pockets of the Guyanese people… This is where the revenue is going. This is where the investment is being made in the lives of people, in the comfort of people, in the disposable income. This is how prosperity is built by enhancing livelihood, improving infrastructure, giving better access to housing, health care, education, delivering higher quality services and empowering people and
families,” he posited.
Incentives for poultry farmers
Notwithstanding these interventions, President Ali also spoke about advancements in the country’s agriculture sector to make it a centrepiece of the country’s non-oil economy. Focusing on poultry, he highlighted efforts to transform and modernise this area with innovative solutions like tunnel houses.
“Given the importance of the poultry meat sector in agriculture… we’ll be introducing in the next fiscal year, new rules that will allow for accelerated depreciation of capital investment by poultry farmers. This will reduce the effective cost of investment in the sector and incen-
tivise ramped-up investment and increase production,” the Guyanese Leader noted. He posited that the intention is to make Guyana a poultry meat-producing capital of the Caribbean. Consequently, it was also announced that the Government is examining the regions and sectors in the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act as eligible for tax holidays, to possibly expand these to include several specific geographic areas earmarked to be special economic development zones. Despite his major announcements of these and other initiatives on Thursday, the Head of State assured that there would be more such relief measures for Guyanese in the 2025 Budget. (G8)
Pres Ali engages Caricom Chair over mass deportation of Haitians from DR
Government of the Dominican Republic (DR) plans to deport thousands of Haitians from that country because of gang violence and poverty in Haiti, but President Dr Irfaan Ali has since engaged the Chairman of Caricom, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, to derive an action plan to prevent further harm from being done to Haitians.
The Dominican Republic disclosed on Tuesday that it has deported or repatriated nearly 11,000 Haitians in the past week, fulfilling a pledge to do so weekly as it scrambles to handle the influx of Haitians while being besieged by gang violence and poverty.
Government of the Dominican Republic plans to deport up to 10,000 Haitians
each week, and this has prompted Haitian officials to request an emergency meeting at the level of the Organization of American States (OAS). At least half a million Haitians live in the
Dominican Republic, according to human rights groups.
The Guyanese Head of State told media operatives on Tuesday that Caricom is committed to tackling as a unit this and other issues af-
fecting Haitians. He disclosed that the matter would be discussed at length during an upcoming meeting of leaders of Caricom member states, and that security is high on the agenda of that meeting.
“We delved into the matters, and I know that in our upcoming meetings, we have a meeting on security, a special meeting on security. This issue will be raised. I know the Chair of Caricom is already flagging this issue for the course of discussion. We will have a collective perspective. I do have an individual perspective, but let us wait until we have the collective perspective of the region,” Ali has said.
The DR Government had stated the deportation is necessary, and has cited an “excess” of immigrants as relations between the countries sharing the island of Hispaniola continue to sour. These deportations are the largest in recent history between these two countries.
Earlier in the year, thousands of Haitians started to leave their homeland amid political violence. As a means of bringing back normalcy to that country, Caricom, led by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who was Chairman at the time, managed to initiate a Transitional Presidential Council that is tasked with guiding Haiti towards elections, the restoration of order, helping to identify an interim Prime Minister, and replacing the then Prime Minister Ariel Henry, among other things. The mandate of that Transitional Presidential Council expires in February 2026, by when elections must be held.
Haiti has been engulfed in turmoil since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Its streets have since been overrun by gangs, and a continuous cycle of violence has since existed. Violence flared even more when, in February, criminal gangs in the capital Port-auPrince conducted coordinated attacks targeting police stations, prisons, critical infrastructure and civilian sites in the city.
On March 2, armed gangs raided two penitentiaries and reportedly freed some 3800 inmates, after which Haitian authorities announced a three-day state of emergency and imposed a nighttime curfew.
Dealing with…
…Venezuelan challenges
The recent visit by Foreign Minister Hugh Todd to the Linden area, to speak to Venezuelan refugees and migrants who’d raised concerns from residents, highlights that we shouldn’t only be looking outwards to the threats from Mad Maduro’s machinations, but inwards: at the influx of his citizenry who’ve been driven out by the economic and humanitarian crises he has created!!
Imagine almost EIGHT MILLION Venezuelans leaving their country over the past decade to go into neighbouring countries.
Colombia alone has some six million; which dwarfs the 25,000 we’re conservatively said to have. Your Eyewitness feels the actual numbers are way above this figure, since most of these refugees/ migrants arrive in small boats at sparsely populated locales, and aren’t recorded. They are received by friends and relatives who preceded them. But, in these matters, the numbers are relative. With our population hovering around 750,000 during those ten years, we’re talking about at least 5% now being Venezuelans!!
And with the continued influx occasioned by Mad Maduro’s persecution of Opposition supporters after he rigged the July 28th elections, and with the proclivity of the poor to make babies, one can easily see this number and percentage doubling in a decade.
Now, as your Eyewitness has said before, he’s very sympathetic to the plight of these refugees, cause the shoe was on the other foot when Burnham’s policies drove out thousands of our citizens to Venezuela four decades ago. But with Venezuela’s population then being about 20 million, the Guyanese had to blend in and go along to get along. We’ve seen this with some of them who’ve returned; they speak, sing, and act Spanish!!
On the other hand, these Venezuelans will soon be a force to be reckoned with in our country – once they settle in. Government has already decided that WE must accommodate them by teaching Spanish in our schools!! One would think we woulda insist that they learn English, even if they want to retain their culture.
Your Eyewitness cannot ignore the potential for more demands - and even some kind of irredentist sentiments being provoked when they reach a critical mass – and their moving ahead based on the typical immigrant proclivity to work hard and accumulate assets.
Every European nation – even the liberal Scandinavians – has rethought their immigration policy after experiencing some of the contradictions identified above, and is instituting new measures to deal with them. Your Eyewitness mightn’t have all the answers at this time, but he insists we begin to pose questions based on the experience of others.
Yes, our historical background dictates that we be sympathetic to migrants – but that experience also suggests challenges do arise when any group reaches the size to make group demands!! Let’s have a national discussion!!
…Mad Maduro
Looking at the external Venezuelan equation, your Eyewitness was bemused – but not amused! – at the chutzpah of Mad Maduro’s Foreign Affairs Minister, who spoke at the UNGA late last month. Referring to the US, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and other countries that are calling for recognition of the Venezuelan Opposition – which had proved they won the elections, he declared: “This is a largescale recolonization plan that attempts, based on a continued coup d’état, to destroy our Republic.” He emphasized that Washington is seeking to destroy Venezuela’s democratic system and people’s right to self-determination through a “neo-colonial experiment.”
If any country should talk about attempted “recolonization”, it’s us: about Mad Maduro’s Venezuelan campaign to seize two-thirds of our national territory!!
Here’s a man who refuses to recognize the jurisdiction of the same UN in the form of its International Court of Justice (ICJ) - where he’s complaining about “recolonization” on his border controversy – yet he wants justice!!
Part of the growing irrelevance of the UN system is that it facilitates this kind of hypocrisy!!
…police recruitment
News is that a police brass received $46 million cash as wedding gifts; plus, of course, the more common appliances and glassware! There should be an incentive in the GPF’s recruitment drive!! Something to look forward to!!
The Transitional Presidential Council was installed during a ceremony on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Thursday (Reuters/Ralph Tedy Erol photo)
International Day of the Girl Child 3rd year UG economics student is Canadian High Commissioner for a day
In observance of Thursday being International Day of the Girl Child, the High Commission of Canada continued its 8-year tradition of hosting one exceptional young woman as the High Commissioner for the day.
Attiya Griffith, an 18year -old third-year economics major at the University of Guyana (UG), emerged as winner of the online High Commissioner for the Day contest. This year, dozens of young women aged 15-20 years old submitted one-minute-long videos on the topic, ‘If you can have one wish with regards to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, what would you wish for, and why?’ Ms. Griffith delivered an inspiring and strong submission on the topic, highlighting that she would wish for a world where equality is no longer a goal, but a reality.
Having been selected as the winner, Griffith was tasked with performing her duties as High Commissioner on Thursday October 10. Her day included meeting with her staff; visiting the Guyana School of Agriculture’s hydroponic facility, funded in part by Canada; meeting with the Guyana Lottery Company; attending a luncheon hosted in her honour with several accomplished women; and attending a speed mentoring event hosted at the British High Commission. She was exposed to a
cross section of activities and engagements that allowed her to see some of the work being done by the High Commission, and meet representatives of partner organizations.
In addition to provid-
ing Griffith with insight and experience as the High Commissioner, the activity was also aimed at allowing her to network and gain some inspiration from some high-achieving women.
Griffith was able to meet and interact with British High Commissioner H.E. Jane Miller; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues; Parliamentarian Amanza Walton-Desir; and Deputy Programme Manager at Caricom, Michele SmallBartley, among other notable women.
Griffith has said the experience as High Commissioner was exciting, and one that she would never forget. She added that it was deeply inspiring, and that she felt encouraged to reach even higher.
Throughout the coming year, the High Commission would continue to engage Griffith in various activities at the mission and through its partners.
“In recent years, we have seen the winning young ladies excel in other avenues through the confidence and encouragement they gained from this activity. The High Commissioner for the Day ac-
tivity is in line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, which recognizes that supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the best way to build a more peaceful, more inclusive, and more prosperous world. The High Commission will continue to work with partners to create spaces where women will have equal opportunities to achieve their potential.”
In recapping hosting the activity successfully for another year, High Commissioner Sigouin indicated how impressed he was with the quality of submissions received.
“I believe that Guyana has a very exciting future ahead. From looking at some of the presentations, I was greatly impressed with what these future women leaders will do for this nation and for the world,” he said.
On October 11, 2011, Canada initiated the call for the establishment of an International Day of the Girl Child at the United Nations in order to raise awareness about the unique challenges that girls face, and to urge all to take action. The United Nations then declared October 11, 2012 as the
world’s first International Day of the Girl Child. Since 2016, the High Commission of Canada in Guyana has hosted the High Commissioner for the Day Contest every year (except 2020, due to COVID-19) in observance of the Day of the Girl Child.
Ms Attiya Griffith currently serves as a Child Rights Ambassador for the Rights of the Child Commission, and volunteers with UNICEF Guyana and Suriname, as well as the Women and Gender Equality Commission. She also served as a Young Influencer for the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for the years 2023-2024.
Her drive for advocacy extends beyond these roles. Attiya participated in the 2nd Sitting of the National Assembly of Girls, an initiative by the Imperial House, and competed in the 2024 Speaker’s Regional and National Youth Debating Competition, where her team secured 2nd place.
In her free time, Attiya enjoys immersing herself in a good book and watching football, blending her love for literature with her passion for the sport.
Attiya Griffith and Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin
Free tuition to University of Guyana from January 2025
– new Digital School, Int’l Biodiversity Centre to be established
In keeping with its 2020 manifesto promise, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government will be rolling out free tuition at the University of Guyana from January 2025.
This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday when he delivered his second address to the 12th Parliament.
During the special sitting of Parliament, the Head of State announced free tertiary education for existing and future students of the University of Guyana.
“We’ll be proceeding with the delivery of our manifesto commitment to provide free university education at the University of Guyana… This House should understand the importance of education and the transformative nature of education, and we must send that signal loudly to every corner of this country… Accordingly, starting from January 2025 semester, tuition fees will be completely abolished at the University of Guyana,” he declared.
According to President Ali, this initiative will continue his administration’s advancement of the country’s human capital, especially the young generation and their families who will benefit from the tuition-free tertiary education.
In excess of 11,000 current students of UG are set to benefit from this measure along with all future entrants. The Guyanese Leader noted that this initiative would cost the treasury some $18 billion. “The future belongs to all of these young people,” he asserted.
In keeping with the PPP/C Government’s policy of making tertiary education free in the country, some $203.7 million in student loans have already been written off by the State. This debt write-off benefitted approximately 346 students.
President Ali added that it was expected that approximately $5 billion in student debt at UG could be written off by this year end and $18 billion in the entirety of this debt wipeout.
This is just one of a series of measures announced by the Head of State on Thursday ranging from minimum wage increase for public sector employees, tax relief for parents, healthcare benefits, and investment incentives for poultry farmers, among others.
In fact, since assuming office in 2020, the PPP/C Administration has been implementing a slew of relief measures including those promised in its 2020 Manifesto as well as new initiatives that have been critical to cushioning the rising cost of living. This, according to President Ali, is unlike what played out during the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition’s term in office which was characterised by broken and
unfulfilled promises coupled with the imposition of hardships – all of which the current administration has worked to redress over the years.
“My Government’s term in office has been characterised by tireless efforts to bring relief to the Guyanese people and to improve every aspect of the lives of the Guyanese people… We did all of this in just four years, recalling that we lost almost two of those four years to COVID-19, two to floods, a drought and a global supply chain crisis. We managed to deliver all of this under those circumstances. This is a Government of efficiency and delivery,” he reiterated.
Guyana Digital School
As part of the Government’s drive to enhance education delivery across the country, the Head of State also spoke about efforts to advance and innovate education delivery through the establishment of a digital school.
“The Government is moving to establish the Guyana Digital School to create a new and innovative learning environment for our students across the country, giving every child the same access to the same quality of teaching and material. The Digital School will be resourced like any brick-and-mortar facility, with the added benefit of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support the learning process,” he noted.
This new digital school, according to the President, will be equipped with the entire curriculum from the nursery to Grade 12 level, including all textbooks and teaching materials. It will also have online tutors, AI to review assessments and generate development reports, online PTA meetings, and online extracurricular activities.
Moreover, it will also cater for teaching entrepreneurial real-life skills and cultural classes as well as an electronic nursing and accounting school, remedial education in the evenings for adults, and all the current assessments for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
The Guyana Digital School will also serve the Caribbean region, President Ali stated.
“In fulfilling our promise of ensuring our prosperity must rebound to the prosperity of this Caricom (Caribbean Community) region, this Guyana Digital School will also be available for Caricom citizens,” the Guyanese Leader added.
Already, the Guyana Government has brought digital education to the local population through initiatives such as the One Guyana Digital Initiative, where more than 2000 Guyanese are focused on front-end and back-end technology, with job placement opportunities on the completion of free training.
In addition, the Guyana Coders Initiative is targeting 150,000 Guyanese while the Guyana Coursera platform, which was launched in March 2024, now gives some 400,000 citizens free access to 6000 courses, costing the treasury US$1.4 million annually.
Further, more than 29,000 online scholarships have been granted to Guyanese through the PPP/C Government’s flagship Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme, which has received an injection of some $2.9 billion in the last three years. Of the 29,000 beneficiaries of the GOAL scholarship initiative, a whopping 21,000 are women.
Int’l Biodiversity Centre
Meanwhile, President Ali also outlined that climate and biodiversity were key aspects of the future as
his Government worked on building out the new economy in Guyana. He noted that the revised Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 (LCDS 2030) focuses on creating a global model for recognising the essential role of tropical forests in the fight against climate change and biodiversity conservation.
To this end, the Head of State disclosed that his Government has engaged the prestigious Harvard University and Oxford University in the establishment of an International Centre for Biodiversity.
“The focus of such a Centre will be to support Guyana’s effort in protecting and restoration of critical ecosystem, expansion of Guyana’s offering for natural-based solutions beyond carbon, and advancing Guyana’s progress
towards the global target of conserving at least 30 per cent of the planet’s lands and ocean by 2030,” he stated.
According to the Guyanese Leader, the next phase of technical work on sustainable urban development, water management and biodiversity conservation will be complete in early 2025 and will pave the way for further stakeholder engagement and consultation.
This is in keeping with Guyana’s calls for a global coalition focused on advancing biodiversity conservation. This will be supported by the launch of the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) summit in the first quarter of 2025, which President Ali announced last month at the 79th United Nations General Assembly.
The Alliance’s areas of focus would be creating a mar-
ket for biodiversity credits, scaling biodiversity conservation debt swaps, accelerating biodiversity bonds, a blueprint for biodiversity taxonomies, and promoting nature-positive action.
“The Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University will be working with the GBA to help develop the financing models and mechanisms envisioned… The vision of the Global Biodiversity Alliance is to unite large stakeholders, worldwide, in a concerted effort to preserve and restore biodiversity for future generations by fostering collaboration across sectors and regions, I’m pleased to advise you… that Guyana is taking the lead in the Global Biodiversity Alliance,” President Ali stated. (G8)
Local content
ExxonMobil exploring ways to bring more contracted work to Guyana’s shores
In addition to the billions of dollars currently being pumped into local content, ExxonMobil Guyana has said it is exploring ways to bring further business opportunities to Guyana’s shores, including bringing the work presently being done by foreign companies overseas.
During a press briefing at the company’s headquarters on Wednesday, Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) President Alistair Routledge said, “The Local Content Secretariat, that’s a key part of the Ministry of Natural Resources with whom we work on a regular basis, almost daily, as we ensure there’s clarity on what opportunities we have coming up (in terms of) contracts and transparency. It’s very important that it’s
clear to the Government where we’re spending money, how we’re spending money, how we contract all of those opportunities; and have discussions about (for instance) what of the work we do that we contract to other companies. Maybe (work slated to be done) outside of the country could ultimately be brought into Guyana. That is where we’ve identified certain strategic investments, like the Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base,” he explained. The oil executive described local content as being close to his heart, claiming that even without the Local Content Act of 2021, the company would still have championed the cause.
According to Routledge, the company is also committed to making sure the public is aware of the local
content business opportunities available, and he acknowledged that the Local Content Act has served to create a structured framework for the company to engage with Guyanese businesses on opportunities available.
“Local content is a subject that is dear to my heart, and I think it’s essen-
tial that we do that as part of the development of the nation’s resources. We recognize that this is Guyana’s resource, (and) we want people to not only benefit in what we pay in royalties and profit share or taxes, but also in the development phase, (where) we are making opportunities available as quickly as we can for peo-
ple to be employed and for businesses to benefit,” he explained.
“We’ve seen that partnership with the Government (can) be very successful. I think (that), with or without the Act, we were already committed to doing that. We created the Centre for Local Business Development,” he disclosed.
It has been reported that ExxonMobil spent over US$280 million on local suppliers in the first half of 2023. The data in its 2023 Annual Report states that US$641 million has been spent on local suppliers for the entirety of that year.
In December 2021, the National Assembly passed the Local Content Act, in which is outlined 40 different service areas that oil and gas companies and their subcontractors must procure from Guyanese and Guyanese-owned companies. These include 90 per
cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent of janitorial, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent of pest control services; 100 per cent of local insurance services; 75 per cent of local supply of food; and 90 per cent of local accounting services.
The Local Content Act mandates penalties such as fines ranging from $5 million to $50 million for oil and gas companies and their sub-contractors who fail to meet the minimum targets of the legislation, as well as those who are in breach of the Act.
Government has meanwhile made clear its determination to push beyond the 40 carved-out areas in the Local Content Act to provide more opportunities for locals, something the Private Sector Commission (PSC) would be working closely on with the administration.
Miner on rape charge gets $150K bail
Shawn Caesar, a 28-year-old miner, has been placed on $150,000 bail after his arraignment on Thursday before Bartica Magistrate Teriq Mohamed on a charge of rape committed on a child under 16 years old, contrary to Section 10(3) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03. Caesar was not required to plead to the charge, and is expected to return to court on October 25, 2024.
Decomposed body of unidentified male found in Eccles canal
The decomposed body of a so-far-unidentified male has been pulled from a canal in Eccles, East Bank Demerara, on Thursday.
Police have said they were summoned to the scene by a passerby who had seen the body in the canal. The body was clad in a pair of black joggers with pink writ-
ing, a blue jersey, and a pair of Nike sneakers.
The police have said that, having examined the body and finding no marks of violence thereon, they have taken the body to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home to await identification and autopsy. Investigations are ongoing.
The body before being taken out of the canal
Rape accused Shawn Caesar
Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) President, Alistair Routledge
Exxon finalising relinquishment areas for Stabroek block - Routledge
…says company’s exit from Kaieteur block is a work in progress
October 2024 has been earmarked as the time when ExxonMobil Guyana would relinquish 20 per cent of its holdings in the Stabroek Block. This is according to ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge, who added that the oil giant is currently engaged in discussions with the Government in terms of finalizing which areas it will be giving up.
At a press conference held on Wednesday, Routledge was questioned about Exxon’s relinquishment of 20 per cent of its holdings in the Stabroek block, and he responded that the company is working along with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to do just that.
“We’ve been working very closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and (with the) GGMC to ensure the proper rules as part of the petroleum agreement are being followed; that we’re clear about what is the accessible acreage within the block, and what areas should be set aside; because they’re already on the production licence of the discovery area, and (they) define what is the area to be relinquished. I’d say we’re almost complete on that process, and I anticipate it will be completed very soon,” Routledge explained.
However, Routledge de-
clined to comment on which areas the company is looking at relinquishing.
Meanwhile, the oil executive also spoke about the Kaieteur block, which the company was supposed to have exited and handed over to Ratio Guyana Limited.
At a press conference last month, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said Government was awaiting information from Exxon in order to finalize their departure from Kaieteur. Routledge acknowledged that there is an ongoing exchange of information between Exxon and the Government, and said the company would look to supply the requested data as soon as possible.
“For the Kaieteur block, we addressed the data requests, the document requests, the Government had for us. Again, as with the work on the renewal of the prospecting licence for Stabroek, there are points where we receive more data requests or document requests, and we go back and forth,” he explained.
“And we plan to submit those (answers) as quickly and as timely as we can. Some of it requires us going to the other participants in that block, particularly Ratio, as they are coming in as the operator,” Routledge further explained.
It was announced last year that Exxon and Hess were both withdrawing from the Kaieteur block after years of fruitless explora-
tion, which Exxon said had failed to meet its investment hurdle. The remaining partners: Ratio Guyana Limited, an Israeli-based energy company, and Cataleya Energy Limited, are likely to split ownership of the block 50/50, although there had been reports that Ratio was looking for new partners.
At the beginning of
2021, the oil block co-venturers had announced the Tanager-1 discovery in the Kaieteur Block offshore Guyana, with proven reserves of 65 million barrels of oil. In addition to Tanager-1, it was previously reported that there was the prospect of additional oil mapped across a 5750 square kilometre 3D seismic survey. It is
located in the southern part of the Kaieteur Block, where the joint venture partners are grading the next potential targets for drilling.
Even though Exxon is in the process of withdrawing from Kaieteur Block, the company has attested that the block still has potential.
“Our decision there was that we were faced with a drill-or-drop decision on the farm-in we had with the other owners in the block; and as we looked at that decision and the timing in which we would have had to commit, it did not compete with the other decisions at a corporate level that we could see,” Routledge had explained.
The company has said that in leaving Kaieteur, which it said has been derisked, it plans to focus on accelerating development and production in the Stabroek Block, where Exxon is targeting six floating, production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) by the end of 2027, bringing Guyana’s production capacity to more than one million barrels per day.
With ExxonMobil as the operator, Guyana began producing oil on December 20, 2019 in the oil-rich Stabroek Block, which is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through its local subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), holds 45 per cent interest in that block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.
Last year, Routledge had said that the company decided to exit the block based on pressing constraints; leaving the block was not a reflection of its value.
The Kaieteur block
Avianca Airlines introduces direct flights between Guyana and Colombia from Dec 11
Avianca Airlines has announced its presence in the Guyana market to service a route from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to the El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia.
In a statement to the press on Thursday, the airline declared that from December 11, 2024, it would be operating two flights weekly using Airbus A320 aircraft that each has a capacity to ferry 180 passengers. The new route between the two cities would provide over 700 seats per week, offering a more convenient and efficient option for travel between Guyana and Colombia.
“The service features a flexible commercial offer focused on personalization, allowing customers to fly the way they prefer, paying only for the services they choose,” the airline added.
Avianca’s Sales Director
for Colombia and South America, David Alemán, in expressing his excitement about the new service, has said, “We are very happy to announce our arrival in Guyana with high expectations for Georgetown. With this new route, we continue to provide a convenient and efficient service for our customers, supported by one of the largest route networks in the Americas.”
Avianca’s flight schedule is as follows: Georgetown to Bogotá: Flight AV226 departs at 04:15h, arriving in Bogotá at 06:00h; operating on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Bogotá to Georgetown: Flight AV225 departs Bogotá at 23:10h, arriving in Georgetown at 03:10h; operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays. All times are local, and flights are subject to Government approval.
Tickets for the new route can be purchased im-
mediately through Avianca’s website, mobile app, and travel agencies.
With 150 routes, nearly 710 daily flights, and a fleet of 140 Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, Avianca has one of the largest airline operations in Latin America, and connects more than 75 destinations in 25 countries across the Americas and Europe.
In 2023, Avianca was ranked first in the “Global Airlines” category in the punctuality index by the specialized consultancy Cirium, and transported over 32.2 million customers by operating more than 213,000 flights.
In cargo transportation, Avianca Cargo is the leading operator in various markets across the Americas, serving 68 destinations in its route network, with the region’s medium-sized cargo fleet having the lowest environmental impact.
Sol promises better mileage, enhanced performance with MOBIL fuel
Sol Guyana has shifted the dynamics of the local fuel industry, taking it up a notch by officially launching its first Mobil-rebranded service station on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown.
This launch has occurred approximately one week after Sol announced its partnership with ExxonMobil, and it has marked the introduction of Mobil fuels – cutting-edge Mobil Synergy Extra and Mobil Synergy Supreme+ technologies – into the Guyana market.
It has been announced that Mobil’s advanced formula is designed to optimize engine cleanliness and protect against wear, helping drivers to achieve better mileage and enhanced engine longevity.
During Wednesday's launching event, Vice President of the Sol Group, Mark Goede, announced that in a few months’ time, similar services would be available at Sol stations across Guyana; and that would allow the company to transform the fuel landscape in Guyana by providing a more modern and innovative network of service agents “tailored to meet the evolving needs of our customers in a rapidly changing environment.”
Goede said, “Thanks to this partnership, Sol's retail network of 11 stations will be rebranded to the Mobil brand, providing you with access to high-quality mobile fuels. Now, this is not just a change
in branding, it's a bold move forward that we can all take pride in. ExxonMobil is a globally recognized company (that is) known for its advanced technology, innovation, and product quality…We will also continue to deliver exceptional energy solutions and customer service to all our loyal customers who have been with us for many years.”
General Manager of Sol Guyana, Earl Carribon, in expressing his excitement about the new venture, noted that the collaboration would benefit not just consumers, but also retailers and other stakeholders within the country.
“This is not just a change in branding, but a bold step towards providing Guyanese drivers with superior fuel technology that enhances both engine performance and fuel efficiency,” he declared.
Natural Resource Minister Vickram Bharrat
told the gathering that the partnership between Sol and ExxonMobil is a demonstration of Guyana's economic growth.
He added that the move is one of Guyana’s most favourable investments, and coincides with Government’s mandate to boost employment, among other things.
“And this facility here obviously adds to our mandate to be ensuring that the employment is created for Guyanese; that our Guyanese brothers and sisters can work and live honestly and provide for their families; and that they can live a life of dignity and comfort in their own country…” he declared.
“This facility represents not just a state-of-the-art fuel station, but also a symbol of Guyana’s progress and its growing stature on the global investment map,” the Minister shared.
Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, Sol Vice President Mark Goede and General Manager Earl Carribon at the official opening
AG assures that all processes to appoint Hicken as Top Cop legal – VP Jagdeo
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday stated that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration has complied with all legal processes to appoint Clifton Hicken as substantive Police Commissioner.
During his weekly press conference, the Vice President told reporters that Attorney General Anil Nandlall has assured him that Hicken’s appointment is lawful and follows a transparent exercise.
He explained that the Chambers of the Attorney General are in the process of putting together a formal document that would educate the Guyanese public on the facts surrounding the matter, so that citizens could dispel misinformation being spread by the ruling Opposition.
“…I asked the Attorney General today. I said to him, ‘You have to get more information, because people may be questioning the lawfulness of it; not whether the President has the power to appoint, but whether we have complied with the process’. And so he assured me that we’ve complied with the process to get the extension done, and then also the process to have the confirmation also done,” Dr Jagdeo said.
Regarding comments made about seeking the Opposition Leader’s permission to appoint Hicken, the Vice President made it clear that the Government only needed to consult with Aubrey Norton, which he indicated has been done.
Recalling events of 2018, when then President David Granger appointed Leslie James as the Police Commissioner in front of senior officer David Ramnarine,
Jagdeo reminded that he was engaged in consultations; however, despite his judgement, the then Government selected whom they wanted as successor.
“I recall when Granger invited me, as Leader of the Opposition, to deal with the Commissioner of Police and also four deputies. At that time, Ramnarine was the Acting Commissioner. He didn’t even include him in the four deputies, or confirm him as Commissioner of Police; but he had the right as President. He consulted with me, I expressed my view; I said that this, the only one Indo-Guyanese you have here among the group, and you’re not, you’re not confirming him or giving him a top post, and he ignored that and he went ahead and appointed, and it was lawfully done,” Jagdeo disclosed.
“He appointed five persons. So, why are they making this big noise now that we’re confirming Hicken,” he added.
On Tuesday, President Irfaan Ali made it clear that no barrier in Guyana’s Constitution or laws prohib-
its Clifton Hicken from being appointed to the post of Police Commissioner.
Hicken was appointed to act in the capacity of Police Commissioner in March 2022. He took over responsibility from acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, who proceeded on pre-retirement leave. However, Hicken attained the age of 55 years on July 22, 2023, and that is the age of retirement in the Police Force.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, during his programme of ‘Issues in the News’, stated that President Dr Irfaan Ali does not need Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton’s agreement for the appointment of the Commissioner of Police, or any Deputy Commissioner.
According to the AG, the Constitution of Guyana provides for the President to make such appointments after “meaningful consultation” with the Opposition Leader, and with the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission after the Chair has consulted with the other members of the Commission.
The Constitution states that the person responsible for seeking such consultation shall “identify the persons or entities to be consulted and specify to them in writing the subject of the consultation and an intended date for the decision…”
The Constitution further outlines that the person seeking the consultation shall ensure that the person or entity being consulted is afforded a reasonable opportunity to express a considered opinion on the subject.
It also says the person seeking the consultation shall prepare and archive a written record of the consultation.
In this regard, Nandlall contended, the Constitution does not require a face-toface consultation. In fact, he said, President Ali has satisfied all the requirements of the Constitution.
The Head of State had written Norton on September 4, 2024 for consultation on the appointment of Clifton Hicken as Commissioner of Police, and had requested a response by September 18, 2024, Nandlall
recalled.
Norton, he said, replied on September 17, 2024, objecting to the appointment in a twopage response. The President then responded on October 2, 2024, answering all of the concerns raised by Norton.
“The President’s letter is even longer, and the President answered all the questions, all the issues that he raised,” the Attorney General has said.
Nandlall explained that the President’s response proved
that the contentions of Norton were “factually inaccurate”.
“The President’s response outlined that Mr Hicken is the most senior member of the Guyana Police Force, and acted for all the number of years,” Nandlall added.
Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission, Nandlall said, was also consulted.
Nandlall contends, “The President must engage in meaningful consultation, not get the agreement of; because there are some appointments in the Constitution which require the President to secure from the Leader of the Opposition his agreement. This is not one of those appointments.” He noted that agreement is needed, for example, for the appointments of the Chancellor and Chief Justice.
Nandlall is contending that any legal action filed by Norton on this matter “will be strenuously defended”.
The Attorney General said similar letters were dispatched by the President on the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, but Norton never responded.
MoH will continue to improve quality of mental health services – Dr Anthony
In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month 2024, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has issued timely reassurance to the Guyanese populace of the Ministry of Health’s (MoH’s) continued commitment to improving the quality of mental health services being provided.
“The Health Ministry remains committed to prioritizing mental health in the workplace by creating mental health laws, implementing policies, and developing programmes designed to enhance the mental health and wellbeing of staff in both the public and private sectors,” Minister Anthony has said.
He not only expressed the Government’s commitment in this regard, but provided statistical facts to indicate that the Health Ministry has been consistent in ensuring that persons receive mental health training.
“Approximately 250 individuals from Government agencies and businesses have benefitted from mental health education, counselling, and workshops on stress management, anger management, time management, emotional intelligence, and coping skills,” Dr Anthony revealed.
He highlighted that the destruction caused by mental health issues shows there is need for improvement in the services being provided.
“Mental health challenges affect our lives and communities, impacting everyone, regardless of background. This annual observance highlights the pressing need for improved and accessible mental health services across private and public health systems worldwide,” he declared.
Underlining initiatives already undertaken by the MoH, he declared, “In 2022, the Ministry of Health took the lead by passing the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Act and the Suicide Prevention Act. These Acts emphasize collaboration between all levels of Government, society, and the business sector to promote mental health care and awareness in the workplace through education, training, and outreach.”
With Mental Health Awareness Month being here again, various strides are being taken to illuminate mental health across the board.
Regional Democratic Council Chairman for Region 4, Daniel Seeram, has called for the teaching of suicide awareness in schools in order to educate children about the topic. During the World Mental Health Day Symposium, on Thursday at Herdmanston Lodge at Peter Rose and Lamaha Streets in Queenstown, Georgetown, Seeram declared,
“We don’t want to have children coming out into our society with mental issues. In the education sector, we should advocate for special periods within the school system for this specific awareness. We can add it to the curricula in schools because, I mean, these forums many of us can make representations for, but we need research-driven data to support it.”
Underlining a growing problem in Guyana, in which adults and children are negatively categorized in relation to how they deal with mental health, he said,
“Sometimes we generalise
the problem by saying children and adults share the same mindset. However, we have that significant opportunity to model children and make this a focus – shifting how their mindset is when they reach adulthood.”
It has also been mentioned that various children are romanticizing suicide and spreading it on social media, influencing others. As such, there are discussions about whether to avoid using the term “suicide” when teaching about awareness, and instead refer to “mental illness”.
John Fraser, another key representative who was at the forum, added, “We have to be careful about how we carry discussions around suicide, and think of how we can use other methods; because, for one, it is triggering and may cause some to attempt it. We have to be careful with suicide and how we discuss it.”
Every year, on October 10th, World Mental Health Day is observed to raise awareness and advocate against the social stigma surrounding mental health and related illnesses. This year, Guyana proudly joins the global community in recognizing this important day under the theme ’Mental Health at Work.’ The theme underscores the critical need to address mental health and wellbeing within the workplace.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony
Daniel Seeram, Regional Democratic Council Chairman of Region 4
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo
Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken
Around the World
OOIL NEWS
Oil prices surge as Israel weighs retaliation against Iran
il prices surged more than three per cent as markets anticipated Israel's response to Iran's missile attack, fuelling uncertainty and volatility in crude trading.
Oil surged, snapping a two-day decline, as the market awaited Israel’s response to Iran’s missile attack.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose more than three per cent to settle near US$76 a barrel. Israel’s security cabinet planned to meet Thursday evening to discuss how to retaliate against Iran. On Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the nation’s response “will be deadly, precise and above all surprising”, while Iran has warned it’s ready to launch thousands of missiles if needed.
“As we head into the weekend, crude oil is likely to remain choppy as the market struggles to price in potential developments,” said Rebecca Babin, senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth Group. “Traders are trigger happy and largely in a wait-and-see mode, with little conviction in either direction due to the high levels of uncertainty.”
WTI for November delivery jumped 3.6 per cent to settle at US$75.85 a barrel.
Brent for December settlement rose 3.7 per cent to settle at US$79.40 a barrel.
Geopolitical concerns have sent volatility soaring and prompted hedge funds to add more net-long positions.
President Joe Biden has discouraged an attack on Iranian oil infrastructure, and spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday for the first time in over a month. But the call threw into focus the US leader’s limited ability to influence Israel’s Prime Minister.
Still, concerns over China’s economy continue to linger, and the lack of fresh major stimulus from Beijing this week prompted a broad market selloff on Tuesday, including in oil. The central government said it would hold a news briefing on fiscal policy on Saturday.
Meanwhile in the US, crude stockpiles swelled by 5.8 million barrels last week, the biggest increase since late April, according to Government data released Wednesday. Gasoline inventories dropped. (Bloomberg)
Senior Hezbollah official survives Israeli assassination attempt, sources say
Asenior Hezbollah official eluded an Israeli assassination attempt on Thursday in Beirut, three security sources said, as Israeli strikes there killed 22 persons and the United Nations said its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon were in growing danger.
Wafiq Safa, who heads Hezbollah's liaison and coordination unit responsible for working with Lebanese security agencies, was targeted by Israel on Thursday night, but survived, the security sources said.
Earlier on Thursday, a Lebanese security source told Reuters that Israeli airstrikes on central Beirut targeted at least one senior official in Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Hurricane Milton leaves at least 10 dead, millions without power in Florida
Hurricane Milton ploughed into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after cutting a destructive path across Florida that spawned tornados, killed at least 10 persons and left millions without power, but the storm did not trigger the catastrophic surge of seawater that was feared.
Governor Ron DeSantis said the state had avoided the "worst-case scenario", though he cautioned the damage was still significant and flooding remained a concern.
The Tampa Bay area appeared to sidestep the storm surge that had prompted the most dire warnings, though the barrier islands along the shore south of the city endured extensive flooding.
US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at a White House briefing that there were reports of 10 deaths thus far, adding it appeared they were caused by tornados. At least 27 twisters
touched down in Florida, he said.
In St Lucie County on Florida's east coast, a spate of tornados killed five, including at least two in the senior-living Spanish Lakes communities, county spokesperson Erick Gill said.
On Thursday, snapped concrete electric poles and overturned trucks in ditches offered evidence of the twisters' power.
Crystal Coleman, 37, and her 17-year-old daughter hid in the bathroom during the storm as a tornado began peeling the roof off her Lakewood Park house.
"It felt like I was in a movie," she said. "I felt like I was about to die."
More than 3.2 million homes and businesses in Florida were without power on Thursday afternoon, according to PowerOutage. us. At least some had al-
ready been waiting days for power to be restored after Hurricane Helene hit the area two weeks ago. Milton shredded the fabric roof of Tropicana Field, the stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team in St Petersburg, but there were no reported injuries. The ballpark was a staging area for responders, with thousands of cots set up on the field. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Haitian gangs press fresh attacks as families mourn massacre
Armed men launched fresh attacks on the Haitian town of Arcahaie, local media reported on Wednesday, as families mourned the growing list of victims of a massacre days earlier in an agricultural town some 60 kilometres (37 miles) to the north.
around the highway that connects the capital with Haiti's north. Last year, his men opened fire on dozens of Protestant parishioners protesting against the violence. They later circulated footage of them beating and torturing kidnapped members of the protest.
The Israeli strikes hit a densely-packed residential neighbourhood of apartment buildings and small shops in the heart of Beirut. Israel had not previously struck the area, which is removed from Beirut's southern suburbs where Hezbollah's headquarters have been repeatedly bombed by Israel.
Israel did not issue evacuation warnings ahead of the strikes on Thursday, which were the deadliest attack on central Beirut since the beginning of the hostilities.
The number of casualties rose quickly, and as midnight approached the Lebanese Health Ministry reported 22 killed and 117 wounded. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Residents in Arcahaie, known as the birthplace of the Haitian flag, have been calling for security reinforcements in face of attacks by members of Jeff Larose's Canaan gang, several Haitian outlets reported. Police did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Larose's gang controls the surrounding areas
An armoured vehicle is driven out of a police station following the October 3 attack by members of the Gran Grif gang in PontSonde that left several people dead, in Pont-Sonde, Haiti, October 7, 2024 (Reuters/Marckinson Pierre photo)
Han Kang of South Korea wins Nobel literature prize 2024
South Korean author
Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for "her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life", the award-giving body said on Thursday.
The prize is awarded by the Swedish Academy and is worth 11 million Swedish crowns (US$1.1 million).
"She has a unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead, and in her poetic and experimental
style has become an innovator in contemporary prose," Anders Olsson, chairman of the Academy's Nobel Committee, said in a statement.
Han Kang, the first South Korean and the 18th woman to win the literature prize, began her career in 1993 with the publication of a number of poems in the magazine Literature and Society, while her prose debut came in 1995 with the short story collection "Love of Yeosu". (Excerpt from Reuters)
The Caribbean nation is battling a worsening gang conflict that is exacerbating catastrophic shortages in food and medical supplies. Over 700,000 persons have fled their homes and over five million are going hungry – nearly half the population. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Antigua and Barbuda set to prohibit sand exports
The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda is poised to enact legislation that will ban the export of sand from both Antigua and Barbuda, while continuing to allow sand mining for domestic use.
The decision comes in response to growing concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale sand removal, particularly from Barbuda.
An environmental expert recently presented an assessment detailing the extensive sand extraction over
the past five decades. The report highlighted the unsustainability of continued sand removal at current levels, even in the short term.
Key environmental concerns that prompted this action include negative impacts on freshwater aquifers, leading to brackish water; destruction of sand dunes, some as high as 12 to 14 feet; and harm to coral reefs, which play a crucial role in reducing wave energy during storms and ground swells. (Antigua Observer)
An aerial view shows the damaged Albert Whitted Airport in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, in St Petersburg, Florida, October 10 (Reuters/Marco Bello photo)
Distance yourself from drama. Anger and disagreements will be rife if you don’t channel your energy into something to ensure progress. Get your facts straight.
Address issues and consider making a change. Put your energy into practical applications that encourage safe and positive change. The right move will pave the way to new beginnings, relationships and pastimes.
Handle an unexpected change with optimism. A positive attitude will eliminate unnecessary conflict with someone who doesn’t share your concerns. A motion to secure your position will help you gain momentum.
Concentrate on doing physical or creative activities. The busier you are, the less time you’ll have to let the little things bother you. Don’t address issues with someone who doesn’t share your values.
Question everything and everyone. Getting the facts will help you avoid a misunderstanding. Refrain from letting a change someone makes point you in the wrong direction.
Reconnect with a long-lost friend, visit a hangout, seek out friends and reassess your priorities. Reminiscing will satisfy the soul and help you revisit dreams you grudgingly abandoned.
Do your best to sidestep disagreements and set boundaries regarding domestic issues and associations with people you deal with daily. Trust your instincts and lead the way.
Taking a day trip, getting together with people who share your interests or delving into something will be satisfying and encourage you to spend more time doing things that make you happy. Personal gain is favored.
Avoid broadcasting your every move. Keeping your whereabouts and intentions secret will make it easier to achieve your goals, and you’ll have a much more significant influence on others.
Put more time and effort into investments, how you earn and handle your cash, and taking care of unfinished business. Actions will take precedence over words. Avoid procrastination when action is necessary.
Consider your financial and medical history and options, and map out a plan that updates your situation and gets you back on track. A healthy lifestyle change will counter ongoing expenses.
Physical activities will take your mind off your troubles and allow you to distance yourself from confusing situations. Social events, travel, conferences and reunions will change your perspective.
ARCHIE
Garrett aims to make positive impact on national team
Still seeking their first victory in the top tier of the CONCACAF Nations League, Guyana welcome Guatemala to the Synthetic Track and Field Facility today for the third match of the competition for both sides as national player Jeremy Garrett aims to make a positive impact.
Garrett, who has made five appearances and accumulated 270 minutes this season, has been a highlight for the national team as he is reliable on the back line and able to disrupt penetrating passes.
Garrett, speaking exclusively to Guyana Times Sport, divulged that maximum effort would be given to reap success as a team.
He said, “For me, it’s always a pleasure to represent Guyana and do my best, you know, give 100 per cent. So for me, to measure how much of an impact I would give, it’s kind of hard. But
Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships…
at the same time, my impact would always be my 100 per cent. Always, you know, I’m looking to do as best as I can to help the team from an individual perspective rather than to a collective perspective. So, to measure my impact, it might be a bit unorthodox or just a little difficult. But for me, it’s always about getting the job done and doing your best and pushing yourself to the limit for me.”
He went on to reveal the elements worked on during
the international break.
Garrett said, “There’s a lot of key elements to focus on during these breaks, but I think there has to be a collective objective and that’s what the programme has at the moment. You know, we have our own, a lot of our own elements that we have focused on in terms of our possessional awareness, in terms of a little bit more of our tactical awareness and how we want to play and how we want to defend, etc. You know, in the game, we
focused a lot on more of our team bonding and a few other stuff, but most importantly, a few of the key elements, you know, that we’re focusing on more are our tactical and our tactical awareness.”
The Golden Jaguars will be looking to bounce back as they were held 2-2 by Martinique, dropping them down to fifth in the Group B standings, three points below Guatemala, who are second following a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica.
CAC Body Building & Fitness Championships…
Defending Mr Physique champ brimming with confidence
DBjorn Williams captures deadlift silver as Guyana end campaign on high
Bjorn Williams recorded the best performance of his career when he closed off his campaign in the 105kg Open class at the Commonwealth Men’s Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa.
With a huge pull of 307.5kg, the best in his career to date, Williams ended with the silver medal, a just reward for his hard work and discipline. While not medalling in the squat or bench press, competing against nine other athletes, Williams was still able to record his best squat (245.0kg) and his best bench was 162.5kg.
These lifts allowed him to also record his best total (715.0kg), to mark a memorable sojourn, shining bright in Sun City.
Williams’s previous best squat was 235.0kg which he achieved in Uruguay in 2019
while his best deadlift was 305.0kg accomplished in New Zealand, two years ago.
Williams commented on his stellar achievement:
“Today’s performance was my best of all times. Perfect way to transition into the realm of a Master lifter. All praise and thanks be to God and all those that believed in my abilities.”
Williams’s teammate, Demetri Chan, who won the 74kg bench press competition gold medal on Friday last, was primed to add to that medal in the Commonwealth Men’s Classic Powerlifting Championships on Tuesday. However, he was hard done by some questionable referring calls during his second and third bench press attempts when the command took too long to be given. Chan’s bar was also misloaded twice for his deadlifts, these challenges added up to
throw the athlete off course.
Nonetheless, Chan is resolved to continue his comeback to this level of competition and will come even stronger in the future.
Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) President Franklin Wilson offered congratulations to Williams for a fantastic overall performance and his silver medal.
“Your dedication and determination to ensure that you competed have paid the kind of dividends that would only make you better in your career. You, like the other lifters, have made yourself and Guyana proud and for this, we are grateful, congratulations to you all.”
The GAPLF expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; National Sports Commission; the Guyana Olympic Association; Fitness Express;
and E Master Corporation for supporting the team to South Africa while Williams expressed thanks to Team Stoby Shakes, JR Engineering, and LWC Investments for their support.
Williams’s silver medal increased Guyana’s medal tally to five, as the squad has already won three gold and two bronze medals at the Commonwealth championships. In the World Masters, where Nadina Taharally and Roger Rogers competed apart from the Commonwealth –the competitions running simultaneously – Guyana captured one silver and four bronze medals.
Championships gold medallist Emmerson Campbell, who captured the title in Aruba last year, is brimming with confidence ahead of this year’s event slated to be staged right here in Guyana.
Speaking recently about his preparations, the reigning champion said his training has been going well and he is ready and confident in defending his title and winning the Pro Card.
“My supplementation, cardio, lifting weights has gone well, everything is as it should be, not much I can complain about at my end, I’m ready and confident to claim gold once again,” Campbell said.
According to the defending champion, who displayed his ripped and well-defined body, this year will be his seventh at CAC and to win the Pro Card in front of family, friends and the Guyanese public will be an outstanding achievement for him, bringing a feeling of elation.
“To be honest last year, I thought I won the Overall and Pro Card and when I heard the name of the eventual winner, I was a bit shocked, but I said
you know what? I am going to improve all aspects of my physique – size, symmetry, conditioning and everything so that I cannot be denied this year,” Campbell reflected.
Returning home, he made the decision to put his head down, train his body to not only improve one part, but every aspect of his physique and according to him, he has achieved that goal, especially in his back.
“I cannot wait to get on stage and showcase my hard work and I want to encourage everyone to come out and support the event and the Guyanese athletes and make it a memorable occasion,” Campbell concluded.
The championships will be staged on October 19-20 at the National Cultural Centre and more than 250 athletes from 20 countries, including Guyana, are scheduled to participate. Among the sponsors on board are Fitness Express; Twins Manufacturing; the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport; the National Sports Commission and the Guyana Olympic Association.
Emmerson Campbell showcasing his ripped physique ahead of the 2024 CAC Championships
efending Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Body Building & Fitness
Jeremy Garrett engaging in a training session
Bjorn Williams is all smiles on the podium
Bjorn Williams (right) and Demetri Chan
Karishma Ramharack’s four-wicket haul and Hayley Matthews’ quickfire 34 helped West Indies coast to an important eight-wicket victory against Bangladesh, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Having chased down the target of 104 in 12.5 overs, West Indies, with their second win in three matches, moved to top of Group B. Three teams from this group are now in contention for the two semi-final spots, with South Africa and England also on four points, but the latter have played only two matches.
Bangladesh succumbed to their second straight defeat in three matches and their chances of advancing to the knockouts took a big hit. Batting once again hurt Bangladesh as they lost six wickets for 27 runs after they were sent in to bat.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup...
Ramharack, Matthews keep West Indies in contention for semi-finals with crucial win
Ramharack rips through Bangladesh West Indies used as moved across to sweep but missed, only to expose her middle stump and be bowled. When Ramharack came out to bowl in the 13th over, she mixed her lines well, but kept the ball outside off. She had Sobhana Mostary stumped by making her come down the track to an outside off-
knocked Moni out. Chinelle Henry took an excellent running catch after the batter came down and miscued a lofted shot to deep midwicket. Ramharack finished with 4 for 17.
Sultana’s slowdown
Bangladesh showed positive intent with the bat early on, with the openers charging down as early as the second over to go aerial. Nigar started briskly after the openers fell
in the powerplay. She particularly took legspinner Afy Fletcher on and smacked three fours off her second over and moved to 20 off 17 balls. However, once Mostary fell in the 13th over and Fletcher struck twice in the 15th, Nigar, who was on 27 off 27, slowed down despite West Indies’ sloppy fielding. Her next 17 deliveries fetched just 12 runs and eventual-
Rani attacked a lot during her stay
through cover to bring up her sixth boundary. But she was bowled by a nip-backer from the fast bowler in the eighth over for a 22-ball 34. At the end of Marufa’s over though, West Indies needed just 49 off 72 balls which was taken care of by Stafanie Taylor –before she limped off retired hurt – and Deandra Dottin, who smashed an unbeaten 19 off just seven balls. (ESPNcricinfo)
ly, she fell to Matthews in the final over attempting a big heave towards deep midwicket.
Matthews steers WI’s chase Bangladesh struggled to pitch the ball up and got punished as they erred on the shorter side. It allowed the West Indies batters to rock back and play their shots. Matthews, in particular,
pounced on this opportunity in the powerplay and blunted the Bangladesh attack. After being on a run-a-ball seven, Matthews lined up the left-arm spin of Nahida Akter with a punch off the backfoot, piercing the gap between cover and extra cover. Two balls later, Nahida bowled short again and received the same treatment.
Legspinner Fahima Khatun, after having given away just four runs off her first over, bowled short on off stump in the fifth over and Matthews stayed back and punched uppishly to find her third boundary on the off side.
Marufa Akter overpitched the last ball of the powerplay, which Matthews drove
Ashmini Munisar 4-0-20-0
Aaliyah Alleyne 1-0-5-0
West Indies Women (T: 104 runs from 20 ovs)
Batting R Hayley Matthews (c) b Marufa Akter 34
Stafanie Taylor retired hurt 27
Shemaine Campbelle † st †Nigar
Sultana b Nahida Akter 21
Deandra Dottin not out 19
Chinelle Henry not out 2
Extras (w 1) 1
Total 12.5 Ov (RR: 8.10) 104/2
Did not bat: Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
CWI awards 2024/25 Men’s and Women’s Academy Contracts
…4 Guyanese in cohort
Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday announced the awarding of fulltime, one-year contracts to 30 young players as part of its ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging talent in the Region.
For the first time, the Men’s Academy cohort will be based full-time at the CWI-owned Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua, while the Women’s Academy players will continue their high-performance development in their home ter-
pare for the rigors of regional and international cricket. The Women’s Academy, which was launched during the 2023/24 season, continues to offer young female cricketers critical development opportunities. The 15 women awarded contracts for this season will benefit from specialised training with Talent Pathway coaches and ongoing high-performance initiatives in their respective territories and CCG, as well as experiencing an international tour.
ritories with regular training camps at CCG throughout the year. This year marks a significant step for the Men’s Academy, with 15 players under the age of 23 receiving dedicated, year-long coaching and training. These young men will have access to world-class resources, including a dedicated technical team, as they pre-
Speaking about the contracts, CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasised the importance of both programmes: “The CWI Academies are instrumental in bridging the gap between junior and senior levels, ensuring that both men and women receive the support they need to succeed internationally. By focusing on holistic development and pro-
viding tailored, high-performance programming, we are accelerating the growth of our emerging players and securing a bright future for West Indies cricket.”
Men’s Academy
The Men’s Academy continues to play a vital role in developing young cricketers, with three graduates from last year’s cohort earning franchise contracts. The programme offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes on-field skill enhancement as well as off-field elements like personal development, leadership training, and media engagement.
2024/25 Men’s Academy Contracts recipients:
Ackeem Auguste
Jediah Blades
Joshua Bishop
Teddy Bishop
McKenny Clarke
Rivaldo Clarke
Mavendra Dindyal
Nathan Edward
Justin Jaggersar
Johan Layne
Zishan Motara
Michael Palmer
Kelvin Pitman
Renico Smith
Carlon Tuckett
Women’s Academy
The Women’s Academy continues to demonstrate CWI’s strong commitment to growing women’s cricket. In line with CWI’s broader strategic goals, the Women’s Academy pro-
“Boxing will never be the same” – Jackman sisters say in tribute to Poole
As the local and regional boxing fraternities mourn the loss of Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Technical Director Terrence Poole, MS, so too do Guyana’s premier female pugilists Alesha and Abiola Jackman.
Poole was laid to rest on Thursday following his shocking death, which occurred the week prior.
The sisters who have been under Poole’s wing since the beginning of their boxing careers spoke of the role that he played in the administration of the sport, noting that boxing would never be the same.
“Well, for me ever since I started boxing and I’ve joined the national team, I’ve known “Coach Man” for decades, almost my whole life and he has been a mentor, a father and also a coach to us. He’s someone we can trust to tell anything, our dearest and deepest secret,” Alesha told media operatives during a memorial night for the late Coach.
Reminiscing on how proud he was of her recent personal achievements, the younger Jackman sister went on to add, “On the day of the examination, I was in the room and I got the call that he’s no longer here. It’s been really shocking and hurt to me. He left us with a question asking him or
a word: why?”
The older Jackman sister, Abiola, shared similar sentiments, and expressed a need to maintain Poole’s stellar legacy.
She stated, “Like my sister said, we actually know Coach Man Poole our whole lives and he really play a father figure in our life. The whole boxing fraternity is going to miss him, because he’s a great man, he bring boxing up from scratch to match. We’re gonna miss him for everything he has done for us and we’re thankful and grateful for him and where he took us. We have to let his legacy live on.”
“He’s gonna really be missed by the whole box-
gramme emphasises regional development, with contracted players receiving tailored support in their home territories, training camps at CCG and international series, giving them the tools they need to advance their careers.
2024/25 Women’s Academy Contracts: Asabi Callendar
ing fraternity, especially the Jackman sisters,” Abiola later shared.
Speaking to Poole’s work ethic, cleverness and his blunt persona, the younger Jackman sister boldly declared that the sport would now be missing a valuable piece in Poole’s absence.
Alesha explained, “Boxing would never, ever be the same without him. Don’t matter who they put in his place or whatever, we were there, we’ve been there, we been through this and we know that boxing won’t be the same without him. He left us with a deep hole that can never be filled or refilled easily.”
Jahzara Claxton
NaiJanni Cumberbatch
Shabika Gajnabi
Jannillea Glasgow
Realeanna Grimmond
Briana Harricaharan
Shawnisha Hector
Trishan Holder
Djenaba Joseph
Nyia Latchman
Samara Ramnath
Shunelle Sawh Steffie Soogrim Kate Wilmott
These contracts, which run from October 1, 2024 to September 25, 2025, are a critical part of CWI’s long-term vision to ensure both male and female players are well-prepared to represent the West Indies on the international stage.
Republic Bank/One Guyana/B Division Volleyball Tournament to pike off tomorrow
With the overall aim of developing volleyball throughout Guyana, the Guyana Volleyball Federation launched the Republic Bank/ One Guyana/B Division Volleyball Tournament on Thursday, October 10.
The Tournament, which is slated to pike off on October 12 at the National Gymnasium, will see the participation of 66 teams from the 10 administrative regions except Region Eight as they vie for supremacy over two weeks. The final is slated for November 10.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr spoke about accessibility and the playing of volleyball throughout Guyana to facilitate youths’ overall development.
Ramson Jr said, “First of all, it's a sport that can span every single region in the country. It's very easily accessible for infrastructure development as well as for boys and girls, and getting young people involved in organised sport is such an important part of their overall charac-
ter development and their personal development. It also takes them into various opportunities in life.”
The Minister went on to reiterate the investments made towards the Associations’ hosting of tournaments yearly.
He said, “Similarly, what we've been trying to do with all of our tournaments no matter what they were, is – and we've been working with the various sports associations and federations to do that – is so that when we say we're earmarking money in our budget so that they can have tournaments every year, because that's what we did as part of the National Sports Academy is so that they can build year on year persons can know who are joining the Federations, joining the sport wanting to participate that they can have a clear understanding that they can compete every year, compete in that fair environment and safe environment and train for that, so they're motivated by that objective and that focus or train in a focused way.”
Republic Bank Managing Director Stephen Grel, also
speaking at the launch, expounded on the bank’s investment in sport to produce an avenue for development. Grel said, “Sport development is an essential component of our Power to Make a Difference Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, which supports a range of sports. This is because we believe that sport is an avenue for unparalleled character development, grounding values of teamwork, resilience, fair play, and dedication. We foresee the Second Division volleyball tournament for men and women in 66 teams across eight regions of Guyana as an avenue for the development and progress of local talent for international representation. This is not just a sponsorship for Republic Bank, it is an investment, an investment that demonstrates our commitment to our communities, our nation, and development of core sports locally.”
The winner of the Tournament will cart off $300,000, with second place receiving $200,000 while third and fourth place will pocket $150,000 and $100,000 respectively.
What to expect on Saturday
Coach Terrence Poole (second from left) alongside Alesha Jackman (second from right) and other boxers as they embark on national duties
West Indies Women’s Academy players Jahzara Claxton, Asabi Callendar, and Jannillea Glasgow
West Indies Academy player Johann Layne delivers a ball against Ireland
