Guyana Times - Monday, December 30, 2024

NEWS 2

DECEMBER 30,

Massy gas cylinders under scrutiny following multiple explosions

– company urges regular checks of bottles, gas-related equipment

Massy Gas Products (Guyana) Ltd is facing mounting criticism following several incidents involving leaking gas cylinders, some of which reportedly resulted in explosions and extensive property damage.

Victims of these incidents have called for greater accountability from the company, citing unsafe practices and inconsistent responses to emergencies.

The alarming frequency of these incidents has left many residents shaken. In August, Jaiwantie Samaroo from Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), sustained third-degree burns when a gas cylinder exploded at her grocery shop. The explosion not only caused significant injuries but also destroyed her business.

In November, a similar incident occurred at the Better Hope residence of Necolece Alexander, where they alleged that a cylinder exploded while cooking. Quick action with a fire extinguisher averted further disaster, but the incident left Alexander with minor burns and significant prop -

Some of the alleged Massy gas cylinders that exploded or were found leaking

erty damage.

Most recently, on December 5, a woman who goes by the name Abi Jaundoo on Facebook, in a post reported a leaking Massy gas cylinder at her home. She alleged that despite contacting the company for assistance, the initial response was dismissive, instructing her to return the hazardous bottle to the purchase location.

On December 7, Murtland Wills and Oneka Williams of Little Abary

experienced significant structural damage to their home when another alleged Massy gas cylinder exploded. The explosion caused shattered windows, cracked walls, and extensive repairs estimated at over $1.5 million. Despite video evidence and inspection findings pointing to a defective gas bottle, they claimed that Massy representatives denied responsibility.

In light of these incidents, Massy Gas Products

released a statement on Saturday emphasizing their commitment to safety.

“As an ISO-certified company, producing high-quality products and ensuring customer safety are our highest priorities. To ensure safety and quality, MASSY Gas Products employs a robust system of automatic leak detection equipment, complemented by multiple manual checks. These rigorous protocols

ensure that our products meet the highest standards of safety and reliability.”

The company also urged customers to conduct regular maintenance of their gas-related equipment:

“Customers using LPG are strongly encouraged to conduct regular checks on their cylinders, regulators, and hoses. It is vital to replace old or damaged accessories with approved equipment and follow the safety guidelines provided

by their gas supplier.”

Massy further revealed that in the Tuschen incident, an inspection of the cylinder and accessories revealed that the regulator was over 15 years old and the connecting hose was burnt.

“The gas cylinder remained intact, retaining more than 50% of the LPG (cooking gas). However, the regulator and connecting hose were found to be burnt, and the regulator was reported to be over 15 years old,” the statement added.

Victims and concerned citizens are now demanding stricter regulations for LPG suppliers, better customer support, and comprehensive safety protocols. In response to growing public concern, Massy has launched a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness about the safe use of cooking gas.

Customers are advised to remain vigilant, inspect their equipment regularly, and contact Massy Gas Products at 233-2728 or the hotline 600-0839 for further assistance.

Teen among 5 injured in gunfire exchange at Mackenzie

Five persons are now nursing injuries following a shooting incident at Five Corner Junction at Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) on Sunday.

The incident occurred around 6:21h and stemmed from a heated dispute between two groups of individuals which quickly escalated into gunfire and physical violence.

Police investigators have identified the injured as Rondel Rodney, 27, of One Mile Wismar, who suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg; Tyrone Newton, 21, of Half Mile Wismar, who was shot in his right foot; and a 17-year-old male from Poker Street, Wismar, who sustained a gunshot wound to his left hand.

Additionally, Brian Johnson, 25, of Half Mile Wismar, was stabbed in his right eye, while 31-year-old Gladstone Bristol of Red Crescent Road, Mackenzie, received a chop wound to his head.

It was reported that Bristol, suspected of being one of the shooters, was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for further medical attention and is currently under police guard.

The other injured parties were transported to the Linden Hospital Complex,

where they are receiving treatment.

Investigators stated that the incident began as a verbal altercation but escalated when at least three individuals whipped out their firearms and discharged multiple rounds. Police have since recovered seven spent 9mm shells, two live rounds of 9mm ammunition and one warhead from the scene.

Gunshot residue swabs were collected from the injured individuals to aid in the investigation.

Despite their injuries, the Guyana Times understands that the victims have refused to cooperate with investigators and declined to provide any information about the shooting incident. Two additional suspects, identified only as "Joby" and Shaquille Lambert, also known as "Shaq," are alleged to have been involved in the shooting but they are on the run. Investigations into the shooting incident are continuing.

The shooting incident that occurred in Linden

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, December 30 –03:30h-05:00h and Tuesday, December 31 – 03:45h-05:15h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, December 30 –16:00h-17:30h and Tuesday, December 31 – 16:40h-18:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected during the day, interrupted by thundery to light rain showers, which should last into the night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 16:10h reaching a maximum height of 2.58 metres.

Low Tide: 09:44h and 22:14h reaching minimum heights of 0.81 metre and 0.60 metre.

Oil Spill, Integrity Commission Bills almost complete – AG

...says drafts of Anti-Harassment, Firearm Bills among others being reviewed

The Ministry of Legal Affairs has a full slate when it comes to its legislative agenda, with Bills such as the Oil Spill and Integrity Commission Bills almost complete and a range of other bills either being developed in the Attorney General (AG) Chambers or being reviewed by the respective Ministries and agencies.

During his end-of-year press conference on Saturday, AG Anil Nandlall outlined legislative priorities currently under development within the AG Chambers. These include the Regional Security System Bill, the CARICOM Arrest Warrant, and the Advanced Passenger Information and Names Registration Bills.

Other bills are the Company’s Bill, Food Safety Bill, Electricity Sector

almost completed. In the case of the Oil Spill Bill, they are about to do a final review of a particular mechanism within the bill, before it is sent over to the Office of the President (OP).

“The Integrity Commission Bill is almost completed… I believe Minister (of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail) Teixeira wants final input and then we’ll take it from there… I know that the Oil Spill Bill has received a lot of public currency in recent times. The Bill is almost completed.”

“It’s one part of the bill I plan to relook at. And I plan to do it by the end of the year. Now what must be understood is that many of these bills are not one-sector bills. The oil spill bill involves the Ministry

Reform Bill, National Heritage Preservation Bill, High Court Amendment Bill, Virtual Assets Bill, Integrity Commission Amendment Bill, Technical and Vocational Education Bill, the Oil Spill Bill, Mining Amendments Regulation and what he described as a “massive” Public Health Bill.

“We are working with PAHO (Pan American Health Organisation). That’s a massive, massive bill. You see we have a 1936 Public Health ordnance in Guyana. Public health concerns the depth of your drain, the size of your shed, and the distance between your shed and the closest erection. That’s the public health ordnance that governs all those things. Where you bury the dead.”

“So that will take some time. And we’ll have to do tremendous public consultations, in relation to that bill. All the NDC’s, RDC’s the Local Government Structure, will all have to be part of the consultation, since they have to administer this bill. Not to mention the public health sector itself. So, it’s a very involved and massive undertaking, that will take some time,” Nandlall explained.

However, Bills such as the Oil Spill Bill to better protect Guyana against oil spills and the Integrity Commission Bill to reform the Integrity Commission of Guyana, are

of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Civil Defence Commission. So, it’s a multi-stakeholder initiative,” Nandlall added.

Under review

According to Nandlall, several Bills are also with different Ministers, such as Minister of Human Services and Social Protection Dr Vindhya Persaud who has the Protection from Harassment Bill and the Social Workers Licensing Bill. Additionally, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn has a Firearms Control Bill.

“The Minister of Agriculture has a Food Safety Amendment Bill, Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Amendment Bill, Plant Protection regulations, Rice Farmers Security of Tenure Amendment regulations,” the AG said.

“The Minister of Health has Telehealth Bill, Medicine Regulation Bill, Radiation Safety and Security regulations. With the judiciary, we have two bills. The Recording of Court Proceedings Bill

and the Electronic Case Management System Bill. Those are two bills the judiciary has with them, reviewing right now.”

Other bills that are being reviewed by the respective Ministry include the Tourism Regulations for Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Solid Waste Management Bill. And that is with the Local Government Ministry. Then there are also the bills being worked on by a consultant, such as a bill to overhaul Guyana’s Evidence Laws and a bill for Judge alone trials. There is also a Rehabilitation of Offenders Bill, Alternative Sentencing Bill, Sexual Offences Bill, Public Procurement Bill and a Trust Bill as part of Guyana’s Anti Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations. (Jarryl Bryan)

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Editor: Tusika Martin

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A common venture

As we approach New Year 2025, a special significance beckons: barring any unforeseen circumstances, general elections are constitutionally mandated. Historically, our elections have, unfortunately, become flashpoints for triggering extreme tensions that often spill over into violence. It behoves all right-thinking Guyanese to try forestalling such a denouement. We must accept that we are embarked on a common venture to create a viable nation and are all responsible for contributing to its realisation.

One of the hurdles we must overcome is the present insistence on stressing “rights” in a democratic polity without even mentioning our concomitant “responsibilities”. For democracy to succeed, citizens must be active, not passive, because they know that the success or failure of the Government is their responsibility, and no one else's. That is why it is said in a democracy, we get the government we deserve. In 2025, citizens will be bombarded with exhortations from the political parties competing for their votes. As the folk wisdom advises, their duty is to “pick sense from nonsense”.

How can this be done? The answer was offered in yesterday’s editorial, “21st Century Skills” which identified “Critical thinking” as the very first of those skills. As citizens in a democracy, we must take the time to listen not only to all sides in the political debate, but also to seek out independent views on the issue so that we can best evaluate what is on the table. In a democracy, there will be both procedural and substantive issues to be considered. Let us begin with the former which are the electoral procedures which can be considered as threshold issues.

The Opposition, for instance, has raised two objections in this area when complaining about a “bloated list” and also demanding “biometrics” for identification of voters. They concede that 99% of any such “bloating” is due to names of citizens on the Official List of Electors (OLE) who have migrated, but which, according to a judicial ruling, cannot be removed without a constitutional change. Citizens must ask if they propose this. The demand for “biometric data’ to better certify voters’ identity to prevent duplicate voting – using names on the OLE – has been conceded by all parties. Citizens must evaluate not necessarily whether the “biometrics” are foolproof – they are not – but whether the objection that time does not permit their introduction before the end-of-year elections is valid. In the meantime, citizens must demand that party agents at the polling stations be rigorously trained since there has been no proof to date that shortcomings in this area have ever been significant enough to alter any of the elections’ results.

Substantively, there does not appear to be any ideological difference among the political parties as was the case before 1992. However, with the premises of liberalism – which has been dominant in the US and the UK and are models for our democratic practice – now under fire there, citizens should make themselves au fait with what our parties competing for office in 2025 are proposing for better governance. For instance, procedurally, the incoming Trump Administration in the US has promised to abandon the old, British putative “value-free” standard for civil servants and replace them with individuals who adhere to their worldview. Will the acceptance of this model now be the norm in Guyana?

In terms of economic development, it would appear that all our political parties also accept the neo-liberal premise of the “private sector being the engine of growth”. There are differences in views, however, as to what extent the free market should be the arbiter of distributive justice. The PPP has opted to continue with a Nordic-type welfare state where critical services such as health and education, etc, are delivered free by the state, but private institutions are permitted. The Opposition has pushed for an expansion of welfarism to deliver a “Universal Basic Income” – which has not been adopted by the Government of any country. The Government evidently prefers episodic cash grants. If these issues are debated using critical thinking, maybe we can avoid electoral trauma.

Remembering former Indian PM Manmohan Singh

Dear Editor, Ex-Indian PM Dr Manmohan Singh has passed on (Dec 27). Those Guyanese (like Ashook Ramsaran and myself from NY) who met Singh remember him fondly; the late Yesu Persaud credited Singh for India’s economic transformation when he became Finance Minister (1991-96).

Guyana benefited tremendously during his tenure as PM (2004-14) with development assistance, loans, and scholarships. And although he never visited Guyana, Dr Singh knew a lot about Guyana and indentureship. As PM, he had Guyana and other Indian diasporic countries at heart doling out developmental aid. (He did visit Trinidad for the Commonwealth Summit in 2009 where we met briefly and spoke about diasporic issues. President Bharrat Jagdeo and Singh held fruitful talks).

As PM, Singh engaged then-President Jagdeo multiple times on boosting ties, and he found time to meet with a few of us in America and India to strengthen soft power (cultural relations). Also, Dr Singh, long before he entered politics, worked with the late Berbician economist Dr Bishnodat (Vishnu) Persaud on economic policies (advisory pa-

pers) for developing countries. Dr Clive Thomas was also among those who worked with Bishnodat. Persaud received grants and employed Singh; he respected Singh’s scholarship but did not speak of Singh in glowing terms. Singh was late in abandoning socialist ideas and embracing market reforms in India that would transform the world’s economy.

I have known Singh since the 1970s reading news articles when he was Eco Advisor to and later Chair of Planning for the Indian government. His name came up in readings while I was doing doctoral studies in Development Economics during the 1980s; he was considered a respected authority on the Indian economy with a PhD from Oxford. He was an excellent writer and a profound thinker with hardly any comparisons. He had embraced socialist economics which failed to eradicate poverty; he made a radical switch to market economics late 1980s.

In 1991, when he became Finance Minister, he convinced PM Rao to experiment with economic liberalism. State industries were denationalized. The economy took off and has experienced record positive growth ever since. All gov-

ernments continued with economic liberalism until now with India having the highest growth among emerging economies over the last fifteen years.

I first met Singh in 1999 when he was running for the South Delhi seat in parliament. I was recruited by BJP-linked organizations to join the campaign against him. I was not against Singh, but I was a founding member of the Overseas Friends of BJP in NY and supported the campaign to reelect PM Vajpayee and LK Advani. Mike Persaud was with me in Delhi in August 1999. He didn’t join the campaign, but he and I queried voters in several of the seven constituencies of Delhi how they would vote. We stayed in Karol Bagh, another constituency. We both concluded that BJP would sweep all the seats and I penned an article for the media with Mike’s guidance.

I was sent daily to South Delhi to campaign from street to street and building to building as well as in the parks. I met Singh at a couple of campaign stops and wished him well. He was a gentleman. He lacked charisma and charm but had a soft, gentle voice. My candidate was Dr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, then Prof of Hindi at Delhi

University. I was sent to South Delhi because it was an upper-middle-class constituency with English speakers. I campaigned among Punjabi or Sikhs, Singh’s ethnic and religious kinship, many of who voted for my guy. There was a huge concentration of Sikhs in the seat. Singh was defeated by a huge margin by Dr Malhotra. I received a lot of platitudes from Dr Malhotra and the campaign team for the victory. The Molhotra family remembered me well and invited me for dinner at their home during a visit to Delhi in 2000. We spoke several times in subsequent years. I met Singh again at PBD in 2003 and in 2004 when he was Opposition Leader in the Rajya Sabha and in 2005 in Mumbai when he was PM and several times thereafter in NY and at PBDs. He remembered Dr Bishnodat. Ramsaran interacted with Singh half a dozen times on diaspora matters. We lobbied him and his UPA government for increased scholarships for Indo-Caribbeans. He graciously acquiesced. He also provided funding for an indentured monument that Ramsaran and I had discussed and conceived for Kolkata.

Revelers play folk music and wear traditional costumes designed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune for the next year, during a Malanka Ukrainian folk celebration in a courtyard in Kyiv, Ukraine

A state of eudaimonia created only by a PPP/C Government

Dear Editor,

The PPP/C Government unreservedly deserve a pat on the back unhesitatingly for their unprecedented performance in the unmatching year of 2024. Much applauded accolades must be showered on the many outstanding players who have selflessly contributed as tributary stakeholders to amass an unimaginable success rate to end a year dotted with hurdles, setbacks and challenges, executed by an impossible opposition.

An unparalleled Budget was presented at the beginning of 2024 by the PPP/C Government to reflect an estimated GY$1.1 trillion (US$5.5 Billion) Expenditure and a GY$947 billion (US$4.5 Billion)

Revenue. This carefully crafted masterpiece of economic artistry, unclogged an artery to pump the necessary oxygen required to catapult the nation to an unconventional height. This left the uncomfortable Opposition to uncloak their negative debates as they negotiated a path depleted of any positive vision for the Guyanese.

Led by an uncoloured President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, from the sunrise of the year to the sunset of the year, His Excellency has remained unrestrained to pilot the country in unchartered water, unimaginable to his opponents who must be flagged as uncharacteristic of honour, honesty and harmony. Under the influence of un -

Remembering former Indian PM...

It was constructed in 2011 with the effort of Ramsaran in memory of all the indentureds.

Singh didn’t hold grudges against anyone for his defeat. And he was never elected to parliament, opting instead for a safe entrance to the Upper House. He was not made for politics, a profession that Indian people link to corruption. Singh was an incorruptible honest politician, who did not steal a paise. But he closed his eyes to corruption. Corruption was the worst under his tenure. When asked why he didn’t crack down on corruption, he responded that the compunction of coalition politics made it impossible to act.

In other words, if he took action against the corrupt, he would lose his job.

FROM PAGE 4

When pressed by reporters on corruption involving the Delhi Commonwealth Games, his response was he didn’t steal any money or take bribes and that the reporters should pose their questions to the ministers involved in the scandal. The voters had enough of the Singh-led government. Singh and the UPA were swept out of office in 2014 with the Congress in its worst showing in its history.

Despite that blot in his record, Manmohan Singh was widely respected by friends and foes and by those of us who read his works. Though opponents, PM Modi spoke glowingly of him.

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

derhand dealings, the leaders of the Opposition have relentlessly unleashed a battle of subversive underground atrocities, to uncover their uncouth attributes. The Opposition is addicted to the touch of conflict of interest!

2024 was a year that made Guyanese richer in their pockets, on paper, in personality, as parents, in performance, in production and particularly, as a participant in the development of this country. All this and more were made possible by a concerned and caring PPP/C Government which has removed the fear of Guyana becoming a pariah state. The PNC had once taken Guyana down this road of travesty, thanks to their majority vote as the Opposition when the PPP/C was ruling as a minority Government! With salary increases across the board unheard of and cash grants unconnected to selfishness, the PPP/C Government has amassed praises unattainable by an Opposition, weakened by unchivalrous actions.

Caught in an uncompromising position, the PNC is grabbing on any straw as they sink into an ocean of unsuccessful tactics to remove their untreatable disease. Their lies, lemons

and laments have failed to uncork the principles and policies of truth, trust and transparency. The unhappy circumstance of being labelled “election fraudsters,” will forever demote any chance of ever showing a clean hand at anything the PNC becomes involved with. Unable to declare their SOPs, the international community will never accept words of the Opposition that spell disbelief, dishonesty and dismay.

On the contrary, it is the PPP/C Government which has sweetened the atmosphere locally, regionally and globally with perseverance and persistence with their uncopiable performance, their unconcealed plans and their uncluttered perception for peace, progress and prosperity for Guyana and Guyanese, both at home and abroad. Remaining favourable with all the banking institutions, there is global cooperation to invest in diverse programs, unlimited to oil production while being uncritical with the governance of this Government.

Uncapped with a reservoir of unspoiled resources, this country is set to become one of the wealthiest in the region and the fastest-growing nation with the

highest GDP. Unaffected by the unjust claims of appalling discrimination and an apartheid disillusion, many adversaries have sought audiences with foreign friends who are not friends with this PPP/C fraternity. Returning with gross disappointment, those advocates have even invited their colleagues from overseas to observe life in Guyana, only to offend these visitors with their fibs, who prefer to be allies of this just society managed by the ruling government.

Under the detriment of unnecessary aggravation, the PPP/C Government has steered the ship in the right direction, despite the Opposition’s undercurrent to rock the boat. As the year closes, Guyanese will celebrate a year devoid of violence, recklessness and prejudice from the unsurpassable PPP/C Government. They will not toast to the asinine

Opposition. Guyanese can now look forward to the New Year cropped with unfilled promises committed by an uncreative Opposition that depicts the vision of unfettered animosity. What Guyanese will cheer for is an undaunted PPP/C Government not worried by an election year, but a new one that will provide the safety, sanctity, sanity and security of Guyana and Guyanese for another winning term of unending health and wealth, throughout the length and breadth of this nation. Guyanese look forward to a state of eudaimonia and believe and trust only a PPP/C government to manifest such a reality.

Thank you, Guyana, and, may everyone have a happy, safe and blessed New Year.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

Page Foundation

Quadrilaterals

A quadrilateral is a 2-dimensional figure with four sides – and four angles. The following are the main types of quadrilaterals

Exercises: Identify: Determine the type of quadrilateral

By Jackie kay

Remember, the time of year when the future appears like a blank sheet of paper a clean calendar, a new chance. On thick white snow You vow fresh footprints then watch them go with the wind’s hearty gust. Fill your glass. Here’s tae us. Promises made to be broken, made to last.

New Year Firework Wreath

Welcome the New Year in sparkling style with our Fireworks Wreath, which uses glitter card, tinsel pipe cleaners, and glitter star foam stickers to create a dazzling wreath that captures the excitement of fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Adult Supervision

Step 1: First, paint a wooden wreath with black acrylic paint and set it aside to dry.

Step 2: Cut out the 2025 numbers from glitter card and the rectangle from black card.

Step 3: Cut out strips of glitter card 1cm wide and 2cm wide, then cut them to different lengths. Once that is done, cut a length of string/ribbon and loop it through the hole in the wreath before sticking on the strips of glitter card.

Step 4: Trim gold and silver tinsel pipe cleaners at different lengths and wrap them around a pencil to create a spiral

effect before sticking each spiral tinsel pipe cleaner to the wreath.

Step 5: Stick the gold numbers to the black rectangular card and stick it at an angle in the middle of the wreath.

Step 6: To finish, stick glitter star foam stickers on the end of some of the glitter card strips and tinsel pipe cleaners. (bakerross.co.uk)

WORD SEARCH:

Govt working to develop crucial areas before oil resources are exhausted – Finance Minister

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh believes that it is important for the Government to expend the wealth gained by oil and gas into the development of several crucial areas within the country before the resource is exhausted.

He made this comment during an appearance on the Energy Perspectives podcast where he highlighted that the discovery of oil reserves offshore Guyana has significantly boosted the development of the country and its economy.

He nevertheless stated that the government is rolling out several initiatives to enhance the livelihood of its citizens. He referred to direct cash transfers to its people as a way of investing oil revenue into the population while noting that direct cash transfers are not the only avenue through which oil revenues can be distributed to the Guyanese people.

One critical area he highlighted that the government must continue to invest in and develop is the country’s non-oil sectors.

“We have said very clearly that we see this period as a period in which we can and we should be investing in the things that are most critical for the long-term prosperity of our country including and in particular the nonoil economy…We know the

risks that are associated with any economy that is exclusively dependent or overly dependent on a single sector. And so, we have said, President Ali has said from the very inception that economic diversification and in particular the growth and expansion and competitiveness of our non-oil economy is a paramount policy objective.”

He added that apart from investing into the non-oil economy the government has been improving the living standards for Guyanese people through the allocation of funds towards several key sectors such as education and healthcare.

“Guyana, the long-term resilience of Guyana and in

particular securing the competitiveness of the non-oil economy. So, things like infrastructure, transport infrastructure, energy infrastructure, all of which really are geared up to help promote a more competitive non-oil economy. And in addition to that investing in the things that matter to the well-being of the Guyanese people, education and health care to make sure that people have good quality education and good quality health care”.

“I mean, logically, providing cash transfers to people could not possibly be the only or the most effective necessarily, the most effective way of empowering people. What we really want is a Guyana where every single, and what we're really working towards, is a Guyana where every single Guyanese person of working age is able to get a good quality job and can earn a good income to be able to live comfortably.”

Moreover, the finance minister slammed the APNU/AFC coalition for neglecting the non-oil economy during their time in office. Singh noted that a lack of robust economic policies under the APNU-AFC Coalition halted the expansion of several crucial industries within the country.

“The APNU-AFC had essentially neglected all of

the non-oil economy, apparently with the expectation that they could simply sit and wait for oil production to start. We saw, for example, how during the 2015 to 2020 period, several sectors were neglected. Sugar was essentially closed down. Serious damage was done to the bauxite industry…And you would recall that the then president, President Granger, said rice is a private business and the government is not interested in rice agriculture on the whole was neglected.”

The finance minister added. “so what is perhaps most

striking is the complete lack of vision and complete lack of foresight and just generally bad planning and bad economic policies on the part of the APNU/AFC and there's no doubt in my mind that if had they been allowed to get away with the theft of our democracy in 2020 and continue with these bad policies, that you would have seen a complete and total collapse of the non-oil economy.”

Additionally, the finance minister highlighted how the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) administration's robust economic policies have since revi-

talized the country’s non-oil economy.

“We now have, since President Ali took office in 2020, a government that has taken exactly the opposite position, that the nonoil economy is of paramount importance, that we have to make sure that agriculture remains strong and competitive, that we have to make sure that bauxite recovers and is strong, that we have to make sure that gold and our other minerals are doing well, that we have to make sure that tourism is doing well, and you're seeing the policy actions.”

Several locations, investment options being considered for deep-water port – Shipping Association Head

...says talks held between Association, major terminal operators & Govt

A deep-water port

On the heels of President Dr Irfaan Ali’s recent revelation that a proposal is being worked on for a new deep-water port, the head of the Shipping Association of Guyana, Phillip Fernandes has confirmed that several locations and investment options are indeed being considered.

capital such a project will necessitate.

“I am pleased that the President has recently been placing great emphasis on the need for a modern cargo-handling facility. This is very much needed for Guyana to keep pace with

the country's growing demands. This is a carefully managed process as it needs to be done right the first time. Such an undertaking is too costly and too important to get wrong.”

“Several options are being considered in terms of location and investment structure. The viability of a deep-water harbour in Guyana becomes even greater when cargo from Northern Brazil is taken into consideration.

“The current infrastructure in Port Georgetown is inadequate to handle any significant increase in cargo volumes. With Guyana growing at its current rate, the projected cargo in the coming years would surely over-tax our cargo terminals and produce congestion and inefficiencies,” he explained.

“Over the past couple of years, the Shipping Association of Guyana and some of the major terminal operators have had

In an invited comment to the Guyana Times, Fernandes acknowledged the need for such a facility, as well as the fact that his association and some of the major terminal operators have had engagements with the Government.

several engagements with the Government to consider various options for a deep-water port and new national cargo-handling terminal,” Fernandes also said.

The President’s recent comments on a proposal for a deep-water port were made during a recent sitdown with journalists and Fernandes welcomed that emphasis is being placed on constructing this important infrastructure. He also noted the need for the process to be carefully managed, pointing out the immense

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

Agricultural development in Region Six

Incidents among inmates drop significantly in 2024 – Prisons Director

The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has reported a notable decrease in incidents between inmates, attributed to various initiatives, including vocational training, behavioural modification programmes, and improved prison conditions.

According to Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, more than 800 inmates participated in technical and vocational training programmes in 2024, which played a crucial role in reducing prisoner-to-prisoner conflicts.

"I must say that because of the training opportunities provided to prisoners, coupled with the enhancement of the prison facilities and the training provided to prison officers, incidents within the prison have significantly reduced," Elliot remarked.

Prison incidents, which can range from violent assaults to escape attempts, self-harm, and trafficking

of contraband, pose serious safety concerns for both inmates and staff. However, Elliot emphasised that the improvements within the system have had a positive impact on overall safety.

The GPS currently offers 25 different training programmes aimed at addressing the various offences committed by prisoners. The training, which spans technical, vocational, and behavioural modification, helps prepare inmates for reintegration into society after their release.

Elliot highlighted that two vocational schools have been established at Lusignan and Timehri Prisons and will soon be equipped with the necessary tools to provide even more training opportunities. Additionally, trade shops have been constructed at both Lusignan and New Amsterdam Prisons to further expand the scope of inmate education.

“The prison administration will continue to create opportunities for staff improvement, rehabilitation of inmates, thus paving the way for a successful integration of those persons and to reduce the likelihood of reoffending," Elliot explained. "We are also working to address the issue of stigma and discrimination faced by this population.”

In addition to educational initiatives, the prison system has implemented sever-

al measures to ensure that any complaints or issues raised by inmates or staff are promptly addressed. These mechanisms include weekly meetings with prisoners and staff, daily visits by welfare officers, medical officers, and duty officers, as well as oversight by the Sentence Management Board and the Prison Visiting Committees.

Elliot also emphasised his role in overseeing the facilities, noting that he is required to visit all prison locations quarterly, with the option of addressing any concerns raised before these visits if requested by the prisoners.

"The reduction in incidents is not just about training and facility improvements; it’s also about making sure prisoners have access to the right channels for voicing their concerns," said Elliot. "This approach has helped create a more stable environment within our prisons."

Several locations, investment options...

Several studies have been done on this possibility at it remains under the microscope when considering our options,” Fernandes added.

In light of increasing transshipment challenges that local businesses face in getting goods into the country, the Guyana Government has been giving serious consideration to possibly even co-investing in a deep-water port here given the demand for such a facility in this rapidly growing economy.

This was the view of Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo while addressing stakeholders at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association’s (GMSA) Annual Awards Dinner earlier in the month. He was at the time speaking about the industrial dispute in Trinidad and Tobago at the time, which resulted in delays in shipments of goods to Guyana.

Since Guyana does not have a deep-water port, vessels would have to go to countries like Trinidad and Jamaica to offload and then transship the goods to Georgetown. Only last year, the local private sector had bemoaned the de-

Taking sides…

…in

new Cold War

The more-than-half-a-billion US dollar loan extended to us by the US EXIM bank for the GtE Project is important for a host of reasons. Your Eyewitness has spoken about the benefits of our industrialisation and the overall developmental push that the use of our natural gas delivered by Exxon will bring. Today he wishes to identify a possibly even more important import of the loan – a signal that the US has realised if it really wants to take on its present challenger for world hegemony – China – it gotta move beyond rhetoric and tariffs!!

It gotta duke it out with China to win – if not the “hearts and minds” of the nations in the state system – then the logic of why those nations must see their interests aligned with theirs. And how can the US address those interests?? Let your Eyewitness count the ways – which ain’t too difficult since China’s already done so to further its challenge. And has been working on them oh so diligently!! Right up there is money to crawl out of the misery in which so many countries were left when the imperialists cut and run.

FROM PAGE 7

lays in transshipment after consignments were stuck in those territories ahead of the busy Christmas holidays.

However, the Vice President had explained that the reason Guyana has not been able to move forward with this port facility is due to the large-scale investment it would require. He ascertains that the project could run upwards of US$1 billion, hence, the need for the Government to co-finance such a venture.

According to the Vice President, this would be one of the major initiatives that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has set its sights on, for its second term in office, as a longterm solution to the country’s shipment woes, which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic when prices for goods skyrocketed due to the increased cost of freights around the world.

Initially, the Government had been considering constructing a deep-water port facility in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), but has had to go back to the drawing board given the high sedimentation there and the logistical and financial hurdles of dredging the mouth of the Berbice River.

The idea of modifying the port facility by building out a causeway to mitigate challenges with dredging the mouth of the Berbice River had also been floated. A causeway is a raised path, railway or road across wet ground, in this case, the ocean. This differs from a bridge since there is little or no opening underneath, instead, it consists of a crest with embankments on either side. (G-3)

China has trillions – yes TRILLIONS – of dollars, Euros and other currencies sloshing around in its kitty - on account of the trade surplus it runs with almost every country on Planet Earth!! Most of those funds are US greenbacks – since the US kindly built up the Chinese economy after 1972 by setting up factories to supply its markets with everything under the sun – but arms!! So China can – and does – provide loans to poor countries across the globe for their development!! Africa, for instance, is seeing another rush – to “colonise” it if the Yanks are to be believed!! Roads, railways, ports, factories, mines, and so on.

Right here we had the loan for the abandoned AFHEP project; the Skeldon Modernisation; the CJIA expansion and modernisation; the DHB; several roads – and of course the worst cut of all – the quintessentially American Marriott Hotel! Not surprisingly, our turning to the Chinese made the Yanks – who see us as within their Monroe Doctrine “lake” – look at us a tad cross-eyed!! Didn’t we realise we were cosying up – and maybe even sleeping? – with the enemy?? Prezzie was pulled under the rug in Washington and had to point out that our development projects are awarded through bidding – and Chinese companies can win ‘cause their banks that are owned by their govt offer loans!!

Why the US couldn’t do the same and compete?? Well, we see the US EXIM Bank loan where US companies beat out Chinese companies!! As in Cold War I, maybe the US will continue outbidding its rival – and we benefit?!!!

…by Civil Society

One of the notable features of modern states has been the development of an identity for those entities outside of the political parties, government and corporations. These include churches and other religious bodies, consumer groups, farmer groups, trade unions, etc. They have been dubbed “Civil Society” and granted the “legitimacy” to promulgate commonly accepted values.

In most countries, however, these civil society groups are dominated by elites who arrogate upon themselves the legitimacy to represent those values for people who aren’t ever consulted. They assume they know better than the politicians who are actually chosen by the people. Now don’t get your Eyewitness wrong – sure we need voices to articulate societal values outside the political realm.

But he insists there must be mechanisms to ensure the views pushed by these Civil Society groups are in consonance with those who they purport to represent. There have been, for instance, continued demands for the Guyana Human Rights Association to prove its legitimacy.

Who selected the Execs??

…in politics

Some of these Civil Society groups have become so identified with one political party or the other that their distinction strain to suggest a difference!! They are vocally critical or laudatory of “their” party that they sound like choirs!!

Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot

Shipping Association of Guyana head Phillip Fernandes

Govt has carefully utilised oil monies to benefit all Guyanese – VP Jagdeo

...praises Guyana’s management of its oil & gas sector as a

“success story”

Describing Guyana’s management of its oil and gas sector as a “success story”, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has highlighted the fact that Guyana compares favourably against other countries around the world who have also had to navigate the potential pitfalls of their oil sectors.

At his recent press conference, Jagdeo pointed out that rather than the follies and failed investments other oil producers have plunged their oil money into, it is no secret where the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been spending oil funds… towards creating a sustainable economy.

“We have made great strides and unlike the infamous behaviour in many other parts of the world with oil and gas money, you didn’t find that here in Guyana can trace every cent you can see it going to things that are visible to the people of this country that will change their lives,” Jagdeo said.

“I don’t want to list the details, you will hear about this next week when the Minister speaks about [the] tissue culture labs opening up new sectors, bringing in better quality animals, giving greater incentives, co-investing in the agricultural sector and other sectors to expand the economic

base of the country,” the Vice President added.

In addition to its wise stewardship of oil funds, the PPP/C Government has also made great strides when it comes to shoring up its regulatory system. According to Jagdeo, the PPP/C Government has made significant changes to the regulatory regime with new laws and policies, as well as a new and improved model Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

“Many countries that have been producing oil and gas for 60 years, don’t have a local content policy. We have one and 1000 Guyanese companies are already benefiting from over $700 million in business. They didn’t see that as positive. They didn’t see now that you have to go to auction. So, if you really want to talk about what has happened in the five years since first oil it’s been an exciting period for us.”

“We have kept our commitment to a new PSA and effectively we have renegotiated the five contracts outside of this Stabroek contract because now the new PSA would apply to them. We have passed the local content law. All of these things have been done by this Government and we have uti-

lised every cent of oil money in the areas that will benefit our people. This is a success story. It’s not infamy,” the Vice President further said.

There have been several key changes ushered in by the PPP/C Government when it comes to the oil and gas sector. They include the implementation of the Local Content Act and the amendments to the Natural Resource Fund Act.

The implementation of a model new PSA means that all future PSAs will include the retention of the 50-50 profit-sharing after cost recovery; the increase of the royalty from a mere two per cent to

a fixed rate of 10 per cent; the imposition of a 10 per cent corporate tax; and the lowering of the cost recovery ceiling to 65 per cent from 75 per cent.

In Region Three, the transformative Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project is being built which includes the construction of an integrated Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Plant and a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant in Wales. The project will be utilising natural gas from the country’s offshore operations in the Stabroek Block.

As many as 454 persons were hired within the first half of the year in the oil and gas sector, already exceeding 50 per cent of the target set by the Local Content Secretariat (LCS) for oil and gas new hires for 2024.

However, most of the companies that are directly and indirectly supporting offshore operations are based in Georgetown and its environs.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where oil production and exploration are ongoing by international companies, has been the source of employment for thousands of Guyanese in the oil and gas sector… employment is currently estimated at 6,500.

Oil production in Guyana

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Eccles dumpsite road mostly completed, bridge outstanding – Min Croal

The widening and upgrade of the Eccles Landfill Road also known as the ‘Dumpsite Road’ is mostly completed with just the construction of a bridge yet to be finished.

This was revealed by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal on Sunday during a telephone interview with the Guyana Times. He told this newspaper that the road, which connects to Heroes Highway at the Eccles Roundabout or Jaguar Roundabout, is currently drivable and is already being used by nearby

Demerara (EBD) Public Road intersection, a bridge is currently under construc-

However, works are still ongoing in two lots.

there.

“Most of the road is drivable right now but one of

the lots will be completed by mid-January; that’s the lot closest to the East Bank Public Road. There is a bridge that is to be completed there but work is ongoing. It’s not that the contractor is behind but basically that lot had the most technical work to be done,” the Minister explained.

This publication understands that the works on the bridge are about 50 per cent completed and should be wrapped up by the third week of January.

With regards to other outstanding works, road rails are currently being done at another lot, which is closer to Windsor Estate Road, but those works are not affecting the smooth flow of traffic on the new four-lane road.

“So, basically most of the road is completed. There is only just that one lot that is being completed,” Minister Croal posited.

Back in September, Croal had pointed out that this road widening project aligns with the Government’s broader objective of crucial connector roads to the East Bank thoroughfare, ensuring greater traffic flow and enhanced connectivity throughout Guyana.

“Well, that road is intertwined in terms of the massive plan as a result of where we’re placing the [new Demerara River] bridge. You know, the [Eccles Dumpsite or]

Industrial Road has always existed. But the reason why we have to widen that is because of the volume of traffic that is flowing. So, if you’re coming from the East Bank, it’s one of the main access points.”

“Then when the Ogle to Eccles Four-Lane Road is complete, you’ll be able to connect and come all the way to the East Bank without having to turn because you’ll meet the Eccles roundabout and then go to the main road. The [new] Demerara Harbour Bridge is landing at Nandy Park. Following that, there are a number of connecting roads that will be done. And one of where it will flow into will be the Eccles Industrial Road,” Croal had outlined.

Works began several years ago on upgrading the

Eccles Landfill Road with an initial cost of $1.2 billion, however, it was later extended in keeping with the transformation of the Guyana’s infrastructural landscape.

Minister Croal noted that as the project progresses, commuters can anticipate improved infrastructure that will facilitate more efficient travel experiences.

Back in April 2022, the $2.3 billion four-lane Eccles-to-Mandela Highway was opened, thus providing an alternate route to bring relief from the heavy traffic on the EBD during the morning and afternoon rush hours.

The project, which was executed by the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority

(CH&PA), represents the construction of the country’s first fully concreted four-lane highway, with dual carriageways of two lanes each and joint reinforced concrete pavement.

Late 2023, the Eccles to Diamond four-lane road was commissioned and named the Heroes Highway, in honour of the five Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks who died days before in a horrific helicopter crash. This four-lane road project is a result of efforts by the President Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government to ease traffic congestion on the East Bank, which not only leads to the country’s main port of entry – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) – but also fields traffic coming from West Demerara.

residents.

Closer to the East Bank

tion

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

An aerial overview of the remaining works on the Eccles Dumpsite Road

A completed section of the Eccles Dumpsite Road

Father dies, 13-year-old son critical following bee attack in Region 9

Alife after they were attacked by a swarm of Africanised bees Huntoil

Streach, Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

Dead is 39-year-old Daniel Darrell Snr. of Tabatinga, Central Lethem, Region Nine.

Based on reports received, the victim and his 13-yearold son Daniel Darrell Jr., were heading towards Central Lethem on a motorcycle. While riding along the Huntoil Streach, they were attacked by a swarm of African bees.

As a result, they fell to the ground and the son managed to run to safety even though he was being attacked, while the father was bitten by the

bees, and he became motionless on the ground.

Police stated that a minibus was passing at the time and the son was rescued and rushed to Lethem Regional Hospital, where he remains hospitalised in a serious condition.

A medical team was dis-

patched to the scene where the victim was pronounced dead. Yimochi Melvill, a Bee Keeper from Culvert City, Central Rupununi, was summoned to the scene, after which he ‘smoked out’ the bees, making the area safe for passersby.

This came less than a

week after 79-year-old Roy Scott-Rover, a pensioner, of Paradise, East Coast Demerara (ECD), lost his life during a bee attack. It was reported by family members that Scott-Rover was tending to his garden and cutting a tree when he unknowingly disturbed a bee hive. The insects launched an aggressive attack, stinging him multiple times. He was found lying semi-conscious in his yard, surrounded by deadly bees. The elderly man succumbed while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) the following day.

17 vehicles intercepted for unauthorised sirens in 2024 – Traffic Chief

Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent, Mahendra Singh has confirmed that 17 vehicles outfitted with unauthorised sirens have been intercepted so far this year. The discovery highlights an ongoing issue of drivers mimicking emergency vehicles, causing confusion and potentially endangering public safety.

“These cases are identified through police observations while on duty,” Singh told the Guyana Times on Sunday. “The unauthorised equipment has been removed, and in most instances, offenders have been issued warnings rather than charges. The public must be given a fair opportunity to understand what is right from what is wrong.”

The Traffic Chief further reiterated that only specific vehicles, such as those used by the police, ambulances, and other emergency responders, are lawfully allowed to use sirens. He reiterated that unauthorised use undermines the integrity of genuine emergency services.

Recently, motorcyclists have also started changing their horns to sounds that resemble that of a siren. The Traffic Chief addressed this saying that they had not received direct reports of this case, but he welcomed the assistance from the public to have it rectified.

“If you have the opportunity to observe and capture details like the number plate of the motorcycle or vehicle, please share them with the police…,” he said.

Although reports of unauthorised siren use are rare, Singh stated that the police remain committed to

addressing the issue.

“The vehicles that are authorised are police, emergency services, and ambulances. For the public, it’s critical to understand the difference between lawful and unlawful use,” he emphasised.

Singh confirmed that the 17 offenders identified so far were not charged but instead received warnings.

“In most cases, a warning is issued because education is as important as enforcement. The public needs to understand and respect the law to ensure safety on the roads,” he explained.

The Traffic Chief assured that the police will continue to monitor the situation and urged citizens to report similar violations promptly.

In November, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that the country’s traffic laws would be updated to curb the illegal use of si-

rens and emergency lights. This decision is a significant move towards ensuring road safety and upholding the rule of law.

The President’s announcement came in response to a growing problem: the misuse of sirens by private individuals and unauthorised entities. Originally intended for use by emergency services, including ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles, sirens have increasingly been used by unauthorised vehicles, leading to confusion and chaos on the roads.

This unlawful use of sirens undermines the legitimacy of emergency vehicles and creates dangerous situations on the road. Unauthorised vehicles, particularly those from private companies or individuals, have been using sirens to bypass traffic laws and gain an unfair advantage. This

not only puts lives at risk but also delays the response of genuine emergency vehicles.

The Government has also made a move to impose fines and revoke the licences of offenders, including private security companies, which is a strong deterrent against this practice. The Government is also targeting the sale and installation of illegal sirens and lights, addressing the problem at its source.

The initiative aligns with international best practices, where violations of siren usage result in heavy penalties. Countries such as the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) have long enforced strict regulations regarding emergency equipment, and Guyana’s adoption of similar measures underscores its commitment to modernising traffic laws.

Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh

truck driver lost his life while his son was up late Sunday evening battling for his

Passerby seen lighting a fire in an attempt to save one of the victims (Photos by Rupununi Online News)

One of the victims lying motionless on the road whilst being attacked

Law revision exercise to be completed by June 2025 – AG

The comprehensive law revision process is expected to be completed by June 2025. This update was provided by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, the minister said that the last law revision process was conducted in 2012.

During the current review process, the laws spanning the period from 2012 to 2022 are being updated to reflect the country’s many legislative changes.

“The deadline that I have from the Law Revision Centre is June of next year. So, by July, hopefully, we should be launching it, Nandlall.

Law revision is an important element in ensuring that Guyana’s laws remain consistent and efficient. The process ensures that the laws keep

pace with societal changes, technological advancements and emerging challenges.

He acknowledged there were some delays in the

process, but emphasised the massive scope of work that the process entails.

“We have been passing a lot of laws and a lot of work in the 2012 version was not completed. We had to first…make corrections. Because of that period – from 1977 to 2012 – to cover that expanse was a Herculean task. Naturally, errors were made, omissions were made, and we had to first correct them,” he underlined.

The attorney general reminded reporters that the company conducting the revision process -the Regional Revision Centre Inc. in Anguilla – is the only facility of its kind in the Caribbean, and their workload is massive.

“We have to wait on their workload. They’re the only centre that offers this service in the entire region. So, you can imagine their agenda. So that has led to a delay,” he said.

The covers for these volumes have already been procured, and once completed, the revised laws will also be made available in soft copy or electronic format.

The exercise is being conducted through a collaborative effort of the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, and the Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) Project.

Guyana’s law reports are also slated to be completed by June 2025.

Govt invests $208M to enhance

A country’s law reports contain important cases that have been decided by the courts. These cases are recorded and kept in volumes to serve as precedent for similar cases that might arise in the future. Compiling these cases in volumes ensures accessibility and facilitates ease and consistency in the judicial process.

AG Nandlall noted that Guyana has one of the oldest law reporting systems when compared to the rest of the Caribbean, with reports dating back to the 18th century.

“What we are completing now is from 2008 to 2022. All the major decisions. That again is another massive undertaking,” he added.

connectivity in Deep South Rupununi

Residents in the Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) are set to benefit from improved road connectivity as the sum of $208 mil -

lion has been earmarked to upgrade the main access road linking Sand Creek to Rupunau in Region Nine.

During an outreach in Sand Creek, Public Works Minister Bishop

Juan Edghill highlighted the successful completion of the asphaltic road in Sand Creek, a project that was executed through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

“We [Government] liked how it looked, so we have decided that in all the big villages, we will aim to get people out of the dust, especially where households and traffic are concentrated,” said the minister.

Minister Edghill also revealed plans for significant investments in internal roads in four nearby villages such as Shulinab, Nappi, Karaudarnau, and Awarewaunau. He noted that approximately $800 million will be expended in these communities.

“These contracts have already been signed, and

this model will guide our approach in 2025, 2026, and beyond,” Edghill said.

The minister emphasised the government’s commitment to prioritising the upgrading of community roads to reduce dust pollution and improve travel conditions.

“In Region Nine alone, through the Ministry of Public Works, we currently have more than $1 billion worth of roadworks, developing community roads and connecting villages,” he pointed out.

He noted that travel times have already seen

dramatic reductions and he recalled the days when the journey from Sand Creek to Lethem took three hours.

“Now, you can move from Sand Creek to Lethem in an hour. What used to be a never-ending journey is now one you can complete with ease.” These upgrades are part of the PPP/C government’s broader vision of improving road networks and quality of life while enhancing connectivity, and supporting economic development in the Deep South Rupununi area.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill inspecting infrastructural works in Region Nine

A road in the Deep South Rupununi

Ongoing infrastructure works in Yurong Paru Village, South Pakaraimas, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) (Photos courtesy of President

Dr Irfaan Ali)

Passing of former US President Carter

President Carter’s legacy intertwined with Guyana's democratic journey – Pres Ali

ormer United States

FUS President Jimmy Carter who died on Sunday, is being remembered for his role in advocating for free and fair elections in Guyana and strengthening the country’s democratic systems.

These sentiments were expressed by President Dr Irfaan Ali.

President Carter passed away in Plains, Georgia at the age of 100. The 39th US President was a 2002 Nobel Peace Prize winner and beloved humanitarian. He is the longest-lived president in US history.

In a statement on Sunday evening, the Guyanese Head of State described President Carter as a respected statesman, a benevolent humanitarian, and an indefatigable champion of democracy. His departure, Ali said, represents an immense loss not only to the US, but to the entire free world that values and cherishes the principles of democracy and human rights.

According to the Guyanese Leader, President Jimmy Carter stood as a central protagonist in the wave of democracy that swept across the world fol-

lowing the end of the Cold War. Acknowledging the vital role of embedding democracy, human rights, and development within the evolving post-Cold War era, the Carter Center, founded by him, diligently laboured to secure free and fair elections, respect for human rights and the promotion of development, across many continents, Ali stated.

“His legacy is intertwined with the story of Guyana's journey towards democracy and development. Jimmy Carter's name will forever be linked to the electoral reforms that paved the way for free and fair elections in Guyana, break-

ing the shackles of nearly a quarter-century of political dictatorship. President Carter also understood that democracy's return had to be fortified by development. As such, after freedom had been restored in October 1992, he helped to support the crafting of a National Development Strategy (NDS) for Guyana and to mobilise resources for reconstruction,” President Ali posited.

The Head of State added that Guyana will forever remember and be grateful to President Carter for the election observer missions that the Carter Center undertook in Guyana. These

missions, he noted, acted as a watchdog of transparency, fairness, and credibility in the electoral process.

“My condolences, and that of the Government and people of Guyana, go out to President Carter's family and to the American people, whom he served with distinction and honour throughout his life. Jimmy Carter’s place in history is secure, and his standing in the history of our own country, Guyana, is etched in gratitude and respect,” President Ali noted.

Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by former Guyanese President and current Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). He extended heartfelt condolences on behalf of himself and the PPP to the family, friends, and the people of the United States on the passing of President Carter.

elections and dictatorial rule thus. Then in 2020, the Carter Center, which he founded in 1982, was again instrumental in preventing rigging attempts by the David Granger-

Carter died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia and was surrounded by his family. President Carter is survived by his children —

Jagdeo said, “In Guyana, we will always remember President Carter for his pivotal role in advocating for free and fair elections, which greatly contributed to the strengthening of our democratic institutions.”

He further noted that President Carter was not only a statesman but also a champion of human rights and social justice. His tireless efforts through the Carter Center to promote peace, democracy, and health care in some of the most vulnerable regions of the world have left an indelible mark on humanity.

“May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his family find comfort in the knowledge that his legacy of service and humanity will forever be cherished,” the Vice President stated.

President Carter played a key role in ensuring Guyana returned to free and fair elections in 1992 – ending 28 years of rigged

led A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration by calling for the will of the Guyanese people to be respected.

On Sunday, the Alliance For Change hailed President Carter’s monumental contributions, recognising his role in Guyana’s democratic growth and development

“Guyanese will remember President Cater's ushering in of a liberal democracy in 1992, the work of his Carter Center in crafting the National Development Strategy, a still and acutely necessary blueprint to follow and his ever-present team of observers, during and after, General and Regional elections. These are but a few of his worthwhile contributions to Guyana’s democratic growth and development,” the AFC said in a statement.

The Carter Center on Sunday announced via a statement that President

11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosalynn, and one grandchild.

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”

There will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington, DC, followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia. The final arrangements for President Carter’s state funeral, including all public events and motorcade routes, are still pending.

Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy;

Former US President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Gordon Streeb (second from left), director of The Carter Center's Global Development Initiative, and Jimmy Carter met with Bharrat Jagdeo (left), minister of finance, and Cheddi Jagan, President of Guyana, in Georgetown in April 1996

140,000m piles driven, soil stabilisation completion among milestones in 2024 – contractor Gas-to-Energy Project

...as steam turbines, oil tanks arrive at site

The contractor for the highly-anticipated Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project, Lindsayca CH4 Guyana Inc. (LNDCH4Guyana), has recorded a year of “milestones and progress” in 2024 including the completion of soil stabilisation works as well as the driving of some 140,000 metres of piles.

The Joint Venture formed by United States (US)-based companies, Lindsayca and CH4, was awarded the US$759 million contract in November 2022 to build the 300-megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Power Plant and a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD) – key components of the GtE Project.

In a progress report recently posted to its social media page, LNDCH4-Guyana said, “This year, we've made significant strides towards Guyana's energy security.”

Among the key accomplishments of the GtE Project is the completion of the soil stabilisation works. In September, GtE Project Lead, Winston Brassington, revealed during a presentation at the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AmCham Guyana) Energy Mixer that over 1.65 million cubic metres (m³) of sand, more than 160,000 m³ of loam, and 25,000 m³ of crusher run were purchased for the soil stabilisation exercise at the 100-acre Wales project site.

In addition, the contractor disclosed that 140,000 metres of piles were driv-

en at the site. Over 7,000 steel piles, some at 37.5 metres, are slated to be driven for this project. These range from compression piles to tension piles. At the beginning of this month, LNDCH4 had reported that some 3,715 of these piles have been installed thus far.

Turbines

Meanwhile, another major milestone this year was the arrival of two state-ofthe-art gas turbines from Sweden in October. These turbines, capable of generating 300 MW of electricity, are set to revolutionise Guyana’s energy landscape by providing cleaner power for decades to come.

Then only last week, two state-of-the-art steam turbines and two oil tanks arrived in the country on December 21. These critical components of the GtE Project have been safely transported and will be stored at the warehouse, where they will remain until they are ready to be installed.

Back in July, LNDCH4Guyana successfully offloaded and transported seven essential transformers – devices that will transfer electrical energy between circuits through electromagnetic induction, adjusting voltage levels to ensure efficient power distribution and safe delivery over long distances. These transformers will step up the voltage for transmission and help minimise energy loss, ensuring a stable power supply to homes and businesses in

Guyana.

Other achievements of the GtE Project in 2024 include the completion of manufacturing for the Flare, the Heat Recovery System, the NGL Facility, and the NGL Storage Tanks.

According to LNDCH4, these workers were completed during 900,000-plus accident-free hours.

“We are proud to be part of securing Guyana's energy future! Through dedication and hard work, we are now closer to powering the nation with reliable and sustainable energy. We're excited to continue our progress in the new year and contribute to a brighter future for Guyana,” the GtE contractor stated.

Dispute

The GtE Project consists of five key components: laying the pipeline to bring the gas onshore –which has been completed by ExxonMobil, construction of the power plant and NGL facility, installing transmission lines, building a new control centre and upgrading the aged power distribution system.

Initially, the project was scheduled to be completed by the 2024 year-end but following setbacks in handing over some components including site preparation works, LNDCH4 was given an extension to next year to deliver the power plant. However, the contractor and the Guyana Government are currently in a dispute over the deadline and associated costs but officials

have assured that this issue is not affecting the project as works continue on the ground.

Only last week, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed that written and oral submissions have already been made by the parties to the three-member Dispute Avoidance/ Adjudication Board (DAAB) that was set up to resolve this issue. He said that supplementary submissions are due in mid-January and thereafter, the DAAB is likely to deliver a ruling by the end of the month and if that decision is not accepted by

either or both parties then the matter could go to full arbitration.

The GtE contractor is making financial claims to the tune of US$50 million and wants more than the three-month extension that the Government has granted.

But VP Jagdeo argued at a press conference in September, “We believe that the delay in handing over the site… will justify just a three-month extension and that’s what we’re arguing for in the arbitration. Therefore, power should be supplied to the grid from

that project by April 2025. If they cannot do that, our argument in the arbitration is that… there will be liquidated damages.”

Meanwhile, even as this first dispute is being mediated, LNDCH4 has made another claim.

The Vice President confirmed last week that there have been some additional claims by the consortium, “particularly as they relate to the soil condition and those would have to go through the technical process to see whether [the new claims] are justified or not.”

(G-8)

Two state-of-the-art steam turbines and two oil tanks for the Gas-to-Energy Project arrived in Guyana on December 21

Some 140,000 metres of piles have been installed at the GtE Project site

Taxi driver busted with 163lbs ganja at Mahaicony

Thirty-year-old Tomal

Jeremiah Clarke, a taxi driver of Section ‘B’, Pattenson, Greater

Georgetown was on Sunday nabbed with 73.936 kilograms (163 lbs) of ganja during a roadblock exer-

cise at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Police stated that at about 15:30h, Police ranks were conducting a 'stop and search' exercise in the vicinity of Weldaad Police Station when police indicated to Clarke who was driving motorcar PAG 8451 to pull over at the side of the road.

At the time, he was reportedly acting suspiciously with a 'high scent' of ganja emanating from the vehicle. Instead of confirming the signal by the Police, he sped off thus resulting in the police giving chase.

The Mahaicony Police Station was contacted to assist in intercepting the vehicle. As such, ranks from Mahaicony established a 'stop point' along the

Calcutta Public Road which led to the interception of the motorcar.

A search of the vehicle revealed five large black garbage bags containing cannabis. Clarke who was the only occupant of the motorcar was informed of the offence committed, arrested and cautioned. He subsequently admitted ownership of the drugs, stating that he was behind on paying his car instalment and was trying to make some extra money.

Clarke, the motor car, and the five bags of cannabis were escorted to the Mahaicony Police Station, where the drugs were weighed and amounted to 73.936 kg (163 lbs). He remains in custody pending charges.

ERC’s jingle competition winners walk

away with over $2M in prizes –

Adaiah Griffith cops 1st prize

Adaiah Griffith was adjudged the winner of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Jingle Competition followed by Alcesa Grenville Wong in second place and Roger Hinds also known as ‘Young Bill Rogers’ came in third.

The consolation prize winners were Shaquana Goodluck, Erica Rupine, Rondel Holder, Nehemiah Williams, Nicholas Singh, Diana Chapman and Stacey

Rowe-Setal.

The three main prize winners each received a trophy and shared almost $1.5 million in prizes. Consolation prizes of $100,000 each and certificates were also awarded to seven contestants to round off the top ten submissions.

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony on Friday last at the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown.

This celebratory evening brought together creative minds, stakeholders, and supporters to honour the talented participants who showcased their artistic expressions of unity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Jingle Competition, launched on November 1st of this year, sought to promote the ERC's mission of fostering harmonious relations among Guyana's diverse ethnic groups. Participants from

across the nation were invited to submit jingles that highlighted themes of togetherness, understanding, and mutual respect. The Commission received a total of 51 valid entries.

After a rigorous judging process, the top 10 finalists were selected based on creativity and originality, lyric clarity and diction and their Jingles relevance to the themes.

The esteemed judges, comprising of Guyana’s leg-

endary singers and composers Sukrane Budhoo, Leon Couchman, Poonam Singh, Burchmore Simon, and Shawn Bhola evaluated all the entries to determine the winners.

Deputy-Chairman of the ERC, Charles Ogle noted that “the wonderful Jingles that were submitted are intended to be used as a unifying force to counter the known tensions that arise during the general elections period. With the 2025 General Elections

upon us, it is the hope of the ERC, that these Jingles with their messages of love, peace, tolerance and togetherness will resonate widely with all, cultivating an atmosphere of ethnic harmony and understanding across Guyana.” Ogle, who was speaking on behalf of the Chairman, Shaikh Moeenul Hack, who unfortunately could not be part of the ceremony, highlighted that “The work of building bridges and fostering mutual respect does not end here. This competition is a step, a significant step, on a journey that requires each of us to be ambassadors of peace and understanding in our communities.”

Chairman of the ERC PR Media Sub-Committee Commissioner Neaz Subhan in his brief remarks expressed optimism of the competition’s impact. “This Jingle Competition is yet another medium for the ERC to get the message over of harmony, respect and unity. We believe these Jingles will be a potent part of bringing our people together and will have an impact on Guyanese here in Guyana and abroad.”

Arrested: Jeremiah Clarke

The ganja that was found in the car

The winners along with officials of the ERC at the award ceremony

Jimmy Carter, former US President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, dead at 100

Jimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer who as US President struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis, but brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, the Carter Center said. He was 100.

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former President’s son. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”

A Democrat, he served as President from January 1977 to January 1981 after defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 U.S. election. Carter was swept from office four years later in an electoral landslide as voters embraced Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, the former actor and California Governor.

Carter lived longer after his term in office than any

hostages, with eight US soldiers killed in an aircraft accident in the Iranian desert.

Carter's final ignominy was that Iran held the 52 hostages until minutes after Reagan took his oath of office on January 20, 1981, to replace Carter, then released the planes carrying them to freedom.

Carter left office profoundly unpopular, but worked energetically for decades on humanitarian causes. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in recognition of his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development".

Carter had been a centrist as governor of Georgia with populist tendencies when he moved into the White House as the 39th US President. He was a Washington outsider at a time when America was still reeling from the Watergate scandal that led

other US President. Along the way, he earned a reputation as a better former president than he was a president – a status he readily acknowledged.

His one-term presidency was marked by the highs of the 1978 Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt, bringing some stability to the Middle East. But it was dogged by an economy in recession, persistent unpopularity and the embarrassment of the Iran hostage crisis that consumed his final 444 days in office.

In recent years, Carter had experienced several health issues including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. Carter decided to receive hospice care in February 2023 instead of undergoing additional medical intervention. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died on November 19, 2023, at age

Republican Richard Nixon to resign as President in 1974 and elevated Ford from Vice President.

"I'm Jimmy Carter and I'm running for president. I will never lie to you," Carter promised with an ear-to-ear smile.

Asked to assess his presidency, Carter said in a 1991 documentary: "The biggest failure we had was a political failure. I never was able to convince the American people that I was a forceful and strong leader."

Despite his difficulties in office, Carter had few rivals for accomplishments as a former President. He gained global acclaim as a tireless human rights advocate, a voice for the disenfranchised and a leader in the fight against hunger and poverty, winning the respect that eluded him in the White House.

Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote human rights and resolve conflicts around the world, from Ethiopia and Eritrea to Bosnia and Haiti. His Carter Center in Atlanta sent international election-monitoring delegations to polls around the world.

A Southern Baptist Sunday School teacher since his teens, Carter brought a strong sense of morality to the presidency, speaking openly about his religious faith. He also sought to take some pomp out of an increasingly imperial presidency –walking, rather than riding in a limousine, in his 1977 inauguration parade.

The Middle East was the focus of Carter's foreign policy. The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, based on the 1978 Camp David accords, ended a state of war between the two neighbours.

Carter brought Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland for talks. Later, as the accords seemed to be unravelling, Carter saved the day by flying to Cairo and Jerusalem for personal shuttle diplomacy.

The treaty provided for Israeli withdrawal from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and establishment of diplomatic relations. Begin and Sadat each won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1978.

By the 1980 election, the overriding issues were double-digit inflation, interest rates that exceeded 20 per cent and soaring gas prices, as well as the Iran hostage crisis that brought humiliation to America. These issues marred Carter's presidency and undermined his chances of winning a second term.

Hostage crisis

On November 4, 1979, revolutionaries devoted to Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, seized the Americans present and demanded the return of the ousted shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was backed by the United States and was being treated in a US hospital.

The American public initially rallied behind Carter. But his support faded in April 1980 when a commando raid failed to rescue the

In another crisis, Carter protested the former Soviet Union's 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. He also asked the US Senate to defer consideration of a major nuclear arms accord with Moscow.

Unswayed, the Soviets remained in Afghanistan for a decade.

Carter won narrow Senate approval in 1978 of a treaty to transfer the Panama Canal to the control of Panama despite critics who argued the waterway was vital to American security. He also completed negotiations on full US ties with China.

Carter created two new US Cabinet departments –education and energy. Amid high gas prices, he said America's "energy crisis" was "the moral equivalent of war" and urged the country to embrace conservation. "Ours is the most wasteful nation on earth," he told Americans in 1977.

In 1979, Carter delivered what became known as his "malaise" speech to the nation, although he never used that word.

"After listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America," he said in his televised address.

"The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to de-

“There you go again”

Jimmy Carter withstood a challenge from Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination but was politically diminished heading into his general election battle against a vigorous Republican adversary.

Reagan, the conservative who projected an image of strength, kept Carter off balance during their debates before the November 1980 election.

Reagan dismissively told Carter, "There you go again," when the Republican challenger felt the President had

mate, Carter was given a boost by a major Ford gaffe during one of their debates. Ford said that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe and there never will be under a Ford administration", despite decades of just such domination.

Carter edged Ford in the election, even though Ford actually won more states –27 to Carter's 23.

Not all of Carter's post-presidential work was appreciated. Former President George W Bush and his father, former President George HW Bush, both Republicans, were said to have been displeased by

misrepresented Reagan's views during one debate.

Carter lost the 1980 election to Reagan, who won 44 of the 50 states and amassed an Electoral College landslide.

James Earl Carter Jr was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, one of four children of a farmer and shopkeeper. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1946, served in the nuclear submarine programme, and left to manage the family peanut farming business.

He married his wife, Rosalynn, in 1946, a union he called "the most important thing in my life". They had three sons and a daughter.

Carter became a million-

stroy the social and the political fabric of America."

As President, the straitlaced Carter was embarrassed by the behaviour of his hard-drinking younger brother, Billy Carter, who had boasted: "I got a red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer."

aire, a Georgia state legislator and Georgia's Governor from 1971 to 1975. He mounted an underdog bid for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination, and out-hustled his rivals for the right to face Ford in the general election.

With Walter Mondale as his vice presidential running

Carter's freelance diplomacy in Iraq and elsewhere.

In 2004, Carter called the Iraq war launched in 2003 by the younger Bush one of the most "gross and damaging mistakes our nation ever made". He called George W Bush's Administration "the worst in history" and said Vice President Dick Cheney was "a disaster for our country".

In 2019, Carter questioned Republican Donald Trump's legitimacy as President, saying "he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf". Trump responded by calling Carter "a terrible president."

Carter also made trips to communist North Korea. A 1994 visit defused a nuclear crisis, as President Kim Il Sung agreed to freeze his nuclear programme in exchange for resumed dialogue with the United States. That led to a deal in which North Korea, in return for aid, promised not to restart its nuclear reactor or reprocess the plant's spent fuel.

But Carter irked Democratic President Bill Clinton's Administration by announcing the deal with North Korea's leader without first checking with Washington.

In 2010, Carter won the release of an American sentenced to eight years hard labour for illegally entering North Korea.

Carter wrote more than two dozen books, ranging from a presidential memoir to a children's book and poetry, as well as works about religious faith and diplomacy. His book "Faith: A Journey for All," was published in 2018. (Reuters)

96. He looked frail when he attended her memorial service and funeral in a wheelchair.

Jimmy Carter in 2012 (Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh photo)

Jimmy Carter and his wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter during a reception to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary in Plains, Georgia, July 2021 (John Bazemore/Pool)

President Jimmy Carter, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin during the Camp David Accords, September 6, 1978 (Marion S Trikosko photo)

President Jimmy Carter works on a speech for television in the Oval Office, February 2, 1977 (Marion S Trikosko photo)

Joshua Regrello achieves 31-hour world record in pan-playing marathon

The Prime Minister, members of his Government, Opposition politicians and the people of Trinidad and Tobago on December 28 congratulated Joshua “D Pan Man” Regrello after he set a world record of 31 hours for the longest-playing pan marathon to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.

Previous steelpan world records had been set for the largest pans, but not for marathon playing.

The history-making event took place at Wack radio station on Coffee Street, San Fernando.

Regrello started at 06:28h on December 27 and

allowances were made for short breaks.

On his personal Facebook page, Dr Rowley congratulated Regrello on his accomplishment and surpassing his goal of 30 hours.

“Your dedication, perseverance, and passion for our national instrument have been and continue to be truly inspiring. You have created history and more so, you have been able to unite our country and the Diaspora during this holiday season.

“You have filled a nation with pride and I am sure that the pioneers of the steelpan who have passed on, and those who are still with us, are tremendously proud of you.”

Rowley said even as the country waited on the official confirmation from the Guinness Book of World Records, Regrello elevated the art form to new heights on the global stage. He said Regrello’s achievement would inspire future generations of musicians and artistes in Trinidad and Tobago and around the world.

Regrello also made pan history by becoming the first pannist to perform on the Great Wall of China earlier this year, as part of the commemoration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Trinidad and Tobago. (Trinidad Newsday)

Brazil yanks temp work visas for China's BYD after trafficking claims

Brazil has stopped issuing temporary work visas for BYD, its Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Friday, in the wake of accusations that some workers at a site owned by the Chinese electric vehicle producer had been victims of human trafficking.

The announcement came days after labour authorities said they found 163 Chinese workers who had been brought to Brazil irregularly in "slavery-like" conditions at the BYD factory construction site in the northeastern state of Bahia. The workers were employed by contractor Jinjiang Group, which has denied any wrongdoing.

Later, the authorities also said the workers were victims of human trafficking. According to the foreign ministry, the workers entered Brazil on temporary work visas.

The factory has become a symbol of China's growing influence in the South American nation and an example of a closer relationship between both countries.

BYD has invested US$620 million to set up the Bahia factory complex alone.

Brazil is the biggest overseas market for BYD, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ministry's decision.

The Chinese EV maker has said it plans to start production in Brazil early next year with an initial annual output of 150,000 cars.

Brazil's Justice Ministry said in a separate statement on Friday that if irregularities found by prosecutors in the BYD factory are con-

firmed, it would revoke the residence permits it had issued to the Chinese workers.

The Justice Ministry had already sent a request to the Foreign Affairs Ministry to suspend BYD temporary visa issuance on December 20, three days before the labour authorities' findings were made public, according to a source with knowledge of the communication.

The order was then forwarded to Brazil's Embassy in Beijing, the source added.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuela Opposition adviser holed up in Argentine residence calls it 'prison'

The Argentine diplomatic residence in Caracas, where five members of the Venezuelan Opposition are staying to avoid arrest, has become a "prison", one Opposition member staying there said on Saturday.

The residence has been without power for more than a month, Magalli Meda, adviser to Opposition Leader Maria Corina Machado, said on X.

"It's a violation of our human rights. It's become an embassy prison," she wrote.

The Venezuelan

Government claims the power cut came after the residence did not pay the electricity bill.

The Opposition members have been holed up in the residence since warrants were issued for their arrest in March.

In July, Venezuela held contested presidential elections in which both President Nicolás Maduro and the Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez claimed victory. The Opposition has presented detailed vote counts in its favour, while Maduro has not.

Gonzalez has since fled to Spain, while Machado, who was barred from running in the July election, is in hiding.

Argentina and Peru backed the Opposition's election win, causing diplomatic friction with the Maduro Government. Brazil has since taken over operations of both countries' embassies in Venezuela.

"No ambassador has come to this embassy. Not one. Have they tried? Surely some would have wanted to," Meda said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

BMS warns of deteriorating marine conditions around Barbados

The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has issued an advisory about deteriorating marine conditions around the island due to northerly sea swells.

This marine event, which began Sunday, December 29, is expected to last until Thursday, January 2, 2025.

While there are no official watches or warnings for

Barbados, the BMS is cautioning marine users to remain vigilant as choppy sea conditions are forecasted, particularly along the western coastlines of the island. These conditions are expected to develop Sunday night and peak between Monday and Tuesday, before subsiding by Thursday morning.

The BMS predicts swells between 1.5 to 2.5 meters

across the coastal waters of Barbados, which may create hazardous conditions for marine users.

The deterioration in marine conditions is attributed to the strengthening of a mid-latitude cyclone in the central Atlantic, which is generating northerly sea swells affecting Barbados and the surrounding region. (Excerpt from Nation News)

PAHO urges protection of medical facilities, services in Haiti

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is calling for the urgent protection of medical facilities and health services as violence continues to escalate across Haiti.

With armed groups targeting healthcare centres, PAHO said the Frenchspeaking Caribbean country’s already fragile healthcare system is under “unprecedented strain, severely affecting access to essential medical care”.

It said the situation in Haiti has become increasingly dire, with over 700,000 people displaced due to violence.

This month, PAHO said the Bernard Mevs Hospital in Port-au-Prince was partially destroyed, “further exacerbating the already limited healthcare capacity”.

“The attack on Bernard Mevs Hospital is a tragic blow to Haiti’s already fragile healthcare system. I am deeply concerned about the escalating violence and stand in solidarity with Haiti’s health community,” PAHO Director, Dr Jarbas Barbosa said.

“Protecting healthcare facilities, patients, health workers, equipment, and medical activities is essential.”

Prior to this, PAHO said Doctors Without Borders (MSF), a key humanitarian partner, suspended operations in the capital for three weeks.

PAHO said the last remaining public hospital in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area capable of handling a surge of mass casualties, Hôpital Universitaire La Paix, is “operating under immense pressure, as it struggles to manage a growing number of patients amidst a volatile environment”.

It noted that international humanitarian law mandates the protection of healthcare workers, facilities, and services during conflicts, ensuring that medical care remains accessible to all, regardless of

their affiliations.

“The rising attacks on hospitals and healthcare personnel highlight the urgent need for these laws to be upheld to safeguard the lives of both patients and health workers,” PAHO said.

Amidst the violence, PAHO said it is working closely with Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) and other humanitarian partners to provide support.

In 2024, PAHO said it delivered more than 38 tons of essential medicines and medical supplies to support the continuity of services in operational health facilities and facilitated the mobilisation of MSPP mobile clinics, which have provided over 9000 consultations in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) sites.

In addition to the ongoing violence, PAHO said Haiti experienced a resurgence of cholera in October 2022, which spread across the country.

Although suspected cholera cases have declined nationwide, PAHO said localised outbreaks continue to be reported, particularly in IDP sites, where crowded conditions facilitate the spread of the disease.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Joshua Regrello sets the 31-hour mark in his bid to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest pan marathon on December 28 at Wack 90.1 FM radio station on Coffee Street, San Fernando (Maria Waldron photo)

A drone view shows BYD's new electric vehicle (EV) factory's construction site in Camacari, Brazil, December 26, 2024 (Reuters/ Joa Souza photo)

PAHO Director, Dr Jarbas Barbosa

Around the World

OIL NEWS

Oil inches lower in thin trade, investors

Fiery plane crash kills 179 in worst airline disaster in South Korea

he deadliest air ac-

Teye China, US data

Oil prices slipped lower today in thin holiday trade ahead of the year-end as traders awaited more economic data from China and the US later this week to assess growth in the world's two largest oil consumers.

Brent crude futures fell six cents to US$74.11 a barrel by 0111 GMT while the more active March contract was at US$73.73 a barrel, down six cents.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped eight cents to US$70.52 a barrel.

Both contracts rose about 1.4 per cent last week buoyed by a larger-than-expected drawdown from US crude inventories in the week ended December 20 as refiners ramped up activity and the holiday season boosted fuel demand.

Oil prices were also supported by optimism for Chinese economic growth next year that could lift demand from the top crude oil importing nation.

To revive growth, Chinese authorities have agreed to issue a record three trillion yuan (US$411 billion) in special treasury bonds in 2025, Reuters reported last week.

Separately, the World Bank has also raised its forecast for China's economic growth in 2024 and 2025, but warned that subdued household and business confidence, along with headwinds in the property sector, would keep weighing it down next year.

Investors are eyeing China's PMI factory surveys due on Tuesday and the US ISM survey for December to be released on Friday.

In Europe, hopes for a new deal to transit Russian gas through Ukraine are fading after Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that there was no time left this year to sign a new deal.

The loss of piped Russian gas should see Europe import more liquefied natural gas (LNG), analysts said. (Reuters)

Azerbaijan

President says

crashed plane was shot at from Russia

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday that a passenger plane that crashed last week, killing 38 persons, had been damaged by accidental shooting from the ground in Russia, adding that some in Russia had lied about the cause of the disaster.

Russian President Vladimir Putin apologised on Saturday to Aliyev for Wednesday's "tragic incident" in Russian airspace involving Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243 after Russian air defences engaged Ukrainian attack drones.

A Kremlin statement did not say Russia had shot down the plane, only noting a criminal case had been opened.

"Our plane was shot down by accident," Aliyev said on State television on Sunday, adding that the plane had come under some sort of electronic jamming and had then been shot at while it was approaching the southern Russian city of Grozny.

The pilots, who died in the crash, have been lauded in Azerbaijan for a landing that allowed 29 people to survive.

"Unfortunately, in the first three days we heard only absurd versions from Russia," Aliyev said, citing statements in Russia that attributed the crash to a bird strike or the explosion of some sort of gas cylinder.

"We witnessed clear attempts to cover up the matter," said the Azerbaijani leader, who has close ties to Russia and was educated at one of Moscow's top universities.

Aliyev said he wanted Russia to accept it was guilty of downing the plane and to punish those responsible.

Putin and Aliyev held another telephone call on Sunday, the Kremlin said. It gave no details but on Saturday it said that both civilian and military specialists were being questioned about what had taken place. (Excerpt from Reuters)

cident ever in South Korea killed 179 persons on Sunday, when an airliner belly-landed and skidded off the end of the runway, erupting in a fireball as it slammed into a wall at Muan International Airport.

Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from the Thai capital Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew on board, was trying to land shortly after 9 am (0000 GMT) at the airport in the south of the country, South Korea's Transport Ministry said.

Two crew members survived and were being treated for injuries.

The deadliest air accident on South Korean soil was also the worst involving a South Korean airline in nearly three decades, the Transport Ministry said.

The twin-engine Boeing 737-800 was seen in local media video skidding down the runway with no visible landing gear before crashing into navigation equipment and a wall in an explosion of flames and debris.

"Only the tail part re-

tains a little bit of shape, and the rest of (the plane) looks almost impossible to recognise," Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun told a press briefing.

The two crew members, a man and a woman, were rescued from the tail section

of the burning plane, Lee said. They were being treated at hospitals with medium to severe injuries, said the head of the local public health centre.

Investigators are examining bird strikes and weather conditions as possible factors, Lee said. Yonhap news agency cited airport authorities as saying such a strike may have caused the landing gear to malfunction. The crash was the worst for any South Korean airline since a 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam that killed more than 200 people, Transportation Ministry data showed. The previous worst on South Korean soil was an Air China crash that killed 129 in 2002. Under global aviation rules, South Korea will lead a civil investigation into the crash. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Israeli forces order new evacuation of besieged northern Gaza town

Israeli forces carrying out a weeks-long offensive in northern Gaza ordered any residents remaining in Beit Hanoun to leave the town on Sunday, citing Palestinian militant rocket fire from the area, residents said.

The instruction to leave has caused a new wave of displacement, although it was not immediately clear how many people were affected, the residents said.

Israel says its almost three-month-old campaign in northern Gaza is aimed at Hamas militants and preventing them from regrouping. Its instructions to civilians to evacuate are meant to keep them out of harm's way, the military says.

Palestinian and United Nations officials say no place is safe in Gaza and that evacuations worsen the humanitarian conditions of the population.

Much of the area around the northern towns of Beit Hanoun, Jabalia and Beit Lahiya has been cleared of people and razed, fuelling speculation Israel intends to keep the area as a closed buffer zone after the fighting in Gaza ends.

Palestinian health officials said Israeli military strikes across the enclave killed at least 23 persons on Sunday. One of those strikes killed seven persons

and wounded others at AlWAFA Hospital in Gaza City, the Palestinian civil emergency service said in a statement.

The military said the hospital had been used as a command centre for Hamas, adding on Sunday that 15 of those detained had participated in the October 7 attack on Israel, and that its operation there had killed about 20 militants. (Excerpt from Reuters)

71 killed in Ethiopia traffic accident

Dozens of people were killed Sunday in Ethiopia in a traffic accident in Sidama region.

Regional and hospital officials told VOA that 71

people have died in the accident in Bona district, in the Eastern Sidama Zone, south of Addis Ababa. Mate Mengesha, local administrator of the zone, told VOA Horn of Africa

Service that the accident occurred in the Galana River, 125 kilometres from Hawassa, the region's capital.

He said among the dead, 68 were men and

three were women. The incident was confirmed on the regional government communications Facebook page.

Ashenafi Bliso, director of Bona Hospital, confirmed the death toll with VOA in a phone interview.

He said four persons were seriously injured and are being treated at the hospital.

He added that one victim was transferred to Hawassa Referral Hospital for advanced treatment.

Mate said a truck carrying passengers lost control while passing over a bridge and plunged into the Galana River.

Mate said the victims include young people from the same area who were returning from a wedding ceremony and work at a coffee site. (Excerpt from VOA)

An excavator is used to lift burnt chairs from the wreckage of the aircraft that crashed after it went off the runway at Muan International Airport, in Muan, South Korea, December 29, 2024 (Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji photo)

SUDOKU

A professional or financial change looks promising, but it’s up to you to ask questions and position yourself strategically to ensure you end up where you feel comfortable. Leave nothing to chance or unfinished.

Learn from your mistakes and make minor adjustments. It’s time to broaden your awareness and consider what’s possible. Don’t stick to what others expect or want if you don’t wish to do so.

Refuse to let uncertainty bring you down. Be open to suggestions and let your charm lead the way, and you’ll attract people who offer hope for a brighter future.

Refuse to stay put when moving forward will give you the momentum you need to get ahead. Embrace what life offers and seize the moment by taking advantage of whatever comes your way.

Evaluate your situation and make your dream a reality. Try something new or pick up skills to help you succeed professionally. Be wary of situations that pose a health risk.

Once you’re satisfied that everything is in its place, you can let down your guard and put on your dancing shoes. Prepare to end one year and start another by celebrating what you’ve accomplished.

Establish what you want. Question motives, emotions and your current lifestyle, and consider the changes you want to make. Focus on personal improvements, peace of mind and love.

You don’t have to take on burdens alone. Better health care and wealth management are favored. Leave nothing to chance; don’t act in haste or let anger lead the way.

Bide your time, wait and watch for signs, and choose an appropriate time to discuss what concerns you. A change is overdue, and taking a less orthodox approach will satisfy your need for something new and exciting.

Take care of business to ensure you take advantage of year-end benefits. Refuse to let your emotions cost you. Don’t buy into someone’s demands that put you in a vulnerable position.

A gesture will positively impact your lifestyle and the changes to come next year. It’s time to commit long term; plant seeds and see what transpires. You’ve got nothing to lose.

Be receptive, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Listen carefully and subscribe only to what benefits you. An offer will not be as solid as it appears.

South Africa have qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final after beating Pakistan by two wickets in a high-drama encounter at SuperSport Park. Set a modest but challenging target of 148 to win, they were 99 for 8 just before lunch and it was left to Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen to score the remaining 51 runs in a tense ninth-wicket stand against a Pakistan attack with their tails up.

Mohammad Abbas, on a comeback from a three-year absence from the Test side, bowled a marathon 19.3 overs spell from the Hennops River End and took a career best 6 for 54 but could

not end Pakistan's lean run in South Africa. This is the eighth successive Test they have lost in the country, dating back to 2007.

Pakistan gave themselves every chance by running through South Africa's middle order on a morning of mayhem, where South Africa lost 5 for 37, including four wickets for three runs in 12 balls, which put the onus on the bowlers to finish the job.

Jansen and Rabada are both capable with the bat but with the pressure turned up fully, every ball was an event, from the second one Rabada faced, that he hit up and over point for four, to the final one, steered delicately by Jansen through point to se-

South Africa clinch two-wicket thriller to seal WTC final spot

then to seal a famous win.

While Rabada and Jansen held their arms up in celebration on the field, South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma and coach Shukri Conrad embraced in the changeroom. The pair came together at the end of the last WTC cycle to lead South Africa through this one. Mission accomplished.

Bavuma would have also been a relieved man after he worked his way to 40 and then walked when he did not hit the ball. He was given out off what seemed to be the inside-edge and walked. Replays showed the ball had brushed a part of his clothing and, with all three reviews available, South Africa could have asked for a second opinion.

Instead, Bavuma, who had received treatment on his elbow shortly before that, left the middle order to finish the job.

This is the second time Bavuma has walked at

give Abbas his sixth wicket and South Africa had crumbled from a position that felt comfortable: 96 for 4 after teetering precariously on 27 for 3 overnight. Bavuma got the first

SuperSport Park - in 2020 against Sri Lanka, he was on 71 when he thought he had under-edged Dasun Shanaka and left the field before the umpire had raised the finger. This time, Alex Wharf had given Bavuma out but he chose not to review to the surprise of the South African changeroom. His dismissal triggered the collapse that left the tail at the crease.

Kyle Verreynne could not get behind the line of a Naseem Shah delivery and chopped it onto his stumps. In the next over David Bedingham chased an Abbas ball and was caught behind, and Corbin Bosch did almost exactly the same thing to

runs of the morning, and his first runs, off the fifth ball, off a Abbas half-volley that he clipped through square leg. Abbas adjusted to back of a length and in his next over, thought he had found Bavuma's edge. Rizwan indicated the ball had brushed Bavuma's thigh but Shah Masood reviewed anyway. Rizwan was proved right and Bavuma, on 5, could continue.

Aiden Markram looked slightly more in control but got a streaky boundary off the edge before Bavuma creamed Khurram Shahzad through mid-on to leave South Africa with 100 runs to get.

Off the next ball, Bavuma,

on 13, was given out lbw to Shahzad but reviewed immediately. Replays showed an inside edge and Bavuma survived again.

South Africa scored just three runs off the next 27 balls before Bavuma released the pressure with a hook shot off Abbas that Naseem thought he could get under. Naseem got hands under the ball but the momentum carried him over the boundary rope and not only did Bavuma get away with the shot he has fallen to several times this season but he got six for it.

To add insult to injury, Markram smashed the second ball of Naseem's next over over extra cover for four. Fourteen dot balls followed before a Markram single took South Africa to the first drinks break with no damage done and 35 runs scored in the first hour.

Three balls after the interval, Markram was bowled by an Abbas delivery that kept low as he tried to jam his bat down and keep it out. That ended a 43-run fourth-wicket stand between Bavuma and Markram and brought Bedingham, who has

a top score of 35 this summer, to the crease.

He started with a wristy flick for four before Bavuma reeled off an exquisite cover drive but the eye-catching shots were followed by risky ones.

Bavuma could not resist another hook, despite not being able to extend his elbow fully, but the chance fell safely. He went on to advance on Shahzad, brought back to replace Naseem, and hit over the covers but could never get comfortable.

Two balls later, Shahzad thought he found his outside edge but Rizwan saw it was pad and Masood listened. Bavuma faced eight more balls before he required treatment on his right elbow - the left was injured before this season - but continued. In the next over, he drove expansively and loosely against Abbas and walked but his team-mates had enough in the tank to guarantee South Africa's place at Lord's next year and take a 1-0 series lead. South Africa will play one more Test in this cycle, against Pakistan, at Newlands next week.

(ESPNcricinfo)

The South Africa players did a lap of honour after sealing a spot in the WTC

Kagiso Rabada roars in satisfaction after making 31 off 26 to take South Africa home

Mohammad Abbas ran through South Africa in the morning session

Temba Bavuma pulls away a short one

Lyon, Boland frustrate India after Bumrah rips through middle order

In one of the most absorbing days of Test cricket you could wish to see, another remarkable performance from Jasprit Bumrah blew the game wide open. But, Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins played their second vital innings of the match before the last-wicket pair of Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland extended Australia's lead to 333, and potentially out of India's reach.

Having kept themselves in the match for so much of the day, India were frustrated by Lyon and Boland who eked out a precious 55 runs and couldn't be separated before stumps on day four. Lyon should have become Bumrah's fifth wicket in the final over of the day when he edged to third slip, where KL Rahul somehow held the ball between his legs, but an exhausted Bumrah had overstepped. Lyon ended up taking 14 off the over to close the day with his joint second-highest Test score.

Whatever India's final target, it will no doubt spark memories of events at the Gabba in 2021, particularly with the nature of how the lower order kept them in the contest on day three. As on that occasion, they will again have to defy history: no team has ever chased a higher fourth-innings total for a win at the MCG, with the highest being England's 332 for 7 which they achieved in 1928. A crowd of 299,329 has watched the match across the first four days, the highest-ever attendance for a Boxing Day Test.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's maiden century narrowed Australia's first-innings advantage to 105. India's new-

in three overs in the first part of the afternoon session which included Bumrah's 200th Test wicket as he removed Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey in an electric passage of play.

However, at 99 for 6 came a potentially defining moment when Labuschagne, on 46, was dropped in the gully by Yashasvi Jaiswal when he looked to glide the luckless Deep to third. Jaiswal, who had early shelled Usman Khawaja at leg gully, had a day to forget in the field as he also gave Cummins a life in the final over before tea when he missed a low chance at silly point.

Labuschagne and Cummins extended their partnership to 57, every run feeling like gold dust before

hold back in a celebration that appeared to mimic Konstas' interactions with the crowd.

Bumrah moved the ball so much that it was sometimes impossible to hit, while both Akash and Siraj were challenging, although the former might have wanted to pitch the ball a touch fuller. The benefit of pitching up a fraction more was shown when Siraj seamed a delivery through Khawaja. At one stage during the morning session, the broadcast said that Australia's batters had been beaten 21 times in 18 overs.

Briefly after lunch, it appeared Labuschagne and Smith, who had started the innings within 51 of 10,000 runs, were trying to increase the tempo but any thought of that was soon shut down.

ball bowling, with Bumrah well supported by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, made life extremely tough for the top order and the home side progressed at barely two-anda-half runs an over. But at 80 for 2 - a lead of 185 - more comfortable territory was looming for Australia, only for the picture to change dramatically.

Steven Smith's wicket sparked a collapse of 4 for 11

Labuschagne was lbw to Siraj who had his best day of the series since Perth.

Any notion that Australia would add freely to their lead soon vanished in the morning as India bowled excellently with the new ball on a pitch offering more seam movement than previous days. This time Bumrah got the better of Sam Konstas when he seamed one through the gate and didn't

Siraj opened the door when Smith chased a wide delivery, then Rohit Sharma sensed a moment and immediately brought back Bumrah who was breathtaking. With his second delivery, he had Head flicking to forward square leg and four deliveries later, he continued Marsh's lean series with a delivery that climbed and brushed the glove. Marsh was left with 73 runs in seven

innings (47 of which came in one knock) and he will likely be at the centre of much debate ahead of the Sydney Test regardless of the result here.

When Bumrah seamed one back sharply at Alex Carey, the game was threatening to be turned on its head barely 24 hours after

India looked likely to concede a lead over 200. Then came Labuschagne's reprieve and Australia breathed again.

Scoring was never free but Labuschagne constructed one of the most important innings of his career although at times could only smile when another delivery would whistle past

his edge. Overs such as one from Deep that went for nine - with a boundary apiece to Labuschagne and Cummins - were like small momentum shifts.

When the pair survived Bumrah's first spell after tea that felt like a good result for Australia, but Siraj produced a superb delivery to earn an lbw against Labuschagne that was upheld on umpire's call.

Mitchell Starc fell to a misunderstanding with Cummins and a brilliant piece of work from Rishabh Pant who removed a glove to collect Reddy's throw from the deep and produced a direct hit at the non-striker's end. Cummins then edged Jadeja to slip having produced his highest runs tally in a Test.

The contributions by the lower order have made Australia favourites, although nothing feels certain.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Mohammed Siraj was pumped up after trapping Marnus Labuschagne lbw

Jasprit Bumrah got Travis Head as his 200th Test wicket

Rohit Sharma holds on to a catch from Pat Cummins

Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland frustrated India with a fifty-plus stand for the last wicket

On many occasions, the avid boxing fans at the recently-renovated Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Saturday night were forced to their feet in glee as they took in the Pro-Am card put on by Elton Dharry Promotions.

With support from the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) and Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), the fans were able to witness their local Guyanese pugilists reign supreme over those who came from near and far to put up a challenge.

The feature bout of the night pitted Guyana’s Elton Dharry against 23-year-old Colombian Ramey Ramirez in a six-round Bantamweight contest.

Dharry made good of the opportunity to get in some practice ahead of his World title fight in May of 2025. Ramirez, known in his

homeland as a connoisseur of the knockout, got in an early right hand to Dharry during the contest which could have been considered a sort of wake-up call for the 39-yearold Guyanese.

However, a series of body shots in the second round saw Dharry destabilising his opponent. Though Ramirez rose to his feet to continue the bout, Dharry carried on with his onslaught to fell Ramirez for a second time, this time decisive; securing the knockout two minutes and 59 seconds into the second round.

after the bout.

A visibly-elated Dharry was happy to treat the Guyanese fans gathered to another victory.

“Thank God for another win here in Guyana. I feel him out in the first round, he has heavy hands actually. So, I know in the second round, I will pick it up,” Dharry shared with media operatives

The Guyanese pugilist went on to address Ramirez’s landed shot, “It didn’t affect me, but it make me double think about my attack for him, because he got very hard and I was not expecting it that hard.”

Another anticipated bout on the night ended with a knockout result as Keevin Allicock kept his short, professional record clean with a second victory.

Police FC storm into quarter-finals with 12-1 win over Melanie

Defending champions Police FC made an impressive start in defence of their title when they outplayed a fighting Melanie line-up, beating the East Coast Demerara team 12-1. The lawmen were hoping to leave the Princess Elizabeth Road Ground with a clean slate after having Melanie down 12-0. However, with two minutes left on the clock, Christian Padmore scored a consolation goal for Melanie..

Adrian Aaron led the way for Police with four goals and got good support from Jemar Harrigan with three.

Daren Benjamin and Devo Padmore netted a double each while Omar Jones also registered his name on the score card.

Melanie looked impressive throughout the encounter in passing the ball and finding players, but just could not get past the Police’s defence. The second game of the night saw Trafalgar Titans winning 5-2 over Ithaca FC.

Scoring for Trafalgar were Jahleeal Samuel (12th), Brandy Allen (21st), Ron Higgins (48th), Tiraive Cox (52nd) and Odel Miller (55th). For Ithaca, Jerrick Grittens (24th) and Heron Imis (57th) were the goal scorers.

All four quarter-final matches were expected to be played on Sunday evening, with the final set for Saturday.

At stake in the tournament is over $1 million in cash and prizes. (G4)

This time around, Allicock’s challengers was local, professional debutant Dexter Wray, who only lasted two rounds before opting to stay away from the third round, thus ending the contest.

The six-round featherweight bout saw both boxers getting a feel of their opponent in the first three- minute rotation, but it soon became apparent that Allicock

was too much for Wray to handle. So much so, Allicock was toying with his opponent by the second round, throwing soft jabs to punctuate his decisive strikes.

Though he made it through the second round, Wray signalled his intention to not go on before the third round.

In other professional bouts, Emmanuel Sancho floored Anson Green one minute and 17 seconds into the third round of their fourround contest while Kevin Isaacs pulled off a unanimous, 40-36 victory over Julian Clarke.

The amateur bouts on the card were highlighted by the lone female bout of the night, which saw Guyana’s Abiola Jackman pummelling Barbados’ Kemara Stewart in a unanimous decision victory.

Lumumba unveiled as new GBA advisor

Another feather has been added to the large cap of sports enthusiast Odinga Lumumba following his official appointment as Advisor to the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA).

The decision was taken by the executive of the GBA following a thorough assessment process to appoint “The Godfather” to that portfolio. Lumumba, who has accepted the appointment, will commence his tenure next year.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle said that although Lumumba is an individual of many talents, he has made significant contributions in the field of sport.

“Boxing (amateur) is presently on the right track, but the appointment of Odinga Lumumba can and will only serve to inject new energy and life into a discipline that he is very much au fait with over the course of a sporting life that has spanned decades," Ninvalle stated.

According to Ninvalle,

“Objectively speaking, Lumumba brings a wealth of knowledge not only in the discipline of boxing but also in the overall sporting landscape, and this is evident with a simple analysis of his performance and contribution in other sports, including football. We anticipate and expect that his involvement in a very important and significant role will only serve to build on the structures currently being employed by the GBA."

As a boxing promoter and manager, Lumumba had guided both Andrew Murray

and Anthony “The Pearl” Andrews to world title challenges. He was named the World Boxing Association (WBA) Latin America Promoter of the Year in 1995. Ninvalle added that Lumumba, a veteran politician, has tirelessly pushed for better facilities and had singlehandedly lifted football club Alpha United from obscurity to regional prominence.

“I think that the entire Guyana is aware of his capabilities and at the level of the GBA, we are satisfied that his coming onboard is a step in the right direction. The sport of boxing will certainly be better with his involvement,” Ninvalle concluded. Lumumba will commence his tenure on January 1, 2025.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle

Keevin Allicock added another win to his professional record (Photo credit – Newsroom Sport)